Communication system and shooting method

Abstract

To provide a communication system which can confirm whether dust or contamination adheres to a photographing object to correctly read numbers or characters by using an OCR function.SOLUTION: There is provided a communication system 100 which comprises: infrared light 135; visible radiation light 130; a camera 150; a communication unit 160; and a control unit 110 which determines presence / absence of obstacles from an image photographed by a camera by irradiating the infrared light, and reads numbers via an OCR function from an image photographed by using the visible radiation light to transmit a reading result via the communication unit when there are a few obstacles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology of a communication system for accurately reading numbers and characters by using an OCR function.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in houses, offices, etc., a meter for meter reading for measuring the usage amounts of electricity, gas, water, etc. has been installed. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-209628 (Citation Document 1) discloses an automatic meter reading system capable of presenting information such as meter reading results to a user. According to Citation Document 1, the automatic meter reading system includes a terminal network control device arranged outdoors and a terminal network control device arranged indoors. Further, the terminal network control device includes a display for displaying information. Since the terminal network control device displays information such as the meter reading result of the gas meter received from the terminal network control device on the display, it is possible to present information such as the meter reading result of the meter to the user. According to Citation Document 1, the terminal network control device transmits the information to the center via a telephone line.

[0003] Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-64501 discloses a meat bone part discrimination device and a meat bone part discrimination method. According to Citation Document 2, it is a bone position detection device that detects a bone part on a cut surface of meat, and includes a first imaging unit that irradiates infrared light with a wavelength of 1100 nm to 1700 nm on the cut surface and takes in the reflected light of the infrared light to obtain a first image, a second imaging unit that irradiates visible light on the cut surface and takes in the reflected light of the visible light to obtain a second image, and a subtraction unit that performs subtraction processing on the first image and the second image to obtain a difference image in which the region of the bone part is identified and displayed.

[0004] Further, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-198470 discloses an image recognition device and an image recognition method. According to Citation Document 3, the image recognition device has an imaging unit and a recognition unit. The imaging unit uses imaging pixels that receive visible light and imaging pixels that receive infrared light, and captures a plurality of images at the same exposure timing within one frame period to generate image data. The recognition unit recognizes a subject from each of the image data.

[0005] In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-334489 discloses an optical character recognition device. According to Cited Document 4, it is assumed that a form has a character such as "mountain" described thereon, and a pattern by a drop color different from this character is drawn in the background thereof. At this time, the form is irradiated with infrared light, and the reflected light is received by an image line sensor. Characters printed with black ink or the like absorb infrared light well. On the other hand, other colors have extremely high reflectance with respect to infrared light. Therefore, the recognition processing unit can accurately recognize characters based on a reading signal with less noise. If the platen glass is composed of an infrared filter, the effect is higher.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of checking whether dust or dirt adheres to a photographing object in order to accurately read numbers and characters using an OCR function.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] According to one aspect of this invention, a communication system is provided comprising an infrared light, a visible light, a camera, a communication unit, and a control unit that determines the presence or absence of obstacles from an image captured by the camera using the infrared light, reads numbers from an image captured using the visible light via an OCR function if there are few obstacles, and transmits the reading result via the communication unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] As described above, the present invention provides a communication system that can check whether dust or dirt is attached to the object being photographed in order to accurately read numbers and characters using OCR functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is an image diagram showing the overall configuration of the network system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is an illustrative diagram showing a method for attaching a communication terminal or sub-unit according to the first embodiment to a meter. [Figure 3] This is an illustrative diagram showing a method for photographing the display unit of a meter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an illustrative diagram showing a method for photographing the display unit of a meter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an illustrative diagram showing a photograph of the display unit of the meter according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing the main functions of a communication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of a communication terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a block diagram showing the main functions of the slave unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart showing the processing of the slave unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a block diagram showing the main functions of the server according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the network system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] It is a flowchart showing the processing of the network system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] It is an image diagram showing how to attach the infrared absorption member according to the third embodiment. [Figure 14] It is an image diagram showing the calibration according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] It is an image diagram showing another way of attaching the infrared absorption member according to the third embodiment. [Figure 16] It is an image diagram showing another way of attaching the infrared absorption member and the needle inspection value at the time of error according to the third embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions thereof will not be repeated. <First Embodiment>

