Electronic utility meters, for example electricity meters, water meters, gas meters, heat meters and the hke, are known as such for metering utihty consumption. In case of an electricity meter, for example, the utility consumption comprises electricity consumption, e.g. of a respective low-voltage alternating current and/or direct current electricity network of an end user, e.g. in a building. Utility meters are generally located at end user locations, e.g. with one meter per residential or business address, thus being distributed across relatively large areas.

For managing, e.g. reading, the meters, known electronic utility meters, sometimes called smart meters, are provided with communication means for communication with a central processor via one or more communication networks, e.g. a wireless network formed by respective wireless network infrastructure. The central processor can be located at a central, e.g. regional or local, utihty management location or at a utihty distribution location (e.g. a local transformer station in case of electricity), which is generally at a distance from the utility meters. Such communication enables that data such as metering data from the utility meter is easily received by a central processor, e.g. a central server, for automatic processing including e.g. customer billing and performance monitoring. The communication can be bidirectional, e.g. involving requests and/or firmware updates for the meter being sent from the central processor to the meter. Further, examples of implementation of such smart meters are described e.g. in the publication “Advies van de Vlaamse Regulator van de Electriciteits- en Gasmarkt”, VREG, d.d. 6 april 2017. This document proposes implementation of a Smart Metering Gateway (SMG), connected to a port of the smart meter to receive data therefrom. The document also provides a description of various ports P0, PI, P2, P3, P4 of a smart meter.

Prior art document “Dutch Smart Meter Requirements”, 2014, of Netbeheerder Nederland provides smart meter requirements.

Communication with electronic utihty meters can contain privacy sensitive data, thus prompting protection thereof. Moreover, it is known that sometimes attempts are made to interfere with such communication, for example to influence meter readings or meter settings or to otherwise abuse or disrupt a respective utility distribution network. Therefore, it is desired that relevant communication with electronic utihty meters be secure, i.e. practically impossible to read and/or interfere with for unauthorized persons or systems. Moreover, it is desired that such communication is reliable, i.e. having a high level of availability, confidentiality and integrity.

WO20 12084524 discloses a detachable metering monitoring device to be connected with a prior art legacy utility meter. As opposed to smart meters, legacy meters as the first component in the end-to-end communication chain have no interfaces to open networks. The known monitoring device comprises a usage reading interface to acquire a utility consumption value metered by the legacy meter, and a usage memory buffer for storing at least temporarily utility consumption values read by the usage reading interface. The monitoring device requires a crypto processor to generate a cryptogram from information data comprising the utihty consumption value data obtained from the legacy utility metering apparatus. The crypto processor is in connection with a secure memory to store sensitive information such as secret cryptographic keys and a unique identifier belonging to the detachable metering monitoring device or to the utility meter. The known monitoring device is relatively complex, and locally obtains and stores utility consumption information, which can lead to safety issues.

Communication networks are known to evolve relatively rapidly, i.e. older generation network technology is phased out in favor of younger generation network technology. While such evolving generally provides advantages such as larger communication bandwidths and reduced power consumption, this phasing out of older network technology can also prompt problems regarding electronic utility meters which had been designed before specifications of the replacement network technology were known. Such older electronic utility meters tend to be incompatible with the replacement network technology, so that the phasing out of older network technology can render the electronic utility meters incapable of communication with the central processor.

In this respect, a known solution is to replace electronic utility meters prior to their network communication technology being phased out, in particular replacing them with a meter which is compatible with the next generation network technology. This approach does however have several disadvantages. First, replacing an entire electronic utility meter, especially one that is otherwise expected to continue functioning well, is generally regarded as wasteful in terms of materials and manufacturing costs.

Second, the replacement operation itself is costly because it takes considerable time and requires highly skilled maintenance staff. The replacement operation is also generally disruptive to end users who need to provide access to the meter and may therefore need to stay at home during normal working hours. During the replacement, the end user supply of the utility (e.g. electricity, gas, water, heat, etc.) is generally not available, yielding further disruption and discomfort. All these disadvantages are exacerbated when large numbers of meters need to be replaced in a relatively short amount of time, as can often be the case when network technology is phased out. Also, the replacement meters may themselves require replacement again after a relatively short period of time, as network communication technology continues to evolve.

Thus, there is a need for an alternative solution to the above described problem of network technology being phased out, in particular a solution which does not amount to otherwise premature replacement of electronic utility meters.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved solution for enabling central communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters. An object is to provide such a solution which is less expensive, less disruptive, more reliable, at least as secure or more secure, easier to apply and/or more versatile compared to one or more known solutions. An object is to provide improved management of electronic utility meters and/or of utility distribution networks associated therewith. An object is to at least partially solve at least one of the above described problems and/or one or more problems associated therewith.

To this end, an aspect of the present disclosure provides a method of providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters. The method comprises providing a central processor. The method further comprises, for at least one of the plurality of electronic utility meters: providing a respective intermediary device at the respective electronic utility meter, thereby associating the respective intermediary device specifically with the respective electronic utihty meter; and passing on, by the respective intermediary device, one or more encrypted messages between the respective electronic utility meter and the central processor, thereby maintaining an encrypted state of each of said one or more encrypted messages.

