DE29910829U1 - Meter reading system - Google Patents

Description

To the German Patent Office

80297 Munich

Registration of a utility model with the designation:

Meter reading system

Applicant:

Sigmund Birle Hagmühleweg 22

88239 Wangen

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A novel system for reading and/or transmitting meter readings is described.

Water meters, electricity and gas meters are usually read manually and the meter readings sent to the supplier. Sometimes water groups etc. even go to every household to read the meter readings personally. This is very time-consuming, disruptive and inconvenient.

The present invention makes it possible to determine meter readings via telephone, radio or infrared data transmission, and to make them available via remote query. In the following, we will mostly be talking about a water meter or water meter reading device. However, this could also be a gas or electricity meter.

With the telephone, it is possible, for example, to equip a water meter with a microprocessor control and a normal telephone connection plug and to set up the control in such a way that it is possible to listen in on or feed signals into the telephone line in accordance with the regulations.

Now there are no limits to any meter monitoring that is within the scope of the regulations. The meter readings can be easily recorded in a collection point, a central computer or whatever and used for the appropriate purposes.

The purposes can be to record consumption quantities for billing purposes, to monitor consumption limits, even in crisis situations. Such a device can also be used for static data processing within the framework of data protection regulations.

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static monitoring and recording, peak time monitoring, etc.

There are many ways to establish a data line connection. If you use a telephone line, you first need to establish a connection to the meter. The easiest way is to lay the telephone line directly there. Of course, you can also lay a separate data bus line to the telephone or modem first.

For reasons of simplicity and cost, the present invention preferably uses the method of a direct connection of the telephone cable in conjunction with an absolute minimum of equipment for transmitting the required data.

One possibility is shown in Figure 1. The telephone cable Fig.l/l comes into the house to the connection or distribution box Fig. 1/2. From there it goes to the various connection points, such as the telephone Fig.1/3. A cable also leads to the water meter Fig.1/4. The microprocessor control is also located on and/or in this water meter. The microprocessor constantly listens in via a small interface when telephone calls are made in the house.

If, for example, you want to connect to the water meter from a central computer, this computer calls the normal telephone number of this connection. If someone answers, a voice control system says that it is a call about the water meter and asks you to wait a moment. The central computer then sends a code number that shows the water meter control that it is meant. The corresponding data exchange can now take place. After the data has been completed,

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After the exchange of calls, the voice output of the central computer comes on again and says goodbye to the person on the phone, who can then hang up again. Preferably, the microprocessor listens to the telephone line day and night and waits until its recognition code finally appears.

If you only want to use water meter communication to query meters, this is a very inexpensive and efficient option, so that every household or every water meter that has already been installed can be queried using such a system. This also applies to gas and electricity meters. Using appropriate software in the central computer, a key can also be programmed to optimize call times. Within the limits of what is permitted, it is even possible to monitor whether anyone is still living in the apartment or to show that no one has been in touch for a long time. The number of connections in the central computer determines the possible detection rate of such a system.

The device for recording such water consumption can be either direct or indirect. With direct recording, it is possible to measure water consumption directly with the water meter control. This means that you build a water meter with electronic flow measurement. It is very efficient to build the data communication control into the water meter. In addition, you can also incorporate all the desired functions into one control, which means you have a water meter with a telephone connection and/or other data transmission option. This also applies to gas and electricity meters, of course.

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With indirect detection, it is possible to read the meter reading. In the present invention, this is preferably done optically. This method is particularly suitable for conventional water, gas or electricity meters that do not yet have electronic flow measurement. With this device, conventional water, gas or electricity meters can be equipped and/or retrofitted for remote reading.

The meter reading is preferably recorded using a CCD chip. Figure 2/1 shows a meter reading, as seen in conventional water meters, for example. Figure 2/2 shows a water meter with the structure of the system preferably used here. It can be seen that the reading system Figure 2/3 practically represents or replaces the cover of the water meter. The reading device can be attached to the water meter in any suitable way. However, in order to be able to view the meter reading manually, the device is attached with a hinge Figure 2/4. The reading device is designed in such a way that the existing cover hinge on the water meter can be used. Because the image recognition requires the reading control to be placed relatively precisely, there must be a corresponding option that enables it to be placed on the water meter in a defined way. This is preferably done here by using the existing hinge. This also has the advantage that anyone without specialist knowledge can tilt the reading system up and, for example, read the meter reading manually, creating a system that can be read automatically and manually.

In order to manage optical meter readings using a screen chip without a large computer system, the present

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Invention is an aid for identifying the image area within which the numbers to be read are located. Fig.2/14 shows, using the example of the water meter, that a colored, preferably black, auxiliary frame is applied to the glass pane using adhesive tape or other suitable material, whereby a large part of the otherwise necessary image memory can be dispensed with using appropriate digitizing software, which enables a considerably simpler and smaller structure of the image recognition system.

