Display adaptation according to gauge orientation

Abstract

The meter (1) comprises a main measuring device to produce a measurement of at least one quantity value related to an element delivered via the meter (1) to a facility connected to the meter (1), the meter also comprising: a display unit (7); an orientation sensor (3) arranged to produce a measurement of the orientation of the meter relative to the direction of the earth's gravity; a processing unit (5) connected to the orientation sensor and the display unit and arranged to adapt the orientation of a character display (14, 16, 17) on the display unit according to the orientation of the meter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of metering meters: water meters, gas meters, oil meters, electricity meters and the like. Background Art

[0002] The front of many modern meters comprises a display unit, through which an operator or user (eg a subscriber) operating the meter can access certain information: consumption data, contract data, meter monitoring data and the like.

[0003] When installing the meter, the operator in charge of the installation often encounters constraints related to the integration of the meter in its host environment, as well as constraints related to, for example, reduced or difficult to access available space, constraints related to a specific positioning of electricity inlets or water pipes, and so on.

[0004] The mounting location of the meter and its orientation is therefore a compromise between these integration constraints and operator or user convenience of reading, and it is not uncommon for an operator to choose to mount the meter in a location and orientation where visibility of the display unit is not optimal.

[0005] This situation may lead to erroneous readings (especially if the display unit is inverted), tends to complicate the interventions performed on the meter (both during installation and operation) and prevents the user from fully benefiting from the services offered by the meter. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention aims to improve the visibility of a display unit of a meter.

[0007] To achieve this object, a meter is proposed, the meter comprising a main measuring device arranged to produce a measurement of at least one quantity value related to an element delivered via the meter to an installation connected to the meter, the meter further comprising:

[0008] Display unit;

[0009] an orientation sensor arranged to produce a measurement of the orientation of the meter relative to the direction of the earth's gravity;

[0010] a processing unit connected to the orientation sensor and the display unit and arranged to adapt the orientation of the character display on the display unit according to the orientation of the meter;

[0011] The processing unit is further arranged to detect the installation of the meter in the operating position, to acquire at least one orientation measurement after said detection, and to subsequently adapt the orientation of the display, if necessary, according to the orientation measurement;

[0012] The processing unit is further arranged to detect the installation of the meter in the operating position when at least one quantity value measured by the primary measuring device is greater than a predetermined measurement threshold or when the meter detects the presence of an element.

[0013] Adapting the orientation of the display according to the orientation of the meter allows the characters displayed on the display unit to be visible and understandable regardless of the orientation of the meter when it is installed in its operating position (in use). The adaptation of the display orientation is done automatically by the processing unit and does not require any specific action by the operator.

[0014] A meter as described above is also proposed, further comprising a detection member arranged to detect an external phenomenon, the processing unit being arranged to acquire at least one orientation measurement after the detection member detects said external phenomenon and subsequently adapting the displayed orientation if necessary according to the orientation measurement.

[0015] It is also proposed a meter as described above, the detection member being arranged to detect control by an individual, the processing unit being arranged to detect installation of the meter in an operating position after the detection member has detected said control.

[0016] Furthermore, a meter as described above is also proposed, wherein the detection member is a button.

[0017] Furthermore, a meter as described above is proposed, the detection member being arranged so that a value selected by a person operating the detection member gives an orientation of the display.

[0018] Furthermore, a meter as described above is proposed, wherein the processing unit is arranged to give a predefined value to the displayed orientation in case an orientation measurement is not available or is erroneous.

[0019] Furthermore, a meter as described above is proposed, which further comprises a controller connected to the processing unit or integrated in the processing unit and arranged to control the display of characters on the display unit.

[0020] Furthermore, a meter as described above is proposed, wherein the controller is arranged to adapt the orientation of the display to select an optimized code from a plurality of memorized codes depending on the orientation of the meter, each memorized code encoding a character to be displayed in a control signal generated by the controller.

[0021] In addition, a meter as described above is proposed, wherein the controller is arranged to adapt the orientation of the display to select an optimized association table from a plurality of memorized association tables according to the orientation of the meter, each memorized association table associating a control signal generated by the controller with a controller pin connected to a pin of a display unit.

