IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO A METERING DEVICE

Abstract

A metering device for attaching to a container configured to store a fluid, the device including: a valve configured to control the amount of fluid dispensed from the container; a user interface comprising at least one control configured to operate the valve between an open position and a closed position; and a control circuit configured to set a threshold amount of the fluid to be dispensed from the container, where the control circuit is configured to override the user interface and close the valve when the threshold amount of fluid to be dispensed has been reached.

Claims

1-24. (canceled)

25. A system for managing the distribution of a fluid, wherein the fluid is stored in containers, each container being provided with a metering device, the system comprising: a plurality of metering devices each attached to a fluid container and each comprising: a valve configured to control the amount of fluid dispensed from the container; a user interface comprising at least one control configured to open and close the valve; and a control circuit configured to set a threshold amount of the fluid to be dispensed from the container; wherein the control circuit is configured to override the user interface and close the valve when the purchased amount of fluid has been dispensed; a data store that stores: data relating to a plurality of users; data relating to the plurality of metering devices; and data relating to a plurality of operatives; and processing circuitry configured to: receive payment from a user for an amount of the fluid stored within the container; determine from the data store, the identity of the metering device and container in possession of the user; notify the metering device of the amount of fluid purchased; instruct the unlocking of the valve configured to control the amount fluid dispensed from the container.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the device is configured to dispense the fluid in a plurality of discrete amounts.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the valve of the metering device is configured to enable a plurality of fluid flow rates.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the device further comprises a connectivity module configured to connect the control circuit to the processing circuitry and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to receive data from the device and update the data store with the received data.

29. The system according to claim 25, wherein the control circuit of the device is configured to monitor the amount of fluid being dispensed from the container.

30. The system according to claim 25, further comprising a housing containing the metering device.

31. The system according to claim 30, wherein the housing comprises a lockable collar configured to prevent the user from detaching the metering device from the container.

32. The system according to claim 25, wherein the metering device further comprises a battery configured to power the metering device.

33. The system according to claim 32, wherein the battery comprises a lock configured to prevent the use from detaching the battery from the housing.

34. The system according to claim 33, wherein the battery lock comprises a first tamper detection mechanism configured to detect whether the battery has been removed from the housing.

35. The system according to claim 30, wherein the metering device comprises a second tamper detection mechanism comprising a sensor configured to detect the present of light within the housing.

36. The system according to claim 25, wherein the metering device further comprises a safety valve, wherein the safety valve is operable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the valve is initially in the open position and wherein the closed position is configured to prevent the flow of fluid into the metering device.

37. The system according to claim 25, wherein the metering device further comprises a memory configured to store data generated by the control circuit.

38. The system according to claim 25, wherein the fluid is liquefied petroleum gas.

39. The system according to claim 25, wherein the metering device further comprises a GPS tracker.

40. The system according to claim 25, wherein the user interface enables the user to regulate the rate of fluid being dispensed.

41. The system according to claim 25, wherein the processing circuitry and/or the metering device is further configured to monitor the characteristics of at least one of the metering device and the container.

42. The system according to claim 41, wherein the metering device is configured to output a change in at least one characteristic to the user via the user interface.

43. The system according to claim 41, further comprising sending a change in at least one characteristics to the processing circuitry which is further configured to receive data from the device and update the data store with the received data.

44. The system according to claim 25, further comprising an external leak detection unit configured to detect fluid leaks in the vicinity of the metering device and/or container.

45. The system according to claim 25, wherein the data relating to the plurality of metering devices includes a plurality of characteristics of each metering device, wherein the processing circuitry is configured to: receive data from the metering device; compare received data with data previously provided and stored in the data store and to identify a change in one or more of the characteristics; detect when a change in one or more of the characteristics of a first metering system is outside a predetermined range; determine a response time based on the change of characteristic detected; and select and deploy an operative within the determined response time to address the change in characteristic.

46. The system according to claim 45, further comprising: identifying other metering systems located in the vicinity of the first metering system; and notifying the operative of the characteristic changes in each of the metering system in the vicinity of the first metering system.

47. The system according to either of claim 45, wherein the characteristics of the metering system comprise at least one of: the amount of fluid store in the container; a temperature of at least one component of the metering system; the air quality in the metering system; whether tampering has occurred to the metering system; and the state of charge of a battery configured to power a the metering system.

