Metering infrastructure smart cards

The present invention generally relates to managing the meter board, and more particularly to managing and controlling devices in the meter board using deployed smart cards.

A large-scale smart infrastructure can incorporate a large number of smart devices. One such example is measuring, collecting, and analyzing energy use, and on demand (on demand) or on a predefined schedule via various communication media, electric meters, gas meters, thermal meters, etc. A high performance meter board (AMI) that refers to a system that interacts with high performance devices such as cable meters and water meters. These infrastructures include hardware, software, communications, consumer energy displays and consumer energy controllers, customer-related systems, meter data management (MDM) software, supplier and network distribution business systems, and more.

A typical AMI is a significant number of smart devices with high performance (ie, "smart") capabilities implemented using some type of computing system (eg, meters, surveillance control and data acquisition "SCADA" devices, etc. It can include routers, etc.). Implementing and managing these devices within such a foundation is a major challenge, as many of these devices are effectively heterogeneous, providing different functionality, manufactured by different suppliers, and so on. There is.

In one aspect of the invention, a smart card for use within a card-controllable device within a meter board is disclosed, the smart card being running on a computing platform capable of storing and executing program code and on that computing platform. An application that has a set of program codes that can be implemented, each of which is implemented to control an aspect of an associated card-controllable device into which the smart card is inserted. Includes a set of programs.

In another aspect, a high performance meter board (AMI) with multiple smart devices is disclosed, each smart device is adapted to be controlled by a removable smart card, and each removable smart card , A computing platform that can store and execute program code, and a set of application programs that have program code that can be executed on that computing platform, each of which is a removable smart card. Includes a set of application programs implemented to control one aspect of the associated smart device into which the is inserted.

In yet another aspect, a card controllable device for use within the meter board is provided, the card controllable device comprising a set of arithmetic units and a slot for receiving the smart card. A set of computing platforms that can store and execute program code and a set of application programs that have program code that can be executed on that computing platform, each of which sets the mode of a set of arithmetic units. It includes a set of application programs implemented to control, and this card controllable device also includes a card interface for providing a communication channel between the smart card and the set of arithmetic units.

<figref num="1">It is the schematic which illustrates the AMI managed by using the smart card by one Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="2">It is a schematic block diagram of the smart card by one Embodiment of this invention.</figref><figref num="3">It is a figure which shows the schematic diagram of the card controllable device by one Embodiment of this invention.</figref>

Various embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of smart cards to manage and control devices within a meter board. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "smart card" generally refers to any portable card, device, or token, including computational platforms, such as embedded integrated circuits. Common examples generally refer to chip cards such as SIMs (subscriber identification modules) found in cell phones or other network devices, chip cards provided by Gemalto®.

In a typical high performance meter board (AMI), computational functionality is implemented using software and firmware embedded within the different hardware devices that form the board. For example, each meter is dedicated to performing certain functions, such as managing meter readings, implementing communication and security protocols, processing subscriber identification, and so on. It is possible to include hardware. Unfortunately, as mentioned above, this greatly limits the flexibility of the infrastructure, i.e. the device is manufactured and programmed to meet strict specifications and protocols to ensure fluid operation. Must be and tested.

Described herein are more flexible methods for managing and controlling smart infrastructure such as AMIs, where computational functionality is transferred from hardware devices to portable smart cards. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an AMI 10 having a plurality of smart devices, including a smart meter 12, a router 14, a SCADA device 16, and a data aggregator 18. These smart devices eventually form a network driven by the home office 20 via the backhaul. Obviously, the set of devices shown is intended to give a simple example of an AMI, and the type and number of these devices can vary depending on the particular application.

Each smart device within the AMI 10 has a predefined set of features controlled and / or implemented by the removable smart cards 22a-f. Therefore, some or all of the actual computational functionality is removed from each device and implemented within the device's associated smart cards 22a-f. Therefore, the "smart" features of these hardware devices do not have to be built within each device, but instead are placed on the associated smart cards 22a-f. As soon as the associated smart card (eg, card 22a) is inserted into the device (eg, meter 12), the smart card is enabled for specific smart functionality on the device. Among other advantages, this technique refers to the smart card 22a with respect to a particular customer, desired functionality, location, etc. by simply inserting a smart card programmed for the specific functionality requirements of the equipment. Allows mass production of "general" card-controllable devices that can be customized via ~ f. Updates and changes to hardware functionality can be achieved by simply changing or reprogramming smart cards 22a-f.

FIG. 2 shows one exemplary diagram of a smart card 22 with a computing platform 24. The computing platform 24 can be implemented via, for example, an integrated circuit (not shown) that includes a processor, memory, I / O, and a bus. Within the computing platform 24 is, for example, an operating system 26 with a master controller 28 and an I / O controller, such as a Java Virtual Machine (JVM). The master controller 28 facilitates the configuration and programming of the smart card 22, while the I / O controller 30 facilitates communication with related hardware devices via the physical interface 44. Also included within the computing platform 24 is a set 32 of application programs that perform specific functionality on the associated device into which the smart card 22 is inserted.

In this exemplary embodiment, the application program 32 implements (1) a communication module 34 for implementing communication protocols and communication methods (eg, cellular, fiber, TCP / IP, etc.) and (2) security protocols. To maintain secure communication, to maintain secure communication, to maintain security modules 36, to to activate related devices, to manage related licenses, to maintain subscriber information, etc. To control and manage activation / subscriber information modules such as 38 and (4) actual device operation, such as scheduling and acquiring meter readings, relaying or retrieving readings over the network, etc. Hardware control module 40 and (5) to handle errors, for example, to ensure proper operation of the device, to perform self-tests, to serve problems, to perform updates, etc. Includes maintenance module 42 and. It will be appreciated that the number and type of application programs 32 will depend on the specific requirements of the associated hardware device.

