Integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication

Abstract

This utility model provides an integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication, belonging to the field of mechanical technology. This integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication includes multiple intelligent metering devices. Its key feature is that each intelligent metering device is electrically connected to a wireless communication terminal at its front end. The wireless communication terminal is connected to a central server via encrypted communication technology. The central server is equipped with a remote controller, which is wirelessly connected to an external data anomaly alarm. The wireless communication terminal and the external data anomaly alarm are electrically connected to a power supply. Through the coordinated operation of the intelligent metering devices, wireless communication terminal, central server, remote controller, data anomaly alarm, and power supply, this invention effectively solves the problems of traditional energy metering and reading methods, which mainly rely on manual on-site meter reading. Furthermore, manual meter reading is prone to errors and cannot provide real-time monitoring and remote intervention.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of machinery, and more specifically, to an integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication. Background Technology

[0002] With the acceleration of urbanization and the deepening of the smart city concept, energy management in buildings, communities, and various public facilities is developing towards automation and intelligence. Among these, accurate metering and efficient management of energy consumption data such as water, electricity, and gas are the foundation for improving energy utilization efficiency, ensuring energy safety, and achieving refined operation.

[0003] Traditional energy metering and reading methods primarily rely on manual door-to-door meter reading. This model has several drawbacks: First, it is inefficient and costly. Meter readers need to record data for each household and each meter, which not only consumes a lot of manpower and resources, but also results in data lag during the meter reading cycle, failing to reflect energy usage in real time. Second, the data accuracy is poor and prone to errors. During manual meter reading, data distortion can easily occur due to estimation errors, recording errors, omissions, or human tampering, affecting the fairness of billing and the scientific nature of management decisions. Third, it poses significant safety hazards and slow response. For energy sources with safety risks, such as natural gas, when leaks or other abnormalities occur in a user's home, traditional systems cannot perform real-time monitoring and remote intervention. They can only wait for the user to report the problem or for inspections to discover it, missing the best opportunity for handling and posing serious safety hazards. Utility Model Content

[0004] To overcome the above deficiencies, this application provides an integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication, in order to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0006] An integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication includes multiple smart metering devices. The device is characterized in that: each of the smart metering devices is electrically connected to a wireless communication terminal at its front end; the wireless communication terminal is connected to a central server via encrypted communication technology; the central server is equipped with a remote controller; the remote controller is wirelessly connected to an external data anomaly alarm; and the wireless communication terminal and the external data anomaly alarm are electrically connected to a power source.

[0007] Furthermore, the wireless communication terminal consists of a data acquisition unit, a communication network, and a data concentrator. The data acquisition unit is electrically connected to multiple smart metering devices. The communication network is signal-connected to both the data acquisition unit and the data concentrator. The data concentrator is signal-connected to the central server via encrypted communication technology.

[0008] Furthermore, the central server consists of a receiving module, a storage module, and a processing module. The receiving module is signal-connected to the data concentrator and coupled to the storage module and the processing module, respectively. The processing module is signal-connected to the remote controller.

[0009] Furthermore, the remote controller consists of a query module, a start / stop module, and a monitoring and management module. The query module is signal-connected to the storage module and the processing module. The start / stop module is signal-connected to multiple smart metering devices. The monitoring and management module is signal-connected to the central server and the data anomaly alarm, respectively.

[0010] Furthermore, the aforementioned smart metering devices are gas meters, electricity meters, or water meters.

[0011] Furthermore, the central server is also connected to the servers of the gas company, water company, and power company via cloud technology.

[0012] This utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0013] 1. This utility model automatically and in real-time collects and transmits data from distributed smart metering devices (such as gas meters, electricity meters, and water meters) to a central server via a wireless communication terminal. It completely replaces the traditional manual door-to-door meter reading method, saving significant manpower, material resources, and time costs. Furthermore, it fundamentally eliminates inaccurate metering data caused by human factors (such as estimated readings, incorrect readings, or missed readings), ensuring the authenticity and reliability of the data.

