METHOD FOR MANAGING A COMMUNICATION COUNTER

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to the field of communicating meters comprising a unit of measurement and relates more particularly to the field of managing communicating meters to reduce the energy consumption of the communicating meter. STATE OF PRIOR ART

[0002] As is well known, the Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly expanding. The Internet of Things represents the extension of the Internet to things and places in the physical world. While the Internet typically doesn't extend beyond the electronic realm, the Internet of Things involves the exchange of information and data from devices in the real world to the Internet, such as for collecting water consumption readings or remotely monitoring environmental conditions (temperature, pressure, etc.). The Internet of Things is considered the third evolution of the Internet, dubbed Web 3.0. The Internet of Things has a universal character, encompassing connected objects with diverse uses, for example, in the fields of e-health or home automation.

[0003] One initial approach adopted for interconnecting objects, known as connected objects (or "IoT devices"), within the framework of the Internet of Things, relies on the deployment, managed by an operator, of data collection gateways located at geographically elevated points. Except for maintenance operations, these gateways are fixed and permanent. Examples of this model include the SigFox (registered trademark) and ThingPark (registered trademark) networks. For instance, in France, the SigFox (registered trademark) network relies on the elevated sites of TDF ("Télédiffusion De France") transmission facilities. These data collection gateways communicate with the connected objects using medium- or long-range radio communication systems (e.g., the LoRa (registered trademark) system from Semtech).This approach relies on a limited number of collection gateways (difficulty in deploying new network infrastructures), as well as on reliable and secure uplink access with one or more collection servers.

[0004] A second approach involves connecting smart devices via residential gateways. Energy Gateway technology is one example. An Energy Gateway system consists of two distinct parts: first, a residential gateway and peripheral sensors, located in the consumer's home, which collect information, transmit it to a data collection server, and control the triggering of various actions (such as turning on radiators or a water heater); second, the data collection server, which makes the received information available and transmits commands to control the triggering of various actions. This data collection server is accessible via the internet.The radio technologies used to communicate with communicating objects according to this second approach are of relatively short range (for example of the type Zigbee (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark)) to serve a local collection restricted to objects in the home.

[0005] Such connected devices typically include one or more sensors and are usually battery-powered. A challenge lies in preserving battery life, and more specifically in ensuring the continued operation of essential functions within these connected devices throughout the battery's lifespan.

[0006] When connected devices are used to measure fluid consumption, it is well established that the measurement frequency greatly influences the accuracy of the consumption measurement. The higher the measurement frequency, the more accurate the measurement. However, a higher measurement frequency also increases electrical energy consumption, which reduces the lifespan of the battery powering the connected device.

[0007] It is desirable to overcome these drawbacks of the current state of the art. In particular, it is desirable to provide a solution that ensures the integrity of the data stored and / or transmitted by these connected devices when their batteries reach the end of their lifespan, while minimizing the additional hardware costs that such a solution would entail. It should be noted that increased hardware costs generally result in a larger footprint (for example, capacitive elements are more expensive and bulkier than transistors or resistors).

[0008] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for managing a communicating object that reduces the electrical consumption of the communicating meter while ensuring optimal accuracy in measuring fluid consumption.

[0009] Communicating objects include, for example, communicating meters, and the invention makes it possible to extend the capacity of batteries to supply electrical energy to the communicating meter for a predefined period while ensuring optimal measurements of fluid consumption (gas, water...).

[0010] In the prior art, we can mention the documents US 4918995 A, US 11320347 B1, EP 2034281 A1 and US 2012 / 304779 A1. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The invention is defined by the independent claims.

