Utility Meter Methodology

Problem Identification: Identified Key Problem Statement in Utility Meters by combining existing research and information from different data sources and finding solutions related to security aspect of smart meters.

Taxonomy Preparation: Identified key technology areas related to Secure Utility meter and prepared a broad level taxonomy.

Portfolio Generation: Extracted Worldwide portfolio based on the relevant Keywords and Class codes pertaining to the different technology areas in the Taxonomy.

Semi-Automatic Categorization: Manually Categorized the extracted portfolio by using relevant taxonomy.

Statistical Analysis: Obtained quantitative insights from the categorized patent dataset and identified key players across technology categories.

Emerging technologies Identification: Identified Emerging entities/technologies based on recent filing trends. Recent year trend of filing was considered as an emerging entity.

Patent Landscape (Executive Summary)

Patents Claiming Secure Utility Meter

• The patent US11734396B2, assigned to EL ELECTRONICS, discloses about improving security in a meter by providing a security key which is unique to each meter.
• The patent US20120051542A1, assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRO MECH, discloses a remote electric power metering system which includes a security algorithm application unit use to  decrypt a received signal from a communication network.
• The patent US11790349B2, assigned to Landis and Gyr Technology Inc , discloses a system for generating a payment-based token based on a payment made for a meter.
• The patent US10900807B2, assigned to DIEHL METERING SYSTEMS, discloses about different keys provided for different software authorizations for an electric meter consumption data module.
• The patent US10379839B2, assigned to TRILLIANT NETWORKS, discloses about securing the utility-related data at the hub device using digital envelopes.

Utility Meter Leading Pioneers

US6118269A By ITRON discloses a system for detecting tampering with an electric meter and signaling when it's removed from its socket. It involves using a resistor and LED connected to the meter's circuitry, with a transistor relaying the tamper signal to a microprocessor, which then notifies a central system. Additionally, a utility gateway enclosure is introduced, supporting various network interface cards for communication between the meter and external networks.

US6115676A By Power Measurement Ltd discloses a security system for programmable revenue class electricity meters. A processor within the meter runs programming to record and calculate revenue-related data. Authorized individuals can modify this programming, but access is restricted by a security system requiring a specific code word input.

US20070257813A1 By ITRON discloses a method and system for securely setting up devices in an automatic meter reading network. It involves generating a secure key using a network interface card's secret key and a key from a device management server. This key is then used to authenticate metering devices.

US7443313B2 By LANDIS+GYR discloses a water meter transceiver, connected to a water meter, consists of a head housing a processor with a transceiver transmitting water consumption data. A stem, attached to the head, contains a power source for the processor and may have threads for securing the head to a water meter container lid. The stem includes a switch linked to the processor, activating when the head is secured. Unauthorized removal of the head triggers the switch, prompting the processor to take action, like sending an alert or disabling the water meter to prevent utility theft.

US7761910B2 By Power Measurement Ltd discloses intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) spread throughout the system, connected via a network to backend servers. Security measures, including public key cryptography and certificates, are implemented to authenticate and protect communications for managing power distribution and consumption.

Read Also: Secure Utility Meter: Overview and Market Survey

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