Abstract:
To provide an automated meter reading system minimizing the power consumption while waiting between measurements. A clock integrating a calendar function submits signals for the certain period of the month. Receiving this signal output by the main power supply activates the main power supply and electrical power is started supplied. The image-processing system is fed by the main power supply and the image-processing system begins to acquire the image of display panel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    This invention belongs the technical field of reading the value displayed and transferring these values.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    A utility meter, in general, which indicates the flow rate or the accumulated amount of usage, measures and displays mechanically the values, for example flow of gas for the case of a gas meter and flow of water for the case of a water meter, by moving the detectors by kinetic energy of the flow. These meters can function without electrical power. These meters are located, in general, at the point of use of the utility. One has to go at the location of the utility meter, to read the value displayed on the meter, and to write down the value when to read the meter. FIG. 14 show the display portions of the water meter. FIG. 14A indicates the water meter of digital display by mechanical movement. FIG. 14B indicates the water meter of display by needle position. A utility meter of combined both display methods can be found in the market.  
           [0005]    As the current apparatus of reading the panel surface of utility meter a cover is placed over the panel and a ring light lights up the panel. A CCD camera integrated in the apparatus takes a picture of the surface of the panel. The image taken is sent to a laptop computer as a meter image signal. The image data taken by the laptop computer is compared with many pre-acquired standard image data registered under the meter pattern database of the meter pattern setting. The number or position of utility meter indicating the amount of usage is extracted from the meter image. (For example, refer the appendix of the patent article 1)  
           [0006]    Again the current apparatus of meter reading equipment, at a automated meter reading system that the measured value of the meter is remote controlled by radio, has a parent radio station that resends the signal of retry command toward the child radio station of the utility meter of error in data transfer with its ID number when the parent radio station received the data from the child station with some error or the parent station could not get the data from the child station at all. The parent radio station recognized the received data has some error in it sends automatically the signal of retry command with the ID number of the specific child-station needs to be retry toward the specific child station. (For example, refer the appendix of the patent article 2)  
           [0007]    Patent Article 1  
           [0008]    JP-A-2000-182021(the 3rd page, FIG. 1)  
           [0009]    Patent Article 2  
           [0010]    JP-A-8-249584 (the pages 2 and 3, FIG. 1)  
           [0011]    The meter reading in general, however, may need electrical power. It is common for the placement of a gas meter or a water meter does not have the power line near by. The power can be obtained from a battery but it is not very efficient if the replacement of the battery ends up with very often. It is practically impossible to get into and to read the meter placed in the some one&#39;s property without his permission while he is out of the property. A watchdog may be found in the property even if he is not out of his property.  
           [0012]    In the other hand the size of the battery is limited while the size of the reading apparatus is getting smaller in size. Moreover, radio transmission consumes a great deal of power.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0013]    This invention tries to solve the problem by minimizing power consumption of waiting time, the interval of meter reading.  
           [0014]    The meter reading system of this invention comprises a clock with calendar function, the first power supply activated by the output of the clock and the image-processing units powered by the first power supply and that inputs the image of display panel of utility meter, and the clock with calendar function outputs the signal to activate the first power supply in the certain period of time within a month.  
           [0015]    The meter reading system of this invention comprises the second power supply activated by the clock with calendar function and the radio communication unit powered by the second power supply and that transfers the information acquired from the image-processing system to other radio station, and the clock with calendar function outputs the signal to activate the first power supply in the certain period of time within a month.  
           [0016]    The meter reading system of this invention also comprises the function that the activation period of time issued by the clock with calendar function can be modified by the radio signal emitted from the radio system above mentioned.  
           [0017]    The meter reading system of this invention equips a movable joint that permits to mount the image-processing unit upon the display portion of the meter system and a fixing apparatus in order for the movable joint to prevent rotating.  
