Digitalization support device for analog flow meters

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an analog flow meter digitization support device can include a photographing unit that photographs the flow meter, an illumination unit that is provided around the flow meter and that irradiates light toward the photographing unit across the flow meter, a light diffusion layer that is formed on the surface of the flow meter to uniformly diffuse the light, an image processing unit that processes the information photographed by the photographing unit to generate a photograph, and a control unit that detects the position of a weight in the photograph. The present invention has the advantage that it can digitize an analog flow meter without making major changes to existing equipment.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention claims the benefit of the filing date of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0016067, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on February 7, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a support device for digitizing an analog flow meter, and more particularly to a support device for digitizing an analog flow meter by photographing the flow meter and converting the photographed data into digital data. [Background technology]

[0003] A flow meter is an instrument that measures the amount (volume or mass) of gas or liquid flowing per unit time. It is used as a key device in many process control processes and is used to confirm the flow rate injected into a specific device.

[0004] Recently, with the development of big data processing technology, factories are being transformed into smart factories, which requires the process of digitizing and collecting various data for overall process management, prediction, and improvement through big data analysis.

[0005] Therefore, attempts are being made to digitize flow meters, which are used as key devices in process management. However, currently, analog flow meters installed in equipment are often installed in environments where it is difficult to install digital flow meters due to factors such as fluid temperature, on-site temperature, and work space, making it difficult to digitize flow meters. In other words, there is a need to develop technology that can digitize flow meters while still using analog flow meters installed in existing equipment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that can digitize an analog flow meter installed in existing equipment by providing only a small amount of equipment to the analog flow meter, without making major changes to the existing equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] As an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for supporting the digitization of an analog flow meter is provided.

[0008] An analog flow meter digitization support device according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a photographing unit that photographs the flow meter, an illumination unit that is provided around the flow meter and that irradiates light toward the photographing unit across the flow meter, a light diffusion layer that is formed on the surface of the flow meter to uniformly diffuse the light, an image processing unit that processes the information photographed by the photographing unit to generate a photograph, and a control unit that detects the position of the weight in the photograph.

[0009] In the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the light diffusion layer may be a diffusion film using a film in which a light diffusion agent is dispersed in a film substrate made of a light-transmitting resin, a diffusion film in which unevenness is formed directly on the surface of a film substrate made of a light-transmitting resin, or a diffusion film in which a light diffusion layer is formed by applying a composition in which a light diffusion agent is blended and dispersed in a light-transmitting resin to the surface of a film substrate.

[0010] In the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, the light diffusion layer may be located on a surface of the flow meter facing the imaging unit.

[0011] In the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to an embodiment of the present invention, a light diffusing layer may be formed within an additional moving range in the flow meter.

[0012] The digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a correction unit that corrects an error in photographed information caused by the position of the photographing unit.

[0013] In the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to one embodiment of the present invention, the correction unit can correct errors in the captured information using a correction value calculated by the following formula:

number

[0014] In the analog flow meter digitization support device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the flow meter device may be an analog flow meter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] The present invention has the advantage that an analog flow meter can be converted to a digital flow meter even in a situation where no major changes are made to existing facilities.

[0016] The effects that can be obtained by the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of a digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 10 is a diagram illustrating a light diffusion layer of the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control unit of the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a correction unit of a digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those skilled in the art can easily understand the present invention. However, the present invention may be realized in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In the drawings, parts that are not relevant to the description will be omitted in order to clearly explain the present invention, and similar parts will be designated by similar reference numerals throughout the specification.

[0019] The terms used in this specification will be briefly explained below, and the present invention will be described in detail.

[0020] The terms used in this invention are generally used as widely as possible, taking into consideration the functions of the present invention. However, these may differ depending on the intentions of those skilled in the art, legal precedents, the emergence of new technologies, etc. In addition, in certain cases, the applicant may arbitrarily select terms, and in such cases, the meanings thereof will be described in detail in the description of the invention. Therefore, the terms used in this invention must be defined based on the meanings of the terms and the overall content of the present invention, rather than simply by their names.

[0021] Throughout the specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, this means that it can further include other components, not excluding other components, unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, terms such as "module" and "unit" used in the specification refer to a unit that processes at least one function or operation, and this may be realized by hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. Furthermore, throughout the specification, when a part is "connected" to another part, this includes not only "directly connected" but also "connected via another element between them."

[0022] The present invention is for digitizing analog flow meters among flow meters, and has a technical feature of using a flow meter installed in an existing device by more accurately photographing the position of a weight formed on the analog flow meter and processing the image.

[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] First Example FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a digitalization support device for an analog flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an analog flow meter according to a first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a weight 2 .

