EP3251104A1

EP3251104A1 - System for controlled discharge of electrical energy, gas, water or similar media and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: EP3251104A1
Application number: EP16702502.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Walter DAUMANN; Maurice SIMKINS
Original assignee: Weiss+appetito Communication GmbH
Current assignee: Weiss+appetito Communication GmbH
Priority date: 2015-01-30
Filing date: 2016-01-22
Publication date: 2017-12-06
Also published as: DE102015101375A1; WO2016120158A1

Abstract

The system for controlled discharge of electrical energy, gas, water or similar media, comprising a connection (1) for the medium, comprising a plurality of discharge devices (20) for the specified medium and a control unit (7), wherein the discharge devices (20) comprise a meter (8) for the quantity of discharged medium, a switch (4) for the discharge of the medium and a switch control (3), wherein the switch control (3) can be actuated by the control unit (7), wherein each discharge device (20) can be connected to the connection (1) for the medium and to a consumer device (5), is characterised in that the connection (1) for the medium is arranged in a connection space (A) and the consumer devices (5) are arranged in a user space (B) different from the connection space (A), in that the discharge devices (20), in particular the switch control (3), are arranged in the connection space (A), spatially separated from the user space (B), in that the control unit (7) contains a reservation module for the use of the consumer device (5) at a predetermined time, and in that the reservation module actuates the discharge device (20).

Description

System for the controlled release of electrical energy, gas, water or the like

Media and procedures for this

The invention relates to a system for controlled release of electrical energy, gas, water or similar media according to the preamble of claim 1 and a corresponding method. The control unit (7) can be implemented as software or as hardware or as a combination of software and hardware.

State of the art

The control of industrial appliances such as washing machines,

Vacuum cleaner systems, etc. is usually done with the help of coin, chip card or keyboard machines. Here, the mechanical throw of coins, the withdrawal of a chip card or the manual input of a code via the keyboard triggers the electrical switching process of a permanently and electrically connected to the consumption device time relay (switch 4), so that the circuit is closed and the consumption device in operation is set. After a defined time interval, the relay switches again, which breaks the circuit and the

Consumable device is put out of service again. In slot machines billing of the use of the consumption device takes place directly over the coins at the moment of throwing into the consumption device. The operator removes the coins at a later date. In all other systems, the so-called "tokens" (cards, chips, codes) are first purchased by the user (prepaid) to be subsequently used on the consumer device to trigger the operation .The operator removes the cards or chips at a later time

Time. Only in the case of keyboard machines eliminates the removal of tokens. FIG. 3 shows this prior art.

The disadvantages of today's systems, as described above, are that 1. the fixed electrical and mechanical connection between the control unit and the consumable requires the use of custom-built consumables

(Cost disadvantage);

2. the attachment of the control and accounting unit on the consumer device has increased demands on weather resistance and protection against abuse, vandalism and theft, since the consumer device is always accessible to the user (cost disadvantage);

3. the tariff is limited to a fixed time unit and thus is inflexible and inaccurate for operators and users with regard to optimal price calculations;

2016000323 4. Even when relocating the relay (the switch 4) in a space inaccessible to the user in addition to the existing system a user or operator accessible logical control unit (hardware and software) must be installed, which increases the complexity and reduces the compactness ;

5. no or only one with regard to the technical aging (e.g., number of switching operations) limited evaluation of the consumption devices succeed;

6. In the case of card or chip machines expensive "hardware" tokens can not be dispensed with, whereby the main risks for the operator lie in the user's inadequate control of the tokens, leading to loss and functional failure and thus to high costs Maintenance and

Replacement costs.

Also known is a system for the controlled release of electrical energy from EP 0 852 364 B1 (Franz Hans Peter Bauer, Mindelheim). Described is a prepaid counter with complete payment solutions, but runs the controller and

Payment via the network operator. It is a modified calibrated standard electricity meter of the electricity utility.

