WO2002016880A1 - Monitoring system - Google Patents
Monitoring system Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002016880A1 WO2002016880A1 PCT/GB2001/003654 GB0103654W WO0216880A1 WO 2002016880 A1 WO2002016880 A1 WO 2002016880A1 GB 0103654 W GB0103654 W GB 0103654W WO 0216880 A1 WO0216880 A1 WO 0216880A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- monitoring system
- meter
- signal
- remote
- camera
- Prior art date
Links
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 60
- 238000001454 recorded image Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000005672 electromagnetic field Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008054 signal transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 abstract description 2
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
- G01D4/002—Remote reading of utility meters
- G01D4/004—Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01D—MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01D5/00—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable
- G01D5/26—Mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member; Means for converting the output of a sensing member to another variable where the form or nature of the sensing member does not constrain the means for converting; Transducers not specially adapted for a specific variable characterised by optical transfer means, i.e. using infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light
- G01D5/39—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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
- G01R22/00—Arrangements for measuring time integral of electric power or current, e.g. electricity meters
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02B90/20—Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y04—INFORMATION OR COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES HAVING AN IMPACT ON OTHER TECHNOLOGY AREAS
- Y04S—SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS
- Y04S20/00—Management or operation of end-user stationary applications or the last stages of power distribution; Controlling, monitoring or operating thereof
- Y04S20/30—Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
Definitions
- This invention concerns monitoring systems, particularly but not exclusively for use by utility services.
- Utility meters such as for water, gas and electricity supplies have to be read directly periodically in order to assess charges.
- a meter is not possible when the meter reader calls, an estimated charge is made, which can lead to incorrect charging, if the meter is not read for sometime. It would, therefore, be advantageous to read such meters remotely.
- An object of this invention is to provide an improved remote monitoring system, which may be used for remote monitoring of utility service meters.
- a remote monitoring system comprising a signal emitter providing a signal, means for transmitting the signal via a telecommunications system and remote means for receiving the transmitted signal.
- the signal may be transmitted in any desired format, such as, as data or an image in digital form.
- the system may further comprise means for receiving a signal from a remote source for activating the system.
- Signal transmission to and from the remote monitoring system may be by way of a fixed telecommunications transmission line or by way of a global specification for mobile telephones (GSM) network.
- GSM global specification for mobile telephones
- the monitoring system of the invention may be used to read utility meters, wherein the signal emitter is a utility meter, such as an electricity supply meter, a gas supply meter or a water supply meter.
- the meter dial can be viewed by a camera and the reading transmitted to a remote receiver.
- an improved monitoring system especially for utility meters, comprising a hood for covering a meter register, the hood containing a camera for recording a reading on the meter register as an image, means for transmitting the recorded image to a remote receiver and power supply means for driving the monitoring system.
- the hood preferably is transparent or has a transparent section, whereby the meter register can be read normally.
- the camera is preferably a digital camera.
- the monitoring system of the invention preferably further comprises means for processing the recorded image into a format whereby it can be transmitted to the remote receiver.
- the means for transmitting the recorded image of the meter register is preferably a radio transmitter.
- Power supply for monitoring systems of the invention is preferably provided by a rechargeable battery mounted in the or a hood over the meter or the meter -register.
- the battery is preferably charged by a transformer that takes advantage of electromagnetic field energy to induce a power source for the battery.
- the electromagnetic field may be conveniently provided by mains supply cable for the meter.
- the transformer is a double wound transformer located around the mains supply cable and preferably within the hood.
- a light source for illuminating the meter register for facilitating the capturing of an image of the register by the camera.
- the light source may be a light emitting diode.
- Monitoring systems of the invention are preferably programmed to record an image of the meter register and to transmit the recorded image to the remote receiver at predetermined intervals.
- Monitoring systems of the invention preferably further comprise at a remote location a modem for receiving the transmitted signal and a computer programmed to store the signal received and optionally to instigate a response thereto.
- the computer is preferably programmed to interrogate the signal emitter remotely randomly or at predetermined intervals.
- the signal transmitting means preferably has battery power back-up, which may be the above-mentioned rechargeable battery power supply. Operation of the battery power back-up preferably activates a signal transmission to the transmitted signal receiving means.
- the monitoring system of the invention has means for sending a message to a designated receiver upon receipt of said battery power back-up signal.
- the designated receiver may be a telephone and the message may be a pre-recorded voice message.
- a utility meter with a display giving a reading as a numerical value has a camera arranged to capture the image of the display, preferably enclosed in a sealed box to avoid tampering.
- the camera may be a video camera and image recognition software may be used for determining the numerical display for entry into an appropriate account record.
