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WO1996000399A1 - Systemes de mesurage - Google Patents

Systemes de mesurage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996000399A1
WO1996000399A1 PCT/GB1995/001491 GB9501491W WO9600399A1 WO 1996000399 A1 WO1996000399 A1 WO 1996000399A1 GB 9501491 W GB9501491 W GB 9501491W WO 9600399 A1 WO9600399 A1 WO 9600399A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
data
periods
meter
time
period
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/GB1995/001491
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English (en)
Inventor
Paul Williams
Robert Rivers Loe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Landis and Gyr Energy Management UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Landis and Gyr Energy Management UK Ltd
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 Landis and Gyr Energy Management UK Ltd filed Critical Landis and Gyr Energy Management UK Ltd
Priority to AU27485/95A priority Critical patent/AU2748595A/en
Publication of WO1996000399A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996000399A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R21/00—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor
    • G01R21/133—Arrangements for measuring electric power or power factor by using digital technique

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to metering systems and provides various methods and apparatus which can be used in such systems to store or communicate metered data, ie. data indicative of the consumption of a metered quantity.
  • a meter may also exhibit functionality for both cumulative and periodic operation. In this case, it is a combined meter.
  • Such a meter usually has registers to store cumulative data, and a memory to store periodic data usually as a profile with periods of constant duration, the periods following one another chronologically.
  • FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the basic circuit required for a cumulative meter.
  • a measurement circuit 1 of the meter is used to measure the desired properties such as current flow, voltage, gas flow etc.
  • the measurement circuit 1 provides an output indicating the number of units measured.
  • a register 2 is used to store the cumulative meter reading.
  • the register value and units consumed (from the measurement circuit 1) are added by an adder 3 to form a new register value.
  • the measurement circuit may indicate when a single unit (or fractional unit) has been measured, and the register contents may be incremented accordingly.
  • the adder 3 can be replaced with an incxementer which is generally simpler to implement using digital logic and some forms of mechanical logic. This simple structure can be enhanced to provide cumulative data for specific times.
  • a register A could record cumulative data during one period (say midnight to 0600 hours) and a register B could record data for all other periods.
  • Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings shows the basic circuit for such a meter. In this meter, the register logic is replicated to provide sufficient registers, A and B.
  • the output of the measurement circuit 1 is then directed to the currently "active" register by means of a timer control circuit 5 which monitors the time and controls a switch 6 to connect the output of the measurement circuit 1 to the appropriate register via the associated adder.
  • the timer control 5 is programmed with the periods for which each register is required to accumulate measurements in.
  • Periodic meters record consumption during specific periods of time.
  • a register may record data during each and every day, so the duration of the associated measurement period is indefinite and theoretically infinite.
  • the period of measurement is defined and finite. Thus a data value may be recorded for a single period of, say, midnight to 0600 hours on a particular day.
  • Current periodic meters therefore record data during finite periods of continuous time.
  • Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings illustrates the basic structure of a current periodic meter.
  • a register 7 is again used to accumulate data from the measurement circuit 1 via an adder during a period of time.
  • timer control circuitry 8 controls the overall operation of the unit. At the end of the finite period, the timer control 8 causes the value held in the register 7 to be loaded to a location of a memory 9, the location being defined by an address control unit 10. The timer control 8 may then clear the register (depending on whether the recorded data is to indicate consumption during a period or the cumulative value at the end of the period) and increments the address control.
  • Each memory location is used to record the consumption data during a specific period.
  • location 0 is used to store the start time. Location 1 then stores the metered data for the first period, location 2 stores the meter data for the second period, and so on. Thus location i will store the metered data for period i;
  • metered data is stored in the current address and the memory acts as a cyclic buffer. hen the memory becomes full, recording begins again from location
  • N memory locations and records metered data for periods of P duration then it can only record data for a duration of N x P. After this time an error condition exists or it must overwrite previous data or cease recording.
  • the communications device is unable to forward the periodic metered data which would have freed memory in the device;
  • the communications device receives further data or commands requiring additional storage.
  • the probable result would be loss or corruption of some data in the communications system.
  • the various aspects of the present invention relate to improvements in existing metering systems.
  • a meter as set forth in claim 16.
  • periodic data is accumulated when additional storage is required for new data to produce compressed periodic data for a longer period, thereby allowing storage of the new data.
  • Devices in a metering system can therefore handle various situations without error or loss of data, only the resolution of the data being changed.
  • Devices embodying these aspects of the invention may be meters themselves or other devices in the metering system, for example devices in a communication system for transferring metered data from meters to a remote control station.
  • the invention further proposes alternative means to obtain metered data from meters.
  • metering apparatus as set forth in claim 18.
  • the transportable device may be a smart card.
  • a "smart card” as referred to herein could be, for example, a card having a memory and appropriate communications interface or, for example, an intelligent smart card operating under microprocessor control, as appropriate).
