CN1732421A - Power reduction method in an electronic counter - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for operating an electronic counter with reduced power consumption has been developed. The electronic counter is divided into multiple segments that are ordered according to their numerical value. As the counter is updated, it becomes necessary to propagate data between the segments. If the supply energy of the counter meets or exceeds a set limit, the data is propagated to the next highest segment. However, if the supply energy of the counter falls below the set limit, the data to be propagated is stored in a propagation carry counter.

Description

Power reduction method in the electronic counter

The application requires on Dec 4th, 2002 to submit to, and title is the U.S. Provisional Application NO.60/423 of " electronic code self-powered water meter ", 598 right of priority.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to electronic counter.More specifically, the present invention relates to a kind of power reduction method of electronic counter.

Background technology

Electronic counter has various application widely.An example is the measurement instrument that is used for recording volume flow (volumetric flow).These instrument are generally used to write down terminal user's consumption by public utilities.For example, supply with the utility company that water is given they user, typically come product charge for them based on use amount.The use amount of water is typically by measuring in the instrument that they install on the water supply line separately for each isolated user.The employee of utility company (common every month once) periodically manually gathers reading from instrument.These readings are normally cumulative, so the use amount of current period is to calculate by deducting last reading.In case calculate use amount, just will in this period, the bill of the water consumption that makes send the user to.

Manually reading of water consumption instrument is labour-intensive, consuming time high, and makes residential customer suffer personal error especially easily, because with respect to bigger commercial user, and the water consumption that the instrument monitoring of each residential customer is less relatively.Therefore, electronic instrument be used to obtain faster, the collection of more high efficiency, more accurate water usage data.Electronic instrument is crossed the current of traditional mechanical flowmeter by monitoring flow, measures water consumption.The reading of use amount is stored in the electronic counter, arrives local transmitter/receiver of being operated by utility company by wireless signal transmission then.

Yet electronic instrument needs power supply.Typically, such instrument is powered by battery.Battery must be changed by the artificially, and this is again a process consuming time and with high costs.In addition, if battery failure, public utilities may not be determined water consumption correct in the instrument, and therefore transmits inaccurate bill and give the user.Equally, the data processor of this instrument typically uses nonvolatile memory, and it can preserve the data from instrument when power-fail.All power consumption characteristics of these instrument make power efficiency become and are starved of.

Summary of the invention

In some respects, the present invention relates to a kind of method of operating electronic counter, comprising: upgrade electronic counter, described electronic counter is divided into a plurality of a plurality of sections of disposing according to numerical value; If the energize of electronic counter satisfies or exceeds a predetermined value, in intersegmental transmission data; If the energize of electronic counter can not satisfy this predetermined value, transmitting the data that carry counting system device stored is transmitted.

In other respects, the present invention relates to a kind of method of operating electronic counter, comprising: in a plurality of stagewise memory paragraphs, calculate step from the use amount data of water meter; When power supply is sufficient in electronic counter, between memory paragraph, transmit the step of use amount data; If power supply is inadequate in the electronic counter, temporarily store the step of the use amount data that transmitted.

With reference to following instructions and additional claim, it is more obvious that other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become.

Description of drawings

Should be noted in the discussion above that the same feature in the different accompanying drawings represents with identical reference number.

Fig. 1 shows the synoptic diagram of electronic water meter supervisory system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows the cutaway drawing of self-powered water meter according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows the view of the display of electronic data registering instrument according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows the block scheme of the ASIC circuit of electronic data registering instrument according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 a shows the block scheme of the section of separating in the counter memory according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 b-5d shows three sections the block scheme that separates in the count-up counter storer according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 6 shows according to an embodiment of the invention one section process flow diagram that transmits to the bit of another section from counter.

Fig. 7 shows the one section process flow diagram that filters to the transmission of another section from counter according to the embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 8 shows the process flow diagram of the operation that transmits the carry counting system device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 9 a-9c shows the chart of system parameter values and systematic parameter scope according to an embodiment of the invention.

