Meter reading device

Abstract

To provide a meter reading device which calculates an accurate value of an indicated value.SOLUTION: The meter reading device includes: minimum value position specification means which specifies a minimum value position being a position of a minimum value on the basis of a plurality of different points on a graduation 404 indicating a minimum value on a scale board 401 of an analog meter 400; maximum value position specification means which specifies a maximum value position being a position of a maximum value on the basis of a plurality of different points on a graduation indicating a maximum value on the scale board; entire angle calculation means which calculates an entire angle being a center angle from the minimum value position to the maximum value position on the basis of a center position being a center of turning of a pointer 402 of the analog meter 400, the minimum value position, and the maximum value position; pointer angle calculation means which, on the basis of a pointer position of the analog meter, the center position, and at least one selected from the minimum value position and the maximum value position, calculates a pointer angle being a center angle from the pointer position to the selected one of the minimum value position and the maximum value position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a meter reading technique, and more particularly to a meter reading device that calculates the indicated value of the needle of an analog meter based on image information of the analog meter or the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Several proposals have been made in the past regarding meter reading technology.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 states that "a meter reading system that reads the measurement value indicated by a meter, The invention states that "the meter is an analog meter equipped with a scale arranged along the circumference and a rotary pointer that rotates around a predetermined center of rotation to indicate a measurement position on the scale, and the meter reading system comprises: setting means for setting in advance a start point and an end point of the scale on the meter and each measurement value at the start point and the end point; reference value calculation means for calculating a unit measurement value per unit angle on the meter based on the angle with the center of rotation between the set start point and the end point as a reference and each measurement value; acquisition means for acquiring a meter image by capturing an image of the meter; and reading means for calculating the measurement value indicated by the meter based on the angle of the pointer from the start point in the meter image acquired by the acquisition means and the unit measurement value."

[0004] According to the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to accurately read the meter value without relying on human visual inspection. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-181464 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in conventional technology, the indicated value shown by the pointer of an analog meter is calculated based on three points: the minimum value position, which indicates the position of the minimum value on the scale, the maximum value position, which indicates the position of the maximum value, and the pointer position.Therefore, depending on the meter reading environment and angle, it may not be possible to calculate the accurate indicated value.

[0007] Furthermore, in the case of an analog meter having multiple dials or scales, the meter reading device may not be able to accurately calculate the indicated value indicated by the pointer of the analog meter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] Therefore, as a means for solving the above problem, the meter reading device of the present invention is a meter reading device that calculates the indicated value of an analog meter based on image information including the scale and pointer of an analog meter and value information including the minimum and maximum values ​​of the analog meter linked to the image information, and is characterized by including: minimum value position specifying means that specifies a minimum value position, which is the position of the minimum value, based on a plurality of different points on the scale that represent the minimum value on the scale; maximum value position specifying means that specifies a maximum value position, which is the position of the maximum value, based on a plurality of different points on the scale that represent the maximum value on the scale; overall angle calculation means that calculates an overall angle that is the central angle from the minimum value position to the maximum value position, based on a central position that is the rotation center of the pointer of the analog meter, the minimum value position, and the maximum value position; and pointer angle calculation means that calculates a pointer angle that is the central angle from the pointer position to the selected minimum value position or the selected maximum value position, based on the pointer position of the analog meter, the central position, and at least one selected from the minimum value position and the maximum value position.

[0009] The minimum value position specifying means may specify the minimum value position based on points on the outer and inner edges of the scale representing the minimum value, and the maximum value position specifying means may specify the maximum value position based on points on the outer and inner edges of the scale representing the maximum value.

[0010] Furthermore, the minimum value position specifying means may specify the midpoint between the outer edge point and the inner edge point on the scale representing the minimum value as the minimum value position, and the maximum value position specifying means may specify the midpoint between the outer edge point and the inner edge point on the scale representing the maximum value as the maximum value position.

