Analog meter reading system and method

The analog meter reading system addresses inaccuracies caused by varying photographing conditions by employing a unique information and detection-based approach to accurately read and convert meter values, enhancing precision in measurement readings.

JP7757934B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-22TOYOTA JIDOSHA KK
View PDF 6 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022178494
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2022-11-07
Publication Date
2025-10-22
Estimated Expiration
2042-11-07

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing analog meter reading systems face inaccuracies due to varying photographing conditions, such as installation location and lighting, which affect the creation and application of classification models, leading to inconsistent measurement values.

Method used

An analog meter reading system that includes a unique information acquisition unit, image acquisition unit, detection unit, rotation angle calculation unit, and measurement value conversion unit to detect reference points and pointers on the meter scale, reducing the impact of shooting conditions and ensuring accurate measurement values.

Benefits of technology

The system enables accurate reading of analog meter values by minimizing the influence of photographing conditions, allowing for precise measurement conversions using unique information and trained models to enhance detection accuracy.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007757934000001
    Figure 0007757934000001
  • Figure 0007757934000002
    Figure 0007757934000002
  • Figure 0007757934000003
    Figure 0007757934000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a meter reading system and method that can accurately read the measured values of analog meters by controlling the effects of shooting conditions.SOLUTION: An analog meter reading system is applied to an analog meter 40 having a scale 31 arranged along a circumference and a pointer 32 rotating around a predetermined center of rotation O and pointing to a measurement point M to read measured values of the analog meter 40. The analog meter reading system includes: a unique information acquisition unit 11 for acquiring unique information of the analog meter 40; an image acquisition unit 12 for acquiring an image of the analog meter for reading the measured value; a detection unit 13 for detecting a reference point S on the scale and a pointer 32 from the image; a rotation angle calculation unit 14 that calculates a rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 representing a change from a state where the pointer points to the reference point, to a state where the pointer points to the measurement point M based on the detected reference point and pointer; and a measurement value conversion unit 15 that converts the rotation angle θ into the measured value using the unique information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an analog meter reading system and method for reading the measurement value of an analog meter based on an image of the analog meter taken by a camera. [Background technology]

[0002] Analog meters are installed in various factories and plants to measure physical quantities such as temperature, humidity, pressure, rotation speed, current, and voltage. The measurements of these analog meters are recorded and managed to understand trends in usage and environmental changes.

[0003] Traditionally, the work of reading analog meter readings has been done by workers making rounds and visually checking them. However, when there are many analog meters installed in a factory or plant, the burden on the workers is heavy. In addition, the work of reading the readings of the pointers that point between the scales can sometimes lead to errors depending on the worker.

[0004] In recent years, technology has been proposed to improve the efficiency of equipment inspection and monitoring by automatically reading measurement values ​​from images of analog meters taken with a camera.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a system that determines the measurement position of the pointer of an analog meter and reads the measurement position by comparing an image of the analog meter captured by a camera with a classification model created in advance. The classification model is an image of an analog meter with a scale all around (360 degrees) and the pointer is moved one degree at a time between 0 and 360 degrees. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-181464 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The analog meter reading device of Patent Document 1 requires the creation of a classification model for the analog meter in advance. The images of the analog meter prepared for learning include images of the analog meter photographed from the front and images photographed from various oblique angles for each pointer angle. Each analog meter must be photographed individually so that its measurement value can be captured. However, when an operator actually photographs the meter, there is no guarantee that the photographs will be taken under the same photographing conditions as the classification model. Therefore, if the photographs do not match the classification model, the appropriate measurement value cannot be obtained. The photographing conditions, such as the location where the analog meter is installed and the illuminance and direction of light emitted from the surrounding environment of the installation location, have a particularly significant impact when learning the entire analog meter and performing pattern matching with the classification model.

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide an analog meter reading system and method that can suppress the influence of shooting conditions on the measurement values ​​of an analog meter and read them accurately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The analog meter reading system of the present invention is applicable to an analog meter having a scale arranged along a circumference and a pointer that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation to point to a measurement point, and reads the measurement value of the analog meter. The system includes: a unique information acquisition unit that acquires unique information of the analog meter; an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the analog meter for reading the measurement value; a detection unit that detects a reference point on the scale and the pointer from the image; a rotation angle calculation unit that calculates the rotation angle of the pointer from a state where the pointer points to the reference point to a state where the pointer points to the measurement point based on the detected reference point and pointer; and a measurement value conversion unit that converts the rotation angle into the measurement value using the unique information. With this configuration, the reference point and pointer on the scale can be detected from the image of the analog meter, and the measurement value can be read. Because the reference point and pointer on the analog meter scale are detected, the effects of shooting conditions are reduced, allowing for accurate measurement value readings.

