METHOD FOR COLLECTING DATA, SENSOR AND SUPPLY NETWORK

Abstract

A method for collecting data of 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 provides elementary measuring units, which correspond to at least one physical or physico-chemical variable or at least one physical or physico-chemical parameter, as raw measurement data. In order to determine the measurement resolution of the sensor, the conditions for generating time stamps are determined in advance using a correlation model, time stamps of successive raw measurement data are generated in the sensor on the basis of the correlation model, and the time stamps are transmitted via a wired connection and/or via a radio path. The raw measurement data are reconstructed and evaluated based on the time stamps with the correlation model. The conditions for generating time stamps can be changed dynamically within the framework of the correlation model.

Claims

1. A method for collecting data during operation of a local sensor in a supply network for distributing a consumable, the method comprising: providing the sensor with a measuring element, with radio communication capability and a memory; providing elementary measuring units with the measuring element of the sensor, the elementary measuring units corresponding to at least one physical or physico-chemical variable or at least one physical or physico-chemical parameter, and forming raw measurement data; in order to determine a measurement resolution of the sensor, determining conditions for generating time stamps in advance using a correlation model; generating time stamps of successive raw measurement data in the sensor based on the correlation model; transmitting the time stamps via a wired connection and/or a radio connetion, whereupon the raw measurement data acquired by the measuring element are reconstructed and evaluated based on the time stamps using the correlation model; and dynamically changing conditions for generating time stamps within a framework of the correlation model.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises: connecting the local sensor to the data collector via a primary communication path; providing a tertiary communication path between the data collector and a head end; and collecting, storing and/or evaluating the time stamps transmitted by the sensor or a plurality of sensors in the data collector and/or in the head end.

3. The method according to claim 1, which comprises: determining a particular value, a particular value change or a particular value difference of the at least one physical or physico-chemical variable or the at least one physical or physico-chemical parameter within a scope of the correlation model for the assignment of a time stamp; and when the particular value, the particular value change or the particular value difference is captured by the measuring element, triggering a time stamp and storing the time stamp in the memory of the sensor.

4. The method according to claim 1, which comprises a gradually or incrementally increasing meter reading and/or a value table is/are represented by means of time stamps within the scope of the correlation model.

5. The method according to claim 1, which comprises providing the time stamps with a sign.

6. The method according to claim 1, which comprises transmitting each of a plurality of time stamps as a data packet along the primary communication path.

7. The method according to claim 1, which comprises generating a raw measurement data stream on a basis of the time stamps arriving at the data collector and/or at the head end using the correlation model.

8. The method according to claim 1, which comprises changing the conditions for generating time stamps by a data collector and/or a head end.

9. The method according to claim 1, which comprises providing a scaling factor for stipulating the conditions for generating time stamps.

10. The method according to claim 9, which comprises transmitting the scaling factor from the data collector and/or from the head end to the sensor.

11. The method according to claim 1, which comprises stipulating conditions for generating time stamps based on a power analysis of the radio connection.

12. The method according to claim 1, which comprises stipulating conditions for generating time stamps based on requirements of an application which uses the reconstructed raw measurement data.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the requirements of the application are temporally variable.

14. The method according to claim 1, which comprises dynamically stipulating conditions for generating time stamps individually for individual sensors of a plurality of sensors.

15. The method according to claim 1, which comprises evaluating the raw measurement data stream, in a further course of the data processing, on a time-historical basis without a time gap irrespective of the measurement resolution of the sensor.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein the elementary measuring units are an electrical voltage or a current intensity.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measured physical variable relates to a supply medium selected from the group consisting of water, electricity, fuel, and gas, of a supply network.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein the measured physical or chemico-physical parameters is characteristic of a quantity, a quality and/or a composition of a fluid which flows through the sensor or with which contact is made by the sensor.

19. The method according to claim 1, which comprises generating a time stamp with the elementary measuring unit as soon as the elementary measuring unit receives a pulse.

20. The method according to claim 1, wherein the raw measurement data stream has a temporal resolution which is determined or conditioned by the sensor sampling rate or measuring element sampling rate or a multiple thereof.

21. The method according to claim 1, wherein the raw measurement data stream is continuous and/or complete taking a continuous temporal resolution as a basis.

22. The method according to claim 1, which comprises carrying out a new data transmission in the form of a message or a telegram as soon as at least one of the following two conditions for a previous transmission has been satisfied: (a) expiry of a predefined interval of time and (b) reaching a predefined quantity of compressed collected data since the previous transmission.

