JP2013152198A - Measuring instrument reader and monitoring system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire a measured result from a measuring instrument image easily photographed by a user.SOLUTION: An image is obtained by photographing a measuring instrument which displays a measured result, and at least an identification feature and a measured result display part of the measuring instrument are photographed in the image. A measuring instrument reader (1) which reads the measured result from the image includes: model specifying means (11) for specifying a model of the measuring instrument in the image from the identification feature of the measuring instrument in the image; display part specifying means (13) for specifying the measured result display part of the measuring instrument in the image on the basis of relative positional relation with the identification feature; information reading means (15) for reading information displayed at the specified measured result display part; and measured result acquiring means (17) for acquiring the measured result of the measuring instrument in the image on the basis of the specified model and the read information.

Description

  The present invention relates to a measuring instrument reading device that reads measurement results of various measuring instruments, and a measurement result monitoring system.

  Radiation is invisible. Moreover, the distribution of radiation from nuclides released into the environment changes as if it were an amoeba. In order to visualize this “invisible change”, it is effective to monitor the radiation dose with high spatial density and with high frequency in time, and to map in real time.

  It takes a lot of manpower to monitor doses at multiple points in space and frequently in time. It is no exaggeration to say that the key to the success of this spatially dense and temporally frequent monitoring is how easy and scientifically reliable monitoring can be. That is, automatic reading of the measurement results of various measuring instruments is important.

  As an example of automatic reading, an apparatus for reading a car number from an image is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In addition, an apparatus that reads an analog measurement value from an image is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2006-344151 A JP 2011-163856 A

  In the conventional reading device, the reading target is limited (for example, a license plate or a predetermined measuring instrument), and the angle of the camera needs to be fixed. On the other hand, when a user shoots a measuring instrument with a camera-equipped mobile phone or the like, the model of the measuring instrument varies, and the shooting angle, the size of the subject, the orientation, etc. vary. For this reason, it is difficult to read a measurement result correctly with the conventional reader.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a measuring instrument reading device that acquires a measurement result from a measuring instrument image that is easily captured by a user. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the monitoring system provided with such a measuring device reader.

  A measuring instrument reading device according to one aspect of the present invention is an image obtained by photographing a measuring instrument that displays a measured result, and at least an identification feature of the measuring instrument and a measurement result display portion are photographed in the image. A measuring instrument reading device for reading a measurement result from the image, wherein the model specifying means for specifying the model of the measuring instrument in the image from the identification feature of the measuring instrument in the image, and the relative to the identification feature Display portion specifying means for specifying a measurement result display portion of the measuring instrument in the image based on a specific positional relationship, information reading means for reading information represented in the specified measurement result display portion, and the specification Measurement result acquisition means for acquiring a measurement result of the measuring instrument in the image based on the read model and the read information.

  Preferably, the measurement result acquisition unit associates the acquired measurement result and the additional information regarding the image with each other and registers them in the measurement value database. The additional information includes the shooting date / time and shooting position information of the image.

  Specifically, the model specifying means specifies the model of the measuring instrument in the image by comparing device information registered in a device database with the identification feature. The display part specifying unit acquires a relative positional relationship between the identification feature and the measurement result display part from the device database, and specifies a measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in the image.

  The identification feature is, for example, a barcode attached to a predetermined position of the measuring instrument.

  Further, a monitoring system according to another aspect of the present invention is a monitoring system for measurement results by various measuring instruments, and the measurement value storing the measurement instrument reading device and the measurement result acquired by the measuring instrument reading device. A database; and a monitor device that accesses the measurement value database, acquires a measurement result that matches a given date and position, and displays the acquired measurement result.

  According to the present invention, regardless of the position, size, and inclination of the measuring instrument in the image, the measurement result can be obtained by specifying the model of the measuring instrument and the measurement result display portion from the identification feature of the measuring instrument in the image. it can. Thereby, a measurement result is acquirable from the measuring device picture photoed easily by the user.

The block diagram of the measuring device reader which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the whole image of the reading object apparatus which concerns on an example Enlarged view of the vicinity of the measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in FIG. The figure showing the measuring instrument picture concerning an example The figure showing the image which binarized the image of FIG. Enlarged view of the measurement result display area after correction Configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

(Embodiment of instrument reading device)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a measuring instrument reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The measuring instrument reading device 1 according to the present embodiment reads a measurement result from an image of a measuring instrument.

  The measuring instruments to be read include all devices such as radiation measuring instruments, thermometers, barometers, voltmeters, and ammeters. The measuring instrument may be any of a digital meter that digitally displays numbers, letters, symbols, and the like, and an analog meter such as a pointer indicator, a bubble tube, a capillary tube, and a graph.

