WO2000075902A1

WO2000075902A1 - Improvements relating to metering systems

Info

Publication number: WO2000075902A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2000/000095
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dean Syme Gowans
Original assignee: Total Metering Limited
Priority date: 1999-06-09
Filing date: 2000-06-09
Publication date: 2000-12-14
Also published as: NZ336181A; AU4960300A; AU773943B2

Abstract

A communication system for transferring data from meter devices to a central monitor. The system uses personal communication devices such as cellular telephones and an existing cellular network to provide links between the remote sites. A recharge unit for a cellphone may be used to provide an interface between a cellphone and a meter. Electricity, gas and water meter information can be transferred from residential meters to the respective service providers, for example. Information may also be transferred from the service providers to the meters if required.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO METERING SYSTEMS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to communication of data in metering systems and in particular but not solely to transfer of data to and from meter devices in electricity, gas or water distribution systems. The invention relates specifically to transfer of data by way of a portable communication device such as a cellular telephone which makes intermittent contacts with a meter and a monitor site.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Collection of data relating to consumption of electricity, gas, water and other services is logistically complicated. Large numbers of individual consumers are spread over wide areas and may interact with a range of competing suppliers. Many industries are establishing half- hourly pricing arrangements between generators, suppliers and consumers which require improved metering systems and new techniques for analysis of usage information. Traditional methods involving manual extraction of data from metering equipment during monthly or bimonthly visits by employees of the supply organisations are becoming less viable.

In some existing communication systems, usage data is transmitted from metering equipment directly to the suppliers over existing telephone line connections, or over lines of the supply network itself. In others a cellular or paging connection to the supplier is made using a radio transceiver which is built into the meter equipment. Systems of this kind are relatively expensive and have not become common among domestic consumers. Still other systems combine prepayment of usage charges with active involvement by the consumers in providing data for the suppliers. Various prepayment systems are mentioned in WO 98/56138 for example. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved or at least alternative systems for communication of meter related data between consumers and suppliers. These systems are implemented relatively simply and cheaply using mobile communication devices such as cellular telephones and cordless telephones which many consumers will have on hand for other purposes. The systems might also be used for other control or monitoring services.

Accordingly in one aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in a method of communicating data from a meter to a remote monitor site, comprising the steps of: transmitting the data from the meter to a portable communication device, and transmitting the data from the communication device to the monitor site.

In another aspect the invention may be said to consist in a method of communicating data from a control site to a remote meter, comprising the steps of: transmitting the data from the control site to a portable communication device, and transmitting the data from the communication device to the meter.

In a further aspect the invention consists in a method of remotely monitoring a metered activity comprising the steps of : a) determining data relating to the activity at a meter device, b) establishing communication between the meter device and a portable communication device, c) activating the communication device to contact a remote monitor site, and d) transmitting the data to the monitor site via the communication device.

In a further aspect the invention may be said to consist in a meter device comprising: sensor means responsive to one or more characteristics of a metered activity, data means which processes and stores information from the sensor means, communication means which enables transfer of data between the meter device and a personal communication device. In a still further aspect the invention consists in a docking interface for a portable communication device comprising: cradle means which holds the communication device in a docked position, and communication means which transfers data to the communication device from a remote meter device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to the drawings of which: Figure 1 schematically shows a meter communication system according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows a meter device for use in the system of Figure 1,

Figure 3 shows a cradle device for use in the system of Figure 1 ,

Figure 4 outlines operation of the meter device in Figure 2, Figure 5 outlines operation of the cradle device in Figure 3,

Figure 6 outlines operation of a portable communication device in the system, and

Figure 7 outlines operation of a monitor site in the system.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to these figures it will be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in various ways without departing from the general concept involving use of a portable communication device to make contact between meter equipment and a remote service provider. For example, the device may or may not need to be specially programmed to take part in the communication, depending on the particular arrangements. It will also be appreciated that supply of various metered services such as electricity, water and gas are all within the scope of the invention. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a communication system according to the invention in general terms. A metered service such as distribution of electricity to a residential consumer is indicated by a meter 10 which records activity on a supply line 1 1. A service supplier operates a monitor site 12 having various communication and management facilities which receive and process usage information from the meter 10, in order to calculate costs for example. The consumer operates a portable communication device 13 such as a cellular or cordless telephone for various purposes most of which are not related to the metered activity. A wide range of cellular communication devices are available at increasingly cheap rates, and may be specifically promoted in association with a service such as supply of electricity. The device typically operates through an existing communication system 14 such as a cellular network and/or a switched telephone network. One or two-way communication links between parts of the system are indicated by arrows. Details of the metered service, portable device and communication networks will be understood by a skilled reader.

