Meter reading method of smart meter

Abstract

This application discloses a meter reading method based on smart meters, comprising the following steps: Step 1: The server presets a unit electricity consumption and presets an identification code for each smart meter under the server's jurisdiction, then sends the identification code and unit electricity consumption corresponding to each smart meter; Step 2: The smart meter receives the unit electricity consumption and identification code sent by the server to determine the recorded value. The smart meter monitors the electricity consumption in real time, and sends its own identification code to the server each time the accumulated electricity consumption of the smart meter reaches the recorded value. This application provides a smart meter-based meter reading method that can reduce the long time occupied between the meter and the server during meter reading, and also reduces the problem of the meter sending duplicate information to the server.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of smart meter technology, and more specifically, to a method for reading smart meters. Background Technology

[0002] In the existing field of server-based smart meter reading, in order to increase meter reading efficiency, the server usually sends meter reading information to the smart meter at a preset time. After receiving the meter reading information, the smart meter sends the monitored electricity consumption data to the server.

[0003] This meter reading model presents two main problems. First, the uniform timing of smart meter readings leads to all smart meters simultaneously uploading data to the server, potentially causing communication congestion. The server then spends considerable time retrieving current user electricity consumption data. Second, it cannot obtain user electricity consumption data promptly. Each time the server needs to retrieve the electricity consumption data for all users, it must send meter reading information to the smart meters and wait for all smart meters to finish reading. While reducing the fixed interval between two meter readings allows the server to use the most recent reading when needed, this results in a very short interval, keeping the smart meters and server in constant communication and consuming excessive bandwidth. Third, smart meters send redundant information to the server. During the interval between two meter readings, some users may not be using appliances and therefore have no electricity consumption, but the smart meters still send their current electricity consumption data to the server, resulting in the server receiving a lot of duplicate information.

[0004] In summary, there is currently a lack of smart meter-based meter reading methods and systems on the market that can reduce the long and excessive time spent between the meter and the server during meter reading, and also address the issue of the meter sending duplicate information to the server. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The summary section of this application is intended to provide a brief overview of the concepts, which will be described in detail in the detailed description section below. This summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed technical solutions, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed technical solutions.

[0006] To address the technical problems mentioned in the background section, some embodiments of this application provide a meter reading method based on a smart meter, comprising the following steps:

[0007] Step 1: The server presets the unit electricity consumption and presets an identification code for each smart meter under the server. Then, it sends the identification code and unit electricity consumption corresponding to each smart meter.

[0008] Step 2: The smart meter receives the unit electricity consumption and identification code sent by the server to determine the recorded value. The smart meter monitors the electricity consumption in real time and sends its own identification code to the server each time the accumulated electricity consumption of the smart meter reaches the recorded value.

[0009] Step 3: After receiving the identification code, the server reads the current system time, adds the unit power consumption to the total power consumption of the corresponding smart meter, and establishes the correspondence between the current system time and the total power consumption to record the total power consumption data of all smart meters.

[0010] The meter reading method provided in this application does not send electricity consumption data containing both electricity usage and time information during meter reading. Instead, it sends a string of information containing the meter itself and an identification code corresponding to different electricity consumption units. Therefore, the information exchange method provided in this application generates less information each time a smart meter sends electricity consumption information to the server, and does not consume much bandwidth or time during the interaction. Furthermore, for all users under the server, the time when each user's electricity consumption reaches the unit consumption is not consistent, so each smart meter will not send the identification code to the server at the same time. This avoids communication congestion caused by a large number of smart meters communicating with the server simultaneously during information exchange. Additionally, when smart meters send information to the server, only those smart meters whose electricity consumption changes to the unit consumption level will send the identification code, thus avoiding the sending of useless redundant information by smart meters to the server.

[0011] Furthermore, step 1 specifically includes the following steps:

[0012] Step 11: The server has m There are 1 smart meter, each smart meter is a smart meter 1... smart meter i …smart meters m The i-th smart meter is smart meter i; the server pre-sets the unit electricity consumption α and pre-sets an identification code for each smart meter i. i ;

[0013] Step 12: The server sends the unit electricity consumption α to all smart meters. i At the same time, the identification code i Send to the corresponding smart meter i .

