GB2506130A

GB2506130A - Remote Telemetry Unit

Info

Publication number: GB2506130A
Application number: GB201216804A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stuart B Combellack; Richard Platts
Original assignee: Technolog Ltd
Current assignee: Technolog Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-20
Filing date: 2012-09-20
Publication date: 2014-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2032-09-20
Also published as: GB2506130B; GB201216804D0

Abstract

A battery powered remote telemetry unit RTU (11) for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network has a Wi-Fi communication device (23) for making a wireless local area network connection, through which a configuration of the remote telemetry unit (11) can be changed. The Wi-Fi communication device comprises an wireless access point configured to broadcast a service set identifier (SSID). The RTU comprises a web server and provides access to a configuration application of the RTU through a website accessible by another device using a web browser. The RTU may automatically intercept any web browsing activity and redirect the web browser to the RTU configuration website. The RTU has a wake-up sensor to trigger a mode change from sleep mode to active mode.

Description

Remote Telemetry Unit The present invention relates to remote telemetry units for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network.

Background

A fluid distribution network is a network, e.g. formed from one or more pipes, channels and/or storage areas, for transporting fluid from one location to one or more other locations and/or for storing fluid at one or more locations. Examples of fluid distribution networks include gas distribution networks, for transporting a gas, e.g. natural gas, from one location to one or more other locations, water distribution networks, for transporting water from one location to one or more other locations, and sewage or waste distribution networks, for transporting sewage or waste from one location to one of more other locations.

In this application, the term fluid" is used to refer to liquids and/or gasses. Thus, the term "fluid distribution network" may mean a gas distribution network and/or a liquid distribution network. The term "fluid" may also include other flowable materials, such as a mixture of liquids and solids, e.g. flowable waste such as sewage.

Fluid distribution networks are commonly used to distribute fluids, such as water, oil, or natural gas, between buildings, cities, regions, countries, or other locations. Such fluid distribution networks may also be referred to as utility networks, or fluid distribution utility networks.

The term "fluid distribution network" in this application may include some of the infrastructure surrounding the part of the fluid distribution network that contains the fluid being distributed.

For example, the term "fluid distribution network" may include manhole covers covering access points of a fluid distribution network, valve chamber covers covering valve chambers of the fluid distribution network, and other surrounding infrastructure necessary for monitoring, controlling or protecting the fluid distribution network.

The term "fluid distribution network" in this application may include both the parts of the fluid distribution network for transporting the fluid, e.g. pipes, channels, rivers etc., and/or parts of the fluid distribution network for storing the fluid. e.g. reservoir, sewerage works, gas storage facilities etc. Such fluid distribution networks are commonly located at least partly underground, e.g. with a series of connected pipes or tunnels buried underground. Access to underground parts of the fluid distribution network may be achieved through vertical shafts to the surface, covered by a man-hole cover or some other removable protective cover. In particular, access may be provided to one or more valves of the fluid distribution network, which may be for controlling the flow of fluid in the fluid distribution network, e.g. the flow rate and/or pressure.

Other parts of fluid distribution networks may be above ground, for example water reservoirs or above ground fluid storage facilities, e.g. sewage works, or above ground channels for transporting fluid, such as rivers or canals.

Fluid distribution networks may also be found inside buildings, for distributing fluids, such as gas or water, around a building. They may also be found in other places, for example in other large infrastructure systems, or in vehicles, e.g. ships.

It is known to provide monitoring devices to monitor the performance or state of a fluid distribution network. Monitoring devices may be used to measure a variety of different things (for example parameters, current state, or current environment) in relation to fluid distribution networks. For example, such monitoring devices may measure: a pressure of fluid in the fluid distribution network; a flow of fluid in the fluid distribution network, e.g. a flow rate; a temperature, e.g. of the fluid in the fluid distribution network, the fluid distribution network itself, and/or the surroundings of the fluid distribution network; a rainfall occurring at a location of the fluid distribution network, e.g. measured with a tipping bucket gauge; a fluid height in the fluid distribution network, e.g. a height of fluid in a sewer, a river or a reservoir; the state of a switch, e.g. located on an access door or cover of the fluid distribution network, or on a pump or valve of the fluid distribution network, for example for the purposes of detecting and monitoring tampering with the fluid distribution network. Such devices may additionally be able to control the performance or state of the fluid distribution network, for example by controlling (i.e. altering) the pressure of the flow and/or the rate of the flow of the fluid in the fluid distribution network.

Such monitoring devices may also generate alarms, or provide more intelligent autonomous control of the fluid distribution network, e.g. by triggering control outputs as a result of inputs to the monitoring device.

Commonly, such monitoring devices are connected to, or attached to, or placed near or in contact with, a valve of a fluid distribution network. As mentioned above, such a valve may be for controlling the flow of fluid through a part of the fluid distribution network. Thus, the monitoring device may be located underground, close to or in contact with an underground valve of a fluid distribution network, for monitoring (i.e. measuring and recording) one or more variables of the flow occurring in the valve, e.g. the flow rate and/or the pressure of the flow. The measuring device may be in fluid communication with a flow of fluid through the valve, so that the flow properties can be determined. In response to these measurements, the valve may be remotely controlled, to vary the flow properties of the fluid in the valve.

It is also known to provide such monitoring devices with some means for connecting the monitoring device to a wireless wide area network (WAN). For example, it is known to provide monitoring devices for fluid distribution networks with a GSM communication device, to enable the monitoring device to connect to a GSM network. The inclusion of a GSM communication device enables the monitoring device to communicate measured data relating to the fluid distribution network to a user remotely over the GSM network, for example by sending the data as a text-message. This may remove the need for the user to be in, or to visit, the location of the monitoring device in order to obtain the measured data.

Such monitoring devices are also known as remote telemetry units.

Such remote telemetry units are commonly battery powered, because they are commonly used in locations where there is no available power supply to power the remote telemetry unit, for example because they are attached to a valve of an underground utility pipe. Such remote telemetry units may be able to function on battery power for a period of at least three years. Thus, the remote telemetry units may function on battery power for a long period of time before requiring a new or recharged battery.

Essentially, a battery powered remote telemetry unit may be configured to be used anywhere in or surrounding a fluid distribution network where there is something to measure, and where there is no readily available power supply or where supplying power is potentially dangerous (for example in hazardous, e.g. zone 0", gas areas). Typical installations of remote telemetry units include in fields under manhole covers covering an access shaft of a fluid distribution network, in the middle of the street under a valve chamber cover covering a valve chamber of a fluid distribution network, by the sides of roads, e.g. in fiberglass boxes, for measuring gas or water networks, and connected to the side of underground chambers under manhole covers for monitoring fluid levels and overflow inside e.g. a sewerage system.

