BACKGROUND In general, the private and government agencies responsible of the supply of drinkable water, use mechanical measuring instruments to establish the collection they make to the consumers for the service rendered; as the performance of the meter is reduced when its components are worn, there are maintenance policies set in base to the total volume recorded, or the time elapsed since its installation.

The wearing of the measuring equipment is not only function of the volume recorded and the quality of water; it is, most of all, of the instant flow rates that such volume goes through the meter. The performance is not only a function of the meter's accuracy, but the proportion of volume that according to the consumption pattern characteristic of each consumer, is measured with the specific accuracy of the devise for each instant flow rates of consumption.

Having a histogram of the instant flow rates of real consumption that a meter in service has been subject to, would allow to optimize the useful life of the devices in such way, that it is repaired or replaced at the most adequate time and in an economic way for the operating agency, taking on account the income as well as the relative investments. It would also be useful to ensure that the dimensions and technology of the measuring equipment are correct.

On the other hand, an important element to consider in the supply of drinkable water, is the distribution of the demand throughout the day, as the infrastructure and operation are planned to be able to offer a good service in the peak hour of the day of peak demand. This has as a consequence the"sub-use"of the capacity installed during most of the year, and the need to increase such capacity, with the same criteria, even register demographic growth or of demand.

It would be very useful for the operating agency, to know the consumption volumes recorded during different periods of the day, so that besides providing elements for a better

planning of the infrastructure and operation, it would allow to set different tariffs for different consumption times, as is the case of the telephone and electric power companies. That could introduce, via price, a modification of the demand that contributes to make the operation more efficient, and to take advantage of the existent infrastructure, even to the point of differing investments.

The case of the companies that render services supplying electrical power is well known, regarding that they have set programs of incentives and penalties to their greater consumers with the purpose of keeping their distribution networks with the optimal dimensions and not incur in unnecessary investments. The programs set have as an objective to distribute the demand, keeping a sound average of consumption during the day, and ensure that the power transported is consumed efficiently by the consumer.

Normally, the consumption of electrical power required for the distribution of water represents one of the major operative expenses of the operating agencies, and these are usually considered as great consumers. Then, it is necessary that the operating agencies of water control their consumption of electrical power, difficult task to set if the consumers have a completely different consumption behavior during the day to the one that is more convenient for the agency. To be able to charge for the service with tariffs based on timetables, would, therefore, help to link the consumption of water of the users to the timetables that are more convenient to the operators from the energy costs point of view.

Another element to consider, regarding the profitability of the operating agencies, is the productivity and reliability of the methods employed for reading the consumption of users which start the process of billing and collection.

Several technologies of electronic reading have been developed up to date, which are available in the market, and offer great benefits; nevertheless, for many operating agencies the relation cost-benefit of its implementation does not justify them yet.

There is currently a considerable number of devises that in the technical field referred to by the invention herein, carry out functions of electronic reading of the total volume consumed; nevertheless, they offer little additional information.

An electronic reading system that besides recording the total volume consumed, provides details of the instant flow rate and the timetables of the same, would result on a very useful tool to obtained the aforementioned benefits.

On the other hand, there are equipment that allow the retrieval of data for the sizing of distribution networks, obtaining of consumption profiles and selection of measuring

equipment, nevertheless, these are used in an accurate way and by zones and during short periods of time that could not even be representative, and besides their cost is very high.

To intend to apply these technologies to analyze the behavior of all consumers would require, besides huge investments, transfer channels with high bandwidth due to the big amount of data generated, or very long and non practical reading times.

One of the objectives of the invention herein, is to offer a system of electronic reading for drinkable water tapping points that provides, besides the total volume of consumption of the user, profiles of the instant flow rate and the periods of the day when this happens, through mechanical measuring equipment, supplied with pulse emitters.

Another objective of this invention is to provide such information in a compact way, so that it allows a quick and practical transmission, in a devise that will have years of autonomy and that is adequate even for adverse installation conditions.

A third objective is to provide the operating agencies of drinkable water systems with elements to make of their activity a more profitable one, through better informed programs for the maintenance of meters, a better use of the capacity installed, an efficient distribution of the supply throughout the day and even for differing investments.

Another objective of this invention, is to provide the operator with information that allows him to estimate, from known mistakes inherent to the accuracy of mechanical meters to different instant flow rates, the volume of water that is currently considered as a physical loss, and even to compensate the individual billing, inferring the supplied water not measured.

