REMOTE METERING DEVICE

• US 20130038465A2
• Filed: 10/07/2009
• Published: 02/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: UK Meter Assets Limited (Smart Metering Systems Plc)
• Original Assignee: UK Meter Assets Limited (Smart Metering Systems Plc)
• Inventors: Foy, Alan
• Application Number:
  US13/122,253
• Publication Number:
  US 20110273306A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• 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: 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

The invention relates in particular to an integrated device for the adaptation of fluid metering devices, comprising an attachment means for attachment to the meter, a pulse generating means for generating electrical pulses at a rate dependent on the volume of fluid used, means for counting and storing the number of pulses generated during a particular time period, and communication means for communicating the stored pulse readings. Ideally these elements are integrated into a single housing, attachable to a meter by simply plugging thereto, without the need for any programming.

Claims

1. An integrated device for the adaptation of fluid metering devices, comprising:

a universal attachment means, attachable to a wide range of meters;

a pulse generating means for generating electrical pulses at a rate dependent on the volume of fluid used;

means for counting and storing the number of pulses generated during a particular time period;

wireless communication means for communicating the stored pulse readings;

said communication means comprising a standard mobile operator SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card and an integral antenna and is arranged to communicate using standard mobile telephone networks;

wherein all the components of said integrated device are integrated into a single housing, attachable to a meter by simply plugging thereto; and

wherein said device is operable to function immediately upon attachment to the meter without the need for programming or calibration.

2. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wide range of meters comprise specifically customer meters for metering a customer'"'"'s consumption.

3. An integrated device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said adaptor is similar to those found on conventional low-frequency pulsing devices.

4. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication is via SMS (Short Message Service) messaging.

5. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communications means further comprises a communications chip.

6. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is provided a facility for attaching an external antenna.

7. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pulse generation means comprise a low frequency pulse transmitter of the type used to convert the rotational movement of a meter'"'"'s index into electrical pulses at a rate indicative of fluid consumption.

8. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device communicates pulse readings without having the functionality to convert said pulse readings to the corresponding amount of fluid consumed.

9. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is implemented solely in hardware without the need for any software for it to function.

10. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device communicates with a remote meter database such that specific information can be identified.

11. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device counts pulses generated over preset time periods and communicates after preset intervals, wherein said preset time periods and preset intervals are fixed.

12. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1 comprising an integral long-life battery.

13. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1 comprising means for closing the fluid supply in response to a wireless instruction received via said communication means.

14. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a display.

15. An integrated device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said display is an LED display, indicating signal strength or signal received, and/or indicating whether pulses are received.

16. An integrated device as claimed in claim 14, wherein said display is operable only on user activation.

17. An integrated device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an output for direct reading of said pulse readings.

33. An integrated device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the specific information comprises at least one of gas supplier, unique meter reference number, meter model and meter calibration.

18. An integrated device for the adaptation of fluid metering devices of a type which generates electrical pulses at a rate dependent on the volume of fluid used, comprising:

a universal attachment means attachable to a wide range of meters means for counting and storing the number of pulses generated during a particular time period;

communication means for communicating the stored pulse readings;

said communication means comprising a standard mobile operator SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card and an integral antenna and is arranged to communicate using standard mobile telephone networks;

wherein all the components of said integrated device are integrated into a single housing, attachable to a meter by simply plugging thereto; and

wherein said device is operable to function immediately upon attachment to the meter without the need for programming or calibration.

19. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said wide range of meters comprise specifically customer meters for metering a customer'"'"'s consumption.

20. An integrated device as claimed in claim 19, wherein said adaptor is similar to those found on conventional low-frequency pulsing devices.

21. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein said communications means further comprises a communications chip.

22. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein there is provided a facility for attaching an external antenna.

23. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device communicates pulse readings without having the functionality to convert said pulse readings to the corresponding amount of fluid consumed.

24. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device is implemented solely in hardware without the need for any software for it to function.

25. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device communicates with a remote meter database such that specific information can be identified.

26. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the device counts pulses generated over preset time periods and communicates after preset intervals, wherein said preset time periods and preset intervals are fixed.

27. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18 comprising an integral long-life battery.

28. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18 comprising means for closing the fluid supply, in response to a wireless instruction received via said communication.

29. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising a display.

30. An integrated device as claimed in claim 29, wherein said display is an LED display indicating signal strength or signal received, and/or indicating whether pulses are received.

31. An integrated device as claimed in claim 29, wherein said display is operable only on user activation.

32. An integrated device as claimed in claim 18 further comprising an output for direct reading of said pulse readings.

34. An integrated device as claimed in claim 25, wherein the specific information comprises at least one of gas supplier, unique meter reference number, meter model and meter calibration.