WO2000031854A2 - Systeme de distribution d'energie electrique - Google Patents

Systeme de distribution d'energie electrique Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000031854A2
WO2000031854A2 PCT/FI1999/000965 FI9900965W WO0031854A2 WO 2000031854 A2 WO2000031854 A2 WO 2000031854A2 FI 9900965 W FI9900965 W FI 9900965W WO 0031854 A2 WO0031854 A2 WO 0031854A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plug
electricity
user
subscriber station
distribution system
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI1999/000965
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2000031854A3 (fr
Inventor
Tero Ilén
Seppo Samila
Original Assignee
Payway Oy
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 FI980511U external-priority patent/FI3852U1/fi
Application filed by Payway Oy filed Critical Payway Oy
Priority to AU15621/00A priority Critical patent/AU1562100A/en
Publication of WO2000031854A2 publication Critical patent/WO2000031854A2/fr
Publication of WO2000031854A3 publication Critical patent/WO2000031854A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • H04M11/007—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with remote control systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an electricity distribution system comprising: plugs connected to an electrical network, switching means for switching on and off, respectively, electricity input of single plugs, and at least one plug whose switching means are responsive to signals transmitted from a subscriber station of a telephone network in order to switch on electricity input of said plug.
  • the invention relates particularly to controlling electricity input of electrical plugs arranged in connection with parking areas. It is to be noted, however, that the electricity distribution system in accordance with the inven- tion can also be used in other connections, although the invention will be described in the following by way of example with reference to plugs arranged primarily in connection with parking areas.
  • a drawback of the above-mentioned solutions is that they require a separate agreement on the use of the electrical plug. Consequently, it is extremely difficult to use a plug only on an occasional basis since it requires that the user should pay the supervisor of the use of the plugs for a key or, alternatively, in order to unlock the lock of the electricity pillar to enable access thereto, the supervisor has to be on the spot.
  • Another drawback of the known solutions is that the user of the plug has to decide in advance when he or she wants to use electricity obtained from the plug. In practice, this is carried out such that the user sets the clock switch in connection with the plug such that electricity is switched on to the plug at a moment chosen by the user.
  • An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an elect ⁇ city distribution system which is more user- friendly than the known solutions, particularly in connection with occasional use. These objects are achieved by an electricity distribution system in accor- dance with the invention, characterized in that the system comprises means for identifying a user of the subscriber station of said telephone network on the basis of the signals transmitted from the subscriber station, and charging means for charging the identified user of the subscriber station a determined charge for switching on electricity input of said plug.
  • the invention is based on the idea that the user-friendliness of an electricity distribution system is significantly improved when users are enabled to control the switching means of a plug through a subscriber station in a telephone network. Consequently, it is not necessary to decide when electricity is switched on to the plug on the physical location of the plug but the user can control the switching means remote-controllably through a mobile phone or telephones of a fixed telephone network, for example, such that electricity input is switched on at a desired moment. Electricity input can be switched on immediately or, alternatively, the user can enter the moment at which the electricity input should be switched on through the telephone.
  • electricity input can be switched off after a predetermined period of time or, alternatively, at a moment determined by the user through his or her telephone, in other words in connection with making a second call or, alternatively, in connection with a moment entered during the first call made by the user (in order to define the moment at which electricity input is to be switched on).
  • the plug can also be equipped with a detector switching off the electricity input when the detector detects that no electric wire is connected to the plug any longer or the plug is no longer charged (i.e. electricity is no longer used).
  • a user can be identified through an identifier of the telephone used, such as A identity (i.e. the telephone number of the telephone used), for example.
  • the system is capable of identifying a telephone from which a call originates, and, subsequently, the system adds the charge determined for the use of the plug to the telephone bill of the telephone used or, alternatively, the charge is taken from an account in the account register corresponding to the identified telephone.
  • a user can be identified on the basis of a user name (and a password) entered by the user through a telephone, in which case the above-mentioned charge is taken from an account in the ac- count register corresponding to the entered user name.
  • the electricity distribution system of the invention can be utilized for example in connection with parking spaces, rest areas along highways (for transport lorries, for example), visitor berths in marinas, winter storage of boats, camping sites, skiing centres and service stations.
  • the system comprises a service centre having a data transmission connection to the telephone network, whereby said signals transmitted from the subscriber station in the telephone network for switching on electricity of the plug are transmitted to the switching means via the service centre.
  • the 'intelligence' necessary in the system for example memories, timers and means for transmitting speech messages to the users of the system, can be centralised to the service centre.
  • the service centre can be connected to the switching means of the plugs by data transmission connections known per se such that the service centre controls the switching means in order to switch on electricity input to a plug selected by a certain user at a moment determined by the user.
  • a further advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that since each plug does not necessarily need a unique telephone number, the number of necessary telephone numbers of the system can be minimised. In practice, this embodiment even enables the system to be im- plemented by means of only one telephone number. Calls made to that number are connected to the service centre, from which the callers are requested by speech messages to enter the identifier of the plug to which they want electricity to be switched on.
