Patent Description:
Power distribution systems can take on various different forms, oftentimes differentiated based on how the power distribution lines and the endpoint devices are used by the utility companies. One form of a power distribution system, referred to as a power-line communication (PLC) system, has each of the multitudes of the endpoint devices configured to provide reports on the power consumed at each site by the endpoint devices transmitting this data back to the utility companies over the power lines. Another less-sophisticated type of power distribution system does not send data over the power lines (to/or from the endpoint devices), but rather relies on a meter reader to walk to each customer site and manually read each such endpoint device in order to track the power consumed.

Some of the more technically-robust PLC systems have implemented communications between customer sites through the use of mesh networks. In such mesh networks, layers of communication devices relay power outage information with communication connections being passed between adjacent communication devices, from the outermost layers towards the data collector device by way of nearby communication devices associated with the inner layers. This approach extends the communication reach of the PLC systems so as to reach customer facilities remotely located in the outermost layers of the network, and such systems can be implemented in a distributed manner so that there is no single point of failure. Moreover, when the outage event permits, this layer-to-layer communications approach can help to mitigate delays in terms of detecting outages and providing the service team with the needed confirmation.

In PLC networks, endpoint devices in the network (e.g., meters, load control switches, remote service switches, and other endpoints) can provide updated information (e.g., power consumption information and/or endpoint operating status information) by transmitting data over power lines that also carry alternating current. However, digital communication over noisy channels (e.g., over power lines and wireless mediums) poses a challenge to reliable, efficient, error-free data transfer between a transmitter and receiver.

As smart power systems (e.g., smart street lighting) emerge, electronic controllers which previously performed dusk to dawn switching of the endpoint devices are now being configured to perform additional tasks. For instance, newer generations of endpoint controllers for street lights, in addition to performing dusk to dawn switching, use photo controllers, provide WI-FI hotspots, transmit geo-location and diagnostics information, and measure energy consumption among other examples. Measurements of energy consumption by the endpoint device are particularly useful for determining how much energy each respective endpoint device has consumed, as may be useful for utility billing purposes.

<CIT> relates to a monitoring device, system and method provided for in-home/on-premises monitoring of usage of utilities, such as electricity and other services. The monitoring device receives information from a smart metering system or transceiver, and displays current usage through an illuminated display, which displays a colour indicative of the current cost of consumption, and controls illumination of the display to scan illumination across the display at a traverse rate indicative of a rate of consumption or other metric, the scanning of a pattern of illumination across the display simulating movement or rotation in the display. One or more devices may be networked, and interface directly or indirectly with a transceiver of a smart metering system, or a retrofit transceiver for a conventional meter.

Calibration of endpoint controllers ensures not only proper operation of the endpoint controllers, but that energy consumption measurements obtained by the controller are accurate. Monitoring and calibration systems may be used to determine accuracy of the endpoint controller, though these systems include the use of a plurality of test units (e.g., a Radian portable standard, a comparator, a streetlight adapter, a load, etc.) which are to be run one at a time. Accordingly, such systems are time consuming, and use a number of different pieces of equipment in order to monitor and calibrate endpoint controllers.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to addressing the above-discussed aspects as well as others which will become apparent based on the detailed description that follows. The invention is solely defined by the claims.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, aspects are directed to a system for monitoring and calibration of endpoint devices. In certain example embodiments, aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a system for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, the central processing circuit collecting information provided over power lines from a plurality of endpoint devices receiving power over the power lines from the power utility company. The system includes a first adapter including a plurality of receptacles proximally arranged in a circular manner on a first surface of the first adapter, the plurality of receptacles configured and arranged to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry. The endpoint controlling circuitry is configured and arranged to communicate over the power lines or by using a radio frequency (RF) communication, characteristics related to power usage of an endpoint device in a PLC network. The first adapter further includes a second surface opposite of the first surface, the second surface including a plurality of electrical contacts. The system further includes a second adapter including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a first surface of the second adapter and a plurality of terminals disposed on a second surface of the second adapter opposite of the first surface. The plurality of terminals are physically arranged on the second surface of the second adapter so as to plug into corresponding inputs on meter calibration circuitry. Such meter calibration circuitry is configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to the power usage of the endpoint device. The system also includes a housing fixedly securing the first adapter and the second adapter and enclosing circuitry configured to electrically connect the electrical contacts of the first adapter with the electrical contacts of the second adapter. While in operation, the housing facilitates calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry. The first adapter is disposed on a side surface of the housing and the second adapter is disposed on a base surface of the housing orthogonal to the side surface. The side surface and the base surface are external surfaces of the housing. The base surface is disposed less than a threshold distance from the second adapter to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry.

