Water leakage monitoring system and water leakage monitoring method

Abstract

To easily and surely inspect a water meter installed in an individual house and monitor water leakage.SOLUTION: A water leakage monitoring system according to an embodiment includes a meter reading device including a camera that captures an area of a meter reading value displayed by a water meter, a vibration sensor that detects a vibration transmitted to a water pipe, and a processor that performs control to transmit information including meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value obtained from a result of capturing by the camera and vibration sound data indicating the vibration obtained from a detection result of the vibration sensor, and one or a plurality of monitoring devices that generate water leakage state data indicating at least the presence or absence of a water leakage based on the information, store the water leakage state data and the information in a predetermined storage unit, and provide information based on at least one of the meter reading value data, the vibration sound data, and the water leakage state data of the meter reading device in one or a plurality of regions, areas, or districts designated by an information processing device to the information processing device so that the information can be viewed on a display unit of the information processing device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a water leakage monitoring system and a water leakage monitoring method. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, water meters installed in individual homes detect the flow rate of tap water used and display the integrated value, making it possible to grasp the amount of tap water used in each home.

[0003] Since the 1990s, networks based on TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol) technology have rapidly spread, and global networks have become widely used. However, water meter reading is generally performed by meter readers checking the water meter display in each home approximately once every two months, without using such networks.

[0004] In addition, about once every few years, an investigation is conducted to check for leaks on the secondary side of the water meter (inside the home). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6483455 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 6480067 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order for a meter reader to read the water meters of each home, they must visit each home individually, enter the premises, open the water meter box, and record the amount of water used on the meter. This type of work requires a lot of effort, and is particularly burdensome in sparsely populated areas and mountainous regions.

[0007] Furthermore, although the presence or absence of water leaks can be confirmed using a water meter pilot or a listening rod, actual leak inspections are only conducted about once every few years, so leaks may occur for a long period of time without being discovered.The national average leakage rate for Japan's water supply is about 5%, with some municipalities exceeding 10%, meaning that a lot of water is being lost.

[0008] The problem to be solved by the invention is to provide a water leakage monitoring system and a water leakage monitoring method that can easily and reliably read water meters installed in individual homes and monitor water leakage. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The water leakage monitoring system of an embodiment includes a meter reading device having a camera that photographs the area of ​​the meter reading value displayed by the water meter, a vibration sensor that detects vibration sound transmitted through the water pipe, and a processor that controls the transmission of information including meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value obtained from the photographing results of the camera and vibration sound data indicating the vibration sound obtained from the detection results of the vibration sensor, and one or more monitoring devices that generate water leakage status data indicating at least the presence or absence of water leakage based on the information, store the water leakage status data and the information in a specified memory unit, and provide information based on at least any of the meter reading value data, the vibration sound data, and the water leakage status data of the meter reading devices in one or more regions, areas, or districts specified by the information processing device to the information processing device so that it can be viewed on a display unit of the information processing device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a water leakage monitoring system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of the water leakage monitoring system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit of the water meter 10 in FIGS. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the meter reading device 20 in FIGS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of functions realized by the processor 24 in FIG. 4 executing a program. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of information exchanged between the meter reading device 20 and the monitoring device 90 (or the local monitoring device 60, etc.). [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the demand meter reading command shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a method for generating information indicating the presence and extent of water leakage by the vibration sound analysis unit 244 in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an arithmetic expression used to calculate the moving average current shown in FIG. 8(b). [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the main operations performed by the vibration sound analysis unit 244 using the method shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed in steps S32, S33, and S34 in FIG. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of a case where an image is displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 to indicate a water leak warning, with the extent of the leak indicated in three different colors: "green," "yellow," and "red" at the locations of individual homes on a map where there is a "water leak." [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying information different from the information displayed on the screen 111 in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example (part 1) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 causes to be displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example (part 2) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 causes to be displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example (part 3) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 causes to be displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example (part 4) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 causes to be displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of each process performed by the character acquisition unit 241 in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart illustrating operations corresponding to the individual processes shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the concept of learning performed by the character recognition unit 243 in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of each of the learning and recognition processes performed by the character recognition unit 243 in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a graph showing the gain-frequency characteristics of a filter that is capable of selectively obtaining a desired filtering processing output from among outputs of a plurality of types of filtering processing. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of a filter that realizes the characteristics shown in FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of a graph showing gain-frequency characteristics of vibration noise before a predetermined filtering process is performed by a low-pass filter. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a graph showing gain-frequency characteristics of vibration noise after predetermined filtering processing is performed by a low-pass filter. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of a water leakage determination process based on vibration sound data after filtering. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a graph showing frequency components of a signal input to an active filter and frequency components of a signal output from the active filter. [Figure 28]FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an active filter. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks when the adaptive control technique is applied to an active filter. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing an example of a function block for determining the presence or absence of water leakage, which determines the presence or absence of water leakage using data of vibration sound supplied from the function block 260 in FIG. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation of the water leakage monitoring system according to the embodiment. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation related to the information terminal 103 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] <System configuration> Fig. 1 shows a first configuration example of a water leakage monitoring system according to an embodiment. However, the configuration shown in Fig. 1 is just an example and is not limited to this example. The configuration may be changed as appropriate.

[0013] The water leakage monitoring system shown in Figure 1 includes an external meter reading device 20 (hereinafter abbreviated as "meter reading device 20") attached to a water meter 10 installed on a water pipe within the premises of each individual residence, a communication device 30, a higher-level communication device 40, an I / O unit (input / output unit) 50, a network N, a monitoring device (bulk water leakage monitoring device) 90, a network N100, a monitoring PC (information processing device) 100, and the like.

[0014] The monitoring device 90 has, as various functions, a periodic meter reading processing unit 91, an occasional meter reading processing unit 92, a periodic vibration measurement processing unit 93, an occasional vibration measurement processing unit 94, a data monitoring unit 95, a water leak detection processing unit 96, a data storage unit 97, an arithmetic processing unit 98, and an information providing unit 99. Details of these functions will be described later.

[0015] The monitoring device 90 is not limited to a single device, and may be composed of, for example, multiple devices. When the monitoring device 90 is composed of multiple devices, the devices may be connected via a network, and various functions may be distributed across the multiple devices. Furthermore, when the monitoring device 90 is composed of multiple devices, the monitoring device 90 may be configured hierarchically to include a device that monitors measurement information (such as water meter readings, vibration sounds, and information indicating the presence or absence of water leaks) for individual homes in each region (city, prefecture, or metropolis) across the country, a device that monitors measurement information for individual homes in one of the regions across the country, a device that monitors measurement information for individual homes in one "region" (e.g., corresponding to a city, ward, town, or village) within one region, and a device that monitors measurement information for one "district" (e.g., corresponding to an address) within one region.

[0016] The meter reading device 20 is attached to the surface of each residence (e.g., residences A, B, C, D, E, etc.) where the meter reading value of the water meter 10 is displayed. The meter reading device 20 uses a camera (described later) to capture an image of the meter reading value area (in this example, an area including a four-digit integrated value) displayed by the water meter 10, and uses a vibration sensor (described later) to detect vibration sounds transmitted through the water pipe. The meter reading device 20 generates meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value from the image captured by the camera, and generates vibration sound data indicating the vibration sound from the detection result of the vibration sensor. The meter reading device 20 then transmits information including the generated meter reading value data and vibration sound data from the communication device 30 to the local monitoring device 90. The information is transmitted periodically (e.g., once a day at a predetermined time), but may also be transmitted as needed in response to a command from the monitoring device 90. The periodically transmitted information is, for example, information accumulated over 24 hours. The information is transmitted together with attribute information related to the water meter 10 (e.g., information such as the ID of the water meter 10 and the address of the residence).

[0017] Furthermore, the information transmitted from the meter reading device 20 includes not only the meter reading data and the vibration sound data, but also data indicating the possibility of a water leak based on the vibration sound (hereinafter referred to as "water leakage estimation data"). The water leakage estimation data indicates at least the result of a primary determination of the presence or absence of a water leak. In this embodiment, the water leakage estimation data indicates the presence or absence of a water leak and, if a water leak is present, indicates the level of the water leak (e.g., a level expressed in three stages: a level exceeding a normal value, a level exceeding a caution value, and a level exceeding a limit value). The higher the level of the water leakage, the closer the location of the water leak (such as a defect in a nearby water distribution pipe or water supply pipe) is. The presence or absence and level of a water leak may vary depending on the time period within, for example, a 24-hour period. Therefore, the water leakage estimation data may indicate, for example, changes in the presence or absence and level of a water leak over a 24-hour period. Details of the water leakage estimation data will be described later.

[0018] The meter reading device 20 also has a function of checking whether the volume of vibration noise exceeds a predetermined standard, and if the volume of vibration noise exceeds the predetermined standard, generating information indicating a water leakage alarm. The information indicating a water leakage alarm may be transmitted to the monitoring device 90 at the time of generation.

[0019] The communication device 30 is provided in the meter reading device 20 and transmits and receives data to and from the upper communication device 40 via the cable C.

[0020] The upper communication device 40 is installed in each house, connected to the network N via the I / O unit 50, and is capable of communicating with the communication device 30 of the meter reading device 20 as well as with the communication devices of other measurement devices (e.g., electricity meter, gas meter, etc.) not shown. The upper communication device 40, for example, transmits information transmitted from the communication device 30 to the monitoring device 90 via the I / O unit 50 and the network N, and transmits various commands transmitted from the monitoring device 90 via the network N and the I / O unit 50 to the meter reading device 20 via the communication device 30.

[0021] The I / O unit 50 is installed in each home and performs input and output of data transmitted between the upper communication device 40 and the network N, and input and output of data transmitted between the upper communication device 40 and the information terminal 103.

[0022] By installing the I / O unit 50, the meter reading device 20 can transmit information including meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage estimation data to the network N side via the communication device 30, the upper communication device 40, and the I / O unit 50. Furthermore, when a person in charge of a waterworks bureau or the like wants to check the current meter reading data, the vibration sound status, the presence or absence of water leakage, etc., he or she can visit the target residence with an information terminal 103 and connect the information terminal 103 to the I / O unit 50 to directly obtain status information indicating at least the current state of the meter reading data and the vibration sound from the meter reading device 20. For example, the information terminal 103 communicates with the meter reading device 20 by connecting to the I / O unit 50 wirelessly or via a wire, and acquires status information from the meter reading device 20 and displays it on the display unit of the information terminal 103. Details of the status information will be described later.

