Remote meter reading device with image recognition function

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of heat supply industry intelligent meter reading technology, concretely relates to a remote meter reading equipment with image recognition function, including MCU control unit, camera module, automatic backlight brightness adjusting module, power module, local storage module, remote communication module, field communication module, MCU control unit is as main control core, and the module work of overall planning, camera module gathers instrument image, and automatic backlight brightness adjusting module guarantees image quality through ambient light sensor and LED fill light, power module supports DC+12V, USB, lithium cell three power supply modes, and adapts complex working condition, local storage module realizes image backup, remote communication module transmits data through WIFI and 4G CAT.1 double path, and field communication module supports debugging configuration, equipment is arranged in the vicinity of heat exchange station instrument, after image is uploaded cloud platform, and is classified and identified and exports measurement value, need not replace original instrument, realizes low -cost remote meter reading, adapts a variety of instrument types.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of intelligent meter reading technology in the heating industry, specifically to a remote meter reading device with image recognition function. Background Technology

[0002] In the daily operation of the heating industry, heat exchange stations, as the core nodes for heat transfer and regulation, rely heavily on numerous field instruments to monitor key operating parameters in real time. Among these, local meters, such as pressure gauges and temperature gauges, are the most widely used, and most are pointer-type instruments. Because these local meters are directly close to the measured medium or equipment, they can accurately reflect core physical quantities such as pressure and temperature. Their measurement data has irreplaceable reference value for judging the operating status of heat exchange stations, ensuring system stability, and optimizing heating efficiency.

[0003] However, due to limitations in traditional design and cost considerations, existing local meters generally have functional limitations: on the one hand, the instruments themselves do not integrate signal transmitters, making it impossible to convert analog measurement signals into standard electrical signals; on the other hand, they lack remote data transmission capabilities, resulting in measurement data only being obtainable manually on-site and unable to be connected to a centralized monitoring system, thus hindering the digital acquisition and networked management of heat exchange station operating data. Meanwhile, although the secondary meters configured within the heat exchange station's central control unit can perform secondary display or simple processing of front-end measurement data, most also lack communication modules, only meeting the local viewing needs of on-site personnel and unable to interact with the upper-level management system, further restricting the overall information-based management and control capabilities of the heat exchange station.

[0004] With the deepening of technological innovation in the heating industry and the increasing demand for refined management and intelligent operation, the digital transformation of heat exchange stations has become an inevitable trend in the industry's development. However, in the actual transformation process, the core contradiction lies in the imbalance between transformation costs and transformation needs: to achieve comprehensive digital control, the traditional solution requires replacing all existing local meters and secondary meters without remote transmission capabilities with digital instruments that have communication functions. This solution involves costs in multiple stages, including instrument procurement, installation and commissioning, and system adaptation, resulting in excessively high overall investment. For most heating companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises or old heat exchange station renovation projects, the high transformation costs exceed their budget, causing digital transformation work to be frequently forced to be shelved due to funding issues, seriously hindering the overall digital transformation process of the heating industry.

[0005] Against this backdrop, how to achieve digital acquisition, remote transmission, and centralized management of measurement data from local meters and secondary meters, while avoiding large-scale replacement of existing instruments and controlling transformation costs, has become a key technical issue in solving the bottleneck of digital transformation of heat exchange stations. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a remote meter reading device with image recognition function, which does not require the replacement of the original meter. Through the collaborative work of multiple modules, it realizes image acquisition, transmission, local backup and remote meter reading, and meets the low cost and high efficiency requirements of the digital transformation of heat exchange stations.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application proposes a remote meter reading device with image recognition function, including a camera module, an automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, a power supply module, a local storage module, a remote communication module, and a field communication module, all connected to an MCU control unit. The camera module is used to capture images of the instruments in the heat exchange station and transmit the image data to the MCU control unit; The automatic backlight brightness adjustment module is used to sense the ambient light brightness and adjust the supplementary light intensity according to the control signal of the MCU control unit to ensure balanced image brightness. The power supply module is also connected to the camera module, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, the local storage module, and the remote communication module to provide power to each module. The local storage module is used to store instrument image data to achieve local backup; The remote communication module is used to wirelessly transmit image data to the cloud platform; The field communication module is used to read equipment status data and send configuration parameters during field debugging.