23. The method according to claim 1, which comprises packaging the time stamps by formatting them in data packets of a predetermined fixed size, wherein, each time the accumulated data reach the size of a data packet or the predefined interval of time has expired, a new transmission is initiated.

24. The method according to claim 1, which comprises carrying out the data transmission with redundancy.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the redundancy in the transmission comprises repeatedly transmitting the same time stamps and/or repeatedly transmitting the same data packet in a plurality of successive transmission operations.

26. The method according to claim 1, which comprises transmitting the time stamps in compressed form.

27. The method according to claim 26, which comprises compressing the time stamps with loss-free compression.

28. The method according to claim 26, which comprises compressing the time stamps in a compression with a predefined permissible loss level.

29. The method according to claim 1, which comprises collecting data in connection with a consumption, a physical or physico-chemical parameter and/or an operating state, during operation of a plurality of local sensors for consumption meters as part of a supply network which includes a plurality of local sensors.

30. A sensor, configured for operation in accordance with the method according to claim 1.

31. A supply network for distributing a consumption medium, the supply network comprising: at least one local sensor for generating and/or forwarding time stamps of raw measurement data on a basis of a correlation model, said local sensor being configured for operation within a method according to claim 1; a data collector; a primary communication path between said sensor and said data collector; a head end for evaluating the measurement data; and a tertiary communication path between said data collector and said head end.

32. The supply network according to claim 31, wherein: said at least one local sensor is one of a plurality of local sensors; and the raw measurement data relate to a consumption of the consumption medium, a physical or physico-chemical parameter, and/or an operating state of a consumption meter.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0057] FIG. 1 is a highly simplified schematic illustration of an example of communication paths of a supply network for collecting and/or forwarding data, which have been recorded by a multiplicity of consumption meters, to a data collector and a head end;

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a highly simplified schematic way of illustrating an example of the transmission of time stamps of characteristic raw measurement data to the data collector via the primary communication path from FIG. 1;

[0059] FIG. 3 shows an example of a message structure which is emitted by or retrieved from the measurement data preparation means of the consumption meter according to FIG. 2 via the primary communication path;

[0060] FIG. 4 shows an example of a chronogram of time stamps of the raw measurement data read from a sensor between two uplink transmission operations (messages or telegrams which are emitted at the times TE-1 and TE), in a context of the remote reading of the volume consumption (in this case, the packet PA.sub.j contains N time stamps TS.sub.N);

[0061] FIG. 5 shows an example of a sensor in a consumption meter in the form of a mechanical flow meter having an impeller, which can be used to generate corresponding raw measurement data for the flow;

[0062] FIG. 6 shows an example of a correlation model for generating time stamps on the basis of the raw measurement data acquired by the sensor according to FIG. 5;

[0063] FIG. 7 shows a simplified illustration of an example of a temperature sensor;

[0064] FIG. 8 shows another example of a correlation model for generating time stamps on the basis of the raw measurement data acquired by the sensor according to FIG. 7;

[0065] FIGS. 9A-9B show examples of correlation models for generating time stamps on the basis of the raw measurement data read from a sensor with scaling factors;

[0066] FIG. 10 shows a highly simplified schematic way of illustrating the effect of different scaling factors on the volume of data;

[0067] FIG. 11 shows examples of message structures which have different packet sizes PA.sub.j on account of different scaling factors;

[0068] FIGS. 12A-12B show highly simplified schematic ways of illustrating the network structures with a head end, consumption meters and, in one configuration, data collectors; and

[0069] FIG. 13 shows an example of the combination of the data packets or messages or telegrams containing the time stamps and reconstructions to form a time-continuous raw measurement data stream including its evaluation possibilities in a highly simplified schematic manner of illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0070] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a supply network for distributing consumption media, for example gas, water, electricity, fuel or heat. The supply network comprises a multiplicity of individual local consumption meters 10 which may be assigned to different residential units of an apartment building, for example. The individual consumption meters 10, for example water meters, heat meters, electricity meters or gas meters, are connected to a data collector 3, which can act as the master or concentrator, via a wireless communication path.

[0071] Each individual consumption meter 10 may be expediently provided with an associated ID (address), with the result that each individual consumption meter 10 can be directly addressed by the data collector 3 and the data present in the respective consumption meter 10 can be retrieved.