[0010] Here, the unique information is associated with measurement range information of the analog meter. With this configuration, even if the maximum rotation angle or measurement range differs depending on the analog meter, it can be acquired based on the unique information.

[0011] Here, the rotation angle calculation unit obtains the rotation center of the analog meter, the reference point, and the center point of the pointer, and calculates the rotation angle.

[0012] The rotation angle calculation unit also acquires a reference line that passes through the reference point, and calculates the rotation angle from the intersection angle with the straight line corresponding to the pointer.

[0013] The analog meter reading method of the present invention is applicable to an analog meter having a scale arranged along a circumference and a pointer that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation to point to a measurement point, and reads the measurement value of the analog meter. The method includes: an inherent information acquisition step of acquiring inherent information of the analog meter; an image acquisition step of acquiring an image of the analog meter for reading the measurement value; a detection step of detecting a reference point on the scale and the pointer from the image; a rotation angle calculation step of calculating the rotation angle of the pointer from a state where the pointer points to the reference point to a state where the pointer points to the measurement point based on the detected reference point and pointer; and a measurement value conversion step of converting the rotation angle to the measurement value using the inherent information. With this configuration, the reference point and pointer on the scale can be detected from the image of the analog meter, and the measurement value can be read. Because the reference point and pointer on the analog meter scale are detected, the effects of shooting conditions can be reduced, allowing the measurement value to be read with high accuracy.

[0014] Here, the rotation angle calculation step acquires the rotation center of the analog meter, the reference point, and the center point of the pointer, and calculates the rotation angle.

[0015] The rotation angle calculation step also includes obtaining a reference line that passes through the reference point, and calculating the rotation angle from an angle of intersection with the line corresponding to the pointer. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a meter reading system and method that can suppress the influence of photographing conditions on the measurement value of an analog meter and read the measurement value with high accuracy. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an analog meter reading system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing an analog meter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a processor in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing an identification code in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is an example of unique information in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are diagrams for explaining image processing by the image acquisition unit in the first embodiment, where (a) is the entire image and (b) is the image to be read. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining image processing of a detection unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of an analog meter reading method in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a rotation angle calculation step in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of a rotation angle calculation step in the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] First Embodiment An analog meter reading system and method according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 9. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of an analog meter reading system 1 according to the first embodiment. The analog meter reading system 1 of this embodiment includes a mobile terminal 10 with a photographing function, such as a smartphone or tablet. As shown in Fig. 1, the mobile terminal 10 is equipped with a processor 20, a camera 21, and a display screen 22. The analog meter reading system 1 reads the measurement value indicated by the analog meter 30 based on an image of the analog meter 30 photographed by the camera 21.

[0019] In the first embodiment, the analog meter reading system 1 can be used by starting a dedicated application that has been installed in advance on the mobile terminal 10.

[0020] Here, the configuration of an analog meter 30 to which the analog meter reading system 1 is applied will be described. Fig. 2 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of the analog meter 30. The analog meter 30 has a scale 31 arranged along the circumference and a pointer 32 that points to a measurement point M centered on a predetermined rotation center O. In this embodiment, the analog meter 30 to which the system is applied has an identification code 40 arranged on a scale plate 33 of the analog meter 30.

[0021] The processor 20 is a so-called microcomputer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a storage 204 as a memory unit, a communication interface 205, and an input / output interface 206. Each component is connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other.

[0022] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that executes various programs. That is, the CPU 201 reads the programs from the ROM 202 or the storage 204, and executes the programs using the RAM 203 as a work area. The CPU 201 controls the above components and performs various calculations in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 202 or the storage 204.

[0023] The storage 204 stores the unique information of the analog meter 30 corresponding to the identification code 40 and the measurement range information in association with each other.

