TEPZZ 585797B_T

(19)

(11) EP 2 585 797 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Date of publication and mention (51) Int Cl.:

of the grant of the patent: G01D 4/00 (2006.01) H02J 3/00 (2006.01)
17.08.2016 Bulletin 2016/33
(86) International application number:
(21) Application number: 11746684.7 PCT/US2011/041782

(22) Date of filing: 24.06.2011 (87) International publication number:

WO 2011/163569 (29.12.2011 Gazette 2011/52)

(54) VIRTUAL SMART ENERGY METER

VIRTUELLER INTELLIGENTER STROMZÄHLER
COMPTEUR D’ÉNERGIE INTELLIGENT VIRTUEL

(84) Designated Contracting States: • MAYNE, David

AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB Eagan
GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO MN 55123 (US)
PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
(74) Representative: Curley, Donnacha John et al
(30) Priority: 25.06.2010 US 823309 Hanna Moore + Curley
Garryard House
(43) Date of publication of application: 25/26 Earlsfort Terrace
01.05.2013 Bulletin 2013/18 Dublin 2, D02 PX51 (IE)

(73) Proprietor: Digi International Inc. (56) References cited:

Minnetonka, MN 55343 (US) EP-A1- 1 950 911 WO-A1-2008/092268
US-A1- 2008 224 892 US-A1- 2009 088 907
(72) Inventors: US-A1- 2009 243 869 US-A1- 2010 156 665
• YOUNG, Joel, K.
Eden Prairie
MN 55347 (US)
EP 2 585 797 B1

Note: Within nine months of the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent in the European Patent
Bulletin, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to that patent, in accordance with the
Implementing Regulations. Notice of opposition shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been
paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).

Printed by Jouve, 75001 PARIS (FR)