[0072] The transmission via the primary communication path 5 is predefined by a bus transmission protocol, for example by the wireless M-bus transmission protocol.

[0073] The respective data collector 3 is connected to a so-called head end 4 via a tertiary communication path 6. The data from the entire supply network converge in the head end 4. The tertiary communication path 6 may be a wired communication path or a communication path based on radio technology (for example a mobile radio communication path). Alternatively, the data from the respective data collector 3 can also be read by a portable reading device if necessary and can be read in again at the head end 4. The data can be transmitted in different ways along the tertiary communication path 6, for example via LAN, GPRS, LTE, 3G etc.

[0074] The individual consumption meters 10 can be operated using an independent energy supply (e.g., rechargeable battery).

[0075] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the preferably compressed and formatted time stamps TS of each relevant sensor 1 or consumption meter 10 are transmitted to the data collector 3 which manages a local network of a multiplicity of consumption meters 10 or sensors 1 assigned to it. The preferably compressed and formatted time stamps TS of each of the sensors 1, which are part of the supply network, are transmitted from the data collector 3 to the head end 4.

[0076] The data collector 3 can store the time stamps TS retrieved from the respective sensors 1 or consumption meters 10 either over an interval of time (for example one day) and can then forward them to a processing location or to the head end 4. Alternatively, the data can also be immediately forwarded to the head end 4 from the data collector 3.

[0077] According to FIG. 2, the respective consumption meter 10 comprises a sensor 1 equipped with at least one measuring element 9. The sensor 1 is provided for the purpose of generating, via the measuring element 9, raw measurement data which are supplied to a measurement data preparation means 14. The raw measurement data correspond to elementary measuring units of the at least one physical or physico-chemical variable or of the at least one physical or physico-chemical parameter which are provided by the measuring element 9. The raw measurement data may be, for example, raw data in connection with the flow of a medium through a supply line 16, for example a water pipe, in particular the flow rate, the turbidity, the presence of pollutants or the presence of a solid and/or gaseous component or solid and/or gaseous components.

[0078] The measured value preparation means 14 of the consumption meter 10 comprises memory 7, a time reference device 15 (crystal) and a microprocessor 8. The above-mentioned components may be provided separately or as an integrated complete component. The consumption meter 10 may comprise its own power supply (not illustrated) in the form of a battery or the like if necessary. The consumption meter 10 can therefore be operated in an autonomous manner in terms of energy.

[0079] Prior to the steps illustrated in FIG. 2, a particular value, a particular value change or a particular value difference of the at least one physical or physico-chemical variable or of the at least one physical or physico-chemical parameter is determined within the scope of the correlation model for the assignment of a time stamp TS.

[0080] According to the invention, the following steps are carried out in the region of the respective consumption meter 10: [0081] Triggering a time stamp TS if the particular value, the particular value change or the particular value difference is captured by the measuring element 9. [0082] Storing the time stamps TS in the memory 7 of the sensor 1 or of the consumption meter 10. [0083] Transmitting the time stamps TS, preferably in compressed form, via a radio path 11 by preparing time stamp telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, 17.sub.i+n in the measurement data preparation means 14, which telegrams are gradually transmitted to a central processing system, for example a head end 4.

[0084] Accordingly, data telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, . . . , 17.sub.i+n containing continuous time stamps TS are transmitted in temporal succession. At the receiver end, a continuous gapless raw measurement data stream of very high resolution can be reconstructed from these time stamps TS using the correlation model.

[0085] As illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3, provision may also be made for the identity (address) I of the relevant sensor 1 and/or the absolute or cumulative value VA of the physical or physico-chemical variable or parameter measured by the relevant sensor 1 to also be transmitted, together with the PA.sub.j packets of the time stamps TS, in the respective data telegram 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, . . . , 17.sub.i+n, wherein the value VA can be provided with a time stamp or can be assigned to one of the elementary time-stamped items of measurement data, for example an index value of a fluid meter. According to one exemplary embodiment, the value VA may be, for example, the meter reading of a water meter at a particular time or the flow rate through the water meter since a previous data transmission (for example the sum of the time stamps TS.sub.i corresponds to the sum of the flow rate; see FIG. 4).