[0024] The storage 204 also stores a trained model for analog meter detection that detects the analog meter 30 from an overall image including the entire analog meter 30 captured by the camera 21. This trained model for analog meter detection is a model that has been machine-learned to learn feature quantities such as the shape pattern of the analog meter 30 from an image that includes multiple analog meters 30 and that has been acquired for machine learning.

[0025] The storage 204 also stores a trained model for scale detection that detects the scale 31 from an image of the analog meter 30 (hereinafter referred to as the "image to be read") for reading the measurement value of the analog meter 30. This trained model for scale detection is a model that has been machine-learned to learn feature quantities such as the shape pattern of the scale 31 from an image including the entire analog meter 30, for example.

[0026] The storage 204 also stores a trained model for needle detection that detects the needle 32 from an image of the analog meter 30 to be read. This trained model for needle detection is a model that has been machine-learned to learn feature quantities such as the shape pattern of the needle 32 from an image that includes the entire analog meter 30.

[0027] The ROM 202 stores various programs and various data. The ROM 202 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 204 is configured with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including the operating system and various data.

[0028] The communication interface 205 is an interface for communicating with a server and other devices (not shown), and uses standards such as LTE, FFDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0029] The input / output interface 206 is connected to a camera 21 as an imaging unit and a display screen 22 as a display unit.

[0030] The analog meter reading system 1 uses the processor 20 to read the measurement value of the measurement point M indicated by the pointer 32 based on the image 30 of the analog meter captured by the camera 21. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the processor 20. The processor 20 calculates the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 of the analog meter 30 from a state where the pointer 32 points to the reference point S on the scale 31 (the state where the pointer 32 is indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 2) to a state where the pointer 32 points to the measurement point M (the state where the pointer 32 is indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2). The calculated rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 is then converted into a measurement value using the unique information of the analog meter 30. The processor 20 has the functional configuration shown in FIG. 3 to realize the above functions. Note that each functional configuration is realized when the CPU 201 reads and executes a program stored in the storage 204.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the processor 20 has a functional configuration including a unique information acquisition unit 11, an image acquisition unit 12, a detection unit 13, a rotation angle calculation unit 14, and a measurement value conversion unit 15.

[0032] The unique information acquisition unit 11 acquires the unique information by reading the identification code 40 arranged on the dial 33 of the analog meter 30. FIG. 5 shows an example of the unique information. The unique information is linked to measurement range information for converting the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 of the analog meter 30 into a measurement value. The measurement range information is, for example, the maximum value of the measurement value of the analog meter 30 and the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 when the measurement value of the analog meter 30 is the maximum value (hereinafter referred to as the "maximum rotation angle θmax"). The measurement range information may also be the amount of change in the measurement value per unit rotation angle of the pointer 32. In the example where the identification code is 111, the unique information is A, and the maximum rotation angle θmax of 270° is acquired as the measurement range information for A. The measurement range information is linked to the unique information obtained by reading the identification code 40 and stored in the storage 204, and is acquired based on the unique information. Note that in this example, the identification code is linked to the unique information, but the measurement range information may be read from the identification code 40. The measurement range information can also be input and set in advance by the operator.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic diagram of the identification code 40. The identification code 40 is a black-and-white binary marker that uniquely identifies the analog meter 30. The identification code 40 is preferably placed in a position where it can be acquired together with the analog meter 30 from a captured overall image, and is placed on or near the analog meter 30. An efficient method for placing the identification code 40 is to attach a sticker-like mark when installing the analog meter 30, but it may also be printed in advance during manufacturing. Displaying the bits of the identification code 40 in a large size makes it readable even when photographed from a distance. However, an AR marker QR code (registered trademark) may also be used. The identification code 40 may also be the model code printed on the dial 33 of the analog meter 30.

[0034] The image acquisition unit 12 uses the trained model for analog meter detection stored in the storage 204 to detect the analog meter 30 from the entire image including the analog meter 30 captured by the camera 21. Then, the image of the analog meter 30 detected from this entire image is cut out, and a read image of the analog meter 30 is acquired.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining image processing by the image acquisition unit 12. FIG. 6(a) shows an overall image including the analog meter 30, and FIG. 6(b) shows an image of the analog meter 30 to be read. In FIG. 6(a), the image acquisition unit 12 extracts a rectangular frame that conforms to the analog meter 30, as indicated by the dashed line. Then, the overall image including the analog meter 30 is cut out using this rectangular frame, thereby acquiring the image of the analog meter 30 to be read, as shown in FIG. 6(b). In this way, even when multiple analog meters 30 are photographed at once, it is possible to acquire an image of the analog meter 30 to be read for each of the multiple analog meters 30.