In Figure 1 the portable telephone or similar mobile device 13 is usually provided with a peripheral device 15 such as a cradle which may include a battery recharging function or simply a holding function when the device is not in use. For example, the consumer may place the telephone in the cradle overnight, or at least several times a month. Alternatively the peripheral device may be similar to a plug-in charger which does not provide physical support for the telephone. According to the invention, communication of data between meter 10 and the monitor site 12 takes place through the portable device 13 and preferably by way of the peripheral device 15. For example when the portable device is a cellular telephone, the meter detects when the telephone is present in the cradle, perhaps for overnight recharging, and initiates a connection to the monitor site. Conversely, the monitor site may call the telephone from time to time and download information such as control or tariff data to the meter. Further alternatives may involve the peripheral device 15 being connected to a personal computing system, or other household appliance, or being part of the meter itself. In Figure 1 the portable device 13 is shown both in and out of the cradle 15 and remote from both the meter and the monitor site. Communication between the portable device and the meter 10 generally takes place when the device is present in the cradle and activated. The meter may be capable of flashing an alert such as an LED on the cradle to remind the consumer to activate the device or to warn when a connection to the monitor site is underway, or for some other reason. Most cellular telephones are capable of calling or ringing during a recharge process on the cradle, for example. Various channels may exist between the meter and the cradle including both wired and wireless connections. An infra-red or other wireless connection might be convenient in some circumstances. It may also be possible to communicate using mains wiring already present in a domestic or commercial building. A dedicated wired connection may also be installed. Communication between the meter and telephone may be more or less controlled by the meter or the cradle, or even the telephone. Preferably most of the control is placed in the meter which will already incorporate a microprocessor, so that the telephone and cradle need be modified to a lesser extent over existing devices. Proprietary protocols for control of the telephone will be known to the meter.

In Figure 1 a communication between the portable device 13 and the monitor site 12 may take place when the device is either in or out of the cradle 15. For a cellular telephone this will depend on whether the device is within range of a cellular base site for example, and whether the device has sufficient memory capacity to store all of the data which is required for transfer between the monitor and the meter 10. Communications are preferably made with the telephone in the cradle and at a time of day or night least inconvenient for the consumer. Otherwise the telephone must act in a store-forward mode which would be more complex and expensive to implement. A typical communication might take several minutes and could frustrate the consumer during busy daytime hours. Various modes of implementation are clearly possible. A callback system is preferably used for outgoing calls from the meter. The cost of both incoming and outgoing data transfer is therefore largely borne by the service supplier at the monitor site. Both the portable device and the monitor have predetermined call numbers which open a connection through standard channels available in cellular and switched telephone networks.

Figure 2 is a block diagram of an electricity meter device 10 which might be used to implement a communication system according to the invention. A microprocessor 20 is connected to a memory 21, display 22 and clock 23 by a bus arrangement 24. Electrical energy for the meter is usually derived from the phase and neutral lines P and N of the mains supply by a power circuit 25. An activity detector circuit 26 is inductively coupled to the supply in the usual fashion and provides a signal to the microprocessor which records electricity usage data in the memory. There may also be a power line signalling function for control of the meter over the mains supply. Load control ports 27 are provided for various actions by the microprocessor in actively varying demand at the particular premises, such as in response to ripple control signals or other frequency variations. A communications port 28 for linking to the peripheral device 15 is also shown. This may take various forms as mentioned above, such as an IR emitter/receiver, a direct electrical connection, or perhaps a connection to the power lines P and N to communicate with the peripheral device over existing wires. A docking port equivalent to a cradle for a direct connection to the portable device 13 is alternatively possible. An indirect connection through a personal computer system is also feasible.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a peripheral device 15 which might be used to implement a communication system according to the invention. The device is preferably in the form of a cradle having a docking portion 30 into which the portable device 13 may be placed. The portable device is typically a cellular telephone having computer processor and a range of standard ports for battery recharging and data transfer. Corresponding ports in the docking portion 30 enable various functions including a link to the meter device 10. A recharging function may be provided by a power conversion unit 31 and port 32, connected to the mains by port 33. The power unit may be a standard AC/DC converter, for example, perhaps with a battery management function. These units are often have a relatively sophisticated interface for communicating with a cellular telephone in the cradle.