An example of a known remote telemetry unit, in this case for monitoring the pressure in a fluid distribution network, is illustrated in FIG. 1. The known remote telemetry unit 1 has a pressure port 3 that is connectable to a fluid distribution network (not shown) to enable the known telemetry unit 1 to measure a pressure in the fluid distribution network. In practice, the known remote telemetry unit 1 will be positioned on, or in contact with, a valve of an underground fluid distribution network, for example a valve on an underground pipe of a gas or water distribution network. The known remote telemetry unit 1 can be connected to the valve through the pressure port 3 so that it is in fluid communication with the fluid passing through the valve. Thus, the known remote telemetry unit 1 can measure the pressure and/or the flow rate of the flow of fluid through the valve of the fluid distribution network.

The remote telemetry unit 1 may be installed under a manhole cover, e.g. in a field or in a street.

The known remote telemetiy unit 1 has a WAN GSM wireless antenna 5 for connecting the known remote telemetry unit 1 to a GSM network (not shown), for communicating measured data (i.e. pressure and/or flow rate measurements) relating to the fluid distribution network to a user over the GSM network.

It is necessary at some times to access and/or to change the configuration settings of a remote telemetry unit. For example, it may be necessary to change settings or parameters of software running on the remote telemetry unit, or to update or change the firmware or software of the remote telemetry unit, or to run diagnostics on the remote telemetry unit.

The phrase "change the configuration settings" used in the following is intended to cover any changes to the software or firmware running on the remote telemetry unit, and more particularly to cover any changes to the settings of the software or firmware running on the remote telemetry unit, and may also cover running diagnostics on the software or firmware of the remote telemetry unit, or simply accessing configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

Conventionally, the configuration settings of a remote telemetry unit are changed by forming a wired connection between the remote telemetry unit and a computer terminal running suitable setup software. Commonly, the wired connection is a point-to-point wired serial connection, formed by a serial connection cable. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the known remote telemetry unit 1 has a wired communications connector 7 to which a cable can be connected in order to form a wired connection between the remote telemetry unit and a computer terminal (not shown). The wired communications connector 7 may be a wired serial connector! to which a serial connection cable can be connected to foim a point-to-point wired serial connection between the remote telemetry unit and the computer terminal. The configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 1 can then be changed through the wired connection, by using suitable setup software running on the computer terminal.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, in the remote telemetry unit 1 the wired communications connector 7 is covered by a twist cap 9 when not in use, to protect the wired communications connector 7.

Summary of the Invention

The present inventors have identified a number of improvements that can be made to conventional remote telemetry units, such as the known remote telemetry unit 1 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Remote telemetry units are commonly used in environments in which they may be exposed to water. As discussed above, remote telemetry unit monitoring devices can be used to measure a large variety of things, which may involve them coming into contact with rain water, surface water, ground waler, or water flowing in the fluid distribution system. For example, in outdoor gas and water distribution networks the fluid is often carried through a series of pipes or tunnels buried underground. The remote telemetry unit may be in close proximity to the fluid distribution network in order to measure the performance or state of the fluid distribution network, and thus may also be buried underground. As discussed above, remote telemetry units may be connected to valves of an underground fluid distribution utility network, such as an underground water or gas distribution network. In this environment, the remote telemetry unit may be exposed to a significant amount of water or moisture in the ground surrounding the pipes, e.g. due to rainfall and drainage water.

The present inventors have realised that the wired communications connector 7 in the known remote telemetry unit 1 may cause a risk of water ingress into the known remote telemetry unit 1 through the wired communications connector 7. Water ingress into the known remote telemetry unit 1 may damage the electrical circuitry inside the known remote telemetry unit 1, and may significantly shorten the operational lifetime of the known remote telemetry unit 1.

It is the case that the conventional way of changing the configuration settings of a remote telemetry unit, by forming a wiied connection (e.g. a point-to-point wired serial connection) between the remote telemetry unit and a computer terminal running suitable setup software, requires physical disturbance of both the remote telemetry unit and/or the infrastructure surrounding the fluid distribution network. For example, the remote telemetry unit may need to be extracted from its location to connect the wired communications cable, to form the wired connection with the terminal computer. If the fluid distribution network and remote telemetry unit are located underground, e.g. the remote telemetry unit is connected to an underground pipe or valve of the fluid distribution network, such extraction of the remote telemetry unit may be difficult and/or time consuming to achieve, and may cause disruption or damage to the infrastructure surrounding the fluid distribution network. For example, such access may require removal of a man-hole cover or other protective cover.

It is also the case that the wet and dirty environments in which a remote telemetry unit is commonly used, and accessed in order to change the configuration settings, mean that a field computer, such as a rugged laptop PC designed to cope with a harsh environment, may be required for changing the configuration seftings. Such field computers can be expensive, and also bulky to carry around.

At its most general, the present invention provides a remote telemetry unit, for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network, which has some means for making a Wi-Fi connection, through which the configuration of the remote telemetry unit can be changed, and/or through which diagnostics can be run on the remote telemetry unit.

The term "Wi-Fi connection" may mean a connection that satisfies the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery powered remote telemetry unit for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network, wherein the remote telemetry unit has a Wi-Fi communication device for making a wireless local area network connection, through which a configuration of the remote telemetry unit can be changed.

The term "Wi-Fi communication device" may mean a device that is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers' (IEEE) 802.11 standards.

The term "wireless local area network connection" may mean any Wi-Fi connection between the remote telemetry unit and another Wi-Fi device, and may include so called "ad-hoc" Wi-Fi networking, in which a Wi-Fi connection is formed between two Wi-Fi devices without using a wireless access point, or so called "Wi-Fi Direct" networking, or a Wi-Fi connection formed between two Wi-Fi devices using a wireless access point, for example where either the remote telemetry unit or the other device acts as a wireless access point.

Thus, according to the first aspect of the invention, the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit can be changed over a wireless LAN connection, rather than over a wired connection as in the known remote telemetry unit. For example, the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit can be changed by forming a wireless LAN connection between the remote telemetry unit and another device, and then altering the configuration settings via the other device.

The arrangement of the first aspect of the invention provides a number of advantages.