[0011] The "intermediate portion between a point on the outer edge and a point on the inner edge" refers to the center of the line segment connecting the point on the outer edge and the point on the inner edge.

[0012] Furthermore, the meter reading device performs different processing depending on the number of scales of the analog meter included in the image information, and when the number of scales is two, the minimum value position specifying means specifies the minimum value position of the first scale and the minimum value position of the second scale, and the maximum value position specifying means specifies the maximum value position of the first scale and the maximum value position of the second scale, calculates an indicated value on the first scale using the minimum value position and the maximum value position on the first scale, and calculates an indicated value on the second scale using the minimum value position and the maximum value position on the second scale.

[0013] Further, in the meter reading device, in the image information, the outer edge of the scale represents a first scale and the inner edge of the scale represents a second scale, and the minimum value position specifying means specifies a point on the outer edge of the scale representing the minimum value as the minimum value position of the first scale, and specifies a point on the inner edge of the scale representing the minimum value as the minimum value position of the second scale, and the maximum value position specifying means specifies a point on the outer edge of the scale representing the maximum value as the maximum value position of the first scale, and specifies a point on the inner edge of the scale representing the maximum value as the maximum value position of the second scale, and calculates an indicated value on the first scale using the specified minimum value position and maximum value position of the first scale, and calculates an indicated value on the second scale using the specified minimum value position and maximum value position of the second scale.

[0014] Furthermore, the meter reading device has two scales with a common center position, indicates a first indicated value based on the first scale, indicates a second indicated value based on the second scale, and calculates each indicated value of the analog meter, and is characterized in that the minimum value position specifying means includes: a first minimum value position specifying means for specifying a first minimum value position that is the position of the minimum value of the first scale based on a plurality of different points on the scale on the scale plate that represents the minimum value of the first scale; a second minimum value position specifying means for specifying a second minimum value position that is the position of the minimum value of the second scale based on a plurality of different points on the scale on the scale plate that represents the minimum value of the second scale; and the maximum value position specifying means includes: a first maximum value position specifying means for specifying a first maximum value position that is the position of the maximum value of the first scale based on a plurality of different points on the scale on the scale plate that represents the maximum value of the first scale; and a second maximum value position specifying means for specifying a second maximum value position that is the position of the maximum value of the second scale based on a plurality of different points on the scale on the scale plate that represents the maximum value of the second scale.

[0015] Furthermore, the display device may further include a correcting means for correcting the image information so that the analog meter included in the image information is viewed from the front.

[0016] The term "front view" refers to a view perpendicular to the surface of the scale.

[0017] Furthermore, the meter reading method of the present invention is a meter reading method using the meter reading device, and is characterized by including: a correction calculation step of applying the correction means to the image information captured at an angle to the front of the meter to calculate the indication value; a non-correction calculation step of calculating the indication value without applying the correction means to the image information; and a setting step of setting the reading method so that the correction means is applied when the corrected indication value is a value closer to the actual measurement value than the non-corrected indication value, and the indication value is calculated without applying the correction means when the corrected indication value is a value farther from the actual measurement value than the non-corrected indication value.

[0018] The term "actual measurement value" refers to a value actually measured by an analog meter.

