IP Library Granted Patent US 8,839,101
Granted Patent B2
US 8,839,101 · App. 12/986,397 · Granted Sep 16, 2014

Flexible meter configuration software architecture

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,839,101
App. No.
12/986,397
Granted
Sep 16, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects of the invention provide a tool for configuring software for an electric meter. A parameters table having values for the electric meter in a platform independent format is created. The table is then merged with to a mapping table that is configured specifically to the particular model of the electric meter to be configured to form a build table that can be executed on the electric meter. The build table is then installed on the electric meter.

Claims (33)

1. A computer-implemented method of configuring software for an electric meter, the method comprising:

creating a configuration parameters table having values for the electric meter in a platform independent format, the platform independent format being a format that is not specifically adapted to a model of the electric meter;

merging the configuration parameters table with a configuration mapping table configured specifically to the model of the electric meter to transform the parameters table into a configuration build table and PRO files that are executable on the electric meter to operate the electric meter; and

installing the configuration build table and the PRO files on the electric meter.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration parameters table is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) table.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the creating further comprises:

obtaining values for properties specific to the electric meter via a graphical user interface (GUI);

validating the values with a defaults table including default values for the electric meter.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the defaults table defines at least one of a property name, a property type, acceptable property values, or a property default value.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the defaults table includes business rules.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the configuration build table includes an ANSI C12.19 table.

7. A computer system for configuring software for an electric meter, the computer system comprising:

a component configured to create a configuration parameters table having values for the electric meter in a platform independent format, the platform independent format being a format that is not specifically adapted to a model of the electric meter;

a component configured to merge the configuration parameters table with a configuration mapping table configured specifically to the model of the electric meter to form a configuration build table and PRO files that are executable on the electric meter to operate the electric meter; and

a component configured to install the configuration build table and the PRO files on the electric meter.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the configuration parameters table is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) table.

9. The system of claim 7 , further comprising:

a component configured to obtain values for properties specific to the electric meter via a graphical user interface (GUI); and

a component configured to validate the values with a defaults table including default values for the electric meter.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the defaults table defines at least one of a property name, a property type, acceptable property values, or a property default value.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the defaults table includes business rules.

12. The system of claim 7 , wherein the configuration build table includes an ANSI C12.19 table.

13. A computer-readable device having a computer program comprising program code embodied therein, which when executed, enables a computer system to implement a method of configuring software for an electric meter, the method comprising:

creating a configuration parameters table having values for the electric meter in a platform independent format, the platform independent format being a format that is not specifically adapted to a model of the electric meter;

merging the configuration parameters table with a configuration mapping table configured specifically to the model of the electric meter to form a configuration build table and PRO files that are executable on the electric meter to operate the electric meter; and

installing the configuration build table and the PRO files on the electric meter.

14. The computer-readable device of claim 13 , wherein the configuration parameters table is an Extensible Markup Language (XML) table.

15. The computer-readable device of claim 13 , the creating further comprising:

obtaining values for properties specific to the electric meter via a graphical user interface (GUI); and

validating the values with a defaults table including default values for the electric meter.

16. The computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the defaults table defines at least one of a property name, a property type, acceptable property values, or a property default value.

17. The computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the defaults table includes business rules.

18. The computer-readable device of claim 13 , wherein the configuration build table is an ANSI C 12.19 table.

Assignments (8)
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 5, 2018
From: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MRH METERS LLC
Reel/Frame 046117/0792 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 5, 2018
From: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC.
To: ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ACLARA METERS LLC
Reel/Frame 045245/0231 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Aug 30, 2016
From: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC
To: ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ACLARA METERS LLC F/K/A MRH METERS LLC
Reel/Frame 039880/0908 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Aug 30, 2016
From: ACLARA TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ACLARA METERS LLC
To: MORGAN STANLEY SENIOR FUNDING, INC., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039872/0227 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 18, 2016
From: MRH METERS LLC
To: ACLARA METERS LLC
Reel/Frame 037852/0418 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 30, 2015
From: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
To: MRH METERS LLC (F/K/A LJF METERS LLC)
Reel/Frame 037398/0877 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 22, 2015
From: MRH METERS LLC
To: PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 037359/0375 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 22, 2015
From: MRH METERS LLC
To: CERBERUS BUSINESS FINANCE, LLC, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 037362/0603 →