WO2001073636A1 - A method and a system for metering consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water - Google Patents

A method and a system for metering consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001073636A1
WO2001073636A1 PCT/NO2001/000118 NO0100118W WO0173636A1 WO 2001073636 A1 WO2001073636 A1 WO 2001073636A1 NO 0100118 W NO0100118 W NO 0100118W WO 0173636 A1 WO0173636 A1 WO 0173636A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
customer
data base
consumption
central data
logging
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NO2001/000118
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan Fredrik Nicolaisen
Original Assignee
Powercom Europe As
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Powercom Europe As filed Critical Powercom Europe As
Priority to AU46956/01A priority Critical patent/AU4695601A/en
Publication of WO2001073636A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001073636A1/en

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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
    • G01D4/00—Tariff metering apparatus
    • G01D4/02—Details
    • G01D4/08—Transfer of indication from a counter into a summing counter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q9/00—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
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/10—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a centralized architecture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/40—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems using a wireless architecture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/60—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q2209/00—Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems
    • H04Q2209/80—Arrangements in the sub-station, i.e. sensing device
    • H04Q2209/84—Measuring functions

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a system for metering, i.e. measuring and measurement parameter reporting, of consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water, using telecommunication between a meter position and a central data base.
  • the present invention has as a starting point a method implying that a) accumulated consumption of electricity, gas or water is recorded by a meter device localized at the customer's premises, b) consumption data are recorded per time unit, for example electricity consumption per year, month, week, day, hour or minute, and the consumption data are recorded in a logging unit connected to the consumption meter device, and c) the consumption data are reported from the logging unit via a communication unit providing telecommunication, to a central data base.
  • the system described in patent publication WO 99/65169 provides a summary on how to synchronize time in a system consisting of a central data base and communication units communicating in a wireless communications network.
  • the object of the invention is to simplify the measurement of electricity consumption (as well as consumption of gas and water) and to make the measurement more effective, and further to enable more effective transactions toward the end customer. More specifically, the first object is to give to the customer, or possibly to a central customer service, a possibility to decide which time unit shall be the basis for consumption logging.
  • the second objective is to provide for a lesser need of data storage space in the logging and communication unit.
  • the third objective is to reduce the report frequency, i.e. the number of calls between the logging and communication units and the central data base.
  • the fourth objective is to give the customer an opportunity to make additional measurements and additional reports as desired and needed.
  • the above mentioned objectives are achieved through a method such as stated in the introduction, which method is characterized by the following features: d) the time unit can be set freely, for example to be one hour, e) only the difference between consumption at the start and end of the time unit is recorded, f) report intervals and report time points are determined on order from the customer through a terminal connected to the central data base, and g) the exchange of consumption data between the central data base and power companies and bank payment centrals are also determined on order from the customer through a terminal connected to the central data base.
  • Other preferable features of the method in accordance with the invention appear from the dependent claims.
  • the invention also comprises a system such as stated in the appended patent claim 10.
  • FIG. 1 appears a sketch of a system in which the method of the invention can be practiced.
  • An electricity meter device I is connected to a logging and communication unit II through an ordinary low current cable (a) that is connected to the SO interface of the electricity meter.
  • the logging and communication unit II is connected, in a wireless manner, via GSM/SMS, satellite or some other wireless network, to the database III of the central system, which data base has in its turn a telecommunications connection e, f to energy suppliers V and bank payment central VI.
  • the customer or possibly the customer sen/ice center, has an internet or intranet connection c through terminal IV to the central data base III to be able to receive an updated data basis, and to be able to perform transactions, and additionally an opportunity is provided for wireless telephone connection directly to the logging and communication unit through the mobile telecommunications network.

Abstract

A novel method for two-way communication for measurement and accounting preparation regarding consumption of electricity or other consumer non-durables, implies that measurement interval and time points for measurement can be set freely by the customer, that only the difference through the measurement interval is recorded, and that exchange of data is determined on order from the customer.

