Abstract: A method for locking out a remote terminal unit includes: receiving a lockout request, wherein the lockout request includes at least a public key associated with a user, a user identifier, and a terminal identifier; identifying a user profile associated with the user based on the user identifier included in the received lockout request; verifying the public key included in the received lockout request and permission for the user to lockout a remote terminal unit associated with the terminal identifier included in the received lockout request based on data included in the identified user profile; generating a lockout permit, wherein the lockout permit includes at least the public key included in the received lockout request; and transmitting at least a lockout request and the generated lockout permit, wherein the lockout request includes an instruction to place a lockout on the remote terminal unit.

Abstract: A wireless mesh network is configured to implement a latency-sensitive communication protocol in order to facilitate data communications between devices coupled to that network and configured to communicate with one another based on that protocol. Specifically, a node within the wireless mesh network receives a continuous stream of data that includes an N-bit sequence from an upstream device coupled to the wireless mesh network. The node transmits the N-bit sequence to a downstream node within the wireless mesh network. The downstream node re-creates the continuous stream of bits based on the received N-bit sequence, and then transmits the re-created continuous stream of bits to another device coupled to the wireless mesh network. By operating in conjunction with one another, the nodes within the wireless mesh network facilitate communication between the devices coupled to wireless mesh network according to the latency-sensitive communication protocol.

Abstract: A meshed networking of access points in a utility network provides a more efficient and cost effective arrangement for communicating data between meters and the utility by linking the access points of multiple subnetworks for purposes of communicating with the utility. As a result, each individual subnetwork is not required to directly communicate with the utility. For those access points that are relieved of the need to directly communicate with the utility, the communication mechanism, e.g., cellular modem, can be eliminated, or deactivated, to thereby reduce capital expenditures and/or operational costs. Additionally, links to a WAN can be selectively activated or disabled to provision bandwidth, for example, on demand, to react to changing conditions in the subnetworks.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for efficiently interconnecting RFID interrogator elements. Each interrogator element is configured to function as both an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag. The RFID interrogator function enables one interrogator element to perform a read or write data operation to a second interrogator element functioning as an RFID tag. Two-way communications between interrogator elements is facilitated by read and write operations. A data backhaul network may be advantageously implemented as a wireless mesh network, comprising a plurality of interrogator elements, to transmit data from each interrogator element to a server for processing.

Abstract: A node within a wireless endpoint device may be coupled to multiple heterogeneous networks simultaneously. The node is configured to select between the different networks based on various constraints associated with the endpoint device, applications executing on the endpoint device, traffic routed by the endpoint device, and constraints associated with the multiple networks. Based on these different constraints, and based on the current operating mode of the node, the node rates each network, and then selects the network with the highest rating to be used for routing purposes.

Abstract: A mobile device communicates with an authenticator affiliated with a recharging facility, to identify itself. To confirm that the mobile device is connected to the correct facility, the authenticator instructs the mobile device to draw electrical charge according to an identifiable pattern. Upon detecting a charge being drawn according to that pattern, the authenticator has confirmation that the identified device is connected to the facility, and permits the charging to proceed. The amount of electricity drawn during the charging procedure can be metered, and then billed to a party associated with the identified mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and targeting power outages are provided. Electric meters of a system receive electric power from power distribution equipment in a power distribution network and information that identifies the respective power distribution equipment from which the meters receive electric power. Communication nodes are associated with electric meters and receive, from neighboring communication nodes, information identifying each respective neighboring communication node and the information identifying the power distribution equipment from which respective electric meters, associated with neighboring communication nodes, receive electric power. A communication node of a particular electric meter can select a suitable communication node of a neighboring electric meter with which it can communicate. When the particular electric meter experiences a loss in power, it can then transmit an immediate regarding the loss in power to the selected communication node.

Abstract: A server acts as a proxy mechanism for node registration with a database. The node initially registers to participate in a wireless mesh network by transmitting a registration request to the server. The server forwards the request to the database, which validates the request. The server records that the registration request was, in fact, validated by the database. The node is then permitted to participate in the network. If the node becomes decoupled from the network, the node may then transmit a re-registration request to the server. Since the server recorded that the previous registration was validated, the server may then simply validate the re-registration request, without interacting with the database.

Abstract: A communication device detects whether anomalous events occur with respect to at least one node in a utility network. The communication device has recorded therein threshold operating information and situational operating information. The threshold operating information includes data indicative of configured acceptable operating parameters of nodes in the network based on respective locational information of the nodes. The situational information includes data indicative of configured operation data expected to be received from nodes in the network during a predetermined time period, based on a condition and/or event occurring during the time period. The communication device receives operation data from nodes in the network, and determines whether the operation data from a node constitutes an anomalous event based on a comparison of the received operation data with (i) the threshold operating information defined for the node and (ii) the situational information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system including a utility network including a product distribution pathway for delivering a product, a plurality of electronic utility devices associated with the utility network to monitor at least one parameter associated with the product distribution pathway, and a management processor in communication with the devices and operable to poll at least a subset of the electronic utility devices in response to an input to evaluate performance of one of the utility network and the system in response to information relating to the at least one parameter. The evaluation can include a rule-based analysis of one of the parameter and the information relating to the parameter.

