JP2002277291A - Measuring apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring apparatus which eliminates a need of layering a transmission line and which can reduce labor required for laying the transmission line. SOLUTION: The measuring apparatus is constituted to be composed of a display means, e.g. a pressure gage, which converts a process amount from various plants so as to be displayed as an indicated value, an imaging means, e.g. a video camera 7 by which the indicated value displayed by the display means is imaged as an image to as to output an imaging signal, and a discrimination means 8 which discriminates the indicated value on the basis of the imaging signal and which converts its discriminated result into a transmission signal to the outside.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a measuring device applied to various industrial plants and used for monitoring a process amount in various industrial plants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for monitoring a process amount in various plants, a measuring device having a configuration in which various sensors and a monitoring device are connected by a transmission line has been used.

[0003] Here, the process amount refers to various amounts related to an industrial process, such as temperature, flow rate, pressure, liquid level, or composition.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional measuring device.

As shown in FIG. 11, this measuring device includes various sensors 1 for detecting process amounts from various plants.
, A monitoring device 2, an alarm device 3, and a transmission line 4.

The various sensors 1 receive a process amount from various plants, convert the process amount into electricity, and output an electric signal corresponding to the process amount.

[0007] The monitoring device 2 judges the process amounts of various plants based on the electric signals input from the various sensors 1, and when the process amounts are abnormal, the alarm device 3.
To output an alarm signal to the controller.

The alarm device 3 is connected to the monitoring device 2 and, when the process amount is abnormal, receives an alarm signal from the monitoring device 2 and generates an alarm.

The transmission line 4 connects the various sensors 1 and the monitoring device 2 or the monitoring device 2 and the alarm device 3 to each other.

This measuring device transmits a signal obtained by converting a process amount detected by various sensors 1 into an electric signal to a monitoring device 2 via a transmission line 4, and an alarm device 3 issues an alarm in response to the electric signal. It is a mechanism that occurs.

[0011]

However, in such an alarm device, it is necessary to lay a transmission line between various sensors and the monitoring device, and this laying requires labor.

Further, when monitoring a plurality of sensors, since a transmission line must be laid for each sensor, further labor is required.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides a measuring device capable of eliminating the need for a transmission line between each sensor and the monitoring device and reducing the labor required for laying the transmission line. The purpose is to provide.

[0014]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a measuring apparatus for monitoring a process amount in various plants, wherein the measuring device converts the process amount and outputs an indicated value. Display means for displaying the image as the image, capturing the instruction value displayed by the display means as an image, outputting an image signal, and indicating the process amount based on the image signal output from the image means. A measuring device comprising: a determination unit that determines a value, converts the determination result into a transmission signal, and outputs the transmission signal to the outside.

Therefore, in the measuring device according to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing the above means, the display means converts the process amount and displays it as an instruction value, and the imaging means displays the instruction amount displayed by the display means. The value is imaged as an image, an imaging signal is output, and the determination means determines the indicated value of the process amount based on the imaging signal output from the imaging means, converts the determination result into a transmission signal, and outputs the transmission signal to the outside Therefore, it is not necessary to lay a transmission line between the display means and the imaging means, and the labor required for laying the transmission line can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the measuring device according to the first aspect, a direct-reading indicating instrument is used as the display means.

Therefore, in the measuring device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the provision of the above means enables the direct-reading indicating instrument, which is the display means, to convert the process amount, display the converted value as the indicated value, and display the image as the indicated value. Captures an indication value displayed by the display means as an image, outputs an imaging signal, and the determination means determines the indication value of the process amount based on the imaging signal output from the imaging means, and transmits the determination result to a transmission signal. And output to the outside, it is not necessary to lay a transmission line between the direct-reading indicating instrument as the display means and the imaging means, and the labor required for laying the transmission line can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the measuring device according to the first aspect, a video camera is used as the imaging means.

Therefore, in the measuring device according to the third aspect of the present invention, by providing the above means, the display means converts a process amount from various plants and displays the converted value as an indication value. Imaging the indicated value displayed by the display means as an image, outputting an imaging signal,
Determining means for determining the indicated value of the process amount based on an imaging signal output from a video camera which is the imaging means,
Since the result of the determination is converted into a transmission signal and output to the outside, a plurality of display means can be monitored, and a transmission line from the plurality of display means to the video camera is not required. The labor required for laying wires can be reduced.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring device according to the first aspect, a digital display is used as the display means.