In another specific example embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure involve an apparatus for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company. The central processing circuit can collect information provided over power lines from a plurality of endpoint devices receiving power over the power lines from the power utility company. The apparatus includes a base surface including a plurality of terminals physically arranged on the base surface so as to plug into corresponding inputs on meter calibration circuitry. The meter calibration circuitry can be configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to the power usage of an endpoint device such as a streetlight. The apparatus further includes a housing including a side surface orthogonal to the base surface and including a plurality of receptacles proximally arranged in a circular manner so as to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry. The endpoint controlling circuitry can be configured and arranged to communicate over power lines or by using a RF communication, characteristics related to power usage of the streetlight. Also, circuitry disposed within the housing electrically connect the terminals disposed on the base surface and the plurality of receptacles to facilitate coupling of the endpoint controlling circuitry and the meter calibration circuitry for calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry. The apparatus further includes a top surface opposite of the base surface, disposed parallel to the base surface and less than a threshold distance from the base surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry. The top surface and the side surface of the housing are orthogonal to each other.

The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The figures and detailed description that follow, including that described in the appended claims, more particularly describe some of these embodiments.

Aspects of the present disclosure are believed to be applicable to a variety of different types of apparatuses, systems and methods involving monitoring and calibration of endpoint controlling circuitry. In certain implementations, aspects of the present disclosure have been shown to be beneficial when used in the context of monitoring and calibrating endpoint controlling circuitry which communicates over power lines or by using a radio frequency (RF) communication, characteristics related to power usage of a streetlight. While not necessarily so limited, various aspects may be appreciated through the following discussion of non-limiting examples which use exemplary contexts.

The public outdoor lighting market is currently undergoing a period of change where existing streetlights are being replaced with newer and more efficient light emitting diode (LED) streetlights, or solid-state lighting technology. Newer streetlights such as LEDs and solid-state lighting technology offer longer lifetimes, lower energy consumption, and reduced maintenance costs when compared with legacy streetlight technologies. Moreover, streetlights may also be coupled with a communications network to become "smart" streetlights. Networked "smart" streetlights help cities further reduce costs through off-peak dimming and reduced maintenance expenditures. Additionally, such smart streetlights may serve as part of larger "smart city" concept, where communications networks can be used to link endpoint devices such as power and water meters, traffic lights, and parking meters.

A number of street light control systems have been developed to control and reduce energy consumption of municipal lighting systems. These street light control systems range from controlling a circuit of street lights and/or individual lights with specific ballasts and network operating protocols. These may include sending and receiving instructions via separate data networks, at high frequency over the top of a low voltage supply, or wirelessly.

Some street light controllers (e.g., endpoint controlling circuitry) may be configured with energy conservation options like twilight saving, staggering or dimming, among others. Also, some street light controllers may be configured with an astronomical clock for a particular location or a Global Positioning System (GPS) connection to give the best ON-OFF time and energy saving. Some intelligent street light controllers also come with Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), RF or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) communication, user adjusted according to latitude and longitude, for better street light management and maintenance. Additionally, some street light controllers also come with traffic sensors to manage the lux level of the lamp according to the traffic and to save energy by decreasing lux when there is no traffic. Newer generations of endpoint controllers for street lights, in addition to performing dusk to dawn switching, use photo controllers, provide WI-FI hotspots, transmit geo-location and diagnostics information, and measure energy consumption among other examples. Measurements of energy consumption by the endpoint device, and ensuring that the endpoint controlling circuitry accurately measures energy usage of the endpoint device, may be particularly useful for determining how much energy each respective endpoint device has consumed such as for utility billing purposes. Existing systems for testing and calibrating endpoint controlling circuitry such as street light controllers include the use of a number of testing devices including a Radian portable standard, a comparator, a streetlight adapter, a load (resistive or induced) and specialty software. Each such device is connected to the endpoint device (e.g., the street light in this example) one at a time, and the corresponding test is executed one at a time. Accordingly, such systems are time consuming, and use a number of different pieces of equipment in order to monitor and calibrate endpoint controllers.

