JP2020154555A - Instrument reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an instrument reading system capable of accurately reading a value shown by a single-needle-rotation-type instrument.SOLUTION: An instrument reading system 1 includes imaging means 2 for imaging a single-needle-rotation-type instrument M indicated by a rotatable indication needle 4 on a scale display 6, and reads the value indicated by the instrument M. The instrument reading system 1 includes analysis means 3 for analyzing the image taken by the imaging means 2. The analysis means 3 detects the shape of the indication needle 4 from the taken image, and separately detects main scale marks 7 disposed for predetermined weighting and sub scale marks 8 disposed between the main scale marks 7, which constitute the scale display 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an instrument reading system capable of reading various instruments installed in facilities such as general homes, buildings, and hotels.

Water supply, gas, electricity, etc. used in general households and buildings are measured by dedicated instruments, and in general households, measurements are made to calculate usage, and in buildings, comprehensive management of various facilities is performed. Various instruments are also measured for operation monitoring, periodic inspections, etc. The measurement of various instruments is often visually observed by a specialized inspector and the measurement results are recorded manually. However, when the number of instruments that the inspector is in charge of is large, not only is it very troublesome to record the measurement results visually and manually, but there is also the possibility of misreading of the meter and input errors. Therefore, there was a risk that correct meter reading could not be performed. Therefore, there is an instrument reading device that can automate the recording of measurement results by visual inspection and manual input by reading the value indicated by the instrument (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The instrument reader of Patent Document 1 is particularly used for a single-needle rotation type instrument in which a rotatable indicator needle points on a scale display, and has an imaging means for imaging the instrument, and the captured image is captured. It is a device that can analyze and detect the shape of the indicator needle and read the value indicated by the indicator needle on the scale display. Specifically, scale information such as the interval between scale lines in the scale display is preset as an initial setting parameter, and by making the rotation angle of the indicator needle correspond to the scale information, the value indicated by the indicator needle on the scale display can be determined. It can be read.

Japanese Patent No. 40203777 (page 6, FIG. 16) Jikkai Sho 55-053466 (Page 5, Fig. 1)

The instrument reading device of Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which the value indicated by the instrument is read by associating the rotation angle of the indicator needle with the scale information which is the initial setting parameter. For example, as in Patent Document 2. There is a problem that the value cannot be read accurately for an instrument whose scale value is not proportional to the rotation angle and an instrument whose distance between scale lines is not constant.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide an instrument reading system capable of accurately reading a value indicated by a single-needle rotation type instrument.

In order to solve the above problems, the instrument reading system of the present invention
An instrument reading system that has an imaging means for imaging a single-needle rotating instrument with a rotatable indicator pointing on the scale display and reads the value indicated by the instrument.
The instrument reading system includes an analysis means for analyzing an image captured by the imaging means, and the analysis means detects the shape of the indicator needle from the captured image and constitutes the scale display. It is characterized in that the main scale line arranged at each predetermined increase and the sub-scale line arranged between the main scale lines are detected separately.
According to this feature, the analysis means of the instrument reading system distinguishes between the scale lines of the large units and the scale lines of the small units that make up the scale display, so that the distance between the scale lines of the large units and the small scale lines are small. Even a single-needle rotating instrument with different unit scale lines at different intervals can accurately read the value indicated by the indicator needle.

The analysis means is characterized in that it detects a numerical display in the vicinity of the scale display from the captured image and associates the numerical display with the scale line of the large unit or the scale line of the small unit closest to the scale display. It is said.
According to this feature, in a plurality of number displays in an captured image, by associating a number display in the vicinity of the scale display with the nearest scale line, it is measured by another number written on the instrument, that is, the instrument. Numbers that are not related to the value can be excluded, and the value pointed to by the indicator needle can be read accurately.

The analysis means detects an arc-shaped ruled line constituting the scale display from the captured image, and determines that the range from one end to the other end of the ruled line is the range of the scale display. It is a feature.
According to this feature, by determining the range of the scale display, lines that are not related to the actual scale display can be excluded, the value pointed by the indicator needle can be read accurately, and the processing speed is improved. Can be made to.

