WO2005114974A1 - System for remotely taking a reading from a fluid or energy consumption meter - Google Patents

System for remotely taking a reading from a fluid or energy consumption meter Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005114974A1
WO2005114974A1 PCT/FR2005/050319 FR2005050319W WO2005114974A1 WO 2005114974 A1 WO2005114974 A1 WO 2005114974A1 FR 2005050319 W FR2005050319 W FR 2005050319W WO 2005114974 A1 WO2005114974 A1 WO 2005114974A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
telephone
meter
transmitted
subscriber
counter
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PCT/FR2005/050319
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French (fr)
Inventor
Alain Torregrossa
Original Assignee
Alain Torregrossa
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Publication date
Application filed by Alain Torregrossa filed Critical Alain Torregrossa
Publication of WO2005114974A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005114974A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • H04M11/002—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems with telemetering systems

Definitions

  • System for remote reading of a counting state for a consumption of fluid or energy Field of the invention
  • the present invention relates to a system for remote reading of a counting state for a consumption water, gas or electricity from an electronic meter.
  • Numerous volumetric meters intended for measuring the consumption of electricity, gas, water, steam, etc. of users are installed inside residential, commercial or industrial premises and are not therefore not directly accessible to the agents responsible for collecting them. Consequently, to carry out this operation, these agents must enter the users' premises to visually record these consumptions, which poses major problems of availability, making appointments and time constraints.
  • the cost generated by this succession is significant considering the human component of this activity.
  • This box allows a connection to a portable data entry terminal which the officer in charge of the reading places against the box in order to collect the information making it possible to uniquely identify the customer and the metering status of the energy meter (s).
  • this information is the number of the meter which is associated with the identity of the customer.
  • this information is hereinafter called "customer identity or subscriber identity”.
  • the aim of the present invention is to develop means making it possible to remotely read the metering measurements of fluid (water, steam, compressed air) or energy (electricity, gas) meters which do not require the on-site intervention by an agent to carry out readings while being simple to set up for the user, without intervention on other private facilities of the user and leaving him the initiative of sending information, while securing this shipment and the information transmitted.
  • the invention relates to a remote reading system of the type defined above, characterized in that it consists of a transmission terminal connected to the counter and comprising an encoder for receive the counting status of the counter and code it in the form of a signal transmissible over the telephone network, a transmitter compatible with the receiver of a telephone apparatus (mechanical vibration signal, infrared signal), a command to trigger the call of the counting state and its transmission to the telephone, a reception terminal connected to the telephone network comprising a decoder for decoding the transmitted signal and giving a signal representing the reading information to the management unit for the process and issue the invoice.
  • This remote reading system can relate to the reading of the electricity meter, electronic, installed at the user.
  • the electronic counter within the meaning of the present invention is a counter providing electronic signals. It may be a mechanical counter equipped with a pulse sensor receiving the pulses emitted by a mechanical part of the counter, associated with the counting.
  • This remote reading system although using transmission via the telephone network and, in particular, the PSTN switched network, does not, however, access this network and the user's private installations (telephone or mobile phone). on the initiative of the user.
  • the latter first manually or automatically dials the recipient's telephone number, that is to say the terminal for receiving information, then, once the connection is established, he orders the call from the counting state in his counter and its transmission by the link thus established through his telephone.
  • the number or numbers of reception terminals can be pre-registered to be called automatically, but only on the initiative of the subscriber.
  • the control of the counting status in the case of several electronic meters associated with the same transmitting terminal can be done by a separate call button or a different command from the call button (for example one, two, three pulses ) depending on the counter concerned.
  • the counting states and more generally the identity information associated with each counter being of a very different nature there can be no operating error in the reception terminal which will automatically reject the 'wrong counting state.
  • the reception terminal can also be equipped with a text-to-speech system to send an error message back to the reception of an incorrect counting status or coming from a counter that is not intended for it and ask the subscriber to resume his operation by detailing the steps of the maneuver to be performed.
  • This remote reading system thus avoids any movement of an agent to read the meter (s).
  • the transmission is secured by coding the signals exchanged.
  • the information transmitted to the reception terminal of the management unit is just as complete as that carried out during an on-site survey because, in addition to the identity of the subscriber and the counting state, the message transmitted can also include various information from other sensors fitted to the electronic meter such as sensors for instantaneous maximum consumption or the opening of the meter housing.
  • the fluid or energy supplier thus receives all the information confirming the integrity of its metering system installed at the subscriber, any failures and misuse or fraudulent use of the metering system.
  • the transmission terminal includes a clock and an alarm device controlled by the clock, programmed according to the periodicity of the readings, so as to automatically send a reminder signal by the alarm on the date scheduled for dispatch. counting status.
  • the transmitter of the reception terminal is a generator of coded sound signals emitted by a loudspeaker to be received by the microphone of the telephone and thus to be transmitted by the telephone of the subscriber, the communication having been previously established. between this telephone and the reception terminal, which is the simplest way to transmit the counting status by the subscriber's telephone set.