[0008] In one embodiment, the MCU control unit employs a 32-bit dual-core processor with embedded ROM and SRAM, and is further extended with off-chip SPI FLASH and PSRAM.

[0009] In one embodiment, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module includes a digital ambient light sensor and an LED fill light. The digital ambient light sensor is connected to the MCU control unit via an I2C bus to sense ambient light brightness and output a digital signal. The LED fill light is connected to an LED driver chip, which is connected to the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit controls the LED driver chip by outputting a PWM pulse signal, thereby adjusting the brightness of the LED fill light.

[0010] In one embodiment, the digital ambient light sensor is an LTR-308ALS-01 model sensor, and it is equipped with an interrupt pin. The interrupt pin is connected to the MCU control unit and is used to realize automatic control triggered by the brightness threshold. The LED driver chip is a SY7200AAB model chip, which is used to drive the LED fill light to emit light.

[0011] In one embodiment, the power supply module includes a lithium battery, a lithium battery charging chip, and an LDO step-down circuit. The power supply module supports +12VDC power supply, USB interface power supply, and lithium battery power supply. The +12VDC power supply and the USB interface are both connected to the lithium battery charging chip, which is connected to the lithium battery for charging. The lithium battery is connected to the LDO step-down circuit, which outputs a +3.3V voltage and is connected to the MCU control unit to power the MCU control unit. The LDO step-down circuit is also connected to the camera module, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, and the local storage module, respectively. The MCU control unit is connected to the power supply lines of the camera module, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, and the local storage module through MOSFETs to control the power supply to each module.

[0012] In one embodiment, the local storage module is a TF card, which is connected to the MCU control unit via an SPI bus and is used to store instrument image data; the TF card supports a maximum capacity of 16GB and is used to achieve long-term local backup of image data.

[0013] In one embodiment, the remote communication module includes a WIFI module and a 4G CAT.1 communication module unit. The WIFI module is integrated into the MCU control unit and supports both AP and STA working modes. In STA mode, the WIFI module connects to the on-site WIFI router and then communicates with the cloud platform. In AP mode, the WIFI module connects to a mobile device for on-site viewing of instrument video. The 4G CAT.1 communication module unit is connected to a SIM card slot and a communication FPC soft antenna. The SIM card slot is used to install a SIM card, and the communication FPC soft antenna is used to receive and transmit 4G signals. The 4G CAT.1 communication module unit is also connected to the MCU control unit via a serial port and a USB bus. The serial port is used to transmit AT control commands, and the USB bus is used to transmit instrument image data.

[0014] In one embodiment, when the WIFI module transmits data, it carries a unique asset management code in the POST request, which is used by the cloud platform WEB server to store the corresponding image data as a folder name.

[0015] In one embodiment, when the 4G CAT.1 communication module unit transmits data, it carries the module's unique IMEI code in the POST request, which is used by the cloud platform WEB server to store the corresponding image data with the IMEI code as the folder name.

[0016] In one embodiment, the field communication module is a Bluetooth BLE module, which is integrated into the MCU control unit. The Bluetooth BLE module is used to connect with a mobile APP to realize the reading of field device status data and the sending of configuration parameters.

[0017] The advantages of the above technical solution adopted in this utility model compared with the prior art are: 1. This utility model adopts a multi-port, multi-mode image transmission and control design, covering four core methods: WIFI remote transmission, 4G CAT.1 wireless remote transmission, Bluetooth on-site wireless transmission, and TF card local storage. It can adapt to different network environments and usage requirements of heat exchange stations. Specifically, the WIFI module supports both STA and AP working modes. In STA mode, it can connect to an on-site WIFI router to remotely transmit images to the cloud platform. In AP mode, it can directly connect to mobile devices, meeting the need for real-time viewing of instrument videos on-site. 4G CAT.1 wireless transmission does not rely on local network deployment; image data can be transmitted remotely via a 4G base station, suitable for heat exchange station scenarios without WIFI coverage. Bluetooth on-site wireless transmission allows for quick access to measuring points and capture of instrument images via mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, while also supporting device status reading and parameter settings, facilitating on-site installation and debugging. TF card local storage enables long-term backup of image data, forming a dual data protection system of "local + cloud platform," effectively avoiding the risk of data loss. Overall, the operation is convenient and highly adaptable.

