System and method for on-line monitoring and billing of power consumption

• US 20030158677A1
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Published: 08/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Quadlogic Controls Corp.
• Original Assignee: Quadlogic Controls Corp.
• Inventors: Jacobson, Eric, Newsome, Michael, Shafrir, Doron, Lo, Stanley C., Swarztrauber, Sayre A.
• Granted Patent: US 6,947,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/62
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 22/00 Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00002 characterised by monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00007 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00017 using optical fiber
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00034 the elements or equipment being or involving an electric power substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/30 State monitoring, e.g. fault, temperature monitoring, insulator monitoring, corona discharge
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/124 using wired telecommunication networks or data transmission busses
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards

Abstract

The present invention comprises systems and methods related to monitoring of energy usage on a power line. In a preferred embodiment, this system comprises (a) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to the power line and comprising a non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein the metering device is capable of interval metering and of receiving a data request and transmitting data in response to the request over the power line; and (b) a data collector (preferably, a transponder) coupled to the metering device via the power line. The data collector is preferably capable of (i) receiving data from and transmitting data to the metering device over the power line, (ii) storing data received from the metering device over the power line, and (iii) receiving data from and transmitting data to a remotely located computer (preferably, a billing computer).

Claims

1. A system for monitoring energy usage on a power line, comprising:

(a) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to a power line and including a non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein said metering device is operative to perform interval metering and receive a data request and transmit data in response to said request over said power line; and

(b) a data collector coupled to said metering device via said power line, said data collector operative to;

(i) receive data from and transmitting data to said metering device over said power line,

(ii) store data received from said metering device over said power line, and

(iii) receive data from and transmit data to a remotely located computer.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein said data collector is a transponder.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said metering device is coupled to an output device operative to control loads on said power line.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said metering device is operative to meter real electric energy.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said data collector receives data from and transmits data to said remotely located computer via a power line.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said data collector receives data from and transmits data to said remotely located computer via a telephone line.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said data collector is coupled to and operative to store data in a non-volatile memory storage device.

8. A system as in claim 1, wherein said metering device comprises a microprocessor that is remotely programmable.

9. A system as in claim 8, wherein the microprocessor can be remotely programmed to change what data are stored by the metering device and in what time intervals.

10. A system as in claim 8, wherein the microprocessor can be remotely programmed to change time-of-use profiles.

11. A system as in claim 8, wherein the microprocessor can be remotely programmed to change whether the metering device operates on a pre-paid or on a credit basis.

12. A system as in claim 8, wherein the metering device is operative to retrieve local data.

13. A system as in claim 12, wherein said metering device is coupled to a local display device.

14. A system as in claim 13, wherein the microprocessor can be remotely programmed to change what data are displayed on said display device.

15. A system as in claim 8, wherein said microprocessor can be locally reprogrammed via a local data input device.

16. A system as in claim 1, wherein sa id non-volatile non-battery-powered data storage device is a flash memory device.

17. A system as in claim 1, wherein said metering device is coupled to and operative to receive data from other metering devices.

18. A system as in claim 1, wherein said metering device is operative to adjust the frequency on which it transmits data over said power line.

19. A system as in claim 18, wherein said frequency is adjusted in response to instructions received from a remote computer.

56. A system as in claim 1, wherein said metering device comprises a paper printing device.

20. A system for monitoring energy usage, comprising:

(a) one or more power lines; and

(b) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to said one or more power lines and comprising at least one non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein said metering device is operative to perform interval metering and metering of multiple billing entities.

21. A system as in claim 20, wherein said metering device is operative to receive a data request and transmit data in response to said request over said one or more power lines.

22. A system as in claim 21, further comprising a data collector coupled to said metering device via said power line, said data collector operative to:

(i) receive data from and transmit data to said metering device over said power line,

(ii) store data received from said metering device over said power line, and

(iii) receive data from and transmit data to a remotely located computer.

23. A power line communication system for communication between a master device and a slave device, comprising:

(a) a master device coupled to a power line and operative to transmit a request for data over said power line to a slave device and to receive data transmitted by said slave device over said power line,

wherein said master device is operative to transmit a request for data over said power line to said slave device that is at a baud rate low enough to ensure reliable reception by said slave device, and

wherein said request for data comprises instructions to said slave device to transmit responsive data over said power line within specific transmission parameters; and

(b) a slave device coupled to said power line and operative to transmit data over said power line in response to a request for data received over said power line from a master device,

wherein said slave device is capable of transmitting data over said power line within said specific transmission parameters.