[0019] Furthermore, the program of the present invention is a program that calculates the indicated value of an analog meter based on image information including the scale and pointer of an analog meter and value information including minimum and maximum values ​​of the analog meter linked to the image information, and is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute the following: a minimum value position identification process that identifies a minimum value position, which is the position of the minimum value, based on a plurality of different points on the scale that represent the minimum value on the scale; a maximum value position identification process that identifies a maximum value position, which is the position of the maximum value, based on a plurality of different points on the scale that represent the maximum value on the scale; a total angle calculation process that calculates a total angle that is the central angle from the minimum value position to the maximum value position, based on a central position that is the rotation center of the pointer of the analog meter, the minimum value position, and the maximum value position; and a pointer angle calculation process that calculates a pointer angle that is the central angle from the pointer position to the selected minimum value position or the selected maximum value position, based on the pointer position of the analog meter, the central position, and at least one selected from the minimum value position and the maximum value position. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] According to the present invention, the indicated value shown by the pointer of the meter can be accurately calculated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a system conceptual diagram showing the relationship between a server device 100, a meter reading device 200, and an information electronic terminal 300. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the server device 100. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the meter reading device 200. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an information electronic terminal 300. [Figure 5] 1 is an external view of a meter 400 according to a first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing a process flow of the meter reading device 200 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the meter 400 in the present embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of another example of the meter reading device 200 according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. Furthermore, the contents described below and the contents of the drawings all represent examples for implementing the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0023] 1, a server device 100, a meter reading device 200, and an information electronic terminal 300 are connected via a communication network N. One meter reading device 200 and one information electronic terminal 300 may be connected to the server device 100 via the communication network N, or multiple meter reading devices 200 and multiple information electronic terminals 300 may be connected via the communication network N. Furthermore, when multiple meter reading devices 200 and multiple information electronic terminals 300 are connected to the server device 100, the respective meter reading devices 200 and the respective information electronic terminals 300 may have the same configuration, or the respective meter reading devices 200 and the respective information electronic terminals 300 may have different configurations. It should be noted that the meter reading device 200 and the information electronic terminal 300 do not necessarily need to be directly connected to the server device 100; for example, the meter reading device 200 may be connected to the server device 100 via the information electronic terminal 300, and the information electronic terminal 300 may be connected to the server device 100 via the meter reading device 200.

[0024] The communication network N includes a public network and a carrier network. The public network is the so-called Internet. The carrier network is a network provided by a communication carrier that realizes wireless communication based on standards such as next-generation or next-next-generation high-speed mobile communication standards. The public network includes access points, and the carrier network includes base stations.

[0025] Next, the functional units of the server device 100, the meter reading device 200, and the information electronic terminal 300 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the server device 100 includes a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, a display unit 103, an input unit 104, and a storage unit 105.

[0027] The control unit 101 is a processor using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphical Processing Unit), or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and includes a built-in volatile memory such as a cache. The control unit 101 controls the server device 100 and enables the execution of various functional units described below.

[0028] The communication unit 102 can be configured by various communication devices such as a communication module, a communication antenna, or a communication circuit, or a combination of these. The communication unit 102 cooperates with the control unit 101 to enable transmission and reception of information between the meter reading device 200 and the information electronic terminal 300 via the communication network N. The communication unit 102 may also perform communication via the communication network N by wire using a network interface card.

[0029] The display unit 103 can be configured with various displays such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL display, other display means, or a combination of these. The display unit 103 cooperates with the control unit 101 to display a screen used for operating the server device 100.

[0030] The input unit 104 can be configured, for example, by an input device such as a keyboard or a combination thereof. The input unit 104 cooperates with the control unit 101 to enable operation of the server device 100. Furthermore, the display unit 103 and the input unit 104 may be configured as an integrated unit by configuring the display unit 103 as a touch panel.

[0031] The storage unit 105 can be configured by, for example, a storage means such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination of these. The storage unit 105 cooperates with the control unit 101 to store an OS (Operating System), other software, and information used for various processes read by the control unit 101.

[0032] The server device 100 receives the meter value read by the meter reading device 200 from the meter reading device 200 via the network N, for example, and stores the meter value. The server device 100 may transmit the meter value to the information electronic terminal 300 via the network N, for example, so that the meter value can be confirmed by the information electronic terminal 300.

[0033] 3, the meter reading device 200 includes a control unit 201, a communication unit 202, an image acquisition unit 203, a storage unit 204, a learning unit 205, and an inference unit 206. The learning unit 205 included in the meter reading device 200 may be included in the server device 100.

