Abstract:
An electrical metering system capable of performing multiple metering functions, collecting data, and wirelessly provides the collected metering data to a utility operator. In the electrical metering system, at least one computing device for initiating a request for data. A first modem connects the computing device to an infrastructure. A wireless embedded modem for wirelessly connects an electric meter to an infrastructure, and the wireless electric modem receives a request from the computing device and wirelessly transmits the metering data to the computing device, thereby initiating the request.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to utility revenue meters for measuring usage and quality of electrical power in an electrical power distribution network. In particular, the present invention relates to utility revenue meters that are connected to the Internet via wireless means. 
   2. Discussion of the Related Art 
   With proliferation of electrically powered devices and systems, there is an increasing need to accurately and precisely measure and monitor the quality of the electrical power supplying these devices and systems. Electric utility companies (“utilities”) track electric usage by customers by using electrical energy meters. These meters track the amount of energy consumed at a particular location. These locations range from power substations, to commercial businesses, to residential homes. The electric utility companies use the energy meters to charge customers for their power consumption, i.e. revenue metering. 
   A popular type of energy meter is the socket-type energy meter. As its name implies, the meter itself plugs into a socket for easy installation, removal, and replacement. Other meter installations include panel mounted, switchboard mounted, and circuit breaker mounted. Typically the energy meter connects between utility power lines supplying electricity and a usage point, namely a residence or commercial place of business. Though not typical, an energy meter may also be placed at a point within the utility&#39;s power grid to monitor power flowing through that point for distribution, power loss, or capacity monitoring. Also, energy meters that handle sub-metering functions can be used to monitor internal customer usage. 
   Traditionally, energy meters used mechanical means to track the amount of consumed power. The inductive spinning disk energy meter is still commonly used. The spinning disk drives mechanical counters that track the power consumption information. Newer to the market are electronic energy meters based on solid-state microprocessor applications. Electronic meters have replaced the older mechanical meters, and utilize digital sampling of the voltage and current waveforms to generate power consumption information. In addition to monitoring power consumption, electronic meters can also monitor and calculate power quality, that is, voltage, current, real power, reactive power, apparent power, etc. These power quality measurements and calculations are displayed on an output display device on the meter. 
   While electrical utility companies currently use devices to measure the amount of electrical power used by both residential and commercial facilities and the quality of electrical power in an electrical power distribution network, these devices generally do not allow for readings to be made automatically via some remote means. The meter readings are collected in the same manner they were collected in the past, a person reads and reports the information displayed on the meter. 
   In more recent developments, limited power consumption information can be transmitted from the energy meter to the utility through the use of telephone communications circuitry contained either within or external to the meter. These developments are advantageous to the utility company in that they reduce the need for employees being dispatched to the remote locations to collect the power consumption information. A standard modem receives raw power consumption information from the energy meter and transmits the information to the utility company via telephone lines. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a house or an institution  10  having a revenue meter  12  connected to a modem  14 . The modem  14  is, in turn, connected to a telephone line  16 . In the house or an institution  10 , the telephone line  16  may be a dedicated line, i.e., only the modem  14  is connected to it, or a shared line, for example, with one or more telephones  18  connected to the same line  16  via a telephone jack  17 . The telephone line  16  is connected to the telephone infrastructure or grid  28  being managed by a telephone company  26 . Similarly, on the utility side, the utility company or a department entrusted to receive meter readings  20  includes at least one computer  22  connected to a modem  24 , which is connected to the telephone line  16 . 
   While this represents an improvement over past techniques, this method has proven to be costly and unreliable, as there is a need for dedicated telephone line connection and line maintenance, which is expensive. When equipment malfunctions an employee must be dispatched to determine the reason for the malfunction and then a specialist must be sent in to fix it. Therefore, there exists a need for a device, which can accurately, inexpensively, and timely provide measurements, e.g., power consumption information, recorded by a common energy or energy meter. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an electronic energy meter that can deliver power consumption information readings from residential and commercial facilities to electrical utility companies. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronic energy meter that provides power consumption information to the electrical utility companies automatically via a remote means. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an electronic energy meter that provides power consumption information to the electrical utility companies without involvement of human meter readers and installation of modems and telephone lines. 
   The present invention provides an electric energy meter for providing real time revenue metering using wireless or cell phone technology. The present invention describes an electrical metering system capable of performing multiple metering functions, collecting data, and wirelessly provides the collected metering data to a utility operator is disclosed. The electrical metering system comprising at least one computing device for initiating a request for data; a first modem for connecting the computing device to an infrastructure; a wireless embedded modem for wirelessly connecting an electric meter to an infrastructure, wherein the wireless electric modem receives a request from the computing device and wirelessly transmits the metering data to the computing device thereby initiating the request. 
