JP5626864B2 - Power telemetry device, power telemetry system, power telemetry method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power telemetry device, a power telemetry system, a power telemetry method, and a program for measuring a value of an existing power meter.

  According to the revised Energy Conservation Law, which came into effect in April 2010, the subject of the obligation to report the amount of energy used for electricity, gas, oil, etc. has been changed from energy management at the factory / business unit level to the business unit level (enterprise unit). It has changed. Specifically, if the total energy consumption (crude oil equivalent) of the entire business (head office, factory, branch, sales office, store, etc.) is 1,500 kiloliters or more in total, use that energy. The amount must be notified to the country on a business unit basis and designated by a specific business operator. Previously, if the amount of energy used at each site was 1,500 kiloliters or less, there was no notification obligation even if it exceeded 1,500 kiloliters in total, so this revision will increase the number of target businesses become.

  By strengthening such reporting obligations, it is expected that more detailed reporting will take place in the future. In addition, in order to promote energy saving within the company (enterprise), the company may come to measure energy usage in more detail within the office (eg, department unit). For example, it may become common to compete for energy-saving activities between departments by measuring energy used for each department and disclosing the results. In such a situation, if one department occupies one floor, a power meter will be installed on the distribution board that manages the electricity on that floor, and one department occupies a part of the floor Installs power meters on a plurality of distribution boards on the floor, and aggregates the amount of power used in each department by associating the departments with the distribution boards that distribute power to those departments.

  However, it is difficult for companies to change the organization and the layout of business divisions or the floors of staff members, so that the power meter needs to be replaced each time. For power consumption measurement, it is common for a human to visually observe a power meter installed on a distribution board. In this case, the person who visually observes (for example, the manager of the building) reports the actually observed information and totals it in the general affairs department or the like. Then, by distributing the result to each department, the power consumption of each department is transmitted to the people of each department. However, since it is a heavy burden to frequently measure many power meters in a building, it is usually only reported at the time of inspection every one to two months. Also, it is customary not to collect department units.

  Recently, power meters with built-in wired and wireless network functions have also been commercialized. By using such power meters, it is possible to automatically transmit the measurement results for each distribution board on the network. become. However, the equipment including such a network has a high price for a single power meter, and it is necessary to replace and discard the existing power meter.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 describes a technique in which an image of image-reading paper that is captured in a plurality of parts is combined with an image of image-reading paper, and character recognition is performed using the combined image.

  In Patent Document 2, an image obtained by photographing a measurement meter is digitized, and a meter value is recognized from the image data of the camera unit that outputs the image data, and the meter-recognized data of the meter value is encoded. A meter-reading handy terminal is described that includes an image recognition unit that outputs the data and a wireless transmission unit that transmits the encoded meter value as a wireless signal.

JP 2001-216467 A JP-A-11-175656

  In this way, in the future, there is a high possibility that the unit of measurement will be further subdivided in the reading operation of the power meter, but the cost of replacing with a new facility is high, or at most 1 month a month. Since the work is about once, the most common form is to use a conventional power meter and perform the management by the visual work of the building manager. However, if energy-saving activities are promoted in the future, it will be necessary to promote “visualization” of power consumption in each department. In the extreme case, following conventional methods, a building manager may have to check every power meter in the building every day, visually measure the value, and report it. Conceivable. However, in such a case, the human visual work requires a large labor cost. Moreover, the frequency of visual work increases, so the frequency of visual errors also increases. Furthermore, there is a problem that a large cost is required when the power meter is re-installed each time the department layout is changed due to organizational change or the like.

  The invention described in Patent Document 1 is an example of character recognition technology, and does not measure by reading a power meter.

  The invention described in Patent Document 2 is a meter-reading handy terminal that a meter-reader holds by hand and photographs a measurement meter with the camera part, and can automatically measure a large number of power meters in a building periodically. Absent. Further, it is not intended to make the power consumption visible to related parties (for example, office employees) other than the manager (for example, the building manager).

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and automatically performs the same measurement as that performed visually while using conventional equipment without introducing a new power meter. This is intended to be realized with an apparatus that is easy to mass-produce and inexpensive. Moreover, it aims at making the measured value of an electric power meter visible also to the persons concerned other than an administrator.

The power telemetry apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is:
Receiving means for receiving a photographed picture of the terminal device located et the power meter to shoot existing power meter,
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image recognition of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a part of the power consumption of the power meter, pattern recognition means for pattern recognition of the extracted part and reading the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the power meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other; ,
An image analysis of the photograph taken by the power meter, further extracting an expiration date portion of the power meter, pattern acquisition of the expiration date portion and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison means;
Equipped with a,
Said storage means, said time comparing means, when the shooting date and time is determined to be within a predetermined time period from the expiry date, you further stored in association with the expiration date and the power meter ID It is characterized by that.