Description

A METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR METERING CONSUMER NON-DURABLES, IN PARTICULAR ELECTRICITY, GAS AND WATER
The present invention relates to a method and a system for metering, i.e. measuring and measurement parameter reporting, of consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water, using telecommunication between a meter position and a central data base.
It is a characteristic feature for the supply of electricity, gas and water, that consumption metering must be made through reading/registering by means of a meter device at the customer's premises. Manual reading of the customer's consumption is costly, and connected with error sources.
Two-way communication with electricity customers has been made topical as a consequence of the deregulation of the power market. There exists a need for being able to offer power-based energy products, and there is also a need to be able to make less labor-intensive measurements of the energy consumption. The present invention has as a starting point a method implying that a) accumulated consumption of electricity, gas or water is recorded by a meter device localized at the customer's premises, b) consumption data are recorded per time unit, for example electricity consumption per year, month, week, day, hour or minute, and the consumption data are recorded in a logging unit connected to the consumption meter device, and c) the consumption data are reported from the logging unit via a communication unit providing telecommunication, to a central data base. In order to establish measurements that depend on the time moment, it is of central importance to establish correct and synchronized time in the system. The system described in patent publication WO 99/65169 provides a summary on how to synchronize time in a system consisting of a central data base and communication units communicating in a wireless communications network. The object of the invention is to simplify the measurement of electricity consumption (as well as consumption of gas and water) and to make the measurement more effective, and further to enable more effective transactions toward the end customer. More specifically, the first object is to give to the customer, or possibly to a central customer service, a possibility to decide which time unit shall be the basis for consumption logging.
The second objective is to provide for a lesser need of data storage space in the logging and communication unit.
The third objective is to reduce the report frequency, i.e. the number of calls between the logging and communication units and the central data base.
The fourth objective is to give the customer an opportunity to make additional measurements and additional reports as desired and needed. The above mentioned objectives are achieved through a method such as stated in the introduction, which method is characterized by the following features: d) the time unit can be set freely, for example to be one hour, e) only the difference between consumption at the start and end of the time unit is recorded, f) report intervals and report time points are determined on order from the customer through a terminal connected to the central data base, and g) the exchange of consumption data between the central data base and power companies and bank payment centrals are also determined on order from the customer through a terminal connected to the central data base. Other preferable features of the method in accordance with the invention, appear from the dependent claims. The invention also comprises a system such as stated in the appended patent claim 10.
In the appended fig. 1 appears a sketch of a system in which the method of the invention can be practiced. An electricity meter device I is connected to a logging and communication unit II through an ordinary low current cable (a) that is connected to the SO interface of the electricity meter.
The logging and communication unit II is connected, in a wireless manner, via GSM/SMS, satellite or some other wireless network, to the database III of the central system, which data base has in its turn a telecommunications connection e, f to energy suppliers V and bank payment central VI.
The customer, or possibly the customer sen/ice center, has an internet or intranet connection c through terminal IV to the central data base III to be able to receive an updated data basis, and to be able to perform transactions, and additionally an opportunity is provided for wireless telephone connection directly to the logging and communication unit through the mobile telecommunications network.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS
1. A method for measuring and measurement parameter reporting regarding consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water, using tele-
5 communication between a meter position and a central data base, the method comprising the following steps: a) recording accumulated consumption of electricity, gas or water by means of a meter device localized at the premises of a customer, b) recording consumption data as per time unit, for example electricity o consumption per year, month, week, day, hour or minute, and recording said consumption data in a logging unit connected to said meter device, and c) reporting said consumption data from said logging unit to a central data base via a communication unit for telecommunication, characterized by the further steps of s d) setting said time unit freely, for example like one hour, e) recording only the difference between consumption at the start and end of said time unit, f) determining reporting intervals and reporting time points on order from the customer through a terminal connected to the central data base, and 0 g) determining also the exchange of consumption data between the central data base and power companies and bank payment centrals, on order from the customer through a terminal connected to the central data base.
2. The method of claim 1 , 5 characterized in that the telecommunications take place completely or partly using fixed telecommunications lines.
3. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the telecommunications take place completely or o partly using a wireless network.
4. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the telecommunications and/or transactions between the customer and the central data base or the logging and communication units take place completely or partly using the internet or another data- based telecommunications network, or another data-based telecommunications protocol.
5. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the telecommunications between the customer and the central data base or the logging and communication units take place using a telephone, said use possibly involving oral messages or key strokes from the customer.
6. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the telecommunications between the customer and the central data base or the logging and communication units take place by physical contact between the customer and the logging and communication units.
7. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the functions of the logging and communication units are covered by two or more functional units.
8. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that the functions of the central data base are covered by two or several functional units.
9. The method of claim 1 , characterized in that a customer and service center acts on behalf of the customer.
10. A system for measuring and measurement parameter reporting regarding consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water, using telecom- munication between a meter position and a central data base, said system comprising: a) a meter device at each respective customer's premises for measuring accumulated consumption of electricity, gas or water, b) a logging unit connected to every meter device at the customer's premises, operative to record consumption data as per time unit, for example electricity consumption per year, month, week,' day, hour or minute, and c) a communication unit operative to receive said consumption data from said logging unit and reporting these by telecommunications to a central data base, c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n that d) said logging unit is freely setable with regard to time unit, so that said time unit may be set freely, for example one hour, e) said logging unit is further operative to record only the difference between consumption at the start and end of said time unit, f) a terminal is provided so that the customer, giving an order therethrough, shall be able to determine reporting intervals and reporting time points, said terminal being connected to said central data base, and g) a terminal is also provided so that the customer, giving an order therethrough will be able to determine the exchange of consumption data between said central data base and energy companies and bank payment centrals, said terminal being connected to the central data base.
PCT/NO2001/000118 2000-03-27 2001-03-20 A method and a system for metering consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water WO2001073636A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU46956/01A AU4695601A (en) 2000-03-27 2001-03-20 A method and a system for metering consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NO20001581 2000-03-27
NO20001581A NO20001581L (en) 2000-03-27 2000-03-27 Procedure and system for measuring and accounting for consumables, especially electricity, gas and water

