Satellite Meter Reader for Remote Utility Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility resource metering systems face challenges in remote locations where lack of power and communication infrastructure makes it impractical to read water meters accurately, leading to under- and over-reporting, and difficulties in detecting resource conduit issues.
Innovation Solution
A satellite-based low power resource meter reading system that includes utility resource usage capture components with a satellite communication module, capable of automatically interrogating and transmitting readings from various types of meters, even in areas without power or data connections, to a central management system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual self-reporting by customers is used in remote areas, then no power or communication infrastructure is needed, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to under- and over-reporting errors
Solution Approach 1:
The meter reading device autonomously interrogates the water meter and transmits readings without requiring customer intervention or manual reading, eliminating human error while maintaining deployment simplicity in remote areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical reading processes with automated electronic interrogation and satellite-based wireless communication, achieving accurate readings without infrastructure while eliminating human error
2Reliability
If automated meter reading systems with power and data connections are deployed, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power and communication infrastructure requirements from the meter reading system, using battery power and satellite communication to eliminate dependence on external power grids and data networks
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite communication module serves multiple functions including data transmission, device identification, and location reporting, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
3Productivity
If drive-by RF interrogation systems are used, then productivity improves, but ease of operation worsens due to impracticability in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The meter reading device operates periodically, entering low-power states between readings and activating automatically to interrogate the meter and transmit data, maintaining efficiency while simplifying operation in remote areas
Solution Approach 2:
The device automatically activates and performs meter reading operations without requiring utility employees to physically visit or operate the system, making it feasible for remote deployment while maintaining high productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for monitoring a utility resource are disclosed. One system includes a plurality of utility resource usage capture components connected to a utility resource management computing system via a satellite communications network. Each of the utility resource usage capture components includes a utility resource meter interface and a satellite communication module. The utility resource meter interface is configured to communicate with a plurality of different types of utility resource meters from a plurality of different manufacturers. Each of the plurality of utility resource usage capture components has a low power state and an operational state and configured to automatically enter the operational state, interrogate an associated utility resource meter to obtain a reading and communicate the reading via the satellite communication module, and return to the low power state. The utility resource management computing system stores information regarding a location of each of the utility resource usage capture components and is configured to receive and store readings from each of the plurality of utility resource usage capture components.