WO2013019595A2 - Assurer une traçabilité de sécurité de changements dans une programmation d'un dispositif terminal par l'intermédiaire d'une vérification informatique - Google Patents

Assurer une traçabilité de sécurité de changements dans une programmation d'un dispositif terminal par l'intermédiaire d'une vérification informatique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013019595A2
WO2013019595A2 PCT/US2012/048477 US2012048477W WO2013019595A2 WO 2013019595 A2 WO2013019595 A2 WO 2013019595A2 US 2012048477 W US2012048477 W US 2012048477W WO 2013019595 A2 WO2013019595 A2 WO 2013019595A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
count
tamper
metrology
programming
endpoint
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2012/048477
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English (en)
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WO2013019595A3 (fr
Inventor
Matthew Johnson
Christopher L. Osterloh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Itron Inc
Original Assignee
Itron Inc
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Itron Inc filed Critical Itron Inc
Publication of WO2013019595A2 publication Critical patent/WO2013019595A2/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2013019595A3 publication Critical patent/WO2013019595A3/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
    • G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01F—MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME
    • G01F15/00—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus
    • G01F15/007—Details of, or accessories for, apparatus of groups G01F1/00 - G01F13/00 insofar as such details or appliances are not adapted to particular types of such apparatus comprising means to prevent fraud
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R22/00—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
    • G01R22/06—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters by electronic methods
    • G01R22/061—Details of electronic electricity meters
    • G01R22/066—Arrangements for avoiding or indicating fraudulent use
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
    • Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
    • Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
    • Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Definitions

