Synchronizing and controlling software downloads, such as for utility meter-reading data collection and processing

Abstract

A system and method for coordinating software downloads and executions, such as in a utility meter collection environment, employs a central server or head-end processor ( 110 ) that is coupled to communicate with a network of collection units, such as cell control units ( 108 ). A process, such as a state machine, tracks the status of software on the CCUs or groups of CCUs to coordinate software downloads and loading of the software on the CCUs, including adding new or past software versions.

1 . A system for providing software updates for download to multiple utility data collection devices each having a state, wherein the utility data collection devices receive utility meter data associated with multiple utility meters, wherein the utility meter data represents consumption of a utility such as electricity, water or gas, the system comprising: 
 a user interface for allowing a user to schedule software downloads and software take effect times for the utility data collection devices;    a network interface for receiving software download configuration requests from the utility data collection devices and for communicating software download commands with the utility data collection devices;    a state machine component for recognizing the state of each of the utility data collection devices, wherein downloading of an update to a software program onto each of the utility data collection devices is dependent on the state of the utility data collection device as recognized by the state machine component; and    a database for storing information about the states of the utility data collection devices, wherein the states include: 
 a stable state representing that one of the utility data collection devices is running a known version of the software program,  
 a rollback state representing that one of the utility data collection devices is running an old version of the software program, and  
 an update state representing that one of the utility data collection devices is running a new version of the software program.  
   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1   wherein the database stores information about at least a first group and at least a second group of the utility data collection devices;    wherein the utility data collection devices in the first and second groups are associated with the update and stable states, respectively;    wherein the state machine is configured to manage the first and second groups of utility data collection devices based on the update and stable states, respectively; and    wherein the state machine and database are configured to: 
 obtain a command, via the user interface, to add a new utility data collection device to the first group, wherein the new utility data collection device is running the current version of the software program; and  
 request the utility data collection devices in the first group to download and execute the new version of the software program, wherein only the new utility data collection device downloads and executes the new version of the software program in response thereto.  
   
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1   wherein the database stores information about at least first a first group and at least a second group of the utility data collection devices,    wherein the utility data collection devices in the first and second groups have different first and second states, respectively,    and wherein the state machine is configured to manage the first and second groups of utility data collection devices based on the first and second states, respectively.    
   
   
       4 . A computer-readable medium whose contents cause at least one data aggregation and processing system, coupled to communicate with a network of intermediate data collectors, to perform a method to control the updating of software associated with the network of intermediate data collectors, the method comprising: 
 at the data aggregation and processing system, associating one of multiple states with each of the intermediate data collectors, wherein the intermediate data collectors are coupled to communicate with multiple data collection devices associated with utility metering devices, wherein the states relate to a software program running on the intermediate data collectors, and wherein the states include a stable state representing that one of the cell control units is running a known version of the software program; and    at the data aggregation and processing system, managing the states of each of the cell control units.    
   
   
       5 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the computer-readable medium is a memory of the telecommunications mobile device.  
   
   
       6 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the computer-readable medium is a logical node in a computer network receiving the contents.  
   
   
       7 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the computer-readable medium is a computer-readable disk.  
   
   
       8 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the computer-readable medium is a data transmission medium carrying a generated data signal containing the contents.  
   
   
       9 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the computer-readable medium is a memory of a computer system.  
   
   
       10 . In a network of distributed embedded devices, an apparatus for downloading software from a central server having a software configuration management unit for controlling the condition and configuration of the distributed embedded devices, the apparatus comprising; 
 means for sending a configuration request to the central server, wherein the central server is associated with aggregating and collecting information for automatic meter reading in a utility meter reading system;    means for receiving a software download command from the central server, wherein the software download command is based on the sent configuration request and on a current condition of the apparatus as determined at the software configuration management unit; and    means for downloading the software from the central server to the distributed embedded devices.    
   
   
       11 . A method for providing software for download to at least one of multiple utility data collection devices, then method comprising: 
 receiving a request from the utility data collection device;    determining a current condition of the utility data collection device; and    based on the received request and the determined current condition of the utility data collection devise, sending a software download command to the data collection device.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 providing a rollback command to at least some of the multiple data collection devices in a group, wherein the rollback command instructs the data collection devices in the group to execute a locally stored prior version of software.    
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1  wherein running a different version of a software program onto each of the multiple utility data collection devices is dependent on the state of each of the utility data collection devices as recognized by the state machine component.  
   
   
       14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the states further include a rollback state representing that one of the intermediate data collectors is running a old version of the software program.  
   
   
       15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 4  wherein the states further include an update state representing that one of the intermediate data collectors is running a new version of the software program.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the apparatus concurrently controls the condition of more than one of the distributed embedded devices.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein each of the distributed embedded devices collect utility meter information in a utility meter reading system.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the software download command includes a list of software components.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 prior to sending the software download command to the utility data collection device, updating the condition of the utility data collection device to a condition for downloading software.    
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising sending information for download to the data collection device, wherein the sending of information for download does not does not interrupt normal operation of the data collection device.  
   
   
       21 . A method for providing software for download to multiple data concentrator devices that collect meter data in a utility system, the method comprising; 
 receiving a request from a data concentrator device in a utility data collection network;    determining a current condition of the data concentrator device, wherein the current condition is related to software currently running on the data concentrator device;    based on the received request and the determined current condition of the data concentrator device, sending a software download command to the data concentrator device; and    facilitating the download of software at the data concentrator device, wherein the download of software at the data concentrator device does not hinder the scheduled operation of the data concentrator device, including the collection and transmittal of data at the data concentrator device.