SK500352023U1 - Device and system for remote reading of meters, method of remote reading of meter status - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (1) is connected to the display field of the meter (9), which detects the state of the meter (9) or the increment of the state of the meter (9) from the freely visible display field, i.e. without the need to adapt the meter (9). The consumption data is processed in the device (1) and wirelessly sent to the data concentrator (7) and/or to the superior system and/or to the mobile phone. The device (1) includes a unit (3) for sensing the state of the meter (9) or for sensing a change in the state of the meter (9). The body (2) is adapted to be attached to the meter (9), while in the body (2) there is a source (6) of electrical energy and a communication module (5). The communication module (5) has the NB-IoT NarrowBand and/or Bluetooth Mesh protocol and allows data to be sent via neighboring devices (1) to the concentrator (7), which then ensures the connection with the superior system. A significant advantage of the device (1) is the ability to create intelligent structures on the platform even with purely mechanical meters (9) without the need to replace them and without the need to run cables to the meters (9).

Description

The field of technology

The technical solution concerns the remote reading of meters, especially meters of cold and hot water, gas and the like, where the meter itself does not have to be equipped with any electronic or electrical functionality. The new technical solution describes a separate device and also a system combining several devices, which can be implemented as SOAMI - Secure Open Advanced Measuring Infrastructure.

Current state of the art

Electricity meters can be equipped with a communication module that is able to send information about the status of the meter to the central office, for example using a GSM communication channel. When measuring non-electric quantities, such as the consumption of gas, hot and cold water, mainly mechanical meters without electrical and electronic components are used. Such meters are not able to communicate remotely, and their status can only be read manually, that is, by the physical performance of the relevant worker. Some newer meters are equipped with a pulse generator (e.g. S0) that determines the increment of the state, but they are not able to communicate with the higher level of the structure. Connecting impulse outputs using cabling to a higher level requires a complicated installation, and such a connection is practically excluded in objects without prior network preparation.

Publication CA2373209A1 describes a system for collecting and processing data from multiple water consumption meters using a data concentrator, to which multiple meters are connected by cable and then the concentrator communicates with a central system using the Internet or wirelessly, for example via a GSM channel. The disadvantage of this connection is the need to connect all meters in the building with a cable and the necessity to have all meters with electrical output.

File JP2012083298A discloses a sensor that reads digital data in the display field of the meter without interfering with the structure of the meter. The sensor must be located exactly opposite to the mechanical dial, and the entire system also requires a cable connection with a higher level of data processing.

Other sub-solutions according to US7377184B1, US2009058088A1, WO2004111576A2, CN108051043A, which try to remotely determine the status of water meters and possibly diagnose unwanted water leakage, have similar shortcomings.

It is not known and at the same time a new technical solution is desired that will allow to determine the status of the meter based on its display field or from the movement of the target or star without physical intervention in the structure of the meter, while the obtained data on the status of the meter will be wirelessly sent to the system for collecting status data meters. The new technical solution should be autonomous, reliable and should be implementable on existing meters without the need to replace them.

The essence of the technical solution

The mentioned shortcomings are largely eliminated by the device for remote reading of meters, which has a body, a control unit and a communication module according to this technical solution, the essence of which is that it includes a unit for sensing the state of the meter or for sensing a change in the state of the meter and a body that is adapted to be attached to a meter, the body having a source of electrical energy and a communication module for connection with a second device or with a data concentrator or with a superior communication node.

The body of the device carries a separate source of electrical energy, mainly in the form of a battery or accumulator, which creates the basis for electronic processing of the state of the mechanical meter. The unit for sensing the status of the meter may include an optical element that reads a visually accessible image of the digits or may include an optical element that senses the movement of a target or star in the display field of the meter.

In the case of detecting the status of the meter, the numerical value of usually a mechanical dial with rotating dials for individual positions (units, tens, hundreds, thousands, etc.) is detected.

In the case of detection of a change in the status of the meter, the current increase is detected and added to the original value of the status. A change in meter state is indicated by the rotation of a target or star or similar element visible in the meter display field. The target or star movement data is converted based on the transmission ratio between one revolution and the corresponding volume of the flowed measured medium. The unit for sensing the state of the meter or for sensing a change in the state of the meter can also take the form of other non-contact sensing of the position of the target or star, for example based on the inductive measurement of metal

SK 50035-2023 U1 target or star. If the device does not directly read the digits in the display field, but the pulse increments are added, the control unit has a memory directly in the body of the device to store the total values of the increments.