Such a method advantageously enables central communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters, in particular without requiring that the meters be configured in accordance with any, possibly younger generation, network communication technology. Thus, providing such an intermediary device enables a decoupling between the configuration of the electronic utihty meter and details of the available network communication technology, so that the meter can continue to be communicated with from a central location remote from the meter, even after one or more network technologies have been phased out. In this way, numerous advantages can be provided, including cost savings, reduced disruption, reduced discomfort, reduced waste and improved management of utility distribution networks. The passing on of the encrypted messages (without any decrypting by the intermediary device) particularly enables that the communication between meters and central processor is secure. Moreover, in this way, many different types of electronic utility meters can be advantageously provided with respective intermediary devices without necessarily requiring that the intermediary device be configured differently for different meters. In particular, encrypted messages can be generated by the electronic utility meter itself and transmitted to the central processor, utilizing the respective intermediary device (which does not decrypt the messages).

According to a preferred embodiment, a P0-port of the utility meter is used for communication of the encrypted messages. Preferably, the intermediary device is connected to a P0-port of the respective utihty meter to receive encrypted messages therefrom (which messages are transmitted to the central processor maintaining their encrypted state). Similarly, encrypted messages of a remote central processor can be communicated to a P0-port of the utility meter via the intermediate device (which messages are transmitted to the P0-port maintaining their encrypted state).

In the context of the present disclosure, an electronic utility meter may be and/or comprise one or more of: an electricity meter, a gas meter, a water meter, a heat meter and another type of utility meter. A utihty distribution network may be or comprise one or more of: an energy distribution network, an electricity distribution network, a gas distribution network, an oil distribution network, a water distribution network, a heat distribution network or another type of utility distribution network.

The method may comprise, for at least a number of the plurality of electronic utility meters: receiving, by the central processor, for example from the respective intermediary device, meter identification information associated with the respective meter together with device identification information associated with said device, thereby associating, by the central processor, the meter identification information with the device identification information; and receiving, by the central processor, said device identification information together with at least one of the encrypted one or more messages, the central processor subsequently associating said at least one of the encrypted one or more messages with the meter identification information using the device identification information. The device identification information preferably comprises device address information, for example an Internet Protocol address.

In this way, the central processor can easily recognize the one or more messages as being associated with the respective meter without requiring the meter identification information to be sent along with every one of said messages.

The method may comprise, for at least a number of the plurality of electronic utility meters: sending, by the respective electronic utility meter, meter identification information associated with said meter to the respective intermediary device, the intermediary device receiving the meter identification information and subsequently transmitting at least part of the received meter identification information to the central processor.

In this way, the relevant meter identification information can be easily, e.g. automatically, received by the central processor, in particular for associating the meter identification information with other information such as device identification information.

The method may comprise: decrypting, by the central processor, at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular an encrypted message passed on from one of the plurality of electronic utihty meters to the central processor by the respective intermediary device, in particular decrypting using respective meter identification information received by the central processor.

By thus decrypting one or more messages, the contents of the messages may be read by the central processor, e.g. for further processing thereof.

The method may comprise: generating, by the central processor, at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular an encrypted message to be passed on from the central processor to at least one of the plurality of electronic utility meters by a respective at least one intermediary device, in particular generating using respective meter identification information received by the central processor, wherein generating an encrypted message preferably includes encrypting a message.

In this way, messages can be sent securely from the central processor to the electronic utihty meter, in particular such that only the intended specific electronic utility meter can decrypt and thus further process such messages after receipt thereof.

At least one of the one or more encrypted messages may comprise at least one of: metering information associated with the electronic utihty meter; event information associated with the electronic utihty meter; a data request associated with, e.g. directed at, the electronic utihty meter; and meter configuration information associated with the electronic utihty meter.

Preferably at least one, preferably each, of the one or more encrypted messages, at least before encryption and/or after decryption, substantially conforms to one or more standards associated with the Device Language Message Specification, for example the IEC 62056 set of standards, and/or the Meter-Bus standard NEN-EN 13757.

Such conforming to standards can enable effective communication substantially without requiring specific adaptations for specific types of electronic utility meters.

The method may comprise, for at least one, preferably each, of the plurality of electronic utility meters: detecting, by the respective intermediary device, a fault, e.g. a power failure and/or a tampering, associated with the respective electronic utility meter and/or with said intermediary device, and subsequently sending an indication of the detected fault from the intermediary device to the central processor.

In this way, the security and management of electronic utility meters and/or associated utility distribution networks can be improved. For example, a fault in an energy distribution network may cause a power failure at (in) the electronic utility meter. By thus providing information about the power failure at the central processor, possibly regarding multiple utility meters, the state of the distribution network can be assessed rapidly and efficiently, so that end user disruption can be resolved more rapidly.

Said detecting preferably comprises at least one of: detecting an interruption in a power supply from the respective electronic utility meter to the intermediary device; detecting an interruption in a communication from the respective utility meter to the intermediary device; detecting an at least partial detachment and/or tampering of the intermediary device from the respective electronic utility meter; and optically detecting a change associated with the intermediary device and/or with the respective electronic utility meter.

