EP0974946A2 - Optical communication system for utility meters - Google Patents

Optical communication system for utility meters Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0974946A2
EP0974946A2 EP99114445A EP99114445A EP0974946A2 EP 0974946 A2 EP0974946 A2 EP 0974946A2 EP 99114445 A EP99114445 A EP 99114445A EP 99114445 A EP99114445 A EP 99114445A EP 0974946 A2 EP0974946 A2 EP 0974946A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
communication system
signal
pulse width
data signal
meter
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99114445A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0974946A3 (en
Inventor
Mark Hamer
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 Ltd
Original Assignee
Siemens Metering Ltd
Landis and Gyr 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
Priority claimed from GBGB9815945.2A external-priority patent/GB9815945D0/en
Priority claimed from GBGB9815943.7A external-priority patent/GB9815943D0/en
Application filed by Siemens Metering Ltd, Landis and Gyr Ltd filed Critical Siemens Metering Ltd
Publication of EP0974946A2 publication Critical patent/EP0974946A2/en
Publication of EP0974946A3 publication Critical patent/EP0974946A3/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C23/00—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems
    • G08C23/04—Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems using light waves, e.g. infrared
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G08—SIGNALLING
    • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
    • G08C2201/00—Transmission systems of control signals via wireless link
    • G08C2201/50—Receiving or transmitting feedback, e.g. replies, status updates, acknowledgements, from the controlled devices
    • G08C2201/51—Remote controlling of devices based on replies, status thereof

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved communication system for utility meters. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved optical communication link to gas or electricity meters.
  • optical communication link means comprising a transmitter and a receiver.
  • the transmitter is often an infrared (IR) Light Emitting Diode (LED) and the receiver is an IR detector.
  • the optical communication link means is used for communication purposes with a receiving system.
  • the receiving system which may be a computer or a module in the case of a modular meter, is also fitted with an IR LED and detector.
  • the utility meter's IR LED transmits IR signals containing data information to the receiving system's IR detector.
  • the receiving system responds by transmitting IR signals from the receiving system's IR LED to the utility meter's IR detector.
  • a pulse output is used for calibration and testing purposes or for linking the meter to external equipment.
  • the optical communication link means and pulse output means have been separate devices.
  • the present invention advantageously allows for a reduction in component parts while enhancing the functionality of current utility meters.
  • a communication system for use with utility meters comprising a transmitter and a receiver disposed on a utility meter, and a further transmitter and receiver disposed on a receiver unit, said utility meter transmitter being arranged to transmit a data signal and a further signal to said receiver unit, said further signal having a pulse width greater than a pulse width of said data signal, and said receiver unit further comprising a separation means for separating said data signal and said further signal based on pulse width.
  • the data signal and the further signal are optical signals.
  • the optical signals may be infrared signals.
  • the optical signals may be visible signals.
  • the separation means may be a discrete component timing system. Alternatively, the separation means may be a microprocessor.
  • the utility meter may be a gas meter. Alternatively, the utility meter may be an electricity meter.
  • said further signal contains calibration information.
  • a method of communicating between a utility meter unit and a receiving unit comprising the steps of:
  • FIG. 1 shows a communications system 10 for utility meters according to the present invention.
  • a receiver 13 and a transmitter 14 are disposed on a utility meter 12.
  • a transmitter 16 and a receiver 17 disposed on a receiver unit 15.
  • the transmitters and receivers are configured such that communication between the utility meter and the receiver unit is possible.
  • the utility meter transmitter 14 is further configured to transmit data signals with a predefined pulse width. These data signals are received by the receiving unit's receiver 17.
  • the utility meter transmitter 14 is further configured to transmit a further signal with a pulse width greater than the predefined pulse width of the data signal.
  • the receiving unit further comprises a separation means 18 arranged to separate the data signal from the further signal based on the pulse width of the two signals. If the pulse width of the received signal is greater than that a predefined value, than the signal is recognised as being a signal containing calibration data. If the pulse width is approximately equal to the predefined value, than the signal is recognised as being a signal containing user data.
  • the signal with a pulse width greater than the predefined value may be a signal containing information other than calibration data.
  • the signal may be used to link the meter to external equipment.
  • the signal having a pulse width approximately equal to the predefined value may contain information other than user data.
  • the signals are optical signal and are generated by an LED.
  • other electromagnetic signals such as microwaves, could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 shows a typical pulse width separation circuit 18 suitable for use in the present invention.
  • the operation of the circuit is well known in the art.
  • a signal containing both data and calibration information is transmitted from the utility meter transmitter and received at input 20.
  • the circuit functions to separate the signal based on pulse width, with the component of the signal having a pulse width approximately equal to a predefined value being fed to data output 21 and the component of the signal with a pulse width greater than the predefined value being fed to calibration output 22.
  • the pulse width separation circuit 18 may be replaced with a microprocessor.
  • the utility meter is a gas meter and the optical signal is an Infrared signal.
  • the utility meter is an electricity meter and the optical signal is a visible signal.
  • the visible signal is a wavelength corresponding to the colour red and is generated by a red LED.
  • the utility meter is a water meter.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved optical communication system for gas or electricity meters. The system comprises a transmitter and a receiver disposed on a utility meter, and a further transmitter and receiver disposed on a receiver unit. The utility meter transmitter is arranged to transmit a data signal and a further signal to the receiver unit, with the further signal having a pulse width greater than a pulse width of the data signal. The receiver unit further comprises a separation means for separating the data signal and the further signal based on pulse width. The further signal may contain calibration information or be used to link the meter to external equipment. The present invention advantageously allows for a reduction in component parts while enhancing the functionality of the meter.