Firstly, because the configuration settings can be changed over a wireless LAN connection, theie is no longei a lequirement to include a wired communications connector (e.g. a wired serial connector), as in the known remote telemetry unit illustrated in FIG. 1. Removal of the wired communications connector may reduce the likelihood of water ingress into the remote telemetry unit, which might otherwise have occurred through the wired communications connector. Thus, water damage to the internal electrical components of the remote telemetry unit may be reduced or prevented, and the operational lifespan of the reniote telemetry unit may be increased. In addition, removal of the wired communications connector may make the mechanical design of the remote telemetry unit simpler, easier to manufacture, and cheaper to produce. The setup may also be cheaper because it does not require any additional cables or connectors to produce the wired connection when changing the configuration settings.

Secondly! because the configuration settings can be changed over a wireless LAN connection, it may no longer be necessary to extract the remote telemetry unit from its location to change the configuration settings, as is commonly required when changing the configuration settings over a wired connection, e.g. a point-to-point wired serial connection.

Instead, the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit may be changed remotely, at a distance determined by the range of the wireless LAN connection, without necessarily requiring physical access to the remote telemetry unit. Thus, physical disturbance to both the remote telemetry unit and the infrastructure of the fluid distribution network may be minimised, and the process of changing the configuration settings may be made significantly easier and less time consuming. In addition, because the configuration settings can be changed remotely, the environment in which the device used to change the configuration is used may be a less harsh environment than the envilonment around the remote telemetry unit, and thus it may not be necessary to use an expensive and bulky field computer, or similar.

Thirdly, because the configuration settings can be changed over a wireless LAN connection, it may be possible to alter the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit using devices that do not have a wired communications connection pod (e.g. a wired serial connector) for forming a wired connection (e.g. a point-to-point wired serial connection), and which therefore could not be used with the known remote telemetry unit illustrated in FIG. 1.

For example, a conventional Wi-Fi enabled tablet computer or a conventional Wi-Fi enabled phone (e.g. a smartphone), may be able to make a wireless LAN connection to the Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit. Thus, it may be possible to alter the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit, or run diagnostics, using many different types of Wi-Fi enabled devices, such as tablet computers and smart phones, in addition to computer terminals such as laptops and desktop computers. In particular, it may be possible to use Wi-Fi enabled devices that do not have a wired communications connector (e.g. a wired serial connector), as required with the known remote telemetry unit illustrated in FIG. 1. Indeed, the remote telemetry unit may be compatible with any Wi-Fi enabled device. This may provide significantly more flexibility in terms of which devices can be used to alter the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

In addition to changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit over the wireless LAN connection, it may also be possible to access data measured and recorded by the remote telemetry unit over the wireless LAN connection. For example, where the remote telemetry unit saves measured data in an internal memory, a user of another Wi-Fi device connected to the remote telemetry unit by a wireless LAN connection may be able to access, download or view the measured data saved in the internal memory. Additionally or alternatively, the user of the other Wi-Fi device may be able to access, download or view real time measurements being carried out by the remote telemetry unit through the wireless LAN connection. Thus, a user of the other device may be able to access and/or download measurement data from the remote telemetry unit at the same time as running diagnostics or changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

The remote telemetry unit may be for connecting to an underground pipe or valve of a fluid distribution utility network, for example an underground pipe or underground valve of a gas or water distribution network. Other typical installations of the remote telemetry unit may include under a manhole cover in the ground. e.g. in a field or on a road, in the middle of a street under a valve chamber cover, in a fiberglass box by the side of a road or track measuring gas ci watei networks, or attached to the side of an underground chamber under a manhole cover for monitoring sewer levels and overflow in a sewerage system.

The remote telemetry unit may be connectable to a fluid distribution network in fluid communication with the fluid distribution network, in order to measure one or more properties of the flow of the fluid in the fluid distribution network, for example the pressure and/or the flow rate. For example! the remote telemetry unit may be configured to measure the pressure and/or flow rate of the flow through a valve of the fluid distribution network.

Other things that may be measured by a remote telemetry unit may include flow, temperature, rainfall, fluid height, the state of a switch, and similar.

The remote telemetry unit may be configured (e.g. in terms of the size/capacity/power of its battery, and/or in terms of its power consumption) to function for a period of at least three years on battery power, without requiring replacement of the battery or recharging of the battery. Thus, the remote telemetry unit may be able to function for long periods of time on battery power alone. This may be necessary because the remote telemetry unit may be used in locations where there is no fixed power supply, e.g. connected to an underground section (e.g. a pipe or valve) of a fluid distribution network.

As discussed above, essentially a battery powered remote telemetry unit may be configured to be used anywhere in or surrounding a fluid distribution network where there is something to measure and where there is no readily available power supply, or where supplying power could be dangerous.

The remote telemetry unit may also have a wireless wide area network communication device for making a wireless wide area network connection, through which the remote telemetry unit can communicate telemetry data. Therefore, in a similar manner to known remote telemetry units, the remote telemetry unit may be able to communicate measurement data relating to the fluid distribution network to another device over the wireless WAN connection. For example, the wireless WAN communication device may connect to a wireless WAN network to which another device is also connected. Thus, the measurement data may be communicated to a user of another device without requiring that user to be in the vicinity of the remote telemetry unit.

Therefore, the remote telemetry unit may retain the WAN capability of the known remote telemetry unit for long-range communication of measurement data over a WAN, but add Wi-Fi capability to the known remote telemetry unit for short-range communication over a wireless LAN, for changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit. Long-range may mean outside of conventional Wi-Fi range, or may mean a number of miles, e.g. more than 5 miles, or more than 10 miles. Short-range may mean within conventional Wi-Fi range, or may mean a number of metres, e.g. within 10 m, or within 100 m.

Thus, by retaining WAN capability and by adding Wi-Fi capability, the remote telemetry unit may be optimised both for efficient communication of measurement data over a long-range wireless WAN network, and for efficient communication and changing of configuration settings over a short range wireless LAN network.

The wireless wide area network communication device may comprise a GSM communication device for connecting the remote telemetry unit to a GSM network. Thus, the remote telemetry unit may be able to communicate measurement data relating to the fluid distribution network to another device over an existing OSM network. For example, the data may be communicated via SMS text message to another device connected to the GSM network. Alternatively, the data may be communicated using 2G, 3G, 4G, or using other WAN networks and various WAN protocols other than SMS text message. Common WAN protocols that may be used by the remote telemetry unit include SMS or GPRS (using a variety of standard or proprietary protocols).

The Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit may comprise a wireless access point. Thus, a user of another Wi-Fi device may be able to quickly and easily make a wireless LAN connection to the Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit, without requiring a complicated setup procedure. Indeed, in general all Wi-Fi enabled client devices are designed to easily connect to wireless access points, and therefore any Wi-Fi enabled device may be able to quickly and easily connect to the Wi-Fi communication device.

Alternatively, the Wi-Fi communication device may be configured to form a so called "ad-hoc" Wi-Fi network connection to another Wi-Fi enabled device. In other words, the Wi-Fi communication device may be configured to communicate directly via Wi-Fi with another Wi-Fi device without requiring a wireless access point. Therefore, in this case it may not be necessary for the Wi-Fi communication device to comprise a wireless access point.

Alternatively, the Wi-Fi communication device may be configured to form a so called "Wi-Fi direct" Wi-Fi network connection to another Wi-Fi enabled device (which may be a Wi-Fi direct enabled device or a conventional Wi-Fi device). In other words, the Wi-Fi communication device may be a Wi-Fi direct enabled device. The term "Wi-Fi direct enabled device" may mean a device that conforms to the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Wi-Fi Direct certification mark managed by the Wi-Fi Alliance. In this case, it may not be necessary for the Wi-Fi communication device to comprise a wireless access point.

The Wi-Fi communication device may be configured to broadcast a Service Set Identifier (SSID). In other words, the Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit may actively broadcast/transmit its existence (i.e. its network name) over Wi-Fi, so that it appears as an available Wi-Fi connection for another Wi-Fi enabled device. For example, if a user of the other Wi-Fi enabled device performs a search for available Wi-Fi networks/connections, the remote telemetry unit may appear in the list of available Wi-Fi networks/connections, so that the user of the Wi-Fi enabled device can select and connect to the remote telemetry unit by forming a wireless LAN connection with the Wi-Fi communication device.

Thus, a user of another Wi-Fi enabled device may be able to make a local area connection to the remote telemetry unit without knowing details of the Wi-Fi communication device, such as its l.P. address or Device Name, because the remote telemetry unit appears in a search of available Wi-Fi networks/connections. Therefore, it may be quick and easy for a user of the other Wi-Fi enabled device to make a wireless LAN connection to the remote telemetry unit, without needing any information in advance about the Wi-Fi settings of the remote telemetry unit.

Alternatively, in some embodiments the Wi-Fi communication device may not be configured to broadcast its SSID, and therefore a user of another Wi-Fi enabled device may need to know details of the Wi-Fi communication device, such as its l.P. address or Device Name, in order to make a wireless LAN connection to the remote telemetry unit (because it will not show up in a search of available Wi-Fi networks by the other Wi-Fi enabled device).

In alternative embodiments, the user's device may be configured to act as a wireless access point, and the Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit may be configured to automatically connect via Wi-Fi to the wireless access point of the user's device when it is in range. The user's device may be configured to actively broadcast its SSID, and the remote telemetry unit may be configured to automatically connect to user's device by Wi-Fi when it detects the SSID broadcast by the user's device.

The Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit may be configured to enter a sleep mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is disabled (i.e. goes to sleep, and/or does not transmit or receive Wi-Fi signals) when no wireless LAN connection is made with the Wi-Fi communication device for a predetermined period of time, or when no communications/messages are received from another device connected to the Wi-Fi communication device by a wireless LAN network connection for a predetermined period of time. For example, the Wi-Fi communication device may not actively broadcast/transmit its existence when it is disabled, and may not transmit or receive Wi-Fi signals. Indeed, the power supply to the Wi-Fi communication device may be interrupted to power it down and make it go to sleep.

Thus, the battery power of the remote telemetry unit may be conserved, because the remote telemetry unit does not use up battery power by powering the Wi-Fi communications device when no devices are connected to the Wi-Fi communication device by a wireless LAN connection, or when no devices have communicated with the Wi-Fi communication device for a predetermined period of time. The predetermined period of time may be minutes, tens of minutes, or one or more hours.

The remote telemetry unit may have a wake-up sensor, which is configured to trigger a change in mode of the Wi-Fi communication device from a sleep mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is disabled to an active mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is enabled, when the wake-up sensor is activated. Thus, when the wake-up sensor is activated, the Wi-Fi communication device can be enabled so that a user of another device can make a wireless LAN network connection to the Wi-Fi communication device and alter the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

In addition, as an alternative to the previously mentioned possibility, where the Wi-Fi communication device goes to sleep after a predetermined period of time, the Wi-Fi communication device may be configured to enter a sleep mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is disabled when the wake-up sensor is not activated, or is deactivated after having been activated.

The wake-up sensor may be configured to be activated by a user. Thus, a user may trigger activation of the Wi-Fi communication device when they want to connect to the Wi-Fi communication device. Various different types of sensor may be used for the wake-up sensor. For example, the wake-up sensor may detect physical touching of the remote telemetry unit. e.g. by a user of another device. Alternatively, the sensor may detect the proximity of another Wi-Fi enabled device. For example, the sensor could be a magnetic sensor, or an electro-magnetic field trigger, or a near field communication (NFC) device, or a RFID enabled device, or a vibration sensor, or a motion sensor, or a tilt sensor. The sensor may be a button or switch on the remote telemetry unit that is pressed by a user of another device. In this manner, usage of the battery power of the remote telemetry unit may be minimised, as the Wi-Fi communication device is only active when it is needed and has been activated by a user of another device, otherwise the Wi-Fi communication device is in a low power sleep mode which conserves the battery power of the remote telemetry unit.

Preferably, the wake-up sensor is a low power detection circuit, so that usage of battery power by the wake-up sensor is minimised.

Once the Wi-Fi communication device has been activated, it may stay awake for a predetermined period of time until user access of the remote telemetry unit via a Wi-Fi connection is detected. The remote telemetry unit may then operate on a relatively short time-out period, so that the user's device is required to send periodic "keep-alive" messages to the remote telemetry unit to keep the Wi-Fi communications device active and awake.

When the keep-alive messages stop, the Wi-Fi communication device of the remote telemetry unit may then go to sleep by calling various internal commands to clean-up and sleep.

The present inventors have realised another improvement that can be made relative to conventional remote telemetry units.

With conventional remote telemetry units, configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit are changed using suitable setup software installed on another device, which is connected to the remote telemetry unit using the wired connection. Different types of remote telemetry units, for example a data logger or a pressure controller, may have different setup and/or programming parameters and may use modified or alternative communications protocols.