Embodiment

The power reduction method of electronic counter is developed.Although use as an example in this mode with measurement instrument, the use of electronic counter is described, importantly the present invention can the mode with electronic counter use in any application.This is used to pay attention under the situation of equipment of power efficiency especially correct at counter, for example notebook PC, or battery powered electronic equipment.

In instructions, be used as the measurement instrument of example, when streams is crossed this instrument, measure and write down its volume use amount.This counter can be used for utility application to measure water, the use amount of gas or electricity.In addition, this instrument generally also is used to industrial application, to measure the flow velocity of various components.In the content, can be used to the self-powered water meter in the utility application field to describe the embodiment of each side of the present invention in this section.Yet, should be appreciated that as described the present invention can be applied to many dissimilar measurement instruments in various application fields.

Fig. 1 shows the synoptic diagram of electronic water meter supervisory system 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.System 10 comprises electronic water meter 12a or the 12b that is used for isolated user.This water meter typically is held in place the point on user's independently supplying pipeline between user and the public utilities master supply line.Meter interface unit (MIU) 14a or 14b are connected to water meter 12a or 12b separately.MIU14a or 14b are a kind of electronic equipments, the use amount data of its electronic register acquisition instrument from the water meter separately, and send these data to local transmitter/ receiver 16a or 16b by wireless signal.In optional embodiment, can use other external units, for example kneetop computer, data recorder or other suitable equipment known in this field.Show two optional embodiment of electronic water meter.First embodiment comprises instrument 12a and the MIU14a that is positioned in underground or " mine pit (pit) " unit.Other embodiment comprise water meter 12b and the MIU14b that is positioned over the ground.Equally also show the emittor/receiver 16a or the 16b of two kinds of optional types.First kind of emittor/receiver 16a is assembled on the vehicle, and other emittor/receivers are handheld unit 16b.The emittor/receiver of type can for good and all be assemblied in the middle position of a plurality of instrument and MIU in addition.In these emittor/receivers each all allows the office worker of utility company not need the artificially to read each self contained instrument and receives the use amount data.Can be instead, when each emittor/ receiver 16a and 16b are in the scope of MIU14a and 14b, be launched into emittor/receiver from the data of instrument, and described emittor/receiver is transmitted into utility computer system 18 with this signal.Computer system 18 is based on each user's of this data computation use amount then.Generate the suitable bill of each user by public utilities then.

The electronic water meter of this system is self-powered by inner " Wiegand Wire ".The Wiegand lead is a kind of equipment that generates electric signal when it is exposed to the magnetic field of the flux polarity with variation.This lead also can be used to respond to the voltage of leap near the coil of this lead placement.The polarity in magnetic field depends on the kinetic energy of the fluid that flows through this instrument and changes.In certain embodiments, when fluid flow through instrument, it rotated inner water wheels, and inner water wheels rotate axle attached to it.A plurality of magnet are arranged on the disk that is attached to this turning axle.When disk rotated together with the axis, the motional induction of magnet went out to be placed near the alternating magnetic field of the interior magnetic flux of Wiegand lead the disk.Because the variation of magnetic flux and by the signal that this lead generates be used to power electronic circuit to this instrument of monitoring.The speed, volume and the direction that flow through the fluid of this instrument also can be determined by quantity and the speed of analyzing the signal that is generated by this lead.

Fig. 2 shows the cutaway drawing of self-supplied electronic water meter 20 according to an embodiment of the invention.In this embodiment, electronic water meter 20 is connected on the water supply line at inflow connector 22 places of instrument.Water flow into meter body 26 and flows out to the user by flowing out connector 24 by connector 22 from supply line.When water flow through meter body 26, it promoted inner stream wheel (flowwheel) 28 rotations.And the stream wheel 28 of rotation rotates by the axle (not shown) and is connected to disk 30 on the stream wheel 28.Disk 30 in this embodiment is represented as the magnetic region (for the polar orientation mark " N " and " S " in each district) with four separation, thereby constitutes a quadrupole electromagnet.In other embodiments, can use the difference configuration of magnet.