[0023] The monitoring device 90 is a device that monitors information transmitted from the meter reading devices 20 in individual homes located in various regions across the country (including monitoring the presence or absence of water leaks).

[0024] The monitoring device 90 receives information transmitted via the network N from the meter reading devices 20 of each residence, and generates water leakage status data indicating the presence or absence of a water leak and, if a water leak is present, the extent of the water leak based on the vibration sound data or water leakage estimation data contained in the received information. The monitoring device 90 stores the generated water leakage status data and the received information in a predetermined memory unit in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified. The water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified from information such as the ID and address of the water meter 10 contained in the attribute information attached to the received information. When generating the water leakage status data, the water leakage estimation data may be used as is, or the presence or absence and extent of a water leak may be determined anew by analyzing the vibration sound data contained in the received information while referring to the water leakage estimation data.

[0025] Furthermore, the monitoring device 90 has the function of checking whether or not there is any water leakage level exceeding a predetermined standard based on the water leakage status data, and if there is any water leakage level exceeding the predetermined standard, generating information indicating a water leakage alarm.

[0026] In addition, the monitoring device 90 provides information based on at least one of the meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage status data of the meter reading devices 20 of individual homes in one or more regions, areas, or districts specified by the monitoring PC 100 (for example, information showing the position of the water meters 10 of individual homes on a map and the time-dependent changes in meter reading values ​​and vibration sounds, information indicating the presence or absence and extent of water leakage, information indicating the location of the water leakage, information indicating a water leakage alarm, etc.) to the monitoring PC 100 so that the information can be viewed on the display of the monitoring PC 100.

[0027] The monitoring PC 100 is a computer (information processing device) connected to the monitoring device 90 via the network N100. When a user specifies one or more regions, areas, or districts as monitoring targets by inputting information, the monitoring PC 100 acquires information based on at least one of meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage status data of each residence in the specified area from the monitoring device 90 and displays it on the display unit in the display format desired by the user. If the water leakage level exceeds a predetermined standard, the monitoring PC 100 displays information indicating a water leakage alarm on the display unit. Specific examples of the display will be described later.

[0028] <Various functions of the monitoring device> As described above, the monitoring device 90 shown in Fig. 1 has, as various functions, a periodic meter reading processing unit 91, a non-stop meter reading processing unit 92, a periodic vibration measurement processing unit 93, a non-stop vibration measurement processing unit 94, a data monitoring unit 95, a water leak detection processing unit 96, a data storage unit 97, an arithmetic processing unit 98, and an information providing unit 99. However, this functional configuration is an example and is not limited to this example. For example, the periodic meter reading processing unit 91 and the periodic vibration measurement processing unit 93 may be configured as a single function. The non-stop meter reading processing unit 92 and the non-stop vibration measurement processing unit 94 may also be configured as a single function.

[0029] The periodic meter reading processing unit 91 has a function of acquiring and storing meter reading data included in information periodically transmitted by the meter reading device 20 of each home.

[0030] The on-demand meter reading processing unit 92 has a function of acquiring and storing meter reading data from the meter reading devices 20 of individual homes at any time. For example, when the meter reading data included in the information periodically transmitted by the meter reading devices 20 of individual homes indicates an abnormal value based on a predetermined criterion, the on-demand meter reading processing unit 92 performs processing to transmit to the corresponding meter reading device 20 a command requesting transmission of meter reading data indicating the meter reading value at the current time (on-demand meter reading command instructing to perform on-demand meter reading).

[0031] The periodic vibration measurement processing unit 93 has a function of acquiring and storing vibration sound data contained in information periodically transmitted by the meter reading device 20 of each individual residence.

[0032] The on-demand vibration measurement processing unit 94 has a function of acquiring and storing vibration sound data from the meter reading devices 20 of individual homes at any time. For example, when the on-demand meter reading processing unit 92 finds vibration sound data included in information periodically transmitted by the meter reading devices 20 of individual homes that indicates an abnormal value based on a predetermined criterion, it performs processing to transmit a command to the corresponding meter reading device 20 requesting transmission of vibration sound data indicating the meter reading value at the current time (an on-demand vibration measurement command instructing to perform on-demand vibration measurement).

[0033] The data monitoring unit 95 has a function of monitoring the meter reading data and vibration sound data included in the information transmitted from the meter reading device 20 of each residence, and determines whether the meter reading data and vibration sound data indicate abnormal values ​​based on predetermined criteria. For example, the data monitoring unit 95 determines whether the meter reading data and vibration sound data contain abnormal values ​​exceeding a threshold, whether there are missing readings, or whether there is a possibility that elements or equipment such as vibration sensors are malfunctioning.

[0034] The water leakage detection processing unit 96 has a function of monitoring the presence or absence of water leakage based on information transmitted from the meter reading device 20 of each home, and detecting the presence of water leakage if a water leakage is detected. The water leakage detection processing unit 96 has a function of generating the above-mentioned water leakage status data based on the vibration sound data or water leakage estimation data contained in the information, and a function of generating information indicating a water leakage alarm if the water leakage level exceeds a predetermined standard.

[0035] The data storage unit 97 has a function of storing the meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage status data of each individual house in a predetermined storage unit together with attribute information.

[0036] The arithmetic processing unit 98 has a function of performing arithmetic processing required to generate various information to be displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 .

[0037] The information providing unit 99 has the function of providing the monitoring PC 100 with information based on at least one of the meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage status data for each individual home, and enabling the user to view the information in a display format desired by the user on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100. In addition to the above information, the information providing unit 99 also has the function of externally obtaining information such as information indicating the operating status, water supply volume, and surplus water volume of each unit at water purification plants managed by waterworks bureaus across the country, meteorological information such as temperature and rainfall across the country, and residential maps across the country, and providing this information to the monitoring PC 100.

[0038] <Modification of system configuration> Figure 2 shows a second configuration example of a water leakage monitoring system according to an embodiment. Figure 2 shows a modified example of the configuration shown in Figure 1. Below, explanations of parts that overlap with the configuration in Figure 1 will be omitted, and the explanation will focus on parts that are different from the configuration in Figure 1.

[0039] In Figure 2, symbol A1 represents one of the individual "districts" that exist nationwide (e.g., corresponding to a certain address). A2 represents a "region" that includes multiple districts (e.g., corresponding to a city, ward, town, or village). A3 represents a "region" (e.g., corresponding to a prefecture, city, prefecture, or prefecture) and the entire country.

[0040] The water leakage monitoring system shown in FIG. 2 includes an external meter reading device 20 attached to a water meter 10 installed on a water pipe within the premises of each individual residence, a communication device 30, a higher-level communication device 40, a local network (district network) N1, a local monitoring device (district monitoring device) 60, regional I / F networks N11 and N12, regional monitoring devices 61 and 62, a water leakage monitoring device 70, regional networks N21 and N22, a monitoring server (monitoring device) 80, monitoring networks N31 and N32, a nationwide monitoring PC (information processing device) 100, a network N100, a local monitoring PC (information processing device) 101, and a wide-area monitoring PC (information processing device) 102. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example and is not limited to this example. The configuration may be modified as appropriate. For example, the functions of the water leakage monitoring device 70 may be installed in the regional monitoring devices 61 and 62 or the monitoring server 80.

[0041] The water meter 10, the external meter reading device 20, the communication device 30, and the higher-level communication device 40 are the same as those shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, the I / O unit 50 and the information terminal 103 shown in Fig. 1 are omitted to avoid complicating the drawing.

[0042] The water leakage monitoring system shown in FIG. 2 includes a local monitoring device 60, regional monitoring devices 61 and 62, a water leakage monitoring device 70, and a monitoring server (monitoring device) 80 as a plurality of monitoring devices.

[0043] The local monitoring device 60 or the regional monitoring devices 61, 62, etc., have functions corresponding to the periodic meter reading processing unit 91, the occasional meter reading processing unit 92, the periodic vibration measurement processing unit 93, and the occasional vibration measurement processing unit 94 described in Fig. 1. The water leakage monitoring device 70 has a function corresponding to the water leakage detection processing unit 96 described in Fig. 1. In addition, the local monitoring device 60, the regional monitoring devices 61, 62, the water leakage monitoring device 70, and the monitoring server 80 have all or some of the functions of the data monitoring unit 95, the data storage unit 97, the calculation processing unit 98, and the information providing unit 99 described in Fig. 1.

[0044] The local monitoring device 60 is a device that monitors information transmitted from the meter reading devices 20 for each home in one district within a certain region, and communicates with the upper communication devices 40 of each home via the local network N1, and also communicates with the regional monitoring device 61, which is a higher-level monitoring device, via the regional I / F network N11. For example, the local monitoring device 60 stores the information transmitted from the upper communication devices 40 of each home in a specified memory unit in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified, and transmits the information to the regional monitoring device 61.

[0045] The regional monitoring device 61 is a device that monitors information transmitted from the meter reading devices 20 for each individual home in a single region, and communicates with the local monitoring device 60, which is a lower-level monitoring device, and local monitoring devices in other regions via the regional I / F network N11, and also communicates with the monitoring server 80, which is a higher-level monitoring device, via the regional network N21, monitoring network N31, etc. For example, the regional monitoring device 61 stores information transmitted from the local monitoring device 60 and local monitoring devices in other regions in a specified memory unit in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified, and transmits the information to the monitoring server 80. The information is also transmitted to the water leakage monitoring device 70.

[0046] The regional monitoring device 62 is a device that monitors information transmitted from the meter reading devices 20 for individual homes in a different region from the regional monitoring device 61, and communicates with individual local monitoring devices (not shown), which are lower-level monitoring devices, via the regional I / F network N22, and also communicates with the monitoring server 80, which is a higher-level monitoring device, via the regional network N22, the monitoring network N31, etc. For example, the regional monitoring device 62 stores the information transmitted from the local monitoring device 60 in a predetermined memory unit in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified, and transmits the information to the monitoring server 80. The information is also transmitted to the water leakage monitoring device 70.

[0047] The regional monitoring devices 61 and 62 also determine whether or not there is missing data from the transmitted information, and transmit information indicating the determination result to the monitoring server 80 together with the information.

