FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 OF 1970)
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10)
UTILITY METERING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED, a company incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956, of L&T House, Ballard Estate, P. O. Box No. 278, Mumbai 400 001, Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:
I 5 MAY 2005


UTILITY METERING AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a utility metering and communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an energy utility metering and communication system. The present invention provides a means of communicating data to the user through small messaging system (SMS) and also enables the subscriber to communicate with others across the same or different utility networks by means of electronic messages. The present invention also provides a utility metering and communication system, which enables the utility service provider to communicate the utility billing details periodically to the user via electronic message format.
Background of the invention
Utility meters are normally used by service providers who suppry water, gas, electricity, cable service, telecommunications, and others to individual houses or industries to measure the quantity of the particular consumable used at a particular identified location or house. And traditionally, metering of the utilities are checked manually by a human, checking personal, who, physically checks every meter. This method of manual meter reading is inefficient and is being slowly replaced by automated meter readers.
Utility meters kept individually within each user's premises, has the advantage of allowing the consumer to inspect his consumption of the utility regularly. However, to get the monthly meter utility payment schedules the user/subscriber still has to wait till the utility employee inspects the meter, and a corresponding bill is received from the utility company to know the amount due. Another disadvantage of the traditional metering system involves postal delivery of the utility consumption details which in no surprise can be delayed or lost for unknown reasons. This causes inconvenience to both the consumer and utility provider.
Attempts to overcome the problem of revenue loss various reasons by installing expensive and complicated metering systems have not been successful since the installation footprint followed is the same as in traditional systems. The unscrupulous consumer continues to tamper with even the new meters in the privacy of his premises. Among prior art efforts worldwide, attempts have been made to devise new pre-paid systems wherein the utility substance or signal is supplied by the meter only on pre-payment by the consumer, much in the form of a 'coin box' metering system. The modern equivalents of the 'coin box' are mag-stripe cards, electronic smart cards, or electronic codes. These pre-paid systems however, can still be tampered or completely bypassed by the consumer since they are located inevitably within the consumer's premises. For this reason, such technology is not very appropriate from the point of view of revenue protection or enhancement.
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U.S. Patent 6,163,602 describes a complex system, which integrates the telephone billing system with the utility consumption metering. This limits the utility billing to only those users with telephone line prior existence.
US Patent 6,252,883 provides a home and personal data services overlay communications system provided with a fixed and a mobile data telecommunication service using a fixed code, direct sequence spread spectrum, connection-free data protocol as an overlay on cellular or PCS wireless services.
US Patent No 20020018545 discloses a method and system for monitoring usage of a utility at a remote location by a central station and incorporates a real time method for optimizing energy costs operationally by combining optimization algorithms and real time pricing data to lower costs to the energy user. The meter reading module is connected to the PC via one of a hardwired connection, X-10 technology or sent over existing telephone lines.
Power line carrier communication (PLCC) is long been known in the literature and in use for many years. Well-established power distribution systems exist throughout most of the countries, which provide power to customers via power lines. PLCC provides a means of communication through the power lines. U.S. Patent 20050001694 gives the details of data communication via power lines. These data signals are communicated on and off the power lines at various points in the power line communication system, such as, for example, near homes, offices, Internet service providers, and the like. The invention relates to data communications over a power distribution system and more particularly for communicating data, which may include video, audio, voice, and/or other data types.
U.S. Patent 20030218549 reveals how other broadband facilities can be coupled to power line communications system to provide service to remote areas. Remote isolated areas usually lack the centrally facilitated data network such as internet, ethernet and DSL based communication. This invention provides a means for remote areas with power lines to get access to such facilities.
However, a search for prior art has not revealed any system where the utility metering system itself can be used as both a billing communication system and also a system whereby a consumer can communicate with others across the same or different utility networks using electronic mail or SMS.
Another significant problem faced is that quite often when the utility bills are dispatched by mail/courier, they are received very late by the consumer. The consumer is therefore left with very little time to make the payment.
In today's world, the communication revolution has resulted in the SMS becoming popular means of communication. However, large sections of the population, especially in third world countries like India, are eliminated from benefiting from SMS as means of
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communication merely due to lack of access or non-affordability of computers or mobile
phones.
Objects of the invention
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a utility metering and communication system wherein the utility metering system itself can be used both as a billing communication system as well as a messaging/communication system for the user to communicate with others across the network.
It is another object of the invention to provide a utility metering and communication system wherein the utility metering system also enables the user/consumer to communicate with others across different utility networks by electronic mail or short messaging services.
It is another object of the invention to identify uniquely the consumer with specific ID and the same shall be utilized in reference of the consumer for billing and payment related aspects.
It is another object of the invention to provide SMS to remote places with power lines
The above and other objects of the invention are achieved by the utility metering and communication system of the invention which is described in detail in the following portion of the description.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly the present invention provides a utility metering and communication system comprising one or more utility meters operatively connected to a communication means, said communication means being connected to a server means provided at the utility service provider end, said one or more utility meters being each provided with means for displaying messages in electronic form, a memory means for storing said electronic messages, a keypad and a controlling means for enabling the display of messages and sending of messages.
