System for remote meter viewing and reporting

• US 5,870,140 A
• Filed: 09/25/1996
• Issued: 02/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Harbour Management Services Limited
• Original Assignee: Harbour Management Services Limited
• Inventors: Gillberry, Wilfred A.
• Primary Examiner(s): BRITTON, HOWARD W
• Application Number:
  US08/719,663
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 348/143, 348/160, 340/870.02, 382/100
• US Class Current: 348/160
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/39 Scanning a visible indication of the measured value and reproducing this indication at the remote place, e.g. on the screen of a cathode ray tube mechanical adjustment G01D5/264
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/00 Pattern recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 2201/02 Recognising information on displays, dials, clocks
• 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 for remote meter viewing and reporting. The system comprises a remote camera located at the meter. The remote camera is coupled to a central computer through a communications channel. In response to a command from the central computer, the camera scans the meter face, i.e. readings on the dials, and stores an image in memory. The scanned image is transmitted to the central computer. The central computer includes software for analyzing the scanned image in determining the consumption of electricity, for example, by comparing the current readings on the dials with the readings on the dials taken at the last billing cycle. The processed image is then used to generate a billing statement which is sent to the household consumer using conventional post. In another aspect, the billing statement generated by the system includes scanned images of the past and current meter readings. The system according to the present invention is suitable for public utilities, such as gas, electricity, water companies and leasing companies who lease office equipment to companies situated in remote locations, which equipment is fitted with meters which record their use, i.e. copying machines, printers, etc. where it is desirable to determine the quantities of copies made, thus enabling the timely scheduling of visits of company service representatives to perform ongoing maintenance, thereby helping to ensure minimal down-time and optimal equipment performance.

Claims

1. A system for viewing and reporting readings from a meter located in a remote location, said system comprising:

(a) image capture means for capturing an image of a reading on the meter, said image capture means being located at said meter;

(b) said image capture means including transmitter means for transmitting said image to another location;

(c) central processing means for processing said image captured by said image capture means located at said meter;

(d) said central processing means being located at a distance from the meter and including communication means for receiving said transmitted image from said image capture means;

(e) means for comparing said image to a previous image taken of said meter and determining a consumption amount and having means for generating a billing statement based on said consumption amount; and

(f) means for providing a reproduction of said image on said billing statement.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, further including means for providing a reproduction of said previous image on said billing statement.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said meter comprises a utility meter located in a building at a distance from a utility company.

4. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said image capture means comprises a camera having a lens focused on the face of said meter.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4, further including a mirror for focusing the lens of said camera on the face of said meter.

6. The system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said camera comprises a digital camera.

7. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said transmitter means comprises a modem.

8. The system as claimed in claim 7, further including a controller coupled to said modem, said controller including means for receiving command data from said central processing means and means for controlling transmission of said captured images to said central processing means.

9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said controller includes means for pre-processing said captured image and memory for storing said images.

10. A method for viewing and reporting readings from a meter located in a remote location, the remote location including an image capture device focussed on the meter and a communications device accessible by a central processing unit through a communications link, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) establishing a connection between said remote communications device and said central processing unit;

(b) enabling said image capture device to capture an image of readings on said meter;

(c) transmitting said captured image to said central processing unit via said communications link;

(d) processing the meter readings captured in said image at said central processing unit to generate a consumption figure;

(e) generating a billing statement for said consumption figure; and

(f) reproducing said captured image on said billing statement.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, further including the step of pre-processing said captured image at said remote location prior to transmitting the image to said central processing unit.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said step (d) comprises comparing the meter readings for said captured image with meter readings of previously captured image taken from said same remote meter.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, further including the step of providing on said billing statement reproductions of said captured image and said previously captured image.

14. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said step (a) comprises dialing said remote communications device and connecting over a telecommunications link.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein said step of transmitting said captured image is delayed for a predetermined time or until a transmit request is received from said central processing unit.