  • a problem can exist when a meter transfers metered data to the transportable device and then deletes that data from memory. If the transportable device, such as a smart card, is subsequently lost or damaged, then the data is also lost.
  • control means is arranged to delete or allow over-writing of data stored in the first storage means in response to a command from the transportable device identifying the data to be deleted or overwritten.
  • the data can be transferred to the transportable device which is then transported to a remote location where the data is read.
  • the transportable device When the transportable device is next connected to the meter, the transportable device generates the command indicating the data which can be safely deleted.
  • the invention also provides a method for transferring data as set forth in claim 22. Problems may also occur where one device, eg. a meter, in a metering system transfers periodic data to another device, eg.
  • another aspect of the invention provides apparatus as set forth in claim 23.
  • data is compressed on down-loading from a device to the next stage in a metering system, allowing greater flexibility in the operation of the system without loss of data due to insufficient data handling capacity.
  • the invention also provides for compression of data retrieved from multiple sources as may be required in a number of circumstances. Accordingly, an aspect of the invention provides a method for retrieving periodic data as set forth in claim 29. Another aspect of the invention provides apparatus for processing periodic data as set forth in claim 32. In embodiments of these aspects, data items indicative of consumption at a plurality of different predefined logical groups of said metering points may be accumulated to produce respective compressed data items for said different groups, which compressed data items are then stored. These aspects of the invention enable compression of data according to a variety of schemes such as customer identifier, geographical location or customer's supplier, as but a few examples. Data items can be accumulated according to the logical grouping by a transportable device which is used for meter-reading.
  • Another aspect of the invention provides a meter as set forth in claim 35.
  • Yet another aspect of the invention provides a device for recording periodic data items as set forth in claim 37.
  • periodic data can be simultaneously recorded with different time resolutions, the higher resolution data items being accumulated to generate the lower resolution data items.
  • existing periodic meters can only record metered data for finite periods of continuous duration, and this substantially restricts the flexibility of metering systems employing these meters.
  • a method for storing data as set forth in claim 43 there is provided a method for storing data as set forth in claim 43.
  • Said predefined, finite periods of time for which data is stored may comprise a common time interval, so that data values are obtained for overlapping periods.
  • a given period consists of two non-continuous time intervals for example, another period may include the intervening time interval, ie. periods may be interleaved with one another.
  • a further aspect of the present invention provides a meter as set forth in claim 17.
  • Meters embodying this aspect of the invention enable a metering system to be highly flexible since the measuring system employed by each meter can be set up as required for a particular situation, and may be altered as necessary when required.
  • an apparatus or method may embody one or more of the various aspects of the present invention. Further, it is to be appreciated that, where features are described herein with reference to an apparatus embodying the invention, corresponding features may be provided in accordance with a method of the invention, and vice versa.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cumulative meter
  • Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of a dual period cumulative meter
  • Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of one form of periodic meter
  • Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of another form of periodic meter
  • Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of one example of a periodic meter embodying the invention.
  • Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram of another example of a periodic meter embodying the invention
  • Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of another form of meter embodying the invention
  • Figure 8 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation of another form of meter embodying the invention
  • Figure 9 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the operation of a further form of meter embodying the invention.
  • Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a further device embodying the invention.
  • Figure 11 is a flow diagram for use in explaining operation of another embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 12 is a schematic block diagram of a further embodiment of the invention.
  • a number of time sets can be defined where t j is the default. Each time set will contain a number of periods (time set periods). The i* period in t j can be referred to as t j (i), and similar the i ⁇ period in t B is .,(_).
  • a series of time sets can be defined where t 2 is derived from t recipe t 3 from tj, and so on. The rules when defining a time set t B from t B _ j may be:
  • each t B period must contain a finite integer number of t,_, periods; 2. each t.., period must be contained in one and only one t B period.
  • Rule 2 is not essential to operation of embodiments of the invention but, if implemented, ensures that measurements using a time set collectively relate to a defined period of time without duplication.
  • the rules may be extended or modified to account for particular situations or requirements.
  • the basic result of time sets is a set of periods of defined finite duration where a period in any time set corresponds to a finite integer number of periods from other time sets.
  • Meters embodying the invention can be designed to record periodic metered data using the proposed time sets. For example, if a meter is required to record data for periods t B (a) to t B (z), ie. data using time set t B between periods a and z, then it can store each reading in a memory location.
  • An embodiment using time sets as the basis for recording data could have a similar structure to that of periodic meters illustrated in Figure 3. However, a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5.
  • the basic circuit structure involves a measurement circuit 1, adder 15, memory 16, and control means in the form of a timer control unit 17 and address logic/look-up unit 18 connected as shown. In the embodiment, the timer control 17 determines the current period of measurement.