  • the generator of the transmission terminal is a generator of infrared signals communicating with the infrared receiver of the telephone apparatus (portable equipped with an infrared port).
  • the remote reading system of a counting state relates to a fluid meter 1 (water, steam, compressed air) or energy (electricity or gas) installed at a user or subscriber connected to a fluid or energy supplier to which he is bound by a contract defining the methods of supply metering and in particular the periodicity of the statement of the state of consumption counting for billing purposes.
  • a fluid meter 1 water, steam, compressed air
  • energy electricality or gas
  • This system consists of a transmitting terminal 2 installed at the customer and communicating with its telephone installation 3 on the initiative of the customer and a receiving terminal 4 installed in the management and billing center 5 of the supplier to whom the customer can access through its telephone installation.
  • the system can deal with the same transmission terminal 2 several fluid and energy meters 1, 6 and send the information to one or more management and billing centers of different suppliers.
  • the system applies to an electronic meter 1 installed on the LF supply line (gas or electricity supply or water, steam or compressed air supply).
  • Another counter 6 is shown by way of example. The counters can send more or less information in addition to that of the counting status. This is the case with an electronic electricity meter whereas a mechanical meter will generally be limited to the sole transmission of its counting state.
  • This counter known, equipping (already) the customer or the subscriber, very schematically consists of a consumption sensor 11, supplying measurement information SMC of consumption in the form of coded signals defined by the supplier having installed the counter.
  • the counter 1 is managed by a microprocessor 12 and includes a memory 13 recording the counting information as well as the additional information SIC supplied by one or more other sensors 14, 15, 16 such as an instant over-consumption or maximum instant consumption sensor. , a metering system protection sensor detecting the openings thereof.
  • the transmission terminal 2 is connected by a control and information transmission line 7 to the counter (s) 1, 6.
  • the transmission terminal 2 consists of a microprocessor 21 managing the operations , an encoder 22 which receives the global counting message SMD transmitted by the counter 1 to put it in the form of a signal S transmissible by the telephone network 8.
  • the encoder 22 is connected to a transmitter 23 which transmits the signal to the telephone set 3 of the subscriber.
  • This telephone set is a fixed or cordless set equipped with a dial 31 and possibly a display 32. It can also be a mobile telephone and, in this case, even a mobile telephone provided with an infrared port in which case the transmitter is preferably equipped with an infrared transmitter.
  • the transmission terminal 2 also comprises a command 24, for example a button by which the subscriber calls the counter 1 and starts the transmission of the counting message SMD and thus that of the coded signal S to his telephone 3.
  • the terminal 2 is advantageously equipped with a clock 25 programmed as a function of the date or the periodicity of the readings to set the status an alarm device 26 such as an indicator light indicating that a readout must be made.
  • the terminal 2 can also include a display 27 for displaying the information, in particular the operating information.
  • the subscriber will actuate command 24 to successively call the different counters and transmit the counting information to the terminal reception.
  • the transmission of the signal S between the transmission terminal 2 and the subscriber's telephone 3 thus takes place either in the form of mechanical vibrations (audible sounds or infrasound) transmitted by the transmitter 23 to the microphone of the telephone, or by a infrared link.
  • the transmitter 23 is a loudspeaker and in the other case, it is an infrared diode. It can also be a wired link between the transmitting terminal 2 and the telephone set 3, without this calling into question the initiative left to the subscriber to establish communication with the terminal. nal of reception and then transmit the counting signal and the information associated with it. In all cases, the telephone set 3 transmits the signal S which it receives from the transmitter 23 via the telephone network 8 to the reception terminal 4.
  • the reception terminal 4 equipping the management and billing center 5 of the supplier consists very schematically of a receiver 41 and a decoder 42 making it possible to decode the signal S received to recover the information relating to the counting message, that is to say the identity of the subscriber, the counting status and the various additional information relating to the operation and use of the counter 1.
  • This information INF is transmitted to the management unit 51 of the management and billing center which first verifies the identity of the subscriber then the consistency of the information transmitted, in particular the counting status and completes this information when recording the current date. If the metering information is correct, the management and invoicing center 5 establishes the invoice 9. If this information is not consistent, the message is rejected.
  • the management unit 51 systematically sends back a message of correct reception or incorrect reception of reading data if the counting message has not been received correctly or if the message is erroneous and it requests it to resend a message.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for remotely taking a reading, for example relating to water, gas or electricity consumption, from an electronic meter. The inventive system consists of a transmitting terminal (2) which is connected to the meter(s) (1), (1, 6) and which comprises: an encoder (22) for receiving the reading (SMD) from the meter (1) in order to encode same in the form of a signal (S) that can be transmitted over the telephone network (8); a transmitter (23) which is compatible with the receiver of a telephone; and a control element (24) which triggers the calling of the meter in order for the reading to be taken and transmitted to the telephone (3) of a receiving terminal (4) which is connected to the telephone network (8). The aforementioned receiving terminal (4) is equipped with a decoder (42) for decoding the transmitted signal and supplying a signal which is representative of the information (INF) relating to the reading and which is to be transmitted to the management unit (51) where it can be recorded and an invoice (9) drawn up.