 1 EP 2 585 797 B1
Description
[0001] This patent application claims priority benefit
from U.S. Application No. 12/823,309, entitled "Virtual
Smart Energy Meter with Integrated Plug," filed 25 June
2010.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This document pertains generally to utility mon-
itoring devices that communicate via a network, and more
particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a virtual smart
energy meter with integrated plug.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Utility companies generally must read their me-
ters in order to bill customers for the resources consumed
by the customers. In the past, a meter-reader-a person-
may have needed to visit each home and business and
read the meter. More recently, some utility meter manu-
facturers have equipped utility meters with automatic me-
ter reader systems ("AMR"). The AMR typically desig-
nates the utility meter data format as well as the commu-
nications protocol used in transmitting the data. An ex-
ample legacy AMR system may be Itron Encoder-Re-
ceiver-Transmitter ("ERT"). Frequently, the legacy AMR
system wirelessly transmits the meter reading, but the
range of the transmission is limited. The limited range
often requires an electronic meter-reader-a device-to be
close to the meter to get a reading, although generally
the operator may not have to walk light up to the meter.
This means that the meter-reader may have to drive or
walk by every meter to collect the data. In some instanc-
es, however, the meter-reader will still need to approach
the meter even though the reading is accomplished elec-
tronically. Collecting the meter data in this way is time
consuming and often only permits infrequent meter read-
ings, such as once a month.
[0004] The AMR of utility meters is generally designat-
ed by the utility meter manufacturer. Often, the AMR of
a given utility meter is not compatible with a smart energy
("SE") network deployed at the site of the utility meter.
Retrofitting existing meters to communicate with the SE
network may be expensive and require tremendous effort
while replacing otherwise satisfactory utility meters to be-
ing even more expensive if they cannot be retrofitted.
[0005] SE devices and networks have been deployed
in homes and businesses as utilities and consumers at-
tempt to better understand and control energy use. SE
networks are typically a collection of monitoring, control,
and reporting devices located, for example, in a home or
a business. Typical SE devices may include, for example,
thermostats and water, gas, and electric utility meters.
The SE devices generally implement one or more com-
munications protocols to communicate with each other
and ultimately the utility or consumer. SE devices also
typically conform to a standard reporting format based
2
on the device. For example, all SE gas meters in a given
SE network may produce data in a common format. Some
SE networks may interface with an automated metering
infrastructure ("AMI") network of a utility company to
5 record data from SE meters. ZigBee Alliance Smart En-
ergy is an example SE network and set of SE device
standards.
[0006] The SE devices on the SE network may be in-
terconnected in various ways but are often interconnect-
10 ed, at least in part, by a mesh network. The mesh network
may be a wireless personal area network ("WPAN"). An
example of a WPAN is a ZigBee wireless network. A Zig-
Bee wireless network implements the IEEE 802.15.4
communication protocol standard for WPANs. WPAN
15 node devices are typically low power [e.g., 1 milliwatt
(mW) to 250mW] and have lower data rates [e.g., 250
kilobits per second (kbps)] than node devices for other
networks.
[0007] WPAN node devices are typically powered by
20 either an external power brick requiring a power cord or
they are powered by batteries. WPAN node devices hav-
ing an external power brick are bulky and may make a
WPAN less convenient to implement. Such WPAN node
devices often require additional mounting hardware or a
25 special installation which can be expensive and cumber-
some.
[0008] A WPAN implemented using battery powered
node devices tries to conserve power and extend the life
of the batteries of the individual nodes. To extend the
30 battery life of battery-powered router nodes in WPAN ap-
plications, the nodes may be required to enter a very low
power mode for most of the time that the network is op-
erating, which results in decreased throughput. Periods
of high network traffic can quickly drain batteries. Fur-
35 thermore, when batteries reach the end of their life, bat-
tery powered nodes require more maintenance and pose
a higher risk of network failure.
[0009] US2010156665 discloses a system and meth-
od of providing flexible real-time two-way energy control
40 and monitoring between utility providers and consumers.
Consumer friendly nodes permit communication of tar-
geted information and control, while permitting the utility
provider to remotely communicate and control in a real-
time environment. Data collection of and accessibility by
45 a community of utility consumers provides social feed-
back through comparative usage statistics.
[0010] US2008224892 discloses a system for monitor-
ing and estimating the consumption of energy resources
in real-time. The system includes an interactive user
50 module, a measuring unit and a wireless network. The
measuring unit is interfaced to a utility meter. Optionally,
the measuring unit can also function as a stand alone
device. The measuring unit is further connected to the
interactive user module via the wireless network. The
55 system monitors energy resource consumption such as
electricity, gas or water consumption in real-time, gener-
ates and displays graphs of energy resource consump-
tion over user selected time periods and enables com-
2
 3 EP 2 585 797 B1
munication with at least one utility company.
[0011] US2009088907 discloses a smart grid gateway
which includes an onboard computer programmed to pro-
vide load measurement and control of at least one local
resource or asset. At least one metrology module is con-
figured to provide metering of the at least one local re-
source or asset. At least one LAN module is configured
to communicate with the at least one local resource or
asset. At least one WAN module is configured to com-
municate with a network operations center.
[0012] WO2008092268 discloses a monitoring device,
system and method is provided for in-home/on-premises
monitoring of usage of utilities, such as electricity and
other services. The monitoring device receives informa-
tion from a smart metering system or transceiver, and
displays current usage through an illuminated display,
which displays a colour indicative of the current cost of
consumption, and controls illumination of the display to
scan illumination across the display at a traverse rate
indicative of a rate of consumption or other metric, the
scanning of a pattern of illumination across the display
simulating movement or rotation in the display.
[0013] US2009243869 discloses a system and meth-
od for communicating energy or water consumption re-
lated information from a plurality of RF enabled peripheral
devices in a home, such as utility meters, thermostats,
appliances and load controllers. The system includes a
home gateway that enables wireless RF peripheral de-
vices in a home to communicate to a WAN network, such
as the internet. The home gateway contains a RF multi-
band software defined radio that is fully programmable
and configurable so that it is capable of emulating, trans-
mitting, and receiving any of a plurality of RF protocols
over multiple RF channels. The home gateway supports
commonly used interfaces for communicating to the pub-
lic WAN network. The system also supports future pe-
ripherals that do not exist today due to the flexibility of
the home gateway.
[0014] EP1950911 discloses a building management
system which includes a BACnet gateway including a
protocol converter which receives data in a remote com-
munication protocol format and converts the data accord-
ing to a BACnet communication protocol, a central con-
troller which connects to the BACnet gateway and con-
trols a sub-system of a building, and a watt-hour meter
which measures a wattage of the sub-system and trans-
mits wattage data to the protocol converter using the re-
mote communication protocol format.
OVERVIEW
[0015] In a system with a smart energy ("SE") network
and a utility meter, it may be advantageous to also have
a virtual meter. The present application provides a virtual
meter and method for same in accordance with the claims
which follow. be required to enter a very low power mode
for most of the time that the network is operating, which
results in decreased throughput. Periods of high network
4
traffic can quickly drain batteries. Furthermore, when bat-
teries reach the end of their life, battery powered nodes
require more maintenance and pose a higher risk of net-
work failure.
5
OVERVIEW
[0016] In a system with a smart energy ("SE") network
and a utility meter, it may be advantageous to also have
10 a virtual meter. The virtual meter may communicate with
the utility meter in a first format using a first communica-
tions protocol. The virtual meter may translate a message
in the first format to a message in a second format. The
virtual meter may communicate with the SE network in
15 the second format using a second communications pro-
tocol. In this way the virtual meter may allow the utility
meter to be used as a SE meter without expensive up-
grades, possibly allowing for more frequent and accurate
utility meter readings. This document provides numerous
20 examples in the detailed description, an overview of
which is provided here.
[0017] This overview is intended to provide an over-
view of subject matter of the present patent application.
It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive
25 explanation of the invention. The detailed description is
included to provide further information about the present
patent application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
30
[0018] In the drawings, which are not necessarily
drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar com-