In one embodiment of the invention, the communication means comprises a modem connected to the server means through the Internet or ethernet.
In another embodiment of the invention, the communication means comprises a gateway communicating with the one or more meters through power line carrier communication (PLCC) chipsets and communicating with the server through the Internet or Ethernet.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the gateway communicates with the server through GSM or conventional Code Division Multiple Access means.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings
Figure l is a block diagram of the system of the invention wherein the communication between the remote server at the utility end and the one or more utility meters is carried out using either a modem or a gateway and Internet/Ethernet or gateway and GSM means.
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Figure 2 is a block diagram of the energy meter of the invention.
Figure 3 is a block diagram of the data concentrator means used in the system of the invention.
Detailed description of the invention
The present invention provides a system whereby an utility meter can be used to communicate both billing particulars such as amounts due as well as deadlines for payment to the consumer while also enabling the consumer to access personal and official SMS and send further SMS to other consumers across the same or different networks.
The system of the invention is a giant leap in terms of communication since easy and affordable access to communication via electronic means is provided to a consumer irrespective of access to computers/mobile phones, through already existing utility networks.
The utility metering and communication system of the invention includes a utility meter, which is provided with the functionality of receiving short text messages. The short text messages (SMS) can include information regarding the bill amount and the deadlines for payment as well as mails directed to a unique SMS id allotted to the consumer.
The system as illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a central station (21) at the utility provider end, which is provided with a main server (22). The central station (21) is connected to a distribution transformer (23) which is in turn connected to a data concentrator means (24). The data concentrator means (24) is connected in a bi-directional manner with every energy meter (26a, 26b, 26c 26d, 26e, ... ... 26n) provided at the consumer end. The
connection between the data concentrator means (24) and the energy meters (26a, 26b, 26c
26d, 26e, 26n) is through respective power lines (25). The main server (22) situated at
the central station (21) sends the tariff and the last date of payment to the data concentrator
(24) from where it is forwarded to the respective energy meters (26a, 26b, 26c 26d, 26e
26n).
The energy meter (26a, 26b, 26c 26d, 26e, ... ... 26n) therefore indicates both the
amount of utility such as power consumed but can also be programmed to indicate the amount due and the deadline for payment to the consumer. This can be done through SMS sent from the central station (21) as stated earlier. The information can also be flashed as a text message across the display unit at the meter end, as will be explained with reference to Figure 2. This enables the timely and if desired, automated sending of billing information including amount due, period of billing and deadline of payment to the consumer.
The user/consumer can also utilize the power line carrier communication provided with the main server at the central station to communicate with other users/consumers across the same network or different networks. Each user is allotted a specific identification at the time of installation of the energy meter. Thus, for example, if user 1 with meter 26a wishes to communicate by SMS to user 2 with meter 26b, the user 1 uses the keyboard
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provided with the meter and sends the appropriate message to the server which then identifies the recipient and forwards the message thereto. Provision for acknowledgement of receipts as available with any conventional electronic mail facility can also be provided.
The advantage in the present system lies in enabling communication across the same utility network or different utility networks using power line carrier based communication.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of the energy meter unit provided at the user/consumer end. The energy meter (30) primarily consists of two microcontrollers (31, 32). One microcontroller is provided for metering the utility consumption and the other microcontroller is provided for the power line carrier communication. The energy meter (30) is also provided with an analog to digital converter (33) connected at one end to microcontroller (31) and at the other end to the power supply (34). The power supply may be alternating current or direct current based. The energy meter is also provided with a power line carrier communication enabling chip (35) which interfaces with the power line (36) using an AC interface (37). The energy meter (30) calculates the energy consumed using the analog to digital converter (ADC, 33). The information is displayed on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (38). The energy meter is also provided with an LED indicator (39) which is also connected to the microcontroller (31) and provides information regarding the status of the system and the general system characteristics. The LED panel is also provided with keyboard means which enables the user to communicate with others across the same network or across different networks as explained above. All messages and other parameters such as energy are stored in a non-volatile memory (NVM, (34).
As explained above, an AC Interface is used to link the PLCC chip with power line. The meter receives the data from the data concentrator through power line and gives an LED indication. The user has to press a key in the panel in order to view the message and the data will be stored in the non-volatile memory. The memory can be programmed to store up to a desired amount of data. For example, up to 100 characters may be stored therein. The user can use key panel to send any message. Data concentrator queries the energy consumed by the meter periodically (say 30 mins) and maintains the database of all the meters connected to that distribution transformer. If server placed at the utility area queries for any data the data concentrator transfers the same.
The display unit is a peripheral unit and can be a 2-line liquid crystal display or a graphical display. The meter is also provided with a control means provided with TCP/IP stack implementation or a RTOS (real time operating system) running therein to enable SMS communication by the user with others across the same or different utility networks.
Figure 3 provides a block diagram of the data concentrator means of the invention. Data Concentrator is connected to every distributing transformer. The Data concentrator communicates with the server through any one of the medium mentioned below:
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1. Telephone line (PSTN line).
