JP7273567B2 - instrument reading system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a meter reading system capable of reading various meters installed in facilities such as ordinary homes, buildings, and hotels.

Water, gas, electricity, etc. used in general households and buildings are each measured by dedicated meters. In general households, measurements are taken to calculate usage, and in buildings, comprehensive management of various facilities. Various instruments are also measured for operation monitoring, periodic inspection, and the like. Measurements by various instruments are often visually observed by specialized inspectors and recorded by manual input. However, when there are a large number of instruments that inspectors are in charge of, not only is it extremely time-consuming to record the measurement results visually and manually, but there is also the possibility of misreading the meter or making an input error. Therefore, there was a possibility that correct meter reading could not be performed. Therefore, there is a meter reader capable of automating recording of measurement results by reading the value indicated by the meter (for example, see Patent Document 1).

The meter reading device of Patent Document 1 is used particularly for a single-needle rotary meter in which a rotatable pointer points on a scale display, and has imaging means for imaging the meter. It is a device that analyzes and detects the shape of the pointer, and can read the value indicated by the pointer on the scale display. More specifically, scale information such as the interval between scale lines in the scale display is set in advance as an initial setting parameter. It is made readable.

Japanese Patent No. 4020377 (page 6, Figure 16) Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 55-053466 (page 5, FIG. 1)

In the meter reading device of Patent Document 1, the value indicated by the meter is read by associating the rotation angle of the pointer with the scale information, which is the initial setting parameter. There is a problem that the value cannot be read accurately in the case of a gauge whose scale indicates a value that is not proportional to the rotation angle, or that the interval between the scale lines is not constant.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a meter reading system capable of accurately reading a value indicated by a single-needle rotary meter.

In order to solve the above problems, the meter reading system of the present invention includes:
An instrument reading system for reading a value indicated by a single-needle rotating instrument indicated by a rotatable pointer on a scale display,
a mobile information terminal having imaging means for imaging the instrument; and a server connected to the mobile information terminal via the Internet and provided with analysis means for analyzing the image received from the mobile information terminal and captured by the imaging means. , and
The analysis means detects the shape of the pointer from the imaged image, and arranges main scale lines arranged at predetermined increments and between the main scale lines constituting the scale display. a processing for distinguishingly detecting each of the sub-scale lines that are drawn, detecting numeral displays in the vicinity of the scale display from the imaged image, and detecting the nearest major or sub-scale line to which the numeral displays are closest. corresponding to
In addition, the analysis means detects a two-dimensional code printed on a sticker attached to the instrument from within the image captured by the imaging means received from the portable information terminal, and corresponds to the two-dimensional code. Using the identification information of the instrument, the unit pre-entered in the basic data is inquired, the measured value indicated by the pointer determined from the image is digitized using the inquired unit, and the measured value data It is characterized by
According to this feature, the analysis means of the meter reading system distinguishes and detects the scale lines of large units and the scale lines of small units that constitute the scale display. Even in a single-needle rotary type instrument with different intervals between scale lines of units, the value indicated by the indicating needle can be read accurately.

The analyzing means detects an arc-shaped ruled line forming the scale display from the captured image, and determines a range from one end to the other end of the ruled line as the range of the scale display. Characterized by
According to this feature, by determining the scale display range, it is possible to exclude lines that are not related to the actual scale display, so that the value indicated by the pointer can be read accurately, and the processing speed is improved. can be made

The analysis means detects an arc-shaped ruled line forming the scale display from the captured image, and determines the number display arranged along the ruled line as a number corresponding to the scale display. and
According to this feature, by limiting what is determined as a number corresponding to the scale display to the number display arranged along the arc-shaped ruled line that constitutes the scale display, the numbers that are not related to the actual scale display can be determined. can be excluded, the value indicated by the pointer can be read accurately, and the processing speed can be improved.

The analysis means stores at least one past image taken before in addition to the image taken in real time, and uses the past image to determine the scale line in the image taken in real time. It is characterized by being able to supplement information.
According to this feature, for example, information on scale lines that cannot be detected due to overlapping pointers in images captured in real time or cannot be detected due to light reflection can be complemented from past images. The value shown can be read accurately.

