Mobile Phone Consumption Data Wireless Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers face difficulties in accessing and evaluating their consumption data, as existing systems require specialized equipment and internet access, and provide outdated information, limiting transparency and self-monitoring capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that configures existing subscriber-owned devices, such as mobile phones or PDAs, to receive and process consumption data wirelessly, using configuration data provided by suppliers, ensuring only subscriber-specific data is accessed and processed, allowing for evaluation and storage options like historical data retrieval and alarm notifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If consumers use existing systems to access consumption data via computer and Internet, then consumption data can be viewed, but additional equipment and internet access are required, and information is outdated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumption data transparencyVSAvoidequipment requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling mobile phones, which consumers already possess for communication purposes, to also function as consumption data display devices. The mobile phone's existing display, processor, and communication capabilities are leveraged to show consumption data without requiring dedicated monitoring equipment. This multi-functional use resolves the contradiction by eliminating additional equipment requirements while maintaining data transparency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements copying by transmitting consumption data from the utility company's system to the consumer's mobile phone via wireless communication. Instead of requiring direct Internet access and specialized software, the consumption data is copied and delivered to a device the consumer already has. This approach maintains information transparency while eliminating the need for additional equipment and Internet infrastructure at the consumer end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If consumption data is transmitted to multiple subscribers, then all subscribers can access their data, but data security and subscriber-specific access control become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing subscriber-specific identification and authorization mechanisms. Each mobile phone is associated with a specific subscriber through unique identification data, and the system selectively transmits only the relevant subscriber's consumption data to their designated device. This ensures that while the system can serve multiple subscribers (adaptability), each subscriber's data remains secure and accessible only to them (reliability).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the transmission of identification data from the mobile phone to the utility company's system. The system verifies the subscriber's identity and authorization status, then selectively provides consumption data based on this feedback. This closed-loop verification process ensures data security while maintaining versatile access for all authorized subscribers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If consumers need to evaluate their consumption data, then self-monitoring capability is improved, but consumers need specialized equipment and technical knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveself-monitoring capabilityVSAvoidtechnical knowledge required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling consumers to monitor their own consumption data using their existing mobile phones without requiring specialized equipment or technical knowledge. The mobile phone's familiar interface and the utility company's automated data transmission create a self-service system where consumers can independently view and evaluate their consumption patterns. This resolves the contradiction by improving ease of operation while eliminating the need for additional technical expertise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2141892B2Device for transferring and displaying recorded consumption data information of a supply medium and corresponding method
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 DIEHL METERING
  • EP2141892B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2141892B2 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The device (1) has one or multiple measuring instruments (2a,2b,2c,3a,3b,3c) arranged to collect consumption data (VA,VB) of a serving medium and a participant. A sending unit (4) is provided, which communicates wireless transmission of consumption data. A mobile participant sending and receiving unit (5a,5b) is formed to send consumption data after receipt of configuration data (KA,KB), for receiving and processing of the sending unit. The sending and receiving unit is a mobile phone (6a,6b) or a personal digital assistant. An independent claim is included for a method for receiving measured consumption data of consumption media.