WO2007021252A1

WO2007021252A1 - Multifunctional distributed metering and billing system

Info

Publication number: WO2007021252A1
Application number: PCT/SK2005/000015
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ladislav Grno; Miroslav Vyrostko; Jan Solar
Original assignee: Ladislav Grno; Miroslav Vyrostko; Jan Solar
Priority date: 2005-08-19
Filing date: 2005-08-19
Publication date: 2007-02-22

Abstract

Wireless multifunctional distributed metering and billing system consisting of plurality of metering data source units equipped with functionality of metering of traded medium and possible acquisition of additional data, plurality of medium flow control units equipped with functionality of enabling and disabling flow of the trade medium to individual and/or group customer, plurality of RF node transceiver units with functionality of reception, processing and transmission of system data, at least one data concentrator unit, at least one customer interaction unit with interface for Token Carrier, at least one operator interaction unit with interface for data delivery or interchange with system operator and at least one control unit. Each said system unit is individually or sharing equipped with RF communication module. The RF communication module acts as a means of internal wireless data transfer within said distributed metering and billing system. RF node transceivers are equipped with functionality of reception, processing and transmission of system data. The RF node transceivers are so proximally located to RF communication modules and plurality of said RF node transceivers is allocated in the area in such positions that at least one data flow path between any data source device and respective terminative data processing unit is created. The customer interaction units are allocated in positions easily available for dedicated group of customers.

Description

MULTIFUNCTIONAL DISTRIBUTED METERING AND BILL-LJNU aXBTJiW

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to metering and respective billing. More particularly, the invention is directed to a novel system and method of data collection, billing and consumption control based on distributed wireless data processing.

BACKGROUND

The collection of meter data from electrical energy, water, and gas meters has traditionally been performed manually and used for billing procedure. This method of meter data collection is time consuming, subject of human error and due to labor cost the frequency of reading procedure results in stale metering data. The recent energy market is aimed at free competition of suppliers and therefore actual in-time metering data are of highest importance.

Many attempts have been made in recent years to develop an AMR (Automated Meter Reading) system for utility meters, which avoids the necessity for meter reading personnel to inspect the meter and to physically note the meter readings. In order to be accepted in large scale, the AMR system should not introduce significant cost increase of the data generating devices, existing devices in the field have to be easily completed with low cost upgrade units and the system must be flexible concerning the number of data generating devices and the size of the covered area. Due to large numbers of meters allocated at the customers the component cost of the AMR system hardware and of the system maintenance is determining for the large-scale application. Some utility meters are often provided with a battery-powered encoder that collects meter readings . The power limitations imposed by the need for the encoder to be battery powered and by regulations governing radio transmissions effectively prevent direct radio transmissions to the central station. Following disclosed arrangements of prior art are incorporated herein for reference:

US patent No. 4,315,251, discloses an arrangement whereby the usage information is transmitted over the power line to a central location. Another example of a similar arrangement providing automatic meter reading over the power distribution lines can be found in US patent No. 4,904,995. The use of the power distribution lines for communicating of meter data, while allowing for complete automation of meter reading, requires the installation and maintenance of additional equipment in the form of a communications hub to handle this communication. The power transmission line is generally noisy and therefore this solution has encountered significant technical difficulties due to high transmitter power needed for safe data transfer and due to high cost of reliable hardware. In addition, the use of the power distribution lines for communication of meter data is not suited for the Gas and Water Utilities.

US patent No. 4799059 discloses an arrangement with plurality of transponders configured to operate with one of plurality of parameter sensing instrument remotely located from an interrogate /receiver. The system expects either independent costly transceiver for each metering unit or problematic wiring of meters to the transceiver serving for group of metering units . Large area coverage is achievable only by high transmitter power due to direct communication with data collecting transceivers, thus does not offer a solution for cost effective data transfer hardware.

Another arrangement for automatic meter reading found in prior art is to provide for transmission of usage information over telephone lines. In this arrangement, the meter device is provided with an interface to a telephone line and initiates a telephone call to a central location at periodic intervals and communicates the usage information. Examples of such arrangements can be found in US patent No. 4,866,761, US patent No. 4,817,131, US patent No. 5,590,179 and US patent No. 5,852,658. The use of telephone lines for the purpose of communicating usage data entails the maintenance of separate leased lines by the supplier at extra expense for this purpose. The significant disadvantage is that it must involve a number of other parties, in particular the telephone company, in the implementation of the system and there is a significant reluctance by the utility companies to become involved in a system, which cannot be entirely controlled and managed by them.

