Consumption meter and system comprising a consumption meter and a reading device

Abstract

The invention relates to a consumption meter (1) for recording the consumption quantity of a consumer good, preferably water, heat, gas or electricity, with a measuring device (2), an electrical or electronic display (3) for the optical output of information relating to the recorded consumption quantity to a user, a control and electronic unit (4) for process control, measured value processing and measured value evaluation, a memory (13) for data, in particular consumption data and / or configuration data, and an autonomous energy supply, preferably in the form of a long-life battery (6), wherein consumption data can be output as a flicker code on the display (3).Furthermore, the invention relates to a system comprising a consumption meter (1) and a readout device (200), wherein the readout device (200) comprises a control and electronics unit (203), a camera (202), a display (201) and a flicker code evaluation.

Description

The present invention relates to a consumption meter and a system comprising a consumption meter and a reading device.Consumption meters usually have an autonomous energy source in the form of a so-called long life battery. This is not a rechargeable battery (rechargeable battery), but a battery which supplies the consumption meter with electrical energy "in the field" over its entire service time. Corresponding consumption meters are operated for more than 10 years with one and the same long life battery. As the time increases, the consumption meter requirements, especially as regards communication capability (including data security requirements) with data collectors or base stations, become increasingly higher, which leads to the requirement for more and more computing power in consumption meters. Increasing computing power increases power consumption. This in turn loads and consequently shortens the service life of the Longife battery of a utility meter.A consumption meter according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from DE 10 2014 016 133 A1. In this case, a binary optical area code in the form of a QR code which is permanently displayed in the display is generated in the display of the consumption meter, which can be read out by an optical reading device in the form of a mobile telephone. The QR code in the utility meter requires a comparatively large amount of space on the display of the utility meter because of its surface extension. In addition, the generation of the QR code requires a certain amount of electrical energy, because upon each call to the display as such via an operating key, the QR code is displayed along with further information.Object of the present inventionThe object of the present invention is to provide a user-friendly consumption meter that protects the energy source and a corresponding system comprising a consumption meter and a reading device.Solution of the ProblemThe above object is achieved in the consumption meter according to claim 1 in that an output of consumption data can be carried out as flicker code on the display. In addition, the object is achieved by a system according to claim 17. Practical embodiments of the present invention are claimed in the dependent claims.The output of consumption data as flicker code on the display uses comparatively very little energy, since the consumption data are transmitted only by blinking code, for which display elements that are present in any case can be used. In addition, the computing power required for generating the flicker code is comparatively low. As a result, viewed over the operating time of a consumption meter, an advantageous energy saving can be achieved, which is particularly important because of the use of a long life battery as an energy source. In addition, the invention increases the usable display area compared to a QR code.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control and electronic unit of the utility meter has a flicker code sequence control. A flicker code sequence control can be installed, for example, in the course of a software update in the firmware of the control and electronic unit. This also allows already installed consumption meters to be provided with the possibility of outputting consumption data as flicker code on the display.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the output can be manually triggered by the user at any time, if necessary, by means of flicker code. Thus, the output of the consumption data is not tied to specific time intervals.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the respective content of the electrical or electronic display can be called up by the user by selecting a predefined selection position of a plurality of predefined selection positions of a display loop. This has the advantage that the manual triggering is very user-friendly, since the user is familiar anyway with the handling of the display loop. In addition, such a call is particularly energy-saving, since in the case of an already activated display, the flicker code is only active in the relevant selection position within the display loop, so that energy is also only then consumed for the flicker code, i.e. not already upon actuation of an operating key for activating the display over the entire time of the activated display. Furthermore, no continuous display or ready-to-receive of an external signal is required by the read-out device, as is proposed in DE 10 2014 016 133 A1.