EP 0419106 A1 19910327 - Commodity metering systems.
Title (en)
Commodity metering systems.
Title (de)
System zur Abgabe von Verbrauchsmitteln.
Title (fr)
Système de distribution de services.
Publication
Application
Priority
GB 8920446 A 19890909
Abstract (en)
A commodity metering system, particularly for metering electricity, comprises a credit meter having an optical port via which it can be reprogrammed and its readings of the amount of the commodity supplied can be accessed. To convert the meter into a prepayment metering system, a separate prepayment unit is connected to it by means of an optical link which is sealingly coupled to the optical port of the meter. The prepayment unit stores credit read from credit tokens, typically in the form of electronic keys, smart cards or magnetic cards, and periodically reads the meter via the optical link. When the monetary value of the amount of the commodity supplied equals the value of the credit stored, the prepayment unit cuts off the supply of the commodity. The prepayment unit also has an optical port, which communicates via the optical link with the optical port of the meter and via which the meter readings can be accessed and both the meter and the prepayment unit can be reprogrammed.
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
G07F 7/00 (2006.01); G07F 15/00 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
G07F 15/00 (2013.01); G07F 17/0014 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [Y] GB 2145303 A 19850320 - GEN ELECTRIC CO PLC
- [YD] GB 2191622 A 19871216 - SCHLUMBERGER ELECTRONICS
- [A] FR 2548803 A1 19850111 - THOMSON CSF [FR]
- [A] GB 2102169 A 19830126 - GROUP NH LIMITED [GB]
- [A] GB 2062324 A 19810520 - TOLL C A
- [AD] GB 2070897 A 19810909 - SANGAMO WESTON
- [AD] GB 2153573 A 19850821 - SCHLUMBERGER ELECTRONICS
- [AD] GB 2191883 A 19871223 - SCHLUMBERGER ELECTRONICS
- [AD] GB 1603648 A 19811125 - ENERTEC
- [APD] GB 2225471 A 19900530 - SCHLUMBERGER IND LTD [GB]
Designated contracting state (EPC)
AT BE CH DE ES FR GR IT LI NL SE
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 0419106 A1 19910327; EP 0419106 B1 19941130; AT E114847 T1 19941215; DE 69014516 D1 19950112; DE 69014516 T2 19950629; GB 2236003 A 19910320; GB 2236003 B 19931027; GB 8920446 D0 19891025; GB 9019776 D0 19901024
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 90309892 A 19900910; AT 90309892 T 19900910; DE 69014516 T 19900910; GB 8920446 A 19890909; GB 9019776 A 19900910