[0012] First, the overall configuration of the network system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The network system 1 according to the present embodiment mainly includes a meter 200, a communication terminal 100A, a slave unit 100B, a network 500, a center-side network control device 400, a center server 300, and the like. Hereinafter, the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B are also collectively referred to as a communication system 100.

[0013] The meter 200 is a meter for needle inspection that measures usage fees for electricity, gas, water, etc., and particularly displays the cumulative measurement value as a measurement result.

[0014] The communication terminal 100A is a device that can be retrofitted and installed near the meter 200. The communication terminal 100A reads the measured value displayed by the meter 200 by using a camera and OCR (Optical Character Reader) functions, and transmits the measured value to the server 300 using a communication antenna. In this embodiment, the communication terminal 100A acts as the master unit for the slave unit 100B, and also reads the measured value displayed by the meter 200 from the captured image sent from the slave unit 100B by using the OCR (Optical Character Reader) function, and transmits the measured value to the server 300 using a communication antenna.

[0015] The sub-unit 100B is a device that can be retrofitted and installed near the meter 200. The sub-unit 100B uses its camera function to capture a picture of the meter 200's display screen and transmits the captured image to the communication terminal 100A.

[0016] In this embodiment, the communication terminal 100A, the slave unit 100B, and the meter 200 are arranged inside the meter box 10, which is less susceptible to external light.

[0017] The central server 300 obtains metered values ​​from communication terminals 100A via a network 500 such as the internet, and calculates usage charges for electricity, gas, water, etc., for each household, office, and building.

[0018] As described above, the network system 1 according to this embodiment can provide accurate measurement values ​​to the server 300 even if the meter 200 is not previously connected to the network, by retrofitting the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B to the meter 200. In particular, the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B according to this embodiment can use infrared light to detect whether there is any dust or dirt adhering to the display surface of the meter 200. These functions will be described in detail below.

[0019] First, referring to Figure 2(A), the meter 200 is a typical device for measuring the amount of electricity, gas, and water used. It is equipped with a metering display unit 230 for workers to check the usage up to that point when reading the meter. The metering display unit 230 may be a rotary analog display or a digital display.

[0020] In this embodiment, a communication terminal 100A or a sub-unit 100B is attached to the front of the meter 200. More specifically, as shown in Figures 2(A) to 2(B), the communication terminal 100A or sub-unit 100B is held so that its camera 150 faces the metering display unit 230 on the front of the meter 200. In this state, as shown in Figure 2(C), the communication terminal 100A or sub-unit 100B is fixed to the meter 200 using a jig such as a cable tie.

[0021] Referring to Figure 3, in this embodiment, the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B periodically illuminate the display of the meter 200 with a visible light 130 and take a picture with the camera 150. The communication terminal 100A uses its own OCR function to read the meter reading of the meter 200 and transmits it to the server 300. The slave unit 100B transmits the captured image to the communication terminal 100A, which then uses its OCR function to read the meter reading of the meter 200 and transmits it to the server 300.

[0022] Referring to Figures 4 and 5, in this embodiment in particular, an infrared absorption filter 90 is attached to the surface of the display unit 230 of the meter 200. The communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B then shine an infrared light 135 onto the display unit of the meter 200 and take a picture with the camera 150 before taking a picture with the visible light 130. Areas with dust or dirt are configured to reflect infrared light, while areas without dust or dirt are configured so that infrared light is not reflected by the infrared absorption filter 90. As a result, the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B determine, based on the image of the reflected infrared light, that areas where infrared light is not reflected do not have dust or dirt, and areas where infrared light is reflected have dust or dirt.

