US6401081B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modular object-based architecture for extensible master station software
Assignee: Landis and Gyr Innovations Inc
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Filing: 1995-11-20
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2015-11-20
Abstract
Abstract Conventional AMR and DA/DSM systems typically suffer from a lack of extensibility due to the monolithic nature of the master station software. In contrast, this patent describes a system that is comprised of small modules connected using a component object model. This system allows straightforward extension in the areas of applications, communications, metering devices, and databases without requiring recompilation or relinking of the system. Furthermore, this system allows commercial applications such as spreadsheets, word processors, statistical packages, report generators, et cetera to be integrated directly with this system, and allows extension and customization of the system using such packages. Such a flexible open architecture is very attractive to utilities in that it allows easy extension by the utility or other third party developers without the involvement of the original authors of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Andrew Montgomery
- 👤 Lloyd Howard Strine
- 👤 Susanne Kristina Marie Howard
- 👤 Leor Amikam
- 👤 Neil MacLean
- 👤 Mark Alan Hastings
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:22
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/12; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
232 words
A modular object-based architecture for master station software for use in the utility industry comprising: (a) an applications interface for communicating with user defined computer applications, said applications interface using an object-oriented interface to communicate with such user defined computer applications; (b) a device interface for communicating with hardware devices used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of data acquisition devices being adapted to acquire utility related data, electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters, said device interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said hardware devices; (c) a network interface for communicating with network modules used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of meter interface units, handheld meter reading and programming terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices of the type used to receive calls from a utility's central computer at a customer's location to report utility meter data to the utility's central computer, radio frequency devices, and concentrator devices to provide access to data which has been collected by said network modules, said network interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said network modules; (d) means for accessing, through said network interface, a database which is able to store and retain data; and (e) interface means for providing communications between said applications interface, said device interface, and said network interface, said interface means using said object-oriented interface to provide such communications.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
232 words
A modular object-based architecture for master station software for use in the utility industry comprising: (a) an applications interface for communicating with user defined computer applications, said applications interface using an object-oriented interface to communicate with such user defined computer applications; (b) a device interface for communicating with hardware devices used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of data acquisition devices being adapted to acquire utility related data, electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters, said device interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said hardware devices; (c) a network interface for communicating with network modules used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of meter interface units, handheld meter reading and programming terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices of the type used to receive calls from a utility's central computer at a customer's location to report utility meter data to the utility's central computer, radio frequency devices, and concentrator devices to provide access to data which has been collected by said network modules, said network interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said network modules; (d) means for accessing, through said network interface, a database which is able to store and retain data; and (e) interface means for providing communications between said applications interface, said device interface, and said network interface, said interface means using said object-oriented interface to provide such communications.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 1 in which said user defined computer applications are selected from the group of utility related applications consisting of AMR applications, billing applications, communications applications, electric utility applications, water utility applications, gas utility applications, database applications, distribution automation applications, demand side management applications, and device management applications.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 1 in which said hardware devices are comprised of data acquisition devices, said data acquisition devices being adapted to acquire utility related data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
93 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 1 in which said network modules are selected from the group consisting of meter interface units, handheld meter reading and programming terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices of the type used to call a utility's central computer from a customer's location to report utility meter data, telephone outbound devices of the type used to receive calls from a utility's central computer at a customer's location to report utility meter data to the utility's central computer, radio frequency devices, and concentrator devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 1 in which said user object-oriented interface provides for object linking and embedding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 5 in which said user object-oriented interface is compliant with the OLE standard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 6 further comprising the addition of DCE/RPC support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 1 further comprising a database which is accessible by said means for accessing a database, said database being able to communicate with said applications interface and said network interface by means of a standard data access means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 8 in which said standard data access means provides connectivity between data in a database and an external piece of software seeking to access such data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of claim 9 in which said standard data access means is compliant with the ODBC standard.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for providing object-based access within master station software for use in the utility industry comprising: (a) providing an applications interface for communicating with user defined computer applications, said applications interface using an object-oriented interface to communicate with such user defined computer applications; (b) providing a device interface for communicating with hardware devices used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of data acquisition devices being adapted to acquire utility related data, electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters, said device interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said hardware devices; (c) providing a network interface for communicating with network modules used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of meter interface units, handheld meter reading and programming terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices of the type used to receive calls from a utility's central computer at a customer's location to report utility meter data to the utility's central computer, radio frequency devices, and concentrator devices to provide access to data which has been collected by said network modules, said network interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said network modules; (d) providing means for accessing, through said network interface, a database which is able to store and retain data; and (e) providing interface means for communicating between said applications interface, said device interface, and said network interface, said interface means using said object-oriented interface to provide such communications.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
238 words
A method for providing object-based access within master station software for use in the utility industry comprising: (a) providing an applications interface for communicating with user defined computer applications, said applications interface using an object-oriented interface to communicate with such user defined computer applications; (b) providing a device interface for communicating with hardware devices used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of data acquisition devices being adapted to acquire utility related data, electricity meters, water meters, and gas meters, said device interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said hardware devices; (c) providing a network interface for communicating with network modules used in the utility industry selected from the group consisting of meter interface units, handheld meter reading and programming terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices of the type used to receive calls from a utility's central computer at a customer's location to report utility meter data to the utility's central computer, radio frequency devices, and concentrator devices to provide access to data which has been collected by said network modules, said network interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said network modules; (d) providing means for accessing, through said network interface, a database which is able to store and retain data; and (e) providing interface means for communicating between said applications interface, said device interface, and said network interface, said interface means using said object-oriented interface to provide such communications.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 11 in which said step of providing an applications interface is comprised of providing an interface with computer applications selected from the group of utility related applications consisting of billing applications, communications applications, electric utility applications, water utility applications, gas utility applications, database applications, distribution automation applications, demand side management applications, and device management applications.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 12 in which said step of providing a hardware interface comprises providing a software interface to data acquisition devices, said data acquisition devices being adapted to acquire utility related data.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
The method of claim 11 in which said step of providing a network interface comprises providing software which can communicate with modules selected from the group consisting of meter interface units, handheld meter reading and programming terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices of the type used to call a utility's central computer from a customer's location to report utility meter data, telephone outbound devices of the type used to receive calls from a utility's central computer at a customer's location to report utility meter data to the utility's central computer, radio frequency devices, and concentrator devices.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 in which said user object-oriented interface uses for object linking and embedding.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 in which said user object-oriented interface is compliant with the OLE standard.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing support for DCE/RPC.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of providing a database which is accessible by said means for accessing a database, said database being able to communicate with said applications interface and said network interface by means of a standard data access means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 18 in which said standard data access means is selected to provide connectivity between data in a database and an external piece of software seeking to access such data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 19 in which said standard data access means is selected to be compliant with the ODBC standard.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |