KR100570562B1 - Enhanced reliable automatic meter reading system and automatic meter reading method using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading system which improves the reliability of the meter reading data by compressing and transmitting the meter reading data display unit into image data and converting the numerical data into numerical data. To this end, the automatic meter reading system of the present invention converts the part including the meter reading data display part on the front of a plurality of meter readers into mother image data, and compresses the child image data of the meter reading data display part extracted from the mother image data. Transmitting and receiving the child image data, retransmitting and collecting the child image data, receiving and converting the retransmitted child image data into numerical data, and recognizing rate of the parent image data, the child image data, the numerical data, and the child image data. Displaying at least one of the data. Through the present invention, it is possible to remotely obtain meter data with significantly improved reliability.

Automatic meter reading method, automatic meter reading device, reader, reliability

Description

Automatic metering system with improved reliability and automatic metering method using the same {ENHANCED RELIABLE AUTOMATIC METER READING SYSTEM AND AUTOMATIC METER READING METHOD USING THE SAME}

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic meter reading system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic meter reading system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

3 is an internal configuration diagram of a reader according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which a reader extracts meter reading data of a meter according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is an internal structural diagram of a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is an internal structural diagram of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram illustrating an output screen of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a diagram illustrating a terminal output screen when correcting image data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading system and an automatic meter reading method using the same. More particularly, the meter reading data display unit is converted into image data, compressed and transmitted, and then converted into numerical data to grasp the meter reading data, thereby improving reliability of the meter reading data. The present invention relates to an improved automatic meter reading system and an automatic meter reading method using the same.

When using electricity, water, and gas in homes and factories, the amount is charged at regular intervals. In order to check the amount of electricity, water and gas used, a meter is attached to each supply pipe. In the related art, meter readers directly check the meter with the naked eye, record the value of the meter, and then charge a fee to each home and factory based on this.

However, when the meter readers charge the fee according to the usage based on the numerical value recorded by checking the meter directly, there was a problem of low reliability due to a lot of errors due to handwriting. In addition, the cost of manpower increased by employing a large number of meter readers for meter reading, and there was a problem that the metering work in homes and factories was impossible due to the house being empty or access denied. On the other hand, the process of inputting the data manually recorded by the meter reader into the computer is cumbersome, and there are many problems such as an error in the data again in this process.

In order to solve this problem, automatic meter reading (AMR) has been developed to automatically read remotely. The automatic meter reading system uses the AMR terminal, a beeper, code division multiple access (CDMA) and leased lines to remotely read meter data and provide integrated management notice. As a result, meter reading is performed by using a communication means at a remote location, which eliminates the need for meter reading and greatly reduces manpower costs. In addition, it is easy to analyze the meter data to increase the efficiency of administrative management, there is an advantage that can establish a long-term energy plan.

As an example of such an automatic meter reading system, Korean Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-0067017 discloses a wireless remote meter reading system and a wireless remote meter reading method of an integrated meter. Here, the image sensor module scans or picks up the number displayed on the numerical display of the totalizer. Accordingly, the integrated digital numeric image is converted into a numeric code by a character recognition module, and then wirelessly transmitted, so that the integrated amount can be wirelessly read.

However, this method takes the method of transmitting the integrated digital numeric image that is converted from the totalizer to the character recognition module, and thus takes a long time due to the number recognition in a relatively small processing environment, and also requires many parts in the image sensor module itself. Accordingly, there is a problem in that power consumption is high. Therefore, the size of the meter reading device attached to each of the total meter is not only inconvenient to handle, but also when the power is not supplied due to power failure or battery discharge, there is a problem that can not obtain the necessary meter data in time.

In addition, since the number obtained by converting the image, not the image itself, is imported to the server, there is a problem that the reliability of the data is inferior because the original acquired data cannot be presented to the user when a problem arises due to a dispute with the user about the meter reading data. .

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, by extracting the unrecognized meter reading image itself of the reader from the reader to transfer to the server to simplify the structure of the reader, and to check the meter data image directly on the server The aim is to further increase the reliability of the meter reading data.

The automatic meter reading method of this invention converts the part containing the meter reading data display part in front of many meter readings into mother image data, and compresses the child image data of the said meter reading data display part extracted from the said mother image data. Transmitting and receiving, collecting and retransmitting the child image data, and receiving and retransmitting the retransmitted child image data into numerical data, and the mother image data, the child image data, the numerical data and And displaying at least one data of the recognition rate data of the child image data.

