Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) is rapidly evolving, but challenges around secure payments, data confidentiality & robust user authentication persist. The continued reliance on third-party services introduces significant risks, from data breaches to unauthorized access. In response, industry leaders like LANDIS+GYR, JP Morgan Chase & Co., and ELECTRO INDUSTRIES/GAUGETECH are pioneering secure, future-ready solutions-ranging from time-based token access and dynamic data masking to dual-factor authentication-to strengthen the resilience, privacy and integrity of AMI networks.

Emerging Technologies Based on Recent Year Filing Trends

In today's advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), applying payments directly to meters in resource distribution networks is challenging due to complexity and security issues. Current methods rely on third-party services, leading to potential errors and security vulnerabilities beyond the utility company's control US11915330B2 By LANDIS+GYR discloses a system generates a time-based token for meters in a resource distribution network. This token, created by a headend system, is transmitted to the meter via a mesh network. Upon validation by the meter, it connects associated premises to the network for the specified duration.

Recently, concerns have emerged regarding the confidentiality of transmitted metered data, posing risks to personal privacy and proprietary information. For instance, data transmitted over communication networks could be intercepted or stolen by unauthorized parties or hackers. Malicious attacks on these networks could lead to unauthorized access to personal or proprietary data, such as consumer usage details or confidential account information. US11798102B2 By JP Morgan Chase & Co. discloses a technique which enables a smart meter to receive a mask and apply it to original metered data. The meter can use different masks at various times and then send the concealed data, called augmented metered data, to an electric utility via a communication network.

US11937022B2 By ELECTRO INDUSTRIES/GAUGETECH discloses a methods for authenticating users of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) using dual-factor authentication. It involves receiving user credentials at the IED, determining user identity and preferred communication mode, sending a code, and granting access upon code verification. Additionally, it covers receiving credentials at a remote server, determining user identity and preferred communication mode, sending a code, receiving it at the server, and providing remote access to the IED by authenticating the user.

Key Findings - Technology Timelines and Recent Year Filing Trends

Data Transfer

Tamper Proof Meters

Utility Transactions

Read Also:

Secure Utility Meter: Overview and Market Survey

Utility Meter Methodology & Leading Pioneers

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