Thus, several different suitable setup programs may need to be installed on a single terminal (e.g. a laptop computer) in order to fully access and change the configuration settings of various different types of remote telemetry units with that terminal.

In addition, if the version of a particular type of software installed on a terminal is older than the version of the software/firmware installed on the corresponding remote telemetry unit, some or all of the features of the version of the software/firmware installed on the remote telemetry unit may be unavailable to a user of the terminal.

Therefore, the remote telemetry unit of the first aspect of the invention may comprise a protocol server, which is accessible through the wireless local area network connection, via which a client can send data to change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

The term "protocol server" may refer to hardware and/or software that enable the remote telemetry unit to deliver protocol services, which can be accessed by another device. The protocol server may provide a programmable service interface, e.g. a machine to machine in te rfa ce.

The protocol server may comprise a web server.

The term "web server" may refer to hardware and/or software that enable the remote telemetry unit to deliver "web content", e.g. web protocol services provided by the web server, which can be accessed by another device connected to the remote telemetry unit by a wireless local area network connection. The web server may use the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

In other embodiments, other protocol servers may be used, i.e. protocol servers that provide a programmable service interface (e.g. a machine to machine interface) that is not based on HTTP.

The remote telemetry unit may be configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit through one or more web services provided by the web server.

A "web service" may be a web-based, e.g. based on the hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) interface, which is a programmatic interface, e.g. a machine to machine interface.

The phrase "providing access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit" may mean that a user of a device connected to the remote telemetry unit by a wireless local area network connection is able to access the functionality of the configuration application through the web services, e.g. to access or to change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

Of course, in other embodiments other protocol servers that use a protocol other than HTTP between the remote telemetry unit and the other device may be used. Such protocol servers may provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit through one or more protocol services (e.g. a programmable machine to machine interface) provided by the protocol server.

With this arrangement, a user of another device that is connected to the remote telemetry unit by the wireless local area network, and which for example has a suitable program installed on it (e.g. an application downloaded from an app store) that provides an interface to the remote telemetry unit, can access the web services provided by the web server on the remote telemetry unit to access or change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

Because changing of the configuration settings is achieved through web services running on a web server, a single user device may be able to change the configuration settings of a variety of different types of remote telemetry units, by accessing the web servers of each of the different types of remote telemetry units. This may overcome the problem of known remote telemetry units that different types of remote telemetry unit may have different setup and/or programming parameters and may use modified or alternative communications protocols, meaning that previously several different suitable setup programs needed to be installed on a single user terminal.

The remote telemetry unit may be configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit in the form of a website that is accessible by another device, through the wireless local area network connection, with a web browser of the other device.

The wording "provide a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit in the form of a website" may mean that the remote telemetry unit has a web server that hosts or supplies a website that incorporates setup parameters and routines for changing the configuration settings.

For example, the website may be a single HTML page, e.g. with embedded Javascript and/or CSS information, that is pre-compressed before being installed in the remote telemetry unit. The website may therefore be very simple and small, i.e. only a single web page. Alternatively, the website may comprise a plurality of web pages.

The remote telemetry unit, e.g. the web server, may be configured to respond to HTTP "GET" commands by sending the website, e.g. a single compressed web page, which it holds. The remote telemetry unit may not understand the contents of the web site that it serves.

The web server may respond to HTTP PUT" or "POST" commands in different ways to provide a programmable interface (i.e. to provide web services) to features of the remote telemetry unit, for example to pass commands to a main processer of the remote telemetry unit for execution.

Therefore, the web server may comprise a combination of a website and a set of web services which the website application code (e.g. JavaScript) accesses to get and set configuration settings and other information from the remote telemetry unit.

This is a powerful combination that allows, under normal circumstances, the main logic of the configuration/data viewing application to be sent to the user's device web browser and run there. This makes the remote telemetry unit's web server much simpler, reduces on-going network traffic, and provides significant flexibility.

Therefore, a user of the other device may be able to access all of the features of the configuration application through a web browser of the other device, without requiring any suitable setup software to be installed on the other device, and regardless of the type of software running on the remote telemetry unit, or the version of that software, or the version or type of an operating system running on the other device. Thus, the configuration application software running on the remote telemetry unit may be compatible with any device with Wi-Fi and a web-browsing capability (including, for example, a conventional Wi-Fi enabled smart phone or tablet computer), subject to that user being an authorised user (e.g. having the correct passwords to access the website), without requiring any special software to be written for, downloaded on, or installed on the other device (only a web browser is necessary).

In other words, the suitable setup software for changing the configuration setting of the remote telemetry unit may be held/installed within the remote telemetry unit, rather than on the user's device, and may be displayed and made available to the user's device through a website accessed with a web browser of the users device. The website may be made available to the other device via an internal web-server on the remote telemetry unit, which incorporates the setup parameters and routines that are necessary for setting up or changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

In other examples, the other device may not issue an HTTP "GET" command to receive the remote telemetry unit's version of its configuration application. Instead, the other device may run a different configuration application (which may be web browser based or may not be web browser based) that issues HTTP "PUT" and POST" commands to access the remote telemetry unit's web service interfaces directly. This may be achieved by loading a program onto the other device that provides an interface to the web server of the remote telemetry unit, and which accesses web services on the remote telemetry unit to access or configure the settings of the remote telemetry unit.

Of course, other protocols other than HTTP may be used between the remote telemetry unit and the other device to achieve the same or similar effect.

The remote telemetry unit may be configured to automatically intercept any web browsing activity of a web browser of a device that is connected to the Wi-Fi communication device through a wireless LAN connection, and to redirect the web browser of the device to the remote telemetry unit's configuration application website. For example, the remote telemetry unit, e.g. the web server, may include a Domain Name System (DNS) redirector.

Thus, once a device is connected to the Wi-Fi communication device through a wireless LAN connection, any use of the web-browser of that device may be automatically re-directed to the website provided by the remote telemetry unit for accessing the configuration application.

Thus, a user of the other device may be able to quickly and easily access the website provided by the remote telemetry unit for accessing the configuration application, without requiring the user to know or to remember any IP addresses or Device Names for the remote telemetry unit. As such, the configuration application may be very simple and straightforward to use.

Alternatively, a user of the other device may access the website provided by the remote telemetry unit for accessing the configuration application by typing a particular web address into the address bar of the web browser, or an equivalent process for directing the web browser to the website.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery powered remote telemetry unit for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network, wherein the remote telemetry unit has a communication device for making a local area network connection, through which a configuration of the remote telemetry unit can be changed, and wherein the remote telemetry unit comprises a protocol server, which is accessible through the local area network connection, via which a client can send data to change configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.