The analysis means is characterized in that an arc-shaped ruled line constituting the scale display is detected from the captured image, and a number display arranged along the ruled line is determined as a number corresponding to the scale display. It is said.
According to this feature, the numbers judged as the numbers corresponding to the scale display are limited to the number display arranged along the arc-shaped ruled lines constituting the scale display, so that the numbers have nothing to do with the actual scale display. Can be excluded, the value pointed to by the indicator needle can be read accurately, and the processing speed can be improved.

The analysis means stores at least one past image captured before that in addition to the image captured in real time, and uses the past image to display the scale line in the image captured in real time. It is characterized by being able to complement information.
According to this feature, for example, information on a scale line that cannot be detected due to overlapping of the indicator needles in an image captured in real time or a scale line that cannot be detected due to light reflection can be complemented from a past image and pointed by the indicator needle. The values shown can be read accurately.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the instrument reading system in the Example of this invention. It is a front view which shows the display panel of a single-needle rotation type instrument. It is a figure which shows the top screen of the application used in the instrument reading system. It is a figure which shows the basic data used for making a ledger list in a server. It is a figure which shows the state of reading the instrument using a smartphone. It is a flowchart which shows the instruction position determination process of the instrument reading system which determines the position which the indicator needle points on the scale display in order to perform the measurement value determination process which reads the measurement value from the display panel of an instrument. It is a front view which shows the display panel of the instrument which the spacing between the main scale lines and the spacing between sub-scale lines is different.

A mode for carrying out the instrument reading system according to the present invention will be described below based on examples.

The instrument reading system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

The instrument reading system in this embodiment is an instrument reading that can automate the recording of measurement results visually and manually by reading the value indicated by the single-needle rotating instrument pointed by the rotatable indicator needle on the scale display. It is a system and is mainly used by so-called building management companies that perform comprehensive management, operation monitoring, periodic inspections, etc. of various facilities in the building. The instrument reading system can centrally manage the numerical values of the instruments installed in a plurality of properties by the server 3 described later, and in this embodiment, a plurality of instruments installed in one of the properties (referred to as property A). Let's take an example of reading and recording the numerical value of the instrument.

As shown in FIG. 1, the instrument reading system 1 is connected to a smartphone 2 as a mobile information terminal having a function of an imaging means capable of photographing the instrument M via the Internet, and is imaged by the smartphone 2. It is configured to include a server 3 which is an information terminal having a function as an analysis means for analyzing an image. The smartphone 2 is a terminal used by an inspector of a building management company, includes an imaging unit and a communication unit (not shown), and has a predetermined application installed.

Further, although the instrument M does not constitute the instrument reading system 1 of this embodiment, it is necessary for explaining the function of the instrument reading system 1, and therefore, it will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, a pressure gauge used for air conditioning or the like will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 2, the instrument M in the present embodiment has a scale display 6 displayed on the display panel 5, includes an indicator needle 4 that can rotate along the scale display 6, and the indicator needle 4 is a measured value. It is a so-called single-needle rotation type instrument that points to.

The scale display 6 is composed of a main scale line 7, a sub scale line 8, and an arc-shaped ruled line 12, and the main scale line 7 is a thick line arranged at a predetermined increase (0.1 in this case). , The sub-scale line 8 is a thin line that is arranged between some of the main scale lines 7 and divides the amount of increase between the main scale lines 7.

Further, a sticker 11 on which the two-dimensional code is printed is attached to the instrument M so that the two-dimensional code is parallel to the display panel 5. The two-dimensional code includes identification information indicating the property where the attached instrument M is located, identification information for distinguishing a plurality of instruments M in the property, and an indicator needle 4 on which the attached instrument M can rotate. It is provided with information indicating whether the instrument is a single-needle rotation type instrument or a direct reading type instrument indicated on the scale display. The smartphone 2 has a reading function, and this information can be obtained by photographing a two-dimensional code.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server 3 includes an arithmetic unit 9 for performing analysis and a storage medium 10. Various correspondence tables are stored in the storage medium 10. For example, the property ID indicating the property in which the instrument M included in the two-dimensional code of the sticker 11 is installed, the identification information given to the instrument M, and the classification of the instrument M (for example, "Room XX on the second basement floor" and " There is a ledger list that records measurement value data for each information such as "gas") and identification information of the instrument M. In addition, there is a correspondence table that associates the user name, which is unique identification information given to the inspector who uses the instrument reading system 1, with the identification information of the instrument M, which is managed by this user name.

