MULTIPLE AND INTERCHANGEABLE METER READING PROBES

• US 20140055283A1
• Filed: 10/31/2013
• Published: 02/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Grenwave Holdings Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Greenwave Reality, Pte Ltd. (Greenwave Reality, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ching, Yee Fen, Diehl, William, Jonsson, Karl, Vandendorpe, Christian, Fong, Fu Kin, Lye, Kong Wei, Windstrup, Sonny
• Granted Patent: US 8,941,509 B2
• 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 9/42 Recording indications of measuring instruments by photographic means, e.g. of counters
• 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 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: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A characteristic of a first utility meter is detected with a first probe head, and a characteristic of a second utility meter is detected with a second probe head. The characteristic of the first utility meter is dependent on a usage of a first utility metered by the first utility meter, and the characteristic of the second utility meter is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered by the second utility meter. Information related to the characteristic of the first utility meter is communicated from the first probe head to a communication unit, and information related to the characteristic of the second utility meter is communicated from the second probe head to the communication unit. A message is also sent from the communication unit indicating the usage of the first utility or the usage of the second utility.

Claims

1. An apparatus to monitor one or more utility meters comprising:

a communication unit comprising a processor, a communication interface coupled to the processor, and a probe interface coupled to the processor; and

a meter monitoring probe comprising a probe head coupled by a cable to a probe connector capable to mate with the probe interface;

wherein the probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a utility metered, and send information related to the characteristic to the processor; and

the processor is capable to receive the information from the probe head and send a message related to the usage of the utility over the communication interface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe head comprises circuitry chosen from a group consisting of an optical sensor, a light emitter with an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a hall effect sensor, an image sensor, an S0 connector, a P1 wired interface, an inductive clamp, and an ultrasonic flow sensor.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication unit is capable to support at least two different meter monitoring probes and the meter monitoring probe is replaceable.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe head comprises a light emitter, a light detector and a magnetic sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the light emitter and the light detector are contained in a first housing, the magnetic sensor is contained in a second housing, and the first housing is coupled to the second housing by a secondary cable.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable is no more than about 3 meters long.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication interface is capable to communicate over a wireless network.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an alignment template comprising a first section and a second section that is detachable from the first section, the alignment template including one or more markings to align with one or more features of the utility meter, and at least two alignment marks, the at least two alignment marks located on the first section of the alignment template;

wherein the probe head comprises at least two marks near edges of the probe head corresponding to the at least two alignment marks of the alignment template; and

the probe head is attachable to the utility meter, after the second section of the alignment template is detached from the first section, with the at least two marks on the probe head matched to the at least two alignment marks on the first section of the alignment template, with the first section of the alignment template attached to the utility meter.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the at least two marks on the probe head comprise a first mark indicating a position of a component in the probe head on a first axis, and a second mark indicating a position of the component in the probe head on a second axis approximately perpendicular to the first axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the component is a light emitting component, a light detecting component, or a magnetic sensor.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the at least two marks on the probe head further comprise a third mark on an opposite edge of the probe head from the second mark, indicating the position of the component the second axis, and a fourth mark and a fifth mark on opposite edges of the probe head indicating a position of another component on the second axis;

and

wherein the at least two alignment marks of the alignment template comprise five alignment marks corresponding to locations of the five marks on the probe head.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe head comprises:

a primary housing that contains circuitry to detect the characteristic of the utility meter; and

a mounting bracket to attach to the utility meter, and to hold the primary housing in a position to detect the characteristic of the utility meter.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the primary housing is attachable to and removable from the mounting bracket without using tools while the mounting bracket is attached to the utility meter;

and

the mounting bracket comprises a window to allow a visual indication of a current reading of the utility meter to be visible if the primary housing is removed from the mounting bracket.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the probe head is capable to provide tactile feedback to a user as the primary housing is attached to the mounting bracket in the position to detect the characteristic of the utility meter.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the mounting bracket is shaped to fit a specific type of utility meter.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the probe head comprises security features.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the security features include encryption based on a key that is associated to a particular probe head.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the security features are embedded in an image sent by the probe head.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, the meter monitoring probe further comprising:

a second probe head coupled by a second cable to the probe connector;

wherein the second probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a second utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered, and send second information to the processor; and

the processor is capable to receive the second information from the second probe head and send a second message about the usage of the second utility over the communication interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a second probe interface coupled to the processor;

a second meter monitoring probe comprising a second probe head coupled by a second cable to a second probe connector capable to mate with the second probe interface;

wherein the second probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a second utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered, and send second information to the processor; and

the processor is capable to receive the second information from the second probe head and send a second message about the usage of the second utility over the communication interface.

21. A system to monitor usage of one or more utilities comprising:

the apparatus of claim 1; and

a device capable to receive the message from the processor.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising a display;

wherein the device is capable to show data related to the usage of the first utility on the display.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the device is capable to store data related to the usage of the first utility on a machine readable medium.

24. The system of claim 21, wherein the message travels, at least in part, over the Internet.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the device is remotely located from the communication unit.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the probe head comprises:

a primary housing that contains circuitry to detect the characteristic of the utility meter; and

a mounting bracket to attach to the utility meter, and to hold the primary housing in a position to detect the characteristic of the utility meter, the mounting bracket comprising a window to allow a visual indication of a current reading of the utility meter to be visible if the primary housing is removed from the mounting bracket;

wherein the primary housing is attachable to, and removable, from the mounting bracket without using tools while the mounting bracket is attached to the utility meter.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the probe head comprises security features.

28. The system of claim 21, wherein the meter monitoring probe further comprises:

a second probe head coupled by a second cable to the probe connector;

wherein the second probe head is capable to detect a characteristic of a second utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a second utility metered, and send second information to the processor; and

the processor is capable to receive the second information from the second probe head and send a second message about the usage of the second utility over the communication interface.

29. An apparatus to monitor a utility meter comprising:

circuitry to detect a characteristic of a utility meter that is dependent on a usage of a utility metered;

a communication interface coupled to the circuitry to send information related to the characteristic to the processor;

a housing that contains the circuitry to detect the characteristic of the utility meter; and

a mounting bracket to attach to the utility meter, and to hold the housing in a position to detect the characteristic of the utility meter;

wherein the housing is attachable to and removable from the mounting bracket without using tools while the mounting bracket is attached to the utility meter; and

the mounting bracket comprises a window to allow a visual indication of a current reading of the utility meter to be visible if the primary housing is removed from the mounting bracket.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the circuitry comprises an optical sensor, a light emitter with an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a hall effect sensor, or an image sensor.

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the circuitry comprises a light emitter, a light detector and a magnetic sensor.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, further comprising adhesive to attach the mounting bracket to the utility meter.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein housing is capable to provide tactile feedback to a user as the housing is attached to the mounting bracket in the position to detect the characteristic of the utility meter.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the mounting bracket is shaped to fit a specific type of utility meter.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the circuitry performs encryption based on a key that is associated to a particular apparatus.

36. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the circuitry comprises:

an image sensor;

an indicator; and

a button;

wherein the image sensor is capable to capture an image in response to a press of the button.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the circuitry is capable to embed security features in the image.