In Figure 3, transfer of data to and from the telephone is enabled by a communication unit 34 and port 35, connected to the meter or indirectly via a local computer system, by port 36 such as an IR emitter/receiver. Unit 34 may perform nothing more than a simple interfacing function between the telephone and the meter, or may even be omitted depending on inbuilt capabilities of the telephone and meter. A detector unit 37 with sensor 38, such as a microswitch, indicates the presence or absence of a telephone in the docking portion to the communications unit. Alternatively a detection function may be provided by the power converter directly to the communication unit 34. The cradle is preferably no more than a connection between the meter and telephone but may include additional functions such as identification of a specific telephone for communications with the meter. In some embodiments of the invention a separate cradle may be omitted altogether, so that the telephone interacts directly with the meter or through another local computer device with the meter. A universal serial port (USB) on a personal computer might be used, for example.

Figure 4 is a flowchart indicating how a meter such as shown in Figure 2 may record data relating to consumption of a service and interact with a peripheral device 15 such as shown in Figure 3. In step 40 the microprocessor 20 stores data in the memory 21, relating to electricity consumption at domestic premises for example, according to requirements of the service supplier. Attempts to contact the monitor site 12 at predetermined times are programmed in step 41. The microprocessor first checks in step 42 whether a communication device is present in the cradle 15, by polling the cradle when required or by maintaining a status flag based on spontaneous signals from the cradle for example. If the cradle is empty an alert such as an LED may be activated on the cradle in step 43. If a suitable communication device is present the microprocessor establishes a link to the cradle in step 44, or perhaps directly to the device, and transmits data in step 45 ultimately intended for the monitor site 12. The link is eventually terminated in step 46. Various alternative processes may take place, including a short link to a cradle or telephone only, followed by transmission of data from the cradle or telephone later, or a long link to the monitor site involving several additional steps.

Figure 5 is a flowchart outlining how a peripheral device 15 such as the cradle shown in Figure 3 may interact with a portable communication device 13 such as a mobile telephone and equipment such as a meter 10. In step 50 the cradle detects placement of the mobile unit in the docking portion 30. A signal is then sent to the meter immediately in step 51 or at an appropriate time in response to a query from the meter. A link is then established between the meter and the cradle in step 52, followed by a link to the telephone unit in step 53. Data is then received from the meter and transmitted to the telephone in steps 54 and 55. Data may be transmitted in any suitable form such as TCP/IP packets, for example. There may effectively be a single step in this part of the process depending on handshaking which may be required. The links are eventually terminated in step 56 when data transfer is complete. There may or may not be a simultaneous link made by the telephone to the monitor site 12. There may or may not also be transfer of data back from the monitor site to the meter during this process. Various alternative or more complex processes may take place.

Figure 6 is a flowchart outlining how a portable communication device 13 such as a mobile telephone may interact with a peripheral device 15 such as cradle according to the invention as shown in Figure 1. Other general purpose communication devices or accessories might also be suitable. Each will usually have a computer processor and memory arrangement capable of implementing software as set out in the flowchart. The telephone is first placed in the cradle, perhaps overnight for a battery recharge, or at a predetermined time of the week as arranged with a service supplier. A meter device establishes a data link with the telephone through the cradle in step 60, or perhaps directly. The telephone display and keypad may act as an extended control panel or display for the meter at this stage. Data is transferred to the telephone in step 61 and a simultaneous link to the monitor site 12 may or may not also be established in step 62. Transfer between the telephone and cradle or meter may be completed and the link may be terminated before any link to the monitor is set up. Eventually the telephone does dial-up the monitor site in step 63, preferably through a call-back arrangement, to establish a link for transfer of the meter data to the service supplier in step 64. The telephone may have been removed from the cradle at this stage. Data is transmitted, possibly in two directions, during step 65 and eventually the link is terminated in step 66. Once again various alternative or more complex processes may take place.