[0014] 2. The core advantage of this utility model device lies in its integrated "control" and "alarm" functions. The remote controller of the central server can remotely and forcibly shut down abnormal energy-consuming equipment (such as equipment experiencing gas leaks) through the stop-start module, realizing a shift from "passive meter reading" to "active intervention," greatly improving the safety management level of buildings or homes. Simultaneously, when abnormal data is detected, the monitoring and management module can immediately trigger the data anomaly alarm, sending an alert to management personnel, achieving rapid response and timely handling of faults, effectively preventing safety accidents and ensuring the stable operation of the entire system.

[0015] 3. This utility model's device adopts a modular structure in its hardware design. The wireless communication terminal (including a data acquisition unit, communication network, and data concentrator) and the central server (including a receiving module, storage module, and processing module) have clearly defined functions, each performing its own role, facilitating system maintenance, upgrades, and functional expansion. At the data transmission level, encrypted communication technology is used to effectively prevent data from being stolen or tampered with during transmission, ensuring the privacy and security of user data and meeting the application requirements of high-security scenarios.

[0016] 4. This utility model's device centrally stores and processes data from all metering devices through a central server, constructing a unified energy consumption data platform. Furthermore, by connecting with the servers of various utility companies (gas, water, electricity) through cloud technology, it achieves seamless data sharing and automatic settlement, simplifying business processes. The massive amounts of data accumulated over time provide a solid data foundation for energy consumption analysis, cost accounting, energy-saving optimization, and predictive maintenance, contributing to the refined management of smart buildings and smart cities. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of this application and should not be regarded as a limitation of the scope. For those skilled in the art, other related drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the integrated device structure for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an integrated system structure for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication, provided for an embodiment of this application.

[0020] In the diagram: 1-Intelligent metering device; 2-Wireless communication terminal; 3-Central server; 4-Remote controller; 5-Data anomaly alarm; 6-Power supply; 21-Data acquisition unit; 22-Communication network; 23-Data concentrator; 31-Receiving module; 32-Storage module; 33-Processing module; 41-Query module; 42-Start / Stop module; 43-Monitoring and management module. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0022] Example:

[0023] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 An integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication includes multiple smart metering devices 1, which are gas meters, electricity meters, or water meters. The smart metering devices 1 are installed at the user's end to collect real-time energy consumption data such as water, electricity, and gas. Each smart metering device 1 has a built-in sensor that converts mechanical quantities into digital signals and transmits the data to a central server 3 via a wireless communication terminal 2.

[0024] When the smart metering device 1 is a smart meter: each household has one smart meter installed to measure the user's electricity consumption. The smart meter is equipped with a current sensor and a voltage sensor, which can monitor current and voltage in real time and convert the data into digital signals.

[0025] When the smart metering device 1 is a smart water meter: each household has one smart water meter installed to measure the user's water consumption. The smart water meter is equipped with a flow sensor and a data acquisition module, which can monitor water flow in real time and convert the data into digital signals.

[0026] When the smart metering device 1 is a smart gas meter: each household has one smart gas meter installed to measure the user's gas consumption. The smart gas meter is equipped with a flow sensor and a data acquisition module, which can monitor the gas flow in real time and convert the data into digital signals.

[0027] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 2 An integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication includes multiple smart metering devices 1, each electrically connected to a wireless communication terminal 2. The wireless communication terminal 2 is connected to a central server 3 via encrypted communication technology. The central server 3 is equipped with a remote controller 4, which is wirelessly connected to an external data anomaly alarm 5. The wireless communication terminal 2 and the external data anomaly alarm 5 are electrically connected to a power supply 6. The wireless communication terminal 2 consists of a data acquisition unit 21, a communication network 22, and a data concentrator 23. The central server 3 consists of a receiving module 31, a storage module 32, and a processing module 33. The remote controller 4 consists of a query module 41, a start / stop module 42, and a monitoring and management module 43.