[0034] The control unit 201 is, for example, a processor using a CPU, GPU, or MPU, and includes a built-in volatile memory such as a cache. The control unit 201 controls the meter reading device 200 and enables the execution of various functional units described below. The control unit 201 may also be configured as a single piece of hardware (SoC: System on a Chip) that integrates a processor, memory, communication unit 202, image acquisition unit 203, storage unit 204, learning unit 205, and inference unit 206.

[0035] The communication unit 202 can be configured, for example, by various communication devices such as a communication module or a communication circuit, or a combination of these. The communication unit 202 cooperates with the control unit 201 to enable transmission and reception of information between the server device 100 and the information electronic terminal 300 via the communication network N. Furthermore, when the communication unit 202 is configured by a communication module, it is preferable to use the LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) standard as the communication standard. By transmitting and receiving information based on the LPWA standard, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the meter reading device 200 and extend the life of the battery of the meter reading device 200 itself.

[0036] The image acquisition unit 203 can be configured, for example, by an imaging unit such as a camera provided in the meter reading device 200 itself, or a combination of these. The image acquisition unit 203 includes an imaging element for visible light or infrared light, and is capable of performing imaging in response to a control signal from the control unit 201. The image acquisition unit 203 acquires image information in the environment in which the meter reading device 200 is installed, in particular, image information of the meter 400. This image information becomes input information for inference processing in the inference unit 206.

[0037] The storage unit 204 can be configured with, for example, a storage means such as a RAM, an HDD, or an SSD, or a combination of these. The storage unit 204 cooperates with the control unit 201 to store an OS read by the control unit 201, other software, and information used for various processes. In particular, the storage unit 204 preferably stores image information acquired by the image acquisition unit 203, a learning program P used for learning in the learning unit 205, and a trained model M used for inference processing in the inference unit 206.

[0038] The learning unit 205 can be configured by the control unit 201 and a learning program P stored in the storage unit 204. The learning unit 205 performs learning by deep learning on a large number of meter images collected in advance, and performs processing to generate a learned model M.

[0039] The inference unit 206 can be configured by the control unit 201 and the trained model M stored in the memory unit 204. By inputting the image information of the meter 400 acquired by the image acquisition unit 203 into the trained model M, it is possible to perform inference on the image information of the meter 400 and read the value of the meter.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the information electronic terminal 300 preferably includes a control unit 301, a communication unit 302, a display unit 303, an input unit 304, and a storage unit 305.

[0041] The control unit 301 is a processor using, for example, a CPU, a GPU, or an MPU, and includes built-in volatile memory, a clock, etc. The control unit 301 controls the information electronic terminal 300 and enables the execution of various functional units described below. The control unit 301 may also be configured as a single piece of hardware that integrates the processor, a communication unit 302, a display unit 303, an input unit 304, and a storage unit 305.

[0042] The communication unit 302 can be configured by various communication devices such as a communication module, a communication antenna, or a communication circuit, or a combination of these. The communication unit 302 cooperates with the control unit 301 to enable transmission and reception of information between the server device 100 and the meter reading device 200 via the communication network N.

[0043] The display unit 303 can be configured with various displays such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL display, other display means, or a combination of these. The display unit 303 cooperates with the control unit 301 to display a screen used for operating the information electronic terminal 300.

[0044] The input unit 304 can be configured, for example, by an input device such as a keyboard or a combination thereof. The input unit 304 cooperates with the control unit 301 to enable operation of the information electronic terminal 300. Furthermore, the display unit 303 and the input unit 304 may be configured as an integrated unit by configuring the display unit 303 as a touch panel.

[0045] The storage unit 305 can be configured with storage means such as RAM, HDD, or SSD, or a combination of these. The storage unit 305 can store the OS and other software read by the control unit 301, as well as information used for various processes.

[0046] The information electronic terminal 300 may receive the meter value from the server device 100 via the network N, and display the meter value on the display unit 303, allowing the user of the information electronic terminal 300 to check the meter value.