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the selection of a selection position of a plurality of predetermined selection positions is effected by means of manual actuation of a button, for example a mechanical or optical button, by the user. As a result, the button of a consumption meter that is usually present for the activation or selection of the individual displays can already be used.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the control and electronic unit automatically starts the transmission by flicker code when the relevant selection position of the display loop is selected. In this case, the control and electronics unit preferably maintains a time period for the user for the data transmission.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a permanently predefined (in particular, non-configurable by the user) frame of data can be enabled for output as flicker code on the display. The user thus receives an already previously defined information content about his consumption when the transmission is initiated by flicker code. This is also advantageous from the viewpoint of energy-saving operation, since the information content (if appropriate after updating) can be held ready statically, that is to say does not require permanent arithmetic operation.According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the predefined information content cannot be influenced by the user.According to an advantageous embodiment, only a portion of the data of the memory can be enabled for output as flicker code on the display. This is also advantageous from the viewpoint of energy saving operation.According to an advantageous embodiment, the consumption data that can be output as flicker code on the display are consumption history data and / or the current count. Consumption history data are, for example, the accumulated consumption quantity, in particular the accumulated consumption volume (total volume) over a specific time period, and / or the accumulated heat quantity. Consumption data can also be, for example, the current consumption, for example the current flow rate (volume per unit time).According to an advantageous embodiment, configuration data and / or the counter ID can also be output on the display as flicker code.According to an advantageous embodiment, the consumption data transmitted by flicker code can be encrypted.According to an advantageous embodiment, the display can be awakened by the user by actuating a button from a sleep mode to an active mode. This makes it possible to conserve the long life battery of the utility meter.According to an advantageous embodiment, the control and electronic unit comprises a display loop control and the output of consumption data takes place as flicker code on the display via a flicker code sequence control as subroutine of the display loop control.According to an advantageous embodiment, the display comprises a seven-segment display, wherein the flicker code is generated via at least one segment, preferably via a plurality of segments, of the seven-segment display.According to an advantageous embodiment, the consumption meter comprises a radio module which serves for sending data relating to the detected consumption quantity.The present invention further relates to a system comprising a consumption meter according to claims 1 to 16 and a reading device, wherein the reading device, preferably in the form of a smartphone or handheld computer, comprises a control and electronic unit, a camera, a display and a flicker code evaluation.According to an advantageous embodiment, the flicker code evaluation is provided by application software downloadable to the read-out device from a data server.According to an advantageous embodiment, a key for the data encryption of the consumption data of the reading device transmitted by flicker code can be downloaded from a data server.DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO EMBODIMENTSPractical embodiments of the present invention are reproduced below by way of example with reference to drawing figures. For reasons of clarity, repeating features are provided with a reference sign only once in the respective drawing figure.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a greatly simplified schematic illustration of an example of a consumption meter according to the invention and of a reading device for reading consumption data; FIG. 2 shows a greatly simplified schematic illustration of the control and electronic unit of the utility meter of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of an example of a display of the control and electronic unit of the consumption meter from FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 shows an illustration of an example of a display loop of the control and electronic unit of the utility meter from FIG. 1 ; and FIG. 5 shows an illustration of an example of an operating sequence for transmitting the data by flicker code to the read-out device of FIG. 1.Reference numeral 1 in FIG. 1 shows a consumption meter for detecting the consumption quantity of a consumable which is provided in a supply network 8. The utility meter 1 can be a water meter, heat meter, gas meter or electricity meter. FIG. 1 shows an example of a water meter or heat meter which is integrated into a pipeline of the supply network 8 via its connection