48. The system according to claim 45, further comprising monitoring the live location of the metering system via GPS tracking.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0089] FIG. 1 is a schematic of the metering system;

[0090] FIG. 2 is the metering system;

[0091] FIG. 3 is a method of receiving payment; and

[0092] FIG. 4 is a method of monitoring the characteristics of a metering system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0093] FIG. 1 shows a schematic of the metering system 20. The metering system 20, comprises a metering device 10 connected to a container 12. The container 12 is configured to store a fluid 18. The container 12 is a gas canister configured to store LPG. The metering device 10 comprises a housing 26 configured to contain all the components of the metering device 10 and a safety valve 28 configured to enable a manual shut down of the device. The device further comprises a user interface 160, which comprises an LCD screen and a plurality of controls 162 in the form of buttons. In one embodiment, the LCD screen may be touchscreen.

[0094] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of the metering system 20 connected between and output device 16, such as cooking equipment, and a container 12 comprising a pressure regulator 14. The container 12 is configured to store a fluid 18. In one embodiment of the invention, the container 12 is a gas canister configured to store liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

[0095] The metering device 10 comprises a valve 22 configured to operate between an open position configured to allow fluid 18 to flow from the container 12 and a closed position configured to prevent fluid 18 from flowing from the container 12. The metering device further comprises a gas flow meter 24 configured to control the flow rate of fluid 18 from the container 12 when the valve 22 is in the open position. In one embodiment of the invention, the gas valve 22 may be partially opened and hence enable a plurality of different fluid flow rates out of the container 12. The valve 22 and the flow regulator 24 may therefore be combined into a single component.

[0096] The metering device 10 is powered by a battery 30. In one embodiment, the battery is rechargeable and can be recharged in-situ, whilst connected to the container 12. Alternatively, the battery may be replaced and/or recharged away from the container. In yet another embodiment, the battery is non-rechargeable and may be replaced each time it runs out of power. The battery is located in a casing detachable from the housing 26, but configured to tessellate with the housing such that the casing and housing fill the neck 13 of the container 12.

[0097] In a further embodiment, the metering device may be connect to a mains power supply, for example, a national, regional or other localised grid. This configuration will reduce the likelihood of power to the device being lost due to an empty battery and therefore data can continually be collected and gas can continually be metered effectively.

[0098] The metering device 10 further comprises a micro-control unit (MCU) 110.

[0099] The MCU comprises a control circuit 120 configured to set a threshold amount of the fluid 18 to be dispensed from the container 12.

[0100] The MCU also comprises a connectivity module 130 configured to connect the metering device 10 to a central processing unit (CPU) 180. The connectivity module comprises a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) module configured to establish a connection between the MCU and the CPU and an embedded Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) 134 configured to activate communications between the MCU and the CPU.

[0101] The metering device may have firmware default configuration parameters (i.e. gas calibration factor, credit type, conversion rate) but it may synchronize periodically, for example every hour, with the CPU to receive any pending configuration changes.

[0102] The MCU further comprises a flash memory 140 configured to store data generated and received by the metering system 20. The flash memory 140 may be a memory chip, for example a 16 Mb memory chip. The flash memory 140 is able to send the stored data to the CPU and receive data via the connectivity module 130.

[0103] Data may be sent via a message, which may be a mobile originated (MO) message (i.e. from the metering device to the CPU). MO messages may be: device status report (firmware version); current parts/peripheral connected to it (i.e. type of flow meter, battery, etc.); telemetry data (battery voltage, canister level, flow rate, event logs, etc) and/or request for synchronization with the CPU.

[0104] Alternatively, message may be mobile terminated (MT) messages (i.e. from the CPU to the metering device). MT messages may be: parameter/configuration change; request for synchronization with device; send command (i.e. reset).

[0105] When a control circuit is created in the factory, a serial number will be generated in a database and the CPU will be expecting messages coming from that end point. The first time the metering device comprising the control circuit connects to the CPU, the CPU will pick up the time and keep an internal real time clock (RTC) in the micro-controller unit running. This RTC will be use to generate the time-stamps for any MO message.

[0106] The metering device and CPU synchronize the configuration parameters when the metering device connects the first time and then periodically, for example every hour (MO). From this point, the metering device will operate normally, logging telemetry data, storing it into a file within a file system on the memory and sending it to the CPU every 1 hour, unless a manual synchronization takes places from the CPU. An MT message can be generated at any point from the CPU to force a configuration change or just received the latest telemetry data from the metering device.