24. A system as in claim 23, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a baud rate parameter.

25. A system as in claim 23, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a modulation parameter.

26. A system as in claim 23, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a frequency parameter.

27. A system as in claim 23, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a phase parameter.

28. A system as in claim 23, wherein said power line is a three-phase line and said specific transmission parameters comprise one or more specified combinations of three lines.

29. A method of monitoring energy usage, comprising the steps of:

(a) measuring energy usage using a microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device;

(b) storing data representing measured energy usage at regular intervals of time in a non-volatile, non-battery-operated data storage device;

(c) receiving a request for said stored data over a power line from a transponder; and

(d) in response to said request, transmitting said stored data over said power line to said transponder.

30. A method as in claim 29, wherein said microprocessor can be remotely programmed.

31. A method as in claim 30, wherein said microprocessor can be remotely programmed and is operative to take a programmed action when a measured parameter reaches or exceeds a downloaded value.

32. A method as in claim 29, wherein said non-volatile non-battery-powered data storage device is a flash memory device.

33. A method of power line communication between a master device and a slave device, comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting a request for data over a power line from a master device to a slave device,

wherein said request is at a baud rate low enough to ensure reliable reception by said slave device, and

wherein said request for data comprises instructions to said slave device to transmit responsive data over said power line within a first set of specific transmission parameters; and

(b) transmitting responsive data over said power line from said slave device to said master device in response to said request for data received by said slave device over said power line from said master device,

wherein said responsive data is transmitted over said power line within said first set of specific transmission parameters.

34. A method as in claim 33, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a baud rate parameter.

35. A method as in claim 33, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a modulation parameter.

36. A method as in claim 33, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a frequency parameter.

37. A method as in claim 33, wherein said specific transmission parameters comprise a phase parameter.

38. A method as in claim 33, wherein said power line is a three-phase line and said specific transmission parameters comprise one or more specified combinations of three lines.

39. A method as in claim 33, further comprising the steps of:

(c) after a predetermined period of time during which said master device has said first set of specific transmission parameters, transmitting a subsequent request for data over said power line from said master device to said slave device,

wherein said request is at a baud rate low enough to ensure reliable reception by said slave device, and

wherein said request for data comprises instructions to said slave device to transmit responsive data over said power line within a second set of specific transmission parameters; and

(d) transmitting responsive data over said power line from said slave device to said master device in response to said subsequent request for data received by said slave device over said power line from said master device,

wherein said responsive data is transmitted over said power line within said second set of specific transmission parameters.

40. An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) for monitoring energy usage, comprising:

(a) a meter component;

(b) a digital control logic component;

(c) a real-time clock component; and

(d) a power line communication component.

41. An ASIC as in claim 40, further comprising a random access memory (RAM) component.

42. An ASIC as in claim 40, further comprising a first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer.

43. An ASIC as in claim 40, further comprising a watchdog timer.

44. An ASIC as in claim 40, further comprising a serial UART.

45. An ASIC as in claim 40, wherein said meter component comprises circuitry for sampling.

46. A device for monitoring energy usage, comprising:

(a) an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip coupled to and controllable by a microprocessor;

(b) a microprocessor coupled to said ASIC chip and operative to control the operation of said ASIC chip; and

(c) a flash memory device coupled to said ASIC chip and to said microprocessor, wherein said flash memory device is operative to receive energy usage data from said ASIC chip and controllable by said microprocessor.

54. A device as in claim 46, wherein said flash memory device is operative to store data in a first set of one or more data registers and a second set of one or more data registers, and wherein said microprocessor is operative to direct received meter data into said first set or said second set according to an external signal.