  • the control means of Figure 5 can, if required, re- select a period for which some data has already been recorded.
  • the recording periods for which data is stored in a given location of the memory 16 can consist of non-continuous time intervals, and can be interleaved with other periods.
  • the timer control 17 monitors the time while data is being generated and determines the currently active recording period which is then indicated to the address logic 18.
  • the required recording period may be defined as a time set period t B (i) which is indicated to the address logic.
  • the address logic then converts the period into a memory address whereby generated data is accumulated in the associated memory location each time the recording period is active.
  • the timer control 17 determines which period is active at any given time and this is translated into an address for that period wherein the data is accumulated.
  • the contents of the memory location could be loaded to a register or working memory location for accumulation of new data for that period. Either way, as measurements are performed the current metered data value for that period is adjusted, and when the period ends the timer control will indicate the next period to the address logic. The current (final) value for the previous period's metered data is thus saved in its memory location and a new location selected for the new period.
  • a given recording period can be used to record data from time intervals in different days.
  • a recording period may be used to record data between predetermined times in successive days for a week.
  • the associated memory location is selected and measurements added to the existing value. Therefore, when a memory location is selected during a recording period via the address logic, its contents are not cleared.
  • a separate mechanism is therefore provided to clear the memory either (1) at the start of the recording or (2) when a period first starts (ie. when the associated memory location is first accessed).
  • Option 1 can be performed by some overall control logic, for example implemented in software within a processor (not shown) managing the overall meter.
  • option 2 is implemented by the address logic 18 when a memory location is first accessed for a given recording period. Thus, when a given period is first active, the memory location will first be cleared before actual data is accumulated in the memory location.
  • option 2 could equally be implemented under control of the timer control 17.
  • a register may be used to act as a temporary store for a given period's recorded value, and an embodiment illustrating such an implementation is illustrated in Figure 6.
  • a measurement circuit 1, adder 20, register 21, and memory 22 are connected as shown with control means in the form of a timer control unit 23, address logic/look-up unit 24, and load control unit 25.
  • the timer control 23 again monitors the time and identifies which period is active, indicating this to the address logic 24 which accesses the associated memory location.
  • the register contents are cleared by the load control unit 25 under control of the timer control unit 23. Accumulation of data for that period thus starts from 0.
  • the period becomes inactive again eg.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a simple example of such an implementation using registers.
  • the output of the measurement circuit 1 is supplied to a switching circuit 26 having 2 outputs connected to the respective registers A, B via associated adders 27.
  • the switching circuit 26 can selectively connect the measurement circuit output to each of the adders 27 under control of the timer control unit 28.
  • the timer control 28 determines when each of the two recording periods for which data is to be stored in the respective registers A, B is active, and controls the switching circuit 26 to make the connections accordingly. When the periods are both active, (ie. when the periods overlap) the measurement circuit output is supplied to both adders. When a period is first activated, the timer control 28 resets the corresponding register whereby accumulation of data for that period in the register starts from 0. When the same period is next activated, new data is added to the register value for that period.
  • the control logic clears the memory location or register contents at the first enabling of a particular recording period.
  • the memory can be still be used as a cyclic buffer.
  • the memory contains N locations it can be used to record consumption for N periods even if some or all of those periods represent non- continuous time.
  • the timer control de ⁇ selects a period the current register value is written to the selected memory location. If a period is re-selected (as a result of being a non-continuous time period) the register contents are loaded from the existing value in the memory location associated with that period.
  • period N+l the address logic will select a memory location which has previously been used (since the memory can only store N values). However, the register contents will be clear because N+l is a new period. When the period is de-selected the register contents will be stored in memory over-writing the old period's value. In this way, the memory acts as a cyclic buffer.
  • meters embodying the present invention can be programmable to record periodic data using any required pattern of periods. Individual periods may be non-continuous and periods may be interleaved with each other as previously described. Also, periods may be of different durations.
  • the control means of meters embodying the invention may be programmable in response to a programming command generated by the supplier for example. The programming command can be transmitted to the meter in any convenient manner, for example via a telecommunications system.
  • the timer control 17 can be programmed with the required recording periods and the address logic programmed to allocate (and clear if necessary) memory space for these recording periods.
  • the control means allocates memory for the data and sets up the timer control to commence recording according to the desired pattern. If a group of time sets as previously described is defined within the system, eg. predefined in the control means of the meter, then a command may program the control means to effect recording using particular time set periods as the recording periods.
  • the required recording periods could be from different time sets or could even be different to the periods defined by the time sets.
  • periodic data items representing recorded values for a period can be compressed to make some location free for further storage.