Description

« Système de relevé à distance d'un état de comptage d'une consommation de fluide ou d'énergie » Domaine de l'invention La présente invention concerne un système de relevé à dis- tance d'un état de comptage d'une consommation d'eau, de gaz ou d'électricité à partir d'un compteur électronique. Etat de la technique De nombreux compteurs volumétriques destinés à mesurer les consommations d'électricité, de gaz, d'eau, de vapeur... d'utilisateurs sont installés à l'intérieur de locaux d'habitations, commerciaux ou industriels et ne sont donc pas directement accessibles aux agents chargés de les relever. Par suite, pour effectuer cette opération, ces agents doivent pénétrer chez les utilisateurs pour relever visuellement ces consommations, ce qui pose de gros problèmes de disponibilité, de prises de rendez- vous et de contraintes horaires. De surcroît, le coût engendré par cette relève est important compte tenu de la composante humaine de cette activité. Pour diminuer ce coût, certains fournisseurs de fluide (eau, vapeur) ou d'énergie (électricité, gaz) proposent des systèmes de relevé fait directement par l'utilisateur qui fournit périodiquement l'information au(x) fournisseur(s). L'état des compteurs est relevé par un agent avec une périodicité plus grande, par exemple annuelle. Cette solution permet certes de réduire le nombre d'opérations à effectuer directement sur les comp- teurs mais néanmoins de temps en temps il faut faire un relevé de contrôle pour la facture définitive. De plus, la fiabilité du système dans l'intervalle des contrôles n'est pas toujours assurée car les informations fournies par les utilisateurs peuvent être erronées. Il existe également un système de relève faite à l'extérieur des locaux grâce à un boîtier relié aux compteurs électroniques mesurant la consommation d'énergie (électricité et/ ou gaz). Ce boîtier permet une connexion à un terminal de saisie portable que l'agent chargé du relevé place contre le boîtier pour relever ainsi les informations permettant d'identifier de manière univoque le client et l'état du comptage du ou des compteurs d'énergie. Dans le cas d'un compteur électronique d'électricité, cette information est le numéro du compteur qui est associé à l'identité du client. Par convention, cette information est appelée ci-après « identité du client ou identité de l'abonné ». Bien que ce système soit intéressant car il ne nécessite pas l'accès aux locaux, il demande néanmoins le passage d'un agent. Le système nécessite également l'installation du boîtier à l'extérieur ou en façade des locaux ce qui peut représenter un certain coût. Enfin, dans le cas d'immeubles en copropriété, pour l'installation d'un tel système de relevé il faut l'accord de la copropriété ce qui n'est pas aussi simple que pour un client unique et entraîne des délais. But de l'invention La présente invention a pour but de développer des moyens permettant de relever à distance les mesures de comptage de compteurs de fluide (eau, vapeur, air comprimé) ou d'énergie (électricité, gaz) ne nécessitant pas l'intervention sur place d'un agent pour effectuer des relevés tout en étant d'une mise en place simple chez l'utilisateur, sans intervention sur les autres installations privatives de l'utilisateur et lui laissant l'initiative de l'envoi des informations, tout en sécurisant cet envoi et les informations transmises.“System for remote reading of a counting state for a consumption of fluid or energy” Field of the invention The present invention relates to a system for remote reading of a counting state for a consumption water, gas or electricity from an electronic meter. State of the art Numerous volumetric meters intended for measuring the consumption of electricity, gas, water, steam, etc. of users are installed inside residential, commercial or industrial premises and are not therefore not directly accessible to the agents responsible for collecting them. Consequently, to carry out this operation, these agents must enter the users' premises to visually record these consumptions, which poses major problems of availability, making appointments and time constraints. In addition, the cost generated by this succession is significant considering the human component of this activity. To reduce this cost, some suppliers of fluid (water, steam) or energy (electricity, gas) offer reading systems made directly by the user who periodically provides the information to the supplier (s). The state of the meters is read by an agent with a greater periodicity, for example annual. This solution certainly makes it possible to reduce the number of operations to be carried out directly on the counters but nevertheless from time to time it is necessary to make a control statement for the final invoice. In addition, the reliability of the system in the interval between checks is not always guaranteed because the information provided by users may be incorrect. There is also a reading system made outside the premises thanks to a box connected to electronic meters measuring energy consumption (electricity and / or gas). This box allows a connection to a portable data entry terminal which the officer in charge of the reading places against the box in order to collect the information making it possible to uniquely identify the customer and the metering status of the energy meter (s). In the case of an electronic electricity meter, this information is the number of the meter which is associated with the identity of the customer. By convention, this information is hereinafter called "customer identity or subscriber identity". Although this system is interesting because it does not require access to the premises, it nevertheless requires the passage of an agent. The system also requires the installation of the box outside or on the front of the premises, which can represent a certain cost. Finally, in the case of co-owned buildings, for the installation of such a survey system, the co-ownership agreement is required, which is not as simple as for a single client and involves delays. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to develop means making it possible to remotely read the metering measurements of fluid (water, steam, compressed air) or energy (electricity, gas) meters which do not require the on-site intervention by an agent to carry out readings while being simple to set up for the user, without intervention on other private facilities of the user and leaving him the initiative of sending information, while securing this shipment and the information transmitted.