The protocol server may comprise a web server.

The remote telemetry unit according to the second aspect of the invention may be configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit through one or more web services provided by the web server.

The remote telemetry unit according to the second aspect of the invention may be configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit in the form of a website that is accessible by another device, through the local area network connection, with a web browser of the other device.

The remote telemetry unit according to the second aspect of the invention may be configured to automatically intercept any web browsing activity of a web browser of another device, which is connected to the remote telemetry unit by the local area network connection, and to redirect the web browser of the other device to the remote telemetry unit's configuration application website.

The remote telemetry unit of this aspect of the invention may also have one or more of the features discussed above in relation to the first aspect of the invention, where compatible.

Brief Description of the Figures

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a prior art remote telemetry unit; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a remote telemetry unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of the component pads of the remote telemetry unit of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the component parts of the prior art remote telemetry unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustrating the types of devices that may be used to configure the remote telemetry unit of FIG. 2, compared with the types of devices that may be used to configure the prior art remote telemetry unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 shows a diagram comparing the configuration settings setup software of the remote telemetry unit of FIG. 2 with the configuration settings setup software of the prior art remote telemetry unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the process of changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit of FIG. 2.

Detailed DescriQtion

As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, a remote telemetry unit 11 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be for monitoring the pressure in a fluid distribution network.

The remote telemetry unit 11 may have a pressure port 13 that is connectable to a fluid distribution network (not shown) to enable the remote telemetry unit 11 to measure a pressure in the fluid distribution network.

In more detail, the remote telemetry unit 11 may be for going on an underground valve of an underground section of a fluid distribution utility network, for example a gas or water distribution network. The remote telemetry unit 11 may be connectable to the underground valve via the pressure port 13 so that it is in fluid communication with fluid flowing through the valve. Thus, the remote telemetry unit 11 may be able to measure parameters of the flow through the valve, such as the pressure of the flow and/or the flow rate.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the remote telemetry unit 11 may have one or more external sensors 15 and/or one or more internal sensors 17 for sensing measurement data relating to a fluid distribution network, for example the pressure of the fluid in a gas or water distribution network, e.g. the pressure of fluid flow through a valve of the fluid distribution network.

For example, the internal sensors 17 may be, for example, temperature or pressure transducers. The external sensors 15 may be. for example, external pressure transducers.

switches, tipping bucket rain gauges, hydrophones, ultrasonic sensors, tilt or rotational sensors, or similar.

The remote telemetry unit 11 may also have a wireless WAN GSM modem 19 and a wireless WAN GSM antenna 21 for connecting the remote telemetry unit 11 to a GSM network (not shown), for communicating the measured data relating to the fluid distribution network to another device connected to the GSM network, over the GSM network. For example, the remote telemetry unit 11 may communicate measured data over the OSM network via one or more text messages. The remote telemetry unit may communicate measure data over 2G, 3G, 4G or other WAN networks and various WAN protocols other than SMS text messages. Commonly used WAN protocols may include SMS or GPRS.

By transmitting the measured data over a GSM network, the data may be transmitted to another device connected to the GSM network that is not in the locality of the remote telemetry unit 11. Thus, a user of the other device may be able to obtain the measured data from the remote telemetry unit 11 without having to be in, or to visit, the locality of the remote telemetry unit 11.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 3, the remote telemetry unit 11 may include a Wi-Fi chipset 23. The Wi-Fi chipset 23 may enable a wireless LAN connection to be made with the remote telemetry unit 11, through which a configuration of the remote telemetry unit can be accessed or changed. For example, the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit can be changed by forming a wireless LAN connection between the remote telemetry unit and another device, and then altering the configuration settings via the other device. This Wi-Fi connection may be an "ad-hoc" Wi-Fi connection, a Wi-Fi Direct" Wi-Fi connection, or a Wi-Fi connection in which the Wi-Fi chipset has a Wi-Fi access point, as discussed in more detail above.

For comparison, FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of the component parts of the prior art remote telemetry unit of FIG. 1. Comparing FIGS. 2 and 3 with FIGS. 1 and 4, it can be seen that the wired communications connector? of the prior art device has been removed in the embodiment of the present invention, and replaced with the Wi-Fi chipset 23, while the GSM WAN communicator has been kept.

As discussed in more detail above, by retaining WAN capability and by adding Wi-Fi capability, the remote telemetry unit may be optimised both for efficient communication of measurement data over a long-range wireless WAN network, and for efficient communication and changing of configuration settings over a shod range wireless (Wi-Fi) LAN network.

Removal of the wired communications connector 7 may reduce the likelihood of water ingress into the remote telemetry unit, which might otherwise have occurred through the wired communications connector 7. Thus, water damage to the internal electrical components of the remote telemetry unit 11 may be reduced or prevented, and the operational lifespan of the remote telemetry unit 11 may be increased. In addition, removal of the wired communications connector 7 may make the mechanical design of the remote telemetry unit 11 more simple, easier to manufacture, and cheaper to produce.

In addition, because in this example the configuration settings can be changed over a wireless LAN connection, the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 11 can be changed remotely at a distance (determined by the range of the wireless LAN connection), without necessarily requiring physical access to the remote telemetry unit 11.

Also, because the configuration settings can be changed over a wireless LAN connection, it becomes possible to alter the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit using devices that do not have a connection port for forming a wired connection (e.g. a serial connector for connecting a serial cable), and which therefore could not be used with the known remote telemetry unit illustrated in FIG. 1. For example, it may be possible to change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit using Wi-Fi enabled devices such as a conventional Wi-Fi enabled tablet computer or a conventional Wi-Fi enabled smartphone, in addition to computer terminals such as a laptop or desktop personal computer.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the remote telemetry unit may also have an internal battery 25 and/or an external battery 27 for powering the remote telemetry unit 11. Battery power may be required, because the remote telemetry unit 11 may be used in an environment where there is no suitable fixed power supply. The battery and/or the remote telemetry unit may be configured so that the remote telemetry unit is able to function for a period of at least three years without requiring a new battery or recharging of the battery.

The internal battery 25 may be a primary battery, providing a baseline lifespan for the remote telemetry unit. The external battery 27, which may be omitted, may be used to provide greater longevity and/or ease of user battery replacement. Typically, remote telemetry units that send measured data by SMS text message will not require an external battery 27 or connector. Remote telemetry units that have very frequent planned WAN communications may necessitate the use of an external battery 27.

