Measurement Data Logging With Error Value Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for storing and transmitting measurement data from consumption value recording units often terminate when invalid values are detected, limiting data representation to 8 bits, which cannot accurately represent temperature differences beyond ±12.7°C, leading to errors and chain termination.

Innovation Solution

The method determines a starting value and subsequent difference values, storing and transmitting them using 16 bits for the starting value and 8 bits for difference values, with error values assigned for values outside a specified range, allowing continuous data determination and storage without chain termination, using a processing unit to handle these calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If 8-bit encoding is used for measurement data, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when temperature differences exceed ±12.7°C

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtemperature difference precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the measurement data into two segments: a starting value encoded in 16 bits and subsequent difference values encoded in 8 bits. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high precision for the baseline measurement while using efficient 8-bit encoding for incremental changes, thus resolving the contradiction between transmission efficiency and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the encoding parameter from uniform 8-bit encoding to a hybrid scheme where the starting value uses 16 bits and difference values use 8 bits. This parameter change enables the system to accommodate larger temperature differences without sacrificing overall precision, while maintaining good transmission efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If 8-bit encoding with ±12.7°C range is used, then data storage compactness is improved, but reliability deteriorates when invalid measurement values occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage compactnessVSAvoidmeasurement chain continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by using 16-bit encoding for the starting value, which provides a larger numerical range and acts as a buffer against overflow errors. This cushioning allows the system to tolerate certain invalid values and continue operation without terminating the measurement chain, thus improving reliability while maintaining compact 8-bit encoding for difference values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Loss of energy

If difference values are stored using 8 bits, then transmission data volume is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates when temperature differences exceed the representable range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission data volumeVSAvoidtemperature range coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds another dimension to the data structure by introducing a separate 16-bit starting value field. This dimensional addition allows the system to handle larger temperature ranges through the combination of the extended-range starting value and the efficient 8-bit difference values, thus improving adaptability without increasing the transmission volume of the difference data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3660463B1Method for logging and transmitting measurement data, processing unit for implementing the method and consumption recording device comprising such processing unit
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 QUNDIS GMBH
  • EP3660463B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3660463B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3660463B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for storing and transmitting measurement data, wherein difference values ​​(D1 to Dn') are stored and transmitted as measurement data.According to the invention, the respective difference value (D1 to Dn') determined is compared with a predetermined value range (WB) with a maximum difference value (Dmax) and a minimum difference value (Dmin), wherein the currently determined difference value (D2, D4) is stored if it lies within the predetermined value range (WB), or for the currently determined difference value (D1, D3) the maximum difference value (Dmax) or the minimum difference value (Dmin) of the value range (WB) is stored if the determined difference value (D1, D3) lies outside the value range (WB), wherein an error value (F1, F3) is assigned and stored to the maximum difference value (Dmax) or the minimum difference value (Dmin) and the error value (F1, F3) is taken into account when determining the next difference value (D2, D4). Furthermore, the invention relates to a processing unit (3) and a consumption value recording unit (1).