US patent No. 5056107 discloses an AMR system based on radio communications network for transmitting data from a plurality of remote stations to a central station. The system includes an array of receiving stations arranged relative to the remote stations so that the messages from each remote station can be received by at least two and preferably four of the receiving stations providing a high level of duplication of messages. This system inherently expects transmitters with high output power and large number of second level receiving stations to ensure large area coverage. An effective data transfer from remote receiving stations to the central unit is not solved.

Alternative solution of wireless AMR system claimed in US patent No. 5748104 discloses a wireless remote telemetry system operating on existing wireless communication systems in order to provide realtime reading and control of remote devices. This solution aimed at reliable data transfer, however, the wireless portion of the infrastructure needs high power remote unit and elaborate network planning thus does not offer a solution for cost effective data transfer hardware.

The US patent No. 55563094 discloses a wide area communications network communicating data from a plurality of network service modules through a plurality of remote cell nodes and intermediate data terminals to a central data terminal . The wide area communications network collects network data generated by a plurality of physical devices such as gas, water or electricity meters, located within a geographical area. The wide area communications network is a layered network having a hierarchical communications topology. Disadvantage of this hierarchical system when used with low-power transmitter of the data source is the large number of second layer long distance communication capability, thus expensive devices comparable with number of data source meters .

Disadvantage of problematic second hierarchical layer coupling has the solution according US patent No.6351223 disclosing a network of fixed RF transmitter modules, an RF repeater module and an RF collector module are located within a multi-unit facility for collecting water usage data from a plurality of water meters associated with the units within the facility and for uploading to a central billing center. Each water meter is coupled to a single RF transmitter module. One of a plurality of transceivers coupled to the RF repeater module receives the data and directs it to a storage medium in the RF repeater module.

US patent application publication US 2003/0174067 discloses wireless remote telemetry system using low-cost, low-power ad-hoc networks but its disadvantage is the mobile unit needed for data reading and evaluation.

US patent application publication US 2003/0009301 discloses an automatic, integrated utility usage monitoring, management, billing and payment system. Meter reading devices are spread over a geographical area and transmit usage data to a control device which communicates such data to a service device by means of a global communications network. The idea of this solution is the split communication chain into network including metering devices collecting data which are later on demand transferred to supplier via global information network. Disadvantage if this system is its dependence on the global information network provider.

US patent application publication US 2004/0263352 discloses a method where a transceiver in the system receives data from a plurality of meter modules via encoded reader transmitters and transmits the received data to a central utility database. Disadvantage of this hierarchical system with low-power transmitter of the data source is the large number of second layer long distance communication capability, thus expensive, devices comparaoie wicxi numoer or αaca source meters .

US patent application publication US 2005/0024325 discloses a dynamic self-configuring system for collecting metering data comprising a collector meter. The collector meter scans for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the collector and registers such meters as level one meters. The collector transmits instructions to the level one meters to scan for meters that are operable to directly communicate with the level one meters . The collector registers meters that respond as level two meters . This system is an equivalent to hierarchical systems with its disadvantage when using low-power data source meter transmitters .

Cellular telephone networks have recently become implemented on a wide scale. These systems however use and allocate different frequencies to different remote stations. While this is acceptable in a high cost field of telecommunications, the costs and complications cannot be accepted in the relatively lower margin use of remote station monitoring.

Generally, known wireless AMR systems involve a strictly hierarchical network for reading, transferring and concentrating the data from meters in the field. Each meter must be equipped with transmitter delivering data to nearest second level unit. Second level devices must either cover a large area with expensive high sensitivity receivers but with disadvantage of data loss due to signal multiple passing, attenuation due to buildings, fences, and other structures causing holes in the coverage area or large number of expensive high-power transceivers placed in the coverage area, increasing the cost of the system. A goal in designing these systems is to achieve a balance of coverage and hardware invested in the meter reading system.

