Remote meter reading system for water meter

Abstract

A remote meter reading system for a water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a water meter; a remote meter reading device that counts information of the water meter; a server wirelessly connected to the remote meter reading device; and a setting device that turns on the remote meter reading device, wherein the remote meter reading device may communicate with the setting device in a LoRa private manner and communicate with the server in a LoRa WAN manner.

Description

Remote meter reading system for water meters

[0001] The present invention relates to a remote meter reading system for water meters.

[0002] Generally, a water meter is designed to check the amount of supplied water used. In such a water meter, the flow of supplied water from the inlet to the outlet rotates an impeller installed inside the meter's housing, and the amount of water used is accumulated through a dial connected to the rotation axis of the rotating impeller.

[0003] A remote meter reading system for water meters refers to a process that measures water usage in real time to generate data and transmits the collected data to water utility operators via a communication network. In particular, the collected measurement data is used to provide information and services, such as real-time water usage, to consumers and suppliers through various analysis tools.

[0004] Generally, when a remote meter reading device is initially installed or reset, the meter reader sets up or initializes the device using a setting device. At this time, the setting is performed using NFC (Near Field Communication), IR (Infra-Red), or Bluetooth communication. However, in the case of NFC, IR, and Bluetooth communication, setting must be performed by contacting or bringing a separate setting device, such as a dongle, close to the device; therefore, difficulties arise in setting up when a remote meter reading device is installed at a water meter that is not easily accessible to the meter reader.

[0005] One of the technical problems of the present invention is to provide a remote meter reading device system for a water meter that can set up a remote meter reading device regardless of the location of the remote meter reading device.

[0006] A remote meter reading system for a water meter according to an embodiment of the invention includes a water meter, a remote meter reading device that counts information of the water meter, a server wirelessly connected to the remote meter reading device, and a setting device that turns on the remote meter reading device, wherein the remote meter reading device communicates with the setting device in a LoRa private manner and can communicate with the server in a LoRa WAN manner.

[0007] In addition, the remote meter reading device includes a first control unit for controlling the remote meter reading device, a first communication unit wirelessly connected to the setting device and the server, a first storage unit storing compatibility information for compatibility verification, and a reed switch, and the reed switch can turn on the remote meter reading device by the setting device.

[0008] In addition, the setting device includes a second control unit that controls the setting device, a second communication unit that is wirelessly connected to the remote meter reading device, a second storage unit that stores a data packet including the compatibility information and setting information, and a magnet unit, and the magnet unit can contact the reed switch.

[0009] In addition, the first control unit can switch the remote meter reading device to a receiving standby state for receiving the consistency information and the setting information when the remote meter reading device is turned on.

[0010] In addition, the first control unit can compare the consistency information with the data packet to verify the consistency information, and if the consistency information matches, the remote meter reading device can be set based on the setting information.

[0011] The remote meter reading system for a water meter of the embodiment of the invention can easily operate the remote meter reading device regardless of the location of the remote meter reading device.

[0012] In addition, the remote meter reading system for water meters can easily turn on the remote meter reading device while maintaining security.

[0013] FIG. 1 shows a remote meter reading system for a water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote meter reading device according to an embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a setting device according to an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 4 shows the algorithm of a remote meter reading system according to an embodiment.

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The suffixes 'module' and 'part' for components used in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably for the sake of ease of drafting the specification and do not inherently possess distinct meanings or roles. Furthermore, the attached drawings are intended to facilitate an easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical concepts disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings. Additionally, when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as existing 'on' another component, this includes existing directly on the other element or having other intermediate elements existing between them.

[0018]

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a remote meter reading system for a water meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote meter reading device according to an embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a setting device according to an embodiment.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a remote meter reading system for a water meter according to an embodiment may include a water meter (10), a remote meter reading device (20), and a server (50).

[0021] The remote meter reading device (20) is positioned on the water meter (10) and can transmit information of the water meter (10) to the server (50). For example, the remote meter reading device (20) can detect the rotation of the dial of the water meter (10) and periodically transmit data synchronized with the numbers to the server (50).

[0022] The water meter remote reading system (1) according to the embodiment may further include a setting device (30) for specifying a setting value when the remote reading device (20) of the water meter (10) is first installed or for resetting the remote reading device (20). When the remote reading device (20) is first installed on the water meter (10), it may be in a deep sleep mode state in which the remote reading device is completely turned off, and may be turned on by the setting device (30) to enter an operating mode state.