[0036] The detection unit 13 detects the reference point S on the scale 31 and the pointer 32 from the image to be read using the trained model for scale detection and the trained model for pointer detection stored in the storage 204. In this embodiment, the reference point S is the starting point of the scale 31. Since the starting point is 0, the reference point S is identified and detected by detecting "0."

[0037] The detection unit 13 also creates a virtual Cartesian coordinate system for the image of the analog meter 30 to be read. Specifically, the detection unit 13 creates a virtual Cartesian coordinate system with the bottom left point of the image of the analog meter 30 to be read as the origin (0,0), the horizontal direction as the X-axis (horizontal axis), and the vertical direction perpendicular to the X-axis as the Y-axis (vertical axis). The detection unit 13 then acquires position coordinates, which are position information on the image of the detected reference point S and the pointer 32. Furthermore, the detection unit 13 acquires position coordinates of the center point of the image to be read as position information on the image of the rotation center O of the analog meter 30.

[0038] Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining image processing by the detection unit 13. As shown by the dashed lines in Fig. 7, the detection unit 13 extracts rectangular frames along the "0" on the scale 31 and the pointer 32. Then, the position coordinates of the center points of these rectangular frames are acquired as position information on the image of the reference point S and the pointer 32, respectively.

[0039] Here, the rotation center O of the analog meter 30 may also be detected using a trained model that detects the rotation center O, similar to the reference point S and the pointer 32. In this case, similar to the reference point S and the pointer 32, the position coordinates of the center point of a rectangular frame aligned with the rotation center O may be acquired as position information of the rotation center O on the image.

[0040] The rotation angle calculation unit 14 calculates the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 using the rotation center O of the analog meter 30 , the reference point S on the scale 31 , and the position coordinates of the pointer 32 acquired by the detection unit 13 .

[0041] The measurement value conversion unit 15 converts the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 calculated by the rotation angle calculation unit 14 into a measurement value of the analog meter 30. Specifically, the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 is converted into a measurement value using the maximum value of the measurement value of the analog meter 30 and the maximum rotation angle θmax of the pointer 32, which are measurement range information associated with the unique information of the analog meter 30 stored in the storage 204. The measurement value conversion unit 15 calculates the amount of change in the measurement value per unit rotation angle of the pointer 32 using the maximum value and the maximum rotation angle θmax, and converts the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 into a measurement value by multiplying this amount of change by the calculated rotation angle θ of the pointer 32.

[0042] Next, an analog meter reading method executed by the analog meter reading system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing steps of the analog meter reading method. As shown in Fig. 8, the analog meter reading method includes a unique information acquisition step (step 100, hereinafter "step" will be abbreviated as "S"), an image acquisition step (S200), a detection step (S300), a rotation angle calculation step (S400), and a measurement value conversion step (S500), and these steps are executed in order.

[0043] In the unique information acquisition step (S100), the unique information acquisition unit 11 reads the identification code 40 arranged on the dial 33 of the analog meter 30 to acquire the unique information.

[0044] In the image acquisition step (S200), the image acquisition unit 12 acquires an image of the analog meter 30 to be read from the entire image including the analog meter 30 captured by the camera 21 using a trained model for analog meter detection.

[0045] In the detection step (S300), the detection unit 13 uses the trained model for scale detection and the trained model for needle detection stored in the storage 204 to detect the reference point S on the scale 31 and the needle 32 from the image to be read of the analog meter 30, and obtains position coordinates that are position information on the image of the reference point S and the needle 32. Furthermore, the position coordinates of the center point of the image to be read are obtained as position information on the image of the rotation center O of the analog meter 30.

