EP0660121B1 - Arrangement of dependent utility meters - Google Patents
Arrangement of dependent utility meters Download PDFInfo
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- EP0660121B1 EP0660121B1 EP94402776A EP94402776A EP0660121B1 EP 0660121 B1 EP0660121 B1 EP 0660121B1 EP 94402776 A EP94402776 A EP 94402776A EP 94402776 A EP94402776 A EP 94402776A EP 0660121 B1 EP0660121 B1 EP 0660121B1
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- meter
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- counter
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- 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
- G07F15/003—Coin-freed apparatus with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas or electricity for electricity
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a counter system dependent, in particular a system which links several electricity meters.
- a customer wishes to have several points of energy delivery, a first point in your apartment and a second point, for example, in his cellar for use freezers, alarms, benefits for vehicles etc. If this second point does not belong to local network of the building or if it is too far away it is necessary find ways to measure the electricity consumed in this point.
- the use of a second counter located in the winery creates billing issues at the electricity distributor since there will be two subscriptions (one for each meter) for the same customer at the same address. Also, it will be necessary to read each counter.
- GB Patent 2,183,852 describes a counting system in which all counters in one house, that is to say water, gas and electricity meters communicate by dedicated cables and in which the data on the gas and water consumption are kept by the meter electricity. This system is essentially capable of being used in a single geographic location.
- the present invention provides a counter system dependents having at least one main counter capable of measure the energy consumed at a first site and provided an interface to read and / or write data on a electronic transaction card with memory, at least one secondary meter capable of measuring the energy consumed at another site with an interface for reading and / or writing data on an electronic transaction card to memory, means of communication comprising a electronic transaction card with memory for transfer data representing the consumption of energy at the site of the secondary meter between the meter main and secondary meter or vice versa and memory means for memorizing each transfer of data which is implemented by means of communication, the memory means being located in the main counter so that a value representing the energy consumption at the site of the secondary meter either held by the main counter.
- the present invention facilitates energy management by the distributor since all information regarding energy consumption to all sites is held by the main counter and that only the main meter is read, for example for example, by telecommunication or by visual reading of a index or several index showing the energy consumed. Also, at the management level, there is only one subscription for each customer, who receives only one single bill for total energy consumption.
- the value representing energy consumption by a meter secondary can be accumulated with consumption of energy at the first site by the main meter, a value representing the total energy consumption being held by the main counter and read during the reading of the main counter.
- the value representing the energy consumption at the site of secondary meter and measurement of energy consumed at the first site can be held and read separately, the total energy accumulation being made at the level of distributor.
- the invention also applies to a system having a secondary counter and several main counters, that is, where a secondary counter is shared between two consumers. Again, the present invention avoids the use of a secondary meter reading.
- electronic memory transaction card covers memory cards of any type or shape capable of transfer data including smart cards, magnetic cards, electronic keys including a chip, etc.
- Using a memory card to connect the meters simplifies data transfer between meters and avoids problems related to the installation of wires or dedicated cables.
- This embodiment is particularly practical for existing buildings which include several apartments, cellars or parking lots related to the apartments being grouped together different common geographic location, for example, at the base of the building, since the installation of the cables would be complicated and expensive.
- this allows a dynamic reallocation of secondary meters (cellars or parking lots bought, exchanged or sold) without modification infrastructure.
- US Patent 4,240,030 describes an electricity meter to prepayment of a known type and in which there is a interface to read magnetic cards to receive credit data. The meter works independently other counters.
- Document EP 0 534 803 describes a prepayment meter including an interface for reading a key and receiving data credit. The meter does not communicate data from consumption at other meters, we do not receive such data from other counters.
- the means of communication transfer credit data representing an advance on energy consumption from the main meter to the secondary meter, the power supply to the site of the secondary meter being controlled by the meter secondary depending on the transferred credit data.
- the secondary counter can include a cut-off device to cut the power supply if the energy consumed exceeds ahead of consumption.
- This credit system has security advantages, since the energy consumption at the secondary meter site is permitted only when data representing the consumption are transferred and stored by the main counter.
- a credit system is in particular appropriate when the client is responsible for transfer energy consumption data at the second site, for example, when the data is exchanged by a memory card.
- the means communication transfer flow data representing the energy consumption measured by the secondary counter from the secondary counter to the main counter.
- the main counter can understand monitoring means to monitor the interval between each data transfer between the main counter and secondary counter or vice versa and to provide an alarm signal that can be read by the distributor if this interval exceeds a value predetermined.
- the main meter can understand a real time clock to measure time that has passed since the last data transfer. If the counter does not have a clock, the interval between transfers can be measured in terms of operating time of the counter. For example, the main meter can check if a data transfer has taken place after a number of rate changes.
- This embodiment also applies to systems credit or debit.
- a debit system if the customer does not regularly read the consumption measured by the secondary meter, the main meter will provide a alarm signal which can be read by the distributor during reading the main counter.
- the use of monitoring means allows the detection of fraud if the secondary counter is plumbed, that is to say where the transfer of credits is no longer necessary. In this case, the main counter can still provide a fraud flag which is read during a over.
- data representing consumption can be transferred from the counter secondary to the main counter, for example, data representing the general status of the meter secondary, the presence of fraud or other attributes of the energy consumed.
- this data will be sent from the secondary counter to the counter principal, while the data representing the energy consumption are sent from the meter main to the secondary meter.
- the present invention applies in particular to the case where the main counter and the secondary counter are counters of the same type, that is, they are capable of measure the same physical quantity (electricity, gas etc).
- the counters of the system are all electricity meters.
- the invention can be used with other types of meters, that is, meters for gas, water, heat, etc.
- main and secondary meters are able to receive change orders tariff, means of communication transferring data representing the energy consumption in each price range.
- the main and secondary must have the same tariff structure, that is to say, the same contract with the distributor.
- the secondary meter measures simply consumption during each slice tariff, this information being transferred to the meter main during data transfer.
- the client determines itself the credit that will be distributed to each tranche tariff.
- the main meter can determine how distribute the credits between each rate bracket, by example, by dividing a global amount entered by the client, based on an estimate of the duration of each tranche tariff or by distributing predetermined credits each time a transfer takes place.
- Data transferred between meters can represent a measure of energy consumption or, also, a sum of money or credit representing an amount of energy consumed by the meter secondary.
- the memory card used is dedicated to a single system, for example, by using a word of password which is compared with a password memorized by the main counter and / or the secondary counter, so that it does not work for other systems, to avoid mixing between systems.
- each counter in the system includes a absolute register which records the absolute consumption of energy measured at the meter site and which can be read directly to verify data transfer.
- the system includes a main counter 1 located in a site, such as a apartment, a secondary meter 2 located in another site, such as a cellar or garage, and means of communication between meters including a card electronic 3.