[0048] In addition, the regional monitoring devices 61, 62 provide information based on meter reading data and vibration sound data of individual homes in one or more areas or districts specified by the local monitoring PC 101 or wide-area monitoring PC 102 (for example, information showing the position of the water meters 10 of individual homes on a map and the time-based changes in meter reading values ​​and vibration sounds) to the local monitoring PC 101 or wide-area monitoring PC 102 so that the information can be viewed on the display of the local monitoring PC 101 or wide-area monitoring PC 102.

[0049] The water leakage monitoring device 70 is a device that monitors the presence or absence of water leakage in individual homes in a single region or in each region within that region. The water leakage monitoring device 70 generates water leakage status data based on vibration sound data or water leakage estimation data contained in information transmitted from the regional monitoring devices 61, 62, etc., and stores the generated water leakage status data in a specified memory unit in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified, and also transmits the data to the monitoring server 80.

[0050] Furthermore, the water leakage monitoring device 70 has the function of checking whether the level of water leakage exceeds a predetermined standard based on the water leakage status data, and if the level of water leakage exceeds the predetermined standard, generating information indicating a water leakage alarm.

[0051] In addition, the water leakage monitoring device 70 provides information based on water leakage status data (information indicating the presence or absence and extent of water leakage, information indicating the location of water leakage, information indicating a water leakage alarm, etc.) for each individual house in one or more areas or districts specified by the local monitoring PC 101 or wide-area monitoring PC 102 to the local monitoring PC 101 or wide-area monitoring PC 102 so that the information can be viewed on the display of the local monitoring PC 101 or wide-area monitoring PC 102.

[0052] The monitoring server (monitoring device) 80 is a device that monitors information transmitted from the meter reading devices 20 (including monitoring the presence or absence of water leaks) for individual homes in various regions across the country, and communicates with not only the regional monitoring devices 61, 62 and the water leak monitoring device 70 but also other regional monitoring devices and water leak monitoring devices (not shown) located throughout the country via the monitoring network N32 and the monitoring network N32. For example, the monitoring server 80 stores the meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leak status data transmitted from the individual regional monitoring devices and water leak monitoring devices in a predetermined memory unit in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified. Information indicating a water leak alarm is also stored in a state in which the corresponding water meter 10 and its installation location can be identified.

[0053] In addition, the monitoring server 80 provides information based on at least one of meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage status data for individual homes in one or more districts, regions, or areas specified by the nationwide monitoring PC 100 or wide-area monitoring PC 102, etc. (for example, information showing the position of the water meters 10 of each home on a map and the time-based changes in meter reading values ​​and vibration sounds, information indicating the presence or absence and extent of water leakage, information indicating the location of the water leakage, information indicating a water leakage alarm, etc.) to the nationwide monitoring PC 100 or wide-area monitoring PC 102 so that it can be viewed on the display of the nationwide monitoring PC 100 or wide-area monitoring PC 102.

[0054] The nationwide monitoring PC 100 is connected to the monitoring server 80 via the network N100. When a user specifies one or more regions, areas, or districts as monitoring targets by inputting information, the nationwide monitoring PC 100 obtains information based on at least one of meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leakage status data for each home in the specified area from the monitoring server 80 and displays the information on the display unit in the display format desired by the user. If the water leakage level exceeds a predetermined standard, the nationwide monitoring PC 100 also displays information indicating a water leakage alarm on the display unit. Specific examples of the display will be described later.

[0055] The local monitoring PC 101 is connected to the regional monitoring device 61 via the regional network N21, to the regional monitoring device 62 via the regional network N22, and also to the water leak monitoring device 70. When the user specifies one or more regions or districts as monitoring targets by inputting information, the local monitoring PC 101 acquires information based on at least one of the meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leak status data of each residence in the specified area from the regional monitoring device 61 or 62 and displays the information on the display unit in the display format desired by the user. If the water leak level exceeds a predetermined standard, the local monitoring PC 101 also displays information indicating a water leak alarm on the display unit.

[0056] The wide-area monitoring PC 102 is connected to the monitoring server 80 via monitoring networks N31 and N32, to the local monitoring device 61 via the local network N21, to the local monitoring device 62 via the local network N22, and also to the water leak monitoring device 70. When the user specifies one or more regions, areas, or districts as monitoring targets by inputting information, the wide-area monitoring PC 102 obtains information based on at least one of the meter reading data, vibration sound data, and water leak status data of each residence in the specified area from the monitoring server 80 and displays the information on the display unit in the display format desired by the user. If the water leak level exceeds a predetermined standard, the wide-area monitoring PC 102 also displays information indicating a water leak alarm on the display unit.

[0057] <Water meter 10> FIG. 3 shows an example of the display unit of the water meter 10 in FIGS.

[0058] The water meter 10 shown in FIG. 3 is a commonly used water meter, and has an integrated value display unit (1 m 3The device has an integrated value display unit (for 100 L or more) 11, an integrated value display unit (for 100 L) 12, a 1 liter meter 13, a 10 liter meter 14, and a pilot 15. When tap water is in use, the needle of the pilot 15 rotates, and the needles of the 1 liter meter 13 and the 10 liter meter 14 also rotate according to the amount of tap water used. In this embodiment, the object to be photographed is the integrated value (a four-digit number in this example) displayed by the integrated value display unit 11.

[0059] <Hardware configuration of the external meter reading device 20> FIG. 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the meter reading device 20 in FIGS.

[0060] The meter reading device 20 shown in Figure 4 includes a camera 21, a vibration sensor 22, a lithium battery 23, a processor 24, a memory 24M, a vibration sound processing circuit 25, light emitting elements 26 and 27, a communication device 30, various connectors, a circuit switching switch (SW), etc.

[0061] Camera 21 captures an image of an area including the integrated value (a four-digit number in this example) displayed on integrated value display unit 11, and sends the captured image to processor 24 via connector 21a.

[0062] The vibration sensor 22 detects vibration sounds transmitted through the water pipe in which the water meter 10 is installed, and sends the detection results to the processor 24 side via the connector 22a.

[0063] The lithium battery 23 supplies the power required for the operation of each part of the meter reading device 20 .

[0064] The processor 24 controls the operation of each part of the meter reading device 20. The processor 24 also executes predetermined programs to realize various functions. For example, the processor 24 generates meter reading value data indicating meter reading values ​​from the image capture results of the camera 21, generates vibration sound data indicating vibration sounds from the detection results of the vibration sensor, generates water leakage estimation data indicating the presence and extent of water leakage from the vibration sound data, controls the transmission of each of the generated accumulated data of meter reading value data, vibration sound data, and water leakage estimation data to the outside via the communication device 30, and controls the transmission of the above-mentioned status information to the outside via the communication device 30 in response to a request from the information terminal 103. The programs used by the processor 24 can be updated as needed via the connector 24a, etc.

[0065] The memory 24M stores programs executed by the processor 24 and various data.

[0066] The vibration sound processing circuit 25 includes an amplifier, a low-pass filter (LPF), etc., and amplifies and filters the vibration sound signal detected by the vibration sensor 22, and sends the processed result to the processor 24.

[0067] The light emitting element 26 indicates the operating state of the meter reading device 20. The light emitting element 27 is used as lighting for photography.

[0068] The communication device 30 transmits and receives data between the processor 24 and the upper communication device 40 .

[0069] <Functions realized by Processor 24> FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of functions realized by the processor 24 in FIG. 4 executing a program.

[0070] As shown in Figure 5, the processor 24 realizes, by programming, a character acquisition unit 241 and a vibration sound acquisition unit 242 which correspond to the "sampling function," a character recognition unit 243, a vibration sound analysis unit 244, and a tool 245 which correspond to the "arithmetic processing function," and a meter reading value optional acquisition control unit 246, a vibration sound optional acquisition control unit 247, a status information transmission control unit 248, and an accumulated data transmission control unit 249 which correspond to the "control processing function."

[0071] The character acquisition unit 241 acquires image portions each showing a multi-digit (for example, four-digit) number from the image capture results of the camera 21. A specific example will be described later.

[0072] The vibration sound acquisition unit 242 records the vibration sound obtained from the detection result of the vibration sensor 22.

[0073] The character recognition unit 243 has both AI (Artificial Intelligence) and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) functions, and makes it possible to improve the accuracy of character recognition by utilizing learning results such as deep learning. For example, using a model that has previously learned the relationship between images of the 10 numbers from "0" to "9" and the corresponding numbers, text data indicating the meter reading value is obtained from the image portion obtained by the character acquisition unit 241, and the text data is generated as meter reading value data. A specific example will be described later.

[0074] The vibration sound analysis unit 244 generates vibration sound data indicating data of the vibration sound recorded by the vibration sound acquisition unit 242 for a certain period of time, and also has a function of determining whether there is a possibility of water leakage by performing frequency analysis and calculation processing (moving average calculation, etc.) of the vibration sound. For example, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 determines the presence or absence and extent of water leakage based on the time integral value (integral value for a certain period of time) of the vibration sound recorded by the vibration sound acquisition unit 242 and a predetermined threshold value, and generates water leakage estimation data indicating the determination result. Specific examples will be described later.

[0075] The tool 245 adjusts the values ​​of various parameters applied to the processing of the character recognition unit 243 and the vibration sound analysis unit 244, outputs the generated accumulated data of each of the meter reading value data, vibration sound data, and water leakage estimation data (for example, accumulated data for 24 hours) once a day at a predetermined time, and outputs status information in response to a request from the information terminal 103. The status information is transmitted in response to a request from the information terminal 103 or the like, and includes various information such as information indicating the meter reading value and vibration sound at the time of the request, information indicating the presence and extent of water leakage, remaining battery level, attribute information, etc.

[0076] When the meter reading value on-demand acquisition control unit 246 receives an instruction (on-demand meter reading instruction) from the aforementioned on-demand meter reading processing unit 92 requesting the transmission of meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value, the meter reading value on-demand acquisition control unit 246 acquires the meter reading value data at that time through the character acquisition unit 241 and the character recognition unit 243, and controls the transmission of the acquired meter reading value data to the requesting monitoring device 90 or local monitoring device 60, etc.

[0077] When the vibration sound real-time acquisition control unit 247 receives a command (real-time vibration measurement meter reading command) from the aforementioned real-time vibration measurement processing unit 94 requesting the transmission of vibration sound data indicating the meter reading value, it acquires the vibration sound data at that time through the vibration sound acquisition unit 242 and the vibration sound analysis unit 244, and controls the transmission of the acquired vibration sound data to the requesting monitoring device 90 or local monitoring device 60, etc.

