JP5503613B2 - Metering meter reading method and system - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a metering method and system for a metering meter that improves measurement accuracy by using image data obtained from a display unit of a metering meter that measures the amount of energy used for electricity, gas, water, etc., installed in a building. .

  Conventionally, as a well-known technique for the convenience of meter reading in this type of meter, for example, the burden of meter reading work by the meter reader is reduced, the meter reading cost is reduced, and a mistake in reporting the meter meter value by the customer is discovered. And a “meter reading method and meter reading system” (see Patent Document 1) that can prevent the occurrence of reporting errors.

JP 2009-37279 A

  In the technique of Patent Document 1 described above, image data obtained by photographing a display unit of a metering meter with a camera is transmitted to the management center, and the image data transmitted by the management center is converted into numerical data by numerical data conversion means. The meter has a function of storing the metered data as metering values. However, when the meter meter display unit is photographed with a camera to obtain image data, the display unit may be in front of the meter meter depending on the installation position of the meter meter. In some cases, shadows may appear on the display due to the effects of lighting. In such cases, the image data of the display captured from an angle or the image data of the display including the shadows Because it converts to numerical data, there is a high probability of erroneous conversion, and there is a risk of registering numerical data that has been erroneously converted. If the image data obtained from the display unit of the measurement meter is basically used, such as it takes time to correct the registered numerical data, the measurement accuracy is improved by improving the measurement accuracy. There is a problem that it is difficult to obtain data.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and its technical problem is to provide highly reliable measurement data by improving measurement accuracy even when image data obtained from the display unit of the measurement meter is used. Is to provide a metering method and system for a meter.

  In order to solve the above technical problem, the first means of the present invention is to shoot a display unit of a metering meter for measuring the amount of energy used installed in a building with a portable terminal with a photographing function, Image data obtained by image processing so that it can be displayed on the display screen is transmitted to the management center, and the management center converts the transmitted image data into numerical data by numerical data conversion means to indicate the measurement data In the meter-reading method for the metering meter stored in the storage means as the meter reading value, the center distribution step for distributing the numerical data converted by the numerical data conversion means by the management center to the portable terminal, and the numerical data distributed from the management center by the portable terminal In addition to displaying on the display screen, the comparison result between the meter display value on the metering meter display and the numerical data is the same as the result A terminal comparison confirmation step for transmitting a comparison result confirmation signal indicating a match is sent to the management center, and when the comparison result confirmation signal matches by the management center, numerical data is stored in the storage means as a meter reading value indicating the measurement data. A meter reading value storing step, and a photographing re-execution requesting step for transmitting to the portable terminal a request to re-execute photographing acquisition of image data when the comparison result confirmation signal does not match by the management center. And

  According to a second means, in the first means, the photographing re-execution requesting step transmits a message to the portable terminal to request the re-execution of photographing acquisition of the image data to be displayed on the display screen. Features.

  In the third means, in the first means or the second means, the imaging re-execution requesting step stops the transmission of the image data when the comparison result confirmation signal indicates a mismatch by the management center a predetermined number of times. An image transmission stop command step for transmitting a command to that effect to the portable terminal is included.

  According to a fourth means, in the third means, the image transmission stop command step transmits a message to the portable terminal requesting to end the image input when the management center issues a command to stop the transmission of the image data. And displaying on the display screen.

  The fifth means is a meter that measures the amount of energy used in the building and image processing so that it can be displayed on a display screen that is taken by the meter reader and photographed on the display of the meter. A portable terminal with a photographing function capable of acquiring the image data, and the image data transmitted from the portable terminal via the communication line is converted into numerical data by the numerical data converting means and stored in the storage means as a meter reading value indicating the measurement data And a metering meter reading system comprising a management center for storing, the management center includes control means for distributing the numerical data converted by the numerical data conversion means to the portable terminal via a communication line, and the portable terminal controls The numerical data distributed by the means is displayed on the display screen, and the result of comparing the meter display value and the numerical data on the display unit of the weighing meter is the same as A comparison result confirmation signal indicating the case of coincidence is transmitted to the management center via the communication line, and the control means of the management center identifies the case where the comparison result confirmation signal is coincidence and the case where they do not coincide, and In the case of coincidence, the numerical data is stored in the storage means as a meter reading value indicating the weighing data, and in the case of inconsistency, a request for re-execution of image data acquisition is transmitted to the portable terminal. To do.

  A sixth means is the fifth means wherein the control means sends a message to the portable terminal to request re-execution of image data acquisition when the comparison result confirmation signal does not match, and displays on the display screen. It is characterized by being displayed.