[0023] Next, with reference to Figure 6, one embodiment of the hardware configuration of the communication terminal 100A will be described. The communication terminal 100A mainly includes a control microcontroller 110, a memory unit 120, a visible light 130, an infrared light 135, an operation unit 140, a camera 150, a communication module 160, and a wireless interface 165.

[0024] The microcontroller 110 controls various parts of the communication terminal 100A according to the program stored in the ROM and the memory unit 120.

[0025] The memory unit 120 stores control programs, images captured by the camera 150, recognized measurement values, and calculated feature quantities.

[0026] The visible light light 130 emits visible light towards the meter 200 according to instructions from the microcontroller 110.

[0027] The infrared light 135 emits visible light towards the meter 200 according to instructions from the microcontroller 110.

[0028] The camera 150 periodically, for example once a month, takes still images according to instructions from the microcontroller 110 and the server 300, and stores the image data in the storage unit 120. As described above, the camera 150 photographs the display unit 230 of the meter 200 located in front of it. In this embodiment, the microcontroller 110 recognizes the numerical value as a measured value by executing an application program for the OCR function of the storage unit 120 based on the captured image.

[0029] Here, if dirt, dust, or mud is attached to the meter display unit 230 of the meter 200 or the camera 150 of the communication terminal 100A, or if there are scratches on the surface glass, it may not be possible to read accurate figures. Therefore, in the case of the communication terminal 100A according to this embodiment, as described above, the microcomputer 110 periodically turns on the infrared light 135 and takes a picture with the camera 150 to identify the area where the infrared light is reflected. Then, if the area where the infrared light is reflected is large, the microcomputer 110 outputs an error or tries to acquire the meter reading of the meter 200 again after a period of time.

[0030] The communication module 160 and wireless interface 165 transmit various types of information to the central server 300 according to instructions from the microcontroller 110.

[0031] The following describes in detail the processing of the microcontroller 110 for controlling the communication terminal 100A according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 7, the microcontroller 110 executes the following processing according to the program in the ROM and the program stored in the storage unit 120.

[0032] First, the microcontroller 110 is configured to periodically turn on the meter reading flag. When the meter reading flag is set (step S102), the microcontroller 110 illuminates the infrared light 135 and takes a picture with the camera 150 (step S104).

[0033] The microcontroller 110 identifies areas on the display unit 230 of the meter 200 where infrared light is reflected as "dirty areas" based on the captured image. The microcontroller 110 calculates the ratio of the "dirty areas" to the display unit 230 of the meter 200. The microcontroller 110 determines whether this ratio is below a threshold, for example, 10% (step S106).

[0034] If the ratio is below a threshold, such as 10% (if the answer is YES in step S106), the microcontroller 110 determines that the value on the meter 200 is discernible and, while illuminating it with the visible light 130, takes a picture of the display unit 230 of the meter 200 with the camera 150 (step S112).

[0035] The microcontroller 110 converts the captured image into a processed image (step S114).

[0036] The microcontroller 110 takes the processed image as input and uses its OCR function to recognize characters (step S116). In this embodiment, the microcontroller 110 transmits the character recognition result and the percentage of the "dirty area" to the server 300 via the wireless interface 165 (step S116).

[0037] On the other hand, if the percentage of the "dirty area" is not below a threshold, such as 10% (if the result is NO in step S106), the microcontroller 110 determines that the value on the meter 200 is unreadable and sends the character recognition result and the percentage of the "dirty area" to the server 300 via the wireless interface 165 (step S108).

[0038] Furthermore, if the percentage of the "dirty area" is greater than the threshold (if the answer is NO in step S106), the microcontroller 110 may wait for a predetermined time, for example several hours, before executing the process from step S102 again. If the percentage of the "dirty area" is greater than the threshold a predetermined number of times (if the answer is NO in step S106), the microcontroller 110 may determine that the value of the meter 200 is unreadable and send the character recognition result and the percentage of the "dirty area" to the server 300 via the wireless interface 165 (step S108).