[0078] The status information transmission control unit 248 controls the transmission of the status information output from the tool 245 to the information terminal 103 .

[0079] The accumulated data transmission control unit 249 controls the transmission of information including the accumulated data of meter reading data, vibration sound data, and leak estimation data output from the tool 245, with attribute information attached, to the monitoring device 90 or the local monitoring device 60, etc.

[0080] The following mainly describes the functions and operations of each unit based on the configuration in Fig. 1. However, the functions and operations described below can also be applied to the configuration in Fig. 2. For example, the functions and operations of the monitoring device 90 and monitoring PC 100 in Fig. 1 can be applied to the monitoring devices 60, 61, 62, 70, 80 and monitoring PCs 101, 102 in Fig. 2.

[0081] Fig. 6 shows the flow of information sent and received between the meter reading device 20 and the monitoring device 90 (or the local monitoring device 60, etc.). Here, as an example, a case where a meter reading command is sent from the monitoring device 90 described in Fig. 1 to the meter reading device 20 side is shown.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 6, a monitoring device 90 is connected to the network N, and an I / O unit 50 is also connected to the network N. The I / O unit 50 inputs and outputs information transmitted and received between the monitoring device 90 and the meter reading device 20. The meter reading device 20 attached to the water meter 10 includes the camera 21, vibration sensor 22, and communication device 30 described above, and the communication device 30 is connected to the communication device 40 via a cable C. The upper communication device 40 and the I / O unit 50 are capable of communicating wirelessly or via a cable.

[0083] Information including the accumulated data of the meter reading value data, vibration sound data, and water leakage estimation data described above is periodically (for example, once a day at a predetermined time) transmitted from the communication device 30 of the meter reading device 20 to the monitoring device 90. The information is sent to the I / O unit 50 via the upper communication device 40. The I / O unit 50 sends the information to the monitoring device 90 via the network N using the communication processing unit 51.

[0084] ​When the monitoring device 90 receives information transmitted from the I / O unit 50, it checks whether the meter reading data and vibration sound data contained in the information indicate abnormal values ​​based on predetermined criteria. For example, if the meter reading data indicates an abnormal value, it is assumed that some kind of abnormality has occurred, and the on-demand meter reading processing unit 92 in the monitoring device 90 transmits a command (on-demand meter reading command) to the corresponding meter reading device 20 requesting the transmission of meter reading data indicating the meter reading value at the current time. Whether the meter reading data indicates an abnormal value is determined by whether the meter reading value (accumulated value) indicated in the meter reading data exceeds the estimated water usage per day (estimated accumulated value) by a predetermined amount or more. For example, if the estimated water usage per day is 1 m 3 In this case, as shown in image F in Figure 6, the upper limit H is set between the previous integrated value (one day ago) and the current integrated value (current time), for example, +5 m 3 The difference in water usage or the lower limit L, for example, -5m 3 If the difference in the amount of water used is less than 1 / 2, it is assumed that some abnormality has occurred, and a meter reading command is sent to the corresponding meter reading device 20 at any time.

[0085] The anytime meter reading command sent from the monitoring device 90 is received by the communication processing unit 51 of the I / O unit 50 via the network N. When the I / O unit 50 receives the anytime meter reading command, it transmits an anytime meter reading request instructing the meter reading device 20 to perform anytime meter reading via the upper communication device 40.

[0086] In response to this, the meter reading device 20 performs meter reading at any time. The meter reading value on-demand acquisition control unit 246 of the meter reading device 20 acquires meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value at that time from the character acquisition unit 241 and the character recognition unit 243, and controls the transmission of the acquired meter reading value data to the requesting monitoring device 90. The meter reading value data is returned to the I / O unit 50 as a meter reading result reply via the upper communication device 40. The I / O unit 50 sends meter reading value data indicating the optional meter reading result to the monitoring device 90 via the network N using the communication processing unit 51. As a result, the monitoring device 90 receives the meter reading value data generated in response to the on-demand meter reading command, determines the type of abnormality (such as equipment failure or water leakage) based on the meter reading value data, and performs processing such as displaying information indicating the location of the abnormality on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 together with information such as the corresponding water meter and address.

[0087] Here, we have shown an example in which the on-demand meter reading processing unit 92 of the monitoring device 90 sends a command (on-demand meter reading command) requesting the transmission of the current ``meter reading value data,'' but the information flow is similar when the on-demand vibration measurement processing unit 94 of the monitoring device 90 sends a command (on-demand vibration measurement command) requesting the transmission of the current ``vibration sound data.''

[0088] <Operations related to meter reading commands at any time> Next, an example of the operation relating to the demand meter reading command shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0089] The I / O unit 50 monitors data using the communication processing unit 51 (for example, checks whether or not data is transmitted from the monitoring device 90 to the meter reading device 20) (step S11).

[0090] The monitoring device 90 monitors the information periodically transmitted from the I / O unit 50, and when the monitoring device 90 receives the information, it performs a process (abnormality check process) to check whether an abnormality has occurred based on the meter reading data and vibration sound data contained in the information (step S12).

[0091] The monitoring device 90 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred (step S13), and if no abnormality has occurred (NO in step S12), it does not output an occasional meter reading command, and enters an occasional meter reading output cancellation state (step S14), and sets a flag flg stored in advance in a predetermined storage unit to a value indicating "no abnormality" (for example, "0") (step S15). On the other hand, if an abnormality has occurred (YES in step S12), the monitoring device 90 decides to perform abnormality processing (processing when an abnormality has occurred) (step S16), transmits an occasional meter reading command to the meter reading device 20 to perform occasional meter reading (step S17), and sets the flag flg to a value indicating "abnormality" (for example, "1") (step S18).

[0092] When the I / O unit 50 receives an ad hoc meter reading command transmitted from the monitoring device 90 to the meter reading device 20 via the communication processing unit 51, it transmits an ad hoc meter reading request instructing the meter reading device 20 to perform ad hoc meter reading via the upper communication device 40. In response to this, the meter reading device 20 performs ad hoc meter reading, generates meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value at the current time, and sends the generated meter reading value data to the I / O unit 50 via the upper communication device 40. The I / O unit 50 sends the meter reading value data to the monitoring device 90 via the network N. As a result, the monitoring device 90 receives the meter reading value data generated in response to the ad hoc meter reading command.

[0093] The monitoring device 90 determines the current operating state (step S19), and identifies whether the state is "normal" or "abnormal" based on the flag flg (step S20).

[0094] If the flag flg indicates "abnormal" (NO in step S20), the monitoring device 90 determines the type of abnormality (such as equipment failure or water leakage) based on the meter reading data, and performs processing such as displaying information indicating the type of abnormality on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 together with information such as the relevant water meter and address (step S21).On the other hand, if the flag flg indicates "normal" (YES in step S20), the monitoring device 90 does not display the type of abnormality, etc. on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100.

[0095] <Indication of presence and extent of water leakage> The information indicating the presence or absence and extent of the aforementioned water leakage can be converted into a format that is easy for the monitor to view and then displayed on the monitor information processing device, i.e., the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 in Fig. 1 (or the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, local monitoring PC 101, wide-area monitoring PC (information processing device) 102, etc. in Fig. 2). For example, by displaying the information indicating the presence or absence and extent of water leakage on a map on the screen, it becomes easier to estimate the location of the water leakage when a water pipe is damaged, etc.

[0096] FIG. 8 shows an example of a method for generating information indicating the presence and extent of water leakage by the vibration sound analysis unit 244 in FIG.

[0097] Fig. 8(a) shows an example of a graph representing the detection results for a predetermined period of time (for example, time-series data for 24 hours) of the vibration sensor 22 recorded (accumulated) by the vibration sound acquisition unit 242. The vertical axis of the graph in Fig. 8(a) represents the current (corresponding to the magnitude of the vibration sound), and the horizontal axis represents the time.

[0098] The time series data shown in the graph of FIG. 8(a) is analog information that fluctuates greatly, and therefore, the following smoothing process is performed.

[0099] Figure 8(b) shows an example of a graph showing the results of smoothing the moving average of the current shown in the graph of Figure 8(a) by calculating the moving average, where three thresholds, "normal value," "warning value," and "limit value," are set to determine the level of water leakage. The vertical axis of the graph in Figure 8(b) represents the moving average of the current (moving average current), and the horizontal axis represents time.

[0100] The vibration sound analysis unit 244 performs smoothing processing by calculating the moving average of the time-series data shown in the graph of Fig. 8(a). The vibration sound analysis unit 244 also presets three types of thresholds: "normal value," "warning value," and "limit value." Here, an example is shown in which, taking hysteresis into consideration, different values ​​are set for each of the three types of thresholds when the moving average current is increasing and when it is decreasing.

[0101] Figure 8(c) shows an example of information in which the magnitude (level) of the moving average current shown in the graph of Figure 8(b) is classified with different colors in relation to each threshold. For example, if it is estimated that there is a leak, three colors, "green," "yellow," and "red," are used, and the degree of leak increases in the order of "green," "yellow," and "red." If it is estimated that there is no leak, for example, "white" is used.

[0102] When the moving average current is increasing, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 gives "green" information for levels above the "normal value" (the upper line of the two lines). However, it gives "yellow" information for levels above the "caution value" (the upper line of the two lines), and gives "red" information for levels above the "limit value" (the upper line of the two lines). The vibration sound analysis unit 244 gives "red" information until the level falls below the "limit value" (the lower line of the two lines). When the moving average current is decreasing, it gives "yellow" information for levels below the "limit value" (the lower line of the two lines), and gives "green" information for levels below the "caution value" (the lower line of the two lines). The vibration sound analysis unit 244 gives "green" information until the level falls below the "normal value" (the lower line of the two lines).

[0103] A level that is not assigned any of the three colors "green," "yellow," or "red" (for example, a level that is assigned "white") means "no water leak." A level that is assigned any of the three colors "green," "yellow," or "red" means "water leak." The three colors "green," "yellow," and "red" are used as information indicating a water leak alarm when displayed on a monitoring information processing device, and are particularly used as display colors to express the degree of water leak.