[0018] 2. This utility model does not have a single specified limitation on the measuring instrument. Its applicable scope covers a variety of instrument types commonly used in heat exchange stations in the heating industry, such as pressure gauges, temperature gauges, flow meters, and level gauges. It is not limited to traditional pointer meters. For instruments with different display forms, such as LCD digital meters and LED digital tube meters, there is no need to design or adjust the equipment structure separately for different types of instruments. This greatly improves the versatility and reusability of the equipment and reduces the complexity and cost of digital transformation of multiple types of instruments in heat exchange stations. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a remote meter reading device with image recognition capabilities.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the power supply module. Figure 3 This is a block diagram of the wireless communication section.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module; The following are the labeling symbols in the diagram: 1. MCU control unit; 2. Camera module; 3. Automatic backlight brightness adjustment module; 4. Power supply module; 5. Local storage module; 6. Remote communication module; 7. Field communication module; 8. Data encryption module; 9. Cloud platform; 10. 4G CAT.1 module; 11. WIFI module; 12. Bluetooth BLE module; 13. Mobile APP; 14. Lithium battery charging chip; 15. Lithium battery; 16. 4G base station. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects to be solved by this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0023] It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another component, it can be directly on or indirectly on that other component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to that other component.

[0024] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application.

[0025] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0026] This embodiment provides a remote meter reading device with image recognition function, including an MCU control unit 1, a camera module 2, an automatic backlight brightness adjustment module 3, a power supply module 4, a local storage module 5, a remote communication module 6, a field communication module 7, and a data encryption module 8. The connection relationship of each module is as follows: Figure 1 As shown.

[0027] In this embodiment, the MCU control unit 1 employs a 32-bit dual-core processor with a main frequency of 240MHz, embedded with a large-capacity ROM and SRAM, and expanded with external SPI FLASH and PSRAM to meet data storage requirements. Internally, it is built on the FreeRTOS real-time operating system, integrating hardware drivers for the WIFI module 11, Bluetooth BLE module 12, and data encryption module 8.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, power supply module 4 supports three power supply modes: main power supply: adopts standard DC +12V power input, which is suitable for the industrial power supply environment of heat exchange station; commissioning power supply: powered through USB interface, only used for temporary power supply during on-site installation and commissioning; backup power supply: built-in +4.2V lithium battery 15, which can ensure the equipment can work continuously for more than 48 hours in the event of a sudden power outage, avoiding interruption of data acquisition.

[0029] After the external power supply (DC+12V / USB) is connected, the lithium battery 15 is first charged by the lithium battery charging chip 14 (such as the TP4056 model) to realize charging management; the output voltage of the lithium battery 15 is converted into a stable +3.3V voltage by the LDO step-down circuit (such as the AMS1117-3.3 model) and directly supplied to the MCU control unit 1; the +3.3V voltage output by the LDO can also supply the camera module 2, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module 3, and the local storage module 5, but the MCU control unit 1 needs to output control signals through the GPIO pin to drive the MOSFET to realize the power supply on and off of the above modules. For example, when the device is idle, the power supply to the camera module 2 is cut off to further reduce power consumption.

[0030] 4G CAT.1 module 10 power supply: Its power supply needs to be controlled separately. The MCU control unit 1 drives the MOSFET through the GPIO pin to output a voltage of ≥3.7V (matching the power supply requirements of the 4G module). It only conducts power during data transmission to reduce unnecessary power consumption.

[0031] like Figure 3As shown, the remote communication module 6 includes a 4G CAT.1 module 10 and a WIFI module 11. The WIFI module 11 is integrated into the MCU control unit and supports both AP and STA modes. In STA mode, the device connects to the WIFI router at the heat exchange station site and communicates with the cloud platform 9 via TCP / IP protocol. When uploading image data, a unique asset management code (such as "120110498") must be included in the HTTP POST request. The cloud platform 9 stores the corresponding data using this code as the folder name to distinguish different devices. In AP mode, the device itself acts as a hotspot. The mobile APP 13 (such as the "Heat Exchange Station Meter Reading and Debugging APP" on Android / iOS) can search for and connect to this hotspot to view the meter images in real time. The time interval for uploading images to the cloud platform 9 can also be set (such as 5 minutes / time or 10 minutes / time).