Another of the objectives of this invention is to provide the operator with media that allows him to apply tariff schemes that are more creative, oriented to the efficient and sustainable use of drinkable water.

The System of this invention covers a Micro-controller devise that allows to modify the actions carried out, according to the requirements of the market of special needs of the operator.

The invention can be installed in a meter that provides the media and signals necessary for its interconnection, which have standards of fact that many manufacturers have adopted.

The water flow is registered by the meter, which, each time it registers certain volume, sends a signal that is coupled to the circuitry of the System.

Each pulse emitted by the meter is sensed by the System of this invention, and acts as a reference to measure the volume consumed and the difference of time between the occurrence of pulses is used to determine the flow rate. When each pulse occurs, the invention"wakes up"from a lethargy state where it remains normally to optimize the use of the power source

and therefore extent its autonomy or useful life. For this case, we use, for example a Power Unit (BAT) (5) of lithium as source, as it will offer the system a useful life that can be higher that the one of the meter to which it has been interconnected.

The invention has a group of resident counters in a non-volatile memory. Within this group of counters, each represents the volume consumed within a flow range. When the invention determines the time elapsed between the last two pulses, it computes the flow rate and will select within a range table which volume counter has to increase. With this, an "histogram"of frequency is obtained; this histogram shows the amount of volume that has been consumed within each preset interval of instant flow rate.

Concurrently, a real time clock which is an element contained in this invention, is used to select among other group of counters, the one that corresponds to the period of the day when the pulse from the meter has been detected. With this, we obtain a"histogram"of usage time which indicates the frequency of the volume consumed in the different timetable intervals designated to each counter of the group, previously set.

As the meters may be installed on the street, for this case, the physical installation of the invention would be carried out in this same environment. Therefore, the invention provides the media to detect vandalism or fraud intents and record them in its memory.

The information stored in the invention's memory, can be accessed through a serial communication medium (wired or wireless) and configured by these same media.

With the purpose to illustrate this invention correctly, we are attaching to this the description several figures that are described as follows.

Figure 1. Shows in general form the blocks of major elements of the invention.

Figure 2. Shows in detail the Unit of Interface to Meter (UIM) (2).

Figure 3. Shows the Unit of Protection and Detection of Power (UBB) (6) Figure 4. Makes reference to a simplified description of the Communication Unit (UCO) (4) Figure 5. Describes the designation of signals in the Control Unit (UDC) Figure 6. Shows an example of instant creation of consumption histograms.

Figure 7. Shows an example of creation of consumption timetables histograms.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The invention is shown in general form in FIGURE 1. The connection to the water meter (1) is carried out through the Unit of Interface to Meter (UIM) (2). All circuitry of the

invention is contained in a sealed cabinet (7) that protects it from environmental humidity, of possible immersions due to flooding and unwanted human intrusion.

The invention is composed by a Control Unit (UDC) (-) that carries out measurements and calculations. The necessary communication for the configuration programming and reading is carried out though the Communication Unit (UCO) (4) with the use of a Portable Terminal or Personal Computer TP/PC (8). The invention gets its power from a Power Unit (BAT) (5) which is connected to the Unit of Protection and Detection of Power (UBB) (6), in charge of monitoring the available power level to operate and prevent polarity inversion at the Power Unit (BAT) (5).

The Unit of Interface to Meter (UIM) (2) is shown in FIGURE 2; its function is to condition and filter the signals from the meter (1) coupled through a cable (9) in a straight line to the Control Unit (UDC) (3) (signals 10,11, and 14). The low pass filters (15) and (16) and eliminate possible noises and rebound present in the flow signals that come from the meter.

The Control Unit (UDC) (3) shown in FIGURE 5, comprises a Micro-controller (29), that has a non volatile memory (3= to store parameters and a real time clock (31) that maintains a base of stable time. The UDC couples to the rest of the units of the invention through input and output signals regarding (29).

The Communication Unit (UCO) (4) shown in general form in FIGURE (4), turns the lines of communication (23) and (24) into signals that can be transmitted to an external terminal devise (8), either by a wired media coupled through the signals (25), by the converter (26) or a wireless channel through the converter (27), which at the same time couples the signals from and towards the system through an antenna (28).

The Unit of Protection and Detection of Power (UBB) (6) is shown in FIGURE 3, it comprises a Shotky diode (18) that connects to the Power Unit (BAT) (5) by means of a signal (17) to the feeding voltage signal of the invention (19) as well to a voltage detector (22), used to indicate the level of use of the Power Unit (BAT) (5) to the Control Unit (UDC) (3) through the signals (20) and (21).