[0022] Furthermore, a meter as described above is proposed, further comprising a communication module arranged to communicate the orientation measurement to an entity located external to the meter.

[0023] Furthermore, a meter as described above is proposed, the processing unit being further arranged to correct the measurement of at least one quantity value depending on the orientation of the meter.

[0024] Furthermore, a meter as described above is also proposed, which is a water meter.

[0025] In addition, a display method implemented in the meter as described above is proposed, and the method comprises the following steps:

[0026] collecting measurements of the orientation of the meter produced by the orientation sensor;

[0027] Depending on the orientation of the meter, the display orientation of the characters on the display unit is adapted.

[0028] Furthermore, a computer program is proposed comprising instructions causing a processing unit of a meter as described above to execute the steps of the display method as described above.

[0029] Furthermore, a computer-readable storage medium is proposed, on which a computer program as described above is stored.

[0030] The present invention will best be understood from the following description of specific non-limiting embodiments of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] 〔 Figure 1 〕 Figure 1 A water meter according to the invention is shown;

[0033] 〔 Figure 2 〕 Figure 2 Indicates the functional module of the meter;

[0034] 〔 Figure 3 〕 Figure 3 The steps of the display method are shown;

[0035] 〔 Figure 4 〕 Figure 4 represents a display unit;

[0036] 〔 Figure 5 〕 Figure 5 A table showing segments of an LCD display unit that are illuminated according to activated control pins and the LCD display unit;

[0037] 〔 Figure 6 〕 Figure 6Two association tables showing control signals and control pins;

[0038] 〔 Figure 7 〕 Figure 7 It shows the micro flow in the meter in the horizontal position;

[0039] 〔 Figure 8 〕 Figure 8 It shows the micro flow in the meter in the vertical position;

[0040] 〔 Fig. 9 〕 Fig. 9 represents the correction grid;

[0041] 〔 Fig.10 〕 Fig.10 The meter, the guide tube, the display unit, the accelerometer axis, the direction of the earth's gravity and the orientation angle of the meter are shown;

[0042] 〔 Fig.11 〕 Fig.11 A diagram illustrating selection of a correction data set based on the orientation of a meter is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The present invention is implemented herein in an ultrasonic water meter 1. The water meter 1 comprises a main measuring device (not shown), a display module 2, an orientation sensor 3, a communication module 4, a processing unit 5 and a detection member 6.

[0044] First, a quick description of each of these elements.

[0045] The master measuring device allows to produce, at an installation connected to the meter 1 , a measurement of at least one quantity value related to an element dispensed via the meter 1 .

[0046] Here, the element is water, and the primary measurement equipment produces measurements of water flow and the amount of water circulated and consumed by the facility.

[0047] The meter 1 comprises a conduit in which water circulates. In the embodiment described here, the main measuring device comprises two piezoelectric transducers, which comprise an upstream transducer and a downstream transducer. The terms "upstream" and "downstream" must be interpreted according to the advantageous circulation direction of the water in the conduit.

[0048] The functions of the main measuring device are as follows.

[0049] The upstream transducer transmits an ultrasonic measurement signal that travels through the upstream to downstream path and is received by the downstream transducer. The downstream transducer transmits an ultrasonic measurement signal that travels through the downstream to upstream path and is received by the upstream transducer. The average water velocity is estimated from the difference in flight time, the water flow is calculated from the average water velocity, and the water volume corresponds to all water flows that vary with time.

[0050] The display module 2 here includes a 7-segment LCD display unit (LCD for liquid crystal display) and a controller 8 .

[0051] Here, the orientation sensor 3 is a three-axis accelerometer and therefore comprises three sensors measuring linear acceleration about three orthogonal axes x, y and z. The orientation sensor 3 can estimate the direction of the Earth's gravity and thus allow a measurement of the orientation of the meter 1 to be produced. The measurement of the orientation allows the orientation of the meter 1 to be determined exclusively when the meter 1 is mounted in its operating position, i.e. the position it occupies when in use.

