Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08C—TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS
  • G08C17/00—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link
  • G08C17/02—Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for reading consumption values occurring in a building, in particular heat, water or the like, with at least one consumption value detection device assigned to a consumer, which has a storage device for the consumption value recorded in each case and has an electrical energy source supplying its electrical power requirement.
• Reading the consumption values determined by such consumption value detection devices requires access to the location of the respective consumption value detection device, which is determined by the location of the assigned consumer. Especially in the case of
• REPLACEMENT LEAF to be able to receive. Even clocked operation of the receiver at fixed intervals would far exceed the available energy in view of the long periods of time, for example ten years, over which each consumption value recording device must be operated without changing the battery.
• the invention has for its object to provide a device for reading consumption values of the type mentioned, in which, while maintaining the long operating periods, each consumption value detection device, in particular without the need to replace the electrical energy source, requires little structural effort Remote reading can take place at the desired, fixed reading times.
• the consumption value detection device has a transmission device for wireless transmission of the respectively stored consumption value to a local reception device of the building and a timer device, of which the transmission device each outside the duration of a predetermined time window, in which the consumption value is transmitted, is switched off.
• the wireless transmission takes place only up to a local receiving device of the building, the range of the transmitting device need only be small, so that these transmitting devices are constructed in a very simple manner in the consumption value recording devices, such as heat cost distributors, which represent a mass production product could be.
• the energy consumption associated with the operation of the transmitting device is limited to
• the time window of each consumption value recording device is set in such a way that it is close in time to the key date of a desired billing period, for example after December 31st, so that after the wireless transmission in the local receiving device of the Building, the consumption values applicable for this billing period are within reach.
• the local receiving device itself can be arranged at an easily accessible location of the residential unit to be read in each case or outside it, so that the reading can be carried out there by a reading person without disturbing the apartment owner.
• the local receiving device can in turn serve to forward the consumption values through a suitable data transmission path over a greater distance to a central data evaluation device. In this case, the building no longer needs to be entered.
• a particularly preferred embodiment consists in the transmitter device being switched on by the timer device in each case in the predetermined time window for transmitting the consumption value.
• the reception value of the consumption value detection device is specifically dispensed with, so that the latter can be constructed in a particularly simple manner and no electrical energy is required for reception operation. Rather, the internal
• REPLACEMENT LEAF Timer device of each consumption value detection device determines the time of transmission of the consumption value and the transmission device is switched on only for this purpose and time.
• the advantages achieved with the invention can be achieved in another embodiment in essential respects in that the consumption value detection device has a signal receiver with a ready-to-receive circuit which the timer device only determined for the duration of the predetermined time Time window is switched to the standby mode, in which the signal receiver switches the transmission device into its transmission mode in response to an external interrogation signal.
• each consumption value detection device is increased by the signal receiver, but the latter can be constructed very simply since it only has to take up the external interrogation signal. Since the signal receiver is only switched to its reception standby mode only during the predetermined time window and there in the absence of the interrogation signal, while the reception mode is only switched on when the interrogation signal is received, it is also possible in this way to determine the one relevant to the reading device according to the invention Achieve energy savings.
• the predetermined time window can be dimensioned relatively spacious because of the low energy consumption in the standby mode, so that even with unavoidable inaccuracies in the timing of the timer device over the course of the long operating time, the query signal can be used to determine an exact transmission time for the consumption values.
• the local receiving device has a timer device from which it
• REPLACEMENT LEAF is switched to its receiving mode only for the duration of a time window adapted to the predetermined time window of the transmitting device.
• the resulting autonomous power supply for the local receiving device allows it to be arranged at any suitable location in the building without the need for a network connection.
• this autonomous energy supply prevents errors caused by network failures or by manipulation of an external energy supply.
• the timers of both the consumption value recording devices and the local reception device of the building can be stabilized very simply and inexpensively, for example by means of watch quartz crystals, the inaccuracy over a period of years is in the order of hours. Since the transmission time of each consumption value detection device must fall within the time window of the local receiving device in question for a correct reading, a sufficiently spacious measurement of at least the time window of the receiving device is necessary. However, in an expedient embodiment, the necessary length of the time window can be reduced by the local receiving device having a device which adapts the time position of its time window as a function of the time position of a previous transmission of consumption values.