- Main meter and meter secondary measure the voltage and current taken from the network distribution in order to calculate electrical energy consumed at each site.
- the electronic card is used to transfer credit data between the counter main and secondary meter and to transfer data concerning the status of the secondary counter at main counter. Energy consumption for both locations and the status of the two counters are determined by a reading of the primary counter, for example, by telecommunication or by visual reading.
- Each counter has an associated conventional circuit breaker 4, 5 and the meter secondary also includes a circuit breaker 6, which is absent or made inactive on the main counter.
- FIG. 2 shows the structure of a secondary meter used in the system of Figure 1.
- the main meter has an identical structure, except for the circuit breaker 6.
- the main components of the meter are a metrological cell 7, of a conventional type, allowing to measure the active power, the energy consumed and the RMS voltage and current, a man / machine interface 8 comprising a keyboard and a display, an interface for 9, which communicates for example via a bus specific, by telephone network or other means 10 with the distributor, a tariff change 11 of a conventional type allowing to determine the current tariff period (for example using radio receiver, clock / calendar, carrier currents etc.), a read / write interface electronic card 12, a control cell for the power 13 which controls the circuit breaker 6, a microcontroller 14 and a pulse transmitter 15 of a conventional type that shows instant consumption of power measured by the meter.
- the micro-controller 14 includes a clock 18, an EEPROM memory 19 and a RAM memory 20.
- the communication means of this system include a memory card or electronic card 16, of the card type bank credit card with EEPROM 17 memory, data being read and written to memory by main and secondary meters.
- main counter 1 that is, consumption of quantities of energy (expressed in kWh) are transferred between the meter and the card, tranche tariff by tariff band, the credit thus acquired by the card being immediately passed on to specific indexes of the main meter, to be billed at the next reading of the main counter.
- main counter 1 consumption of quantities of energy (expressed in kWh) are transferred between the meter and the card, tranche tariff by tariff band, the credit thus acquired by the card being immediately passed on to specific indexes of the main meter, to be billed at the next reading of the main counter.
- the credit on the card is emptied into indexes specifics of the secondary meter (in part or in entirety).
- the secondary counter circuit breaker will remain closed as long as the index corresponding to the current tariff has a content greater than a predetermined value (which can be negative if debt is permitted) thus authorizing the energy consumption.
- the main counter concentrates the information coming from of the secondary meter and provides the distributor with a overall system status information similar to that provided by a conventional isolated meter (maximum current, number of frauds, overall status word, etc.). So, for the distributor, everything is transparent.
- All data transfer operations are carried out at using the man / machine interface 8 and the read / write cards 12.
- the customer can scroll through the different price bands supported by his contract. he then visualizes the credit carried by the card in each of these slices. If he wishes to make a credit transfer (from counter to card, or from card to counter, depending on the type of meter), it can program its amount in kWh and transfer.
- the main meter can automatically distribute credits calculated in advance in response to a single keystroke by the customer.
- the transfer is capped, that is to say, the card index cannot exceed a maximum which is a depending on the power subscribed to secondary.
- the customer can either saturate the card at this ceiling using just one key, or program the amount precisely, according to the operating mode chosen.
- the transfer is limited to the content of the card.
- the customer can either transfer using one touch or precisely program the amount.
- the distributor assigns a main meter and one or several secondary meters to his client with a card with memory.
- the memory card provided by the distributor contains the description of the system including the numbers standard assigned to the main and secondary meters. It is therefore system specific and cannot work with another.
- the card has no energy credits.
- the indexes absolute of the main and secondary counters are statements, if this was not done at the end of the contract previous, or in case of very first contract. These changes constitute a reference in the event of an incident or customer dispute during operation.
- the distributor collects the card. he reads the indexes of the main counter and of the secondary counter (s). Any credit that remains in the secondary counter is reset to zero and the balance (positive or negative) is reported on a global invoice for all counters. Any credit on the card is also deducted from the general bill.
- Figure 3 shows the block structure of the indexes data that are present in the EEPROM memories of main and secondary meters and electronic card.
- Each meter has an encrypted identification number 30, 31. This number is unique and there is therefore no other counter with the same number.
- the card knows the counter indications, these data being stored 32 on the EEPROM memory of the card. Before any transaction, the agreement between the identifications of the card and the counter is checked. This concordance allows both authorize (or reject) the transaction and determine the type of transaction (a transfer between the main counter and the card, or between the card and the sub-meter).
- Each counter has six counting indexes 33, 34 which measure the consumption at the site of this meter in all possible price bands. These indexes have a resolution of 1 Wh; they go back to zero as soon as they exceed the value 999 999 999 Wh. These indexes are “absolute” because it is impossible to reset them; they therefore reflect the total consumption seen by each counter during its existence. They are "clean” because they do not reflect that the consumption of the meter considered.
- the main meter also has flow indexes absolute 35. They are impossible to reset, except in overflow. Their resolution is 1kWh and their maximum of 999 999 kWh.
- indexes reflect credit total transferred to card (all cards having existed since the meter was installed) per rate bracket, this credit in the sense of the card being a debit from the meter main.
- the main counter memorizes each transfer of credit to the secondary meter. This is the total of own indices and debit indices which will be invoiced to customer. These summations can be done either at the level of the counter during the reading, either at the terminal of over.
- the electronic card also includes indexes of Vote 36 which contains the total credit transferred from the main counter to the card, minus the credit transferred on the secondary meter. Their resolution is 1kWh. They are capped in order to limit the risks in the event of loss, theft or destruction of the card and to force the customer to leave it serve regularly. In the operating mode using one touch the indexes will be filled until ceiling or completely emptied for each transfer. The indexes are always positive, that is, the card is not never carrying a debit.
- relative own indices 37 are provided. Any credit transfer from the card to the counter increases their values and decreases correspondingly the values of the credit indexes 36 of the card. Their resolution is 1Wh. As described above they can take negative values up to a debt ceiling. They are decremented in synchronism with the incrementation absolute own indexes 34, as the customer consumption.
- the relative index for the period current tariff i.e. the index which is decremented, controls the distribution circuit breaker 6 (via the control cell 13) as well as a warning signal debt (internal on the display or external, by example, using a buzzer, a lamp etc.).
- the organ of circuit breaker 6 can be controlled by the control cell 13 to limit power in case of low debt or to cut power in the event of high debt.
- Each counter also includes status indexes own 38, 39 which contain the data devoted to the monitoring of each meter to ensure proper operation of the devices and to detect fraud.
- the nature of the status indexes and their typical size are shown in more detail in Figure 5.
- the status of the secondary counter contained in the status index 39 is conveyed by the secondary status indexes 40 of the card electronic to the main meter, or it is held by status indexes 41 dedicated to the secondary counter. AT each reading, the statuses of the two counters are read and analyzes.
- the distributor's access to the status of the secondary meter is subject to transfer of information from secondary to main, that is to say the use that the customer makes of his card.
