GB2435732A

GB2435732A - A utility metering system incorporating a private / public radio network

Info

Publication number: GB2435732A
Application number: GB0604080A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Stanton; Hamish Mclaren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-01
Filing date: 2006-03-01
Publication date: 2007-09-05
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-01
Also published as: GB0604080D0; GB2435732B

Abstract

A utility metering and communication system, which incorporates a radio network, which provides access to public networks. The radio network provides for broadband bi-directional communication providing a local, regional and national network cover. The radio devices can be installed in meters and telephones within the consumers premises. This system enables services to be provided, such as: - For the Utility:- <UL ST="-"> <LI>Metering data, diagnostics and control, tariff and energy information, supplier data, revenue protection reports, consumer payments, metering for embedded generation, text messages. In addition the Utility, or other service providers, may offer added value services and advice provision as required by the Consumer. </UL> and for the Consumer: - <UL ST="-"> <LI>Fixed and mobile telephony, data services, text messages, Internet services, entertainment, e mail, payments from the home, home automation services, mobile computing (Roaming) communication, geographic location services and remote access to the home services. </UL>

Description

A UTILITY METERING SYSTEM INCORPERATING A PRIVATE/PUBLIC RADIO

NE1WORK.

Description

Field of the Invention.

The invention relates to a utility metering system, which incorporates a Private radio system, which can be enabled for Public access. The Private radio network provides for broadband bi-directional communication providing a local, regional and national network. The Private radio Network would facilitate the following typical, but non-exhaustive, list of services for the Utilities and Consumer.

Utility: -Routine meter reading collection, special meter reads, meter diagnostics, meter tampering alarms, tariff data downloads, utility disconnection commands, interval demand data, information on change of tenancy or change of supplier, change of meter functionality, load limiting commands, tariff information, supplier data, revenue protection reports metering for embedded generation, text messages and payments for utility services. In addition the utility, or other service providers, may offer added value services, such as alarms for the elderly or vulnerable, security systems, smoke, CO and temperature alarms, health monitoring systems, home control systems, advanced energy management systems, demand control systems, energy monitoring and advice provision, distribution network data, telecoms and data services for utilities and network companies.

Consumer: -Voice telephony (both within and outside the home), data services, text messages, Internet services, entertainment, e mail, payments from the home facilities for any services, home automation services, mobile computing (Roaming) communication, geographic location services, remote access to the home services, The unique feature of the imbedded Radio Network System is the ability to enable it for Public Access, providing the capability and capacity to enable roaming, voice (Voice Over Internet Protocol) communications entertainment media, Internet and remote home management and secure payment for the services, and other services.

Background of the Invention.

The privatisation of the energy supply industry and the increasing cost of energy is giving rise to an ever-increasing requirement for its use to be effectively measured, managed and controlled by both the customer and supplying utility. In addition the additional complexity of a competitive energy industry is increasing the need for accurate and timely utility data.

The introduction of landline, cable, GSM telephony, and satellite communications has reduced the number of locations of utility meters which have access to a fixed landline and the inherent delays in the GSM messaging network restricts and limits the utilities ability to have real time data and control.

There is an increasing desire by telecoms users not to be constrained by fixed telephone lines. Whilst mobile telephones are an option, the costs of these are relatively high, especially for Internet and data transfer use. The widespread availability of a Private/Public enabled network will remove these constraints and enable customers to send and receive voice and data communications from wherever they are.

In response to this requirement the fact that every domestic and business premise contains at least one utility meter the up grading to a utility radio utility meter will provide a national network for utilities and when enabled, full public access roaming capability.

The communication may also be by modem or GSM. During fault conditions or if the receiver of the communication does not have radio access, the communication may be routed through an alternative media.

The usual interface for all services may be through the radio utility meter. The radio utility meter will and or may communicate with each other by RF signals and or communicate with landline cable or GSM, in order to access other telecoms networks.