           [0018]    The meter reading system of this invention equips the radio communication unit transfers the user specific identifier information and the data came out from the image-processing unit to other radio communication unit. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is an overall structure of the passive meter reading system;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a timing chart of the calendar clock and power supply output;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is a flowchart indicating On and Off of power supply;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is a structure drawing of the image-processing unit;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 are structure a drawing and composition drawings of the image detector, FIG. 5A is a front view, FIG. 5B is a side view, and FIG. 5C is an architecture;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a flow chart of taking in the image and pattern recognition;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a structure drawing of the passive meter reading system for water;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 8 is a placement drawing of the passive meter reading system for water;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 9 is a diagram of passive meter reading by using an automobile;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 10 is a structure drawing of the receiver of the passive meter reading system for an automobile;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 11 is a drawing in case to read a meter using the hand held type remote receiver unit;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 12 is a structure drawing of the hand held type remote receiver unit;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 13 is a drawing of data transfer and Recharging of the hand held type receiver unit; and  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 14 are drawings of a display panel of the water meter,  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 14A shows a numerical display type, FIG. 14B shows a positional display type. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]    The actual content of each embodiment of this invention is explained hereinafter by using Figures.  
         [0036]    &lt;Embodiment 1&gt; 
         [0037]    The method to read the value indicated by the meter automatically and the method to correct the apparatus is stated as follows:  
         [0038]    The action to read a meter for the purpose to collect fee takes place periodically with the certain interval. For example the meter reading of utility such as gas, water and electricity takes place once a month in general. The meter itself is basically an accumulator of utility flow and the amount of used utility is calculated by the difference the reading of this month from the reading of last month. For the reason, to employ the passive way of reading, the reading can be done by recognizing electrically the value shown on the meter periodically and by sending the value of reading through radio. In other words the reading of meter takes place only upon the demand. It is possible to cut unnecessary power off and to stop the function of the portion of system not in use.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 1 shows the structure of the passive meter reading system. The passive meter reading system  100  explained in this embodiment equips a calendar clock  110 , a power supply for the radio equipment.  130 , a radio communication unit  140 , a comparator  150 , a central processing unit  180 , a image-processing unit  170 , a main power supply  160  and two OR logical circuits  120  and  125 . The calendar clock has two different functions. The calendar clock  110  and the OR logical circuits  120  and  125  are connected a power supply of always in function. The calendar clock  110  is programmed the ambient period of the meter reading and the calendar clock  110  submits the signal to activate the power supply for the radio equipment  130 . The radio communication equipment  140  is powered up and the radio communication unit  140  is then turned on into function. The power supply for the radio equipment- 130  powers the radio communication unit  140  and the comparator  150 . When both are turned on, the radio communication unit  140  listens to the predefined frequency, and receives the modulated information of the frequency through the antenna  190 , and recovers the content of the information, and then sends the content to the comparator  150 .  
         [0040]    The radio communication unit has a function to receive the command coming from in distance and to transfer the result of meter reading in distance by modulating the result to radio frequency. For example, a transceiver, a radio of a transmitter and a receiver combined, of low power radio may minimize the transmitter power. The comparator  150  has a function to detect arrival of ‘the command of meter reading’ and to turn the main power supply  160  on. The image-processing unit  170  has the function to take in the value displayed in analog way or in digital way on the meter display panel. The central processing unit  180  has the main function to analyze the image took in and to control the radio communication traffic.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 2 shows the timing chart of the calendar clock  110 , the output status of the power supplies  130  and  160 . It is obvious from the chart but the calendar clock  110  submits the signal  210  while predefined meter reading period is in approach. Synchronizing to this signal  210 , the power output  220  of the power supply for the radio equipment  130  is turned on. Once receiving the ‘Command of Meter Reading’, the power output  230  of the main power supply  160  remains on until all the meter reading process is done. For the period of time above the power supply for the radio equipment  130  remains also on. It is possible to turn the signal out of the calendar clock  110  down after reception of data is completed but taking a consideration of retry of meter reading the signal out of the calendar clock is kept high for the certain period of time before turning it down for the case of this embodiment. Then, the signal out of the calendar clock  110  is turned down until an approach of next meter reading period. The date of next ambient meter reading period can be modified by sending the new date to the passive meter reading system  100  and by making the calendar clock to memorize the new date. Turning down the signal out of the calendar clock  110  cuts completely the power off for the unnecessary circuits but not just putting them into the sleeping state.  