[0014] Furthermore, step 2 specifically includes:

[0015] Step 21: Smart Meter i Receive the unit power consumption α and identification code sent by the server. i Obtain the identification code corresponding to itself. i And based on its current total power consumption W 总 Several recorded values ​​were obtained by calculating the unit electricity consumption α; these recorded values ​​include recorded value 1... recorded value... i …Record value n The value of the i-th record is the record value. i Record value i = Total electricity consumption before W 总 +i×unit power consumption α;

[0016] Step 22: Smart Meter i Real-time monitoring of smart meter electricity consumption; when the smart meter... i When the power consumption reaches the recorded value, an identification code is sent to the server. i .

[0017] Furthermore, step 3 specifically includes:

[0018] Step 31: The server receives the identification code. i Next, read the identifier code. i Obtain the corresponding information on the meter's identifier to send the identifier code. i smart meters i ;

[0019] Step 32: The server adds the preset unit power consumption α to the total power consumption of the smart meter and reads the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total power consumption.

[0020] The technical solution designed in this application allows smart meters to send corresponding identification codes to the server based on their recorded electricity consumption. These identification codes themselves do not contain the smart meter's electricity consumption data, resulting in a very small amount of transmitted data, yet it contains the electricity consumption data most needed by the server. Simultaneously, it avoids the smart meter sending too much redundant data—data where electricity consumption hasn't changed—when the server frequently reads meters. On one hand, this saves resources on information exchange between the smart meter and the server; on the other hand, the server's storage space after receiving this information is very small, greatly reducing the pressure on server information storage. Furthermore, since the transmitted data is no longer traditional electricity consumption data, even if information leakage occurs during transmission, without the unit electricity consumption α and the cumulative number of transmissions stored on the server, the electricity consumption cannot be deduced, thus greatly improving the security of the user's electricity consumption data.

[0021] After each update of unit electricity consumption, the server has difficulty determining whether the identification code received in a short period of time was sent by the smart meter based on the unit electricity consumption before the update or after the update. This can easily lead to errors in the server's recording of the total electricity consumption for such users.

[0022] Furthermore, in step 11, for each identifier code i Each includes the smart meter's identification information and a new / old unit electricity consumption identifier. The new / old unit electricity consumption identifier is a 1-bit binary code. When the server updates the unit electricity consumption α, each identifier code... i Increment the old and new unit electricity consumption flags by 1, and then send the updated unit electricity consumption α to all smart meters. i .

[0023] Furthermore, in step 21, when the identification code has already been received... i smart meters i When the smart meter receives a new unit electricity consumption α, i Send an identification code once based on the old unit electricity consumption α. i Then, based on the current total electricity consumption and the new unit electricity consumption α, the recorded value is recalculated. i And update the smart meter. i All record values i At the same time, it will display its own identification code. i The electricity consumption indicator for both the old and new units is incremented by 1.

[0024] Furthermore, in step 32, the server compares the identifier code stored in the system. i and receive the identification code sent by the smart meter i Check if the old and new unit electricity consumption flags are equal. If they are equal, add the unit electricity consumption α to the total electricity consumption of the smart meter and read the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption. If they are not equal, add the unit electricity consumption value before the update to the total electricity consumption of the smart meter and read the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption.

[0025] This application sets a binary identifier bit on the identifier code to indicate whether the identifier code is sent based on the current unit electricity consumption or the unit electricity consumption before the update, even if the sent identifier code does not contain specific unit electricity consumption information.

[0026] Furthermore, in step 11: the unit electricity consumption α is the average electricity consumption per hour during the user's electricity consumption period.

[0027] Furthermore, the server sets the unit power consumption α for each smart meter individually.

[0028] Furthermore, identification code i It also includes a simplified time flag, which transmits the current minute and second time.

[0029] This application achieves calibration by setting a simplified time flag bit, while transmitting a small amount of information. This avoids a significant difference between the time the concentrator receives the flag code and the time it sends the flag code, which would occur after communication congestion between the smart meter and the concentrator.

[0030] In summary, this application provides a smart meter-based meter reading method that reduces the long and time-consuming process between the meter and server, and also addresses the issue of the meter sending duplicate information to the server. Furthermore, since the transmitted data is no longer traditional electricity consumption data, the security of the user's electricity data is significantly improved. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of the application and to make other features, objects, and advantages of the application more apparent. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this application are used to explain the application and do not constitute an undue limitation of the application.