Aspects of the present invention are directed toward a system for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, the central processing circuit collecting information provided over power lines from a plurality of endpoint devices receiving power over the power lines from the power utility company. In such embodiments, the system includes a first adapter including a plurality of receptacles proximally arranged in a circular manner on a first surface of the first adapter. The plurality of receptacles can be configured and arranged to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry that communicate over the power lines or by using a RF communication, characteristics related to power usage of an endpoint device in a PLC network. While not so limited, the first adapter may include a second surface opposite of the first surface, the second surface including a plurality of electrical contacts. The system also includes a second adapter including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a first surface of the second adapter and a plurality of terminals disposed on a second surface of the second adapter opposite of the first surface. The plurality of terminals can be physically arranged on the second surface of the second adapter so as to plug into corresponding inputs on meter calibration circuitry configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to the power usage of the measured endpoint device. The system also includes a housing fixedly securing the first adapter and the second adapter and enclosing circuitry configured to electrically connect the electrical contacts of the first adapter with the electrical contacts of the second adapter and, while in operation, to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry.

In example embodiments the housing fixedly secures the first adapter in one direction and the second adapter in another direction at an angle that is at least orthogonal to the one direction. The second adapter can include at least four electrical contacts disposed on the first surface of the second adapter, and at least two of the four electrical contacts can be coupled by an electrically conductive bridge. Additionally and/or alternatively, the second adapter can include at least three terminals disposed on the second surface, and each respective terminal is electrically connected to a different respective electrical contact of the first adapter.

According to various example embodiments, the plurality of receptacles of the first adapter are arranged in a manner consistent with an industry standard for locking-type photocontrol devices and mating receptacles. An arrangement exemplary of such industry standard may include <NPL>" Additionally and/or alternatively, the plurality of receptacles of the first adapter can be arranged in a manner consistent with an industry standard for external locking-type photocontrol devices including a dimmable ballast for roadway area lighting. An arrangement exemplary of such industry standard may include NEMA ANSI C136-<NUM>, titled "American national standard for roadway and area lighting equipment - dimming control between an external locking type photocontrol and ballast or driver.

According to various example embodiments, the circuitry of the housing can facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by an automated and sequential meter testing process executed by the meter calibration circuitry. Accordingly, the first adapter can be disposed on a side surface of the housing and the second adapter can be disposed on a base surface of the housing orthogonal to the side surface. The base surface can be disposed less than a threshold distance from the second adapter to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry. Examples are not so limited, however, and in some example embodiments the first adapter can be disposed on a side surface of the housing and the second adapter can be disposed on a base surface of the housing orthogonal to the side surface. In such example embodiments, the first adapter is disposed less than a threshold distance from a top surface of the adapter opposite of the base surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry via an optical port of the meter calibration circuitry. As such, the endpoint controlling circuitry can be configured and arranged to collect power usage measurements from the endpoint device over a period of time, and the circuitry of the housing can facilitate measurement of a plurality of parameters of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry to determine the accuracy of the power usage measurements.

In specific embodiments, an apparatus can be used with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, the central processing circuit collecting information provided over power lines from a plurality of endpoint devices receiving power over the power lines from the power utility company. The apparatus may include a base surface including a plurality of terminals physically arranged on the base surface to couple to meter calibration circuitry configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to the power usage of a streetlight. The apparatus may also include a housing including a side surface orthogonal to the base surface and including a plurality of receptacles proximally arranged in a circular manner so as to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry configured and arranged to communicate over power lines or by using a RF communication, characteristics related to power usage of the streetlight. Circuitry disposed within the housing can electrically connect the terminals disposed on the base surface and the plurality of receptacles, thereby facilitating coupling of the endpoint controlling circuitry and the meter calibration circuitry for calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry. Additionally, the apparatus can include a top surface opposite of the base surface, wherein the top surface is disposed parallel to the base surface and less than a threshold distance from the base surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry.

In embodiments of the invention, the plurality of terminals can be disposed within a five position locking-type receptacle of a first adapter. In additional and/or alternative embodiments, the plurality of terminals are disposed within a seven position locking-type receptacle of a first adapter. Moreover, in embodiments of the invention, the circuitry is configured and arranged to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry in compliance with an industry standard for performance of accuracy class electricity meters.

