Itron Gmbh

Innovative Communications Technologies, Inc.

Scott Swanson

David Nelson Makinson

Andrew Lancaster

James C Crichton

Jeffrey Richard Jacobson

David J Megel

Moe G Abutaleb

Ronald Nau

Jeffrey R Jacobson

Disclosed are apparatus and methodologies for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load side voltage sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. The present subject matter provides enhanced capabilities resulting in improved functionality, increased safety, and greater economy vis-&#xe0;-vis fraud detection for individual metrology components in an open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, which is situated generally downstream of a remote disconnect functionality. Such detection circuit is able to sense whether voltage exists or doesn't exist at such relatively downstream, or load side location. Providing such functionality allows for: (a) verification that a remote disconnect switch did open subsequent to an instruction or command to do so, (b) identification of possible user fraud, as would possibly be reflected by the presence of voltage at a time when the remote disconnect switch is open, (c) verification that the remote disconnect switch did re-close after having been given an instruction or command to close, and (d) verification of lack of voltage present before re-closing such remote disconnect switch, which serves an important safety feature.

Load side voltage sensing for AMI metrology

Disclosed are apparatus and methodology subject matters for providing improved functionality of a meter in a 2-way communications arrangement, such as an Advanced Metering System (AMS) or Infrastructure (AMI). More particularly, the present technology relates to methodologies and apparatus for providing load side voltage sensing for utility meters which preferably are operable with remote disconnect features in an Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) open operational framework. The present subject matter provides enhanced capabilities resulting in improved functionality, increased safety, and greater economy vis-&#xe0;-vis fraud detection for individual metrology components in an open operational framework. Meters per the present subject matter utilize a detection circuit, which is situated generally downstream of a remote disconnect functionality. Such detection circuit is able to sense whether voltage exists or doesn't exist at such relatively downstream, or load side location. Providing such functionality allows for: (a) verification that a remote disconnect switch did open subsequent to an instruction or command to do so, (b) identification of possible user fraud, as would possibly be reflected by the presence of voltage at a time when the remote disconnect switch is open, (c) verification that the remote disconnect switch did re-close after having been given an instruction or command to close, and (d) verification of lack of voltage present before re-closing such remote disconnect switch, which serves an important safety feature.

A system is provided for controlling a network of communication terminals with a a management component and an implementation component, the implementation component in communication with the management component to receive at least one transmission plan, the transmission plan containing a scheduled implementation time, the implementation component receiving-the transmission plan, decoding an implementation time for the transmission plan and outputting command to network component at the implementation time to implement the transmission plan.

System and method for facilitating component management in a multiple vendor satellite communications network

A system for controlling a network of communication terminals with a management component and an implementation component, the implementation component in communication with the management component to receive at least one transmission plan, the transmission plan containing a scheduled implementation time, the implementation component receiving the transmission plan, decoding an implementation time for the transmission plan and outputting command to network component at the implementation time to implement the transmission plan.

Growing community of inventors

Columbia, MD, United States of America

Scott Swanson