  • the plugs (or electricity pillars) can be equipped with a Iockable cover whose locking the user can unlock by means of a telephone.
  • the same call or short message (or, alterna- tively, a separate call or short message) by which the moment of the switch- ing-on of electricity is programmed can be used for unlocking a solenoid lock of the plug cover.
  • the cover is relocked. Hence, no outsider can disconnect the electric wire from the plug.
  • the user of the plug can himself or herself unlock the lock of the plug cover by making another call, for example by the same call or short message by which the electricity input is switched off.
  • the system is preferably programmed such that unlocking the plug cover requires that the system should identify the user as the same who has originally programmed electricity input of the plug to be switched on through the telephone or who has earlier unlocked the plug cover through the telephone (in connection with connecting the electrical wire).
  • identification can be based on, for example, identifying the identity of the telephone used or, alternatively, identifying the user identifier entered by the user.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of an electricity distribution system in accordance with the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the electricity distribution system in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of an electricity distribution system in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 1 shows two electricity centres 1 and 2 connected to an electrical network 13, four plugs 3 to 10 being connected to the two electricity centres.
  • An elect ⁇ city centre 1 and its plugs 3 to 6 can be located, for example, in connection with a parking area at an airport such that one plug is arranged in connection with each parking space.
  • An electricity centre 2 can be located, for example, in connection with a marina such that there is one plug in connection with each berth.
  • the electricity centres 1 and 2 are equipped with switching means 11 and 12 by means of which electricity input of single plugs can be switched on and off, respectively.
  • switching-on and switching-off are carried out controlled by signals transmitted from a public switched telephone network PSTN.
  • the switching means can be located in connection with the single plugs 3 to 10.
  • the switching means can be connected to a service centre belonging to the telephone network, the service centre being responsible for controlling the plugs in the elec- tricity distribution system.
  • the switching means can also be controlled wire- lessly, for example such that in connection with the plug, there are arranged at least a paging receiver of a paging system, control electronics and a control relay by means of which electricity input of a single plug is switched on and off.
  • the switching means 11 and 12 can further comprise a GSM mo- dem via which the control thereof has been implemented.
  • the electricity centres 1 and 2 further comprise a main switch and fuses.
  • One electricity centre can control eight plugs, for example.
  • the plug 3 may be pro- vided with a telephone number and an identifier, in which case the user should transmit a short message containing the identifier to the telephone number in order to switch on electricity input.
  • the user can call the number of the plug 3 on his or her mobile telephone MS or on a telephone 14 of a fixed telephone network just before the take-off of his or her return flight and thus cause the electricity input to be switched on. Cost of electricity can be charged in connection with a telephone bill of the telephone used.
  • Electricity input can be switched on immediately or, alternatively, the user can, by the keypad in his or her telephone, enter when, i.e. a moment at which, the electricity input should be switched on.
  • the electricity centres or the service centre located in the telephone network
  • the electricity centres 1 and 2 comprise a clock and memory in which the moment entered by the user is stored.
  • the switching means 1 1 and 12 thus switch on electricity input at the moment stored in the memory of the plug. Electricity input can be switched off by another call, whereby the electricity input is immediately switched off or at a moment entered through the telephone.
  • electricity input can be switched on to the plug 3 for example for two hours after it has been switched on, after which the electricity input is switched off.
  • the plug comprises a detector detecting when the user disconnects the cable from the plug, or when the plug is no longer charged (electricity is no longer used), whereby the switching means switch off electricity input.
  • a service number is opened for the electricity input system, a first part of the number, for example 0600, being common to the whole country.
  • Each service provider is given a unique subnumber, 20 for the operator of the electricity centre 1 and 30 for the operator of the electricity centre 2, for exam- pie.
  • each plug of a specific service provider is provided with a unique subnumber, for example 3 to 6.
  • a call from the telephone 14 to number 0600 20 3 switches on electricity to the plug 3 of Figure 1.
  • the number combination is indicated on the electricity pillar in which the plug 3 is located.
  • the call may cost FIM 15, for example, which sum is added to a tele- phone bill of the telephone 14.
  • electricity can be switched on to the plug 3 for two hours, for example.
  • FIM 5 can be charged for the consumption of electricity until the user makes another call to the same number, whereby the electricity input is switched off.
  • the system can comprise only one opened service number 0600 20, for example, and by calling this number the call is connected to a specific service centre. After the call is connected, the service centre transmits, for example, the following speech message to the user: "Enter the plug number". When the user then enters the number provided on the plug, for example 3, the user causes electricity to be switched on to said plug. In such a manner, the number of telephone numbers necessary in the system can be minimised.
  • a call to the above-mentioned number 0600 20 3 connects the call to a control centre which transmits to the user a voice message saying "Enter the date and time when electricity input is switched on. Then enter #".
  • the user subsequently enters 29101730#, for example, electricity is switched on to the plug 3 on 29 October at 5.30 pm.