[0012] Preferred embodiments are defined by dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The features of the invention mentioned above, as well as others, will become clearer upon reading the following description of at least one exemplary embodiment, said description being made in relation to the accompanying drawings, among which: [ Fig. 1 ] schematically illustrates a flowchart of a process for managing a communicating meter; [ Fig. 1 ] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a battery-powered communicating counter; [ Fig. 2 ] schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of a control unit for a communicating meter; [ Fig. 3 ] schematically illustrates a flowchart of a process for managing a communicating meter; [ Fig. 4 ] is a graph illustrating the adaptation of a measurement frequency to fluid consumption; [ Fig. 5 ] is a graph of average water consumption per hour; and [ Fig. 6] is a graph of a normalization of the data from the graph of average water consumption per hour. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION METHODS Battery-powered communicating meter

[0014] With reference to the Fig. 1 A connected device powered by a battery and / or by a connection to an electrical power supply is proposed. The term "battery" should be understood as a single battery, or a set of batteries jointly providing an autonomous source of electrical energy.

[0015] The present invention is described in a particular embodiment where the communicating object is a fluid meter 1, that is to say, adapted and configured to measure the consumption of a fluid (water, gas, etc.). The present invention is also applicable to communicating objects such as temperature, pressure, and humidity sensors.

[0016] According to the embodiment presented here, the counter 1 includes in particular a measuring unit 4 for acquiring measurements, a communication unit 6, a signaling unit 8 for emitting alarm signals, and a control unit 10.

[0017] Typically, unit of measurement 4 can be adapted and configured to measure water consumption, or the consumption of another fluid such as gas. As such, unit of measurement 4 includes known means of measuring (metrology) and monitoring water consumption.

[0018] The communication unit 6 includes a set of communication devices enabling the transmission of measurements acquired by the measurement unit 4, for example to a collection gateway or a residential gateway.

[0019] Typically, communication unit 6 includes communication devices via a telephone network, via the Internet (IP communication protocols), via a LoRa system (registered trademark) from Semtech, via a Wi-Fi system (registered trademark), via a ZigBee-type system (registered trademark), or via a Bluetooth-type system (registered trademark). In a specific configuration, communication unit 6 includes communication devices via dedicated cellular LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) networks for connected objects.

[0020] As will be detailed below, the counter 1 through its communication unit 6 can favor certain communication channels depending on the state of charge of the stack 2 and depending on the nature of the data to be transmitted.

[0021] The signaling unit 8 includes electronic circuitry for emitting alarm signals. Typically, the signaling unit 8 may include components for emitting optical signals (e.g., light-emitting diodes). Furthermore, the signaling unit 8 can transmit alarm signals via the communication unit 6 to relay the alarm signals to remote units via wireless systems, as previously described.

[0022] The control unit 10 includes electronic circuitry to control and coordinate all the units mentioned above (measuring unit 4, communication unit 6, signaling unit 8). Furthermore, the control unit 10 is adapted to implement a management process detailed below.

[0023] There Fig. 2schematically illustrates an example of the hardware architecture of the control unit 10. According to this example, the control unit 10 comprises, connected by a communication bus 12: a processor or CPU (Central Processing Unit) 14; a RAM (Random Access Memory) 16; a ROM (Read Only Memory) 18; a storage unit or a storage media reader, such as an SD card reader (Secure Digital) 20; and a set of interfaces 22 allowing the control unit 10 to communicate with the other elements of the hardware architecture presented above in relation to the Fig. 1 .

[0024] The processor 14 is capable of executing instructions loaded into RAM 16 from ROM 18, external memory, storage media, or possibly a communication network. When the control unit 10 is powered on, the processor 14 can read instructions from RAM 16 and execute them. These instructions form a computer program that causes the processor 14 to implement all or part of the management process described below.

[0025] Thus, all or part of the management process described below can be implemented in software form by executing a set of instructions by a programmable machine, such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) or a microcontroller. All or part of the algorithms and steps described here can also be implemented in hardware form by a dedicated machine or component, such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit). Management process

[0026] According to a second aspect, a 100 method for managing a communicating meter is proposed, to measure the consumption of a fluid.