[0039] Next, with reference to Figure 8, one embodiment of the hardware configuration of the slave unit 100B will be described. The slave unit 100B mainly includes a control microcontroller 110, a memory unit 120, a visible light 130, an infrared light 135, an operation unit 140, a camera 150, a communication module 160, and a wireless interface 165.

[0040] The microcontroller 110 controls various parts of the communication terminal 100A according to the program stored in the ROM and the memory unit 120.

[0041] The memory unit 120 stores control programs, images captured by the camera 150, recognized measurement values, and calculated feature quantities.

[0042] The visible light light 130 emits visible light towards the meter 200 according to instructions from the microcontroller 110.

[0043] The infrared light 135 emits visible light towards the meter 200 according to instructions from the microcontroller 110.

[0044] The camera 150 periodically, for example once a month, takes still images according to instructions from the microcontroller 110 and server 300, and stores the image data in the storage unit 120. As described above, the camera 150 photographs the display unit 230 of the meter 200 located in front. In this embodiment, the slave unit 100B does not perform character recognition using OCR functionality; instead, it transmits the captured image to the communication terminal 100A, which then performs character recognition.

[0045] Here, if dirt, dust, or mud is attached to the meter display unit 230 of the meter 200 or the camera 150 of the communication terminal 100A, or if the surface glass is scratched, it may not be possible to read accurate figures. Therefore, in the case of the communication terminal 100A according to this embodiment, as described above, the microcomputer 110 periodically turns on the infrared light 135 and takes a picture with the camera 150 to identify the area where the infrared light has been reflected. Then, if the area where the infrared light has been reflected is large, the microcomputer 110 outputs an error or takes a picture of the meter display unit 230 again after a period of time.

[0046] The communication module 160 and the wireless interface 165 transmit various information to the communication terminal 100A, which acts as the master unit, according to instructions from the microcontroller 110.

[0047] The following describes in detail the processing of the microcontroller 110 for controlling the slave unit 100B according to this embodiment. Referring to Figure 9, the microcontroller 110 executes the following processing according to the program in the ROM and the program stored in the storage unit 120.

[0048] First, the microcontroller 110 is configured to periodically turn on the meter reading flag. When the meter reading flag is set (step S102), the microcontroller 110 illuminates the infrared light 135 and takes a picture with the camera 150 (step S104).

[0049] The microcontroller 110 identifies areas on the display unit 230 of the meter 200 where infrared light is reflected as "dirty areas" based on the captured image. The microcontroller 110 calculates the ratio of the "dirty areas" to the display unit 230 of the meter 200. The microcontroller 110 determines whether this ratio is below a threshold, for example, 10% (step S106).

[0050] If the ratio is below a threshold, such as 10% (if the answer is YES in step S106), the microcontroller 110 determines that the value on the meter 200 is discernible and, while illuminating it with the visible light 130, takes a picture of the display unit 230 of the meter 200 with the camera 150 (step S112).

[0051] The microcontroller 110 converts the captured image into a processed image (step S114).

[0052] The microcontroller 110 transmits the processed image and the percentage of the "dirty area" to the wireless terminal 100A via the wireless interface 165 (step S126). As a result, the microcontroller 110 of the communication terminal 100A uses the OCR function to recognize characters using the received processed image as input (step S128). The communication terminal 100A then transmits the recognition result of the characters and the percentage of the "dirty area," along with the identification information of the slave unit 100B, to the server 300 via the wireless interface 165 (step S128).

[0053] On the other hand, if the percentage of the "dirty area" is not below a threshold, such as 10% (if the result is NO in step S106), the microcontroller 110 determines that the value of the meter 200 is unreadable and transmits the character recognition result and the percentage of the "dirty area" to the communication terminal 100A via the wireless interface 165 (step S108).

