SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MONITORING AND CONTROLLING A WATER METER

• US 20090309755A1
• Filed: 05/04/2007
• Published: 12/17/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Capstone Metering LLC
• Original Assignee: Capstone Mobile Technologies LLC
• Inventors: Williamson, Walter Scott, Williamson, James Scott, Williamson, Jack Ryan
• Granted Patent: US 8,866,634 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 18/006 Intermittent recalibration
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 25/10 of flowmeters
• 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 that monitors usage of a water distribution system by a client is provided. The meter includes a wireless communications system operable to communicatively couple the meter to a wireless network to provide two-way communication between the meter and the wireless network; a calibration system operable to calibrate the meter, wherein the calibration system may calibrate the meter in response to an instruction received via the wireless network; and a power system operable to maintain a sufficient level of power for the meter to allow substantially real-time communication between the meter and the wireless network.

Claims

1. A meter that monitors usage of a water distribution system by a client, comprising:

a wireless communications system operable to communicatively couple the meter to a wireless network to provide two-way communication between the meter and the wireless network;

a calibration system operable to calibrate the meter, wherein the calibration system may calibrate the meter in response to an instruction received via the wireless network; and

a power system operable to maintain a sufficient level of power for the meter to allow real-time communication between the meter and the wireless network.

2. The meter of claim 1, wherein the meter is self-powered.

3. The meter of claim 2, further comprising a meter shut-off system comprising a valve, wherein the meter shut-off system is operable to open the valve to permit water distribution to the client and close the valve to prevent water distribution to the client, wherein the meter shut-off system is operable to open or close the valve in response to an instruction received via the wireless network.

4. The meter of claim 3, wherein the meter is operable to send and receive data via a cellular, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, 400 MHz, 900 MHz or proprietary radio network protocol.

5. The meter of claim 4, wherein the power system comprises a rechargeable battery system.

6. The meter of claim 5, wherein the meter is self-calibrating.

7. The meter of claim 6, wherein the meter is operable to monitor the power system and transmit a communication concerning the status of the power system via the wireless network.

8. A system for managing client water usage comprising:

a network operations center comprising

a server,

a database, and

a wireless communications transmitter and receiver operable to communicatively couple the network operations center to a wireless network; and

a self-powered water meter operable to monitor the client water usage, wherein the meter is communicatively coupled to the wireless network and operable to provide two-way communication with the network operations center, and wherein the meter is operable to transmit data concerning the client water usage to the network operations center.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the network operations system is operable to calibrate the meter.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the network operation system is operable to instruct the meter to permit water distribution to the client or prevent water distribution to the client.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the network operation system is operable to store billing information associated with the client, wherein the billing information is based on the data concerning the client water usage.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the network operation system is operable to determine a range of normal water usage and operable to instruct the meter to prevent water distribution to the client if client water usage exceeds the range of normal water usage by a selected amount.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the network operation system is operable to remotely activate an account associated with the client.

14. A method for remotely managing client water usage in connection with a water distribution system, wherein the client is located within a service region, comprising the steps of:

providing a self-powered wireless water meter communicatively coupled to a wireless network and operable to monitor client water usage;

transmitting a request to the meter for data concerning the client water usage via the wireless network; and

receiving data concerning the client water usage of the client via the wireless network.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:

establishing a standard usage pattern for the service region, and

determining if the client water usage deviates from the standard usage pattern by a selected amount.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of remotely calibrating the meter.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the client has a delinquent account; and

instructing the meter to limit client water usage if the client has a delinquent account.

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

determining whether the client has committed a violation of an ordinance concerning water usage; and

billing the client for a violation charge if the client violated the ordinance.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of

determining a time of client water usage;

and

billing the client according to a billing rate associated with the time of client water usage.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an emergency notification concerning service area or the water distribution system; and

instructing the meter to limit client water usage.