# US 7,039,529 B2 · Consumption meter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,039,529 B2 - Document ID: US7039529B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/678,749 - Filed: 2003-10-06 - Published: 2004-07-01 - Granted: 2006-05-02 - Earliest claimed: 2002-10-07 - Assignees: ABB AB - Inventors: Ray Keech - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7039529B2 ## CPC - G01D 4/004: {Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location} - G01F 15/063: using electrical means - G01F 15/0755: {involving digital counting} - G01D 2204/18: Remote displaying of utility meter readings - Y02B 90/20: Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector (smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00) - Y04S 20/30: Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G01F: MEASURING VOLUME, VOLUME FLOW, MASS FLOW OR LIQUID LEVEL; METERING BY VOLUME - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y04S: SYSTEMS INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO POWER NETWORK OPERATION, COMMUNICATION OR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR IMPROVING THE ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION, TRANSMISSION, DISTRIBUTION, MANAGEMENT OR USAGE, i.e. SMART GRIDS ## Abstract A meter for monitoring consumption of a resource, such as water or other fluids, and corresponding methods of configuring and operating the meter are disclosed. The meter includes processing and memory devices for determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource and a communication link for enabling a supplier to access the stored supplier measure. The supplier access is controlled by a first access control device, which prevents unauthorized access to the stored data. The meter further includes a consumer data memory for storing consumer data including a consumer measure of consumption and second access control device. The second access control device enables a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A meter for monitoring consumption of a resource, the meter comprising: processing and memory means for determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource; a communication link for enabling a supplier to access the stored supplier measure under the control of a first access control means for preventing unauthorised access to the stored data, the meter further comprising: consumer data memory for storing consumer data including a consumer measure of consumption; and second access control means for enabling a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption; wherein the meter is arranged to store consumer configuration data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 further including a metering assembly providing output signals indicative of consumption to the processing means. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A meter according to claim 2 wherein the meter is integrated with the metering assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 arranged to permit the consumer to access the data over the same communication link as the supplier. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 wherein the communication link comprises a telecommunications link. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to enable the consumer measure to have different resolution or measurement units to the supplier measure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 wherein the processor is arranged to maintain a consumer log of consumption for access by the consumer. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 further comprising means for communicating a message from the consumer to the supplier or vice versa. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 further arranged to provide service access under control of a third secure access means, the service access enabling access to parameters which are not adjustable by the supplier access or the consumer access. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 arranged to monitor fluid flow, wherein the consumer measure is arranged to permit detection of leaks. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A meter according to claim 1 including means for notifying a consumer of an alarm condition. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A meter according to claim 11, wherein the means for notifying includes means for providing a visual or audible indication locally connected to the meter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A meter according to claim 11, wherein the means for notifying includes means for sending a message, preferably an SMS message to a remote destination. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A meter according to claim 11, wherein the alarm condition comprises a consumption in accordance with a predetermined condition configurable by the consumer. ### Claim 15 A meter for monitoring consumption of a resource,the meter comprising: processing and memory means for determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource; a communication link for enabling a supplier to access the stored supplier measure under the control of a first access control means for preventing unauthorised access to the stored data, the meter further comprising: consumer data memory for storing consumer data including a consumer measured of consumption; and second access control means for enabling a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption; wherein the meter is further arranged to provide service access under control of a third secure access means, the service access enabling access to parameters which are not adjustable by the supplier access or the consumer access. ### Claim 16 A meter for monitoring consumption of a resource, the meter comprising: processing and memory means for determining and storing a supplier measure of consumption of the resource; a communication link for enabling a supplier to access the stored supplier measure under the control of a first access control means for preventing unauthorised access to the stored data, the meter further comprising: consumer data memory for storing consumer data including a consumer measure of consumption; second access control means for enabling a consumer to access the stored consumer data without permitting the consumer to modify the stored supplier measure of consumption; and means for notifying a consumer of an alarm condition wherein the alarm condition comprises a consumption in accordance with a predetermined condition configurable by the consumer. ### Claim 17 A method of configuring a meter having a metering assembly, a processor, memory and a communication link, the meter being configured to provide remote access to a stored supplier measure of consumption in the memory by an authorised supplier following supplier authentication, the method comprising configuring the meter to permit remote access to stored data including a consumer measure of consumption by a consumer following consumer authentication, wherein the consumer is not permitted to modify the supplier measure stored in the memory and wherein configuring comprises updating the software of the meter.