It will be appreciated that any type of computing platform 24 / operating system 26 can be used, including, for example, Java , .NET, C ++, proprietary systems, open systems, etc. Operating systems such as Java allow application programs 32 written in Java to be secure and tamperproof, thus providing a high level of unique security. ..

Therefore, each of the application programs 32 is stored and executed in the smart card 22 itself, thereby eliminating (or reducing) the need for a computing platform on the associated device. Therefore, most or all of the "smart" functionality is preserved and executed on the smart card 22.

In one exemplary embodiment, the operating system 26 automatically boots when the smart card 22 is inserted into the associated device and the device is powered on. The operating system 26 then launches the master controller 28, which in turn launches one or more application programs 32 that can be executed continuously or, as needed. Let me. For example, hardware control module 40 can run continuously to collect a continuous stream of meter data, while maintenance module 42 can install updates or check for errors. Therefore, it can be started as needed. The I / O controller 30 is similarly activated by the operating system 26 to allow the smart card to communicate with the associated device.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a card-controllable device 50, such as a utility bill meter, configured to be controlled by a smart card 22. In this example, the card controllable device 50 includes a physical slot 60 for receiving the smart card 22. The smart card 22 can be inserted or removed from the physical slot 60 as needed, using a mechanical latch or the like. Also included is a card interface 25 configured to provide a communication channel between the inserted smart card 22 and one or more arithmetic units 52, 54. For example, the card interface 25 can be adapted to receive generated instructions, data, or control signals from an application running on the smart card 22 and relay them to arithmetic units 52, 54. .. Conversely, the card interface 25 can also be adapted to relay data from arithmetic units 52, 54 to a smart card 22 capable of processing the data.

In this example, the card controllable device 50 includes a first arithmetic unit 52 for collecting meter data 58, such as power usage, error conditions, and so on. Also included is a second arithmetic unit 54 that provides input / output (I / O) functionality to the associated network 56. So, for example, the smart card 22 (1) commands the arithmetic unit 52 to collect meter readings every 10 minutes, and (2) stores those readings in a temporary cache on the smart card 22. And (3) it is possible to instruct the arithmetic unit 54 to send daily readings to the home office, for example, at a given time.

The technical effect is that some or all of the smart devices in it are controlled and managed by smart cards, including a computing platform and application programs for implementing the smart functionality of related devices. Includes meter board with device.

In various embodiments of the invention, the aspects of the smart card 22 described herein are in the form of a hardware embodiment, in the form of a software embodiment, or of hardware and software elements. It can be implemented in the form of one embodiment that includes both. In one embodiment, the operating system 26 and application program 32 (FIG. 2) can be implemented in the form of software including, but not limited to, firmware, resident software, microcode, and the like.

In addition, these processing functions are provided by a computer platform resident on the smart card 22 or on any instruction execution system (eg, processing unit), or a computer-enabled medium that provides program code for use with respect to that computer platform. Alternatively, it can take the form of a computer program product accessible from computer readable media. For the purposes of this description, a computer-enabled or computer-readable medium is any computer-readable memory capable of containing or storing programs for use by, or with respect to, a computer, instruction execution system, device, or device. It may be a medium. In another embodiment, it is possible to utilize a computer-readable transmission medium capable of communicating, propagating, or transporting a program for use by, or with respect to, a computer, instruction execution system, device, or device. ..

Computer-readable media include electronic systems (or devices or devices), magnetic systems (or devices or devices), optical systems (or devices or devices), electromagnetic systems (or devices or devices), infrared systems (or devices or devices). It may be a device or device) or a semiconductor system (or device or device). Examples of computer-readable media include semiconductor or solid-state memory, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), rigid magnetic disks and optical disks. Current examples of optical discs include compact discs, i.e. read-only memory (CD-ROM), and compact discs, i.e. read / write (CD-R / W), and digital video discs (DVD).

The terminology used herein is for illustration purposes only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural, unless otherwise explicitly specified. The terms "contains" and / or "contains" as used herein specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, actions, elements, and / or components described. It will be further understood that it does not preclude the existence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, behaviors, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

Although the present disclosure has been shown and described in detail with respect to its preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that modifications and modifications will be conceived by those skilled in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and modifications that fall under the true spirit of the present disclosure.

The present specification, including the best forms, discloses the present invention, including the creation, use, and implementation of any incorporated method by those skilled in the art. Examples are used to make it possible to carry out the present invention. The patentable scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and can include other examples conceived by those skilled in the art. If such other examples have structural elements that do not differ from the written language of those claims, or if such other examples have equal structural elements with slight differences from the written language of those claims. Such other examples are intended to be within their claims.

10 AMI 12 smart meter Utility meter 14 router 16 SCADA device 18 Data aggregator 20 home office 22a ~ f removable smart card Related smart card 24 Computational platform 25 card interface 26 Operating system 28 Master controller 30 I / O controller 32 application program 34 Communication module 36 Security module 38 Activation / Subscriber Information Module Information module 40 Hardware control module 42 Maintenance module 44 physical interface 50 Controllable devices Card controllable device Related card controllable device 52, 54 Arithmetic unit 56 Related networks 58 meter data 60 physical slots