ponents in different views. Like numerals having different
letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar
35 components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way
of example, but not by way of limitation, various embod-
iments discussed in the present document.
Fig. 1 illustrates an example system using a virtual
40 meter.
Fig. 2A illustrates an example node in a wireless
mesh network.
Fig. 2B illustrates an example SE network containing
wireless mesh network nodes communicating with
45 a utility meter.
Fig. 3 illustrates an example virtual meter.
Figs. 4A-B illustrate components involved in secur-
ing an example virtual meter to an electrical outlet.
Fig. 5A illustrates a block diagram of components
50 of an example virtual meter.
Fig. 5B illustrates a block diagram of components
of an example SE network module.
Fig. 5C illustrates a block diagram of components
of an example meter interface module.
55 Fig. 6 illustrates a swim-lane flow chart of an exam-
ple method using a virtual meter.
3
 5 EP 2 585 797 B1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Cost effective integration of utility meters into
SE networks may be accomplished by translating the
AMR communications of the utility meter to the SE stand-
ard in effect for the SE network. A virtual meter may be
used to interface with both the disparate communications
protocols between the utility meter and the SE network,
as well as the disparate information formats that may
also exist.
[0020] Making the virtual meter part of an effective SE
network may involve placing the virtual meter in locations
conducive to communicating with other SE network
nodes. In a wireless SE network, this may involve placing
the virtual meter closely enough to other nodes such that
the RF signals are received with sufficient integrity. In
wireless networks, the power of a given node’s transmit-
ter may impact the distance its transmissions may be
effectively received. Other factors, however, such as
building materials at the SE network site, may also impact
the desired positioning of a node.
[0021] An additional consideration impacts the posi-
tioning of the virtual meter, namely, access to the utility
meter. For example, the virtual meter may be placed
closely to the utility meter if the utility meter’s communi-
cation range is limited. Because the placement of the
virtual meter may depend on several factors, conven-
ience in installing the virtual meter helps to mitigate some
of the difficulty in deploying it as part of an SE network.
Integrating a plug into the virtual meter may provide for
easy installation at any electrical outlet without additional
hardware or labor, as well as provide ample power to
increase its transmission integrity.
[0022] Fig. 1 illustrates an example system 100 using
a virtual meter. System 100 may include a virtual meter
105, a utility meter 110, and a SE network 120. In some
embodiments an automated meter infrastructure ("AMI")
130 network may be communicatively coupled to the SE
network 120.
[0023] The utility meter 110 may be equipped with a
legacy AMR system with a range 115, represented by
the shaded oval in Fig. 1. In some embodiments the utility
meter 110 may have a wired electronic interface. The
utility meter 115 may communicate with an outside de-
vice, such as the virtual meter 105, in a communications
protocol dictated by the manufacturer installed AMR. The
format of the data communication by the utility meter 110
may also be dictated by the AMR. The AMR data format
may be field based, or it may be positional. For example,
in a positional format, a specific number of bits (or bytes),
offset from the first bit, may encode the unit’s identifica-
tion code. In a field based format, the same identification
code may be in a message data field associated with that
value.
[0024] In some embodiments the SE network 120 may
include, in addition to the virtual meter 105, one or more
SE devices 125. Example SE devices 125 may be ther-
mostats, light sensors, or SE utility meters. In some em-
6
bodiments the SE network 120 may include additional
devices, such as SE routers and SE gateways, which
may facilitate the operation of the SE network 120. In
some embodiments the SE network 120 is a mesh net-
5 work; a more detailed description of a mesh based SE
network is given below with regard to Figs. 2A-b. In some
embodiments the SE network 120 interfaces with the AMI
130 to provide monitoring and control functions to one or
more utility companies, or other interested parties. In
10 some embodiments the communications protocol con-
forms to a standard, such as a ZigBee wireless network,
or ZigBee Alliance’s Smart Energy standard. In some
embodiments the SE devices 125, and other devices on
the SE network 120, conform to a standard, sometimes
15 a standard specific to that device. For example, a SE gas
meter may report the amount of gas consumed in a given
time period according to the SE gas meter standard. An
example standard is the ZigBee Alliance’s Smart Energy
standard, including the Smart Energy 1.1 standard.
20 [0025] The virtual meter 105 implements both the com-
munications protocol of the SE network 120 and the com-
munications protocol of the utility meter 110. For exam-
ple, the virtual meter 105 includes the necessary hard-
ware and software to connect to and join the SE network
25 120 as well as the hardware and software necessary to
function as an AMR reader, or other electronic meter-
read, for the utility meter 110. As a functional AMR reader,
the virtual meter 105 may also include the software or
hardware necessary to encode data sent to the utility
30 meter 110 and decode the data received from the utility
meter 110. The virtual meter 105 must be placed within
the range 115 of the utility meter 110 to interface with it.
The virtual meter 105 also contains the necessary soft-
ware to conform to the SE device standard for the utility
35 meter 110 in order to present it as an SE utility meter.
For example, if the utility meter 110 is a gas meter, then
the virtual meter 105 conforms to the SE gas meter stand-
ard when communicating with the SE network 120. By
interfacing with the utility meter 110, the virtual meter 105
40 integrates the utility meter 110 into the SE network 120
without expensive upgrades. Additionally, if the SE net-
work 120 is connected to an AMI 130, the utility company
may not have to replace a utility meter 110 in good con-
dition simply to take advantage of the benefits AMI 130
45 offers. This may allow for reading the utility meter more
frequently which may result in greater data accuracy to
improve, for example, conservation efforts or other pro-
grams.
[0026] In some embodiments the virtual meter 105 may
50 contain an integrated plug to mount it to an electrical out-
let. The virtual meter 105 may not have an external power
brick. Consequently, the virtual meter 150 may have a
very compact form factor. Having a single enclosure may
improve reliability of the virtual meter 105 because it does
55 not have an external power brick which can be acciden-
tally removed and it does not have dangling power cords
which may become caught or tangled. In some embod-
iments the power plug may be interchangeable, allowing
4
 7 EP 2 585 797 B1
it to be interchanged with power plugs of different stand-
ards, such as U.S. standard plug, U.K. standard, E.U.
standard, Japan standard, and Australia standard plugs
for example. The virtual meter 150 may also include a
universal power supply circuit able to operate at a variety
of electrical outlet voltages. This may allow a single type
of universal meter 105 to be distributed internationally
for deployment in SE networks 120 in a variety of coun-
tries. Integrating the power plug into the virtual meter 105
may ease deployment of the virtual meter 105 by allowing
for easy placement and ample power to interface with
both the SE network 120 and the utility meter 110.
[0027] In some embodiments the virtual meter 105 may
include an SE device 125, SE gateway, SE router, or
other component of the SE network 120. In some em-
bodiments, the included, or integrated, SE gateway may
be an Energy Services Interface ("ESI") or an Energy
Services Portal ("ESP") to connect the SE network 120
to the AMI network 130. In other embodiments the virtual
meter 105 may interface with additional utility meters us-
ing the same AMR as the utility meter 110. By combining
functionality into a single package, the virtual meter 105
may further reduce costs to a utility company or others.
[0028] Fig. 2A illustrates an example node 205 in a
wireless mesh network. The smaller circle is the node
205 and the larger circle represents the wireless range
210 of the node 205. A node 205 may transmit data to
other nodes within its range 210. Fig. 2B illustrates an
example system 200 which may include a utility meter
110 and a SE network 120 containing wireless mesh net-
work nodes 205A-D including a virtual meter 105.
[0029] In some embodiments the SE network 120 may
be a mesh network formed by nodes 205A-C and the
virtual meter 105. In some embodiments the SE network
120 may be an ad hoc mesh network, which is self-con-
figuring and may exhibit a dynamic network topology.
The mesh SE network 120 may be a WPAN. Examples
of a WPAN include, without limitation, a ZigBee protocol
network or any network using the IEEE 802.15.4 com-
munication protocol standard for WPANs. Implementa-
tion of other mesh network protocols is also contemplat-
ed. The following is an example of mesh network com-
munication: if node 205C communicates with node 205A,
the communication may be routed through node 205B
and the virtual meter 105 to arrive at node 205A. The
virtual meter 105 may be placed such that its range 210
covers another node 205 and another node’s 205 range
210 covers the virtual meter 105, thus connecting the
virtual meter 105 to the SE network 120. In some em-
bodiments, deploying the virtual meter 105 in the SE net-
work 120 may be assisted through physical or logical
status indications initiated by the virtual meter 105. These
indications may be, for example, visual cues, such as an
affixed lighting element of the virtual meter 105, which
blinks while joining the SE network 120 and becomes
