A method for operating an electronic consumption-data acquisition device includes wirelessly transferring consumption data to a receiver over a first radio system, operating the consumption-data acquisition device in a first operating mode in which the consumption data is transferred over the first radio system and a second operating mode having a lower rate of transmission and/or readiness to receive compared with the first operating mode, with it being possible to switch between the first and second operating modes. The switchover between the first and second operating modes is performed by a second radio system. A consumption-data acquisition device includes a communication module having a radio apparatus for a second radio system which can be used to perform the switchover between the first and second operating modes.

Embodiments are disclosed that sense vibrations caused by flow of water in pipes, and covert the sensed vibrations into water usage data which can be analyzed, aggregated, and made available to users. In one embodiment, mechanical vibrations of a pipe are sensed, via a piezo-electric sensor attached to an external surface of the pipe, to form analog electrical signals. The analog electrical signals are converted into time-sampled digital data via a microcontroller having analog-to-digital conversion capability. A frequency analysis is performed on the time-sampled digital data, via at least one processor, to generate spectral data. The spectral data is analyzed, via the at least one processor, to determine whether the vibrations are caused by a fluid flowing through the pipe.

A method for configuring a distribution grid with smart communication devices has steps of assuming specific communication technologies to be considered for intermediate intelligent communication devices in the distribution grid, assuming number and location of smart distribution nodes (SDNs) in the distribution grid, executing a cost optimal calculation model determining exact quantity and specific technology of intelligent communication devices at intermediate nodes, nt=n1; n2:::nj with minimal cost subject to Quality of Service (QoS) parameters of each technology and QoS requirement of a data packet generated by a Smart Consumer Node (SCN) at a smart building in the distribution grid, and placing and powering the determined number and specific communication technology of intelligent communication devices at the SDNs of the distribution grid.

An internet of things (IoT) system used for an intelligent gas meter and an information transmission method for said IoT system. The IoT system used for an intelligent gas meter comprises an intelligent gas meter perception and control system, a gas network communication system, and a gas company comprehensive gas management system. The intelligent gas meter perception and control system comprises an intelligent gas meter perception unit and an intelligent gas meter control unit; the gas network communication system comprises a perception information communication system and a control information communication system; and the gas company comprehensive gas management system may comprise a perception information management system and a control information management system.

Infrared proximity sensor control of devices is described herein. One disclosed example apparatus includes an infrared proximity detection sensor disposed within a substantially environmentally-isolated zone of an electronic device, where the infrared proximity detection sensor is to detect an input sequence, and a processor to receive the input sequence, where the processor is programmed to interpret a command by comparing a defined sequence to the input sequence.

Techniques are discussed for performing a demand reset in a wireless meter reading environment, in a manner such that demand data may not be lost. In response to receiving a command from a mobile device of a requester, a meter may store demand value(s) in a log, reset register(s) that store the demand value(s) and wirelessly provide the demand value(s) to the mobile device of the requester. Due to the lack of reliability associated with wireless communications between the meter and a requestor, the requestor may not actually receive the demand value(s). Upon receiving a subsequent command for the demand value(s), the meter may determine that the command is a replay, and provide the demand value(s) without resetting the register(s). Techniques are also discussed for generating the commands, securing the commands, and providing the commands to mobile devices in route packages.

According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a transformer connected to a power supply device, a super capacitor chargeable with an output of the transformer, a voltage converter connected to the transformer, a processor having a power supply terminal supplied with an output of the voltage converter, first and second photo-couplers connected to the power supply device, and a capacitor connected to a primary side of the second photo-coupler through a resistor. The primary side of the second photo-coupler is grounded via a pull-down resistor. The processor includes first and second terminals connected to the first and second photo-couplers and a third terminal supplied with a charging voltage of the super capacitor.

An electric power meter comprising modules coupled to each other. The modules include a sealed measuring module, and a module different from the measuring module; and the modules configured to enable any module to be replaced independently of the measuring module. A method for an electric power meter including modules coupled to each other. The modules include a sealed measuring module, and a module different from the measuring module. The method includes configuring the modules to be replaced independently of the measuring module. A system for communications with multiple meters. The meters are coupled to a gateway via a network. Each of the meters communicates using one protocol. The network includes nodes coupled to the gateway. Each of the nodes corresponds to one of the protocols; and at least some of the meters is coupled to each of the nodes based on the protocol used by each of the meters.

A method for collecting data delivered by sensors each containing a measurement element, which sensors are equipped for radio communication and include a device for storing and preparing measurement signals recorded by the respective measurement elements for the transmission of the signals, and an autonomous power source. The method includes the following steps: recording successive raw measurement data corresponding to time-stamped, elementary measurement units of at least one physical or physical-chemical variable or parameter delivered by the measurement element of a particular sensor; in each sensor concerned, storing the raw measurement data in the memory device of the sensor; transmitting the unprocessed raw measurement data in compressed form via a radio link; and collecting, storing and evaluating the raw measurement data transmitted from a multiplicity of sensors in a remote central processing facility.

A method for collecting data, preferably in connection with a consumption, a physical or physico-chemical parameter and/or an operating state in a supply network for consumables. A measuring element of a local sensor supplies raw measurement data in the form of elementary measurement units that correspond to a physical or physico-chemical variable or parameter. In order to define the measurement resolution of the sensor, the conditions for generating time stamps are defined in advance using a correlation model, time stamps of successive items of raw measurement data are generated in the sensor on the basis of the correlation model, the time stamps are transmitted so that the raw measurement data acquired by the measuring element is reconstructed on the basis of the time stamps using the correlation model, and analyzed. The transmission is performed with a dynamically adaptable redundancy.