[0052] The communication module 4 allows the meter 1 to communicate with the information system (IS) 10 of the meter fleet manager, possibly via a data concentrator, a gateway or another meter (such as a regional connected water meter). The communication module 4 may implement any type of communication and for example communication via a mobile network of the 2G, 3G, 4G, Cat-M or NB-IOT type, communication according to the LoRaWan or Sigfox protocol, radio communication according to the Wize protocol operating at a frequency of 169 MHz, NFC or BLE communication, etc. The meter 1 transmits the measurements made to the IS 10 periodically via the communication module 4.

[0053] The processing unit 5 comprises at least one processing component adapted to execute instructions of a program (or programs) to implement the operations to be described below. The processing unit 5 further comprises a memory 11 connected to the processing component 5 or integrated into the processing component 5. The program is stored in the memory 11. The processing component is, for example, a processor, a DSP (for digital signal processor), a microcontroller or a programmable logic circuit such as an FPGA (for field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (for application specific integrated circuit).

[0054] The detection member 6 is here a button and allows an operator in the vicinity of the meter 1 to communicate with the processing unit 5 and in particular to transmit controls to the processing unit 5 so that it itself manages one or more components of the meter 1 in response to these controls.

[0055] The orientation measurement generated by the orientation sensor 3 is firstly used to adapt the orientation of the character display on the display unit 7 in order to improve the readability for the operator or user.

[0056] Indeed, when the water meter 1 is in use and therefore mounted in its operating position, the water meter 1 is not always oriented according to an orientation that allows an operator or user to correctly read the display unit 7 .

[0057] refer to Figure 3 A display method is described which allows the orientation of the display to be adapted according to the orientation of the meter 1 .

[0058] The display method is implemented in the processing unit 5. The conversion of the information on the direction of the earth's gravity on the orientation of the meter 1 is performed based on the minimum difference between this direction and the direction of the gravity vector and those directions representing the possible orientations of the display unit 7. In addition, the information on the earth's gravity vector can only be saved in the direction corresponding to the display unit 7 and the orientation of the display defined using the direction of the vector.

[0059] The method starts when the processing unit 5 detects that the meter 1 is installed in its operating position (step E1 ).

[0060] The processing unit 5 detects that the meter 1 is installed in its operating position when at least one value measured by the main measuring device of the meter 1 is greater than a predetermined measurement threshold. Here, in this case, the processing unit 5 detects that the flow meter 1 is installed in its operating position when the water flow measured by the main measuring device becomes greater than a predetermined flow threshold (step E1).

[0061] Alternatively, the processing unit 5 may detect that the meter 1 has been installed in its operating position when the meter detects the presence of water.

[0062] Alternatively, provision may be made that, after installation of the meter 1 , the operator in charge of said installation uses the button 6 to transmit to the processing unit 5 information according to which the meter 1 has been installed.

[0063] After installation of the meter 1 , the display method comprises a standby step, lasting a predetermined duration, generally equal to a few minutes (step E2 ).

[0064] The display method can also be started after a control to modify the display orientation given by the operator via the button 6 (step E3). The control does not necessarily take place when the meter 1 is installed, but can take place at any time during the life of the meter 1. For example, the operator, when intervening in the meter 1, may indeed be dissatisfied with the display orientation and decide to modify or force it. The button 6 in fact allows the individual to give the display orientation, selecting the value by operating the button 6.

[0065] The processing unit 5 thus verifies that the control is valid and possibly verifies that the operator or user is authorized to make such a control (for example by verifying an identifier). If the control is valid, the processing unit 5 authorizes said control (step E4).

[0066] After step E2 or step E4, the processing unit 5 acquires at least one orientation measurement of the meter 1. Here, the processing unit 5 acquires a plurality of orientation measurements and generates orientation data from the orientation measurements. For example, the orientation data is an average of several orientation measurements (step E5).

[0067] Then, the processing unit 5 verifies whether the orientation data is valid (step E6). Here, the processing unit 5 considers the orientation data to be valid when the orientation measurement is stable for a predetermined duration, that is, the absolute value of the orientation measurement changes less than a predetermined change threshold for a predetermined duration. The predetermined duration is, for example, equal to one minute. The predetermined change threshold is, for example, equal to 100 mG on each axis of the accelerometer or acceleration vector module.

