Bluetooth IED for Automated Meter Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power meter reading methods are time-consuming and require physical contact or proprietary wireless systems, which are costly and inconvenient, especially for hard-to-reach locations.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent electronic device with Bluetooth wireless communication capabilities that auto-negotiates with Bluetooth-enabled devices, allowing for data collection without a hardwire connection, using a sensor, analog-to-digital converter, processor, and transceiver for energy consumption data transmission via spread-spectrum frequency hopping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical connection or proprietary wireless systems are used for meter reading, then data can be collected from the meter, but the process becomes time-consuming and requires specialized expensive systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical connection (hardwire) with wireless Bluetooth communication. The meter reading device uses a Bluetooth transceiver to communicate with the power meter wirelessly, eliminating the need for physical plugging and unplugging of connections, thereby reducing time and eliminating the need for specialized wired reading systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the meter reading capability universal by using standard Bluetooth technology that can be found in common devices like PDAs and smartphones. This allows any Bluetooth-enabled device to read the power meter, eliminating the need for proprietary specialized reading systems and making the solution accessible to general users
2Reliability
If physical connection is used for meter reading, then data can be collected, but the process becomes difficult when the meter is in hard-to-reach locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical physical connection requirement with wireless Bluetooth communication. The reading device can collect data from the power meter without needing to physically reach or touch the meter, allowing reading personnel to collect data from meters in hard-to-reach locations by simply being within Bluetooth range
3Ease of operation
If proprietary wireless systems are used, then wireless data transmission is achieved, but users must purchase extensive specialized systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses standard Bluetooth technology which is already built into common devices like PDAs, smartphones, and laptops. This eliminates the need for users to purchase specialized proprietary wireless reading systems, as any Bluetooth-enabled device can serve as a meter reading device, significantly reducing system complexity and infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent leverages the existing Bluetooth capabilities already present in common consumer devices. Users don't need to acquire special equipment because their existing PDAs, smartphones, or laptops with Bluetooth can directly communicate with the power meter, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for extensive specialized infrastructure
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
Enables quick and cost-effective automated meter reading, reducing the need for physical interaction and specialized systems, enhancing efficiency and accessibility in power metering applications.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver configured for receiving the calculated energy consumption data from the processor and transmitting the calculated energy consumption data via a spread-spectrum frequency hopping technique
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent electronic device (IED), e.g., an electrical power meter, having wireless communication capabilities, e.g., Bluetooth connectivity, for transmitting and receiving data without a hardwire connection is provided. A system and method for retrieving revenue metering data from at least one IED, e.g., a revenue meter, are also provided. The system includes at least one intelligent electronic device including a transceiver configured for receiving calculated energy consumption data from a processor and transmitting the calculated energy consumption data via a spread-spectrum frequency hopping technique; and a data collection device configured for receiving the calculated energy consumption data from the at least one intelligent electronic device in response to supplying a pairing passkey to the intelligent electronic device.