GB2403323A

GB2403323A - A metering device with an associated RFID tag

Info

Publication number: GB2403323A
Application number: GB0300601A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ian Holmes-Higgin
Original assignee: Elster Metering Ltd
Current assignee: Elster Metering Ltd
Priority date: 2003-01-10
Filing date: 2003-01-10
Publication date: 2004-12-29
Anticipated expiration: 2023-01-10
Also published as: GB0300601D0; GB2403323B

Abstract

A metering device comprises an RFID tag for storing data associated (eg meter identification/reading) with the metering device. The RFID tag transmits stored data to a remote device, such as a hand-held data recoding device, which stores the transmitted data. By reducing the number of operator inputs into the hand-held device, the accuracy and efficiency of the meter reading can be increased.

Description

METERING DEVICE

The present invention relates to a metering device, such as a utility meter for metering, for example, water, gas or electricity consumption.

Meter reading typically requires a meter reader to inspect the meter and log the address or identity of the meter together with the current meter reading or readings.

Inefficiencies can results from human error such as, for example, inaccurate address or data logging by the reader, and meters being accidentally "missed" from a designated route.

In its preferred embodiments, the present invention seeks to improve meter reading accuracy and efficiency.

In one aspect the present invention provides a metering device comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for storing data associated with the metering device, the RFID tag comprising means for receiving data from a remote device for storage in the RFID tag.

By providing an RFID tag for storing data associated with the metering device, such as an identifier or address for the metering device, the number of reader inputs which are required when a reading is made from the meter can be reduced. This can increase the speed of a meter reading, as well as improving accuracy.

In one embodiment, the RFID tag is a passive tag which stores, in memory means thereof, data associated with the metering device, such as meter serial number, meter type, property address, meter history, factory test results, and so on, programmed into the RFID tag at source. Passive RFID tags have no internal power source, and are activated by a radio signal emitted from a remote device, such as a hand-held reader device. Upon activation, the RFID tag uses energy contained in the received radio signal to emit a radio signal including the stored data, which is received and stored by the hand-held device. Accordingly, there is no requirement 2 for the meter reader to enter into the reader the data programmed into the RFID tag, thereby increasing the speed and accuracy of the meter reading. Furthermore, data logging exercises which require reception by the hand-held device of the programmed data only can be conducted rapidly without sight of the metering device itself. In the present invention, the RFID tag is a passive reprogrammable, or read/ write, tag which stores, in addition to any data programmed into the RFID tag at source, data, such as metering data, input thereto from a remote device. For example, a hand-held device can programme into an in situ RFID tag the latest reading or readings from the metering device. Thus, when the RFID tag is activated for the next meter reading, usually a number of months later, the previous reading(s) are transmitted to the hand-held device. This can enable the readerto make an on- the-spot comparison between the previous and current reading(s) so as to identify rapidly any suspect (i.e. possibly fraudulent) or otherwise notable usage of the metering device since the previous reading(s). Examples of other data which can be input to the RFID tag from a remote device include pipe line pressure and temperature (specific to water metering devices) as well as other data which is not directly associated with the metering device itself.

Of course, the RFID tag may be an active tag which receives power from the power source of the metering device, such as the device's battery. This can increase the operating range of the RFID tag.

A real-time clock may be provided to enable the time of, or interval between, meter readings to be stored in the RFID tag.

Preferably the RFID tag is mounted on the external surface of the device. For instance, the RFID tag may comprise a flexible plastics strip, typically of dimensions mm by 5-10mm, secured to the housing of the device. Alternatively, the RFID tag may be "moulded-in" or other mounted internally of the metering device.

In another aspect, the present invention provides for monitoring a metering device, the apparatus comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a remote - 3 device, the RFID tag being located at the metering device and comprising storage means for storing data associated with the metering device, and means for transmitting the stored data to the remote device, the remote device comprising means for receiving and storing the transmitted data, the remote device further comprising means for transmitting data to the RFID tag, the RFID tag comprising means for receiving the transmitted data for storage in said storage means.

Preferably, the remote device comprises user input means for inputting data, means for comparing the input data with the data received from the RFID tag, and means for generating an alert depending on the result of the comparison. The remote device is preferablya portable, forexample hand-held, data recording device having a keyboard or similar input means for enabling a reader to input a meter reading to the device. The device may compare the input reading with the value of a previous reading as received from the RFID tag, and generate an alert depending on the result of the comparison.

