Communication system

• US 20050091335A1
• Filed: 10/28/2002
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qonnectis Group Ltd. (Water Intelligence Plc)
• Original Assignee: Qonnectis Group Ltd. (Water Intelligence Plc)
• Inventors: Churchill, John, Tapia, Michael, Gadsden, Antony
• Application Number:
  US10/493,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20050091335A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/217
• 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: H04L 41/147 for predicting network behaviour
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/10 using a centralized architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless 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 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• 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: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

Apparatus (3) for receiving data from at least one control or measuring device (1), comprising, a device interface (27) for communication of data between the apparatus (3) and said device (1), a central processor (23) for controlling data flow in the apparatus (3), and an input/output interface (29) for communicating with an external communications network, whereby information from one or more devices (1) can be communicated to a central data distribution network (9).

Claims

1. Apparatus for receiving data from at least one control or measuring device, comprising, a device interface for communication of data between the apparatus and said device, a central processor for controlling data flow in the apparatus, and an input/output interface for communicating with an external communications network, whereby information from one or more devices can be communicated to a central data distribution network.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the devices are selected from the group consisting of utility meters, sensors, valves, storage tanks, environmental control devices, and retail terminals for taking purchase orders.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the input/output interface is selected from the group consisting of, a modem, a PSTN or ISDN interface, a GSM interface, or short range radio or satellite interfaces.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim wherein the device interface, central processor and input/output interface are each contained in separate modules occupying slots in a modular system.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the modules communicate via a single bus.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein each module is object orientated and encapsulates the processing and electrical interfaces of the required function.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6, wherein each module occupies a data address in a given address range and where the central processor dynamically allocates addresses to provide virtual slots in a modular system.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the device interface is adapted to interface with a plurality of devices of the same type.

10. Data processing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apparatus manages communication of data between a client and a device, whereby on the provision of a device identifier by a client or end user, the apparatus allows interrogation of the identified device or for data to be passed thereto.

11. Data processing apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein said data is control data for an actuator or control device.

12. A communication system including apparatus for receiving data in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 8 and a data processing apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. A communication system as claimed in claim 12 and including at least one gateway for allowing communication between said data processing apparatus and said apparatus for receiving data.

9. Data processing apparatus connected to the internet or other communications network and in communication thereby with a plurality of measuring or control devices, the apparatus including a first database for storing information received from said devices, a second database including information identifying a plurality of clients or end users, wherein the data processing apparatus manages communication of data to a client from one or more of said devices.