WO2009027617A1

WO2009027617A1 - A utility metering system incorporating a private/public radio network

Info

Publication number: WO2009027617A1
Application number: PCT/GB2007/003260
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Stanton; Hamish Archibald Mclaren
Original assignee: John Stanton; Hamish Archibald Mclaren
Priority date: 2007-08-28
Filing date: 2007-08-28
Publication date: 2009-03-05

Abstract

A private radio system having a unique identification address code and being embedded in a utility meter (10, 100, 200, 300), the private radio system being arranged to communicate with private radio systems in neighbouring meters forming part of a communication network of utility meter private radios, the private radio system being securely accessible by a utility provider for bi-directional communication between the utility provider and the private radio system via the private radio network, and in which the private radio system is capable of being publicly enabled to the private communication network for access to at least one of fixed telephone, cable or roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer via the private radio network.

Description

A UTILITY METERING SYSTEM INCORPORATING A PRIVATE/PUBLIC RADIO NETWORK

The present invention relates to a private radio system and further relates to a private radio network and a to a method of radio communication. More specifically, the invention concerns a utility meter incorporating a private radio system, which can be enabled for public access. The private radio network provides for broadband bi-directional communication providing a local, regional and national network. The private radio network would facilitate the following typical, but non-exhaustive, list of services for utilities companies and consumers.

Utility: - Routine meter reading collection, special meter reads, meter diagnostics, meter tampering alarms, tariff data downloads, utility disconnection commands, interval demand data, information on change of tenancy or change of supplier, change of meter functionality, load limiting commands, tariff information, supplier data, revenue protection reports, anti tamper, metering for embedded generation, text messages and payments for utility services. In addition the utility, or other service providers, may offer added value services, such as alarms for the elderly or vulnerable, security systems, smoke, CO and temperature alarms, health monitoring systems, home control systems, advanced energy management systems, demand control systems, energy monitoring and advice provision, distribution network data, telecoms and data services for utilities and network companies.

Consumer: - Voice telephony (both within and outside the home or premises), data services, text messages, Internet services, entertainment, e mail, payments from the home or premises facilities for any services or products, home automation services, mobile computing (Roaming) communication.

A unique feature of the imbedded radio network system is the facility to enable it for public access providing the capability and capacity to enable roaming, voice (Voice Over Internet Protocol) communications, entertainment media, internet and remote home management and secure payment for these services.

Background to the Invention The privatisation of the energy supply industry in some countries and the increasing cost of energy is giving rise to an ever-increasing requirement for its use to be effectively measured, managed and controlled by both the customer and supplying utility. Also the additional complexity of a competitive energy industry is increasing the need for accurate and timely utility data.

However, the introduction of cable, GSM telephony and satellite communications has reduced the number of locations of utility meters which have access to a fixed landline and inherent delays in the GSM messaging network restricts and limits the scope for the utility companies to achieve real time data access regarding and control of utility usage.

There is furthermore an increasing desire by telecom users not to be constrained by fixed telephone lines. Whilst mobile telephones are an option, the operating costs of these are relatively high, especially for

Internet and data transfer use. The widespread availability of a Private/Public enabled network is intended to substantially remove these constraints and provide customers with an alternative means to send and receive voice and data communications wherever they are. Summary of the Invention