  • Embodiments of the invention which make use of the time sets previously described and which provide for compression of periodic data will now be described.
  • time sets can be defined such that a period in time set t B contains several periods from time set t B _j.
  • a meter is recording data and reaches the limit of its memory (or an allocated part of the memory), then it can convert existing data from one time set t_ to time set t_ +1 .
  • a t I+ ⁇ data value will represent the total of several t x data values.
  • several t x data values can be combined to form one t x+1 data value and in the process free some memory. The meter is therefore able to compress data and release memory for other purposes whilst still maintaining the existing data's validity.
  • the control means can be arranged to detect such a situation. For example, in the system previously described with reference to Figure 6, such a situation could be detected by the address logic 24 if it is required to access a location N+l where the memory contained N locations, or if required to access a location which had already been used to store a periodic data item. In such circumstances, the meter can compress recorded periodic data to make additional storage available so that data for new periods can be recorded.
  • the address logic can be programmed to effect the necessary compression of recorded data in the memory and reallocation of memory space in accordance with the predefined algorithm.
  • the address logic may be arranged to indicate the need for compression to a compression controller (not shown) which effects the necessary compression of data in the memory and instructs the address logic concerning the reallocation of memory space.
  • periodic data can be compressed in a number of ways. These are as follows:
  • a time set period t x (i) is defined and periodic metered data exists for a number of periods which collectively exactly correspond to the period of t_(i), then that periodic data can be combined to form a single value for t x (i); 2. where a time set period t x (i) is defined which contains sub-periods from time set t x _ j , then if periodic data exists for those sub-periods the periodic data can be combined (accumulated) to form a single value for t_(i);
  • the meter can define a new period, not necessarily corresponding to any defined time set period, which is the combination of the recorded periodic data periods and can combine the recorded data for those periods to form a single value for the new combined period;
  • a unit When a unit requires additional storage for new data, it may perform the compression on all existing data or on selected values.
  • One preferred method is to compress the oldest data values with the highest time resolution, and to compress sufficient as to provide free storage to meet the immediate needs.
  • a meter has 10 data storage locations for storing periodic data, then it could record 10 periodic values. If it initially recorded values using periods from time set t j then the data storage locations would be allocated as follows:
  • time set t 2 is defined such that time set period t 2 (n) corresponds to time set periods t ⁇ (2n-l) and t j (2n) then existing data can be compressed in accordance with these time sets.
  • t 2 (l) would represent t,(l) and t j (2). These values can therefore be compressed to form a new, compressed value for t 2 (l).
  • the memory locations would then be used as follows:
  • the memory contains data values corresponding to one or two time sets, where all values up to a point are using one time set and all values beyond that point use the second.
  • the allocation of memory locations to time periods at a given time can be stored in the address logic or compression controller (if provided) and transferred with retrieved data when the memory is read, for example by means of a communication system or other medium to be described below.
  • data indicative of the periods to which metered data values correspond may be stored in the memory itself, for example as part of a data word containing the data value.
  • each memory location could contain the metered data (consumption) value, time set identifier and time set period identifier. If a maximum of two time sets are used at any point in time, then only the following identifier data may be recorded: start time, start time set (A), start period identifier, the point (memory location) of transition between recording with time set A and time set B, second time set B, and possibly also the period identifier for time set B at the transition in recording. This information can be stored separately of the memory, eg. in the address logic. Clearly this system can be extended such that more time sets can be used simultaneously if required.
  • Meters embodying the invention and utilising the compression techniques described above can be of significant advantage in a metering system. It may be desirable to have a single standard form of meter. However, in different situations the duration of measurement periods for periodic data may vary. This could require the use of different meters or direct programming of meters. Using the compression techniques described above, however, a meter can begin recording periodic data using a defined default time set or pattern of periods. For example, the meter could begin by recording periodic data for half-hour periods. Generally, the meter will have sufficient capacity to store such periodic data for a limited time. If the periodic data is read within that time, then memory can be freed and the operation may continue normally.
  • the meter can automatically compress some or all periodic data. This allows it to continue operation without losing data (only changing the resolution of the data). This process can continue until the meter is read and memory freed.
  • the frequency of reading a meter will indirectly determine the resolution of the data obtained. Using a single design of meter, half-hour data could be obtained if the meter is read daily, or perhaps every second day for example. Alternatively, reading the same meter monthly may result in weekly data values (depending on the definition of periods and the memory capacity of the meter). Further embodiments of the present invention provide meters which are able to record consumption with varying resolution to maximise the use of available memory.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the basic circuit for implementing one example of this system.
  • buffer A being used to record half-hourly periodic data values and having, for example, 336 data storage locations (equating to a total period of one week).
  • Buffer B is for recording weekly periodic data values and has, for example, 510 locations for storing 51 weeks of weekly periodic data. In total, therefore, storage for a year's periodic consumption is provided.