The private network will provide a real-time communication system for both the user and supplier. Thus energy suppliers and their customers will have available frequent and accurate consumption and cost data. There is considerable information publicly available which shows that energy consumers reduce their consumption if given useful information in real time, such as costs, on their usage, The network nodes imbedded in the utility meter can be enabled for Public access enabling Roaming, voice communications, data transfer, entertainment media, Internet and remote home management.

By the fact that the private network will be organised to enable automatic connection best route routing through any and or all nodes to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth and provide a communication node at every suitably equipped meter location, the system will provide a communication backbone providing real-time bi-directional communications. This also gives a robust network, which responds automatically to changing circumstances, such as loads and faults, to provide the best possible operating system at that time.

By the fact the principal utility meter incorporating the network node will provide for secure transactions for the private network these nodes using the same facility can provide for secure transactions for payments to providers for other services, by utilising the enabled public network access.

In response to need for real-time communications in the utilities field, which the current networks may be unable to provide, the international drive to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and manage cost within the service, the radio network will enable real-time control and management of resources and in addition reduce administration costs. In addition the radio system will be grown in line with the meter installation rate giving the utility real-time data and control and the provision to provide the user with real-time consumption and cost information enabling consumption and cost management by either the user or utility.

Furthermore metering data can be retrieved in real time, substantially reducing the utility's' costs as well as bad debts arising from inaccurate and late meter reads.

One particular problem the utility radio can also address is the fraudulent acquiring of utility services in both the prepay and credit markets as the system would enable real-time monitoring of individual consumptions enabling instant comparisons to be made on usage against payment and or changes in usage profiles, thus reducing the risk of theft.

Taking advantage of the fact that the vast majority of occupied premises has an Electricity meter, which is securely installed in a known location and the Radio is imbedded in the meter, the system is protected and does not require additional cables, land lines or antenna. This reduces the risk of tampering and damage and consequently provides a robust communications system.

Proposed Additions Overview.

The addition of the Software and Hardware imbedded in individual Utility Electricity Meters (and or any other Utility Meter). Is to provide a Wide Area Private Radio Network The communications network will provide for bi-directional communications in either or both licensed or unlicensed radio frequencies. The communication routing will be organised to enable automatic connection best route routing through any and or all nodes to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth.

The System will include automatic RF power output control to optimise performance; battery life and connect time under loss of mains supply enabling transmissions and communications under fault conditions.

The density of Radio access points will enable battery operated devices, such as mobile telephones and laptop computers, to operate at lower power levels than is normally the case with existing systems, where the density of access points is much less. This not only extends the life of these battery-operated devices but also reduces any possible health hazards as the radio radiation will be at lower power levels.

The Private Network will provide for access to any other communication Media e.g. Landline, GSM, and Satellite ECT.

The Private Network will provide the node for an in-house radio communication and or control system. 3'

The Private Network will have the facility to be enabled to provide at each node the capability for Enabled Public Access (roaming) for Voice and Data communications including Entertainment Internet and Media.

The Private Network will provide for a Secure Payment System for any or all of the above services and for payments for other services.

Diagram I Description

Diagram 1 shows a micro module of a radio network communication system which will automatically self seek and provide bi-directional communications to each and every other enabled Radio utility meter. The number of system nodes (Radio enabled Utility Meter) is unlimited.

Each Node has the capability to communicate though a local Pico network providing bi-dIrectional communications to provide a range of private, public, or utility services as shown but not limited to these.

The Pico network will communicate through the Node (Radio Utility meter) either directly to the Base station (Utility Server) either by being automatically routed through the other nodes in the Radio Network or where the network is not complete or has failed though an alternative communication media.

The system provides dynamic routing to ensure that the most effective signal route is selected depending on the circumstances prevailing at that time.

The Base Station provides the communication routing and interface to the service provider.

Diagram 2 Description

Diagram 2 demonstrates the bi-directional communications and routing between the services, utilities and interfaces the system can provide.