housing 9. The connection housing 9 of the consumption meter 1 has a measuring device 2 which measures the consumption of the consumable. This can be, for example, an ultrasonic measuring device not shown in FIG. 1 or a mechanical measuring device. Furthermore, the utility meter 1 comprises a control and electronic unit 4, which is provided to evaluate the signals of the measuring device 2 and to output them visually to the user of the utility meter 1 via an electrical or electronic display 3, so that the user can read different data on the display 3. Furthermore, the control and electronics unit 4 can have a radio module, not shown in FIG. 1, with an antenna 12 in order to transmit consumption data to a data collector 18 or a base station by radio 19.In addition, a reading device 200 to be used by the user is provided, which serves to read data from the electrical or electronic display 3 by a user via a camera 202. The reading device 200 likewise comprises a display 201 and a control and electronics unit 203.For the transmission of the data, an application software (app) 204 which is kept ready for retrieval in a server 205 can be downloaded with the readout device 200. The application software 204 serves to carry out the reading process of the data of the display 3 of the consumption meter 1 via the camera 202 of the reading device 200.The data to be called up by the user in this way via the reading device 200 are preferably encrypted and can therefore only be called up using a key 206 which has likewise to be called up beforehand from the server 205 via the reading device 200.The data are transmitted by means of what is known as flicker code 17.FIG. 2 shows a greatly simplified schematic illustration of an example of components of the control and electronics unit 4 of the utility meter from FIG. 1. the control and electronics unit 4 comprises a microcontroller 11 which has a memory 13 and is supplied with electrical energy by an autonomous energy source of the utility meter 1 in the form of a so-called long life battery 6. A long life battery is a non-rechargeable battery with a usage time of at least ten years. In addition, the control and electronics unit 4 has a radio module 5, which is likewise controlled by the microcontroller 11 and supplied with electrical energy by the long-term battery 6. The radio module 5 serves to transmit consumption data via the antenna 12 by radio 19 to the data collector 18 or base station shown in FIG. 1. Typically, the transmissions take place at fixed times. For the transmission, in particular, an unlicensed frequency band in the narrowband range is used.The control and electronic unit 4 furthermore has an electrical or electronic display 3, which is likewise controlled by the microcontroller 11. Normally, the display 3 is in a rest state (display is switched off). In order to activate the display 3 from a rest state, i.e. to switch it on, a button 10, e.g. a mechanical button or an optical button, is provided. The display 3 can also be activated during or shortly after the opening of a protective flap (not shown in the figures) of the display 3. The activation takes place via an optical button which detects the difference in brightness. The button 10 may be disposed in the vicinity of the display 3. Alternatively, a corresponding touch functionality can also be provided on the display 3 itself as a touch area. After the button 10 is actuated in an active state, the displays of the display are effected via a so-called display loop 16, cf. FIG. 4, which contains a plurality of selection positions with different display contents in a predefined sequence. The microcontroller 11 for this reason contains a display loop controller 17. The flicker code sequence control 7 ensures that certain data can be output from the memory 13 at any time via the display 3 to the read-out device 200 when called by a user.FIG. 3 shows an example of an electrical or electronic display 3 as is used in a consumption meter 1 of the described type. The display 3 comprises a series of conventional seven-segment displays 15 with individual segments 18. However, they can also represent specific word sequences or abbreviations such as "bAtt" for an error message. Arranged around the seven-segment displays 15 are different symbols, namely forward flow 100, reverse flow 101, loop number 102 of the relevant display loop, battery state of charge display 103, leakage display 104, metrology 105, radio on / off display 106, fault / alarm display 107, display "calibrated value" 108, display "Imperial gallons per minute" 109, display "kiloliter per hour" 110, display "cubic feet per hour" 111, display "cubic metres per hour" 112 and display "Imperial gallons" 113. The relevant electronic field of the display 3 is substantially filled in terms of area by the plurality of seven-segment displays 15 and the symbols 100- 113 further indicated.According to the invention, no QR code for a readout is contained in the display 3. Rather, consumption data are read out by the display 3 by the read-out device 200 via a so-called flicker code 17, cf. FIG. 1. In this case, the data are transmitted in the form of a coded flashing sequence via the individual segments 18 of the seven-segment displays 15, as it were a morse sign, to the camera 202 of the read-out device 200. The data are read out by the control and electronics unit 203 of the read-out device 200 via the application software 