The present utility model generally relates to a method and apparatus for metering electricity usage and processing associated information. More particularly, the present utility model relates to a method and apparatus for remotely metering electricity usage at consumer sites and for providing consumers with metering information, billing information, and electronic payment options.

BACKGROUND OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In one conventional method of metering and billing for electricity consumption, an electricity meter is manually read. An electricity meter is an electromagnetic device which measures the amount of energy transferred from the electricity supply to the consumer. Every few months, the electric meter is read by an inspector, or meter-reader, who goes to the consumer's meter and records the current reading. The old reading is subtracted from the current reading and the consumer is billed for the energy supplied for that period. A bill is then mailed to the consumer showing the amount of electricity used and amount due. This manual inspection of meters is labor and time intensive. Additionally, consumers are provided limited and untimely information as the electricity bill may be received by a consumer months after the actual costs have been incurred.

SUMMARY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The present utility model provides an Automatic Remote -Metering

System a system that intends to help utility company to remotely control and automate the reading, billing, connection and disconnection of any service or utility that is being offered to consumer by modifying the existing conventional meter or having it implemented on the new meter.

Automatic Remote Metering System is a system that intends to help utility company to remotely control and automate the reading, billing, connection and disconnection of any service or utility that is being offered to consumer by modifying the existing conventional meter or having it implemented on the new meter.

The Automatic remote-metering system can be used using any available communication channel using a gsm network, CDMA network, GPRS network, Wireless network (Wifi, Wimax), Broadband/Internet -Over- Power lines.

The subject matter of the utility model is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The utility model, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the claims and the accompanying drawings wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary Automatic Remote Metering Module in accordance with the present utility model; and

FIGURE 2 is a schematic depiction of an exemplary Automatic Remote

Metering System in accordance with the present utility model.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The Automatic-Remote Metering Module

The Automatic-Remote Metering Module (ARMM) that is located to the consumer side is added to the existing utility/service meter. The ARMM is composed of Input/Output (IO) unit that sends and receives data signal to and from the control unit, the Control and Processing Unit that serves as the brain of ARMM that contained the program to process the data signal from the IO unit and the data coming from the communication unit; and the Communication Unit.

The I/O unit performs an Input/Output operations on the devices attached to it such as the Metering unit that accurately reads the utility/service consumption; the sets of anti- tampering sensors to deter and protect the meter from malicious activities/tampering; sets of On/Off devices to cut or continue the services; data storage unit, external data terminal; and optional display unit to display status.

The Communication Unit maintains communication between the ARMM using a bi-directional communication to a remote or central station.

The communication Unit could either be a GSM modem, CDMA modem,

Wimax/Wifi network card or, Broadband/Internet -Over-Powerlines network card.

The Remote/Central Station

The remote/central metering station contains remote/central communication unit to send and receive data to and from the ARMM; the postpaid Intelligent Network (postpaid IN); and the Prepaid Intelligent Network (prepaid IN) to manage and cater to two types of subscription.

Both INs contains real-time database of the consumption of the service based on the defined time of sending of meter reading from the ARMM. Likewise, both are capable of sending signal to ARMM to cut or continue services based on predefined program and data being feed to the INs.

Process flow

a) Each ARMM is configured to read and keep track of the usage of any utilities or services.

b) Metering unit continuously or every specified time is reading usage of any utilities or services. The metering unit could be magnetic sensor or cut-on/cut-off sensor that pass signal/data to the input output unit. The metering unit could also be a digital data from the digital meter itself. c) The input-output unit then passes the usage data to the control unit for data analysis and formatting based on the program of the control unit. Usage data could be saved to the internal or optional external storage d) The control unit contains the Unit ID or unit identification that unique identifies the ARMM unit to remote/central metering station. It can contain also a storage area/device to locally store the meter reading. e) The control unit transmits formatted data containing the Unit ID to the remote metering station via the communication unit using a set of rules that are based on either specified amount of use, specific time of use, transmission of usage every preset time, transmission based on random time or usage, or any combination of the mentioned rules f) The communication unit could be a device that is using a gsm network, CDMA network, GPRS network, Wireless network (Wifi, Wϊmax), Broadband/Internet -Over-Powerlines. The communication unit is also identified using its unique code like the SIM card Number, Mobile number, IP Address, MAC address or communication device ID.

g) Formatted data is then transmitted by the ARMM and received on the Remote/Metering Station by the Remote/Central Communication Unit (RCCU). Data is then save on any available data storage. Data can be used for prepaid and postpaid electricity system. Optional

Encryption/decryption tool can used to increased data security h) The RCCU or any externally developed application will then check if the data is for prepaid or postpaid. The ARMM data is being identified using Unit ID and/or communication device ID

i) Each IN computer/s contains specific program and database to keep track and record the usage of each ARMM.

j) Depending on the parameters of the program on both INs, it can send a disabling signal to the ARMM cut the supply of service or utility. For Prepaid IN, each ARMM maintains a balance or credit unique to ARMM. The credit is being decremented every time the ARMM sends usage data to the prepaid IN. Once the credit reached threshold limit, it will send warning message to the registered owner of the ARMM via available message system like sms, email or call. Likewise it will send warning signal to the ARMM to turn on the low balance indicator. Once the credit reaches zero or below cut-off value, the Prepaid IN will send a cut-off signal to the ARMM. Upon receipt of the signal, the control unit of the ARMM will disable the service or utility by controlling the On/Off device and insufficient balance indicator will be enabled.

To restore the service or top-up the balance, the owner of the ARMM will have to top-up the credit of the ARMM by loading on any available top-up mechanism like electronic top-up, prepaid cards, top-up by credit cards, peer to peer top-up, etc. Once prepaid account is toped-up, the prepaid IN will send an enable signal to the ARMM and service or utility will be restored

For postpaid IN, each ARMM is given an individual account. This ARRM account has a maximum credit limit and can be adjusted depending on the operator of the utility or service. The ARMM continuously send usage data to the postpaid IN and the postpaid IN records the usage. Once the usage reached threshold limit, it will send warning message to the registered owner of the ARMM via available message system like sms, email or call. Likewise it will send warning signal to the ARMM to turn on the near credit limit indicator.

On a defined time, the IN will generate billing statement based on ARMM usage data. Billing statement is then delivered to the registered owner of ARMM. If the owner failed to the settle his postpaid account or surpassed his credit limit, the postpaid IN will send a cut-off signal to the ARMM. Upon receipt of the signal, the control unit of the ARMM will disable the service or utility by controlling the On/Off device and service disabled indicator will be enabled. To restore the service, the owner of the ARMM will have to pay his overdue billing via available payment centers or mechanism. Once the overdue bill is settled the postpaid IN will send an enable signal to the ARMM and service or utility will be restored.

On both prepaid and postpaid system, it will be possible for the owner to registered user to send SMS, USSD, HTTP or any command to the ARMM or Remote/Central metering station to control the meter like turning off or on the flow of service or utility.

The INs has the capability to implement Me2U features or peer to peer transfer of balance.

While a preferred embodiment of the present utility model has been shown in the drawings and described above, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments of the present utility model are possible; therefore, the present utility model should not be construed as limited to the specific form shown and described above.