[0032] Furthermore, throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. It should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the elements are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0033] In the attached diagram:

[0034] Figure 1 Flowcharts of meter reading methods based on smart meters in some embodiments provided in this application;

[0035] Figure 2 A flowchart illustrating how a smart meter sends an identification code to a server, as provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 3 The flowchart for the server processing the identification code is provided in some embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0037] Embodiments of this disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of this disclosure are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this disclosure can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this disclosure. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this disclosure are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0038] It should also be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other.

[0039] This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0040] Reference Figures 1-3 The meter reading method based on smart meters includes the following steps:

[0041] Step 1: The server presets the unit electricity consumption and presets an identification code for each smart meter under the server. Then, it sends the identification code and unit electricity consumption corresponding to each smart meter.

[0042] Step 11: The server has m smart meters under its jurisdiction, each smart meter being designated as Smart Meter 1... Smart Meter i …smart meters m The i-th smart meter is a smart meter. i The server pre-sets the unit power consumption α and assigns it to each smart meter. i Preset an identifier code i .

[0043] Step 12: The server sends the unit electricity consumption α to all smart meters. i At the same time, the identification code i Send to the corresponding smart meter i .

[0044] In step 11: the unit electricity consumption α is determined based on the average hourly electricity consumption of several users under the server during a certain period of time when the smart meter detects that the user is using electricity.

[0045] For example, user A typically wakes up at 7 AM, leaves home at 8 AM, returns home at 6 PM, and goes to bed at 10 PM. Assume user A doesn't use electrical appliances during their sleep and outings, but uses them while at home. Therefore, user A's electricity consumption periods are defined as 7 AM to 8 AM and 6 PM to 10 PM. Based on user A's daily electricity consumption, their average hourly electricity consumption can be calculated, allowing the server to obtain the average hourly electricity consumption for all users.

[0046] The unit power consumption is a pre-set fixed value. Besides being set based on the average power consumption of users, it can be set to other values, and the unit power consumption will not change after being set. When determining the unit power consumption, the server can select the average hourly power consumption of any number of users within any time period from the data stored over the years as the unit power consumption.

[0047] In step 11, for each identifier code i Each includes the smart meter's identification information and a new / old unit electricity consumption identifier. The new / old unit electricity consumption identifier is a 1-bit binary code. When the server updates the unit electricity consumption α, each identifier code... i The new and old unit electricity consumption identifier bits are incremented by 1, and then the updated unit electricity consumption α is sent to all smart meters.

[0048] For example, the current preset electricity consumption for both new and old units is 2 kWh, and each identification code i The old and new unit electricity consumption identifier bits are both 1; when the server updates the unit electricity consumption to 1.5 kWh, each identifier code... i The new and old unit electricity consumption identifier bits are incremented by 1, then each identifier code i The new and old unit electricity consumption flags are both set to 0. Then, the new unit electricity consumption of 1.5 kWh is sent to each smart meter. i .

[0049] The table below shows the relationship between the four preset unit power consumption α and the old and new unit power consumption identifiers.

[0050] Table 1: Relationship between unit electricity consumption α and the old and new unit electricity consumption identifiers

[0051]

[0052] Step 2: The smart meter receives the unit electricity consumption and identification code from the server to determine the recorded value. The smart meter monitors the electricity consumption in real time and sends its own identification code to the server each time the accumulated electricity consumption of the smart meter reaches the recorded value.

[0053] refer to Figure 2Step 2 specifically includes:

[0054] Step 21: Smart Meter i Receive the unit power consumption α and identification code sent by the server. i Obtain the identification code corresponding to itself. i And based on its current total power consumption W 总 Several recorded values ​​were obtained by calculating the unit electricity consumption α; these recorded values ​​include recorded value 1... recorded value... i …Record value n The value of the i-th record is the record value. i Record value i = Total electricity consumption before W 总 +i×unit electricity consumption α.