In the embodiment according to the example, a unit for detecting a change in the meter state based on LC resonance is described. When rotating, the metal target of the meter cyclically reaches the sensor forming the RLC, or LC circuit and the change in inductance or capacity is sensed and evaluated by the control unit inside the body of the device. Each step change is evaluated as one pulse, which corresponds to the corresponding volume of medium flowed through the meter. Each pulse is added in the control unit to the current value of the meter status. In another example, a different physical principle can be used, the important thing is that reading the meter status or detecting the increment is contactless, i.e. without the need to disturb the meter packaging and interfere with its internal parts, which is inadmissible with regard to the original certification of the meter.

For correct non-contact sensing of the meter status or for sensing a change in the meter status, it is important to correctly position the body of the device to the meter so that the target or star or digits of the meter's display element are within range of the relevant sensor. To achieve adjacent placement of the sensor, the device body may include an outer zone shaped for adjacent placement to the display field of the meter. Tightening tapes can be used to ensure the achieved mutual position, which is used to attach the body to the meter, or to the pipe to which the meter is connected. The outer zone for adjacent placement may include protrusions, a rim, a cavity or other similar elements, which are adapted in shape and size for mechanical connection with the package of the meter at the location of its display field. It will also be advantageous if the body of the device covers the entire surface of the display field in order to replace the protective function of the foldable meter cover, which will be in a permanently open position after connecting the device.

The device can also be equipped with an input for connecting the pulse output of the meter, which is already equipped with such an output from the factory. An important advantage of the presented technical solution is the processing of data from existing, already installed meters, which do not have any electrical or electronic output and were originally intended only for classic manual, visual reading.

The device has its own source of electricity, so that the detection of the meter status or the detection of the increase in the meter status takes place independently without the need to connect to the electrical network, which is often not even available in water meter shafts. It is advantageous if the capacity of the battery or accumulator is designed so that this capacity is sufficient for the period for which the meter is usually certified, for example for a period of 3 or 5 years. After this time, the meter must be replaced and recertified by a metrological organization. During this physical replacement, the battery or accumulator in the device is also advantageously replaced.

To increase energy independence, the device can be equipped with a Seebeck thermoelectric cell (inverted peltier cell), which is adapted to be connected to the surface of the hot water line. A voltage of the order of several microvolts per degree Celsius is generated from the temperature difference between the hot and cold side of the thermoelectric cell. Using the charging module in the device, the resulting voltage is adjusted to the charging voltage of the accumulator in the body of the device.

An important part of the device is a wireless communication module, which is adapted for communication with another device or with several devices according to this technical solution. At the same time, the communication module is intended for communication with the data concentrator. With this arrangement, the common topology of the distribution of meters in residential buildings with several apartment units will be used, so that the range of the communication module does not have to be power-dimensioned to ensure the communication path to the concentrator from the most distant device, but it is sufficient if the data from one device is transmitted sequentially through several neighboring devices up to the data concentrator. It is advantageous to use NB-IoT NarrowBand - Internet of Things as a narrowband network, which by default is intended exclusively for data transmission between a large number of devices in a common area. Bluetooth Mesh can also be used as a network standard that allows communication between many communication modules of devices via radio transmission. In principle, another contactless protocol can be used to create a network that also includes a connection to a concentrator.

The concentrator can be created as a separate device connected to the network at a suitable place within the topology of the given object, or the function of the concentrator can also be performed by one device in the system, where such a device will be connected to a higher level of the structure, for example, permanently connected to the Internet network. It is convenient if the device functioning as a concentrator will have a larger capacity of electricity, will be equipped with a charging module from a thermoelectric cell, will be powered by PoE networks or directly connected to the electricity network.

In order to increase utility and user functions, the device can also include a communication element for communicating with a mobile phone, preferably a smart phone, which creates a display and control

SK 50035-2023 U1 element. Thanks to this connection, both the user and the service staff can communicate with the device, obtain data, display them or, in the opposite direction, update the software in the device, etc.

A significant advantage of the device is the ability to create intelligent structures on the platform even with purely mechanical meters without the need to replace them and without the need to run cables to the meters. Using the device according to this technical solution, it is possible to create a system that includes at least two devices attached to the meters, where the system also includes a data concentrator adapted to connect to the communication modules of the devices, while the concentrator is connected to the Internet network.