For example, by detecting such an interruption of power supply and/or communication, an indication of a power failure of the utility meter can be obtained. The method may comprise, for at least one, preferably each, of the plurality of electronic utility meters: at least partly, preferably completely, powering the intermediary device by the respective electronic utility meter, in particular via a communication means which physically connects the intermediary device with respective electronic utihty meter.

In this way, the intermediary device can be powered particularly easily and installation of the intermediary device can be user friendly. Moreover, as explained above, such powering can enable detection of a power failure. For example, a detected power failure of the device in combination with a detected sustained communication, e.g. optical communication, between the device and the respective meter can provide an indication of tampering, in particular tampering with a power supply connection between the device and the meter. Besides, the device can be configured to detect tampering as such, for example by integrating a motion sensor or accelerometer in the device to detect mechanical tampering.

The method may comprise for at least a number of the plurality of electronic utility meters: measuring, in particular metering, by the respective electronic utility meter, one or more electric variables, e.g. electric power consumption, of an electricity network of an end user, thereby generating measurement data; and/or receiving, by the electronic utihty meter, sensing data from at least one external sensing unit, for example a gas meter and/or a water meter, which external sensing unit is associated with the electronic utility meter.

The method may comprise generating, by the electronic utility meter, a message based on the generated and/or received measurement data and/or sensing data, and subsequently sending said message to the respective intermediary device to be passed on to the central processor by said intermediary device.

Thus, generated and/or received measurement data and/or sensing data can be transferred to the central processor for further processing, in particular in a simple, secure and reliable manner. In particular, the measurement data can thus be transferred even when the meter itself does not support the relevant network communication technology.

A further aspect, which may be advantageously combined with one or more other aspects, provides a method of providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters, wherein the method comprises providing a central processor and further comprises, for at least one of the plurality of electronic utility meters: providing a respective intermediary device at the respective electronic utility meter, thereby associating the respective intermediary device specifically with the respective electronic utility meter; and passing on, by the respective intermediary device, one or more event messages, for example unencrypted alarm messages, to the central processor, in particular after generating and/or receiving said event messages by the intermediary device.

Such a method enables that event messages from the utility meter can continue to be received by the central processor also after an older network communication technology has been phased out. It will be appreciated that such event messages may or may not be encrypted. In either case, the event messages are passed on by the intermediary device substantially in the same state and form in which they are received by said device, albeit that the communication means for receiving the event messages from the meter is generally different from the communication means for sending or forwarding the same event messages to the central processor.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a device for providing communication with one of a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters. The device comprises: an association means for associating the device specifically with the one of the plurality of electronic utility meters; a first communication means for communicating with the associated one of the plurality of electronic utility meters; a second communication means for communicating with a central processor via a communication network; and a controller configured to pass on one or more encrypted messages between the first communication means and the second communication means, thereby maintaining an encrypted state of each of said one or more encrypted messages.

Such a device can provide above-mentioned advantages. In particular, the first communication means can be configured for communication with the electronic utility meter, e.g. substantially independent of evolving network communication technologies. Meanwhile, the second communication means can be designed in correspondence with relevant network communication technologies. Thus, when an older generation of network communication technologies is phased out in favor of a subsequent generation, inhibiting associated network communication by the electronic utility meter itself, such a device can effectively restore network communication for the electronic utility meter. Meanwhile, the electronic utility meters can continue their metering and/or other functions.

The device may be configured to receive meter identification information from the electronic utility meter via the first communication means, and to subsequently send at least part of the received meter identification information, at least information associated therewith, to the central processor via the second communication means.

As explained above, such meter identification information can be advantageously used by the central processor for further processing, e.g. including decryption and/or accounting.

The device may be configured to detect a fault associated with the electronic utility meter and/or with the device and to subsequently send an indication of the detected fault to the central processor via the second communication means.

Advantages of such fault detection have been explained above. The device is preferably configured to detect said fault based on at least one of: detecting an interruption or discontinuation in a power supply from the electronic utility meter to the device; detecting an interruption or discontinuation in a communication in the first communication means; detecting an at least partial detachment of the device from the respective electronic utility meter and/or tampering (e.g. mechanically tampering) with the device; and optically detecting a change associated with the electronic utility meter and/or with the device.

The fault may be associated with a power failure, at least an anticipated power failure, for example a partial power failure, at the electronic utility meter and/or at the device. The device may be provided with an auxiliary power source, e.g. a battery or a capacitor, e.g. internal or external to a housing of the device, configured to at least partly power the device for sending the indication. In case of an external auxiliary power source, the device may comprise a respective connector for connecting the auxiliary power source to the device.

Such an auxiliary power source can advantageously provide power for sending the indication regarding the power failure. It will be appreciated that such an auxiliary power source may have a relatively lower capacity, so that the device itself may suffer a (further) power failure once the auxiliary power source is exhausted. Thus, the above-mentioned indication of a power failure (of the meter) sent by the device may comprise (and/or be interpreted by the central processor as) an indication of an imminent (further) power failure of the device itself. Such a configuration of the device enables a so- called last gasp’ function, even when the meter itself may not be provided with such functionality.

