Water meter reading system

Abstract

To prevent the leakage of personal information. [Solution] The water meter reading system 10 includes a water meter reading device 12 carried by a meter reader and an analysis device 13 that analyzes information from the water meter reading device 12. The water meter reading device 12 includes a photography unit that photographs the direct-reading indicator of the water meter and a vibration measurement unit that measures vibrations transmitted through the water meter. The analysis device 13 includes a calculation unit that calculates the amount of water used and the charges, a user communication unit that communicates with the water user's user device 81 to display a meter reading slip including the results calculated by the calculation unit on the user device 81, an analysis unit that determines the possibility of water leakage near the water meter, and a business communication unit 82 that communicates with the water utility's business device 82 to notify it of the results analyzed by the analysis unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water meter reading system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water meter reading device and system.

Prior Art Document

Patent Document

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional water meter reading systems print a meter reading slip during the meter reading operation and post it to the mailbox of the water user. However, if the meter reading slip is posted to the wrong mailbox, there is a possibility of personal information leakage. This invention aims to solve such problems, for example.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The water meter reading system includes a water meter reading device carried by a meter reader and an analysis device that analyzes information from the water meter reading device. The water meter reading device has a photographing unit that photographs a direct reading indicator of a water meter, a vibration measuring unit that measures vibrations transmitted through the water meter, a communication unit that transmits image data representing an image photographed by the photographing unit and vibration data representing vibrations measured by the vibration measuring unit to the analysis device. The analysis device includes a receiving unit that receives the image data and vibration data transmitted from the water meter reading device, a calculation unit that calculates the amount of water used and charges based on the image data received by the receiving unit, a user communication unit that communicates with the user device of a water user and displays a meter reading slip including the results calculated by the calculation unit on the user device, an analysis unit that analyzes the vibration data received by the receiving unit and determines the possibility of water leakage near the water meter, and a business communication unit that communicates with the business device of a water utility and notifies the results of the analysis performed by the analysis unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The aforementioned water meter reading system uses an analysis device to communicate with the user device and display the meter reading slip on the user device. This eliminates the need to print and mail the meter reading slip, thus preventing the leakage of personal information. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing an example of a water meter reading system 10. [Figure 2] A block diagram showing an example of a water meter reading device 12. [Figure 3] A block diagram showing an example of the analysis device 13. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The water meter reading system 10 will be described with reference to Figure 1. The water meter reading system 10 streamlines the meter reading process, which involves meter readers visiting water meters located at each water usage location. Furthermore, by conducting leak detection surveys simultaneously with meter reading, the system minimizes the occurrence of leaks and secondary damage due to the aging of water pipes. The water meter reading system 10 includes, for example, a water meter reading device 12 and an analysis device 13.

[0009] The water meter reading device 12 is a device carried by the meter reader during meter reading work and used for meter reading. When the meter reader places the water meter reading device 12 on the display unit of the water meter, the water meter reading device 12 photographs the display unit of the water meter and measures the vibrations transmitted through the water meter.

[0010] The analysis device 13 calculates water usage and charges based on the image of the display unit captured by the water meter reading device 12, and also analyzes the vibrations measured by the water meter reading device 12 to determine the possibility of water leakage near the water meter. The water usage and charges calculated by the analysis device 13 are notified to the user device 81, such as the water user's smartphone. Furthermore, the possibility of a water leak determined by the analysis device 13 is notified to the business device 82, such as the water utility company's computer.

[0011] The water meter reading device 12 will be explained in detail with reference to Figure 2. The water meter reading device 12 includes, for example, an imaging unit 21, a vibration measurement unit 22, and a transmission unit 29.

[0012] The imaging unit 21 is, for example, a camera that takes still images, and it photographs the display unit of the water meter. The display unit of the water meter includes a direct-reading indicator that shows the cumulative amount of water used and an identification number display unit that displays an individual identification number to identify the water user. Therefore, the image taken by the imaging unit 21 shows the pointer value shown by the direct-reading indicator and the individual identification number.