Exposé et avantages de l'invention A cet effet, l'invention concerne un système de relevé à distance du type défini ci-dessus caractérisé en ce qu'il se compose d'un terminal d'émission relié au compteur et comportant un codeur pour recevoir l'état de comptage du compteur et le coder sous la forme d'un signal transmissible par le réseau téléphonique, un émetteur compatible avec le récepteur d'un appareil téléphonique (signal vibratoire mécanique, signal infrarouge), une commande pour déclencher l'appel de l'état de comptage et sa transmission vers le téléphone, un terminal de réception relié au ré- seau téléphonique comportant un décodeur pour décoder le signal transmis et donner un signal représentant l'information de relevé vers l'unité de gestion pour la traiter et établir la facture. Ce système de relevé à distance peut concerner le relevé du compteur d'électricité, électronique, installé chez l'utilisateur. Il peut éga- lement s'agir du relevé du compteur à gaz ou d'un compteur de fluide tel qu'un compteur d'eau, de vapeur ou d'air comprimé. Les destinataires du relevé peuvent être un fournisseur unique ou les différents fournisseurs d'énergie et de fluide. Le compteur électronique au sens de la présente invention est un compteur fournissant des signaux électroniques. Il peut s'agir d'un compteur mécanique équipé d'un capteur d'impulsions recevant les impulsions émises par une pièce mécanique du compteur, associée au comptage. Ce système de relevé à distance bien qu'utilisant la transmission par le réseau téléphonique et, en particulier, le réseau commuté RTC, n'accède toutefois à ce réseau et aux installations privatives de l'utilisateur (poste de téléphone ou téléphone portable) que sur l'initiative de l'utilisateur. En effet, celui-ci compose d'abord manuellement ou automatiquement le numéro de téléphone du destinataire, c'est-à-dire du terminal de réception de l'information puis, une fois la liaison établie, il commande l'appel de l'état de comptage dans son compteur et sa transmission par la liaison ainsi établie à travers son téléphone. Suivant le niveau de développement de son installation téléphonique, le ou les numéros des terminaux de réception peuvent être préenregistrés pour être appelés automatiquement, mais seulement sur l'initiative de l'abonné. La commande de l'état de comptage en cas de plusieurs compteurs électroniques associés au même terminal d'émission, peut se faire par un bouton d'appel distinct ou une commande différente du bouton d'appel (par exemple une, deux, trois impulsions) suivant le compteur concerné. De toute façon même en cas d'erreur, les états de comptage et plus généralement les informations d'identité associées à chaque compteur étant de nature très différente, il ne peut y avoir erreur d'exploitation dans le terminal de réception qui rejettera automatiquement l'état de comptage erroné. Le terminal de réception peut également être équipé d'un système de synthèse vocale pour envoyer en retour à la réception d'un état de comptage erroné ou provenant d'un compteur qui ne lui est pas destiné, un message d'erreur et demander à l'abonné de reprendre son opération en lui détaillant les étapes de la manœuvre à effectuer. Ce système de relevé à distance évite ainsi tout déplacement d'un agent pour effectuer la relève du ou des compteurs. La transmission est sécurisée par le codage des signaux échangés. L'information transmise vers le terminal de réception de l'unité de gestion est tout aussi complète que celle effectuée lors d'un relevé sur place car, outre l'identité de l'abonné et l'état de comptage, le message transmis peut également comporter diverses informations d'autres capteurs équipant le compteur électronique tels que des capteurs de consommation maximale instantanée ou l'ouverture du boîtier du compteur. Le fournisseur de fluide ou d'énergie reçoit ainsi toutes les informations lui confirmant l'intégrité de son système de comptage installé chez l'abonné, les éventuelles défaillances et les mauvaises utilisations ou utilisations frauduleuses du système de comptage. De façon avantageuse, le terminal d'émission comporte une horloge et un dispositif avertisseur commandé par l'horloge, programmée suivant la périodicité des relevés, de façon à émettre automatiquement un signal de rappel par l'avertisseur à la date prévue pour l'envoi de l'état de comptage. Ce système de rappel permet d'informer l'abonné ou de lui rappeler le moment auquel il doit envoyer l'état de comptage à son fournisseur. Selon l'invention, l'émetteur du terminal de réception est un générateur de signaux sonores codés émis par un haut-parleur pour être reçus par le micro du téléphone et être ainsi transmis par le téléphone de l'abonné, la communication étant préalablement établie entre ce téléphone et le terminal de réception ce qui constitue la façon la plus simple pour transmettre l'état de comptage par le poste téléphonique de l'abonné. Suivant une autre caractéristique, le générateur du terminal d'émission est un générateur de signaux infrarouges communiquant avec le récepteur infrarouge de l'appareil téléphonique (portable équipé d'un port infrarouge). La transmission de l'information se fait alors dans les mêmes conditions qu'avec un combiné téléphonique puisque l'abonné établit d'abord la communication avec le terminal de réception puis il commande l'envoi de l'état de comptage ou, plus généralement, du message de comptage. Dessin La présente invention sera décrite ci-après de manière plus détaillée à l'aide d'un système de relevé à distance représenté sous la forme d'un schéma par blocs dans l'unique figure annexée. Description du mode de réalisation Selon la figure, le système de relevé à distance d'un état de comptage concerne un compteur 1 de fluide (eau, vapeur, air comprimé) ou d'énergie (électricité ou gaz) installé chez un utilisateur ou abonné relié à un fournisseur de