Task and solution of the invention

Object of the invention: One way should be created so that

- Consumables with commercial, interoperable electrical connection can be used as well

- The dispensing devices (control and switching unit, prepaid counter unit) can be accommodated compactly in a against unauthorized access and weather-protected space (house connection room) and

- The dispensers nevertheless the user / operator via a flexible

Application software through modern communication (wired or wireless signal transmission) and access technology (Web server technology) are functionally accessible.

Another usually locally associated with the application software, logical control unit should not be necessary.

This object is achieved in a system for the controlled release of electrical energy, gas, water or similar media of the type mentioned

solved by the features of claim 1 and in the method by the features of claim 6. According to the invention, the control unit (7) is preferably implemented only as software and without the use of additional hardware. According to the invention, a highly integrated measuring, control and

Accounting system for industrial multi-utility appliances based on smart metering systems.

By the invention it is possible, the logical control unit, z. As coin-operated, and the dispensers (technical switching unit, relays) locally to be operated

Consumable, z. B. a car vacuum suction system at a gas station to be separated so that the above subtasks are solved.

The inventive step is based on the development of a system and a method which make it possible to use the prior art with a

Consumable device necessarily mechanically and electrically connected switch control (for example, coin operated) to be separated mechanically and electrically from the utility device and accommodate in a connection space spatially separated from the user space. At the same time, the newly invented system allows the user to control the switch control irrespective of location using only software that uses a

Reservation module in the control unit allows the use of the consumption device at a given time.

Among other things, the following advantages are achieved: Firstly, the use of intelligent prepaid energy meter systems with integrated relay in the new system / method presented here enables the local separation of the control unit and the consumption device.

This results in the following advantages:

1) Costly protective measures against weather, abuse, theft or vandalism can be waived (cost advantage).

2) Commercially available consumer devices can be used (cost advantage).

3) The invention ensures device independence, ie interoperability.

4) The complexity of the system / method is reduced.

5) The system becomes more compact.

6) The use of "hardware" tokens is avoided (cost advantage). On the other hand, the application software of the invention, which can be easily installed on the cash register system of the operator, provides the further advantages as follows: 7) Apart from the software, no further logical control unit is required (lower complexity).

8) The system / method becomes much more flexible, because besides the control in the identical software at the same time a wide variety of services can be implemented at different rates (e.g., time of use). The operator may e.g. make the prices of its services variable, because the payment is either implemented directly at the cash register or can be stored in the software freely programmable.

9) The control of the consumables can be done not only through the unit "time", but for example over a defined amount of energy or the like.

10) The activation of the consumption device is independent of payment types and thus e.g. regardless of currencies or currency conversions as in

Coin-operated machines.

11) Customers can pre-select, i.e. "reserve", the time window for using the consumer device since this data can be stored and retrieved in the application software.

12) The customer and the operator may be provided with additional information both on the consumption profiles and on the consumption device itself (e.g.

Switching operations) are made available. This allows a more accurate assessment of the functionality and life of the consumer device. By directly reading and saving the consumption profiles, both the operator and the user can access the current and historical consumption data (community). Based on such profiles, price calculations and technical

Monitoring (e.g., by correlation).

In addition, the following advantages are to be mentioned finally:

13) It eliminates the emptying of coin or ticket machines (cost advantage). 14) The operator is given full control of the consumer equipment, e.g. in coin machines also partially the user / customer is responsible

(Operation risk reduction).

15) The newly developed system / method is highly integratable, especially with regard to modern "state-of-the-art" communication systems such as the Internet For example, by integrating a communication network as shown in FIG Operator functions to the user / customer again transferred. The benefits 1 - 6 are provided by the smart meter and control software of the

Intelligent prepaid metering systems, the advantages 7 - 13 through the smart meters and application software of the intelligent prepaid meter systems, the advantage 14 by the application and control software and the communication network, the advantage 15 by the smart meters and application and control software of the intelligent ones Reached prepaid meter systems.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are set forth in the subclaims.

embodiments

In the following, several embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to drawings. In all drawings, like reference numerals have the same meaning and therefore may be explained only once.