Connection to the Meter. The invention allows the connection of several signals with multiple configurations. according with one of the modes of this invention, the typical configuration of signals between the meter (1) and the invention's System has been shown, which is illustrated in FIGURE 2 by a cable (9) which is, at the same time, connected to the Control Unit (UDC) (3) through electrical signals.

By means of the signals provided by (1), it is possible to control, through signal (10), the presence of current in the pulse generator of (1). The pulse generator contained in (1), provides enough information to the Control Unit (UDC) (3) to detect a cutting in the cable by means of the signal MCORTE (11). The meter also generates pulses for each volume unit that flows through the signal SFLUJO, that in turn is filtered by means of the low pass filter (15) to eliminate noises that could provoke false readings in (3).

The filtered signal is acquired by the Control Unit (UDC) (3) through the signal SFLUJO (12). The detector of magnetic violation that is in (1) is activated with the presence of an intruder magnetic field and is coupled to the Control Unit (UDC) (3) by means of signal CVIOLA (14). As an additional safety level, some meters such as (1) add the media to be able to detect the inverse flow through a reflux detector. The signal SREFLUJO is also filtered by means of (16). Signal (13) will activate the Control Unit (DC) (3) when the direction of water flow goes from inside the consumer's installation towards the house service.

Depending on the criterion of the operator, this situation may indicate a fraud or the generated information may be used to discount from the total volume consumed by the user, the volume that has returned to the operator. The Control Unit (UDC) (3) shown with further detail in FIGURE 5, is kept under a lethargy state that minimizes the consumption of current. To lessen the drainage of power of the Power Unit (BAT (5) in case that the detectors of flow, counterflow and violation are kept active, the signal CCTLU1M (10) deactivates the feeding voltage and introduces to the Control Unit/UDC) (3) in a special mode of operation where it monitors the signals (12,13 and 14) until they show activity again.

Data retrieval and processing. According to this invention, it is possible to carry out information processing to create what is identified in the request herein as a"Flow Rate Histogram"and a"Usage Time Histogram". Both entities comprise two structures of independent data that reside in the non volatile memory (30) and within which there is a group of records that store the limits of the flow rate class and time usage intervals, which we will call"flow rate interval"and"timetable interval". One characteristic of this invention is, that the operating agency has the possibility of programming the values of the limits that correspond to the class intervals by means of (8). Each class interval of both histograms have a registry associated, that operates as a counter where the frequency or amount of events that have occurred within the limits of each interval are stored.

For each histogram, there are"n"frequency counters and"n"class intervals that are bounded by 2*n limits of the class intervals. The"n"amount will depend on the capabilities of

the non volatile memory (30) of the Micro-controller devise (29) used. Likewise, the amount of frequency counters of the two histograms may be different.

Only with illustration purposes of the operation of this invention, an example of the implementation of the System where the flow rate histogram will be comprised by 10 flow rate intervals with the respective 20 limits of intervals is described. The time usage histogram will be comprised by 6 timetable intervals with 3 frequency counters.

The retrieval and processing of data is carried out when the signal (12) activates the Micro-controller (29) that is under lethargy state. Because concurrently the real time clock (31) contained in (29) provides a time basis, the Micro-controller (29) can measure the difference of times between the pulse that has just occurred in the signal (12) and the immediately previous pulse occurred in the same signal. As the instant flow rate (Q) can be expressed as volume per unit of time (Q=V/t), and as each pulse represent one known volume unit, the difference of time between the pulses allows to infer the instant flow rate of the flow of water by the meter. The application program that is executing within (29) analyses the value of time measured between pulses, which we will call Tq, to see to which of the 10 flow rate intervals it corresponds. This is done comparing if the value of Tq is within each of the 10 pairs of limits corresponding to each interval. Once determined to which interval it corresponds, the frequency counter associated to such interval is increased by the application program. The frequency counters will comprise the histogram that will represent the instant flow rate profile of the consumer where the volume consumed by such user within each flow rate interval as well as the total of volume consumed is shown, which can be computed carrying out the sum of the 10 frequency counters. By means of (8), the operator can read the information of the 10 counters and process such information in its premises so that the result of such analysis allows him to know the consumed volume by the consumer to carry out the billing, make decisions about the possible mistake compensations in the measurement applicable to that billing, and determine the wearing that the meter has had (1).

