DE102012001771A1 - Electronic consumption measuring device for use in electronic device for measuring flow of e.g. water, has counts or operating mode information externally or contactlessly selected from storage unit by reader during function defection - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a sensing unit (3) detecting variable consumption sizes in a form of measurement signals received by an evaluating unit (4). A power supply (5) guarantees self-sufficient operation of the device. A storage unit (11) i.e. erasable programmable RAM, continuously writes consumption-variable counts or operating mode information or memory data, which retain in the storage unit during function defection. The counts or operating mode information are externally or contactlessly selected from the storage unit by a reader (10) during function defection.

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic consumption meter according to the preamble of claim 1.

Consumption meters are electronic devices for flow measurement of liquid or gaseous media with the purpose of detecting the individual consumption of liquid media z. As water or gaseous media z. B. natural gas. Consumption meters also include devices that generate additional data from the consumption data. This includes in particular so-called heat meters.

Technological background

Electronic meters have advantages in terms of measurement accuracy and communication capability compared to mechanical meters. In addition, they are cheaper, as far as the production costs are concerned. A disadvantage of the electronic consumption meters, however, is that in the case of malfunctions, the meter readings can be restored only with extremely high effort or threatened in the worst case, a complete data loss. If the battery of a potted, electronic consumption meter fails, it was previously forced to reactivate by contacting the contacts through the potting through the device in order to read any stored meter reading again. With a defective electronics, however, this is no longer possible.

Nearest prior art

From the GB 2 403 323 A already a consumption meter is known, which is provided with a so-called RFID label manufacturer side. The RFID tag is provided with its own memory into which identification data such as serial number, type, technical data, etc. are already inscribed during production. This is to avoid inaccuracies and errors in the later readout of data from the consumption meter. Further, savings are to be made in terms of the energy consumption of the battery of the consumption meter by introducing high-frequency energy through the antenna of the RFID tag.

A similar consumption meter is also from the EP 1 384 975 A2 already known. Here, too, the consumption meter identifying characteristics are inscribed in an RFID label manufacturer, which can be identified wirelessly via a reader at a later date.

The DE 10 2005 033 549 A1 relates to a consumption meter with an RFID tag, by means of which only a clearly attributable identification of the respective measuring point should be made from a plurality of measuring points.

Object of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a novel consumption meter, which has an improved reliability.

Solution of the task

The above object is achieved in the generic consumption meter according to the preamble of claim 1, characterized in that a self-contained memory as a backup memory with variable data so verbsvivaler meter readings or operating status information or both as memory data is continuously described, the memory in the event of a malfunction stored in it Memory data remains readable, so that in the event of a malfunction, the meter readings or operating status information or both contactlessly remain read out of the memory by a reader, in particular by means of radio frequency wave externally. The memory can be designed so that it has the energy for its reading via the external reader such. B. via the radio frequency wave relates. The invention has the advantage that in case of failure of the device, for. B. because of a no longer functioning battery or the like. Without costly workload readout of the data remains possible in a simple manner. Data readout of the data is still possible even with complete data loss in the consumption meter's own memory, since the additionally provided memory is self-sufficient and an external power supply is possible.

When writing state variable operating state information data into the memory, a subsequent readout can advantageously give an accurate explanation of the cause of the failure. By way of example, this can be used to prove that manipulations which are not viewed as such by the device or that have caused a particular reason for a malfunction are.

The memory is inventively provided in addition to a usually provided in a consumption meter main memory as a security device. It serves, preferably exclusively, to record the consumption-variable meter readings and / or operating state information.

The consumption meter, ie its evaluation or control, is advantageously designed so that the corresponding data from the controller ie the processor via a signal or data line are written into the memory. In this case, the circuit can have a device which ensures that the energy supplied via the high-frequency wave or radio-frequency wave does not flow away when the main energy supply source is defective, but remains available for reading the memory contents. In this way, the memory is separated from the power supply circuit of the consumption meter and thus not directly affected by a defect in the power supply.

The memory is preferably a nonvolatile memory, in particular a memory module of the type EPROM or EEPROM. This type of non-volatile memory allows any frequent overwriting d. H. Update the data content. In addition, a read voltage is required in these memory modules, which is only below the programming voltage. For this reason, this type of memory module is particularly suitable for external read-out. In addition, the memory module can simultaneously contain a control circuit for reading the data. Advantageously, a memory of the so-called. FRAM technology can be used.

The memory is expediently provided with an antenna, in particular a so-called. RFID antenna, on the one hand, the transmission of the data, d. H. the reading takes place, which also enables the introduction of the necessary energy for reading. Suitably, the antenna is wired directly to a pin of the memory module.

The content of the memory is expediently updated continuously during the current operation of the consumption meter, preferably at specific time intervals, by overwriting a preceding data content with the current data content.

The present idea is particularly useful in consumption meters whose components, such. B. the battery, the microprocessor and / or the evaluation circuit are cast in potting or at least partially encapsulated.

