Data Collector Storage for Consumption Meter Energy Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consumption data recording systems face challenges in efficiently managing network bandwidth and operational flexibility due to the limitations of primary and tertiary communication channels, particularly in bidirectional primary radio connections and constrained devices with low energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where data collectors store consumption data with high temporal granularity and perform data reduction, allowing for efficient transmission via primary communication channels, while enabling on-demand retrieval and processing via tertiary channels with higher bandwidth, reducing the load on the head-end system and extending the operational life of consumption meters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If consumption meters transmit data frequently with high temporal granularity via primary communication channels, then data completeness and measurement precision are improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases and energy consumption of battery-operated meters increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the function of storing high-granularity raw data from the consumption meter to a separate data collector. The meter only transmits aggregated data periodically, while the collector stores the complete high-granularity data locally. This separation allows the meter to conserve energy while the system maintains access to high-precision data when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The data collector performs preliminary data aggregation and storage before any potential retrieval. By pre-storing high-granularity data locally at the collector, the system avoids the need for frequent meter transmissions or complex on-demand querying, thus reducing both energy consumption and network bandwidth usage while maintaining data availability.
2Loss of information
If data collectors store and forward all raw data with high temporal granularity to the head-end system, then data completeness is improved, but network bandwidth utilization increases and system load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data transmission into two layers: aggregated data transmitted periodically to the head-end system, and complete high-granularity data stored locally at the data collector. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data completeness without continuously transmitting all raw data, thus optimizing network bandwidth utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The data collector acts as an intermediary between the consumption meter and the head-end system. It performs local data aggregation and filtering, forwarding only necessary aggregated data to the head-end system while retaining complete raw data locally. This intermediary function reduces network bandwidth consumption while preserving data completeness for potential on-demand retrieval.
3Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional primary radio communication is used for data collection, then operational flexibility is improved, but access latency increases and availability decreases due to connection establishment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The data collector maintains a persistent unidirectional connection to the head-end system and pre-stores all received data locally. When data retrieval is needed, the collector can immediately transmit the pre-stored data without establishing new connections or querying meters, thus eliminating access latency while maintaining operational flexibility through the persistent connection.
4Duration of action of moving object
If consumption meters use low power hardware for extended battery operation, then operational duration is improved, but processing capability and communication capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts complex data processing and storage functions from the low-power consumption meter to a more capable data collector. The meter's role is simplified to data generation and basic transmission, while the collector handles aggregation, filtering, and storage. This extraction allows the meter to operate indefinitely on battery power while the system maintains advanced processing capabilities at the collector.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a consumption data acquisition system, which comprises a head-end system, at least one, preferably a plurality of data collector(s), and at least one, preferably a plurality of consumption meters, wherein data, in particular consumption-dependent data, are transmitted from the consumption meter via the data collector to the head-end system, wherein the data collector acquires the data originating from the consumption meter and makes it available for transmission to the head-end system, characterized in that the data originating from the consumption meter are stored in the data collector, only a portion of the data originating from the consumption meter stored in the data collector is forwarded to the head-end system, and a transmission of data that was not previously transmitted to the head-end system is carried out from the data collector to the head-end system.Furthermore, the invention relates to a data collector comprising a data receiving module for receiving data, in particular consumption-dependent data, from a consumption meter, a data processing module for processing the received data, a data sending module for sending the processed data, in particular to a head-end system, and a memory for storing the data to be transmitted to the head-end system, characterized in that the data originating from the consumption meter are stored in the data collector, only a portion of the data originating from the consumption meter and stored in the data collector is forwarded to the head-end system, and a transfer of data that was not previously transmitted to the head-end system is carried out from the data collector to the head-end system, wherein the data collector is operable according to at least one of the method claims.