[0054] Furthermore, if the percentage of the "dirty area" is greater than the threshold (if the answer is NO in step S106), the microcontroller 110 may wait for a predetermined time, for example several hours, before executing the process from step S102 again. If the percentage of the "dirty area" is greater than the threshold a predetermined number of times (if the answer is NO in step S106), the microcontroller 110 may determine that the value of the meter 200 is unreadable and send the character recognition result and the percentage of the "dirty area" to the server 300 via the wireless interface 165 (step S108).

[0055] Next, the configuration of the central server 300 will be described. As shown in Figure 10, the central server 300 includes, as its main components, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, memory 320, an operation unit 340, and a communication interface 360.

[0056] The CPU 310 controls various parts of the server 300 by executing programs stored in memory 320. For example, the CPU 310 executes programs stored in memory 320 and references various data to perform various processes described later.

[0057] The memory 320 is implemented using various types of RAM (Random Access Memory), various types of ROM (Read Only Memory), etc., and may be embedded in the server 300, or it may be detachable from various interfaces of the server 300, or it may be a recording medium of another device accessible from the server 300. The memory 320 stores programs executed by the CPU 310, data generated by the execution of programs by the CPU 310, input data, and databases used for other services according to this embodiment.

[0058] For example, memory 320 stores meter reading data for each household. The meter reading data includes, for each subscriber, the subscriber's identification information, subscriber's address, history of meter readings, history of the percentage of soiled areas, the assigned technician, and the communication address of their terminal.

[0059] The control unit 340 receives commands from service managers, operators, service personnel, etc., and inputs those commands to the CPU 310.

[0060] The communication interface 360 ​​transmits data from the CPU 310 to the central network control unit 400, communication terminal 100A, and other devices via the internet, carrier network, routers, etc. Conversely, the communication interface 360 ​​receives data from the central network control unit 400, communication terminal 100A, and other devices via the internet, carrier network, routers, etc., and passes it on to the CPU 310.

[0061] For example, in this embodiment, the CPU 310 adds the measured value, the percentage of the contaminated area, and the measurement date and time received from the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B to the meter reading data in the memory 320, and also notifies the worker in charge of the area of ​​the meter 200 of information such as unrecognizable information due to contamination and other error information via the communication interface 360. <Second Embodiment>

[0062] In the above embodiment, as shown in Figure 11, the communication terminal 100A, or the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B, performed the following actions: turning on the meter reading flag, taking infrared photographs and detecting dirt, taking visible light photographs, and performing character recognition, and then uploading the recognition results to the server 300 via the network. However, as shown in Figure 12, the communication terminal 100A, or the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B, performed the following actions: turning on the meter reading flag, taking infrared photographs and detecting dirt, and taking visible light photographs, and then uploading the captured image and the percentage of the dirty area to the server 300 via the network, allowing the server 300 to perform character recognition. <Third Embodiment>

[0063] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, as shown in Figures 5 and 13(A), the infrared absorbing filter 90 covered the area around the display unit 230 of the meter 200. However, as shown in Figure 13(B), only the display unit 230 of the meter 200 may be covered with the infrared absorbing filter 90, or as shown in Figure 13(C), the entire front surface of the meter 200 may be covered with the infrared absorbing filter 90.

[0064] Furthermore, in the memory unit 120 of the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B, it is sufficient that the area of ​​the infrared image captured by infrared light to which the infrared absorption filter 90 is attached is set. Alternatively, the infrared absorption filter 90 may be attached to the entire captured image.

[0065] More specifically, as shown in Figure 14, it is preferable that the positional relationship between the area of ​​the shooting area to which the infrared absorption filter is attached and the area of ​​the display unit 230 of the meter 200 is set in the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B. The microcontroller 110 may then associate the coordinates of the infrared shooting area with the coordinates of the visible light shooting area and perform positional determination of the numbers, correction of rotation / equilibrium movement, etc.