[0047] Example 1 An example of the processing of the meter reading device 200 in this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0048] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a meter 400 in this embodiment. The meter 400 is configured in an analog format. A pointer 402 that indicates the measured value of the meter 400 is provided on the display surface of the meter 400. A scale is represented on the display surface of the meter 400 by a semicircular label 403. Markings 404 are provided on the scale at positions that indicate predetermined values.

[0049] 5, the scale 404 is provided at equal intervals, with the value increasing by 10, as an example. The minimum value of the meter 400 in FIG. 5 is 0, and the maximum value is 40. The scale 404 is provided at positions indicating the values ​​of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 in the meter 400 in FIG.

[0050] Next, the flow of processing by the meter reading device 200 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described using the meter 400 in FIG. 5 as an example.

[0051] In the image acquisition step, the meter reading device 200 uses an image acquisition unit to acquire image information including the scale 401 and the pointer 402 of the meter 400. As a configuration for acquiring such image information, images can be acquired by an element such as a camera provided in the meter reading device 200. In this case, it is preferable that the meter reading device 200 is disposed so that the image acquisition unit faces the scale 401 of the meter 400. However, the relative positional relationship between the image acquisition unit and the display surface of the meter 400 is not limited to this. For example, by performing angle calibration or the like, even if the image of the display surface of the meter 400 is acquired from an oblique angle, the angle can be appropriately changed so that it appears as if the image is acquired from the front.

[0052] In the minimum value locating step, the meter reader 200 locates the position of the scale 404 that indicates the minimum value of the meter 400 . At this time, the meter reading device 200 identifies the minimum value position based on a plurality of different points on the scale 404 that represent the minimum value on the scale plate 401 included in the image information. In this case, if the minimum value position is identified based on a plurality of different points on the scale 404 as a means for identifying the minimum value position, it becomes possible to identify the minimum value position more accurately.

[0053] As a configuration for identifying the minimum value position based on multiple different points on the scale 404, it is preferable to identify the minimum value position based on points on the outer and inner edges of the scale 404 that represent minimum values, as shown in the enlarged view in Fig. 5. Specifically, it is possible to recognize the points on the outer and inner edges of the scale 404 in the image information by performing inference using a trained model that has been trained based on training data in which markers are added to the outer and inner edges of the scale 404 that represent minimum values ​​in the image information. Then, it is possible to recognize the respective plane coordinates on which the points on the outer edge and the points on the inner edge exist, and identify the coordinates of the middle part of these plane coordinates as the minimum value position.

[0054] Next, in the maximum value location specifying step, the meter reading device 200 specifies the position of the scale 404 that indicates the maximum value of the meter 400, similar to the minimum value location specifying step. At this time, the meter reading device 200 identifies the maximum value position based on a plurality of different points on the scale 404 that represent the maximum value on the scale board 401 included in the image information. In this case, if the maximum value position is identified based on a plurality of different points on the scale 404 as a means for identifying the maximum value position, it becomes possible to identify the maximum value position more accurately.

[0055] In specifying the maximum value position, it is preferable to specify the maximum value position based on the points on the outer and inner edges of the scale 404 that represent the maximum value, similar to the minimum value position specifying step described with reference to Fig. 5. Specifically, it is possible to recognize the points on the outer and inner edges of the scale 404 in the image information by performing inference using a trained model that has been trained based on training data in which markers are added to the outer and inner edges of the scale 404 that represent the maximum value in the image information. Then, it is possible to recognize the respective plane coordinates where the points on the outer edge and the inner edge of the tent exist, and to specify the coordinates of the middle part of these plane coordinates as the maximum value position.

