FR2795208A1 - Electronic meter reading aide comprises calculator module storing reading provided by consumer for remote reading from outside property - Google Patents

Abstract

The device stores the reading electronically, and enables this to be read from a distance. The system for reading electricity, water and gas consumption meters uses an electronic module in the form of a calculator with a numeric keypad which the consumer uses to enter the value of meter reading for a specific service. The device includes a button which selects the appropriate service - electricity, water etc - and this information is displayed on a screen. It is possible at this stage to verify that the value is above that last recorded, and coherent with estimated consumption. The unit has an electronic label which may be read externally without contact, and the information is transferred to this label. This electronic label may then be interrogated from outside the property, enabling the meter reader to obtain the reading for billing purposes.

Description

The present invention relates to a device intended to collect all the indexes necessary for billing services to subscribers for gas, electricity, water and various accessories and more generally energy flows made available to individuals or professionals by specific suppliers.

Indeed, until now, any subscriber to a flow and fluid supply service had the obligation to make available to the supplier the possibility of accessing the regular reading (generally annual) of the different meters recording the consumption of the different flux and fluids.

 Contractually, the service provider generally has the obligation to collect at least once a year the indexes of the above-mentioned meters.

In order to make the invoicing of these services fairer, the various operators endeavor to carry out these statements as frequently as possible while trying to automate them.

Automation solutions involve the use of electronic meters more or less equipped with a remote reading device which allows the operator to automatically retrieve the different values of the subscriber's consumption indexes. However, the implementation of these electronic meters requires significant infrastructure as well as the systematic change of non-electronic (electro-mechanical) meters which prevent, for economic and financial reasons, the widespread installation of such devices.

 The device according to the invention makes it possible to overcome these drawbacks and to meet these needs and their purposes since the latter proposes to proceed. to the automation of remote reading, or reports at a very low cost.

According to a first characteristic, it comprises an electronic module in the format of a calculator having a numeric keyboard by means of which the user will enter the value of the indices of the stream considered.

Just as the device will integrate a display by type of flow - water, gas, electricity -, there will be arranged on the side thereof a fluid selection key to be entered in such a way that the operator only has to press on it to find out the consumption indexes of the meter to be read.

Example. To enter an electricity meter, the operator will press the symbol key for this specific flow, which will have the effect of displaying on the corresponding screen the value of the last index entered by the operator.

At this level, the operator will only be able to enter an index that is exclusively higher than the one displayed. In terms of functionality, this translates into the fact that the device will be able to verify, per unit of time, that the index entered is consistent with an estimated and calculated consumption and, on the other hand, that it is able to manage the zero crossing of counter indexes.

It will be the same for the other flows.

The device will include a contactless read-write electronic label with respect to the outside, which means that the electronic capture module will transmit the new information from the index into the EE PROM memory of the electronic label to which it is associated.

Fully integrated into the body of the device, this electronic label will include the identification information of the subscriber in relation to the service provider considered.

In addition, the contactless electronic label will make it possible to transmit to the electronic module the information necessary to calculate the amounts to be paid for each of the fluids or flows considered in currency equivalent, regardless of the country considered.

According to this modus operandi, the subscriber, according to the indexes he has entered, will be able, by simply pressing the "currency" button, to convert them to currency equivalent and will know his consumption bill at all times. OPERATION Equipped with its device, the subscriber will choose the fluid he wishes to collect.

It will thus enter the new indexes on the counter considered after checking the plausibility of the entry.

 Through the electronic module, the entry of the indexes will be validated. The electronic module, powered by an electric or photovoltaic battery, will update the memory E E PRCM of the contactless electronic label with which it is coupled.

 Once the information has been validated and checked by the plausibility check module, the electronic module will go into standby mode and only the electronic label containing the value of the last indexes entered will be available in read-write mode.

 The user can hang his device behind his front door (or another access door agreed with the supplier) inside his home by any mechanical means. Outside the subscriber's door, a self-adhesive pictogram will be placed which will indicate the mechanical position of the antenna of the reading device so that the reading of the service operator can, by simple positioning of its sound antenna pictogram, read remotely - either through the door - the contents of the reading device by means of a portable input terminal fitted with a contactless reader-encoder compatible with the device.

The subscriber will also be able to take his reading device to an agency of the operator so that it is read on computers in a fixed position according to the same principle of contactless read-write.

The reading operation in - reading mode in the building with a fixed or self-service station will allow the operator to update, in the electronic module of the device, price information on the one hand and, possibly, messages advertising, on the other hand.

The device according to the invention will include an E E PROM type memory with secure access which will make it possible to identify the subscriber as well as the nature of his contract with the service provider.

This same memory E E PROM will integrate the various price indexes and parameters necessary for the display in currency equivalent of the consumption recorded by the user.

Claims (1)

 CLAIMS 1) - Device for reading subscriber indexes of flow counters, characterized in that it comprises a calculator provided with a display by category (flow or fluid), with a selection key by type of stream, a currency button which, by simple press, will display in local currency, the content of each of the indexes as well as an electronic module with contactless reading and writing allowing the reading through the wall of any door. 2) - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a module for checking the likelihood of the indexes entered by the subscriber, said check being able to be carried out in software or hardware in association with the information which it will have recovered. in the IT device of the service operator 3) - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a control input and index display module, powered by an electric or photovoltaic cell , and connected to a secure read-write electronic label without contact and taking its energy from the antenna associated with it. 4) - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, ceractérisé in that it carries a portable terminal made available to the reader in read-write without contatc in the agency of the supplier in fixed or free position service on access terminals of this type.