  • the circuit includes adders 30 and 31, registers 32 and 33, the measurement circuit 1 and the timer control unit 34 connected as shown.
  • the timer control 34 monitors the time and identifies the start of each new half-hourly period for which periodic data is required.
  • the measurement circuit output is accumulated in the register 32 via adder 31 and at the end of the period the timer control loads the register value into buffer A. This process continues until buffer A contains one week of half-hourly data values.
  • the oldest half-hourly value is supplied via adder 31 to register 33.
  • buffer A always containing the most recent week's worth of half-hourly values, week old values being successfully accumulated in register 33 until register 33 contains the compressed (accumulated) consumption value for the previous week.
  • the timer control 34 then loads this value from the register 33 to the buffer B and clears the register.
  • successive weekly data values are recorded in buffer B.
  • buffer B simply contains a number of data values where each represents a week's recording.
  • the system can be extended such that buffer B records data with any pattern of periods, for example using periods of a defined time set. If each of the periods is continuous then the circuit in figure 8 can be used and the timer control will be responsible for controlling when the register 33 contents are loaded to B. If periods can be interleaved with each other, and therefore individual periods can be non-continuous, then an address control is required as previously described. When a new period is started in B the address control will be responsible for allocating a memory location. Data can then be accumulated in the memory location or in the register 33 and then loaded to the memory location in B when the period is deselected.
  • the memory location used for the period must be reselected and if necessary the existing value loaded to register 33 in order that further data values can be accumulated into it.
  • This system assumes that the periods used to record data in B are combinations of the periods used in A.
  • address logic may also be associated with buffer A and register 32 if buffer A can be used to record data for interleaved periods.
  • FIG 9 illustrates the basic circuit for an alternative embodiment.
  • two buffers A and B are provided, for storing half-hourly and weekly periodic data values in this example.
  • two adders 35 and 36 are provided connected to the measurement circuit 1 and feeding two registers 37 and 38 which are controlled by a timer control unit 39.
  • the output of the measurement circuit 1 is connected via the adders 35, 36 to both registers 37 and 38.
  • the timer control 39 controls the register 37 to accumulate, and load into buffer A, half-hourly periodic values, buffer A having sufficient capacity for one week's worth of half-hourly periodic data.
  • buffer A always contains the most recent week's worth of half- hourly data.
  • the timer control 39 controls register 38 to accumulate and load into buffer B weekly period data values.
  • Buffer B has the capacity for, for example, one year's worth of weekly periodic data.
  • the periodic data from both buffers A, B may be retrieved, or data may be read from buffer A or buffer B individually.
  • Figure 9 is suitable for recording with continuous periods.
  • the system can be extended to enable non-continuous and/or interleaved periods to be used by providing address control logic for controlling buffer A and register 37, and/or buffer B and register 38.
  • Figures 8 and 9 are simple examples to illustrates the basic principle involved, though in practice, of course, the system may involve recording for more than two sets of time periods.
  • separate buffers A and B are illustrated in the above example, these may in fact be implemented as one or more sections of a memory or other storage used to record periodic data, with control means configured appropriately to access data storage locations as required to implement the functions described.
  • 846 locations can be used to store a year's periodic consumption with 336 locations being used as a FIFO to record the most recent half- hour values for the last seven days, and the other 510 locations being used as a FIFO to record weekly values for the prior 51 weeks.
  • week old half-hour data is removed from the first section of storage, it is accumulated into the periods of the next section of storage and then written thereto.
  • a week's worth of half-hourly values from the first section could also be accumulated on a weekly basis to provide a weekly value for storage in a location of the second section.
  • any individual buffer, or section of a buffer or memory could be further compressed, either partially or completely, in accordance with the system hereinbefore described where the capacity of that buffer/section is reached or where the capacity of a related or connected buffer/section is reached.
  • the system of compression described above is not limited to application in meters and can be applied to any system used to store periodic data.
  • a particular example is a communications system used to transfer periodic metered data.
  • Such a system may contain a number of devices which read data from meters and then use "store and forward" techniques to communicate the data to a point where it is required.
  • store and forward means that a device will receive the data and internally store it in a temporary memory. Then, when the device is able to forward the data to the next device in the series (the series being the sequence of devices required to get the data from A-the meter-to B-the recipient), the data is removed from memory and transferred.
  • any number of communications techniques, including store and forward results in devices within the communication system having to store data.
  • Potentially new data may be received by a device when the device does not have spare memory. It may be possible simply to discard the new (or possibly some of the old) data, or leave the new data unacknowledged. However, conditions may arise, particular under fault conditions for example, where this is not possible and the capacity of a device or section of the communication system is exceeded. In those systems, the device can employ the compression techniques described above to avoid loss or corruption of data. Compression as described above may also be beneficial where storage or bandwidth in a communication is limited or where it is desirable to limit either for a particular purpose or function. A basic circuit structure for such a device is illustrated schematically in Figure 10.
  • the device comprises data input means 40 for receiving periodic data from the previous stage, a memory 41 and data output means 42 for transferring data which has been temporarily stored in the memory 41 to the next stage of the system.