This is an important aspect of the present invention, and so the present invention also extends to a portable data recording device comprising user input means for inputting a data reading from a metering device, means configured to receive from an RFID tag located at the metering device a radio signal including data associated with a previous reading of the metering device, means configured to compare the received data with the user inputted data reading, and means for generating an alert depending on the result of the comparison.

The storing means of the remote device may be arranged to store data received from a plurality of RFID tags each located at a respective metering device, the remote device comprising means for comparing the data received from the plurality of RFID tags to data pre-programmed in the remote device. This can enable the remote device to verify that the meter reader has logged data from each of the metering devices in a designated route. The remote device may comprise means for generating an alert depending on the result of the comparison, for instance, if a metering device has been missed by the reader. - 4

In another aspect the present invention provides a method of monitoring at least one metering device, the method comprising, at a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag which is located at a metering device and which stores data associated with that metering device, transmitting the stored data to a remote device, at the remote device, receiving and storing the transmitted data, and transmitting data to the RFID tag, and, at the RFID tag, receiving and storing the transmitted data.

Preferably, data is inputted into the remote device by a user thereof, the inputted data is compared with the data received from an RFID tag, and an alert is generated depending on the result of the comparison.

Preferably, data is received from a plurality of RFID tags, each located at a respective metering device, is received and stored by the remote device, and the data received from the plurality of RFID tags is compared to data pre-programmed in the remote device. An alert may be generated depending on the result of the comparison.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to Figure 1, which illustrates a metering device with an RFID tag mounted on the surface thereof in communication with a remote device, such as a hand-held reader.

As shown in Figure 1, an RFID tag 10 is mounted on a metering device 100, for example, a utility meter. The RFID tag 10 comprises an antenna 12, typically a circular pattern of copper or aluminium wire, for receiving a radio signal from, and transmitting a radio signal to, a remote device 200. A passive RFID tag is powered by the magnetic field of the received radio signal. Analogue circuit 14 rectifies the energy from the received magnetic field and stores the energy in a capacitor. Chip 16 manages the data transfer between the RFID tag 10 and remote device 200.

Memory 18 typically has a capacity in the range from 64 bytes to 4 kbytes, and stores the operating system of the RFID tag 10. These components of the RFID tag are encapsulated in glass, plastics or other suitable encapsulating material. - 5

In a read only RFID tag, the memory 18 is in the form of ROM memory. The ROM memory 18 further stores data relating to the metering device 100, such as meter serial number, meter type, property address, meter history, and factory test results.

This data is programmed on to the RFID tag 10 at source. In a read/write RFID tag, the memory 18 comprises further comprises EEPROM memory, the EEPROM memory storing, under the control of chip 16, data contained in a radio signal received from remote device 200.

Using the energy stored in the capacitor as a power source, the chip 16 uses amplitude, frequency or phase modulation of the carrier of the received signal to generate a radio signal for transmission back to the remote device 200. The chip 16 addresses in turn all of the memory elements in memory 18 and transmits back to the remote device all of the data relating to the metering device programmed into the memory 18. Once all of the data has been transmitted, the capacitor is discharged so as to "reset" the RFID tag 10 for the next transmission.

Remote device 200 is typically in the form of a portable data recording device. The remote device has an antenna 202 which is tuned to the same frequency as antenna 12 of the RFID tag 10. The remote device 200 contains a modulator/ demodulator 204 for modulating the carrier signal to send data to the RFID tag 10, the signal being in turn demodulated by the chip 16 of a read/write RFID tag 10 for storage of any data contained in the signal in binary form in EEPROM of memory 18. The modulator/demodulator 204 also demodulates the radio signal returned to the portable device by the RFID tag 10 and passes the demodulated signal to a control module 206 for storage of the data contained in the signal. A keyboard 208, or other suitable input means, enables a reader to input, for example, a meter reading into the device 200. A display 210 allows received data to be conveyed to the reader.

As previously mentioned, the RFID tag 10 transmits to the remote device all of the programmed data related to the metering device 100 stored in memory 18. By having data such as meter identity and type, and property address "automatically" - 6 recorded in the remote device 200, the accuracy and efficiency of meter reading can be improved.