fluide ou d'énergie auquel il est lié par un contrat définissant les modalités du comptage de fourniture et notamment la périodicité du relevé de l'état de comptage de la consommation en vue de l'établissement de la facture. Ce système se compose d'un terminal d'émission 2 installé chez le client et communiquant avec son installation téléphonique 3 sur l'initiative du client et un terminal de réception 4 installé dans le centre de gestion et de facturation 5 du fournisseur auquel le client peut accéder par son installation téléphonique. Le système peut traiter avec le même terminal d'émission 2 plusieurs compteurs de fluide et d'énergie 1, 6 et envoyer les informations à un ou plusieurs centres de gestion et de facturation de différents fournisseurs. Selon la figure, le système s'applique à un compteur électronique 1 installé sur la ligne de fourniture LF (arrivée de gaz ou d'électricité ou arrivée d'eau, de vapeur ou d'air comprimé). Un autre compteur 6 est représenté à titre d'exemple. Les compteurs peuvent envoyer plus ou moins d'informations en complément de celle de l'état de comptage. Il en est ainsi d'un compteur électronique d'électricité alors qu'un compteur mécanique sera en général limité à la seule transmission de son état de comptage. Ce compteur 1, connu, équipant (déjà) le client ou l'abonné, se compose très schématiquement d'un capteur de consommation 11, fournissant des informations de mesure SMC de la consommation sous la forme de signaux codés définis par le fournisseur ayant installé le compteur. Le compteur 1 est géré par un microprocesseur 12 et comporte une mémoire 13 enregistrant les informations de comptage ainsi que les informations complémentaires SIC fournies par un ou plusieurs autres capteurs 14, 15, 16 tels qu'un capteur de surconsommation instantanée ou de consommation maximale instantanée, un capteur de protection du système de comptage détectant les ouvertures de celui-ci. Le terminal d'émission 2 est relié par une ligne de com- mande et de transmission d'informations 7 au(x) compteur(s) 1, 6. Le terminal d'émission 2 se compose d'un microprocesseur 21 gérant les opérations, d'un codeur 22 qui reçoit le message global de comptage SMD transmis par le compteur 1 pour le mettre sous la forme d'un signal S transmissible par le réseau téléphonique 8. Pour cela, le codeur 22 est relié à un émetteur 23 qui transmet le signal vers le poste téléphonique 3 de l'abonné. Ce poste téléphonique est un poste fixe ou sans fil équipé d'un cadran 31 et éventuellement d'un afficheur 32. Il peut également s'agir d'un téléphone mobile et, dans ce cas, même d'un téléphone mobile muni d'un port infrarouge auquel cas l'émetteur est, de préférence, équipé d'un émetteur infrarouge. Le terminal d'émission 2 comporte également une commande 24, par exemple un bouton par lequel l'abonné appelle le compteur 1 et lance la transmission du message de comptage SMD et ainsi celle du signal codé S vers son téléphone 3. Le terminal 2 est avantageusement équipé d'une horloge 25 programmée en fonction de la date ou de la périodicité des relevés pour mettre à l'état un dispositif avertisseur 26 tel qu'un voyant indiquant qu'un relevé doit être fait. Le terminal 2 peut également comporter un afficheur 27 pour afficher les informations, notamment les informations de fonctionnement. Lorsque l'abonné veut transmettre le message de comptage vers le terminal de réception 4, il établit d'abord la liaison téléphonique avec le terminal 4 en utilisant son téléphone 3 et en formant le numéro avec le cadran 31 ou de manière automatique en appelant un numéro abrégé. Puis, une fois la liaison établie, il actionne la commande 24 pour lancer par cette impulsion la transmission du signal de message de consommation et d'informations SMD vers le terminal 2, puis par son poste 3 et la ligne 8 vers le terminal de réception 4. Dans le cas de plusieurs compteurs gérés par le même terminal de réception 4, et des compteurs reliés au même terminal d'émission, l'abonné actionnera la commande 24 pour appeler successivement les différents compteurs et transmettre les informations de comptage vers le terminal de réception. La transmission du signal S entre le terminal d'émission 2 et le téléphone 3 de l'abonné se fait ainsi soit sous la forme de vibrations mécaniques (sons audibles ou infrasons) transmises par l'émetteur 23 au micro du téléphone, soit par une liaison par infrarouge. Dans un cas, l'émetteur 23 est un haut-parleur et dans l'autre cas, il s'agit d'une diode infrarouge. Il peut également s'agir d'une liaison câblée entre le terminal d'émission 2 et le poste de téléphone 3, sans que cela ne remette en cause l'initiative laissée à l'abonné pour établir la communication avec le termi- nal de réception et ensuite transmettre le signal de comptage et les informations associées à celui-ci. Dans tous les cas, le poste de téléphone 3 transmet le signal S qu'il reçoit de l'émetteur 23 par le réseau téléphonique 8 vers le terminal de réception 4. Le terminal de réception 4 équipant le centre de gestion et de facturation 5 du fournisseur se compose très schématiquement d'un récepteur 41 et d'un décodeur 42 permettant de décoder le signal S reçu pour récupérer les informations relatives au message de comptage, c'est-à- dire l'identité de l'abonné, l'état de comptage et les différentes informations complémentaires relatives au fonctionnement et à l'utilisation du compteur 1. Ces informations INF sont transmises à l'unité de gestion 51 du centre de gestion et de facturation qui vérifie d'abord l'identité de l'abonné puis la cohérence des informations transmises, notamment l'état de comptage et complète ces informations à l'enregistrement de la date du jour. Si les informations de comptage sont correctes, le centre de gestion et de facturation 5 établit la facture 9. Si ces informations ne sont pas cohérentes, le message est