WO2006084462A2

WO2006084462A2 - A system and method for updating a reference number of a remote reading installation in a database

Info

Publication number: WO2006084462A2
Application number: PCT/DK2006/000067
Authority: WO
Inventors: Henrik Vikelgaard; Arne Flemming SØRENSEN
Original assignee: Nesa A/S
Priority date: 2005-02-08
Filing date: 2006-02-08
Publication date: 2006-08-17
Also published as: DK200500183A; WO2006084462A3; DK176130B1

Abstract

A system for remote reading installations (10), such as electricity meters, gas meters, water meters, alarm systems, etc., said system including a number of installations (10) installed in various geographical locations, and each including a first communication unit (11) and a reference number (13, 14) specific to each installation 10. The system also includes a central including a server with a database (20) having an installation- specific register entry for each installation (10), said entry including the reference number (13, 14) of each installation (10) as well as an associated indication of the geographical location, where said central includes a second communication unit (21) adapted to communicate with the first communication unit (11) of each installation (10), The system also includes an updating function, wherein each installation (10) in response to an initialising signal (40) containing a former reference number is adapted to transmit an updating signal (41) to the central, which replaces the former reference number by the reference number of the respective installation (10).

Description

Title: A system for remote reading installations and a method of updating a reference number of an installation in a database

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for remote reading installations, such as electricity meters, gas meters, water meters, alarm systems, etc., said system including a number of installations installed in various geographical locations, and each including a first communication unit and a reference number specific to each installation, and a central including a server with a database having an installation-specific register entry for each installation, said entry including the reference number of each installation as well as an associated indication of the geographical location, where said central includes a second communication unit adapted to communicate with the first communication unit of each installation. The invention also relates to methods of updating a ref- erence number of an installation in a database in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation.

As for instance the electricity market liberalises, consumers are increasingly demanding specified invoices. Some consumers demand that the specifications show the daily electricity consumption and others even demand that the consumption be specified hourly in order to illustrate exactly when they use the most electricity. Thus, electricity companies need to be able to remotely read the electricity meters of the consumers in order to draw up these specified invoices. Such systems have been used for a number of years in large companies, but are only now on the way to the individual consumer. These meters have conventionally been remotely read by means of a modem. A central computer having a number of modems alternately calls the modems of these systems in order to transfer the readings for the various meters. Establishing the connection to the meter modem, transferring the reading data and shutting off the connection are time-consuming operations.

The expansion of the cellular phone network has been explosive during the last couple of decades and now covers most of the world. It is therefore natural to use the existing cellular phone network, e.g. the GSM net, in connection with remote reading the meters of the consumers. Background Art

A system for remote meter reading via a GSM cellular phone infrastructure is known from the patent publication WO/03023415. This publication relates to a metering read- ing system comprising a plurality of distributed electronic meter readers each associated with a respective meter. Each meter comprises telecommunication means for transmitting metered data received from the respective meter to a remote station. The data is preferably transmitted in the form of an SMS over the GSM net, and the data is stored in a database in relation to a unique identification code number.

Another system for remote meter reading is known from US patent application No US2004/0174270. The system comprises a meter reading system for sending metering information of a subscriber via a mobile communication network and a remote control system in communication with the meter reading system for collecting the metering in- formation of the subscriber. The metering information is transferred to the remote control system via an SMS in a mobile communication system, and the mobile communication system operates based on the CDMA technology.

Disclosure of Invention

The continuous replacement of old meters or installations by the new meters or remotely readable installations involves many problems for the supplier. Usually, this process requires two workers, i.e. a serviceman and an IT specialist. When the serviceman is to replace an old installation by a new one, the current procedure is that the serviceman reads the reference number of the old installation and the reference number of the new installation. The serviceman then calls the IT specialist to report the address he is at (the address of the installation) as well as the old and the new reference number. The IT specialist, who is servicing the central server of the supplier, then uses this information to update a database of installations on the central server.

The entire procedure of replacing the installation and then updating the database of installations is thus expensive and requires two workers. Furthermore, there is little control of whether the respective updating of the database has been performed correctly. Thus, there is a need for a remote reading system, where an installation in said system in a simple manner, when it is installed, can update the register entry of the database for the respective installation.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a system for remote reading installations, wherein the system in a simple manner can update the database register entry of the respective installation when replacing said installation.

