Airborne Meter Reading With Adaptive Radio Link Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing remote meter reading methods face challenges in achieving satisfactory communication quality, particularly for geographically remote or high-rise meter devices, leading to increased time and effort in data collection and potential interference issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a flying device that adjusts its position and directivity, and communication protocol, to optimize signal reception quality by evaluating quality information and adapting to environmental factors and interference sources, ensuring reliable data capture and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a flying device is used to read remote meters, then the reading coverage is improved, but the communication quality becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the flying device to dynamically adjust its position in three-dimensional space and modify the directivity of its reception device during the meter reading process. This allows the system to adapt to varying communication conditions, optimizing signal reception quality while maintaining expanded reading coverage through aerial deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by varying communication protocol parameters based on assessed communication conditions. The system evaluates signal quality metrics and adjusts transmission parameters, reception settings, and processing methods to maintain reliable communication across different geographic locations and environmental conditions.
2Productivity
If the flying device flies over fixed positions, then the meter reading route is established, but the reception quality is insufficient requiring re-flighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously assessing communication conditions during the meter reading process. The system receives feedback signals indicating reception quality, uses this information to determine whether communication succeeded or failed, and automatically adjusts its behavior accordingly - retrying at different positions or with modified parameters until successful reading is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically modifies its operation by adjusting the directivity of the reception device and changing position in response to real-time communication condition assessments. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for complete re-flighting of fixed routes, as the system can successfully complete readings by adaptive adjustments during the flight.
3Loss of time
If remote reading is performed from ground level, then time involvement is reduced, but reception of meter information from remote or high-rise meters fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dimensionality change principle by transitioning the reading operation from ground level (two-dimensional surface) to aerial three-dimensional space. This vertical dimension provides superior line-of-sight communication paths to both ground-level and high-rise meters, eliminating obstruction problems while maintaining the time efficiency of remote reading operations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances communication quality and reliability for remote meter reading, allowing efficient data collection from multiple devices while minimizing interference, and enabling real-time communication and control of meter devices.
Implementation Method 1
reception of received signals on a radio channel associated with the meter device by a reception device of the flying device
Data Source
AI summary
A method provides communication between a meter and a flying device. The meter records consumption data. The flying device performs flight movements to a prescribed target position of the meter. Radio signals are received by a reception device and information is ascertained, relating to the transmission quality of a radio channel, based on the received signals. A poor transmission quality, satisfaction of which is dependent on the quality of the information, results in the reception of received signals and the ascertainment of the information being repeated after a communication protocol for communication with the meter has been changed, a position of the flying device being altered and/or a directivity of the reception device is altered until the transmission quality or a termination condition is satisfied. Upon having a satisfactory quality condition, meter information is captured and a message for controlling the operation of the meter is sent to the meter.