If the water meter glass fogs up with condensation or other moisture, it can be difficult to read the meter reading. This is why the present invention takes measures to counteract this phenomenon. The principle is shown in Fig. 2/9. Mechanically, this is done by two ventilation slots Fig. 2/11+12. This initially ensures a natural draft. To read the meter reading, the control system now switches on the exposure Fig. 2/10 for image recognition. If the image recognition now detects that the numbers cannot be recognized, it assumes that the glass is fogged up. The exposure heat is then used in conjunction with the resulting increased draft speed to dry the water meter glass. A cyclical attempt to read the meter begins. Until the reading is finally aborted after a pre-programmed number of failed attempts. Such fogging can also be detected by measuring the moisture content. The drying process is also possible by suitably attaching a heating device and/or a fan. It is also possible to implement measures against other causes of illegibility such as dirt, etc. For example, the area in which the numbers are located can be protected by an electronically controlled and possibly

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A mechanically moving device can also be made cleanable. A small, possibly rotating wiping device or brush can be moved back and forth in the area in question.

The system can also be programmed to determine when a meter reading should be taken. For example, it can be guaranteed that a water meter is read to the minute at the same time of year or at any other time. The meter reading is then saved and can be called up later. This also has the advantage that the data transfer process is very quick because the required data is already available. This means that a message can also be sent at the same time that the meter reading cannot be read for some reason, such as dirt or moisture. The recording control then sends this message to the calling computer. The computer can then use voice control to tell the person waiting on the phone that a reading is not possible and ask them to make the water meter glass readable. How the whole thing continues in terms of time can be programmed as desired. One possibility is for the calling computer to give a new reading date. A complete voice communication software can also be used to arrange a fixed appointment with the person, after which the central computer can call back at exactly the same time, to the minute. The advantage here is that any layperson can simply tilt up the meter reading device, which is particularly important.

Of course, a microprocessor control can record any individual value. This means that such a control can also be combined with the option of proper

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Closing a valve. This can then also be used to create a safety device. This applies to both the inlet and outlet, i.e. in both directions of flow. With the appropriate equipment, chemical, biological and other tests can also be included. One example is the risk of contamination of the water pipe from a house. If this is detected in time, the safety device can be closed, thus preventing the contamination from escaping into the main water pipe. In the case of gas meters in particular, such a meter reading device can also be used as a safety device at the same time. Particularly by connecting one or more gas sensors, which can detect escaping gas, whereupon the gas supply can then be closed.

A corresponding protocol can also be used via the communication software on the calling computer, which enables data to be exchanged if the dialed connection answers via a fax machine and/or answering machine.

In apartment blocks with several gas/water/electricity meters, the system uses a collective control to which the other meter reading controllers are connected. Here, the individual recording controllers send the data preferably via a bus line to the collective control. Figure 2/5 shows the principle. Figure 2/6 corresponds to the telephone junction box Fig.1/2. From there, a telephone line goes to the collective control Fig.2/7. This in turn queries the connected meter reading controllers for their meter readings at the programmed times and stores the data for forwarding to a calling

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Host ready. The call principle is the same as with a single connection. With suitable arrangements of the meter reading controllers, it is possible to transmit the data from the controllers via infrared instead of a bus line. Radio transmission can also be used. In the simplest case, one of the existing meter reading controllers can also take on the role of the collection point.

For new buildings, it is also possible to run a collective data line directly into a house with the gas/water/electricity line, thus practically setting up your own data collection network.

For example, electricity meters usually have a rotating counting wheel. By counting these revolutions, you can easily determine the power consumption, so that the entire image capture unit could even be omitted. This also applies to all meters where consumption levels can be determined by counting pulses.

In any case, the main aim of the present invention is to make meter readings retrievable via a suitable medium and at a reasonable cost. Therefore, the method used here with voice-controlled retrieval is a very suitable means, especially for annually recurring retrievals, because it eliminates the need for separate and complex telephone connections to be installed in each house.

Such meter readings can also be carried out all at once. This means, for example, that all meter readings relevant for billing can be retrieved in one go.

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This means that not every meter reading device has to be equipped with its own telephone connection. In Figure 3, the telephone distribution box is shown again with Fig.3/1. From there, the telephone line leads to a meter reading control Fig. 3/2. This can either be the water meter often used here, or another recording device, e.g. for electricity or gas. The meter reading device Fig.3/2 is in turn connected to the other meter reading devices via a suitable medium. This connection can also be a cable, infrared, radio, or any other suitable medium, as in Figure 1. The meter reading device Fig.3/2 now receives the meter readings from the other recorders or picks them up from there and keeps them ready to then pass them on to the calling computer on request. This creates a central meter reading system that can also be used for households and with which the meter readings of all supply lines and types can be called up simultaneously.

This method is also suitable if the data is retrieved from different central computers. A specific meter reading is then sent to a specific code number. The advantage of retrieving all the data at once is that the customer only has to be bothered once. However, this requires a certain degree of cooperation between the gas, water, electricity, etc. suppliers.

Especially with electricity companies, but also in general, there is the possibility of communicating not via the telephone, but via the power grid. If you equip a meter reading control system with the option of transmitting data via the power grid, meter readings can be transferred to a utility model Birle22 Sigmund Birle 88239 Wangen-Nbg Page 10

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simplest way. And without having to bother a customer in the slightest. Here too, several meter readings can be collected and forwarded by a meter reading device. Here it would be conceivable that, for example, the power generators take on the task of central meter reading. However, this task can also be carried out by others using any medium. One possibility is to set up a central meter reading company that determines gas and/or water and/or electricity meter readings.