Description of the invention with reference to embodiments

Hereinafter, expedient embodiments of the present invention will be explained in more detail:

Show it:

1 a highly simplified, schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the consumption meter according to the invention and

2 a highly simplified, schematic representation of a memory module with high-frequency antenna as part of the consumption meter according to the embodiment according to 1 ,

The reference number 1 in 1 refers to the meter in its entirety. It includes a housing 2 , a sensor device 3 , For example in the form of (not shown) ultrasonic transducers, which are arranged in a (also not shown) measuring section. The sensor device may also be different than in 1 shown outside of the housing. Furthermore, the consumption meter includes a controller 6 in the form of a microprocessor, an evaluation device 4 for detecting the signals of the sensor device 3 as well as for the further processing of the same.

Furthermore, it is a data interface 8th for outputting the data for a data collecting device or the like (not shown). The data interface 8th can this z. B. be designed as a radio module. The reference number 7 denotes a display device for displaying meter readings and / or other consumption data. In addition, a z. B. volatile main memory 16 be provided on the consumption meter, which is integrated into the data processing of the consumption meter. For energy supply is an energy source 5 provided in the form of a battery or a rechargeable battery.

The meter also has a memory 11 z. B. in the form of a memory module 9 , which at the in 1 illustrated embodiment within the housing 2 is arranged. The memory chip 9 is this with the evaluation 4 directly wired. How out 2 the memory module bears visible 9 a memory 11 , an antenna 12 for receiving radio frequency waves, in particular a so-called RFID antenna, one via the antenna 12 power supply to be powered 14 and a control chip 13 ,

In the memory module 9 it is in particular a self-sufficient, non-volatile memory 11 , For example, the type EEPROM or EPROM, whose memory contents can be overwritten continuously, that can be updated continuously. Advantageously, a memory of the so-called. FRAM technology can be used.

In the event of a malfunction of the meter, for example due to a defect in the power source 5 or the controller 6 , remains the consumption-variable data content of the memory 11 Always self-sufficient and can if necessary via an external reader 10 by means of a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field 18 which is external to the reader 10 is excited, and the antenna 12 is exposed, read. The high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field 18 leads the antenna 12 and the power supply connected to the antenna 14 the for the on the memory chip 9 Energy available to the required functionalities by the alternating field of the antenna 12 received and used for reading the data. The ones in the store 11 Existing data are then transmitted via the antenna 12 to the external reader 10 transfer.

The individual components of the consumption meter 1 can with potting compound 15 to be shed. Nevertheless, consumption-variable meter readings or operating status information or both can easily be read out in the event of a fault.

2 shows in a basic representation of the memory module 9 for use in a consumption meter 1 the type mentioned above. The memory chip 9 includes a planar antenna 12 for receiving a high-frequency electromagnetic wave, for example a shortwave of 13.46 MHz. The antenna 12 is with a power supply 14 connected, in turn, with the control chip 13 communicates. The control chip 13 works with the memory 11 together, in which the data directly over the data line 17 in z. B. continuous time intervals are written. The control of the readout takes place after receiving a corresponding signal from the reading device z. B. via the control chip 13 ,

The invention makes it possible to carry out an effective data backup with simple means, which makes it possible to read even after a long operating period even with a complete malfunction, variable consumption data and / or operating state data. The variable consumption data are in particular counter readings, in the operating state data in particular the operating voltage, the state of charge of the energy source, the time.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

consumption meter

2

casing

3

control device

4

evaluation

5

energy

6

control

7

display

8th

Data Interface

9

memory chip

10

reader

11

Storage

12

antenna

13

control

14

power supply

15

potting compound

16

main memory

17

data line

18

high-frequency electromagnetic wave

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• GB 2403323 A [0004]
• EP 1384975 A2 [0005]
• DE 102005033549 A1 [0006]

Claims (9)

Consumption meter ( 1 ) comprising a sensor device ( 3 ) for detecting variable consumption quantities in the form of measuring signals, an evaluation device ( 4 ) for receiving the measurement signals and for further processing the same in counter readings, an energy source ( 5 ) to ensure self-sufficient operation of the meter ( 1 ) and a memory ( 11 ) on the consumption meter ( 1 ), characterized in that the memory ( 11 ) is continuously writable with consumption-variable counter readings or operating state information or both as memory data, the memory ( 11 ) in the event of a malfunction, the memory data stored in it remains readable, so that in the event of a malfunction, the meter readings or operating status information or both contactlessly from the memory ( 11 ) by a reader ( 10 ) are externally readable. Consumption meter according to claim 1, characterized in that the memory ( 11 ) as backup storage in addition to a main storage ( 16 ) is provided. Consumption meter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the consumption variable meter readings or operating state information or both via a direct data line ( 17 ) in the memory ( 11 ) are writable. Consumption meter according to claim 3, characterized in that it is in the memory ( 11 ) is a nonvolatile memory. Consumption meter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in the memory ( 11 ) is a memory of the type EPROM or EEPROM, in particular one of the FRAM technology. Consumption meter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the memory ( 11 ) with an RFID antenna ( 12 ) is provided for receiving a radio frequency wave. Consumption meter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the energy for reading the memory ( 11 ) is externally fed via the radio frequency wave. Consumption meter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contents of the memory ( 11 ) is continuously updatable by a previous data content is overwritable with a current data content. Consumption meter according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the components of the consumption meter ( 1 ) completely or at least part of it is or is shed.

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