The functions of the remote telemetry unit 11, for example the measurement, collection and transmission of data relating to the fluid distribution network, may be controlled by a micro-controller 29 on a main circuit board 31 of the remote telemetry unit 11.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the remote telemetry unit may also have a trigger 33 for activating the Wi-Fi chipset 23. For example, the trigger 33 may be remotely activatable by a user of another device, to cause the Wi-Fi chipset 23 to enter an active state, in which it is able to make a wireless LAN connection.

The trigger 33 may also be de-activatable by a user of the other device, or by the absence of the other device, to cause the Wi-Fi chipset 23 to enter a sleep state, in which it is not able to make a wireless LAN connection, i.e. in which the Wi-Fi chipset is disabled or powered-down.

The trigger may trigger wakeup of the Wi-Fi chipset 23 on detection of a certain signal from an internal or external sensor. As discussed in more detail above, the sensor may include one or more of a magnetic sensor, an electromagnetic field trigger, a near field communication sensor, a RFID sensor, a vibration or motion sensor, a tilt sensor, or a physical button or switch.

Alternatively, the Wi-Fi chipset 23 may be configured to enter a sleep state after a predetermined period of time in which there has been no Wi-Fi LAN connection., e.g. after a period of minutes or hours, or where there has been no communication or signals received from another device over the Wi-Fi connection for a predetermined period of time.

By deactivating the Wi-Fi chipset 23 (causing it to sleep) when it is not in use, the battery power of the remote telemetry unit 11 may be conserved, relative to an alternative arrangement in which the Wi-Fi chipset 23 is always active, even when not in use.

Referring to FIG. 5, with a conventional remote telemetry unit 1 that has a wired communications connector 7 for making a wired connection, it may be possible to change the configuration seftings of the remote telemetry unit 1 using various different types of device that have a port for forming a wired connection, e.g. a serial connection. For example, it may be possible to change the configuration settings using a desktop computer 35, a laptop computer 37 or a hand-held computer device 39. However, it is not possible to change the configuration seftings using devices that do not have a port for forming a wired connection. Therefore, it may not be possible to change the configuration settings using a tablet computer 41 or a smartphone 43.

In contrast, with the remote telemetry unit 11 of the present invention, which has a Wi-Fi chipset 23, it may be possible to change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 11 using various types of device that are capable of forming a Wi-Fi LAN connection.

For example, it may be possible to change the configuration settings using a desktop computer 35, a laptop computer 37 or a hand-held computer device 39, provided that these devices are Wi-Fi enabled. In addition, it may also be possible to change the configuration settings using a Wi-Fi enabled tablet computer 41 or a Wi-Fi enabled smartphone 43. Thus, with the remote telemetry unit 11 of the present invention, it may possible to change the configuration settings using more types of device, including devices that do not have a port for forming a wired LAN connection.

The Wi-Fi chipset 23 may comprise a wireless access point. Therefore, in practice any Wi-Fi enabled device may be able to quickly and easily form a Wi-Fi connection to the Wi-Fi chipset.

The Wi-Fi chipset 23 may be configured to actively broadcast/transmit its existence so that it appears as an available Wi-Fi connection for another Wi-Fi enabled device. For example, if a user of the other Wi-Fi enabled device performs a search for available Wi-Fi networks/connections, the remote telemetry unit may appear in the list of available Wi-Fi networks/connections, so that the user of the Wi-Fi enabled device can select and connect to the remote telemetry unit by forming a wireless LAN connection with the Wi-Fi communication device.

Thus, a user of another Wi-Fi enabled device may be able to make a local area connection to the remote telemetry unit without knowing details of the Wi-Fi communication device, such as its l.P. address or Device Name, because the remote telemetry unit appears in a search of available Wi-Fi networks/connections.

The remote telemetry unit 11 may be configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit 11 in the form of a website that is accessible by another device, through the wireless LAN connection, with a web browser of the other device.

As shown in FIG. 6, with a conventional remote telemetry unit 1, the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 1 are changed using a computer terminal 45, which is connected to the remote telemetry unit 1 via a wired connection 47.

In FIG. 6 (a), the computer terminal 45 is loaded with (i.e. has installed on it, and is running) "Version 1" of a suitable setup software for changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 1. The remote telemetry unit 1 is similarly loaded with "Version 1" of remote telemetry unit software. Thus, the computer terminal 45 is able to access and control all of the features of the "Version 1" remote telemetry unit software, because the software versions are compatible (i.e. they are both Version 1").

In FIG. 6 (b), the computer terminal 45 is again loaded with "Veision 1" of suitable setup software for changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 1. In this case, the remote telemetry unit 1 is loaded with "Version 2" of remote telemetry unit software.

"Version 2" may be an updated or changed version of Version 1", or may be a different type of software for controlling a different type of remote telemetry unit 1. Because the terminal computer 45 and remote telemetry unit 1 are running different versions of software, some or all of the teatures of the "Version 2" remote telemetry unit software may be unavailable to the computer terminal 45 having the Version 1" software. Thus, the computer terminal 45 may not be able to correctly change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 1.

In contrast, in this example the remote telemetry unit 11 holds the setup software (i.e. the setup software is installed on the remote telemetry unit 11, rather than on the computer terminal 45), and provides a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit 11 in the form of a website that is accessible by the computer terminal 45, through the wireless LAN connection 49, with a web browser of the computer terminal 45. Thus, the computer terminal 45 will always be able to access all of the features of the remote telemetry unit software through its web browser.

As shown in FIG. 6 (c), when the remote telemetry unit 11 is loaded with "Version 1" of remote telemetry unit software, the computer terminal 45 can access the "Version 1" of the remote telemetry unit software through its web browser, without requiring any setup software to be installed on the computer terminal 45.

As shown in FIG. 6 (d), when the remote telemetiy unit 11 is loaded with "Veision 2" of the remote telemetry unit software, the computer terminal 45 can access the "Version 2" of the remote telemetry unit software through its web browser, without requiring any setup software to be installed on the computer terminal 45.

Thus, the configuration application installed on the remote telemetry unit 11 may be fully compatible with, and may be accessed and changed, by any Wi-Fl enabled device that has a web browser capability. For example, the configuration may be changed through the web browser of a conventional Wi-Fi enabled smartphone, or the web browser of a conventional Wi-Fi enabled tablet computer.