[0046] In the rotation angle calculation step (S400), the rotation angle calculation unit 14 calculates the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 using the rotation center O of the analog meter 30, the reference point S on the scale 31, and the position coordinates of the pointer 32 acquired in the detection step (S300). FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing steps executed by the rotation angle calculation unit 14 in the rotation angle calculation step (S400). First, in S401, an interior angle (an angle of 180 degrees or less) formed by a line segment connecting the position coordinates of the reference point S and the rotation center O and a line segment connecting the position coordinates of the pointer 32 and the rotation center O is calculated. In S402, the image to be read is divided into two areas, area A and area B, based on a line passing through the position coordinates of the reference point S and the rotation center O. In S403, the area including the position coordinates of the pointer 32 is identified, and if the position coordinates of the pointer 32 are included in area A, the process proceeds to S404, where the interior angle is set as the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 and the process ends. In S403, if the position coordinates of the pointer 32 are included in area B, the process proceeds to S405, where the angle (exterior angle) obtained by subtracting the interior angle from 360 degrees is set as the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32, and the process ends.

[0047] Returning to FIG. 8, in the measurement value conversion step (S500), the measurement value conversion unit 15 converts the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 calculated in the rotation angle calculation step (S400) into a measurement value of the analog meter 30 based on the measurement range information associated with the unique information stored in the storage 204.

[0048] According to the analog meter reading system and method of the first embodiment, the reference point S on the scale 31 and the pointer 32 can be detected using a scale trained model that has previously learned the characteristics of the scale 31 and a pointer trained model that has previously learned the characteristics of the pointer 32. The rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 is calculated based on the detected scale 31 and pointer 32. A trained model that has previously learned the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 of the analog meter 30 has had the problem of reduced accuracy due to disturbances such as the shooting angle and light. In this regard, the pointer 31 and the scale 32 are smaller than the entire meter and are less susceptible to disturbances, so the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32 can be detected with high accuracy.

[0049] Second Embodiment Next, an analog meter reading system and method according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Note that components substantially similar to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The system configuration of the analog meter reading system 1 of the second embodiment and the functional configuration of the processor 20 are substantially similar to those of the analog meter reading system 1 of the first embodiment.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the unique information acquisition unit 11 acquires the rotation angle Θ of the analog meter 30 in addition to the unique information of the analog meter 30 from the identification code 40 affixed near the analog meter 30. Here, the rotation angle Θ of the analog meter 30 acquired from the identification code 40 is the amount of tilt displacement of the analog meter 30 at the time of photographing, relative to its normal position. The rotation angle Θ is acquired on a plane on a two-dimensional scale board. Specifically, the rotation angle Θ is acquired from the inclination of a line segment connecting two points with the larger Y coordinates among the position coordinates of the four corners of the identification code, relative to a Cartesian coordinate system.

[0051] The detection unit 13 also detects line segments of the pointer 32. Specifically, the detection unit 13 further detects line segments corresponding to the pointer 32 using an OpenCV (HoughLines) function for the rectangular frame of the pointer 32 detected by the detection unit 13. The rotation angle calculation unit 15 then acquires a reference line L that passes through a reference point S on the scale 31 that is set in advance based on the rotation angle Θ of the analog meter 30 and the rotation center O of the analog meter 30.

[0052] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing steps executed by the rotation angle calculation unit 14 in the rotation angle calculation step (S400) in the second embodiment. First, in S411, a linear function of the reference line L passing through the reference point S is calculated. In S412, a linear function corresponding to the line segment of the pointer 32 detected by the detection unit 13 is calculated. In S413, an interior angle (an angle of 180 degrees or less) is calculated from the intersection angles of the linear function of the reference line L and the linear function of the pointer 32. In S414, the image to be read is divided into two areas, area A and area B, based on the reference line L. In S415, the area including the position coordinates of the pointer 32 is identified. If the position coordinates of the pointer 32 are included in area A, the process proceeds to S416, where the interior angle is set as the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32, and the process ends. If the position coordinates of the pointer 32 are included in area B, the process proceeds to S417, where the angle (exterior angle) obtained by subtracting the interior angle from 360 degrees is set as the rotation angle θ of the pointer 32, and the process ends.

[0053] The analog meter reading system 1 and analog meter reading method of the second embodiment can achieve the same effects as those of the first embodiment. Furthermore, instead of calculating the rotation center of the analog meter 30 from the center point of the image of the area to be read, a reference line L that passes through the reference point S on the scale 31 and the rotation center O of the analog meter is obtained. Then, the intersection angle between the linear function of the reference line L and the linear function corresponding to the pointer 32 is converted into a measurement value.

[0054] With this configuration, even if the analog meter 30 cannot be photographed horizontally relative to the ground, errors due to the photographing conditions can be suppressed, and the measurement value of the analog meter 30 can be read with high accuracy.