- the credit conveyed by the card being capped the client must regularly make transfers (by example once a month) if he wants to draw energy from secondary. But in case of fraud, for example if the secondary counter is unplugged and hacked, this transfer of credit is no longer required. Secondary status no longer communicated in the main, fraud would be undetectable. For overcoming this problem we use time measurement between two updates of the secondary status.
- the embodiment described above relates to a system where credits are transferred from the main counter to secondary counter. Another achievement is also possible, where debit data is transferred from secondary counter to the main counter, and where the indexes own relative of the secondary meter are increased in synchronism with the absolute own indexes, and are emptied by each data transfer etc.
- the system can include several counters secondary, the main counter having several indexes of absolute flow to store consumption data for secondary meters.
- the system can understand multiple master counters that share a secondary counter, or several counters main and several secondary counters.
- the system can also be used with other types meters, i.e. with gas, water, heat, etc.
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Abstract
Description
La présente invention concerne un système de compteurs dépendants, en particulier un système qui relie plusieurs compteurs d'électricité.The present invention relates to a counter system dependent, in particular a system which links several electricity meters.
Dans des immeubles disposant de caves ou de parkings il est fréquent qu'un client souhaite avoir plusieurs points de livraison d'énergie, un premier point dans son appartement et un deuxième point, par exemple, dans sa cave pour utiliser des congélateurs, des alarmes, des prestations pour véhicules etc. Si ce deuxième point n'appartient pas au réseau local de l'immeuble ou s'il est trop éloigné il faut trouver des moyens pour mesurer l'électricité consommée à ce point. L'utilisation d'un deuxième compteur situé dans la cave crée des problèmes de facturation au niveau du distributeur d'électricité puisqu'il y aura deux abonnements (un pour chaque compteur) pour le même client à la même adresse. Egalement, il faudra lire séparément chaque compteur.In buildings with cellars or parking lots it is frequent that a customer wishes to have several points of energy delivery, a first point in your apartment and a second point, for example, in his cellar for use freezers, alarms, benefits for vehicles etc. If this second point does not belong to local network of the building or if it is too far away it is necessary find ways to measure the electricity consumed in this point. The use of a second counter located in the winery creates billing issues at the electricity distributor since there will be two subscriptions (one for each meter) for the same customer at the same address. Also, it will be necessary to read each counter.
Le brevet GB 2 183 852 décrit un système de comptage dans lequel tous les compteurs dans une seule maison, c'est-à-dire les compteurs d'eau, de gaz et d'électricité, communiquent par des câbles dédiés et dans lequel les données sur la consommation de gaz et d'eau sont tenues par le compteur d'électricité. Ce système est essentiellement apte à être utilisé dans un seul emplacement géographique.GB Patent 2,183,852 describes a counting system in which all counters in one house, that is to say water, gas and electricity meters communicate by dedicated cables and in which the data on the gas and water consumption are kept by the meter electricity. This system is essentially capable of being used in a single geographic location.
La présente invention fournit un système de compteurs dépendants ayant au moins un compteur principal apte à mesurer l'énergie consommée à un premier site et munis d'une interface pour lire et/ou écrire des données sur une carte de transactions électroniques à mémoire, au moins un compteur secondaire apte à mesurer l'énergie consommée à un autre site et munis d'une interface pour lire et/ou écrire des données sur une carte de transactions électroniques à mémoire, des moyens de communication comprenant une carte de transactions électroniques à mémoire pour transférer des données représentant la consommation de l'énergie au site du compteur secondaire entre le compteur principal et le compteur secondaire ou vice versa et des moyens de mémoire pour mémoriser chaque transfert des données qui est mis en oeuvre par des moyens de communication, les moyens de mémoire étant situés dans le compteur principal afin qu'une valeur représentant la consommation d'énergie au site du compteur secondaire soit tenue par le compteur principal.The present invention provides a counter system dependents having at least one main counter capable of measure the energy consumed at a first site and provided an interface to read and / or write data on a electronic transaction card with memory, at least one secondary meter capable of measuring the energy consumed at another site with an interface for reading and / or writing data on an electronic transaction card to memory, means of communication comprising a electronic transaction card with memory for transfer data representing the consumption of energy at the site of the secondary meter between the meter main and secondary meter or vice versa and memory means for memorizing each transfer of data which is implemented by means of communication, the memory means being located in the main counter so that a value representing the energy consumption at the site of the secondary meter either held by the main counter.
Ainsi, pour un système ayant un compteur principal et un ou plusieurs compteurs secondaires la présente invention facilite la gestion de l'énergie par le distributeur puisque toute l'information concernant la consommation de l'énergie à tous les sites est tenue par le compteur principal et que seulement le compteur principal fait l'objet d'une relève, par exemple, par télécommunication ou par lecture visuelle d'un index ou plusieurs index montrant l'énergie consommée. Egalement, au niveau de la gestion, il n'y a qu'un abonnement pour chaque client, lequel ne reçoit qu'une seule facture pour la consommation totale d'énergie. Pour simplifier la relève du compteur principal, la valeur représentant la consommation d'énergie par un compteur secondaire peut être accumulée avec la consommation d'énergie au premier site par le compteur principal, une valeur représentant la consommation totale d'énergie étant tenue par le compteur principal et lue pendant la relève du compteur principal. Selon un autre mode de réalisation, la valeur représentant la consommation d'énergie au site du compteur secondaire et la mesure de l'énergie consommée au premier site peuvent être tenues et lues séparément, l'accumulation d'énergie totale étant faite au niveau du distributeur.So, for a system with a main counter and one or several secondary meters the present invention facilitates energy management by the distributor since all information regarding energy consumption to all sites is held by the main counter and that only the main meter is read, for example for example, by telecommunication or by visual reading of a index or several index showing the energy consumed. Also, at the management level, there is only one subscription for each customer, who receives only one single bill for total energy consumption. For simplify the reading of the main counter, the value representing energy consumption by a meter secondary can be accumulated with consumption of energy at the first site by the main meter, a value representing the total energy consumption being held by the main counter and read during the reading of the main counter. According to another embodiment, the value representing the energy consumption at the site of secondary meter and measurement of energy consumed at the first site can be held and read separately, the total energy accumulation being made at the level of distributor.
L'invention s'applique également à un système ayant un compteur secondaire et plusieurs compteurs principaux, c'est-à-dire, où un compteur secondaire est partagé entre deux consommateurs. Encore, la présente invention évite l'emploi d'une relève du compteur secondaire.The invention also applies to a system having a secondary counter and several main counters, that is, where a secondary counter is shared between two consumers. Again, the present invention avoids the use of a secondary meter reading.