When disk 30 rotation, its changes near disk 30 and the magnetic flux polarity of the Wiegand wire sensor 32 of placing.As discussed previously, the variation sensing of polarity goes out the signal that is generated by sensor 32.These signal indications provide power supply also for simultaneously the electronic circuit of instrument about the data of the current that flow through instrument 20.Particularly, signal flow is corresponding to the speed and the direction of the current that flow through this instrument.The flow velocity that flows through the current of instrument 20 is the rotating speed of contrast stream wheel 28 and disk 30 and is calibrated by the signal flow that sensor 32 generates.In Fig. 2, only show and have only a Wiegand wire sensor 32 to be used to instrument 20.Be to be understood that for optional embodiment of the present invention a plurality of sensors can be used in the instrument.

Data are processed and storage in being attached to the electronic data registering instrument 34 of instrument 20.Registering instrument 34 comprises ASIC (special IC) chip of deal with data.In certain embodiments, nonvolatile memory is placed in the ASIC.This storer is used for storing data.Fig. 3 shows the view of the display on electronic data registering instrument 34 surfaces.Registering instrument 34 has and covers 36, and protection display 38 is avoided dust, chip etc.Display 38 self is the LCD (LCD) of a video data.In the present invention, LCD can show nine bit digital.In optional embodiment, can use the displaying scheme of other types and quantity.This display is to be exposed to solar battery group 40 power supplies under the sunshine when opening by lid 36.This display convenient since MIU or other system parts manually use under the situation of meter reading when breaking down.

Fig. 4 shows the block scheme of the ASIC circuit of electronic data registering instrument.In this embodiment, two Wiegand wire sensor 32 are used to provide the data stream of two separation to ASIC41.Each sensor 32 all produces just ("+") or negative ("-") data stream of separating.The power supply (EXT power supply) that comprises the ASIC outside to other connections of ASIC is connected with ground wire (GND).In this embodiment, described two Wiegand wire sensor 32 generate external power source.Other connections of ASIC comprise: enable signal (ENABLE); Data-signal (DATA); Clock signal (CLOCK); Read-write (R/W); Output signal (PULSE OUTPUT); And direction signal (PULSE DIRECTION).During these signals connect any one all passed through host interface (not shown) other parts to datalogger.

As previously mentioned, the asic chip shown in Fig. 4 has the memory span at chip internal.In other embodiments, storer can be in the ASIC outside, and connects by the outside and to provide desired data to chip.In this embodiment, storer is non-volatile, can not lose the memory of data of its storage when power supply is removed.The example of nonvolatile memory comprises: magnetic core storage, ROM, EPROM, flash memory, magnetic bubble memory, battery powered CMOS-RAN or the like.In this example, nonvolatile memory is ferroelectric RAM (" FeRAM ").Such storer typically is used for mobile application.It also can be used for, to the power use amount minimized keep simultaneously performance maximized aspect very overcritical application.In more other embodiment, can use non-volatile logic or other non-volatile structure.

The minimized technology of a kind of power use amount comprises the effective management to the use of power circuit.For example, circuit can be activated when it will be used (, activate so that use power supply) a period of time, then end when not required (that is, make its inertia with use seldom power supply or do not use power supply).This is just by only activating current operation circuitry needed part, thereby has reduced overall electrical source consumption.The part of storer is exclusively used in a user.Counter records is by stepping recruitment or reduction in the sum of the signal of instrument generation.Typically, each signal that generates by instrument or " counting " growth that all will cause a bit value of count-up counter.Similarly, negative signal can cause the growth of a bit value of down counter.

