JP2005063094A - Method and device for controlling traceability - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for controlling traceability that increases the accuracy of reading data displayed on products to increase operating efficiency, while providing the products with individual history information for repaired products, etc., thus increasing the efficiency of the next repair, etc., and to provide a device therefor. <P>SOLUTION: The method for controlling traceability includes a numerical value reading process by which image data obtained through the optical reading of a numerical display of an instrumental panel 11 shown in a watt-hour meter 10 is converted into numerical data for storage in a database 35d; an information input process by which information about the watt-hour meter 10 is stored in the database 35d; and a marking process by which information stored in the database 35d after repair of the watt-hour meter 10 is converted into two-dimensional codes as history information to laser-mark the painted part 16 of the watt-hour meter 10 with the two-dimensional codes. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a traceability management method and management apparatus, and more particularly to a traceability management method suitable for traceability management of products related to watt-hour meters, volumetric meters for water, hot water, liquid petroleum gas, gas, etc. and electrical equipment, and the like. It relates to a management device.

  The use of meter instruments, etc. as manufactured products is permitted only if their structure and instrumental differences comply with the prescribed technical standards stipulated by the Measurement Law. For example, in a power meter, a verification label is affixed to a meter that is approved by the verification that it conforms to a predetermined standard, and the verification validity period is displayed. If the measuring instrument is used beyond this verification validity period, there is a risk that the tolerance of use will be lost due to wear of bearings, gears, etc. in the measuring instrument.

  For this reason, household and industrial watt-hour meters must be replaced with certified watt-hour meters before the validity period of the certification expires. The electricity meter removed at the time of replacement is collected by a predetermined supplier and cleaned, disassembled, repaired, and adjusted. The data of the watt-hour meter is visually confirmed, and the data is input to a computer and stored in a database. The data includes a device number, a manufacturing year, an integrated value of a meter (indicated by a numeric car), a current date, and the like.

  The watt hour meter is then disassembled, repaired and adjusted. This instrument repair, adjustment, etc. involve tests at the parts level, etc., and guarantees the performance during the certification period. And if it passes the test, it can be used again.

  By the way, a technique for optically reading the display of a numeric wheel has been proposed in order to prevent erroneous reading of the numerical display of the meter at the time of meter reading of the energy meter. In this case, the image data of the numerical portion read optically is compared with a character pattern stored in advance, and when the read image data matches the character pattern, the numerical value of the image data is recognized. The

  However, in an energy meter that displays a numerical value of an integrated value with a rotary number wheel, there are cases where the numerical value display of the number wheel is in the process of changing from a number to the next number (hereinafter referred to as an “intermediate character”). When such an intermediate character is optically read, there is a problem that the numerical value cannot be accurately recognized because it does not match the character pattern.

  In order to solve such a problem, a technique for registering a character pattern including an intermediate character has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the case of this technique, for example, by registering five intermediate characters according to an angle gradually changing from “0” to “1”, it is easy to match the image data and the character pattern.

  On the other hand, a name plate is attached to an electric device or the like as a product, and the name of the manufacturer, the name of the product, the product number, and the like are printed on the name plate. When an electrical device breaks down, the user brings the electrical device to a service station for repair. Here, if it is necessary to know the manufacturing history information of the failed electrical device, the manufacturing history information stored as a database can be obtained by inquiring the manufacturing company's computer based on the product number printed on the nameplate. Can be accessed.

JP-A-6-150069 (page 2-5, FIG. 3-4)

  The measuring instrument collected as described above can accumulate data such as defects common to each type of measuring instrument, but can obtain information on individual measuring instruments such as past history information. Can not. For this reason, when repairing, adjusting, etc., it is necessary to examine the state of each measuring instrument one by one, and there is a problem that it takes a lot of time and it is difficult to achieve efficiency.

  In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable that a trader creates a database of history information by specifying individual measuring instruments by model and equipment number. However, since the database of the history information is individually created by the collected traders, the created data cannot be effectively used when another trader performs repairs or the like in the next collection.

  On the other hand, in the case of electrical equipment or the like, a database of manufacturing history information can be accessed from individual service stations by making an inquiry to the computer of the manufacturer. However, there are inconveniences that it takes time to access the manufacturing history information, and that it cannot be accessed unless a dedicated terminal or the like is used. Further, the manufacturing history information is only managed by the product number or the like, and it cannot be said that the association between the manufacturing history information and the product is reliable and sufficient. Further, the repaired contents could not be further reflected in the manufacturing history information.

  In addition, as described above, when collecting the meter instrument as a product, if the display data is input by visual confirmation, there is a possibility that an erroneous input may occur, and the work efficiency is poor. It is also conceivable to facilitate the creation of a database by using a method of optically reading data as described above. However, in matching with a character pattern when creating a database, there is a problem that the recognition rate is not sufficient even when a method of including an intermediate character in the character pattern is used.

