WO1997039430A1 - Systemes de compteurs - Google Patents

Systemes de compteurs Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997039430A1
WO1997039430A1 PCT/GB1997/000845 GB9700845W WO9739430A1 WO 1997039430 A1 WO1997039430 A1 WO 1997039430A1 GB 9700845 W GB9700845 W GB 9700845W WO 9739430 A1 WO9739430 A1 WO 9739430A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
code
consumer
meter reading
supply
input
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1997/000845
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Martin Robert Pollock
Original Assignee
Lg (Uk) Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB9607639.3A external-priority patent/GB9607639D0/en
Application filed by Lg (Uk) Limited filed Critical Lg (Uk) Limited
Priority to DE69705940T priority Critical patent/DE69705940T2/de
Priority to EP97914444A priority patent/EP0892967B1/fr
Priority to AT97914444T priority patent/ATE203843T1/de
Publication of WO1997039430A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997039430A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F17/00—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services
    • G07F17/0014—Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services for vending, access and use of specific services not covered anywhere else in G07F17/00
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07F—COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS
    • G07F15/00—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to metering systems for metering the supply of a service, such as gas, electricity, water etc., to a consumer.
  • a service such as gas, electricity, water etc.
  • the following description will focus on gas meter systems, but it is to be understood that the invention can be applied to metering of other services.
  • gas meters are used to meter the supply of gas to a consumer so that payment can be obtained in accordance with consumption.
  • Some gas meter installations are provided with a prepayment facility whereby a consumer can load the meter with credit, for example by inserting coins or tokens.
  • Such prepayment meters incorporate a valve which can be operated by the meter control circuitry to cut off the gas supply to the consumer when the credit has expired.
  • the consumer pays in advance for consumption of gas.
  • the Utility company obtains payment by reading the meter periodically and billing the consumer for consumption.
  • the meter must also be read to open a new account when a new customer takes over at a premises, or to close an account when a customer leaves a premises.
  • the Utility must therefore gain access to the consumer's premises at appropriate times to read the meter. This can be inconvenient to individual consumers and requires a substantial workforce investment by Utility companies who need to bill numerous customers on the basis of accurate meter reading information from distributed metering points.
  • metering apparatus comprising: means for metering the supply of a service to a consumer; an indicator for indicating the meter reading; valve means for selectively enabling and disabling the supply of the service to the consumer; input means for input by the consumer of a code comprising a coded meter reading; and control means for decoding the meter reading from an input code and controlling operation of the valve means in dependence on whether the decoded meter reading is within a predetermined tolerance of the current meter reading of the apparatus.
  • the valve means is operable to enable and disable the supply under control of the control means.
  • the valve means may comprise any suitable means for performing the necessary function, for example a gas valve in the case of a gas metering apparatus, or a switch in the case of an electricity metering apparatus.
  • the consumer In order to activate the control means to control operation of the valve means, the consumer must input a code via the input means of the apparatus. This code will be issued to the consumer by the Utility when the consumer supplies certain information, comprising at least the current meter reading, and, where appropriate, effects payment for the service.
  • the code issued by the Utility is generated from at least the meter reading supplied by the consumer. This code, comprising the coded meter reading, is received by the control means when input to the metering apparatus by the consumer.
  • the control means decodes the meter reading from the input code and determines whether the decoded meter reading corresponds to the current meter reading of the apparatus. That is to say, the control means determines whether the decoded meter reading is within a predetermined tolerance of the current meter reading. (The tolerance may be set as appropriate for a given situation, but may for example be ⁇ 10 kWh (kilowatt.hours) ) . If the decoded meter reading does not satisfy this condition, then the code is invalid and the control means will not act on the code.
  • control means determines the code to be valid and performs the required control operation.
  • the consumer in order to activate the control means to control operation of the valve means, the consumer must give the correct meter reading to the service provider since this will be used to generate the code which is subsequently decoded and checked by the metering apparatus. If an incorrect meter reading is given, whether intentionally or otherwise, the control means will not act on the code.
  • This system can be used to ensure that the service provider obtains accurate meter readings, under various circumstances in which these are required, without having to attend the premises to read the meter.
  • the system can be used to enable supply of the service when a new customer takes over at a premises where the supply is cut-off. In this case, the customer can read the meter himself and supply the necessary information, including the meter reading, to the Utility.
  • the Utility then issues the customer with a code generated using this meter reading, and the customer inputs this code to the metering apparatus.