Abstract: Devices and methods for securely upgrading devices, such as field upgradeable units, are disclosed. In response to receiving an update object, a device may determine whether a predefined location of memory includes a predetermined value. Based on the value in the predefined location, the device may store the received update object in a verification portion of the memory. After verifying the authenticity of the update object, the device may copy the update object from the verification portion of the memory to an inactive portion. The inactive portion of the memory can be swapped with an active portion of the memory, such that the inactive portion becomes active.

Abstract: A method for controlling a light source associated with an environment includes: receiving, over a wireless mesh network and by a control node corresponding to the light source, a first light intensity value for the environment from a first sensor node; calculating, by the control node, a resulting light intensity (RLI) value based on the first intensity value; determining, by the control node, that the RLI value exceeds a light intensity threshold; and modifying, by the control node and in response to determining the RLI value exceeds the light intensity threshold, an output of the first light source.

Abstract: A communication device detects whether anomalous events occur with respect to at least one node in a utility network. The communication device has recorded therein threshold operating information and situational operating information. The threshold operating information includes data indicative of configured acceptable operating parameters of nodes in the network based on respective locational information of the nodes. The situational information includes data indicative of configured operation data expected to be received from nodes in the network during a predetermined time period, based on a condition and/or event occurring during the time period. The communication device receives operation data from nodes in the network, and determines whether the operation data from a node constitutes an anomalous event based on a comparison of the received operation data with (i) the threshold operating information defined for the node and (ii) the situational information.

Abstract: A permitting system for controlling devices in a system includes a permit issuing agent that receives a command to be sent to a device. Based upon at least one attribute of the command, the permit issuing agent identifies one or more business logic modules that is pertinent to the command. Each business logic module has a respectively different set of business rules associated with it. Each identified business logic module determines whether the command complies with the business rules associated with that module. If the command is determined to comply with the business rules of all of the identified business logic modules, the agent issues a permit for the command, and the permit is sent to the device for execution of the command.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting data in a frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) wireless communication system. A multi-channel receiver is configured to receive data from one or more channels simultaneously. The multi-channel receiver enables efficient implementation of a transmission protocol in which multiple candidate nodes within a wireless mesh network are polled for availability to receive a packet of data. The packet of data is transmitted to one or more available nodes based on prevailing link conditions, thereby increasing the likelihood of successful delivery. Data flooding may be selectively implemented to further increase the likelihood of successful delivery.

Abstract: A wireless communication network system includes a plurality of nodes. Each node from the plurality of nodes includes a plurality of communication modules. Each module includes a modem and is configured to operate according to a communication protocol. Each communication module is configured to monitor its own communication parameter data and to cooperate with companion modules of a node by sharing communication parameter data, for instance through a coordination unit. Each communication module is further configured to allow, preferably according to a predefined set of rules, communication using a protocol of one communication module by utilizing a band associated with a companion module. The sharing of communication parameter data between modules may be continuous sharing or periodic sharing.

Abstract: A permitting system for controlling devices in a system includes a permit issuing agent that receives a command to be sent to a device. Based upon at least one attribute of the command, the permit issuing agent identifies one or more business logic modules that is pertinent to the command. Each business logic module has a respectively different set of business rules associated with it. Each identified business logic module determines whether the command complies with the business rules associated with that module. If the command is determined to comply with the business rules of all of the identified business logic modules, the agent issues a permit for the command, and the permit is sent to the device for execution of the command.

Abstract: Securing the manufacturing supply chain with digital certificates. A token is coupled to a manufacturing station and enabled via a personal identification number. The token includes a counter limiting the maximum number of certificates to be signed, and compares a serial number of a digital certificate to a tracked serial number. In some embodiments, the token is linked to a particular manufacturing station once the token is enabled.

Abstract: A system and method analyzes resource consumption without requiring sensors at every device for which consumption is analyzed. Data rates used to provide resource use information may be increased or decreased based on user actions.

Abstract: A source node residing within a wireless mesh network is configured to transmit data packets to downstream nodes also residing within the wireless mesh network. Upon receipt of a data packet, a given downstream node determines a channel on which to transmit an acknowledgement packet and a sub-interval of time during which to transmit the acknowledgement packet based on a short ID assigned by the source node. At the determined sub-interval of time, the downstream node transmits the acknowledgement packet to the source node on the determined channel.