It is an aim of the invention to overcome these problems by making use of the fact that every domestic and business premise contains at least one utility meter. The private radio system and network in accordance with the invention can provide a national network for utilities as the local area network is connected via a WiMax network to a national communication backbone. Public enablement of a private radio system in the network may provide full public access roaming capability via the WiMax network. The invention is set out in the independent claims. Optional features are set out in the dependent claims.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a private radio system having a unique identification address code and being embedded in a utility meter, the private radio system being arranged to communicate with private radio systems in neighbouring meters forming part of a communication network of utility meter private radios, the private radio system being capable of being publicly enabled to the private communication network for access to at least one of fixed telephone, cable or roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer via the private radio network. By suitably equipped, it is intended that a WiFi or similar network module is embedded in the end user equipment. The term 'broadband' will be understood by the skilled person to refer to data transmission in which multiple pieces of data are sent simultaneously to increase the effective rate of transmission, regardless of actual data rate, and where two or more signals share a medium and it is this definition of broadband that is intended in the context of the present invention. The private radio system imbedded in the utility meter is configured to communicate through other neighbouring utility meters to a base station or to communicate directly with the base station. Particularly where a large base of meters is installed, this has the benefit of reducing the need for the construction of new radio masts or cable groundwork.

The network of utility meter private radios may be configurable to enable automatic network connection by best route routing through any and/or all the utility meter private radios to provide optimum connectivity, power and bandwidth and provide a communication node at every suitably equipped meter location. Public access enabling of the radio utility meter also provides access to a landline, cable or GSM network.

The network may provide for secure voice telephony (both within and outside the home), data services, text messages, internet services, entertainment, email, facilities for payments from the home or other premises, mobile computing communication, geographic location services and remote access to the home services. By the fact the principal utility meter incorporating the private radio network node will provide for secure transactions over the private network, the same node using the same facility can provide for secure transactions for payments to providers for other services, by utilising the enabled public network access.

The unique identification address code may be known only to the utility provider and is imbedded in all utility messages to and from that address. The utility meter radio WiFi module utilises the meter number of each meter such that utilities and/or public services can carry out services such as routine and special meter reads, meter diagnostics, meter tampering alarms, tariff data downloads, utility disconnection commands, interval demand data, information on change of tenancy or change of supplier, change of meter functionality, load limiting commands, tariff information, supplier data, revenue protection reports, metering for embedded generation, text messages and payments for utility services. In addition the utility, or other service providers, may offer added value services, such as alarms for the elderly or vulnerable, security systems, smoke, CO and temperature alarms, health monitoring systems, home control systems, advanced energy management systems, demand control systems, energy monitoring and advice provision, distribution network data.

The utility meter may be an electricity meter or a gas meter or a water meter or a heat meter or an oil meter.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems in radio communication with each other and with a base station. The private radio network may comprise a controller including a control algorithm to enable automatic connection best route routing through any and/or all the utility meter private radios within the communication network to provide optimum connectivity, power and bandwidth and provide a communication node at every suitably equipped meter location. The controller may be located at the base station. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems each embedded in a utility meter, in which each private radio system has the capability to communicate though a local radio frequency network either through other private radio systems and/or directly to a base station by being automatically routed through the other private radio systems in the private radio network or where the network is not complete or has failed, through an alternative communication media; and a controller including a set of instructions for implementing routing of communications through the network to enable automatic best route routing (meshing), power and bandwidth through any and/or all private radio systems and/or base stations in the network to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth. The network self configures to enable automatic connection by best route routing through any and or all communication nodes (private radio systems) to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth and provide a communication node at every suitably equipped meter location. As such, the system will provide a communication backbone providing real-time, 'always-on' bi-directional WiFi/WiMax or other network communications. The base stations may also provide best route routing backup in case of fault or failure of the private radio network. These features provide a robust network, which responds automatically to changing circumstances, such as loads and faults, to provide the best possible signal coverage for the operating system at any time.

The base station may also route communications via an alternative communication path such as by modem or GSM during fault conditions of the private radio network or if the intended recipient of a communication does not have radio access. The radio utility meter functions as a communications hub for all utility or public services into the premises. The radio utility meters may communicate with each other by RF (radio frequency) signals and/or communicate via a base station with landline, cable or GSM in order to access other telecom networks.

There is considerable information publicly available to show that energy consumers are likely to reduce their consumption if given useful information in real time, such as costs, on their usage. The private network provides a real-time communication system for both the user

(utility customer) and the utility supplier. Thus energy suppliers and their customers will have available frequent and accurate utility consumption and cost data.

