DE202005004510U1 - System for automatic meter reading has an attached scanning camera to translate the alphanumeric reading into a pseudo bar code and transmit same to a remote receiver - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic system for meter reading, e.g. gas, electric or water meters, has a compact reader permanently fitted onto the meter and containing a scanning camera with light source on a pivot mounting to move over the alphanumeric display. The scanning camera converts the display into a pseudo bar code which is processed into a simple format, e.g. ASCII, and is transmitted to a remote receiver.

Description

technical area

The Innovation is the technical field remote reading of meter data assigned. Specifically, the innovation relates to the counters, which so far (exclusively) by Visible visual contact and then the (recorded) written down Readout data by conventional method for clearing or other Further processing are sent to the service provider. In the further Course of these remarks become these counters short as "mechanical Counter ".

in this connection is the consumption measurement of media such as electricity, gas, Water, oil, heat and the like in private households, commercial, industrial etc. The delivery quantities are registered cumulatively, one-dimensionally with the help of counters and alphanumeric displayed. The display status of the sealed meters is used by the media supplier as a basis for the billing. The supplier is responsible for collecting or requesting the meter data and then assign them to the measuring point in order to be purposeful to be able to bill. equally is the innovation for all other readings of meter readings can be used.

State of technology

Of the The state of the art is exemplary for the media sector electricity-gas-water described and is for other fields of application also applicable.

The Reading the mechanical counter in the media sector (electricity, gas, water, etc.) either at regular intervals by reading staff of the service provider or by the consumer even.

A reading by staff of the service provider

fundamental Disadvantage thereby is that the readers especially in private households only in the presence of the homeowner or tenant access to Have reading point. Even with the usual advance notification of the reader sometimes multiple visits or estimates are necessary.

• 1. Der Zählerstand wird durch Sichtkontakt abgelesen und in Formulare handschriftlich übertragen. Die menschliche Unzulänglichkeit hinsichtlich Ablesung selbst und/oder undeutliche Handschrift führt dabei zu Fehlablesungen und Fehleintragungen. Bei der Datenübernahme in der Zentrale können gleichartige Fehler entstehen.
• 2. Die Daten werden durch Sichtkontakt abgelesen und dann in ein Handheldgerät per Tastatur eingegeben. Die Fehlerquellen bei der Ablesung und die Zuordnung zur Identifikations-Nummer des Zählers bleiben. Fehler bei der elektronischen Datenübernahme in der Zentrale entfallen.
• 3. Die Datenübernahme erfolgt über eine Schnittstelle durch den Ableser, bekannt als „SO-Schnittstelle" (S-Null). Voraussetzung dafür ist, dass die SO-Schnittstelle mit Einrichtung für die interne Übernahme in ein abgreifbares und übertragbares Protokoll im Zähler vorhanden ist.

The acquisition of the displayed meter data can be done in three different ways:

• 1. The meter reading is read by visual contact and transmitted in forms handwritten. The human inadequacy of reading itself and / or indistinct handwriting leads to incorrect readings and incorrect entries. When data is transferred to the head office, similar errors can occur.
• 2. The data is read by visual contact and then entered into a handheld device via the keyboard. The error sources in the reading and the assignment to the identification number of the counter remain. Errors in the electronic data transfer at the headquarters omitted.
• 3. The data transfer takes place via an interface through the reader, known as "SO interface" (S-Zero), provided that the SO interface with means for internal transfer into a tappable and transferable protocol is present in the meter ,

adversely are the costs for the logging facility within the meter and the need to expensive, foreign IT infrastructures for transmission to headquarters to use.

at necessary explosion protection becomes additional Effort for the data transfer required.

B reading by the consumer himself

This Reading process, especially in the field of media (electricity, gas, water etc.) occupies a large space in the FRG. The consumer receives at regular intervals from Suppliers preprinted postcards with the counter identification no. and the meter reading of the previous period. The task of the consumer is to set the current meter reading and return the pre-addressed card free of charge. Incorrect readings and insufficiently readable writing remain a disadvantage receive. In addition there is an incomplete return rate of the cards (supplier information are ~ 90%), which the suppliers by tracking over readers or estimate compensate.

