GB2359369A - Remote monitoring system - Google Patents

Remote monitoring system Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2359369A
GB2359369A GB0029181A GB0029181A GB2359369A GB 2359369 A GB2359369 A GB 2359369A GB 0029181 A GB0029181 A GB 0029181A GB 0029181 A GB0029181 A GB 0029181A GB 2359369 A GB2359369 A GB 2359369A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
signal
camera
transmitted
meter
remote
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0029181A
Other versions
GB2359369B (en
GB0029181D0 (en
Inventor
David Hyman Gordon
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ASCOT MAN SOLUTIONS Ltd
Original Assignee
ASCOT MAN SOLUTIONS Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by ASCOT MAN SOLUTIONS Ltd filed Critical ASCOT MAN SOLUTIONS Ltd
Publication of GB0029181D0 publication Critical patent/GB0029181D0/en
Publication of GB2359369A publication Critical patent/GB2359369A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2359369B publication Critical patent/GB2359369B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
    • G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
    • G01D5/39—Scanning a visible indication of the measured value and reproducing this indication at the remote place, e.g. on the screen of a cathode ray tube

Abstract

A remote monitoring system comprising means for emitting a signal (a utility meter) (10), means for detecting the signal (a camera) (12), means for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications network (a modem) (14), and remote means for receiving the signal (a modem and a computer) (20) (18).

Description

1 TITLE: Monitoring system
DESCRIPTION
2359369 This invention concerns monitoring systems, particularly but not exclusively for use by utility services.
Utility meters, such as for water, gas and electricity supplies have to be read directly periodically in order to assess charges. However, if access to a meter is not possible when the meter reader calls, an estimated charge is made, which can lead to incorrect charging, if the meter is not read for sometime. It would, therefore, be advantageous to read such meters remotely.
An object of this invention is to provide an improved remote monitoring system, which may be used for remote monitoring of utility service meters.
According to this invention there is provided a remote monitoring system comprising a signal emitter providing a signal, means for detecting the signal, means for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications system and remote means for receiving the transmitted signal.
The signal may be transmitted in any desired format, such as data or an image in digital form.
As well as transmitting signals, the system of the invention may further comprise means for receiving a signal from a remote source for activating the system.
2 Signal transmission to and from the remote monitoring system of the invention is preferably via a fixed telecommunications transmission line.
The monitoring system of the invention may be used to read utility meters, wherein the signal emitter is a utility meter, such as an electricity supply meter, a gas supply meter or a water supply meter. For convenience, the meter dial can be viewed by a camera and the reading transmitted via a telephone line.
The monitoring system of the invention preferably further comprises at a remote location a modem for receiving the transmitted signal and a computer programmed to store the signal received and optionally to instigate a response thereto.
The computer is preferably programmed to interrogate the signal emitter remotely randomly or at predetermined intervals.
The signal transmitting means preferably has battery power back-up. Operation of the battery power back-up preferably activates a signal transmission to the transmitted signal receiving means. Preferably, the monitoring system of the invention has means for sending a message to a designated receiver upon receipt of said battery power back-up signal. The designated receiver may be a telephone and the message may be a prerecorded voice message.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a utility meter with a display giving a reading as a numerical value has a camera arranged to capture the image of the display, preferably enclosed in a sealed box to avoid tampering. The camera may be a video camera and image recognition software may be used for determining the numerical display for entry into an appropriate account record.
3 Alternatively, a digital camera may be used to record the numerical display digitally and the digital data used to enter the appropriate numerical value displayed in the appropriate account record.
Data transfer from the camera to a central computer is preferably via a telephone dialler connected to a fixed telephone line. The system of the invention may be programmed for timed meter reading andlor for on demand meter reading.
This invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing, which shows schematically a utility meter reading system according to the invention.
Referring to the accompanying drawing, a utility meter 10 has a numerical display 12 and a camera 14 arranged to capture the numerical display as an image in a form suitable for transmission down a telephone line. The camera is connected to a telephone dialler and the captured image can be transmitted down the telephone line 16 to a computer 18 via a modem 20. The computer is programmed to connect the numerical display image into a format that can be entered into the appropriate account record.
The output from the camera provides a signal corresponding to the numerical value of the utility meter enabling that value to be recorded against the account relative to that meter.
The system can be arranged for the either or both of timer controlled operation from the meter end of the system and the central computer end of the system. In that way, the reading of the utility meter can be independent of the owner of the premises where the meter is situated and independent of visiting 4 meter readers. The need for estimated billings for utilities can, therefore, be eliminated. Accurate billing for utilities is an advantage to both provider and consumer.
The provision of remote meter reading enables the utility supplier to instantly read any meter on demand. The meter reading can be performed in two ways, namely by image capture or by extracting the information from the I R port on the meter front panel. This could be taken a stage further by providing the utility supplier with the facility of either shutting down or altering the tariff of the supply which often requires a site visit from an engineer to alter via the IR port.
All standard status transfers, including sending remote control information to the domestic base, will use the telephone line with any image information meter reading being sent by data format.

