U.S. patent application number 12/050123 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-18 for remote module for utility meters.
Invention is credited to Joseph Frank Preta, Floyd Stanley Salser, William Monty Simmons.
Application Number | 20080224890 12/050123 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39762121 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080224890 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Salser; Floyd Stanley ; et
al. |
September 18, 2008 |
REMOTE MODULE FOR UTILITY METERS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a remote display module (RDM)
for display a resource consumption value synchronized with a
resource consumption value indicated by a meter metering resource
consumption. The RDM is configured with one or more inputs that are
electrically associated with the pulse output for a utility meter.
The RDM tracks continuous values and associated customer-values.
Customers-values may be reset by a customer allowing the customer
to easily track resource consumption.
Inventors: |
Salser; Floyd Stanley;
(Ocala, FL) ; Preta; Joseph Frank; (Tampa, FL)
; Simmons; William Monty; (Lenoir, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SIMMONS PATENTS
P.O. BOX 1560
LENOIR
NC
28645
US
|
Family ID: |
39762121 |
Appl. No.: |
12/050123 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60894980 |
Mar 15, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/870.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 50/06 20130101;
G06Q 30/0283 20130101; G01D 4/00 20130101; Y02B 90/20 20130101;
Y04S 20/30 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/870.02 |
International
Class: |
G08C 19/16 20060101
G08C019/16 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for remotely display a resource consumption value
indicated by a metering device, such apparatus comprising: a
processing device comprising at least one input suitably configured
for being electrically associated with a metering device through a
communication link; a memory electrically associated with said
processing device and configured for storing continuous resource
consumption data and a customer resetable resource consumption
value; a display electrically associated with said processing and
suitably configured for displaying consumption data; a preset
interface suitably configured for being electrically associated
with a programming module so that initial continuous resource
consumptions values can be programmed into said memory; a reset
device configured for resetting the customer resetable resource
consumption value when activated; and wherein said display device
is configured to display resource consumption values for at least
one of (a) continuously, (b) for a predefined time period, and (c)
upon customer request.
Description
CLAIM TO PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional application
60/894,980 filed on Mar. 15, 2008, the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by this reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a smart apparatus for
making secure transactions including financial transactions,
accessing restricted vehicles and accessing restricted areas.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Water utilities install water meters at customer sites to
meter the consumption of water by a water customer. When a site
includes a building containing multiple customer residences (e.g.
condominiums, apartment buildings, etc.) such water meters are
often installed in locations not easily viewable by a customer. As
a result, such water customers are not able to view the consumption
data generated by their water meter. Consequently, water utilities
have a need for a module that displays water consumption data to a
user where such module is installed in a convenient location for
customer viewing.
[0004] Prior art water meters typically are configured with pulse
outputs that provide access to pulse signals relatable to the
amount of water flowing through the meter. What is need is a Remote
Counter Display Module (RDM) comprising at least one input port
that is electrically associated with the pulse output of a water
meter and provide a plurality of functions such as a counter
preset, counter reset, continuous counter value, a customer
re-setable counter value, a sleep mode and a dual input that that
can be connected to two registers with the two separate registers
and combine the register data to provide a display value that is
the "total" resource consumption value.
[0005] Many resource providers will eventually wish to upgrade
their system to include automatic meter reading (AMR) capabilities.
Consequently, there is a need for a RDM that can be easily upgraded
to be compatible with AMR systems.
SUMMARY
[0006] Some of the objects and advantages of the invention will now
be set forth in the following description, while other objects and
advantages of the invention may be obvious from the description, or
may be learned through practice of the invention.
[0007] Generally speaking, one object of the invention is to
provide an apparatus for display a meter reading at a remote
location.
[0008] Another general object the invention is to provide a remote
display module comprising an owner settable value that allows the
RMD owner to set the RMD display value to a value indicated may a
metering device.
[0009] Another general object of the invention is to proved a
remote display module comprising a resource customer-value allow a
resource consumer to reset a resource consumption value to allow
such customer to track resource consumption over a period of
time.
[0010] Additional objectives and embodiments of the present subject
matter, not necessarily expressed in this summarized section, may
include and incorporate various combinations of aspects of features
or parts referenced in the summarized objectives above, and/or
features or components as otherwise discussed in this
application.
[0011] Those of ordinary skill in the art will better appreciate
the features and aspects of such embodiments, and others, upon
review of the remainder of the specification.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] A full and enabling description of the present subject
matter, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of
ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which
makes reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation an RDM device
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation an alternative
embodiment of the RDM device comprising a dual input and dual
readout feature;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of Programming
Module according to another embodiment of the invention; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a block diagram representation of a RMD device
comprising RF features for communication with an AMR system.
[0017] Repeat use of reference characters throughout the present
specification and appended drawings is intended to represent the
same or analogous features or elements of the present
technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of
the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below.
Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention,
not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to
those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations
can be made in the present invention without departing from the
scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents. Other objects, features, and aspects of the
present invention are disclosed in or may be determined from the
following detailed description. Repeat use of reference characters
is intended to represent same or analogous features, elements or
steps. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art
that the present discussion is a description of exemplary
embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader
aspects of the present invention.