  The image of the measuring instrument is a photographic image taken by a digital video camera, a digital still camera, a mobile phone or a mobile terminal camera. The image may be transmitted directly to the measuring instrument reading device 1 or may be stored in a recording medium or a file server so that the measuring instrument reading device 1 reads the image as appropriate.

  The image only needs to include an identification feature that can identify the model of the measuring instrument and a measurement result display portion in which the measurement result is represented, and the entire measuring instrument need not be shown. The size and position of the measuring instrument in the image are arbitrary. Further, the measuring instrument may be photographed from any orientation or may be photographed in an inclined state. That is, the imaging angle of the measuring instrument need not be fixed, and it is assumed that the measuring instrument is imaged from various angles.

  The image quality may be a color image, a gray scale image, or a monochrome image. The image size and resolution are also arbitrary. The data format of the image is not limited. For example, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), TIFF (Tagged Image File Format), etc. can be used. The image may be a moving image.

  Additional information related to the image may be associated with the image. Additional information includes shooting date and time, shooting position, shooting device manufacturer name, shooting direction, shutter speed, F value, ISO sensitivity, focal length, and the like. The additional information may be included in the image data, or may be stored in the measuring instrument as data independent of the image data. The shooting position includes latitude and longitude. Furthermore, altitude information such as air altitude and underwater depth may be included as the shooting position. As additional information, for example, EXIF (EXchangeable Image File format) can be used. By photographing a measuring instrument with an imaging device having a positioning function such as GPS (Global Positioning System), a measuring instrument image including additional information can be easily generated.

  Next, the configuration of the measuring instrument reading device 1 will be described in detail. The measuring instrument reading device 1 includes components of a model specifying unit 11, a display part specifying unit 13, an information reading unit 15, and a measurement result acquiring unit 17. These components may be realized as hardware such as an electronic device, or may be realized as a software module executed by a computer.

  The model specifying unit 11 reads an image from a storage device, a recording medium, a file server, or the like (not shown), scans the read image, and recognizes the identification feature of the measuring instrument in the image. Further, the model specifying unit 11 specifies the model of the measuring instrument in the image from the recognized identification feature.

  For example, the shape, pattern, color, or combination of measuring instruments, characters and symbols such as manufacturer names and model names printed on measuring instruments, and parts such as operation buttons, power lamps, status lamps, and solar panels Those unique to the measuring instrument can be identification features. In addition, non-unique items such as numbers, characters, symbols, etc., which are written on, pasted, or stamped on the measuring instrument by the user, can also be identification features. For example, it is conceivable to attach a barcode to the measuring instrument.

  The bar code may be one-dimensional or two-dimensional such as a QR code (registered trademark). Since the two-dimensional bar code occupies a large area, a one-dimensional bar code may be attached when a sufficient space is not secured.

  However, it is desirable that identification features that are not unique to a measuring instrument are pasted at a predetermined position for each measuring instrument. This is because, as will be described later, the measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in the image is specified from the relative positional relationship between the identification feature of the measuring instrument and the measurement result display part of the measuring instrument.

  When the identification feature is a barcode, a character, a symbol, or the like, the model specifying unit 11 reads information represented by the identification feature itself, and compares the read information with previously registered device information to specify the model. . When the identification feature is a shape, a pattern, a color, or a combination or part thereof, the model specifying unit 11 specifies the model by performing image matching between the identification feature and device information registered in advance.

  In order to comprehensively support a huge number of measuring instruments, the device information is preferably registered in the device database 3. Thereby, even if a new measuring instrument appears in the future, it can be sequentially added as a reading target device. When the device database 3 exists, the model specifying unit 11 compares the identification feature of the measuring instrument recognized from the image with the device information registered in the device database 3 to specify the model of the measuring device in the image.

  FIG. 2 shows an overall image of a reading target device according to an example. The device shown in FIG. 2 is a calculator, but will be described as a measuring instrument for convenience.

  The measuring instrument can display a 7-segment number body of up to 11 digits in the measurement result display part. In addition, a barcode 101 is attached to the measuring instrument as a distinguishing feature at a predetermined position. Specifically, a bar code 101 is pasted horizontally on the upper part of the measurement result display portion.

  The bar code 101 represents identification number information for specifying the model of the measuring instrument. About 8 bits of information amount of the barcode 101 is sufficient.

  In the device database 3, a model name, a measurement target (for example, a detectable radiation type), a measurement unit (for example, Bq (becquerel) in the case of a radiation measuring instrument), Gy (corresponding to an identification number of the measuring instrument) Device information such as gray), Sv (sievert), etc., auxiliary units (for example, K (kilo), M (mega), m (millimeter), μ (micro), etc.) is registered.

  FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the measurement result display portion of the measuring instrument of FIG. A display frame 103 for displaying the measurement result is located immediately below the barcode 101. In the device database 3, information relating to the relative positional relationship between the identification feature of the measuring instrument and the measurement result display portion is also registered in association with the identification number of the measuring instrument.

  Since the position of the measurement result display portion of the measuring instrument is specified by the relative positional relationship with the barcode 101, care must be taken not to stick the barcode 101 upside down. However, by restricting the pattern of the barcode 101 to be bilaterally symmetric, it is possible to eliminate restrictions on the direction in which the barcode 101 is applied.

  Further, in the measuring instrument, eleven number display frames A to K are arranged side by side in the display frame 103. Although not shown in the present example, characters and symbols indicating measurement units, auxiliary units, and the like may be displayed at predetermined positions in the display frame. Therefore, relative position information of each display frame such as numbers, characters, and symbols with respect to the display frame 103 may be registered in the device database 3. In this way, by registering information related to the display layout of the measurement result display portion, information can be easily and accurately read by the information reading means 15 described later.

  Instead of the barcode 101, for example, a mark located at the upper left of the measurement result display portion or a solar cell panel located at the upper right may be used as the identification feature of the measuring instrument. In this case, the image data of the mark and the solar battery panel may be registered in the device database 3 as the identification feature of the measuring instrument, and information on the relative positional relationship between the identification feature and the measurement result display portion may be registered.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the display part specifying unit 13 specifies the measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in the image based on the relative positional relationship with the identification feature of the measuring instrument recognized by the model specifying unit 11. Therefore, even if the position of the measuring instrument in the image is shifted up and down, left and right, or rotated, if the identification feature of the measuring instrument is recognized, the measurement result display portion can be specified.

  When the device database 3 is present, the display part specifying unit 13 acquires the relative positional relationship between the identification feature of the measuring instrument recognized by the model specifying unit 11 and the measurement result display part from the device database 3 to display the image in the image. The measurement result display part of the measuring instrument is specified.

  The information reading unit 15 reads information represented in the measurement result display part specified by the display part specifying unit 13. When the measuring instrument is a digital meter, the information reading unit 15 reads numbers, characters, symbols, and the like displayed as measurement results. In this case, the information reading means 15 can be realized by OCR (Optical Character Reader). If information related to the display layout of the measurement result display portion is registered in the device database 3, the information reading unit 15 reads numbers, characters, symbols, and the like from individual display frames based on the information.

  On the other hand, when the measuring instrument is an analog meter, the information reading means 15 analyzes the image of the measurement result display portion and reads the information. For example, in the case of a pointer indicator, the information reading means 15 recognizes the position of the pointer between the minimum scale and the maximum scale on the indicator scale plate, and calculates the measurement value. When a plurality of ranges are described on the indicator scale plate, the range changeover switch needs to be included in the measurement result display portion. The information reading unit 15 can specify the range by analyzing the position and orientation of the range changeover switch in the image.

  The measurement result acquisition means 17 acquires the measurement result of the measuring instrument in the image. The measurement target and measurement unit of the measuring instrument in the image can be specified from the model specified by the model specifying means 11. For example, it can be specified that the measuring instrument in the image is a measuring instrument that measures β rays at μSv / h. In addition, a specific measurement value can be obtained from the information read by the information reading means 15. For example, it can be seen that the measured value is 0.1. The measurement result acquisition means 17 combines these pieces of information to acquire a measurement result “β-ray dose equivalent is 0.1 μSv / h”.

  When there is the measurement value database 5, the measurement result acquisition unit 17 registers the measurement result in the measurement value database 5. At this time, when the image input to the measuring instrument reading device 1 includes additional information regarding the shooting date and time or the shooting position, or when additional information existing independently of the image can be acquired, the measurement is performed. It is preferable that the result and the additional information are associated with each other and registered in the measurement value database 5. Thereby, the measurement result registered in the measurement value database 5 can be analyzed temporally and regionally.

(Operation example of measuring instrument reader)
Next, an operation example of the measuring instrument reading device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 shows a measuring instrument image according to an example. The image is obtained by photographing an actual measurement result by the measuring instrument of FIG.

  First, the model identifying means 11 recognizes the barcode in the image and identifies the model of the measuring instrument in the image. If the image is color or gray scale, it may be binarized to make it easier to read numbers and the like. FIG. 5 is an image obtained by binarizing the image of FIG.