2. Ethernet.
3. Wireless (GSM Technology)
the Data Concentrator has two modules:
1. PLCC Module:
The power line carrier communication module transfers the data to the energy meter using power line. The module also queries the energy consumed by the meter connected to that particular distribution transformer and identifies the meter to which data received by the server is to be sent The data will be in encrypted form.
2. Communication Module:
The communication module receives and transfers data from /to server.
The energy meter can be connected to the central station with the main server computer by any one of the following methods:
1. Using Ethernet:
When the Server is connected to Data Concentrator (Black Box) with Ethernet a user specific Id is allocated by the server at the time of installation of the meter. At the end of every month the billing amount and the last date of payment will be transferred to the Data Concentrator (Black Box) through Ethernet, as in any Local Area Network (LAN).
2. Using Telephone Line:
When the Server is connected to Data Concentrator (Black Box) with PSTN line the user specific Id is allocated by the server at the time of installation of the meter. Server will transfer the billing amount and the last date of payment to the Data Concentrator (Black Box) at the end of every month. The server dials to the Data Concentrator using Modem and transfers the data.
3. Using GSM Technology:
The user specific Id will be allocated by the server at the time of installation of the meter. Server will transfer the billing amount and the last date of payment to the Data Concentrator (Black Box) at the end of every month.
The Electricity Utilities may have the server in their premises or they can outsource the same to 3rd party in order to maintain the server. The Peripherals required by meter to communicate with the server are as follows:
1. Data Concentrator
2. Computer system as a server
3. Connectivity between the Meter and Data Concentrator is through existing overhead lines or underground cable.
4. Connectivity between the Data Concentrator and the server is through a telephone line, Ethernet cord or wireless technique in case of GSM technology.
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The transfer of messages (SMS) shall be encrypted in data concentrator when SMS is received from the server and transferred to the meter. When Data Concentrator receives the SMS from the meter and transfers it to the server then it decodes the encrypted SMS sent by meter and converts it to appropriate standards (as per medium of communication between Data concentrator & the Server). The user specific Id's will be allotted by the server with the utilities provider.
The significant advantage of this invention is that a computer or mobile phone are not required for communication, thereby rendering the entire process of electronic communication simple and cost effective and far reaching as well
Another significant advantage of the invention is that there will be no time lag between the meter reading and the amount due being communicated to the user as occurs by the use of ordinary mail or courier.
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We claim:
1. A utility metering and communication system comprising one or more utility meters operatively connected to a communication means, said communication means being connected to a server means provided at the utility service provider end, said one or more utility meters being each provided with means for displaying messages in electronic form, a memory means for storing said electronic messages, a keypad and a controlling means for enabling the display of messages and sending of messages.
2. A system as claimed in claim l wherein the communication means comprises a modem connected to the server means through the Internet or ethernet.
3. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the communication means comprises a gateway communicating with the one or more meters through power line carrier communication (PLCC) chipsets and communicating with the server through the Internet or Ethernet
4. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the gateway communicates with the server through GSM or conventional Code Division Multiple Access means.
5. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a central station is provided at the utility provider end and connected to a main server and a distribution transformer which is in turn connected to a data concentrator means, the data concentrator means being is connected in a bi-directional manner with every energy individual utility meter provided at the consumer end
6. A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the connection between the data concentrator means and the individual energy meters is through respective power lines.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein a plurality of utility meters with unique identification number (ID) are connected to a central data concentrator by power line carrier communication means.
8. A system as claimed in claim 6 wherein each individual energy meter is provided with a display means is provided comprising of a liquid crystal display, the LED display also being provided with a keypad for input of information and the communication means comprises of a PLCC chip, and wherein peripheral devices connected across the line are connected in turn to a micro controller through an analog to digital conversion means for providing input to the microcontroller.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the energy meter unit provided at the user/consumer end consists of at least two microcontrollers, a first microcontroller for metering the utility consumption and a second microcontroller for the power line carrier communication, the energy meter also being provided with an analog to digital converter connected at one end to said first microcontroller and at the other end to a power supply, the power supply being either alternating current or direct
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current based, the energy meter also being provided with a power line carrier communication enabling chip interfacing with said power line through an AC interface the energy meter being provided with an analog to digital converted to calculate energy consumption, and a liquid crystal display being provided to display the amount of energy consumed, an LED indicator being provided connected to said first microcontroller to provide information regarding the status of the system and the general system characteristics, the LED panel being provided with keyboard means to enable the user to communicate with others across the same network or across different networks, the messages and other parameters generated being stored in a non -volatile memory.
10. A utility metering and communication system substantially as described hereinbefore
and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this the 5th day of May 2004.
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Abstract
The present invention relates to a utility metering and communication system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an energy utility metering and communication system. The present invention provides a means of communicating data to the user through small messaging system (SMS) and also enables the subscriber to communicate with others across the same or different utility networks by means of electronic messages. The present invention also provides a utility metering and communication system, which enables the utility service provider to communicate the utility billing details periodically to the user via electronic message format.

5 MAY 2005
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