  The seventh means is the fifth means or the sixth means, wherein the control means issues a command to stop the transmission of the image data when the comparison result confirmation signal does not coincide with the predetermined number of times. And transmitting to the mobile terminal.

  The eighth means is the seventh means, wherein the control means transmits a message for requesting termination of image input to the portable terminal when the command for canceling transmission of image data is issued and displays the message on the display screen. It is characterized by making it.

  According to the present invention, the image data of the display unit of the metering meter that measures the amount of energy used photographed by the portable terminal with the photographing function carried by the meter reader is transmitted to the management center via the communication line and received by the management center. Assuming that the converted image data is converted into numerical data and distributed to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal sends the result indicating the match or mismatch between the numerical data and the meter display value on the metering meter display to the management center. In order to transmit to the portable terminal a request for re-execution of acquisition of image data in the case of non-coincidence, the numerical data in the case of coincidence is stored as a meter reading value indicating measurement data. If the weighing accuracy of the numerical data based on the initially obtained image data is not good, we can improve the weighing accuracy by acquiring the image data again, distributing the numerical data, and repeating the comparison. Is not now reliable weighing data is obtained, as a result, it is possible by automatic registration numerical data weighing meter (the meter reading value) without any trouble in the management center performs the needle with high precision.

It is the schematic block diagram which showed the basic composition of the meter-reading system for measurement meters which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which matched and showed the operation | movement process in the principal part (a mobile telephone, a management center) of the meter-reading system for weighing meters shown in FIG. 1 on a processing function.

  Hereinafter, the meter reading method and system for a meter according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, a technical overview of the metering method for a meter according to the present invention will be briefly described. In the meter-reading method for a meter according to the present invention, a display unit of a metering meter that measures the amount of energy used installed in a building is photographed with a portable terminal having a photographing function (camera), and is displayed on a display screen attached to the portable terminal. Image data obtained by image processing so that it can be displayed is transmitted to the management center. The management center converts the transmitted image data into numerical data by numerical data conversion means, and stores it in the storage means as meter reading values indicating the measurement data. When storing, the center distribution step of distributing numerical data converted by the numerical data conversion means by the management center to the portable terminal, the numerical data distributed from the management center by the portable terminal are displayed on the display screen, and the metering meter display Comparison result confirmation signal indicating whether the result of comparing the meter display value and numerical data in the section is the same or not A terminal comparison confirmation step transmitted to the management center, a meter reading value storing step in which numerical data is stored in the storage means as a meter reading value indicating measurement data when the comparison result confirmation signal is coincident by the management center, and a comparison result by the management center It is basically provided with a photographing re-execution requesting step for transmitting to the portable terminal a request for re-execution of photographing acquisition of image data when the confirmation signals do not match.

  However, in the imaging re-execution request step, it is preferable that a message to request re-execution of image data acquisition acquisition from the management center is transmitted to the portable terminal and displayed on the display screen. In the imaging re-execution request step, when the comparison result confirmation signal indicates a discrepancy by the management center for a predetermined number of times, an image transmission stop command step for transmitting a command to stop transmission of image data to the portable terminal is performed. It is preferable to include. Further, the image transmission stop command step may transmit a message requesting to end the image input to the portable terminal when the command for canceling the transmission of the image data is issued by the management center to be displayed on the display screen. preferable.

  According to such a meter reading method for a meter, the image data is converted into numerical data by the management center that has received the image data of the display unit of the meter measured by the portable terminal with the photographing function carried by the meter reader, and is carried by the meter. Assuming that the data is distributed to the terminal, the mobile terminal sends a match or mismatch result comparing the numeric data and the meter display value on the weighing meter display to the management center. The numerical data is stored as a meter reading value indicating the measurement data, and if they do not coincide with each other, it is possible to transmit to the portable terminal a request for re-execution of image data acquisition. As a result, if the weighing accuracy of the numerical data based on the initially obtained image data is not good, the image data is acquired again, the numerical data is distributed, and the comparison is repeated to improve the weighing accuracy and to provide highly reliable weighing data. As a result, the numerical data (meter reading value) of the metering meter can be automatically registered in the management center without taking time and the meter reading can be performed with high accuracy. In addition, even if image data is acquired for a predetermined number of times and numerical data is converted again, the measurement accuracy is not improved for a portable terminal that stops image transmission and terminates image input. The reliability of the weighing accuracy of the weighing data in the management center can be ensured by excluding the terminal.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a basic configuration of a metering system for a metering meter according to Example 1 of the present invention. This metering meter metering system embodies the metering meter metering method described above on the system. The metering meter 2 installed in the building 1 measures the energy consumption of electricity, gas, water, etc., and the metering meter. It is possible to acquire image data that is image-processed so that it can be displayed on a display screen that is attached to a person 3 by photographing the display unit (including the meter display panel 2a and meter number panel 2b) of the meter 2 A numerical data conversion device (numerical data conversion) converts image data transmitted from the mobile phone 5 which is a mobile terminal with a photographing function (for example, a digital camera) and a general line 7 such as a telephone line which is a communication line from the mobile phone 5. A management center 9 that converts the data into numerical data by means 11 and stores it in a database (storage means) 14 as meter reading values indicating the measurement data.