Dans le contexte de la présente demande de brevet, le terme "carte de transactions électroniques à mémoire" couvre des cartes à mémoire de n'importe quel type ou forme pouvant transférer des données y compris des cartes à puce, des cartes magnétiques, des clés électroniques comprenant une puce, etc.In the context of this patent application, the term "electronic memory transaction card" covers memory cards of any type or shape capable of transfer data including smart cards, magnetic cards, electronic keys including a chip, etc.
L'utilisation d'une carte à mémoire pour relier les compteurs simplifie le transfert des données entre les compteurs et évite des problèmes apparentés à l'installation des fils ou des câbles dédiés. Ce mode de réalisation est particulièrement pratique pour des immeubles existants qui comprennent plusieurs appartements, des caves ou parkings apparentés aux appartements étant regroupés à un emplacement géographique commun différent, par exemple, à la base de l'immeuble, puisque l'installation des câbles serait compliquée et coûteuse. De plus, cela autorise une réaffectation dynamique des compteurs secondaires (caves ou parkings achetés, échangés ou vendus) sans modification d'infrastructure.Using a memory card to connect the meters simplifies data transfer between meters and avoids problems related to the installation of wires or dedicated cables. This embodiment is particularly practical for existing buildings which include several apartments, cellars or parking lots related to the apartments being grouped together different common geographic location, for example, at the base of the building, since the installation of the cables would be complicated and expensive. In addition, this allows a dynamic reallocation of secondary meters (cellars or parking lots bought, exchanged or sold) without modification infrastructure.
Le brevet US 4 240 030 décrit un compteur d'électricité à prépaiement d'un type connu et dans lequel il y a une interface pour lire des cartes magnétiques pour recevoir des données de crédit. Le compteur fonctionne indépendamment d'autres compteurs.US Patent 4,240,030 describes an electricity meter to prepayment of a known type and in which there is a interface to read magnetic cards to receive credit data. The meter works independently other counters.
Le document EP 0 534 803 décrit un compteur à prépaiement comprenant une interface pour lire une clé et recevoir des données de crédit. Le compteur ne communique pas les données de consommation à d'autres compteurs, on ne reçoit pas de telles données d'autres compteurs. Document EP 0 534 803 describes a prepayment meter including an interface for reading a key and receiving data credit. The meter does not communicate data from consumption at other meters, we do not receive such data from other counters.
Selon un mode de réalisation, les moyens de communication transfèrent des données de crédit représentant une avance sur la consommation d'énergie depuis le compteur principal vers le compteur secondaire, l'alimentation d'énergie au site du compteur secondaire étant contrôlée par le compteur secondaire dépendant des données de crédit transférées. Plus particulièrement, le compteur secondaire peut comprendre un organe de coupure pour couper l'alimentation d'énergie si l'énergie consommée dépasse l'avance sur la consommation.According to one embodiment, the means of communication transfer credit data representing an advance on energy consumption from the main meter to the secondary meter, the power supply to the site of the secondary meter being controlled by the meter secondary depending on the transferred credit data. More particularly, the secondary counter can include a cut-off device to cut the power supply if the energy consumed exceeds ahead of consumption.
Ce système de crédit a des avantages de sécurité, puisque la consommation d'énergie au site du compteur secondaire est permise seulement lorsque les données représentant la consommation sont transférées et mémorisées par le compteur principal. Un système de crédit est en particulier approprié lorsque le client a la responsabilité pour transférer les données concernant la consommation d'énergie au deuxième site, par exemple, lorsque les données sont échangées par une carte à mémoire.This credit system has security advantages, since the energy consumption at the secondary meter site is permitted only when data representing the consumption are transferred and stored by the main counter. A credit system is in particular appropriate when the client is responsible for transfer energy consumption data at the second site, for example, when the data is exchanged by a memory card.
Cependant, selon un autre mode de réalisation, les moyens de communication transfèrent des données de débit représentant la consommation d'énergie mesurée par le compteur secondaire depuis le compteur secondaire vers le compteur principal.However, according to another embodiment, the means communication transfer flow data representing the energy consumption measured by the secondary counter from the secondary counter to the main counter.
Selon un mode de réalisation, le compteur principal peut comprendre des moyens de surveillance pour surveiller l'intervalle entre chaque transfert de données entre le compteur principal et le compteur secondaire ou vice versa et pour fournir un signal d'alarme pouvant être lu par le distributeur si cet intervalle dépasse une valeur prédéterminée. Par exemple, le compteur principal peut comprendre une horloge temps réel pour mesurer le temps qui s'est écoulé depuis le dernier transfert de données. Si le compteur ne possède pas une horloge, l'intervalle entre les transferts peut être mesuré en durée de fonctionnement du compteur. Par exemple, le compteur principal peut vérifier si un tranfert de données a eu lieu après un certain nombre de changements de tarif.According to one embodiment, the main counter can understand monitoring means to monitor the interval between each data transfer between the main counter and secondary counter or vice versa and to provide an alarm signal that can be read by the distributor if this interval exceeds a value predetermined. For example, the main meter can understand a real time clock to measure time that has passed since the last data transfer. If the counter does not have a clock, the interval between transfers can be measured in terms of operating time of the counter. For example, the main meter can check if a data transfer has taken place after a number of rate changes.
Ce mode de réalisation s'applique également aux systèmes de crédit ou débit. Pour un système de débit, si le client ne lit pas régulièrement la consommation mesurée par le compteur secondaire, le compteur principal fournira un signal d'alarme qui peut être lu par le distributeur pendant une relève du compteur principal. Pour un système de crédit, l'utilisation des moyens de surveillance permet la détection d'une fraude si le compteur secondaire est déplombé, c'est-à-dire où le transfert des crédits n'est plus nécessaire. Dans ce cas, le compteur principal peut encore fournir un indicateur de fraude qui est lu pendant une relève.This embodiment also applies to systems credit or debit. For a debit system, if the customer does not not regularly read the consumption measured by the secondary meter, the main meter will provide a alarm signal which can be read by the distributor during reading the main counter. For a system of credit, the use of monitoring means allows the detection of fraud if the secondary counter is plumbed, that is to say where the transfer of credits is no longer necessary. In this case, the main counter can still provide a fraud flag which is read during a over.
En plus des données représentant la consommation, d'autre données peuvent être transférées depuis le compteur secondaire vers le compteur principal, par exemple, des données représentant le statut général du compteur secondaire, la présence d'une fraude ou d'autres attributs de l'énergie consommée. Pour un système de crédit, ces données seront envoyées du compteur secondaire au compteur principal, alors que les données représentant la consommation d'énergie sont envoyées du compteur principal au compteur secondaire.In addition to data representing consumption, other data can be transferred from the counter secondary to the main counter, for example, data representing the general status of the meter secondary, the presence of fraud or other attributes of the energy consumed. For a credit system, this data will be sent from the secondary counter to the counter principal, while the data representing the energy consumption are sent from the meter main to the secondary meter.