The control module 206 may be programmed with a list of addresses from which meter readings are required on a designated route of a reader. As the reader visits each of these addresses in turn, the radio signal transmitted from the device 200 causes, when in range, the RFID tag 10 located on the metering device 100 at that address to transmit a return radio signal to the reader. This signal includes, inter alla, an identifier of the address of the metering device. By comparison of the pre programmed addresses and the addresses contained in the radio signals from the RFID tags 10 along the route, an alert can be generated, for example, on display 210, should no signal have been received from one of the addresses on the designated route, for example if the reader should have accidentally omitted that address from the designated route, and thus enable the reader to visit this "missed" address whilst nearby.

The data contained in the radio signal received from the RFID tag 10 also contains data associated with the previous reading of the metering device on which it is located. This can enable the control module 206 to perform a comparison of the reading inputted using the keyboard 208 and the received reading from the RFID tag 10, and generate an alert depending on the result of the comparison, or instance if meter usage is notably too small or too large. This can enable any meter error or tampering to be identified rapidly. If satisfied with the current meter reading, the reader can use the remote device 200 to transmit to the RFID tag 10 the current meter reading for storage in EEPROM of memory 18 and subsequent transmission back to a remote device when next activated, for instance at the next reading of the metering device 100. Other data which may be transmitted to the RFID tag may include data which is not directly associated with the metering device itself, such as current pipe line pressure and temperature.

In summary, a metering device comprises an RFID tag for storing data associated with the metering device. The RFID tag transmits stored data to a remote device, - 7 such as a hand-held data recoding device, which stores the transmitted data. By reducing the number of operator inputs into the hand-held device, the accuracy and efficiency of the meter reading can be increased.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (which term includes the claims) and/or shown in the drawings may be incorporated in the invention independently of other disclosed and/or illustrated features. - 8

Claims

1. A metering device comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag for storing data associated with the metering device, the RFID tag comprising means for receiving data from a remote device for storage in the RFID tag.

2. A metering device according to Claim 1, wherein the RFID tag comprises memory means for storing an identifier for the metering device.

3. A metering device according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the RFID tag comprises memory means for storing an address for the metering device.

4. A metering device according to any preceding claim, wherein the RFID tag is mounted on the external surface of the device.

5. Apparatus for monitoring a metering device, the apparatus comprising a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag and a remote device, the RFID tag being located at the metering device and comprising storage means for storing data associated with the metering device, and means for transmitting the stored data to the remote device, the remote device comprising means for receiving and storing the transmitted data, the remote device further comprising means for transmitting data to the RFID tag, the RFID tag comprising means for receiving the transmitted data for storage in said storage means.

6. Apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the remote device comprises user input means for inputting data, means for comparing the input data with the data received from the RFID tag, and means for generating an alert depending on the result of the comparison.

7. Apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the storing means of the remote device is arranged to store data received from a plurality of RFID tags each located - 9 - at a respective metering device, the remote device comprising means for comparing the data received from the plurality of RFID tags to data pre- programmed in the remote device.

8. Apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the remote device comprises means for generating an alert depending on the result of the comparison.

9. A method of monitoring at least one metering device, the method comprising, at a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag which is located at a metering device and which stores data associated with that metering device, transmitting the stored data to a remote device, at the remote device, receiving and storing the transmitted data, and transmitting data to the RFID tag, and, at the RFID tag, receiving and storing the transmitted metering data.

10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein data is inputted into the remote device by a user thereof, the inputted data is compared with the data received from an RFID tag, and an alert is generated depending on the result of the comparison.

11. A method according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein data from a plurality of RFID tags, each located at a respective metering device, is received and stored by the remote device, and the data received from the plurality of RFID tags is compared to data pre-programmed in the remote device.

12. A method according to Claim 1 1, wherein an alert is generated depending on the result of the comparison.

13. A portable data recording device comprising user input means for inputting a data reading from a metering device, means configured to receive from an RFID tag located at the metering device a radio signal including data associated with a previous reading of the metering device, means configured to compare the received data with the user inputted data reading, and means for generating an alert depending on the result of the comparison. - 10

14. A metering device, apparatus for monitoring a metering device, a method of monitoring at least one metering device, or a portable device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.