1 is a conceptual diagram showing a meter reading system in an embodiment of the invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a front view showing a display panel of a single-needle rotary type instrument; It is a figure which shows the top screen of the application utilized in a meter reading system. It is a figure which shows the basic data utilized for preparation of the ledger list|wrist in a server. It is a figure which shows the mode of reading of the meter using a smart phone. 10 is a flow chart showing indicated position determination processing of the meter reading system for determining the position indicated by the pointer on the scale display in order to perform the measured value determination processing of reading the measured value from the display panel of the meter. FIG. 3 is a front view showing a display panel of a gauge having different intervals between major scale lines and intervals between minor scale lines.

A mode for implementing a meter reading system according to the present invention will be described below based on an embodiment.

An instrument reading system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG.

The meter reading system in this embodiment reads the value indicated by the single-needle rotating meter, which is indicated by a rotatable pointer on the scale display, thereby automating the recording of measurement results by visual inspection and manual input. It is a system that is mainly used by so-called building management companies that perform comprehensive management, operation monitoring, and periodic inspections of various building facilities. The meter reading system can centrally manage numerical values of meters installed in a plurality of properties by a server 3, which will be described later. An example is to read and record the numerical value of the instrument.

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

Further, although the meter M does not constitute the meter reading system 1 of this embodiment, it is necessary for explaining the function of the meter reading system 1, so it will be explained in detail with reference to 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 this embodiment has a scale display 6 displayed on a display panel 5, and a pointer 4 rotatable along the scale display 6. It is a so-called single-needle rotating instrument that points to the

The scale display 6 is composed of a main scale line 7, a sub-scale line 8, and an arc-shaped ruled line 12. The main scale line 7 is a thick line arranged at each predetermined increment (here, 0.1). , the sub-scale lines 8 are thin lines that are arranged between some of the main scale lines 7 and represent the increments between the main scale lines 7 by dividing them.

A sticker 11 printed with a two-dimensional code 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 meter M is located, identification information for distinguishing a plurality of meters M within the property, and indicator needle 4 on which the attached meter M can rotate. and information indicating whether it is a single-needle rotary meter or a direct-reading meter indicated on the scale display. The smartphone 2 has a reading function, and can obtain such information by photographing the two-dimensional code.

As shown in FIG. 1, the server 3 comprises an arithmetic device 9 for analysis and a storage medium 10 . Various correspondence tables are stored in the storage medium 10 . For example, the property ID indicating the property where the meter M provided by the two-dimensional code of the sticker 11 is installed, the identification information given to the meter M, and the classification of the meter M (for example, "2nd basement floor XX room" or " gas"), etc., and a ledger list for recording measurement value data for each identification information of the instrument M. There is also a correspondence table that associates a user name, which is unique identification information given to an inspector who uses the meter reading system 1, with identification information of the meter M managed by this user name.

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

On the top screen 15, a button 16 for proceeding to the viewing function and a button 17 for proceeding to the recording function are selectively displayed. When the button 16 to proceed to the viewing function is selected, the server 3 displays the measured value data of the meter associated with the user name input on the login screen in a viewable manner.

Specifically, the server 3 looks up the user name in the correspondence 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, if there are multiple properties managed by a user name, first display a screen on the smartphone 2 that displays multiple property names so that they can be selected, and then list only the measurement value data of the meter of the selected property. process such as providing it so that it can be browsed by

Next, the recording function will be explained. In recording the measured values represented by the instrument M on the data, the inspector first prepares a ledger list. The ledger list can be created based on the basic data created in an editable and versatile file format. In the present embodiment, a case where the basic data 18 (see FIG. 4) is created on spreadsheet software that operates on a computer will be described as an example.