In current embodiment, counter has multistage (stages) to allow the total of a large amount of bits.These grades are configured to the order of stagewise, so that higher level comprises the bit of higher value, and lower section is held the bit of minimum.Fig. 5 a shows the block scheme of following content: three section 50,52 and 54 of the separation of the storer of count-up counter; Three section 51,53 and 55 of the separation of the storer of down counter; And status register 48.

Fig. 5 b-5d shows three section 50 of separation of the count-up counter storer, 52 and 54 optional block scheme.First section 50 bit that holds minimum of counter.It sends bit value to second section 52 with high value.And second section 52 send bit value to higher value the 3rd section 54.Typically, in case lower level arrives its maximal value, just taken place to more senior transmission.At this some place, bit is sent to that next is more senior, and more rudimentary value is reset to zero to restart its counting.Therefore, having only the lowermost level of counter is the sin qua non during each counting adds up.Therefore, during most of counting operations, have only the part of counter need be activated and electric consumption.Fig. 6 shows one section process flow diagram that transmits to the bit of another section from counter.In this example, counter is divided into count-up counter 62 and down counter 64.Down counter moves to be similar to the mode that the count-up counter shown in Fig. 5 b-5d is described.Each counter 62 and 64 all has separate three sections shown in Fig. 5 b-5d.

In certain embodiments, when counter need transmit data between not at the same level, bit can be stored in more rudimentary in, up to the moment that occurs when the signal that have enough energy that can successfully transmit it.This has been avoided the signal of low-lying level to transmit bit, thereby may obliterated data.This technology that is used for the storage area that transmits than wait only for is called " transmission filtering ".Data in the FeRAM unit shown in Fig. 5 a-5c can be used as 16 bit words and are stored and launch.16 bit words are broken down into three sections, comprise: be used to increase progressively the data bit of register in first section, be used for the mode register data bit in the data bit of the register that is used in second section to successively decrease and the 3rd section.This allows counter to obtain better chance to come with faint data-signal deal with data, because flow to and upgrade appropriate counter and can utilize a visit of storer is realized.

Can enter at a bit before a section of storage register, test comparison guaranteeing that sufficient energy is available, thereby transmit this bit by the section of counter.The value of utilisable energy is to compare and determine with predetermined threshold value magnitude of voltage (" Vth1 " and " Vth2 ") by the service voltage (" Vdd1 ") to system.Typically, Vdd1 can change between operating voltage maximal value (" VopH ") and operating voltage minimum value (" VopL ").Fig. 9 a-9c shows the chart of the various parameter values that provide system's use, comprising: the external capacitive load on the Vdd1; Total electrical charge; The scope of VopH and VopL; The value of Vth1 and Vth2; And the scope between VopH and the threshold voltage.Described value is represented as minimum value, maximal value and standard value.

Fig. 7 shows the process flow diagram of the data bit transfer step that increases progressively register.In each step, one of Vdd1 and threshold voltage value are compared.Same because bit transmits by counter, need more power to visit each section.For example, signal must have 1/3 of ceiling capacity and visits first section 72.Further, signal must have 2/3 of ceiling capacity and visit second section 74, must have whole power and visit the 3rd section 76.Be to be understood that and in the register that successively decreases of counter, have similarly configuration and parameter.

As shown in Figure 7, if Vdd1 can not satisfy threshold value, data will be accommodated in its residing present segment, and not allow further to be sent in the counter.For example, Vth1 is the threshold value that detects feeble signal 70.When Vth1 is tested, only use read correction write register (" reading WLO "), so Vth1 is set to 1/3 of gross energy.Vth2 is used for the threshold value that data bit transmits.Thereby it visits two read-write registers (" reading W1 " and " reading W2 "), and is set to 1/2 of gross energy.In the worst case, higher working range (VopH-Vth2) must have enough at least energy with: (1) reads WLO; (2) rewrite WLO; (3) read second segment register.In the worst case, lower working range (Vth2-VopL) must have enough at least energy with: (1) rewrites second section; (2) read the 3rd segment register; (3) rewrite the 3rd section.With reference to the parameter value as shown in Fig. 9 a, voltage landing maximal value at work can followingly be calculated: Qt/Cl=3.27nC/3.685nF=0.888V.Thus, threshold voltage can followingly calculate: (1) Vth1＞VopL+ (Max Drop3); (2) Vth2＞VopL+ (Max Drop2).Sample draws the value of Vth=3.796V and Vth2=3.944V.

