Communicating Meter Adaptive Sampling for Accuracy and Battery Life
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connected devices, such as communicating meters, face challenges in maintaining battery life while ensuring accurate fluid consumption measurements, as higher measurement frequencies increase electrical energy consumption and reduce battery lifespan, and current solutions often incur additional hardware costs.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing a communicating meter that adapts the measurement frequency based on fluid flow rate and probability of variation, using a control unit to regulate power consumption according to measurement accuracy needs, incorporating a processor, RAM, ROM, and communication interfaces, and employing adaptable communication channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If measurement frequency is increased to improve fluid consumption measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but electrical energy consumption increases and battery lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of measurement frequency based on fluid flow rate conditions. The control unit monitors flow rate and adapts the measurement frequency accordingly - using higher frequencies when flow rate changes are detected (improving measurement accuracy) and lower frequencies when flow is stable (reducing energy consumption). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between measurement precision and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement frequency parameter based on detected flow conditions. By varying this key operational parameter according to actual usage patterns and flow rate variations, the system optimizes the balance between measurement accuracy and power consumption, directly addressing the technical contradiction.
2Measurement precision
If measurement frequency is increased to improve fluid consumption measurement accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but battery lifespan is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts measurement frequency based on flow rate conditions, using higher frequencies only when necessary for accurate measurement (when flow changes are detected) and lower frequencies during stable flow conditions. This extends battery lifespan by minimizing high-frequency measurements while maintaining measurement accuracy when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic measurements at variable intervals rather than continuous high-frequency sampling. The measurement period is adapted based on flow conditions, creating a rhythm of high-accuracy measurements followed by lower-frequency monitoring, which extends battery life while maintaining overall measurement accuracy.
3Device complexity
If battery-powered operation is used to reduce hardware costs and device footprint, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability is compromised due to limited battery lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency adaptation that extends battery operational life by using intelligent measurement scheduling. This allows battery-powered operation (simpler hardware) to remain reliable for the required period, as the adaptive measurement strategy ensures sufficient data collection accuracy while minimizing energy consumption over the battery's lifespan.
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit uses feedback from flow rate detection to adjust measurement frequency. This feedback mechanism ensures that measurements are taken at appropriate intervals to maintain data reliability and accuracy, compensating for the limited battery lifespan and ensuring the device remains reliable throughout its operational period.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (100) for managing a communicating meter (1) to measure fluid consumption, the meter (1) having a measuring unit (4) for acquiring fluid consumption measurements at a configurable frequency. The method is executed by the communicating meter (1) and comprises the following steps: (a) acquiring at least one value of the fluid consumption flow rate (d(t)) at an active configurable frequency (fact), (e) updating the active configurable frequency (fact) at least as a function of the acquired flow rate value (d(t)), at least one other previously acquired flow rate value, and a frequency determined from a non-zero probability (p(t)) of a fluid consumption flow rate variation exceeding a flow rate variation threshold, and re-executing the method with the updated active configurable frequency