  • the control means decodes and checks the meter reading to determine whether the code is valid, and if so activates the valve means to enable the supply. The supply is therefore restored only if the customer gave the correct meter reading.
  • control means includes means for automatically disabling the supply to restrict the quantity of the service that can be supplied to a consumer without payment being made.
  • the restriction can be implemented on a time or quantity of service basis.
  • the control means may include timer means for controlling the valve means to disable the supply on expiry of a preset period of time.
  • the consumer To restore the supply, or maintain the supply beyond a cut-off time, the consumer must input a code obtained from the Utility. The code will be issued to the consumer when the consumer supplies certain information, comprising at least the current meter reading, and effects payment for the service. Generally, the consumer will pay for consumption up to that point in time as determined by the meter reading communicated to the Utility.
  • the system could be operated on a prepayment basis, whereby the consumer pays for estimated consumption over the next period and any discrepancy between estimated and actual consumption over that period is taken into account at the next payment stage.
  • a simple form of prepayment system can be implemented. Either way, when the code is input to the metering apparatus, provided the code is valid, the timer means will be reset to restore or maintain the supply for a further period.
  • control means may be arranged to monitor the quantity of the service supplied to the consumer following receipt of the last valid code which enabled (or maintained) the supply, and to control the valve means to disable the supply when a preset quantity of the service has been supplied.
  • the system could be operated on a prepayment basis if desired.
  • the control means controls the valve to disable the supply on whichever occurs first of expiry of said preset period and supply of said preset quantity. In this way, the service would terminate sooner if very high consumption was being recorded.
  • the Utility benefits in that it limits its risk in service supply to the time periods or quantity limits enabled by the code issuing process. These risks are currently open-ended in that consumers can use an unlimited quantity of service if they prevent the Utility from gaining entry to the metering point.
  • the Utility also obtains guaranteed correct metering readings on a regular basis, otherwise the service provision will self-terminate.
  • a further advantage where a time restriction is employed is that metering points will shut themselves down if left unused for very long periods of time, thus improving system safety.
  • the customer also benefits, since customer meter readings can be accepted by the Utility, so the customer need not make special provision to be at home to receive meter readers who may or may not turn-up on time.
  • the code issuing process can also be employed for termination of service at a metering point eg. when a consumer leaves a premises.
  • the Utility needs the final meter reading so that payment can be brought up-to-date.
  • the customer informs the Utility that he is leaving, supplies the necessary information, comprising at least the current meter reading, and effects the final payment.
  • the Utility again issues the customer with a code comprising the coded meter reading, to be input to the metering apparatus.
  • the control means checks whether the code is valid (by at least checking that the decoded meter reading is within the allowed tolerance of the current reading) , and if so controls the valve means to disable the supply.
  • the control means of the metering apparatus preferably includes means for generating a response code on disabling of the supply under these circumstances, the response code being indicated to the customer, for example on a display of the apparatus.
  • the Utility informs the customer that he must report back the response code generated by the meter to terminate his responsibility for consumption at that metering point.
  • the response code is reported to the Utility, its authenticity is checked to ensure that the supply has indeed been disabled. The customer's account is then closed. If the response code is not confirmed by the Utility, indicating for example that the meter reading supplied by the customer was not correct and hence that the input code was rejected as invalid, then the customer remains responsible for consumption at that metering point.
  • the communication can be conducted by telephone, the customer supplying the necessary information and suitable payment guarantee (eg. credit card details) where necessary and then being told the appropriate code.
  • the necessary operation such as restoration of a dead supply, can then be performed almost instantly, simply by making a phone call. In this way, the Utility can operate a bill-free system if desired.
  • Preferred embodiments of metering systems therefore include an automatic control station comprising: communication means for communicating with a consumer to prompt the consumer to communicate required data including a meter reading; and means for generating a code, comprising the communicated meter reading, for communication to the consumer by said communication means.
  • the communication means is arranged for communication with the consumer via a telephone link and includes voice output means for generating voice instructions to the consumer. While arrangements may be envisaged where the consumer supplies the necessary information using the telephone keypad, voice communications will generally be more convenient and this can of course be accommodated by a programmed voice input/output system of the control station. " Other communication systems may of course be envisaged, for example a system in which the control station is provided as a terminal in a convenient public location for access by consumers.
  • the code supplied to a consumer comprises a coded meter reading.