solid once a connection has been made. The indications
may also be logical, communicated to a device on the
SE network 120 or connected wired or wirelessly directly
8
to the virtual meter 105. In some embodiments the nodes
205A-D may include mesh network routers, SE devices,
or other components of the SE network 120.
[0030] In some embodiments the virtual meter 105 may
5 accept communications for the utility meter 110, including
to the SE utility meter represented by the virtual meter
105, from one or more of the nodes 205. The virtual meter
105 may then translate the communications to a format
understood by the utility meter 110 and transmit the trans-
10 lated communications to the utility meter 105. The virtual
meter 105 may then receive a response, or simply a com-
munication, from the utility meter 110, translate it back
to the SE meter format, and then communicate it to the
SE network 120. Thus, to the SE network 120, and the
15 included or interfacing devices, the virtual meter 105 rep-
resents the utility meter 110 as an SE utility meter.
[0031] Fig. 3 illustrates an example virtual meter 105
including an integrated power plug 105 to mount the vir-
tual meter 105 to an electrical outlet. In some embodi-
20 ments the electrical outlet is a standard wall outlet. In
other embodiments the electrical outlet may be different
than a standard wall outlet. The virtual meter 105 may
include an external antenna connector 110. In some em-
bodiments the virtual meter 105 may also include exter-
25 nal indicators, such as one or more light emitting diodes,
or external ports for wired connection to configuration
devices or wired interfaces to the utility meter 110, among
other devices. Example external ports may include serial
ports, USB ports, and Ethernet ports.
30 [0032] Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate components involved
in securing example virtual meters to an electrical outlet.
In Fig. 4A the housing 400 of the virtual meter 105 in-
cludes a tab 410 that accepts a screw 415 to secure the
virtual meter 105 to the faceplate 405 of the electrical
35 outlet. The tab 410 may be located in other positions on
the housing 400 to secure the virtual meter 105 to the
faceplate 405. For example, the virtual meter 105 may
be plugged into the lower outlet and the tab 410 may be
located on the top of the housing 400. In Fig. 4B, another
40 example housing 420 of the virtual meter 105 includes
an opening to accept the screw 425 through the housing
420 itself to secure the virtual meter 105 to the faceplate
405 of the electrical outlet. In certain embodiments, the
locking mechanism may include a bracket included on
45 the faceplate 405 of the electrical outlet to secure the
virtual meter 150 to the faceplate 405.
[0033] Fig. 5A illustrates a block diagram of compo-
nents of an example virtual meter 105. The virtual meter
105 may include a controller 505, a power circuit 520, an
50 SE network module 510, and a meter interface module
515. In some embodiments the virtual meter 105 may
additionally include, but not shown, one or more of the
following: a lighting element, a switch, a SE device, and
a communication port.
55 [0034] The controller 505, SE network module 510,
and meter interface module 515 may be implemented in
hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of the
three with other hardware supporting implementations in
5
 9 EP 2 585 797 B1
software or firmware. Example hardware may include a
microcontroller, a logical state machine, and a processor
such as a microprocessor, application specific integrated
circuit ("ASIC"), or other type of processor.
[0035] The SE network module 215 may provide both
the physical and logical connection from the virtual meter
105 to the SE network 120. Fig. 5B illustrates a block
diagram of components of an example SE network mod-
ule 510 in some embodiments, including a wireless mesh
network module 535 coupled to an antenna 540. In some
embodiments the antenna 540 may be internal to the
virtual meter’s 105 housing. An internal antenna may sim-
plify deployment of the virtual meter 105 and improve
reliability by protecting the antenna 540 within the hous-
ing. In other embodiments, the antenna 540 may be ex-
ternal to the virtual meter’s 105 housing and coupled to
the wireless mesh network module 535 via, for example,
the external antenna connector 310 shown on Fig. 3.
Using an external antenna may increase the RF range
of the virtual meter 105.
[0036] The meter interface module 515 may provide
both the physical and logical connection from the virtual
meter 105 to the utility meter 110. The utility meter 110
may implement a variety of connection mechanisms,
Itron ERT being an example AMR connection mecha-
nism. Fig. 5C illustrates a block diagram of components
of an example meter interface module 515 in some em-
bodiments. The meter interface module 515 may include
an AMR network module 545 coupled to an antenna 550.
Antenna 550 may be either internal or external to the
virtual meter’s 105 housing. In some embodiments a sin-
gle antenna may be used for both the wireless mesh net-
work module 250 and the AMR network module.
[0037] The controller 505, the SE network module 510,
and the meter interface module 515 may permit the virtual
meter 105 to present the utility meter 105 on the SE net-
work 120 as a SE utility meter. For example, the SE net-
work module 215 may receive communications directed
to the utility meter 105, from components interfacing with
the SE network 120 in the communications protocol in
use by the SE network 120. The controller 205 may then
translate, or transform, the communications from the SE
network 120 format to a format acceptable to the utility
meter 105. The controller 505 may then instruct the meter
interface module 515 to communicate the translated
communication to the utility meter 105. The same proc-
ess, in reverse, may complete the communications loop,
thus giving the SE network 120 access to the utility meter
105 using a SE standard of the SE network 120.
[0038] In some embodiments the controller 505 may
receive instructions or configuration information from an
external device. The controller 505 may also control join-
ing the SE network 120 and interfacing with the utility
meter 110. In some embodiments, the controller may give
status indications, either physically visible to a person
deploying the virtual meter 105 or logical readable by a
computational device, to assist in the installation of the
virtual meter 105. For example, the virtual meter 105 may
10
include several display elements, or "Bars", which togeth-
er indicate the strength of a wireless connection to the
SE network 120, the utility meter 110, or both.
[0039] The power circuit 520 may be connected to the
5 previously discussed integrated plug 305. In some em-
bodiments the power circuit 520 may be a universal pow-
er supply circuit capable of operating at a variety of outlet
voltages and currents. In some embodiments the power
circuit 520, upon receiving power, may prompt the con-
10 troller 505 to initiate joining the SE network 120 or inter-
facing with the utility meter 110. In other embodiments a
switch on the virtual meter 105, or an external device
directly connected to the virtual meter 105, may prompt
the controller 505 to join the SE network 120 or interface
15 with the utility meter 110.
[0040] In some embodiments the virtual meter 105 may
optionally include a SE device 525. The SE device 525
may be a monitoring or control device on the SE network
120 and comply with the standards of the SE network
20 120. For example, the SE device 525 may be a SE ther-
mostat conforming to a Smart Energy standard for ther-
mostats. Other examples may include another utility me-
ter, a motion sensor, and a smoke sensor, among others.
[0041] It should be appreciated that the individual
25 blocks within the block diagram do not necessarily cor-
respond to discrete hardware structures. For example,
some functionality of the SE network module 510 or the
meter interface module 515 may be included in the con-
troller 205.
30 [0042] Fig. 6 illustrates a swim-lane flow chart of an
example method 600 using a virtual meter.
[0043] At 605 the virtual meter 105 may communicate
with the utility meter 110 in a first format using a first
communications protocol. For example, the first format
35 and first communications protocol may be imposed by
an AMR in use by the utility meter 110, such as Itron ERT.
[0044] An optional origination of the communication in
605 may start at 610 where the SE network 120 (e.g.,
some device on the SE network 120 or interfaced with
40 the SE network 120) may generate a communication to
the utility meter 110. In some embodiments the commu-
nication is directed at the SE utility meter that the virtual
meter 105 presents to the SE network 120. In some em-
bodiments the communication may be a request for a
45 reading of the utility meter 105 or a command to the utility
meter 105.
[0045] At 615 the virtual meter 105 receives the com-
munication in a second format. In some embodiments
the second format is imposed by a standard for the SE
50 network such as ZigBee Alliance’s Smart Energy stand-
ard for gas meters. The communication may also be re-
ceived in a second communications protocol in use by
the SE network 120.
[0046] At 620 the virtual meter 105 may translate the
55 communication to the first format it uses to communicate
with the utility meter 105.
[0047] At 625 the virtual meter 105 may then commu-
nicate the message resulting from the translating at 620
6
 11 EP 2 585 797 B1
to the utility meter 105 using the first communications
protocol.
[0048] At 630 the utility meter 105 may receive the
message and act on it. For example, it may reset itself if
the message so indicates and the utility meter 105 sup-
ports such a command.
[0049] At 635 the utility meter 105 may generate infor-
mation in the first format, which may be the information
received by the virtual meter 105 at 605. The generated
information may be called "meter information" comprising
the data, or a portion thereof, available to an AMR reader
connecting to the utility meter 105. For instance, if the
utility meter 105 is a gas meter, the meter information