Show it

Figure 1 is an illustration of the entire system according to the invention according to a first embodiment and the simplest structure for the purpose of unambiguous comparability with today used

Systems / procedures,

FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the entire system according to the invention in accordance with a second, more complex exemplary embodiment, wherein "state-of-the-art" communication technology is additionally integrated,

Figure 3 is a representation of one of the simplest common systems today (prior art) for the purpose of comparability with the invention. FIG. 1 shows a simple application of the overall concept of the invention with the minimally required individual parts and their functional connections for producing the comparability with systems / methods used today. The new system / method allows centralized management and control of several connected consumer devices through the use of intelligent prepaid metering systems and an intelligent application software installed directly on the commercial terminal (9) of the operator (eg cash-computer system) (7). The integration of additional communication technology is readily possible (see Figure 2).

Structure of the inventive system

The invention is to be regarded as a holistic system / method consisting of several intelligent prepaid meters (8) and intelligent management, control and application software (7). She can on any

Energy supply types (electricity, water, gas, etc.). The following description refers to the case of "electric current":

Behind the energy meter of the electricity supplier (1) a desired number of smart energy meters (8) are installed, each one or more

Consumables (5) can control. The local positioning of the counters is arbitrary. For example, they can be accommodated in the service room, while the consumption devices (5) can be placed distributed on the user-accessible premises (B).

In the simplest application (Figure 1) each intelligent energy meter (8) via a communication interface (eg a RS485 bus line) with the - also located on-site - operator computer (9) via the installation level (D) connected to the intelligent management, Control and

Application Software (7) is installed. Through this software, the operator has direct access to the smart meters (8) and can

· Unlock or lock and program

• read out the historical but also current consumption data.

Furthermore, the software allows the operator (7) to reserve certain services in advance for end customers (flexible tariff classification through programming capability).

In the complex application (Figure 2), the integration capability of the invention is highlighted and additional communication units

presented systemically / procedurally:

Each intelligent electricity meter (8) is connected via a communication interface (eg an RS485 bus line) to the on-site access unit (11) connected. This is to be understood as the communication interface between the numbers (8) and the user / operator and is the execution location of the administration and control application (7). The access unit (11) can then be connected via a router to the in-house communication network (10), whereby it may gain access to the Internet (13). By relocating the administration and control application (7) from the operator computer (9) to a central one

Network point (11), it is now both the operator and other users (end users) with their terminals (12) possible to dial directly or via the in-house network (10) in the access unit (11) and to use shared services of the application , The operator (9) always has control and access via the software (7) (and thus also via the counters (8)), whereas the user only receives very limited access (advantage for device protection), the scope of the operator certainly. Another advantage of the relocation of the administration and control application (7) is that direct access to the system via secure Internet is possible. In order to manage the exchange of data over the Internet, a special Internet platform (15) with data back-end (14) can be used, which is implemented on a centrally installed server which is not accessible to the user. This platform can then be called from anywhere via the Internet (13) by an end-user device (16), e.g. as a user

Consumption reservations with different tariffs to make or than

To query operator relevant data. This Internet platform can read and manage the data of several consumer devices, so that only one platform is needed.

By presenting the simplest (Figure 1) as well as the complex (Figure 2) structure of this invention, the benefits and novel applications are clearly visible, so that it compared to today's, expensive,

maintenance-intensive and limited user-friendly systems / procedures.

functionality

In the following, both the complete system / process sequence of the simplest construction (Figure 1) and the complex application (Figure 2) of the consumer device reservation to the use / operation of a consumer device (5) will be described.

A) Simple application:

Step 1 : The user / end customer physically visits the operating site of the company prematurely

Consumable of his choice, reserves the desired service at the operator (9) and paid. The operator stores the reservation data in the management system (7).

Step 2:

The user / end customer appears at the reserved time and identifies himself to the operator by means of the reservation slip / proof, which is usually the

Invoice shows.

Step 3:

The operator (9) selects the assigned consumption device (5) indirectly via the connected intelligent prepaid counter (8) and releases it for the amount of energy or time unit purchased. It is about the control and

Application Software (7) a counter-specific data word - the so-called "software token" - sent to the counter (8) containing all this information.