In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a traceability management method and a management apparatus that can give individual history information of a repaired product to the product and improve the efficiency of repairs performed next time. It is to provide.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a traceability management method and a management apparatus capable of improving the reading efficiency of data displayed by a product and improving the working efficiency.

  According to the present invention, according to the present invention, there is provided a numerical value reading step of converting image data obtained by optically reading a numerical display represented on a product into numerical data and storing it in a database, and information on the product as described above. An information input step for storing in a database, and a marking for providing the product with the two-dimensional code formed by laser marking by converting the information stored in the database after the manufacture or repair of the product into history information. And a traceability management method comprising:

  In this way, the numerical display of the product is optically read, and the read image data is converted into numerical data and stored in the database. Therefore, the numerical value is confirmed visually and the database is manually input as before. There is no need to create it, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous input due to human error, and it is possible to improve work efficiency.

  In addition, information related to the product is input to the database, and the information stored in the database is converted into two-dimensional code as history information, and the two-dimensional code is given to the meter instrument by laser marking. Significant history information can be obtained by reading the product during repair. The efficiency of work can be improved by performing the next repair based on this information.

  It is preferable that a two-dimensional code reading step for reading the two-dimensional code marked on the product and storing the history information in the database before or after the numerical value reading step is preferable. The product includes a meter instrument and an electric product.

  In the marking step, the two-dimensional code is directly laser-marked only on the coating layer of the product, so that the main body portion of the product is not marked. Therefore, the marking portion does not deteriorate or rust, and the manufactured product is not adversely affected. In the marking step, a plate on which a two-dimensional code is laser-marked may be applied to the product.

  In the marking step, the two-dimensional code is a unit cell in which dots formed by laser beam irradiation are arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or n × m (where n and m are integers), or a laser beam. It can be formed by any one of unit cells formed by painting in a rectangular shape by continuous irradiation.

  Thus, the marking of the two-dimensional code can be performed by various methods. In particular, in marking with dots (so-called dot marking), by arranging the dots vertically and horizontally in the cells, cells having a uniform depth can be formed, so that the reading accuracy of the two-dimensional code can be improved. it can. Furthermore, since the dots are uniformly formed, the dots can be formed at a determined depth even when there is a limit in the depth direction as in the above-mentioned coating layer, for example. It is preferable because deterioration or the like hardly occurs from the part.

  The marking step preferably includes a step of reading the laser-marked two-dimensional code and confirming whether the history information is correctly marked.

  In the numerical value reading step, the numerical value display of the numerical wheel for displaying the numerical value of the product is obtained by sequentially moving a display frame corresponding to one character of the numerical value display on the image data in which the numerical value display is developed in the display order. The display in the display frame is used as a comparison pattern, image data obtained by optically reading the numerical display represented in the product and the comparison pattern are collated and matched to determine the numerical value represented by the numerical display. It is preferable to convert it into numerical data.

  In this way, it is not necessary to register each comparison pattern for each intermediate character in order to perform matching matching with image data as in the prior art, so the capacity for registering the comparison pattern can be reduced. can do. Moreover, although the capacity can be reduced, the comparison pattern can be set more finely by moving the display frame finely, so that the accuracy of matching and matching can be improved and the recognition rate can be improved. it can.

  Further, in the numerical value reading step, image data obtained by optically reading a numerical display represented on the product, and a plurality of comparison patterns set in accordance with each numerical display represented on the product. It is preferable that the comparison pattern selected from the above is collated and matched to determine the numerical value represented by the numerical value display and convert it into numerical data. In this way, highly accurate matching can be performed for each numerical display, and the recognition rate can be improved.

  In addition, the problems include an image capturing unit that captures numerically displayed image data of a product, a barcode reader that reads a two-dimensional code, a laser marker that marks a two-dimensional code, the image capturing unit, and a bar A trace control device for a meter instrument comprising a data reader for controlling a code reader and a laser marker, wherein the data controller comprises image data received from the image capture unit and a comparison pattern representing a numerical value. Recognizing means for matching and converting into numerical data, storage means for storing the converted numerical data, input means for receiving information related to a product and storing it in the storage means, and information stored in the storage means And a marking control means for marking the laser marker by two-dimensionally encoding the laser marker It is resolved by the.

  The recognizing unit obtains the display obtained by sequentially moving a display frame corresponding to one character of the numerical display on the image data in which the numerical display of the numerical wheel for displaying the numerical value of the product is developed in the display order. It is preferable if the display in the frame is a comparison pattern. Moreover, it is suitable if the said recognition means has a some comparison pattern according to each numerical display of the said product.

  In the present invention, a two-dimensional code including individual history information of a product that has been repaired or adjusted is laser-marked directly on the product, so that the two-dimensional code can be obtained without accessing a database in the manufacturer. By reading the code, the past history information can be known, and the efficiency of repair, adjustment, etc. can be improved. In addition, unlike laser printing, the two-dimensional code that has been laser-marked does not peel off or become unreadable. In addition, a large amount of data can be contained in a small space.