The The methods outlined are shared by staff costs and / or infrastructure are time- and cost-intensive and contain sources of error can, especially when readings outside the normal reading period are required. Advantageous is the good perceptible alphanumeric display.

The mechanical electricity meter are in big Scope used at home and abroad. A replacement of these counters by digital counters is for cost reasons only if, after repeated calibrations, the service life, those between 16 - 30 Is years, is over. A nationwide equipment of the Measuring points for Continuous media will be even longer Take time than electricity meters.

problem of the applicant

• – hoher Personalaufwand für die Datenerfassung und Übermittlung zum Versorger
• – menschliche Erfassungs-, Eintragungs- und Übertragungsfehler von der Erfassung bis zum Zentralrechner
• – ohne Austausch der schnittstellenlosen mechanischen Zähler ist eine Fernablesung nicht möglich
• – Daten sind im deregulierten Markt nicht unmittelbar zum Bedarfszeitpunkt erfassbar und in kurzer Zeit dem Bedarfsträger zustellbar.

From the prior art, fol disadvantages:

• - high personnel costs for data collection and transmission to the supplier
• - human detection, registration and transmission errors from acquisition to the central computer
• - Remote exchange is not possible without replacing the interfaceless mechanical meters
• - In the deregulated market, data can not be recorded immediately at the time of the request and can be delivered to the user in a short time.

Troubleshooting

data collection

Solution 1a ( 1.0 - drawing sheet 1)
The current counter reading is scanned with a line camera, which is guided in steps over the scale by means of pendulum or vertical / horizontal movement.

Solution 1b ( 2.0 - drawing sheet 2)
Acquisition of the current counter reading by means of a spherical optic in a surface camera.

data conversion

The data acquired after solution 1a and solution 1b are analyzed electronically and converted into the intermediate form of a pseudo-barcode ( 1.1 and 2.1 ) transformed. For forwarding to the radio unit, this intermediate code is transferred to the ASCII format and is then available to the radio unit for forwarding.

Combination to meter reading unit ( 1.3 and 2.3 - Drawing sheet 3) Detection, data conversion and radio are combined as subunits in a reading unit in the smallest possible space. This ensures that they can be adapted to any meter size and mounted in a simple manner. The assembly takes place at the place of the counter measuring point during the current operation.

The included radio operates bidirectionally as transmitter and receiver. For data security, the tried and tested 128-bit UEC protocol is used. The meter reading unit works at the request of the data supply point and supplies the requested data to the demand point (Main Frame) in a short time (Millisec range) ( 3 , Sheet 4).

In radio transmission, a plurality of measuring points can be bundled for transmission to the user ( 3 ) and only requires external IT infrastructures during the final transmission.

Claims (10)

Device for interface-free remote reading of alphanumeric counter data without visual impairment, characterized in that a compact plastic housing accommodates the functional units necessary for data reading, conversion and transmission and is fixed on the meters to be read by means of transparent, light-resistant adhesive. device according to claim 1, characterized in that the permanent transparent acrylic or related plastic shell, in which the optics is housed, fixed to the non-transparent Lower part of the housing, which houses the electronics and the radio unit is connected. device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the to be read Counter data by means of a moving line camera can be read. device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized in that the to be read Counter data by means of an xy camera and an optical lens combination are readable. Optical lens combination according to claim 4, characterized characterized in that the lens combination is a glass or a optically suitable plastic manufactured monolith is as Prism and lens is shaped. Optical lens combination according to claim 5, characterized characterized in that the prism-forming hypotenuse surface of the Monoliths as semipermeable mirror surface is manufactured. Optical lens combination according to claim 5 and 6, characterized in that the lens combination in thickness 12 mm and width 60 mmn for detecting min. 8 digits. device according to claim 1, 2, 3 and 4, characterized in that the electronics the camera data translated into a pseudo-barcode, subsequently in a ASCII format converts and thus for makes the bidirectional radio available for communication. device according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8, characterized in that the bidirectional radio unit with its own identification addressable is. Apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 and 9, characterized in that a so-called. UEC protocol is established, with which the data to be transmitted and the data to be received for the bidirectional radio are processable.