[0104] 8(b), the presence or absence and the degree of water leakage differ depending on the time of day. Therefore, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 generates water leakage estimation data that indicates the presence or absence and change in the degree of water leakage over a 24-hour period, for example.

[0105] FIG. 9 shows an example of an arithmetic expression used to calculate the moving average current shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0106] By using the calculation formula shown in FIG. 9, the moving average current i can be calculated from the instantaneous sound volume (power) Wi, the voltage V (for example, 3.3 [V]), and the moving average time [minutes].

[0107] Next, an example of the main operations performed by the vibration sound analysis unit 244 using the method shown in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0108] In FIG. 10, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 calculates and obtains the moving average current i from the detection results of the vibration sensor 22 for a predetermined period of time (e.g., time series data for 24 hours) recorded (accumulated) by the vibration sound acquisition unit 242 (step S31).

[0109] Next, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 performs a process of determining which display color to assign to the moving average current i that changes over time in Figure 8 (b) based on a "normal value" (step S32), a process of determining which display color to assign to it based on a "caution value" (step S33), and a process of determining which display color to assign to it based on a "limit value" (step S34).

[0110] In the processes of steps S32, S33, and S34, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 performs the following series of processes on the moving average current i that changes over time in FIG. 8(b).

[0111] 11, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 determines whether the level of the moving average current i is equal to or greater than a corresponding threshold value (predetermined value + ΔH) (step S41). The corresponding threshold value (predetermined value + ΔH) here corresponds to the upper line of the two lines, "normal value," "caution value," or "limit value," in FIG. 8(b). ΔH is an amount that takes into account hysteresis when the level rises, and the predetermined value is a reference value for adding ΔH.

[0112] In step S41, if the level of the moving average current i is equal to or greater than the corresponding threshold value (predetermined value + ΔH) (YES in step S41), the vibration sound analyzer 244 determines the value of ALM, which is prepared in advance in a predetermined storage area (step S42). If the value of ALM is "0" (YES in step S42), the value is changed to "1" and a corresponding display color is assigned (step S43), and the process ends. On the other hand, if the value of ALM is "1" (NO in step S42), the process ends without doing anything. The ALM value "1" indicates that the level of water leakage has increased by one level, and the ALM value "0" indicates that the level of water leakage remains at its original level.

[0113] In step S41, if the level of the moving average current i is less than the corresponding threshold value (predetermined value + ΔH) (YES in step S41), the vibration sound analysis unit 244 determines the value of the ALM (step S44), and if the value is "1" (YES in step S44), proceeds to step S45, while if the value is "0" (NO in step S44), the processing ends without doing anything.

[0114] In step S45, the vibration sound analysis unit 244 determines whether the level of the moving average current i is less than the corresponding threshold value (predetermined value - ΔL) (step S45). The corresponding threshold value (predetermined value - ΔL) here corresponds to the lower line of the two lines of "normal value," "caution value," or "limit value" in FIG. 8(b). ΔL is an amount that takes into account hysteresis when the level drops, and the predetermined value is a reference value for adding ΔL.

[0115] In step S45, if the level of the moving average current i is less than the corresponding threshold value (predetermined value - ΔL) (YES in step S45), the vibration sound analysis unit 244 changes the value of the ALM to "0" and assigns a corresponding display color (step S46), and then ends the processing.

[0116] On the other hand, in step S45, if the level of the moving average current i is equal to or greater than the corresponding threshold value (predetermined value-ΔL) (NO in step S45), the process ends without doing anything.

[0117] <Example of water leak warning display using a map> Figure 12 shows an example of a case where an image is displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 to indicate a water leak warning, with the extent of the leak indicated in three different colors: "green," "yellow," and "red" at the locations of individual homes on a map where there is a "water leak."

[0118] 12 conceptually shows the water leakage estimation data 31 generated by the vibration sound analysis unit 244 of the meter reading device 20 in a certain house. The water leakage estimation data 31 corresponds to the water leakage estimation data showing the presence or absence of water leakage and changes in the level of water leakage over 24 hours as explained in FIG. 8. For those that have water leakage, the water leakage estimation data 31 includes information L1, L2, and L3 that show the level of water leakage using three different colors: "green," "yellow," and "red."

[0119] When the water leakage estimation data 31 is generated by the vibration sound analysis unit 244 of the meter reading device 20 in a certain house, the water leakage estimation data 31 is transmitted to the monitoring device 90 via the network N at a predetermined time. The monitoring device 90 stores the water leakage situation data generated based on the transmitted water leakage estimation data 31 in a predetermined storage unit.

[0120] Similar processing is performed in the meter reading devices 20 of other individual homes, and the water estimation data 31 is transmitted to the monitoring device 90 at the same time as above, and the water leakage situation data generated based on the transmitted water leakage estimation data 31 is stored in a designated memory unit.

[0121] The monitoring device 90 displays a screen 111 on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, which shows information based on the water leakage status data of the meter reading devices 20 of individual homes in one or more regions, areas, or districts specified by the monitoring PC 100, such as the location of the water meters 10 of each home on a map, information indicating the presence and extent of water leakage, and information indicating a water leakage alarm. The monitoring PC 100 can play the information on the screen 111 continuously in chronological order like a video, for example, from start to finish for 24 hours, or can display information at any time as a still image.

[0122] In the example of FIG. 12, information P in the form of circles is displayed on the screen 111, indicating the location of the water meter 10 of each individual residence and the presence and extent of a leak. Among the individual circles are those displayed in "green," "yellow," and "red," which correspond to the information L1, L2, and L3 described above, respectively. These indicate "there is a leak" and are equivalent to information indicating a water leak alarm. The extent of the leak increases in the order of "green," "yellow," and "red." A "white" circle indicates "there is no leak."

[0123] In this way, the monitoring device 90 displays information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, where the water meter 10 is located on the map, with the degree of water leakage indicated by different colors.

[0124] By displaying such information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, the monitor using the monitoring PC 100 can easily visually grasp the status of the water leak. For example, it can be inferred that there is a crack in the pipe that is causing the water leak near an area where there are a lot of red circles.

[0125] <Example of vibration noise level displayed using a piping diagram> Fig. 13 shows an example of displaying information different from the information displayed on the screen 111 in Fig. 12. In the example of Fig. 13, information including a piping system diagram is displayed instead of a map.

[0126] The monitoring device 90 can display information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, such as the location of the water meters 10 of each home on a piping system diagram, information indicating the volume of vibration noise, and the estimated location of water leaks.

[0127] The piping diagram shown in Figure 13 shows a water supply piping system 111a located underground in a residential area, with round symbols P indicating the locations of the water meters 10 of individual homes on the piping system. The numbers inside the symbols P represent the volume of the vibration noise.

[0128] Vibration caused by a water leak is generally expressed by the following formula:

[0129] ΔP=a×Q×Y / 2(g×S) ΔP: Pressure drop (kgf / m 2 ) a: Pressure propagation speed (m / s) Q: Water leakage amount (m 3 / s) γ: specific weight of liquid (kg / m 3 ) g: acceleration of gravity (9.8 m / s 2 ) S: Piping cross-sectional area (m 2 ) From this, it can be seen that ΔP is proportional to the amount of leakage Q.

[0130] Since ΔP is approximately equal to the time integral of the vibration noise, the louder the vibration noise, the larger the leakage amount Q and the closer the leak point is.

[0131] In Figure 13, the symbol P marked with "0" represents "no vibration sound." The symbols P marked with "1" to "10" represent "vibration sound present," with the larger the number, the louder the vibration sound. The symbol P representing "vibration sound present" is marked with a dashed circle E whose size corresponds to the size of the vibration sound. The louder the vibration sound, the larger the dashed circle E is represented. This makes it easier to estimate the location of the leak.

[0132] The location of a water leak is often near the area where the individual circles E overlap, and in particular, is often close to the intersection where the individual line segments intersect when a line segment is connected between the two points where the circles E and E overlap. In other words, it can be estimated that the location of the water leak is a part of the pipe close to the intersection. In the example of Figure 13, there is an intersection where three of the nine line segments D1 to D9, line segments D1, D2, and D4, intersect, and another intersection where three of the line segments D1, D3, and D5 intersect, and it can be seen that the location of the water leak is near the intersection.

[0133] In this way, the monitoring device 90 displays information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 at the location of the water meter 10 on the piping system diagram, where the magnitude of the vibration sound is represented by the size of a circle, and the larger the vibration sound, the larger the corresponding circle becomes, and displays specified information in the area where the individual circles overlap.

[0134] By displaying this information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, the monitor using the monitoring PC 100 can easily visually grasp the location of the leak. For example, it can be inferred that there is a cracked pipe or the like that is causing the leak near the intersection.

[0135] In addition to the above-mentioned screens, the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 can display the following various screens.

[0136] <Monitoring screen display example (part 1)> FIG. 14 shows an example (part 1) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 displays on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N.

[0137] The screen 112 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed when the monitor specifies a desired monitoring target (for example, a certain area or district) from a menu screen or the like displayed on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100.

[0138] The screen 112 displays general information 112a, information by house 112b, temperature information 112c, rainfall information 112d, and the like.

[0139] The overall information 112a indicates the operational status (water supply volume of each unit, total water supply volume, surplus water volume, etc.) of the water purification plant that supplies tap water to the monitored region or district on a specified date, month, or year. Here, an example is shown in which February 21, 2024 is specified.

[0140] The residence-specific information 112b is information that displays information (e.g., 24-hour changes in measurement information, etc.) based on meter reading data and vibration sound data for each residence in the monitored area or district on a specified date (e.g., February 21, 2024) at the corresponding individual location on a map, and includes, for each residence, information G1 indicating the operating status (operating or stopped), operating mode (automatic or manual), set values ​​(various set parameter values, etc.), current values ​​(various current parameter values, etc.), information G2 indicating changes in tap water usage over time, and information G3 indicating changes in vibration sound level over time. In addition, it is possible to display detailed screens of individual measurement information or trend graphs only.

[0141] The temperature information 112c indicates the temperature change on a specified day.

[0142] The rainfall information 112d indicates the change in rainfall per unit time on a specified day.

[0143] In this way, the monitoring device 90 displays on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 information indicating the operating status of the water purification plant that supplies tap water to the monitored area or district for a specified day (24 hours), month, or year, and information based on meter reading data and vibration sound data from individual homes in the monitored area or district, shown at each corresponding location on a map.