   The present application describes three infrastructure variations herein below. However, additional combinations and variations of the described infrastructure will be understood by those skilled in the art. The invention describes establishing communication between the embedded wireless modem and the computing device over the following infrastructures: 
   1. The infrastructure comprises a telephone infrastructure including telephone landlines operated by at least one telephone company and a cell phone infrastructure including cell phone relay stations operated by at least one cell service provider. The embedded wireless modem utilizing industry standard interface protocols used within the cell phone industry to communicate with the computing device. 
   2. The infrastructure comprises a wide area network, e.g., the Internet. The embedded wireless modem utilizing industry standard interface protocols, for example, 802.11a and 802.11b, to communicate with the computing device. 
   3. The infrastructure further comprises the wide area network and a carrier network infrastructure including a broadcasting means operated by at least one carrier network provider. The embedded wireless modem utilizing industry standard interface protocols selected from General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) to communicate with the computing device. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention is further explained by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram of interconnectivity between an energy meter and a utility for the purpose of collecting power usage data according to prior art; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram of interconnectivity between an energy meter and a utility for the purpose of collecting power usage data, using the telephone and a cell phone infrastructures, according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagram of interconnectivity between an energy meter and a utility for the purpose of collecting power usage data, using the Internet and a carrier network infrastructures, according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram of interconnectivity between an energy meter and a utility for the purpose of collecting power usage data, using the Internet infrastructure, according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a power quality and revenue meter according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram of the processor functions of a power quality and revenue meter system shown in  FIG. 5  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention provides an electric energy meter for providing real time revenue metering using wireless or cell phone technology to deliver information to a computing device on a network, e.g., an Internet website, managed by an electrical utility company or its affiliates. The operation of the electric energy meter of the present invention is described in a co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,563, titled “Electronic Energy meter”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   Portions of U.S. Pat. No. 6,751,563 will be reproduced here.  FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a web server power quality and revenue meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 5  are power quality and revenue meter (meter)  110 . The meter is connected to monitor electric distribution power lines (not shown), to monitor voltage and current at the point of connection. Included therein is digital sampler  120  for digitally sampling the voltage and current of the power being supplied to a customer or monitored at the point of the series connection in the power grid. Digital sampler  120  digitally samples the voltage and current. The digital samples are then forwarded to processor  130  for processing. Also connected to processor  130  is external device interface  140  for providing an interface for external devices  150  to connect to meter  110 . These external devices might include other power meters, sub-station control circuitry, on/off switches, etc. Processor  130  receives data packets from digital sampler  120  and external devices  150 , and processes the data packets according to user defined or predefined requirements. A memory  160  is connected to processor  130  for storing data packets and program algorithms, and to assist in processing functions of processor  130 . These processing functions include the power quality data and revenue calculations, as well as formatting data into different protocols which will be described later in detail. Processor  130  provides processed data to network  180  through network interface  170 . Network  180  can be the Internet, the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), or local area network (LAN), among others. In the preferred embodiment, the network interface converts the data to an Ethernet TCP/IP format. The use of the Ethernet TCP/IP format allows multiple users to access the power meter simultaneously. In a like fashion, network interface  170  might be comprised of a modem, cable connection, or other devices that provide formatting functions. Computers  190 - 192  are shown connected to network  180 . 
   A web server program (web server) is contained in memory  160 , and accessed through network interface  170 . The web server provides real time data through any known web server interface format. For example, popular web server interface formats consist of HTML and XML formats. The actual format of the programming language used is not essential to the present invention, in that any web server format can be incorporated herein. The web server provides a user friendly interface for the user to interact with the meter  110 . The user can have various access levels to enter limits for e-mail alarms. Additionally, the user can be provided the data in a multiple of formats including raw data, bar graph, charts, etc. The currently used HTML or XML programming languages provide for easy programming and user friendly user interfaces. 