The object of the invention is obtained by providing a system including an updating function for updating a register entry in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation, where the server is adapted to replace the reference number of the former installation by the reference number of the new installation in the database in response to receiving an updating signal containing the reference number of the former installation and the reference number of the new installation, and where the server transmits an initialising signal to the new installation in response to the updating signal.

The system preferably also includes an external, mobile, preferably hand-held, terminal having a third communication unit adapted to communicate with the first communica- tion unit of each installation and/or with the second communication unit of each installation. This enables the serviceman to communicate with either the central or the installation by means of for example a PDA, a laptop or a cellular phone.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the central is further adapted to transmit a receiving signal to the installation and/or to the external terminal after the updating signal has been processed by the server. The receiving signal preferably includes an error message in case the former reference number, at the time of receiving the updating signal, does not exist in the database of the server, or includes a confirmation message in case the former reference number, at the time of receiving the up- dating signal, already exists in the database of the server.

In this way, the serviceman is informed immediately whether or not the updating of the database in the central has been performed correctly.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the confirmation message includes the geographical location of the respective installation specified in the database, thereby allowing the serviceman to instantly see whether the geographical location or address specified in the database corresponds to the actual address where he is replacing the installation. Thus, the serviceman is thus supplied with an additional way of controlling whether the updating of the database has been performed correctly.

A particularly preferred embodiment is characterised in that the new installation is adapted to generate the updating signal in response to an entry of the reference number of the former installation and transmit said updating signal to the central by means of the first communication unit. As a result, the serviceman is able to e.g. read the ref- erence number from the demounted installation and enter said number on the new installation, whereafter said installation in response to the entry generates and transmits the updating signal to the central.

In another preferred embodiment, in response to an entry or electronic reading of the reference number of the former installation, the external terminal is adapted to transmit said reference number via an input signal to the new installation by means of the third communication unit. In this way, the serviceman is able to enter or electronically read the reference number of the former installation by means of the terminal and transmit said number to the new installation.

The installation is preferably adapted to relay the receiving signal upon reception thereof to the external terminal so that the serviceman can be informed via his PDA, laptop or cellular phone whether the updating has been successful.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the installation is adapted to shut off subsequent communication with the external terminal upon receiving the confirmation message and in response to an approval signal transmitted from the external terminal.

Alternatively, the installation may be adapted to automatically upon receiving the con- firmation message shut off communication with the external terminal after a predetermined period of time.

As a result, it is not possible via an external terminal to communicate with the installation after it has been installed, thereby avoiding a situation where consumers manipu- late with the installation when installed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receiving information is relayed to the external terminal and is shown on a display on the terminal, and in another embodiment the receiving signal is shown on a display on the installation. This enables the serviceman to e.g. read the received address and check whether said address corre- sponds with the actual geographical data, whereby the serviceman can ensure that the updating of the database is performed correctly.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the aforementioned communication units are GSM modules, and preferably the signals transmitted by the GSM modules are in the form of SMS. In this way, the system may utilise the existing cellular phone infrastructure and the updating information and the consumption information may be transmitted at a high rate.

The purpose of the invention is also obtained by a method of updating the reference number of an installation in a database in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation, said method including the following features: A serviceman enters the reference number of the former installation on an external, mobile, preferably hand-held, terminal, the external terminal transmits an input signal with the former reference number to the new installation having a inherent new reference number, the new installation relays an updating signal with the reference number of the former installation to a central including a server with a database of installations, the server replaces the register entry in the database for the reference number of the former installation, in case such a registry entry exists, by the reference number of the new installation, and the server transmits an initialising signal and a receiving signal to the new in- stallation, the receiving signal either including an error message or a confirmation message.

In a particularly preferred method according to the invention, the user transmits approval information or an annulment to the new installation in response to the received information.

In this way, a serviceman can instantly inform the server whether the updating of the database has been performed correctly, and the server may delete the respective updating in case of an annulment. The purpose of the invention may also be obtained by a method of updating a reference number of an installation in a database in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation, the method including the following features: A serviceman enters the reference number of the former installation and the reference number of the new installation on an external, mobile, preferably hand-held, terminal, the external terminal transmits an updating signal with the reference number of the former installation and the reference number of the new installation to a central including a database of installations, the server updates the register entry in the database for the reference number of the former installation, in case such a registry entry exists, with the reference number of the new installation, the central transmits an initialising signal to the new installation in order to initialise the new installation for remote reading, and the new installation transmits an acceptance signal to the central to indicate that the installation now is initialised and has begun metering.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

Fig. 1 shows a system according to the invention for remote reading installations, and

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention.