The device may comprise a power input for receiving power from the electronic utility meter, wherein preferably the first communication means, e.g. an electronic communication port thereof, comprises the power input. Such a combination of the first communication means and the power input provides a simple and user friendly solution for powering the device, as well as enabling fault detection (as explained above).

The first communication means may comprise an optical transceiver for optical communication with the electronic utility meter, e.g. with a P0-port thereof, the optical transceiver in particular comprising at least one light source, e.g. infrared source, and at least one hght detector, e.g. photodiode.

A P0 (P-zero) port is known as such in electronic utility meters, in particular in The Netherlands. The P0-port can be used for communication with external devices using infrared signals, for example during installation and/or maintenance of the meter. The P0-port is generally positioned at a front side of the meter. See also the ‘Dutch Smart Meter Requirements’ as published by Netbeheer Nederland. As is commonly known, the P0-port sends (and receives) data in encrypted form.

Such an optical transceiver of the device can advantageously communicate with a respective optical transceiver of an electronic utility meter, in particular bidirectionally and securely. Moreover, such an optical transceiver can provide the association means or part thereof, wherein for example the optical transceiver can only communicate with one electronic utility meter at a time, in particular through an optical connection with said meter.

The first communication means may comprise an electronic communication port for electronic communication with the electronic utility meter, at least for electronically receiving information from the electronic utility meter, in particular through a physical connection between the device and the electronic utility meter, e.g. a wired connection, e.g. a connection with a P 1-port of said meter.

A PI (P-one) port is known as such in electronic utility meters, in particular in The Netherlands. The P 1-port can be used, e.g. by a user or customer associated with the meter, for receiving data from the meter using digital electronic communication. The P 1-port is generally configured to receive an RJ-12 type plug for connection to a receiving device. See also the ‘Dutch Smart Meter Requirements’ and in particular the associated PI Companion Standard, as published by Netbeheer Nederland.

Meter identification information can advantageously be obtained from such an electronic communication port.

The electronic communication port is preferably configured to receive electric power from the electronic utility meter for at least partly powering the device using the received electric power.

Such a configuration provides simple and effective means for powering the device, wherein the electronic utility meter may be configured to supply power at the respective port, e.g. the P 1-port. The power may be in the form of a 5 Volt direct current power supply, for example.

The association means preferably comprises coupling means for connecting the device to an external side of a housing of the meter, e.g. a user accessible side of the meter. The association means may be configured for releasably and/or detachably connecting the device to the meter. The association between device and meter preferably includes a substantially mechanical connection, but that is not necessarily required. Alternatively, association between device and meter may be affected e.g. by a physical proximity and/or by a wireless pairing, e.g. using a one-to-one wireless connection such as Bluetooth, among other options.

The association means may comprise an attaching means for attaching the device to a respective part of the electronic utility meter.

In this way the device can be easily and robustly associated with the respective electronic utility meter, the device being in particular substantially irreversibly attached to the meter. For example, the device can be attached to the meter using one or more of: an adhesive such as tape and/or glue, melting, screwing and riveting, among other options. To that end, the attaching means may comprise an attachment surface which substantially conforms to a suitable respective outer surface of the meter, such that said surfaces can be attached to each other using an aforementioned attachment method such as glue.

The attaching means is preferably arranged at, e.g. adjacent to, at least part of the first communication means, e.g. arranged substantially concentric with an optical transceiver thereof.

The at least part of the first communication means can thus be easily connected to a respective part of the meter.

The device may comprise a third communication means for providing communication and/or power supply between the device and/or the respective electronic utility meter on the one hand and a further device, e.g. a customer interfacing device or maintenance crew interfacing device, on the other hand.

Such third communication means can provide that connection (at least indirect connection) of a further device to the meter remains possible after connection of the device to the meter. A customer interfacing device may be used by a customer associated with the meter for collecting data from the meter and/or for monitoring such data, for example.

The third communication means is preferably configured to cooperate with at least part of the first communication means, in particular with an electronic communication port thereof, for providing communication and/or power supply between the respective electronic utility meter and the further device via the first and third communication means, wherein the third communication means is preferably configured to relay electronic communication and/or power received by the first communication means to the further device.

In this way, the further device can receive data from the meter through the third communication means of the device substantially as if it were receiving the data directly from the meter itself. In particular if the device is provided with an auxiliary power source, the device can additionally or alternatively provide power via the third communication means, e.g. to the customer or maintenance crew interfacing device. In this way, a power supply at the third communication means can be provided at a desired level e.g. while at the same time some power received from the meter is consumed by the device itself.

A further aspect, which may be advantageously combined with one or more other aspects, provides a device for providing communication with at least one of a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters, the device comprising: an association means for associating the device specifically with the one of the plurality of electronic utihty meters; a first communication means for communicating with the associated one of the plurality of electronic utility meters; a second communication means for communicating with a central processor via a communication network; and a controller configured to generate and/or receive, and subsequently pass on to the central processor, one or more event messages, in particular unencrypted alarm messages, in particular pass on via the second communication means.

Such event messages may thus be generated by the controller of the device and/or by the utility meter prior to being passed on to the central processor. Advantages of thus passing on such event messages, possibly in unencrypted form, have been described above.