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

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 5, when the inspector takes an image from the display panel 5 side of the instrument M, the entire shape of the scale display 6, the pointer 4, and the two-dimensional code of the seal 11 are within the angle of view of the smartphone 2. Shoot 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 information on the date and time when the image was captured. The server 3 stores the received image together with the information of the date and time when the image was taken, in association with the identification information of the instrument M with a predetermined limit of the number of images.

In the server 3 , the received image is analyzed by the computing device 9 . First, the arithmetic unit 9 determines and extracts the shape of the scale display 6 from the received image. Specifically, first, an arc-shaped ruled line 12 is searched for, and it is determined whether or not a plurality of lines intersect the detected ruled line. It is determined that the scale display 6 represents the measured value.

Next, the thickness of the lines intersecting with the arc-shaped ruled lines 12 constituting the scale display 6 is compared, and the relatively thick lines are designated as the main scale lines 7, and the relatively thin lines are designated as the sub-scale lines 8. determine each. Then, the area between the main scale lines 7 crossing both ends of the arc-shaped ruled line 12 is determined as the range of the scale display 6 . In addition, in the scale display 6 whose outer shape forms a substantially circular ring with an end, the arithmetic unit 9 sets the main scale line located on the start side of the clockwise rotation as the main scale line 7A at the start end, and the main scale line located at the end side as the end. , respectively, as the main scale line 7B.

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 that intersect at one point in the extension direction are drawn. , are determined as the main scale line 7 and the sub scale line 8 constituting the scale display. Then, from the determined main scale line 7, the main scale lines 7A and 7B at both ends in the continuous direction are grasped, and the range between the main scale lines 7A and 7B at both ends is determined as the range of the scale display 6.

Next, the computing device 9 determines and extracts the shape of the pointer 4 from the received image. Specifically, within the range of the determined scale display 6, a line that intersects with the scale display 6 forming a substantially circular ring with ends and is thicker than the main scale line 7 and the sub-scale line 8 is determined as the pointer 4. do. In other words, since the pointer 4 is thicker than the main scale line 7, if there is even a part that does not overlap the pointer 4 and the main scale line 7 in the extension direction when they overlap, the pointer 4 and the main scale line 7 are distinguished. can be determined individually.

Using the determined information, the measured value determination process is performed to read the actual measured value. In the measurement value determination process, the calculation device 9 performs a pointed position determination process for determining the position indicated by the pointer 4 on the scale display 6 .

In addition to this pointing position determination processing, 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 meter M from the two-dimensional code, and determines the correspondence relationship with the image. In addition, the code read processing that is temporarily held is performed.

The pointed position determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Arithmetic device 9 determines the position of pointer 4 within the range of scale display 6 . Specifically, it is determined whether or not the pointer 4 overlaps any main scale line 7 (step S01), and if the pointer 4 overlaps any main scale line 7, the process proceeds to step S02, It is determined which major scale line 7 the main scale line 7 overlaps with from the start side (the side of the main scale line 7A at the start end) within the range of the scale display 6, and the process proceeds to numerical conversion processing.

Conversely, if the pointer 4 does not overlap any major scale line 7, the process advances to step S03 to determine whether the pointer 4 overlaps any minor scale line 8. 4 overlaps any of the sub-scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S04, where the indicator needle 4 is positioned on the main scale line of what number and what number (for example, the third and fourth) when counted from the main scale line 7A at the starting end. 7 is determined.

Next, in step S05, it is determined how many sub-scale lines 8 exist between the main scale lines 7 positioned with the pointer 4 therebetween. counted from the main scale line 7A) to determine which sub-scale line 8 overlaps, and shift to numerical conversion processing.

If it is determined in step S03 that the pointer 4 does not overlap any of the sub-scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S07, where the pointer 4 is positioned between any of the main and sub-scale lines 7 and 8. determines whether it is located at If the pointer 4 is positioned between one of the main scale lines 7 and the sub-scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S08, and the main scale line 7 positioned to the side of the pointer 4 is the starting major scale line. It is determined what number it is counting from 7A, and the process proceeds to step S09, where the pointer 4 is on the starting end side of the main scale line 7 (starting main scale line 7A side) or terminal end side (terminating main scale line 7B side). ) on which side it is positioned, and shifts to numerical conversion processing.