- a digital camera may be used to record the numerical display digitally and the digital data used to enter the appropriate numerical value displayed in the appropriate account record.
- Data transfer from the camera to a central computer is preferably via a telephone dialler connected to a fixed telephone line.
- the system of the invention may be programmed for timed meter reading and/or for on demand meter reading.
- Signals from any utilities meter may be monitored using the monitoring system of the invention.
- the system of the invention is believed to be particularly suitable for electricity and gas meters but may also be used in some cases with water meters.
- Figure 1 shows schematically a utility meter reading system according to the invention
- Figure 2 shows a hood for a utility meter for use with the system of Figure 1.
- a utility meter 10 has a numerical display 11 and a camera 12 arranged to capture the numerical display as an image in a form suitable for transmission down a telephone line.
- the camera is connected to a telephone dialler 14 and the captured image can be transmitted down the telephone line 16 to a computer 18 via a modem 20.
- the computer is programmed to connect the numerical display image into a format that can be entered into the appropriate account record.
- the output from the camera provides a signal corresponding to the numerical value of the utility meter enabling that value to be recorded against the account relative to that meter.
- the system can be arranged for the either or both of timer-controlled operation from the meter end of the system and the central computer end of the system. In that way, the reading of the utility meter can be independent of the owner of the premises where the meter is situated and independent of visiting meter readers. The need for estimated billings for utilities can, therefore, be eliminated. Accurate billing for utilities is an advantage to both provider and consumer.
- the provision of remote meter reading enables the utility supplier to instantly read any meter on demand.
- the meter reading can be performed in two ways, namely by image capture or by extracting the information from the IR port on the meter front panel. This could be taken a stage further by providing the utility supplier with the facility of either shutting down or altering the tariff of the supply, which often requires a site visit from an engineer to alter via the IR port.
- the utility meter 10 is enclosed in a transparent plastics hood 22. This allows normal manual meter inspection to take place. Inside the hood 22 is a double wound transformer 24 located around main electricity power supply cable 26 for the meter. This transformer takes advantage of the electromagnetic field created by the power cable to induce a small electrical charge, which is fed to a rechargeable battery 28 located within the hood. The battery can hold sufficient charge to drive the meter reading system approximately every six hours.
- a light emitting diode located at the register in order to illuminate the register for a digital camera in the hood to capture the image of the meter reading.
- the data from the register is then processed and transmitted to either a telecommunications landline or a GSM connection by means of a radio transmitter located within the hood.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU2001279939A AU2001279939A1 (en) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-08-16 | Monitoring system |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB0020285.3 | 2000-08-18 | ||
GBGB0020285.3A GB0020285D0 (en) | 2000-08-18 | 2000-08-18 | Monitoring system |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2002016880A1 true WO2002016880A1 (en) | 2002-02-28 |
Family
ID=9897797
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/GB2001/003654 WO2002016880A1 (en) | 2000-08-18 | 2001-08-16 | Monitoring system |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU2001279939A1 (en) |
GB (2) | GB0020285D0 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002016880A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2006021963A2 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2006-03-02 | Aquate Industries Ltd. | Meter readout system |
ES2270727A1 (en) * | 2005-09-27 | 2007-04-01 | Grup Iviron, S.A. | Remote reading system for consumption metering equipment |
CN100338846C (en) * | 2005-06-22 | 2007-09-19 | 肖冬冰 | Countryside low-voltage electric distribution network automatization controlling device and its method |
WO2009043065A2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | Alexander Atilla Gulyas | Remote monitoring system |
CN102402930A (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2012-04-04 | 大连民族学院 | Remote wireless LED (light-emitting diode) dot matrix screen display system based on GSM (global system for mobile communication) |
CN105023411A (en) * | 2015-06-25 | 2015-11-04 | 湖北理工学院 | Wireless remote transmission technology-based gas meter remote monitoring system |
CN107067693A (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2017-08-18 | 国网江苏省电力公司常州供电公司 | The method of work of multiple-energy-source information acquisition control system |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0024612D0 (en) * | 2000-10-07 | 2000-11-22 | Bg Intellectual Pty Ltd | Utility meter index plate data reading |
Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB742983A (en) * | 1952-02-25 | 1956-01-04 | Armstrong Whitworth Co Eng | Apparatus for reproducing the image of an instrument dial at a remote point |
GB2018549A (en) * | 1978-03-17 | 1979-10-17 | Redding R J | Improvements in and relating to remote indicating |
EP0279759A1 (en) * | 1987-02-18 | 1988-08-24 | Pierre Izard | Methods and devices to read decimal figures on numerical indicators, especially on meters |
US5010568A (en) * | 1989-04-04 | 1991-04-23 | Sparton Corporation | Remote meter reading method and apparatus |
FR2675933A1 (en) * | 1991-04-26 | 1992-10-30 | Discofone | Method and device for remote measurement or remote management for the telephone network |
US5870140A (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 1999-02-09 | Harbour Management Services Limited | System for remote meter viewing and reporting |
GB2335523A (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 1999-09-22 | Ascot Management Solutions Ltd | Remote monitoring system using the GSM network |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0221110A1 (en) * | 1985-04-29 | 1987-05-13 | SHELLEY, Edwin F. | Apparatus for converting analog meter indications to electrical signals |
US4688038A (en) * | 1985-09-30 | 1987-08-18 | Milton S. Gerstein | Remote meter-reader device for gas meters, and the like |
GB2284961B (en) * | 1993-12-20 | 1997-09-17 | Age D Or Technical Services Pt | Automatic meter reading system |
GB2325598A (en) * | 1997-03-22 | 1998-11-25 | Plessey Telecomm | Optical metering using modem and power lines |
TW385751U (en) * | 1999-01-12 | 2000-03-21 | Te Chang Office Supply Co Ltd | Anti-dull tool apparatus of roll tool used for rolling |
JP2000231687A (en) * | 1999-02-12 | 2000-08-22 | Nippon Bendeingu Kk | Remote meter inspecting device |
DE29910829U1 (en) * | 1999-06-23 | 1999-09-23 | Birle Sigmund | Meter reading system |
GB9928455D0 (en) * | 1999-12-02 | 2000-01-26 | Ascot Management Solutions Ltd | Monitoring system |
-
2000
- 2000-08-18 GB GBGB0020285.3A patent/GB0020285D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2001
- 2001-08-16 AU AU2001279939A patent/AU2001279939A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-08-16 GB GB0119986A patent/GB2371169A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2001-08-16 WO PCT/GB2001/003654 patent/WO2002016880A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB742983A (en) * | 1952-02-25 | 1956-01-04 | Armstrong Whitworth Co Eng | Apparatus for reproducing the image of an instrument dial at a remote point |
GB2018549A (en) * | 1978-03-17 | 1979-10-17 | Redding R J | Improvements in and relating to remote indicating |
EP0279759A1 (en) * | 1987-02-18 | 1988-08-24 | Pierre Izard | Methods and devices to read decimal figures on numerical indicators, especially on meters |
US5010568A (en) * | 1989-04-04 | 1991-04-23 | Sparton Corporation | Remote meter reading method and apparatus |
FR2675933A1 (en) * | 1991-04-26 | 1992-10-30 | Discofone | Method and device for remote measurement or remote management for the telephone network |
US5870140A (en) * | 1996-09-25 | 1999-02-09 | Harbour Management Services Limited | System for remote meter viewing and reporting |
GB2335523A (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 1999-09-22 | Ascot Management Solutions Ltd | Remote monitoring system using the GSM network |
Cited By (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2006021963A2 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2006-03-02 | Aquate Industries Ltd. | Meter readout system |
WO2006021963A3 (en) * | 2004-08-26 | 2006-04-06 | Aquate Ind Ltd | Meter readout system |
CN100338846C (en) * | 2005-06-22 | 2007-09-19 | 肖冬冰 | Countryside low-voltage electric distribution network automatization controlling device and its method |
ES2270727A1 (en) * | 2005-09-27 | 2007-04-01 | Grup Iviron, S.A. | Remote reading system for consumption metering equipment |
WO2007036584A1 (en) * | 2005-09-27 | 2007-04-05 | Grup Iviron, S.A. | Remote reading system for consumption metering equipment |
WO2009043065A2 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-04-02 | Alexander Atilla Gulyas | Remote monitoring system |
WO2009043065A3 (en) * | 2007-09-27 | 2009-05-28 | Alexander Atilla Gulyas | Remote monitoring system |
CN102402930A (en) * | 2011-11-22 | 2012-04-04 | 大连民族学院 | Remote wireless LED (light-emitting diode) dot matrix screen display system based on GSM (global system for mobile communication) |
CN105023411A (en) * | 2015-06-25 | 2015-11-04 | 湖北理工学院 | Wireless remote transmission technology-based gas meter remote monitoring system |
CN107067693A (en) * | 2017-04-27 | 2017-08-18 | 国网江苏省电力公司常州供电公司 | The method of work of multiple-energy-source information acquisition control system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB0119986D0 (en) | 2001-10-10 |
AU2001279939A1 (en) | 2002-03-04 |
GB2371169A (en) | 2002-07-17 |
GB0020285D0 (en) | 2000-10-04 |
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