Ultrasonic Gas Meter Appliance Identification via Code Sequences
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas meter technologies face limitations in appliance identification accuracy and computing speed due to reliance on direct difference values, which also result in high memory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A flow rate measurement apparatus that converts difference values into codes using a flow rate class table, generating a measurement code sequence for accurate appliance identification, reducing memory needs and enhancing computing speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If identification is performed based on the whole of the flow rate values measured over the long term, then the appliance identification accuracy is improved, but it takes time in identifying the gas appliance and the necessary memory amount becomes enormous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous flow rate data into discrete time intervals and further segments the data representation by converting raw flow rate values into classified difference value codes. This segmentation allows the system to process only essential features (classified differences) rather than entire datasets, reducing computation time while maintaining identification accuracy through selective feature retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for identification by calculating difference values between consecutive flow rate measurements and converting these differences into classified codes. This extraction process removes redundant data (absolute flow rate values) while retaining the critical patterns (change patterns) that enable accurate appliance identification, thereby reducing both memory requirements and processing time.
2Measurement precision
If identification is performed based on the whole of the flow rate values measured over the long term, then the appliance identification accuracy is improved, but the necessary memory amount becomes enormous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous flow rate data into discrete time intervals and further segments the data representation by converting raw flow rate values into classified difference value codes. This segmentation allows the system to process only essential features (classified differences) rather than entire datasets, reducing computation time while maintaining identification accuracy through selective feature retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for identification by calculating difference values between consecutive flow rate measurements and converting these differences into classified codes. This extraction process removes redundant data (absolute flow rate values) while retaining the critical patterns (change patterns) that enable accurate appliance identification, thereby reducing both memory requirements and processing time.
3Loss of time
If difference values are directly used for the identification, then the identification can be performed in a limited time period, but the appliance identification accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming the raw difference values into classified difference value codes based on predetermined thresholds. This transformation changes the parameter representation from continuous numerical values to discrete categorical codes, enabling faster comparison operations while preserving the essential patterns needed for accurate identification. The classification process enhances accuracy by emphasizing significant changes and filtering out noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The classified difference value codes act as an intermediary between the raw flow rate measurements and the final identification result. This intermediary representation simplifies the comparison process by providing discrete, easily comparable categories while retaining the essential information needed for accurate appliance identification, thus bridging the gap between speed and accuracy requirements.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
On occasion of provision of a technique for identifying an appliance, an attempt can be made to enhance computing speed and the accuracy of identification of an appliance while the amount of memory required for an apparatus is reduced. In a gas meter 100, an ultrasonic flowmeter 104 measures the quantity of a gas flowing through a flow path 102 at a given time interval, and a computation section 108 computes a difference value of the measured flow at each given time. A difference value conversion section 112 converts a computed difference value into a code with reference to a flow rate class table 110a by which a plurality of difference value classes corresponding to a size of the difference value and codes representing the respective classes are associated with each other. A code sequence generation section 114 further generates a measurement code sequence from an aggregation of codes at each given time, and an appliance identification section 116 compares the measurement code sequence with an appliance characteristic code sequence showing a characteristic code sequence of each gas appliance, thereby identifying a gas appliance that uses a gas.