  • the user calls number 0600 20 3, he or she hears a message "Select one-time use by entering 1 or repeated use by entering 2". If the user then selects the latter alternative (i.e. pushes button 2), he or she is requested to enter the time.
  • electricity input is switched on daily (every weekday, for example) at the time entered by the user.
  • This embodiment can be utilised in programming electricity pillars in connection with parking spaces of a housing association, for example. The use can be charged either in a telephone bill or a maintenance charge.
  • the user transmits (by his or her GSM mobile station MS, for example) a short message saying "Plug 3, 29101730, 29101830" to number 0600 20 in connection with the plug 3, electricity input is switched on on 29 October at 5.30 pm and switched off at 6.30 pm. If the user later wants to change the time, he or she can transmit another short message including information to replace the information in the earlier short message.
  • the user can have a special account in a register of an energy company or other service provider, whereby the charge to be charged for the use of electricity is taken via said account.
  • the account can be a general- purpose account via which the user can pay parking fees and road tolls, for example. For this purpose, the user is provided with a user identifier and a password.
  • a call to number 0600 20 3 thus connects the user to the service centre from which he or she is given a voice message saying "Enter user identifier and password".
  • the user has entered the information, he or she is requested to enter the date and time as described in connection with item 2.
  • the use of electricity is then charged to the user's account, which means that the user can make the call on any telephone, for example on a pay phone arranged in the vicinity of the parking area.
  • a user of an electric car for example, can utilise a plug arranged in connection with the parking area in charging the batteries of the electric car and pay the charge for the use of electricity from his or her own account by calling the system service centre by means of any telephone.
  • FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of the electricity distribution system in accordance with the invention.
  • the embodiment of Figure 2 is almost similar to the case of Figure 1.
  • the embodiment of Figure 2 deviates from the case of Figure 1 in that a special service centre 15 connected to a telephone network PSTN is arranged in the system of Figure 2.
  • the service centre controls switching means 11' and 12' located in the electricity centre in order to switch on and off, respectively, electricity input to plugs 3' to 10'.
  • a plug can also comprise switching means of its own, enclosed, for example, with the plug on the electricity pillar. In such a case, the service centre directly controls the switch- ing means in the electricity pillar.
  • a telecommunication connection 16 between the service centre 15 and the switching means 11' and 12' can be any known wired or wireless telecommunication connection by means of which the service centre can transmit control signals to the switching means 11' and 12'.
  • calls and short messages are transmitted from the subscriber stations 14 and MS of the telephone network to the service centre 15.
  • the service centre comprises necessary memories, timers and control means for transmitting control messages to the switching means at a moment desired by the users of the subscriber stations 14 and MS.
  • the control signals of single plugs transmitted from the subscriber stations of the telephone network to the switching means travel via the service centre 15.
  • the service centre 15 provides the advantage that the number of necessary telephone numbers can be reduced. In other words, even one telephone number reserved for the use suffices to implement the system. Calls made to that number are connected to the service centre 15. Next, using speech messages, the service centre requests the user of the telephone MS or 14 to enter the number of the electrical plug to which he or she wants electricity to be switched on. Similarly, the user enters the moment at which electricity input is to be switched on and other necessary information that has been described in connection with the embodiment of Figure 1.
  • the service centre 15 comprises identification means enabling a user of the system to be identified. Identification can be based on identifying the subscriber station used for switching on electricity input. In such a case, the service centre receives from the telephone network the identifier of the subscriber station, such as A identity of the mobile station MS, i.e. the telephone number of the mobile station used. Next, the service centre adds the charge determined for switching on electricity input to the telephone bill of the mobile station used by a message transmitted to a billing database 18.
  • the service centre of Figure 2 is further connected to a specific ac- count register 17 wherein accounts of the users belonging to the system are maintained. Consequently, the charge determined for the electricity input can also be charged via the user's account in the account register 17 such that the correct account is identified on the basis of the identifier of the telephone used, after which the charge is taken from an account in the account register 17 corresponding to the identifier.
  • a bill for the charges registered in the account register can be sent to the user once a month, for example.
  • the service centre 15 of the figure further comprises means for identifying a user on the basis of the user identifier (and password) entered by the user through the telephone.
  • the user of the system can switch on electricity input of a given plug through any telephone, in which case the user enters his or her user identifier to the system by using DTMF signalling, for example.
  • the service centre then takes a determined charge for the use of the plug from the account in the account register 17 indi- cated by the user identifier.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un système de distribution d'énergie électrique comprenant des prises de courant (3 à 10; 3' à 10') reliées à un réseau électrique (13) et à un système de commutation11, 12; 11', 12') qui permet d'activer et de désactiver, respectivement, l'alimentation des prises individuelles. Pour assurer la convivialité du système, il existe au moins une prise (3) dont le système de commutation (11) réagit aux signaux transmis par une station d'abonné (station mobile, 14) de réseau téléphonique, afin d'activer l'alimentation dans cette prise (3).
PCT/FI1999/000965 1998-11-24 1999-11-23 Systeme de distribution d'energie electrique WO2000031854A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU15621/00A AU1562100A (en) 1998-11-24 1999-11-23 Electricity distribution system