In the displaying of the data, when the recognition rate of the child image data is less than or equal to a preset value, the data may be displayed together with one of the parent image data and the child image data and the recognition rate of the child image data.

The automatic meter reading method of the present invention may further include modifying the magnetic image data area, and may further include repeating each step according to a predetermined time. The method may further include encoding and backing up the magnetic image data.

The compressing and transmitting the child image data preferably includes inserting a digitized mark into each of the child image data.

On the other hand, the step of receiving, collecting and retransmitting the child image data, preferably comprises the step of inserting a security watermark to each of the child image data.

The automatic meter reading system according to the present invention is detachably fixed to a front surface of each meter, and the meter data display section which converts a portion including the meter data display section on the front of the meter into parent image data and extracts from the mother image data. A plurality of readers for compressing and transmitting the child image data, a plurality of repeaters wirelessly connected to the reader to receive and collect the child image data from the reader, and then retransmitting the plurality of readers; A server for receiving the child image data from a repeater and converting the child image data into numerical data, and connected to the server to at least one of the child image data, the numerical data and the recognition rate data of the magnetic image data It includes a terminal to display.

And a plurality of clients connected to the server and authenticated to receive data selected from the self image data and the numerical data.

The server may include a database for storing identification numbers of the reader and the repeater in order to determine in real time the state of the reader and the repeater.

On the other hand, the server may include a database for encoding and backing up the child image data.

The reader and the repeater may be wirelessly connected in a radio frequency (RF) manner.

Here, the reader, an image sensor for converting the portion including the meter reading data display unit on the front of the meter to the parent image data, connected to the image sensor, and stores the mother image data converted by the image sensor A memory, a central processing unit (CPU) for extracting and compressing the child image data of the meter reading data display unit from the mother image data and connected to the memory, and the compressed child image data connected to the central processing unit It may include an RF unit for receiving and transmitting to the repeater.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. These embodiments of the present invention are merely for illustrating the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic meter reading system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The automatic meter reading system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is detachably fixed to the front of each of the meter readers 40 (the same as shown in FIG. 4, hereinafter). A plurality of readers 300 and readers for converting a portion including the reading data display portion of the reading into mother image data and compressing and transmitting the child image data of the reading data display portion extracted from the mother image data. 300 is connected to a plurality of repeaters 200, the repeater 200, and wirelessly connected to the repeater 200 to receive and collect the self image data from the reader 300 is wirelessly connected to receive the child image data from the repeater 200 A server 400 for converting the data into numerical data, and a terminal 400 connected to the server 100 to display at least one of child image data, numerical data, and recognition rate data of the child image data. In addition, the automatic meter reading system of the present invention may further include other necessary accessory devices.

Here, since the meter reader 40 may use an existing analog meter reader or a digital meter reader, the automatic meter reading system of the present invention is highly compatible. In addition, according to the hierarchical structure consisting of the reader 300, the repeater 200, and the server 100 in order to transmit and receive the meter-related data, the reliability of the meter data is high.

Hereinafter, the image data which image | photographed the part containing the meter reading data display part of the meter reader front surface is called mother image data, and the image data of the meter data display part which extracted from the mother image data is called child image data. .

Further, in the automatic meter reading system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the part including the meter reading data display unit is converted into mother image data, and the child image data of the meter reading data display unit extracted from the mother image data is compressed and transmitted. Receiving, collecting and retransmitting the child image data, receiving and converting the retransmitted child image data into numerical data, and among recognition rate data of the mother image data, the child image data, the numerical data, and the child image data. An automatic meter reading method comprising displaying at least one data is executed.

By repeating these steps periodically, the meter reading data can be obtained by year, month, week or day through the automatic meter reading system 10. Meter reading data according to year, month, week or daily can be obtained by repeating the above steps according to a predetermined time. For example, data may be acquired for each period by performing the above steps on the 30th, 31st, Sunday, and 24:00. Each of the above steps is performed by sending a meter data request signal to each repeater 200 and each reader 300 according to a preset time by installing a timer in the server 100.

In the present invention, a plurality of readers 300 and repeaters 200 are used by wirelessly connecting in an RF manner. Therefore, since the data can be transmitted between the reader 300 and the repeater 200 using only the common frequency without using CDMA (code division multiple access), an automatic meter reading system is constructed at low cost. There is an advantage to this. In addition, the repeater 200 and the server 100 can communicate via the Internet.