[0027] As shown schematically on the Fig. 3 The 100 management process mainly comprises the following steps: (a) Acquire (step 101) at least one value of the fluid consumption flow rate d(t) at an active configurable frequency fact,(e) Update (step 104) the active configurable frequency fact at least as a function of the value of the flow rate d(t) acquired, of at least one other value of flow rate previously acquired and of a frequency determined from a non-zero probability p(t) of a variation in flow rate of fluid consumption greater than a threshold of variation of flow rate and re-execution of the process with the active parameterizable frequency updated.

[0028] As will be described below, process 100 includes additional steps.

[0029] Thus, in a particularly advantageous way, method 100 allows the measurement frequency (i.e., the active configurable frequency) to be adapted according to the flow rate value, its variation, or a non-zero probability of variation. Adapting the frequency value allows the meter's power consumption to be regulated according to the required measurement accuracy related to the flow rate value.

[0030] It is specified that, according to a particular provision, when counter 1 starts, i.e. process 100 starts without data being recorded in memory, the active frequency is defined by a predetermined value which can be chosen by a user or be defined beforehand, for example within the framework of factory presets.

[0031] Thus, in a given example, when counter 1 is activated, process 100 begins to run, and the active frequency can be set to, for example, 5 Hz or 10 Hz. If a user starts consuming fluid, the flow rate can, for example, change from 0 L / h to 100 L / h in 0.1 seconds. Therefore, in this example, the flow rate variation would be 1000 L / h / s. In this example, the flow rate value of 100 L / h might be insufficient to warrant a change in the active configurable frequency. However, the magnitude of the variation might necessitate an update of the active configurable frequency to optimize measurement accuracy in the face of a significant flow rate change.

[0032] In another example, the user is not consuming any fluid, so the flow rate value is 0 L / h and the flow rate variation is zero. However, at that moment, there is a high probability (for example, a 70% chance) that the user will consume fluid. Therefore, taking this probability into account, the process updates the active configurable frequency.

[0033] More specifically, according to one embodiment, the probability used is a probability initially determined for each time slot during the installation of meter 1 (i.e., during the initial activation of meter 1). This probability is determined from known consumption data within a network of meters 1. This probability can also be determined from known general consumption data. Fig. 5This diagram represents a graph of average hourly water consumption, which can typically be used to determine the probability of consumption (in the case where meter 1 is a water meter). A normalization of the data from the Fig. 5 is schematically represented on the Fig. 6 According to one embodiment, the standardized data of the Fig. 6 are used to set an initial measurement frequency for each time slot. As shown schematically on the Fig. 6 The normalized values ​​range from 0 to 1. The closer a normalized value is to 1, the higher the probability. In one particular arrangement, the consumption probability is updated based on consumption data measured by meter 1. In another embodiment, the probability is updated weekly.

[0034] The process incorporates additional steps to account for a number of measurements taken before an update of the measurement frequency. The process includes the following steps: (a) Acquire (step 101) at least one flow rate value d(t) fluid consumption at an active configurable frequency fact. Typically, this step is performed by the meter's measuring unit 4. (b) Increment the value V (step 102) by an increment of the number of flow rate value acquisitions at the active configurable frequency. finished. In other words, for each acquisition performed in step (a), an increment is added by an additional discrete value V. (c) Compare (step 103) the increment value V with a threshold value N. As will be described below, the threshold value N is a predetermined value that can vary depending on the value of the active configurable frequency. fact.(d) If the increment value V is less than the threshold value N, the active configurable frequency is maintained fact to acquire at least one new measurement at the active configurable frequency. In other words, as long as the increment value V does not reach the predetermined threshold N, the active configurable frequency remains unchanged. fact. (e) If the value is at least equal to the threshold value, update (step 104) the active configurable frequency fact at least as a function of the value of the flow rate d(t) acquired, of at least one other previously acquired flow rate value and of a frequency obtained from a non-zero probability (p(t)) of a variation in fluid consumption flow rate greater than a flow rate variation threshold and execution of the acquisition step with the active parameterizable frequency and increment, comparison and hold or update steps.