   The operation of the device of  FIG. 5  will now be described. Digital sampler  120  samples the voltage and current at and flowing through the point of connection, or sampling point. The voltage and current readings, in the form of data packets, are forwarded to processor  130  where they undergo various power calculations. Processor  130  calculates, for example, instantaneous voltage and current, real power, reactive power, and apparent power. The processing algorithms can be preprogrammed into memory  160 , uploaded by an end user, or performed at the end-user&#39;s location. The calculations performed by processor  130  are not meant to be all inclusive, as the processor can be programmed to provide any number of preprogrammed or user defined calculations. In addition to performing the calculations, processor  130  sends the packet data to memory  160  to be stored for future access. As digital sampler  120  is sampling the voltage and current at the sampling point, external device  150  can be feeding parallel information to processor  130  through external device interface  140 . This external device packet data would be processed and stored in a similar manner as the digital sampler packet data. Processor  130  then formats the processed data into various network protocols and formats. The protocols and formats can, for example, consist of the web server HTML or XML formats, Modbus TCP, RS-485, FTP or e-mail. Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) can also be used to assign IP addresses. The network formatted data is now available to users at computers  190 - 192  through network  180 , that connects to meter  10  at the network interface  170 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, network interface  170  is an Ethernet interface that supports, for example, 100 base-T or 10 base-T communications. This type of network interface can send and receive data packets between WAN connections and/or LAN connections and the meter  110 . This type of network interface allows for situations, for example, where the web server may be accessed by one user while another user is communicating via the Modbus TCP, and a third user may be downloading a stored data file via FTP. The ability to provide access to the meter by multiple users, simultaneously, is a great advantage over the prior art. This can allow for a utility company&#39;s customer service personnel, a customer and maintenance personnel to simultaneously and interactively monitor and diagnose possible problems with the power service. 
     FIG. 6  is a functional block diagram of processor  130  of the web server power quality and revenue meter system according to the embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates the functional processing structure of processor  130 . Processor  130  is shown containing four main processing functions. Processing  220  can be realized in various memory configurations, and are not limited to any one configuration. The functions shown are illustrative and not meant to be inclusive of all possible functions performed by processor  130 . Power Quality and Revenue Metering functions (metering functions)  210  consists of a complete set of functions which are needed for power quality and revenue metering. Packet data collected by digital sampler  120  is transmitted to processor  130 . Processor  130  calculates, for example, power reactive power, apparent power, and power factor. The metering function  210  responds to commands via the network or other interfaces supported by the meter. External Device Routing Functions  230  handle the interfacing between the external device  150  and meter  110 . Raw data from external device  150  is fed into meter  110 . The external device  150  is assigned a particular address. If more than one external device is connected to meter  110 , each device will be assigned a unique particular address. 
   Referring again to  FIG. 5 , network interface  170  can support, for example, either 100 base-T or 10 base-T communications, and receives and sends data packet between a wide area network (WAN) connection and/or local area network (LAN) connection and the meter. The Network Protocol Functions of meter  110  are executed by processor  130  which executes multiple networking tasks that are running concurrently. As shown in  FIG. 6 , these include, but are not limited to, the following network tasks included in network protocol functions  250 : e-mail  260 , web server  270 , Modbus TCP  280 , FTP  290 , and DHCP  300 . The e-mail  260  network protocol function can be utilized to send e-mail messages via the network  180  to a user to, for example, notify the user of an emergency situation or if the power consumption reaches a user-set or pre-set high level threshold. 
   As the processor receives packets of data it identifies the network processing necessary for the packet by the port number associated with the packet. The processor allocates the packet to a task as a function of the port number. Since each task is running independently the meter  110  can accept different types of requests concurrently and process them transparently from each other. For example, the web server may be accessed by one user while another user is communicating via Modbus TCP and at the same time a third user may download a log file via FTP. 
   The Network to Meter Protocol Conversion Function  240  is used to format and protocol convert the different network protocol messages to a common format understood by the other functional sections of meter  110 . After the basic network processing of the packet of data, any “commands” or data which are to be passed to other functional sections of meter  110  are formatted and protocol converted to a common format for processing by the Network to Meter Protocol Conversion Function  240 . Similarly, commands or data coming from the meter for transfer over the network are pre-processed by this function into the proper format before being sent to the appropriate network task for transmission over the network. In addition this function first protocol converts and then routes data and commands between the meter and external devices. 
   Numerous types of wireless Ethernet connections can be used to perform the objects of the present invention. These types can be classified in terms of the type of a connection to the network and the configuration and capability of the utility revenue meter. In general, the proposed implementation can be used on any network that includes wireless modems. The following are some examples of proposed configurations. 
   Dial-Up Connection 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a computing device  22 , e.g., a computer or a hand held wireless device that may be used to retrieve information form a revenue meter  12 . A revenue meter  12  is located within or outside a house or an institution  10  for metering utility provided resources, e.g., electrical power. A connection between the computing device  22  and the revenue meter  12  may be established via a dial-up using wired lines  28 , such as a telephone infrastructure and wireless cell technology. A telephone infrastructure or grid  28 , managed by a telephone company  26  may be used together with the wireless grid infrastructure  40  including Cell Relay stations  42  managed by a cell phone service provider. It is noted that the telephone infrastructure or grid  28  may be discarded where the computing device  22  has direct access to the wireless grid infrastructure  40 . 