55. A device as in claim 54, wherein said external signal is from an automatic transfer switch.

47. A method of detecting unauthorized usage of electricity transmitted over power lines, comprising the steps of:

(a) mapping a network of phase feeders, nodes, and end users that receive electricity from a distribution transformer to determine which feeder supplies each node and which feeders and nodes supply each end user;

(b) for an interval of time, metering the electricity transmitted along each phase feeder feeding from said distribution transformer;

(c) for said interval of time, metering the electricity transmitted through each node;

(d) for said interval of time, metering the electricity consumed by each end user; and

(e) for said interval of time, identifying all feeders for which the total amount of electricity metered at all nodes and end users for the feeder is unacceptably less than the amount of electricity metered at said feeder.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein said end user meters are multi-phase meters.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein said step of mapping a network comprises:

(a) storing data identifying feeder meters, node meters, and end user meters serviced by a distribution transformer;

(b) identifying which end user meters are supplied by each node;

(c) identifying which end user meters and which nodes are supplied by each feeder; and

(d) for multi-phase end users, identifying the phase arrangement of each end user meter.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein end user meters are one-phase meters and wherein said step of identifying the phase arrangement of each end user meter is determined by measuring signal strength on each phase by a transponder.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein end user meters are one-phase meters and wherein said step of identifying the phase arrangement of each end user meter is determined by having a transponder send out a PLC signal with a bit rate equaling the line frequency, comparing a return signal from each end user meter with the transponder metering phases, and measuring any shifts found in said comparison.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein end user meters are multi-phase meters and wherein said step of identifying the phase arrangement of each end user meter is determined by having a transponder send out a PLC signal with a bit rate equaling the line frequency, then having the end user meter compare PLC bit transitions to zero crossings of each of its metering phases to determine which metering phases are connected which transponder phase.

53. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of, for each said interval of time, identifying all nodes for which the total amount of electricity, for the phase supplied through said node, metered at all end users for said node is unacceptably less than the amount of electricity metered at said node.

57. An electricity metering device for providing a paper printout to a customer, comprising:

(a) a microprocessor;

(b) a meter component coupled to and controllable by said microprocessor;

(c) a communication component coupled to and controllable by said microprocessor; and

(d) a printer coupled to and controllable by said microprocessor.

58. A method for providing pre-paid electricity, comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a pre-payment from an end user;

(b) transferring over a power line data relating to said pre-payment to said end user'"'"'s electricity meter, wherein said meter is controlled by a microprocessor programmed to limit electricity service to said end user when the cost of said end user'"'"'s electricity consumption equals or exceeds said pre-payment.

59. A method according to claim 58, wherein said microprocessor is programmed to disconnect electricity service to said end user when the cost of said end user'"'"'s electricity consumption equals or exceeds said pre-payment.

60. A method of providing electricity on a credit basis, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing electricity to an end user according to a credit policy;

(b) determining that said end user has violated said credit policy; and

(c) instructing over a power line a microprocessor-controlled meter that meters said end user'"'"'s electricity consumption to limit service to said end user.

61. A method as in claim 60, wherein said step of instructing said microprocessor-controlled meter to limit service to said end user comprises instructions to limit said service when certain specified parameters that the meter is capable of measuring are exceeded.

62. A method as in claim 60, wherein said step of instructing said microprocessor-controlled meter to limit service to said end user comprises an instruction to disconnect service to said end user.

63. A method of remotely controlling electrical power service to an end user protected by a ground-fault interruptor (GFI), comprising the steps of:

(a) determining that said end user'"'"'s electricity service must be discontinued; and

(b) sending a power line communication instruction to a microprocessor-controlled meter that meters said end user'"'"'s electricity consumption, wherein said instruction directs said meter to activate said GFI.

64. A method as in claim 63, wherein said instruction further directs said meter to continue to activate said GFI until directed otherwise.

65. A method as in claim 63, wherein said meter is configured to activate said GFI by initiating a leakage to earth ground.

66. A method as in claim 63, wherein said GFI comprises a toroid and wherein said meter is configured to activate said GFI by coupling a small amount of current into said toroid.

67. A device for monitoring energy usage by a plurality of end users, comprising:

(a) a main processor;

(b) a remote processor in communication with said main processor, and directed by said main processor regarding which current channels to read;

(c) an analog multiplexer controllable by said remote processor;

(d) a current sensing circuit coupled to said analog multiplexer;

(e) an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chip coupled to and controllable by said remote processor; and

(f) a flash memory device coupled to said ASIC chip and to said remote processor, wherein said flash memory device is operable to receive energy usage data from said ASIC chip and controllable by said remote processor.

68. A method of determining the location of a break in a powerline electricity distribution network that has microprocessor-controlled end user electricity meters operative to communicate with a remotely located computer, comprising the steps of:

(a) mapping the location of each end user meter;

(b) periodically receiving data from each end user meter in response to a query to that meter;

(c) when a plurality of meters in the same branch of the network fail to report during a given period, querying meters in neighboring branches to pinpoint the location of a break.