[0035] In practice, method 100 allows the measurement frequency to be varied according to the value of the fluid flow rate d or the variation in the fluid flow rate. In other words, it allows the measurement frequency to be increased when the flow rate increases and, conversely, it allows the measurement frequency to be reduced when the flow rate is interrupted or low. With reference to the Fig. 4 Curve C represents flow rate variations, and histograms H represent periods and frequency increases. The height (on the y-axis) of each histogram corresponds to a frequency: the taller the histogram, the higher the frequency. The width (on the x-axis) of each histogram corresponds to a duration: the wider the histogram, the longer the frequency was maintained. On the Fig. 4We observe that process 100 allows for an adaptation of the frequency to the flow rate, which makes it possible to guarantee a precise measurement of the flow rate (and therefore of the consumption), while also allowing for optimization of the electrical consumption of the meter (the lower the measurement frequency, the lower the electrical consumption). First frequency determined for updating the active configurable frequency

[0036] According to a specific provision, the active configurable frequency ( fact ) is updated according to a first frequency ( f 1) determined according to the acquired measurement d(t), the first frequency being determined as follows: f 1 = d t − d min d max − d min . f max − f min + f min with : f min a predetermined minimum frequency, f max a predetermined maximum frequency, d min a measurable minimum value and d max a maximum measurable value, and d(t) a flow rate value measured at time t. Second frequency determined for updating the active configurable frequency

[0037] According to a specific provision, the active configurable frequency ( finished ) is updated according to a second frequency ( f 2) determined as a function of a variation in the value of the acquired flow rate relative to at least one previously acquired value of the flow rate, the second frequency being determined as follows: f 2 = d t − d t − i i − d ′ min d ′ max − d ′ min . f max − f min + f min with d(ti) another previously acquired flow rate value, and i a date of a previous measurement, d'min a minimum variation in flow rate, and d'max a maximum variation in flow rate.

[0038] It is specified that d'min, the minimum variation of the flow rate and d'max, the maximum variation of the flow rate, are predetermined values ​​which can be set by a user of meter 1. Third frequency determined for updating the active configurable frequency

[0039] The determined frequency f3. The non-zero probability of a given flow rate variation is obtained from the non-zero probability p(t) of a fluid consumption flow rate variation exceeding the flow rate variation threshold obtained from a plurality of flow rate value measurements. d(t) fluid consumption acquired over a period of time at least equal to one day and the determined frequency f 3 from the non-zero probability is proportional to the non-zero probability p(t).

[0040] In other words, the active parameterizable frequency can be determined from the non-zero probability of fluid consumption flow rate greater than the flow rate threshold obtained if the measured quantity has a periodicity greater than a predefined threshold, i.e. a periodicity sufficient for a significant probability of flow rate to be calculated for a predetermined time interval. Update of the active configurable frequency

[0041] According to a specific provision, at step (e), the active configurable frequency is updated according to the acquired throughput value according to f act = 1 3 ∑ j = 1 3 a j . f j

[0042] According to an alternative arrangement, in step (e), the active configurable frequency is updated according to the acquired throughput value according to fact = max( f 1, f 2, f 3) .

[0043] It is specified that the choice of the formula (i.e. the calculation) for updating the active configurable frequency can be made by a user. Definition of the increment threshold

[0044] According to a particular provision, the method includes a step (f) in which the active parameterizable frequency fact is compared with a predetermined frequency threshold (step 105), if the active configurable frequency factis strictly less than the frequency threshold then the increment threshold value N is defined by a first predetermined increment threshold value (step 106), if the active parameterizable frequency is greater than or equal to the frequency threshold, then the increment threshold value N is defined by a second predetermined increment threshold value (step 107).

[0045] Increment thresholds are predetermined thresholds that can be set by a user of counter 1.