  • the present subject matter relates to information exchange in a wireless network of devices capable of exchanging information. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to improvements in tamper detection within a network of metrology devices with AMI capabilities.
  • a number of parameters programmed into utility meter endpoints affect the calculation of consumption and thus the amount billed to the customer and the revenue collected by the utility.
  • Other programmed parameters may affect the performance of the endpoint and, if misprogrammed, can even reduce the battery life of battery-powered endpoints. Therefore, it would be advantageous to insure that no unauthorized changes are made to its meters that will affect either performance or revenue.
  • the present subject matter relates to methods for providing enhanced tamper detection functionalities in an advanced metering infrastructure
  • One present exemplary method provides a data structure including at least one field configured to convey a tamper count.
  • the tamper count may be compared to a known count and an alarm may be issued when the tamper count fails to match the known count.
  • the known count may correspond to a count of authorized programming events and, in particular embodiments, to a count of authorized metrology programming events.
  • the at least one field may
  • At least one second field configured to convey a second tamper count may be provided.
  • the tamper count may be incremented in response to programming events for an associated meter.
  • the programming events may comprise metrology programming events.
  • the subject data structure may include separate counts for metrology-related and non-metrology related programming.
  • the method comparing step may include comparing the tamper count with a record of associated work orders.
  • the present subject matter equally relates to various and corresponding systems (such as AMR systems) and to various embodiments of metrology devices and associated technologies, such as endpoint devices.
  • the present subject matter in some present exemplary embodiments may relate to an automatic meter reading (AMR) system including a consumption sensing meter having an associated endpoint device and a head end device.
  • AMR automatic meter reading
  • the endpoint device may be configured to transmit signals using a data structure including at least one field configured to convey a tamper count
  • an associated head end device may be configured to receive the signals and to compare the tamper count to a known count.
  • such head end device may be further configured to issue an alarm when the tamper count fails to match the known count.
  • the tamper count may be incremented in response to programming events for the meter.
  • the programming events may comprise metrology programming events.
  • the system may also include a portable programming device configured to receive the signals and to transmit the tamper count to the associated head end device.
  • the portable programming device may be a handheld device.
  • the known count may correspond to a count of authorized programming events, and, in particular to a count of authorized metrology programming events.
  • the at least one field may correspond to at least one byte.
  • the endpoint may be further configured to transmit signals using a data structure including at least one second field configured to convey a second tamper count.
  • such data structure may include separate counts for metrology-related and non-metrology related programming.
  • such head end device may be configured to compare such tamper count with a record of associated work orders.
  • the present subject matter relates to a metrology device including a consumption sensing meter and an associated endpoint device.
  • the endpoint device may be configured to transmit signals using a data structure including at least one field configured to convey a tamper count while the endpoint device may be configured to respond to programming events by incrementing the tamper count.
  • the endpoint device may be configured to respond to metrology programming events.
  • the endpoint device may be configured to transmit signals using a data structure including at least one second field configured to convey a second tamper count.
  • a data structure including at least one second field configured to convey a second tamper count.
  • such data structure may include separate counts for metrology-related and non-metrology related programming.
  • such metrology device may further be associated with a head end device configured to receive such tamper count, to compare such tamper count with associated work order data, and to issue an alarm for further investigation if such comparison does not match.
  • Figure 1 illustrates the format of an exemplary legacy SCM consumption message
  • Figure 2 illustrates an exemplary format of an exemplary SCM+ message format in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary tamper field mapping of bytes within the exemplary SCM+ message format illustrated in present Figure 2 such as may be used in an exemplary gas endpoint in accordance with the present disclosure
  • Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary architecture of a system constructed in accordance with present technology.
  • Figure 5 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for determining the presence of programming tampering within an endpoint, in accordance with the present disclosure.
  • the present subject matter is particularly concerned with methodologies for providing enhanced communications functionalities within an AMR/AMI environment, and, more particularly, with providing methods for detection of various forms of endpoint tampering, and corresponding apparatus and device subject matter.
  • SCM legacy standard consumption message
  • Traditional tamper reporting in consumption messages, such as the SCM message have been typically limited, for example, to a few (4) bits split into two 2 bit fields.
  • Contemporary metering scenarios on the other hand, often can lead to a desire for more tamper/status information than available through traditional meters in order, for example, to desirably support the needs of conservation, security and system integrity functions within an AMI system.
  • the two bit fields illustrated as tamper counter fields can be used as 2 bit counters or status flags.
  • providing only 2 bits provides a rather limited count range of only 0 to 3, as well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • an exemplary format generally 200 of an enhanced standard consumption message herein after noted as an "SCM+" message provided in accordance with present disclosure.
  • SCM+ enhanced standard consumption message
  • Such tamper counters become part of the message that is transmitted by the endpoint and received by a reading system.
  • Head-end systems may be configured to compare the reported tamper counters with previous values to identify, for example, programming changes. Any identified changes can be compared with known work orders to audit or verify the validity of the
  • methodologies in accordance with present disclosure include, but are not limited to, counting reprogramming events between an endpoint and a programming device that can be used with auditing software on head-end systems to determine if unauthorized reprogramming has occurred, separately counting metrology- related programming from non-metrology related programming, and adding previously unflagged events such as, but not limited to, low battery indication.
  • contemporary endpoints often may be generally configured to include two-way communications capability, unlike the majority of legacy endpoints employing prior SCM communications protocols, which were more often one-way devices.
  • Coupling such two-way capability to the expanded tampers enables an endpoint to set one of the additionally available flags in the present exemplary SC + message to indicate to a collection device that it has additional information to report. Such associated collection device can then request from the endpoint the additional tamper/status information.
  • Such presently disclosed subject matter greatly expands, beyond the newly expanded 2 byte fields, the number of possible conditions the endpoint can report to a collection system, such that rarely expected events or conditions can still be reported without disadvantageously having to dedicate capacity for reports in a bubble-up SCM+ message.
  • Such ability to keep expanded tamper information outside of the base SCM+ message also keeps on- the-air packet length as short as possible to increase aggregate channel capacity and reduce susceptibility to interference.
  • FIG. 3 there is illustrated an exemplary tamper field mapping generally 300 of bytes within the presently disclosed SCM+ message format generally 200 as illustrated in present Figure 2 as may be used for communications exchanges from, for example, a gas endpoint.
  • tamper signals may be provided including those generated resulting from magnetic tampering as well as tilt tampering.
  • other exemplary types of tampering including variations in metrology and non-metrology program count may also be detected as previously noted.
  • a spare flag F that generally will have a value of zero, may also be included for future use (such as future added or future developed types of indications).
  • FIG. 400 With present reference to Figure 4, there is illustrated a diagram generally 400 showing an exemplary architecture of a system constructed in accordance with present technology.
  • requests for work orders flow from the utilities CIS 402 and work orders systems 404 down to crews with programming devices, such as handheld computer 406 or laptop computer (not separately illustrated) with attached radio or other interfaces to the meter endpoints (not separately illustrated) to facilitate a connection to the meter 408 for programming.
  • programming devices such as handheld computer 406 or laptop computer (not separately illustrated) with attached radio or other interfaces to the meter endpoints (not separately illustrated) to facilitate a connection to the meter 408 for programming.
  • a file logging the results of the programming is saved within the programming device after completion of the programming and is either transmitted back to the utility at that time or later when the worker returns to a utility facility and can connect to the IT network and download the logs.
  • the reprogramming tampers in the endpoint are appropriately incremented based on the number and type of parameters that are changed.
  • the tampers transmitted in the SCM+ message are set to match these changes and are reflected in all subsequent SCM+
  • the collectors for example handheld collector 410, that read the meter 408 record the SCM+ message and include the tamper fields in the files that report to their corresponding head-end systems.
  • Those head-end systems may look for a change in reprogramming tampers and create an event to send to the event logging system 412 or they may export all tampers to the Event Log Monitoring system(s) at the utility where the event logs from various systems are compare and correlated to identify unmatched or otherwise exceptional events that might indicate some form of security breach. Such potential breaches are reported so the appropriate IT security personnel can be notified and any appropriate investigations can be performed.
  • step 502. If no tamper has been detected, the decision flow returns to step 502. If, on the other hand, a tamper has been detected, instructions are given to compare the tamper to previous work orders at step 506. If, when compared in step 508, the work orders and tampers match thereby signifying occurrence of authorized programming, the decision flow again returns to step 502. If, however, the work order and tampers do not match, an alarm may be generated at step 510 and passed from, for example, event log monitor 412 (Fig. 4) to appropriate personnel for action.
  • tampering detected in accordance with present technology may be indicative of a large variety of events including, without limitation, metrology as well as non-metrology events.
  • the present technology may be used to detect unauthorized programming of a meter via attempts to alter both metering and non-metering functions related to, for example, meter 408 as well as more common forms of tampering including use of magnetic fields and attempted movement of the meter.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Alarm Systems (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne des méthodologies, des dispositifs et des systèmes permettant d'assurer une détection améliorée des effractions dans des systèmes AMR/AMI. Un compteur de détection de consommation est associé à un dispositif terminal. Le dispositif terminal est conçu pour incrémenter un compteur d'effractions lors de la détection de divers événements, notamment des événements de programmation de métrologie et autres. Un compte d'événements d'effraction détectés est transmis à un dispositif d'extrémité avant dans le système, puis comparé à un compte connu représentant des événements de programmation autorisés et une alerte est déclenchée si le compte rapporté ne correspond pas au compte connu.
PCT/US2012/048477 2011-07-29 2012-07-27 Assurer une traçabilité de sécurité de changements dans une programmation d'un dispositif terminal par l'intermédiaire d'une vérification informatique Ceased WO2013019595A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2747342A CA2747342C (fr) 2011-07-29 2011-07-29 Assurer la securite de la tracabilite des changements dans la programmation de point d'extremite par la verification
CA2747342 2011-07-29