Therefore, in the measuring apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, by providing the above-mentioned means, the digital display as the display means converts the process amount and displays it as an indicated value, and the imaging means displays the display means. The indication value displayed by the digital display is imaged as an image, an imaging signal is output, and the determination means determines the indication value of the process amount based on the imaging signal output from the imaging means, and determines the determination result. Since the signal is converted into a transmission signal and output to the outside, it is not necessary to lay a transmission line between the digital display as the display means and the imaging means, and the labor required for laying the transmission line can be reduced.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring device according to the first aspect, an element for displaying a process amount by a change in color is used as the display means.

Therefore, in the measuring apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by providing the above means, an element which is a display means and displays a process amount by a change in color converts the process amount and outputs the converted value as an indicated value. Is displayed as an image, and the imaging means captures a color as an indication value displayed by an element that displays a process amount as a display means by a change in color as an image,
The image pickup signal is output, and the judging means judges the color as the instruction value of the process amount based on the image pickup signal output from the image pickup means, converts the judgment result into a transmission signal and outputs the signal to the outside. It is possible to monitor the amount of process even if it is used.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the measuring device according to the third aspect, the video camera has a zoom-up function which can appropriately change an imaging area, and the display means for imaging is predetermined. And a program that can be sequentially selected by a given program.

Therefore, in the measuring device of the invention according to the sixth aspect, by providing the above-mentioned means, the video camera is capable of appropriately changing the imaging area and having a zoom-up function, and the display for imaging is provided. Since the means can be sequentially selected by a predetermined program, it is possible to monitor the plurality of display means by preliminarily determining the order of the plurality of display means to be imaged on the program. .

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the measuring device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the imaging means is configured to execute the imaging by a predetermined program or manually. The display device is characterized in that the display means can be appropriately selected.

Therefore, in the measuring apparatus according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the provision of the above means makes it possible to select a display means for manually monitoring only when necessary.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment has a pressure gauge 6 which is a display means attached to a pipe 5 of a plant (site side) to be monitored, and a place where the pressure gauge 6 can be seen. And a discriminating unit 8 connected to the video camera 7.

The pressure gauge 6 is a sensor for measuring the pressure, which is a process amount in the pipe 5 to be monitored, and converts the pressure inside the pipe 5 and displays it as an indicated value.

The video camera 7 takes an image of the indicated value displayed by the pressure gauge 6 as an image, converts the image signal into an electric signal by a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD used for the video camera 7, and converts the analog electric signal. Output.

The discriminating means 8 converts the analog transmission signal input from the video camera 7 into a digital signal, restores the compressed image data to the original image based on the digital transmission signal, and the gradation of the restored image. Is performed, and image processing such as geometric conversion is performed to determine the indicated value displayed by the display means. It is something to convert.

The discriminating means 8 is functionally comprised of an image restoring means 21, a gradation changing means 22, a density changing means 23,
Geometric conversion means 24, filtering means 25, feature extraction means 26, image comparison means 27, indicated value determination means 28,
And data conversion means 29.

The image restoration means 21 restores the original image from the compressed image data.

The gradient changing means 22 includes an image restoring means 21.
Is used to change the gradient of the restored image.

The density adjusting means 23 includes a gradation changing means 22.
Is used to adjust the density of the image whose gradation has been changed.

The geometric conversion means 24 includes the density adjustment means 23
Performs geometric transformation such as enlargement, reduction, or rotation on the image whose density has been adjusted according to.

The filtering means 25 performs filtering on the image subjected to the geometric transformation by the geometric transformation means 24.

The feature extracting means 26 is for extracting the features of the image by adjusting the shading of the image on which the filtering is performed by the filtering means 25.

The image comparing means 27 compares the image from which the feature has been extracted by the feature extracting means 26 and a number of standard patterns which have been clustered in advance. As a method of this, for example, the pointer is rotated from the standard pattern as a reference until the hand indicating the indicated value of the display means coincides, the rotation angle at this time is grasped, and the current indication of the pressure gauge 6 is obtained from the rotation angle at this time. It is also possible to adopt a method of recognizing the value, a method of matching a fixed standard pattern with the indicated value of the pressure gauge 6 imaged using the video camera 7, or the like.

The designated value discriminating means 28 includes an image comparing means 27
Is to determine the indicated value displayed by the display means based on the comparison result between the image of the indicated value and the standard pattern.