  • the code may of course be constructed in numerous ways.
  • the coded meter reading may include the actual meter reading data (ie.
  • the actual digits of the meter reading supplied by the consumer plus check data which is derived from the meter reading data at the code generation stage by a predetermined algorithm.
  • the check data is derived from the meter reading and will be confirmed by the control means when the code is input to the metering apparatus.
  • the consumer cannot defraud the system by merely altering the meter reading in the code input to the apparatus, since the check data would then be incorrect and the code rejected.
  • the actual meter reading data is in coded form in an input code, so that the digits forming the meter reading supplied by the consumer do not appear identically in the code.
  • the code issued to the consumer includes additional data over and above the coded meter reading.
  • the additional data preferably comprises ID data identifying the metering apparatus. Suitable ID data may be the meter number for example. The consumer will supply the ID data to the
  • the meter ID will be prestored in the control means of the apparatus and, when the code is input by the consumer, the control means will compare the ID data decoded from the input code with the prestored ID and will reject the code if the ID is incorrect.
  • both the ID data decoded from an input code, and the decoded meter reading must be correct for the code to be identified as valid.
  • the additional data such as the ID data preferably appears in coded form in the code supplied to the consumer.
  • the decoding process performed by the control means will usually involve operating on the input code with the reverse algorithm to that performed in the code generation process.
  • the decoding merely involves extracting the appropriate portion of the code corresponding to the meter reading, but in this case the extracted reading will need to be verified by confirming that the check data is correct according to the algorithm used in the code generation process. Either way, the decoded meter reading is then compared with the current meter reading to confirm that the reading supplied to the Utility was correct (within the allowed tolerance) . Any additional data contained in the code can be similarly processed.
  • the appropriately coded form may be prestored in the control means for comparison with the relevant portion of a code input by the consumer.
  • the control means could also implement the coding algorithm to obtain coded data for comparison with a code input by the consumer.
  • the input code may include instruction data indicating the function to be implemented.
  • the instruction data may identify the code as an "enable code” for restoration/maintenance of the supply and as a "disable code” for disabling the supply, eg. on termination of an account.
  • the control means then identifies the nature of the code from the instruction data.
  • the control means is operative to generate a response code to confirm termination of the service
  • the response code is preferably generated using a prestored algorithm (which is confidential to the Utility) from data such as the input disable code, meter reading and/or ID data for example, so that the formulation of the code is not apparent to the consumer.
  • the validity of the response code can then be confirmed by the Utility, eg. by comparison with the expected response code generated using the same data and the same algorithm by the Utility.
  • a further aspect of the invention provides a method of controlling the supply of a metered service to a consumer, the method comprising: metering the supply by means of metering apparatus including an indicator for indicating the meter reading, valve means for selectively enabling and disabling the supply of the service to the consumer, and input means for input by the consumer of a code comprising a coded meter reading; decoding the meter reading from an input code in the metering apparatus; and controlling the valve means in dependence on whether the decoded meter reading is within a predetermined tolerance of the current meter reading of the apparatus.
  • the method may include generating said code at a control station using a meter reading communicated by the consumer, and communicating the code to the consumer for input to the metering apparatus.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first metering system embodying the invention
  • Figure 2 is a block diagram of metering apparatus of the system of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the apparatus of Figure 2;
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of metering apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of the embodiment of Figure k .
  • the schematic of Figure 1 illustrates the overall operation of the metering system of a first embodiment.
  • the figure shows the front panel of a gas meter 1 for metering a supply of gas to a consumer.
  • the meter 1 has the usual meter reading display 2 and on/off switch 3. and also has user operable input means in the form of a keypad 4.
  • the front panel of the meter 1 also indicates the meter number, or service code, at 5 and a telephone number at 6 for the customer service facility of the Utility.
  • the consumer notes the meter reading from the display 2 and the meter service code 5 and telephones the Utility service facility by dialling the number indicated at 6.
  • the consumer tells the service facility the service code and meter reading, and authorises the required payment by giving credit card details for example.
  • This information is processed by the Utility as required, and the service code and meter reading are used to generate an access code which is then communicated to the consumer.
  • the access code is a function of the service code (which serves here as ID data identifying the meter) and the meter reading, and the code is produced using an encoding algorithm which is confidential to the Utility.
  • the service facility is preferably a fully-automated control station comprising a programmed voice input/output system, of generally known type, for prompting the consumer with voice instructions to communicate the required data, and for detecting the consumers, responses. (These can be limited to simple strings of digits and selection of options for example) .