  • the device also includes control means in the form of an address logic/look-up unit 43 and overall system controller 44 connected as shown.
  • periodic data is received by the input means 40, periodic data items are stored in the memory 41 under control of the address logic 43 as previously described. Under normal circumstances, this data will be temporarily stored and then, under control of the controller 44, read out of the memory 41 and transmitted onward in the system via the output means 42.
  • the controller 44 controls the memory 41 and address logic 43 as previously described to effect compression of data to make storage available for the new data.
  • the compression may be performed in any manner previously described, for example starting with the oldest stored data items to produce compress data items with lower time resolution (ie. corresponding to longer periods), and may utilise the time set system as described above.
  • the compression system proposed herein can be used in any system which contains periodic data, including a communication system. If a capacity limit is reached, for whatever reason, data items can be compressed as they can be within an individual meter.
  • Embodiments of the present invention also provide a system for reading metered data and one which can exploit additional benefit from the compression system proposed above.
  • Meters for electricity and other utilities are generally located in consumer locations remote from the place where the metered data is actually used, thus the metered data must of course be read from the meters.
  • various transportable devices including cards, keys and tokens (referred to here as "media") can be used for pre-payment purposes.
  • a consumer can pay an amount at a local point (for example a shop) and have the credit added to a media. Subsequently connecting the media to the meter causes the credit to be transferred from the media and added to the meter's current credit value. As the user consumes electricity (or other services) the credit value is reduced accordingly.
  • such media can be used to read metered data from the meter.
  • any credit can be loaded into the meter and the consumption data can be loaded from the meter to the media.
  • a media preferably an electronic smart card
  • the media could also be used to transfer cumulative metered data.
  • the supplier of electricity for an electricity meter
  • Embodiments of the present invention address this problem in that a command is loaded onto the media, and is subsequently transferred to the meter on conne ⁇ ion thereto, which identifies the previously read data which can now be safely deleted.
  • This process is illustrated in the flow diagram of Figure 11.
  • step 46 at time A a consumer inserts a card into the meter. This is detected by the meter control means whereupon periodic data (data A) for the period up to time A is read from the memory and loaded onto the card's data memory.
  • Data A will not, however, be deleted from the meter's memory at this stage.
  • the card is then returned to the supplier at step 47 (or used to purchase credits in known manner) whereupon at step 48 data A is read from the card into a data collection system.
  • This data collection system will be substantial and generally under the control of the supplier or a nominee. It will generally also be robust and reliable).
  • a command D A identifying the data which can now be deleted from the meter's memory, is loaded onto the card at the reading ">->
  • step 49 the card is then transferred back to the meter (step 50).
  • command D A is transferred to the meter control means whereupon data A can now be deleted from the memory.
  • data B can then be loaded to the card and the process repeated for the new data.
  • periodic data up to time A is deleted from the meter's memory and periodic data up to time B is loaded onto the card.
  • the control means may simply allow subsequent overwriting of the safe data, in which case the deletion may be performed gradually.
  • the meter control means and smart card processor can be configured by appropriate software to perform the functions indicated above as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • the operation of the data collection system cannot be ensured, then when periodic data is extracted from a card it can be communicated to other systems at least one of which can be relied upon. Once data is loaded into that system, that data can be deleted from the meter. Either at that time or subsequently, the consumer's card can be loaded with a suitable command to delete the periodic data which has been safely transferred to a secure system. If, as a result of a delayed delete command or in situations where multiple systems can issue commands, then two commands for the same meter may meet. One command may be to delete data up to time A, and the other to delete data up to time B.
  • the processor in the smart card can be configured to retain only the command which corresponds to the most recent point in time up to which data can be deleted.
  • the postal system is used to send a card between a consumer and supplier, there may be a long cycle time.
  • the card may therefore only be inserted into the meter (thereby explicitly deleting periodic data) for example monthly or even quarterly. Because of the use of an explicit delete command, the meter must therefore keep data for twice that period.
  • Some of the stored data will be data which has already been read and loaded onto a card but which has not been deleted. The rest will be new data which has not yet been read.
  • the meter can of course implement the compression system described above as necessary in dependence on the data storage capacity of the meter. Compression can be performed on both read and unread periodic data as necessary to ensure the operation of the meter over any period.
  • the meter control means may conveniently be configured to favour compression of read but undeleted data rather than unread data. If a system of time sets as described above is used by the meter, then initially all data could be formatted using tj. The meter may then compress periodic data to avoid corruption or loss as necessary. However, preferably compression is performed first on data which has been read, and the compression can be performed using a time set several time sets higher in the series than that being used for unread data. Qearly, the compression can be performed gradually on an as required basis. For example, data which has been read could be formatted using, say, t 4 before unread data is compressed to t j . Then, read data could be compressed to t 5 or possibly t before unread data is compressed to t 3 .