Step 4:

If the "token" is identified as correct by the software (7), the corresponding counter (8) is activated, thereby enabling the connected consumption device (5) .The user can continue to use the consumption device (5) until he is ready prematurely is (see step 5b) or until the unlocked

Amount of energy or time is consumed (see step 5a). Step 5:

a) The unlocked amount of energy / time is used up. If the user is not ready, re-payment and activation can take place at the operator (9). b) If the user is ready prematurely, he can inform the operator (9) and this can lock the counter (8) on the software side again. unconsumed

For example, energy / time can be provided to the user via the software (7).

credited or remunerated.

B) Complex construction:

Step 1 :

For example, the user / end customer visits the community platform (15) on the Internet (13) from home using his terminal (16). There, he selects the desired service provider and reserves a specific service or service Consumption device (5) for the desired day + time, if the capacity of the service provider allows it. The payment can be either different

Payment procedures (credit cards, etc.) to be settled, or in person at the service provider on the spot.

Step 2:

The reservation and customer data are stored on the data back-end server (14) after authorization by the customer. Step 3:

Via the in-house communication network of the service provider (10) - and thus via the Internet (13) - the access unit (11) can retrieve the relevant data for the associated operation from the data back-end server (14). This data is analyzed and used to manage the reservation of each consumer device (5).

Step 4:

If the end customer arrives at the place of operation immediately before the reserved operating time, there are two possibilities for activating the consumption process: a) The user / end customer contacts the operator (9) who stores the reservation data via the administration, control and application software ( 7) on the

Access unit (11) checks. If everything is done correctly and the payment is settled, the operator can use the associated consumable (5) for its use

enable / disable (a detailed internal sequence of the activation is described in step 5).

b) The user / end customer connects via his terminal (smartphone, tablet, etc.) (12) and common identification methods with the in-house network (10). The network recognizes the user and forwards it automatically to the internal application side of the access unit (11), where his reservation data is displayed. With confirmation / acknowledgment on his terminal (12) can the

Users now activate / deactivate the consumption device (5) themselves, provided the payment has been processed correctly.

Step 5:

The access unit (11) receives the activation command either by the operator

(9) or by the user (12) for a selected consumer device (5). Then it loads (11) with the Internet access the corresponding activation code - the so-called "tokens" - for the counter (8) connected to the consumption device (5) from the back-end server (14) (without internet access, the tokens can be internally stored) and sends it via the communication network to the selected counter (8) Token contains the released amount of energy or time and further information on eg flexible tariffing.

Step 6:

If the token is identified as correct, the associated counter (8) is activated, thereby enabling the connected consumption device (5). The user may continue to use the consumable (5) until it is either ready prematurely (see step 7b) or until the unlocked amount of energy or time is consumed (see step 7a).

Step 7:

a) The unlocked amount of energy / time is used up. If the user is not finished yet, a new payment and activation can take place at the operator or via the internet platform.

b) If the user is finished prematurely, he or the operator (9) can reset the counter (8) on the software side and lock it. Unused energy / time can for example be credited to the user via the software (7) or remunerated.

Generally:

1. The new system / method presented here includes the use of intelligent metering systems in relation to the power supply-not state regulated use case. Since these counters can also be used in state-regulated applications (eg sub-metering), the new system provides evidence of cost-effectiveness, which is generally not easy to achieve for the isolated use case of the state-regulated sector (see cost-benefit analysis for a nationwide deployment of smart meters from E & Y on behalf of the BMWi on Smart Metering / Smart Grids in 2013). Thus, the new system can act as a catalyst for the use of smart meter systems in the field of Smart Metering and Smart Grid.

2. Due to the high integration capability of the invention, even in the simple application of the new system / method, modern communication and identification systems such as WLAN are used as a connection to the Internet, so that the mobility (eg remote access) of the invention is further increased. At the same time, the user becomes the operator, ie the OPERENDER. Of the

Degree of automation can be further increased, so that the system can be operated without operator, without the advantages mentioned above

to lose conventional systems / procedures.

3. Through the systemic approach and the separation of the tax

Switching unit (hardware and firmware) of the application unit (software) increases the flexibility of the invention enormously: Different services at different rates can be offered to the user, cash-back procedures are supported, etc. An extension to new applications can be easily achieved by software become. Possibly. Combinations of this new software with hardware or firmware of the control or switching unit can be easy in that for users

Inaccessible house connection room can be implemented.