[0086] The method may also involve reading and transmitting the value of at least one other physical or physico-chemical parameter PPC of the environment of the relevant sensor 14 of the fluid measured by the latter at a particular time with the PA.sub.j packets of time stamps TS, for example the conductivity of the fluid, the temperature of the fluid, the pH value of the fluid, the pressure of the fluid, and/or a parameter which is characteristic of the quality and/or the composition of the fluid and/or the temperature of the installation environment of the sensor 1.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows, by way of example, the individual data telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, . . . , 17.sub.i+n, according to FIG. 2 in somewhat more detail. The data telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, . . . , 17.sub.i+n each comprise, on the one hand, a plurality of data packets PA.sub.j-PA.sub.6 and PA.sub.7-PA.sub.j2, the absolute or cumulative value VA, the identity (address) I of the relevant sensor 1 and the value of at least one other physical or physico-chemical parameter PPC of the environment of the relevant sensor 1 or of the fluid measured by the latter at a particular time, for example the conductivity of the fluid, the temperature of the fluid, the pH value of the fluid, the pressure of the fluid, a parameter which is characteristic of the quality and/or the composition of the fluid and/or the temperature of the installation environment of the sensor 1.

[0088] As is also illustrated in FIG. 3 as an example, provision may be made for the compressed time stamps TS to be packaged by formatting the PA.sub.j packets, the size of which must not exceed a predefined maximum value, wherein, each time the accumulated data reach the size of a packet PA.sub.j, a new packet or telegram is formed or a new transmission is initiated provided that the predefined interval of time has not previously expired.

[0089] According to one preferred variant of the invention, the time stamps TS are compressed before their transmission. The compression of the time stamps TS can be carried out in a loss-free manner.

[0090] Alternatively, the compression of the time stamps TS can also be carried out with a predefined permissible loss level. In fact, the compression ratio can then be increased to the detriment of lower accuracy in the reproduction at the receiving end if the user or operator prefers an energy saving and accepts a certain inaccuracy in the recovery and reproduction of the original raw measurement data (that is to say accepts a certain loss). This loss ratio or the compression ratio can be provided as a programmable or adjustable parameter which determines or sets the compression mode.

[0091] As clear and non-restrictive examples of data compression algorithms, the following can be taken into account within the scope of the method according to the invention: differential encoding (delta encoding) in conjunction with Huffman coding, runlength encoding (RLE) or preferably adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC).

[0092] It is possible for the time stamps TS in the memory 7 of the consumption meter 10 to be deleted only when the transmission of the time stamps TS has been confirmed by the receiver or data collector 3.

[0093] Thanks to the invention, it is possible to have, at the data collector 3 or receiving location (for example head end 4), information which makes it possible to authentically and completely reconstruct all time stamps TS provided by the various sensors 1 in a very high temporal resolution and permits unlimited flexibility in the evaluation of said data. The expansion capability of business functions can be easily and centrally taken into account without influencing the method of operation or even the structure of subassemblies (sensors, communication means and the like).

[0094] The structure of the sensor 1 can be simpler and its operation can be more reliable in comparison with previously known solutions. Furthermore, the energy consumption of the subassembly comprising the sensor 1 and the communication means 2 is lower than in the current embodiments which locally evaluate the data.

[0095] The invention can be applied to the measurement and remote reading of a wide variety of parameters and variables. It suffices to be able to accurately date an elementary change (which can be measured by the sensor 1) in a parameter or a variable in accordance with the resolution of the sensor 1 in question (the time stamp TS can correspond to the resolution of the sensor 1 or possibly to a multiple of this resolution).

[0096] If the measured variable or the measured parameter can also change decrementally, the time stamps TS are elementary measuring units provided with signs (positive or negative units).

[0097] In connection with an advantageous use of the invention, in connection with the term of consumption, provision may be made for the or one of the measured physical variables to relate to a flow medium, wherein each time stamp TS corresponds to an elementary quantity of fluid which is measured by the sensor 1 depending on its measurement accuracy. The measured fluid may be, for example, gas, water, fuel or a chemical substance.

[0098] As an alternative or in addition to the embodiment variant mentioned above, the invention may also provide for the or one of the measured physico-chemical variables to be selected from the group formed by the temperature, the pH value, the conductivity and the pressure of a fluid which flows through the relevant sensor 1 or with which contact is made by the latter.

[0099] If at least one parameter is alternatively or additionally measured, this or one of these measured physical or physico-chemical parameters may be characteristic of the quality and/or composition of a fluid which flows through the relevant sensor 1 or comes into contact with the latter, for example turbidity, the presence of pollutants or the presence of a solid and/or gaseous component or solid and/or gaseous components.