[0056] Here, the processing in the minimum value position specifying step and the maximum value position specifying step will be described in more detail. For example, in the minimum value position specifying step or the maximum value position specifying step, the minimum value position or the maximum value position is specified based on a single point on the scale 404. For example, depending on the environment in which the meter reading device 200 is installed, it may not be possible to install the meter reading device 200 in a position where the image acquisition unit of the meter reading device 200 faces the scale board 401 of the meter 400. In this case, the image information acquired by the image acquisition unit may be an oblique image of the scale board 401. In such a case, if the minimum value position or the maximum value position is specified based on only a single point on the scale 404, it may be impossible to accurately specify the minimum value position or the maximum value position due to image distortion, and it may not be possible to accurately calculate the indicated value of the meter 400.

[0057] However, if the minimum and maximum value positions are identified based on multiple different points on the scale 404, the minimum and maximum value positions can be identified more accurately, and the reading of the meter 400 can be calculated more accurately. This will be explained in detail below. The position A of the minimum or maximum value that should have been identified is defined as A(X,Y) in planar coordinates. Then, a point a1 identified by the meter reading device 200 is defined as a1(x1,y1). Then, a point a2 that is different from point a1 that has already been identified on the scale 404 by the meter reading device 200 is defined as a2(x2,y2). In this case, the deviation in coordinates between the position A that should have been identified and point a1 identified by the meter reading device 200 is (X-x1,Y-y1). On the other hand, if we compare the midpoint between different point a1 and different point a2 with the position A that should have been identified, for example, the result is (X-(x1+x2) / 2, Y-(y1+y2) / 2). Therefore, when the minimum value position or maximum value position is determined based on multiple different points on the scale 404, the deviation between the position that should have been determined and the position that is determined by the meter reading device 200 can be reduced compared to when the minimum value position or maximum value position is determined at a single point.

[0058] Next, in the total angle calculation step, the minimum value position identified in the minimum value position identification step and the maximum value position identified in the maximum value position identification step are used to calculate the total angle of the semicircular label 403 on the dial 401 centered on the rotation axis of the pointer 402. Note that, although the total angle is approximately 180° in the meter 400 shown in Fig. 5, the meter 400 capable of calculating the indicated value using the meter reading device 200 is not limited to this.

[0059] Next, in the pointer angle calculation step, the pointer angle, which is the angle from the minimum value position or the maximum value position to the tip of the pointer 402 around the axis of rotation of the pointer 402, is calculated using at least one of the minimum value position or the maximum value position and the direction indicated by the pointer 402 of the meter 400. Here, for example, it is possible to calculate the pointer angle from the minimum value position around the rotation axis of the pointer 402 to the tip of the pointer 402 of the meter 400 by using the minimum value position, the tip of the pointer 402 of the meter 400, and the position of the center of rotation of the pointer 402. Similarly, it is also possible to calculate the pointer angle from the maximum value position around the rotation axis of the pointer 402 to the tip of the pointer 402 of the meter 400 by using the maximum value position, the tip of the pointer 402 of the meter 400, and the position of the center of rotation of the pointer 402.

[0060] By performing the above processing, the meter reading device 200 can calculate the indicated value of the meter 400. That is, by dividing the volume from the value of the scale 404 at the minimum value position to the value of the scale 404 at the maximum value position by the total angle calculated in the total angle calculation step, the indicated value per degree can be calculated, and the scale of the meter 400 can be grasped. Furthermore, by calculating the pointer angle in the pointer angle calculation step, the value indicated by the pointer 402 of the meter 400 can be calculated. The value of the scale 404 at the minimum value position and the value of the scale 404 at the maximum value position may be obtained by performing image recognition on the image information acquired by the meter reading device 200, or may be set in advance by the user before using the meter reading device 200.

[0061] Example 2 Next, another embodiment of the meter reading device 200 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0062] 7 is a diagram showing another example of a meter 400 according to this embodiment. The meter 400 is configured in an analog format. Two pointers 402 that indicate the measured value of the meter 400 are provided on the display surface of the meter 400. A scale is represented on the display surface of the meter 400 by semicircular labels 403. Graduations 404 are provided on the scale at positions that indicate predetermined values.