[0055] <Other embodiments> The analog meter reading system and method of the first embodiment can be used by launching a dedicated application installed in advance on the mobile terminal 10. Alternatively, the worker's smartphone or tablet may be configured to simply take a photo of the analog meter 30 and send the image to a general computer having a processor and memory as a system management terminal, where various programs are executed to acquire unique information, acquire images, perform detection, calculate the rotation angle, and convert the measurement value. In this case, the processing results may be sent to the worker's smartphone or tablet.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various modes by making appropriate modifications within the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1 Analog meter reading system 10 Mobile devices 20 processors 21 Camera 22 Display screen 30 Analog meter 31 scales 32 Guidelines 40 Identification Marker

Claims

1. An analog meter reading system that is applied to an analog meter having a scale arranged along a circumference and a pointer that rotates around a predetermined rotation center to indicate a measurement point, and that reads a measurement value of the analog meter, a unique information acquisition unit that acquires unique information including a maximum value of a measurement value of the analog meter and a rotation angle of a pointer when the measurement value reaches the maximum value; an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the analog meter for reading the measurement value; a detection unit that detects a reference point and a pointer on the scale from the image; a rotation angle calculation unit that calculates a rotation angle of the pointer from a state where the pointer points to the reference point to a state where the pointer points to a measurement point based on the detected reference point and the pointer; a measurement value conversion unit that converts the rotation angle into the measurement value using the unique information. Analog meter reading system.

2. An analog meter reading system that is applied to an analog meter having a scale arranged along a circumference and a pointer that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation to indicate a measurement point, and that reads the measurement value of the analog meter, a unique information acquisition unit that acquires unique information of the analog meter; an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the analog meter for reading the measurement value; a detection unit that detects a reference point and a pointer on the scale from the image; a rotation angle calculation unit that calculates a rotation angle of the pointer from a state where the pointer points to the reference point to a state where the pointer points to a measurement point based on the detected reference point and the pointer; a measurement value conversion unit that converts the rotation angle into the measurement value using the unique information, the rotation angle calculation unit acquires the rotation center of the analog meter, the reference point, and the center point of the pointer, and calculates the rotation angle; Analog meter reading system.

3. the rotation angle calculation unit acquires a reference line passing through the reference point, and calculates the rotation angle from an intersection angle with the straight line corresponding to the pointer; 10. The analog meter reading system of claim 1.

4. An analog meter reading method for reading a measurement value of an analog meter having a scale arranged along a circumference and a pointer that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation to indicate a measurement point, comprising: a unique information acquisition step of acquiring unique information including a maximum value of a measurement value of the analog meter and a rotation angle of a pointer when the measurement value reaches the maximum value; an image acquisition step of acquiring an image of the analog meter for reading the measurement value; a detection step of detecting a reference point and a pointer on the scale from the image; a rotation angle calculation step of calculating a rotation angle of the pointer from a state where the pointer points to the reference point to a state where the pointer points to a measurement point based on the detected reference point and the pointer; a measurement value conversion step of converting the rotation angle into the measurement value using the unique information. How to read an analog meter.

5. An analog meter reading method applied to an analog meter having a scale arranged along a circumference and a pointer that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation to indicate a measurement point, for reading a measurement value of the analog meter, comprising: a unique information acquisition step of acquiring unique information of the analog meter; an image acquisition step of acquiring an image of the analog meter for reading the measurement value; a detection step of detecting a reference point and a pointer on the scale from the image; a rotation angle calculation step of calculating a rotation angle of the pointer from a state where the pointer points to the reference point to a state where the pointer points to a measurement point based on the detected reference point and the pointer; a measurement value conversion step of converting the rotation angle into the measurement value using the unique information, The rotation angle calculation step includes acquiring a rotation center of the analog meter, the reference point, and a center point of the pointer, and calculating the rotation angle. How to read an analog meter.

6. the rotation angle calculation step acquires a reference line passing through the reference point, and calculates the rotation angle from an intersection angle between the reference line and a straight line corresponding to the pointer.

5. The method for reading an analog meter according to claim 4.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • JP181464A

  • Data collection system and method

    JP2008224376A

  • Analog device meter-read system and method

    JP2019158748A

  • Remote meter reading computer, method and program of the same

    JP2020160691A

  • Meter reading system, meter reading method, and program

    JP2020181464A