Secure remote meter access

摘要

Generally described, the disclosed subject matter is directed to improved processes for securely accessing a meter. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for providing a mobile meter reader with an authorization that may be used to establish a secure session with a meter is implemented. In particular, the method includes issuing a request for authorization to access the meter from the mobile meter reader. If the mobile meter reader maintains sufficient rights, an authorization having an encoded digital signature is generated at a host computer system and provided to the mobile meter reader. Then the method formulates and transmits an authorization command to the meter having the encoded digital signature that was generated by the host computing system.

主权项

1. A method of securely accessing a meter from a mobile meter reader, the method comprising:
identifying, from a plurality of meters, a first one of the meters scheduled to be accessed in a first area in which the mobile meter reader is likely unable to communicate with a host computing system via a network communication; identifying, from the plurality of meters, a second one of the meters scheduled to be accessed in a second area in which the mobile meter reader is likely able to communicate with the host computing system via the network communication; before the mobile meter reader is taken to the first area and while the mobile meter reader is in communication with the host computing system:
issuing a first request for authorization to access the first one of the meters, the first request for authorization being issued from the mobile meter reader to the host computing system; andwhen the mobile meter reader has sufficient rights to access the first one of the meters, storing a digital signature received from the host computing system that identifies that the mobile meter reader is authorized to communicate with the first one of the meters; when the mobile meter reader is located in the first area, transmitting an authorization command to the first one of the meters from the mobile meter reader, wherein the authorization command includes the digital signature received from the host computing system before the mobile meter reader was located in the first area; and when the mobile meter reader is located in the second area, utilizing the network communication to dynamically issue a second request for authorization to access the second one of the meters, the second request for authorization being issued from the mobile meter reader to the host computing system while the mobile meter reader interacts with the second one of the meters.