Configurable Data Aggregation Engine for Utility Reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

The utilities industry faces challenges in accurately aggregating and reporting data due to the fungible nature of utilities like electricity, transmission losses, varying meter types, and different geographical and jurisdictional requirements, leading to complex data collection and analysis that often necessitates custom solutions for each provider, resulting in lengthy and costly implementation processes.

Innovation Solution

A customizable data aggregator and reporting engine with a flexible framework that allows for dynamic configuration and calculation of data aggregation characteristics, enabling quick deployment and adaptation to specific utility provider needs without requiring rebuilding or redesign of the system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If custom data aggregation systems are created for each utility provider, then data aggregation accuracy is improved, but implementation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata aggregation accuracyVSAvoidimplementation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal data aggregation system that can serve multiple utility providers with different requirements. The system uses configurable parameters and templates that can be adjusted to match various data formats, meter types, and reporting requirements without requiring custom development for each provider. This allows the same core system to be deployed across multiple clients with minimal customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows dynamic configuration of aggregation parameters, calculation methods, and reporting formats through adjustable settings rather than hard-coded solutions. Users can modify parameters such as data sources, aggregation intervals, calculation formulas, and output formats to match specific provider requirements, enabling accurate data aggregation without custom programming for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If custom data aggregation systems are created for each utility provider, then data aggregation accuracy is improved, but implementation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata aggregation accuracyVSAvoidimplementation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses templates and configurations that can be copied and adapted for different utility providers. Once a data aggregation setup is created for one provider, it can be replicated and modified for other providers with similar requirements, significantly reducing development costs. The template-based approach allows rapid deployment without recreating the entire system for each client.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of time

If a fixed data aggregation system is used, then implementation time is reduced, but adaptability to different utility provider needs worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeployment timeVSAvoidadaptability to provider needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic configuration system where aggregation parameters, data sources, and reporting formats can be changed without modifying the underlying code. The system allows runtime configuration adjustments, enabling it to adapt to different utility provider requirements while maintaining a consistent deployment timeline. This dynamic approach combines the speed of fixed systems with the flexibility of custom solutions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple meter types with different reporting formats are supported, then system versatility is improved, but data aggregation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeter type compatibilityVSAvoiddata aggregation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different processing rules and configurations to different data sources based on their specific characteristics. Each meter type can have its own configured parameters, data formats, and aggregation methods tailored to its requirements. This localized approach allows the system to handle diverse meter types without requiring a single complex processing path for all devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9811553B2Methods and systems for data aggregation and reporting

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 ENTEGRITY LLC

AI summary

The present application is generally directed to mediums, methods, and systems for providing a data aggregator and reporting engine for utilities data. Exemplary embodiments provide procedures for aggregating and reporting data. According to exemplary embodiments, a base configuration for a data aggregator is provided. A variety of characteristics and functionality are built into the base configuration of the aggregator. Each characteristic may include a plurality of built-in options. By selecting one or more relevant options for each characteristic, a utility provider can build an aggregator that applies a custom profile to aggregate and report utilities data. The options may be selected prior to run-time, or may be selected at run-time. A dynamic reporting framework is also provided. The dynamic reporting framework allows for data aggregations to be calculated during the aggregation process without requiring that either the aggregator or the reporting framework be rebuilt or redesigned.