In using the instrument reading system 1, the inspector activates the application of the smartphone 2 and accesses the server 3 via the Internet. The server 3 displays a login screen (not shown) prompting the connected information terminal to enter the user name and password, and the server 3 determines that the entered user name and password are correct. The top screen 15 as shown in 3 is displayed.

On the top screen 15, a button 16 for proceeding to the browsing function and a button 17 for proceeding to the recording function are selectively displayed. When the button 16 for proceeding to the browsing function is selected, the server 3 displays the measured value data of the instrument associated with the user name entered on the login screen so that it can be browsed.

Specifically, the server 3 queries the user name in the corresponding table, extracts the identification information of the instrument associated with the user name, and lists the measured value data corresponding to the extracted identification information of the instrument from the ledger list. For example, when there are multiple properties managed by user name, first display a screen that displays multiple property names in a selectable manner on the smartphone 2, and list only the measurement value data of the instrument of the property selected here. Perform processing such as providing it so that it can be viewed.

Subsequently, the recording function will be described. In order to record the measured value represented by the instrument M on the data, the inspector first prepares the ledger list. The ledger list can be created based on basic data created in an editable and versatile file format. In this embodiment, a case where basic data 18 (see FIG. 4) is created on spreadsheet software running on a computer will be described as an example.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the basic data 18, the "property ID" and "property name" indicating the property, the "identification information" of each instrument, the "classification" of the instrument, the "unit" measured by the instrument, and the instrument Each column of "maximum value" that can be measured is created.

The meter reader prepares a two-dimensional code sticker 11 to be attached to each instrument when inputting various information of each instrument into the basic data 18. This may be created after the property ID indicating the property and the identification information of the instrument are determined in advance, or the one prepared in advance with the appropriate property ID and the identification information of the instrument is attached corresponding to each instrument. You may wear it.

In this way, the property ID on the two-dimensional code sticker 11 attached to each instrument and the identification information of the instrument are input to the basic data 18 in association with each other, and the property name, classification, unit, and maximum value are further input. The information input to the basic data 18 is transmitted to the server 3 via the Internet, associated with the user ID, and used for the ledger list.

Next, reading of the instrument will be described. The inspector starts a predetermined application on the smartphone 2, inputs a user name and password, completes login, and then selects a button 17 for proceeding to the recording function. When the recording function by the application is started, the instrument M can be photographed by using the camera function of the smartphone 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the inspector took a picture from the display panel 5 side of the instrument M, the entire shape of the scale display 6, the indicator needle 4 and the two-dimensional code of the sticker 11 were within the angle of view of the smartphone 2. Take a picture so that it fits in. The captured image is transmitted from the communication unit of the smartphone 2 to the server 3 via the Internet together with the information on the date and time at the time of shooting. The server 3 sets a limit on the number of received images together with information on the date and time of shooting, and stores the received images in association with the identification information of the instrument M.

The server 3 analyzes the received image by the arithmetic unit 9. First, the arithmetic unit 9 determines the shape of the scale display 6 from the received image and extracts it. Specifically, first, the arc-shaped ruled line 12 is searched, it is determined whether or not a plurality of lines intersect the detected ruled line, and the arc-shaped ruled line 12 in which the plurality of lines intersect is measured by the instrument M. It is determined that the scale display 6 represents the measured value.

Next, the thicknesses of the intersecting lines are compared with respect to the arc-shaped ruled lines 12 constituting the scale display 6, and the relatively thick ones are designated as the main scale line 7 and the relatively thin ones are designated as the sub scale lines 8. Distinguish each. Then, it is determined that the range between the main scale lines 7 intersecting both ends of the arc-shaped ruled line 12 is the range of the scale display 6. Further, the arithmetic unit 9 sets the main scale line located on the clockwise start side as the start main scale line 7A and terminates the main scale line located on the end side in the scale display 6 whose outer shape forms a substantially ended ring. Each is judged as the main scale line 7B of.

If the arc-shaped ruled line 12 cannot be detected, that is, if the instrument has a scale display that does not have the arc-shaped ruled line 12, three or more lines intersecting at one point in the extension direction may be formed. , It is determined as the main scale line 7 and the sub scale line 8 constituting the scale display. Then, from the determined main scale lines 7, the main scale lines 7A and 7B at both ends in the continuous direction are grasped, and the area between the main scale lines 7A and 7B at both ends is determined to be the range of the scale display 6.