[0063] 7, as an example, the meter 400 has markings 404 provided at equal intervals outside the label 403, where the value increases by 100. Furthermore, the meter 400 has markings 404 provided at equal intervals inside the label 403, where the value increases by 10. The meter 400 in FIG. 7 has an outer scale with a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 300. The meter 400 has an inner scale with a minimum value of 0 and a maximum value of 40. The meter 400 in FIG. 7 has markings 404 provided at positions outside the label 403 that indicate values ​​of 0, 100, 200, and 300. Furthermore, the meter 404 has markings inside the label 403 that indicate values ​​of 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40.

[0064] Next, the processing flow of the meter reading device 200 in this embodiment shown in Fig. 8 will be described using the meter 400 in Fig. 7 as an example. Note that the processing common to Example 1 will be noted, and the repeated description will be omitted.

[0065] In the scale number determination step, the meter reading device 200 determines the scale number of the meter 400, thereby determining the processing to be performed after determining the scale number. If the scale number is determined to be 1 in the scale number determination step, as in the previously described embodiment, two points on the scale 404 at the minimum and maximum values ​​are recognized, and the minimum and maximum value positions are identified to calculate the angle of the pointer 402. In determining the scale number, the scale number may be preset in the meter reading device 200 by the user, or the scale number may be recognized by image recognition or the like. In the following, a specific description will be given of the case where the scale number is not 1 in the scale number determination step.

[0066] 8, an image acquisition step uses an image acquisition unit to acquire image information including the scale 401 and the pointer 402 of the meter 400. As a configuration for acquiring such image information, images can be acquired using an element such as a camera provided in the meter reading device 200.

[0067] Next, in the step of identifying inner and outer edge points at the minimum value position, points on the inner and outer edges of the scale 404 at the minimum value position are identified. For example, image recognition may be used to identify the positions.

[0068] Here, the case where the scale is 2 will be particularly described. When the scale is 2, the point on the inner edge of the minimum value position represents the minimum value position on the inner scale represented by the inner edge of the label 403 of the meter 400. On the other hand, the point on the outer edge of the minimum value position represents the minimum value position on the outer scale represented by the outer edge of the label 403 of the meter 400. Therefore, by identifying the positions of the points on the inner edge and the outer edge of the minimum value of the meter 400, the meter reading device 200 can identify the positions of the minimum values ​​on multiple scales.

[0069] Similarly, in the step of identifying inner and outer edge points of the maximum value position, points on the inner and outer edges of the scale 404 at the maximum value position are identified. Here, the case where the scale is 2 will be described in detail. When the scale is 2, the points on the inner edge of the maximum value position represent the maximum value position on the inner scale represented by the inner edge of the label 403 of the meter 400. On the other hand, the points on the outer edge of the maximum value position represent the maximum value position on the outer scale represented by the outer edge of the label 403 of the meter 400. Therefore, by identifying the positions of the points on the inner edge and the outer edge at the maximum value of the meter 400, the meter reading device 200 can identify the positions of the maximum values ​​on multiple scales.

[0070] Next, in the step of calculating the total angle of each scale, a point on the inner edge of the minimum value position and a point on the outer edge of the maximum value position are used to calculate the total angle on the scale inside the label 403 of the dial 401, with the axis of rotation of the pointer 402 as the center. Similarly, in the step of calculating the total angle of each scale, a point on the outer edge of the minimum value position and a point on the outer edge of the maximum value position are used to calculate the total angle on the scale outside the label 403 of the dial 401, with the axis of rotation of the pointer 402 as the center.

[0071] Next, in the step of calculating the angle of the pointer 402 for each scale, the angle of the pointer 402 on the inner scale, which is the angle from the minimum or maximum value position to the tip of the short hand of the pointer 402, centered on the axis of rotation of the pointer 402, is calculated using at least one of the minimum value position or maximum value position of the scale inside the label 403 and the direction pointed by the short hand of the pointer 402 of the meter 400. Similarly, in the step of calculating the angle of the pointer 402 for each scale, the angle of the pointer 402 on the outer scale, which is the angle from the minimum or maximum value position to the tip of the long hand of the pointer 402, centered on the axis of rotation of the pointer 402, is calculated using at least one of the minimum value position or maximum value position of the outer scale of the label 403 and the direction pointed by the long hand of the pointer 402 of the meter 400.