rejeté. L'unité de gestion 51 renvoie systématiquement un message de réception correcte ou de réception incorrecte des données de relève si le message de comptage n'a pas été reçu correctement ou si le message est erroné et il lui demande de renvoyer un message. Description and advantages of the invention To this end, the invention relates to a remote reading system of the type defined above, characterized in that it consists of a transmission terminal connected to the counter and comprising an encoder for receive the counting status of the counter and code it in the form of a signal transmissible over the telephone network, a transmitter compatible with the receiver of a telephone apparatus (mechanical vibration signal, infrared signal), a command to trigger the call of the counting state and its transmission to the telephone, a reception terminal connected to the telephone network comprising a decoder for decoding the transmitted signal and giving a signal representing the reading information to the management unit for the process and issue the invoice. This remote reading system can relate to the reading of the electricity meter, electronic, installed at the user. It can also be the reading of the gas meter or a fluid meter such as a water, steam or compressed air meter. The recipients of the statement can be a single supplier or the various suppliers of energy and fluid. The electronic counter within the meaning of the present invention is a counter providing electronic signals. It may be a mechanical counter equipped with a pulse sensor receiving the pulses emitted by a mechanical part of the counter, associated with the counting. This remote reading system, although using transmission via the telephone network and, in particular, the PSTN switched network, does not, however, access this network and the user's private installations (telephone or mobile phone). on the initiative of the user. Indeed, the latter first manually or automatically dials the recipient's telephone number, that is to say the terminal for receiving information, then, once the connection is established, he orders the call from the counting state in his counter and its transmission by the link thus established through his telephone. Depending on the level of development of its telephone installation, the number or numbers of reception terminals can be pre-registered to be called automatically, but only on the initiative of the subscriber. The control of the counting status in the case of several electronic meters associated with the same transmitting terminal can be done by a separate call button or a different command from the call button (for example one, two, three pulses ) depending on the counter concerned. In any case even in the event of an error, the counting states and more generally the identity information associated with each counter being of a very different nature, there can be no operating error in the reception terminal which will automatically reject the 'wrong counting state. The reception terminal can also be equipped with a text-to-speech system to send an error message back to the reception of an incorrect counting status or coming from a counter that is not intended for it and ask the subscriber to resume his operation by detailing the steps of the maneuver to be performed. This remote reading system thus avoids any movement of an agent to read the meter (s). The transmission is secured by coding the signals exchanged. The information transmitted to the reception terminal of the management unit is just as complete as that carried out during an on-site survey because, in addition to the identity of the subscriber and the counting state, the message transmitted can also include various information from other sensors fitted to the electronic meter such as sensors for instantaneous maximum consumption or the opening of the meter housing. The fluid or energy supplier thus receives all the information confirming the integrity of its metering system installed at the subscriber, any failures and misuse or fraudulent use of the metering system. Advantageously, the transmission terminal includes a clock and an alarm device controlled by the clock, programmed according to the periodicity of the readings, so as to automatically send a reminder signal by the alarm on the date scheduled for dispatch. counting status. This reminder system allows the subscriber to be informed or reminded of the moment at which he must send the counting status to his supplier. According to the invention, the transmitter of the reception terminal is a generator of coded sound signals emitted by a loudspeaker to be received by the microphone of the telephone and thus to be transmitted by the telephone of the subscriber, the communication having been previously established. between this telephone and the reception terminal, which is the simplest way to transmit the counting status by the subscriber's telephone set. According to another characteristic, the generator of the transmission terminal is a generator of infrared signals communicating with the infrared receiver of the telephone apparatus (portable equipped with an infrared port). The transmission of information is then done under the same conditions as with a telephone handset since the subscriber first establishes communication with the receiving terminal and then orders the sending of the counting state or, more generally , of the counting message. Drawing The present invention will be described below in more detail using a remote reading system shown in the form of a block diagram in the single appended figure. Description of the embodiment According to the figure, the remote reading system of a counting state relates to a fluid meter 1 (water, steam, compressed air) or energy (electricity or gas) installed at a user or subscriber connected to a fluid or energy supplier to which