In some example embodiments, the housing has at least a portion with a cylindrical shape, and the plurality of receptacles are disposed on a curved side wall of the housing orthogonal to the base surface. Additionally and/or alternatively, the housing may have a cylindrical shape and a recessed portion, where the side surface is disposed on a flat surface of the recessed portion. In such embodiments, the recessed portion includes a second base surface parallel to the base surface and disposed less than a threshold distance from base surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry. The plurality of electrical contacts can be disposed within a locking-type receptacle of a first adapter disposed on the flat surface of the recessed portion of the housing. Moreover, the first adapter is disposed less than a threshold distance from the top surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry via an optical port of the meter calibration circuitry.

Various example embodiments described herein allow a utility company or other user the ability to use their own metering equipment (e.g., meter calibration circuitry) to test the accuracy of the endpoint controlling circuitry (e.g., street light controller). Embodiments of the present disclosure reduce the time, expense, and labor of testing the accuracy of the endpoint controlling circuitry.

Accordingly, in the following description various specific details are set forth to describe specific examples presented herein. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that one or more other examples and/or variations of these examples may be practiced without all the specific details given below. In other instances, well known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the description of the examples herein. For ease of illustration, the same reference numerals may be used in different diagrams to refer to the same elements or additional instances of the same element. Also, although aspects and features may in some cases be described in individual figures, it will be appreciated that features from one figure or embodiment can be combined with features of another figure or embodiment even though the combination is not explicitly shown or explicitly described as a combination.

Turning now to the figures, <FIG> is a block diagram of an example power line communication system (PLC) <NUM> in which endpoints (within <NUM>) communicate data with collector units <NUM>, consistent with PLC embodiments of the present disclosure. These communications occur over the same power lines which provide power from the utility power company to each of the customer sites. In this context and as mentioned previously, aspects of the present disclosure have been realized to benefit embodiments which employ PLC and those which do not.

With reference to <FIG>, the PCL system <NUM> includes a power distribution system overlaying a broadband communications network. Illustrated aspects of the power distribution system include the utility (power) company <NUM> which generates the AC power for distribution via various geographically-dispersed distribution stations <NUM>, for consumption at the facilities of customer sites where respective sets of equipment <NUM> are located. The equipment <NUM> operates based on the power received over the power lines <NUM>. In this illustrated example, the equipment <NUM> at each customer site includes an endpoint device (which is or at least includes a circuit, such as a power meter and/or load switch) installed at the customer site facility. In such a PLC-type system, the endpoint devices are typically also configured with circuitry for receiving configuration and other data from the collector units <NUM> (e.g., located in proximity to a grouping of nearby customer sites) and for sending back reports and status information to the collector units <NUM>, which is in turn sent back to a computer server <NUM> operated on behalf of the utility (power) company <NUM>. In such PLC systems, this information is sent in both directions, between the collector units <NUM> and the equipment <NUM>, over the power lines. The computer server <NUM> refers to and/or includes one or multiple computers (processing circuit) operating together to carry out the communications as depicted and described herein.

<FIG> also shows a broadband communications network ("BBN") <NUM> coupled between the computer server <NUM> and the equipment <NUM> at the customer sites. Also within each of the depictions of equipment <NUM> of <FIG> is a respective communication device which is enabled for communications with the computer server <NUM> via the broadband communications network <NUM>. In this context, the communication device is referred to as being broadband enabled. As discussed above, each of the broadband-enabled communication devices of the equipment <NUM> is powered via the power lines controlled by the utility power company <NUM>.

According to one specific implementation, the equipment <NUM> can include street lights, as well as endpoint controlling circuitry such as a streetlight controller. As discussed further herein, each respective endpoint device may be coupled with an apparatus which facilitates calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by meter calibration circuitry.

In <FIG>, endpoints <NUM> transmit symbols over communications channels to collector units <NUM>, respectively. In certain embodiments, the endpoints <NUM> can be located at customer locations (e.g., buildings). Transformers <NUM> are often located near groups of customer sites, via substations/collector housings, to provide a step-down in voltage before the AC power is provided to the customer sites. The collector circuits (shown as units <NUM>) include circuitry configured to communicate with the endpoints of the equipment <NUM> over the power lines <NUM>, and typically also include circuitry (via high-speed network interfaces, a wide-area network, and Ethernet) for communications with a command center <NUM> which is operated on behalf of the utility power company.

The collector units <NUM> can communicate to the command center <NUM> over a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), the Internet, or other communication networks. These data networks can be implemented as a wired or wireless network. Wired networks can include any media-constrained networks including, but not limited to, networks implemented using metallic wire conductors, fiber optic materials, or waveguides. Wireless networks include all free-space propagation networks including, but not limited to, networks implemented using radio wave and free-space optical networks.