[0100] It goes without saying that the above-mentioned variables and parameters are only examples which are not restrictive.

[0101] Accordingly, data telegrams 17 are continuously formed at a particular time and are gradually transmitted. The sum of the individual data packets PA.sub.j, . . . , PA.sub.n then forms a continuous time-stamped raw measurement data stream 13.

[0102] FIG. 4 shows, by way of example, an example of a message structure which is transmitted from the sensor 1 or consumption meter 10 to the data collector 3 or to the head end 4. Each time stamp TS.sub.1 to TS.sub.N corresponds in this case, within the scope of the correlation model, to an elementary quantity of fluid which is measured by the sensor 1. The measured fluid may be, for example, gas, water, fuel or a chemical substance. In the interval of time T.sub.E1 to T.sub.E, N pulses are therefore measured and the time stamps TS.sub.1 to TS.sub.N are stored, which, in the case of an amount of one litre for each time stamp TS for example, corresponds to a flow rate of a total of N litres within this interval of time. The measured value preparation means forms a data packet PA.sub.j containing N time stamps TS.sub.1 to TS.sub.N. Data telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1 are formed from the plurality of data packets, for example PA.sub.j to PA.sub.6 and PA.sub.7 to PA.sub.j2, according to FIG. 3.

[0103] So that the method according to the invention can be adapted to changes in the development of the parameter or the measurement variable and satisfactory updating of the available instantaneous data is ensured at the same time, the method can advantageously involve, in particular, forming a new packet or telegram 17 or carrying out a new data transmission in the form of a message or a telegram as soon as at least one of the two conditions below has been satisfied: [0104] (a) a predefined interval of time has expired, and/or [0105] (b) a predefined quantity of, in particular, compressed collected data or time stamps TS since the previous transmission has been reached.

[0106] The use of said condition (b) can involve, for example, regularly checking the size of all new time stamps TS in compressed form after a predefined number of new time stamps TS have been created. If these sizes are close to a critical size, for example close to the size of a packet stipulated by the transmission protocol, a new transmission operation is carried out (condition (b) satisfied before condition (a)) unless the predefined interval of time between two successive transmissions has expired first (condition (a) satisfied before condition (b)).

[0107] FIG. 5 illustrates, only by way of example, a mechanical flow meter 10 having a sensor 1 for the flow. The sensor 1 comprises an impeller 20, a measuring element 9 in the form of a Hall sensor, for example, and a pulse generator element 19 which rotates to a greater or lesser extent depending on the flow through the flow meter 10. The rotational movement of the impeller 20 is captured by the measuring element 9 as a voltage value which is excited by the pulse generator element 19 provided that the relevant vane of the impeller 20 is at the position of the measuring element 9. As a result of the correlation model, it is known, during evaluation, what flow volume one revolution corresponds to. One revolution of the impeller 20 may correspond, for example, to one litre of fluid.

[0108] A correlation model is stored in the measured value preparation means 14 and is used to determine in advance the conditions for generating time stamps TS for particular raw measured values. FIG. 6 shows a simplified illustration of an example of such a correlation model, for example for a continuous cumulative flow measurement. In this case, the measuring unit is, for example, a pulse captured by the measuring element 9 of the sensor 1 illustrated in FIG. 5, for example a voltage pulse corresponding to one revolution of the impeller 20. The predefined resolution of the measuring method therefore corresponds in this example to one revolution of the impeller 20. The raw measured values, that is to say the pulses triggered by the revolutions, and the associated times T, are stored in the memory 7 of the sensor 1. The measured value preparation means 14 generates an associated time stamp TS.sub.1, TS.sub.2 . . . to TS.sub.n+1 for each raw measured value (that is to say for each revolution/pulse). The time stamps TS are continuously stored in the memory 7. If the impeller 20 does not rotate, a pulse is not generated and a time stamp is therefore not provided either. If the impeller 20 rotates more slowly, the time at which the pulse is captured along the time axis T is accordingly later. Accordingly, a later time stamp TS is generated in this case. As is clear from FIG. 6, a multiplicity of time stamps TS are therefore generated and define the flow continuously measured over the relevant period.

[0109] The time stamps TS are combined in data packets PA.sub.j and, according to FIG. 2, are gradually transmitted on request by the data collector 3 to the latter as data telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, . . . , 17.sub.i+n via the primary communication path 5. The data transmission can preferably be carried out here in compressed form. It is consequently a continuous gapless time stamp data stream of very high resolution which is transmitted along the primary communication path 5 in the form of the individual continuous data telegrams 17.sub.i, 17.sub.i+1, . . . , 17.sub.i+n.