The optional generating of the event messages can be dependent on the first communication means, e.g. dependent on a state of the first communication means and/or dependent on information received via the first communication means. Alternatively or additionally such generating can be dependent on one or more (further) sensors and/or sensor inputs of the device, wherein an event message may be associated with a tampering detection, for example.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utihty meters. The system comprises: at least two devices according to an aspect of the present disclosure for providing communication with one of a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters; and a central processor.

Such a system provides above-described advantages.

The system is preferably configured for performing a method of providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utihty meters according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

The central processor may be configured to decrypt and/or generate at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular using meter identification information received by the central processor, for example received via one or more of the at least two devices.

Thus, communication between the meters and the central processor can be substantially end-to-end encrypted, in particular without requiring meter specific settings in the devices.

The central processor preferably comprises a key retrieval means, e.g. a lookup table, to retrieve at least one key, e.g. an array of characters, based on the received meter identification information, wherein the central processor is preferably configured to decrypt and/or generate the at least one of the one or more encrypted messages using the retrieved key.

Security is improved as the keys are thus stored and retrieved at the central processor, which can be well protected and easily managed.

The system may comprise the respective at least two electronic utility meters which are associated with the at least two devices.

Preferably at least one, more preferably each, of the at least two electronic utility meters is configured to receive data from one or more sensing units, e.g. a gas meter and/or a water meter, which are external to the electronic utility meter, wherein preferably at least one of the one or more encrypted messages comprises data received from at least one of said one or more external sensing units. In this way, transfer of data from such external sensing units can benefit from the above described advantages of easy, reliable and secure communication.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a use of the aforementioned system, wherein one or more encrypted meter reconfiguration messages are sent from the central processor and are subsequently automatically passed on to the electronic utility meter by the device without decrypting the messages, in particular subsequently via the device’s second and first communication means, in particular for subsequent decryption and further processing of the one or more reconfiguration messages by the electronic utility meter, wherein the further processing preferably comprises reconfiguring the electronic utility meter based on the one or more reconfiguration messages.

Such use provides above-mentioned advantages.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides a use of the aforementioned system, wherein encrypted metering data is sent from the electronic utility meter and is subsequently automatically passed on to the central processor by the device without decrypting the messages, in particular subsequently via the device’s first and second communication means, in particular for subsequent decryption and further processing of the metering data by the central processor.

Preferably, device identification information is sent to the central processor, e.g. by the device and/or by a part of the communication network, in particular for decryption of the encrypted metering data by the central processor using meter identification information which is associated with the device identification information at the central processor.

Such use provides above-mentioned advantages.

In the following, the invention will be explained further using exemplary embodiments and drawings. The drawings are schematic. In the drawings: Fig. la shows a flow chart of a method according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. lb shows a method of detecting a fault according to an exemplary embodiment;

Fig. 2a shows a system according to an exemplary embodiment, including devices according to an exemplary embodiment and respective electronic utility meters; and

Fig. 2b shows detail Q of Fig. 2a.

In the drawings, similar or corresponding elements have been provided with similar or corresponding reference signs.

Fig. 2b shows an exemplary device 1 for providing communication with an electronic utility meter 2, that is part of a system shown in Fig. 2a. The system can e.g. be or include utility distribution system, in particular an energy distribution system, configured to distribute energy (in particular electricity) to end users. As will be commonly known, low voltage electricity (e.g. lower than 500V, e.g. 110- 120V or 220-230V) can be provided to end users, wherein each end user can be provided with a respective utihty meter, in particular electricity meter, for determining electricity consumption (e.g. of end user devices).

Referring to Figs. 2a and 2b, the communication device 1 comprises: an association means 3 for associating the device 1 specifically with the electronic utility meter 2; a first communication means 4 for communicating with the associated electronic utihty meter 2; a second communication means 5 for communicating with a central processor 6 via a communication network 7; and a controller 8 configured to pass on one or more encrypted messages between the first communication means 4 and the second communication means 5, thereby maintaining an encrypted state of each of said one or more encrypted messages. The encrypted messages can be generated by the electronic utility meter 2 and/or by the central processor 6. For security and/or privacy purposes, the device 1 is preferably configured to pass on said one or more encrypted messages substantially without (digitally) storing those messages on the device 1, e.g. without retaining those messages longer than needed for passing them on.

The present device 1 is configured to receive meter identification information from the electronic utility meter via the first communication means 4, and to subsequently send at least part of the received meter identification information, at least information associated therewith, to the central processor 6 via the second communication means 5.

The device 1 is further configured to detect a fault associated with the electronic utility meter 2 and/or with the device 1 and to subsequently send an indication of the detected fault to the central processor 6 via the second communication means 5.

The device 1 is preferably configured to detect said fault based on at least one of: detecting an interruption or discontinuation in a power supply from the electronic utihty meter 2 to the device 1; detecting an interruption or discontinuation in a communication in the first communication means 4; detecting an at least partial detachment of the device 1 from the respective electronic utility meter 2, and/or any other (mechanical) tampering with the device 1; and optically detecting a change associated with the electronic utility meter 2 and/or with the device 1.