The private radio network may be configurable to allow a utility company to manage, monitor and control its utility meters, either individually or via blanket control and provide real time customer information on an individual basis and by mass transmission to many private radio systems. It is envisaged that the private radio network may enable utility companies to control advanced energy management systems, demand control systems and energy monitoring and advice provision systems,and to change tariffs and payments terms and provide data access in real time.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a base station, configured for communication with the private broadband radio system and/or the private radio network.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of radio communication through a private radio network, the private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems each embedded in a utility meter, in which each private radio system has the capability to communicate though a local radio frequency network either through other private radio systems in the network and/or directly to a base station by being automatically routed through one or more of the other private radio systems, the method comprising the step of determining a communication route through the network to achieve optimum bandwidth, connectivity and power .

Best route routing may be controlled by the base station and may be determined on the basis of one or more factors including the signal strength at a particular node, bandwidth capacity and usage and geographical location with respect to the base station. Best route routing through the network may also take into account automatic radio frequency power output control to optimise performance and battery life, where applicable, and connect time under loss of mains supply enabling fault transmissions and communications.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person from the following non-limiting description and drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a system overview of a module of a private radio network communication system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a private radio system in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3a-3e shows examples of bi-directional communications and routing between the services, utilities and interfaces of the system.

Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a module of a radio network communication system. The network comprises a plurality of radio enabled utility meters 10, 100, 200, 300 and at least one base station 50 which is configurable to automatically self seek best and optimum power routing and provide bi-directional communications to each and every other enabled radio utility meter 10, 100, 200, 300 within the local network. The number of system nodes (radio utility meters) in the network is unlimited.

Each private radio system 10, 100, 200, 300 has the capability to communicate though a local radionetwork providing bi-directional broadband (WiFi and/or WiMax) communications to provide a range of private, public, or utility services such as but not limited to those shown in Figure 1.

An embodiment of the private radio network typically consists of a private local area network based on the IEEE. 802.11 (WiFi) standards and a wide area network consisting on the IEEE.lβd &e standards

(Wimax fixed and mobile) and is constructed of standard parts using standard protocols that are specified in these standards and which are available from suppliers such as Nortel™,Alcatel™, or any WiFi/Wimax manufacturer. Different competitive brands of WiFi access points and client network interfaces are inter-operable at a basic level of service.

Figure 2 shows an example of an embodiment of a private radio system of the private radio network according to the invention. Each private radio system in the network comprises a WiFi module 20 embedded into a utility meter 10 of a premises such as a residence, school or business. The WiFi module 20 is an off the shelf WiFi module such as is available from suppliers such as Nortel™, Alcatel™ or any

WiFi/Wimax module manufacturer. The WiFi radio module includes a controller 30 that is connected to and interfaces with the utility meter electronics through a security firewall such that data from the meter chip can be fed to the controller 30 and via the WiFi radio 20 through the private radio network to the utility company.

The WiFi radio module 20 is powered by the electricity meter and works as a communications hub to provide internet access to the premises. A user may register various pieces of equipment with the WiFi/WiMax network supplier so that once the radio is publicly enabled and within range of a base station 50 or other network node (neighbouring utility meter radio), the user can have internet access via the radio network to those registered pieces of equipment having wireless capability eg. PC, WiFi telephone or laptop. A user may also register WiFi enabled electrical appliances such as a refrigerator or oven or washing machine in order to make use of services such as a load management facility operated by a utility company.

The controller 10 includes software that sends out a radio frequency signal whilst the radio is powered (effectively 24 hours a day as the meter is always connected). The signal is picked up by other WiFi radios in other neighbouring utility meters 100,200 and by one or more local base stations 50 such that each private radio system 10, 100, 200 is aware of the other private radio systems forming a private local area network and a wide area network.