  Further, according to the present invention, the numerical display of the product is optically acquired as image data, and the data is recognized by the matching matching with the comparison pattern set for each of the plurality of numerical displays for the acquired image data. Therefore, recognition accuracy can be improved and work efficiency can be improved.

  Further, in the present invention, the laser marking of the two-dimensional code is performed only on the painted portion applied to the surface of the product casing, and the casing itself is not affected, so that the product may be rusted or deteriorated. There is no. Furthermore, since the painted portion is marked, if it is collected and repainted, it can be directly marked again at the same location, and the space is not limited.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The members and arrangements described below do not limit the present invention and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a front view of an energy meter, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional code, FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams of a display unit of the energy meter, and FIG. 5 shows processing steps after collection of the energy meter. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the traceability management apparatus, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the laser marker, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional code cell, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the two-dimensional code cell. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a two-dimensional code, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a processing procedure related to numerical reading, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are explanatory diagrams of character pattern data.

  Hereinafter, the Example which applied this invention to the meter instrument as a product is shown. FIG. 1 shows an electric energy meter 10 as a meter meter. The electric energy meter 10 is housed in a transparent case 10 a, and has a configuration in which an electric power display unit 12 and a name plate unit 15 are provided on an instrument panel 11. This electric energy meter 10 is fixedly installed at a predetermined place of a building with screws or the like. Further, a two-dimensional code A as shown in FIG. 2 is marked on the coating portion 16 of the watt-hour meter 10.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the instrument panel 11. On the power amount display unit 12, the integrated value of the power amount is numerically displayed. The power amount display unit 12 displays numbers corresponding to each digit from the display window by rotating a drum-shaped number wheel 13 having numbers “0” to “9” written on the outer peripheral surface as described later. doing. In this example, five number wheels 13 are arranged on the same axis, and the integrated value is displayed in five digits. In addition, a model number, a year of manufacture, a device number, and the like are printed on the name plate portion 15 provided at the lower portion of the power amount display portion 12.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the power amount display unit 12 displays the integrated value with the rotary number wheel 13, but in the example shown in FIG. 4, the power amount display unit 12 is a digital type. In the example of FIG. 4, a plurality of power amount display units 12 are provided.

  When numbers are displayed by rotating the number wheel 13 as shown in FIG. 3, intermediate characters may be displayed from the display window. Such a display is displayed not only in the first digit but also in the second and higher digits when the carry is performed. On the other hand, in the case of the digital display as shown in FIG. 4, since the digits of each digit are displayed on a liquid crystal display or the like, intermediate characters are not made as described above.

  The electric energy meter 10 is removed by a predetermined supplier before the expiration of the verification valid period, and is replaced with the verified electric energy meter 10. The removed electric energy meter 10 is recovered by a contractor, then disassembled, repaired, adjusted, and used again if it passes the verification after overhaul.

  FIG. 5 shows a flow of work steps when performing traceability management of the electric energy meter 10. As shown in FIG. 5, when the watt-hour meter 10 is collected and cleaned (S1), the two-dimensional code A of the watt-hour meter 10 is read by the barcode reader 60 as a two-dimensional code reading process. The data indicating the contents and the current date are stored in the storage unit 35 of the device S, which will be described later, and made into a database (S2).

  The two-dimensional code A includes history information at the time of previous collection and repair such as collection date and time, integrated value, year of manufacture, equipment number, repair / adjustment contents, repair end date and time, person in charge ID number, and the like.

  Then, as a numerical value reading step, the power amount display unit 12 and the name board unit 15 are optically read by the image capturing unit 20, and processing for recognizing the image data as numbers is performed and stored in the storage unit 35 to be a database. (S3). As described above, the numerical values shown on the power amount display unit 12 and the name board unit 15 can be optically read and stored as data, so that errors due to manual input can be prevented and work efficiency can be improved. Can be planned. Note that step 2 may be performed after step 3.

  Thereafter, overhaul operations such as disassembly, repair, and adjustment of the electric energy meter 10 are performed (S4). At that time, the history information of the two-dimensional code A read in step S2 is referred to. Then, at the time of overhaul work and collection, etc., information relating to the electric energy meter 10 such as repair, adjustment contents, repair end date and time, etc. is input to the storage unit 35 as an information input process.

  When the overhaul work is completed, the individual power amount is stored together with the collection date and time stored in the storage unit 35 as the marking process, the integrated value of the power amount display unit 12, and the contents (manufacturing year, device number, etc.) of the name plate unit 15. A two-dimensional code A representing repair information such as repair / adjustment contents, repair end date / time, and person-in-charge ID number made in the instrument 10 is laser-marked on the outer surface (S5). At this time, the marked two-dimensional code A is read to check whether information is properly written. Thereafter, if the overhauled energy meter 10 passes the verification, it will be used again.

  The format of data included in the two-dimensional code A is such that a plurality of items are set in advance and the number of characters is limited for each item. Therefore, when the two-dimensional code A is read by the bar code reader 60, it can be automatically stored as a database for each item in the database 35d as a database to be described later. The data represented by the two-dimensional code A is not limited to the above data, and can include necessary data as appropriate.