Description

  • The present invention relates to an improved communication system for utility meters. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved optical communication link to gas or electricity meters.
  • Currently, utility meters are fitted with an optical communication link means comprising a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is often an infrared (IR) Light Emitting Diode (LED) and the receiver is an IR detector. The optical communication link means is used for communication purposes with a receiving system. The receiving system, which may be a computer or a module in the case of a modular meter, is also fitted with an IR LED and detector.
  • Current optical communication link means work as follows. The utility meter's IR LED transmits IR signals containing data information to the receiving system's IR detector. The receiving system responds by transmitting IR signals from the receiving system's IR LED to the utility meter's IR detector.
  • However, some utility meters require in addition to an optical communication link, a pulse output. The pulse output is used for calibration and testing purposes or for linking the meter to external equipment. To date the optical communication link means and pulse output means have been separate devices.
  • Thus, a technical improvement to existing utility meters by combining the optical communications link means and pulse output means into a single device is addressed by the present invention.
  • The present invention advantageously allows for a reduction in component parts while enhancing the functionality of current utility meters.
  • According to the present invention there is provided a communication system for use with utility meters, the system comprising a transmitter and a receiver disposed on a utility meter, and a further transmitter and receiver disposed on a receiver unit, said utility meter transmitter being arranged to transmit a data signal and a further signal to said receiver unit, said further signal having a pulse width greater than a pulse width of said data signal, and said receiver unit further comprising a separation means for separating said data signal and said further signal based on pulse width.
  • According to an aspect of the present invention, the data signal and the further signal are optical signals. The optical signals may be infrared signals. The optical signals may be visible signals. The separation means may be a discrete component timing system. Alternatively, the separation means may be a microprocessor. The utility meter may be a gas meter. Alternatively, the utility meter may be an electricity meter.
  • According to a further aspect of the present invention said further signal contains calibration information.
  • According to the present invention there is provided a method of communicating between a utility meter unit and a receiving unit comprising the steps of:
  • transmitting a data signal and a further signal, said further signal having a pulse width greater than a pulse width of said data signal,
  • receiving said data signal and said further signal, and
  • separating said data signal and said further signal based on pulse width.
  • While the principal advantages and features of the invention have been described above, a greater understanding and appreciation of the invention may be obtained by referring to the drawings and detailed description of the preferred embodiment, presented by way of example only in which;
  • FIGURE 1 shows a communications system for utility meters according to the present invention, and
  • FIGURE 2 shows a circuit diagram of a typical pulse and data separation circuit.
  • Figure 1 shows a communications system 10 for utility meters according to the present invention. A receiver 13 and a transmitter 14 are disposed on a utility meter 12. Similarly, a transmitter 16 and a receiver 17 disposed on a receiver unit 15. The transmitters and receivers are configured such that communication between the utility meter and the receiver unit is possible. The utility meter transmitter 14 is further configured to transmit data signals with a predefined pulse width. These data signals are received by the receiving unit's receiver 17. The utility meter transmitter 14 is further configured to transmit a further signal with a pulse width greater than the predefined pulse width of the data signal. The receiving unit further comprises a separation means 18 arranged to separate the data signal from the further signal based on the pulse width of the two signals. If the pulse width of the received signal is greater than that a predefined value, than the signal is recognised as being a signal containing calibration data. If the pulse width is approximately equal to the predefined value, than the signal is recognised as being a signal containing user data.
  • As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the signal with a pulse width greater than the predefined value may be a signal containing information other than calibration data. For example, the signal may be used to link the meter to external equipment. Similarly, the signal having a pulse width approximately equal to the predefined value may contain information other than user data.
  • Preferably, the signals are optical signal and are generated by an LED. However, as will be appreciated, other electromagnetic signals, such as microwaves, could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a typical pulse width separation circuit 18 suitable for use in the present invention. The operation of the circuit is well known in the art. A signal containing both data and calibration information is transmitted from the utility meter transmitter and received at input 20. The circuit functions to separate the signal based on pulse width, with the component of the signal having a pulse width approximately equal to a predefined value being fed to data output 21 and the component of the signal with a pulse width greater than the predefined value being fed to calibration output 22.
  • As will be appreciated by those skilled the art, the pulse width separation circuit 18 may be replaced with a microprocessor.
  • In a first embodiment of the present invention, the utility meter is a gas meter and the optical signal is an Infrared signal.
  • In a second embodiment of the present invention, the utility meter is an electricity meter and the optical signal is a visible signal. In this embodiment the visible signal is a wavelength corresponding to the colour red and is generated by a red LED.
  • In a further embodiment of the present invention, the utility meter is a water meter.
  • As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various modifications may be made to the embodiment hereinbefore described without departing from scope of the present invention.