Next, the arithmetic unit 9 determines the shape of the indicator needle 4 from the received image and extracts it. Specifically, within the range of the determined scale display 6, a line that intersects the scale display 6 forming a substantially ended ring and is thicker than the main scale line 7 and the sub scale line 8 is determined to be the indicator needle 4. To do. That is, since the indicator needle 4 is thicker than the main scale line 7, when they overlap, if there is even a part of the indicator needle 4 and the main scale line 7 that do not overlap in the extension direction, distinguish them. Each can be judged.

Using these determined information, the measured value determination process is performed to read the actual measured value. In the measurement value determination process, the arithmetic unit 9 performs an instruction position determination process for determining the position indicated by the indicator needle 4 on the scale display 6.

In addition to this instruction position determination process, the arithmetic unit 9 detects a two-dimensional code in the image, reads the property ID of the property and the identification information of the instrument M from the two-dimensional code, and corresponds to the image. At the same time, the code reading process that is temporarily held is performed.

The instruction position determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The arithmetic unit 9 determines the position of the indicator needle 4 within the range of the scale display 6. Specifically, it is determined whether or not the indicator needle 4 overlaps any of the main scale lines 7 (step S01), and if the indicator needle 4 overlaps any of the main scale lines 7, the process proceeds to step S02. It is determined which number of the main scale lines 7 overlaps with the main scale line 7 counting from the start end side (the start end main scale line 7A side) within the range of the scale display 6, and the process proceeds to the numerical conversion process.

On the contrary, when the indicator needle 4 does not overlap any of the main scale lines 7, the process proceeds to step S03, and it is determined whether or not the indicator needle 4 overlaps any of the sub-scale lines 8, and the indicator needle 4 is overlapped. If 4 overlaps any of the sub-scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S04, and the number and number (for example, the third and fourth) main scale lines of the indicator needle 4 counting from the main scale line 7A at the start end. It is determined whether it is located between 7 and 7.

Next, in step S05, it is determined how many sub-scale lines 8 exist between the main scale lines 7 located sandwiching the indicator needle 4, and the process proceeds to step S06, where the indicator needle 4 is on the start end side (start end). The number of the sub-scale line 8 is determined by counting from the main scale line 7A side of the above, and the process proceeds to the numerical conversion process.

If it is determined in step S03 that the indicator needle 4 does not overlap any of the sub-scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S07, and the indicator needle 4 is between one of the main scale lines 7 and the sub-scale line 8. Determine if it is located in. If the indicator needle 4 is located between any of the main scale lines 7 and the sub-scale line 8, the process proceeds to step S08, and the main scale line 7 located next to the indicator needle 4 is the main scale line at the start end. It is determined which number is counted from 7A, and the process proceeds to step S09, and the indicator needle 4 is on the start end side (starting main scale line 7A side) or the end side (ending main scale line 7B side) of the main scale line 7. ) Is determined, and the process proceeds to the numerical conversion process.

If it is determined in step S07 that the indicator needle 4 is not located between any of the main scale lines 7 and the sub scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether the indicator needle 4 is located between the number and number (for example, the third and fourth) of the main scale line 7 counting from the start end main scale line 7A side.

Next, in step S11, it is determined how many sub-scale lines 8 exist between the main scale lines 7 located across the indicator needle 4. In the following step S12, the number and number (for example, the first and second) sub-scale lines 8 of the indicator needle 4 counting from the start end side (the start end main scale line 7A side) are between the main scale lines 7. It is determined whether it is located between and, and the process shifts to the numerical conversion process.

The arithmetic unit 9 performs numerical conversion processing based on the determination of the position indicated by the instruction needle 4 on the scale display 6 by the instruction position determination process.

In performing the numerical conversion process, the arithmetic unit 9 detects the shape of the numbers from the display panel 5, and among the detected numbers, only the number display 13 arranged along the arc-shaped ruled line 12 is scaled. It is determined as a number corresponding to the display 6, and the shape of the number closest to the main scale line 7 in the scale display 6 is held in association with the main scale line 7.

Specifically, the shape of a relatively closest number and a relatively large number so as to overlap in the extension direction of the main scale line 7 is defined as a number corresponding to the main scale line 7.