  • the periods or time sets, order of compression and any other relevant aspects can all be programmed into the meter control means which can be configurable for these features.
  • Embodiments of the invention can also apply the compression system described above when data is transferred from one stage to the next stage in a metering system in dependence on the data handling capacity of the stage to which data is transferred.
  • Media used to retrieve periodic data from a meter will generally have finite data storage capacity.
  • a communication system used to transfer periodic data may have finite bandwidth or it may otherwise be desirable to limit the use of the communication system (for example to limit the duration of telephone calls when using modems).
  • current data to be read from the meter may exceed either the media capacity, the communication system bandwidth limits (or the bandwidth limit when considering data to be transferred from all meters) or the desired data transfer capacity for the communications system.
  • control means may be configured to perform data compression in accordance with a system described above when transferring data to the next stage, eg. transportable media such as a smart card or a communications link in a communication system, in dependence on the capacity of that stage.
  • the processor of the card may transmit to the meter control means data indicating the available data storage capacity on the card.
  • the meter control means can then retrieve and effect compression of the periodic data (using a working memory provided in the control means for this purpose if required) in dependence on the card's capacity, and supply the compressed data to the card for storage therein. For example, a number of periodic data items may be compressed to a single data value which is then written to the card.
  • the available capacity of the system may be communicated to a meter via the system when a request to transfer stored data is transmitted. This capacity may vary, for example, where specific conditions or faults cause a reduction in the bandwidth or capabilities of the system.
  • the meter could send to the smart card or communication controller data values as stored in the meter's memory. The processor within the smart card or communication controller can then compress these data values in order to fit the capacity of the unit.
  • the embodiment described above performs compression with respect to time of periodic data from a single measurement source.
  • Further embodiments of the invention implement compression of data from a plurality of measurement sources.
  • a meter embodying the invention may be used to record consumption via multiple electrical supplies.
  • a number of supplies may be monitored by separate meters, and a data logger, data recorder or similar unit could be used to aggregate periodic data from the meters.
  • one of the meters could equally perform the compression task.
  • periodic data for a specific period is available from multiple sources forming a logical group, this data can be compressed to form a total for that period for all the sources.
  • the data from individual sources could be formatted into a number of discrete values representing sub-periods of the period which is common to all source data.
  • a hand-held meter reading unit 55 (indicated schematically by the broken lines) comprises input/output (I/O) means 56, a memory 57 and a control processor 58.
  • the unit 55 is designed to be carried between various metering points (MP) for reading the meter at each point.
  • the unit 55 can communicate with the meter by any suitable mechanism, conveniently by releasably connecting the unit to the meter whereby the I O means 56 can receive periodic data read therefrom.
  • Periodic data read from a meter may be temporarily stored in the I/O means 56.
  • the control processor 58 is programmed to effect compression of periodic data corresponding to a given time period collected from different meters according to one or more logical grouping schemes. Thus, for example, if a number of the metering points form a logical group by virtue of the customer's supplier ie.
  • the control processor 58 will store the data in an associated location of the memory 57.
  • the control processor 58 accumulates that data with the data previously stored from the first metering point to form a new value for storage in the memory location. This continues for all metering points in the logical group as successive metering locations are visited.
  • meter supplies can be classified according to a variety of logical groupings, including the customer identifier, geographical location, customer's supplier, tariff arrangements being used by the customer, postcode, address or customer type (family size, age, type of residence etc.). Identification codes for these logical groups may be programmed in the meter control means and transferred with the periodic data to the I/O means 56 for analysis by the control processor 58. For example, if a variety of companies provide supply services (a single company being responsible for any individual metered supply) then a supplier identifier can be allocated to each metered supply either by loading such data to the hand-held unit 55 or the associated meter being programmed with an identifier which can be verified by the hand-held unit.
  • the hand-held unit can aggregate data from associated meters.
  • data from a meter will be added to the data in the hand-held unit in dependence on the meters supplier identifier.
  • the data from multiple meters will be compressed to represent a single set of data values for a particular supplier.
  • the system can of course operate with a variety of predefined logical groupings.
  • the control processor 58 can be programmed with the logical grouping system and effect the required accumulation of data according to the programmed system for storage in the memory 57.
  • the unit 55 can accumulate periodic data for metered supplies associated with each logical group. It need not be necessary for the unit 55 to visit meters of a single grouping and data can be accumulated for multiple groups and meters can be read in any order or sequence.
  • a logical group is determined by customer type, this can advantageously be used to gain aggregated data useful for sampling purposes.
  • total periodic data for a set of similarly classified customers provides valuable information about the average consumption behaviour and quantum for those customers.
  • data for individual customers need only be sampled at periodic intervals. For example, half- hourly data for the most recent whole week may be read every three months to provide a useful sample of customer consumption.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Power Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
  • Recording Measured Values (AREA)