[0144] By displaying this information on the display of the monitoring PC 100, the monitor using the monitoring PC 100 can easily visually grasp the time-dependent changes in the water supply conditions of individual homes in the area or district he or she wants to monitor, as well as the condition of the corresponding water purification plant.Since he or she can easily grasp changes in the overall situation, he or she can respond quickly when an abnormal situation occurs. do.

[0145] <Monitoring screen display example (part 2)> FIG. 15 shows an example (part 2) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 displays on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N.

[0146] The screen 112 shown in FIG. 15 displays monitoring area selection information 113a, plant operating status information 113b, map information 113c, a message 113d, and the like.

[0147] The monitoring area selection information 113a allows one or more regions or areas to be designated as monitoring targets. In this example, one or more regions can be selected as monitoring targets from among individual regions across the country. It is also possible to select all regions.

[0148] The plant operating status information 113b indicates the operating status of each water purification plant in each region selected by the monitoring region selection information 113a.

[0149] The map information 113c allows a user to select one region from the individual regions selected in the monitoring region selection information 113a, and displays a map of the selected region (e.g., Kanto region) while also displaying information P11 on the map indicating where a water leak alarm has occurred. The map information 113c also allows a user to select one region from the selected regions, and displays a map of the selected region (e.g., Tokyo) while also displaying information P11 on the map indicating where a water leak alarm has occurred. Furthermore, by selecting any city, ward, town, or village from the displayed map of the region (e.g., Tokyo), a map of the corresponding region (e.g., Setagaya Ward, Tokyo) is displayed. Furthermore, by selecting any district from the displayed map of the region, a map of the corresponding district (e.g., 1-chome, △△-cho, Setagaya Ward, Tokyo) is displayed. .

[0150] The message 113d displays information explaining an alarm such as a water leak, which is shown in the map information 113c.

[0151] In this way, the monitoring device 90 displays on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 information that enables the designation of one or more regions or areas as targets for monitoring, information indicating the operating status of the water purification plant that supplies tap water to the designated region or area, and information indicating the location where a water leak alarm has occurred at a corresponding location on a map showing the designated region or area.

[0152] By displaying this information on the display of the monitoring PC 100, the monitor using the monitoring PC 100 can freely select the region or area he or she wants to monitor from all over the country, and it becomes easier to visually grasp the operating status of the water purification plant that supplies tap water to the region or area he or she wants to monitor, as well as the locations within the region or area where an alarm has occurred, allowing for a quick response when an alarm occurs. For example, by displaying information showing the installed water network on a map and displaying the relevant location with a flashing red light when an alarm occurs, the monitor can visually grasp which area's water network and where the leak is occurring.

[0153] <Monitoring screen display example (part 3)> FIG. 16 shows an example (part 3) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 displays on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N.

[0154] A screen 114 shown in FIG. 16 displays a list (monitoring status list) showing information for each individual home (water meter) in a certain district (1-chome, CC town, BB city, AA prefecture).

[0155] The list located in the center of the screen 114 displays, for each individual house, "Water Meter ID," "Selection" (check box for selection), "Address," and "Usage" (amount of tap water used [m 3]), "Alarm Presence" (presence or absence of alarm, type of alarm), "Attributes" (pipe diameter), "Measurement Unit" (unit of measurement period), "Input Type" (type of network for data input), "Last Acquisition Date" (date of latest data acquisition, etc.), and "Measurement Period" (one month, etc.) are listed. In particular, with regard to "Alarm Presence," if an alarm is present, the type of alarm, for example, information 114a indicating "Water Leak" or information 114b indicating "Equipment Failure," is displayed in a predetermined color. The "Select" check box is used to select the target when performing the various processes (export, copy, paste, delete, hard copy) provided at the top of the list.

[0156] Additionally, on the left side of the bottom of the list, there are selection items that can be used to narrow down the information displayed in the list: "Alarm Present / Not Present" (Alarm Present, No Alarm Present), "Attributes" (φ13mm, φ20mm), "Measurement Unit (Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly)" and "Input Type" (Mobile Phone Network (Company A), Mobile Phone Network (Company B), Power Network (Company C), Power Network (Company D)). After selecting each selection item one by one, the information displayed in the list can be narrowed down by pressing and holding down the select button. Also, on the right side of the bottom of the list, there are input fields and an add button that can be used to add information about new homes (water meters) to the list.

[0157] By displaying this information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, the monitor using the monitoring PC 100 can view a list of information for each individual home (water meter) in any area, allowing the monitor to efficiently grasp the information for each individual home (water meter) in a single place.

[0158] <Monitoring screen display example (part 4)> FIG. 17 shows an example (No. 4) of a screen that the monitoring device 90 displays on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100 via the network N.

[0159] Screen 115 shown in FIG. 17 displays a list (individual status list) showing various information about an arbitrary home (water meter) among the individual homes (water meters) in a certain district (1-chome, CC-cho, BB-shi, AA-ken).

[0160] Screen 115 shown in Figure 17 displays various information about a certain home (water meter), such as the aforementioned "Water meter ID," "Usage," "Period," "Last acquisition date," "Address," "Whether or not an alarm occurred," "Attributes," "Measurement unit," and "Input type."

[0161] By displaying this information on the display unit of the monitoring PC 100, the monitor using the monitoring PC 100 can view various information about any of the individual homes (water meters) in any area, and can therefore efficiently grasp all of the various information about that home (water meter) in one place.

[0162] Below, specific examples of the individual processes performed by the character acquisition unit 241 described with reference to FIG. 5 will be described.

[0163] <Character extraction process> Fig. 18 shows an example of each process performed by character acquisition unit 241 in Fig. 5. Also, Fig. 19 shows an example of a flowchart showing the operation corresponding to each process shown in Fig. 18. Here, the processing and operation of character extraction for obtaining character recognition targets from an image will be mainly described.

[0164] The operations (steps S51 to S59) shown in FIG. 19 will be described with reference to the individual processes (a) to (f) shown in FIG.

[0165] (a) First, the character acquisition unit 241 acquires the image 201 captured by the camera 21 (step S51). The image 201 shows a white four-digit number indicating the meter reading value (integrated value) against a black background.

[0166] (b) Next, the character acquisition unit 241 extracts from the image 201 an area (character block) inside a window frame displaying, for example, a four-digit number (step S52), and detects (defines) points 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d at the four corners of the extracted character block (step S53). At this time, the character acquisition unit 241 determines whether or not the position of the character block is shifted or deformed (distorted) relative to the image 201 (step S54). If there is no distortion (NO in step S54), the process proceeds to step S57.

[0167] (c) If there is distortion (YES in step S54), the character acquisition unit 241 corrects the shape of the character block 203 defined by the four points 202a, 202b, 202c, and 202d to a predetermined rectangle so that the distortion is eliminated (step S55), and adjusts (rotates, moves, etc.) the character block 203 so that it is positioned at the same height position in the image 201 (step S56).

[0168] (d) Next, the character acquisition unit 241 extracts four individual numbers from the character block 203. Note that five numbers may be extracted, including decimal digits, but the decimal digits are not used in the character recognition described below. Here, the character block 203 is divided into four regions 204 (broken down into single characters), and each region is identified (steps S57 and S58).

[0169] (e) Next, the character acquisition unit 241 acquires the character (number) portion (recognition target) 205 by extracting it from each of the four regions 204 (step S59). Here, since the recognition target 205 is before character recognition, the numbers in the recognition target 205 are represented by a default value (0).

[0170] (f) As a result, the character recognition unit 243 performs character recognition on the recognition target 205 and obtains the character recognition result 206. A specific example of the character recognition process will be described later.

[0171] <Learning and character recognition processing> Next, an example of a learning and character recognition technique performed by the character recognition unit 243 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0172] FIG. 20 shows the concept of learning performed by the character recognition unit 243 in FIG.

[0173] The process related to the learning of the character recognition unit 243 is divided into (a) a pre-learning phase and (b) a result learning phase.

[0174] (a) In the pre-learning phase, for each number from "0" to "9", image data T showing the number is acquired in advance from the character acquisition unit 241, and this is trained into a predetermined model as "real" image data, and multiple "fake" image data created by imitating the image data T are trained into the above model as "fake" image data.

[0175] (b) In the result learning phase, for each digit "0" to "9", image data T showing the digit is input to the model trained in the pre-learning phase, and it is asked to determine what the digit is. If an incorrect determination is made, learning is performed on the image data T related to the incorrect determination. In this way, by re-learning using result learning, it is possible to increase the accuracy rate and improve the accuracy of character recognition.

[0176] FIG. 21 shows an example of each learning and recognition process performed by the character recognition unit 243 in FIG.

[0177] The character recognition unit 243 performs (a) a "learning" process, which is a process of "learning a huge amount of image data," and (b) a "recognition" process, which is a process of "returning a recognition result from the learning data."

[0178] (a) In the process of "learning from a huge amount of image data," for example, a deep learning model having an input layer 211a, an output layer 211b, and an intermediate layer (hidden layer) 211 is trained by inputting a huge amount of "real" image data and "fake" image data for each of the digits "0" to "9." The digits "0" to "9" are assumed to employ various patterns such as character shape (degree of deformation), character darkness, etc.

[0179] (b) In the process of "returning recognition results from training data," image data to be recognized is input into the trained model, which then outputs the recognition results.

[0180] By training the system with such a large amount of image data, the accuracy of character recognition can be further improved.

[0181] A specific example of a filter that removes or attenuates frequency components of unnecessary noise from the detection result of the vibration sensor 22 will be described below.

[0182] <Example of a low-pass filter> In the example of Fig. 4, a low-pass filter (LPF) is provided in the vibration sound processing circuit 25 of the meter reading device 20. However, the filter may be realized by software (program) instead of hardware. In that case, the filter may be provided in the vibration sound acquisition unit 242 in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the filter used is not limited to a low-pass filter (LPF), and other types of filters (for example, an active filter, which will be described later) may also be used.

[0183] Generally, water pipe leak detection involves placing a listening rod on the water meter and having the inspector place his or her ear against it to check. The frequency of the water leakage sound (vibration noise caused by water leakage) falls within the range of approximately 500 Hz to 10 kHz. In other words, signals in other bands are unnecessary. Furthermore, within the 500 Hz to 10 kHz range, signals in a band of approximately 3 kHz or higher contain a lot of unnecessary noise, so signals in this band are also unnecessary. Taking this into consideration, when constructing a low-pass filter in this embodiment, a filter is constructed that passes frequency components in a band (less than approximately 3 kHz) narrower than the band that can be detected by the human ear in relation to the detection results of the vibration sensor 22.