The fault can be associated with a power failure, at least an anticipated power failure, for example a partial power failure, at the electronic utility meter 2 and/or at the device 1, wherein the device 1 is provided with an auxiliary power source 9, e.g. a battery or a capacitor, configured to at least partly power the device 1 for sending the indication.

The device 1 as shown comprises a power input 10 for receiving power from the electronic utihty meter 2, wherein preferably the first communication means 4, e.g. an electronic communication port 4B thereof, comprises the power input 10. The first communication means 4 comprises an optical transceiver 4A for optical communication with the electronic utility meter 2, e.g. with a P0-port 21 thereof, the optical transceiver 4A in particular comprising at least one light source, e.g. infrared source, and at least one hght detector, e.g. photodiode.

The first communication means 4 further comprises an electronic communication port 4B for electronic communication with the electronic utility meter 2, at least for electronically receiving information from the electronic utility meter 2, in particular through a physical connection between the device 1 and the electronic utihty meter 2, e.g. a wired connection, e.g. a connection with a P 1-port 22 of said meter 2.

The electronic communication port 4B is preferably configured to receive electric power from the electronic utility meter 2 for at least partly powering the device 1 using the received electric power.

The association means 3 preferably comprises an attaching means 3 for attaching the device 1 to a respective part 23 of the electronic utihty meter 2. In this example, the association or attaching means connect the device to an external side Si of a housing H of the meter 2.

As shown, the attaching means 3 is arranged at, e.g. adjacent to, at least part of the first communication means 4, e.g. arranged substantially concentric with an optical transceiver 4A thereof.

The present device 1 comprises a third communication means 11 for providing communication and/or power supply between the device 1 and/or the respective electronic utihty meter 2 on the one hand and a further device 12, e.g. a customer interfacing device or maintenance crew interfacing device, on the other hand.

The third communication means 11 is preferably configured to cooperate with at least part of the first communication means 4, in particular with an electronic communication port 4B thereof, for providing communication and/or power supply between the respective electronic utility meter 2 and the further device 12 via the first and third communication means 4, 11, wherein the third communication means 11 is preferably configured to relay electronic communication and/or power received by the first communication means 4 to the further device 12.

Alternatively or additionally to passing on encrypted messages, the controller 8 of the device 1 can be configured to generate and/or receive, and subsequently pass on to the central processor, one or more event messages, in particular unencrypted alarm messages, in particular pass on via the second communication means 5.

Fig. 2a shows an exemplary system for providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2' (and optionally 2"). The system comprises: at least two devices 1, G (and optionally 1") as described above; and a central processor 6.

Fig. 2a shows, i.a., the meters 2, 2' and optionally 2". It shall be clear that in Fig. 2a, the meters 2' and 2" are preferably configured according to the meter 2. Similarly, in Fig. 2a the intermediary devices G and 1" are preferably configured according to the intermediary device 1. While Fig. 2a shows three meters 2, 2' and 2" with respective devices 1, G and 2", it shall be clear that the systems and methods of the present disclosure are not limited to any particular plural number of meters or devices.

The system is preferably configured for performing a method of providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utihty meters as described elsewhere in this description.

The central processor 6 is preferably configured to decrypt and/or generate at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular using meter identification information received by the central processor 6, for example received via one or more of the at least two devices 1, G.

The central processor 6 may comprise a key retrieval means 61, e.g. a lookup table, to retrieve at least one key, e.g. an array of characters, based on the received meter identification information, wherein the central processor 6 is preferably configured to decrypt and/or generate the at least one of the one or more encrypted messages using the retrieved key.

As shown, the system can comprise the respective at least two electronic utility meters 2, 2' which are associated with the at least two devices 1, 1'.

One or more of the at least two electronic utihty meters 2, 2' can be configured to receive data, e.g. metering data, from one or more respective sensing units 13, e.g. further meters 13 (see Fig. 2b), e.g. a gas meter and/or a water meter, which are external to the electronic utility meter 2, wherein preferably at least one of the one or more encrypted messages comprises data received from at least one of said one or more external sensing units 13.

The meter 2 and such one or more external meters 13 may be configured to communicate wirelessly, for example.

Fig. la shows an exemplary method of providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2'. The method may be carried out using a system as shown in Fig. 2a as described elsewhere in this description.

The method comprises providing (step m 1) a central processor 6 and further comprises, for at least one of the plurality of electronic utihty meters 2, 2': providing (step m2) a respective intermediary device 1 at the respective electronic utility meter 2, thereby associating the respective intermediary device 1 specifically with the respective electronic utihty meter 2; and passing on (step m3), by the respective intermediary device 1, one or more encrypted messages between the respective electronic utility meter 2 and the central processor 6, thereby maintaining an encrypted state of each of said one or more encrypted messages (i.e. the intermediary devices 1 as such does not decrypt the encrypted messages). As is mentioned before, the one or more encrypted messages can be generated by the electronic utility meters 2, 2' themselves and/or by the central processor 6.

The present method comprises, for at least a number of the plurality of electronic utility electricity meters 2, 2': receiving (step ml7), by the central processor 6, for example from the respective intermediary device 1, meter identification information associated with the respective meter 2 together with device identification information associated with said intermediary device 1, thereby associating, by the central processor 6, the meter identification information with the device identification information; and receiving, by the central processor 6, said device identification information together with at least one of the encrypted one or more messages, the central processor 6 subsequently associating said at least one of the encrypted one or more messages with the meter identification information using the device identification information.

