Utility metering system incorporating a transaction authorisation system

Abstract

A transaction authorisation system comprises a user interface unit 30 capable of accepting a transaction authorisation and a utility meter 10 provided at a location having an associated location identifier unique to the location, wherein the utility meter 10 is arranged to communicate with the user interface unit 10 , to obtain a transaction authorisation, and to transmit an authorisation request based on the transaction authorisation and location identifier to obtain authorisation of the transaction.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A transaction authorization system comprising:
 a user interface unit operable to accept user inputs on a transaction and including a card reader device ; and,   a utility meter provided at a location having an associated location identifier unique to the location,   wherein the card reader device is arranged to read data from a card to be charged for the transaction, the utility meter and the user interface unit being arranged to communicate, to generate a transaction authorization request based on the user inputs on the transaction, on data on the card read by the card reader device and on the location identifier, and to transmit the transaction authorization request to a remote authorization authority to obtain authorization of the transaction.   
     
     
         2 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a communication unit arranged to communicate with the authorization authority, wherein the utility meter is arranged to submit the authorization request to the communication unit for communication to the authorization authority to obtain authorization of the transaction. 
     
     
         3 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 2 , in which the utility meter is arranged to submit utility usage data to the communication unit. 
     
     
         4 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 2 , comprising a further utility meter provided at the location, wherein said further utility meter is arranged to submit utility usage data to the communication unit. 
     
     
         5 . A transaction unit according to  claim 4 , in which said further utility meter is arranged to submit the utility usage data to said utility meter for submission to the communication unit . 
     
     
         6 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 3 , in which the communication unit communicates with one or more utility suppliers via a central control system. 
     
     
         7 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 2 , in which the authorization authority comprises a central control system, wherein the central control system processes received authorization requests and submits the requests to appropriate banking authorities for fulfillment. 
     
     
         8 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 2 , in which the communication unit is a modem. 
     
     
         9 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 2 , in which the user interface unit is the communication unit. 
     
     
         10 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 9 , wherein the user interface unit is a telephone. 
     
     
         11 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , in which the user interface unit and the utility meter communicate with each other via RF signals. 
     
     
         12 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 2 , in which the communication unit and the utility meter communicate with each other via RF signals. 
     
     
         13 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 4 , in which the further utility meter communicates via RF signals. 
     
     
         14 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , in which the user interface unit includes a keyboard, wherein the user interface unit is arranged to accept data entered via the keyboard to form at least a part of the transaction authorization request. 
     
     
         15 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , in which the utility meter includes a memory for storing a user's banking data, wherein the user interface unit is arranged to accept an input from the user authorizing use of at least part of the banking data, the utility meter then using the at least part of the banking data to form at least a part of the transaction authorization request. 
     
     
         16 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , in which the user interface unit includes a display, wherein the user interface unit is arranged to display on request utility usage data from the utility meter. 
     
     
         17 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , in which the user interface unit is connectable to a computer, wherein the user interface unit, when connected to a computer, is operative to make necessary transaction authorization requests in response to electronic transactions initiated on the computer. 
     
     
         18 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 17 , wherein the user interface unit includes a USB connector for connection to the computer. 
     
     
         19 . A transaction authorization system according to  claim 1 , in which the transaction is a financial transaction. 
     
     
         20 . A transaction authorization system comprising:
 a user interface unit operable to accept user inputs on a transaction and including a card reader device; and,   a utility meter provided at a location having an associated location identifier unique to the location,   wherein the card reader device is connectable to a computer,   and, when connected to a computer, is operable to make necessary transaction authorization requests in response to electronic transactions initiated on the computer arranged to read data from a card to be charged for the transaction, the utility meter and the user interface unit being arranged to communicate, to generate the transaction authorization request based on the user inputs on the transaction, on data on the card read by the card reader device and on the location identifier, and to transmit the transaction authorization request to a remote authorization authority to obtain authorization of the transaction.