  The format of the two-dimensional code A used is not limited, and a data matrix, Veri code, QR code, Aztec code, Maxi code, PDF417, micro PDF, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the device S as a traceability management device. The apparatus S includes an image capturing unit 20 such as a CCD camera, a data control unit 30 composed of a PC, a portable personal terminal, etc., a laser marker 40 for marking a two-dimensional code A on the watt-hour meter 10, and a two-dimensional And a bar code reader 60 for reading the code A.

  The image capturing unit 20 includes a lens 21 and a photoelectric conversion unit 22 having a CCD image sensor that converts an image captured by the lens 21 into an electrical signal corresponding to each pixel by electronic scanning. The image capturing unit 20 captures an image to be read such as the power amount display unit 12 based on a control signal from the data control unit 30 and transmits the image data to the data control unit 30.

  The data control unit 30 includes a CPU 31 that performs various controls, an input unit 32 that includes a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 33 that includes a monitor, a liquid crystal screen, and the like, and input and output to a printer and an electronic storage medium An output unit 34 composed of a device or the like, a storage unit 35 composed of an HDD or a memory, and an input / output unit 36 composed of a modem or the like are provided. The storage unit 35 stores a control program 35a, character pattern data 35b for character recognition to be described later, a RAM 35c used as a work area, a database 35d for each energy meter 10, and the like.

  The input / output unit 36 is connected to the external communication network I, and can transmit data related to the power meter 10 from the external terminal to the data control unit 30 through the external communication network I. In addition, data can be downloaded from the data control unit 30 through the external communication network I to download data and stored in the database 35d. The data includes, for example, specific malfunction events and special notes regarding the electric energy meter 10.

  Based on the control program 35a, the CPU 31 receives an electric signal (image data) transmitted from the photoelectric conversion unit 22 as a recognition unit, and uses the electric signal to display a number displayed on the power amount display unit 12 or the name board unit 15. The extracted text data is stored in the database 35d of the storage unit 35 as a storage means. Further, the CPU 31 receives input of repair data and the like from the input unit 32 and the input / output unit 36 at the time of repair and adjustment of the energy meter 10 as input means, and stores this in the database 35d.

  The CPU 31 converts the data stored in the database 35 d into a two-dimensional code based on an operation input by the operator as a marking control unit, and transmits a control signal for marking to the laser marker 40. The control signal for marking includes designation of dot coordinate position, laser power, printing speed, and the like.

  The operator can input and send a signal for causing the CPU 31 to perform an operation from the input unit 32. Further, repair data at the time of overhaul can be input from the input unit 32, and the input repair data is stored for each power meter 10 in the database 35d.

  Data obtained by processing the repair data and the image data of the watt-hour meter 10 sent from the image capturing unit 20 is stored in the database 35d. Based on the data in the database 35d, the data is stored in the watt-hour meter 10 after overhaul. Information represented by a two-dimensional code A for marking is set. Specifically, the CPU 31 extracts all or a predetermined item of data from the database 35d based on the operation input, and applies these to the conversion format to perform two-dimensional encoding.

  In the two-dimensional coding process, first, by specifying the size of the two-dimensional code A and the extracted data described above, the extracted data is two-dimensionally coded and the size of the cell is determined. Then, the configuration of the dark pattern cell is determined by designating the dot size, the distance between the dots (step size), or the density. At this time, the coordinate position of each dot is determined. Further, a material for marking the two-dimensional code A is designated. The processing diameter and depth of the dot are also affected by the laser power, the Q switch frequency, the dot irradiation time, the number of times, the laser wavelength, and the like, and these optimum values are designated. Data on the parameters is stored in the storage unit 35, and the operator can specify an optimum value from the parameter data stored in the storage unit 35. The coordinate position, parameter value, etc. of each dot designated as described above are sent to the laser marker 40 as a control signal.

  The bar code reader 60 reads the two-dimensional code A in accordance with the control signal from the data control unit 30 and transmits the read data to the data control unit 30 in response to the above step S2. The data control unit 30 that has received the read data of the two-dimensional code A converts this data into text data, stores it in the database 35d as a database.

  Corresponding to step 5, the barcode reader 60 reads the two-dimensional code A marked after overhaul according to the control signal of the data control unit 30. The two-dimensional code A read at this time is transmitted to the data control unit 30. The data control unit 30 compares the information to be marked with the two-dimensional code A with the information read from the actually marked two-dimensional code A, and confirms that both are matched and correctly marked. .

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the laser marker 40. The laser marker 40 marks a dot having a predetermined depth on the energy meter 10 according to a control signal from the data control unit 30, so that the controller 42 has an ultrasonic Q switch element 43, an internal shutter 44, an external shutter 45, an attenuator. (Optical attenuator) 46 and galvanometer mirror 47 are controlled to mark one dot with one or a plurality of Q switch pulses.