In this example, each register increases progressively and successively decreases, and all has three sections, and when one section maximal value that is in it wherein, carry-out bit must be transmitted to adjacent section.In the worst case, a bit will be had to from each section transmission, thereby need three simultaneous section visits.For minimise power consumption, between first and second sections, use dibit to transmit " carry counting system device ".Another dibit transmits " carry counting system device " and is used between second and the 3rd section.Fig. 8 shows the process flow diagram of the operation that transmits the carry counting system device.Attempt to transmit bit and Vdd1 when lower section and be in threshold voltage when following, the carry counting system device is added up once.When another transmission from low section takes place and Vdd1 is in threshold voltage when above, the value in the carry counting system device is sent to higher section, and the carry counting system device is reset to zero.Yet because the carry counting system device is the binary counter that has only dibit, it has maximum capacity 3.If the value of carry counting system device be 2 and it receive another transmission, this expression carry counting system device has received too much feeble signal continuously and has transmitted.In this case, the error flag that goes wrong as warning system of 3 these values.Have only when Vdd1 satisfies threshold value and error condition and is reset, further transmission just can be passed to higher section.

Although invention has been described according to a limited number of embodiment, the those skilled in the art that benefit from these disclosures are to be understood that and can design other embodiment, and do not break away from scope of the present invention disclosed herein.In addition, scope of the present invention should only be limited by additional claim.

Claims (17)

1, a kind of method of operating electronic counter comprises:

Upgrade electronic counter, described electronic counter is divided into a plurality of sections that dispose according to numerical value;

If the energize of electronic counter satisfies or exceeds a predetermined value, in intersegmental transmission data; With

If the energize of electronic counter can not satisfy this predetermined value, transmitting carry counting system device data that stored transmits.

2, the method for claim 1, the data that the storage of wherein said transmission carry counting system device is transmitted satisfy or exceed this predetermined value up to the service voltage of electronic counter.

3, the method for claim 1, wherein said electronic counter are divided into three sections.

4, the method for claim 1, wherein said electronic counter are divided into three sections count-up counter and three sections down counter.

5, the method for claim 1, wherein said a plurality of sections comprise storage unit.

6, method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said storage unit is a non-volatile memory cells.

7, method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said non-volatile memory cells comprises the ferroelectric RAM unit.

8, the method for claim 1, wherein said electronic counter are the parts of instrument.

9, method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said instrument is a utility meter.

10, method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said utility meter is a water meter.

11, method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said water meter are the self-powered water meters.

12, method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said self-powered water meter is powered by the Wiegand lead.

13, the method for claim 1, wherein said transmission carry counting system device is the dibit binary counter.

14, the method for claim 1 also comprises:

Be positioned over first between minimum numerical value section and the intermediate value section and transmit the carry counting system device; With

Be positioned over second between the highest numerical value section and the intermediate value section and transmit the carry counting system device.

15, the method for claim 1 wherein is full of when the capacity of described transmission carry counting system device, and when receiving other transmission data, transmits counter and generate an error notification.

16, a kind of method of operating electronic counter comprises:

In a plurality of stagewise memory paragraphs, calculate step from the use amount data of water meter;

When power supply in the electronic counter is sufficient, between memory paragraph, transmit the step of use amount data; With

If power supply is inadequate in the electronic counter, temporarily store the step of the use amount data that transmitted.

17, the method for claim 16 also comprises:

If the capacity of the use amount data that temporary transient storage is transmitted overflows, the step of generation error notice.

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