[0068] If the orientation data are valid, the processing unit 5 adapts the orientation of the characters displayed on the display unit 7 according to the orientation of the meter 1 (step E7 ).

[0069] The communication module 4 therefore transmits the new orientation of the display, ie the orientation of the display that has just been controlled by the processing unit 5 , to the IS 10 via the communication module 4 (step E8 ).

[0070] Therefore, an installation report of the meter 1 is available, including its installation direction, so that the fleet manager can build a deployment diagram, or study its fleet according to the location of the meters (reliability, soiling, etc.). The installation report can be sent at the time of installation of the meter 1, or later based on the occurrence of a specific error or event (such as a request, fraud, theft or leakage).

[0071] Thus, the fleet manager can structure data collection and implement fleet management based on this orientation by analyzing consumption, errors, and service life (as well as any other available information obtained through the meter or elsewhere). For example, the fleet manager can monitor limestone or sand deposition on the most exposed meters and correlate this information to the metering directly and through the fleet return. The fleet manager can ensure that favorable installation orientations are followed with respect to its fleet. For example, it can verify that the meter is actually installed to ensure the maximum service life of the meter.

[0072] After step E6, if the orientation data are invalid, the processing unit 5 provides a default orientation value to the display orientation (step E9). The communication module 4 therefore transmits the new orientation of the display (ie the default orientation value) to the IS 10: step E8.

[0073] When the new orientation of the display has been defined, the processing unit 5 adapts (if necessary) the correction data for correcting the water flow measurement (step E10 ). This will be explained in the following description.

[0074] The manner in which the processing unit 5 adapts the display orientation of characters on the display unit 7 will now be described in detail.

[0075] Here, the display has two orientations: normal display and return display.

[0076] By "normal display" it is meant that when the meter 1 is placed in use in its nominal orientation, ie with the top of the meter 1 facing upwards and the bottom facing downwards, an individual in front of the front face of the meter 1 sees the characters displayed in place.

[0077] By "return display", it is meant display with characters inverted, ie, returned with respect to normal display.

[0078] Here, the projection of the direction of the earth's gravity is used on the axis x of the accelerometer to determine whether the normal display must be used or whether the return display must be used. If the projection is positive, the normal display must be used. If the projection is negative, the return display must be used.

[0079] refer to Figure 4 , the display unit 7 allows displaying a character consisting of an icon 14 (located in a cassette 15), an underline 16 and alphanumeric characters 17.

[0080] The underscore 16 allows the indication of decimal places in a numerical display. This is required by current measurement standards.

[0081] Here, during the process from the normal display to the return display, the icon 14 and the underline 16 are duplicated by being symmetrical with respect to the center of the display unit 7 .

[0082] Thus, when the normal display is used, the icon 14 appears in the lower part of the display unit 7 (the term "lower part" is defined with respect to the nominal orientation of the meter 1). Conversely, when the return display is used, the icon 14 appears in the upper part of the display unit 7 and returns.

[0083] Thus, when the meter 1 is mounted upside down with its bottom facing upwards and its top facing downwards, when the operator sees the icon 14 and underline 16 they appear as if they were found at the bottom of the display unit 7 and as if they were already in place.

[0084] Adaptation of the character display orientation will be described in detail.

[0085] refer to Figure 5 , the display unit 7 shown here is a segmented LCD display unit. The display unit 7 includes a SEG control pin and a COM control pin. Here, the display unit 7 can display four alphanumeric characters 17 and includes four SEG control pins (SEG1, ..., SEG4) and nine COM control pins (COM1, ..., COM9).

[0086] exist Figure 5 In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the display unit 7 can display four characters: 17 a , 17 b , 17 c and 17 d .

[0087] The display unit 7 is controlled via a matrix circuit.

[0088] The SEG control pins define the columns of the matrix circuit, while the COM control pins COM define the rows of the matrix circuit (and vice versa).

[0089] Figure 5 The table comprises an upper row 19 consisting of the SEG control pins of the display unit 7 and a left column 20 consisting of the COM control pins. The table also comprises identifiers 21 of the segments 22 which light up when a positive voltage (forming a high condition) is applied to said control pins.

