IoT Gateway Data Framing for Automated Meter Reading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current utility meter reading systems face inefficiencies due to the need for manual data collection, limited frequency of data collection, and interference issues in radio frequency transmissions.

Innovation Solution

An IoT gateway with a data framing module that receives utility meter data frames via a serial port and embeds them into application layer protocol frames such as HTTP, WebSocket, TCP, or UDP, allowing for efficient data transmission over a wide area network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a mobile hand-held or vehicle-based meter data collection device is used to collect utility meter data, then automated data collection is achieved, but significant effort and time are necessary to physically move around the utility system to collect data from every utility meter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated data collectionVSAvoidtime to collect meter data

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a fixed wireless communication system as an intermediary between utility meters and the central server. Instead of physically moving collection devices between meters, the system uses wireless transmitters at each meter location to automatically send data to a fixed receiver, eliminating the need for physical traversal while maintaining automated collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of physically moving collection devices with a wireless electromagnetic communication system. Data transmission is achieved through radio frequency signals between fixed transmitters and receivers, substituting mechanical movement with electromagnetic field-based communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If meter data collection frequency is increased to improve monitoring accuracy, then more frequent data collection is achieved, but the significant effort required for each collection trip limits collection to no more than once a month

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring accuracyVSAvoiddata collection frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables continuous or near-continuous data collection by establishing fixed wireless communication links between meters and the central server. The system can continuously monitor and transmit data without interruption, eliminating the periodic limitations of manual collection methods and enabling high-frequency monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed wireless communication infrastructure acts as a continuous intermediary, allowing data to flow continuously from meters to the central server without requiring periodic physical intervention. This enables high-frequency data collection while maintaining system automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If radio frequency signals are used for utility meter data transmission, then wireless communication is achieved, but interference issues occur in radio frequency transmissions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewireless communicationVSAvoidtransmission reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local fixed wireless communication links between individual meters and nearby receivers, rather than using wide-area radio frequency transmissions. This localized approach reduces exposure to broad-spectrum RF interference and improves signal reliability by keeping communication paths short and dedicated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If a fixed-wire telecommunications network is used for data transmission, then infrastructure cost is reduced by utilizing existing networks, but data embedding and protocol conversion complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinfrastructure costVSAvoiddata embedding complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal data framing module that can embed multiple types of utility meter data into standardized protocol frames. This multi-functional capability allows the system to handle various data formats and protocols through a single unified interface, reducing overall system complexity despite the diverse underlying requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250141962A1Automated meter reading through a fixed-wire telecommunications network

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 CENTRIC FIBER HOLDCO LLC

AI summary

An IoT (Internet of Things) gateway includes a data framing module including an input for receiving serial data from a utility meter and an output for sending application layer protocol frames to a network gateway, wherein the data framing module is configured to include the serial data in the application layer protocol frames selected from hyper-text transfer protocol frames, WebSocket protocol frames, TCP frames, and UDP frames. The IoT gateway may include a radio frequency receiver for receiving utility meter usage data transmitted by a utility meter according to one or more existing IoT protocols such as SCM/SCM+, LoRa, NB-IoT. In some options, a network gateway may be integrated with the IoT gateway to provide a single device. The IoT gateway and network gateway may be implemented in a system including the utility meter, a wide area network and an application server or data storage system.