Mobile App Utility Meter Data Transfer via NFC
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for transferring information between utility meters and electronic consumer devices are inefficient, particularly during installation and maintenance, leading to potential errors and increased costs due to manual data entry and limited access control.
Innovation Solution
A method using an electronic consumer communication device to receive status data from a utility meter, pair virtual and physical addresses, and provide restricted access levels, allowing for efficient data transfer and improved maintenance through an app that utilizes a database and secure access control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual data entry and transfer methods are used between utility meters and consumer devices, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and reliability deteriorate due to errors and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the utility meter and the central system. The mobile device receives data from the meter via NFC, stores it locally, and then transfers it to the central system, eliminating the need for direct complex communication infrastructure between meters and the central system while improving data collection efficiency and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the meter data in the mobile device's local database before transferring to the central system. This copying mechanism allows for offline data collection, error verification, and efficient batch processing, significantly improving productivity without requiring continuous complex network connectivity
2Ease of operation
If unrestricted access to meter parameters is provided, then ease of operation improves, but reliability and security worsen due to unauthorized access and potential errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements different access levels and authorization mechanisms for different parameters and user roles. The mobile application provides tailored interfaces and access rights based on user credentials, allowing convenient access to authorized parameters while restricting access to sensitive data, thus maintaining both ease of operation for legitimate users and security against unauthorized access
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback mechanisms including confirmation dialogs before critical operations, error messages for unauthorized access attempts, and audit trails that track parameter access and modifications. This feedback loop ensures reliable operation by preventing erroneous changes while maintaining user convenience through guided interaction
3Productivity
If virtual address pairing with physical addresses is automated, then productivity improves, but device complexity increases due to address management requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-loads physical address lists into the mobile device before field installation. During installation, the system automatically matches the meter's virtual address with the pre-stored physical address, eliminating manual data entry and significantly improving installation speed. The address management complexity is shifted to the preparation phase rather than the execution phase
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for transferring information between an utility meter (3) and an electronic consumer communication device (2) via an electronic data transfer device (4) of the utility meter (3). Furthermore, the invention relates to an app adapted to provide such a method when running on the electronic consumer communication device (2). Additionally, this invention relates to the electronic consumer communication device (2) adapted to transfer information between the utility meter (3) and the electronic consumer communication device (2) via the electronic data transfer device (4) of the utility meter (3), the electronic consumer communication device (2) comprising and being adapted to run the app. Such a method may simplify installation and maintenance of utility meters (3) and may furthermore reduce installation costs.