La présente invention s'applique en particulier au cas où le compteur principal et le compteur secondaire sont des compteurs du même type, c'est-à-dire, qu'ils sont aptes à mesurer la même quantité physique (électricité, gaz etc). Par exemple, selon un mode de réalisation, les compteurs du système sont tous des compteurs d'électricité. Cependant, l'invention peut être utilisée avec les autres types de compteurs, c'est-à-dire, des compteurs de gaz, d'eau, de chaleur, etc.The present invention applies in particular to the case where the main counter and the secondary counter are counters of the same type, that is, they are capable of measure the same physical quantity (electricity, gas etc). Through example, according to one embodiment, the counters of the system are all electricity meters. However, the invention can be used with other types of meters, that is, meters for gas, water, heat, etc.
Selon un mode de réalisation utilisant, par exemple, des compteurs d'électricité, les compteurs principal et secondaire sont aptes à recevoir des commandes de changement de tarif, les moyens de communication transférant des données représentant la consommation d'énergie dans chaque tranche tarifaire. Dans ce cas, les compteurs principal et secondaire doivent avoir la même structure tarifaire, c'est-à-dire, le même contrat avec le distributeur.According to an embodiment using, for example, electricity meters, main and secondary meters are able to receive change orders tariff, means of communication transferring data representing the energy consumption in each price range. In this case, the main and secondary must have the same tariff structure, that is to say, the same contract with the distributor.
Pour un système de débit, le compteur secondaire mesure simplement la consommation pendant chaque tranche tarifaire, cette information étant transférée au compteur principal pendant le transfert des données. Pour un système de crédit, dans un mode de réalisation le client détermine lui-même le crédit qui sera distribué à chaque tranche tarifaire. Cependant, si la structure de tarification est compliquée, le compteur principal peut déterminer comment distribuer les crédits entre chaque tranche tarifaire, par exemple, par la division d'un montant global entré par le client, selon un estimé de la durée de chaque tranche tarifaire ou par la distribution des crédits prédéterminés chaque fois qu'un transfert a lieu.For a flow system, the secondary meter measures simply consumption during each slice tariff, this information being transferred to the meter main during data transfer. For a system credit, in one embodiment the client determines itself the credit that will be distributed to each tranche tariff. However, if the pricing structure is complicated, the main meter can determine how distribute the credits between each rate bracket, by example, by dividing a global amount entered by the client, based on an estimate of the duration of each tranche tariff or by distributing predetermined credits each time a transfer takes place.
Les données transférées entre les compteurs peuvent représenter une mesure de la consommation d'énergie ou, également, une somme d'argent ou de crédit représentant une quantité d'énergie consommée par le compteur secondaire. Data transferred between meters can represent a measure of energy consumption or, also, a sum of money or credit representing an amount of energy consumed by the meter secondary.
De préférence, la une carte à mémoire utilisée est dédiée à un seul système, par exemple, par l'utilisation d'un mot de passe qui est comparé avec un mot de passe mémorisé par le compteur principal et/ou le compteur secondaire, afin qu'elle ne fonctionne pas pour d'autres systèmes, pour éviter un mélange entre des systèmes.Preferably, the memory card used is dedicated to a single system, for example, by using a word of password which is compared with a password memorized by the main counter and / or the secondary counter, so that it does not work for other systems, to avoid mixing between systems.
De préférence, chaque compteur du système comprend un registre absolu qui enregistre la consommation absolue d'énergie mesurée au site du compteur et qui peut être lue directement pour vérifier le transfert de données.Preferably, each counter in the system includes a absolute register which records the absolute consumption of energy measured at the meter site and which can be read directly to verify data transfer.
Les caractéristiques de l'invention ressortiront mieux à la
lecture de la description qui suit, donnée à titre illustratif et
non limitatif, et en se référant aux dessins annexés sur
lesquels :
Comme le montre la Figure 1, le système comprend un
compteur principal 1 situé dans un site, tel qu'un
appartement, un compteur secondaire 2 situé dans un autre
site, tel qu'une cave ou un garage, et des moyens de
communication entre des compteurs comprenant une carte
électronique 3. Le compteur principal et le compteur
secondaire mesurent la tension et le courant pris du réseau
de distribution afin de calculer l'énergie électrique
consommée à chaque site. La carte électronique est utilisée
pour transférer des données de crédit entre le compteur
principal et le compteur secondaire et pour transférer des
données concernant l'état du compteur secondaire au
compteur principal. La consommation d'énergie aux deux
sites et le statut des deux compteurs sont déterminés par
une relève du compteur primaire, par exemple, par
télécommunication ou par lecture visuelle. Chaque compteur
a un disjoncteur conventionnel 4, 5 associé et le compteur
secondaire comprend également un organe de coupe-circuit
6, qui est absent ou rendu inactif sur le compteur principal.As shown in Figure 1, the system includes a
La Figure 2 montre la structure d'un compteur secondaire
utilisé dans le système de la Figure 1. Le compteur principal
a une structure identique, à l'exception de l'organe de coupe-circuit
6. Les principaux organes du compteur sont une
cellule métrologique 7, d'un type conventionnel, permettant
de mesurer la puissance active, l'énergie consommée et la
tension et le courant efficace, une interface homme/machine
8 comprenant un clavier et un afficheur, une interface de
télérelevé 9, qui communique par exemple via un bus
spécifique, par le réseau téléphonique ou d'autres moyens
conventionnels 10 avec le distributeur, un organe de
changement de tarif 11 d'un type conventionnel permettant
de déterminer la période tarifaire en cours (par exemple
utilisant un récepteur radio, une horloge/calendrier, des
courants porteurs etc.), une interface de lecture/écriture de
carte électronique 12, une cellule de pilotage du limiteur de
puissance 13 qui contrôle l'organe de coupe-circuit 6, un
micro-controleur 14 et un émetteur d'impulsions 15 d'un
type conventionnel qui montre la consommation instantanée
de puissance mesurée par le compteur. Le micro-contrôleur
14 comprend une horloge 18, une mémoire EEPROM 19 et
une mémoire RAM 20.Figure 2 shows the structure of a secondary meter
used in the system of Figure 1. The main meter
has an identical structure, except for the
Les moyens de communication de ce système comprennent
une carte à mémoire ou carte électronique 16, du type carte
de crédit bancaire ayant une mémoire EEPROM 17, les
données étant lues et écrites sur la mémoire par les
compteurs principal et secondaire.The communication means of this system include
a memory card or
Pour obtenir un crédit d'électricité, le client charge sa carte
16 au niveau du compteur principal 1, c'est-à-dire, que des
consommations de quantités d'énergie (exprimées en kWh)
sont transférées entre le compteur et la carte, tranche
tarifaire par tranche tarifaire, le crédit ainsi acquis par la
carte étant aussitôt répercuté sur des index spécifiques du
compteur principal, afin d'être facturé à la prochaine relève
du compteur principal. La structure tarifaire détaillée et les
index des compteurs principal et secondaire seront décrits
plus tard en se référant à la Figure 3.To obtain an electricity credit, the customer loads his
Le crédit présent sur la carte est vidé dans des index spécifiques du compteur secondaire (en partie ou en totalité). Le coupe-circuit du compteur secondaire restera fermé tant que l'index correspondant au tarif en cours a un contenu plus grand qu'une valeur prédéterminée (qui peut être négative si une dette est permise) autorisant ainsi la consommation d'énergie.The credit on the card is emptied into indexes specifics of the secondary meter (in part or in entirety). The secondary counter circuit breaker will remain closed as long as the index corresponding to the current tariff has a content greater than a predetermined value (which can be negative if debt is permitted) thus authorizing the energy consumption.