may constitute the cubic feet of gas consumed. Other
data may be included in the meter information, such as
the date, or diagnostic information concerning the utility
meter 105.
[0050] At 640, following 605, the virtual meter may
translate the meter information in the first format into "vir-
tual meter information" in the second format. Virtual me-
ter information is simply meter information transformed
to conform to a SE utility meter standard implemented
by the virtual meter 105.
[0051] At 645, in some embodiments, the translating
of 640 may include identifying data in the meter informa-
tion that corresponds to parameters in the virtual infor-
mation. For example, if the first format is a positional for-
mat-i.e., that a piece of data is identified by a first number
of bytes offset by a second number of bytes from the
beginning of the meter information-the virtual meter 105
may include a mapping of the data positions in the meter
information, and extract the individual data elements that
correspond to elements in the virtual meter information.
The data positions or data elements may be called pa-
rameters of the respective information formats. The same
translation process may be followed if the first format is
field formatted-i.e., each data element is within a labeled
field-only more easily because the mapping need only
match a field from the first format with a given data ele-
ment in the second format. These could include such
things as the amount of resource consumed, the date,
diagnostic information, or other data supported by the
second format and available in the first format. In some
embodiments, the virtual meter 105 may perform a cal-
culation, combine data elements, or otherwise massage
data flowing in either direction when translating between
the first and second formats.
[0052] At 650 the virtual meter 105 has translated the
meter information in the first format into virtual meter in-
formation in the second format and communicates the
virtual meter information to the SE network 120 using the
second communications protocol.
[0053] At 655 the SE network 120, or rather the recip-
ient device on the SE network 120, receives the virtual
meter information. Thus, the SE network 120 may utilize
the utility meter 110 as a SE utility meter through the
bridge interface provided by the virtual meter 105. Ac-
cessing the utility monitor 110 in this way may allow for
12
nearly real-time meter readings without the expense and
manpower needed to service legacy AMR networks.
These more frequent readings may allow for more accu-
rate billing or better resource management across a util-
5 ity’s service network, which may reduce costs and in-
crease efficiency.
[0054] Providing an interface between legacy utility
meters and smart energy networks may reduce costs to
utility companies, and add capabilities to the smart en-
10 ergy network. The cost reductions may be realized by
utilizing existing, functioning, meters in advanced appli-
cations, such as smart energy networks, without the need
for expensive upgrades or replacements. Also, the utility
companies may then integrate these legacy utility meters
15 into AMIs as they move away from legacy AMR systems.
[0055] Additionally, integrating a plug into the virtual
meter may ease its deployment in a smart energy network
by providing a compact and robust package with suffi-
cient power at any one of many conveniently located elec-
20 trical outlets. The convenience of placing the smart en-
ergy gateway at an electrical outlet is increased when
factors such as access to the legacy utility meter are con-
sidered.
25 Additional Notes & Examples
[0056] Example 1 includes subject matter (such as a
system, apparatus, or virtual meter) comprising a con-
troller configured to communicate, with a utility meter,
30 meter information using a first communications protocol,
translate between meter information and virtual meter
information, and communicate, with a smart energy (SE)
network, the virtual meter information using a second
communications protocol.
35 [0057] In Example 2, the subject matter of Example 1
can optionally include wherein the virtual meter informa-
tion conforms to a ZigBee Smart Energy meter profile;
and wherein the meter information does not conform to
a ZigBee Smart Energy meter profile.
40 [0058] In Example 3, the subject matter of Example 2
can optionally include wherein the Smart Energy meter
profile conforms to a ZigBee Smart Energy 1.1 standard.
[0059] In Example 4, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 1-3 can optionally include
45 wherein the second communications protocol is a wire-
less mesh network protocol.
[0060] In Example 5, the subject matter of Example 4
can optionally include wherein the wireless mesh network
is a ZigBee protocol network.
50 [0061] In Example 6, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 4-5 can optionally include
wherein the wireless mesh network implements an IEEE
802.15.4 communication protocol standard for wireless
personal area networks (WPANs).
55 [0062] In Example 7, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 1-6 can optionally include
wherein the first communication protocol is a legacy au-
tomatic meter reading (AMR) protocol incompatible with
7
 13 EP 2 585 797 B1
the SE network.
[0063] In Example 8, the subject matter of Example 7
can optionally include wherein the AMR protocol is wire-
less.
[0064] In Example 9, the subject matter of Example 8
can optionally include wherein the AMR protocol is Itron
Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter (ERT).
[0065] In Example 10, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 1-9 can optionally include
wherein the virtual meter includes at least one of a SE
router, SE gateway, or SE device.
[0066] Example 11 can include, or can optionally be
combined with the subject matter of one or any combi-
nation of Examples 1-10 to include, subject matter (such
as a system, apparatus, or a virtual meter) comprising a
housing, a power plug integrated into the housing, where-
in the virtual meter can be mounted to an electrical outlet
via the power plug and wherein the virtual meter receives
power through the power plug, and a controller. The con-
troller can be configured to communicate, with a utility
meter, meter information using a first communications
protocol, translate between the meter information and
virtual meter information, and communicate, with a smart
energy (SE) network, the virtual meter information using
a second communications protocol.
[0067] In Example 12, the subject matter of Example
11 can optionally include wherein the virtual meter in-
cludes a locking mechanism to secure the virtual meter
to the electrical outlet.
[0068] In Example 13, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 11-12 can optionally include
wherein the virtual meter information conforms to a Zig-
Bee Smart Energy meter profile and wherein the meter
information does not conform to a ZigBee Smart Energy
meter profile.
[0069] In Example 14, the subject matter of Example
13 can optionally include wherein the Smart Energy me-
ter profile conforms to a ZigBee Smart Energy 1.1 stand-
ard.
[0070] In Example 15, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 11-14 can optionally include
wherein the second communications protocol is a wire-
less mesh network protocol.
[0071] In Example 16, the subject matter of Example
15 can optionally include wherein the wireless mesh net-
work is a ZigBee protocol network.
[0072] In Example 17, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 15-16 can optionally include
wherein the wireless mesh network implements an IEEE
802.15.4 communication protocol standard for wireless
personal area networks (WPANs).
[0073] In Example 18, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 11-17 can optionally include
wherein the first communication protocol is a legacy au-
tomatic meter reading (AMR) protocol incompatible with
the SE network.
[0074] In Example 19, the subject matter of Example
18 can optionally include wherein the AMR protocol is
14
wireless.
[0075] In Example 20, the subject matter of Example
19 can optionally include wherein the AMR protocol is
Itron Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter (ERT).
5 [0076] In Example 21, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 11-20 can optionally include
wherein the virtual meter includes at least one of a SE
router, SE gateway, or SE device.
[0077] In Example 22, the subject matter of one or any
10 combination of Examples 11-21 can optionally include
wherein the power plug is interchangeable.
[0078] Example 23 can include, or can optionally be
combined with the subject matter of one or any combi-
nation of Examples 1-22 to include, subject matter (such
15 as a system) comprising a smart energy (SE) network,
the smart energy network implementing a first commu-
nications protocol, a utility meter, the utility meter imple-
menting a second communications protocol, and a virtual
meter communicatively coupled to the SE network and
20 the utility meter. The virtual meter can include a power
plug and a controller configured to communicate, with
the utility meter, meter information using the first com-
munications protocol, translate between the meter infor-
mation and virtual meter information, and communicate,
25 with the SE network, the virtual meter information using
the second communications protocol. Wherein the power
plug is integrated into a housing of the virtual meter and
the virtual meter can be mounted to an electrical outlet
via the power plug.
30 [0079] In Example 24, the subject matter of Example
23 can optionally include wherein the virtual meter in-
cludes a locking mechanism to secure the virtual meter
to the electrical outlet.
[0080] In Example 25, the subject matter of one or any
35 combination of Examples 23-24 can optionally include
wherein the virtual meter information conforms to a Zig-
Bee Smart Energy meter profile and wherein the meter
information does not conform to a ZigBee Smart Energy
meter profile.
40 [0081] In Example 26, the subject matter of Example
25 can optionally include wherein the Smart Energy me-
ter profile conforms to a ZigBee Smart Energy 1.1 stand-
ard.
[0082] In Example 27, the subject matter of one or any