[0028] The wireless communication terminal 2 serves as a crucial bridge connecting the on-site smart metering devices 1 and the back-end central server 3. Deployed as an independent hardware module in each metering unit area (e.g., a residential building or a floor), the wireless communication terminal 2 primarily consists of three core components: a data acquisition unit 21, a communication network 22, and a data concentrator 23. The data acquisition unit 21 acts as the "sensory" component of the wireless communication terminal 2, directly interacting with multiple smart metering devices 1 in the physical world. It connects to these devices—such as gas meters, electricity meters, and water meters—via standard electrical interfaces like RS-485, M-Bus, or GPIO. This connection method is stable, reliable, and highly resistant to interference. Its main task is to actively poll or passively receive metering data from each smart metering device 1. This data typically includes cumulative usage, instantaneous flow rate, device status such as battery level, signal strength, and valve status. The acquisition unit 21 standardizes these analog or digital signals to ensure a consistent data format, preparing for subsequent transmission. The communication network 22 is the "highway" for data transmission, responsible for efficiently and reliably transmitting the information processed by the data acquisition unit 21 to the data concentrator 23. The communication network 22 employs Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology, specifically LoRa long-range radio technology. LoRa was chosen because of its long-range transmission, low power consumption, strong penetration, and flexible networking capabilities, making it ideal for deployment in complex environments such as buildings and residential areas. A single LoRa gateway, i.e., the base station of the communication network 22, can cover a range of hundreds of meters or even kilometers and can penetrate obstacles such as walls. The data acquisition unit 21 packages the collected data into LoRa protocol data frames and transmits them wirelessly to the communication network 22. The communication network 22, acting as a LoRa transceiver, is responsible for receiving these data signals and performing preliminary decoding and verification. The data concentrator 23 is the "brain" and "security guard" of the wireless communication terminal 2, responsible for the final integration, encapsulation, and secure transmission of data. The data concentrator 23 first aggregates and buffers the scattered data received from multiple smart metering devices 1 from the communication network 22. It performs secondary verification on the data to ensure the integrity and correctness of the data packets. Before the data is sent to the central server 3, the data concentrator 23 has a built-in security encryption chip. This chip uses national cryptographic algorithms such as SM4 or high-strength international encryption standards such as AES-256 to encrypt all data end-to-end. This means that even if the data is intercepted during transmission, a third party without the corresponding key cannot decrypt its content, thus effectively protecting the privacy and security of the user's data. After encryption, the data concentrator 23 establishes a secure connection with the remote central server 3 through cellular networks such as 4G / 5G or Ethernet wide area network technologies, and finally uploads the data.Workflow Example: Assume a building has multiple households with smart meters for electricity and gas that need to be read. The workflow is as follows: The data acquisition unit 21 in the wireless communication terminal 2, deployed in the building's low-voltage electrical shaft, sequentially reads the current readings and status information of all electricity and gas meters via the bus. The collected data is sent to the communication network 22, i.e., the LoRa module. The LoRa module packages the data and transmits it wirelessly over a short distance within the building to the data concentrator 23 inside the terminal. After collecting data from all devices in the building, the data concentrator 23 summarizes the data and activates its internal encryption algorithm to perform high-strength encryption on the entire data packet. The encrypted data is then securely transmitted to the central server 3 on the Internet via the mobile cellular network through the 4G / 5G module built into the data concentrator 23.

