Data processing: financial – business practice – management – or co – Business processing using cryptography – Utility metering system
Reexamination Certificate
2007-05-08
2007-05-08
Elisca, Pierre E. (Department: 3621)
Data processing: financial, business practice, management, or co
Business processing using cryptography
Utility metering system
C705S001100, C705S400000, C705S410000, C705S411000, 36, C324S142000
Reexamination Certificate
active
10218696
ABSTRACT:
A metering system is provided including a smartcard reader and peripheral computer in communication with a metering apparatus. A smartcard with memory, microprocessor, and license counter may then be engaged with a smartcard reader in the metering system to effect meter license transactions. The license transactions may be purchased by a user either to enable enhanced functional meter features via a meter upgrade process or to disable functional meter features via a meter downgrade process. Such features are typically enabled or disabled by respectively either providing or restricting access to selected portions of the meter firmware. Since both upgrades and downgrades can be effected at a utility meter, the smartcards provide transferable meter licenses. Advantages of the disclosed smartcard technology facilitate secure and reliable license transactions. Such advantages more particularly result from data encryption techniques when communicating with a smartcard and a random communication protocol implemented between smartcard and utility meter modules.
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EnergyCite Product Summary EMS 2020 date, author unknown.
Hastings Mark Alan
Mannis Ralph
Dority & Manning P.A.
Elisca Pierre E.
Itron, Inc.
Winter John M.
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