Mechanical Meter Reading via Light Intensity Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for reading mechanical totalizer meters are costly and inefficient, requiring sophisticated optical sensors and software, and often necessitate modifications to the meter, limiting their applicability and increasing energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a light source, sensor, and processing unit housed in a darkroom-like structure that linearly scans the decadic wheels, converting light intensity changes into pulse signals without the need for optical markers or costly OCR software, allowing for remote and real-time data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical sensors (CCD devices) and optical recognition software (OCR) are used to read mechanical totalizer meters, then reading precision is improved, but device cost and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functional element needed for reading - a simple optical sensor that detects light intensity changes - while eliminating complex and expensive components like CCD devices and OCR software. The solution focuses on detecting the presence or absence of light reflected from the dial face rather than capturing and processing complex images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical recognition systems with inexpensive, simple optical sensors that detect basic light intensity variations. This substitution dramatically reduces device cost while maintaining sufficient reading precision for mechanical totalizer meters.
2Measurement precision
If optical sensors (CCD devices) and optical recognition software (OCR) are used to read mechanical totalizer meters, then reading precision is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functional element needed for reading - a simple optical sensor that detects light intensity changes - while eliminating complex and expensive components like CCD devices and OCR software. The solution focuses on detecting the presence or absence of light reflected from the dial face rather than capturing and processing complex images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical recognition systems with inexpensive, simple optical sensors that detect basic light intensity variations. This substitution dramatically reduces device cost while maintaining sufficient reading precision for mechanical totalizer meters.
3Extent of automation
If a reference wheel with optical markers is added to enable remote reading, then remote reading capability is improved, but meter modification is required which limits applicability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal reading device that can interface with any mechanical totalizer meter without requiring modifications to the meter itself. The device uses the existing dial face and numerical figures as optical markers, making it adaptable to various meter types and models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the meter's existing visual display elements (dial face and numerical figures) to serve the dual purpose of both indicating consumption values and providing optical markers for remote reading. The meter essentially reads itself through optical detection of its own display elements, eliminating the need for additional reference wheels or markers.
4Measurement precision
If sophisticated optical recognition software is used, then reading accuracy is improved, but data management burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functional element needed for reading - a simple optical sensor that detects light intensity changes - while eliminating complex and expensive components like CCD devices and OCR software. The solution focuses on detecting the presence or absence of light reflected from the dial face rather than capturing and processing complex images.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical recognition systems with inexpensive, simple optical sensors that detect basic light intensity variations. This substitution dramatically reduces device cost while maintaining sufficient reading precision for mechanical totalizer meters.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables economical and efficient automatic reading of mechanical totalizer meters without modification, reducing energy consumption and data management burdens, and facilitating remote monitoring of consumption levels.
Implementation Method 1
a light source for illuminating a portion of at least one decadic wheel, a sensor for detecting a change in the intensity of the light reflected by the illuminated portion of the decadic wheel
Data Source
AI summary
A device and a method for reading a mechanical numerical totalizer meter having a plurality of decadic wheels is disclosed. The device includes a light source for illuminating a portion of a decadic wheel, a sensor for detecting a change in the intensity of light reflected by the illuminated portion of the decadic wheel and for linearly scanning the portion, a processing unit, connected to the light source and the sensor, for processing the change in light intensity detected by the sensor so as to determine the change from one numerical figure of the decadic wheel to the next numerical figure and to translate the change into at least a pulse signal; and a housing containing the light source. The sensor and processing unit, are suitable for constituting a darkroom and having an opening facing the meter.