Communication Module Error Detection Using Meter-Specific Pulse Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for detecting error conditions in resource consumption, such as an open gas pipe, at premises lack accuracy and timeliness due to not considering meter-specific characteristics and historical consumption patterns, leading to delayed and inaccurate identification of issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a communication module and a metrology module that collects resource usage data and determines a threshold number of pulses based on the specific meter's properties, such as supply capacity and pulse volume, to detect error conditions within an accumulation interval and generate alerts promptly to the central system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the central system uses the same set of rules for each device type without considering meter-specific characteristics, then the system is simple to operate, but the detection accuracy of error conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the error detection rules specific to each meter type rather than universal. The system stores multiple sets of detection rules in the rule store, each tailored to specific meter characteristics such as pulse volume, accumulation interval, and flow thresholds. This allows the system to adapt the detection parameters locally to each meter's specific properties, improving detection accuracy without requiring complete system redesign.
2Loss of time
If the system waits for the next scheduled communication to send error alerts, then energy consumption is reduced, but the response time to error conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the alert transmission timing adaptive rather than static. The system monitors resource consumption continuously and dynamically determines when to send alerts based on detected error conditions. When an error is detected, the system can immediately trigger an unscheduled alert transmission, breaking from the regular communication schedule. This dynamic approach balances energy efficiency with timely error response by only increasing communication frequency when necessary.
3Productivity
If the system monitors resource consumption continuously at high frequency, then the detection speed of error conditions improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using accumulation intervals to aggregate consumption data before analysis. Instead of continuously analyzing every consumption reading, the system accumulates pulses over defined intervals (e.g., comparing total pulses in an accumulation interval against threshold values). This periodic processing approach maintains detection sensitivity while significantly reducing the computational and energy burden compared to continuous high-frequency analysis of every individual consumption event.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication module uses information received from a metrology module within the same network device and information about the properties of the specific metrology module, such as supply capacity and pulse volume, to determine when an error condition exits. The communication module accumulates pulses during an accumulation interval and compares the number of pulses accumulated during the accumulation interval to a threshold number of pulses to determine whether an error condition exists. If there is an error condition, then the communication module generates an alert and may transmit the alert without waiting for a scheduled communication.