[0110] The collection of data is not restricted to a flow measurement. FIG. 7 shows, for example, a sensor 1 in the form of a temperature sensor based on a resistance measurement. The temperature sensor comprises two metal conductors (A, B) which are connected to one another in the region of a measuring location and have different thermal conductivity. In the event of a temperature difference T between the measuring location and the opposite end of the two conductors, a voltage V or a voltage change can be tapped off. In this case, a time stamp TS for a change in the voltage captured by the sensor can be determined as a correlation model.

[0111] FIG. 8 shows an example of a corresponding raw measurement data curve of voltage values V for generating corresponding time stamps TS in a temperature measurement. Accordingly, an associated time stamp TS is generated for each rise or fall of the voltage, for example by 0.5 mV. The determined resolution of the method is therefore 0.5 mV. Since the curve profile may be rising and falling in the case of a temperature measurement, the time stamps are provided in this case with a sign + for rising or for falling. As becomes clear from FIG. 8, a continuous sequence of time stamps TS, which represent the measured voltage profile and therefore the temperature over the period in question in a very accurate and gapless manner, is also obtained here. If the temperature, that is to say the voltage V, does not change, a time stamp is not generated. For the rest, the method corresponds to the measures explained in connection with the initially described example of flow measurement.

[0112] FIG. 9A shows, by way of example, an example of a further correlation model for the consumption meter from FIG. 5. In this case, each time stamp TS corresponds, for example, to an elementary quantity of fluid which is provided with a scaling factor F and is measured by the sensor 1 depending on its measurement accuracy. The measured fluid may be, for example, gas, water, fuel or a chemical substance. Therefore, the time stamps TS.sub.1-TS.sub.N+1 shown in FIG. 9A correspond in this example to one revolution of the impeller 20 multiplied by the corresponding scaling factor F. Each of the time stamps TS.sub.1-TS.sub.N+1 can therefore each correspond to a flow rate of, for example, one litre multiplied by a scaling factor F specific to each time stamp TS.sub.1-TS.sub.N+1 through a fluid consumption meter 10, and therefore to the measurement resolution of the measuring element in the fluid consumption meter 10 (for example an impeller or an annular piston measuring element).

[0113] A scaling factor F of 10 is stipulated until the time T.sub.2 for the conditions for generating time stamps TS, with the result that each time stamp TS.sub.1 and TS.sub.2 corresponds, for example, to a flow rate of 10 litres, provided that the elementary measuring unit or a revolution of the impeller 20 corresponds to 1 litre, for example. At the times T.sub.3 and T.sub.4, the elementary measuring units are provided with a factor of 5, which corresponds to a flow rate of 5 litres, for example. The scaling factor F can be changed as desired within a data packet PA.sub.j, with the result that successive time stamps TS.sub.1-TS.sub.N+1 have different scaling factors F, for example.

[0114] A data packet PA.sub.j contains N time stamps TS.sub.1-TS.sub.N+1. The size or the volume of data of the data packets PA.sub.j therefore depends on the used or stipulated scaling factors F of the time stamps TS. A scaling factor F of greater than 1 results in the reconstructed raw measurement data having a lower resolution or granularity. However, the size of the data packets PA.sub.j can be reduced as a result and the volume of data to be transmitted can therefore be reduced.

[0115] FIG. 9B shows another configuration of a correlation model for the consumption meter from FIG. 5 with a scaling factor F of less than 1. At the times T.sub.3 and T.sub.4, a time stamp TS has therefore already been generated at half an elementary measuring unit. For this purpose, the impeller 20 may have two or more pulse generator elements 19, for example, with the result that partial revolutions of the impeller 20 can also be captured. On the other hand, a scaling factor of less than 1 results in the reconstructed raw measurement data having a higher resolution or granularity. Conversely, the size of the data packets PA.sub.j can increase as a result, which in turn can increase the volume of data to be transmitted. If, for example, an application requires an increased resolution of the reconstructed raw measurement data, the scaling factor F can be easily adapted.