Diagram 2 Figure 1 demonstrates the bi-directional communication path through and between the installed base of utility meters. Each meter will contain a unique address code, which will identify the delivery address for messages and sender identification. The prime utility meter is the Electricity meter which will handle and process all local messages, subordinate utility meters such as gas and water will be serviced through the Pico network Each Pico network will carry it's own unique identification code.

Diagram Figure 2 shows the interface to all the utility providers through the Base Station (Figure 4), which will manage the routing, data management, information storage, billing and the listing of enabled Public service nodes in the total network.

Figure 3 demonstrates some of the public service networks which when the node is enabled can be provide to the user either directly through the Base Station to the node which has been enabled or directly to the node for distribution in the local area with payment authorisation through the server.

Figure 5 describes some of the services, which can be provided.

Claims

Claims.

Claim 1 The embedding of a Private Radio Network in a utility meter will provide a single robust and secure national communication network for all the Utility industries.

I a. As the private radio system is embedded in the electricity and other utility meters, which will communicate with neighbouring meters and there is a large installed base of meters, the system negates the need for the construction of new radio masts or cable groundwork.

2. The private radio system uses a radio imbedded in every utility meter that communicates through other neighbouring utility meters providing a national network.

3. As the private radio system communicates through the utility meter and each meter has a unique code relating to a single address, the geographic location of any communication will be known and an be used for navigational and other purposes.

Fraud will be limited as the unique code is only known to the provider and would be imbedded in all messages to and from that address the source and destination of the message is always known.

4The unique code associated with the utility meter will be transmitted with every communication and can help locate the source of the communication for purposes such as, emergency services, delivery of goods etc. Another use for this would be for delivery services to carry a device which records the time and,location of each delivery 5. The Network would enable the Utilities to remotely Manage, Monitor and Control their meters giving individual or blanket control, change tariffs and payments terms and provide real time customer information on an individual basis and by mass transmission.

6. The Network would enable the User to remotely Manage, Monitor and Control their meters providing the ability for energy management, remote load control and management and provide data access in real time.

7. Public assess to the Private Network would enable the use of Roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to any suitably equipped customer.

8. By the fact of 4 above and the unique code and address identification. The Network will provide for Secure Voice telephony (both within and outside the home) data services, text messages internet services, entertainment1 e mail, payments from the home facilities, home automation services, mobile computing communication, geographic location services and remote access to the home services 9. The Private Network due to the unique identification code will enable utilities and or public services to carry out the following, but non-exhaustive list of services: Routine meter reads, special meter reads, meter diagnostics, meter tampering alarms, tariff data downloads, utility disconnection commands, interval demand data, information on change of tenancy or change of supplier, thange of meter functionality, load limiting commands, tariff information, supplier data, revenue protection reports, metering for embedded generation, text messages and payments for utility services. In addition the utility, or other service providers, may offer added value services, such as alarms for the elderly or vulnerable, security systems, smoke, CO and temperature alarms, health monitoring systems, home control systems, advanced energy management systems, demand control systems, energy monitoring and advice provision, distribution network data.

10. The private network will address the fraudulent acquiring of utility services in both the prepay and credit markets as the system would enable real-time monitoring of individual consumptions, enabling instant comparisons to be made on usage against payment and or changes in usage profiles, thus reducing the risk of theft.

11. As the radio is embedded in the utility meter the system is protected and does not require additional cables, land lines or antenna. This reduces the risk of tampering and damage and consequently provides a robust system. This is enhanced due to the inability for members of the public to disconnect the electricity supply to the utility meter.

12. The public enabled system will provide for Roaming (voice and data) at each and every enabled radio utility meter and also can provide access to landline, cable or GSM network.

13. The system provides for a non-intrusive interactive home/external and business/external communications networks.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A private broadband radio system having a unique address code and being embedded in a utility meter, the private radio system being arranged to communicate with private radio systems in neighbouring meters forming part of a communication network of utility meter private radios, the private radio system being publicly enabled at any node to the private communication network so as to enable the use of fixed telephone, cable or roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer.