Another approach to consumption billing and control is based on various pre-payment metering systems. The meter is equipped with secure user interface for entering token data. The customer has to buy the "credit" which is loaded onto a Token Carrier which is then used to charge the pre-payment meter. Typical Token Carriers are magnetic cards, barcodes, numeric string printed on paper strip, solid-state memory devices such as smart cards etc. The credit has been loaded onto the meter via respective Token Carrier interface. Some systems are equipped with feedback information system via the same Token Carrier serving local consumer data for supplier. Basically, the philosophy behind this system is "pay as you use" . This methodology provides a substantial saving both in manpower and money while providing new payment option for the customers. Common disadvantage of the existing pre-payment systems is the significantly increased cost and decreased durability of special meters equipped with user interface system. The increased cost of special meters invokes high installation cost with long-term return. Another disadvantage of such system is the conservation of the state-of-the-art technology available at the time of mounting into the large set of meters located at customer's premises. The extremely rapid development in technology, medium trade and even social policy might lead to quick obsolescence of the applied technology. Upgrade of such large-scale system is problematic. Another disadvantage of the present prepayment system is the absence of direct, independent of interaction with the customer, access of the supplier to the meters enabling to detect and rectify possible irregularities .

There is, therefore, a need for a remote metering and billing system that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art systems by providing data collection and billing in a low-cost and efficient manner with system configuration flexibility and self-consistency. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Wireless multifunctional distributed metering and billing system is disclosed. The system consist of plurality of metering data source units equipped with functionality of metering of traded medium and possible acquisition of additional data, plurality of medium flow control units equipped with functionality of enabling and disabling flow of the trade medium to individual and/or group customer, plurality of RF node transceiver units with functionality of reception, processing and transmission of system data, at least one data concentrator unit, at least one customer interaction unit with interface for Token Carrier, at least one operator interaction unit with interface for data delivery or interchange with system operator and at least one control unit. Each said system unit is individually or sharing equipped with RF communication module . The RF communication module acts as a means of internal wireless- data transfer within said distributed metering and billing system. RF node transceivers are equipped with functionality of reception, processing and transmission of system data. The RF node transceivers are so proximally located to RF communication modules and plurality of said RF node transceivers is allocated in the area in such positions that at least one data flow path between any data source device and respective terminative data processing unit is created. The customer interaction units are allocated in positions easily available for dedicated group of customers.

Possible embodiment comprises said metering data source unit integrated with medium flow control unit into multifunctional unit with common RF communication module.

Possible embodiment contains at least one said metering data source device is arranged to measure summary consumption of the group of customers supplied from a common delivery node.

Possible embodiment comprises at least one said medium flow control unit allocated at delivery node and equipped with functionality to control the individual or global flow of cne craαeα meαium co customers supplied from this delivery node.

Possible embodiment comprises RF communication module of metering data source device is equipped with RF transmitter functionality only and the output data are asynchronousIy transmitted in randomized time intervals. Advantageously randomization of said transmitting time intervals is derived from consumption increment of the metered medium.

Possible embodiment comprises asynchronous transmission of additional messages from data source device containing meter functionality and status data.

Possible embodiment comprises at least two types of said RF communication modules optimized for different distance communication.

Possible embodiment comprises said metering data source units equipped with initiation circuit for data transmission on manual or remote activation,

Possible embodiment comprises said customer interaction unit equipped with interface to commercial banking system.

Possible embodiment comprises said supplier interaction unit equipped with interface to global communication network.

Possible embodiment comprises said supplier interaction unit integrated with third party token carrier interface equipment.

Possible embodiment comprises integration of any combination of said system units into single multifunctional unit with common RF communication module .

Possible embodiment comprises any combination of said metering data source units dedicated for different traded medium which are integrated into multi-medium multifunctional distributed metering and billing system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows an example of cost optimized spread residence configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and credit based billing system according to invention.

Fig. 2 shows an example of cost minimized local residence configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and consumption based billing system according to invention.

Fig. 3 shows an example of cost optimized local residence configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and credit based billing system according to invention.

Fig. 4 shows an example of redundant metering configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and billing system with inherent supervision according to invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows an example of cost optimized configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and credit billing system for local medium delivery node based spread residence according to invention. Groups of customers are supplied with traded medium from delivery nodes . The customers are equipped with metering data source units 1 comprising low-cost RF communication module 2 with transmitter function only. The delivery node is equipped with multifunctional unit integrating medium flow control unit 3 capable to disable and enable the medium flow to any individual customer fed from the node, RF node transceiver unit 4 and common RF communication module 2. Plurality of RF node transceiver units 4 comprising RF communication module 2 are allocated in the area in such positions that at least one data flow path between any data source device and terrainative multifunctional unit is creaceα. me data sent from the metering data source units in randomized time intervals are sent directly or hopped via RF node transceiver units into the integrated multifunctional unit consisting of data concentrator unit 5, customer interaction unit 6, operator interaction unit 7 and control unit 8. The multifunctional unit collects data, accepts token carriers and communicates with, customers, controls the medium flow to individual customers via RF communication with remote medium flow control units 3 allocated at delivery nodes. The operator interaction function of the module serves for interchange of collected and system data with higher operator level system.