[0116] FIG. 10 shows the effect of the scaling factor F on the volume of data. For simpler illustration, the scaling factor F has not been changed within a respective data packet PA.sub.j. This should not be understood as a restriction since the scaling factor F can be changed in any desired manner within a data packet PA.sub.j, as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B. In addition, for better comparability between the various scaling factors F, the same quantity of the consumable to be measured with a constant flow during the same period T.sub.E1 to T.sub.E is assumed. In the case of a quantity of a consumable to be measured of 10 litres, for example, in the same period T.sub.E1 to T.sub.E, different scaling factors F result in different time stamps TS. For a scaling factor of F=1, an elementary measuring unit of 1 litre thus results, for example. However, the elementary measuring unit can also relate, for example, to the movement of the impeller 20 in a fluid consumption meter 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The elementary measuring unit is therefore not restricted to physical units, for example litres. 10 elementary measuring units are therefore measured in the period T.sub.E1 to T.sub.E and corresponding time stamps TS.sub.F=1 are generated and stored. This results in a volume of data comprising 10 individual time stamps TS.sub.F=1. For a scaling factor of F=2, 5 individual time stamps TS.sub.F=2 result, for F=5, 2 individual time stamps TS.sub.F=5 result, and for F=10, 1 individual time stamp TS.sub.F=10 results.

[0117] FIG. 11 shows examples of message structures. Each data telegram 17 consists of a header which comprises, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the identity I of the respective sensor 1, the absolute cumulative value VA and the value of at least one other physical or physico-chemical parameter PPC of the environment of the relevant sensor 1. The data telegrams 17 also contain a plurality of data packets PA.sub.1-PA.sub.6 which have different data sizes depending on the respective scaling factor F. The greater the selected scaling factor F, the smaller the data size and therefore the volume of data required for transmission.

[0118] FIG. 12A shows the head end 4 which individually changes the conditions for generating time stamps TS for each consumption meter 10. For this purpose, the head end 4 transmits a scaling factor F to each consumption meter 10, for example via the radio path 11. The scaling factors F=1, F=10, F=5 and F=2, for example, are therefore transmitted to the consumption meters 10. A scaling factor of F=1 therefore results in the elementary measuring unit which is set or can be measured in the consumption meter 10 being multiplied by a factor of 1 and therefore remaining unchanged. As a result of a higher scaling factor of, for example, F=2, F=5 or F=10, the elementary measuring unit is accordingly increased in the consumption meter 10, which results in the number of time stamps TS being reduced for the same flow. The volume of data when transmitting the time stamps to the head end 4 via the radio path 11 also falls as a result. The size of the data telegrams 17 is indicated by the width of the arrows. The greater the scaling factor F, the smaller the corresponding data stream of data telegrams 17 from the consumption meter 10 for the same quantity of the medium to be measured. The head end 4 can easily react to requirements of applications which require different resolutions by means of the scaling factors F, for example. These applications may be stored and executed in the head end 4.

[0119] The network structure illustrated in FIG. 12B contains additional data collectors 3 which are interposed between the head end 4 and the individual consumption meters 10. The data collectors 3 transmit the scaling factors F to the individual consumption meters 10. The data collectors 3 can therefore immediately react to interference in the radio connection, for example, and can regulate and possibly reduce the data stream of data telegrams 17 by adapting the scaling factors F.

[0120] FIG. 13 shows the further processing of the individual time stamps TS provided in data telegrams 17.sub.i-17.sub.i+n to form a continuous cohesive assignment, from which a gapless raw measurement data stream 13 can be reconstructed on the basis of the correlation model. In this case, the individual data telegrams 17.sub.i-17.sub.i+n are combined in such a manner that the respective data or data packets PA.sub.j or the time stamps TS contained therein are temporally related to those of the adjacent data packets PA.sub.j.

[0121] As a result of the inventive collection of time stamps TS which are provided by the sensors 1 or consumption meters 10 of the or a particular network, the invention enables all types of evaluation, analysis, checking, monitoring and generally useful or desired processing and utilization since the fundamental individual raw information is available. The evaluation of the provided time stamps TS is preferably carried out in the region of the head end 4 using evaluation means 18 and reveals a multiplicity of items of important information which are needed to manage the supply network but were previously not able to be generated, for example consumption, meter index, time-assigned consumption, leakage detection, over/underflow, historical progression and/or manipulation. Information can therefore also be retrospectively retrieved without a time gap at any time and can be supplied to a previous evaluation.

[0122] The raw measurement data reconstructed from the time stamps TS are present in the head end 4, according to the invention, in a very high resolution or granularity without time gaps as a raw measurement data stream 13. Consequently, in contrast to previous methods, very much more usable data than before are available in the head end 4 on account of the method according to the invention.