Abstract

L'un des aspect de l'invention concerne un dispositif de stockage de données périodiques relatives à la consommation d'une quantité mesurée, ce dispositif comprenant: des moyens de réception des données périodiques, des moyens de stockage possédant une pluralité d'emplacements de stockage de données, ainsi que des moyens de commande destinés à commander le stockage d'éléments de données périodiques relatifs à la consommation durant des premières périodes respectives de temps, dans des emplacements respectifs de stockage de données, ces moyens de commande étant conçus pour déterminer lorsqu'un stockage supplémentaire est requis pour des données périodiques nouvelles reçues, et pour accumuler ensuite une pluralité d'éléments de données périodiques, contenant au moins un élément de données stocké, afin de produire un élément de données comprimé destiné à une seconde période égale à la somme des premières périodes auxquelles les éléments de données accumulés correspondent, et de commander le stockage de l'élément de données comprimé dans un desdits emplacements de stockage de données. Les données comprimées peuvent être produites à partir d'une pluralité d'éléments de données stockés pour les premières périodes, libérant ainsi au moins un emplacement de stockage de données pour de nouvelles données. Ce dispositif peut être un compteur destiné à produire des données périodiques, notamment un minuteur destiné à surveiller le temps pendant lequel les données sont produites. La compression des données s'effectue préférablement à l'aide d'une série d'ensembles temporels prédéterminés, chacun de ceux-ci comprenant une pluralité de périodes d'ensembles temporels correspondant à des périodes de temps respectives prédéterminées, achevées. Une période donnée d'ensembles temporels peut correspondre à une période de temps égale aux périodes accumulées d'une pluralité de périodes d'ensembles temporels provenant d'autres ensembles temporels.
PCT/GB1995/001491 1994-06-23 1995-06-23 Systemes de mesurage Ceased WO1996000399A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU27485/95A AU2748595A (en) 1994-06-23 1995-06-23 Metering systems

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9412680A GB9412680D0 (en) 1994-06-23 1994-06-23 Metering system
GB9412680.2 1994-06-23

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1996000399A1 true WO1996000399A1 (fr) 1996-01-04

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PCT/GB1995/001491 Ceased WO1996000399A1 (fr) 1994-06-23 1995-06-23 Systemes de mesurage

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AU (1) AU2748595A (fr)
GB (2) GB9412680D0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1996000399A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

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DE10311995A1 (de) * 2003-03-19 2004-10-07 ITF Fröschl GmbH Wechselbares elektronisches Modell zur Messung der elektrischen Energie/Verbrauch/Leistung

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GB2297850B (en) * 1995-02-11 2000-01-19 Ampy Automation Digilog Improvements in and relating to the metering of a commodity
GB9600018D0 (en) * 1996-01-03 1996-03-06 Stickland Donald C Simpler accounting period metering for utilities including, but not neccessarily restricted to, tele-communications, water, gas and electricity
DE10046696A1 (de) * 2000-09-21 2002-04-11 Bosch Gmbh Robert Verfahren und Vorrichtung zum Aufzeichnen von Fahrzeugdaten
DE102004033598A1 (de) * 2004-07-07 2006-02-16 Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh Verfahren zur Speicherung und Verwaltung von Daten und Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens
ES2745767T3 (es) 2015-03-31 2020-03-03 Abb Schweiz Ag Método y sistema para la agregación coherente y la sincronización de datos recopilados a partir de dispositivos de distribución
CN116204684B (zh) * 2023-02-01 2024-06-04 浙江正泰仪器仪表有限责任公司 一种电能表的存储方法、装置、设备及介质

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US4963820A (en) * 1989-05-11 1990-10-16 Abb Power T & D Company Energy meter
US4987363A (en) * 1989-09-25 1991-01-22 Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc. Electric energy meter with power outage recovery circuit
GB2258052A (en) * 1991-07-24 1993-01-27 Gen Electric Co Plc Electricity consumption cost metering
EP0571889A2 (fr) * 1992-05-29 1993-12-01 Alcatel Standard Electrica, S.A. Dispositif de commande de charge électrique

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US4963820A (en) * 1989-05-11 1990-10-16 Abb Power T & D Company Energy meter
US4987363A (en) * 1989-09-25 1991-01-22 Landis & Gyr Metering, Inc. Electric energy meter with power outage recovery circuit
GB2258052A (en) * 1991-07-24 1993-01-27 Gen Electric Co Plc Electricity consumption cost metering
EP0571889A2 (fr) * 1992-05-29 1993-12-01 Alcatel Standard Electrica, S.A. Dispositif de commande de charge électrique

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE10311995A1 (de) * 2003-03-19 2004-10-07 ITF Fröschl GmbH Wechselbares elektronisches Modell zur Messung der elektrischen Energie/Verbrauch/Leistung

Also Published As

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GB9412680D0 (en) 1994-08-10
GB2290623A (en) 1996-01-03
GB2290623B (en) 1998-07-01
AU2748595A (en) 1996-01-19
GB9512802D0 (en) 1995-08-23

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