Fig. 2 shows an example of cost minimized local residence configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and consumption based billing system according to invention. The customers are equipped with metering units 1 equipped with low cost RF communication module 2 having only transmitter capability. The data from transmitters is received, concentrated and tested for consistency in multifunctional unit containing data concentrator unit 5, metering data source unit 1 measuring the summary consumption of the node, operator interaction unit 7 and common RF communication module 2. The concentrated data is used for billing and local delivery consistency testing..

Fig. 3 shows an example of realization cost optimized local residence configuration of wireless multifunctional credit based distributed metering according to invention. The customers are equipped with multifunctional metering devices comprising metering data source unit 1, RF communication module 2, RF transceiver unit 4 and medium flow control unit 3. The data sent from the metering data source units are transferred directly or hopped via RF node transceiver units into integrated multifunctional unit comprising RF communication module 2, data concentrator unit 5, customer interaction unit 6, operator interaction unit 7 and control unit 8. The multifunctional unit collects data, accepts token carriers, communicates with customers and controls the medium flow to individual customers via RF communication wiun meαium now control units 3 integrated into metering units . The operator interaction unit integrated into the multifunctional unit serves for interchange of collected and system data with the operator level system.

Fig. 4 shows an example of redundant metering configuration of wireless multifunctional distributed metering and billing system with inherent supervision according to invention. This configuration collects metering data from group of customers supplied from common delivery node. The delivery node is beside RF communication module 2, data concentrator unit 5, operator interaction unit 7 and control unit 8 additionally equipped with metering data source unit 1 measuring summary consumption delivered to the customers served from the node . The sum of individual consumptions obtained from metering data source units 1 allocated at customers and the summary delivery from the node is compared in order to evaluate discrepancy erasing from distribution system failure or fraud.

Claims

1. Wireless multifunctional distributed metering and billing system comprising system units:

a) plurality of metering data source units equipped with functionality of metering of traded medium and possible acquisition of additional data, b) plurality of medium flow control units equipped with functionality of enabling and disabling flow of the traded medium to individual and/or group customer c) plurality of RF node transceiver units with functionality of reception, processing and transmission of system data, d) at least one data concentrator unit, e) at least one customer interaction unit with interface for Token Carrier, f) at least one operator interaction unit with interface for data delivery or interchange, g) at least one control unit, whereas each said system unit is individually or sharing equipped with RF communication module, whereas said RF communication module is a means of internal wireless data transfer within said distributed metering and billing system, whereas said RF node transceivers are so proximally located to said RF communication modules and plurality of said RF node transceiver units is allocated in the area in such positions that at least one data flow path between any respective data source unit and data receiving unit within said distributed metering and billing system is created, whereas said customer interaction units are allocated in positions available for dedicated group of customers.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said metering data source unit is integrated with medium flow control unit into multifunctional unit with common RF communication module.

3. The system according to claims 1 to 2 , wherein at least one said metering data source device is arranged to measure summary consumption of the group of customers supplied from a delivery node.

4. The system according to claims 1 to 3 , wherein at least one said medium flow control unit is allocated at delivery node and equipped with functionality to control the individual or global flow of the traded medium to customers supplied from this delivery node.

5. The system according to claims 1 to 4, wherein said RF communication module of metering data source device is equipped with RF transmitter functionality only and the output data are asynchronousIy transmitted in randomized time intervals.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein randomization of said transmitting time interval is derived from the metered medium consumption increment .

7. The system according to claims 5 and 6, wherein additional messages containing data source device functionality and status data are asynchronousIy transmitted.

8. The system according to claims 1 to 7, wherein at least two types of said RF communication modules optimized for different distance communication are utilized.

9. The system according to claims 1 to 8, wherein said metering data source units are equipped with initiation circuit for data transmission on manual or remote activation.

10. The system according to claims 1 to 9, wherein said customer interaction unit is equipped with interface to commercial banking system.

11. The system according to claims 1 to 10, wherein said operator interaction unit is equipped with interface to global communication network .

12. The system according to claims 1 to 11, wherein said operator interaction unit is integrated with third party token carrier interface equipment .

13. The system according to claims 1 to 12, wherein any combination of said system units is integrated into multifunctional module with common RF communication module .

14. The system according to claims 1 to 13, wherein any combination of said metering data source units for dedicated for different traded medium are integrated into multi -medium multifunctional distributed metering and billing system.