         [0042]    It is a common power saving technique to put circuits of not in use in the sleeping state while the interval between two sampling periods is longer than the effective sampling time. The circuit at the sleeping state sometime still may consume several microamperes of current. Accumulating even microamperes of power consumption may become a factor to shorten the battery life. For the case that the interval between two samplings is nearly a month and the effective sampling time is several seconds, as stated in this embodiment of the invention, the power supply itself for the circuit is cut off except for some specific circuits. This method permits to conserve more power.  
         [0043]    The procedure to turn on and off of the power supply is indicated on FIG. 3. Setting the calendar clock  110  to the ambient meter-reading period (Procedure  101 ). The calendar clock  110  carves time (Procedure  102 ). The calendar clock  110  starts to submit the periodical signal of activation (Procedure  151 ) when the ambient meter reading period, the period of time estimated that the meter reading is to be executed, is in approach (Procedure  151 ). In the other hand when the period of meter reading is determined far away (Procedure  151 ), the calendar clock  110  keeps carving time (Procedure  102 ). The logical state of the signal out of the first OR circuit  120  is set HIGH (1) activated by the signal out from the calendar clock  110  (Procedure  104 ). The logical state of the first OR circuit output is set HIGH (1) and then the power supply for the radio equipment  130  is enabled (Procedure  105 ). The radio communication units powered by the power supply  130  starts receiving radio signals (Procedure  106 ). The radio communication unit  140  demodulates the received signals (Procedure  107 ), sends the recovered information to the comparator  150  (Procedure  108 ), and makes a comparison if the information sent was the ‘Command of Meter Reading’ (Procedure  109 ). If the received signal is the ‘Command of Meter Reading’, the comparator  150  sends HIGH (1) to the input of the second OR circuit  125  (Procedure  110 ). Then, the output of the second OR circuit is turned HIGH (1) (Procedure  111 ), and the main power supply is turned on (Procedure  112 ). Then, the central processing unit  180  and the image-processing unit  170  gain power and start to be enabled (Procedure  113 ). The central processing unit  180  actives, while the action of meter reading, the input of both OR circuits  120  and  125  for the reason to turn on the power supply (Procedure  114 ). The main power supply  160  is turned off after the central processing unit  180  finished all the action related the meter reading by setting the input of both OR circuits at LOW (0) state (Procedure  115 ). And then the passive meter reading system  100  becomes to be ready for next meter reading action.  
         [0044]    The procedures to read the value digitalized mechanically or optically are explained hereinafter. FIG. 4 shows the structures of the image-processing system that is comprised the image acquisition unit and the pattern recognition unit. The image-processing unit  170  is divided into the image acquisition unit that acquires the image of the value shown on the utility meter and the pattern-recognition unit that extracts the meter value in number by patter matching technique. The image acquisition unit is comprised the light emitting diode (LED)  460 , the detector matrix  450  and the image-processing interface  430 . The LED has a function to light up the surface of meter panel while acquisition of image. The detector matrix  450  is comprised ether for example a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementally metal oxide semiconductor (C-MOS) array and has a function to take an image in. The image-processing interface  430  has a function to save temporally the image taken and to transfer the image information to the pattern recognition unit. The patter recognition unit is consisted of the central processing unit  410  and the pattern recognition software  420 . The central processing unit  410  obtains the image information from the image-processing interface  430 , and extracts the value shown on the utility meter in number from the image taken in, and then transmits the extracted value to the receiver of the passive meter reading system through the radio communication unit  140 .  
         [0045]    The explanation of the image detection unit  500  that takes the image of the display panel of the utility meter is hereinafter. FIG. 5 are the schematics showing the structure of the image detection unit  500 . The image detection unit  500  is comprised the light emitting diode (LED)  520  for lighting and the detector matrix  530 . The display panel of the utility meter is expected round shape so that the image detection unit  500  has round shape. The LED  520  is placed round on the surface of the image detection device  510 . The color of the LED  520  should be the color of preference to acquire the image. The actual colors of LED  520 , for example, are white, blue, green, yellow and so forth. The detector matrix  530  is located at lower level from the location of the LED  520 . This structure eliminates unwanted light introduction to the detector matrix  530  such as direct−light from the LED  520  or indirect light by reflection. The detector matrix  530  is connected to the detector cable  540 . The image detection unit  500  is covered by the detector enclosure  550 . The detector enclosure  550  has round shape as the image detection unit  500 .  