The data conversion means 29 includes the indicated value determination means 2
The data of the instruction value, which is the data of the result of the determination of the instruction value determined in step 8, is converted into transmission data to an external device (not shown).

Next, the operation of the measuring apparatus of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the determining means 8.

First, in the image restoring means 21, the discriminating means 8
As a result, the original image is restored from the compressed image data input from the video camera 7 as the imaging means (ST)
1).

Next, in the gradation changing means 22, the gradation of the image restored by the discriminating means 8 is changed (S).
T2).

Next, in the density adjusting means 23, the instruction discriminating section 8 performs density adjustment processing on the image whose gradation has been changed (ST3).

Next, in the geometric conversion means 24, the instruction-determining section 8 performs a geometric process such as enlargement, reduction or rotation on the image on which the density has been adjusted (ST4).

Next, in the filtering means 25, the image is filtered by the discriminating means 8, and processing such as edge enhancement and noise removal is performed (ST).
5).

Next, in the feature extracting means 26, the discriminating means 8
As a result, the filtered image is further subjected to a feature extraction process (ST6).

Next, in the image comparing means 27, the discriminating means 8
Thus, a comparison is made between the standard pattern that has been clustered in advance and the image from which the feature has been extracted (ST
7).

Next, in the designated value discriminating means 28, the designated value is discriminated by the discriminating means 8 based on the result of the comparison by the preceding image comparing means 27 (ST8).

Next, in the data converting means 29, the discriminating means 8 converts the information of the indicated value judged by the indicated value judging means 28 to transmission data for transmitting to an external device (not shown). Is performed (ST9).

As described above, according to the measuring device of the present embodiment, the process amount is converted and displayed as an instruction value.
Since the indication value is taken as an image to obtain an imaging signal, the indication value of the process amount is determined based on the imaging signal, and the determination result is converted into a transmission signal and output to an external device. Since the transmission line 4 is not required between the gauge 6 and the video camera 7, the labor required for laying the transmission line 4 can be reduced.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a description will be given of a second embodiment of the measuring apparatus according to the present invention. In addition,
1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described here.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In the measuring device according to the present embodiment, the differential pressure gauge 9 as the display means converts the differential pressure as the process amount,
A throttle mechanism 1 such as an orifice based on the indicated value to be displayed
This is for measuring the flow rate of the fluid inside the pipe 5 provided with zero.

As shown in FIG. 3, the measuring device according to the present embodiment uses a throttle mechanism 10 such as an orifice to be monitored instead of the pressure gauge 6 provided in the measuring device shown in FIG.
And a differential pressure gauge 9 provided on the pipe 5 having

The differential pressure gauge 9 is a display means for displaying an indicated value of the differential pressure transmitted by a pressure guiding tube provided inside the pipe 5.

A throttle mechanism 10 such as an orifice is mounted in the middle of the pipe 5 to reduce the cross-sectional area of the pipe 5, and the throttle mechanism 1 changes the indicated value indicated by the differential pressure gauge 9 as display means.
By performing calculations using constants determined by various amounts of 0, the flow rate of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 5 can be obtained.

The measuring device discriminating means 8 according to the present embodiment.
As for the function, as shown in FIG. 3, a flow detecting means 30 is provided in addition to the function shown in FIG.

The flow rate detecting means 30 includes the indicated value determining means 28
The throttle mechanism 10 such as an orifice is provided by performing a calculation using a constant determined by various amounts of the throttle mechanism 10 such as an orifice on the indicated value displayed by the differential pressure gauge 9 as the display means determined in the above step. The flow rate of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 5 is determined.

Next, the operation of the measuring apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

The same parts as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and different parts will be described here.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of the determination means 8 of the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

When the indicated value displayed by the differential pressure gauge 9 as the display means is captured by the video camera 7 as the imaging means,
The indication value is discriminated by the discriminating means 8 through steps ST1 to ST8 in the same manner as shown in FIG. Next, in the flow rate detecting means 30, the discriminating means 8 performs an arithmetic operation on the indicated value displayed by the differential pressure gauge 9 using a constant determined by various amounts of the orifice or the like of the throttle mechanism 10, and the flow rate of the pipe 5 is determined. The flow rate of the fluid flowing inside is calculated (ST10). Next, the determination means 8 converts the data of the flow rate of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 5 into transmission data which is a transmission signal to an external device (not shown) (ST).
9).