Claims (14)

  1. A communication system for use with utility meters, the system comprising a transmitter and a receiver disposed on a utility meter, and a further transmitter and receiver disposed on a receiver unit, said utility meter transmitter arranged to transmit a data signal and a further signal to said receiver unit, said further signal having a pulse width greater than a pulse width of said data signal, and said receiver unit further comprising a separation means for separating said data signal and said further signal based on pulse width.
  2. A communication system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said data signal and said further signal are optical signals.
  3. A communication system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said optical signals are infrared signals.
  4. A communication system as claimed in Claim 2, wherein said optical signals are visible signals.
  5. A communication system as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said visible signals are a wavelength corresponding to the colour red.
  6. A communication system as claimed in any of Claims 2-5, wherein said optical signals are generated by an LED.
  7. A communication system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said separation means is a discrete component timing system.
  8. A communication system as claimed in any of Claims 1-6, wherein said separation means is a microprocessor.
  9. A communication system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said utility meter is a gas meter.
  10. A communication system as claimed in any of Claims 1-8, wherein said utility meter is an electricity meter.
  11. A communication system as claimed in any of Claims 1-8, wherein said utility meter is a water meter.
  12. A communication system as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein said further signal contains calibration information.
  13. A method of communicating between a utility meter unit and a receiving unit comprising the steps of:
    transmitting a data signal and a further signal, said further signal having a pulse width greater than a pulse width of said data signal,
    receiving said data signal and said further signal, and
    separating said data signal and said further signal based on pulse width.
  14. A communication system as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
EP99114445A 1998-07-23 1999-07-22 Optical communication system for utility meters Withdrawn EP0974946A3 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9815945.2A GB9815945D0 (en) 1998-07-23 1998-07-23 Gas meter pulse output from an optical communication link
GB9815943 1998-07-23
GBGB9815943.7A GB9815943D0 (en) 1998-07-23 1998-07-23 Improved utility meters
GB9815945 1998-07-23