he is bound by a contract defining the methods of supply metering and in particular the periodicity of the statement of the state of consumption counting for billing purposes. This system consists of a transmitting terminal 2 installed at the customer and communicating with its telephone installation 3 on the initiative of the customer and a receiving terminal 4 installed in the management and billing center 5 of the supplier to whom the customer can access through its telephone installation. The system can deal with the same transmission terminal 2 several fluid and energy meters 1, 6 and send the information to one or more management and billing centers of different suppliers. According to the figure, the system applies to an electronic meter 1 installed on the LF supply line (gas or electricity supply or water, steam or compressed air supply). Another counter 6 is shown by way of example. The counters can send more or less information in addition to that of the counting status. This is the case with an electronic electricity meter whereas a mechanical meter will generally be limited to the sole transmission of its counting state. This counter 1, known, equipping (already) the customer or the subscriber, very schematically consists of a consumption sensor 11, supplying measurement information SMC of consumption in the form of coded signals defined by the supplier having installed the counter. The counter 1 is managed by a microprocessor 12 and includes a memory 13 recording the counting information as well as the additional information SIC supplied by one or more other sensors 14, 15, 16 such as an instant over-consumption or maximum instant consumption sensor. , a metering system protection sensor detecting the openings thereof. The transmission terminal 2 is connected by a control and information transmission line 7 to the counter (s) 1, 6. The transmission terminal 2 consists of a microprocessor 21 managing the operations , an encoder 22 which receives the global counting message SMD transmitted by the counter 1 to put it in the form of a signal S transmissible by the telephone network 8. For this, the encoder 22 is connected to a transmitter 23 which transmits the signal to the telephone set 3 of the subscriber. This telephone set is a fixed or cordless set equipped with a dial 31 and possibly a display 32. It can also be a mobile telephone and, in this case, even a mobile telephone provided with an infrared port in which case the transmitter is preferably equipped with an infrared transmitter. The transmission terminal 2 also comprises a command 24, for example a button by which the subscriber calls the counter 1 and starts the transmission of the counting message SMD and thus that of the coded signal S to his telephone 3. The terminal 2 is advantageously equipped with a clock 25 programmed as a function of the date or the periodicity of the readings to set the status an alarm device 26 such as an indicator light indicating that a readout must be made. The terminal 2 can also include a display 27 for displaying the information, in particular the operating information. When the subscriber wants to transmit the counting message to the reception terminal 4, he first establishes the telephone link with the terminal 4 using his telephone 3 and dialing the number with the dial 31 or automatically by calling a abbreviated number. Then, once the connection is established, it activates the command 24 to launch by this pulse the transmission of the consumption message and SMD information signal to the terminal 2, then by its station 3 and the line 8 to the reception terminal. 4. In the case of several counters managed by the same reception terminal 4, and counters connected to the same transmission terminal, the subscriber will actuate command 24 to successively call the different counters and transmit the counting information to the terminal reception. The transmission of the signal S between the transmission terminal 2 and the subscriber's telephone 3 thus takes place either in the form of mechanical vibrations (audible sounds or infrasound) transmitted by the transmitter 23 to the microphone of the telephone, or by a infrared link. In one case, the transmitter 23 is a loudspeaker and in the other case, it is an infrared diode. It can also be a wired link between the transmitting terminal 2 and the telephone set 3, without this calling into question the initiative left to the subscriber to establish communication with the terminal. nal of reception and then transmit the counting signal and the information associated with it. In all cases, the telephone set 3 transmits the signal S which it receives from the transmitter 23 via the telephone network 8 to the reception terminal 4. The reception terminal 4 equipping the management and billing center 5 of the supplier consists very schematically of a receiver 41 and a decoder 42 making it possible to decode the signal S received to recover the information relating to the counting message, that is to say the identity of the subscriber, the counting status and the various additional information relating to the operation and use of the counter 1. This information INF is transmitted to the management unit 51 of the management and billing center which first verifies the identity of the subscriber then the consistency of the information transmitted, in particular the counting status and completes this information when recording the current date. If the metering information is correct, the management and invoicing center 5 establishes the invoice 9. If this information is not consistent, the message is rejected. The management unit 51 systematically sends back a message of correct reception or incorrect reception of reading data if the counting message has not been received correctly or if the message is erroneous and it requests it to resend a message.