[0090] For example, when a positive voltage is applied to the control pins Seg4, Com1, Com3, Com7, and Com8, the segments D1, D3, D7, and D8 of the character 17d are illuminated, and the character 17d displays the value "7." When zero voltage (forming a low logic condition) is applied to the other control pins, the other characters 17a, 17b, 17c are turned off. When a normal display is used, the value "7." can be seen in the correct order.

[0091] The controller 8 applies a high logic condition and a low logic condition on the control pin.

[0092] In order to display characters, the controller 8 collects the characters and converts them into electrical control signals (including high logic conditions and low logic conditions), which are applied to the control pins of the controller 8, and the control pins of the controller 8 are themselves connected to the control pins of the display unit 7.

[0093] According to the memorized code, the character is encoded in the control signal.

[0094] According to the association table, the different control signals generated by the controller 8 are associated with control pins of the controller 8 (and thus with control pins of the display unit 7 ).

[0095] Adaptation of the display orientation may comprise selecting an optimized code from a plurality of memorized codes, each of which encodes a character displayed in a control signal generated by the controller 8 , according to the orientation of the meter 1 .

[0096] Here, the processing unit 5 will select the first memorized code to achieve normal display and the second memorized code to achieve return display, and will control the controller 8 to use the selected code.

[0097] Thus, the character 17d is caused to take the value "7." in normal display, using the first memorized code. According to the first memorized code, in order to display the character "7.", the controller 8 generates a control signal which activates the control pins Seg4, Com1, Com3, Com7 and Com8 of the display unit 7 (i.e., it applies a high logic condition on the control pins).

[0098] However, using the second memorized code causes the character 17d to take the value "7." in the return display. According to the second memorized code, the character "7." is displayed, and the controller 8 generates a control signal that activates the control pins Seg1, Com2, Com4, Com6 and Com9. Thus, the character 17d can be seen in the correct order by a person in front of the front of the meter, i.e., when the top of the meter 1 is facing down and the bottom is facing up.

[0099] The adaptation of the display orientation may also comprise, according to the orientation of the meter 1 , selecting an optimized association table from a plurality of memorized association tables, each memorized association table being associated with a control signal generated by the controller 8 connected to a control pin of the display unit 7 .

[0100] Here, the processing unit 5 will select the first association table to achieve normal display and the second association table to achieve returned display, and will control the controller 8 to use the selected association table.

[0101] This reference Figure 6 Commentary.

[0102] The control signals generated by the controller 8 can be seen on the top row 24 and left column 25 and are referred to as S1 , ..., S4 and CMD1 , ..., CMD9.

[0103] In order to realize normal display, the first association table 26 is used. According to the first association table 26, the control signals S1, ..., S4 are applied to the control pins Seg1, ..., Seg4 of the controller 8 respectively connected to the display unit 7, and the control signals CMD1, ..., CMD9 are applied to the control pins Com1, ..., Com9 of the controller 8 respectively connected to the display unit 7.

[0104] In order to realize the return display, the second association table 27 is used. According to the second association table 27, the control signals S1, ..., S4 are applied to the control pins Seg4, ..., Seg1 of the controller 8 respectively connected to the control pins of the display unit 7, and the control signals CMD1, ..., CMD9 are applied to the control pins Com9, ..., Com1 of the controller 8 respectively connected to the control pins of the display unit 7.

[0105] Therefore, when a normal display is achieved so that the right character displays the value "7.", control signals CMD1, CMD3, CMD7, CMD8 and S4 are activated and will light up segments D1, D3, D7 and D8.

[0106] When the return display is implemented, the same control signal is activated and will light up segments A2, A4, A6 and A9 so that the left character adopts the return value "7.".

[0107] Using this method, the encoding of the characters in the control signal must not be modified. Only a reconfiguration of the control pins of the controller 8 is necessary. The same control signal coming from the controller 8 but arriving at different control pins of the display unit 7 will invert the displayed characters.

[0108] No matter how many alphanumeric characters are to be displayed, the two methods just described are applicable. They are also applicable to realizing the normal display or return display of icon 14 and underline 16.

[0109] The orientation measurement of the meter 1 is also used to improve the accuracy of the water flow measurement made by the main measurement equipment.

