Consumption meter

• US 20040128084A1
• Filed: 10/06/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ABB Limited
• Original Assignee: ABB Limited
• Inventors: Keech, Ray
• Granted Patent: US 7,039,529 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/57
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/18 Remote displaying of utility meter readings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/0755 involving digital counting
• 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: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A meter for monitoring consumption of a resource, such as water or other fluids, and corresponding methods of configuring and operating the meter are disclosed. The meter includes processing and memory means for determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource and a communication link for enabling a supplier to access the stored supplier measure. The supplier access is controlled by a first access control means which prevents unauthorised access to the stored data. The meter further comprises a consumer data memory for storing consumer data including a consumer measure of consumption and second access control means. The second access control means enable a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption.

Claims

1. A meter for monitoring consumption of a resource, the meter comprising:

processing and memory means for determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource;

a communication link for enabling a supplier to access the stored supplier measure under the control of a first access control means for preventing unauthorised access to the stored data, the meter further comprising;

consumer data memory for storing consumer data including a consumer measure of consumption; and

second access control means for enabling a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption.

2. A meter according to claim 1 further including a metering assembly providing output signals indicative of consumption to the processing means.

3. A meter according to claim 2 wherein the meter is integrated with the metering assembly.

4. A meter according to claim 1 arranged to permit the consumer to access the data over the same communication link as the supplier.

5. A meter according to claim 1 wherein the communication link comprises a telecommunications link.

6. A meter according to claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to enable the consumer measure to have different resolution or measurement units to the supplier measure.

7. A meter according to claim 1 arranged to store consumer configuration data.

8. A meter according to claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to maintain a consumer log of consumption for access by the consumer.

9. A meter according to claim 1 further comprising means for communicating a message from the consumer to the supplier or vice versa.

10. A meter according to any preceding claim 1 further arranged to provide service access under control of a third secure access means, the service access enabling access to parameters which are not adjustable by the supplier access or the consumer access.

11. A meter according to claim 1 arranged to monitor fluid flow, wherein the consumer measure is arranged to permit detection of leaks.

12. A meter according to claim 1 including means for notifying a consumer of an alarm condition.

13. A meter according to claim 12, wherein the means for notifying includes means for providing a visual or audible indication locally connected to the meter.

14. A meter according to claim 12, wherein the means for notifying includes means for sending a message, preferably an SMS message to a remote destination.

15. A meter according to claim 12, wherein the alarm condition comprises a consumption in accordance with a predetermined condition configurable by the consumer.

16. A method of configuring a meter having a metering assembly, a processor, memory and a communication link, the meter being configured to provide remote access to a stored supplier measure of consumption in the memory by an authorised supplier following supplier authentication, the method comprising configuring the meter to permit remote access to stored data including a consumer measure of consumption by a consumer following consumer authentication, wherein the consumer is not permitted to modify the supplier measure stored in the memory.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein configuring comprises updating the software of the meter.

19. A computer program or computer readable means or a downloadable program fragment comprising instructions for use in the method of claim 16.

18. A method of operating a meter comprising:

determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource;

permitting a supplier to access the stored supplier measure under the control of a first access control means for preventing unauthorised access to the stored data, the method further comprising;

storing consumer data including a consumer measure of consumption; and

permitting a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption.

20. A computer program or computer readable means or a downloadable program fragment comprising instructions for use in the method of claim 18.