Claims (21)

1. A remote monitoring system comprising a signal emitter providing a signal, means for detecting the signal, means for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications system and remote means for receiving the transmitted signal.
2.
A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted as data.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal is transmitted as an image in digital form.
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 further comprising means for receiving a signal from a remote source for activating the system.
5. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein signal transmission to and from the system is via a fixed telecommunications transmission line.
6. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the signal emitter is a utility meter.
6
7. A system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the utility meter has a dial providing the signal and means for detecting the signal is a camera.
8. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising, at a remote location, a modem for receiving the transmitted signal and a computer programmed to store the signal received and optionally to initiate a response thereto.
9. A system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the computer is programmed to interrogate the signal emitter remotely randomly or at predetermined intervals.
10. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the signal transmitting means has battery power back-up.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein operation of the battery power back-up activates a signal transmission to the transmitted signal receiving means.
12. A system as claimed in claim 11 further having means for sending a message to a designated receiver upon receipt of said battery power backup signal.
7
13. A system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the designated receiver is a telephone.
14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the message is a prerecorded voice message.
15. A system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 comprising a utility meter with a display giving a reading as a numerical value and a camera arranged to capture the image of the display.
16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the utility meter and camera are enclosed in a sealed box.
17. A system as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the camera is a video camera and image recognition software is used for determining the numerical display for entry into an account record.
18. A system as claimed in claim 15 or 16, wherein the camera is a digital camera for recording the numerical display digitally and the digital data is used to enter the numerical value in an amount record.
8
19. A system as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 18, wherein data transfer from the camera to the computer is via a telephone dialler connected to a fixed telephone line.
20. A system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, programmed for timed meter reading and/or on demand meter reading.
21. A remote monitoring system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
GB0029181A 1999-12-02 2000-11-30 Monitoring system Expired - Lifetime GB2359369B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9928455.6A GB9928455D0 (en) 1999-12-02 1999-12-02 Monitoring system

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0029181D0 GB0029181D0 (en) 2001-01-17
GB2359369A true GB2359369A (en) 2001-08-22
GB2359369B GB2359369B (en) 2004-05-12

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9928455.6A Ceased GB9928455D0 (en) 1999-12-02 1999-12-02 Monitoring system
GB0029181A Expired - Lifetime GB2359369B (en) 1999-12-02 2000-11-30 Monitoring system

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GBGB9928455.6A Ceased GB9928455D0 (en) 1999-12-02 1999-12-02 Monitoring system

Country Status (1)

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GB (2) GB9928455D0 (en)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2371169A (en) * 2000-08-18 2002-07-17 Ascot Man Solutions Ltd Remote monitoring of a utility meter via a digital camera
US7711814B1 (en) 2004-12-13 2010-05-04 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and system for remote monitoring of a power supply device with user registration capability
US7779026B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2010-08-17 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting and displaying network device information
US7986224B2 (en) 2003-04-14 2011-07-26 American Power Conversion Corporation Environmental monitoring device
US8024451B2 (en) 1999-10-27 2011-09-20 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and system for monitoring computer networks and equipment
US8145748B2 (en) 2004-12-13 2012-03-27 American Power Conversion Corporation Remote monitoring system
US8271626B2 (en) 2001-01-26 2012-09-18 American Power Conversion Corporation Methods for displaying physical network topology and environmental status by location, organization, or responsible party
US8566292B2 (en) 2003-04-14 2013-10-22 Schneider Electric It Corporation Method and system for journaling and accessing sensor and configuration data
US8990536B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2015-03-24 Schneider Electric It Corporation Systems and methods for journaling and executing device control instructions
US9952103B2 (en) 2011-12-22 2018-04-24 Schneider Electric It Corporation Analysis of effect of transient events on temperature in a data center
US11076507B2 (en) 2007-05-15 2021-07-27 Schneider Electric It Corporation Methods and systems for managing facility power and cooling