  Among these, the management center 9 receives a communication I / F 8 for transmitting / receiving communication data including image data to / from the mobile phone 5 via the general line 7 and various data including image data from the mobile phone 5. Operation of each unit is controlled according to a database 14 for storing and a predetermined program, and numerical data obtained by converting numerical image data by the numerical data converter 11 is sent to the mobile phone 5 via the communication I / F 8 and the general line 7. And a control device (control means) 10 for distribution. The database 14 includes a site name area 14a for storing a site name for identifying the building 1, a numerical data area 14b for storing numerical data obtained by converting numerical image data, and a meter number panel on the display unit of the metering meter 2. 2b has a meter number area 14c for storing a meter number, and a mobile number area 14d for storing a mobile number for specifying a sender (meter reading person 3) of the mobile phone 5.

  The mobile phone 5 displays the numerical data distributed by the control device 10 of the management center 9 on the display screen, and the result of comparing the meter display value and the numerical data on the display unit of the weighing meter 2 is the same And a comparison result confirmation signal indicating a case of mismatching are transmitted to the management center 9 via the general line 7. The control device 10 of the management center 9 discriminates between the case where the comparison result confirmation signals received from the communication I / F 8 are coincident and the case where they are not coincident, and in the case of coincidence, indicates the numerical data as the weighing data. Stored in the numerical data area 14c of the database 14 as a meter reading value, and if there is a discrepancy, sends a message to the mobile phone 5 via the communication I / F 8 and the general line 7 that requests re-execution of image data acquisition. To do. In addition, when the comparison result confirmation signal does not match, the control device 10 transmits a message to the mobile phone 5 via the communication I / F 8 and the general line 7 to request re-execution of image data acquisition. To display on the display screen. Further, when the comparison result confirmation signal does not coincide with the predetermined number of times, the control device 10 issues a command to stop the transmission of the image data and similarly passes through the communication I / F 8 and the general line 7. To the mobile phone 5. At this time, the control device 10 transmits a message for requesting termination of image input to the cellular phone 5 via the communication I / F 8 and the general line 7 when a command for canceling transmission of image data is issued. To display on the display screen.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation processing in the main parts (the mobile phone 5 and the management center 9) of this metering meter metering system in association with each other in terms of processing functions. Referring to FIG. 2, first of all, the meter reading person 3 carrying the mobile phone 5 is a camera on the display unit (including the meter display panel 2a and the meter number panel 2b) of the meter 2 installed at a predetermined location of the building 1. Image capturing (step S1) processing is performed by capturing. Further, the cellular phone 5 transmits image data obtained by performing image processing on data obtained by photographing the display unit of the metering meter 2 to the management sensor 9 via the general line 7, thereby performing image transmission (step S2) processing. . Therefore, the management center 9 receives the image data from the mobile phone 5 through the communication I / F 8 to perform image reception (step S3) processing. The processes according to steps S1 to S3 described above can be regarded as a data transmission step of transmitting image data from the mobile phone 5 to the management center 9.

  Next, in the management center 9, the control device 10 stores the name of the building 1 selected by the mobile phone 5 based on the image data transmitted from the communication I / F 8 in the site name area 14a in the database 14 as the site name. At the same time, the meter number of the meter number panel 2b in the display unit is stored in the meter number area 14c in the database 14, and the telephone number of the mobile phone 5 and the reception date and time (reception date / reception time) are also stored as the mobile number (data) in the database. 14 in the mobile number area 14d. Further, the control device 10 performs a reception count process (step S4) for counting the number of receptions for the telephone number of the mobile phone 5, and then activates the numerical data converter 11 to convert numerical image data into numerical data. (Step S5), the obtained numerical data is stored in the numerical data area 14b of the database 14, and the converted numerical data is transmitted to the mobile phone 5 via the communication I / F 8 and the general line 7. The numerical data transmission process (step S6) is performed by transmitting to. Thereby, the numerical data from the management center 9 is received by the mobile phone 5 carried by the meter reader 3, and the processing of numerical data reception (step S7) is performed. The processes according to steps S4 to S7 described above can be regarded as a center distribution step of distributing the numerical data converted by the numerical data converter 11 by the management center 9 to the mobile phone 5.

