Coordinated Metering Data Collection System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility companies face inefficiencies in managing large volumes of disorganized resource consumption data from numerous metering devices, leading to peak network loads and increased costs due to communication collisions, which strain central office computing systems.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a coordinated data collection system where each endpoint is assigned a primary data collector responsible for reporting, with secondary and tertiary collectors for redundancy, to streamline data upload and reduce duplicative reporting, thereby smoothing peak loads and minimizing infrastructure needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If utility companies scale up central office computing systems to handle peak loads, then processing capacity is improved, but cost and infrastructure complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data collection function by assigning primary data collectors to specific endpoints, distributing the processing load across multiple collectors rather than concentrating it at the central office. This segmentation allows the system to handle peak loads without requiring proportional scaling of central office computing resources.
2Loss of energy
If data collection is uncoordinated among multiple collectors, then data redundancy is reduced, but network collisions and inefficiency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where primary data collectors report to the central office and receive instructions, while secondary and tertiary collectors can request data from endpoints if the primary collector fails. This feedback loop ensures reliable data collection while maintaining network efficiency through coordinated communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary management structure where the central office coordinates between primary, secondary, and tertiary data collectors. This intermediary role resolves conflicts and manages communication protocols, preventing network collisions while ensuring data collection reliability through the hierarchical collector system.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple data collectors report data simultaneously during peak times, then data collection completeness is improved, but network loading and collisions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assigning primary data collectors to endpoints in advance and establishing a hierarchical structure with secondary and tertiary collectors. This pre-organized structure enables coordinated data collection during peak times, ensuring completeness while preventing network collisions through defined reporting protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
Collection of resource consumption data may be coordinated by designating, for each endpoint in a utility communication network, a single data collector to be responsible for reporting resource consumption data of the respective endpoints to a head-end computing device. If the head-end computing device does not receive resource consumption data from one or more endpoints, the head-end computing device may request the missing resource consumption data from one or more secondary or tertiary data collectors that receive resource consumption data from the one or more endpoints. Additionally, if a data collector is missing resource consumption data from an endpoint during a reporting period, upon receiving resource consumption data from the endpoint during a subsequent reporting period, the data collector may request the missing resource consumption data.