Symbols from a particular endpoint may be transmitted, at specifically allocated times/frequencies to avoid data collisions on the power lines, over any one of thousands of communications channels in the system. For example, each endpoint can be assigned a particular channel, and channel assignments for the endpoints <NUM> can be stored, for example, in a communications database that is accessible to the collector units <NUM>. Consistent with embodiments of the present disclosure, each collector unit <NUM> can be configured to be in communication with thousands of endpoints <NUM> and there can be thousands of collector units <NUM> communicating with the command center <NUM>. For example, a single collector can be configured to communicate with over <NUM>,<NUM> endpoint devices (e.g., power meters and load switches) at customer sites and a command center can be configured to communicate with over <NUM>,<NUM> collectors. Thus, there can be millions of total endpoints and many thousands of these endpoints can be considered region-specific or neighbor endpoints (many or all co-located with broadband-enable devices) for communications to the same collector over a shared power distribution line. In instances where some of these facilities have generators and/or battery backup circuits which operate to supply backup power in the event of a power outage, feedback from other than the broadband-enabled device can be used to supplement other indications or evidence (e.g., mesh, PLC neighbor as described herein) that an outage may have occurred for each such facility or region/neighborhood.

<FIG> illustrates an example system in accordance with the present disclosure. The system illustrated in <FIG> may be used with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company. The central processing circuit can collect information provided over power lines from a plurality of endpoint devices receiving power over the power lines from the power utility company, as illustrated and described with regards to <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the system may include a first adapter <NUM> including a plurality of receptacles proximally arranged in a circular manner on a first surface of the first adapter. The plurality of receptacles can be configured and arranged to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM>, which in some instances may be a streetlight controller. The endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM> can be configured and arranged to communicate over the power lines or by using a RF communication, characteristics related to power usage of an endpoint device (e.g., a street lamp) in a PLC network. The plurality of receptacles of the first adapter <NUM> can be arranged in a manner consistent with an industry standard for locking-type photocontrol devices and mating receptacles. Such industry standard may be exemplified by NEMA ANSI C136-<NUM>. Additionally and/or alternatively, the plurality of receptacles of the first adapter <NUM> can be arranged in a manner consistent with an industry standard for external locking-type photocontrol devices including a dimmable ballast for roadway area lighting. Such industry standard may be exemplified by NEMA ANSI C136-<NUM>.

The system can also include a second adapter <NUM> including a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on a first surface of the second adapter <NUM> and a plurality of terminals <NUM> disposed on a second surface of the second adapter <NUM> opposite of the first surface. The plurality of terminals <NUM> are physically arranged on the second surface of the second adapter <NUM> so as to plug into corresponding inputs on meter calibration circuitry (the meter calibration circuitry not illustrated in <FIG>). The meter calibration circuitry can be configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to the power usage of the endpoint device. The meter calibration circuitry may include industry standard testing equipment, configured and arranged to test meter equipment, such as may be exemplified by a WECO meter test station produced by Radian Research, Inc.

Although not illustrated in <FIG>, the first adapter can include a second surface opposite of the first surface, the second surface including a plurality of electrical contacts. A housing <NUM> can fixedly secure the first adapter <NUM> and the second adapter <NUM> and enclose circuitry configured to electrically connect the electrical contacts of the first adapter <NUM> with the electrical contacts of the second adapter <NUM> and, while in operation, facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by meter calibration circuitry. The circuitry of the housing <NUM> can facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM> by an automated and sequential meter testing process executed by the meter calibration circuitry. For instance, the endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM> can be configured and arranged to collect power usage measurements from an endpoint device over a period of time, and the circuitry of the housing <NUM> can facilitate measurement of a plurality of parameters of the endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM> by the meter calibration circuitry to determine the accuracy of the power usage measurements.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> can fixedly secure the first adapter <NUM> in one direction and the second adapter <NUM> in another direction at an angle that is at least orthogonal to the one direction. For instance, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first adapter <NUM> is disposed at a right angle to the second adapter <NUM>. In additional and/or alternative embodiments, the first adapter <NUM> can be disposed on a side surface of the housing <NUM> and the second adapter <NUM> can be disposed on a base surface of the housing <NUM> orthogonal to the side surface, where the base surface is disposed less than a threshold distance from the second adapter <NUM> to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry. In yet further embodiments, the first adapter <NUM> can be disposed on a side surface of the housing <NUM> and the second adapter <NUM> can be disposed on a base surface of the housing <NUM> orthogonal to the side surface. In such embodiments, the first adapter <NUM> is disposed less than a threshold distance from a top surface opposite of the base surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM> via an optical port of the meter calibration circuitry.