[0032] 4G CAT.1 Module 10: Utilizes the Hezhou Air780E 4G module, connecting to a SIM card slot with a full network compatible (supports China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom) SIM card and a communication FPC soft antenna (2dBi gain to ensure signal coverage). The module connects to the MCU via a serial port (transmitting AT control commands, such as "dial-up internet access" and "data transmission command"), and transmits image data via a USB bus (up to 1Mbps, meeting image transmission requirements). It accesses the network through the 4G base station 16, carrying the module's unique IMEI code (e.g., "861234567890123") in the HTTP POST request when uploading image data. The cloud platform 9 stores data using this IMEI code as the folder name, adapting to heat exchange station scenarios without WIFI coverage. In principle, the 4G module is only powered during data upload; power is cut off by the MCU after upload is complete, reducing power consumption.

[0033] The field communication module 7 is used for on-site installation, commissioning, and testing. It supports connection with the mobile APP 13 (Bluetooth communication version) to read device status (such as lithium battery voltage, current communication mode, and image storage capacity) and configure parameters (such as cloud communication interval, image resolution, and backlight brightness threshold). It is disabled by default at the factory and can only be enabled by issuing an authorization command through the cloud platform 9. When connecting, a preset username (such as "admin") and password (such as "HEAT@2024") must be entered to prevent unauthorized operation. A single mobile APP can connect to 10 devices at the same time, which is convenient for batch completion of commissioning tasks of multiple devices in the heat exchange station and improves installation efficiency.

[0034] Camera module 2 is connected to MCU control unit 1 via an 8-bit parallel port. It uses a 1.3-megapixel industrial camera with a shooting frame rate of 10fps and a resolution of 1280×720. It can clearly capture the dial details of pointer meters, LCD meters, and LED digital tube meters. The captured image data is transmitted to the MCU in real time via the parallel port.

[0035] like Figure 4 As shown, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module uses an LTR-308ALS-01 digital ambient light sensor, which is connected to the MCU control unit 1 via an I2C bus. This sensor has a resolution of 0.01 lux and a measurement range of 0.01 lux to 64000 lux, and can sense subtle brightness changes in the heat exchange station caused by day / night cycles or shading. The sensor also has an interrupt pin, which, after being connected to the MCU, allows for the preset of upper and lower brightness thresholds. When the brightness exceeds the threshold, an interrupt signal is triggered, enabling automatic adjustment. The supplementary lighting control uses four 0.5W white LED supplementary lights, controlled by a SY7200AAB LED driver chip. The MCU control unit 1 outputs a PWM pulse signal based on the digital brightness value transmitted from the sensor to adjust the output current of the driver chip, thereby smoothly changing the brightness of the supplementary lights and ensuring balanced brightness in the captured image, avoiding the impact of lighting conditions on subsequent recognition accuracy.

[0036] The local storage module 5 uses a TF card as the storage medium and is connected to the MCU control unit 1 via the SPI bus. It supports a maximum capacity of 16GB and can store up to 3 years of instrument image data, achieving dual backup of "local + cloud". The stored image data needs to be encrypted by the data encryption module 8 using the AES-256 algorithm and can only be read with the decryption permission issued by the cloud platform 9 to prevent data leakage after the device is removed.

[0037] Data encryption module 8: This is the existing hardware encryption module built into the MCU. It first encrypts the AES key using the RSA algorithm, and then encrypts the image data using the AES-256 algorithm. It also adds a digital signature to ensure that the data is not tampered with or stolen during transmission. This encryption logic is used for both local storage and cloud transmission of image data, forming a full-link security guarantee.

[0038] The method of using the aforementioned remote meter reading device with image recognition function is as follows: Fix this device near the measuring instruments (such as pressure gauges, thermometers, flow meters, and level gauges) in the heat exchange station, adjust the angle of the camera module 2 to ensure that the lens is aligned with the instrument panel; select the power supply method according to the site conditions (DC+12V preferred), insert a 4G SIM card (if there is no WIFI), enable the Bluetooth BLE module 12 through the mobile APP 13, configure the asset management code (which must be consistent with the cloud platform 9 filing) and the image upload interval, and complete the deployment initialization.

[0039] The device captures instrument images at set intervals, encrypts them, and uploads them to the WEB server of the cloud platform 9 via WIFI or 4G network. After receiving the data, the server first verifies the digital signature and encryption integrity, and then stores the images according to asset management code or IMEI code.

