Collection Frame Compression for Constant-Consumption Meter Data

Solution Overview

Problem

Modern smart water meters face challenges in reducing collection frame size without compromising measurement resolution, which affects power consumption and network congestion due to increased electrical demand and longer transmission times.

Innovation Solution

A measurement transmission method that identifies periods of constant consumption and compacts data within collection frames, using compacted data to replace measurement data during these periods, while adjusting time interval durations to maintain a predefined maximum frame size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the collection step is reduced to improve measurement resolution, then the water supplier can better manage the network and detect leaks, but the size of collection frames increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement resolutionVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies periods of constant consumption from the measurement data, separating them from periods with variable consumption. By extracting only the essential information (start time, duration, constant value) during constant consumption periods rather than transmitting all raw measurement data, the collection frame size is reduced significantly while preserving measurement resolution during non-constant periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of transmitting all measurement data uniformly, the patent inverts the approach by transmitting compressed representations only when necessary (during constant consumption periods) and full-resolution data during variable consumption periods. This inversion allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while minimizing data transmission and power consumption during stable periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If the collection step is reduced to improve measurement resolution, then the water supplier can better manage the network and detect leaks, but the size of collection frames increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement resolutionVSAvoidcollection frame size

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and identifies periods of constant consumption from the measurement data, separating them from periods with variable consumption. By extracting only the essential information (start time, duration, constant value) during constant consumption periods rather than transmitting all raw measurement data, the collection frame size is reduced significantly while preserving measurement resolution during non-constant periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the representation parameters of the measurement data based on the consumption pattern. During constant consumption periods, it uses a compressed parameter set (start time, duration, constant value), while during variable consumption periods, it uses the full measurement data parameters. This dynamic parameter change reduces collection frame size without losing measurement resolution when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If longer collection frames are used to reduce power consumption, then transmission time increases, but this increases network congestion and risk of frame loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the collection frame structure dynamic by adapting its content based on consumption patterns. Instead of using fixed-length frames or uniform sampling intervals, the system dynamically adjusts the amount and type of data included in each frame based on whether consumption is constant or variable. This dynamic approach allows shorter transmission times during constant periods (reducing congestion) while maintaining sufficient data quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the representation parameters of the measurement data based on the consumption pattern. During constant consumption periods, it uses a compressed parameter set (start time, duration, constant value), while during variable consumption periods, it uses the full measurement data parameters. This dynamic parameter change reduces collection frame size without losing measurement resolution when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250237537A1Adaptive compression of collection frames

Publication Date: 2025.07.24 SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS

AI summary

A measurement transmission method is implemented in a meter and includes the steps of detecting at least one period of constant consumption formed by successive time intervals during each of which the consumption is equal to a constant value, and producing and transmitting a collection frame containing the measurement data associated with the time intervals of the measurement period, by replacing, for each constant consumption period, the measurement data associated with the successive time intervals of said constant consumption period with compacted data including a first data enabling it to identify the time intervals of the constant consumption period and a second data containing the constant value.