45 combination of Examples 23-26 can optionally include
wherein the second communications protocol is a wire-
less mesh network protocol.
[0083] In Example 28, the subject matter of Example
27 can optionally include wherein the wireless mesh net-
50 work is a ZigBee protocol network.
[0084] In Example 29, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 27-28 can optionally include
wherein the wireless mesh network implements an IEEE
802.15.4 communication protocol standard for wireless
55 personal area networks (WPANs).
[0085] In Example 30, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 23-29 can optionally include
wherein the first communication protocol is a legacy au-
8
 15 EP 2 585 797 B1
tomatic meter reading (AMR) protocol incompatible with
the SE network.
[0086] In Example 31, the subject matter of Example
30 can optionally include wherein the AMR protocol is
wireless.
[0087] In Example 32, the subject matter of Example
31 can optionally include wherein the AMR protocol is
Itron Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter (ERT).
[0088] In Example 33, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 23-32 can optionally include
wherein the virtual meter includes at least one of a SE
router, SE gateway, or SE device.
[0089] Example 34 can include, or can optionally be
combined with the subject matter of one or any combi-
nation of Examples 1-33 to include, subject matter (such
as a method, means for performing acts, or a machine-
readable medium include instructions that, when per-
formed by the machine cause the machine to performs
acts), in a system having a smart energy (SE) network,
a utility meter, and a virtual meter, comprising commu-
nicating, using the virtual meter, in a first format with the
utility meter using a first communications protocol, trans-
lating, using the virtual meter, the first format to a second
format to create a message, wherein the first and second
formats are different, and communicating, using the vir-
tual meter, the message to the SE network using a sec-
ond communications protocol, wherein the first and sec-
ond communications protocols are different.
[0090] In Example 35, the subject matter of Example
34 can optionally include wherein communicating in a
first format with the utility meter includes receiving, from
the SE network, a communication for the utility meter in
the second format, translating the communication from
the second format to the first format to create a second
message, and communicating the second message to
the utility meter.
[0091] In Example 36, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 34-35 can optionally include
wherein translating includes identifying data in the first
format that corresponds to parameters of the second for-
mat.
[0092] In Example 37, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 34-36 can optionally include
wherein the second format conforms to a ZigBee Smart
Energy meter profile; and wherein the meter information
does not conform to a ZigBee Smart Energy meter profile.
[0093] In Example 38, the subject matter of one or any
combination of Examples 34-37 can optionally include
wherein the first format conforms to an Itron Encoder-
Receiver-Transmitter (ERT) format.
[0094] These non-limiting examples can be combined
in any permutation or combination.
[0095] The above detailed description includes refer-
ences to the accompanying drawings, which form a part
of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way
of illustration, specific embodiments in which the inven-
tion can be practiced. These embodiments are also re-
ferred to herein as "examples." Such examples can in-
16
clude elements in addition to those shown or described.
However, the present inventors also contemplate exam-
ples in which only those elements shown or described
are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also con-
5 template examples using any combination or permuta-
tion of those elements shown or described (or one or
more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular
example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect
to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof)
10 shown or described herein.
[0096] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used,
as is common in patent documents, to include one or
more than one, independent of any other instances or
usages of "at least one" or "one or more." In this docu-
15 ment, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive or,
such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A,"
and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In the append-
ed claims, the terms "including" and "in which" are used
as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms
20 "comprising" and "wherein." Also, in the following claims,
the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended,
that is, a system, device, article, or process that includes
elements in addition to those listed after such a term in
a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that
25 claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first,"
"second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on
their objects.
[0097] Method examples described herein can be ma-
30 chine or computer-implemented at least in part. Some
examples can include a tangible computer-readable me-
dium or tangible machine-readable medium encoded
with instructions operable to configure an electronic de-
vice to perform methods as described in the above ex-
35 amples. An implementation of such methods can include
code, such as microcode, assembly language code, a
higher-level language code, or the like. Such code can
include computer readable instructions for performing
various methods. The code may form portions of com-
40 puter program products. Further, the code may be tan-
gibly stored on one or more volatile or non-volatile com-
puter-readable media during execution or at other times.
These computer-readable media may include, but are
not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, re-
45 movable optical disks (e.g., compact disks and digital
video disks), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or
sticks, random access memories (RAMs), read only
memories (ROMs), and the like.
[0098] The above description is intended to be illustra-
50 tive, and not restrictive. For example, the above-de-
scribed examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may
be used in combination with each other. Other embodi-
ments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in
the art upon reviewing the above description. The Ab-
55 stract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to
allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the
technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understand-
ing that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope
9
 17 EP 2 585 797 B1
or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed
Description, various features may be grouped together
to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpret-
ed as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is
essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter
may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed
embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby in-
corporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim
standing on its own as a separate embodiment. The
scope of the invention should be determined with refer-
ence to the appended claims, along with the full scope
of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
Claims
1. A virtual meter (105) for acting as an interface be-
tween a legacy utility meter and a smart energy net-
work (120), the virtual meter, the utility meter (110),
and the smart energy network being deployed to-
gether at the same site, the smart energy network
comprising a collection of smart energy devices that
monitor, control, or report on energy use at the site,
the virtual meter comprising a controller configured
to:
communicate, with the utility meter, to receive
meter information using a first communications
protocol;
translate between meter information and virtual
meter information, the virtual meter information
conforming to a smart energy meter standard
used in the smart energy network; and
communicate, to the smart energy (SE) network,
the virtual meter information using a second
communications protocol in order to present the
utility meter as a SE meter to the SE network,
wherein the first communications protocol is an
automatic meter reading (AMR) protocol incom-
patible with the SE network and wherein the sec-
ond communications protocol is used for com-
municating with SE meters over the SE network.
2. The virtual meter (105) of claim 1, wherein the virtual
meter information conforms to a ZigBee Smart En-
ergy meter profile; and wherein the meter information
does not conform to a ZigBee Smart Energy meter
profile.
3. The virtual meter (105) of claim 2, wherein the Smart
Energy meter profile conforms to a ZigBee Smart
Energy 1.1 standard.
4. The virtual meter (105) of claim 1, wherein the sec-
ond communications protocol is a wireless mesh net-
work protocol.
5. The virtual meter (105) of claim 4, wherein the wire-
18
less mesh network is a ZigBee protocol network.
6. The virtual meter (105) of claim 4, wherein the wire-
less mesh network implements an IEEE 802.15.4
5 communication protocol standard for wireless per-
sonal area networks (WPANs).
7. The virtual meter (105) of claim 1, wherein the AMR
protocol is wireless.
10
8. The virtual meter (105) of claim 7, wherein the AMR
protocol is Itron Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter
(ERT).
15 9. The virtual meter of claim 1, wherein the virtual meter
includes at least one of a router, gateway, or device
(125) included in the SE network.
10. A method comprising:
20
communicating, using a virtual meter (105) that
acts as an interface between a legacy utility me-
ter (110) and a smart energy network (120) in a
first format with a the utility meter using a first
25 communications protocol, the virtual meter, util-
ity meter, and smart energy network being de-
ployed together at the same site;