Claims

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S 1°) Système de relevé à distance d'un état de comptage, notamment d'une consommation d'eau, de gaz ou d'électricité à partir d'un compteur électronique, composé - d'un terminal d'émission (2) relié au(x) compteur(s) (1, 6) et comportant un codeur (22) pour recevoir l'état de comptage (SMD) du compteur (1), pour le coder sous la forme d'un signal (S) transmissible par le réseau téléphonique (8) et d'un émetteur (23) compatible avec le récepteur d'un appareil téléphonique, et - d'un terminal de réception (4) relié au réseau téléphonique (8) comportant un décodeur (42) pour décoder le signal transmis et donner un signal représentant l'information (INF) de relevé à transmettre vers l'unité de gestion (51) pour l'enregistrer et établir la facture (9), caractérisé par une commande (24) actionnée par l'abonné pour déclencher l'appel de l'état de comptage et sa transmission vers le téléphone (3),CLAIMS 1 °) System for remote reading of a counting state, in particular of a consumption of water, gas or electricity from an electronic meter, composed of - an emission terminal (2 ) connected to the counter (s) (1, 6) and comprising an encoder (22) for receiving the counting state (SMD) from the counter (1), for encoding it in the form of a signal (S ) transmissible by the telephone network (8) and a transmitter (23) compatible with the receiver of a telephone apparatus, and - a reception terminal (4) connected to the telephone network (8) comprising a decoder (42 ) to decode the transmitted signal and give a signal representing the information (INF) of the statement to be transmitted to the management unit (51) for recording and establishing the invoice (9), characterized by an actuated command (24) by the subscriber to trigger the call of the counting state and its transmission to the telephone (3),
2°) Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu' un générateur de signaux sonores codés émis par un haut-parleur pour être reçus par le micro du téléphone et être ainsi transmis par le téléphone de l'abonné, la communication étant préalablement établie entre ce téléphone et le terminal de réception.2 °) System according to claim 1, characterized in that a generator of coded sound signals emitted by a loudspeaker to be received by the microphone of the telephone and thus to be transmitted by the telephone of the subscriber, the communication being previously between this phone and the receiving terminal.
3°) Système selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'émetteur (23) est un générateur de signaux infrarouges communiquant avec le récepteur infrarouge de l'appareil téléphonique (portable équipé d'un port infrarouge).3 °) System according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmitter (23) is a generator of infrared signals communicating with the infrared receiver of the telephone apparatus (portable equipped with an infrared port).
4°) Système selon la revendication 1 , caractérisé en ce que l'information de relevé transmise par le terminal d'émission comprend l'identité de l'abonné équipé du compteur (numéro d'abonné, numéro de contrat ou de compteur, l'état de comptage), et des informations relatives au fonctionnement du compteur (dépassement de seuil, intervention sur le boîtier du compteur, critère de sécurité). 4 °) System according to claim 1, characterized in that the statement information transmitted by the transmitting terminal comprises the identity of the subscriber equipped with the meter (subscriber number, contract or meter number, l 'counting status), and information relating to the operation of the counter (threshold exceeded, intervention on the counter housing, safety criterion).
PCT/FR2005/050319 2004-05-17 2005-05-13 System for remotely taking a reading from a fluid or energy consumption meter WO2005114974A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0405349 2004-05-17
FR0405349A FR2870421A1 (en) 2004-05-17 2004-05-17 SYSTEM FOR REMOTELY REPORTING A COUNTING STATE OF A CONSUMPTION OF FLUID OR ENERGY

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WO2005114974A1 true WO2005114974A1 (en) 2005-12-01

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Citations (6)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4754473A (en) * 1986-10-16 1988-06-28 Willie Edwards Remote telephonic data transcribing system
GB2222898A (en) * 1988-09-15 1990-03-21 Bollmann Limited H Meter reading device
US5381462A (en) * 1992-05-29 1995-01-10 Datran Systems Corporation Utility monitor communications systems
US5467475A (en) * 1989-10-13 1995-11-14 Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. Data collection-transmission apparatus and data collection system
US5764739A (en) * 1995-06-30 1998-06-09 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing information to a subscriber over an electronic network
FR2845846A1 (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-16 France Telecom Remote installation monitoring and analysis system has internet link from utility consumption sensors with remote analysis and alerts against static rules

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4754473A (en) * 1986-10-16 1988-06-28 Willie Edwards Remote telephonic data transcribing system
GB2222898A (en) * 1988-09-15 1990-03-21 Bollmann Limited H Meter reading device
US5467475A (en) * 1989-10-13 1995-11-14 Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. Data collection-transmission apparatus and data collection system
US5381462A (en) * 1992-05-29 1995-01-10 Datran Systems Corporation Utility monitor communications systems
US5764739A (en) * 1995-06-30 1998-06-09 Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Method and apparatus for providing information to a subscriber over an electronic network
FR2845846A1 (en) * 2002-10-10 2004-04-16 France Telecom Remote installation monitoring and analysis system has internet link from utility consumption sensors with remote analysis and alerts against static rules

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