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WO2013019595A2 true WO2013019595A2 (fr) 2013-02-07
WO2013019595A3 WO2013019595A3 (fr) 2014-05-08

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Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9961572B2 (en) 2015-10-22 2018-05-01 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Augmentation, expansion and self-healing of a geographically distributed mesh network using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology
US10055966B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-08-21 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. System and method for determination and remediation of energy diversion in a smart grid network
US10055869B2 (en) 2015-08-11 2018-08-21 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Enhanced reality system for visualizing, evaluating, diagnosing, optimizing and servicing smart grids and incorporated components
US10476597B2 (en) 2015-10-22 2019-11-12 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Data transfer facilitation across a distributed mesh network using light and optical based technology
US10652633B2 (en) 2016-08-15 2020-05-12 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Integrated solutions of Internet of Things and smart grid network pertaining to communication, data and asset serialization, and data modeling algorithms
US10791020B2 (en) 2016-02-24 2020-09-29 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Distributed 802.11S mesh network using transformer module hardware for the capture and transmission of data
US11172273B2 (en) 2015-08-10 2021-11-09 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Transformer monitor, communications and data collection device
US11196621B2 (en) 2015-10-02 2021-12-07 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Supplemental and alternative digital data delivery and receipt mesh net work realized through the placement of enhanced transformer mounted monitoring devices

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US5025470A (en) * 1986-06-20 1991-06-18 Badger Meter, Inc. Automatic meter reading system with malfunction protection
US5910774A (en) * 1996-09-18 1999-06-08 Itron, Inc. Sensor for count and tamper detection
US6523013B2 (en) * 1998-07-24 2003-02-18 Neopost, Inc. Method and apparatus for performing automated fraud reporting
CA2446584A1 (fr) * 2001-05-09 2002-11-14 Ecd Systems, Inc. Systemes et procedes pour empecher l'utilisation et la manipulation non autorisees de contenu numerique
US6801865B2 (en) * 2002-03-21 2004-10-05 Engage Networks, Inc. Meter monitoring and tamper protection system and method
US7432823B2 (en) * 2005-11-09 2008-10-07 Distribution Control Systems, Inc. Tamper detection apparatus for electrical meters
US8368555B2 (en) * 2009-11-19 2013-02-05 Silver Spring Networks, Inc. Utility network interface device configured to detect and report abnormal operating condition

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11172273B2 (en) 2015-08-10 2021-11-09 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Transformer monitor, communications and data collection device
US10055869B2 (en) 2015-08-11 2018-08-21 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Enhanced reality system for visualizing, evaluating, diagnosing, optimizing and servicing smart grids and incorporated components
US10055966B2 (en) 2015-09-03 2018-08-21 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. System and method for determination and remediation of energy diversion in a smart grid network
US11196621B2 (en) 2015-10-02 2021-12-07 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Supplemental and alternative digital data delivery and receipt mesh net work realized through the placement of enhanced transformer mounted monitoring devices
US9961572B2 (en) 2015-10-22 2018-05-01 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Augmentation, expansion and self-healing of a geographically distributed mesh network using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology
US10476597B2 (en) 2015-10-22 2019-11-12 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Data transfer facilitation across a distributed mesh network using light and optical based technology
US10791020B2 (en) 2016-02-24 2020-09-29 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Distributed 802.11S mesh network using transformer module hardware for the capture and transmission of data
US10652633B2 (en) 2016-08-15 2020-05-12 Delta Energy & Communications, Inc. Integrated solutions of Internet of Things and smart grid network pertaining to communication, data and asset serialization, and data modeling algorithms

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Publication number Publication date
CA2747342A1 (fr) 2011-10-04
WO2013019595A3 (fr) 2014-05-08
CA2747342C (fr) 2013-04-23

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