Meter Reading Device Image Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility meters, such as water meters, face issues with malfunction and tampering, leading to increased costs for both end users and utility providers, necessitating efficient near real-time monitoring to reduce these costs.
Innovation Solution
A meter reading device and system comprising an image sensor, processing unit, and communications module that captures and transmits images of the meter display, with a fastening mechanism to maintain the display area in view, and optional features like illuminators, tampering sensors, and programmable schedules for data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual meter reading is used, then device complexity is low, but productivity is low and measurement precision is affected by human error
Solution Approach 1:
The meter reading device captures images of the meter display and automatically processes them through OCR technology to extract readings without human intervention. The system self-services by autonomously completing the entire reading process from image capture to data transmission, eliminating the need for manual reading while maintaining simplicity in deployment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical reading processes with an automated optical system. The image sensor captures visual information from the meter display, substituting the human eye and manual transcription process with electronic image capture and automated optical character recognition, thereby improving productivity while keeping the device relatively simple.
2Loss of information
If meter monitoring is not performed, then loss of time is low, but loss of information is high due to undetected malfunctions and tampering
Solution Approach 1:
The device continuously or periodically captures images of the meter display and transmits them for analysis. This continuous monitoring ensures that malfunctions and tampering are detected promptly, minimizing information loss while requiring minimal active time from operators, as the automated system handles the monitoring continuously in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary automated monitoring system that acts as a mediator between the meter and human operators. The device continuously monitors meter readings and transmits data, serving as an intermediary that detects malfunctions and tampering without requiring continuous human presence, thereby reducing time loss while improving information detection.
3Measurement precision
If the display area moves relative to the lens, then adaptability is high, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device incorporates a movable platform that can dynamically adjust the position of the image sensor relative to the meter display. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows the system to adapt to different meter positions and orientations while maintaining precise alignment of the display area within the lens field of view, thereby achieving both measurement precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting the positional parameters of the image sensor on the movable platform. By changing the position coordinates and orientation parameters of the sensor, the system adapts to different meter configurations while maintaining optimal alignment precision for accurate reading capture.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote unit includes an electronics assembly, a housing, and a fastening member. The electronics assembly includes a communications module and an image sensor, having a lens with a field of view, that captures images of a display of a meter. The housing includes a cover coupled to a base member. The base member couples to the meter and includes an aperture. The electronics assembly is retained between the base member and the cover, such that the lens aligns with the aperture. The fastening member receives a portion of the housing in a hollow section. A mechanism of the fastening member attaches to a portion of the meter, maintaining the display in the field of view. The communications module transmits image data, derived from the captured images, to a hub unit. The hub unit processes the image data, and forwards information extracted from the image data to a remote server.