translating, using the virtual meter, the first for-
mat to a second format to create a message,
30 wherein the first and second formats are differ-
ent and wherein the second format conforms to
a smart energy meter standard used in the smart
energy network; and
communicating, using the virtual meter, the
35 message to the smart energy (SE) network us-
ing a second communications protocol in order
to present the utility meter as a SE utility meter
to the SE network, wherein the first and second
communications protocols are different, and
40 wherein the first communications protocol is an
automatic meter reading (AMR) protocol incom-
patible with the SE network and wherein the sec-
ond communications protocol is used for com-
municating with SE meters over the SE network.
45
11. The method of claim 10, wherein communicating in
a first format with the utility meter includes:
receiving, from the SE network, a communica-
50 tion for the utility meter in the second format;
translating the communication from the second
format to the first format to create a second mes-
sage; and
communicating the second message to the util-
55 ity meter.
12. The method of claim 10, wherein translating includes
identifying data in the first format that corresponds
10
 19 EP 2 585 797 B1
to parameters of the second format.
13. The method of claim 10, wherein the second format
conforms to a ZigBee Smart Energy meter profile;
and wherein the meter information does not conform
to a ZigBee Smart Energy meter profile.
14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first format con-
forms to an Itron Encoder-Receiver-Transmitter
(ERT) format.
Patentansprüche
1. Virtueller Zähler (105) agierend als Interface zwi-
schen einem Bestands-Verbraucher-Zähler und ei-
nem Smart-Energieversorgernetz (120), wobei der
virtuelle Zähler, der Verbraucher-Zähler (110) und
das Smart-Energieversorgernetz (120) an gleicher
Stelle Einsatz finden, das Smart-Energieversorger-
netz ein Arsenal von Smart-Energie-Geräten um-
fasst, die an besagter Stelle einen Energieverbrauch
überwachen, steuern oder mitteilen, wobei der vir-
tuelle Zähler eine Steuerung aufweist, die dazu kon-
figuriert ist:
mit dem Verbraucher-Zähler zu kommunizieren,
um eine Zählerstands-Information unter Ver-
wendung eines ersten Kommunikations-Proto-
kolls zu empfangen;
zwischen der Zählerstands-Information und der
virtuellen Zählerstands-Information zu übertra-
gen, wobei die virtuelle Zählerstands-Informati-
on einem Smart-Energie-Zählerstands-Stan-
dard entspricht, wie er im Smart-Energieversor-
gernetz verwendet wird; und
die virtuelle Zählerstands-Information unter Ver-
wendung eines zweiten Kommunikations-Pro-
tokolls an das Smart-Energieversorgernetz
(SE) zu kommunizieren, um den Verbraucher-
Zähler dem SE-Versorgernetz als ein SE-Zähler
darzustellen, wobei das erste Kommunikations-
Protokoll ein automatisches Zählerstands-Le-
seprotokoll (AMR) ist, das mit dem SE-Versor-
gernetz inkompatibel ist, und wobei das zweite
Kommunikations-Protokoll für eine Kommuni-
kation mit SE-Zählern über das SE-Versorger-
netz verwendet wird.
2. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 1, wobei die
virtuelle Zählerstands-Information einem ZigBee-
Smart-Energy-Zählerprofil entspricht; und wobei die
Zählerstandsinformation nicht einem ZigBee-Smart-
Energy-Zählerprofil entspricht.
3. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 2, wobei das
Smart-Energy-Zählerprofil einem ZigBee-Smart-
Energy-Standard 1.1 entspricht.
20
4. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das
zweite Kommunikations-Protokoll ein Drahtlos-Ma-
schennetz-Protokoll ist.
5 5. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 4, wobei das
Drahtlos-Maschen-Netzwerk ein ZigBee-Protokoll-
Netzwerk ist.
6. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 4, wobei das
10 Drahtlos-Maschen-Netzwerk einen IEEE 802.15.4
Kommunikations-Protokoll-Standard für, wireless
personal area noetworks’ (WPANs) implementiert.
7. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 1, wobei das
15 AMR-Protokoll drahtlos ist.
8. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 7, wobei das
AMR-Protokoll ein ,Itron Encoder Receiver-Trans-
mitter’ (ERT) ist.
20
9. Virtueller Zähler (105) nach Anspruch 1, wobei der
virtuelle Zähler mindestens entweder einen Router,
ein Gateway oder eine in dem SE-Versorgernetz ein-
bezogenes Gerät umfasst.
25
10. Verfahren umfassend:
ein Kommunizieren unter Verwendung eines vir-
tuellen Zählers (105), der als Interface zwischen
30 einem Bestands-Verbraucher-Zähler (110) und
einem Smart-Energieversorgernetz (120)
agiert, in einem ersten Format mit dem Be-
stands-Verbraucher-Zähler unter Verwendung
eines ersten Kommunikations-Protokolls, wobei
35 der virtuelle Zähler, der Verbraucher-Zähler
(110) und das Smart-Energieversorgernetz an
gleicher Stelle Einsatz finden,
unter Verwendung des virtuellen Zählers ein
Übertragen des ersten Formats in ein zweites
40 Format zur Schaffung einer Mitteilung, wobei
das erste und zweite Format unterschiedlich
sind und wobei das zweite Format einem Smart-
Energie-Zählerstands-Standard in dem Smart-
Energieversorgernetz entspricht; und
45 Kommunizieren unter Verwendung des virtuel-
len Zählers die Nachricht an das Smart-Ener-
gieversorgernetz (SE) unter Verwendung eines
zweiten Kommunikations-Protokolls, um den
Verbraucher-Zähler dem SE-Versorger als ein
50 SE-Zähler darzustellen, wobei das erste und
zweite Kommunikations-Protokoll unterschied-
lich sind, und wobei das erste Kommunikations-
Protokoll ein automatisches Zählerstands-Le-
seprotokoll (AMR) ist, das mit dem SE-Versor-
55 gernetz inkompatibel ist, und wobei das zweite
Kommunikations-Protokoll für eine Kommuni-
kation mit SE-Zählern über das SE-Versorger-
netz verwendet wird.
11
 21 EP 2 585 797 B1
11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Kommuni-
kation in einem ersten Format mit dem Verbraucher-
Zähler umfasst:
Empfangen von dem SE-Versorgernetz eine
Nachricht für den Verbraucher-Zähler in dem
zweiten Format;
Übertragen der Nachricht von dem zweiten For-
mat in das erste Format zur Bildung einer zwei-
ten Mitteilung; und
Kommunizieren der zweiten Nachricht an den
Verbraucher-Zähler.
12. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei das Übertragen
ein Identifizieren von Daten in dem ersten Format
umfasst, die Parametern vom zweiten Format ent-
sprechen.
13. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei das zweite For-
mat einem ZigBee-Smart-Energy-Zählerprofil ent-
spricht; und wobei die Zählerstands-Information
nicht einem ZigBee-Smart-Energy-Zählerprofil ent-
spricht.
14. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei das erste For-
mat einem ,Itron Encoder Receiver-Transmitter’
(ERT)-Format entspricht.
Revendications
1. Compteur virtuel (105) pour agir en tant qu’interface
entre un compteur classique et un réseau d’énergie
intelligent (120), le compteur virtuel, le compteur
classique (110) et le réseau d’énergie intelligent
étant
déployés, ensemble, sur le même site, le réseau
d’énergie intelligent comprenant un ensemble de
dispositifs d’énergie intelligents qui surveillent, com-
mandent, ou rendent compte de l’utilisation de l’éner-
gie sur le site, le compteur virtuel comprenant un
contrôleur configuré pour :
communiquer, avec le compteur classique, pour
recevoir des informations de compteur en utili-
sant un premier protocole de communication ;
transformer les informations de compteur clas-
sique en informations de compteur virtuel et vice
versa, les informations de compteur virtuel étant
conformes à une norme de compteur d’énergie
intelligent utilisée dans le réseau d’énergie
intelligent ; et
communiquer, au réseau d’énergie intelligent
(SE), les informations de compteur virtuel en uti-
lisant un deuxième protocole de communication
afin de présenter le compteur classique comme
un compteur SE au réseau SE, dans lequel le
premier protocole de communication est un pro-
22
tocole de lecture de compteur automatique
(AMR) incompatible avec le réseau SE, et dans
lequel le deuxième protocole de communication
est utilisé pour communiquer avec les comp-
5 teurs SE sur le réseau SE.
2. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 1, dans
lequel les informations de compteur virtuel sont con-
formes à un profil de compteur d’énergie intelligent
10 ZigBee ; et dans lequel les informations de compteur
classique ne sont pas conformes à un profil de comp-
teur d’énergie intelligent ZigBee.
3. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 2, dans
15 lequel le profil de compteur d’énergie intelligent est
conforme à une norme ZigBee Smart Energy 1.1.
4. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 1, dans
lequel le deuxième protocole de communication est
20 un protocole de réseau maillé sans fil.
5. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 4, dans
lequel le réseau maillé sans fil est un réseau de pro-
tocole ZigBee.
25
6. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 4, dans
lequel le réseau maillé sans fil utilise une norme de
protocole de communication IEEE 802.15.4 pour les
réseaux personnels sans fil (WPAN).
30
7. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 1, dans
lequel le protocole AMR est un protocole sans fil.
8. Compteur virtuel (105) selon la revendication 7, dans
35 lequel le protocole AMR est un protocole ERT (en-
codeur-récepteur-émetteur) d’Itron.
9. Compteur virtuel selon la revendication 1, dans le-
quel le compteur virtuel comprend au moins l’un d’un
40 routeur, d’une passerelle, ou d’un dispositif (125) in-
clus dans le réseau SE.
10. Procédé comprenant :
45 la communication, en utilisant un compteur vir-
tuel (105) qui agit en tant qu’interface entre un
compteur classique (110) et un réseau d’énergie
intelligent (120), dans un premier format, avec
le compteur classique en utilisant un premier
50 protocole de communication, le compteur vir-
tuel, le compteur classique et le réseau d’éner-
gie intelligent étant déployés, ensemble, sur le
même site ;
la transformation, en utilisant le compteur vir-
55 tuel, du premier format en un deuxième format
pour créer un message, dans lequel les premier
et deuxième formats sont différents, et dans le-
quel le deuxième format est conforme à une nor-
12
 23 EP 2 585 797 B1 24