  Next, the measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in the image is specified by the display part specifying means 13. The measurement result display part can be specified from the relative positional relationship with the barcode. At this time, if the image has inclination or distortion, the image may be corrected horizontally, or distortion correction such as trapezoid correction may be performed. The inclination of the image can be known from the inclination of the barcode. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the vicinity of the corrected measurement result display portion.

  Thereafter, information is read from the measurement result display portion by the information reading means 15. At this time, the information reading unit 15 performs OCR processing on each numerical display frame in the measurement result display portion. As a result, the number “22846” is read.

  Based on the model specified by the model specifying unit 11 and the information read by the information reading unit 15, the measurement result of the measuring instrument in the image is acquired by the measurement result acquiring unit 17.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the measurement result can be acquired by correctly specifying the measurement result display portion of the measurement instrument in the image, regardless of the angle at which the measurement instrument is photographed.

(Embodiment of monitoring system)
FIG. 7 shows a configuration of a monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The monitoring system according to the present embodiment is a support system for analyzing the measurement results obtained by the measuring instrument reading device 1 according to the above embodiment in terms of time and region. Specifically, the system includes a measuring instrument reading device 1, a device database 3, a measured value database 5, and a monitor device 7. These are connected to the network 9 and can communicate with each other. The network 9 is a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, a public line network, a data communication network, or the like. Note that the measuring instrument reading device 1 and the monitor device 7 may be mounted on the same server.

  Images of various measuring instruments are uploaded to the measuring instrument reader 1 at various times from users in various regions. A user photographs a measuring instrument with the mobile phone 10 with a GPS function, for example. For this reason, the image of the measuring instrument includes additional information regarding the shooting date and time and the shooting position.

  As described above, the measuring instrument reading device 1 acquires a measurement result from a measuring instrument image including additional information and registers the measurement result in the measurement value database 5.

  When the model of the measuring instrument in the image, in particular, the measurement target or the unit of measurement is unknown, or the information shown in the measurement result display part cannot be read, the measuring instrument reading device 1 sets the source of the image. You may make it notify that a measurement result was not able to be acquired. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the user to re-take and re-transmit the measuring instrument. Further, the measuring instrument reading device 1 may store all the transmitted images including an image for which a measurement result could not be acquired. Thereby, an image for which a measurement result could not be acquired can be separately analyzed manually.

  The monitor device 7 accesses the measurement value database 5 and acquires necessary measurement results. At this time, it is possible to narrow down the measurement results by specifying conditions regarding date and time and position. The monitor device 7 can display the measurement results thus narrowed down in various forms. For example, measurement results can be displayed in a list format. Also, the measurement result can be visually displayed superimposed on the map.

  The measuring device reading apparatus according to the present invention can acquire a measurement result from a measuring device image taken easily by a user, and therefore monitors and maps in real time the radiation dose measured by an unspecified number of users. Useful for systems.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Measuring device reader 11 Model identification means 13 Display part identification means 15 Information reading means 17 Measurement result acquisition means 3 Equipment database 5 Measurement value database 7 Monitor apparatus

Claims (6)

An image obtained by photographing a measuring instrument that displays the measured result, and at least the identification feature of the measuring instrument and the measurement result display part are photographed in the image, and the measuring instrument reading that reads the measurement result from the image A device,
A model identifying means for identifying the model of the measuring instrument in the image from the identification feature of the measuring instrument in the image;
Display part specifying means for specifying a measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in the image based on a relative positional relationship with the identification feature;
Information reading means for reading information represented in the specified measurement result display part;
A measuring instrument reading device, comprising: a measurement result acquiring means for acquiring a measurement result of the measuring instrument in the image based on the specified model and the read information. In the measuring device reading device according to claim 1,
The measurement result reading unit is characterized in that the acquired measurement result and the additional information related to the image are associated with each other and registered in a measurement value database. The measuring device reading device according to claim 2,
The measuring instrument reading apparatus, wherein the additional information is information relating to a shooting date and a shooting position of the image. In the measuring device reader according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The model identifying means is for identifying the model of the measuring instrument in the image by comparing the identification information with the device information registered in the device database,
The display part specifying means acquires a relative positional relationship between the identification feature and the measurement result display part from the device database, and specifies a measurement result display part of the measuring instrument in the image. A measuring instrument reader. In the measuring device reader according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The measuring instrument reading device, wherein the identification feature is a barcode attached to a predetermined position of the measuring instrument. A monitoring system for measurement results by various measuring instruments,
The instrument reading device according to claim 2;
A measurement value database for storing measurement results acquired by the measuring instrument reader;
A monitoring system comprising: a monitor device that accesses the measurement value database, acquires a measurement result that matches a given date and position, and displays the acquired measurement result.