[0066] Specifically, the positional relationship between the area where the infrared absorption filter is attached and the area of ​​the display unit 230 of the meter 200 is set during the manufacturing and shipping of the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B. Immediately before the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B are attached to the meter 200, the worker attaches the infrared absorption filter 90 to a predetermined area including the display unit 230 of the meter 200, based on the predetermined positional relationship.

[0067] Alternatively, immediately before attaching the communication terminal 100A or the sub-unit 100B to the meter 200, the worker attaches the infrared absorption filter 90 to a predetermined area including the display unit 230 of the meter 200. Then, when attaching the communication terminal 100A or the sub-unit 100B, the positional relationship between the area where the infrared absorption filter is attached and the area of ​​the display unit 230 of the meter 200 is input and set on the communication terminal 100A or the sub-unit 100B.

[0068] As a result, the microcontroller 110 of the communication terminal 100A and the slave unit 100B can, for the first time, identify the area where infrared light is not reflected when the camera 150 captures the reflected infrared light, thereby determining the area, orientation, and tilt of the display unit 230 of the meter 200.

[0069] The area to which the infrared absorption filter is attached is not limited to the above configuration. For example, as shown in Figures 15(A) to 15(D), multiple areas to which the infrared absorption filter 90 is attached may be provided around the display unit 230 of the meter 200.

[0070] Alternatively, a QR® code, a specific figure, or specific characters may be painted or affixed to the display unit 230 of the meter 200 and its surroundings using an infrared absorbing material. In this case as well, the microcontroller 110 of the communication terminal 100A or the slave unit 100B can determine that dirt is present by photographing the reflected infrared light and detecting reflection from the QR® code, specific figure, or specific characters.

[0071] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 16(A), an infrared absorbing filter 90 may be attached to cover only a portion of the display unit 230 of the meter 200, or more specifically, only the display area of ​​the digits in the correct position. Since the display unit 230 of the meter 200 has white characters (digits written in high-luminance ink) printed on a black background (low-luminance background), if there is no dirt and all the digits are in the correct position, in this embodiment, infrared rays should not be reflected from the display unit 230 of the meter 200.

[0072] Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 16(B), if the microcomputer 110 of the communication terminal 100A or the slave unit 100B detects reflected infrared light based on the captured image of the reflected infrared light, it can determine that there is a possibility that dirt is adhering to the surface of the infrared absorption filter 90, or that one of the digits is not in the correct position, in other words, that one of the digits is in the process of changing, or in other words, that one of the digits is protruding from the top or bottom of the infrared absorption filter 90. In such cases, it is preferable for the microcomputer 110 of the communication terminal 100A or the slave unit 100B to wait for a predetermined time, for example several hours, and then perform infrared and visible light photography again. <Fourth Embodiment>

[0073] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the meter reading of the water meter 200 was obtained using OCR functionality. However, the above technology can also be applied to communication systems 100 and network systems 1 that obtain meter readings of other types of meters.

[0074] Furthermore, the above technology can be applied not only to meter readings but also to communication systems 100 and network systems 1 that recognize characters or images displayed by other types of devices.

[0075] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a communication terminal 100A may be configured to act as a slave unit of a communication terminal 100A acting as a master unit, and the character recognition results from the slave unit may be transmitted to the master unit.

[0076] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the water meter 200 and the communication terminal 100A and sub-unit 100B are arranged inside the meter box 10, and the area around the water meter 200 and the communication terminal 100A and sub-unit 100B is kept dark at all times. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the area around the water meter 200 and the communication terminal 100A and sub-unit 100B may simply be darkened by a sunshade, partition, or other building.

[0077] Alternatively, the microcontroller 110 of the communication terminal 100A or the slave unit 100B may perform photography using the infrared light 135 or photography using the visible light 130 when it becomes dark around the water meter 200 and the communication terminal 100A or the slave unit 100B.

