GB2453724A

GB2453724A - Utility meter card reader expansion module

Info

Publication number: GB2453724A
Application number: GB0720100A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alan Neil Houldsworth
Original assignee: Siemens PLC
Current assignee: Siemens PLC
Priority date: 2007-10-16
Filing date: 2007-10-16
Publication date: 2009-04-22
Also published as: GB0720100D0

Abstract

A low cost upgrade module for a utility meter (1, figure 1) is compatible with the meters existing prepayment card slot (4, figure 1) and is able to receive information via, for example a keypad 7 or radio link. Transfer of credit and other communications with the meter is thus facilitated.

Description

1 2453724 Utility Meter Card Reader ExDansion Module The invention is concerned with devices for metering consumption of utilities such as gas, electricity or water and, in particular, with providing means for communicating with such devices.

Utility meters have traditionally been supplied in two different types. Credit Meters are used by customers who pay their utility service bill (e.g. gas bill) after they have used the resource. Gas is consumed over a fixed period (typically 3 months) and is then billed retrospectively for their usage during this fixed period.

Prepayment Meters are used by customers who pay for their utility service (e.g. gas consumption) in advance of use. This allows the customer to manage their household budget more effectively and avoid possible debt. Cards or Keys are purchased that can be loaded with credit. The credit is subsequently transferred to the meter by insertion of the Card or Key in to a Reader Slot in the meter which is adapted for the purpose. Once this credit has been used, further credit must be purchased (loaded on to the card) and added to the meter to prevent the supply valve from being closed.

Prepayment meters, which rely on manual (and local) insertion of the card or key, and which are unable to communicate with other devices, have associated problems for customers and service providers alike. Customers have the inconvenience of travel to a retail outlet in order to purchase credit top-ups for their Card or Key. This task can be especially onerous for customers having limited mobility.

For service providers, costs are incurred for visits by Service Engineers to the Meter for maintenance activities and they are prevented from launching new services based upon real-time consumption levels that would enable customers to monitor the cost impact and environmental impact of their behaviour.

Certain Utility Meters have the facility for adding further functional Modules into Module Bays. However, the cost of these Modules and the cost of support Module Bays in Utility Meters has proven to be prohibitive and has made deployment in the UK Extremely unattractive. An alternative solution would be to replace the existing, installed meters with a new meter that is able to provide a remote communications capability.

This too would incur cost, including the material cost of the new meter, installation of the new meter and de-commissioning and disposal of the old meter.

The present invention seeks to solve these problems by providing a simple module which facilitates communication with a prepayment utility meter. The module can be supplied as an upgrade to existing utility meters and requires little or no modification of the latter.

According to the invention, a utility meter card reader expansion module comprises the features set out in claim 1 attached hereto.

The invention can facilitate communication with the meter by a number of modes.

In one embodiment, the module includes a man-machine interface (MMI) such as a keypad and (optionally) a display.

In another embodiment, the module includes means for transmitting and receiving information via a radio link.

The radio link could be short range, transmitting to a local (on-site) relay station (for example implemented in a personal computer) or the radio link could be longer range, utilizing existing communications networks such as GSM.

The invention allows data communication with a utility meter by other equipment (other meters, Customer Display Units etc), utility supplier's personnel or service personnel and customers. This allows inter a/ia meter reading, credit transactions, software upgrades and diagnostic tests to be performed, either locally or from a remote location.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following figures in which: figure 1 represents a prepayment utility meter of the prior art; figure 2 represents a perspective view of a utility meter card reader expansion module according to one embodiment of the invention and figure 3 represents an elevation view of a utility meter card reader expansion module according to an alternative embodiment the invention.

Referring to figure 1, a utility meter I of the prior art typically includes an inlet 2, where the utility being supplied (e.g. gas) enters the device, and outlet 3 where the utility leaves the device for consumption in, for example, a domestic environment.

During operation, a consumer purchases an electronic prepayment key or card (not shown) and an amount of credit which is stored on the card. The card is then inserted into slot 4 which provides access to a card reader (not shown) and the credit is transferred to the meter.

The credit on the meter decreases with consumption of the utility and when the value of the credit reaches zero, further consumption is prevented e.g. by the closure of a valve (not shown) where the utility is gas or water.

Thus the card reader represents a communications link for the card, having the requisite connectors, for data transfer and power supply, compatible with connectors on the edge of the card.

The meter would typically include a display 5 which could be used to display remaining credit.

Referring to figure 2 a utility meter card reader extension module according to a first embodiment of the invention includes an edge connector 6 adapted to be compatible with the card reader on an existing utility meter. Data are input to the meter via the module, using key pad 7.

The module contains the requisite processing components (microprocessor chip, memory etc., not shown) and applications for presenting the input information in a format compatible with the meter and for transferring the information via the edge connector 6.

The design of such an arrangement is within the abilities of a person skilled in the art an need not be elaborated on here.

Using this embodiment of the invention, credit transfer to the meter may be effected by entering a code number supplied to the consumer by the utility company during a transaction that can be effected by, for example, telephone or internet. The module can be pie-programmed to recognise such codes or the meter can have this facility installed by way of a software upgrade at the time the module is installed. Thus, the consumer is able to purchase credit and transfer it to the meter without leaving home and some of the problems of the prior art previously alluded to are avoided.

The module may further include a display 8 which allows information to be presented to a user. Further applications may be stored on the device which allow for diagnostic testing and presentation of the results at display 8. Alternatively, a display on the meter could be utilised.

Referring to figure 3, a second embodiment of the invention includes an edge connector 6 a transceiver 9 and an antenna 10. By this embodiment, radio communication with the utility meter is possible.

The requisite processing components such as RAM 11, RUM 12 and microprocessor 13 are also provided along with the necessary applications such as radio signalling software and data processing and formatting applications.

By this embodiment, communication with the meter can be effected from a remote location via a radio link. Thus, credit purchased by the consumer e.g. by telephone or internet, can be transferred to the meter; diagnostic checks on the meter can be run and the results transmitted back and software updates can be installed on the meter.

The radio link can utilise existing telecommunications infrastructure such as GSM. This mode, however places a significant power demand on the meter (most meters derive their power supply from a battery).

Alternatively, the radio link can be short range, using local wireless network technology to transmit and receive from a relay located nearby. A personal computer can be configured to serve as such a relay.

Claims

Claims 1. A utility meter card reader expansion module comprising: a connector adapted to be received by a card reader; means for receiving data and means for processing the data to a format suitable for transmission to a utility meter via the connector.
2. A module according to claim 1, wherein the means for receiving data comprises a keypad.
3. A module according to claim 2, further including a data display.
4. A module according to claim 1, wherein the means for receiving data comprises a radio receiver.
5. A module according to claim 4, further including a radio transmitter.
6. A system for metering consumption of a utility comprising a meter having a reader for a prepayment card and a module adapted to be received by the reader, the module being further adapted to receive information for onward transmission to the meter via the connector.
7. Use of a module according to any of claims I -5 for communicating with a utility meter.