The network 500 of the WiFi radios consists of the utility radios 10, 100, 200 and at least one base station 50. The base station 50 functions as a control centre for the local network and it logs the activity and status of each radio 20 in its range. This data is used not only for logging communications sent via the network 500 but also for determining optimum usage of the network as described below.It is envisaged that each or a significant proportion of premises in an area will have at least one WiFi enabled radio utility meter providing good signal coverage over the network.

Without public enablement, the network 500 is accessible only privately by the utility company that controls the meter and and/or a customer of the utility company for the specific purpose of utility related matters. For example, the network can be used to feed data from WiFi enabled appliances registered with the utility company to the utility company or to the user of the appliances to monitor electrical load usage/water usage etc. A firewall at the WiFi module prevents the network being accessible to the public.

However, the WiFi radio can also be publicly enabled such that the owner of the premises can access the internet via the radio network for public services such as roaming, voice communications, entertainment media,

Internet and remote home management. The user may register WiFi enabled pieces of equipment located in the premises, such as but not limited to a PC 60, WiFi telephone 70 or webcam 80. Public enablement of the WiFi radio is implemented by means of a password or code that is issued by the WiFi module supplier to either the base station 50 or directly to the WiFi enabled radio 10 of a user that is registered for public enablement. If the password is provided to the base station 50, it is then routed to the WiFi enabled radio 10. The user inputs the password into a software script run on the registered equipment to enable public internet access to that piece of equipment via the radio network. Once the radio is publicly enabled, the registered equipment can communicate with any other node on the internet.

The radio network 500 is a local area network (LAN) that communicates through the WiFi radios 20 in the utility meters 10 directly to the base station 50. Alternatively, a communication from the radio 20 may be routed via other utility meter radios 100, 200 in order to reach the base station 50. The base station 50 is a WiMax base station and is connected to a fibre optic public communication networks (not shown) that provides an interface between the radio network 500 and public service providers.

The base station 50 and the controller 30 of each WiFi radio 20 comprises software that includes the functionality to establish the presence of all WiFi radio utility meters 10, 100, 200 in the local network (this could be up to around 17km radius depending on the terrain and on how built up the area is) and to assess the load and capacity of the routes between neighbouring WiFi radio utility meters 10 and base stations 50. The software constantly monitors the signal strength, power transmitted by each radio 10 and bandwidth availablility for all radios 20 in the network and automatically determines a best route for a communication to/from a node (WiFi radio or base station) in the network. This is known as 'best route routing' or 'meshing'. Meshing is determined to optimise connectivity, optimum power and bandwidth usage within the network. The software constantly monitors the status of the network and adapts automatically to changing circumstances such as loads and faults to provide the best signal coverage for the network at the time. Furthermore, the software includes the functionality to recognise a new addition to the network or the removal of a radio from the network and to account for these changes in its determination of best routes.

In an embodiment, the base station 50 is also fitted with communication paths 32, 34, 36 for access to any of GSM, cable and landline. These alternative forms of communication provide a back up communication path in case of a fault with the radio network 500 or if the intended recipient of a communication is known not to have access to the radio network.

Figure 3 shows schematically an example of the bi-directional communications and routing between the services, utilities and interfaces of the system. In Figure 3a, a bi-directional communication path through and between the installed base of radio enabled utility meters is shown. Each meter will contain a unique identification address code, which will identify the delivery address for messages and sender identification.An electricity meter 10 handles and processes all local messages on the local area network 500. Communications from the electricity meter 10 to other utility meters such as gas and water meters 10a,10b, are serviced through a Pico radio network as will be readily understood by the skilled person. Each Pico network will carry its own unique identification code. The Pico network can also be used as a means of communication between the WiFi radio 20 and a home control device 65. A command message from a user can be sent remotely to the home control device 65 via the WiFi radio 20 which then uses the Pico network as an extension of the network at a premises level to relay the message to the home control device 65. In an embodiment, the home control device 65 is a device that is is in electronic communication with various home systems such as the lighting, heating, blind or curtain operation, white goods etc A user may therefore use the network as a means of remotely operating home systems.