[0110] The orientation of the meter 1 may indeed have an effect on the measurement accuracy.

[0111] When the ambient temperature is different from the temperature of the water circulating in the meter 1, convection (natural convection or thermal convection) occurs.

[0112] Therefore, interfering micro-flows due to convection and recirculation interfere with the water flow rate measurement (which is the image of the water flow), which distorts the water flow measurement, especially for low flow rates (less than 5 L / h).

[0113] However, controlled low flow measurements are necessary to ensure reliable detection of leaks, which must be independent of convection phenomena.

[0114] The effect of convection is greater the greater the distance between the transducers.

[0115] The transducer 29 and the catheter 30 of the meter 1 can be Figure 7 and Figure 8 See . Figure 7 When the meter 1 is in a horizontal position, i.e. the axis of the conduit 30 of the meter 1 extends horizontally, the influence of convection will be minimized, since the convection takes place in the width of the conduit 30. The micro-flow 31 has a relatively limited amplitude. However, when the meter 1 is in a vertical position, i.e. the axis of the conduit 30 of the meter 1 extends vertically (parallel to the direction of the earth's gravity), the convection takes place in the length of the conduit 30 and its influence on the measurement is greater. The amplitude of the micro-flow 1 is greater.

[0116] This phenomenon will also be greater if the spacing between the transducers 29 is larger, as is the case for longer catheters 30 (DN20, D40, etc.).

[0117] It will be noted that the material of the conduit 30 also has an influence on this convection, depending on the thermal resistance of the material. However, during the standard calibration of the conduit 30, this influence has already been taken into account.

[0118] The processing unit 5 will therefore correct the water flow measurement according to the horizontal or vertical position of the main measuring device and therefore according to the orientation measurement.

[0119] The processing unit 5 may access at least two correction data sets memorized in the memory 11 and correct the measurement of the water flow rate by using at least one of these correction data sets.

[0120] Here, two correction data sets are memorized: a first correction data set associated with the horizontal position of the meter 1, and therefore with the horizontal position of the catheter 30, i.e. a reference orientation equal to 90° or 270° relative to a reference direction, which is the direction of the earth's gravity (vertical direction), and a second correction data set associated with the vertical position of the meter 1, and therefore with the vertical position of the catheter 30, i.e. a reference orientation equal to 0° or 180° relative to the reference direction.

[0121] The correction data of each correction data set includes error values ​​that depend on the water flow rate and the water temperature.

[0122] The two correction data sets are stored in the correction grid 34 (which can be Fig. 9 ) and in the memory space of the memory 11 of the processing unit 5 (which includes the memory box).

[0123] The correction grid 34 comprises error indices, each of which is associated with a measured value (i.e., with a water flow value) and a water temperature. Each error index (error 11H, error 11V, ..., error 97H, error 97V) points to a memory box in which an error value is stored. The error values ​​have been determined at the moment of the calibration phase of the meter 1. Note that the correction grid 34 is the same for all meters similar to the meter 1: these are the error values ​​that differ from meter to meter.

[0124] Thus, in the correction grid 34, each error index is associated with the water flow rate measured by the meter 1, the water temperature, and the orientation of the meter 1 (horizontal or vertical).

[0125] When the error index contains an "H" at the end, this means that the correction data belongs to the first correction data set and therefore the error value applies to meter 1 in horizontal position. When the error index contains a "V" at the end, this means that the correction data belongs to the second correction data set (vertical) and therefore the error value applies to meter 1 in vertical position.

[0126] The error value is the error percentage defined during a measurement operation during the calibration phase of the meter 1. This measurement operation consists in measuring a reference water flow rate in the conduit of the meter 1 at a given temperature and using a "calibrated" reference flow sensor to measure the reference water flow rate. The flow rate measured by the meter is recorded.

[0127] The error percentage Pe is such that:

[0128] Pe = (measured flow rate - reference flow rate) / (reference flow rate)×100.

[0129] Thus, for example, the error index error "11H" points to a memory cartridge containing an error percentage equal to 30%, while the error index "error 11V" points to a memory cartridge containing an error percentage equal to 40%. Thus, for a water flow of 2 L / h and a temperature of 5 ° C, the difference between the reference flow and the measured flow is 30% in the horizontal position and 40% in the vertical position.