<FIG> further illustrates various components of an example system in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second adapter <NUM> may include at least three terminals <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> (collectively referred to herein as terminals <NUM>) disposed on the second (e.g., bottom surface) of the second adapter <NUM>, where each respective terminals <NUM> is electrically connected to a different respective electrical contact of the first adapter <NUM> via wires <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example apparatus for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated and discussed with regards to <FIG>, the central processing circuit can collect information provided over power lines from a plurality of endpoint devices receiving power over the power lines from the power utility company. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus includes a second adapter <NUM> including a plurality of terminals physically arranged to couple to meter calibration circuitry configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to the power usage of a streetlight. Further, the apparatus includes a housing <NUM> including a side surface orthogonal to the second adapter <NUM> and including a plurality of receptacles <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM> (hereinafter referred to collectively as the plurality of receptacles <NUM>), proximally arranged in a circular manner so as to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry. As described herein, the endpoint controlling circuitry can be configured and arranged to communicate over power lines or by using a RF communication, characteristics related to power usage of the streetlight. The apparatus can further include circuitry disposed within the housing <NUM> and electrically connecting the terminals disposed on the second adapter <NUM> and the plurality of receptacles <NUM> to facilitate coupling of the endpoint controlling circuitry and the meter calibration circuitry for calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus includes a second base surface <NUM> opposite of the second adapter <NUM>, where the top surface is disposed parallel to the second adapter <NUM> and less than a threshold distance from the second adapter <NUM> to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry.

<FIG> illustrates the plurality of receptacles <NUM> disposed within a three position locking-type receptacle of a first adapter <NUM>. However, additional and/or alternative configurations of the plurality of receptacles <NUM> may be used. For instance, the plurality of receptacles <NUM> can be disposed within a five position locking-type receptacle of a first adapter <NUM>, and/or within a seven five position locking-type receptacle of a first adapter <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> further illustrate an example apparatus for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> can have at least a portion with a cylindrical shape, and the plurality of receptacles (within the first adapter <NUM>) can be disposed on a curved side wall of the housing orthogonal to the second adapter <NUM>. Additionally and/or alternatively, the housing <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape <NUM> and a recessed portion <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. In such example embodiments, the side surface is disposed on a flat surface of the recessed portion <NUM>, and the recessed portion <NUM> includes a second base surface <NUM> parallel to a plane on which the second adapter is disposed. The second base surface <NUM> can be disposed less than a threshold distance from second adapter <NUM> to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry. Also illustrated in <FIG>, electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM> may be included in the second adapter. As illustrated, some of the electrical contacts may be coupled by an electrically conductive bridge.

<FIG> further illustrates a perspective view of an example apparatus for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus can include a top surface <NUM> opposite of the second adapter <NUM>, where the top surface <NUM> is disposed parallel to the second adapter <NUM> and less than a threshold distance from the second adapter <NUM> to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry. The apparatus can include a recessed portion (e.g., <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) which further includes a second base surface <NUM> parallel to the second adapter <NUM> and disposed less than a threshold distance from second adapter <NUM> to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry.

<FIG> illustrates an example apparatus for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. Particularly, <FIG> illustrates a view of the second adapter of the apparatus (e.g., <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>), such that the terminals <NUM> are projecting toward the viewer. As illustrated in <FIG>, the second adapter (e.g., the second adapter <NUM> of the apparatus) can include at least four terminals <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> (referred to collectively as terminals <NUM>). Referring back to <FIG>, the terminals <NUM> can be disposed on a second surface <NUM> of the second adapter <NUM>, whereas the electrical contacts which are electrically coupled to the first adapter (e.g., <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>) can be disposed on a first surface <NUM> of the second adapter <NUM>, which is opposite of the first surface. For instance, referring back to <FIG>, the apparatus can include at least four electrical contacts <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM> disposed on the first surface. As illustrated in <FIG>, at least a portion of the four electrical contacts on the first surface can be coupled by an electrically conductive bridge. As used herein, an electrically conductive bridge refers to or includes a piece of electrically conductive material which electrically couples at least two of the electrical contacts <NUM>. Although <FIG> illustrates the second adapter as having four terminals configured in a square pattern, and each terminal having a same general shape, example embodiments are not so limited. For instance, referring to <FIG>, the terminals can have different shapes and/or sizes, fewer than four terminals may be used (e.g., three illustrated in <FIG>).

<FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a system for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus may include a first adapter <NUM> including a plurality of receptacles <NUM> proximally arranged in a circular manner on a first surface of the first adapter <NUM>. The plurality of receptacles <NUM> can be configured and arranged to receive terminals <NUM> of endpoint controlling circuitry configured and arranged to communicate over the power lines or by using a RF communication, characteristics related to power usage of an endpoint device an a PLC network. As discussed herein, the plurality of receptacles <NUM> and the terminals <NUM> can have different configurations other than a circular arrangement with three receptacles and terminals, as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> further illustrates a perspective view of a system for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. As illustrated in <FIG>, endpoint controlling circuitry <NUM> can be coupled to an adapter disposed on a housing <NUM> of the apparatus. A second adapter <NUM>, disposed on a base surface <NUM> of the apparatus can include a plurality of terminals so as to plug into corresponding inputs on meter calibration circuitry. That is, the housing <NUM> can fixedly securing a first adapter and a second adapter and enclose circuitry configured to electrically connect the electrical contacts of the first adapter with the electrical contacts of the second adapter and, while in operation, to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry.

<FIG> further illustrate perspective views of a system for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company, in accordance with the present disclosure. Particularly, <FIG> illustrates a simple block diagram of the apparatus illustrated herein, for example in <FIG>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the apparatus includes a first adapter <NUM> and a second adapter <NUM>, as discussed herein. In additional example embodiments, the first adapter <NUM> can be positioned on the housing <NUM> such that a magnetic pickup <NUM> of an optical port of the meter calibration circuitry can be used. Additionally and/or alternatively, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first adapter <NUM> can be positioned on the housing <NUM> less than a threshold distance from the second adapter <NUM> to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry by the meter calibration circuitry.

Unless otherwise indicated, various general purpose systems and/or logic circuitry may be used with programs in accordance with the teachings herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the required method. For example, according to the present disclosure, one or more of the methods can be implemented in hard-wired circuitry by programming a general-purpose processor, other fully or semi-programmable logic circuitry, and/or by a combination of such hardware and a general-purpose processor configured with software and/or data. As another example, it will be appreciated that the term "endpoint device" refers to and/or includes circuits enabled to measure and/or communicate power consumption information for example over the illustrated broadband network, such as a power meter, load switch, remote service switches, among other examples. Accordingly, the various components and processes shown in the figures can be implemented in a variety of circuit-based forms, such as through the use of data processing circuits (operative by circuit components alone or in combination with configuration/software data, otherwise known as "logic circuit(ry)" and/or "modules").

Claim 1:
An apparatus for use with a central processing circuit operated on behalf of a power utility company (<NUM>), the central processing circuit collecting information provided over power lines (<NUM>) from a plurality of endpoint devices (<NUM>) receiving power over the power lines (<NUM>) from the power utility company (<NUM>), the apparatus comprising:
a base surface including a plurality of terminals (<NUM>) physically arranged on the base surface so as to plug into corresponding inputs on meter calibration circuitry configured and arranged to monitor characteristics related to power usage of a streetlight;
a housing (<NUM>) including a side surface orthogonal to the base surface and including a plurality of receptacles (<NUM>) proximally arranged in a circular manner so as to be connected to endpoint controlling circuitry (<NUM>) configured and arranged to communicate over power lines (<NUM>) or by using a radio frequency (RF) communication, characteristics related to the power usage of the streetlight;
circuitry disposed within the housing (<NUM>) and electrically connecting the terminals (<NUM>) disposed on the base surface and the plurality of receptacles (<NUM>) to facilitate coupling of the endpoint controlling circuitry (<NUM>) and the meter calibration circuitry for calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry (<NUM>); and
a top surface (<NUM>) opposite of the base surface, wherein the top surface (<NUM>) is disposed parallel to the base surface and less than a threshold distance from the base surface to facilitate calibration of the endpoint controlling circuitry (<NUM>) by the meter calibration circuitry, the top surface (<NUM>) and the side surface of the housing (<NUM>) are orthogonal to each other.