[0023] The above remote meter reading device (20) may include a first control unit (21), a first communication unit (22), a first storage unit (23), a first power supply unit (24), and a reed switch (25).

[0024] The first control unit (21) can control the overall operation and communication of the remote meter reading device (20). The first control unit (21) may include a Micro Control Unit (MCU).

[0025] The first communication unit (22) can communicate wirelessly with the setting device (30) and the server (50). The first communication unit (22) may include a low-power wide-area communication network. For example, the first communication unit (22) may include a LoRA communication network and may be able to communicate in a LoRaWAN or LoRa Private manner. For example, the first communication unit (22) may communicate with the setting device (30) in a LoRa Private manner and with the server (50) in a LoRaWAN manner.

[0026] The first storage unit (23) above can store information of the water meter (10) in real time. The information of the water meter may include the water usage of the water meter, the water temperature of the water meter, etc.

[0027] Additionally, the first storage unit (23) may store information for verifying compatibility with the setting device (30). For example, the compatibility information may include at least one of a password, a serial number of a water meter, a LoRa communication frequency, a message transmission strength, water usage of an existing water meter, a message transmission cycle, a tamper detection cycle, and whether a threshold value of a sensor is set.

[0028] The reed switch (25) can be connected to the first control unit (21). The reed switch (25) is contacted by the setting device (30), and the first control unit (21) can turn on the remote meter reading device (20) from a deep sleep mode.

[0029]

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, the setting device (30) may include a second control unit (31), a second communication unit (32), a second storage unit (33), and a magnet unit (34).

[0031] The magnet part (34) can turn on the remote meter reading device (20) by contacting the reed switch (25) of the remote meter reading device (20). For example, in the embodiment, the strength of the magnet part (34) or the sensitivity of the reed switch (25) can be set, so the remote meter reading device (20) can be easily turned on even if the magnet part (34) is far away from the remote meter reading device (20). That is, the remote meter reading system (1) for a water meter according to the embodiment can turn on and operate the remote meter reading device (20) without NFC, IR, or Bluetooth devices.

[0032] The second control unit (31) can transmit information for compatibility verification in the form of a packet to the first communication unit (22) through the second communication unit (32). When the remote meter reading device (20) is driven by the magnet unit (34), the remote meter reading device (20) enters a receiving waiting state to verify compatibility with the setting device (30), and the second control unit (31) can transmit a data packet for compatibility verification to the remote meter reading device (20) through the second communication unit (32). At this time, since the remote meter reading device (20) and the setting device (30) perform compatibility verification using the LoRa Private method, security can be maintained even if the remote meter reading device (20) is easily turned on.

[0033]

[0034] Figure 4 shows the algorithm of a remote meter reading system according to an embodiment.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, the initial remote meter reading device (20), which has never been set up, can maintain a Deep Sleep mode (S1). Afterwards, the remote meter reading device (20) can be installed on the water meter (10) by a meter reader.

[0036] When a meter reader contacts the reed switch (25) of the remote meter reading device (20) using the magnet part (34) of the setting device (30), the first control unit (21) can wake up and turn on the remote meter reading device (20) (S2). At this time, the first control unit (21) can be placed in a receiving standby state to receive information for verifying compatibility from the setting device (30) (S3). At this time, the first control unit (21) can control the first communication unit (22) to a state where it can transmit and receive using the LoRa Private method. For example, the first control unit (21) can control it to have a receiving standby time in the range of 8 to 10 seconds.

[0037] During the above receiving standby state, the second control unit (31) of the setting device (30) can transmit a data packet for consistency verification to the first communication unit (22) of the remote meter reading device (20) through the second communication unit (32). The first control unit (31) can perform consistency verification by comparing the data packet received from the setting device (30) with the information previously stored in the first storage unit (23) (S4). For example, the first control unit (31) checks the password stored in the first storage unit (23) and the password included in the received data packet, and if the passwords match, transmits the data packet information received from the setting device (30) back to the setting device (30) as is to verify whether the data received by the remote meter reading device (20) is accurate. Afterward, once verification is complete, the first control unit can set the remote meter reading device (20) to the set information (S5).

