Compound type electric meter infrared reading device and electric meter communication system

Abstract

The utility model relates to a kind of composite electric meter infrared meter reader and electric meter communication system, composite electric meter infrared meter reader is used to be connected with electric meter by infrared wireless to transmit the data of electric meter to target gateway equipment, composite electric meter infrared meter reader includes power supply module, data processing module and signal transmission module;Power supply module includes external power supply interface, isolating converter and direct current converter;Data processing module includes integrated chip and LORA chip;Signal transmission module includes infrared communicator, RS485 interface and TYPEC interface.The utility model is compatible with WIFI, BLE, LORA and RS485 communication technology, with good compatibility, can adapt to different scenes, so that the field does not use RS485 line, reduce the cost of user, solve the problem of fast network distribution, improve user experience, realize long-distance transmission data, can solve the problem of no WIFI network coverage in the field.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, and in particular to a composite electric meter infrared reader and electric meter communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, existing infrared meter readers read data from electricity meters via infrared connections and then transmit it to a home gateway for data processing via wired transmission. However, this solution has the following drawbacks: limited communication distance, requiring additional wiring and increasing construction difficulty; lack of data confidentiality, making the bus vulnerable to eavesdropping and posing a risk; poor data real-time performance and stability; inability of the meter reader to handle data transmission over longer distances; and low product integration, leading to decreased reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address at least one of the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model proposes a composite infrared meter reader and a meter communication system.

[0004] According to some embodiments of this utility model, a composite infrared meter reader is provided. The composite infrared meter reader is used to wirelessly connect to an electricity meter via infrared to transmit the meter's data to a target gateway device. The composite infrared meter reader includes a power supply module, a data processing module, and a signal transmission module. The power supply module includes an external power supply interface, an isolation converter, and a DC-DC converter. The external power supply interface is used to connect to an external power source. The input terminal of the isolation converter is connected to the external power supply interface, and the output terminal of the isolation converter is connected to the input terminal of the DC-DC converter. The output terminal of the DC-DC converter is connected to the data processing module. The data processing module includes an integrated chip and a LoRa chip. The integrated chip integrates a BLE chip and a WIFI chip. The integrated chip is connected to the signal transmission module. The chip is used to acquire data from the electricity meter through the signal transmission module and wirelessly transmit it to the corresponding gateway device via Bluetooth or WIFI. The LORA chip is connected to the integrated chip and is used to acquire data from the electricity meter from the integrated chip and wirelessly transmit it to the corresponding gateway device via LORA. The signal transmission module includes an infrared communicator, an RS485 interface, and a TYPEC interface. The infrared communicator is connected to the integrated chip via a communication line and is wirelessly connected to the electricity meter via infrared. The infrared communicator is used to receive infrared communication data from the electricity meter and send it to the integrated chip. The RS485 interface is connected to the integrated chip via a communication line. The TYPEC interface is used to connect external devices or the electricity meter. Both the RS485 interface and the external power supply interface are connected to the TYPEC interface.

[0005] In some possible implementations, the composite meter infrared reader further includes a reset module, which comprises a watchdog control circuit and a button reset circuit. The watchdog control circuit includes a timer chip, the input and output of which are both connected to the integrated chip. The timer chip is used to monitor the operating status of the integrated chip and control its reset. The button reset circuit includes a three-pronged push-button switch. The first pin of the push-button switch is connected to both the integrated chip and the DC-DC converter. The second and third pins of the push-button switch are both grounded. The first pin of the push-button switch is also connected to a Schottky diode.

[0006] In some possible implementations, the composite meter infrared reader further includes a debugging module, which includes at least one serial communication interface for connecting external debugging equipment to debug the meter infrared reader.

[0007] In some possible implementations, the composite meter infrared reader further includes a prompting module, which includes at least one LED light connected to the integrated chip. The at least one LED light is used to light up and turn off in response to a control signal from the integrated chip to indicate communication status information.

[0008] In some possible implementations, the infrared communicator includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver; the infrared transmitter includes a first transistor and an infrared diode, the emitter of the first transistor is connected to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter, the collector of the first transistor is connected to the anode of the infrared diode, the cathode of the infrared diode is grounded, and the base of the first transistor is connected to the integrated circuit chip; the infrared receiver includes an infrared phototransistor, the collector of the infrared phototransistor is connected to both the output terminal of the DC-DC converter and the integrated circuit chip, and the emitter of the infrared phototransistor is grounded.