Such receiving may be dependent on a prior encrypted message being sent from the central processor 6 to the meter 2 via the intermediary device 1, e.g. an encrypted message comprising an instruction to the meter to send a subsequent message. In this way, the central processor 6 can advantageously verify the above-described association between device identification information and meter identification information. Specifically, if the association is correct, the meter 2 will be able to receive and decrypt the message containing the instruction such that the subsequent message will be sent by the meter and received by the central processor 6. If on the other hand the association is not correct, the meter 2 may instead appear to be non-responsive to the instruction. An appropriate time-out rule may be implemented at the central processor 6 as part of such a verification scheme, wherein for example the association is determined to be correct if an expected response from the meter 2 is received (via the device 1) within a predetermined amount of time after the instruction message is sent. The device identification information preferably comprises device address information, for example an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the intermediary device 1 (in particular being an actual IP address used by that device 1 in the communication network that provides communication between the intermediary device 1 and the central processor 6).

The present method comprises, for at least a number of the plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2': sending (step m4), by the respective electronic utility meter 2, meter identification information associated with said meter 2 to the respective intermediary device 1, the intermediary device 1 receiving the meter identification information and subsequently transmitting (step m5) at least part of the received meter identification information to the central processor 6.

At the central processor 6, the at least part of the meter identification information may be stored and/or processed, e.g. for accounting purposes and/or for decryption/encryption of messages associated with the meter 2.

The depicted method comprises: decrypting (step m6), by the central processor 6, at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular an encrypted message passed on from one 2 of the plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2' to the central processor 6 by the respective intermediary device 1, in particular decrypting using respective meter identification information received by the central processor 6.

The depicted method comprises: decrypting (step ml6), by the respective electronic utility meter 2, at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular an encrypted message passed on from the central processor 6 to the meter 2 by the respective intermediary device 1.

The method further comprises: generating (step m7), by the central processor 6, at least one of the one or more encrypted messages, in particular an encrypted message to be passed on from the central processor 6 to at least one 2 of the plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2' by a respective at least one intermediary device 1, in particular generating using respective meter identification information received by the central processor 6, wherein generating an encrypted message preferably includes encrypting a message. After the generating (step m7), the encrypted message may be sent (step ml5) to the respective intermediary device 1 for passing on (step m3).

At least one of the one or more encrypted messages preferably comprises at least one of: metering information associated with the electronic utility meter 2; event information associated with the electronic utility meter 2; a data request associated with, e.g. directed at, the electronic utility meter 2; and meter configuration information associated with the electronic utility meter 2.

Preferably at least one, more preferably each, of the one or more encrypted messages, at least before encryption and/or after decryption, substantially conforms to one or more standards associated with the Device Language Message Specification, for example the IEC 62056 set of standards and/or the Meter-Bus standard NEN-EN 13757.

The method may comprise, for at least one 2, preferably each, of the plurality of electronic utihty meters 2, 2': detecting (step m8), by the respective intermediary device 1, a fault, e.g. a power failure and/or a tampering, associated with the respective electronic utility meter 2 and/or with said intermediary device 1, and subsequently sending (step m9) an indication of the detected fault from the intermediary device 1 to the central processor 6.

As is shown, said detecting preferably comprises at least one of (see Fig. lb): detecting (step m81) an interruption in a power supply from the respective electronic utility meter 2 to the intermediary device 1; detecting (step m82) an interruption in a communication from the respective electronic utility meter 2 to the intermediary device 1; detecting (step m83) an at least partial detachment of the intermediary device 1 from the electronic utility meter 2 and/or a mechanical tampering with the intermediary device 1; and optically detecting (step m84) a change associated with the intermediary device 1 and/or with the respective electronic utility meter 2.

Such optically detecting (step m84) may be carried out using an optical transceiver 4A of the intermediary device 1. As an example, such an optical change may be an increase in a light level, which increase can be associated with a tampering, detaching and/or disconnecting (a part of) the device 1 from the meter 2, thereby e.g. exposing the optical transceiver 4A (more) to environmental light.

As an example, upon detecting (step m81) an interruption in a power supply from the meter 2 to the intermediary device 1, the device 1 and/or the central processor 6 can be configured to determine that a partial or complete power failure has occurred at the meter 2. In case communication from the meter 2 to the device 1 has not completely ceased, the device 1 and/or the central processor 6 can be configured to determine that the power failure at the meter 2 is partial, i.e. not a complete power failure. Alternatively or additionally such a partial power failure can be determined based on information received by the device 1 from the meter 2 via the first communication means 4, in particular via the electronic communication port 4B. If on the other hand communication from the meter 2 to the device 1 has completely ceased, the device 1 and/or the central processor 6 can be configured to determine that the power failure at the meter 2 is a substantially complete power failure. Preferably, the device 1 is configured to send a different (possibly unencrypted) message to the central processor 6 depending on what has been determined regarding a power failure of the meter 2.