All other conceivable solutions on the basis of the previous methods / systems require at least one further, usually locally linked to the application software, logical control unit (additional logic unit of the operator).

Invention system advantages and functions

• Energy allocation controllable via

- Time

- Consumed amount of energy

- Combination of time and energy consumed

- Maximum power (for example for an emergency shutdown)

• Consumers / users are not necessarily dependent on cash, because the

Payment can take place at the cash register

Due to the extensibility of this invention (see Figure 2) further possibilities of payment e.g. integrated via Internet services or community portals

- Furthermore, by this advantage is given a currency independence • A more flexible pricing is possible by this invention, since the

Payment can be processed at checkout and therefore not from separate Payment devices (eg coin machines) is dependent. As a result, daily / hour-dependent prices are feasible.

• The provider / operator has access to both specific and general consumption profiles / flows for individual consumer devices.

- Better possibility of price calculation by the provider / operator possible

- Direct ("live") device monitoring possible

- In the case of conspicuous trajectories, the software can alert the provider. As a result, defective devices with higher consumption are immediately visible

· Additional possibilities of price and discount design given: Provider can grant the consumer bonuses with particularly economical use (readable from the meter data for the session)

• No maintenance on coin machines or similar

• The provider is no longer dependent on consumer devices that have certain payment devices, but can be based on commercially available devices

- Consumables only need a commercial one

socket connector

• All consumer devices can be addressed and controlled indirectly via the integrated intelligent meters via external application software

- Remote reading and control

• In order to have a "backup" during a software / communication failure, UIUs (User Interface Unit) can be used, which are connected directly to the counters and via which codes can be transmitted for activating and blocking the devices.

In the extended case of this invention, the user / consumer is able to view the energy profiles of the self-powered consumables, e.g. save on his account.

• Security aspect: The risk of burglary or theft is reduced by not storing cash in vending machines.

Further advantages of the communication extension of this invention:

• Provider may offer the end user free Wifi or only grant access to certain pages

- e.g. only on the community website and only on its own page

• Provider can maintain their own local website or use their own advertising and also upload them on the community website • By moving the application software to a central

Network point (access unit), with which the meters are connected, the users / consumers can independently unlock and lock the assigned consumer devices, which relieves the operator. The released user functions are determined by the operator.

Comparison with the o.g. Prior art EP 852364 B l

The system according to the invention is independent of the network operators, because the counters are switched behind. As a result, the prepaid service is visible only to the end user; The provider does not need tariff and device changes.

• The cash register system or operator computer, which is in direct contact with the meters, assumes the role of the central computer through the application software installed on it. So can be dispensed with additional hardware. Furthermore, data protection is improved because the computer is on-site in operation and controls the smart meters by wire.

In the extended invention case (see embodiment in Figure 2), e.g. a web server in operation serve as a central computer. This adds extra

Functions such as Internet-based services possible.

• It can be modern, cost-effective, compact, low maintenance and

standardized prepaid meters are used.

- These have an integrated evaluation; Thus, the purchase of an expensive calculator for all counters falls away.

- In addition, the internal values do not necessarily go outside.

In contrast, EP 852364 Bl describes a central computer, which takes over the evaluation of the individual computers and commands to open or

Close the switch sends.

- Disadvantage: In the event of a failure of the central computer, the complete evaluation of all counters also fails.

Advantage of the invention: Since the meters have integrated the evaluation electronics, there is no simultaneous failure of all meters in the event of an electronic fault of an evaluation unit.

• Meter data (control data) can be transmitted in a wired and thus more stable and secure manner as the control and evaluation are located in the immediate vicinity.

· All meters and, if necessary, the central network point (the access unit with integrated application software) can be accessed by the user inaccessible to users House connection room are housed and are so from weather conditions and

Tampering protected.