[0123] The raw measurement data stream 13 present in the head end 4 preferably has a resolution in the seconds range, tenths of a second range, hundredths of a second range or thousandths of a second range.

[0124] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the invention also relates to a supply network for distributing a consumable, in particular a fluid consumable, using consumption meters 10 which have been accordingly set up and are operated in the supply network. The respective consumption meter 10 comprises, cf. FIG. 2, at least one sensor 1 which can acquire raw measurement data via a measuring element 9. Furthermore, the respective consumption meter 10 comprises a measurement data preparation means 14 which comprises a microprocessor 8, memory 7 and a time reference device 15. In the measurement data preparation means 14, a time stamp TS is effected on the basis of the raw measurement data, the time stamps TS are compressed and preparation is effected into a format which is suitable for transmission via a radio path 11 or via the primary communication path 5 according to a particular protocol.

[0125] The consumption meter 10 may comprise its own power supply (not illustrated) in the form of a battery or the like if necessary. The consumption meter 10 can therefore be operated in an autonomous manner in terms of energy.

[0126] Evaluation means 18 are provided in the region of the head end 4 and are able to combine the time stamps TS in the individual data telegrams 17.sub.i-17.sub.i+n or their data packets PA.sub.j in a time-continuous manner and without gaps to form a continuous gapless raw measurement data stream 13 and to carry out corresponding decompressions, evaluations, calculations and the like therefrom. The corresponding data preferably comprise all consumption meters 10 in the supply network.

[0127] In addition, the above-mentioned system comprises, for the relevant or each geographical area in which the consumption meters 10 are installed, a fixed data collector 3 (concentrator) which, with the consumption meters 10 in the area allocated to it, forms a primary communication path 5 of the supply network. The primary communication path 5 may be in the form of a radio path 11, for example. The data collector 3 is in turn connected to the head end 4 via a tertiary communication path 6. The data can be transmitted in different ways along the tertiary communication path 6, for example via LAN, GPRS, LTE, 3G, 4G etc.

[0128] The memory 7 of each sensor 1 or consumption meter 10 preferably form a buffer memory and are suitable and set up to store the content of a plurality of PA.sub.j packets of time stamps TS, in particular in the compressed state, wherein the content or a part of the content of this buffer memory is transmitted during each transmission or retrieval by the data collector 3.

[0129] The information collected by each data collector 3 is directly or indirectly transmitted to the head end 4. The business functions are also defined and carried out there.

[0130] With the method according to the invention, any desired raw measurement data can therefore be sampled and used as triggers for time stamps TS. The time stamps TS may be, in particular, times or time differences. A starting time is preferably defined.

[0131] The time stamps TS in the memory 7 of the consumption meter 10 are preferably deleted only when the transmission of the time stamps TS via the primary communication path 5 has been confirmed by the receiver or data collector 3.

[0132] It goes without saying that a person skilled in the art understands that the invention can be applied to the measurement and remote reading of a wide variety of parameters and variables: it suffices to be able to accurately date an elementary change (which can be measured by the sensor 1) in a parameter or variable in accordance with the resolution of the sensor 1 in question (the time-stamped elementary variation can correspond to the resolution of the sensor or possibly a multiple of this resolution).

[0133] It goes without saying that the invention is not restricted to the embodiments described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Changes remain possible, in particular with respect to the provision of the various elements or by means of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention. The subject matter of the disclosure also expressly includes combinations of partial features or subgroups of features.

[0134] The following is a list of reference numerals and symbols used in the description and illustration of the invention:

[0135] 1 Sensor

[0136] 2 Radio communication means

[0137] 3 Data collector

[0138] 4 Head end

[0139] 5 Primary communication path

[0140] 6 Tertiary communication path

[0141] 7 Memory

[0142] 8 Microprocessor

[0143] 9 Measuring element

[0144] 10 Consumption meter

[0145] 11 Radio path

[0146] 13 Raw measurement data stream

[0147] 14 Measurement data preparation means

[0148] 15 Time reference device

[0149] 16 Supply line

[0150] 17 Data telegram

[0151] 18 Evaluation means

[0152] 19 Pulse generator element

[0153] 20 Impeller

[0154] 22 Ultrasonic transducer element

[0155] 23 Ultrasonic transducer element

[0156] 24 Ultrasonic measurement path

[0157] PA.sub.j Data packet

[0158] TS Time stamp

[0159] F Scaling factor