Figure 3b shows a schematic representation of an interface to all the utility providers through the base station 50. The base station 50 is equipped with software to manage the routing, data management, information storage, billing and the listing of enabled public service nodes in the total network as shown schematically in Figure 3d.

Figure 3 c illustrates some of the public service networks which when the private radio system node is publicly enabled, can be provided to the user either directly through the base station 50 to an enabled utility radio 20 or directly to the utility radio 20 for distribution in the local area with payment authorisation, for the services, through the base station 50.

Figure 3e illustrates some of the services that can be provided to the user of a publicly enabled private radio system, such as telephone, entertainment, internet, home shopping and home management.

As will be appreciated by the skilled person, the embedding of a private radio network in utility meters has several advantages as follows.

The private radio network 500 may provide real-time communications in the utilities field, which current networks may be unable to provide. Furthermore, in response to the international drive to reduce consumption of fossil fuels and manage cost within the utilities service, the radio network may enable real-time control and management of resources and in addition reduce administration costs. In addition the radio system may be grown in line with the meter installation rate giving the utility company real-time data and control and the provision to provide the user with real-time consumption and cost information, enabling consumption and cost management by both the user and the utility company .Furthermore, metering data can be retrieved in real time, substantially reducing the utility's' costs as well as bad debts arising from inaccurate and late meter reads.

The private radio network enables the utilities companies to remotely manage, monitor and control their meters giving individual or blanket control, change tariffs and payments terms and provide real time customer information on an individual basis and by mass transmission. The unique identification address code of the radio utility meters can be used by the utilities as a means of selective or non-selective transmission.

The private radio system can also address the fraudulent acquiring of utility services in both the prepay and credit markets as the private radio system would enable real-time monitoring of individual consumptions, enabling instant comparisons to be made on usage against payment and or changes in usage profiles, thus reducing the risk of theft.

As the radio is embedded in the utility meter the system is protected and does not normally require additional cables, or land lines. This reduces the risk of tampering and damage and consequently provides a robust and secure national communication network for all the utility industries. This is enhanced due to the inability for members of the public to disconnect the electricity supply to the utility meter. Public enablement to the network also allows for public services to be provided to an end user, such as telephone, entertainment, internet, home shopping and home automation. Home may include other premises, such as small businesses, where appropriate.

Enablement of the system for public access provides for a non-intrusive interactive home/external and business/external communications networks without the inconvenience of having to lay cables in the road or otherwise cause inconvenience to the area or premises in which the network / radio is installed.

The density of the utility meter radio access points in a network may be significantly higher in comparison with e.g. a mobile telephone network. This will enable battery operated devices, such as mobile telephones and laptop computers, to operate at lower power levels than is normally the case with existing systems, where the density of access points is much less. This not only extends the life of these battery-operated devices but also reduces any possible health hazards as their radio radiation will be at lower power levels.

The utility meter can be WiFi enabled 24 hours a day. This "constant connect" nature of the system allows any suitable electrical devices installed in a customer's premises, for purposes such as those described above, to be continuously monitored with reports being fed back giving any required information when such information is needed.

Although the above embodiment has been described in terms of a WiFi/WiMax network, it is envisaged that other forms of networking technology could be adopted, such as but not limited to Zigbee or Z- Wave, without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims. Accordingly, any reference herein to WiFi radio or other WiFi enabled equipment will be understood by the skilled person to encompass radios and equipment enabled to the specific networking technology concerned.

Claims

1. A private broadband radio system having a unique identification address code and being embedded in a utility meter, the private radio system being arranged to communicate with private radio systems in neighbouring meters forming a private radio communication network of utility meter private radios, the private radio system being securely accessible by a utility provider for bi-directional communication between the utility provider and the private radio system via the private radio network, and in which the private radio system is capable of being publicly enabled to the private communication network for access to at least one of fixed telephone, cable or internet, roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer via the publicly enabled private radio network.