         [0046]    The function of the image-processing unit and the pattern recognition unit is as follows: FIG. 6 is the flow chart indicating the flow of the image-processing unit and the pattern recognition unit. The central processing unit  410  gains power (Procedure  201 ). The central processing unit  410  initializes the parameter and the conditions (Procedure  202 ). The central processing unit  410  takes its own ID number of the passive meter reading system (Procedure  203 ). The central processing unit  410  commands the radio communication unit  140  to transmit this value (Procedure  204 ). The radio communication unit transmits the own ID number of the passive meter reading system (Procedure  205 ). The receiver of the passive meter reading receives the ID number of the passive meter reading system (Procedure  206 ). The receiver of the passive meter reading system gives a permission to send the passive meter reading system  100  to perform meter reading (Procedure  207 ). When the central processing unit  410  receives the permission, the central processing unit  410  sends a command to set power on the LCD  520  to the image acquisition interface  430  (Procedure  208 ). The LED  520  lights up and shines on the display panel of the utility meter (Procedure  209 ). The detector matrix  530  takes the image in (Procedure  210 ) and the image is temporally saved in the temporary memory unit  440  of the image acquisition interface  430  (Procedure  211 ). The central processing unit  410  extracts the numerical value of the display by digitalizing the image data stored temporally by use of the pattern recognition software  420  (Procedure  212 ). As the method of pattern recognition each pixel is binalized, classifying either 1 or 0 in other word, based upon the light intensity information of the entire pixels for the case of that the display is in numerical number. The lines are extracted from the binalized image and the number is determined by pattern matching of these lines and the lines pre-stored in the central processing unit  410 . This is a common way to determine the numerical value. For the case that the value is defined by the position of the needle the direction that the needle points out is extracted and the numerical value is calculated from the position. These are two examples of extraction of the numerical values. The central processing unit  410  sends the numerical value extracted by pattern recognition to the radio communication unit  140  (Procedure  213 ). The radio communication unit  140  modulates the value into RF frequency and transmits it (Procedure  214 ). The radio communication unit confirms if the reception was completed with correct values (Procedure  215 ). For the case of reception by correct values (Procedure  220 ) radio transmission is terminated (Procedure  216 ). In the other hand, for the case that reception with incorrect vales (Procedure  220 ), the procedures  214 ,  215  and  220  are repeated until reception with correct values. When the radio transmission is over (Procedure  216 ), the central processing unit  410  send LOW (0) to the both OR circuits  120  and  125  (Procedure  217 ). This action deactivates the power supply for the radio equipment  130  and the main power supply  160  into power down state (Procedure  218 ). When these two power supplies turned off, then only the calendar clock carves time and it continues until next meter reading moment.  
         [0047]    &lt;Embodiment 2&gt; 
         [0048]    This embodiment is comprised the explanation of the automated meter reading system for water. FIG. 7 shows the structure of the automated meter reading system for water. The passive meter reading system  100  has the physical shape of lid of the utility meter  760  that covers the display panel of the utility meter  760 . The passive meter reading system  100  equips a movable joint that permits the rotation from one side and also equips two metal-fittings  750  and  751  on the other side of the movable joint in order for the passive meter reading system  100  to fix to and/or to remove from the utility meter  760 . This system permits for a person of classical meter reading to look directly the surface of display panel of the utility meter  760 . Fixing the passive meter reading system  100  over the utility meter  760  by the movable joint  755  and fixing metal fittings  750  and  751  without a space makes to eliminate coming light from out side and then it makes easy to perform pattern recognition. The passive meter reading  100  has two parts, the image acquisition unit and the main body of the passive meter reading system. The image detection device and the image acquisition interface are integrated in the image acquisition unit as the FIG. 4 shows. The calendar clock  110 , the power supply for the radio equipment  130 , the main power supply  160 , the radio communication unit  140 , the central processing unit  180  and the antenna  190  are integrated in the main body of the passive meter reading system. The utility meter is connected to the waterway  780  by the piping  770 .  
