Utility Meter Multi-Agent Communication via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional utility meters are limited to communicating with a single utility provider, failing to accommodate scenarios where multiple providers serve the same structure, such as different power companies supplying electricity based on market rates.
Innovation Solution
Utility meters are configured to execute multiple software agents, allowing them to collect and communicate utility usage data concurrently with multiple utility providers, managing resources and security through modules like resource allocation, security, and watchdog modules to ensure secure and efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a utility meter includes a single AMI interface for communication with a utility provider, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability is limited to a single utility provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal AMI interface that can communicate with multiple utility providers through a single physical connection. The interface is designed to be multi-functional, supporting different communication protocols and providers through software configuration rather than requiring separate hardware interfaces for each provider.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication functionality into separate software components (collection agents) that can be independently loaded and executed. Each collection agent handles communication with a specific utility provider, allowing the system to support multiple providers without requiring multiple physical interfaces. This segmentation enables the single interface to be virtualized into multiple logical communication channels.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple collection agents are executed concurrently to facilitate communication with multiple utility providers, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases due to resource management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collection agent manager as an intermediary component that mediates between multiple collection agents and the underlying AMI interface. This manager handles resource allocation, coordinate concurrent operations, and manage communication resources among multiple agents. Additionally, security modules act as intermediaries to authenticate and authorize each collection agent, managing security credentials and access control without requiring complex peer-to-peer security management between agents.
3Productivity
If a utility meter is configured to execute multiple software agents concurrently, then the productivity is improved by collecting data from multiple providers, but the reliability may be affected by resource contention and security vulnerabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements security modules that perform beforehand authentication and authorization of collection agents before they are executed. Security credentials are validated in advance, and access control policies are established before resource access occurs. This prevents unauthorized agents from compromising system reliability and protects against security vulnerabilities before they can exploit resource contention or cause system instability.
Data Source
AI summary
Utility meters configured to execute multiple collection agents are provided. In this regard, communication may be facilitated with a plurality of utility providers. A utility meter that includes one or more computer processors may be configured to execute a first software agent configured to collect utility usage data on behalf of a first utility provider. Additionally, the utility meter may be configured to execute a second software agent concurrently with the first software agent. The second software agent may be configured to collect utility usage data on behalf of a second utility provider.