[0184] When constructing a low-pass filter, it is possible to selectively obtain the output of the desired filtering process by providing a circuit that performs multiple types of filtering processes with different bands to suppress or pass, rather than using only one type of filtering process.

[0185] Fig. 22 shows an example of a graph showing the gain-frequency characteristics of a filter that can selectively obtain a desired filtering output from among multiple types of filtering output. In the example of Fig. 22, the filter is designed to obtain five types of outputs Out0, Out1, Out2, Out3, and Out4, each of which suppresses or passes a different frequency band. However, output Out0 is generated without undergoing filtering.

[0186] FIG. 23 shows an example of a circuit configuration of a filter that realizes the characteristics shown in FIG.

[0187] 23 includes a power supply unit 220 and circuits 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, and 220e that perform a plurality of types of filtering processes. The power supply unit 220 includes a power supply V1 and a resistor R1 that supply power to the circuits 220a, 220b, 220c, 220d, and 220e, a +5V power supply V2, and a −5V power supply V3.

[0188] Circuit 220a includes amplifier U3 and produces output Out0 without filtering.

[0189] Circuit 220b includes capacitors C1, C2, and C3, resistors R2, R3, and R4, and amplifier U1, and generates output Out1.

[0190] Circuit 220c includes capacitors C4, C5, and C6, resistors R5, R6, and R7, and amplifier U2, and produces output Out4.

[0191] Circuit 220d includes capacitors C10, C11, and C12, resistors R11, R12, and R13, and amplifier U5, and generates output Out2.

[0192] Circuit 220e includes capacitors C7, C8, and C9, resistors R8, R9, and R10, and amplifier U4, and generates output Out2.

[0193] Fig. 24 shows an example of a graph representing the gain-frequency characteristics of the vibration noise before a predetermined filtering process is performed by a low-pass filter. Fig. 25 shows an example of a graph representing the gain-frequency characteristics of the vibration noise after a predetermined filtering process is performed by a low-pass filter.

[0194] Before filtering, unnecessary noise can be seen in a band of approximately 3 kHz or more, as shown in Figure 24. In contrast, after filtering, the unnecessary noise that was in a band of approximately 3 kHz or more is no longer visible, as shown in Figure 25. In this way, by performing the filtering, it is possible to obtain the water leakage sound from which the noise in the vibration sound has been effectively removed.

[0195] Next, an example of a water leakage determination process based on vibration sound data after filtering will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 26. The series of processes shown in Fig. 26 is repeated at regular intervals.

[0196] The meter reading device 20 starts the process of measuring the vibration sound (step S61). At this time, the signal of the vibration sound detected by the vibration sound sensor 33 is sent to the vibration sound processing circuit 25, and filtered by the filter in the vibration sound processing circuit 25 (step S62). The filtered signal is converted from analog to digital and supplied to the processor 24.

[0197] The processor 24 performs a process to determine whether or not there is a water leak based on the filtered vibration sound data. Here, if the level of the vibration sound data integrated for a certain period of time exceeds a predetermined determination criterion (threshold), it is determined that there is a water leak.

[0198] For example, the processor 24 integrates the vibration sound data for, for example, one second (step S63), and measures the level of the integrated vibration sound data for, for example, one second (step S64).

[0199] Here, processor 24 determines whether the level of the measured data is equal to or less than the criterion (step S65). If it is equal to or less than the criterion (YES in step S65), the data is saved in a predetermined storage area (step S67). On the other hand, if it exceeds the criterion (NO in step S65), the measurement in step S64 described above is performed a predetermined number of times. That is, if the predetermined number of measurements have not been taken in step S66 and the measurement is not yet finished (NO in step S66), the process of step S64 is repeated. If the predetermined number of measurements have been taken and the measurement is to be finished (YES in step S66), the process proceeds to step S67, where the data is saved in a predetermined storage area (step S67).

[0200] Next, processor 24 again determines whether the level of the measured data is equal to or less than the criterion (step S65). If it is equal to or less than the criterion (YES in step S68), the vibration noise measurement process ends (step S70). On the other hand, if it exceeds the criterion (NO in step S68), information indicating a water leak alarm is output (step S69), and the vibration noise measurement process ends (step S70).

[0201] <Example of an active filter> When the above-mentioned filter is realized by software, by constructing an active filter having the characteristics of an adaptive filter, it becomes possible to obtain water leakage sound from which noise in the vibration sound has been removed with higher precision. In this case, the active filter is provided in the vibration sound acquisition unit 242 in Fig. 5, for example, and changes the frequency components that are passed by updating the filter coefficients of a predetermined function in accordance with changes in the detection results of the vibration sensor 2. In other words, by successively updating the filter coefficients in accordance with the ever-changing situation of the noise and water leakage sound contained in the detection results of the vibration sensor 2, the function approaches a state in which it always outputs only the water leakage sound components.

[0202] FIG. 27 shows an example of a graph showing the frequency components of a signal input to an active filter and the frequency components of a signal output from the active filter.

[0203] The waveform W1 shown in Fig. 27 corresponds to the frequency components of the signal input to the active filter, i.e., the frequency components of the vibration sound (including water leakage sound and noise). The waveform W2 shown in Fig. 27 corresponds to the frequency components (the difference between the frequency components of the vibration sound and the frequency components of the noise) of the signal (the signal from which noise has been removed) output from the active filter, and here the frequency component corresponding to the water leakage sound appears as this difference.

[0204] To accurately extract water leakage sounds, for example, normal vibration sounds (corresponding to noise) that do not contain water leakage components are learned in advance, and a signal with an antiphase of the learned vibration sounds is superimposed on the vibration sounds of the monitoring target to cancel the noise. This allows noise to be removed from the vibration sounds of the monitoring target. Therefore, if the vibration sounds of the monitoring target contain water leakage sounds, the water leakage sounds can be accurately extracted, and the presence or absence of water leakage can be accurately determined. Furthermore, an adaptive control technique may be applied to such processing. By using the adaptive control technique, the acquired vibration sounds are decomposed into cosine and sine components, and the previously acquired vibration sounds are weighted and multiplied. This allows for more accurate learning of noise (waveforms) that changes from moment to moment. Using the learned noise, the noise can be more accurately removed from the vibration sounds of the monitoring target. Therefore, if the vibration sounds of the monitoring target contain water leakage sounds, the water leakage sounds can be more accurately extracted, and the presence or absence of water leakage can be more accurately determined.

[0205] FIG. 28 shows an example of the functional configuration of an active filter.

[0206] The active filter 250 shown in FIG. 28 includes a filter 250a, a linear prediction unit 250b, a delay processing unit 250c, and an arithmetic unit 250d, which receives a signal d corresponding to the waveform W1 in FIG. 27 and outputs a signal (deviation signal) e corresponding to the waveform W2 in FIG. 27.

[0207] 28, signal d is sent to delay processing unit 250c and calculation unit 250d. Delay processing unit 250c generates signal r from signal d, which has delay characteristics appropriate for calculation processing. Signal r is sent to filter 250a and filter 250a.

[0208] The filter 250a receives the signal r output from the delay processing unit 250c and outputs a signal u using, for example, a function "u=w0-jw1" including two filter coefficients w0 and w1. The value of r is used as the value of j. The values ​​of the filter coefficients w0 and w1 are updated by the linear prediction unit 250b. The signal u calculated by the function is sent to the calculation unit 250d. The calculation unit 250d calculates the difference between the signal d and the signal u and outputs a deviation signal e (a signal from which noise has been removed) indicating the difference.

[0209] The linear prediction unit 250b receives the signal e output from the calculation unit 250d and the signal r output from the delay processing unit 250c, and calculates the filter coefficients w0 and w1 in accordance with a linear prediction algorithm using, for example, a Single Adaptive Notch (SAN) technique. The filter coefficients w0 and w1 are updated based on the calculated values.

[0210] FIG. 29 shows an example of a functional block diagram when the adaptive control technique is applied to an active filter.

[0211] As shown in FIG. 29, a vibration sound signal 260a is acquired by a sampling unit 260b and sent to an A / D conversion unit 260d, where it is converted from analog to digital in accordance with a signal generated by a crystal oscillator 260c, and the vibration sound signal is sent to the active filter functional block 260 as the aforementioned signal d.

[0212] Within the function block 260, an NCO (Numerically Controlled Oscillator) 260 generates a cosine signal and a sinus signal whose values ​​change sequentially. Using the cosine signal and the sinus signal, calculation units 260f and 260g decompose the vibration sound into cosine and sinus components and supply them as signals r0 and r1 to calculation units 260h and 260i, respectively, as well as to a single adaptive notch processing unit (SAN) 260l.

[0213] The calculation units 260h, 260i, and 260j generate a signal u, which is the output of the function, using the signals r0 and r1 and the filter coefficients w0 and w1 updated by the SAN 260l. The calculation unit 260k calculates the difference between the signals d and u, and supplies a deviation signal (error signal) e indicating the difference to the SAN 260l.

[0214] The SAN 2601 receives the signal e and the signals r0 and r1, calculates the values ​​of the filter coefficients w0 and w1 according to a linear prediction algorithm using the single adaptive notch technique, and updates the filter coefficients w0 and w1 using the calculated values. The linear prediction algorithm uses, for example, the following equation:

[0215] w0(t+1)=w0(t)+2μr0e / (r0 2 +r1 2 +β) w1(t+1)=w1(t)+2μr1e / (r0 2 +r1 2 +β) r0 2 +r1 2 =1 Here, t indicates time, μ indicates a step size, and β indicates a correction norm (approximately 2.0).

[0216] Furthermore, the values ​​of the filter coefficients w0 and w1 generated within the function block 260 are input to input units 260m and 260n and supplied to a power calculation unit 260p as well as to a data storage unit 260q. The power calculation unit 260p calculates vibration sound data using the values ​​of the filter coefficients w0 and w1 and the above function. The data storage unit 260q stores the calculated vibration sound data and the values ​​of the filter coefficients w0 and w1 in a predetermined storage area. The output unit 260r outputs the calculated vibration sound data to a function block 270 for determining whether or not there is water leakage, which will be described later.