[0013] The vibration measuring unit 22 is, for example, a microphone, which makes direct contact with the water meter and measures vibrations transmitted through the water meter. The vibrations are continuously measured for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds).

[0014] The transmitting unit 29 is a wireless communication device that communicates with the analysis device 13, for example, via a wireless base station of a public communication line, and transmits image data representing images captured by the imaging unit 21 and vibration data representing vibrations measured by the vibration measurement unit 22 to the analysis device 13.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, the analysis device 13 will be described in detail. The analysis device 13 includes, for example, a receiving unit 31, a charge calculation unit 34, a water leakage analysis unit 36, a user communication unit 38, and a service provider communication unit 39.

[0016] The receiving unit 31 is a communication device that communicates with the water meter reading device 12 via a communication network such as the Internet, and receives the image data and vibration data transmitted by the transmitting unit 29.

[0017] The charge calculation unit 34 calculates the water consumption and charge based on the image data received by the receiving unit 31. For example, the image data received by the receiving unit 31 is analyzed to extract the portion where the direct reading indicator is shown, and the pointer value of the direct reading indicator is read from the image of the extracted portion by character recognition. Similarly, the image data received by the receiving unit 31 is analyzed to extract the portion where the individual identification number is shown, and the individual identification number is read from the image of the extracted portion by character recognition. Then, based on the pointer value at the previous meter reading stored for the read individual identification number and the read pointer value, the water consumption is calculated. Further, based on the calculated consumption, the water charge is calculated.

[0018] The water leakage analysis unit 36 analyzes the vibration data received by the receiving unit 31 to determine the possibility of water leakage near the water meter. For example, the vibration data is analyzed by time integration to determine the possibility of water leakage. The water leakage analysis unit 36 may accumulate and store the vibration data received by the receiving unit 31 as big data. Thereby, after actual water leakage occurs, the change in the vibration data before the water leakage can be tracked. And by machine learning using this as teacher data, it becomes possible to discover a minor water leakage that cannot be detected by time integration, or to predict the risk of water leakage before the water leakage occurs.

[0019] The user communication unit 38 is a communication device that communicates with the user device 81 via a communication network such as the Internet, and causes the user device 81 to display the meter reading slip. For example, the user communication unit 38 is a web server device, and transmits data representing the meter reading slip to the user device 81 according to a request from an application program such as a web browser executed by the user device 81. Alternatively, the user communication unit 38 is a mail server device, and transmits an electronic mail including data representing the meter reading slip to the user device 81. As a result, there is no need to print and mail the meter reading slip, so that the workload of the meter reader can be reduced, and the meter reader does not need to carry a printer for printing the meter reading slip. The destination user device 81 is determined based on the individual identification number read by the charge calculation unit 34. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the meter reading slip from being delivered to the wrong party as in the case of mailing the printed meter reading slip, and to prevent leakage of personal information. Similar to the meter reading slip printed on paper, the meter reading slip displayed on the user device 81 includes the amount of water used and the water charge calculated by the charge calculation unit 34. It also includes the address of the water usage location, the name of the water user, the customer number, the meter number, and the like. These are acquired from a database or the like based on the individual identification number read by the charge calculation unit 34. Furthermore, the meter reading slip displayed on the user device 81 may include the image received by the receiving unit 31, that is, the image of the display unit of the water meter taken by the water meter reading device 12. Thereby, inquiries from water users can be reduced. Also, in order to make it easier to read the pointer value indicated by the direct reading instruction unit, it may include an image obtained by rotating the image received by the receiving unit 31.

[0020] The carrier communication unit 39 is a communication device that communicates with the carrier equipment 82 via a communication network such as the Internet, and notifies the carrier equipment 82 of the results determined by the leak analysis unit 36. For example, the carrier communication unit 39 is a web server device and sends data representing the determination results of the leak analysis unit 36 ​​to the carrier equipment 82 in accordance with requests from application programs such as web browsers executed by the carrier equipment 82. Alternatively, the carrier communication unit 39 is a mail server device and sends an email containing data representing the determination results of the leak analysis unit 36 ​​to the carrier equipment 82.