[0029] The central server 3 serves as the "intelligent brain" and "data hub" of the device. It's not just an ordinary server, but a dedicated computing platform integrating various specialized software modules. It's responsible for receiving, storing, and analyzing data from all field devices and issuing control commands based on the analysis results. The receiving module 31 acts as the "communication interface" and "data portal" for the central server 3, responsible for establishing secure and reliable data connections with all external wireless communication terminals 2. Deployed on the server, this module continuously listens for connection requests from the internet. When the data concentrator 23 of the wireless communication terminals 2 deployed in different buildings or areas attempts to connect via encrypted channels such as VPN or TLS 1.3, the receiving module 31 verifies its identity (e.g., through digital certificates). Once verified, a two-way communication link is established. After the link is established, the receiving module 31 receives encrypted data packets from the data concentrator 23. It first decrypts the data packets, using a key matching the terminal's key to restore the data to plaintext. Then, it parses the protocol header in the data packets, extracting key information such as the terminal ID, device ID, and timestamp of the data source. This information is then bound to the actual metering data to form a standardized data record, preparing for subsequent processing. Storage module 32 serves as the "data warehouse" and "historical archive" of central server 3, responsible for the persistent storage and management of all received data. Storage module 32 is built on a hybrid architecture of time-series and relational databases. Time-series databases such as InfluxDB and TimescaleDB are specifically designed for efficient storage of massive amounts of timestamped metering data. They are highly optimized for data writing and time-range querying, easily handling high-frequency data streams from thousands of devices. Relational databases such as PostgreSQL and MySQL are used to store structured data such as device model, installation location, owner, user information, system configuration, and alarm records. Storage module 32 not only handles data writing but also provides efficient data retrieval, backup, and archiving functions. It ensures the secure traceability of all historical data and provides a solid data foundation for subsequent data analysis, billing generation, and troubleshooting. Processing module 33 is the "decision center" and "analysis engine" of central server 3, a key manifestation of the system's intelligence level. This module is the core of the system's intelligence. It periodically pulls data from storage module 32 within a specified time range for complex analysis and computation. It calculates the user's total energy consumption, average consumption, and peak / valley consumption within a given period, and compares this data with historical data to identify changes in energy consumption habits. It incorporates multiple anomaly detection algorithms, such as threshold judgment to detect instantaneous consumption exceeding the upper limit, trend analysis to detect sudden increases or decreases in consumption, and pattern recognition to detect significant differences between the energy consumption curve and historical patterns. Once an anomaly is detected, it is immediately identified as a suspected malfunction or theft.When the processing module 33 detects an anomaly through analysis, such as a sudden surge in gas consumption at night, it immediately initiates a decision-making process. Based on a pre-defined rule base, it determines the severity of the anomaly and generates corresponding control commands. For example, for a high-risk gas leak anomaly, it generates an emergency command to "immediately shut off the gas valve for this household." The processing module 33 sends the generated query or control commands to the remote controller 4 via its internal signal interface. For instance, it might send a command to the query module 41 of the remote controller 4 to request the latest status of a device; or send a command to the start / stop module 42 to execute the aforementioned "shut down the gas valve" operation. Suppose the central server 3 detects data reported by the wireless communication terminal 2 of a building showing an abnormal surge in water consumption by a household's smart water meter 1 between 2 AM and 4 AM, far exceeding the household's historical levels for the same period. The receiving module 31 receives the data packet from the data concentrator 23, decrypts and parses it, and then stores the data in the storage module 32. During the daily data analysis task at dawn, processing module 33 retrieves historical data from the household's water meter from storage module 32 for comparison and analysis. The algorithm determines that the water consumption is abnormal and triggers the alarm threshold. Processing module 33 determines it as "suspected pipe leak" and generates a control command: "Query the status of the household's water meter and notify the property management." This command is sent to remote controller 4. Remote controller 4's start / stop module 42 sends a status query command to the household's water meter. Simultaneously, remote controller 4's monitoring and management module 43 triggers the external data anomaly alarm 5, sending a detailed alarm message to the community property manager's mobile APP and SMS platform, including the resident number, the time of the anomaly, and a description of the anomaly.