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0974946A2 true EP0974946A2 (en) 2000-01-26
EP0974946A3 EP0974946A3 (en) 2005-04-13

Family

ID=26314092

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99114445A Withdrawn EP0974946A3 (en) 1998-07-23 1999-07-22 Optical communication system for utility meters

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0974946A3 (en)
GB (1) GB2339986A (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955188A (en) * 1971-01-04 1976-05-04 Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Encoding technique for enabling a device to process different types of digital information transmitted along a single information channel
US4213119A (en) * 1976-04-29 1980-07-15 Energy Optics, Inc. Remote meter reading system providing demand readings and load control from conventional KWH meters
US4743901A (en) * 1985-04-03 1988-05-10 Nippon Soken, Inc. Signal transmission system
DE4321292A1 (en) * 1993-06-26 1995-01-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Method for serial transmission of measurement signals of a plurality of measurement parameters

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4868893A (en) * 1988-05-11 1989-09-19 Transdata, Inc. System for remote, interactive communication with a metal under ambient sunlight conditions

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3955188A (en) * 1971-01-04 1976-05-04 Honeywell Information Systems Inc. Encoding technique for enabling a device to process different types of digital information transmitted along a single information channel
US4213119A (en) * 1976-04-29 1980-07-15 Energy Optics, Inc. Remote meter reading system providing demand readings and load control from conventional KWH meters
US4743901A (en) * 1985-04-03 1988-05-10 Nippon Soken, Inc. Signal transmission system
DE4321292A1 (en) * 1993-06-26 1995-01-05 Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag Method for serial transmission of measurement signals of a plurality of measurement parameters

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9917108D0 (en) 1999-09-22
GB2339986A (en) 2000-02-09
EP0974946A3 (en) 2005-04-13

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
KR101366623B1 (en) Rf communication module and rf communication system
US4857727A (en) Optically powered remote sensors with timing discrimination
CA2347577A1 (en) Optical transponder and automatic optical signal type identification method for use therewith
WO2007037122A1 (en) Optical communication device, optical communication method and optical communication system
AU2003226727A1 (en) Network management system
AU2001270415A1 (en) High sensitivity reader for passive transponders
EP0758090A3 (en) An electromagnetic wave-to-optical signal converting and modulating device and a communication system using the same
SE9902623D0 (en) An electric apparatus having visual indicator means
Petrariu et al. VLC for vehicular communications: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) approach
AU2001250621A1 (en) Optical transponder
EP0905924A3 (en) Spatial transmission optical transceiver
JP2001244498A (en) Optical space transmitter
EP0974946A2 (en) Optical communication system for utility meters
EP0986207A3 (en) Transmission of a subchannel, using a pilot signal
EP1182809A3 (en) Safety shutdown system for a WDM fiber optic communications network
AU2001292475A1 (en) A transmitter-receiver device and a communication system
EP0905916A3 (en) Method and system for data transmission
JPS57190436A (en) Adjusting method for optical transmitting line
CA2093149A1 (en) Multipath Optical Transmission System Controller
EP1078480B1 (en) A device and method for wireless data transmission
WO2001095525A3 (en) Optical modules for redundancy in a broadband communication system
EP0876010A3 (en) Optical transmitting apparatus, optical receiving apparatus, and optical transmitting-receiving system
CA1217818A (en) Optical modulation/demodulation system
JPS5652947A (en) Signal transmitter and receiver
JP2000332698A (en) Optical communication apparatus

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20000616

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Extension state: AL LT LV MK RO SI

RIC1 Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant

Ipc: 7G 08C 19/22 B

Ipc: 7G 08C 23/04 A

AKX Designation fees paid
RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: LANDIS+GYR LIMITED

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566

RBV Designated contracting states (corrected)

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20060925

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20110201