Best Modes for Carrying out the Invention

If remote reading of consumer meters for substantially all consumers is to be a reality, it is important to keep the aggregate expenses at a minimum. Besides the price of the meter with the communication equipment per se, installation and operation costs are also important parameters. It is furthermore essential that all data is reliable and creditable.

A remote reading system fulfilling the above criteria is shown in Fig. 1. The system includes an installation 10 or a consumer meter, such as an electricity meter, a gas meter, a water meter, etc., but could in principle also be an alarm system. The installation 10 includes a communication unit 11 , e.g. in the form of a GSM module. The system also includes a central having a server with a database 20 of installations or meters 10 stored on said server. This central also includes a communication unit 21 , preferably in the form of a GSM module. Furthermore, a hand-held terminal 30, preferably in the form of a cellular phone, a laptop of a PDA is provided to the serviceman who is to replace an old installation by a new installation. This terminal 30 also includes a communication unit 31 to enable it to communicate with the installation 10.

When a serviceman is to replace a former installation by the new remotely readable installation 10, he is free to select any installation 10 from a storage when he is to install said installation at the address of a respective customer or consumer. In other words, the serviceman need not have any prior knowledge as to which installation he is to in- stall at which address.

When the serviceman arrives at the address of the customer, he first demounts the old installation and then installs the new installation 10. When the installation 10 is connected, it "knows" that it now is in a set-up mode, as it is the first time it is impressed a voltage since a verification of said installation 10. Furthermore, the installation 10 "knows" that it has yet to receive an initialising signal 44. Thus, the installation 10 is at this point in time open to communication with any external communication unit or terminal 30.

Both the former installation and the new installation 10 can be equipped with a bar code 13 and/or a serial number 14, and the terminal 30 can be equipped with a bar code reader. When setting up the new installation 10, the serviceman thus uses his cellular phone to read the bar code of the former installation or he reads the serial number, telephone number or another reference number of the former installation and en- ters said number on the cellular phone 30. At the same time, it is possible to read the meter count of the former installation.

The serviceman then scans a bar code label on the new installation 10. This bar code contains information on the GSM number of the installation 10. The terminal 30 of the serviceman then signals that it has all necessary information, and an input signal 40 is then generated in the form of an SMS containing information about the reference number of the former installation or other characteristics together with the count of said installation.

Optionally, the GSM number can be read on the new installation 10 or it can be decoded from the serial number 14 of the installation 10. In response to the input 40, the installation 10 generates an updating signal 41 in the form of an SMS which is transmitted to the central of the supplier so that the replacement of the installation 10 can be updated in a database 20 on a server in this central. The received SMS contains information on the unique serial number or reference number of the installation 10, the unique GSM number of the installation as well as the reference number and the count of the former installation. The GSM number to the central of the supplier is preferably encoded in the installation 10 when manufactured so that it from the time of initialising is adapted to communication with the central.

The database 20 of the supplier finds the register entry of the former installation and identifies the customer and the address for this installation. The reference number of the former installation is then replaced by the reference number of the new installation 10 in the register entry.

In response to the updating of the database, the central of the supplier generates an initialising signal 44 in the form of an SMS which is transmitted to the installation 10. This initialising signal informs the installation that it now is set up to be remotely read. At the same time, a receiving signal 42 is transmitted in the form of an SMS from the central to the installation 10. This SMS contains information about the name and address of the consumer. The information can be shown on a display 31 on the terminal and/or a display 12 on the installation 10. The initialising signal 44 and the receiving signal can of course be included in the same physical signal.

The installation 10 relays the receiving signal 42 in the form of an SMS 43 to the terminal 30 of the serviceman. The serviceman can then compare the received information about the updating of the database 20 and the information about the name and address of the consumer with the actual conditions. In this way, the serviceman immediately has an unambiguous confirmation that the updating of the database 20 has been performed correctly and thus that all information about the replacement of the installation 10 has been registered correctly.

The serviceman can then optionally transmit an approval signal 45 to the installation 10 in order to indicate that the replacement and the updating have been performed cor- rectly. In case the updating has failed or there is a discrepancy between the consumer information received and the actual conditions, the serviceman can transmit an annulment signal to the installation 10 to indicate that an error has occurred during the replacement and the updating operations. The serviceman can then try to perform a correct updating by restarting the entire updating procedure. Optionally, the serviceman can contact a relevant colleague via his cellular phone who can help him perform a correct updating of the database 20.