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The differential pressure gauge 9 as display means converts the differential pressure inside the pipe 5 and displays it as an indicated value, and the video camera 7 as image pickup means takes the indicated value as an image, outputs an image signal, and determines The means 8 determines the indicated value of the process amount from the image pickup signal, and uses a constant determined by various amounts of the orifice or the like provided in the pipe 5 as the indicated value indicated by the differential pressure gauge 9. An arithmetic operation is performed, and the indicated value of the differential pressure gauge 9 as a result of the determination is converted into transmission data as a transmission signal to an external device (not shown), so that the transmission line 4 is connected between the differential pressure gauge 9 and the video camera 7. And the labor required for laying the transmission line 4 can be reduced.

According to the measuring device of the present embodiment,
By providing the discriminating means 8, the discriminating means 8 directly obtains the flow rate of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 5 to be monitored from the indicated value displayed by the differential pressure gauge 9 as the display means. It is possible to reduce the labor required for calculating the flow rate of the fluid flowing inside the pipe 5 from the indicated value.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An embodiment will be described. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described here.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The measuring device according to the present embodiment is a measuring device for measuring the liquid level of the liquid existing in the tank 11 to be monitored.

The measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment has a configuration using a level gauge 12 provided on a tank 11 to be monitored as a display means.

The level gauge 12 controls the tank 1 to be monitored.
1 is a display means for displaying the liquid level of the liquid existing inside the tank 11. Other configurations are the same as those in FIG.

Next, the operation of the measuring device configured as described above will be described.

When an instruction value to be displayed by the level gauge 12 as the display means is picked up by the video camera 7 as the image pickup means, through the steps ST1 to ST9 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 8, the instruction value is determined, and the data of the instruction value, which is the result of the determination, is converted into transmission data, which is a transmission signal to an external device (not shown).

As described above, according to the measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, the level gauge 12 as the display means converts the liquid level as the process amount to display the indicated value, and the video camera 7 as the image pickup means. Is an image of the indicated value, outputs an image signal, and the determination means 8 determines the indicated value from the image signal, and the data of the indicated value as a result of the determination is a transmission signal to an external device (not shown). Since data conversion is performed on the transmission data, it is not necessary to lay the transmission line 4 between the level gauge 12 and the video camera 7, and the labor required for laying the transmission line 4 can be reduced.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. 1 to 5
The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

The measuring device according to the present embodiment has a configuration using a digital display 13 as a display means. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the measuring device configured as described above will be described.

When an instruction value displayed by the digital display 13 as the display means is picked up by using the video camera 7 as the image pickup means provided in a range where the digital display 13 can be seen, the image pickup from the video camera 7 is performed. The instruction value displayed on the digital display 13 is determined by the determination means 8 having received the signal through steps ST1 to ST9 shown in FIG. 2, and the data of the determined instruction value is transmitted to an external device (not shown). Is converted into transmission data, which is a transmission signal of.

As described above, according to the measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, the digital display 13 converts the process amount and displays the indicated value, and the video camera 7 as the image pickup means picks up the indicated value. The imaging signal is output, and the determination means 8 determines the indicated value from the imaging signal, so that the transmission line 4 is not required to be laid between the digital display 13 and the video camera 7, and the labor required for laying the transmission line 4 is eliminated. Can be reduced.

(Fifth Embodiment) Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In addition,
1 to 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

The measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment uses a label 14 for displaying a temperature, which is a process amount, by a change in color as a display means, as shown in FIG. Instead of the indicated value discriminating means 28 shown, a configuration having a color discriminating means 31 and a label display temperature specifying means 32 is used.

The label 14 is for converting a temperature, which is a process amount, and displaying a color as an indicated value.

The color discriminating means 31 is based on the comparison result of the image comparing means 27, and is composed of R (red) G constituting the color of the label.
(Green) The color of the label 14 that changes corresponding to the temperature is determined from the ratio of B (blue).

The label display temperature specifying means 32 specifies the temperature corresponding to the color of the label 14 determined by the preceding color determining means 31.

A label 14 as a display means is attached to the surface of the pipe 5 to be monitored.
A video camera 7 is provided as an image pickup device at a place where is displayed.

The video camera 7 is connected to the discriminating means 8.

Next, the operation of the measuring apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of the measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment.

When the label 14 as the display means is imaged using the video camera 7 as the image pickup means, as shown in FIG. 8, the same steps ST1 to ST7 as in the first embodiment are performed.
After the above steps, the image subjected to the image processing by the determination means 8 is compared with a standard pattern that has been clustered in advance.