[0009] According to some embodiments of this utility model, an electricity meter communication system is also provided, including a gateway device, an electricity meter, and a composite electricity meter infrared reader as described in any of the above embodiments. The gateway device is a Bluetooth gateway, a wireless router gateway, or a LoRa gateway. The composite electricity meter infrared reader is wirelessly connected to the electricity meter via infrared to obtain the electricity meter's data. The composite electricity meter infrared reader is wirelessly connected to the gateway device to send the electricity meter's data to the gateway device. The gateway device is used to upload the electricity meter's data to a target terminal device.

[0010] This utility model has the following beneficial effects: (1) The infrared meter reader of this utility model is based on 2.4GHz WIFI communication design, which eliminates the need to lay RS485 lines on site, reducing the cost for users.

[0011] (2) The infrared meter reader of this utility model is based on 2.4GHz BLE communication design, which solves the problem of fast network configuration and improves the user experience.

[0012] (3) The infrared meter reader of this utility model is based on 868MHz or 915MHz LORA communication design, which realizes long-distance data transmission and can solve the problem of no WIFI network coverage on site.

[0013] (4) The infrared meter reader of this utility model is based on RS485 compatible technology, ensuring that users have more choices for upgrading or replacing old equipment.

[0014] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0015] Other features and aspects of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions and advantages in the embodiments or prior art of this specification, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This diagram shows a first structural block diagram of a composite meter infrared reader according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 This diagram illustrates a second structural block diagram of a composite infrared meter reader according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 A circuit diagram of a DC-DC converter according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A circuit structure diagram of the ESP32-S3 chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 5 A circuit structure diagram of a LORA chip according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 6 The circuit diagram of the infrared transmitter and infrared receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 7A circuit diagram of an RS485 interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 8 The circuit structure diagram of the TYPEC interface and the external power supply interface according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 9 A circuit diagram of a watchdog control circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown; Figure 10 A circuit diagram of a button reset circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 11 The circuit structure diagram of the serial communication interface of the debugging module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 12 A circuit diagram of the prompting module according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this specification, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in this specification, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0019] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this invention are used to distinguish similar objects and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments of the invention described herein can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; for example, a process, method, system, product, or server that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0020] Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote elements that have the same or similar functions. Although various aspects of the embodiments are shown in the drawings, they are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0021] The term “exemplary” as used herein means “serving as an example, embodiment, or illustration.” Any embodiment illustrated herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as superior to or better than other embodiments.

[0022] In this document, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three cases: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Furthermore, the term "at least one" in this document means any combination of at least two of any one or more elements. For example, including at least one of A, B, and C can mean including any one or more elements selected from the set consisting of A, B, and C.

[0023] Furthermore, to better illustrate this utility model, numerous specific details are provided in the following detailed embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that this utility model can be implemented without certain specific details. In some instances, methods, means, components, and circuits well-known to those skilled in the art have not been described in detail in order to highlight the main points of this utility model.

[0024] Currently, existing infrared meter readers read the meter data via infrared wireless communication and then transmit it to the home gateway for data processing via wired transmission. However, this solution has the following drawbacks: limited communication distance, requiring additional wiring and increasing construction difficulty; lack of data confidentiality, making the bus vulnerable to eavesdropping and posing a risk; poor data real-time performance and stability; inability of the meter reader to handle data transmission over longer distances; and low product integration, leading to decreased reliability.

[0025] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides a composite infrared meter reader. The infrared meter reader connects to the electricity meter wirelessly via infrared to transmit the meter's data to a target gateway device. The target gateway device can be a home gateway device, such as a home router, or other gateway devices. The target gateway device is used to send the meter's data to a server or terminal service platform.

[0026] Please refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The composite meter infrared reader includes a power supply module, a data processing module, and a signal transmission module.

[0027] In this embodiment, the power supply module includes an external power supply interface, an isolation converter, and a DC-DC converter, wherein, Figure 2 The DC / DC converter in the text is a direct current converter. Figure 2The Power-5V / 2W module is the isolation converter. The external power supply interface is used to connect to an external power source. The input of the isolation converter connects to the external power supply interface, the output of the isolation converter connects to the input of the DC-DC converter, and the output of the DC-DC converter connects to the data processing module. The isolation converter filters and isolates the external 5V power supply to output a DC 5V signal. The DC-DC converter converts the electrical signal from the isolation converter to power the data processing module.

[0028] This embodiment does not limit the specific selection of the DC-DC converter or the circuit structure. For some specific embodiments, please refer to... Figure 3 The circuit structure of the DC-DC converter is as follows: Figure 3 As shown, the DC-DC converter is model JW5017 or JW5026. These models can convert an input voltage of 4.5V to 28V into a target voltage. In the actual circuit, the input voltage of the DC-DC converter is 5V, and the output voltage is 3.3V.