[0130] When the measured water flow and the measured temperature are between two values ​​of the correction grid 34, the rule of three is applied to define the error value to be applied.

[0131] It should be noted that, according to a water flow rate greater than or equal to 100 L / h, the difference between the error in the horizontal position and the error in the vertical position is very small. Therefore, when the water flow rate is greater than a predetermined flow threshold (here equal to 100 L / h), the horizontal position and the vertical position of the meter 1 will use the same error percentage.

[0132] For example, for a temperature of 5°C and a water flow rate of 100 L / h measured by the meter, the error percentage is equal to -15% horizontal position and -15% vertical position. For example, the error percentage is equal to -10% horizontal position and -10% vertical position, for a temperature of 5°C and a water flow rate of 500 L / h measured by the meter.

[0133] Thus, for a given water temperature and water flow rate, when the water flow rate is greater than a predetermined flow rate threshold, it may be provided that the correction grid 34 only contains error indices pointing to a single memory cartridge.

[0134] In the first embodiment, reference Fig.10 and 11, the processing unit 5 selects a single correction data set depending on the orientation of the meter 1 and uses only the correction data of said correction data set to correct the measurement of the water flow.

[0135] Here, when the orientation α of the meter 1 (and therefore the catheter 30) is between 45° and 135° and between -135° and -45° relative to the direction of the earth's gravity, the first correction data set (Metro H) is used, and when the orientation of the meter 1 (and therefore the catheter 30) is between 135° and -135° and between -45° and 45° relative to the direction of the earth's gravity, the second correction data set (Metro V) is used.

[0136] In a second embodiment, the processing unit 5 uses correction data of at least two correction data sets to correct the measurement of the water flow and applies coefficients to the correction data of said correction data sets, said coefficients being dependent on the orientation of the meter 1 .

[0137] Therefore, the processing unit 5 uses both the correction data of the first correction data set and the correction data of the second correction data set.

[0138] Here, we have the following:

[0139] Error = cosα×error H+sinα×error V,

[0140] Wherein α is the orientation of the meter 1, the error H is the error value associated with the error index corresponding to the measured water flow and the measured water temperature in the correction grid 34 for the horizontal position, and the error V is the error value associated with the error index corresponding to the measured water flow and the measured water temperature in the correction grid 34 for the vertical position.

[0141] The correction of the water flow measurement proposed herein involves simple mathematical operations (e.g. linear interpolation instead of polynomial interpolation). Therefore, the processing unit 5 of the meter 1 does not need to mobilize high computing power and this advantageously allows reducing the power consumption of the meter 1. This is particularly advantageous if the meter 1 is intended to be powered via batteries. In fact, the reduction in the power consumption of the meter 1 allows to power the meter 1 via batteries for a long time (e.g. more than 10 years).

[0142] Of course, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments but encompasses any variant within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0143] The invention can be implemented in any type of meter: liquid meter, gas meter, oil meter, thermal energy meter, etc. In the case of an electric meter, the element provided to the facility is electrical energy, current or power.

[0144] The primary measurement device may measure one or more quantities related to an element provided to the facility.

[0145] In the case of an electricity meter, the element provided is electricity, and its magnitude is, for example, electrical energy, power, current or voltage.

[0146] In the case of a fluid meter, such quantities include, for example, fluid flow, volume, temperature, composition, turbidity, presence of foreign matter, feel, direction, etc. All of these measurements can be corrected for the orientation of the meter.

[0147] The orientation sensors that have been described are arranged to generate the orientation of the meter in a vertical plane relative to the direction of the earth's gravity.

[0148] The orientation sensor is not necessarily an accelerometer but may be another type of sensor, and in particular another type of sensor capable of defining the direction and the direction of the Earth's gravity: mercury sphere, contact pendulum, multi-contact sphere, etc.

[0149] The orientation sensor can also be a magnetic sensor which generates the orientation of the meter in the horizontal plane relative to the Earth's magnetic field. In this case, the at least two correction data sets already described above now comprise a first correction data set associated with a reference orientation oriented toward the north of the meter and a second correction data set associated with a reference orientation oriented toward the south of the meter.