Le compteur principal concentre les informations provenant du compteur secondaire et fournit au distributeur une information globale sur le statut du système similaire à celle que fournit un compteur classique isolé (courant maximum, nombre de fraudes, mot d'état global etc.). Ainsi, pour le distributeur, tout est transparent.The main counter concentrates the information coming from of the secondary meter and provides the distributor with a overall system status information similar to that provided by a conventional isolated meter (maximum current, number of frauds, overall status word, etc.). So, for the distributor, everything is transparent.
Toutes les opérations de transfert des données s'effectuent à
l'aide de l'interface homme/machine 8 et l'interface de
lecture/écriture des cartes 12. A l'aide du clavier de
l'interface homme/machine 8, le client peut faire défiler les
différentes tranches tarifaires supportées par son contrat. Il
visualise alors le crédit porté par la carte dans chacune de
ces tranches. S'il souhaite procéder à un transfert de crédit
(du compteur vers la carte, ou de la carte vers le compteur,
selon le type de compteur), il peut programmer son montant
en kWh et procéder au transfert.All data transfer operations are carried out at
using the man / machine interface 8 and the
read /
Selon un autre mode de fonctionnement, si la structure de tarification est compliquée, le compteur principal peut distribuer automatiquement des crédits calculés en avance en réponse à une seule touche du clavier par le client. Pour le transfert des crédits depuis le compteur principal à la carte électronique, le transfert est plafonné, c'est-à-dire, l'index carte ne peut excéder un maximum qui est une fonction de la puissance souscrite au secondaire. Le client peut soit saturer la carte à ce plafond à l'aide d'une seule touche, soit programmer précisément le montant, selon le mode de fonctionnement choisi.According to another mode of operation, if the structure of pricing is complicated, the main meter can automatically distribute credits calculated in advance in response to a single keystroke by the customer. For transfer of credits from the main counter to the electronic card, the transfer is capped, that is to say, the card index cannot exceed a maximum which is a depending on the power subscribed to secondary. The customer can either saturate the card at this ceiling using just one key, or program the amount precisely, according to the operating mode chosen.
Pour le transfert des crédits depuis la carte au compteur secondaire, le transfert est plafonné au contenu de la carte. Le client peut soit transférer à l'aide d'une seule touche, soit programmer précisément le montant.For the transfer of credits from the card to the counter secondary, the transfer is limited to the content of the card. The customer can either transfer using one touch or precisely program the amount.
A l'ouverture du contrat entre le distributeur et le client, le distributeur attribue un compteur principal et un ou plusieurs compteurs secondaires à son client avec une carte à mémoire. La carte à mémoire fournie par le distributeur comporte la description du système y compris les numéros de série assignés aux compteurs principal et secondaire(s). Elle est donc propre au système et elle ne peut pas fonctionner avec un autre. A l'ouverture du contrat la carte ne possède aucun crédit d'énergie. A ce moment, les index absolus des compteurs principal et secondaire(s) sont relevés, si cela n'a pas été fait à la fermeture du contrat précédent, ou en cas de tout premier contrat. Ces relèves constituent une référence en cas d'incident ou de contestation du client en cours d'exploitation.At the opening of the contract between the distributor and the customer, the distributor assigns a main meter and one or several secondary meters to his client with a card with memory. The memory card provided by the distributor contains the description of the system including the numbers standard assigned to the main and secondary meters. It is therefore system specific and cannot work with another. At the opening of the contract the card has no energy credits. At this time, the indexes absolute of the main and secondary counters are statements, if this was not done at the end of the contract previous, or in case of very first contract. These changes constitute a reference in the event of an incident or customer dispute during operation.
A la fermeture du contrat le distributeur récupère la carte. Il relève les index du compteur principal et du ou des compteur(s) secondaire(s). Tout crédit qui reste dans le compteur secondaire est remis à zéro et le solde (positif ou négatif) est reporté sur une facture globale pour tout les compteurs. Un crédit quelconque présent sur la carte est aussi déduit de la facture générale.At the end of the contract, the distributor collects the card. he reads the indexes of the main counter and of the secondary counter (s). Any credit that remains in the secondary counter is reset to zero and the balance (positive or negative) is reported on a global invoice for all counters. Any credit on the card is also deducted from the general bill.
Tout changement au niveau du compteur secondaire (changement de compteur, de contrat etc) ou au niveau du compteur principal donne lieu à des procédures similaires à une fermeture/ouverture de contrat. En cas de perte, vol ou destruction, le crédit présent sur la carte est perdu. Puisque la carte est propre au système elle ne peut pas être utilisée sur un autre. Le client peut éventuellement récupérer le crédit perdu à la fermeture du contrat ou quand les index absolus sont lus et comparés avec les index qui mémorisent les transferts de crédits.Any change in the secondary meter (change of meter, contract, etc.) or at the level of main counter gives rise to procedures similar to closing / opening of contract. In the event of loss, theft or destruction, the credit on the card is lost. Since the card is system specific it cannot be used on another. The customer can possibly recover the credit lost at contract closure or when indexes Absolutes are read and compared with indexes that store credit transfers.
La Figure 3 montre en bloc la structure des index des données qui sont présentes dans les mémoires EEPROM des compteurs principal et secondaire et de la carte électronique. Figure 3 shows the block structure of the indexes data that are present in the EEPROM memories of main and secondary meters and electronic card.
Chaque compteur possède un numéro d'identification chiffré
30, 31. Ce numéro est propre et il n'existe donc aucun autre
compteur possèdant le même numéro. La carte connaít les
indications des compteurs, ces données étant mémorisées 32
sur la mémoire EEPROM de la carte. Avant toute transaction,
la concordance entre les identifications de la carte et du
compteur est vérifiée. Cette concordance permet à la fois
d'autoriser (ou de refuser) la transaction et de déterminer le
type de transaction (un transfert entre le compteur principal
et la carte, ou entre la carte et le compteur secondaire).Each meter has an
Chaque compteur possède six index de comptage 33, 34 qui
mesurent la consommation au site de ce compteur dans
toutes les tranches tarifaires possibles. Ces index possèdent
une résolution de 1 Wh; ils repassent à zéro dès qu'ils
dépassent la valeur 999 999 999 Wh. Ces index sont
"absolus" car il est impossible de les remettre à zéro; ils
reflètent donc la consommation totale vue par chaque
compteur durant son existence. Ils sont "propres" car ils ne
reflètent que la consommation du compteur considéré.