  • the communication system can be microprocessor controlled, and the code generator for generating access codes based on data supplied by the consumer can be implemented by the microprocessor as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the meter 1 of Figure 1.
  • the meter 1 includes the usual measurement circuitry 8 for metering the supply of gas G to the consumer.
  • the consumption data is communicated to a microprocessor-based meter controller 9-
  • the meter controller 9 drives the meter reading display 2 to display the current meter reading, and is responsive to the keypad ⁇ for input of access codes.
  • the meter may include a further display 10 for displaying further information.
  • the display 10 may be used to display the digits entered by the consumer via the keypad 4 to facilitate code entry and also instructions/messages relating to the code entry process.
  • the display 10 may also display status information, eg to indicate a fault condition or to indicate when further payment will be required to maintain the gas supply.
  • the meter 1 includes a valve (V) 11 which is connected in the gas supply line to the consumer.
  • the meter includes a timer & valve control circuit 12 which is also connected to the meter controller 9-
  • the timer transmits a signal to open the valve 11. (If the valve is already open when the timer is reset, the open condition is unaffected by this signal). Once reset, the timer 12 commences the timing operation.
  • the timer 12 After a preset time interval following reset, the timer 12 generates a further control signal to close the valve 11, thus disconnecting the gas supply to the consumer.
  • the time interval here may be set as desired by the Utility (and may be variable after installation as described further below) , but as an example the time interval might be set at three months.
  • gas consumption will be permitted for the three month period. If the timer is reset again during that period, the three month interval will begin again from the reset time.
  • the access code will be detected at step Sl by the meter controller 9 when input by the consumer via the keypad A.
  • the controller 9 then decodes the input access code by operating on the code with the reverse algorithm to that used during the code generation process.
  • the decoding process is indicated by step S2 in Figure 3-
  • the meter controller obtains the meter reading and service code which were given by the consumer to the Utility and used to generate the access code.
  • the meter controller 9 compares the ID data (here the service code) with that prestored in the meter controller.
  • the controller 9 then awaits input of a further access code. Assuming the ID is determined to be correct at step S3, the controller 9 then determines at step S5 whether the meter reading decoded from the input access code is within a predetermined tolerance, for example ⁇ 10 kWh, of the current meter reading of the meter 1. (The tolerance allowed here will of course depend on the particular consumer/Utility communication system employed, and may be varied as required for a given system) .
  • the access code is rejected as invalid and a suitable message may be displayed at step S4 as previously described. If the meter reading is determined to be correct at step S5. then the code is determined to be valid and the meter controller 9 resets the timer 12 at step S6. Thus, if the supply had previously been cut off by closure of the valve 11. the valve 11 will be opened to restore the supply. If the valve 11 was already open (because payment was made before expiry of the three month period) , then the valve 11 will remain open and the supply will be maintained for a further three month period.
  • a message may be displayed to the consumer at step S7 to acknowledge entry of the access code as confirmation to the consumer that the code has been accepted.
  • the meter 1 will only allow continued gas consumption if the access code confirms that the correct meter reading was supplied to the Utility. Accuracy of the meter reading is confirmed by comparison with the current meter reading, and the coding confirms that the meter reading has been processed by the Utility. If the consumer gives an incorrect reading, intentionally or otherwise, the meter will reject the access code and the supply will be disconnected.
  • the system of Figures 1 and 2 can also be used to initiate gas supply to a new customer who takes over at a premises where the supply has been cut-off. (Indeed, although the supply limitation imposed here by the timer circuit is clearly advantageous, this could be omitted if the code issuing process is to be used only for reconnection of a lapsed supply).
  • the customer notifies the Utility that he wishes to open an account and supplies the service code and meter reading as indicated in Figure 1. If the system is to be operated on a prepayment basis, then payment may also be made at this stage. The new customer details are logged by the Utility, and the subsequent operation is as already described.
  • the system could be fully automated at the Utility control station, though the customer's call could be routed to an operator if desired to obtain the new customer's details.
  • the timer & valve control circuit 12 is indicated separately of the meter controller 9 in Figure 2 for ease of explanation, the function of the circuit 12 may of course be implemented by the controller 9 itself.
  • the access code in this example is a function of the meter ID (service code) and meter reading, further data, which may or may not be supplied by the consumer when making payment, may be used to formulate the code.