[0019] For the purposes of this document two or more items are
"associated" by bringing them together or into relationship with
each other in any number of ways including a direct or indirect
physical connection. Similarly, two or more items are "electrically
associated" by bringing them together or into relationship with
each other in any number of ways including: (a) a direct, indirect
or inductive communication connection, and (b) a direct/indirect or
inductive power connection. In addition, while a drawing or image
may depict a particular electrical association as a single line,
such a connection may represent a plurality of wired connections or
cables comprising multiple conductors as required for the
application of interest.
[0020] It will be appreciated that while this document contains
headers, such headers are place markers only and are not intended
to form a part of this document or affect its construction.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 1, one exemplary embodiment of an RDM
(10) electrically associated with a single meter is presented. RDM
(10) comprises a processing device (12) electrically associated
with preset interface (16) and further electrically associated with
display device (18). A switch (20) is provided for accessing RDM
(10) functions. Switch (20) is electrically associated with
processing device (12) and is configured for causing process device
(12) to perform at least one predefined function as described
later.
[0022] Processing device (12) may be of any suitable technology.
For one exemplary embodiment of the invention, processing device
(12) is at least one PIC class 28 processor. For such a
configuration, the PIC class 28 processor may perform the counter
functions and display driver functions (as described later).
Alternatively, processing device (12) may be a PIC class 18
processor configured to perform the counting functions and further
configured to work in conjunction with yet a second LCD driver
processor (depending on the display technology used).
[0023] For single meter configurations, the RDM is electrically
associated with the pulse output of a water meter (14) via
communication connection (13). For the embodiment depicted in FIG.
1, communication connection (13) is wired twisted pair cable
connection. When water meter (14) determines a predefined amount of
resource consumption, meter (14) generates an electrical pulse that
is detected by processing device (12) via communication connection
(13).
[0024] It should be appreciated that such a connection (13) may be
achieved using wireless technologies. For example communication
connection (13) may include a transmitter electrically associated
with the pulse output of water meter (14) and a receiver
electrically associated with processing device (12). Such
transmitter/receiver technologies are preferably relatively low
power devices that operate in an unlicensed band or at a power
level that does not require a license. Suitable technologies
include Bluetooth and Zigbee (IEEE 802.15). Zigbee is a low data
rate solution for multi-month to multi-year battery life
applications. Zigbee operates on an unlicensed, international
frequency band. Such technologies are known and understood by those
skilled in the art, and a detailed explanation thereof is not
necessary for purposes of describing the method and system
according to the present invention.
[0025] Display device (18) is configured to displaying a resource
consumption value derived from the counter data recorded by
processing device (12). Display (18) is configured to display
consumption data when switch (20) is pressed. In addition, display
(18) may display consumption data/values at predefined intervals or
at random intervals. The consumption data will be displayed for a
predefined amount of time after which the display driver and the
LCD display will go into a sleep mode (depending on the
configuration used). For configurations where the display device
comprises a memory (as described below) the last consumption value
may remain displayed until updated with a new consumption
value.
[0026] It will be appreciated that processing device (12) may
perform the LCD driver functions or display device (18) may include
its one processor.
[0027] For alternative embodiment of RDM (10), display (18) may be
configured to provide a display readout when power is removed from
the display. For this embodiment, an image is written on the LCD
display and when power is removed, the display will retain the
image virtually indefinitely or until "erased" by processing device
(12). Such a LCD display uses a technique developed by Zenithal
Bistable Devices (ZBD), which adds a finely ridged grating to the
inner glass surface of an LCD cell of Super-Twist-Nematic (STN)
construction. As in known in the art the presence of the grating
"latches" the polarization state of the liquid crystals and retains
it when power is removed.
[0028] For yet another alternative embodiment, at least a portion
of the RDM body may be configured to provide a display function.
For example, the entire surface of one side of RDM (10) may
comprise a display configurable to display various images including
pictures, data, and status signals. For such embodiment, display
(18) may comprise an integral display interface configured for
providing communications between processing device (12) and display
(18). Such interface may comprise a customizable touch screen
controller configured for control and decoding functions for
display (18) depending on the RDM (10) application. For such an
alternative embodiment, display (18) is a flexible display such as
an "electronic paper" display manufactured by Fujitsu.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 2, some installations require two
meters. For example, some larger housing facilities may have a
single boiler system for heating water that is supplied to
individual housing units. Consequently, such installations may
require a hot water meter and a cold water meter. For this
embodiment, processing device (12) has two pulse input ports
configured for receiving pulses from two meters--hot water meter
(14a) and cold water meter (14b). Processing device (12) counts the
pulses and periodically at a predefined interval, sends count data
to processing device (15).
[0030] Processing device (15) may be any type of device suitable
for driving display (18a) and display (18b) and may include any of
the technologies described above for display (18). Displays (18a)
and (18b) are configured to display consumption data/values when
switch (20) is pressed. In addition, displays (18a) and (18b) may
display consumption data/values a predefined intervals or at random
intervals. The consumption data will be displayed for a predefined
amount of time after which the display driver and the LCD display
will go into a sleep mode (depending on the configuration used).