If the replacement and the updating operations have succeeded, the installation 10 "knows" that it now is in operation mode. The installation 10 then blocks all external communication except the GSM number to the central which has already been encoded. In this way, it is ensured that future updating operations, readings or the like only can be made from the central, thereby ensuring that no one can manipulate with the installation 10, e.g. by resetting a meter so that it shows a lower consumption than the actual consumption.

If the terminal 30 of the serviceman contains a camera, the serviceman can conclude his installation by taking a picture of the former installation. This picture can be stored together with the customer information to be transmitted later on to a database relevant to the supplier. This is an additional way of ensuring that for instance the count of the former installation has been read correctly.

In the case where an installation 10 is to be installed at a new address, the database 20 does not include a register entry for the respective installation 10 in the database. The serviceman can then specify in the updating signal 41 that it is a entirely new installation 10 and specify the address of the new installation 10 to ensure that the database 20 creates a new register entry upon receiving this information.

The above method of replacing old installations by new remotely readable installations allows the serviceman to fill his car with meters and install or replace them, respectively, in a random order.

In another embodiment, as shown in Fig. 2, all communication in the system goes through the central. When the serviceman arrives at address of the customer, he first demounts the old installation and installs the new installation 10. When the installation 10 is connected, it "knows" that it now is in a set-up mode, as it is the first time it is impressed a voltage since a verification of said installation 10. Furthermore, the installation 10 "knows" that it has yet to receive an initialising signal 44.

In this embodiment, the serviceman transmits an updating signal 41 to the central via his terminal 30, the updating signal 41 containing the reference number of the old installation and the reference number of the new installation 10. The updating signal 41 can also contain the count of the old meter. The central has a database of future installations and can via the reference number of the new installation 10 find the GSM number of the respective new installation 10. The central then transmits an initialising signal 44 to the meter 10. The meter 10 then transmits an acceptance signal 46 to the central to indicate that it now is initialised and has begun metering. The relevant information is relayed 43 to the terminal 30 of the serviceman.

The central can then update the reference number of the old installation with the reference number of the new installation 10 while the relevant information concerning the count etc. is being updated.

The central can also transmit a receiving signal 42 to the terminal 30 of the serviceman. This receiving signal can contain an error message, if the transmitted installation number for the old installation does not exist in the database 20. However, if the installation number already exists in the database 20, the receiving signal 42 contains a con- firmation message and preferably the address of the respective installation, the message being shown on the display 32 of the terminal 30. In this way, the serviceman is informed immediately whether the updating of the database 20 has been performed correctly and thereby whether all information concerning the replacement of the installation 10 has been registered correctly.

In case an installation 10 is to be set up at a new address, the database 20 does not contain a register entry for the respective installation 10. The serviceman can then indicate in the updating signal 41 that it is an entirely new installation 10 and indicate the address of the new installation 10 to ensure that the database 20 creates a new regis- ter entry upon receiving this information. The advantage of the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 is that the installation 10 can be set up from the start to only being able to communicate with the central. As a result, there is a smaller risk of the installation 10 being manipulated.

The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. The invention can be varied in many ways without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, it is obvious that the system can use any other cellular phone network, such as CDMA or UMTS. It is likewise obvious that data can be transmitted by means of any cellular phone protocol instead of via an SMS.

List of reference numerals

10 installation(s)

11 first communication unit 12 display

13 bar code

14 reference number/serial number

20 database

21 second communication unit 30 external terminal

31 third communication unit

32 display

40 input signal

41 updating signal 42 receiving signal

43 relayed signal

44 initialising signal

45 approval signal

46 acceptance signal

Claims

1. A system for remote reading installations (10), such as electricity meters, gas me- ters, water meters, alarm systems, etc., said system including:

a number of installations (10) installed in various geographical locations, and each including a first communication unit (11) and a reference number (13, 14) specific to each installation 10, and

a central including a server with a database (20) having an installation-specific register entry for each installation (10), said entry including the reference number (13, 14) of each installation (10) as well as an associated indication of the geographical location, where said central includes a second communication unit (21 ) adapted to communicate with the first communication unit (11 ) of each installation (10),

wherein the system includes an updating function for updating a register entry in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation (10), and wherein the server is adapted to replace the reference number of the former installation by the ref- erence number of the new installation (10) in the database (20) in response to receiving an updating signal (41 ) containing the reference number of the former installation and the reference number of the new installation (10), and wherein the server transmits an initialising signal (44) to the new installation (10) in response to the updating signal (41 ).