[0040] Cloud Platform 9 uses the ResNet-18 neural network model to classify uploaded images, currently supporting multiple types of instruments such as pressure gauges, thermometers, flow meters, and level gauges. For the classified images, a target detection model trained with labeled samples (such as YOLOv5) is used to locate the dial scale / digit area, and combined with the instrument range parameters, an accurate reading with units (such as "0.8MPa" or "50℃") is obtained. Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. A remote meter reading device with image recognition function, characterized in that, This includes a camera module, an automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, a power supply module, a local storage module, a remote communication module, and a field communication module, all connected to the MCU control unit. The camera module is used to capture images of the instruments in the heat exchange station and transmit the image data to the MCU control unit; The automatic backlight brightness adjustment module is used to sense the ambient light brightness and adjust the supplementary light intensity according to the control signal of the MCU control unit to ensure balanced image brightness. The power supply module is also connected to the camera module, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, the local storage module, and the remote communication module to provide power to each module. The local storage module is used to store instrument image data to achieve local backup; The remote communication module is used to wirelessly transmit image data to the cloud platform; The field communication module is used to read equipment status data and send configuration parameters during field debugging.

2. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The MCU control unit uses a 32-bit dual-core processor with embedded ROM and SRAM, and is further expanded with external SPI FLASH and PSRAM.

3. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The automatic backlight brightness adjustment module includes a digital ambient light brightness sensor and an LED fill light. The digital ambient light brightness sensor is connected to the MCU control unit via an I2C bus to sense ambient light brightness and output digital signals. The LED fill light is connected to an LED driver chip, which is connected to the MCU control unit. The MCU control unit controls the LED driver chip by outputting PWM pulse signals, thereby adjusting the brightness of the LED fill light.

4. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 3, characterized in that, The digital ambient light sensor is an LTR-308ALS-01 model sensor, and it is equipped with an interrupt pin. The interrupt pin is connected to the MCU control unit and is used to realize automatic control triggered by the brightness threshold. The LED driver chip is a SY7200AAB model chip, which is used to drive the LED fill light to emit light.

5. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The power supply module includes a lithium battery, a lithium battery charging chip, and an LDO step-down circuit. The power supply module supports +12VDC power supply, USB interface power supply, and lithium battery power supply. Both the +12VDC power supply and the USB interface are connected to the lithium battery charging chip, which is connected to the lithium battery for charging. The lithium battery is connected to the LDO step-down circuit, which outputs +3.3V and is connected to the MCU control unit to power the MCU control unit. The LDO step-down circuit is also connected to the camera module, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, and the local storage module. The MCU control unit is connected to the power supply lines of the camera module, the automatic backlight brightness adjustment module, and the local storage module via MOSFETs to control the power supply to each module.

6. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The local storage module is a TF card, which is connected to the MCU control unit via an SPI bus and is used to store instrument image data.

7. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The remote communication module includes a WIFI module and a 4G CAT.1 communication module unit. The WIFI module is integrated into the MCU control unit and supports both AP and STA working modes. In STA mode, the WIFI module connects to the on-site WIFI router and then communicates with the cloud platform. In AP mode, the WIFI module connects to a mobile device for on-site viewing of instrument video. The 4G CAT.1 communication module unit is connected to the SIM card slot and the communication FPC soft antenna. The SIM card slot is used to install the SIM card, and the communication FPC soft antenna is used to receive and transmit 4G signals. The 4G CAT.1 communication module unit is also connected to the MCU control unit via a serial port and a USB bus. The serial port is used to transmit AT control commands, and the USB bus is used to transmit instrument image data.

8. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the WIFI module transmits data, it carries a unique asset management code in the POST request, which is used by the cloud platform WEB server to store the corresponding image data as a folder name.

9. The remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the 4GCAT.1 communication module unit transmits data, it carries the module's unique IMEI code in the POST request, which is used by the cloud platform WEB server to store the corresponding image data in a folder named with the IMEI code.

10. A remote meter reading device with image recognition function according to claim 1, characterized in that, The field communication module is a Bluetooth BLE module, integrated into the MCU control unit. The Bluetooth BLE module is used to connect with a mobile APP to read field device status data and send configuration parameters.

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