   The computing device  22  may be located anywhere the telephone and cell infrastructures  26  and  40  reaches. This may be on the premises of a utility company itself or at any department or agency entrusted with receiving meter readings. The connection between the computing device  22  and the revenue meter  12  may be established via a dial-up process using a wireless modem  34  to respond to a signal from the computing device  22  relayed by a cell relay station  42 . 
   The wireless embedded modem  34  can communicate with the revenue meter via hard wired communication means  36 , such as, a serial connection, the Ethernet, a universal serial bus (USB), and a faster version of USB, USB2, or using wireless means, for example, 802.11 and similar protocols. The meter peripheral device&#39;s  38  communicates with the revenue meter  12  via industry standard communication protocols, such as, Modbus remote terminal unit (RTU) from the Modicon Inc., DNP, etc., so that the meter peripheral device  38  can act as a server for any revenue meters  12  utilizing industry standard interfaces and protocols. The peripheral device  38  presents the collected meter readings and data to the wireless modem  34  to be forwarded to the computing device  22  using a browser program. 
   The revenue meter  12  or a peripheral device  38  attached to the revenue meter manage the wireless modem  34 , e.g., controlling the modem&#39;s readiness for a dial-up session established by the computing device  22 . Additionally, the revenue meter  12  or the peripheral device  38  may be accessed via the wireless modem  34  and used as a server for providing revenue meter&#39;s readings and other relevant data to the computing device  22 . An interface program, e.g., a browser may be used on the revenue meter  12  or the peripheral device  38  to send and receive data. 
   In this mode, after the connection between the embedded wireless modem  34  and the computing device  22  is established, the revenue meter  32  or the meter peripheral device  38  control the embedded wireless modem  34  maintaining its readiness for a dial-up session. Such a session may be initiated by the computing device  42  at any time. 
   Wireless Packet Data Connection 
   In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the wireless modem  34  communicates with the computing device  22  via a carrier network  54  using various protocols, e.g., a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) etc., to provide the revenue meter information collected by the revenue meter  12 . In this embodiment, the carrier network  54  is utilized in conjunction with packet data networks, such as the Internet. 
   A connection between computing device  22 , e.g., a computer or a hand held wireless device and the revenue meter  12  may be established via a carrier network  54 . The computing device  22  uses a dial-up modem  24  or some other means to access an Internet service provider (ISP) and a common browser program, e.g., a Microsoft Explorer, to connect to the Internet  50 , and through it to the carrier network  54 . The dial-up modem  24  can be a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem or a cable modem and can connect to the Internet via the cable, satellite, or the telephone infrastructure, including hot spots located within appropriate distance from the modem  24 . The modem  24  may be built into the computing device  22 . 
   The carrier network  54  may include a carrier network provider facility  52 , a broadcasting means  56 , e.g., a broadcasting tower, a satellite, etc., and some means of access to the Internet  50 . The coupling device  22  may be located anywhere, the only requirement is that it has an ability and means to connect to the Internet  50 . The computing device  22  may be located on the premises of a utility company itself or at any department or agency entrusted with receiving meter readings. 
   A request for information from the computing device  22  is forwarded over the Internet  50  to the carrier network provider facility  52 , where the request is processed and transmitted via the broadcasting means  56  to the wireless embedded modem  34 . The wireless embedded modem  34  can communicate with the revenue meter via hard wired communication means  36 , such as, a serial connection, the Ethernet, a universal serial bus (USB), and a faster version of USB, USB2, or using wireless means, for example, 802.11 and similar protocols. 
   The revenue meter  12  or a peripheral device  38  attached to the revenue meter, manages the wireless modem  34 , e.g., control the modem&#39;s readiness to send information to the computing device  22 . Additionally, the revenue meter  12  or the peripheral device  38  may perform as a server for providing revenue meter&#39;s readings and other relevant data to the computing device  22 . An interface program, e.g., a browser, may be used to send and receive data. 
   Hot Spots 
   In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the wireless modem  34  communicates with the computing device  22  via the Internet  50  to provide information collected by the revenue meter  12 . In this embodiment, the wireless modem  34  is accessed via a wireless access point (802.11a or b) called a hot spot  60 , which covers a specific geographic boundary. The hot spots are usually set up for Internet access by devices with wireless connectivity. Hot spots can be located just about anywhere, and the maximum connectivity distance is being constantly improved. 
   Although the illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various other changes and modifications may be affected therein by one skilled in the art. That is, those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.