2. The private radio system of claim 1, in which the radio imbedded in a utility meter is configured to communicate through other neighbouring utility meters to a base station or to communicate directly with the base station.

3. The private radio system of claim 2, in which the base station is in communication with a landline, cable or GSM network and in which public access enabling of the radio utility meter provides access to the landline, cable or GSM network.

4. The private radio system of claim 1 in which the unique identification address code is known only to the utility provider and is imbedded in all utility messages to and from that address.

5. The private radio system of claim 1 in which the utility meter is an electricity meter or a gas meter or a water meter or a heat meter or an oil meter.

6. A private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems and a base station as claimed in any of claims 2 to 5.

7. The private radio network of claim 6, comprising a controller including a control algorithm to enable automatic connection best route routing through any and/or all the utility meter private radios within the communication network to provide optimum connectivity, power and bandwidth and provide a communication node at every suitably equipped meter location.

8. The private radio system of claim 7 in which the controller is located at the base station.

9. A private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems each embedded in a utility meter, in which each private radio system has the capability to communicate though a local radio frequency network either through other private radio systems and/or directly to a base station by being automatically routed through the other private radio systems in the private radio network or where the network is not complete or has failed, though an alternative communication media; and a controller including a set of instructions for implementing routing of communications through the network to enable automatic best route routing, power and bandwidth through any and/or all private radio systems and/or base stations within the private radio network to provide optimum connectivity and bandwidth.

10. The private radio network of claim 9 in which each private radio system is publicly enabled to the private communication network for access to at least one of fixed telephone, cable or internet, roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer via the private radio network.

11. The private radio network of claim 9, in which the base station is in communication with a landline, cable or GSM network and in which public access enabling of the radio utility meter provides access to the landline, cable or GSM network.

12. The private radio network of claim 9 in which the utility meter is an electricity meter or a gas meter or a water meter or a heat meter or an oil meter.

13. The private radio network of claim 1 or claim 9 in which routing of communications through the network by the controller is implemented to allow a utility provider to manage, monitor and control its utility meters either individually or via blanket control and provide real time customer information on an individual basis or by mass transmission.

14. The private radio network of claim 1 or claim 9, which is configurable to allow a user to remotely manage, monitor and control a utility meter to provide for energy management, peak usage reduction, change tariffs and payments terms and provide data access in real time.

15. The private radio network of claim 13 in which the utility meter is arranged to communicate with a premises automation device for the control of one or more of an advanced energy management system, demand control system, an energy monitoring and advice provision system.

16. A base station, comprising a controller configured for communication with the private radio system of claim 1 and/or the private radio network of claim 9.

17. A method of radio communication through a private radio network, the private radio network comprising a plurality of private radio systems each embedded in a utility meter, in which each private radio system has the capability to communicate though a local radio frequency network either through other private radio systems in the network and/or directly to a base station by being automatically routed through one or more of the other private radio systems, the method comprising the step of determining a communication route through the network to achieve optimum bandwidth, connectivity and power .

18. A method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of publicly enabling a private radio system of the private radio network for public access to to at least one of fixed telephone, cable or internet, roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer via the publicly enabled private radio network.

19. A private radio system having a unique identification address code and being embedded in a utility meter, the private radio system being arranged to communicate with private radio systems in neighbouring meters forming a private radio communication network of utility meter private radios, the private radio system being securely accessible by a utility provider for bi-directional communication between the utility provider and the private radio system via the private radio network, and in which the private radio system is capable of being publicly enabled to the private communication network for access to at least one of fixed telephone, cable or internet, roaming voice and data equipment and the provision of entertainment and media services to a suitably equipped customer via the publicly enabled private radio network.