2. A system according to claim 1 , wherein the system further includes an external, mobile, preferably hand-held, terminal (30) having a third communication unit (31 ) adapted to communicate with the first communication unit (11 ) of each installation (10) and/or with the second communication unit (21 ) of each central.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the central further is adapted to transmit a receiving signal (42) to the installation (10) and/or to the external terminal (30) when the updating signal (41 ) has been received by the server, and wherein the receiving signal (42) includes an error message in case the former reference number, at the time of receiving the updating signal (41 ), does not exist in the database (20) of the server or includes a confirmation message in case the former reference number, at the time of receiving the updating signal (41), exists in the database (20) of the server.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the confirmation message includes the geo- graphical location of the respective installation (10) specified in the database (20).

5. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the new installation (10) is adapted to generate the updating signal (41 ) in response to an entry of the reference number of the former installation and transmit said updating signal (41) to the central by means of the first communication unit (11 ).

6. A system according to claim 2 or claim 2 and one of the claims 3 to 5, wherein, in response to an entry or electronic reading of the reference number of the former installation, the external terminal (30) is adapted to transmit said reference number via an in- put signal (40) to the new installation (10) by means of the third communication unit (31 ).

7. A system according to claims 2 and 3 or claims 2 and 3 as well as one of the claims 4 to 6, wherein the installation (10) is adapted to relay the receiving signal (42) upon reception thereof to the external terminal (30).

8. A system according to claims 2 and 3 or claims 2 and 3 as well as one of the claims 4 to 7, wherein the installation (10) is adapted to shut off subsequent communication with the external terminal (30) upon receiving the confirmation message and in re- sponse to an approval signal (45) transmitted from the external terminal (30), said approval signal optionally being transmitted automatically after a pre-determined period of time.

9. A system according to claim 3 or claim 3 and one of the claims 4 to 8, wherein the receiving signal (42) is shown on a display (12) on the installation (10) and/or on a display (32) on the terminal (30).

10. A system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein, upon receiving the initialising signal (44), the new installation (10) is adapted to generate and transmit an ac- ceptance signal (46) to the central in order to indicate that the installation is now active.

11. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the aforementioned communication units (11 , 12, 13) are GSM modules.

12. A system according to claim 11 , wherein the signals transmitted by the GSM mod- ules are in the form of SMS.

13. A method of updating the reference number of an installation in a database (20) in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation (10), said method including the following features:

a) a serviceman enters the reference number of the former installation on an external, mobile, preferably hand-held, terminal (30),

b) the external terminal (30) transmits an input signal (40) with the former reference number to the new installation (10) having a inherent new reference number (13, 14),

c) the new installation (10) relays an updating signal (41 ) with the reference number of the former installation to a central including a server with a database (20) of installations,

d) the server replaces the register entry in the database (20) for the reference number of the former installation, in case such a registry entry exists, by the reference number of the new installation (10), and

e) the server transmits an initialising signal (44) and a receiving signal (42) to the new installation (10), the receiving signal (42) either including an error message or a confirmation message.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the serviceman transmits approval infor- mation or an annulment to the new installation (10) in response to the receiving signal

(42).

15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the new installation (10) shuts off communication with the external terminal (30) upon receiving the approval information.

16. A method of updating a reference number of an installation in a database (20) in connection with replacing a former installation by a new installation (10), the method including the following features:

i) a serviceman enters the reference number of the former installation and the reference number (13, 14) of the new installation (10) on an external, mobile, preferably hand-held, terminal (30).

ii) the external terminal (30) transmits an updating signal (41 ) with the reference number of the former installation and the reference number (13, 14) of the new installation (10) to a central including a database (20) of installations,

iii) the server updates the register entry in the database (20) for the reference number of the former installation, in case such a registry entry exists, with the reference number (13, 14) of the new installation (10),

iv) the central transmits an initialising signal (44) to the new installation (10) in order to initialise the new installation (10) for remote reading, and

v) the new installation (10) transmits an acceptance signal (46) to the central to indicate that the installation (10) now is initialised and has begun metering.