  In the figure, reference numeral 51 denotes a total reflection mirror, 52 denotes an internal aperture (mode selector), 53 denotes a lamp house, 54 denotes an output mirror, 55 denotes an aperture, 56 denotes a leveling mirror, 57 denotes a Galileo expander, and 58 denotes An aperture, 59 is an f-θ lens, and 50 is a YAG laser oscillator.

  The two-dimensional code displays data representing a light and dark pattern by a combination of white and black cells arranged in a matrix as shown in FIG. The laser marker 40 of the present example uses a so-called dot marking technique in which dots are arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or n × m (where n and m are integers) as dark unit cells. A two-dimensional code A is formed by arranging square or rectangular unit cells. FIG. 8A illustrates a unit cell when n = 5.

  The dot has a diameter of, for example, 30 μm, and the dot can be arranged on the beam irradiation surface by intermittently irradiating the laser beam while controlling the irradiation position of the laser beam to the coordinate position of each dot. In this way, the unit cell is formed by one or a plurality of dots. When the unit cell is formed by a plurality of dots, each dot is aligned with a specified step size apart vertically and horizontally. For example, the step size can be 30 μm. Therefore, in the above-described two-dimensional encoding process, after specifying the size and unit size of the unit cell by specifying the size and data of the two-dimensional code, n and m are set appropriately if the size of the dot and the step size are specified. Is done.

  Thus, since the operator can variably set the size of the two-dimensional code, the size of the two-dimensional code displaying the same data can be changed. That is, if only a small marking space can be secured, it can be set to a small two-dimensional code, and if a large marking space can be secured, a large size two-dimensional code should be set. Is possible.

  Further, even when the amount of data to be included in the two-dimensional code becomes large, it is possible to perform laser marking with the same size as the two-dimensional code with a small amount of data. In the normal two-dimensional code setting, the cell size is first determined, so that when the data amount increases, the size of the two-dimensional code increases accordingly.

  However, in the two-dimensional coding according to the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the size of the two-dimensional code A can be made constant regardless of the amount of data included in the two-dimensional code. . That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the amount of data is small, the total number of cells constituting the two-dimensional code A is reduced, but the size of the unit cell is increased. In this case, the unit cell is constituted by dots arranged in 6 × 6. On the other hand, when the amount of data is large as shown in FIG. 10B, the total number of cells constituting the two-dimensional code A increases, but the unit cell size decreases. In this case, the unit cell is composed of dots arranged in 3 × 3. The dot size and step size are set to be the same.

  Thus, since the size of the two-dimensional code A can be made constant regardless of the amount of data, the size of the two-dimensional code increases depending on the amount of data even when there is a limited marking space. Therefore, necessary data can be surely included in the two-dimensional code A. The above embodiment is an example in which the dot size and the step size are fixed, but it is needless to say that the unit cell can be set appropriately by changing the dot size, the step size or the number of dots.

  Note that one cell may not be represented by one or a plurality of dots but may be represented by a so-called vector marking technique. FIG. 8B shows a unit cell filled with vector marking. In this method, while continuously irradiating a laser beam, the irradiation position of the laser beam is scanned vertically or horizontally in a square or rectangular cell, so that a line having a beam width is filled in a square or rectangular shape. Thus, a unit cell can be formed. Alternatively, a rectangular unit cell may be formed by scanning a portion irradiated with the laser beam in a rectangular shape.

  The two-dimensional code A is marked on the outer surface of the electricity meter 10. At this time, the metal exposed portion of the electricity meter 10 may be directly marked, but since the recessed portion is formed in the marking portion, when the metal exposed portion is directly marked, the surface such as salt damage from the marked portion Rust degradation may occur. For this reason, it is desirable to mark the coating part 16.

  In the coating portion 16, a coating layer 16a having a thickness of several tens of μm or more is formed on a casing 16b made of a metal material. 9A and 9B show cross-sectional views of the cell when dot marking and vector marking are applied to the coating portion 16. As shown in FIG. 5A, when dot marking is performed, the size and depth of the dot diameter can be processed uniformly in each dot.

  In this case, if the dot depth is set to about 10 μm, the visibility is good, and the two-dimensional code formed only on the coating layer 16a without reaching the housing 16b can be marked. In addition, you may adjust the depth of a dot according to the thickness of the coating layer 16a. For example, when the thickness of the coating layer 16a is 40 μm, the dot depth can be set to 10 to 30 μm by appropriately setting the parameters.

  As described above, in the dot marking, the concave portions formed by the laser beam irradiation in the cell are uniform, and the two-dimensional code A formed by the dot marking has high reading accuracy and can be read quickly. . That is, according to the dot marking, the reflection of light in each cell is uniform at the time of reading, and the difference in brightness between the cells in the two-dimensional code becomes clear.

  Furthermore, dot marking is excellent against dirt and scratches that occur over time because the cells are uniformly formed. In the dot marking, since it is possible to easily mark only the coating layer 16a, there is no possibility that the casing 16b is marked, and there is no possibility that corrosion or deterioration occurs from the casing 16b.