Le compteur principal possède également des index de débit
absolus 35. Ils sont impossibles à remettre à zéro, sauf en
cas de débordement. Leur résolution est de 1kWh et leur
maximum de 999 999 kWh. Ces indexes reflètent le crédit
total transféré sur carte (toutes les cartes ayant existé
depuis que le compteur est installé) par tranche tarifaire, ce
crédit au sens de la carte étant un débit du compteur
principal. Ainsi, le compteur principal mémorise chaque
transfert de crédit au compteur secondaire. C'est le total des
index propres et des index de débit qui seront facturés au
client. Ces sommations peuvent se faire soit au niveau du
compteur lors de la relève, soit au niveau du terminal de
relève. Each counter has six
La carte électronique également comprend des index de
crédit 36 qui contiennent le total du crédit transféré depuis
le compteur principal vers la carte, moins le crédit transféré
sur le compteur secondaire. Leur résolution est de 1kWh. Ils
sont plafonnés afin de limiter les risques en cas de perte, vol
ou destruction de la carte et pour obliger le client à s'en
servir régulièrement. Dans le mode de fonctionnement
utilisant une seule touche les index seront remplis jusqu'au
plafond ou vidés complètement pour chaque transfert. Les
index sont toujours positifs, c'est-à-dire, que la carte n'est
jamais porteuse d'un débit.The electronic card also includes indexes of
Pour le compteur secondaire, des index propres relatifs 37
sont fournis. Tout transfert de crédit depuis la carte vers le
compteur vient augmenter leurs valeurs et diminuer
d'autant les valeurs des index de crédit 36 de la carte. Leur
résolution est de 1Wh. Comme décrit ci-dessus ils peuvent
prendre des valeurs négatives jusqu'à un plafond de dette.
Ils sont décrémentés en synchronisme avec l'incrémentation
des index propres absolus 34, au fur et à mesure de la
consommation du client. L'index relatif pour la période
tarifaire en cours, c'est-à-dire l'index qui est décrémenté,
vient asservir le coupe-circuit de distribution 6 (via la
cellule de pilotage 13) ainsi qu'un signal d'avertissement de
dette (interne au niveau de l'afficheur ou externe, par
exemple, utilisant un buzzer, une lampe etc.). L'organe de
coupe-circuit 6 peut être contrôlé par la cellule de pilotage
13 pour limiter la puissance en cas d'une faible dette ou
pour couper l'alimentation en cas d'une dette élevée.For the secondary meter, relative
Chaque compteur comprend aussi des index de statut
propres 38, 39 qui contiennent les données consacrées à la
surveillance de chaque compteur pour assurer le bon
fonctionnement des appareils et pour détecter des fraudes.
La nature des index de statut et leur taille typique sont
montrées avec plus de détails dans la Figure 5. Le statut du
compteur secondaire contenu dans les index de statut 39 est
véhiculé par les index de statut secondaire 40 de la carte
électronique vers le compteur principal, ou il est tenu par
des index de statut 41 consacrés au compteur secondaire. A
chaque relève, les statuts des deux compteurs sont relevés et
analysés.Each counter also includes status indexes
own 38, 39 which contain the data devoted to the
monitoring of each meter to ensure proper
operation of the devices and to detect fraud.
The nature of the status indexes and their typical size are
shown in more detail in Figure 5. The status of the
secondary counter contained in the
L'accès du distributeur au statut du compteur secondaire est
subordonné au transfert d'information du secondaire vers le
principal, c'est-à-dire à l'usage que le client fait de sa carte.
En principe, le crédit véhiculé par la carte étant plafonné, le
client devra régulièrement effectuer des transferts (par
exemple une fois par mois) s'il veut puiser de l'énergie au
secondaire. Mais en cas de fraude, par exemple si le
compteur secondaire est déplombé et piraté, ce transfert de
crédit n'est plus nécessaire. Le statut secondaire n'étant plus
communiqué au principal, la fraude serait indétectable. Pour
surmonter ce problème, on a recours à la mesure du temps
écoulé entre deux mises à jour du statut secondaire. Ce
temps, mesuré par l'horloge 18 du microprocesseur ou selon
la durée de fonctionnement du compteur principal, s'il ne
possède pas d'horloge, permet de s'apercevoir en lisant le
compteur principal que le client ne fait plus usage de sa
carte. Ainsi, on peut détecter une présomption de fraude et
envoyer au client un ordre d'utiliser sa carte, voire
déclencher une visite de contrôle. En se référant à la Figure
3, chaque fois qu'il y a un transfert de données entre le
compteur secondaire et la carte électronique sans aucun
problème, un index de "handshake" 42 est affiché. Le temps
entre chaque transfert entre la carte et le compteur principal
est mesuré par des moyens d'un index 43 qui est augmenté
par l'horloge du microprocesseur et qui est remis à zéro par
l'index 42 de la carte avec un transfert de données qui a
réussi vers le compteur principal. Si l'index 43 augmente au-dessus
d'une valeur prédéterminée une fraude sera détectée. The distributor's access to the status of the secondary meter is
subject to transfer of information from secondary to
main, that is to say the use that the customer makes of his card.
