AU2014101358A4 - A metering and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

A computerized metering and monitoring system and its method of use to 5 record and transmit signals received from sensors connected to metering devices comprising one or more signal data processor modules adapted to receive and transmit pulsed signal information to a central computer via a network communication protocol; interactive software for programming the data processor modules, viewing recorded signal information and linking the modules 10 to specific customers; the data processor modules and central computer processing the signal information wherein the signal information over time from each meter can be compiled for maintenance, billing or any other purpose associated with usage of equipment or apparatus connected to the meters. H or~FIG. I

Description

A METERING AND MONITORING SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The invention relates to a metering and monitoring system, in particular but not exclusively, to a computerized system to transmit and log pulsed signals of electricity and/or water meters associated with individual berths in a marina facility or trailer sites in a caravan park. This can be primarily for billing, maintenance, security, safety or any other purpose. 10 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The metering and monitoring of water and electricity consumption at facilities such as berths in a marina facility or trailer sites in a caravan park is a time consuming, labor intensive and thus, costly exercise. The operators of such 15 facilities have to manually record electricity and water meter readings in order to invoice each tenant accordingly. This can involve short stays such as in trailer parks or longer term tenancies such as in the case of vessels berthed at a marina. In both situations, individual readings have to be taken from multiple meters often scattered over the entire facility. This is a laborious process which 20 is also prone to inaccuracies as a result of human error. In addition, if the operator has to employ meter readers, it adds to the overall costs associated with running of the facility which is inevitably passed on to the occupiers. There is therefore a need for an automatic or at least partially automated system to address the costs, disadvantages and limitations of the prior art. 25 It is therefore a specific object of the invention to provide a computerized metering and monitoring system to transmit signals of meters and which records usage over a period of time or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention resides in a computerized metering and monitoring system to record and transmit signals received from sensors connected to metering devices comprising: 5 one or more pulsed signal data processor modules adapted to receive and transmit pulsed signal information from one or more metering devices or meters; the data processor modules further adapted to record in a database, the signal information, and to transmit the same to a central computer via a 10 network communication protocol; interactive software to coordinate and control the system; the software including a meter manager for programming the data processor modules, viewing recorded signal information and linking the modules to specific customers; 15 a meter server to communicate with the one or more metering devices, reading the metering devices or meters and saving the readings to the database, and a database server; the data processor modules and central computer each processing the 20 signal information wherein a visual or printed report can be provided of the signal information over time from each meter and wherein a log of events can be compiled for maintenance, billing or any other purpose associated with usage of equipment or apparatus connected to the 25 meters. Preferably, the signal information includes signals from pulsed output meters with sensors to record billable usage over a designated period of time, utilities such as electricity and/or water consumption, typically of individual berths in a 30 marina facility or trailer sites in a caravan park. 2 Preferably, the network communication protocol is a wireless and/or web based protocol and accessed through the interactive software. 5 In the alternative, or in addition, the system can take the form of or include a smart device application or app implemented system operated on a smart tablet, smart phone or any other specially adapted smart device. 10 Preferably, there can be an alarm that is triggered by the data processor and/or central computer alerted to an operator if the signal information when compared to previous recorded usage is unusual or exceeds pre-determined set limits. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 In order that the invention be understood, reference is made to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 shows a preferred metering and monitoring system according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a network layout for a pier or marina application. 20 FIG. 3 shows the office network communicating with the layout of Figure 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIG. 1 the preferred computerized metering and monitoring system includes one or more pulsed signal data processor modules 10 having TCP/IP 25 board circuitry, RS232 and RS485 microprocessor 12, USB 14 as well as, without limitation, Wi-Fi network communication components. The pulsed signal data processor inputs shown as an array of screw terminals 16, 18 can receive signals from pulsed output meters of any kind with a kl/kWh per pulse value. Impulse processing per kl/kWh can be customized through software associated 30 with the data processors which can also be programmed to trigger outputs on 3 each data processor unit as well as other units connected to the network. The system preferably includes four outputs of array 20 for controlling relays, solenoids, pumps or other devices which can be mapped directly to software commands or inputs and which can be controlled by inputs on other data 5 processor units. There are preferably eight inputs of arrays 16, 18 for monitoring a range of devices; berth status sensors, emergency buttons, reed switches and other pulsed signal sensors. The individual signal information being reported directly 10 back to the software. The software includes full reporting features with customizable reports depending on the application of the system. These will include instantaneous power and water consumption values; Amps, liters per minute. It will also allow 15 the assigning of customers and/or machinery to meters to generate billing and usage reports. The software will also enable reporting of berth status for marine application, email on security alerts, intrusion alarms, emergency buttons. It will also facilitate multiple work stations across multiple networks and in real time. 20 Figure 2 shows a network layout for a pier or marina application represented by a pair of pulsed signal data processor modules 22, 24 linked to via network connectors 26, 28 to outdoor wireless router 30. Each wireless access point 30 and each data processor module 22, 24 or as many as is required on the system 25 will be assigned its own unique static IP address, accessible from the office network described in Fig. 3. Figure 3 shows wireless access point 32 connected to the office network 34 which is connected to workstations 36, 38,40 and central computer/server 42. 30 The wireless access point 32 and the central c require their own unique static 4 address. These addresses must be accessible to the network range used by the data processor modules of Figure 2. Workstations 36, 38, 40 do not need a static IP address but must be on the same subnet as the server. The data processor modules' server and database reside on the central computer/server 5 workstation 42.Workstations access the server using TCP. It will of course be realized that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed 10 to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth. In the specification the terms "comprising" and "containing" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but 15 not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the terms "comprising" and "containing" such as "comprise", "comprises", "contain" and "contains". 20 25 30 5

Claims (5)

1. A computerized metering and monitoring system to record and transmit signals received from sensors connected to metering devices comprising: one or more pulsed signal data processor modules adapted to receive and 5 transmit pulsed signal information from one or more metering devices or meters; the data processor modules further adapted to record in a database, the signal information, and to transmit the same to a central computer via a network communication protocol; 10 interactive software to coordinate and control the system; the software including a meter manager for programming the data processor modules, viewing recorded signal information and linking the modules to specific customers; a meter server to communicate with the one or more metering devices, 15 reading the metering devices or meters and saving the readings to the database, and a database server; the data processor modules and central computer each processing the signal information wherein 20 a visual or printed report can be provided of the signal information over time from each meter and wherein a log of events can be compiled for maintenance, billing or any other purpose associated with usage of equipment or apparatus connected to the meters. 25

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal information includes signals from pulsed output meters with sensors to record billable usage over a designated period of time, utilities such as electricity and/or water consumption, typically of individual berths in a marina facility or trailer sites in a caravan park. 30 6

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the network communication protocol is a wireless and/or web based protocol and accessed through the interactive software. 5

4. The system of claim 1, in the form of a smart device application or app implemented system operated on a smart tablet, smart phone or any other specially adapted smart device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein an alarm is triggered byat the data 10 processor and/or central computer alerted to an operator if the signal information when compared to previous recorded usage is unusual or exceeds pre-determined set limits. 15 20 25 30 7