[0038] On the other hand, if the password of the data stored in the first storage unit (23) does not match the password included in the data packet, or if the data packet is not received by the first communication unit (22), the first control unit (21) can switch the remote meter reading device (20) back to deep sleep mode.

[0039] After the setting step (S5) of the remote meter reading device (20), the remote meter reading device (20) can be operated with the set information (S6). For example, the set information may include the frequency (Hz) of LoRa communication, transmission (Tx) strength, whether a Front End Module (FEM) is used when transmitting (Tx), water usage of the water meter, information transmission cycle, tamper detection cycle, threshold value of the sensor, and threshold value per sensor channel.

[0040] In the operation step (S6) of the remote meter reading device (20), the first control unit (21) can switch the first communication unit (22) from a LoRa Private method to a LoRa WAN method. At this time, the first control unit (21) can periodically transmit information of the remote meter reading device (20) to the server (50) through the first communication unit (22). At this time, the first control unit (21) can reduce the power consumption of the remote meter reading device (20) by performing only the function of transmitting to the server (50).

[0041] If inspection and reinstallation of the remote meter reading device (20) are required during the operation step (S6) of the remote meter reading device (20), a step (S7) of resetting the remote meter reading device using the setting device (30) may be performed. At this time, the setting device (30) may re-contact the reed switch (25) of the remote meter reading device (20) to switch the remote meter reading device (20) to a receiving standby state (S3). Subsequently, the step of verifying the consistency (S4), the step of setting the remote meter reading device (20) (S5), and the step of operating the remote meter reading device (20) (S6) may be performed again.

[0042]

[0043] Although the above description has focused on the embodiments, this is merely an example and is not intended to limit the embodiments. A person skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and applications not exemplified above are possible within the scope of the essential characteristics of the embodiments. For instance, each component specifically shown in the embodiments may be modified and implemented. Furthermore, differences related to such modifications and applications should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the embodiments set forth in the appended claims.

[0044] The remote meter reading system for water meters according to the embodiment can contribute to reducing labor costs and improving meter reading accuracy through the automation and efficiency of water supply and sewage management. In addition, the embodiment can be applied in various environments, such as multi-unit housing, commercial facilities, and industrial complexes.

Claims

1. Water meter; A remote meter reading device for counting information of the above water meter; A server wirelessly connected to the above remote meter reading device; and It includes a setting device that turns on the above remote meter reading device, and A remote meter reading system for a water meter that communicates with the setting device in a LoRa private manner and communicates with the server in a LoRa WAN manner.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above remote meter reading device is, A first control unit that controls the above remote meter reading device; A first communication unit wirelessly connected to the above setting device and the above server; A first storage unit storing consistency information for consistency verification; and Includes a reed switch, The above reed switch is a remote meter reading system for a water meter that turns on the remote meter reading device by the above setting device.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above setting device is, A second control unit that controls the above setting device; A second communication unit wirelessly connected to the above remote meter reading device; A second storage unit storing a data packet including the above consistency information and setting information; and Includes a magnet part, The above magnet part contacts the above reed switch Remote meter reading system for water meters.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above first control unit is, A remote meter reading system for a water meter that, when the remote meter reading device is turned on, switches the remote meter reading device to a receiving standby state for receiving the consistency information and the setting information.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above first control unit is, A remote meter reading system for a water meter that compares the above consistency information with the above data packet to verify the consistency information, and if the above consistency information matches, sets the remote meter reading device based on the above setting information.

6. In Paragraph 5, The step of verifying the above consistency information is, The above-mentioned first storage unit is a remote metering system that checks whether the password stored in the above-mentioned first storage unit matches the password included in the above-mentioned data packet.

7. In Paragraph 3, A second communication unit is a metering system that transmits the data packet to the first communication unit.

8. In any one of paragraphs 2 through 7, The above consistency information is a meter reading system comprising at least one of the above password, serial number of the water meter, communication frequency, message transmission strength, water usage of the water meter, message transmission cycle, tamper detection cycle, and whether the threshold value of the sensor is set.

9. In Paragraph 4, The above first control unit is, A meter reading system that compares the above consistency information with the above data packet to verify the consistency information, and if the above consistency information does not match, switches the remote meter reading device to deep sleep mode.

10. In Paragraph 4, The above first control unit is, A meter reading system that switches the remote meter reading device to deep sleep mode when the data packet is not received by the first communication unit.

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