  In the case of vector marking, an overstrike portion occurs when the laser beam is scanned vertically and horizontally. It is considered that the gravitational force of the laser energy thermal sphere is applied to the overlapping portion of the laser beam with a weight of about 2 to 4 times that of the non-overlapping portion of the laser beam, and the reaction is marked deeply.

  For this reason, unevenness occurs in the depth of marking, and a certain portion is marked deep and a certain portion is marked shallow. In addition, the bottom of the marking may reach the housing 16b, exposing the housing 16b, or marking the housing 16b itself. In order to avoid such inconvenience, vector marking may be performed on a portion where the coating layer 16a is thick, for example.

  In addition, by marking the coating part 16, it can mark to the newly painted coating layer 16a for every overhaul of the electric energy meter 10, and it becomes possible to mark the same location again. Thereby, even in the reading process of the two-dimensional code A by the barcode reader 60, there is an advantage that the reading position can be made common. However, if it is not repainted, a two-dimensional code may be added and marked for each overhaul.

  In the two-dimensional code A marked in this way, information of 100 to 300 characters or more can be written in a range of 3 mm × 3 mm, for example. Therefore, even if the electricity meter 10 has a limited space for marking, the collection date / time, integrated value, manufacturing year, device number, repair / adjustment contents, repair end date / time, person ID number, etc. can be saved in a small space. History information can be included. Furthermore, it goes without saying that more information can be included by setting a large marking space.

  Further, the two-dimensional code A of this example is directly laser-marked on the watt-hour meter 10. For this reason, compared with the case where the printed two-dimensional code A is affixed or the two-dimensional code A is directly printed on the margin of the electricity meter 10, the printing may be peeled off over time, or the printed part This is suitable because it will not fade and become unrecognizable. Further, when laser marking is performed, the size of the two-dimensional code A can be reduced as compared with the case of printing.

  It is also conceivable to use an IC tag instead of using the two-dimensional code A. However, when the two-dimensional code A is directly laser-marked on the energy meter 10 as compared with the case where the IC tag is attached to the energy meter 10, there are the following advantages. That is, in the case of an IC tag, there is an inconvenience that an IC tag including history information of a different energy meter 10 is accidentally attached or peeled off. There is no such inconvenience. Also, the direct marking of the two-dimensional code A is superior in terms of weather resistance, sustainability of reading performance, and the like.

  Next, a procedure for extracting numbers displayed on the power amount display unit 12 and the name board unit 15 from the image data transmitted from the image capturing unit 20 and converting them into text data will be described. In the image capturing unit 20, the instrument panel 11 is set as a reading target based on a control signal from the data control unit 30, and the reflected light from the reading target is imaged on the image sensor of the photoelectric conversion unit 22, and the intensity of the reflected light is measured. The image data corresponding to the above is converted into an electrical signal, so that the image of the area including the instrument panel 11 is read.

  At this time, appropriate illumination is set for the reading target so that the image is clearly displayed on the image sensor. That is, since the number wheel 13 is located slightly behind the power amount display unit 12, the lighting is arranged so that no shadow appears on the number wheel 13 due to the lighting. The lens 21 is set so as to always be in focus with respect to the reading target. The lens 21 may be configured to be controlled by an autofocus function. The read image data is output from the photoelectric conversion unit 22 to the data control unit 30.

  First, the data control unit 30 receives image data from the photoelectric conversion unit 22 of the image capturing unit 20 as shown in FIG. 11 (S10). Next, the data control unit 30 takes the received image data into the storage unit 35, and performs noise removal of the character pattern and extraction of image data for one character as preprocessing (S11).

  In this process, first, the acquired image data is subjected to contrast adjustment and binarization processing, and the image is converted into black and white. At this time, in the converted image, the instrument panel 11 is represented in white, and the background portion around the instrument panel 11 is represented in black. Further, letters and numbers written on the instrument panel 11 are represented in black. However, when the number wheel 13 is black and the number is white, the number portion is represented in white in the converted image.

  After that, positioning processing is performed based on the monochrome conversion image. In the positioning process, a process of detecting a white distribution in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction of the entire converted image is performed. Due to this white distribution, a point where the color changes from black to white is recognized as an end of the instrument panel 11. Thereby, the vertical and horizontal directions of the instrument panel 11 are detected, and the lower left corner is detected as a reference point. Note that the reference point of the instrument panel 11 may be set as another part.

  In the storage unit 35 in the data control unit 30, relative positions from reference points such as the number wheel 13, the device number, and the manufacturing year are set in advance. This relative position may be different depending on the instrument manufacturer, model, year, etc., and is set accordingly. Then, based on the reference point and the relative position, image data for each number is cut out.

  Next, as collation matching processing, matching is performed between the image data cut out for one character and the character pattern data 35b for each of the name board portion 15 and the number wheel 13 (S12). When each character is determined by matching, the read data of each electricity meter 10 is made into a database and stored in the database 35d (S13).