[0055] For example, for smart meter A, when it receives a unit electricity consumption α, the current electricity consumption is 5000 kWh, and the unit electricity consumption α = 10 kWh. Then the recorded value of smart meter A is 5010 kWh, 5020 kWh, 5030 kWh, ...

[0056] In step 21, when the identification code has already been received... i smart meters i When the smart meter receives a new unit electricity consumption α, i Send an identification code once based on the old unit electricity consumption α. i Then, based on the current total electricity consumption and the new unit electricity consumption α, the recorded value is recalculated. i And update all recorded values ​​of the smart meter. i At the same time, it will display its own identification code. i The electricity consumption indicator for both the old and new units is incremented by 1.

[0057] For example, for smart meter 2, its current unit electricity consumption is 2 kWh, and the calculated recorded values ​​are 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, ... The new and old unit electricity consumption flag in the identification code 2 recorded by smart meter 2 is 1. When smart meter 2 receives a new unit electricity consumption α, which is 1 kWh, the total electricity consumption of smart meter 2 is 109. When the electricity consumption of smart meter 2 reaches 110, smart meter 2 will send identification code 2. After the identification code 2 of smart meter 2 has been sent, based on the current total electricity consumption of 110 and the new unit electricity consumption α, the recorded values ​​of smart meter 2 are updated to 111, 112, 113, ... At the same time, the new and old unit electricity consumption flag in the identification code 2 recorded by smart meter 2 is incremented by 1, so the new and old unit electricity consumption flag in the new identification code 2 is 0.

[0058] Step 22: Smart Meteri Real-time monitoring of smart meter electricity consumption; when the smart meter... i When the power consumption reaches the recorded value, an identification code is sent to the server. i .

[0059] Step 3: After receiving the identification code, the server reads the current system time, adds the unit power consumption to the total power consumption of the corresponding smart meter, and establishes the correspondence between the current system time and the total power consumption to record the total power consumption data of all smart meters.

[0060] refer to Figure 3 Step 3 specifically includes:

[0061] Step 31: The server receives the identification code. i Next, read the identifier code. i Obtain the corresponding information on the meter's identifier to send the identifier code. i smart meters i .

[0062] Step 32: The server adds the preset unit power consumption α to the total power consumption of the smart meter and reads the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total power consumption.

[0063] For example, for smart meter 2, the latest electricity consumption data recorded by the server is 100 kWh, and the current unit electricity consumption is 2 kWh. If the server detects that it has received the identification code 2 sent by smart meter 2, the server will add 2 kWh to the total electricity consumption of smart meter 2, and at the same time, use the current system time as the recording time of the updated total electricity consumption, thus establishing the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption.

[0064] During use, if the user does not use electricity, the smart meter will not send an identification code, and the server will not need to update the user's electricity consumption.

[0065] In step 32, the server compares the identifier code stored in the system. i and receive the identification code sent by the smart meter i Check if the old and new unit electricity consumption flags are equal. If they are equal, add the unit electricity consumption α to the total electricity consumption of the smart meter and read the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption. If they are not equal, add the unit electricity consumption value before the update to the total electricity consumption of the smart meter and read the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption.

[0066] For example, for smart meter 2, the latest electricity consumption data recorded by the server is 100 kWh, the current unit electricity consumption is 2 kWh, and the previous unit electricity consumption was 1 kWh. After receiving the identification code 2, the server first determines the smart meter that sent the identification code 2 based on the identification code 2. i For smart meter 2, the system compares the old and new unit electricity consumption identifier bits in the received identifier code 2 with the old and new unit electricity consumption identifier bits stored in the server. If they are equal, the server adds 2 kWh to the total electricity consumption of smart meter 2 and uses the current system time as the recording time of the updated total electricity consumption, thus establishing the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption.

[0067] If they are not equal, the server will add 1 kWh to the total electricity consumption of smart meter 2 and use the current system time as the recording time for the updated total electricity consumption.

[0068] The above technical solution can complete the meter reading operation of smart meters by sending a small amount of information.

[0069] Because different users have different electricity consumption patterns, the server can set the unit electricity consumption α for each smart meter individually.

[0070] However, when communication between the smart meter and the concentrator is congested, there may be a delay in the identification code sent by the smart meter, which in turn will cause a delay in the smart meter's electricity consumption data.