Then, when the position information indicated by the indicator needle 4 determined by the instruction position determination process on the scale display 6 is the position information overlapping with any of the main scale lines 7, the shape of the number is associated with the main scale line 7. It is determined whether or not the numbers are associated with each other, and if there is an associated number shape, this number is recognized as a character and the value indicated by the recognized number is adopted as the measured value.

If the main scale line 7 pointed by the indicator needle 4 does not have an associated number shape, the number shapes are associated with the main scale lines 7 adjacent to both sides of the main scale line 7. If so, after recognizing these characters, the median value is calculated and that value is adopted as the measured value. When the shape of the number is not associated with the main scale lines 7 adjacent to both sides, the instruction is given based on the shape of the number associated with any of the main scale lines 7 from the relative positional relationship. The numerical value of the main scale line 7 pointed by the needle 4 is calculated and adopted as the measured value.

Further, when the position information indicated by the indicator needle 4 determined by the instruction position determination process on the scale display 6 is the position information overlapping with any of the sub-scale lines 8, the arithmetic unit 9 is first determined in step S04. Based on the information of the number and the number of the main scale lines 7 counted from the starting main scale line 7A, the numerical values of these main scale lines 7 are calculated and measured values. Adopt as.

Next, information on how many sub-scale lines 8 exist between the main scale lines 7 located sandwiching the indicator needle 4 determined in step S05, and the indicator needle 4 determined in step S06 are the starting ends. The ratio between the main scale lines 7 for which the numerical value is calculated, for example, "0.4" from the information on which number of the sub scale lines 8 is overlapped from the side (the main scale line 7A side at the start end). If the third sub-scale line 8 out of the four is between the main scale line 7 associated with the numerical value of and the main scale line 7 associated with the numerical value of "0.5", the sub The numerical value represented by the scale line 8 is calculated to be "0.46" and adopted as a measured value.

Further, the position information pointed by the indicator needle 4 determined by the instruction position determination process on the scale display 6 does not overlap with any of the sub-scale lines 8, and is between any of the main scale lines 7 and the sub-scale lines 8. If it is located, the indicator needle 4 determined in step S09 is located on either the start end side (start end main scale line 7A side) or the end side (end end main scale line 7B side) of the main scale line 7. From the information, it is determined whether the value is larger or smaller than the main scale line 7. For example, when the main scale line 7 is "1" and it can be calculated that the sub-scale line 8 adjacent to the main scale line 7 is "0.98", the indicator needle 4 located between them is It is determined that the indicated value is between "0.98" and "1". Then, the ratio between the adjacent main scale lines 7 and the sub scale lines 8 is calculated (for example, "0.995") and adopted as the measured value.

Further, when the position information indicated by the indicator needle 4 determined by the instruction position determination process on the scale display 6 does not overlap with any of the sub-scale lines 8 and is located between the sub-scale lines 8. , Information on which number and which sub-scale line 8 the indicator needle 4 determined in step S12 is located between the start end side (the start end main scale line 7A side) and the sub-scale line 8 adjacent to each other. The value indicated by the indicator needle 4 is calculated based on the ratio between the sub-scale lines 8 and adopted as the measured value.

When the arithmetic unit 9 determines the values to be adopted as the measured values in this way, the arithmetic unit 9 stores these values in the ledger list. As described above, the arithmetic unit 9 reads the property ID of the property and the identification information of the instrument M from the two-dimensional code in the image by the code reading process, and temporarily holds the property ID together with the correspondence with the image. The information entered in advance in the basic data 18 is queried using the identification information of the instrument M, and the value adopted as the measured value determined from the same image is quantified according to the number of referenced digits, and further referred to. The unit is attached and stored in the ledger list as measured value data. At this time, in the ledger list, information on the date and time at the time of shooting is stored in association with the measured value data. Further, the arithmetic unit 9 stores the original data of the image captured on the storage medium 10 in association with the information of the date and time at the time of photographing.

As described above, the arithmetic unit 9 in the instrument reading system 1 of the present invention detects the large unit main scale line 7 and the small unit sub-scale line 8 constituting the scale display 6 separately. Even in the single-needle rotation type instrument M in which the intervals between the scale lines 7 and the sub-scale lines 8 are different, the value indicated by the indicator needle 4 can be accurately read based on the total number of each.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in the case of the single-needle rotation type instrument M in which the distance between the main scale lines 27 and the distance between the sub scale lines 28 are different, the main scale line 27 is a large unit constituting the scale display 26. Since the sub-scale lines 28 in small units are detected separately, the values pointed to by the indicator needles 24A and 24B can be accurately read based on the total number of the respective sub-scale lines 28. The instrument M of FIG. 7 includes two indicator needles 24A and 24B having different lengths and colors, and the arithmetic unit 9 discriminates these two indicator needles 24A and 24B by length, color, thickness and the like. By doing so, the indicated values can be read separately.