[0107] Furthermore, the MCU comprises at least one sensor 150. In one embodiment, the MCU comprises at least one of an air quality sensor 152, a temperature sensor 154 and/or a temper detection mechanism 156.

[0108] The air quality sensor 152 may comprise of a plurality of sensors and is configured to monitor the air quality inside the housing of the metering device 10. The sensor 152 monitors the compounds and/or molecules present in the surrounding air to determine if the fluid 18 may have leaked from inside the container 12 or the fluid channels through the metering device 10. The leak may be identified when the fluid inside the container is detected to be present, above a predetermined threshold, in the air within the housing. Alternatively, the sensor 152 may be configured to detect the presents of the fluid in the air in the vicinity of the metering system 20. The sensor may also detect if a volatile or potentially dangerous and/or hazardous compound or molecule is present inside or within the vicinity of the metering system. A detection of this sort may cause the metering device to alter, or prevent, a fluid flow from the container. As a result, a potential hazard or safety risk may be avoided.

[0109] The temperature sensor 154 may comprise of a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the temperature of at least one of: the air within metering device; a component within the metering device; the battery; the container and/or the air surrounding the container. A sudden or drastic change in any one of the aforementioned temperatures away from a base temperature may be due to a potential hazard, malfunction and/or fluid leak and therefore the creation of a potentially hazardous environment surrounding the container. As a result, the metering system may alter, or prevent, the flow of fluid from within the container.

[0110] The tamper detection mechanism 156 may comprise of a plurality of sensors and is configured to determine if a user has tampered with the metering device 10, the container 12 and/or the connection there between. The tamper detection mechanism 156 may also detect if the user tampers with the connection between the metering system and the cooking equipment. One tamper detection mechanism 156 is coupled to a collar 158 configured to secure the metering device 10 to the container 12 in a way that prevents a user from disconnecting the metering device from the container without alerting the tamper detection mechanism 156. The tamper detection mechanism(s) 156 are configured to produce an alert when light is detected above a predetermined threshold. The alert may therefore be activated if the housing of the device is broken or opened, and the alert is configured to notify the CPU and/or produce an output via the MCU.

[0111] For example, the tamper detection mechanism may be a photo-transistor for ambient light. The photo-transistor may be connected to an ADC input in the micro-controller unit through in-house designed circuitry to be able to read an analogue voltage from 0V (dark) to 3.3V (saturated bright). The resolution of the ADC may be of 12 bit and so the value may vary from 0 to 4095. To avoid false positive alerts, a number of samples may be taken and a filtering algorithm based on standard deviation may take place to discard unwanted readings.

[0112] Alternatively, or in addition, the tamper detection mechanism may be a surface mount limit switch operably connected to the control circuit. This connectivity may be achieved by soldering the switch onto the PCB. After correct assembly of the housing this switch is pressed and the micro-controller unit is able to sense this by via an inputs. The firmware expects this input to be normally active, and if this is not the case (i.e. tampering occurs), a software interrupt is generated and a tamper alert (event log) is sent to the CPU.

[0113] The MCU further comprises a user interface 160 configured to provide the user with control over certain features of the invention. The user interface 160 comprises at least a first control 162, in the form of a button, configured to operate the valve 22 between an open position and a closed position. The user interface 160 may comprise a second button configured to control the flow meter 24, and hence the flow rate of fluid 18 from the container 12. As previously specified, the first and second button may be combined so that the valve 22 and flow meter 24 are controlled by a single button on the user interface 160. The user interface 160 further comprises an LCD display configured to present information to a user. Such information may comprise: amount of fluid in the container; amount of purchased fluid in the container; state of charge of the battery; state of health of the battery; whether the valve is open or closed; flow rate of fluid when valve is open; air quality, temperature and/or tamper detection mechanism alerts; and connectivity information with the CPU.

[0114] FIG. 3 shows a method of receiving payment, wherein the metering system 20, comprising the metering device 10 locked on top of the container 12, makes use of machine-to-machine (M2M) connectivity, digital finance and mobile coverage. From the user's perspective, the main objective of this metering system is to remove upfront cost of the container 12, output devices 16, such as cooking equipment, and fluid 18 bulk purchases by offering user's to pre-pay for small amounts of fluid 18 over time according to their cash flow availability.