[0021] Since leak detection is conducted simultaneously with meter reading, leak detection can be performed at the same frequency as meter reading (for example, once every two months) and at the same number of locations as water meters, allowing for the detection of leaks in their early stages before serious damage occurs. Furthermore, by meticulously investigating and accumulating data on the situation before a leak occurs, it becomes possible to detect minor leaks that cannot be detected by time integration, and to predict the likelihood of leaks occurring before they actually happen.

[0022] The embodiments described above are examples intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The present invention is not limited thereto and includes various modifications, changes, additions, or deletions without departing from the scope defined by the appended claims. This will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description.

[0023] Customer and pipeline management for "Advanced Screening Method" The "Advanced Screening Method" differs from conventional meter reading procedures in that it only requires photographing the meter and measuring its vibration using the "SV2000 Integrator." This process takes approximately 3 seconds, and both data points are then transmitted to the center. At the center, the meter reading image is processed using OCR, and the vibration data is processed using analysis software. The captured image data will be used to create notification slips and sent to the customer's smartphone. In addition, vibration data will be used to analyze the possibility of water leaks and report the findings to the business entity. In this way, meter reading operations are transformed into a means of gathering information for "customer management" and "pipeline management." This advantage is, (1) Prevention of human error The manual reading, input, and printing of meter readings will be discontinued. Instead, images of the meter will be sent to a center for automated OCR reading and meter calculation. The charges will then be sent to the customer's smartphone at a later date. (2) Improving customer service The meter image taken during meter reading will be displayed on the notification slip. This allows customers to clearly see their water usage, minimizing inquiries due to misunderstandings and reducing the time required for explanations. (3) Rationalization of the meter reading system This system simplifies the billing software and streamlines operations. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for a printer for printing notices, significantly improving efficiency, including simplifying meter reading procedures. (4) Pipeline management using data On the other hand, in pipeline management, the leakage situation in all water supply areas can be grasped every two months. This has the effect of making it possible to identify the causes of reversal leaks, which have been difficult to do until now, and extending the lifespan of aging pipelines and minimizing secondary damage caused by leaks. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0024] 10 Water meter reading system, 12 Water meter reading device, 13 Analysis device, 21 Imaging unit, 22 Vibration measurement unit, 29 Transmission unit, 31 Receiving unit, 34 Billing unit, 36 Leakage analysis unit, 38 User communication unit, 39 Operator communication unit, 81 User device, 82 Operator device.

Claims

1. The water meter reading device carried by the meter reader, An analysis device for analyzing information from the aforementioned water meter reading device and Equipped with, The aforementioned water meter reading device is A camera unit that photographs the direct-reading indicator of the water meter, A vibration measuring unit that measures vibrations transmitted through the water meter, A communication unit transmits image data representing the image captured by the imaging unit and vibration data representing the vibration measured by the vibration measurement unit to the analysis device. It has, The aforementioned analysis device is A receiving unit that receives the image data and vibration data transmitted from the water meter reading device, A calculation unit calculates water usage and charges based on the image data received by the receiving unit, A user communication unit communicates with the user device of a water user and displays a meter reading slip containing the results calculated by the calculation unit on the user device. An analysis unit analyzes the vibration data received by the receiving unit to determine the possibility of water leakage near the water meter, A communication unit that communicates with the water utility's equipment and notifies the analysis results of the analysis unit. Having, Water meter reading system.

2. The aforementioned analysis unit, The receiving unit uses the vibration data it receives as training data to perform machine learning and determines the possibility of water leakage. A water meter reading system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned meter reading slip is The indicated value that the direct-reading indicator unit was indicating, The image of the aforementioned direct-reading indicator unit and including, A water meter reading system according to claim 1 or 2.

Images