Since the automatic meter reading system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention registers the unique identification (identification) number assigned at the time of manufacture of the reader 300 and the repeater 200 in the server 100, It is possible to prevent the problems caused by the random change of the terminal to the other repeater area in advance. Accordingly, when the reader 300 and the repeater 200 are repaired or replaced, the management in the server 100 is easily performed. In addition, when the relay 200 connects to the server 100 by using a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), any IP (internet protocol) may be utilized. For example, the repeater 200 may transmit image data to the server 100 through a packet exchange method through the Internet. Such a data transmission method is easily understood by those skilled in the art, and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The server 100 may check the state of each repeater 200 at specified intervals through a unique protocol. Accordingly, the repeater 200 may not only check the state of the reader 300 at the interval instructed by the server 100, but also report to the server 100 to manage the entire network.

2 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic meter reading system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The automatic meter reading system 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2 further includes a plurality of clients 500 in addition to the automatic meter reading system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1. It is structured. Here, the plurality of clients 500 are connected to the server 100 and after authentication, select and receive the parent image data, the child image data or the numerical data. Therefore, the user may check his or her own data with a web browser through the authenticated client 500 or may receive his or her own data transmitted by the server 100. In the case of meter reading data, by installing a security function in the reader 300 and the repeater 200, the reliability of the meter reading data is secured so that the meter reading data cannot be modified through the client 500. Since the connection between the client 500 and the server 100 is made through the Internet, there is an advantage that the user can access easily.

3 is an internal configuration diagram of a reader 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the reader 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a main unit 300a and an RF unit 300b. The reader 300 separates the RF unit 300b including a module for detecting a wireless input signal, detects a wireless input signal, and then operates the main unit 300a.

Here, the main unit 300a is connected to an image sensor 330 and an image sensor 330 for converting a part including the meter reading data display unit on the front of the meter into the parent image data, and converts the image sensor 330 from the image sensor 330. A memory 320 for storing the mother image data, and a central processing unit (CPU) 310 connected to the memory 320 to extract and compress the child image data of the meter reading data display unit from the mother image data. Include.

The RF unit 300b included in the reader 300 is connected to the central processing unit 310 to receive the compressed magnetic image data and transmit the compressed magnetic image data to the repeater 200 (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, hereinafter same). In addition, the reader 300 may further include a monitoring unit 340 connected to the CPU 310 to inspect each accessory device and monitor an operation state, and to minimize the power 350 capacity according to image data transmission. There is an advantage to that.

In the case of the RF unit 300b, the power source 390, the RF processor 360, the RF band controller 370, and the transceiver unit 360 process and transmit the self image data to the repeater 200. Here, the reader 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include other elements required for the function of the reader 300. The CPU 310 uses a dual processor to use power as efficiently as possible. Hereinafter, an internal structure of the reader 300 that plays an important role in the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process in which the reader 300 extracts meter reading data of a meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. The form of the reader 300 shown in FIG. 4 is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

As shown in FIG. 4, the reader 300 is attached to the front surface of the meter 40 to capture a portion 46 including the meter data display portion 43. Imaging is performed using a small charge-coupled device (CCD) camera 36 attached to the meter 40, and the flash 33 attached to the reader 300 is operated at the time of imaging to read the meter data display unit ( 43) to be well recognized. First, a portion 46 including the meter reading data display unit 43 on the front of the meter reader 40 is picked up and converted into mother image data. From this, the child image data corresponding to the meter reading data display unit 43 is obtained. Extract In particular, in the initial stage of attaching the reader 300 to the meter reader 40, the child image data area can be adjusted to extract appropriate child image data from the captured mother image data. In the present invention, after extracting the child image data from the parent image data, it is compressed and transmitted to the repeater 200 (shown in FIG. 1, hereinafter same). In this case, the digitized mark can be inserted into the child image data for the security of the child image data. Therefore, in the case of the child image data, identification number data unique to the child image data is added in the form of a bit to the front end, and a digitized mark is added in the form of a bit to the rear part to thoroughly protect the contents of the child image data. The repeater 200 (shown in FIG. 1, hereinafter same) receives and collects child image data transmitted from each reader 300. Hereinafter, a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5.

5 is an internal structural diagram of a repeater according to an embodiment of the present invention. The repeater 200 illustrated in FIG. 5 is an RF port 230 that is wirelessly connected to the reader 300 (shown in FIG. 1, hereinafter same), and receives an RF signal, and is compressed by being connected to the RF port 230. CPU 210 for collecting and processing image data, a power supply 250 for supplying power to the CPU 210, a memory 220 connected to the CPU 210 to temporarily store collected child image data, and a CPU 210. Internet connection 240 for transmitting the collected self image data to the server 100 (shown in Figure 1) via the Internet.