[0078] Alternatively, photography using the infrared light 135 or the visible light 130 may be performed while ensuring that no light enters the camera 150 of the communication terminal 100A or the sub-unit 100B.

[0079] Alternatively, in an environment where light does not shine on the display unit 230 of the meter 200, photography using the infrared light 135 or photography using the visible light 130 may be performed. <Summary>

[0080] In the above embodiment, a communication system is provided that includes an infrared light, a visible light, a camera, a communication unit, and a control unit that determines the presence or absence of obstacles from an image captured by the camera using the infrared light, reads numbers from an image captured using the visible light via an OCR function if there are few obstacles, and transmits the reading result via the communication unit.

[0081] Preferably, the camera photographs the display of the meter reading meter. An infrared absorbing material is attached to the display of the meter reading meter.

[0082] Preferably, the control unit transmits information indicating the presence or absence of obstacles via the communication unit.

[0083] Preferably, when the control unit detects the presence of an obstacle, it waits a predetermined time for the infrared light to shine again and determines the presence or absence of the obstacle from the image captured by the camera.

[0084] Preferably, the camera photographs the display unit of the meter reading meter. The display unit of the meter reading meter displays high-brightness numbers on a low-brightness background. An infrared absorbing member is attached to the center of the display unit of the meter reading meter. When the control unit detects an obstacle around the infrared absorbing member, it waits for a predetermined amount of time to elapse, then shines an infrared light on the meter again and determines the presence or absence of the obstacle from the image captured by the camera.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the first step is to irradiate the object with an infrared light and photograph it with a camera, the second step is to determine the presence or absence of obstacles from the image taken in the first step, and the third step is to irradiate the object with a visible light and photograph it with a camera. A shooting method is provided which, when there are few obstacles, reads numbers from the captured image in the third step via an OCR function and transmits the reading result via a communication unit.

[0086] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims are intended to be included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1: Network System 10: Meter Box 90: Infrared absorbing filter 100: Server 100A: Communication terminal 100B: Sub-unit 110: Microcontroller 120: Storage section 130: Visible light 135: Infrared light 140:Operation unit 150: Camera 160: Communication module 165: Wireless Interface 200: Water meter 230:Weighing display section 300: Center Server 310: CPU 320: Memory 340:Operation unit 360: Communication Interface 400: Center-side network control device 500: Network

Claims

1. Infrared light and, Visible light and Camera and, Communications Department and, A communication system comprising: a control unit that determines the presence or absence of obstacles from an image captured by the camera using the infrared light, reads numbers from an image captured using the visible light via an OCR function if there are few obstacles, and transmits the reading result via the communication unit.

2. The aforementioned camera is for photographing the display unit of the meter reading meter, The communication system according to claim 1, wherein an infrared absorbing member is attached to the display portion of the meter reading meter.

3. The communication system according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the control unit transmits information indicating the presence or absence of the obstacle via the communication unit.

4. The communication system according to claims 1 and 2, wherein the control unit, upon detecting the presence of an obstacle, waits a predetermined time before irradiating the infrared light again and determining the presence or absence of the obstacle from the image captured by the camera.

5. The aforementioned camera is for photographing the display unit of the meter reading meter, The display unit of the aforementioned meter reading meter displays high-brightness numbers on a low-brightness background. An infrared absorbing member is attached to the center of the display section of the aforementioned meter reading meter. The communication system according to claims 1 and 2, wherein when an obstacle is detected around the infrared absorbing member, the infrared light is shone again after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the presence or absence of the obstacle is determined from the image captured by the camera.

6. The first step is to illuminate the object with an infrared light and photograph it with a camera, A second step involves determining the presence or absence of obstacles from the image captured in the first step, A third step involves irradiating the object with a visible light and photographing it with the camera, A method for taking photographs, comprising the step of reading numbers from the image taken in the third step via an OCR function when there are few obstacles, and transmitting the reading result via a communication unit.

Images