204 or the key 206. The data to be read out are stored in the memory 13, and preferably to a fixedly defined extent. This permanently defined data volume is continuously overwritten, i.e. updated, only at specific points in time. The information content of the data is thus kept available statically and does not require permanent arithmetic operation, which is particularly advantageous from the viewpoint of energy-saving operation. From this point of view, it is also particularly advantageous that, when the display 3 is switched on, no QR code is displayed, i.e. has to be controlled, in the display 3. In addition, for the display of a QR code, a DOT matrix multiplexer is necessary, which has a higher current consumption even when the QR code is not active. A transmission to the readout device 200 takes place only as part of the selection of a selection position in the display loop 16, as is shown in FIG. 4.FIG. 4 shows a representation of an example of a display loop 16 of the control and electronic unit 4 of the utility meter 1 of FIG. 1, The display loop 16 comprises a plurality of selection positions, of which only seven are represented in FIG. 4 for the sake of clarity. A display loop may have a different number of selection positions. The display loop 16 defines a particular display for each selection position. The selection position 1 is, for example, the count, in particular in the form of a current cumulative volume (e.g. in cubic meters). The selection position 2 is, for example, the flow rate (for example in cubic metres per hour). The selection position 3 is, for example, a display test. In this case, all display elements on the display 3 are switched on and off again in alternation. The selection position 5 is, for example, a display of the current software version. The selection position 6 is, for example, an indication of the battery life remaining, and the selection position 7 is, for example, an indication of an error message.According to the invention, the reading out by flicker code takes place in a specific selection position, for example the selection position 4 of the display loop 10. For this purpose, a certain time can be defined over which the selection position remains unchanged. The user now only has to position the reading device 200 with its camera 202 in front of the display 3 of the consumption meter 1. The application software 204 of the reading device 200 recognizes the flicker code transmission, so that the camera can record the blinking sequence in question and an evaluation can take place in the control and electronic unit 203 of the reading device 200. The control and electronics unit 4 defines a specific time period (e.g. 3 minutes) within which a transmission can take place. Thereafter, the control and electronic unit 4 automatically disconnects the transmission. Thus, only for this very short period of time is there a need for energy of the long life battery 6.The flicker code 17 is preferably generated via the segments 18 of the seven-segment display 15 of the display 3. The generation of the flicker code is controlled via the flicker code sequence control 7.FIG. 5 shows, by way of example, in the form of a flow chart, a procedure for reading out the consumption data as flicker code 17 on the display 3 of the consumption meter by a user. First, the user performs a manual activation 300 of the display 3 from the idle mode, e.g. by means of the button 10, see FIG. 2, of the consumption meter 1. Subsequently, by actuating the button 10, the user carries out a manual selection 301 of that flicker code selection position from a plurality of predetermined selection positions which enables the flicker code transmission. If this selection position remains for a certain period of time, automatic activation 302 of the flicker code transmission takes place. In this case, the user positions 303 the camera of the reading device 200 in front of the display 3. The user then waits 304 with the camera of the reading device 200 in front of the display 3 for a specific period of time T. In this case, the consumption data is transmitted 305 to the reading device 200 by means of flicker code 17. The flicker code transmission is then automatically switched off 307.The consumption data transmitted to the read-out device 200 can then be edited, further processed or transmitted further by the user.The consumption data to be output as flicker code 17 on the display 3 of the consumption meter 1 are preferably consumption history data and / or the current count. Consumption history data are, for example, the accumulated consumption quantity, in particular the accumulated consumption volume (total volume) over a specific time period and / or, for example, the accumulated heat quantity. Likewise, the current flow rate (volume per unit time) can also be output, for example, as consumption data.The present invention ensures the advantage that the particular type of transmission of the consumption data by flicker code 17 protects the long life battery 6 better compared to an output by QR code, that more display area is available for other displays and that more cost-effective displays can be used. In addition, the reading out of consumption data for influencing its consumption behavior is particularly simple for the user. The present invention therefore makes a very particular contribution in the relevant field of technology of consumption