[0026] The photographing unit 10 is configured to photograph the flowmeter 1, and may be fixedly installed facing the flowmeter 1. Depending on the embodiment, the photographing unit 10 may be realized by a camera for photographing the instrument panel of the flowmeter 1, and may include multiple lenses and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) element.

[0027] The lighting unit 20 is provided around the flowmeter 1 and configured to irradiate light toward one side of the flowmeter 1, and may be disposed so as to face the photographing unit 10 across the flowmeter 1. Depending on the embodiment, the lighting unit 20 may be realized by a light-emitting device such as an infrared lamp or an LED (Light Emitting Diode), and may be provided around the flowmeter 1 to illuminate the instrument panel in conjunction with the operation of the photographing unit 10.

[0028] The light diffusion layer 30 is formed on the surface of the flowmeter 1 to diffuse light uniformly, and diffuses the light emitted from the lighting unit 20 so that the brightness appears uniform overall. Depending on the embodiment, the light diffusion layer 30 may be disposed in a form that surrounds a part of the surface of the flowmeter 1 or the entire surface, or may be made of an opaque material.

[0029] Depending on the embodiment, the light diffusion layer 30 may be realized by any one of a diffusion film using a film in which a light diffusing agent is dispersed in a film substrate made of a light-transmitting resin, a diffusion film in which unevenness is formed directly on the surface of a film substrate made of a light-transmitting resin, and a diffusion film in which a composition in which a light diffusing agent is blended and dispersed in a light-transmitting resin is applied to the surface of a film substrate to form the light diffusion layer 30.

[0030] 1, the light diffusion layer 30 may be located on the surface of the flowmeter 1 facing the imaging unit 10. In this case, there is an advantage that the original shape and accurate position of the weight 2 can be detected by using the shadow generated when the weight 2 inside the flowmeter 1 blocks the light irradiated from the illumination unit 20.

[0031] Furthermore, by forming the light diffusion layer 30 within the range in which the weight 2 moves in the flowmeter 1, the position of the weight 2 can be easily confirmed regardless of the position of the weight.

[0032] The image processing unit is configured to perform image processing on the information photographed by the photographing unit 10, and generates a photograph by performing image processing on the photographed information.

[0033] The control unit is configured to detect the position of the weight 2 in the photograph generated by the image processing unit, and in the embodiment, the control unit can detect the position of the weight 2 by recognizing the numbers displayed on the instrument panel of the flow meter 1 in the photograph.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the light diffusion layer 30 of the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to the present invention.

[0035] Fig. 2(a) is a diagram of the configuration of a digitization support device for an analog flowmeter in which a light diffusion layer 30 is not formed on the surface of the flowmeter 1, and a photograph generated by image processing of information photographed by the photographing unit 10. Fig. 2(b) is a diagram of the configuration of a digitization support device for an analog flowmeter in which a light diffusion layer 30 is formed on the surface of the flowmeter 1, and a photograph generated by image processing of information photographed by the photographing unit 10.

[0036] 2(a), if the position of the weight 2 inside the flowmeter 1 is detected using only the photographing unit 10 and the lighting unit 20 without forming the light diffusion layer 30 on the surface of the flowmeter 1, it is difficult to detect the original shape and accurate position of the weight 2. This is because the weight 2 inside the flowmeter 1 is usually made of a highly glossy material, and the light irradiated from the lighting unit 20 is reflected by the weight 2.

[0037] In contrast, as shown in Figure 2(b), if a light diffusion layer 30 is formed on the surface of the flowmeter 1 to diffuse the light irradiated from the lighting unit 20 and make the brightness uniform overall, the lighting unit 20 will not be directly visible and the light will appear with a uniform brightness, so the light diffusion layer 30 will serve as a background, and by using the shadow created by the weight 2 inside the flowmeter 1 blocking the light irradiated from the lighting unit 20, it will be possible to detect the original shape and exact position of the weight 2, as explained above.

[0038] In other words, when the light diffusion layer 30 is formed on the surface of the flowmeter 1, it becomes easier to detect the original shape and position of the weight 2 compared to when the position of the weight 2 inside the flowmeter 1 is detected using only the photographing unit 10 and the lighting unit 20.

[0039] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a control unit of the digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] 3, the control unit generates an image F (i.e., a filter) that can indicate the boundary of the weight 2, and can detect the position of the weight 2 by finding an area similar to the filter F in the photograph generated by the image processing unit. This is because the photographing unit 10 and the lighting unit 20 are arranged facing each other, so that in the photograph generated by the photographing unit 10 and the image processing unit, the area where the weight 2 exists appears dark and the area where the weight 2 does not exist appears bright.

[0041] Depending on the embodiment, the control unit may be realized by an algorithm that applies a filter to the photograph generated by the image processing unit, and may transmit and receive the detected position of the weight 2 to and from an internal or external device via wired or wireless communication.

