EP0778688A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A modular object-based architecture for extensible master station software
Assignee: Atos Origin IT Services Inc
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Filing: 1996-11-19
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2016-11-19
Abstract
Abstract Conventional AMR and DA/DSM systems typically suffer from a lack of extensibility due to the monolithic nature of the master station software. In contrast, this patent describes a system that is comprised of small modules connected using a component object model. This system allows straightforward extension in the areas of applications, communications, metering devices, and databases without requiring recompilation or relinking of the system. Furthermore, this system allows commercial applications such as spreadsheets, word processors, statistical packages, report generators, et cetera to be integrated directly with this system, and allows extension and customization of the system using such packages. Such a flexible open architecture is very attractive to utilities in that it allows easy extension by the utility or other third party developers without the involvement of the original authors of the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael Andrew Montgomery
- 👤 Lloyd Howard Strine
- 👤 Leor Amikan
- 👤 Neil Maclean
- 👤 Mark Alan Hastings
- 👤 Suzanne Kristina Marie Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 14:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G06; G06Q; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; H04L67/10; H04L67/12; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A modular object-based architecture for master station software for use in the utility industry comprising: (a) an applications interface for communicating with user defined computer applications, said applications interface using an object-oriented interface to communicate with such user defined computer applications; (b) a device interface for communicating with hardware devices of the type used in the utility industry, said device interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said hardware devices; (c) a network interface for communicating with network modules used in the utility industry to provide access to data which has been collected by said network modules, said network interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said network modules; (d) means for accessing a database which is able to store and retain data; and (e) interface means for providing communications between said applications interface, said device interface, and said network interface, said interface means using said object-oriented interface to provide such communications.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of Claim 1 in which said user defined computer applications are selected from the group consisting of commercially available computer software packages, AMR applications, billing applications, communications applications, electric utility applications, water utility applications, gas utility applications, database applications, distribution automation applications, demand side management applications, and device management applications.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of Claim 1 or 2 in which said hardware devices are comprised of data acquisition devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of any preceding Claim in which said network modules are selected from the group consisting of handheld terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices, telephone outbound devices, radio frequency devices, concentrator devices, and direct communications devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of any preceding Claim in which said user object-oriented interface provides for object linking and embedding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of Claim 5 in which said user object-oriented interface is compliant with the OLE standard.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of Claim 6 further comprising the addition of DCE/RPC support.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of any preceding Claim further comprising a database which is accessible by said means for accessing a database, said database being able to communicate with said applications interface and said network interface by means of a standard data access means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of Claim 8 in which said standard data access means provides connectivity between data in a database and an external piece of software seeking to access such data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The modular object-based architecture for master station software of Claim 9 in which said standard data access means is compliant with the ODBC standard.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for providing object-based access within master station software for use in the utility industry comprising: (a) providing an applications interface for communicating with user defined computer applications, said applications interface using an object-oriented interface to communicate with such user defined computer applications; (b) providing a device interface for communicating with hardware devices of the type used in the utility industry, said device interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said hardware devices; (c) providing a network interface for communicating with network modules used in the utility industry to provide access to data which has been collected by said network modules, said network interface using said object-oriented interface to communicate with said network modules; (d) providing means for accessing a database which is able to store and retain data; and (e) providing interface means for communicationing between said applications interface, said device interface, and said network interface, said interface means using said- object-oriented interface to provide such communications.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of Claim 11 in which said step of providing an applications inteface is comprised of providing an interface with computer applications selected from the group consisting of commercially available computer software packages, billing applications, communications applications, electric utility applications, water utility applications, gas utility applications, database applications, distribution automation applications, demand side management applications, and device management applications.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of Claim 11 or 12 in which said step of providing a hardware interface comprises providing a software interface to data acquisition devices.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
51 words
The method of any of Claims 11 to 13 in which said step of providing a network interface comprises providing software which can communicate with modules selected from the group consisting of handheld terminals, power line communications devices, telephone inbound devices, telephone outbound devices, radio frequency devices, and direct communications devices.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
21 words
The method of any of Claims 11 to 15 in which said user object-oriented interface uses for object linking and embedding.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of Claim 15 in which said user object-oriented interface is compliant with the OLE standard.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of Claim 16 further comprising the step of providing support for DCE/RPC.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
49 words
The method of any of Claims 11 to 17 further comprising the step of providing a database which is accessible by said means for accessing a database, said database being able to communicate with said applications interface and said network interface by means of a standard data access means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of Claim 18 in which said standard data access means is selected to provide connectivity between data in a database and an external piece of software seeking to access such data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of Claim 19 in which said standard data access means is selected to be compliant with the ODBC standard.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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