Communicating Meter Mode Switching for Battery Life and Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing battery-powered communicating meters face challenges in maintaining data integrity and operational functionality as batteries reach the end of their life, with existing solutions often increasing hardware costs and bulk.
Innovation Solution
A management method for battery-powered communicating meters that adjusts operating modes based on battery capacity, prioritizing essential functions and reducing energy consumption through mode transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the battery capacity is extended to ensure operational functionality throughout the battery life, then the duration of action is improved, but the reliability of data integrity may deteriorate when the battery reaches the end of its life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adaptation of the communicating meter's operational mode based on real-time battery capacity assessment. The control unit transitions between different operating modes (first operating mode with full functionality and second operating mode with reduced functionality) according to the battery's remaining capacity, allowing the system to maintain data integrity throughout the entire battery life by adjusting operations to match available power reserves
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes operational parameters such as measurement frequency, communication transmission frequency, and functional features enabled based on battery capacity thresholds. When battery capacity falls below a predetermined threshold, the system modifies these parameters to reduce energy consumption while preserving essential measurement and communication functions, thereby maintaining data integrity until battery replacement
2Reliability
If additional hardware is added to ensure data integrity and functional continuity, then the reliability is improved, but the device complexity and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the communicating meter to self-manage its operational mode based on internal battery capacity assessment. The control unit automatically evaluates battery capacity and transitions between operating modes without requiring external intervention or additional hardware systems. This self-service approach maintains data integrity through software-based adaptive control rather than hardware additions
Solution Approach 2:
The existing control unit and processing circuitry are made multi-functional by enabling them to perform both normal operations and battery capacity assessment, as well as mode transition control. The same hardware components serve multiple purposes: measurement, communication, and battery management, eliminating the need for separate dedicated hardware for reliability functions
Data Source
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Figure 3
AI summary
A method (100) for managing a battery-powered communicating meter, for measuring the consumption of a fluid, the meter having a unit of measurement for acquiring measurements of fluid consumption.The meter has three operating modes: - a nominal operating mode in which the measuring unit performs measurements at a predetermined nominal frequency, - a degraded operating mode in which the measuring unit performs measurements at a predetermined degraded frequency lower than the nominal frequency, and - a minimum operating mode in which the measuring unit performs measurements at the predetermined degraded frequency, and a meter control unit performs the following steps: - perform an estimate of the remaining capacity of the meter's battery; - command the meter to switch from the nominal operating mode to the degraded operating mode when said estimate is less than or equal to a first threshold (T1); and - command the meter to switch from the degraded operating mode to the minimum operating mode when said estimate is less than or equal to a second threshold (T2).