Smart Fluid Meter Relay Selection for Low-Energy Remote Reading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart fluid meters, such as gas, thermal-energy, or water meters, face challenges in energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness due to battery-powered operation, and require efficient installation and maintenance solutions for remote automated management.
Innovation Solution
A communication network configuration method using a gateway that selects relays based on battery charge levels and signal reception quality, employing long-range and short-range radio networks to extend the management system's range while optimizing energy use, and includes a computer program for implementing these steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If smart fluid meters use long-range radio networks for remote automated management, then the management range is extended, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary relay nodes (smart fluid meters with relay functionality) that forward communications between remote meters and the gateway. This mediator approach allows extended management range while keeping individual transmitter power low, as relays receive and retransmit signals rather than requiring direct long-range transmission from every meter.
Solution Approach 2:
The network is segmented into multiple hops through relay nodes rather than using direct long-range communication for all meters. This divides the communication path into shorter segments, reducing the energy required for each transmission while achieving the same overall management range.
2Ease of manufacture
If smart fluid meters are battery-powered for flexible installation, then installation ease is improved, but the duration of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automatic relay selection based on battery charge levels. Meters with higher battery levels automatically serve as relays for others, distributing the energy burden across the network and extending overall operation duration while maintaining flexible battery-powered installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by adjusting which meters act as relays based on their battery charge levels. This parameter adaptation allows the network to optimize energy distribution and extend operation duration while keeping meters battery-powered for easy installation.
3Area of stationary object
If relay functionality is activated in smart fluid meters, then the management range is extended, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by enabling smart fluid meters to operate both as standard meters and as relay nodes. This universal design allows the same device to perform multiple functions without requiring separate relay hardware, extending management range while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Use of energy by moving object
If automatic relay selection based on battery charge levels is implemented, then energy efficiency is improved, but the gateway complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway implements feedback by continuously monitoring battery charge levels of meters and automatically adjusting relay assignments accordingly. This feedback mechanism optimizes energy efficiency across the network while the gateway handles the computational complexity of making these decisions centrally.
Data Source
AI summary
A gateway acts as an intermediary between a plurality of smart fluid meters and an information system responsible for collecting metering index readings made by said smart fluid meters. The gateway is connected to the information system by a first communication network, and the gateway is connected to first smart fluid meters from said plurality by means of a second long-range radio communication network, said first smart fluid meters being able to act as relays for second smart fluid meters by means of a third short-range radio communication network. The gateway selects one or more first smart fluid meters as relays, according to the battery charge levels obtained, and configures the second communication network accordingly.