• the local receiving device thus synchronizes its time window with that of the consumption value detection devices again in each reading period on the basis of the information provided by the temporal transmission ratios of the consumption values of the previous reading period. Even when the different time windows diverge, both the consumption value detection devices from one another and from the local reception device, the need for transmission or reception energy can thus be minimized.
• this probability of interference can be reduced to a negligibly small value in that each consumption value detection device repeats the transmission of its consumption value at least once within the predetermined time window and in that the local reception device accepts the transmitted transmission value consumption values are only dependent on an error check by means of a check code.
• REPLACEMENT LEAF five times each of their respective consumption values during a time interval of 5 seconds the probability that a certain transmission message partially overlaps another one is calculated to be about 6%.
• the probability that none of the five messages from a detection device arrives undisturbed is less than 1: 1 million. Under these circumstances, there is a probability of over 99.99% for transmission security even with 100 consumption value detection devices transmitting to a single local receiver. Should the very unlikely event occur, however, that none of the repeated transmissions have led to a secure reception, this is recognized in any case by the error check. Although there is no valid value in the local receiving device, this can be seen as the result of the error check. In these rare cases, the reading can then be carried out directly on the relevant consumption value detection device, since the consumption value sought is stored in its storage device.
• each consumption value detection device is assigned an identification number which is also transmitted when the consumption values are transmitted.
• Each local receiving device can advantageously be constructed in such a way that it initially stores the relevant identification numbers itself in a learning run.
• the local receiving device serves as a buffer for the transmitted data for forwarding to a data transmission path connected to a further evaluation unit.
• each consumption value detection device has a microprocessor that controls its operation
• the invention can be implemented in a particularly simple manner in that the consumption value transmission is carried out by a program control derived from the clock frequency of the microprocessor the microprocessor with the respective consumption value modulated carrier frequency.
• electronic heat cost allocators are equipped with a microprocessor from the outset.
• the additional effort for the transmitting device then only consists of a transistor and an antenna resonant circuit.
• the transmission device is designed as a plug-in module that can be inserted into each consumption value detection device.
• a particularly important area of application of the device according to the invention is the area of heating cost accounting.
• the consumption value recording device is formed in each case by an electronic heating cost arranged in thermal contact on the surface of a radiator.
• the advantages achieved with the invention are particularly clear. Since the Schuko ⁇ cost distributors are arranged on the radiator surfaces, a wired transmission of the consumption value would require a line extending freely from the radiator through the room to the nearest wall, which is particularly unfavorable with regard to operational and counterfeiting security as well as for optical reasons is.
• each heat cost allocator has an electromechanical device which registers a malfunction of its correct arrangement in thermal contact with the radiator and whose signal indicating a malfunction is stored and is also transmitted during the consumption value transmission.
• the electromechanical device thus detects any
• Embodiment consists in that the electromechanical device is formed by a test contact of the heat cost allocator bridging its housing, in the closed state of its housing, which interrupts when the housing is opened, and the signal indicating a fault is formed by querying the test contacts.
• the conductive rubber part interrupts the contact between the test contacts as a result of removal of the heat cost allocator from the surface of the radiator or as a result of unauthorized opening of the housing composed of a front part and a rear part facing the radiator, this can easily be done by Record queries, for example also at intervals of 0.5 seconds, for example, by means of the electronics of the heat cost allocator.
• Record queries for example also at intervals of 0.5 seconds, for example, by means of the electronics of the heat cost allocator.
• other options are alternatively conceivable, for example the suitable arrangement of a microswitch, the switching state of which is changed by manipulations.
• each consumption value detection device and intended for transmission need not be a single value. Rather, this consumption value can consist of a set of several individual values stored, for example, at monthly intervals.
• the wireless reading then provides not only a consumption value that reflects the entire billing period of, for example, one year, but also monthly base values, so that, for example, when a tenant changes
• REPLACEMENT LEAF Proportionate billing for example after months, can also take place within a billing period.
• a two-day measurement of the length of the time window after the reading point is sufficient to compensate for any timing inaccuracies of the timers even over a sufficient number of years.
