METHOD FOR REMOTELY READING FLUID METERS, AND METER AND SERVER ASSOCIATED WITH SAID METHOD

• US 20140191881A1
• Filed: 06/26/2012
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Suez International (Saudi Chemical Company)
• Original Assignee: Suez Environnement Company
• Inventors: Calvez, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 9,228,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/002 Remote reading of utility meters
• 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 2209/845 where the measuring is synchronized between sensing devices
• 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

The invention relates to a method for remotely reading fluid meters, according to which a meter comprises a module having a metering clock and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a frame of time-stamped remote-reading information to a server which comprises a server clock; after every N frames are transmitted, the meter module enters a receiving mode (Rx) for a period of time (ΔRx); upon receiving a frame of time-stamped information, the server determines the difference between the time information contained in the received frame and the time information provided by the server clock; then, if the difference is greater than a predetermined limit (ΔL), the server sends a reset message to the meter; upon receiving the reset message, the module of the meter updates the meter clock.

Claims

1. A method for remotely reading fluid meters, wherein a meter has a module having a meter clock and a radio transmitter/receiver for transmitting a frame of time-stamped remote-reading information to a server which has a server clock and a radio transmitter/receiver, the method comprising:

every N frames transmitted, the module of the meter enters receiving mode (Rx) for a determined period of time (Δ

Rx), after transmission of the frame,

upon receiving a frame of time-stamped information, the server determines the discrepancy between the time information contained in the received frame and the time information provided by the server clock,

then, if the discrepancy is greater than a predetermined limit (Δ

L), the server transmits a reset message to the meter,

upon receiving the reset message, the module of the meter updates the meter clock.

2. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number N of transmitted frames after which the meter module enters receiving mode is an integer number greater than 1.

3. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined limit (Δ

L) of the discrepancy for the transmission of a reset message is between 30 seconds and 2 minutes, in particular equal to 1 minute.

4. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reset message has an immediate correction instruction for compensating for the determined discrepancy, and a periodical correction instruction for removing or reducing future discrepancies.

5. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the meter module enters transmitting mode (Tx), if necessary followed by a receiving mode, according to a period (P), for returning to the quiescent state between transmissions in order to save energy.

6. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving mode (Rx) has two phases, a first phase (Rxa) of a duration (Δ

Rxa) being implemented by default, and when, during the course of this first phase, the meter module begins to receive a reset message, the meter module enters, in a second phase, receiving mode (Rxb), for a duration (Δ

Rxb) greater than that (Δ

Rxa) of the first phase.

7. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the duration (Δ

Rxa) of the first phase of the receiving mode is between 2 and 5 ms, in particular equal to 3 ms.

8. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the time (Δ

Rx) over which the meter module enters receiving mode is between 60 ms and 200 ms, in particular equal to 120 ms.

9. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the meter has an identifier included in each frame of time-stamped information transmitted to the server.

10. The remote-reading method as claimed in claim 9, wherein, following a consumption measurement, the transmission of the frame of time-stamped information is deferred in time according to a predefined program, the server using the identifier of the meter to identify the corresponding program and to take into account the deferred transmission of the frame in the calculation of the discrepancy.

11. A fluid meter, in particular a water or gas meter, comprising a metering device, a module with a meter clock, a radio transmitter, a radio receiver and a means for updating the meter clock, making it suitable for use according to the method as claimed in claim 1.

12. A server comprising a transmitter and a receiver, a server clock and a means for measuring a discrepancy, making it suitable for use according to the method as claimed in claim 1.