For configurations where the display device comprises a memory (as
described above) the last consumption value may remain displayed
until updated with a new consumption value.
[0031] The RDM (10) may be powered by any suitable power source
(not shown in the figures). Utility regulations typically do not
allow a utility metering device to be connected to a local power
source. Consequently, water utility devices are typically battery
powered. Thus, for the preferred embodiment, RMD (10) uses low
powered devices that are powered by a battery such as at least one
replaceable 3.6 volt A Cell lithium battery. Where voltages greater
than 3.6 volts are required, a voltage pump is used to generate the
required voltage.
Preset Module
[0032] The RDM (10) comprises a preset interface (16) configured
for being electrically associated with a handheld Preset Module
(PM) (30). As described later in this document, the PM (30) is
configured to transfer a counter value from the PM (30) device to
RDM (10) thereby presetting the RDM (10) device to any value
desired. Preferably such value would be the current reading
indicated by utility meter (14). PM (30) comprises processing
device (31) electrically associated with a display device (32). PM
(30) is further electrically associated with an interface output
(34) which is described in more detail below. Display device (32)
is preferably configured to display a six digit, seven segment
number. Switches (36) are used to set each digit of such six digit
number to any value desired. Each push button switch is configured
to advance the display value for a digit on the LCD display. For
example, Digit 5 switch is configured to advance the fifth digit of
the LCD display. A user simply presses the appropriate digit
switches to generate a desired LCD display value. Once the LCD
Display is displaying a desired value, such value is either
transferred to the Preset Interface Output or stored in memory.
Additionally, one ore more secondary numbers may be associated with
the preset value. Such a secondary number may be a meter serial
number or customer number.
[0033] After the PM (30) device is programmed with at least one or
more values, interface output ((34) is electrically associated with
the present interface (16) of a RDM (10). The user then scrolls
through the preset values using a scroll switch (not shown) until
the appropriate value is displayed on display (32). Next, the
transfer switch (38) is pressed and the value being displayed on
the display (32) and any associated "secondary numbers" are
transfer from PM (30) to RDM (10). Such values become meter-a-value
and meter-b-value for the discussions presented later.
[0034] It should be appreciated that with such a configuration, a
user can go to a meter installation site, enter the meter readings
for one or more meters in RDM (30) and then take the RDM (30)
device to the RMD (10) installation location and preset the RMD
(10) device to the appropriate value.
RF Modules
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4, one alternative embodiment of RDM
(10) includes a RF enabled embodiment. One suitable RF technology
is disclosed in co-owned U.S. application Ser. No. 10/989,811
relating to a smart transmitter for utility meters and such
application is incorporated by this reference for all that it
discloses. For this embodiment of the invention, RMD (10) is
configured to not only display the resource consumption data, but
also transmit such data to a remote AMR device. The data
transmitted may include: leak detection data, tamper data, backflow
detection data, batter status, and clock status (where
applicable).
Display Modes
[0036] The RDM (10) display modes and features are now considered.
RDM (10) includes several unique features including a counter
preset, counter reset, continuous counter value and a customer
re-setable counter value. For come configurations, display (18) is
always active and display a consumption value, however, for some
embodiments display (18) enters a sleep mode after a predefined
time period. For such a configuration, when switch (20) is pressed,
the display (18) powers up and the processing device (12) transfers
consumption data to display (18) where such data is viewed by a
customer. After a predefined amount of time, the display (20) goes
into a sleep mode to conserve power.
[0037] As discussed above, RMD (10) keeps track of several values.
For a particular meter of interest, RDM (10) preferable keeps track
of a continuous value and a customer-value. The continuous-value
may only be reset by a PM (30) device whereas a customer-value may
be reset by a customer. Examples of continuous values are
meter-a-value (e.g. cold water meter), meter-b-value (e.g. hot
water meter) as described above. Each time a continuous-value is
updated, its corresponding customer-value is updated. For example,
a meter-a-value may be 10,000 units and a corresponding
customer-value may be 500 units as it had been reset by a customer
in the past. RMD (10) next determines 10 units of resource has been
consumed and updates the meter-a-value to 10,010 and updates the
customer-value to 510.
[0038] For the preferred embodiment, RDM (10) includes a feature
that allows a customer to set/reset a customer-value. For such
embodiment, a customer presses a switch (20a, not shown) to reset
the customer-value to zero. It should be appreciated that for such
a configuration, a customer easily track resource consumption over
a period of time. For example, a customer resets the hot water
meter customer-value and then takes a shower. The customer returns
to the RDM (10) after the shower and views the hot water
customer-value to see how much hot water was used. In addition, RDM
(10) may be configured with a unit cost so that a dollar value is
also present. Similarly, using the customer-value feature, resource
consumption can be tracked over longer periods of time as desired
(e.g. week, month, year, etc.)
[0039] While the present subject matter has been described in
detail with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be
appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an
understanding of the foregoing may readily adapt the present
technology for alterations to, variations of, and equivalents to
such embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure
is by way of example rather than by way of limitation, and the
subject disclosure does not preclude inclusion of such
modifications, variations, and/or additions to the present subject
matter as would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the
art.
* * * * *