[0150] The display unit is not necessarily a segmented LCD display unit, or even an LCD display unit.

[0151] The architecture of the meter may be similar to Figure 2 For example, the controller of the display module can be integrated in the processing unit.

[0152] The detection component does not have to be a button.

[0153] The detection member is arranged to detect an external phenomenon.

[0154] The external phenomenon may be an interaction (e.g. control) initiated by a person located near or at a distance from the meter, or by an entity located near or at a distance from the meter (data concentrator, IS, etc.). Thus, the detection member may be any human-machine interface device, such as an NFC module or a radio module.

[0155] The external phenomenon may also be any physical phenomenon, such as a shock to which the meter is subjected, a high level magnetic field, etc. In this case, the detection means may include sensors: magnetic, shock, vibration, light, etc.

[0156] Here, it is described that the display implemented on the display unit may be a normal display, or a return display. It is possible to provide a different display depending on the orientation of the meter, for example, a display associated with a 45° orientation. °

[0157] Likewise, it is possible to provide different correction data sets associated with different orientations of the meter.

Claims

1. A meter (1) comprising a primary measuring device to produce a measurement of at least one quantity value associated with an element delivered via the meter (1) to an installation connected to the meter (1), the meter further comprising: Display unit (7); an orientation sensor (3) arranged to produce a measurement of the orientation of the meter relative to the direction of the earth's gravity; a processing unit (5) connected to the orientation sensor and the display unit and arranged to adapt the orientation of a character display (14, 16, 17) on the display unit according to the orientation of the meter; The processing unit (5) is further arranged to detect the installation of the meter in an operating position, to acquire at least one orientation measurement after said detection, and to subsequently adapt the orientation of the display according to said orientation measurement; The processing unit (5) is further arranged to detect the installation of the meter (1) in the operating position when at least one quantity value measured by the primary measuring device is greater than a predetermined measurement threshold or when the meter detects the presence of the element.

2. The meter according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a detection member (6) arranged to detect an external phenomenon, the processing unit being arranged to acquire at least one orientation measurement after the detection member detects the external phenomenon and subsequently adapt the orientation of the display according to the orientation measurement.

3. The meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection member is arranged to detect control by an individual, and the processing unit (5) is arranged to detect the installation of the meter in the operating position after the detection member detects the control.

4. The meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection member is a button.

5. The meter according to claim 2, characterized in that: The detection member is arranged to enable an individual to give an orientation to the display, the orientation being a value selected by operating the detection member.

6. The meter according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The processing unit (5) is arranged to give a predefined value to the displayed orientation in case the orientation measurement is unavailable or erroneous.

7. The meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also comprises a controller (8), which is connected to the processing unit or integrated in the processing unit and is arranged to control the display of characters on the display unit (7).

8. The meter according to claim 7, characterized in that The controller (8) is arranged to adapt the orientation of the display, selecting an optimized code from a plurality of memorized codes according to the orientation of the meter (1), each memorized code encoding a character to be displayed in a control signal generated by the controller (8).

9. The meter according to claim 7, characterized in that: The controller (8) is arranged to adapt to the orientation of the display, selecting an optimized association table from a plurality of memorized association tables according to the orientation of the meter (1), each memorized association table associating each control signal generated by the controller (8) with a pin of the controller (8) connected to a pin of the display unit (7).

10. The meter according to claim 1, characterized in that Also included is a communication module (4) arranged to transmit the orientation measurement to an entity (10) external to the meter.

11. The meter according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processing unit is further arranged to correct the measurement of at least one quantity value depending on the orientation of the meter.

12. The meter according to claim 11, characterized in that The meter is a water meter.

13. A display method implemented in a meter according to any one of claims 1 to 12, and the method comprises the following steps: collecting measurements of the orientation of the meter (1) produced by the orientation sensor (3); The orientation of the characters displayed on the display unit (7) is adapted according to the orientation of the meter.

14. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions for causing a processing unit (5) of a meter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12 to execute the steps of the display method according to claim 13.

Images