[0029] In this embodiment, the data processing module includes an integrated chip, which integrates a BLE chip and a WIFI chip. The integrated chip is connected to the signal transmission module and is used to acquire the meter's data through the signal transmission module and transmit it wirelessly via Bluetooth or WIFI.

[0030] This embodiment does not limit the specific model of the integrated chip. In some implementations, the integrated chip may be, for example, Figure 2 The ESP32-S3 chip shown is illustrated in the following diagram. Figure 4 As shown.

[0031] In some embodiments, please refer to Figure 1 The composite meter infrared reader also includes a LoRa chip, which is connected to the integrated chip. The LoRa chip is used to obtain meter data from the integrated chip and transmit it wirelessly to the corresponding gateway device via LoRa. The LoRa chip can achieve LoRa communication based on 868MHz or 915MHz. The specific circuit of the LoRa chip is as follows... Figure 5 As shown.

[0032] In this embodiment, the signal transmission module includes an infrared communicator, please refer to... Figure 2 , Figure 2 The IR meter in the text refers to the infrared communication data of the electricity meter. The RMT connected to the IR meter is the aforementioned infrared communicator. The infrared communicator is connected to the integrated chip via a communication line. The infrared communicator and the electricity meter are connected wirelessly via infrared. The infrared communicator is used to receive the infrared communication data of the electricity meter and send it to the integrated chip.

[0033] In some specific implementations, the infrared communicator includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver; please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 6 The infrared transmitter includes a first transistor and an infrared diode. The emitter of the first transistor is connected to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter, the collector of the first transistor is connected to the positive terminal of the infrared diode, the negative terminal of the infrared diode is grounded, and the base of the first transistor is connected to the integrated chip. The infrared receiver includes an infrared phototransistor. The collector of the infrared phototransistor is connected to both the output terminal of the DC-DC converter and the integrated chip, and the emitter of the infrared phototransistor is grounded.

[0034] In some embodiments, the signal transmission module further includes an RS485 interface, which is connected to the integrated chip via a communication line. The RS485 interface is used to connect to external devices or electricity meters that support the RS485 protocol. For a specific embodiment, please refer to... Figure 7 , Figure 7 The specific circuit connection structure of the RS485 interface is shown.

[0035] Furthermore, the signal transmission module also includes a TYPEC interface, which is used to connect external devices or meters. The RS485 interface and external power supply interface are both connected to the TYPEC interface. In a specific implementation, please refer to... Figure 8 , Figure 8 The specific circuit connection structure of the TYPEC interface and the external power supply interface is shown.

[0036] In some embodiments, the composite meter infrared reader further includes a reset module, which includes a watchdog control circuit and a button reset circuit. The watchdog control circuit is used for automatic detection and reset, and the button reset circuit is used for manual reset. The watchdog control circuit and the button reset circuit are configured together to ensure the operational stability of the composite meter infrared reader.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 9 The watchdog control circuit includes a timer chip. Both the input and output terminals of the timer chip are connected to the integrated circuit chip (IC). The timer chip monitors the operating status of the IC and controls its reset. The first input terminal of the timer chip is connected to the power supply pin of the IC, and the second input terminal is connected to the WDI pin of the IC to receive the WDI signal. The output terminal of the timer chip is connected to the reset pin of the IC. When the timer chip detects a low power supply signal or that the IC is not sending a WDI signal correctly, the timer chip sends a reset signal to the IC.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 10The button reset circuit includes a three-pin button switch. The first pin of the three-pin button switch is connected to the integrated chip and the DC-DC converter respectively. The second and third pins of the three-pin button switch are both grounded. The first pin of the three-pin button switch is also connected to a Schottky diode.

[0039] In some embodiments, the composite meter infrared reader further includes a debugging module, which includes at least one serial communication interface. The serial communication interface is used to connect an external debugging device to debug the meter infrared reader. That is, the serial communication interface is a DW UART communication interface, which is used to implement debugging and testing of the chip.

[0040] For some specific implementation methods, please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 11 Connectors J3 and J4 are the aforementioned serial communication interfaces. External debugging devices connect to the integrated chip through J3 and J4, and complete the parameter settings of the integrated chip based on J3 and J4.

[0041] In some embodiments, the composite meter infrared reader further includes a prompting module, which includes at least one LED light connected to an integrated chip. The at least one LED light is used to light up and turn off in response to a control signal from the integrated chip to indicate communication status information.