[0115] A user may use mobile money to top up credit on their metering system 20 using the following steps: [0116] 1) The user makes a payment towards their metering system payment account through a mobile network operator (MNO) using mobile money via an unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) menu; [0117] 2) An instant payment notification is sent to a metering system payment service module located within the central processing unit (CPU); [0118] 3) The metering system payment service module turns the payment into credit based on the user's contract and sends it to the machine-to-machine (M2M) service module; [0119] 4) The M2M service module sends credit via mobile network operators (MNO) global system for mobile communications (GSM) network to the metering system; and [0120] 5) The metering system receives credit and sends confirmation back to M2M service module.

[0121] In some embodiments of the invention, the user can use cash, cheques, bank transfer, direct debits, cryptocurrencies or any other suitable means to buy credit. Users may also buy fluid directly whilst using the metering device, or buy the container and/or all the fluid stored therein.

[0122] Any credit data is stored in the internal memory of the micro-controller unit, for example in a 2048 bytes sector. A wear levelling technique may be implemented for memory endurance.

[0123] Further, when making payments through the USSD menu of the mobile money provider for the metering system payment account, the money is sent to the mobile network operators (MNOs) mobile money platform. This triggers a notification to metering system payment service module which is a module of user, operations and asset management platform “Pulse”. The platform adds this payment to the user contract and turns the payment into credit according to defined business rules and market-based pricing models. The credit is then sent to the metering system via the product management module as part of “Pulse”. The newly sent credit then reflects on the user interface 160 of the metering system 20 as added credit to the current credit balance. The current credit balance corresponds to the amount of purchased fluid. The user can then use this credit to dispense the fluid 18 from the container 12.

[0124] A user may also pay a monthly rate over a period of time, such as 6-months, which results in the user owning the output device 16. Users can then continue to pay for fluid 18, such as LPG, on a pay-as-you-cook basis using mobile money. This allows the user to spend as little as 0.5 USD to cook with LPG stored within a container 12 such as a gas canister. The price per kg LPG includes a premium to cover the costs of financing the gas inside the container 12, the container itself and the metering device 10 as well as the service cost of the metering system and the delivery and collection of the container during services.

[0125] From the fluid distributor perspective, with the described metering system, last mile distributors are able to offer consumer finance to fluid, such as LPG, user with reduced risk since users pre-pay for a certain amount of fluid. The flow of fluid stops when users run out of pre-paid credit, which gives them an incentive to pay via mobile money for new cooking gas again. The unsold portion of the fluid inside the container, the container itself and the metering device may remain property of the distributor. This allows fluid, and more specifically LPG, distributors to explore new user segments that were not able to afford this modern cooking fuel before.

[0126] FIG. 4 shows a method of monitoring the characteristics of a metering system. The metering system comprises a container 12 and a metering device 10, wherein the characteristics of the metering system are monitored using the following steps: [0127] 1) The metering system sends information, such as system performance, container fluid lever level and user usage via the MNO GSM network to the M2M communication service module; [0128] 2) the M2M communication service module determines whether a response is needed, such as maintenance or due container fluid level being low; [0129] 3) In cases where a response is required, the M2M communication service module sends an alert to technician action engine; [0130] 4) The technician action engine sends service information to a technician app via the GSM network; [0131] 5) A technician receives a service request via the technician app and confirms an action performance via app.

[0132] The M2M technology enables distributors to optimize logistics routes based on remotely monitored container fluid levels, e.g. once more than a critical number of containers are below a certain fluid level in a concentrated area a logistic route will be recommended by the CPU, or operative, reducing costs of servicing this area more frequently than necessary, hence reducing overall transport costs.

[0133] Additionally, users will never be subjected to an empty fluid container since the fluid delivery service is coupled with automated operative actions. These are triggered through an enterprise resource planning (ERP) system when the metering system detects and communicates via M2M that the container fluid level is low. Furthermore, safety checks and user education during installation and every service action performed by certified operative increases awareness on safety and adoption of fluids based cooking, such as LPG, over cooking with solid biomass.

[0134] Additionally, based on the collected data and the monitored container fluid levels, the user demand can be predicted to optimize stock planning and reduce working capital needs.