If it is determined in step S07 that the pointer 4 is not positioned between any of the main scale lines 7 and sub-scale lines 8, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether the indicating needle 4 is positioned between the main scale line 7 of which number and which number (for example, the third and fourth) counted from the side of the main scale line 7A at the starting end.

Next, in step S11, it is determined how many sub-scale lines 8 exist between the main scale lines 7 located on both sides of the pointer 4. FIG. In the following step S12, between the main scale lines 7, the pointer 4 is positioned between the sub-scale lines 8 of what number and what number (for example, first and second) counting from the starting end side (main scale line 7A side of the starting end). , and shifts to numerical conversion processing.

The computing device 9 performs numerical value conversion processing based on the determination of the position indicated by the pointer 4 on the scale display 6 by the indicated position determination processing.

In performing the numerical conversion process, the arithmetic unit 9 detects the shape of the numerals on the display board 5, and among the detected numeral shapes, only the numeral display 13 arranged along the arc-shaped ruled line 12 is scaled. The number corresponding to the display 6 is determined, and the shape of the number closest to the main scale line 7 in the scale display 6 is associated with the main scale line 7 and stored.

Specifically, the shape of the number closest to the main scale line 7 in the extending direction and having a relatively large number is the number corresponding to the main scale line 7 .

Then, if the position information indicated by the pointer 4 on the scale display 6 determined by the indicated position determination process is position information that overlaps with any of the main scale lines 7, the shape of the number is associated with the main scale line 7. If there is a shape of the associated number, the number is subjected to character recognition, and the numerical 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 a corresponding number shape, the main scale lines 7 adjacent to both sides of the main scale line 7 are associated with a number shape. If so, the median value is calculated after character recognition, and the value is adopted as the measured value. In addition, when the shape of the number is not associated with the main scale lines 7 adjacent to both sides, based on the shape of the number associated with one of the main scale lines 7, from the relative positional relationship, the instruction The numerical value of the main scale line 7 pointed by the needle 4 is calculated and adopted as the measured value.

Further, if the position information indicated by the indicator needle 4 on the scale display 6 determined by the indicated position determination process is position information that overlaps with any of the sub-scale lines 8, the arithmetic device 9 first determines in step S04 Based on the information as to what number the indicator needle 4 is located between the main scale lines 7 counted from the main scale line 7A at the starting end, the numerical values of these main scale lines 7 are calculated, and the measured values are obtained. adopted as

Next, information about how many sub-scale lines 8 exist between the main scale lines 7 located across the pointer 4 determined in step S05, and the starting point of the pointer 4 determined in step S06. The ratio between the major scale lines 7 whose numerical value is calculated based on the information as to which sub-scale line 8 overlaps counting from the side (main scale line 7A side of the starting end), for example, "0.4" Between the main scale line 7 associated with the numerical value of "0.5" and the main scale line 7 associated with the numerical value of "0.5", if it is the third sub-scale line 8 among the four, The numerical value represented by the scale line 8 is calculated to be "0.46" and adopted as the measured value.

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

In addition, when the position information indicated by the pointer 4 on the scale display 6 determined by the pointed position determination process does not overlap any of the sub-scale lines 8 and is positioned between any of the sub-scale lines 8. , information as to which sub-scale line 8 the indicator needle 4 is positioned between, counting from the starting end side (main scale line 7A side of the starting end) determined in step S12; Based on the ratio between the sub-scale lines 8, the value indicated by the pointer 4 is calculated and adopted as the measured value.

When the calculation device 9 thus determines the values to be adopted as the measured values, it stores these values in the ledger list. As described above, the arithmetic device 9 reads the property ID of the property and the identification information of the meter M from the two-dimensional code in the image by the code reading process, and temporarily holds the property ID together with the corresponding relationship with the image. and the identification information of the instrument M is used to refer to the information preliminarily entered in the basic data 18, and according to the number of digits referred to, digitize the value adopted as the measured value determined from the same image, and further reference It is stored in the ledger list as measurement value data with the specified unit. At this time, information on the date and time when the image was captured is stored in the ledger list in association with the measurement value data. Further, the arithmetic unit 9 stores the original data of the photographed image in the storage medium 10 in association with the date and time information at the time of photographing.