[0072] By performing the above processing, the meter reading device 200 can calculate the indicated value of the meter 400 without being limited by the number of scales of the meter 400 to be read. That is, by dividing the volume from the value of the scale 404 at the minimum value position on each scale to the value of the scale 404 at the maximum value position on each scale by the total angle, the indicated value per 1° can be calculated, and the indicated value of the meter 400 can be calculated and read without being limited by the number of scales of the meter 400. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 100 Server Devices 101 Control section 102 Communications Department 103 Display section 104 Input section 105 Storage section 200 Meter Reader 201 Control Unit 202 Communications Department 203 Image acquisition unit 204 Storage section 205 Learning Department 206 Reasoning section 300 Information and electronic terminals 301 Control Unit 302 Communications Department 303 Display section 304 Input section 305 Storage section 400 meters 401 Scale board 402 Guidelines 403 Label 404 scale N Communication Network

Claims

1. A meter reading device that calculates an indicated value of an analog meter based on image information including a scale and a pointer of the analog meter and value information including a minimum value and a maximum value of the analog meter linked to the image information, a minimum value position specifying means for specifying a minimum value position, which is the position of the minimum value, based on a plurality of different points on the scale representing the minimum value on the scale; a maximum value position specifying means for specifying a maximum value position, which is the position of the maximum value, based on a plurality of different points on the scale representing the maximum value on the scale plate; an overall angle calculation means for calculating an overall angle, which is a central angle from the minimum value position to the maximum value position, based on a central position that is a rotation center of a pointer of the analog meter, the minimum value position, and the maximum value position; and a pointer angle calculation means for calculating a pointer angle, which is a central angle from the pointer position to the selected minimum value position or the selected maximum value position, based on the pointer position of the analog meter, the central position, and at least one selected from the minimum value position and the maximum value position, the minimum value position specifying means specifies the minimum value position based on points on the outer edge and inner edge of the scale representing the minimum value; The maximum value position specifying means specifies the maximum value position based on the points on the outer edge and inner edge of the scale representing the maximum value. A meter reading device characterized by:

2. the minimum value position specifying means specifies the midpoint between the outer edge point and the inner edge point on the scale representing the minimum value as the minimum value position; The maximum value position specifying means specifies the midpoint between the outer edge point and the inner edge point on the scale representing the maximum value as the maximum value position.

2. The meter reading device of claim 1.

3. 3. The meter reading device according to claim 2, wherein different processing is performed depending on the number of scales of the analog meter included in the image information, If there are two scales, the minimum value position specifying means specifies the minimum value position of the first scale and the minimum value position of the second scale; the maximum value position specifying means specifies the maximum value position of the first scale and the maximum value position of the second scale; calculating an indication value on the first scale using the minimum value position and the maximum value position on the first scale; Calculating an indication value on the second scale using the minimum value position and the maximum value position on the second scale. A meter reading device characterized by:

4. a correction unit for correcting the image information so that the analog meter included in the image information is viewed from the front; 3. The meter reading device of claim 2.

5. A meter reading method using the meter reading device according to claim 4, comprising: a correction calculation step of applying the correction means to the image information captured at an angle relative to the front of the meter to calculate the indicated value; a non-correction calculation step of calculating the indication value without applying the correction means to the image information; and a setting step of setting a reading method so that the correction means is applied when the corrected indicated value is closer to the actual measured value than the uncorrected indicated value, and so that the indicated value is calculated without applying the correction means when the corrected indicated value is farther from the actual measured value than the uncorrected indicated value. A meter reading method comprising:

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