In contrast to EP 852364 Bl, the invention makes it possible to carry out a consumption control measurement of the connection (1) by installing further delivery devices (20) in all the energy / conduction paths following the connection (1)

Totaling all consumables via the dispensers

(Submetering), which represents a significant added value. This can be further increased if this creates the possibility to completely replace the connection (1) by the dispensing devices (20) with the consent of the energy supplier (cost advantage).

C o m p a n c e m e n t i o n s

1 connection for the medium (energy meter from the power company) 2 line protection

3 switch control (relay control)

4 switches (relay switch)

5 consumption device

6 Consumption device with integrated control and switching unit

7 Control unit (management, control and application unit

(Software))

8 counters (intelligent prepaid counter)

9 PC / terminal of the operator (e.g.

10 local network node (e.g., the router)

11 access unit, here: web server

12 consumer / user devices (smartphone, tablet, laptop or similar)

13 Internet (Wide Area Network)

14 Data back-end server in the protected Internet

15 platform (community) front-end web server on the Internet

16 device with Internet access outside the company ("Operender")

20 dispenser A connection room (service room)

B user room (appliance & user room)

C Operator room for controlling the consumer equipment (operator)

D Line or installation level

E communication technology room

F Near "Operative" space (operator + user = operator)

G Further "Operative" space (Operator + User = Operative)

Claims

claims

A system for the controlled release of electrical energy, gas, water or similar media, having a connection (1) for the medium, having a plurality of dispensers (20) for said medium and a control unit (7), the dispensers (20) a counter (8) for the amount of the dispensed medium, a switch (4) for the delivery of the medium and a

Switch controller (3), wherein the switch control (3) by the control unit (7) is controllable, each dispenser (20) with the terminal (1) for the medium and with a consumption device (5) is connectable,

characterized ,

the connection (1) for the medium is arranged in a connection space (A) and the consumption devices (5) are arranged in a different user space (B) from the connection space (A),

that the dispensing devices (20), and here in particular the switch control (3) from the user space (B) spatially separated, are arranged in the connection space (A),

the control unit (7) contains a reservation module for the use of the consumption device (5) at a predetermined time,

that the reservation module controls the dispenser (20).

System according to claim 1,

characterized ,

that the connection space (A) and the user space (B) as spatially separated

Building spaces are formed,

and that the control unit (7) is arranged in an operator space (C), wherein the operator space (C) is designed as a building space spatially separated from the user space (B).

System according to claim 1,

characterized ,

the control unit (7) is installed directly on a PC / terminal (9) of the operator.

4. System according to claim 3, characterized ,

in that each counter (8) is connected via a communication interface to the on-site PC / terminal (9) of the operator on which the control unit (7) is installed.

System according to claim 1,

characterized ,

in that each counter (8) is connected via a communication interface to an on-site access unit (11) and that is connected via a router to an in-house communication network (10).

Method for the controlled release of electrical energy, gas, water or similar media,

with a connection (1) for the medium, with a variety of

Dispensing devices (20) for said medium and a control unit (7), wherein the dispensing devices (20) a counter (8) for the amount of the dispensed medium, a switch (4) for the delivery of the medium and a

Switch controller (3), wherein the switch controller (3) is controlled by the control unit (7), each dispenser (20) being connected to the connection (1) for the medium and to a consumer device (5),

wherein a spatially separated from the user device (B) spatially separated from the consumer device (5) spatially separated dispensing device (20), and here in particular the switch control (3), directly or indirectly exclusively by means of software (7) driven by a PC / terminal (9) of the operator is to release or block the delivery of the medium to the consumption device (5),

the connection (1) for the medium being arranged in a connection space (A) and the consumption devices (5) being arranged in a different user space (B) from the connection space (A),

wherein the dispensing devices (20), and here in particular the switch control (3) from the user space (B) spatially separated, are arranged in the connection space (A),

wherein the control unit (7) contains a reservation module for the use of the consumption device (5) at a predetermined time,

wherein the reservation module controls the dispenser (20).

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized ,

that the connection space (A) and the user space (B) as spatially separated

Building spaces are formed,

and that the control unit (7) is arranged in an operator room (C), the operator room (C) being spatially separated from the user room (B)

Building space is formed.