  • the consumption period provided by the timer 12 may be selectable from a number of options, eg one month, three months, six months etc.
  • time periods set in the timer 12 may be variable under control of the meter controller 9-
  • the time period selected by the consumer may be included in the access code and identified by the meter controller 9 which then sets the operating period of the timer 12 accordingly.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of metering apparatus in which the quantity of gas supplied to the consumer can also be limited, and which can also implement an authenticated termination of service function.
  • a microprocessor-based meter controller 15 is again connected to the measurement circuitry 8, meter reading display 2, keypad k and display 10 as already described with reference to Figure 2.
  • the meter controller 15 is connected directly to the valve 11 as well as to a supply limiter circuit 16.
  • the supply limiter circuit 16 is operable to close the valve 11 when either a preset time period has expired or a preset quantity of gas has been consumed.
  • the limiter circuit 16 includes means for monitoring the quantity of gas consumed since the last code to enable (or maintain) the supply was received by the meter controller 15-
  • the quantity monitoring can be performed in a number of ways, but could be implemented, for example, by a counter which is incremented via the meter controller 15 with each measurement pulse output by the measurement circuit 8.
  • the limiter circuit 16 outputs a control signal to close the valve 11.
  • the limiter circuit 16 On expiry of the time period preset in the timer, the limiter circuit 16 generates the control signal to close the valve.
  • the valve will be closed to disable the supply when either the preset period has expired, or a preset quantity of gas has been consumed, whichever occurs first. In this way, the supply will be cut off before expiry of the preset time period if consumption is particularly high.
  • the preset time and quantity limits can be set as desired for particular circumstances (and may be variable in operation as discussed further below) , but typical values might be 8 million seconds and 2000 kWh respectively.
  • the meter controller 15 is responsive to two (at least) different types of input code, namely a supply enable code and a supply disable code.
  • input codes issued to the consumer include instruction data identifying whether the code is an enable code or a disable code, and the meter controller 15 identifies the code type from the instruction data.
  • Supply enable codes are used to restore a disabled supply, or maintain the supply beyond a normal cut-off point.
  • Supply disable codes are used for authenticated m
  • a supply enable code is issued by the Utility to a consumer who wishes to restore a disabled supply or maintain a current supply beyond a normal cut-off point.
  • the code issuing process is therefore substantially as described with reference to Figure 1, except that the code generated by the Utility incorporates instruction data for the meter to identify the code as an enable code.
  • the code is input to the meter via the keypad 4 and detected by the meter controller 15 at step S10 in Figure 5-
  • the meter controller 15 decodes the input code at step Sll in accordance with the prestored algorithm.
  • the meter controller 15 obtains the meter reading and service code which were supplied by the consumer to the Utility and used to generate the code, together with the instruction data identifying the code type.
  • the meter controller identifies the code as an enable code from the instruction data and then, at step S13. checks whether the code is valid.
  • This step corresponds to steps S3 and S5 of Figure 3- and thus involves checking the ID data (here the service code) against the prestored code, and checking that the decoded meter reading is within the allowed tolerance of the current meter reading. If the code fails either of these tests, then the code is rejected as invalid and an appropriate message is displayed on the display 10 at step S15- Assuming that the service code is correct and the meter reading is within the allowed tolerance, the code is determined to be a valid enable code, and the meter controller then resets the supply limiter circuit 16 at step Sl4.
  • the code issued to the consumer includes instruction data identifying the code as a supply disable code, and the consumer is informed that he must report back the meter's response to input of the disable code as described further below.
  • the disable code When the disable code is input to the meter lk , the code is detected and decoded by the meter controller 15 at steps S10 and Sll in Figure 5. and identified as a disable code from the instruction data in step Sl6. (If at step S16 the code is not confirmed as a disable code, which could occur, for example, if a code was incorrectly entered by the consumer, then a suitable message is displayed on the display 10 at step S15)- After identifying the disable code at step Sl6, at step
  • the meter controller determines whether the disable code is valid by checking the service code against the prestored service code and checking whether the decoded meter reading is within the predetermined tolerance. (If desired, the tolerance allowed here for termination of service might be less than that allowed at step S13 when enabling the service to ensure that the customer's account is fully up-to-date). If either the service code or decoded meter reading do not satisfy the necessary condition, the code is rejected as invalid and a suitable message is displayed on the display 10 at step S15. If the disable code is validated at step S17. then the meter controller 15 generates a control signal to close the valve 11 at step
  • the meter generates a response code which is then displayed to the consumer on the display 10 at step S15-
  • the response code in this embodiment is generated from the service code and meter reading which were decoded from the input disable code, and is generated using a prestored algorithm which is confidential to the Utility. Other data may of course be used to generate the response code, but the code is preferably specific to the particular meter 14 at that particular time, and formulated using data already known to the Utility. This is conveniently achieved by using the ID data and meter reading decoded from the input code.
