System and method for controlling a utility meter

• US 20080086394A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Carina Technology, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Carina Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Harbin, Benjamin, O'Neil, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 8,140,414 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• 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: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/03 Credit; Loans; Processing thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• 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 for monitoring and controlling utility meters is provided. A collar communicatively connected to the utility meter monitors power usage and provides usage data, power quality data, and other data to the utility and the customer. The system provides for pre-pay power, and the collar relay can automatically connect or disconnect power to a customer as required. The system provides intelligent remote control of utility meters via wireless or other communications means.

Claims

1. A system for controlling a utility meter comprising:

a collar coupled to the utility meter; and

a display unit communicatively coupled to the collar for displaying customer utility data corresponding to the utility meter.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the customer utility data comprises data indicative of at least one of real-time power readings, real-time voltage readings, real-time current readings and real-time power factor readings.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the customer utility data comprises data indicative of power quality.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the customer utility data comprises data indicative of energy usage.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the data indicative of energy usage is identified for at least one appliance.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the customer utility data comprises data indicative of customer billing data.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the customer utility data comprises data indicative of anticipated energy consumption over time period.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises a communication device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the display unit displays a message in the form of at least one of the following:

a video display, a digital display, text message, an e-mail, or a web portal.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the display unit is remote to the collar and the communication device transmits the customer utility data to the display unit.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises logic for collecting customer utility data from the utility meter.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises logic for calculating customer utility data from the utility meter.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the collar further comprises a relay for connection and disconnection of utility services.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the utility meter is a gas meter.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the utility meter is a water meter.

16. A method, comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one reading from a utility meter;

transmitting data indicative of the reading to a customer display unit; and

displaying the data to the customer display unit.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of calculating customer utility data based upon the reading received from the utility meter.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the calculating step further comprises the step of calculating data indicative of power quality.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the calculating step further comprises the step of calculating data indicative of energy usage.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting step further comprises the step of transmitting energy usage data indicative of energy consumed by at least one appliance.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the displaying step further comprises the steps of:

displaying the energy usage data indicative of energy consumed by the appliance; and

identifying the data with the appliance.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting the customer utility data to the customer display unit; and

displaying the customer utility data to the customer display unit.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the data wirelessly to the customer display unit.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein the transmitting step further comprises transmitting the data to the customer display unit via a power line carrier.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein the customer display unit displays a message in the form of at least one of the following:

a digital display, a video display, a text message, an e-mail, or a web portal.

26. A system, comprising:

a collar communicatively coupled to a utility meter; and

a billing server communicatively coupled to the collar via a network, wherein the collar transmits customer utility data to the billing server.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the billing server requests the customer utility data.

28. The system of claim 26, wherein the collar automatically transmits the customer utility data to the billing server.

29. The system of claim 26, wherein the collar comprises logic configured to calculate the forward daily available power (FDAP).

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising a relay for connection and disconnection of utility services.

31. The system of claim 30, where the relay automatically disconnects utility services upon receipt of data indicative of a notification.

32. The system of claim 30, where the relay disconnects utility services upon receipt of data indicative of a notification, provided that the billing server sends a confirmation of service disconnect.

33. A system, comprising:

a network; and

logic configured to receive data indicative of a payment via the network and store the payment data in memory, the logic further configured to calculate, based upon the payment data, an amount of power available corresponding to a utility meter.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising a collar communicatively coupled to the utility meter, wherein the logic resides on the collar.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein the logic is further configured to receive data indicative of a balance forward calculated based upon aggregate usage.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the logic is further configured to reconcile the amount of power available with the balance forward based upon aggregate usage.

37. The system of claim 33, further comprising a customer interface unit.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the logic is further configured to transmit notification data to the customer interface unit when the amount of calculated power available is at a predetermined threshold value.

39. The system of claim 37, wherein the logic is further configured to transmit power available data indicative of an amount of calculated power available to the customer interface unit.

47. The method of claim 37, further comprising the step of disconnecting power when the amount of power available reaches a threshold value

40. A method comprising the steps of:

receiving data indicative of a payment via a network;

storing the payment data in memory; and

calculating, based upon the payment data, an amount of power available corresponding to a utility meter.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the receiving step further comprises the step of receiving the payment data via a collar communicatively coupled to a utility meter.

42. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of receiving data indicative of a balance forward calculated based upon an aggregate usage.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising the step of reconciling the amount of power available with the balance forward based upon the aggregate usage.

44. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of transmitting notification data to a utility computing device when the amount of calculated power available is at a predetermined threshold value.

45. The method of claim 40, further comprising the step of transmitting notification data to a customer interface unit when the amount of calculated power available is at a predetermined threshold value.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of transmitting power available data indicative of an amount of power available to the customer interface unit.

48. A system comprising the steps of:

a network;

means for receiving data indicative of a payment via the network;

means for storing the payment data in memory; and

means for calculating, based upon the payment data, an amount of power available corresponding to a utility meter.

49. The system of claim 48, further comprising:

a relay; and

logic configured to activate the relay upon receipt of data indicative of a notification from the network that the amount of power available has reached a threshold value.

50. A system for controlling a utility meter comprising:

a collar coupled to the utility meter;

a relay; and

logic configured to activate the relay upon receipt of data indicative of a notification.

51. The system of claim 50, further comprising:

a power supply.

52. A method, comprising the steps of:

receiving at least one meter reading; and

limiting an amount of energy consumed by a user based upon the meter reading.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the limiting step further comprises limiting the amount based upon the user'"'"'s previous payment history.

54. The method of claim 52, further comprising the step of calculating customer current usage based upon the meter reading.

55. The method of claim 52, further comprising the steps of:

setting a predetermined current usage threshold value; and

limiting the amount of energy consumed if the meter reading indicates that the current usage threshold is met.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein the limiting step further comprises the step of actuating a relay if the current usage threshold is met.

57. A system, comprising:

a utility meter; and

logic configured to receive at least one meter reading of the utility meter, the logic further configured to limit an amount of energy consumed by a user of the utility meter based upon the meter reading.

58. The system of claim 57, further comprising a collar and the logic resides on the collar.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the logic is further configured to limit the amount of energy consumed based upon the user'"'"'s previous payment history.

60. The system of claim 57, wherein the logic is further configured to calculate customer current usage based upon the meter reading.

61. The system of claim 57, wherein the logic is further configured to set a predetermined current usage threshold value and limit the amount of energy consumed if the meter reading indicates that the current usage threshold is met.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein the logic is further configured to actuate a relay if the current usage threshold is met.