[0042] For some specific implementation methods, please refer to Figure 12 The indicator module includes two LEDs, which are used to display the infrared communication connection status and the WIFI communication connection status of the meter, respectively. It should be understood that the information displayed by the LEDs depends on which pin of the integrated chip the LED is connected to. In other cases, the LEDs can also be used to display the load status or power status of the integrated chip.

[0043] This utility model embodiment also provides an electricity meter communication system, including a gateway device, a P1 electricity meter, and a composite electricity meter infrared reader according to any of the above embodiments. The gateway device is a Bluetooth gateway, a wireless router gateway, or a LoRa gateway. The composite electricity meter infrared reader is wirelessly connected to the electricity meter to obtain the electricity meter data. The composite electricity meter infrared reader is wirelessly connected to the gateway device to send the electricity meter data to the gateway device. The gateway device is used to upload the electricity meter data to the target terminal device.

[0044] The various embodiments of the present invention have been described above. These descriptions are exemplary and not exhaustive, nor are they limited to the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein is chosen to best explain the principles, practical applications, or technical improvements to the embodiments in the market, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A composite infrared meter reader, characterized in that, The composite meter infrared reader is used to connect to the meter wirelessly via infrared to transmit the meter's data to the target gateway device; the composite meter infrared reader includes a power supply module, a data processing module, and a signal transmission module; The power supply module includes an external power supply interface, an isolation converter, and a DC-DC converter. The external power supply interface is used to connect to an external power source. The input terminal of the isolation converter is connected to the external power supply interface, the output terminal of the isolation converter is connected to the input terminal of the DC-DC converter, and the output terminal of the DC-DC converter is connected to the data processing module. The data processing module includes an integrated chip and a LoRa chip. The integrated chip integrates a BLE chip and a WIFI chip. The integrated chip is connected to the signal transmission module and is used to acquire the data of the electricity meter through the signal transmission module and wirelessly transmit it to the corresponding gateway device via Bluetooth or WIFI. The LoRa chip is connected to the integrated chip and is used to acquire the data of the electricity meter from the integrated chip and wirelessly transmit it to the corresponding gateway device via LoRa. The signal transmission module includes an infrared communicator, an RS485 interface, and a TYPEC interface. The infrared communicator is connected to the integrated chip via a communication line and is wirelessly connected to the electricity meter via infrared. The infrared communicator is used to receive infrared communication data from the electricity meter and send it to the integrated chip. The RS485 interface is connected to the integrated chip via a communication line. The TYPEC interface is used to connect external devices or the electricity meter. Both the RS485 interface and the external power supply interface are connected to the TYPEC interface.

2. The composite infrared meter reader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composite meter infrared reader also includes a reset module, which includes a watchdog control circuit and a button reset circuit. The watchdog control circuit includes a timer chip, the input and output terminals of which are connected to the integrated chip. The timer chip is used to monitor the operating status of the integrated chip and control the integrated chip to reset. The button reset circuit includes a three-pin button switch. The first pin of the three-pin button switch is connected to the integrated chip and the DC-DC converter, respectively. The second pin and the third pin of the three-pin button switch are both grounded. The first pin of the three-pin button switch is also connected to a Schottky diode.

3. The composite infrared meter reader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composite meter infrared reader also includes a debugging module, which includes at least one serial communication interface for connecting external debugging equipment to debug the meter infrared reader.

4. The composite infrared meter reader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The composite meter infrared reader also includes a prompting module, which includes at least one LED light. The at least one LED light is connected to the integrated chip, and the at least one LED light is used to light up and turn off in response to the control signal of the integrated chip to indicate communication status information.

5. A composite infrared meter reader according to claim 1, characterized in that, The infrared communicator includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver; The infrared transmitter includes a first transistor and an infrared diode. The emitter of the first transistor is connected to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter, the collector of the first transistor is connected to the anode of the infrared diode, the cathode of the infrared diode is grounded, and the base of the first transistor is connected to the integrated chip. The infrared receiver includes an infrared phototransistor, the collector of which is connected to the output terminal of the DC-DC converter and the integrated chip, respectively, and the emitter of which is grounded.

6. A communication system for electricity meters, characterized in that, The invention includes a gateway device, an electricity meter, and a composite electricity meter infrared reader according to any one of claims 1-5. The gateway device is a Bluetooth gateway, a wireless router gateway, or a LoRa gateway. The composite electricity meter infrared reader is wirelessly connected to the electricity meter via infrared to obtain the electricity meter's data. The composite electricity meter infrared reader is wirelessly connected to the gateway device to send the electricity meter's data to the gateway device. The gateway device is used to upload the electricity meter's data to a target terminal device.

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