|
Meterfax is a distributed data collection and processing system encompassing
a means for capturing the display on conventional, mechanical gauge, domestic
utility meters. The system electronically forwards utility meter display
images, in facsimile, to a central processing facility for interpretation, and
thus virtually eliminates the requirement for manual meter reading inspection
visits.
Overview
A facsimile image of a utility meter’s display is captured by an external, retrofitted,
optical scanning device that is permanently mounted over the meter’s display window.
An embedded micro-controller is configured to periodically capture images of the meter
display and transmit compressed digital forms of the images along with system state
information (e.g. battery health) to a pre-programmed e-mail address via existing national
cellular telephone networks.
Software at the receiving address automatically un-compresses and process the images for
inspection and interpretation. The ability to send command and control information to
individual devices is also provided (e.g. to instruct a device to perform a non-scheduled
read on the change of occupier or supplier).
Previous automatic meter reading (AMR) systems have required expensive modification to, or the
replacement of existing meter infrastructure. Other systems require an additional data
collection device to be placed in-line with the existing meter to provide an independent
digital output. All such systems require specialist fitting and are error prone. The
Meterfax optical scanning device sits permanently over the meter’s display
window and requires little or no training to fit and maintain.
|
|
|