  Further, the meter reader 3 displays the numerical data distributed from the management center 9 on the display screen of the mobile phone 5, whereby the processing of displaying the numerical data (step S8) is performed. Therefore, the meter reader 3 carrying the mobile phone 5 compares the meter display value on the display unit (meter display panel 2a) of the metering meter 2 with the numerical data, and if the result is coincident, If the number 1 on the numeric keypad is pressed and the numbers do not match, the number 3 on the numeric keypad of the operation unit is pressed, and a comparison result confirmation signal is transmitted to the management center 9 to transmit one or three data (step S9). Perform the process. In the management center 9, when the communication I / F 8 receives 1 or 3 data, the 1 or 3 data reception process (step S10) is performed, whereby the control device 10 converts the numerical data to the numerical data by the numerical data converter 11. The result of whether or not the conversion is correctly performed will be received. The processes according to steps S8 to S10 described above can be regarded as a terminal confirmation step in which the mobile phone 5 transmits a comparison result confirmation signal to the management center 9.

  Subsequently, the control device 10 of the management center 9 determines whether or not the comparison result confirmation signal is 1 (step S11). If it is 1, the numerical data converted by the numerical data converter 11 is regarded as correct. The numerical data is stored in the numerical data area 14b of the database (DB) 14 to register the numerical data in the DB (step S12), and the operation process is terminated. The processes according to steps S11 and S12 described above can be regarded as a meter reading value storing step in which numerical data is stored in the database 14 as a meter reading value indicating measurement data when the comparison result confirmation signal is coincident. Incidentally, in the cellular phone 5, after the processing of 1 or 3 data transmission (step S9), it is determined whether the processing work related to the meter reading is OK or NG (step S13), and if it is OK, the operation process is ended. If it is NG, it waits so that the various messages mentioned later can be received from the management center 9. FIG.

  On the other hand, if the comparison result confirmation signal is not 1 (if 3), the numerical data converted by the numerical data converter 11 is regarded as incorrect, and the control device 10 determines the comparison result confirmation signal based on the mobile phone number of the mobile phone 5. It is determined whether or not the mobile number whose numeric data is incorrect is three times as a predetermined number of times when the number indicates a mismatch (step S14). If the result of this determination is that the mobile number whose numeric data is not correct is less than 3 times, a message is created (step S15) for requesting the mobile phone 5 to send a re-transmission request by re-executing the acquisition of image data. After that, a process of transmitting a message to the mobile phone 5 (step S17) is performed. Thereby, in the cellular phone 5, after the message reception request processing (step S18) is performed, the operation processing is ended through the processing for displaying the message (step S19) on the display screen. . The processes according to steps S14, S15, S17, and S18 described above can be regarded as a photographing re-execution request step for requesting the mobile phone 5 to re-execute photographing from the management center 9. Incidentally, the message display (step S19) is a process for displaying a message to the effect that the numerical data is retransmitted from the management center 9 to the mobile phone 5 after the image data is retransmitted from the mobile phone 5 to the management center 9. It is.

  On the other hand, as a result of determining whether or not the mobile number whose numeric data is not correct is 3 times (step S14), if it is 3 times or more, creating a message for requesting the mobile phone 5 to end image input After performing (Step S15), a process of transmitting a message to the mobile phone 5 (Step S17) is performed. Thereby, in the cellular phone 5, after the message reception completion processing (step S18) is performed, the operation processing is completed through the processing for displaying the message on the display screen (step S19). To do. The processing according to steps S14, S16, S17, and S18 described above is an image transmission stop command that is transmitted from the management center 9 to the mobile phone 5 by issuing a command to stop transmission of image data by the mobile phone 5. It can be regarded as a step (included in the previous photographing re-execution request step). Incidentally, in the message display (step S19), a message for requesting to end image input is issued on the display screen when a command to stop transmission of image data is issued.