         [0049]    The environment where the passive meter reading system is placed is as follows: FIG. 8 shows the environment of placement for the passive meter reading system  100 . The utility meter  760  is placed in, in general, a metal box  840  with specifically a cast iron lid  830 . The metal box is, in general, placed under the ground. Meter reading takes place to read the utility meter  760  by opening up the cast iron lid  830 . FIG. 8 shows the case of an opening and shutting valve installation in the cast iron box.  
         [0050]    The next is the explanation of the receiver of the passive meter reading system that the passive meter reading system transmits the result of meter reading. For the actual installation setting there are two major ways. As the first case, the receiver of the passive meter reading system  920  is installed in a moving object such as an automobile  900  and, as the second case, meter reading is done by a hand held type remote receiver unit if the passive meter reading system where the receiver of the passive meter reading system is integrated in. FIG. 9 show the case of meter reading by using an automobile  900 . FIG. 10 shows the configuration of the receiver of the passive meter reading system for an automobile  920 . The receiver of the passive meter reading system for an automobile  920  is comprised the radio communication unit  1040 , the radio communication control unit  1010 , the memory unit for temporary data saving  1020 , the computer unit of meter data acquisition  1030  and the battery  1050 . While the receiver of the passive meter reading system is in action, the data communication unit sends contentiously with a certain interval the ‘Command of Meter Reading’ toward the passive meter reading system. When the passive meter reading system  100  receives the radio transmission containing ‘the Command of Meter Reading’, the computer unit of meter data acquisition collects the meter reading values following the flowchart indicated in FIG. 6.  
         [0051]    Here explains the hand held type remote unit where a person executes meter reading carries around. FIG. 11 indicates the hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system in action. The hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading  1100  is shown in FIG. 12. The handheld type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading  1100  is consisted of the radio communication unit  1240 , the radio communication controller  1210 , the memory unit for temporary data saving  1220 , the interface  1230  and the battery  1250 . The structural difference of the hand held type remote receiver unit from the receiver installed in an automobile is absence of the computer unit for meter data acquisition. The hand held type remote receiver unit  1100  saves meter data into the memory unit for temporary data saving and then these data will be transferred through the terminal  1130 .  
         [0052]    The hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system  1100  equips the portion to, display the user ID number in digits  1110  and the portion to display the current meter reading value coming from the utility meter  1120  in a chassis  1140 .  
         [0053]    Now explains the data transfer method of the hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system. FIG. 13 shows the schematic connecting the hand held remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system  1100  to the data terminal  1310  and transferring the data to the computer. The hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system  1100  has to discharge the data before the memory unit  1220  in the hand held unit  1100  is completely full. The hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system  1100  is expected to be carried around by a human being so that the quantity of the battery  1250  to be carried around is limited. The battery  1250 , therefore, must be recharged time to time.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 13 shows the status of data transfer from the hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system  1310  through the data terminal  1310 . Recharging of the battery can be taken in place while the data transfer. The data terminal  1310  is fed, for example, by the power supply  1320  rectifying the household 100 volt alternative current taking in from the power plug  1330 . The data terminal  1310  is fed by the direct current coming from the power supply  1320  and it is also possible for the hand held remote receiver unit  1310  to be fed by the direct current.  
         [0055]    The data terminal  1310  is connected to the computer unit for data acquisition  1340  through the interface  1230 . After meter reading work has be done, the data transfer can be done simply by for the hand held type remote receiver unit of the passive meter reading system  1100  to insert into the inlet of the data terminal  1310 . The recharging of the battery takes place at the same time to the data transfer.  
         [0056]    This invention is the passive meter reading system and it permits to conserve the electrical power as maximum as possible by shutting off the power of unnecessary circuit that does not deal with the function of purpose. This is very effective to elongate the life of the battery that is located where frequent replacement of battery is not efficient. In other words conservation of power has an advantage to prevent frequent replacement of battery. The system is program to turn on the power supply one by one when it became necessary after receiving ‘the Command of Meter Reading.’ It has an advantage to conserve more power than all the power supply is turned on at once. The system of this invention also permits current on-site reading the utility meter in addition to perform the passive meter reading in distance.