Further, in a plurality of number displays in the captured image, in order to make the number display 13 in the vicinity of the scale display 6 correspond to the nearest main scale line 7, another number described in the instrument M, that is, the instrument M is used for measurement. A number unrelated to the value to be set can be excluded, and the value pointed to by the indicator needle 4 can be read accurately.

Further, the arithmetic unit 9 detects the arc-shaped ruled line 12 constituting the scale display 6 from the captured image, and determines that the range up to both ends of the ruled line 12 is the range of the scale display 6. According to this, by determining the range of the scale display 6, it is possible to exclude lines and the like that are not related to the actual scale display 6, and it is possible to accurately read the value indicated by the indicator needle 4 and the processing speed. Can be improved.

Further, the arithmetic unit 9 limits what is determined as a number corresponding to the scale display 6 when analyzing the image to a number display arranged along the arc-shaped ruled line 12 constituting the scale display 6. , Numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 can be excluded, the value pointed to by the indicator needle 4 can be accurately read, and the processing speed can be improved.

By the way, for example, in an image captured in real time, an instrument such that the indicator needle 4 completely overlaps the main scale line 7 or the sub scale line 8, or the main scale line 7 or the sub scale line 8 due to the influence of light reflection or the like. It may not be possible to determine the exact number of. Therefore, the arithmetic unit 9 of the instrument reading system 1 can complement the information of the main scale line 7 or the sub scale line 8.

When the arithmetic unit 9 analyzes the image and can confirm that the tip of the shape of the indicator needle protrudes in the outer diameter direction from the left and right main scale lines, there is a main scale line in which the shape of the indicator needle overlaps. Doubt to do so and determine if complementation is needed.

Specifically, as described above, the server 3 stores the received image in association with the identification information of the instrument M by setting a limit on the number of received images together with the information on the date and time at the time of shooting, and the arithmetic unit 9 is stored from the image. In determining whether or not it is necessary to complement the obtained scale line information, the past image and the latest image of the identification information of the same instrument M are collated.

In collating the past image with the latest image, the arithmetic unit 9 first performs a process of adjusting the angles of these images, and then compares these images. As the past image used for this comparison, the image in which the indicator needle is not located in the region where the indicator needle is located (hereinafter, simply referred to as “corresponding part”) in the latest image is used.

The arithmetic unit 9 determines whether or not there is a main scale line at the corresponding portion of the past image, and if there is no main scale line, performs the instruction position determination process and the numerical conversion process as described above. If there is a main scale line at the relevant part of the past image, it is determined that the indicator needle points to the main scale line on which the indicator needle overlaps, and numerical conversion processing is performed. In this way, the arithmetic unit 9 of the instrument reading system 1 can complement the information on the scale line, so that the value indicated by the indicator needle can be accurately read.

By performing the same processing, the arithmetic unit 9 determines whether or not a subscale line exists in the area where the indicator needle is located in the latest image, and complements the scale line information as necessary. Processing can be performed.

Even if it can be confirmed that the tip of the shape of the indicator needle protrudes in the outer diameter direction from the left and right main scale lines when the image is analyzed, the measured value is displayed at the tip indicated by the indicator needle. If the shape of the number can be confirmed, it may be determined that the number is pointed to and the process of complementing the scale line information may be omitted.

Further, the instrument reading system 1 of this embodiment can determine the numerical value pointed to by the indicator needle 4 by performing image analysis from the image of the instrument M taken from the display panel 5 side, and thus is a direct reading type instrument. If so, it is possible to read the measured values measured by instruments of different manufacturers and types for general purposes.

Further, in the instrument reading system 1 of the present embodiment, by using the smartphone 2 as the imaging means, it is not necessary to prepare a plurality of imaging means for the plurality of instruments M, and the introduction cost can be suppressed.

Further, since the arithmetic unit 9 determines the position indicated by the indicator needle 4 within the range of the scale display 6, the arithmetic unit 9 accurately measures the measured value measured by the instrument M regardless of the inclination of the image by the smartphone 2 that performs the image by hand. Can be read by.