The repeater 200 provides a strong and reliable authentication function with strict authentication based on the PKI (public key infrastructure) standard, thereby improving security and performance. The repeater 200 may use 32-bit reduced instruction set computer (RISC) memory as the CPU 210, and 32 megabytes of flash ROM as the memory 220. The repeater 200 is particularly connected to the Internet and the server 100 by Ethernet, such as ADSL. In addition, the repeater 200 may include a state monitoring unit to monitor the internal temperature of the repeater, the operating state of the RF module, the operating state of the cooler installed in the main body, and the door open state of the repeater main body.

In particular, the repeater 200 may insert a security watermark into each of the compressed and transmitted self image data to prevent image modulation. In this case, a specific bit is added to each bit of the compressed self image data to form a watermark. When receiving an electrical signal from the server 100 instructing the inspection of each reader 300, the repeater 200 checks the state of the reader 300 at intervals indicated by the server 100 and then the server ( The entire network is managed through the reporting method.

6 is an internal structural diagram of a server according to an embodiment of the present invention. The server 100 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 is connected to the input / output port 190 and the input / output port 190 for internet connection with the repeater 200, and the relay 200 collects and transmits the same. A network server 120 for receiving and storing Chinese character image data, a network management unit 130 connected to the network server 120 to manage a network, and a network server 120 connected to the network server 120 to process the received magnetic image data. CPU 110, the controller (180) for controlling the CPU 110, the web server 140, the web server 140 that can improve the security by accessing and checking with a general web browser through an intranet Monitor unit 170 for monitoring the current state in the event of an emergency, database server 150 receiving various meter data processed by the CPU 110, and storing the various meter data received by the database server 150 Emitter and a base (160).

The database 160 stores a database storing identification numbers of the reader 300 and the repeater 200 and a database for encoding and backing up the magnetic image data in order to grasp the state of the reader 300 and the repeater 200 in real time. Include. Accordingly, the user can not only provide backup data when required, but also ensure the maximum reliability of the database 160. The data stored in the database 160 are all encrypted and stored, and the contents of the database are not accessible from the network server 120 that transmits and receives actual data.

Hereinafter, the method of automatically reading in the present invention through the terminal 400 connected to the real server 100 will be described in more detail. This automatic meter reading method is merely to illustrate the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an output screen of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates a recognition rate data window of mother image data, child image data, and child image data. The output screen of such a terminal is merely for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, the output screen of the terminal is configured to display at least one of the parent image data, the child image data, and the child image data recognition rate data.

Since the automatic meter reading system of the present invention displays the self image data recognition rate data, the reliability of the meter reading data is higher. The child image data recognition rate is obtained by comparing the reference data with the bits of each child image data and confirming the coincidence rate. In the present invention, by displaying the self image data recognition rate data, the child image data indicating the recognition rate below the preset value can be grasped and corrected, so that the reliability of the numerical data is high. This can be done by the administrator. Moreover, since the original image data is stored in the database of the server, the reliability is 100% guaranteed even in the future.

Here, when the recognition rate of the child image data is less than or equal to the preset value, the recognition rate data of the child image data can display both the data of the mother image data and the child image data and the recognition rate of the child image data together. The preset value here is variable depending on the case, but displays the self image data recognition rate when the recognition rate is less than 60%.

In the step of converting the child image data into the numerical data, the number form which is rolled up and down can be identified by the image decomposition recognition method, and the recognition rate is 99% or more. In addition, image data can be converted into numerical data using recognition algorithms in various servers such as dot comparison, probability distribution, and vector neural network. The vector neural network method recognizes through neural network after preprocessing of vector extraction through thinning process. Through this recognition algorithm, even when a rolling number is cut up and down, the number can be easily recognized. Such a recognition algorithm is well known to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this way, the amount of usage can be automatically calculated based on the information obtained from the reader and the repeater, and the usage history and problems of the server, the reader, and the relay period can be analyzed using a log function including an error log function.

8 is an output screen when the self image data area is corrected according to an embodiment of the present invention. This output screen is only for illustrating the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

The control screen of the automatic meter reading system shown in FIG. 8 shows the mother image data captured and converted in the same manner as in FIG. 4 in the left window, and after compressing and transmitting the child image data of the reading data display unit extracted from the mother image data, The reading data obtained by converting the data into numerical data is shown in the right window, and the collected data for each reading meter is displayed in the background window. Through this process, the metering data of each meter can be aggregated and used when billing charges.