As described above, the arithmetic unit 9 in the meter reading system 1 of the present invention distinguishes and detects the major scale lines 7 of large units and the minor scale lines 8 of small units that constitute the scale display 6. Even in a single-needle rotary meter M in which the intervals between the scale lines 7 and the sub-scale lines 8 are different, the value indicated by the pointer 4 can be accurately read based on the total number of each.

For example, as shown in FIG. 7, in a single-needle rotary meter M in which the intervals between the main scale lines 27 and the intervals between the sub-scale lines 28 are different, the main scale lines 27 and the large-unit main scale lines 27 constituting the scale display 26 Since the sub-scale lines 28 of small units are separately detected, the values indicated by the pointers 24A and 24B can be accurately read based on the respective total numbers. Note that the instrument M in FIG. 7 has two indicator needles 24A and 24B of different lengths and colors, but the arithmetic unit 9 distinguishes these two indicator needles 24A and 24B by length, color, thickness, etc. Then you can read the pointed value separately.

In addition, in order to correspond the number display 13 near the scale display 6 to the closest main scale line 7 in the plurality of number displays in the captured image, another number written on the instrument M, that is, the measurement with the instrument M Digits irrelevant to the value to be read can be excluded and the value indicated by pointer 4 can be read accurately.

Further, the arithmetic unit 9 detects the arc-shaped ruled line 12 forming the scale display 6 from the imaged image, and determines the range of the scale display 6 between both ends of the ruled line 12 . According to this, by judging the range of the scale display 6, it is possible to exclude lines and the like unrelated to the actual scale display 6, so that the value indicated by the pointer 4 can be accurately read, and the processing speed can be improved. can be improved.

Further, when the arithmetic unit 9 analyzes the image, the numbers that are determined as the numbers corresponding to the scale display 6 are limited to the number displays arranged along the arc-shaped ruled lines 12 that constitute the scale display 6. , numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 can be excluded, the value indicated by the pointer 4 can be read accurately, and the processing speed can be improved.

By the way, for example, in an image captured in real time, 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 may be affected by the reflection of light. It may not be possible to determine the exact number of Therefore, the arithmetic device 9 of the instrument reading system 1 can supplement the information on the main scale line 7 or the sub-scale line 8 .

When the arithmetic device 9 analyzes the image, if it can be confirmed that the tip of the shape of the pointer protrudes in the outer diameter direction from the left and right main scale lines, the main scale line where the shape of the pointer overlaps exists. Doubt that the

More specifically, as described above, the server 3 stores the received images together with information on the date and time when the images were taken, in association with the identification information of the instrument M with a predetermined limit on the number of images. In determining whether or not it is necessary to complement the obtained scale line information, the previous image and the latest image of the identification information of the same instrument M are collated.

In collating the past image and the latest image, the arithmetic unit 9 first performs a process of matching the angles of these images, and then compares these images. The past image used for this comparison is the latest image in which the pointer is not located in the area where the pointer is located (hereinafter simply referred to as the "corresponding location").

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

By performing similar processing, the arithmetic unit 9 determines whether or not there is a sub-scale line in the area where the pointer is positioned in the latest image, and complements the information on the scale line as necessary. can be processed.

When analyzing the image, even if it can be confirmed that the tip of the shape of the indicator protrudes in the outer diameter direction from the left and right main scale lines, the measured value is displayed at the point pointed by the indicator. If the shape of the number can be confirmed, it may be determined that the number is pointed, and the process of complementing the information on the scale line may be omitted.

Further, the meter reading system 1 of the present embodiment can determine the numerical value indicated by the pointer 4 by performing image analysis on the image of the meter M photographed from the display panel 5 side. If so, it is possible to universally read the measured values measured by different manufacturers and types of instruments.