Next, in the color discriminating means 31, the discriminating means 8 determines whether the color displayed on the label 14 is R (red) or G (green).
The color displayed on the label 14 is determined based on the ratio of B (blue) (ST11).

Next, in the label display temperature specifying means 32,
The temperature corresponding to the color of the label 14 determined in step ST11 is specified (ST12).

Next, the data conversion means 29 converts the data on the temperature of the label specified in step ST12 into transmission data which is a transmission signal for transmission to an external device (not shown) (ST9). .

As described above, according to the measuring device of the present embodiment, the label 14 as the display means displays the temperature, which is the process amount, in a color change, and the video camera 7 as the image pickup means uses the indicated value. A certain color is picked up as an image, an image pickup signal is output, and the judgment means 8 judges the color of the label from the image pickup signal, specifies the temperature corresponding to the color of the label 14, and does not show the judgment result. Since the data is converted into transmission data which is a transmission signal to an external device, it is not necessary to lay the transmission line 4 between the label 14 and the video camera 7,
The labor required for laying the transmission line 4 can be reduced.

Further, according to the measuring device of the present embodiment,
Since the discriminating means 8 includes the color discriminating means 31 and the label display temperature specifying means 32, the color change of the label having no specific shape can be obtained by using a video camera to obtain the color of the label. Is determined, the process amount corresponding to the determined color can be specified.

(Sixth Embodiment) Next, a sixth embodiment according to the present invention will be described. 1 to 8
The same parts as those described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different parts will be described.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

The measuring device of the present embodiment is a measuring device for monitoring a plurality of display means.

The measuring apparatus according to the present embodiment is provided on the same pipe 5 as a pressure gauge 6 which is a display means for displaying pressure on the pipe 5 having a throttle mechanism 10 such as an orifice therein. A differential pressure gauge 9 which is a display means for displaying a flow rate of a fluid flowing therethrough; a level gauge 12 which is a display means for displaying a liquid level of a liquid present inside the tank 11 provided separately from the tank 11; The configuration includes a video camera 7 as an imaging unit provided at a place where all these display units can be seen, and a determination unit 8 connected to the video camera 7.

The relative positions of the video camera 7 as all the display means and the image pickup means are fixed.

The video camera 7 is provided so that the movement in the horizontal direction can be adjusted three-dimensionally.

Further, the video camera 7 can switch the display means to be monitored in a predetermined order by a predetermined program.

Next, the operation of the measuring apparatus configured as described above will be described.

For each display means, the angle of deviation from the reference position and the zoom amount are fixed to the respective display means and the video camera 7 serving as the image pickup means. It is possible to recognize the shift angle and the zoom amount of the camera.

The measuring device according to the present embodiment sets the angle of deviation from the reference position, the zoom amount, the monitoring time, the monitoring order, and the like according to a predetermined program. The instruction value displayed by each display means is imaged by using the video camera 7 which is. Then, these picked-up images are subjected to image processing by the indicated value discriminating means 8, and the indicated values are discriminated through comparison between the image-processed image and the standard pattern. The data is converted into a transmission signal to an external device (not shown).

As described above, according to the measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, even when monitoring a plurality of display means,
It is not necessary to lay the transmission line 4 between each display means and the video camera 7 as the imaging means, and the labor required for laying this transmission line can be reduced.

Further, according to the measuring device of the present embodiment,
By setting a deviation angle from the reference position, a zoom amount, a monitoring time, an order, and the like by a program, a plurality of display units can be sequentially monitored by a predetermined program.

(Seventh Embodiment) Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1 to 9 are denoted by the same reference numerals, detailed description thereof will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

The measuring device according to the present embodiment is a measuring device for monitoring a plurality of display means as in the sixth embodiment.

The measuring device according to the present embodiment has a configuration obtained by adding a terminal 15 connected to the determining means 8 to the configuration of the sixth embodiment.

The terminal 15 receives an input from a mouse or a keyboard as the input means 16 and receives a CRT as a display unit.
On the screen 17, the first selection of whether to select the display means to be imaged by a predetermined program or to manually select the display means to be imaged, It is possible to select both the second selection of whether to image the display means.

The operation of the measuring device configured as described above will be described.

In response to an input from a mouse or keyboard as input means 16 of terminal 15 connected to discriminating means 8, a predetermined program displayed on a screen of CRT 17 as a display unit of terminal 15 is used. A first selection of selecting a display unit to be imaged or manually selecting a display unit to be imaged, and a second selection of which display unit to image when a manual selection is selected. Both options are available.