Figure 7 is a flowchart outlining how a monitor site 12 such as shown in Figure 1 may initiate a link to a meter 10 through a portable communication device 13 such as mobile telephone.

In step 70 a computer system at the monitor site determines that communication is required, perhaps to reprogram or check status of the meter. A dial-up connection is attempted in step

71 using a predetermined number stored for the particular consumer. If a link to the mobile can be established in step 72 then the usual steps of data or message transmission and termination of the link follow in steps 73 and 74. The monitor site may communicate with a person who answers the telephone by way of an IVR system if required. If no link can be established, the mobile telephone being switched off or engaged for example, the monitor site may decide to retry in step 75 or initiate other action. If contact from the meter is overdue for example, the monitor site may despatch a postal message or dial a regular telephone number for example. Supply to the premises may eventually be cut off if contact with the meter is outstanding for an unacceptable length of time.

A communication system according to the invention can provide a convenient and cost effective way in which to transfer data between a metered site and a monitor site. The system preferably uses a communication device such as personal cellphone to link between the sites. The device may also serve as an extended interface to the meter. Many variations will be apparent within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method of communicating data from a meter to a remote monitor site, comprising the steps of: transmitting the data from the meter to a portable communication device, and transmitting the data from the communication device to the monitor site.

2. A method of communicating data from a control site to a remote meter, comprising the steps of: transmitting the data from the control site to a portable communication device, and transmitting the data from the communication device to the meter.

3. A method of remotely monitoring a metered activity comprising the steps of: a) determining data relating to the activity at a meter device, b) establishing communication between the meter device and a portable communication device, c) activating the communication device to contact a remote monitor site, and d) transmitting the data to the monitor site via the communication device.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein step b) comprises: i) establishing communication between the meter and a docking interface which temporarily connects with the portable communication device, and ii) establishing a communication link with the communication device through the interface.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein step c) comprises: i) storing data in the portable communication device through a docking interface, ii) activating the communication device to contact the remote monitor site after the communication device has been removed from the interface.

6. A method according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein step i) includes: communicating between the meter and the docking interface over a wired, wireless or mains line connection.

7. A method according to claim 3 wherein: the metered activity is electricity consumption and the monitor site represents an electricity supply organisation.

8. A method according to any preceding claim wherein: the communication device is a cellular telephone, cordless telephone or other mobile device which dials a predetermined telephone number.

9. A meter device comprising: sensor means responsive to one or more characteristics of a metered activity, data means which processes and stores information from the sensor means, communication means which enables transfer of data between the meter device and a personal communication device.

10. A meter device according to claim 9 wherein: the communication means enables transfer over a wired, wireless or power line connection to a docking interface for the communication device.

11. A meter device according to claim 9 wherein: the communication means enables control of or at least transfer of data to the meter device from the personal communication device.

12. A meter device according to claim 9 wherein: the data means includes a microprocessor, memory and clock.

13. A docking interface for a portable communication device comprising: cradle means which holds the communication device in a docked position, and communication means which transfers data to the communication device from a remote meter device.

14. A docking interface according to claim 13 wherein: the communication means enables transfer of data between the meter device and the personal communication device by a wired, wireless, or power line connection.

15. A method of communicating data from a meter to a remote monitor site substantially as herein described with respect to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of communicating data from a control site to a remote meter substantially as herein described with respect to the accompanying drawings.

17. A method of remotely monitoring a metered activity substantially as herein described with respect to the accompanying drawings.

18. A meter device substantially as herein described with respect to the accompanying drawings.

19. A docking interface substantially as herein described with respect to the accompanying drawings.