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001073636A1 true WO2001073636A1 (en) 2001-10-04

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PCT/NO2001/000118 WO2001073636A1 (en) 2000-03-27 2001-03-20 A method and a system for metering consumer non-durables, in particular electricity, gas and water

Country Status (3)

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AU (1) AU4695601A (en)
NO (1) NO20001581L (en)
WO (1) WO2001073636A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004109914A1 (en) 2003-06-05 2004-12-16 Enfo Broadcast As A method and a system for automatic management of demand for non-durables
EP1845488A2 (en) * 2006-04-12 2007-10-17 Minol Messtechnik W. Lehmann GmbH & Co. KG Computer-based method for evaluating consumption data and system for implementing the method

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5270704A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-12-14 Union Electrica De Canarias, S.A. Autonomous pulse reading and recording system
US5541589A (en) * 1994-12-15 1996-07-30 Delaney; Patrick J. Power meter data acquisition and control system
DE19720315C1 (en) * 1997-05-15 1998-07-09 Itf Edv Froeschl Gmbh Tariff charge calculation method for water, gas or electricity supply services
EP0924949A1 (en) * 1997-12-18 1999-06-23 Robert-Christian Gierth Computer supported system for data retrieval, analysis and communication for users of a building
DE19804307A1 (en) * 1998-02-04 1999-08-12 Enermet Gmbh Multidirectional control receiver for energy supply network
DE19924346A1 (en) * 1999-05-27 2000-11-30 Siemens Ag Billing meter for communal supply service

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5270704A (en) * 1990-06-04 1993-12-14 Union Electrica De Canarias, S.A. Autonomous pulse reading and recording system
US5541589A (en) * 1994-12-15 1996-07-30 Delaney; Patrick J. Power meter data acquisition and control system
DE19720315C1 (en) * 1997-05-15 1998-07-09 Itf Edv Froeschl Gmbh Tariff charge calculation method for water, gas or electricity supply services
EP0924949A1 (en) * 1997-12-18 1999-06-23 Robert-Christian Gierth Computer supported system for data retrieval, analysis and communication for users of a building
DE19804307A1 (en) * 1998-02-04 1999-08-12 Enermet Gmbh Multidirectional control receiver for energy supply network
DE19924346A1 (en) * 1999-05-27 2000-11-30 Siemens Ag Billing meter for communal supply service

Non-Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Tradlos avlasning av elmataren via GSM", MAINGATE PRESS MEDDELANDE, 20 April 1999 (1999-04-20), Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.maingate.se/se/press/21.shtml> [retrieved on 20000629] *
Enermet News, 2000, Vol. 2 *

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004109914A1 (en) 2003-06-05 2004-12-16 Enfo Broadcast As A method and a system for automatic management of demand for non-durables
EP1845488A2 (en) * 2006-04-12 2007-10-17 Minol Messtechnik W. Lehmann GmbH & Co. KG Computer-based method for evaluating consumption data and system for implementing the method
EP1845488A3 (en) * 2006-04-12 2008-11-19 Minol Messtechnik W. Lehmann GmbH & Co. KG Computer-based method for evaluating consumption data and system for implementing the method

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU4695601A (en) 2001-10-08
NO20001581D0 (en) 2000-03-27
NO20001581L (en) 2001-09-28

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