  In the collation matching process of the name board part 15, collation with the comparison pattern a as shown in FIG. 12 is performed. The device number, the year of manufacture, and the like written on the name board 15 may be different. Therefore, the comparison pattern a is registered in the character pattern data 35b for each model, year of manufacture, and the like. Moreover, since it may be different depending on the instrument manufacturer, it is also registered for each instrument manufacturer. By specifying the model, year of manufacture, and instrument manufacturer from the input unit 32, the CPU 31 selects the comparison pattern a used in the matching process.

  Specifically, numerical values indicating instrument numbers, year of manufacture, etc. are acquired as image data, and these are subjected to contrast adjustment and binarization processing and are converted into black and white and registered as a comparison pattern a.

  In the collation matching process of the number wheel 13, collation is performed using the comparison pattern b shown in FIG. The comparison pattern b is image data corresponding to the number wheel 13 developed in the display order. The CPU 31 shifts the display frame c from one end of the comparison pattern b to the other end, and displays the display data. The pattern displayed in the frame c is used as an actual comparison pattern. The display frame c has a size corresponding to one character for numerical display. For example, the actual comparison pattern can be formed by shifting the display frame c by one pixel on the image data.

  By configuring the comparison pattern b used for the number wheel 13 in this way, it is possible to set a pattern more finely than in the past, and it is possible to improve the reading accuracy of the number wheel 13. The relationship between the movement amount of the display frame c and the numerical value to be determined is set in the storage unit 35 in advance, and the numerical value is determined according to the movement amount of the display frame c.

  Further, with this configuration, the data amount of the character pattern data 35b can be reduced. The comparison pattern b is also registered separately by the instrument manufacturer, year, etc., and the CPU 31 selects the comparison pattern b by specifying these from the input unit 32.

  In the matching process, the image data received from the image capturing unit 20 in step S10 is displayed on the display unit 33, and the operator of the device S determines the image displayed on the display unit 33 and the determined numerical value. You may make it confirm by making a final judgment whether it corresponds.

  In this case, if it is determined that the operators match, a confirmation signal is transmitted to the CPU 31 by inputting the confirmation to the input unit 32, and when the confirmation signal is received, the CPU 31 is confirmed in the database 35d. Make the data memorize. If it is determined that the operator does not match, a correct numerical value is input from the input unit 32 and transmitted to the CPU 31, and the CPU 31 stores the input data in the database 35d.

  Further, the two-dimensional code A may include information for specifying a comparison pattern used for each display portion. In this way, when the two-dimensional code A is read in step S2 when the energy meter 10 is collected, the information specifying the comparison pattern is read, and the data control unit 30 automatically performs the matching matching. The comparison pattern to be used can be configured to be selected from the character pattern data 35b.

  The two-dimensional code A may include in advance information indicating the type of numerical value to be recognized and the relative position with respect to the reference point for each numerical value. This is preferable because it is not necessary for the data control unit 30 to have data such as a relative position.

  Next, processing for marking the two-dimensional code A on the electric energy meter 10 will be described. At the time of overhauling, the database 35d of the data control unit 30 displays the integrated value, the contents of the name board 15 (model, year of manufacture, equipment number, etc.), collection date / time, repair / adjustment content, repair completion date / time. , Data such as a person-in-charge ID number, a comparison pattern, and a relative position are stored for each power meter 10. These data are stored in the numerical value reading process and the information input process.

  Based on the input made by the operator from the input unit 32, the data control unit 30 performs two-dimensional coding of the history information based on the data stored in the database 35d. Then, a control signal including marking setting information and a coordinate signal of each dot is transmitted from the data control unit 30 to the laser marker 40, and a two-dimensional code is laser-marked at a predetermined position of the watt-hour meter 10.

  Thus, the history information that has been two-dimensionally coded and marked is read at the next collection and stored in the storage unit 35. Then, an operator who overhauls the watt-hour meter 10 can read past history information of the watt-hour meter 10 stored in the storage unit 35 by operating the input unit 32 and display it on the display unit 33. it can. Further, the worker can print out the history information from the output unit 34, for example, and output it on paper.

  The operator can know the repair history of the electric energy meter 10 with reference to the history information, and can refer to information on parts exchanged at the time of the previous overhaul, trouble events, and the like. As a result, for example, if there is a malfunction event peculiar to the electricity meter 10, it is possible to carry out repairs, adjustments, etc., paying particular attention to this point even during this overhaul, and to improve quality and work efficiency Is possible.

  In the above-described embodiment, the laser marking of the two-dimensional code A is described when the energy meter 10 is collected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the new energy meter 10 is manufactured in advance by year of manufacture and device number. It is preferable to mark such data with the two-dimensional code A. In the above-described embodiment, the watt-hour meter 10 is described as an example of the meter meter. However, the meter meter includes an integrated volume meter such as water, hot water, liquid petroleum gas, and gas in addition to the watt-hour meter.