  • the consumer To terminate responsibility for consumption at the metering point, the consumer must report the response code displayed at step S15 back to the Utility. The Utility can then confirm that the response code is correct, by comparison with the expected response code for example.
  • a correct response code confirms that the meter has disabled the supply and that the meter reading given by the customer was correct.
  • the customer's account can then be closed. If the Utility does not receive the expected response code, then the account is not closed and the customer remains responsible for consumption at that metering point.
  • the interaction with the consumer may be automated at the Utility side by limiting the communications to selection of options and voice instructions to which the consumer replies with short strings of letters/numbers etc.
  • the consumer may be connected to an operator who notes the consumer's telephone number and then calls back a few minutes later to obtain the response code.
  • the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 may be modified in a number of ways.
  • the timer or quantity counter may be omitted from the supply limiter circuit 16 so that supply is limited to a preset quantity of gas or a preset time period only.
  • the functions of the supply limiter circuit 16 may of course be implemented by the meter controller 15.
  • the various modifications to the system of Figure 2 described above may also be applied to the meter 14, and in particular the preset time period and/or preset quantity in the limiter circuit 16 may be variable at the Utility's discretion and/or at the customer's selection.
  • the code issuing process could be used for authenticated termination of service only in which case the supply limiter circuit could be omitted, though clearly some form of supply limitation is preferable.
  • the meter controller 15 may be adapted to display diagnostic or status information on the display 10, for example as a code indicating the nature of a fault in the system.
  • the consumer can then report the code to the Utility which can determine the nature of the fault from the code and take the appropriate action.
  • such action might be to issue the consumer with an appropriate "retrieval code" which can be input to the meter controller via the keypad 4 to reset system parameters and restore normal operation.
  • Code input and display might also be used for diagnostic and test purposes by system engineers. It will of course be appreciated that many other variations and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un compteur (1) qui comprend une unité (8) destinée à mesurer la fourniture d'un service à un consommateur, un indicateur (2) destiné à indiquer l'affichage du compteur et une unité de robinet (11) permettant de déclencher ou d'arrêter la fourniture du service. Le compteur (1) comprend une unité d'entrée (4) permettant au consommateur d'entrer un code comprenant un affichage de compteur codé, et une commande (9) destinée à décoder l'affichage du compteur à partir d'un code d'entrée. La commande (9) fait fonctionner l'unité de robinet (11) si l'affichage du compteur décodé est compris dans un écart de tolérance prédéterminé de l'affichage du compteur à un moment donné. Par exemple, le redéclenchement, l'arrêt ou le maintien de la fourniture du service peuvent ne fonctionner que si l'affichage du compteur décodé se trouve dans ledit écart de tolérance prédéterminé.