  Note that, during the operation process shown in FIG. 2, the 1 or 3 data transmission process (step S9) performed by the mobile phone 5 and the 1 or 3 data reception related to the control device 10 of the management center 9 corresponding thereto are performed. The process of (Step S10) and the determination of whether or not it is 1 (Step S11), and the determination of whether or not the incorrect mobile number of the numerical data related to the control device 10 of the management center 9 is three times (Step S14) This process is merely an example of the setting in the operation unit of the mobile phone 5 performed by the meter reader 3 and the processing function of the control device 10 of the management center 9 corresponding to the setting. Since it can be arbitrarily changed, the meter-reading system for the metering meter of the present invention is not limited to the one having the operation processing function described in FIG. Further, in the first embodiment, the case where the mobile phone 5 having a camera function is used to photograph the display unit of the weighing meter 2 is described. However, for example, image data is transmitted to the management center 9 via a communication line. The present invention can be applied to other portable terminals with photographing functions that can be exchanged and the call function of the cellular phone 5 is omitted. Therefore, the metering system for a metering meter according to the present invention is limited to that having the configuration shown in FIG. Not.

1 Building 2 Metering Meter 2a Meter Display Panel 2b Meter Number Panel 3 Meter Reader 5 Mobile Phone 7 General Line 8 Communication I / F
9 Management Center 10 Control Device 11 Numerical Data Conversion Device 14 Database

Claims (8)

An image obtained by photographing a display unit of a metering meter that measures the amount of energy used in a building with a portable terminal with a photographing function, and performing image processing so that it can be displayed on a display screen attached to the portable terminal. In the metering method for the metering meter, the data is transmitted to the management center, and the transmitted image data is converted into numerical data by the numerical data conversion unit in the management center and stored in the storage unit as the meter reading value indicating the measurement data.
A center distribution step of distributing the numerical data converted by the numerical data conversion means by the management center to the mobile terminal; and displaying the numerical data distributed from the management center by the mobile terminal on the display screen; A terminal confirmation step of transmitting a comparison result confirmation signal indicating a case where the result of comparing the meter display value and the numerical data on the display unit of the metering meter is a match and a case where the result is a mismatch, to the management center; When the comparison result confirmation signal is coincident by the management center, the meter value storing step for storing the numerical data in the storage means as the meter reading value indicating the measurement data; and the comparison result confirmation signal is obtained by the management center. In the case of the mismatch, a message to request re-execution of the acquisition and acquisition of the image data is transmitted to the portable terminal Meter reading method for weighing meter characterized by having an a photographing resubmit step.   2. The meter reading method according to claim 1, wherein the imaging re-execution requesting step transmits a message to the portable terminal to request the re-execution of imaging acquisition of the image data from the management center. A metering method for a metering meter, characterized in that it is displayed by   3. The metering meter reading method according to claim 1, wherein the imaging re-execution requesting step transmits the image data when the comparison result confirmation signal indicates the mismatch by a predetermined number of times by the management center. A meter reading method for a meter, comprising an image transmission stop command step of issuing a command for canceling and transmitting the command to the portable terminal.   4. The meter reading method for a meter according to claim 3, wherein the image transmission stop command step includes a message for requesting to end image input when a command to stop transmission of the image data is issued by the management center. A meter-reading method for a meter, which is transmitted to a portable terminal and displayed on the display screen. A meter that measures the amount of energy used in the building, and image data that has been imaged so that it can be displayed on the display screen attached by taking a picture of the meter meter's display unit carried by the meter reader A portable terminal with a photographing function that can be used, and management for storing the image data transmitted from the portable terminal through a communication line into numerical data by a numerical data converting means and storing it in a storage means as a meter reading value indicating measurement data A metering meter reading system comprising a center,
The management center includes control means for distributing the numerical data converted by the numerical data conversion means to the portable terminal via the communication line, and the portable terminal receives the numerical data distributed by the control means. The communication line displays a comparison result confirmation signal that is displayed on the display screen and indicates a case where the result of comparing the meter display value on the display unit of the metering meter and the numerical data is coincident with each other. The control means of the management center identifies the case where the comparison result confirmation signal is the coincidence and the case where the coincidence is not coincident, and if the coincidence is coincident, the control means of the management center Numerical data is stored in the storage means as a meter reading value indicating the measurement data, and if the data does not match, a request is made to re-execute the acquisition of the image data. Meter reading system for metering meter and transmits to the portable terminal.   6. The meter-reading system for a meter according to claim 5, wherein the control means transmits a message to the mobile terminal requesting re-execution of the acquisition of the image data when the comparison result confirmation signal does not match. Then, the meter reading system for the metering meter is displayed on the display screen.   7. The meter-reading system for a meter according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the control means issues a command to stop the transmission of the image data when the comparison result confirmation signal does not coincide with a predetermined number of times. Then, the metering system for the metering meter is transmitted to the portable terminal.   8. The meter-reading system for a meter according to claim 7, wherein the control means transmits a message to the portable terminal for requesting to end image input when a command to stop transmission of the image data is issued. A meter reading system for a meter, which is displayed on a display screen.

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