[0217] FIG. 30 shows an example of a function block for determining the presence or absence of water leakage, which determines the presence or absence of water leakage using vibration sound data supplied from the function block 260 in FIG.

[0218] In the functional block 270 for determining the presence or absence of water leakage, an input unit 270a inputs the vibration sound data output from the output unit 260r in Fig. 29. The input unit 270a supplies the input vibration sound data to a difference data buffer 270b, an automatic threshold value calculation unit 270c, and a calculation unit 270d.

[0219] In this example, it is determined whether the level of vibration sound data accumulated for a certain period of time exceeds a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the difference data buffer 270b sequentially stores the differences in vibration sound data sequentially supplied from the input unit 270a. The automatic threshold calculation unit 270c automatically calculates a threshold to be applied to threshold determination according to the vibration sound data from the input unit 270a. Different threshold values ​​may be calculated when the level of the vibration sound data increases and decreases. The calculation unit 270d generates vibration sound data accumulated for a certain period of time using the differences sequentially stored in the difference data buffer 270b. The threshold determination unit 270e uses the threshold calculated by the automatic threshold calculation unit 270c to determine whether the level of the vibration sound data accumulated for a certain period of time exceeds the threshold.

[0220] The signal presence / absence result selection unit 270f performs a process of selecting (distinguishing) signals that exceed the threshold and signals that do not exceed the threshold based on the judgment result of the threshold judgment unit 270e. The data storage unit 270g stores the processing results of the signal presence / absence result selection unit 270f. The command analysis unit 270h analyzes the presence or absence and type of command to be issued based on the judgment result of the threshold judgment unit 270e. For example, if there is a signal that exceeds the threshold, it determines that a command to issue a water leakage alarm should be issued. The command operation history processing unit 270i performs a process of storing the issuance operation of the corresponding command and its history based on the judgment result of the command analysis unit 270h. For example, if a command to issue a water leakage alarm should be issued, it notifies the monitoring device 90 to that effect via the aforementioned tool 245.

[0221] <Example of overall system operation> Next, an example of the basic operation of the water leakage monitoring system according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 31. Here, as an example, the operation of the meter reading device 20, the monitoring device 90, and the monitoring PC 100 in Fig. 1 will be mainly described.

[0222] The meter reading device 20 generates data on the meter reading value of the water meter 10 from the photographing results of the camera 21, and generates vibration sound data from the detection results of the vibration sensor 22, and transmits information including each of the generated data to the monitoring device 90 via the upper communication device 40, the I / O unit 50, and the network N (step S101). The information also includes data indicating the presence or absence and degree of water leakage determined based on the vibration sound.

[0223] The monitoring device 90 stores the meter reading data and vibration sound data (and data indicating the presence and extent of water leakage) contained in the information transmitted from the meter reading device 20, separated by district and region, and transmits information based on each data to the monitoring PC 100 via the network N100 (step S102).

[0224] The monitoring PC 100 displays the information transmitted from the monitoring device 90 on the screen of the display unit in a display format desired by the monitor (step S103).

[0225] <Example of operation related to information terminal 103> Next, an example of the operation of the information terminal 103 in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0226] The information terminal 103, while connected to the I / O unit 50 wirelessly or by wire, communicates with the meter reading device 20 and requests the transmission of status information (step S201).

[0227] The meter reading device 20 transmits status information including various information such as information indicating the meter reading value and vibration sound at the time of the request from the information terminal 103, information indicating the presence and extent of water leakage, remaining battery level, attribute information, etc. to the information terminal 103 via the I / O unit 50 (step S202).

[0228] The information terminal 103 displays the status information transmitted from the meter reading device 20 on the screen of the display unit (step S203).

[0229] <Summary> As described above in detail, according to the embodiment, meter reading and water leakage monitoring of water meters installed in individual homes can be easily and reliably performed.

[0230] For example, information obtained from an external meter reading device installed in each home is periodically transmitted to the monitoring device. Therefore, a monitor using a monitoring PC can easily check various information, such as meter readings, vibration sounds, the presence or absence of water leaks, and water leak alarms, even remotely by receiving information from the monitoring device. This also enables reduction in meter reading time, early detection and response to abnormalities such as water leaks, improved water distribution efficiency, and various improvements to services. Furthermore, when a person wants to check the current meter readings, vibration sounds, and the presence or absence of water leaks at a particular home, the person in charge can visit the home with the information terminal 103 and connect the information terminal 103 to the I / O unit 50. The information needed at that time can be obtained directly from the meter reading device 20, allowing the person in charge to immediately grasp the situation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0231] 10...Water meter, 11...Integrated value display unit (1m 3or more), 12...integrated value display unit (for 100L), 13...1 liter meter, 14...10 liter meter, 15...pilot, 20...external meter reading device, 21...camera, 22...vibration sensor, 23...lithium battery, 24...processor, 25...vibration sound processing circuit, 30...communication device, 31...water leakage estimation data, 40...host communication device, 50...I / O unit (input / output unit), 51...communication processing unit, 60...local monitoring device, 61, 62...regional monitoring device, 70...water leakage monitoring device, 80...monitoring server (monitoring device), 90...monitoring device, 91...periodic meter reading processing unit, 92 ...Occasional meter reading processing unit, 93...Periodic vibration measurement processing unit, 94...Occasional vibration measurement processing unit, 95...Data monitoring unit, 96...Leak detection processing unit, 97...Data storage unit, 98...Calculation processing unit, 99...Information providing unit, 100...Monitoring PC (information processing device), 101...Local monitoring PC (information processing device), 102...Wide area monitoring PC (information processing device), 103...Information terminal, N...Network, N1...Local network, N11, N12...Regional I / F network, N21, N22...Regional network, N31, N32...Monitoring network, N100...Network.

Claims

1. a meter reading device having a camera that photographs the area of ​​the meter reading value displayed by the water meter, a vibration sensor that detects vibration sounds transmitted through the water pipe, and a processor that controls the transmission of information including meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value obtained from the photographing results of the camera and vibration sound data indicating the vibration sound obtained from the detection results of the vibration sensor; one or more monitoring devices that generate water leakage status data indicating at least the presence or absence of water leakage based on the information, store the water leakage status data and the information in a predetermined storage unit, and provide information based on at least any of the meter reading value data, the vibration sound data, and the water leakage status data of the meter reading devices in one or more regions, areas, or districts designated by the information processing device so that the information can be viewed on a display unit of the information processing device; Leak monitoring system, including:

2. The monitoring device a monitoring device that monitors the information transmitted from the meter reading device for each individual home throughout the country; a monitoring device that monitors the information transmitted from the meter reading device for each individual house in one area; a monitoring device that monitors the information transmitted from the meter reading device for each individual residence in one district of the area; The water leakage monitoring system of claim 1 , comprising:

3. The meter reading device transmits the information via an input / output unit that inputs and outputs data, Any information terminal can communicate with the meter reading device by connecting to the input / output unit wirelessly or by wire, and can obtain status information from the meter reading device indicating the respective states of at least the meter reading value and the vibration sound at that time, and display the information on the display unit of the information terminal. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

4. The monitoring device If the meter reading data or the vibration sound data transmitted from the meter reading device of each house indicates an abnormal value based on a predetermined judgment criterion, the corresponding meter reading device is requested to transmit the meter reading data or the vibration sound data at the current time. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

5. The water leakage status data indicates whether or not there is a water leakage, and if there is a water leakage, indicates the degree of the water leakage. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

6. The monitoring device displaying information on a map at a location of the water meter, the information indicating the degree of the water leakage using different colors, on a display unit of the information processing device; The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 5.

7. The monitoring device displaying information on a display unit of the information processing device, the information representing the magnitude of the vibration noise by the size of a circle at the location of the water meter on a piping system diagram; The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

8. The monitoring device On the piping system diagram, the larger the vibration noise, the larger the corresponding circle is made, and predetermined information is displayed in an area where the individual circles overlap. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 7.

9. The monitoring device Displaying on the display unit of the information processing device information indicating the operating status of the water purification plant that supplies tap water to the area or district to be monitored for a specified day, month, or year, and information based on the meter reading data and the vibration sound data of each house in the area or district to be monitored, at each corresponding location on a map. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

10. The monitoring device Displaying on the display unit of the information processing device information that enables designation of one or more regions or areas as monitoring targets, information showing the operating status of water purification plants that supply tap water to the designated regions or areas, and information showing locations where water leakage alarms have occurred at corresponding locations on a map showing the designated regions or areas. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

11. The meter reading device is a character acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of image portions, each of which shows a multi-digit number, from the photographing results of the camera; a character recognition unit that generates text data indicating the numerical value of the meter reading from the plurality of image portions obtained by the character acquisition unit using a model that has previously learned the relationship between images of ten numbers from 0 to 9 and the corresponding numbers; having The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

12. The meter reading device is a vibration sound acquisition unit that records the vibration sound obtained from the detection result of the vibration sensor; a vibration sound analysis unit that generates data indicating the presence or absence of a water leak and, if a water leak is present, indicating the degree of the water leak, based on an integral value of the vibration sound recorded by the vibration sound acquisition unit over a certain period of time and a predetermined threshold value; Equipped with and performing control to include the data generated by the vibration sound analysis unit in the information and transmit the information. The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

13. The meter reading device is a filter that passes only components of a frequency band narrower than the frequency band that can be heard by the human ear with respect to the detection result of the vibration sensor; The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

14. The meter reading device is an active filter that changes the frequency components that are passed by updating a filter coefficient of a predetermined function in response to a change in the detection result of the vibration sensor; The water leakage monitoring system according to claim 1 .

15. A meter reading device having a camera that photographs the area of ​​the meter reading value displayed by the water meter and a vibration sensor that detects vibration sounds transmitted through the water pipe transmits information including meter reading value data indicating the meter reading value obtained from the photographing results of the camera and vibration sound data indicating the vibration sound obtained from the detection results of the vibration sensor; generating water leakage status data indicating at least the presence or absence of water leakage based on the information, storing the water leakage status data and the information in a predetermined storage unit, and providing information based on at least any of the meter reading value data, the vibration sound data, and the water leakage status data of the meter reading devices in one or more regions, areas, or districts designated by the information processing device to the information processing device so that the information can be viewed on a display unit of the information processing device; A water leakage monitoring method, including:

Images