REMOTE METER READER USING A NETWORK SENSOR SYSTEM AND PROTOCOL

• US 20070057814A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 03/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaak, Inc. (Arlo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avaak, Inc. (Arlo Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Messinger, Gioia, Goldberg, Bar-Giora
• Granted Patent: US 8,144,027 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2204/45 Utility meters networked together within a single building
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/39 Scanning a visible indication of the measured value and reproducing this indication at the remote place, e.g. on the screen of a cathode ray tube mechanical adjustment G01D5/264
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/25 using a mesh network, e.g. a public urban network such as public lighting, bus stops or traffic lights
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• 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 2209/883 where the sensing device enters an active or inactive mode
• 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

A system and method is provided for automatically reading meters, such as utility meters. A camera unit is attached to or otherwise associated with an existing meter. From time to time, either automatically, or upon wireless command, the camera unit takes an image of the meter'"'"'s readings, and communicates wirelessly the image or image data, to a local area receiver. The images can be transmitted immediately, or stored for later transmission, depending on the network protocol. The camera unit is battery powered, and operates communication protocols that enable extended operational life. These protocols allow for the camera'"'"'s radio and processor to be turned on only when necessary, and then for only brief periods of time. At most times, the camera is in a power-conserving sleep mode. Multiple camera units may be arranged to communicate meter image data to the local area receiver, either using asynchronous or synchronous processes. In this way, star, point-to-point, MESH and ring networking topologies are enabled. The meter image data is communicated from the receiver to a central office using a wide area connection, where the image data is used for determining the meter reading. In one example, the image may be included with a utility bill as confirmed evidence of the current meter reading.

Claims

1. An automated wireless meter reading system, comprising:

a camera unit adapted to be connected to a meter and positioned to take an image of a meter reading area;

a radio with the camera unit and configured to wirelessly transmit meter data from the camera;

a receiver unit constructed to wirelessly receive the meter data from the camera unit'"'"'s radio; and

a wide area connection with the receiver unit for communicating the meter data to a central location.

2. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the camera unit further comprises:

a battery;

an image sensor;

a lens directing the image to the image sensor;

an antenna connected to the radio;

a processor; and

wherein the radio is in the camera unit.

3. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the meter is an analog or digital utility meter.

4. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the radio operates according to 802.11, CDMA, WCDMA, WiFi, WiMax, Zigbee, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, CDMA2000, UMTS, or a specialized wireless protocol.

5. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is constructed as a portable reader.

6. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is a wireless access point for the Internet.

7. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is another camera unit.

8. An automated wireless meter reading system, comprising:

a plurality of camera units, each camera unit being positionable to take an image of a meter reading area on a respective meter; and

a receiver configured to receive meter image data from each of the camera units.

9. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 8, wherein the camera units and receiver use an asynchronous communication protocol

10. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 8, wherein the camera units and receiver use a star networking topology.

11. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 8, wherein the camera units and receiver use a synchronous communication protocol.

12. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 8, wherein the camera units and receiver use a point-to-point network topology.

13. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 8, wherein the camera units and receiver use a ring network topology.

14. The automated wireless meter reading system according to claim 8, wherein the camera units and receiver use a MESH network topology.

15. An automated process to read a meter, comprising:

taking an image of a meter reading area using a camera unit;

wirelessly communication image information to a local area receiver;

communicating the image information from the receiver to a central office; and

analyzing the image to determine a current meter reading value.

16. The automated process according to claim 15, wherein the analyzing step comprises automated image recognition, and is performed at the camera unit, the local area receiver, or the central office.

17. The automated process according to claim 15, wherein the camera unit further operates the steps of:

operating in a sleep mode until a low-power timer generates an interrupt;

activating a radio and processor responsive to the interrupt;

generating a pilot signal;

waiting a defined period of time after generating the pilot; and

going back into the sleep mode if no response is received from a receiver during the wait period.

18. The automated process according to claim 15, wherein the camera unit further operates the steps of taking an image if a response is received from a receiver during the wait period.

19. An automated process to read a plurality of meters, comprising:

associating a plurality of camera units with respective meters;

taking a respective meter image with each camera unit;

wirelessly communication meter image information to a receiver;

communicating the meter image information from the receiver to a central office; and

analyzing the image to determine a current meter reading value.

20. The automated process according to claim 19, further comprising periodically synchronizing clocks among the plurality of camera units.

21. The automated process according to claim 19, further including the steps of:

associating each meter image with a customer; and

including a copy of the meter image with its associated customer'"'"'s bill.

22. The automated process according to claim 19, further including the steps of:

using automated recognition processes to decipher the meter value indicated in the meter image to determine a current meter value; and

using the current meter value to automatically generate a customer billing.

23. The automated process according to claim 19, further including the steps of:

using automated recognition processes to decipher the meter value indicated in the meter image to determine a current meter value; and

using the current meter value to automatically generate peak usage statistics.

24. The automated process according to claim 19, further including the steps of:

taking meter images several times in a one-day period; and

using the several meter images to determine time-of-day billing, peak usage billing, or peak usage discounts.