In principle, the credit conveyed by the card being capped, the
client must regularly make transfers (by
example once a month) if he wants to draw energy from
secondary. But in case of fraud, for example if the
secondary counter is unplugged and hacked, this transfer of
credit is no longer required. Secondary status no longer
communicated in the main, fraud would be undetectable. For
overcoming this problem we use time measurement
between two updates of the secondary status. This
time, measured by
La Figure 4 montre, sous la forme d'une table, des structures possibles des index de consommation montrées dans la Figure 3, pour quatre types de contrats proposés en France par le distributeur d'électricité utilisant des tarifs différents. Par exemple, pour le contrat de base il n'y a qu'un index qui est utilisé tout le temps, alors qu'il y en a deux pour le contrat de double tarif, qui sont augmentés pendant les heures creuses et les heures pleines, respectivement. Les index sont codés en trois octets (résolution au kWh) ou quatre octets (résolution au Wh). Les abréviations utilisées sont :
- BASE =
- contrat de base, monotarif
- HC =
- contrat heures creuses, double tarif
- EJP =
- contrat effacement jours de pointe, double tarif aléatoire
- BBR =
- contrat bleu blanc rouge, étant un contrat défini par le distributeur en France, comprenant un sextuple tarif semi-aléatoire ayant des jours et des heures de tarifs différents
- th =
- toutes heures
- hc =
- heures creuses
- h p =
- heures pleines
- h n =
- heures normales
- p m =
- pointe mobile
- hcjb =
- heures creuses jours "bleus"
- hpjb =
- heures pleines jours "bleus"
- hcjw =
- heures creuses jours "blancs"
- hpjw =
- heures pleines jours "blancs"
- hcjr =
- heures creuses jours "rouges"
- hpjr =
- heures pleines jours "rouges"
- BASE =
- basic contract, single rate
- HC =
- off-peak hours contract, double tariff
- EJP =
- peak day cancellation contract, double random rate
- BBR =
- blue white red contract, being a contract defined by the distributor in France, comprising a six-fold semi-random tariff having different tariff days and hours
- th =
- all hours
- hc =
- off-peak hours
- hp =
- full hours
- hn =
- Normal hours
- pm =
- moving tip
- hcjb =
- off-peak hours "blue" days
- hpjb =
- peak hours "blue" days
- hcjw =
- off-peak hours "white" days
- hpjw =
- peak hours "white" days
- hcjr =
- off-peak hours "red" days
- hpjr =
- peak hours "red" days
Le mode de réalisation décrit ci-dessus concerne un système où des crédits sont transférés du compteur principal au compteur secondaire. Une autre réalisation est également possible, où des données de débit sont transférées du compteur secondaire au compteur principal, et où les index propres relatifs du compteur secondaire sont augmentés en synchronisme avec les index propres absolus, et sont vidés par chaque transfert des données etc.The embodiment described above relates to a system where credits are transferred from the main counter to secondary counter. Another achievement is also possible, where debit data is transferred from secondary counter to the main counter, and where the indexes own relative of the secondary meter are increased in synchronism with the absolute own indexes, and are emptied by each data transfer etc.
Egalement, le système peut comprendre plusieurs compteurs secondaires, le compteur principal ayant plusieurs index de débit absolus pour stocker les données de consommation pour des compteurs secondaires.Also, the system can include several counters secondary, the main counter having several indexes of absolute flow to store consumption data for secondary meters.
Selon d'autres méthodes de réalisation le système peut comprendre plusieurs compteurs principaux qui partagent un compteur secondaire, ou bien plusieurs compteurs principaux et plusieurs compteurs secondaires.According to other implementation methods, the system can understand multiple master counters that share a secondary counter, or several counters main and several secondary counters.
Le système peut être utilisé également avec d'autres types de compteurs, c'est-à-dire avec des compteurs de gaz, d'eau, de chaleur, etc.The system can also be used with other types meters, i.e. with gas, water, heat, etc.
Claims (10)
- System of dependent meters comprising:at least one main meter (1) capable of measuring energy consumed on a first site and provided with an interface (12) to read and / or write data on an electronic transactions memory card,at least one secondary meter (2) capable of measuring energy consumed on another site and also provided with an interface (12) to read and / or write data on an electronic transactions memory card,communication means comprising:an electronic transactions memory card (3, 16) to transfer data representing energy consumption on the site of the secondary meter between the said main meter and the said secondary meter or vice versa, anda memory (20) to memorise each data transfer used by the said communication means, the said memory being located in the said main meter such that a value representing the energy consumption on the site of the said secondary meter is memorised in the said main meter.
- System of dependent meters according to claim 1, in which the said communication means are capable of transferring credit data representing an advance on energy consumption from the said main meter to the said secondary meter, the energy power supply at the site of the said secondary meter being controlled by the said secondary meter as a function of the said transferred credit data.
- System of dependent meters according to claim 2, in which the said secondary meter also comprises a cut-off device (6) to cut off the energy power supply to the said secondary meter if the energy consumed on the site of the said secondary meter exceeds the said advance on consumption.
- System of dependent meters according to claim 1, in which the said communication means are also capable of transferring debit data representing the energy consumption measured by the said secondary meter from the said secondary meter to the said main meter.
- System of dependent meters according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the said main meter also comprises monitoring means (42, 43) to monitor the interval between each data transfer between the said main meter and the said secondary meter or vice versa, and to output an alarm signal if this interval exceeds a predetermined value.
- System of dependent meters according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the said main and secondary meters are capable of receiving tariff change commands using a tariff change device (11), the said communication means being capable of transferring data representing energy consumption in each tariff slot.
- System of dependent meters according to any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the said memory card is dedicated to this system such that it does not operate for other dependent meter systems.
- System of dependent meters according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which each meter in the system comprises an absolute register (33, 34) that records the absolute energy consumption measured on the site of the said meter, and that can be read directly to check the data transfer.
- System of dependent meters according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the said main meter and the said secondary meter measure the same physical quantities.
- System of dependent meters according to claim 9, in which the said meters are electricity meters.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR9315539 | 1993-12-23 | ||
FR9315539A FR2714459B1 (en) | 1993-12-23 | 1993-12-23 | Dependent meter system. |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0660121A1 EP0660121A1 (en) | 1995-06-28 |
EP0660121B1 true EP0660121B1 (en) | 2003-08-27 |
Family
ID=9454304
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP94402776A Expired - Lifetime EP0660121B1 (en) | 1993-12-23 | 1994-12-05 | Arrangement of dependent utility meters |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0660121B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE248375T1 (en) |
DE (1) | DE69433084D1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2714459B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2803663B1 (en) * | 2000-01-07 | 2002-05-03 | Schneider Electric Ind Sa | PREPAYMENT ENERGY MONITORING DEVICE FOR PERFORMING A SURVEY |
EP1477942A1 (en) * | 2003-05-14 | 2004-11-17 | Giovanni Garra | Electric power meter with smartcard power supply enabling |
SE529371C2 (en) * | 2005-03-10 | 2007-07-17 | Bjoern Soerdin | Quick-connect unit for electric meters with built-in switching function. |
EP1981055A1 (en) * | 2007-04-13 | 2008-10-15 | Abb Ag | Installation switch and electricity meter system |
Family Cites Families (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4240030A (en) * | 1978-12-14 | 1980-12-16 | Bateman Jess R | Intelligent electric utility meter |
GB2183852A (en) * | 1985-11-27 | 1987-06-10 | Triad Communications Inc | Utility meter |
DK0534803T3 (en) * | 1991-09-27 | 1997-07-07 | Schlumberger Ind Ltd | pre-Payment |
-
1993
- 1993-12-23 FR FR9315539A patent/FR2714459B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1994
- 1994-12-05 DE DE69433084T patent/DE69433084D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1994-12-05 AT AT94402776T patent/ATE248375T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1994-12-05 EP EP94402776A patent/EP0660121B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0660121A1 (en) | 1995-06-28 |
FR2714459A1 (en) | 1995-06-30 |
ATE248375T1 (en) | 2003-09-15 |
DE69433084D1 (en) | 2003-10-02 |
FR2714459B1 (en) | 1996-01-19 |
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