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FIU980511 1998-11-24
FI980511U FI3852U1 (fi) 1998-11-24 1998-11-24 Sähkönjakelujärjestelmä
FIU990072 1999-02-12
FI990072U FI3994U1 (fi) 1998-11-24 1999-02-12 Sähkönjakelujärjestelmä

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000031854A2 true WO2000031854A2 (fr) 2000-06-02
WO2000031854A3 WO2000031854A3 (fr) 2000-08-17

Family

ID=26160556

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/FI1999/000965 WO2000031854A2 (fr) 1998-11-24 1999-11-23 Systeme de distribution d'energie electrique

Country Status (2)

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AU (1) AU1562100A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000031854A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004030060A1 (de) * 2004-06-22 2006-01-12 Züger, Emanuel SMS-Steckdose

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993020539A1 (fr) * 1992-03-31 1993-10-14 Tommy Jonsson Systeme de parcage
WO1994013092A1 (fr) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-09 Aumec Systems Oy Procede et appareil de transmission d'informations sans fil
US5386461A (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-01-31 Gedney; Richard R. Telephone operated heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning
WO1995033328A1 (fr) * 1994-05-31 1995-12-07 Edström Komponent Ab Dispositif et procede de radiotelecommande d'un moyen de commutation
WO1997019568A1 (fr) * 1996-04-19 1997-05-29 Behruz Vazvan Systeme de parcage mobile, sans fil
WO1998004080A1 (fr) * 1996-07-21 1998-01-29 Shlomo Zeitman Systeme de gestion du stationnement

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1993020539A1 (fr) * 1992-03-31 1993-10-14 Tommy Jonsson Systeme de parcage
WO1994013092A1 (fr) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-09 Aumec Systems Oy Procede et appareil de transmission d'informations sans fil
US5386461A (en) * 1993-11-08 1995-01-31 Gedney; Richard R. Telephone operated heating, ventilating and/or air conditioning
WO1995033328A1 (fr) * 1994-05-31 1995-12-07 Edström Komponent Ab Dispositif et procede de radiotelecommande d'un moyen de commutation
WO1997019568A1 (fr) * 1996-04-19 1997-05-29 Behruz Vazvan Systeme de parcage mobile, sans fil
WO1998004080A1 (fr) * 1996-07-21 1998-01-29 Shlomo Zeitman Systeme de gestion du stationnement

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004030060A1 (de) * 2004-06-22 2006-01-12 Züger, Emanuel SMS-Steckdose

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000031854A3 (fr) 2000-08-17
AU1562100A (en) 2000-06-13

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