[0030] The remote controller 4 serves as the "nerve center" and "executive arm" of the device. As an extension of the central server 3, it translates server decisions into specific operations on physical devices and monitors system status and triggers alarms. The query module 41 is the "information interaction" interface of the remote controller 4, primarily responsible for requesting information from the higher-level central server 3 and retrieving status information from the lower-level smart metering devices 1. This module is the main channel for information interaction between the remote controller 4 and the central server 3. It is tightly coupled to the processing module 33 and storage module 32 of the central server 3 via an internal signal bus. When the processing module 33 of the central server 3 needs to obtain the real-time status of one or more smart metering devices 1, such as whether a valve is open, battery level, signal strength, etc., it sends a query request to the query module 41. Upon receiving the request, the query module 41 translates the instruction into a command frame using a specific communication protocol that the smart metering device 1 can recognize, such as MBus or Modbus. This command frame is then sent to the target smart metering device 1 through the communication interface of the start / stop module 42. After the device responds, its status information returns along the original path, is received and encapsulated by the query module 41, and then sent back to the storage module 32 of the central server 3 for processing and storage. The start / stop module 42 is the "physical execution" unit of the remote controller 4, serving as the core bridge connecting the digital and physical worlds. This module is the only one that directly connects with external physical devices—i.e., multiple smart metering devices 1. It integrates hardware such as multi-channel relays, solid-state switches, or power line carrier communication PLC modems, enabling it to physically operate the device's power supply circuit or built-in control valves according to instructions. When the central server's processing module 33 analyzes and decides that a device needs remote control—for example, detecting a gas leak and needing to immediately close the gas meter valve—it sends a "close" command to the remote controller 4. This command is received by the start / stop module 42. For gas or water meters, the module sends a "close valve" command through its communication interface; for electricity meters, the module may remotely disconnect the power supply circuit via a relay. After the operation is completed, the start / stop module 42 immediately sends the execution result, such as "valve closed" or "successful gate opening," to the monitoring and management module 43, which then reports it to the central server, forming a complete control loop. The monitoring and management module 43 acts as the "system manager" and "coordination center" of the remote controller 4, responsible for managing internal modules, monitoring external status, and triggering alarms. As the central management unit of the remote controller 4, this module connects to the query module 41 and the start / stop module 42 via an internal bus, ensuring smooth command flow and real-time status monitoring. Simultaneously, it maintains connections with two external entities via wireless or wired connections: the central server 3 and the external data anomaly alarm 5.It continuously monitors the operational status of itself and its subordinate query module 41 and start / stop module 42, such as whether communication is normal, whether command execution times out, and whether modules are malfunctioning, and periodically reports this status information to the central server 3. This is one of its key functions. When the processing module 33 of the central server 3 determines that a serious anomaly has occurred, such as a gas leak or abnormal electricity usage, and triggers an alarm, it will send an alarm signal to the monitoring and management module 43. After receiving the signal, the monitoring and management module 43 will immediately initiate two operations: it first instructs the start / stop module 42 to immediately execute preset emergency measures, such as closing the gas valve. It then sends a detailed alarm data packet to the external data anomaly alarm device 5 via wireless signals such as 4G / NB-IoT. After receiving the data, the alarm device 5 will immediately notify the management personnel through sound and light, SMS, APP push, etc., to achieve seamless linkage between "control" and "alarm". Example of collaborative workflow: A household's smart metering device 1 detects a minor leak, and the data is reported to the central server 3 through the wireless communication terminal 2. The processing module 33 of the central server 3 analyzes the data and determines it to be a "high-risk gas leak," immediately sending a level-one alarm command to the monitoring and management module 43 of the remote controller 4. Upon receiving the command, the monitoring and management module 43 immediately executes the linkage operation. It first sends a command to the shutdown / start module 42 to "immediately close the gas meter valve for this household." Simultaneously, it sends an alarm message to the external data anomaly alarm 5, including the information: "Address: XX Community, Building X, Room XXX; Anomaly Type: Gas Leak; Remote valve closure executed." The shutdown / start module 42 executes the valve closure operation and returns a "successful execution" feedback to the monitoring and management module 43. Upon receiving the information, the external data anomaly alarm 5 immediately activates a high-decibel audible and visual alarm and sends a text message to the property management personnel's mobile phone. The monitoring and management module 43 reports the "successful execution" feedback and the alarm transmission status to the central server 3, completing the entire emergency response process.