Moreover, in the meter 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 a plurality of meters M, and introduction costs can be suppressed.

In addition, since the calculation device 9 determines the position indicated by the pointer 4 within the range of the scale display 6, the measurement value measured by the meter M is accurately obtained regardless of the inclination of the image captured by the smartphone 2 that is hand-held. can be read to

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

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 those of the above-described embodiment. A condition for discriminating a plurality of numerical displays to be arranged may be used.

Further, the process of excluding numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6, the indicated position determination process, and the measured value determination process, which are enumerated in the above embodiments, are not limited to the configuration of actually setting such a program. It may be achieved by machine learning in which a plurality of images are repeatedly analyzed and the accuracy rate is improved using a large amount of analysis results. It should be noted that even when performing analysis using machine learning, it corresponds to the process of excluding numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 enumerated in the above-described embodiments, the indicated position determination process, and the measurement value determination process. A plurality of such processes are combined to determine the final numerical value. In other words, from images such as those shown in FIGS. 2 and 7 , whether the single-needle rotating instrument M with different intervals between the main scale lines and between the sub-scale lines can be distinguished from each other can be detected. By testing whether or not the measured values include figures other than the shapes of the numbers to be displayed, the process of excluding numbers unrelated to the actual scale display 6 as described above, the indicated position determination process, and the measured value determination process can be performed. It is possible to confirm that machine learning that can withstand practical use has been completed by adding corresponding processing to the determination.

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

Further, the imaging means capable of photographing the meter M is not limited to the portable smart phone 2 or the like, and for example, a camera device installed in front of each meter 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 an access point connected by 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 trouble of manual taking pictures can be saved.

When a camera device is installed in front of each instrument M in this way, the ledger list and correspondence table of the instrument M included in the two-dimensional code written on the sticker 11 affixed to the instrument M Instead of the identification information, individual identification information of the camera device may be used to inquire about the correspondence.

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

1 Instrument reading system 2 Smartphone (imaging means)
3 Server (analysis means)
4 Pointer 5 Display board 6 Scale display 7 Main scale line 8 Sub scale line 9 Arithmetic device 10 Storage medium 11 Seal 12 Circular ruled line 13 Numerical display 18 Basic data 24A, 24B Pointer 26 Scale display 27 Main scale line 28 Sub Scale line M Instrument

Claims (4)

An instrument reading system for reading a value indicated by a single-needle rotating instrument indicated by a rotatable pointer on a scale display,
a mobile information terminal having imaging means for imaging the instrument; and a server connected to the mobile information terminal via the Internet and provided with analysis means for analyzing the image received from the mobile information terminal and captured by the imaging means. , and
The analysis means detects the shape of the pointer from the imaged image, and arranges main scale lines arranged at predetermined increments and between the main scale lines constituting the scale display. a processing for distinguishingly detecting each of the sub-scale lines that are drawn, detecting numeral displays in the vicinity of the scale display from the imaged image, and detecting the nearest major or sub-scale line to which the numeral displays are closest. corresponding to
In addition, the analysis means detects a two-dimensional code printed on a sticker attached to the instrument from within the image captured by the imaging means received from the portable information terminal, and corresponds to the two-dimensional code. Using the identification information of the instrument, the unit pre-entered in the basic data is inquired, the measured value indicated by the pointer determined from the image is digitized using the inquired unit, and the measured value data A meter reading system characterized by: The analyzing means detects an arc-shaped ruled line forming the scale display from the captured image, and determines a range from one end to the other end of the ruled line as the range of the scale display. The meter reading system of Claim 1. The analysis means detects an arc-shaped ruled line forming the scale display from the captured image, and determines the number display arranged along the ruled line as a number corresponding to the scale display. 3. The meter reading system according to claim 1 or 2. The analysis means stores at least one past image taken before in addition to the image taken in real time, and uses the past image to determine the scale line in the image taken in real time. 4. A meter reading system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the information can be complemented.

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