The shortcomings mentioned in the state of the art are substantially eliminated by the method of remote readout of meter status according to this technical solution, the essence of which is that a device with a body, a control unit and a communication module is connected to the display field of at least one meter, the device detects the status of the meter or meter status increment, the data is processed in the device and sent wirelessly to the data concentrator and/or to the host system and/or to the mobile phone.

Advantageously, when using several devices on the respective meters, the data is sent to the concentrator through a mesh network created by the communication modules of the devices.

Using the device according to this technical solution, an advanced measurement infrastructure can be created. It will be typically used in smart metering systems in residential buildings, where it will significantly simplify the reading of meter status, it will also enable alarm states to be indicated, for example in the event of a water leak, and it will enable the creation of statistical models and forecasts. The device and system can also be used for budgeting consumption within a shopping center, in office buildings or in industry, especially if the medium is consumed in several places. This does not exclude the use of the device on its own, for example in a shaft near a family home, when the device saves the time otherwise required to access the shaft and the user can download the current meter status to his mobile phone.

Overview of images on drawings

The technical solution is explained in more detail with the help of figures 1 to 5. The depicted scale of individual elements, the ratio of their dimensions is only an example and should not be interpreted as a sign limiting the scope of protection.

Figure 1 shows the attachment of the device to the meter, when the sensing unit is opposite to the target in the display field of the meter.

Figure 2 shows a schematic view of the body of the device, which in the lower part carries a relatively robust battery to ensure the long-term, multi-year function of the device. The displayed blocks represent individual elements and units of the device.

Figure 3 shows a group of devices in an apartment building with a mesh network topology, which includes one separate data concentrator.

Figure 4 shows an example of connecting one device to one meter, where the device communicates with the mobile phone and also directly with the parent system without a data concentrator.

Figure 5 shows a system with four devices, where one device also works as a concentrator.

Implementation examples

Example 1

In this example according to Figures 1 to 3, the device is used in the SOAMI system with a larger number of meters 9, for example in an apartment building. In Figure 1, only four meters 9 are shown for clarity, in reality there may be dozens of meters 9 and dozens of installed devices 1. Usually, each apartment unit will have one meter 9 of hot water consumption, one meter 9 of cold water consumption, both meters 9 are placed in a shaft available in the corridor or in a shaft in the inner core of the apartment.

A device 1 according to this technical solution is attached to each meter 9. The body 2 of the device 1 has an outer part adapted to be placed adjacent to the display field of the meter 9. After being attached, the body 2 is secured to the meter 9 by means of tightening straps. The meter cover 9 is in the permanently open position or is removed. Meter 9 has, in addition to the mechanical dial, a target with an approximately semicircular shape located in the display field. The target is metal and is rotatably stored just under the transparent cover of the display field. Inside the body 2, in a position opposite to the position of the target, there is a unit 3 for sensing the change in the state of the meter 9. In this example, the unit 3 is basically a sensor for the presence of a metal object within the range of the antenna loop based on the measurement of the LC resonant circuit. Such sensing is non-contact and unit 3

SK 50035-2023 U1 for sensing has no moving parts.

When water flows through the meter 9, the target in the display field rotates. The rotation of the target is detected by the unit 3 for sensing the measurement increments. Each turn of the dial corresponds to a fixed constant of the increase in water consumption, which is inserted into the control unit 4 via the service interface.

The control unit 4 is connected to the sensing unit 3, the communication module 5, the communication element 8. The device 1 is powered by a separate, own power source 6, which in this example is formed by a 2500 mAh battery. Its size determines the dimension of the body 2 in its greatest width. The battery is placed in a separate shaft.

Communication module 5 includes NB IoT and also Bluetooth Mesh and is equipped with BLE, MQTT, MQTTS protocols. The communication module 5 is intended for communication with neighboring devices 1, respectively. with all the devices 1 within range of the antenna of the communication module 5. The device 1 in this example also has a communication element 8 for connecting to the user's or service technician's mobile phone. The communication element 8 is on the NFC platform.

The devices 1 create a mesh network among themselves, which includes a concentrator 7 connected to the network via Ethernet, using the MQTT cloud, or using one SIM card. Thanks to the concentrator 7, the requirements for paid data transfer from several devices 1 are reduced.