[0031] The central server 3 connects to the servers of the gas company, water company, and power company via cloud technology. Cloud interconnection is a key enabling element for the "smart energy management" achieved by this integrated device. It breaks down traditional information silos, seamlessly connecting the device's energy data center with the business systems of upstream utility service providers such as gas, water, and power companies, thus constructing an open, collaborative, and efficient energy management ecosystem. In this embodiment, this connection is achieved through the integration of the central server 3 with the cloud platform, and then the cloud platform establishes secure and standardized communication links with the servers of each company.

[0032] The process is as follows: Process 1: Usage Data Reporting to This Device -> Utility Company. At a fixed time each month, such as early morning of the 1st, the processing module 33 of the central server 3 retrieves the gas usage data of all users from the storage module 32 for the previous month. The processing module 33 encapsulates this data according to a pre-agreed standard data format with the gas company, such as XML, JSON, or an industry-specific message format, forming an electronic data packet containing key fields such as user ID, usage, and timestamp. The encapsulated data packet is uploaded to the cloud data exchange platform through a secure channel. The platform verifies the identity and integrity of the data packet. According to preset rules, the cloud platform accurately and securely forwards the data packet to the gas company's business server. After receiving the data, the gas company's system automatically uses it for billing and invoicing, completely replacing the tedious process of manual meter reading and data entry. Process 2: Bill and Instruction Issuance to Utility Company -> This Device. After generating a bill, the gas company's business system sends the bill information, such as the bill amount and payment deadline, to the cloud data exchange platform through its API interface. After receiving the information, the cloud platform identifies the region to which the user belongs based on the user ID and forwards the billing information to the corresponding central server 3. Upon receiving the billing information, the central server 3 can store it in the storage module 32 and push it to the end user through a user portal, mobile app, or other means, achieving billing transparency. Furthermore, this device can also connect to a payment platform to enable automatic deductions.

[0033] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this application is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that this application can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this application. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this application is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims are intended to be included within this application. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication, comprising multiple smart metering devices (1), characterized in that: Multiple intelligent metering devices (1) are electrically connected to wireless communication terminals (2) at their front ends. The wireless communication terminals (2) are connected to the central server (3) via encrypted communication technology. The central server (3) is equipped with a remote controller (4). The remote controller (4) is wirelessly connected to an external data anomaly alarm (5). The wireless communication terminals (2) and the external data anomaly alarm (5) are electrically connected to a power supply (6).

2. The integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless communication terminal (2) consists of a data acquisition unit (21), a communication network (22), and a data concentrator (23). The data acquisition unit (21) is electrically connected to multiple smart metering devices (1). The communication network (22) is signal-connected to the data acquisition unit (21) and the data concentrator (23) respectively. The data concentrator (23) is signal-connected to the central server (3) through encrypted communication technology.

3. The integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication according to claim 2, characterized in that, The central server (3) consists of a receiving module (31), a storage module (32) and a processing module (33). The receiving module (31) is signal-connected to the data concentrator (23) and coupled to the storage module (32) and the processing module (33) respectively. The processing module (33) is signal-connected to the remote controller (4).

4. The integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication according to claim 3, characterized in that, The remote controller (4) consists of a query module (41), a stop / start module (42), and a monitoring and management module (43). The query module (41) is connected to the storage module (32) and the processing module (33). The stop / start module (42) is connected to multiple smart metering devices (1). The monitoring and management module (43) is connected to the central server (3) and the data anomaly alarm (5) respectively.

5. The integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication according to claim 4, characterized in that, The multiple smart metering devices (1) are gas meters, electricity meters or water meters.

6. The integrated device for remote meter reading and control based on wireless communication according to claim 5, characterized in that, The central server (3) is also connected to the gas company server, water company server and power company server via cloud technology.

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