The website may be a single HTML page with embedded.Javascript and CSS information that is pre-compressed before being installed in the remote telemetry unit 11. The website may therefore be very simple and small. The web server may essentially respond to HTTP GET" commands with the single compressed web page that it holds (without understanding the contents of the web page that it holds).

In response to HTTP "PUT" or "POST" commands the web server may respond in different ways to provide a programmable interface (i.e. web services, or a machine to machine programmable interface) to features of the remote telemetry unit, for example to pass commands to the main remote telemetry unit processor for execution. This is a combination of a website and a set of web services which the website application code (e.g. Javascript) accesses to get and set configuration and other information from the remote telemetry unit.

However, in other embodiments, the other device may not issue an HTTP GET" command to receive the remote telemetry unit's version of its configuration application. Instead, the connecting device may run a different configuration application (web browser based or not) that issues the HTTP "PUT" and "POST" commands to access the remote telemetry unit's web service interfaces directly.

Of course, in other embodiments the remote telemetry unit may be provided with a protocol sever that uses a protocol other than HTTP between the remote telemetry unit and the user configuration device to achieve a similar effect to that described above.

An exemplary process for changing the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 11 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7.

In step (1) a user of a device 51, for example a Wi-Fi enabled device with web browsing capability, triggers wakeup of the remote telemetry unit 11. Wake-up of the remote telemetry unit 11 means that the remote telemetry unit 11 enters an active state in which power is supplied to the Wi-Fi chipset 23 for forming a wireless LAN connection. Wake-up of the remote telemetry unit 11 may be achieved e.g. by the device 51 sending a signal to the remote telemetry unit 11. For example, wake-up may be achieved using the trigger 33.

Alternatively, wake-up may be achieved using a sensor, as discussed in more detail above.

In step (2), the remote telemetry unit 11 starts to produce a Wi-Fi access point and begins to actively broadcast/transmit its existence so that it appears as an available Wi-Fi connection for another Wi-Fi enable device to connect to.

In step (3), the device 51 connects to the remote telemetry unit 11 access point, e.g. a user of the device 51 searches for available Wi-Fi netwoikslconnections and selects and connects to the remote telemetry unit 11 access point when it is identified in the search.

Thus, a wireless LAN connection is made between the device 51 and the remote telemetry unitil.

In step (4), the device 51 accesses a configuration program on the remote telemetry unit 11 through its web browser. This may be achieved by the user of the device 51 specifying a particular website address, or by the remote telemetry unit 11 automatically diverting any web browser activity of the remote telemetry unit 11 to its configuration program website (e.g. with a DNS redirector).

In step (5), the remote telemetry unit 11 sends the configuration, maintenance and/or data access website to the device 51.

In step (6), the device 51 accesses the remote telemetry unit 11 configuration program and data through the website with its web browser. Thus, the user of the device 51 can access and change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit 11 through the web browser of the device 51, over the wireless LAN connection.

In step (7), when the user of the device 51 has completed the session, the remote telemetry unit stops the Wi-Fi access point. The Wi-Fi chipset 23 stops actively broadcasting/transmitting its existence, so that it no longer appears as an available Wi-Fi connection for another Wi-Fi enable device to connect to. Alternatively, the Wi-Fi access point may be stopped aftei a predetermined period of time after the last communication from the device 51, i.e. the connection may time-out.

In step (8), the RTU goes back to sleep mode, in which power is not supplied to the Wi-Fi chipset for forming a wireless LAN connection. This may be achieved my deactivating the trigger 33, or may occur a predetermined period of time after stopping of the Wi-Fi access point.

Claims

Claims 1. A battery powered remote telemetry unit for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network, wherein the remote telemetry unit has: a Wi-Fi communication device for making a wireless local area network connection, through which a configuration of the remote telemetry unit can be changed.
2. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 1, wherein: the remote telemetry unit is configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit in the form of a website that is accessible by another device, through the wireless local area network connection, with a web browser of the other device.
3. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 2, wherein the remote telemetry unit is configured to automatically intercept any web browsing activity of a web browser of a device that is connected to the Wi-Fi communication device through a wireless local area network connection, and to redirect the web browser of the device to the remote telemetry unit's configuration application website.
4. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the remote telemetry unit also has: a wireless wide area network communication device for making a wireless wide area network connection, through which the remote telemetry unit can communicate telemetry data.
5. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 2, wherein the wireless wide area network communication device comprises a GSM communication device for connecting the remote telemetry unit to a GSM network.
6. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of claims ito 5, wherein the Wi-Fi communication device comprises a wireless access point.
7. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the Wi-Fi communication device is configured to broadcast a Service Set Identifier (SSID).
8. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the remote telemetry unit comprises a protocol server, which is accessible through the wireless local area network connection, via which a client can send data to change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.
9. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 8, wherein the protocol server comprises a web server.
10. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 9, wherein the remote telemetry unit is configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit through one or more web services provided by the web server.
11. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the Wi-Fi communication device is configured to enter a sleep mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is disabled when no wireless local area network connection is made with the Wi-Fi communication device for a predetermined period of time.
12. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the remote telemetry unit has a wake-up sensor, which is configured to trigger a change in mode of the Wi-Fi communication device from a sleep mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is disabled to an active mode in which the Wi-Fi communication device is enabled, when the wake-up sensor is activated.
13. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 12, wherein the wake-up sensor comprises one or more of: a magnetic sensor, a RFID detection circuit, or anelectromagnetic field detection circuit.
14. A battery powered remote telemetry unit for use in monitoring a fluid distribution network, wherein: the remote telemetry unit has a communication device for making a local area network connection, through which a configuration of the remote telemetry unit can be changed; and the remote telemetry unit comprises a protocol server, which is accessible through the local area network connection, via which a client can send data to change the configuration settings of the remote telemetry unit.
15. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 14, wherein the protocol sever comprises a web server.
16. The remote telemetry unit accoiding to claim 15, wherein the remote telemetiy unit is configured to provide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit through one or more web services provided by the web server.
17. The remote telemetry unit according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the remote telemetry unit is configuied to piovide access to a configuration application of the remote telemetry unit in the form of a website that is accessible by another device, thiough the local area network connection, with a web browser of the other device.
18. The remote telemetry unit according to claim 17, wherein the remote telemetry unit is configured to automatically intercept any web biowsing activity of a web biowser of another device, which is connected to the remote telemetry unit by the local aiea network connection, and to redirect the web browser of the other device to the remote telemetry unit's configuration application website.
19. A remote telemetry unit substantially according to any one embodiment herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figures 2, 3 and 5 to 7.