As shown in Fig. 8, in the present invention, since the self image data area can be arbitrarily modified, there is an advantage of further increasing the reliability of the image data.

As described above, the meter reading data with significantly improved reliability can be obtained remotely through the network through the automatic meter reading method of the present invention without the visit of the meter reader. In addition, the automatic meter reading system of the present invention can be applied to all kinds of meter readers, regardless of the analog method and digital method has a high compatibility advantage.

Since the automatic meter reading method according to the present invention converts the image data into numerical data after transmission, the reader consumes extremely little power and has the advantage of simplifying its structure. In addition, since the image data is finally encoded and backed up, the reliability of the data is considerably high, and there is an advantage that the original image data can be presented to the user in the event of a problem later.

In addition, since the automatic meter reading method of the present invention extracts and compresses child image data from the mother image data, the amount of data is greatly reduced, thereby reducing the data transmission load. This process can be performed in a short time.

In addition, since the recognition rate of the self image data is displayed on the terminal, the numerical data can be corrected based on this recognition rate, thereby improving the reliability of the data. Therefore, even damaged data can be corrected with the naked eye.                     

Since the automatic meter reading method can be repeated according to a predetermined time, not only the operation is easy but also the meter reading data can be secured in real time.

The automatic meter reading method of the present invention has an advantage of improving the security function by preventing external exposure of data by inserting a digitized mark or inserting a security watermark into image data.

And the automatic meter reading system of the present invention further increases the reliability through hierarchical management leading to the reader, repeater and server. In addition, with a number of authenticated clients connected to the server, the user can easily check his metering data. Recognition algorithm exists in server, not reader, so it provides more powerful recognition function and it is simple to maintain because it is singular.

In the automatic meter reading system of the present invention, since the reader and the repeater are wirelessly connected by the RF method, the installation cost is low and the wireless connection method is easy.

The reader of the present invention has the advantage that the structure is simple by separating the main unit and the RF unit including the image sensor, the memory and the central processing unit from each other.

Although the present invention has been described above, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims set out below.

Claims (13)

Converting a portion including the meter data display unit on the front of the plurality of meter readers into mother image data, and compressing and transmitting the child image data of the meter data display unit extracted from the mother image data; Receiving and collecting the self image data and retransmitting the self image data; Receiving the retransmitted child image data and converting the data into numerical data; and Displaying at least one of the mother image data, the child image data, the numerical data, and recognition rate data of the child image data. Automatic metering method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Displaying the data, And a recognition rate of either the parent image data or the child image data and the recognition rate of the child image data when the recognition rate of the child image data is equal to or less than a preset value. The method of claim 2, And correcting the child image data area. The method of claim 1, The automatic meter reading method further comprising the step of repeating each step according to a predetermined time. The method of claim 1, And backing up by encoding the child image data. The method of claim 1, Compressing and transmitting the child image data, And inserting a digitized mark into each of said child image data. The method of claim 1, Receiving and collecting the child image data and retransmitting it, And inserting a security watermark into each of said child image data. Removably fixed to the front of each meter, the part including the meter data display part on the front of the meter is converted into mother image data, and the child image data of the meter data display part extracted from the mother image data is extracted. Multiple readers that compress and transmit, A plurality of repeaters wirelessly connected to the reader to receive and collect the self image data from the reader, and then retransmit A server connected to the repeater for receiving the child image data from the repeater and converting the child image data into numerical data; A terminal connected to the server to display at least one of the child image data, the numerical data and the recognition rate data of the child image data Automatic metering system (automatic meter system, including) AMR. The method of claim 8, And a plurality of clients connected to the server and authenticated to receive data selected from the self image data and the numerical data. The method of claim 8, The server, automatic meter reading system including a database for storing the identification number of the reader and the repeater in order to determine the state of the reader and the repeater in real time. The method of claim 8, And the server includes a database for encoding and backing up the child image data. The method of claim 8, The reader and the repeater is an automatic meter reading system that is wirelessly connected in a radio frequency (RF) method. The method of claim 8, The reader, An image sensor converting a portion including the meter reading data display unit on the front of the meter into mother image data; A memory connected to the image sensor and storing mother image data converted by the image sensor; A central processing unit (CPU) connected to the memory to extract and compress the child image data of the meter reading data display unit from the mother image data; An RF unit connected to the central processing unit to receive the compressed magnetic image data and transmit the compressed magnetic image data to the repeater Automatic metering system comprising a.

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