US Patent:
20080010212, Jan 10, 2008
Inventors:
Michael Moore - Central SC, US
Jocelyn Bilodeau - Walhalla SC, US
Assignee:
Itron, Inc. - Liberty Lake WA
International Classification:
H04L 9/00
Abstract:
Methodology and corresponding apparatus ensure the integrity of utility metering data during power outages while providing improved memory integrity. An initial step includes determining and storing an energy top value that is representative of metered energy, and also includes establishing an update pattern. Accumulated energy is then monitored until a predetermined energy threshold is crossed, at which point a selected state in the update pattern is stored into one of a plurality of energy increment cells. Such stored value can be validated at some point after the data read. The steps of monitoring accumulated energy and storing a selected value/state of the update pattern into additional energy increment cells continue until each of the plurality of energy increment cells is updated with a new value. Upon completion, the energy top value is updated with a new energy total and the process of cycling through each energy increment cell is repeated.
