Shared Commodity Metering Using Computational Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing commodity metering systems are costly and complex, requiring individual meters for each consumer in multi-user systems, which is inefficient and time-consuming for billing and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine individual user consumption of a commodity from a shared source by measuring the amount drawn and user state, using a processor to calculate consumption rates without the need for individual meters, by solving a set of equations based on repeated determinations of commodity amount and user state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual meters are installed for each consumer in multi-user systems, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual metering functions into a single shared metering device. Instead of having separate meters for each consumer, the system uses one meter to measure total consumption and then mathematically allocates it to individual users based on their usage patterns and state information, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational system that processes data from the shared meter and user state information to determine individual consumption. This intermediary layer (processor performing calculations) acts as a mediator between the single meter measurement and the individual user billing, enabling precise measurement without requiring individual physical meters.
2Measurement precision
If individual meters are installed for each consumer, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple metering functions into a single physical meter, significantly reducing the number of components that need to be manufactured and installed. This consolidation directly lowers manufacturing and installation costs while the computational allocation method maintains the ability to measure individual consumption precisely.
3Ease of operation
If encoder receiver transmitters are used for remote reading, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the remote reading functionality from complex encoder receiver transmitters and implements it through a simpler approach: the single meter is read remotely, and the individual consumption data is derived through computational processing of the reading combined with user state information, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
4Device complexity
If a single shared meter is used for multiple users, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision for individual consumption decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces computational processing as an intermediary that transforms the single aggregated meter reading into precise individual consumption measurements. By processing the total reading combined with user state information through mathematical calculations, the system achieves both low device complexity and high measurement precision for individual users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using separate physical meters for each user with a computational method. Instead of mechanically deploying multiple meters, the system uses software-based calculations to allocate consumption, thereby reducing physical device complexity while maintaining or improving measurement precision through more accurate data processing.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods of commodity usage monitoring determine the amount of commodity used by individual elements of multi-element systems having a common source. An amount of commodity drawn from the source by all the users is determined. A user-state that indicates use of the commodity by each user is determined. Individual user consumption of the commodity for each of the users is determined using repeated determinations of the amount of the commodity and the user-state, for a number of repetitions greater than or equal to the number of users. Determining individual consumption can be performed using minimum least square estimation, singular value decomposition, discriminant function analysis, or other computational or analytical solution method. Duration and consumption information can be used to calculate the total amount of the commodity consumed by the particular user. Useful commodities include, but are not limited to, gas, electricity, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and water.