In this example, the system offers the possibility of remote reading of meters 9 without personal intervention on site. Remote countdowns are performed automatically without the need for an operator. Measured data are secured against unauthorized viewing and manipulation. Only the authorized user and media supplier have access to their data. The advantage of the system is not only safety and comfort, but also the reporting of events, e.g. such as unusually high consumption and failure notification. The open infrastructure of the system allows the connection of any meter 9 with an S0 output, or a water meter with a magnetic coupling. Device 1 can work as a stand-alone one-meter point or in a network using Bluetooth mesh. The Bluetooth network has advantages especially in buildings where there are many measurement points. These measurement points can be merged into one concentrator 7. Concentrator 7 forwards measured data from all meters 9 to the MQTT cloud storage. This will reduce the costs of individual up-links and the number of SIM cards.

Example 2

Two meters 9 in one water meter shaft are used to measure the consumption of hot and cold water. The devices 1 are deployed on the respective meters 9 as separate devices that directly communicate with the NB-IoT protocol and the user's mobile phone according to Figure 4. In addition to the energy source 6, both devices 1 also have a thermoelectric cell for recharging.

Example 3

The system in this example according to figure 5 has a similar arrangement as in example 1, but the concentrator 7 is not a separate device, but is created within one device 1, which is supplemented with a built-in SIM card.

Industrial applicability

The industrial applicability is obvious. According to this technical solution, it is possible to industrially and repeatedly manufacture and use both a device and a system with several devices for remote reading of meters, especially in residential buildings, in commercial and industrial facilities, while eliminating the need for the physical presence of a worker.

SK 50035-2023 U1

List of relationship tags

- device

- the body

- sensing unit

- controller

- communication module

- energy source

- concentrator

- communication element

- meter

List of abbreviations

SOAMI - Secure Open Advanced Measuring Infrastructure

NB-IoT - NarrowBand Internet of Things BLE - Bluetooth Low Energy

NFC - Near Field Communication

MQTT/ MQTTS - standard protocol for sending messages

Claims (14)

CLAIMS FOR PROTECTION 1. A device for remote reading of meters, which has a body (2), a control unit (4) and a communication module (5), characterized in that it includes a unit (3) for sensing the state of the meter (9) or for sensing a change in the state of the meter (9), the body (2) is adapted to be attached to the meter (9), while in the body (2) there is a source (6) of electrical energy and a communication module (5) for connection with the second device (1) and/or with the concentrator (7) and/or with a superior communication node. 2. Device for remote reading of meters according to claim 1, characterized in that the source (6) of energy is a battery and/or a rechargeable accumulator. 3. Device for remote reading of meters according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit (3) for sensing the state of the meter (9) or for sensing a change in the state of the meter (9) includes an optical element for sensing a visually accessible image meter dial (9). 4. Device for remote readout of meters according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the unit (3) for sensing the status of the meter (9) or for sensing changes in the status of the meter (9) includes a non-contact sensor for the movement of a target or star in display field of the meter (9), preferably the motion sensor is an inductive sensor or a sensor based on a change in LC frequency. 5. Device for remote reading of meters according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control unit (4) includes a memory for storing the sum of consumption increments. 6. Device for remote reading of meters according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the body (2) includes an outer zone shaped to be located adjacent to the display field of the meter (9), preferably the body (2) covers the entire surface of the display field of the meter (9). 7. Device for remote reading of meters according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it has an input for connecting the pulse output of the meter (9). 8. Device for remote reading of meters according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is equipped with a thermoelectric cell for generating electric voltage from the temperature difference and the output of the thermoelectric cell is connected to charging the source (6) of electrical energy. 9. Device for remote reading of meters according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the communication module (5) has the NB-IoT NarrowBand and/or Bluetooth Mesh protocol. 10. Device for remote reading of meters according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it includes a communication element (8) for communication with a mobile phone, preferably based on NFC. 11. A system for remote meter reading that includes multiple devices according to any one of claims 1 to 10. 12. System for remote reading of meters according to claim 11, characterized in that it has a concentrator (7) for combining data flows from several devices (1). 13. System for remote reading of meters according to claim 12, characterized in that the concentrator (7) is part of one device (1). 14. A method of remote readout of meter status, characterized in that a device (1) is connected to the display field of at least one meter (9), which has a body (2), a control unit (4) and a communication module (5) ), the device (1) detects the state of the meter (9) or the increment of the state of the meter (9), the detected data is processed in the device (1) and wirelessly sent to the data concentrator (7) and/or to the superior system and/or to mobile phone.