Although examples of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these examples, and any changes or additions within the scope of the gist of the present invention are included in the present invention. Is done.

For example, the condition for excluding numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 from the plurality of number displays in the captured image is not limited to that of the above embodiment, for example, along the circumferential direction of the circular display panel 5. It may be a condition for discriminating a plurality of numerical displays to be arranged.

Further, the processing for excluding numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6, the instruction position determination processing, and the measurement value determination processing listed in the above-described embodiment are not limited to the configuration for actually setting such a program. It may be achieved by machine learning in which a plurality of images are repeatedly analyzed and a large number of analysis results are used to improve the accuracy rate. Even when the analysis is performed using machine learning, it corresponds to the process of excluding the numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 listed in the above examples, the designated position determination process, and the measured value determination process. A plurality of such processes are combined to determine the final numerical value. That is, it corresponds to the scale display as to whether the images such as those in FIGS. 2 and 7 could be detected separately from the images of the single-needle rotation type instrument M in which the intervals between the main scale lines and the sub-scale lines are different. By testing whether the measured values include numbers other than the shape of the numbers to be used, for processing to exclude numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 as described above, instruction position determination processing, and measurement value determination processing. It can be confirmed that the corresponding processing is added to the determination and the machine learning sufficient for practical use is completed.

Further, in the above embodiment, when an image is received from the smartphone 2, the arc-shaped ruled line 12 is first searched for in the image, and the main scale line 7 and the sub scale line 8 intersecting the ruled line 12 are detected and the scale display 6 is displayed. The procedure for determining the shape and range has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when an image is received from the smartphone 2, the start main scale line 7A and the end main scale line 7B are first detected from the image, and these The procedure may be such that the area connecting the spaces in an arc shape is determined as the range of the scale display 6.

Further, the imaging means capable of photographing the instrument M is not limited to the portable smartphone 2 or the like, and for example, a camera device installed in front of each instrument M to be read by the mounting means may be used. In this case, it is preferable that all the camera devices in the property can communicate with the server 3 via the access point connected by the short-range wireless communication means. In addition, the camera device is configured to take pictures at predetermined time intervals by a timer, so that the time and effort of manual taking can be saved.

When the camera device is installed in front of each instrument M in this way, in the ledger list or the corresponding table, the instrument M included in the two-dimensional code described on the sticker 11 attached to the instrument M Instead of the identification information, the individual identification information of the camera device may be used so that the correspondence can be inquired.

In addition, viewing and editing of measured value data is not limited to the smartphone 2, and may be performed on various information terminals such as personal computers by accessing the web page provided by the instrument reading system 1 and logging in. ..

1 Instrument reading system 2 Smartphone (imaging means)
3 server (analysis means)
4 Indicator needle 5 Display panel 6 Scale display 7 Main scale line 8 Sub scale line 9 Arithmetic unit 10 Storage medium 11 Sticker 12 Arc-shaped ruled line 13 Numeric display 18 Basic data 24A, 24B Indicator needle 26 Scale display 27 Main scale line 28 Sub Scale line M instrument

Claims (5)

An instrument reading system that has an imaging means for imaging a single-needle rotating instrument that a rotatable indicator point points on the scale display and reads the value indicated by the instrument.
The instrument reading system includes an analysis means for analyzing an image captured by the imaging means, and the analysis means detects the shape of the indicator needle from the captured image and constitutes the scale display. , An instrument reading system characterized in that a main scale line arranged for each predetermined increase and a sub-scale line arranged between the main scale lines are detected separately. The analysis means is characterized in that it detects a numerical display in the vicinity of the scale display from the captured image and associates the numerical display with the scale line of the large unit or the scale line of the small unit closest to the scale display. The instrument reading system according to claim 1. The analysis means detects an arc-shaped ruled line constituting the scale display from the captured image, and determines that the range from one end to the other end of the ruled line is the range of the scale display. The instrument reading system according to claim 1 or 2. The analysis means is characterized in that an arc-shaped ruled line constituting the scale display is detected from the captured image, and a number display arranged along the ruled line is determined as a number corresponding to the scale display. The instrument reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The analysis means stores at least one past image captured before that in addition to the image captured in real time, and uses the past image to display the scale line in the image captured in real time. The instrument reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information can be complemented.

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