• the device shown in the drawing for reading consumption values occurring in a building has a local receiving device 1 arranged at a suitable location in the building, to which a number of consumption value recording devices 2, in the example shown heat cost allocators, correspond to the relative heat consumption amounts of the radiators Communicate consumption values wirelessly in a manner still to be explained.
• these relative consumption values are determined from the temperature prevailing at a specific point on the radiator surface, which is measured by the heat cost allocator defined in heat contact on the surface of the radiator in question.
• Electronics provided in the heat cost allocator for example a microprocessor, calculates the consumption value from the measured temperature profile over time and stores them in a storage device of the heat cost allocator.
• the determined consumption value is displayed on a display 3 provided on the heat cost allocator.
• the electrical energy required for the operation of the building blocks of the heating cost allocator is supplied by a battery arranged in the heating cost allocator, so that it is independent of an external electricity supply.
• the consumption value detection devices 2 formed by the heat cost allocators each have a transmission device for the respectively stored consumption value.
• This transmission device is only activated within a predetermined time window, which has only a very short period of time in comparison to the total operating time, in each case after the key date of a desired billing period, for example a year, by a timer device provided in the heat cost allocator that an electrical energy consumption of the transmitting device takes place only during this short duration of the time window.
• each heating cost allocator transmits the consumption value stored in its storage device by radio to the local receiving device 1.
• the lines shown in the drawing between the consumption value detection devices 2, i. H. the Schuitz ⁇ distributors, and the local receiving device 1 do not represent a wire connection, but merely symbolize the radio connection.
• each consumption value detection device 2 autonomously switches on the transmission process within the intended time window.
• each consumption value detection device 2 could additionally contain a simple signal receiver, which is provided with a ready-to-receive circuit which is switched into its ready-to-operate mode by the timer within the predetermined time window. The actual turning on
• each consumption value detection device 2 can then be triggered by an interrogation signal radiated during the period of the standby operation by radio, for example from the suitably equipped local reception device 1, so that the time of transmission of the consumption values within the time period ⁇ sters can be controlled from the outside.
• an interrogation signal radiated during the period of the standby operation by radio, for example from the suitably equipped local reception device 1, so that the time of transmission of the consumption values within the time period ⁇ sters can be controlled from the outside.
• the timers determining the time window which are provided, for example, by the clock generators of the microprocessors controlling the heat cost allocators, also have inaccuracies in the case of stabilization by clock quartz crystals, which in the planned years of operation last a significant size, for example in the order of magnitude Hours, assume.
• the exact time of transmission of the consumption values cannot be determined. It can therefore occur that at least two of the consumption value detection devices 2 transmit their consumption values in a temporal overlap so that these two consumption values cannot be received undisturbed by the local reception device 1. Therefore, the consumption values to be transmitted are sent out several times by each consumption value detection device 2 within the time window with a random time distribution. This increases the likelihood that at least once an undisturbed transmission of the consumption value of each consumption value detection device 2 takes place, so that the necessary transmission security is guaranteed. The remaining very small remaining probability of a transmission interference can be accepted because the local receiving device 1 receives the consumption values received
• the local receiving device 1 is autonomous by an internal energy source, i. H. a suitable battery with the electrical power required for its operation. In particular, this enables them to be installed at the appropriate points in the building without the need for a network connection and also avoids operational and counterfeit security problems as a result of interruptions in the external power supply.
• the local receiving device 1 also expediently has a timer device by means of which a time window covering the time window of the consumption value detection devices 2 is set, the local receiving device 1 being switched to its receiving mode only during this time window.
• a suitable device is provided in the local receiving device 1, each of which shows the time position of the consumption value transmission from the consumption value detection devices 2 recorded here and suitably adjusts the temporal position of the time window of the local receiving device 1 as a function of this detection.
• the time window position is synchronized for each consumption value transmission between the local receiving device 1 and the consumption value detection devices 2, as a result of which a harmful divergence is reliably prevented even over long operating times.
• the distances between the consumption value detection devices 2 and the local reception device 1 assigned to them must not be too great, so that the transmission devices serving the consumption value transmission of the consumption value detection devices 2 can be used both in terms of costs and energy consumption can also be kept as simple as possible.
