Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of methods and systems of using a timer based memory buffer for metrology. One embodiment of the method comprises receiving metrology data from one or more metrology sensors; writing at least part of the metrology data to a volatile memory; incrementing a write pointer to indicate the metrology data contained within the volatile memory; and repeating the above until a timer expires, then reading at least a portion of the metrology data from the volatile memory.

Abstract: A device for use in transmitting a message includes a memory device including an application layer that includes a constrained application protocol and a processor coupled to the memory device. The processor is programmed to identify a message to be transmitted through a data link to at least one other device within a network, determine a quality of the data link, and determine a segment size based on the data link quality. The processor is also programmed to execute instructions within the application layer to form at least one message segment from the message such that a size of the at least one message segment is equal to the segment size. The device also includes a communication device configured to transmit the at least one message segment to the at least one other device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for use in communicating with utility devices. A utility meter receives one or more messages from one or more utility devices. Each message corresponds to a communication protocol of a plurality of communication protocols. The utility meter selects a communication protocol based on at least one message of the received messages. The utility meter communicates with at least a portion of the utility devices using the selected communication protocol.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for configuring utility meters are provided. A utility meter may receive, via one or more networks, a command for accessing a configuration table associated with the utility meter. The command may be formatted in accordance with an Internet-based protocol. The utility meter may process the received command in order to access the configuration table, and the configuration table may be in conformance with an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C12.19 standard.

Abstract: A system including a computer device configured to associate a tower multicast address with a first radio frequency (RF) tower; and assign the tower multicast address to each of a plurality of electronic utility meters communicating through the first RF tower.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention include a network communications stack for a system for communicating data over a network. A media access control (MAC) layer running on a radio processor of the communications stack at least partially processes messages received from a network, i.e., before the message is passed to a host processor. Specifically, the MAC layer includes software configured to analyze a destination address contained in the message, and determine whether the destination address contained in the message matches a destination address programmed in the MAC layer.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions that facilitate traffic inspection of communications received by the device. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) identify a communications interface associated with at least one received communication; (ii) determine one or more network traffic parameters associated with a network traffic profile for the communications interface; (iii) evaluate, based at least in part upon the one or more network traffic parameters, the at least one communication received by the device; and (iv) determine, based at least in part upon the evaluation, whether the at least one communication satisfies the traffic profile.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions that facilitate traffic inspection of communications received by the device. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) identify one or more network traffic parameters associated with a network traffic profile for the device; (ii) evaluate, based at least in part upon the one or more network traffic parameters, at least one communication received by the device; and (iii) determine, based at least in part upon the evaluation, whether the at least one communication satisfies the traffic profile.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device configured to facilitate network intrusion detection may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store computer-executable instructions. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the computer-executable instructions to (i) identify a communication, the communication comprising one of (a) a communication received by the device or (b) a communication generated by the device; (ii) identify a type associated with the communication; (iii) determine, based at least in part upon the identified type, a list of acceptable content for the communication; (iv) analyze, based at least in part upon the determined list, the content of the communication; and (v) determine, based at least in part upon the analysis, whether the content is acceptable content.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for network intrusion detection are provided. A device configured to facilitate intrusion detection may include at least one memory and at least one processor. The at least one memory may be configured to store an application that facilitates inspection of communications received by or transmitted by the device. The at least one processor may be configured to access the at least one memory and execute the application to (i) identify a device type associated with the device; (ii) determine, based at least in part upon the identified device type, a list of acceptable content; (iii) analyze, based at least in part upon the determined list, the content of a communication associated with the device; and (iv) determine, based at least in part upon the analysis, whether the content is acceptable content.

Abstract: A system for use in managing charge station transaction data is provided. The system includes at least one charging station and a billing server coupled in communication with the at least one charging station. The billing server is configured to receive transaction data from the at least one charging station, consolidate the transaction data, and transmit the consolidated transaction data to an electronic payment processor.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for facilitating utility meter communication are provided. One or more communications to be transmitted by a utility meter may be identified by the utility meter. A cost associated with the transmission of the one or more communications may be determined by the utility meter, and a determination may be made as to whether the cost satisfies one or more cost parameters if it is determined that the cost satisfies the one or more cost parameters, the one or more communications may be transmitted by the utility meter. If however, it is determined that the cost does not satisfy the one or more cost parameters, the one or more communications may be stored by the utility meter for subsequent transmission.

Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of an electric vehicle charging station is provided. The system includes a battery charger configured to couple to a device for supplying current to the device, a current sensor coupled to the battery charger for measuring current supplied from the battery charger to the device, the current sensor configured to generate a measured current profile based on the measured current supplied to the device, and a processor coupled to the current sensor. The processor is configured to receive the measured current profile transmitted from the current sensor, and compare the measured current profile to at least one known current profile to monitor operation of the charging station.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein use biometric information for authorizing charging an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using one of a plurality of electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs) that are operably connected with a master station. In one aspect, a method of authorizing charging an EV's batteries using an EVCS is described.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data in an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) is provided. The system includes an AMI network configured to communicate by transmitting data via a plurality of physical communication media that include at least a first physical communication medium and a second physical communication medium, and a plurality of meters. Each of the plurality of meters are configured to select a physical communication medium from the first physical communication medium and the second physical communication medium based at least in part on an operational state of the first physical communication medium and an operational state of the second physical communication medium, and communicate with the AMI network via the selected physical communication medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention described herein use biometric information for authorizing charging an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS). In one aspect, a method of authorizing charging an EV's batteries using an EVCS is described. This embodiment of a method comprises storing, in a database, biometric identity information for one or more individuals; receiving, from a biometric information input device associated with an electric vehicle charging station (EVCS), input biometric identity information for a user; searching the database, using a processor, for biometric identity information for the one or more individuals that substantially match the input biometric identity information for the user; and authorizing the user to charge an electric vehicle's (EV's) batteries using the EVCS if the input biometric identity information for the user substantially matches biometric identity information for at least one of the one or more individuals in the database.

Abstract: An electronic utility meter including a metering circuit; a switch operatively coupled to the metering circuit for switching the metering circuit between different states; a cover enclosing the metering circuit and switch; a sensor enclosed within the cover coupled to the switch, the sensor configured to change a state of the switch in response to a user interaction with the cover.

Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for enabling communication by and between meters and networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device includes: a network interface controller configured to be directly coupled to a meter socket and provide a communication path between a utility meter and at least one network, the network interface controller including: a computing device; and at least one communications interface coupled to the computing device, the at least one communications interface configured to be physically located within a meter socket housing.

Abstract: An advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) enabled device, program product and communication system. An AMI enabled device is described that includes a power failure detection system that constructs a power loss message in response to a detected loss of power and a communication system for transmitting messages over a network. The communications system includes: a prioritization system for prioritizing the power loss message as a high priority message, and a queuing system that ensures that the power loss message is transmitted ahead of all low priority messages.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing network congestion in a smart utility meter system are provided. The systems, methods, and apparatuses may include providing, for a utility meter, a first communications interface for communicating with a first network; providing, for the utility meter, a second communications interface for communicating with a second network different from the first network; receiving or generating, by the utility meter, information having a destination; selecting either the first communications interface or the second communications interface; and delivering the information to the destination via the selected communications interface.