Claims

1. Method (100) for managing a communicating meter (1), for measuring consumption of a fluid, the meter (1) comprising a measurement unit (4) for acquiring measurements of consumption of the fluid at a parameterisable frequency, the method being implemented by the communicating meter (1) and comprising the step: (a) acquiring at least one value of the consumption flow rate (d(t)) of the fluid at an active parameterisable frequency (fact), the method being characterised by the following steps: (b) incrementing the value (V) of an increment by a number of acquisitions of values of the flow rate acquired at the active parameterisable frequency (fact), (c) comparing the value (V) of the increment with a threshold value (N), (d) if the value (V) of the increment is lower than the threshold value (N), maintaining the active parameterisable frequency (fact) to acquire at least one new measurement at the active parameterisable frequency, (e) if the value (V) of the increment is at least equal to the threshold value (N), updating the active parameterisable frequency (fact) at least according to the value of the flow rate (d(t)) acquired, according to at least one other flow rate value previously acquired and according to a frequency determined from a non-zero probability (p(t)) of a variation in consumption flow rate of the fluid higher than a flow rate variation threshold, and reimplementation of the method with the updated active parameterisable frequency.

2. Method (100) according to claim 1, wherein the active parameterisable frequency (fact) is updated according to a first frequency (f1) determined according to the flow rate value d(t) acquired, the first frequency (f1) being determined as follows: f 1 = d t − d min d max − d min . f max − f min + f min with: fmin a predetermined minimum frequency, fmax a predetermined maximum frequency, dmin a measurable minimum flow rate value and dmax a measurable maximum flow rate value, and d(t) a flow rate value measured at an instant t.

3. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the frequency (f3) determined from the non-zero probability (p(t)) of a variation in consumption flow rate higher than the flow rate variation threshold is obtained from a plurality of measurements of values of the consumption flow rate d(t) of the fluid acquired during a period of time at least equal to one day and the frequency (f3) determined from said non-zero probability (p(t)) is proportional to said non-zero probability (p(t)).

4. Method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the active parameterisable frequency (fact) is updated as follows: f act = 1 3 ∑ j = 1 3 a j . f j 5. Method (100) according to claim 3, wherein the active parameterisable frequency (fact) is updated as follows: f act = max f 1 f 2 f 3 .

6. Method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a step (f) in which the active parameterisable frequency (fact) is compared with a predetermined frequency threshold and, if the active parameterisable frequency (fact) is strictly lower than the predetermined frequency threshold, then the threshold value N is maintained and, if the active parameterisable frequency (fact) is higher than or equal to the predetermined frequency threshold, then the threshold value N is defined by another predetermined threshold value.

7. Communicating meter (1), for measuring consumption of a fluid, the communicating meter (1) comprising a measurement unit (4) for acquiring measurements of consumption of the fluid at a parameterisable frequency, the communicating meter (1) comprising electronic circuitry configured to: (a) acquire at least one value of the consumption flow rate (d(t)) of the fluid at an active parameterisable frequency (fact), characterised in that the electronic circuitry is furthermore configured to: (b) increment the value (V) of an increment by a number of acquisitions of values of the flow rate acquired at the active parameterisable frequency (fact), (c) compare the value (V) of the increment with a threshold value (N), (d) if the value (V) of the increment is lower than the threshold value (N), maintain the active parameterisable frequency (fact) to acquire at least one new measurement at the active parameterisable frequency, (e) if the value (V) of the increment is at least equal to the threshold value (N), update the active parameterisable frequency (fact) at least according to the value of the flow rate (d(t)) acquired, according to at least one other flow rate value previously acquired and according to a frequency determined from a non-zero probability (p(t)) of a variation in consumption flow rate of the fluid higher than a flow rate variation threshold, and reimplementation of the method with the updated active parameterisable frequency.

8. Computer program product comprising program code instructions for executing the management method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when said instructions are executed by a processor of a communicating meter according to claim 7.

9. Non-transient storage medium on which a computer program product is stored, comprising program code instructions for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, when said instructions are read from said non-transient storage medium and executed by a processor of a communicating meter according to claim 7.