2. The private radio system of claim 1, in which the radio imbedded in a utility meter is able to communicate through other neighbouring utility meters to a base server or is able to communicate directly with the base server.

3. The private radio system of claim 2, in which the network of utility meter private radios is configurable to enable automatic connection best route routing through any and or all the utility meter private radios to provide optimum connectivity, power and bandwidth and provide a communication node at every suitably equipped meter location.

4. The private radio system of claim 1, in which public access enabling of the radio utility meter also provides access to a land line, cable or GSM network.

5. The private radio system of claim I in which the utility meter has a unique * code relating to a single geographical address.

**.*..

6. The private radio system of claim 5 in which the unique code is known only to the utility provider and is imbedded in all messages to and from that address.

7. The private radio system of claim 4, in which the network will provide for Secure Voice telephony (both within and outside the home), data services, text messages, internet services, entertainment, e mail, payments from the home facilities, home automation services, mobile computing communication geographic location services and remote access to the home services.

8. The private radio system of claim 1 in which the utility meter is an electricity meter or a gas meter or a water meter.

9. A private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems as claimed in any preceding claim.

10. A private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems each embedded in a utility meter, in which each private radio system has the capability to communicate though a local radio frequency network either through other private radio systems and/or directly to a base station by being automatically routed through the other nodes in the private radio network or where the network is not complete or has failed, though an alternative communication media; the communication routing being organised to enable automatic best route routing, power and bandwidth through any and/or all nodes to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth.

11. The private radio network of claim 10 in which each private radio system is publicly enabled at any node to the private communication network so as to enable the use of landline, cable or roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped Customer.

12. The private radio network of claim 10, in which public access enablement of the radio utility meter also provides access to a landline, cable or GSM network.

13. The private radio network of claim 10 in which the utility meter has a unique code relating to a single geographical address.

14. The private radio network of claim 13 in which the unique code is known only to the utility provider and is imbedded in all messages to and from that address.

15. The private radio network of claim 13, in which the network will provide for Secure Voice telephony (both within and outside the home), data services, text messages, internet services, entertainment, e mail, payments from the * home facilities, home automation services, mobile computing communication geographic location services and remote access to the **.*S.

home services.

16. The private radio network of claim 10 in which the utility meter is an electricity meter or a gas meter or a water meter.

17. The private radio system of claim 4 by which remote home management and other services, such as alarms for the elderly or vulnerable, security systems, smoke, CO and temperature alarms, health monitoring systems, home control systems, distribution network data, telecoms and data services for utilities and network companies can be provided.

18. The private radio network of claim 10 in which the communication routing is configured to optimise the power transmitted at each private radio system.

19. The private radio network of claim 1 or claim 10 which is configurable to allow a Utility to manage, monitor and control its utility meters either individually or via blanket control and provide real time customer information on an individual basis and by mass transmission.

20. The private radio network of claim 1 or claim 10, which is configurable to allow a user to remotely manage, monitor and control a utility meter to provide for energy management, peak usage reduction, change tariffs and payments terms and provide data access in real time.

21. The private radio network of claim 18 enabling utility companies to control advanced energy management systems, demand control systems and energy monitoring and advice provision systems.

22. A base station, configured for communication with the private broadband radio system of claim 1 and/or the private radio network of claim 10.

23. A method of broadband communication comprising the provision of a private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems each embedded in a utility meter, in which each private radio system has the capability to communicate though a local radio frequency network either through other private radio systems and/or directly to a base station by being automatically routed through the other nodes in the private radio network, the method comprising the step of, where the network is not complete or has failed, routing a communication though an alternative communication media, the communication routing being organised to enable automatic best route routing, power and bandwidth through any and/or all nodes to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth.

24. A secure system for recording time and location of a goods delivery to a geographical address, the system comprising a private broadband radio system embedded in a utility meter, the private broadband radio system having a unique code relating to a single geographical address, the unique code being transmittable with a communication from the private broadband radio system and being usable to locate the source of the communication, and a device which records the time and location of each delivery to a geographical address having the unique code.

II