Preferably, the method comprises, for at least one 2, preferably each, of the plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2': at least partly powering (step mlO) the intermediary device 1 by the respective electronic utility meter 2, in particular via a communication means 4B which physically connects the intermediary device 1 with respective electronic utility meter 2.

As shown, the method can comprise, for at least a number of the plurality of electronic utility meters 2, 2': measuring (step mil), in particular metering, by the respective electronic utility meter 2, one or more electric variables, e.g. electric power consumption, of an electricity network of an end user, thereby generating measurement data; and/or receiving (step ml2), by the electronic utility meter 2, sensing data from at least one external sensing unit 13, for example a gas meter and/or a water meter, which external sensing unit 13 is associated with the electronic utility meter 2.

As depicted, the method comprises: generating (step ml3), by the electronic utility meter 2, a message, for example an encrypted message, based on the generated and/or received measurement data and/or sensing data, and subsequently sending (step ml4) said encrypted message to the respective intermediary device 1 to be passed on to the central processor 6 by said intermediary device 1.

Alternatively or additionally to passing on encrypted messages, the method may comprise passing on (step m3a), by the respective intermediary device 1, one or more event messages, in particular unencrypted alarm messages, to the central processor 6, in particular after generating and/or receiving said event messages by the intermediary device.

In an exemplary use of a system, e.g. a system as described for providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utihty meters, one or more encrypted meter reconfiguration messages are sent from the central processor 6 and are subsequently automatically passed on to the electronic utility meter 2 by the device 1 without decrypting the messages, in particular subsequently via the device’s second and first communication means 5, 4 (in particular via optical transceiver 4A), in particular for subsequent decryption and further processing of the one or more reconfiguration messages by the electronic utility meter 2, wherein the further processing preferably comprises reconfiguring the electronic utility meter 2 based on the one or more reconfiguration messages.

In an exemplary use of a system, e.g. a system as described for providing communication with a distributed plurality of electronic utility meters, encrypted metering data is sent from the electronic utility meter 2 and is subsequently automatically passed on to the central processor 6 by the device 1 without decrypting the messages, in particular subsequently via the device’s first and second communication means 4, 5, in particular for subsequent decryption and further processing of the metering data by the central processor 6.

Device identification information may be sent to the central processor 6, e.g. by the device 1 and/or by a part of the communication network 7, in particular for decryption of the encrypted metering data by the central processor 6 using meter identification information which is associated with the device identification information at the central processor 6.

In a further preferred elaboration of the method, the device, the system and/or the use thereof, the device 1 is configured for receiving one or more device firmware update messages from the central processor 6 and for subsequently updating its own device firmware using the received device firmware update message or messages. To this end, the device 1 and the central processor 6 may be configured for mutual communication via the aforementioned and/or a further communication network, optionally substantially independent of the described communication for passing on encrypted messages and/or event messages such as alarms. Thus, such communication between device 1 and central processor 6 may not conform to any or all of the aforementioned standards such as DLMS. Further details of updating device firmware remotely, in particular via communication networks, are known for networked devices in general. Such details can be advantageously carried out in combination with the present invention, as will be readily appreciated by the skilled person.

While the invention has been explained using exemplary embodiments and drawings, these are not to be construed as in any way limiting the scope of the invention, which scope is provided by the claims. Many variations, combinations and extensions are possible, as will be appreciated by the skilled person.

For example, as an addition or alternative to the device sending meter identification information to the central processor, the device may send identification information regarding the device itself to the central processor, wherein the central processor comprises or has access to a lookup table of matching device identities and meter identities.

Encrypted messages may comprise any information which is to be exchanged between the meter and/or the device on the one hand and the central processor or an associated processor on the other hand.

Detecting a fault may additionally or alternatively be carried out by the meter, whereafter an indication of the detected fault may be sent to the central processor via the device as part of an encrypted or unencrypted message, for example.

Further additionally or alternatively, detecting a fault may be carried out by the central processor, e.g. based on information received from and/or via the device.

The device may be alternatively of additionally powered by one or more of: a power outlet which is metered by the electronic utihty meter; a generator; a photovoltaic cell; a (wind) turbine; an uninterrupted power supply (UPS); among other options. The communication network 7 can be configured in various ways as will be appreciated by the skilled person, and can include one or more of a computer network, telephone network, data network, Intranet, et cetera.

Similarly, the central processor 6 can be configured in various ways, and can include e.g. processor software, processor hardware, a data server unit, a computer, data processing means, a memory for storing data to be processed, et cetera. Also, the central processor can include or be connected to various respective communication means for allowing communication via the communication network 7. Besides, the central processor can include a user interface for allowing operator interaction with the central processor, and e.g. for outputting data processed by the processor.

Similarly, as will be appreciated by the skilled person, the intermediary device 1 can include digital data processing means for carrying out device functions, e.g. processor software, processor hardware, a controller or computer, data processing means, a memory for storing data to be processed and/or for storing the identification information, et cetera.

One or more parts of the method may be at least partially carried out by a person, e.g. maintenance crew. For example, a person may read meter identification information from the meter either directly or using a relevant tool, the meter identification information subsequently being provided to the central processor, e.g. entered or copied into a further tool.

Further examples of the invention will be clear from the description and the drawings.