PCT/GB1997/000845 1996-04-12 1997-03-26 Systemes de compteurs WO1997039430A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE69705940T DE69705940T2 (de) 1996-04-12 1997-03-26 Mess-System mit einem Ventil, das durch einen Eingabecode gesteuert wird
EP97914444A EP0892967B1 (fr) 1996-04-12 1997-03-26 Système de comptage comportant une soupape commandée par un code introduit
AT97914444T ATE203843T1 (de) 1996-04-12 1997-03-26 Mess-system mit einem ventil, das durch einen eingabecode gesteuert wird

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9607639.3 1996-04-12
GBGB9607639.3A GB9607639D0 (en) 1996-04-12 1996-04-12 Metering systems
GB9612361.7 1996-06-13
GB9612361A GB2312069B (en) 1996-04-12 1996-06-13 Metering systems

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997039430A1 true WO1997039430A1 (fr) 1997-10-23

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1997/000845 WO1997039430A1 (fr) 1996-04-12 1997-03-26 Systemes de compteurs

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0892967B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE203843T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69705940T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997039430A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000058922A1 (fr) * 1999-03-26 2000-10-05 Merlin Gerin S.A. (Proprietary) Limited Achat de services utilitaires par prepaiement
EP1079343A2 (fr) * 1999-08-27 2001-02-28 Deutsche Zählergesellschaft Nachf. A. Stepper & Co. mbH Système de distribution pour la délivrance d'un fluide utilitaire, tel que de l'électricité, du chauffage, du gaz ou de l'eau, à des utilisateurs et méthode pour son exploitation
WO2001039145A1 (fr) * 1999-11-19 2001-05-31 Siemens Metering Limited Infrastructure de facturation de services
WO2002080119A1 (fr) * 2001-03-13 2002-10-10 Merlin Gerin S.A. (Proprietary) Limited Generation de jetons d'achat
GB2397929A (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-08-04 Horstmann Controls Ltd Meter

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DE10305294A1 (de) * 2003-02-09 2004-08-26 Deutsche Telekom Ag Verfahren und System zur Zählerstandserfassung

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EP0219577A1 (fr) * 1985-10-25 1987-04-29 Meterfabriek Schlumberger B.V. Appareil pour contrôler la distribution de services
GB2208955A (en) * 1987-08-19 1989-04-19 Gen Electric Plc Prepayment systems for supply of a commodity
EP0420466A1 (fr) * 1989-09-27 1991-04-03 Meter Patent Development (Proprietary) Limited Système distributeur à crédit
EP0513847A2 (fr) * 1986-06-16 1992-11-19 Schlumberger Industries Limited Système de distribution de services
WO1993022743A1 (fr) * 1992-05-07 1993-11-11 Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited Codage de cartes pouvant etre lues par une machine et systemes proteges
DE29515869U1 (de) * 1995-10-08 1995-12-21 Bauer Franz Hans Peter Vorrichtung zur gesteuerten bargeldlosen Abgabe von elektrischer Energie, Gas, Wasser oder ähnlichen Medien

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0219577A1 (fr) * 1985-10-25 1987-04-29 Meterfabriek Schlumberger B.V. Appareil pour contrôler la distribution de services
EP0513847A2 (fr) * 1986-06-16 1992-11-19 Schlumberger Industries Limited Système de distribution de services
GB2208955A (en) * 1987-08-19 1989-04-19 Gen Electric Plc Prepayment systems for supply of a commodity
EP0420466A1 (fr) * 1989-09-27 1991-04-03 Meter Patent Development (Proprietary) Limited Système distributeur à crédit
WO1993022743A1 (fr) * 1992-05-07 1993-11-11 Ampy Automation - Digilog Limited Codage de cartes pouvant etre lues par une machine et systemes proteges
DE29515869U1 (de) * 1995-10-08 1995-12-21 Bauer Franz Hans Peter Vorrichtung zur gesteuerten bargeldlosen Abgabe von elektrischer Energie, Gas, Wasser oder ähnlichen Medien

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000058922A1 (fr) * 1999-03-26 2000-10-05 Merlin Gerin S.A. (Proprietary) Limited Achat de services utilitaires par prepaiement
EP1079343A2 (fr) * 1999-08-27 2001-02-28 Deutsche Zählergesellschaft Nachf. A. Stepper & Co. mbH Système de distribution pour la délivrance d'un fluide utilitaire, tel que de l'électricité, du chauffage, du gaz ou de l'eau, à des utilisateurs et méthode pour son exploitation
EP1079343A3 (fr) * 1999-08-27 2004-03-17 Martin Dr.-Ing. Wisy Système de distribution pour la délivrance d'un fluide utilitaire, tel que de l'électricité, du chauffage, du gaz ou de l'eau, à des utilisateurs et méthode pour son exploitation
WO2001039145A1 (fr) * 1999-11-19 2001-05-31 Siemens Metering Limited Infrastructure de facturation de services
AU757350B2 (en) * 1999-11-19 2003-02-20 Siemens Plc Utility billing infrastructure
WO2002080119A1 (fr) * 2001-03-13 2002-10-10 Merlin Gerin S.A. (Proprietary) Limited Generation de jetons d'achat
GB2397929A (en) * 2003-01-30 2004-08-04 Horstmann Controls Ltd Meter

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EP0892967B1 (fr) 2001-08-01
DE69705940D1 (de) 2001-09-06
ATE203843T1 (de) 2001-08-15
EP0892967A1 (fr) 1999-01-27
DE69705940T2 (de) 2002-04-04

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