A system can also be developed in which the meter readings can be retrieved via a cable through a house wall. The principle is shown in Fig.3/5. If you lay a cable from the meter reading control Fig.3/6 through the house wall indicated there and install a suitable connection device there, a reading device such as a laptop can be connected there at any time in order to retrieve the data. If you use infrared data transmission, a removable cover on the house wall is sufficient. The data can then be retrieved directly via an infrared interface. All of the collective recording options mentioned above apply here too. If you do not want to lay a pipe, radio is also very easy to use for this type of house wall query method because of the short distance.

In general, radio can be used at any distance, depending on the reasonable effort, by equipping the detection controls with bidirectional radio. That is, transmitters and receivers. In order to stay within economic limits with this medium, the individual detection controls can be equipped with less powerful radio power. Then, for example, entire settlements or even

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query larger or smaller areas via radio. It is also possible to set up a comprehensive system using radio relay stations.

Central meter reading via satellite is also useful. Networks such as the Internet can also be used excellently for such central recording systems. Here, too, a relay station is conceivable for both.

With each of the media listed, it is also possible to remotely control gas, water or electricity connections in a household for any purpose. Since radio receivers can now be set up very easily and in a space-saving manner and are basically only cheap items, it is possible to equip every meter reading control system, regardless of the medium used to retrieve the meter readings, with a radio receiver so that there is at least a one-way radio traffic. In this way, all kinds of commands can be sent from the control centers to the meter reading systems, which means that they can be fully remotely controlled without, for example, having to bother customers on the phone. This also opens up great opportunities for damage prevention in the event of a disaster. One possibility is to have valves closed, or to call up certain monitoring programs in the systems, etc.

It is also particularly important that the system can be reprogrammed via the data lines used, so that if software changes or extensions are made, each system does not have to be reprogrammed individually.

Due to the abolition of monopolies, etc., it is now possible to purchase electricity from any provider.

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In this respect, the present invention provides for the possibility of reading electricity meters from different providers on one and the same meter. The built-in radio receiver makes it possible to switch the meter reading system at any time using a provider code. The system then saves the code number, the time and the exact current meter reading at the time of the radio command and remains in standby mode until a new control command arrives or an action time is reached in the software.

It is also possible to program fixed meter recording cycles in the program software, which also allows meter readings to be recorded at any programmable time. As with telephone providers, it is to be expected that there will be different tariffs at different times of the day, the present invention enables every household or other electricity consumer to obtain their electricity from the cheapest provider at any time of day or night and to record the electricity consumption of each provider separately and with meticulous precision. If there are changes to purchase contracts, the existing option of remotely programming the meter recording system via the data communication line means that such changes can be easily transmitted from the recording centers to the meter recording systems or reprogrammed. The meter readings are then recorded and stored at the newly programmed cycles in order to be called up at the appropriate time as above. This multi-provider and tariff meter reading recording naturally also applies to gas and water meters. Electricity network communication is particularly suitable for this.

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Claims (11)

1. Meter reading system, characterized in that the system independently determines and/or reads meter readings and can transmit them via telephone line and/or via the power supply network. 2. Meter reading system according to claim 1, characterized in that a computer voice control is used to retrieve the meter reading and/or that a combination of computer voice control and pure data transmission method is used. 3. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that in order to retrieve the meter readings via telephone, it is necessary to pick up the telephone receiver or use an answering machine or a fax machine and/or that no additional telephone line is necessary or the line used in a household for normal telephone calls is used and/or that verbal instructions can be given during the remote meter reading retrieval process. 4. Meter reading recording system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that remotely retrievable meter readings are determined via an image processing system and/or it is a system that predominantly remains on the meter and/or the system is installed in such a way that the meter reading can also be read manually and/or a manual reading can be carried out by a person without special instruction. 5. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that gas and/or water and/or electricity meters which are not equipped with automatic meter reading systems can be converted to those with an automatic meter reading system. 6. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power grid is used as a transmission medium for retrieving the meter readings. 7. Meter reading recording system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that an illegibility detection is present and/or a computer-controlled voice-controlled request to make the meter reading readable is present and/or an auxiliary frame Fig. 2/14 is used for optical detection of the meter reading. 8. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system can have an additional radio receiver for the bidirectional data transmission line and/or the system is remotely controllable and/or is used not only for meter reading determinations but also for consumption monitoring purposes and/or security purposes and/or quality analysis purposes and/or for controlling mechanical components and/or an alarm system is integrated. 9. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is remotely programmable via a communication option and/or this can also involve program changes and/or changes to consumption recording cycles and/or that meter readings are determined by remote programming due to changes in supply and/or tariff agreements. 10. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the system records the consumption of several and/or different suppliers and/or tariffs and/or that this recording can be carried out on conventional, or usually and/or not specially provided electricity/gas/water meters. 11. Meter reading system according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that there are gas, water and electricity meters with telephone connection and/or the system is used in households.