If the first selection to select the display means to be imaged by a predetermined program is made, the reference position is set by the program in the same manner as in the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. By setting the deviation angle from the distance, the zoom amount, and the monitoring time, monitoring of the display means is executed according to a predetermined program.

If the first selection to manually select the display means to be imaged is made, the second selection made in response to the input from the mouse or keyboard as the input means 16 of the terminal 15 The video camera 7 serving as the imaging means captures an image of the display selected in accordance with the instruction, and outputs an imaging signal. The determination means 8 determines an instruction value from the imaging signal. It is displayed on the screen of the CRT 17 which is a unit.

As described above, according to the measuring apparatus of the present embodiment, even when monitoring a plurality of display means,
It is not necessary to lay the transmission line 4 between each display means and the imaging means, and the labor required for laying the transmission line 4 can be reduced.

Further, according to the measuring device of the present embodiment,
If necessary, the display means for monitoring can be selected from the input means 16 of the terminal 15 connected to the determination means 8.

(Other Embodiments) The above embodiments include inventions of various stages, and various inventions can be extracted by appropriately combining a plurality of disclosed constituent requirements. . For example, even if some components are deleted from all the components described in the embodiments, the problem described in the column of the problem to be solved by the invention can be solved, and the problem described in the column of the effect of the invention can be solved. When the effect described above can be obtained, a configuration from which this configuration requirement is deleted can be extracted as an invention.

For example, the above embodiments may be modified as follows.

The discriminating means 8 in each embodiment of the present invention
Is not limited to the method used in each of the above embodiments as long as the indicated value can be determined.

The transmission signal output from the determination means 8 is 4
It can be a DC analog transmission signal of ２０20 mA or a digital signal.

A thermometer can be used as the display means.

The number of display means to be monitored is not limited.

In the sixth embodiment, the monitoring time of each display means can be the same or different according to a predetermined program.

In the sixth embodiment, it is possible to usually monitor a specific display means by a predetermined program, and to monitor other display means only when necessary. .

In the sixth embodiment, the position of the video camera 7 alone can be moved according to a predetermined program.

[0132]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, it is not necessary to lay transmission lines between various plants (sites) and the monitoring side, and the labor required for laying the transmission lines can be reduced. A measuring device can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of a determination unit of the measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of a determination unit of the measuring device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a measuring device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration example of a measuring device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation flowchart of a determination unit of a measuring device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a measuring device used conventionally.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Various sensors 2: Monitoring device 3: Alarm device 4: Transmission line 5: Piping 6: Pressure gauge 7: Video camera 8: Judgment means 9: Differential pressure gauge 10: Throttle mechanism 11: Tank 12: Level gauge 13: Digital Display 14: Label 15: Terminal 16: Input means 17: CRT 21: Image restoration means 22: Gradient change means 23: Density adjustment means 24: Geometric conversion means 25: Filtering means 26: Feature extraction means 27: Image comparison Means 28: Indicator value determining means 29: Data converting means 30: Flow rate detecting means 31: Color determining means 32: Label display temperature specifying means

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F073 AA01 AA02 AA03 AA04 AA12 AB02 AB12 CC08 CC20 EF07 FG09 FG11 GG01 GG08 2F076 BA13 BD05 BD07 BD11 BD14 BE06 BE10 BE13 BE17 5B057 AA14 BA11 CE02 CE03 CE06 DA13 DC17 DB33

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A measuring device used for monitoring a process amount in various plants, comprising: a display unit for converting the process amount and displaying the converted value as an indicated value; An imaging unit that captures an image and outputs an imaging signal; a determination that determines an instruction value of the process amount based on the imaging signal output from the imaging unit, converts the determination result into a transmission signal, and outputs the transmission signal to the outside And a measuring device. 2. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a direct-reading indicating instrument is used as the display unit. 3. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a video camera is used as the imaging unit. 4. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein a digital display is used as the display unit. 5. The measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an element that displays a process amount by a change in color is used as the display unit. 6. The measuring device according to claim 3, wherein the video camera has a zoom-up function and an imaging area that can be appropriately changed, and the display means for imaging is sequentially selected by a predetermined program. A measuring device characterized by using what has been made possible. 7. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the display unit that captures the image is appropriately determined by a predetermined program or manually. A measuring device characterized by using a selectable device.