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7330886B2 (en) 1999-10-27 2008-02-12 American Power Conversion Corporation Network appliance management
US7627651B2 (en) 2003-10-27 2009-12-01 American Power Conversion Corporation System and method for network device communication

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986006529A1 (en) * 1985-04-29 1986-11-06 Shelley Edwin F Apparatus for converting analog meter indications to electrical signals
US4688038A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-08-18 Milton S. Gerstein Remote meter-reader device for gas meters, and the like
GB2284961A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-06-21 Age D Or Technical Services Pt Automatic electricity meter reading system
WO1998013670A1 (en) * 1996-09-25 1998-04-02 Harbour Management Services Limited System for remote meter viewing and reporting
GB2325598A (en) * 1997-03-22 1998-11-25 Plessey Telecomm Optical metering using modem and power lines
GB2335523A (en) * 1998-03-17 1999-09-22 Ascot Management Solutions Ltd Remote monitoring system using the GSM network

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986006529A1 (en) * 1985-04-29 1986-11-06 Shelley Edwin F Apparatus for converting analog meter indications to electrical signals
US4688038A (en) * 1985-09-30 1987-08-18 Milton S. Gerstein Remote meter-reader device for gas meters, and the like
GB2284961A (en) * 1993-12-20 1995-06-21 Age D Or Technical Services Pt Automatic electricity meter reading system
WO1998013670A1 (en) * 1996-09-25 1998-04-02 Harbour Management Services Limited System for remote meter viewing and reporting
GB2325598A (en) * 1997-03-22 1998-11-25 Plessey Telecomm Optical metering using modem and power lines
GB2335523A (en) * 1998-03-17 1999-09-22 Ascot Management Solutions Ltd Remote monitoring system using the GSM network

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
JP 2000231687 A *

Cited By (18)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8024451B2 (en) 1999-10-27 2011-09-20 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and system for monitoring computer networks and equipment
US8090817B2 (en) 1999-10-27 2012-01-03 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and system for monitoring computer networks and equipment
GB2371169A (en) * 2000-08-18 2002-07-17 Ascot Man Solutions Ltd Remote monitoring of a utility meter via a digital camera
US8271626B2 (en) 2001-01-26 2012-09-18 American Power Conversion Corporation Methods for displaying physical network topology and environmental status by location, organization, or responsible party
US8966044B2 (en) 2001-01-26 2015-02-24 Schneider Electric It Corporation Methods for displaying physical network topology and environmental status by location, organization, or responsible party
US7779026B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2010-08-17 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting and displaying network device information
US7958170B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2011-06-07 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting and displaying data associated with network devices
US8019798B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2011-09-13 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting and displaying network device information
US8719319B2 (en) 2002-05-03 2014-05-06 Schneider Electric It Corporation Method and apparatus for collecting and displaying network device information
US7986224B2 (en) 2003-04-14 2011-07-26 American Power Conversion Corporation Environmental monitoring device
US8566292B2 (en) 2003-04-14 2013-10-22 Schneider Electric It Corporation Method and system for journaling and accessing sensor and configuration data
US8145748B2 (en) 2004-12-13 2012-03-27 American Power Conversion Corporation Remote monitoring system
US7711814B1 (en) 2004-12-13 2010-05-04 American Power Conversion Corporation Method and system for remote monitoring of a power supply device with user registration capability
US9166870B2 (en) 2004-12-13 2015-10-20 Schneider Electric It Corporation Remote monitoring system
US11076507B2 (en) 2007-05-15 2021-07-27 Schneider Electric It Corporation Methods and systems for managing facility power and cooling
US11503744B2 (en) 2007-05-15 2022-11-15 Schneider Electric It Corporation Methods and systems for managing facility power and cooling
US8990536B2 (en) 2011-06-01 2015-03-24 Schneider Electric It Corporation Systems and methods for journaling and executing device control instructions
US9952103B2 (en) 2011-12-22 2018-04-24 Schneider Electric It Corporation Analysis of effect of transient events on temperature in a data center

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2359369B (en) 2004-05-12
GB9928455D0 (en) 2000-01-26
GB0029181D0 (en) 2001-01-17

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
PE20 Patent expired after termination of 20 years

Expiry date: 20201129