meters.LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS1 Utility meter 2 Measuring device 3 Display 4 Control and electronics unit 5 Radio module 6 Longife battery 7 Flicker code sequence control 8 Supply network 9 Connection housing 10 Pushbutton 11 Microcontroller 12 Antenna 13 Memory 14 Radio path 15 Seven-segment display 16 Display loop 17 Display loop control 18 Segment 17 Flicker code 18 Data collector 19 Radio 100 Forward flow rate 101 Reverse flow rate 102 Loop number 103 Battery 104 Leakage 105 Metrology 106 Radio to / from 107 Fault / alarm 108 Calibrated value 109 Imperial gallons per minute 110 kiloliter per hour 111 Cubic feet per hour 112 Cubic metres per hour 113 Imperial gallons 200 Read-out device 201 Display 202 Camera 203 Control and electronics unit 204 Application software 205 Server 206 Key 300 Activation of the display 301 Selection of selection position of display loop 302 Activation of the flicker code transmission 303 Positioning of the camera of a reading device 304 Waiting for a predetermined minimum period of time 305 Transmission of the data by flicker code 306 Display of a message, the flicker code transmission has been completed 307 Automatic deactivation of the flicker code transmissionReferences included in the specificationThis list of documents cited by the applicant has been produced in an automated manner and is only included for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent application or utility model application. The DPMA does not take any adhesion for any faults or omissions.Patent Literature citedDE 10 2014 016 133 A1 [0003, 0009]

Claims

Consumption meter (1) for detecting the consumption quantity of a consumable, preferably water, heat, gas or electric current, having a measuring device (2), an electrical or electronic display (3) for optically outputting information relating to the detected consumption quantity to a user, a control and electronic unit (4) for sequence control, measured value processing and measured value evaluation, a memory (13) for data, in particular consumption data and / or configuration data, and an autonomous energy supply, preferably in the form of a long-lived battery (6), characterized in that an output of consumption data can be carried out on the display (3) as a flicker code.Consumption meter according to Claim 1, characterized in that the control and electronic unit (3) has a flicker code sequence control (7).Consumption meter according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the output can be manually triggered by the user by means of flicker code.Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective content of the electrical or electronic display (3) can be called up by the user by selecting a predetermined selection position of a plurality of predetermined selection positions of a display loop.Consumption meter according to Claim 4, characterized in that the selection of a selection position of a plurality of predefined selection positions is effected by the user by means of actuation of a button (10).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission by flicker code starts automatically when the relevant selection position of the display loop is selected.Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that a permanently predefined frame of data is enabled for output as flicker code on the display (3).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of the data of the memory (13) is enabled for output as flicker code on the display (3).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumption data which can be output as flicker code on the display (3) is / is consumption history data and / or the current count and / or the accumulated quantity of heat and / or the current consumption.Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that configuration data can be output as flicker code on the display (3).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the meter ID is output by flicker code.Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumption data transmitted by flicker code are encrypted.Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the display (3) can be awakened by the user from a sleep mode by means of actuation of a button (10).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the control and electronic unit (4) comprises a display loop control and the output of consumption data as flicker code on the display (3) is effected via a flicker code sequence control (7) as subroutine of the display loop control (17).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the display (3) comprises a seven-segment display (15) and the flicker code is generated via at least one segment (18), preferably via a plurality of segments of the seven-segment display (15).Consumption meter according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the consumption meter (1) has a radio module (5) which serves for sending data relating to the detected consumption quantity.System comprising a consumption meter (1) according to the preceding claims and a reading device (200), wherein the reading device (200) comprises the following: a control and electronic unit (203), a camera (202), a display (201) and a flicker code evaluation.System according to Claim 17, characterized in that the flicker code evaluation is application software (204) which can be downloaded to the read-out device (200).

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