[0042] Second Example The digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to the second embodiment of the present invention may further include a correction unit in addition to the photographing unit 10, the lighting unit 20, the light diffusing layer 30, the image processing unit, and the control unit.

[0043] The photographing unit 10, the illumination unit 20, the light diffusion layer 30, the image processing unit, and the control unit perform the same operations as those of the corresponding configurations described in the first embodiment.

[0044] In the case of an analog flow meter, in order to accurately detect the position of weight 2, the numbers displayed on the instrument panel of flow meter 1 must be read at the same height as weight 2. In other words, the scale of flow meter 1 must be read while keeping the top surface of weight 2 in line with the line of sight.

[0045] However, in the case of a digitalization support device for an analog flow meter, the imaging unit 10 often needs to be fixed due to the internal environment of the facility in which the support device is installed, which can cause errors in detecting the position of the weight 2.

[0046] The correction unit is configured to correct errors caused by the position of the photographing unit 10, and calculates a correction value by combining the position of the photographing unit 10, the thickness of the outer wall of the flowmeter 1, the position of the weight 2, the position of the camera, etc.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a correction unit of a digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] 4, when the photographing unit 10 is fixed, the position h1 of the weight 2 detected by the control unit may differ from the actual position H. In this case, the actual position H of the weight 2 can be corrected by adding a correction value x to the detected position h1 of the weight 2, and the correction value x can be calculated using the thickness d of the outer wall of the flow meter 1, the detected position h1 of the weight 2, the position h2 of the photographing unit 10, and the distance s between the photographing unit 10 and the flow meter 1.

[0049] That is, the correction unit according to the second embodiment can correct the error of the photographed information using the correction value calculated by the following formula:

number

[0050] Third Example The digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include an imaging unit 10, an illumination unit 20, a light diffusion layer 30, an image processing unit, a control unit, and a correction unit.

[0051] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a digitization support device for an analog flow meter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] The photographing unit 10, the illumination unit 20, the light diffusion layer 30, the image processing unit, the control unit, and the correction unit perform the same operations as those of the corresponding configurations described in the first or second embodiment.

[0053] In the second embodiment, the position of the photographing unit 10 and the weight 2 included in the photograph generated by the photographing unit 10 and the image processing unit can be corrected using the position of the photographing unit 10, the position of the weight 2, the thickness of the outer surface of the flow meter 1, etc., so there are no restrictions on the position at which the photographing unit 10 is placed in relation to the photographing unit 10, the flow meter 1, and the lighting.

[0054] On the other hand, by arranging the photographing unit 10, the light diffusion layer 30, the flow meter 1, and the lighting unit 20 as shown in Figure 5, there is an advantage that the digitalization support device for analog flow meters can be easily installed even if the space inside the facility in which the support device is installed is small.

[0055] The above description of the present invention is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention can be easily modified into other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not limiting. For example, each component described as a single component may be implemented in a distributed form, and similarly, each component described as a distributed component may be implemented in a combined form.

[0056] The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims that follow rather than by the above detailed description, and all modifications and variations that fall within the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1:Flow meter 2: Weight 10: Photography Department 20: Lighting Department 30: Light diffusion layer

Claims

1. an imaging unit that images the flow meter; an illumination unit provided around the flow meter and configured to irradiate light toward the imaging unit across the flow meter; a light diffusion layer formed on a surface of the flowmeter to uniformly diffuse the light; an image processing unit that processes the information photographed by the photographing unit to generate a photograph; and a control unit that detects the position of the weight in the photograph.

2. The light diffusion layer is 2. The flow meter device according to claim 1, wherein the diffusion film is a film in which a light diffusing agent is dispersed in a film substrate made of a light-transmitting resin, a diffusion film in which unevenness is formed directly on the surface of a film substrate made of a light-transmitting resin, or a diffusion film in which a light diffusing layer is formed by applying a composition in which a light diffusing agent is blended and dispersed in a light-transmitting resin to the surface of a film substrate.

3. The light diffusion layer is The flowmeter device according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging unit is located on a surface of the flowmeter facing the imaging unit.

4. The light diffusion layer is 2. The flowmeter device according to claim 1, wherein the flowmeter device is formed within a range in which the weight moves in the flowmeter.

5. The flowmeter device according to claim 1 , further comprising a correction unit that corrects an error in the photographed information caused by a position of the photographing unit.

6. The correction unit 6. The flow meter device according to claim 5, wherein an error in the captured information is corrected using a correction value calculated by the following formula: [Equation 1] (where d is the thickness of the outer wall of the flowmeter, s is the distance between the outer wall of the flowmeter and the photographing unit, h １ is the height of the weight, h ２ is the camera height.)

7. The flow meter device is The flow meter device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is an analogue flow meter.

Images