Simultaneously to the generation of the flow rate histogram, the application program in (29) obtains the hour of the day that is provided by the real time clock (31) and analyzes such value to see to which of the 3 timetable intervals of the time usage histogram corresponds.

This is done comparing if the value of the hour is within each one of the 3 pairs of limits corresponding to each timetable interval. After determining the interval, the application program in (29) increases the time usage frequency counter associated to such interval.

Figure 6 is an illustration of the instant creation of consumption histograms; in that figure, the (32) represents a source of water consumption that in this case corresponds to a

bathroom handles and (1) to a water meter, (33) identifies a pulse graphic of different length, generated by the meter (1), (34) refers to an expression represented in the following form: Pulse = Xlt/hr At (35) corresponds to a graphic of % of volume against flow rate, the latter having preset intervals. The consumption histogram is created with the meter (1) generates a pulse each time a determined volume of water passes through it; knowing the time elapsed between pulses, we can estimate the instant flow rate to which that volume was consumed. The value computed that way, is compared with the limits of the preset instant flow rate ranges, to increase the total associated to the corresponding range.

In the example of figure 6, if X is higher than 30, but equal or lower than 60, it means that the flow rate shall be between the 30 and 60 intervals, therefore, as shown in graphic 35, it is within this interval where the corresponding consumed volume is added.

According to figure 7, we have an example of creation of consumption timetable histograms; as well as in figure 6, (32) represents a source of water consumption, that in this case corresponds to a bathroom handle and (1) to a water meter, (36) identifies a graphic of pulses generated by the meter (1) at different times of the day, (37) corresponds to an expression that is read as"Pulse at X hours", and (38) shows a graphic of % in volume against time. The consumption timetable histogram is created when the meter (1) generates a pulse each time that a determined water volume passes through it; knowing the hour of the day when it is recorded, this is compared with the limits of the preset timetable ranges, to increase the total associated to the corresponding range, regardless the instant flow rate it was consumed to. For example, if in the previous case X is higher than 02: 00 but equal or lower than 03: 00 hours, then the totalizer associated to this interval will increase, as shown in the graphic (38).

The previous action allows us to obtain an histogram of usage time where the class intervals represent the timetables, and the frequency or value of each counter represents the consumed volume in such timetable range. Just as with the instant flow rate histogram, the 3 counters can be accessed by (8) to carry out a timetable billing that allows the operator make a more efficient use of his resources through the application of tariffs associated to each timetable interval that promote or discourage the consumption in such timetable intervals.

According to another aspect of the system of this invention, the occurrence of the signal (13) that indicates an inverse flow in the meter (1) can be used to generate a structure of data histogram type, similar to the one previously described, or increase a sole counter resident

in (30) that can be read by (8) to penalize or compensate later the consumer, depending on the administrative policies of the operator.

As it was mentioned, each time that a pulse is present in signals (12) and (13), the Micro-controller (29) within the Control Unit (UDC) (3) is activated and carries out the described processes. The purpose of keeping"off'the Micro-controller (29) is to maintain a low consumption of energy, as the actions are carried out by (29) in a very short time, keeping the average current drained from the Power Unit (BAT) (5) in a level of a millionth of Amperes. The low consumption of power is optimizes furthermore, selecting the correct Micro-controller (29). For the case of this invention, it can be implemented using a Microchip Technology PIC16LC558, but other devises may be used, such as the MSP430-112 from Texas Instruments. Most of these devises are excited with crystals of very low frequency as 32,768 Hz that maintain an operation current in very low levels and an accurate time basis.

Depending on the characteristics of the Micro-controller (29) used, the measurement of elapsed time can be carried out by the same Micro-controller (29) in an internal way, building with code what is known as a Real Time Clock (31). The purpose of this element is to maintain concurrently a time basis that allows to carry out the measurements of the flow rate and maintain a clock that shows the hour of the day for the timetable measurement. The setup of the Real Time Clock (31) can be carried out with external electronics to (29) using components such as the PCF8583P of Phillips.

It is important to mention that the explanation of the function of this invention has been limited only to a type of application to illustrate its operation, nevertheless, the programmable nature of the Micro-controllers such as (29) allow the System to operate with different behaviors and adjust even in field to the needs of the market, operating agency or individuals.