[0071] Therefore, the identification code i This also includes simplifying the time flag bit, simplifying the transmission of the current minute and second time. For example, when smart meter 2 needs to transmit identifier code 2, smart meter 2 enters the current minute and second information in the time flag bit. Thus, when the server receives the identifier code... i After that, the time can be corrected based on the time information stored within. Since network latency is unlikely to exceed one hour, minutes and seconds are sufficient to meet the requirements.

[0072] The above description is merely a selection of preferred embodiments of this disclosure and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of the invention involved in the embodiments of this disclosure is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by arbitrary combinations of the above-described technical features or their equivalents without departing from the above-described inventive concept. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above-described features with (but not limited to) technical features with similar functions disclosed in the embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A meter reading method based on a smart meter, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: The server presets the unit electricity consumption and presets an identification code for each smart meter under the server. Then, it sends the identification code and unit electricity consumption corresponding to each smart meter. Step 1 specifically includes the following steps: Step 11: The server has m smart meters under its jurisdiction, each smart meter being designated as Smart Meter 1... Smart Meter i …smart meters m The i-th smart meter is a smart meter. i The server pre-sets the unit power consumption α and assigns it to each smart meter. i Preset an identifier code i ; Step 12: The server sends the unit electricity consumption α to all smart meters. i At the same time, the identification code i Send to the corresponding smart meter i ; Step 2: The smart meter receives the unit electricity consumption and identification code sent by the server to determine the recorded value. The smart meter monitors the electricity consumption in real time and sends its own identification code to the server each time the accumulated electricity consumption of the smart meter reaches the recorded value. Step 2 specifically includes: Step 21: Smart Meter i Receive the unit power consumption α and identification code sent by the server. i Obtain the identification code corresponding to itself. i And based on its current total power consumption W 总 Several recorded values ​​were obtained by calculating the unit electricity consumption α; these recorded values ​​include recorded value 1... recorded value... i …Record value n The value of the i-th record is the record value. i Record value i =Total electricity consumption before W 总 +i×unit power consumption α; Step 22: Smart Meter i Real-time monitoring of smart meter electricity consumption; when the smart meter... i When the power consumption reaches the recorded value, an identification code is sent to the server. i ; Step 3: After receiving the identification code, the server reads the current system time, adds the unit power consumption to the total power consumption of the corresponding smart meter, and establishes the correspondence between the current system time and the total power consumption to record the total power consumption data of all smart meters.

2. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: Step 3 specifically includes: Step 31: The server receives the identification code. i Next, read the identifier code. i Obtain the corresponding information on the meter's identifier to send the identifier code. i smart meters i ; Step 32: The server adds the preset unit power consumption α to the total power consumption of the smart meter and reads the current system time to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total power consumption.

3. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step 11, for each identifier code i Each includes the smart meter's identification information and a new / old unit electricity consumption identifier. The new / old unit electricity consumption identifier is a 1-bit binary code. When the server updates the unit electricity consumption α, each identifier code... i Increment the old and new unit electricity consumption flags by 1, and then send the updated unit electricity consumption α to all smart meters. i .

4. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 3, characterized in that: In step 21, when the identification code has already been received... i smart meters i When the smart meter receives a new unit electricity consumption α, i Send an identification code once i Then, based on the current total electricity consumption and the new unit electricity consumption α, the recorded value is recalculated. i And update the smart meter. i All record values i At the same time, it will display its own identification code. i The electricity consumption indicator for both the old and new units is incremented by 1.

5. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 4, characterized in that: In step 32, the server compares the identifier code stored in the system. i and receive the identification code sent by the smart meter i Are the electricity consumption indicator bits for the new and old units equal? If they are equal, the unit electricity consumption α is added to the total electricity consumption of the smart meter, and the current system time is read to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption. If they are not equal, the unit electricity consumption value before the update is added to the total electricity consumption of the smart meter, and the current system time is read to establish the correspondence between the current system time and the total electricity consumption.

6. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step 11: the unit power consumption α is the average power consumption per hour during the user's power consumption period.

7. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The server sets the unit electricity consumption α for each smart meter individually.

8. The meter reading method based on a smart meter according to claim 3, characterized in that: Identification code i It also includes a simplified time flag, which transmits the current minute and second time.

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