me de compteur d’énergie intelligent utilisée

dans le réseau d’énergie intelligent ; et
la communication, en utilisant le compteur vir-
tuel, du message au réseau d’énergie intelligent
(SE) en utilisant un deuxième protocole de com- 5
munication afin de présenter le compteur clas-
sique comme un compteur SE au réseau SE,
dans lequel les premier et deuxième protocoles
de communication sont différents, et dans lequel
le premier protocole de communication est un 10
protocole de lecture de compteur automatique
(AMR) incompatible avec le réseau SE, et dans
lequel le deuxième protocole de communication
est utilisé pour communiquer avec les comp-
teurs SE sur le réseau SE. 15

11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la

communication dans un premier format avec le
compteur classique comprend :
20
la réception, du réseau SE, d’une communica-
tion pour le compteur classique dans le deuxiè-
me format ;
la transformation de la communication du
deuxième format dans le premier format pour 25
créer un deuxième message ; et
la communication du deuxième message au
compteur classique.

12. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la 30

transformation comprend l’identification des don-
nées dans le premier format qui correspondent aux
paramètres du deuxième format.

13. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le 35

deuxième format est conforme à un profil de comp-
teur d’énergie intelligent ZigBee ; et dans lequel les
informations de compteur classique ne sont pas con-
formes à un profil de compteur d’énergie intelligent
ZigBee. 40

14. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel le

premier format est conforme à un format ERT (en-
codeur-récepteur-émetteur) d’Itron.
45

50

55

13
EP 2 585 797 B1

14
EP 2 585 797 B1

15
EP 2 585 797 B1

16
EP 2 585 797 B1

17
EP 2 585 797 B1

18
EP 2 585 797 B1

19
 EP 2 585 797 B1

REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader’s convenience only. It does not form part of the European
patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be
excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

Patent documents cited in the description

• US 82330910 A [0001] • WO 2008092268 A [0012]

• US 2010156665 A [0009] • US 2009243869 A [0013]
• US 2008224892 A [0010] • EP 1950911 A [0014]
• US 2009088907 A [0011]

20