Detection of Low Power. The Control Unit (UDC) (3) may know the power level available at the Power Unit (BAT) (5) by means of the low Unit of Protection and Detection of Power (UBB) (6). The circuit shown in FIGURE 3, obtains the voltage of the Power Unit (BAT) (5), present in signal VCC (19) by means of a Shotky diode (18), used to protect the system of an inverse polarity. The typical voltage of application is 3 Volts, reason why a Lithium (5) Power Unit (BAT) of 3.6V with 2.1 Amperes-hour capacity is used.

To implement this invention, the amount of power stored in the Power Unit (BAT) (5) is enough to keep all the system operating for an average time of 6 years. Nevertheless, the battery may be easily replaced once it is dead.

The Micro-controller (29) activates the signal CLOWB (21) placing a level of zero logical each time the application program resident in the ROM decides so. The previous action

turns the voltage detector (22) which compares internally the value of the signal VCC (19) with an internal reference. If the voltage level detected is lower than 2.7V, the signal M_LOWB (20) will change of state, indicating the Control Unit (UDC) (3) that the useful life of the Power Unit (BAT) (5) has ended. The detector of the low Power Unit (BAT) (5) that can be used for this invention is MN-13811-G 25 of Panasonic.

The steps to follow after detecting a low Power Unit (BAT (5) are determined in the application program, but shall include an update of a record stored in the non-volatile memory (30), which may contain other accidental events such as a magnetic violation detected by the signal (14), or a cutting of the interconnection cable to the meter (1) by means of signal (11).

The information in this record may be accessed by means of the Communication Unit (UCO) (4).

Reading and Configuration. The operating agency uses the Communication Unit (UCO) (4) as the means to transfer information between the invention and a Portable Terminal or Personal Computer TP/PC (8). The information is transferred by a safe communication protocol, and may e carried out wired, connecting a serial port RS-232C to the connector (25) shown in FIGURE 4.

The communication signals present in (25), are adapted to a level of the voltage that the Control Unit (UDC) (3) can manage. The previous action is carried out by means of the converter (26) that has been implemented using a semiconductor that may be the DS275 of Dallas Semiconductor. The built-in circuit (26) uses the available power in the signals present in (25) to carry out the conversion so that the power required for the serial communication is taken from the Portable Terminal or Personal Computer TP/PC (8).

Furthermore, the communication can be carried out without having to make a physical contact, using a Portable Terminal or Personal Computer TP/PC (8) with an inductive transmitter-receiver. If this is the case, the communication is carried out by means of the antenna (28) and the signals are adapted and conditioned by means of the inductive converter (27). The wireless communication is carried out modulating the data signals with a high frequency signal that is"coupled"to the antenna composed by a coil (28). For this invention, a module supplied by Fusion Meter LTD Company or Hexagram Inc. may be used.

Another communication method can be transmitting data signals via radio frequency or telephonic modem. For these types of schemes, integrated modules of radio, such as TR1000 of RF Monolithics Inc. Company can be used; this one operates in the range of 900 Mhz with power levels enough for distance ranges of about 100 meters.

By any of the communication media used, a change on the state of signal MRXD (24) is detected by the Micro-controller (29) within the Control Unit (UDC) (3). If the Micro- controller (29) was"asleep", it"wakes up"and will star to receive the information from the external devise.

The information transference is ruled by a password which verifies the validity of access; This is necessary to avoid possible unauthorized accesses. Once a valid access is detected, the application program residing at the Portable Terminal or Personal Computer TP/PC (8) may access the Micro-controller's memory (29) to read and write its contents. By means of reading, the Portable Terminal or Personal Computer TP/PC (8) may transfer the contents of the account records or histograms that contain information about the volume that the user has consumed and the profile of flow rates and timetables. Similarly, the operating agency has access to the information about the status of the System, this information may show reflux levels, magnetic violation attempts, cuttings in the sensor's cable (9) and interconnection to the meter (1). The information stored in the non-volatile memory (30) is converted to a serial format and transferred by means of the signal CTXD (23) that may be of inductive transmission, radio frequency or any other method of wireless transmission according to the case.

On the other hand, the operating agency may configure or program the operation of the invention, transferring new values to the non-volatile memory (30). The new values will rule the behavior of the application program residing in the Micro-controller's ROM (29) and the values of class intervals of flow rates and timetables or initialization of the Real time Clock (31) may be levels, just to mention some of them.

The invention, therefore, provides a System for reading in an electronic way of the information of billing and statistics, generated by the water meter (1) using the available communication media.