  In the above embodiment, the two-dimensional code A is marked on a part of the electricity meter 10, but not limited to this, the two-dimensional code A is marked on a plate such as a metal plate or a synthetic resin plate. The plate may be attached to the electricity meter 10 or fixed with a screw or the like.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the electric energy meter 10 was demonstrated to the example as a product, an electric product etc. may be sufficient as a product. In this case, when repairing the failed electric product, the two-dimensional code A marked on the collected electric product or the like can be read to directly acquire the history information. In addition, a numerical display such as a product number of an electric product or the like can be read from the image capturing unit 20 and stored in the database 35d. After repair, the data (history information) stored in the database 35d can be laser-marked in the form of a two-dimensional code A.

It is a front view of an electric energy meter. It is explanatory drawing of a two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing of the display part of an electric energy meter. It is explanatory drawing of the display part of an electric energy meter. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process process after collection | recovery of the electric energy meter which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the traceability management apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the laser marker which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the cell of a two-dimensional code. It is sectional drawing of the cell of a two-dimensional code. It is explanatory drawing of the two-dimensional code which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence regarding the numerical reading which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the character pattern data based on this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the character pattern data based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electricity meter, 10a Transparent case, 11 Instrument panel, 12 Electric energy display part, 13 Number wheel, 15 Name board part, 16 Paint part, 16a Paint layer, 16b Case, 20 Image capture part, 21 Lens, 22 Photoelectric conversion unit, 30 data control unit, 31 CPU, 32 input unit, 33 display unit, 34 output unit, 35 storage unit, 35a control program, 35b character pattern data, 35c RAM, 35d database, 36 input / output unit, 40 laser marker , 42 Controller, 43 Switch element, 44 Internal shutter, 45 External shutter, 47 Galvano mirror, 50 YAG laser oscillator, 51 Total reflection mirror, 52 Internal aperture, 53 Lamp house, 54 Output mirror, 55 Aperture, 56 Leveling mirror, 57 Galileo expander, 58 Aperture, 59 f-θ lens, 60 bar code reader, A two-dimensional code, a, b comparison pattern, c display frame, S device, I external communication network

Claims (12)

A numerical reading process in which image data obtained by optically reading a numerical display represented on a product is converted into numerical data and stored in a database;
An information input step of storing information on the product in the database;
A step of marking the information stored in the database after manufacture or repair of the product into two-dimensional code as history information, and providing the product with the two-dimensional code formed by laser marking, Traceability management method. The traceability management according to claim 1, further comprising a two-dimensional code reading step of reading a two-dimensional code marked on the product and storing history information in the database before or after the numerical value reading step. Method. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein the product includes a meter instrument and an electrical product. 2. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein in the marking step, the two-dimensional code is directly laser-marked only on a coating layer of the product. 2. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein in the marking step, a plate on which a two-dimensional code is laser-marked is applied to the product. In the marking step, the two-dimensional code is a unit cell in which dots formed by laser beam irradiation are arranged vertically and horizontally in n × n or n × m (where n and m are integers), or a continuous laser beam. 2. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein the traceability is formed by any one of unit cells formed by painting into a rectangular shape by general irradiation. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein the marking step includes a step of reading the laser-marked two-dimensional code to check whether the history information is correctly marked. In the numerical value reading step, the display frame obtained by sequentially moving a display frame corresponding to one character of the numerical display on the image data obtained by developing the numerical display of the numerical wheel for displaying the numerical value of the product in the display order. A comparison pattern is used as a comparison pattern, and image data obtained by optically reading the numerical display represented on the product and the comparison pattern are collated and matched to determine a numerical value represented by the numerical display, thereby obtaining numerical data. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein the traceability management method is converted into a process. In the numerical value reading step, image data obtained by optically reading a numerical display represented on the product and a plurality of comparison patterns set in accordance with each numerical display represented on the product 2. The traceability management method according to claim 1, wherein the selected comparison pattern is collated and matched to determine a numerical value represented by the numerical display and convert it into numerical data. Image capturing unit for capturing image data of numerical display of product, bar code reader for reading two-dimensional code, laser marker for marking two-dimensional code, and control of image capturing unit, bar code reader and laser marker A meter controller traceability management device comprising:
The data control unit is a recognition unit that collates and matches the image data received from the image capturing unit with a comparison pattern that represents a numerical value, and converts the numerical data into numerical data, a storage unit that stores the converted numerical data, and a manufacturing unit Traceability management comprising: input means for receiving information about an object and storing the information in the storage means; and marking control means for two-dimensionally coding the information stored in the storage means and marking the laser marker apparatus. In the display frame obtained by sequentially moving the display frame corresponding to one character of the numerical display on the image data in which the numerical display of the numerical wheel for performing numerical display of the product is developed in the display order The traceability management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the display is a comparison pattern. The traceability management apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the recognizing unit has a plurality of comparison patterns corresponding to each numerical display of the product.

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