• Further reasons are, for example, of an organizational type, according to which it may be expedient to provide a separate local receiving device 1 for each consumption unit of a building for the consumption value detection devices 2 provided in this accommodation unit.
• each of the consumption value detection devices 2 is expediently assigned an identification number which is also transmitted when the consumption values are transmitted.
• the identification numbers of all assigned consumption value detection devices are then pre-stored, so that the latter can determine whether the consumption value in question is intended for transmission to it by comparing the identification number received with all pre-stored identification numbers.
• the relevant local receiving device 1 can expediently take place in a learning run.
• the local receiving device 1 which can for example be arranged freely accessible in the stairwell of the building or in an unlocked entrance area of a building unit assigned to it, can be read directly on site.
• the reader can also be equipped with a suitably designed reading device 4, into which the transmitted consumption values can be read out by the local receiving device 1 via a plug-in cable or also wirelessly by optical or acoustic means.
• This reading device 4 can additionally be provided with a printer symbolically indicated by the reference symbol 5 and / or a recording device 6 for recording the consumption values on a data carrier.
• the transmitted consumption values can be recorded in the local receiving device 1 on a plug-in EEPROM card 8, which is exchanged mechanically by the reader. In all cases, the place where the consumption value detection devices 2 are installed does not need to be entered.
• the local receiving device 1 for example, Z u protection against anonymous interventions, is disposed within a ist ⁇ closed housing unit, a retrieval by radio is concerned, the mobile reading device 4 of the ex reader from outside the apartment in a radio fetch command transmits to the local receiving device 1 and the latter has a transmitting device for further transmission of the consumption values temporarily stored therein to the reading device 4.
• the latter can also, for example via a bus system, a data network or
• REPLACEMENT LEAF Radio be coupled to a central receiver 7 within the building. This measure is particularly expedient if several local receiving devices 1 are provided within the building.
• remote data transmission from the central receiver 7, for example via modem, TEMEX or radio telephone, to a central processing device is also possible. As a result, the remotely transmitted data can be subjected to a central evaluation for a large number of buildings to be read directly in the central processing device.
• the transmission device can be implemented particularly easily.
• the carrier frequency for the consumption value transmission can be obtained directly from the clock frequency of the microprocessor, and the modulation with the consumption values, for example 100% amplitude modulation by switching the carrier on and off, can be program-controlled.
• the modulation with the consumption values for example 100% amplitude modulation by switching the carrier on and off, can be program-controlled.
• only one antenna resonant circuit and an additional transistor need be installed.
• the otherwise possible optical check of the integrity of the consumption value detection devices 2 by the reading person is also dispensed with. This is also expediently monitored remotely. For example, for manipulation purposes, the rear part facing the radiator and a front part facing away from the radiator could be put together.
• the heat cost allocators are provided with an electromechanical device which, in the event of a fault in the proper arrangement of the heat cost allocator in thermal contact with the radiator, generates and stores an electrical signal which is also transmitted when the consumption value is transmitted. In this way, a counterfeit attempt can also be detected during remote reading.
• An electromechanical device which is not particularly shown because of its simplicity and which satisfies the desired purpose, consists, for example, of a conductive rubber part which bridges test contacts of the heat cost allocator when the housing is properly closed.
• test contacts are interrupted, which can be recognized, for example, by continuously querying the test contacts by means of the microprocessor of the heat cost allocator at short time intervals, so that the signal indicating the fault can be easily formed by the microprocessor.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
• Selective Calling Equipment (AREA)
• Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Remote Monitoring And Control Of Power-Distribution Networks (AREA)
• Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

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• 1992
  • 1992-10-19 DE DE4235187A patent/DE4235187A1/de not_active Withdrawn
• 1993
  • 1993-10-19 DK DK94900071T patent/DK0664915T3/da active
  • 1993-10-19 DE DE59310258T patent/DE59310258D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1993-10-19 AT AT94900071T patent/ATE211846T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1993-10-19 EP EP94900071A patent/EP0664915B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1993-10-19 WO PCT/EP1993/002889 patent/WO1994009464A1/fr active IP Right Grant

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