Wireless Utility Meter Reading via NFC for Accurate Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for reading utility consumption from meters, such as electricity, fluid, gas, or heat, are often difficult, time-consuming, or inaccurate, leading to issues in recording and transmitting meter readings to suppliers.
Innovation Solution
A meter equipped with a wireless communication interface and a processing resource that allows secure, wireless data transfer to a mobile electronic device, enabling operations like data display, saving, and transmission, using technologies like NFC for communication and user authentication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a user manually takes a reading from a meter display, records it, and sends it to a supplier, then the meter reading data can be transmitted to the supplier, but the process becomes difficult, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies in reading, recording, and transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of reading, recording, and transmitting meter data with an automated electronic system. The meter automatically transmits consumption data wirelessly to a mobile device, eliminating the need for manual reading and recording operations. This substitution resolves the contradiction by improving accuracy through automated data capture while reducing time loss through wireless transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The meter performs self-service by automatically generating and transmitting its own consumption data without requiring user intervention. The system enables the meter to autonomously communicate with the user's mobile device, eliminating the manual labor involved in traditional reading processes and thereby reducing both time consumption and potential human error.
2Ease of operation
If manual meter reading and recording is performed, then data can be obtained, but the process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical operations of reading and recording with automated electronic data transmission. The meter automatically sends consumption data to the user's mobile device, transforming a multi-step manual process into a single automated operation that is both easier to perform and faster to complete.
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares the data transmission in advance by having the meter continuously track and store consumption data ready for transmission. When the user initiates a read operation, the data is already prepared and can be transmitted immediately, eliminating the time-consuming process of manual reading and recording.
3Reliability
If manual meter reading is performed, then consumption data can be obtained, but inaccuracies may occur in the reading, recording, or transmission of data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex manual system of reading, recording, and transmitting with a streamlined automated electronic transmission system. This substitution improves reliability by eliminating human error in data capture and transcription, while the overall system complexity is reduced through the use of standard wireless communication protocols and mobile device integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy, accurate, and secure reading and management of utility consumption data on a mobile device, reducing user effort and improving data accuracy and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the wireless communication interface is configured for wireless communications between the meter and the mobile electronic device by inductively coupling a wireless communication signal between the wireless communication interface and the mobile electronic device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A meter for measuring a consumption of a utility, comprises a measurement arrangement for measuring a consumption of a utility; a wireless communication interface for wireless communications between the meter and a mobile electronic device; and a processing resource, wherein the processing resource is configured to receive data relating to the measured consumption of the utility from the measurement arrangement; wirelessly receive a connection request signal from the mobile electronic device; wirelessly connect with the mobile electronic device via the wireless communication interface based on the received connection request signal; and wirelessly transmit, via the wireless communication interface, the data relating to the measured consumption of the utility to the mobile electronic device to enable the mobile electronic device to perform one or more operations with the data relating to the measured consumption of the utility. A mobile electronic device for reading the data relating to the measured consumption of the utility from the meter and for performing one or more operations with the data read from the meter is also disclosed.