EP0629098A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Domestic meter
Assignee: Logica UK Ltd
•
Filing: 1994-05-17
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2014-05-17
Abstract
Abstract A meter for remote reading of a utility such as gas, water or electricity comprises a measurement sensor (30), a radio receiver (31) and a radio transmitter (32), for transmitting measurement information generated by the sensor. The radio receiver and transmitter cooperate to pass on information from other meters. Flow control means can be connected to the receiver to enable remote control. Communication between each meter and a hub (5) is carried out by hopping along chains of meters in neighbouring premises.
Inventors
- 👤 Dr. Philip John C/O Logica U.K. Limited Bishop
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 04:09
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q9/00; G; G08; G08C; G08C17/00; G08C17/02; H02; H02J; H02J13/00; H02J13/12; H02J13/13; H02J13/1331; H02J13/1337; H04Q2209/00; H04Q2209/20; H04Q2209/25; H04Q2209/40; H04Q2209/60; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S10/00; Y04S10/30; Y04S40/00; Y04S40/12; Y04S40/126
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A communication system comprising a chain of meters (1), each meter communicating with others in the chain to pass information along the chain, for remote reading of a utility such as gas, liquid or electricity, supplied, produced or used at a given location, and comprising: a measurement means (30), for the utility supplied, produced or used, a radio receiver (31), and a radio transmitter (32), for transmitting measurement information generated by the measurement means, and arranged to operate with the radio receiver to pass along the chain information received by the receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
A communication system according to claim 1, comprising: a hub (5), connecting a plurality of chains of meters in a star formation or a loop formation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A communication system according to claim 2, comprising: a data gatherer (2), connecting a plurality of hubs in a star formation or a loop formation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A communication system according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein two or more communication paths are defined along one chain or part of a chain, each path being created by bypassing the meters used by the other path or paths.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A communication system as defined in claim 4, wherein said multiple communication paths are provided in the vicinity of junctions between chains, or in the vicinity of a hub.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
A communication system as defined in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein each meter determines part of the route of the communication path, by bypassing neighbouring meters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A communication system as defined in any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the hub determines part of the route of the communication path.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A communication system according to any preceding claim, comprising: a plurality of hubs, each connected to a plurality of meters, wherein upon failure of a hub (cell G), neighbouring hubs are reconfigured to communicate with meters normally communicating with the failed hub.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A communication system according to claim 8, wherein each hub contains a map of meters normally communicating with it, and a map of meters normally communicating with neighbouring hubs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A communication system according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the hubs are in communication with a network management system (7), which instructs the neighbouring hubs to reconfigure, in response to an indication that the failed hub has failed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A meter for use in the system of any preceding claim, for remote reading of a utility such as gas, liquid or electricity, supplied, produced or used at a given location, and comprising: a measurement means (30), for the utility supplied, produced or used, a radio receiver (31), and a radio transmitter (32), for transmitting measurement information generated by the measurement means, and arranged to operate with the radio receiver to pass on information received by the receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A meter according to claim 11, arranged to receive and store measurement information from a neighbouring meter and pass this information on when failure of the neighbouring meter is detected.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A meter according to claim 11 or 12, comprising: means (36), for storing and updating a tariff of charges, and processing means (33), for calculating a total charge from a plurality of readings charged at different rates.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A meter according to any of claims 11 to 13, for remote reading of gas or liquid utilities in domestic premises, comprising: means for monitoring the gas or liquid pressure, means for storing a reference pressure level, and means for indicating when the monitored pressure is over or under the reference level.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
67 words
A utility supply system comprising a plurality of meters according to any of claims 11 to 14 for use in domestic premises, wherein each meter comprises: means for monitoring a parameter of quality of the utility supplied, and the supply system comprises means for controlling the supply of the utility from a central source to the domestic premises in response to quality information transmitted by the meter.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A meter according to any of claims 11 to 14, for liquid or gas metering, comprising : pressure control means for allowing the gas or liquid to be supplied at a reduced pressure, according to commands received by the receiver.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.