The power telemetry system according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
An imaging means for capturing the power meter already set,
Transmitting means for transmitting a photographed picture of the power meter in which the imaging means has captured power to the remote measuring device,
A terminal device comprising:
Receiving means for receiving a photographed picture of the power meter from the previous SL terminal device,
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image recognition of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a part of the power consumption of the power meter, pattern recognition means for pattern recognition of the extracted part and reading the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the power meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other; ,
An image analysis of the photograph taken by the power meter, further extracting an expiration date portion of the power meter, pattern acquisition of the expiration date portion and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison means;
Equipped with a,
Said storage means, said time comparing means, when the shooting date and time is determined to be within a predetermined time period from the expiry date, you further stored in association with the expiration date and the power meter ID The power telemetry device;
It is characterized by providing.

The power telemetry method according to the third aspect of the present invention is:
End end unit executes,
A photographing step for photographing the power meter already set,
A transmission step of transmitting a photographed picture of the power meter taken in the photographing step power in the remote measuring device,
Executed by the power telemetry device;
A receiving step of receiving a photograph of the power meter from the terminal device;
A first acquisition step of acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
A second acquisition step of acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image analysis of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a portion of the power usage of the power meter, pattern recognition step of pattern recognition of the extracted portion to read the value of the power usage;
The value of the power usage amount read by said pattern recognition step, wherein said imaging date and time acquired by the first acquisition step, storage step of the second in association with the power meter ID acquired at the acquisition step memorize When,
A third acquisition step of performing image analysis on a photograph of the power meter, further extracting a portion of an expiration date of the power meter, pattern-recognizing the portion of the expiration date, and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time for comparing the shooting date and time acquired in the first acquisition step with the expiration date read in the third acquisition step and determining whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison step;
Equipped with a,
In the storage step, in the time comparison step, if the photographing date is determined to be within a predetermined time period from the expiry date, further stored in association with the expiration date and the power meter ID It is characterized by that.

The program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is:
Computer
Receiving means for receiving a photographed picture of the terminal device placed et the power meter to shoot existing power meter,
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device has shot the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
A pattern recognition means for analyzing a photograph of the power meter, extracting a portion of the power usage of the power meter, and recognizing the extracted portion to read the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the power meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other;
A third acquisition unit that analyzes an image of the photograph of the power meter, further extracts a portion of the expiration date of the power meter, recognizes the portion of the expiration date, and reads the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date Comparison means,
To function as,
Said storage means, said time comparing means, when the shooting date and time is determined to be within a predetermined time period from the expiry date, you further stored in association with the expiration date and the power meter ID It is characterized by that.

  According to the power telemetry apparatus of the present invention, mass production is easy to perform automatically the same measurement as that performed visually while using conventional equipment without introducing a new power meter. This can be realized with an inexpensive device. In addition, the measurement value of the power meter can be made visible to related parties other than the administrator.

It is a figure explaining the function of the electric power telemetry system concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the electric power meter which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is the figure which showed the specific structure of the electric power remote measurement system which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of a process of the electric power remote measuring device which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a photography date list. It is a figure which shows the example of an electricity usage condition table | surface. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of power remote measurement according to the first embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the electric power remote measurement system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the electric power meter which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is the figure which showed the specific structure of the electric power remote measurement system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure explaining the specific example of a process of the electric power remote measuring device which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of an expiration date schedule. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of power remote measurement according to the second embodiment. It is a figure explaining the function of the electric power remote measurement system which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is the figure which showed the specific structure of the electric power remote measurement system which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. FIG. 9 is an image diagram of a layout of a power telemetry system according to a third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a department versus meter table | surface. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of departmental aggregation according to the third embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the physical structural example of the electric power remote measuring device which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining functions of the power telemetry system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The power telemetry system 101 includes one or more power meters 7, the same number of terminal devices 6 that are paired with the power meter 7, and the power telemetry device 1. The terminal device 6 includes a camera 61 and a transmission unit 62. The power remote measurement device 1 includes a receiving unit 11, a pattern recognition unit 12, a data appending unit 13, and a storage unit 14. The terminal device 6 and the power remote measurement device 1 can communicate with each other via a network (not shown).

  The terminal device 6 is installed near the power meter 7, and the camera 61 periodically photographs the surface of the power meter 7. The transmission unit 62 transmits a photograph taken by the camera 61 and a photographing date and time to the power remote measurement device 1 via a network (not shown).

  The reception unit 11 of the power remote measurement device 1 receives the photographed photo and the photographing date / time from the transmission unit 62. The pattern recognition unit 12 performs image analysis on the photographed photograph received by the reception unit 11 and reads the power usage amount and the power meter ID from the photographed photograph using a character recognition technique. The data appending unit 13 causes the storage unit 14 to store the power usage and power meter ID read by the pattern recognition unit 12 and the shooting date and time.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power meter. On the surface of the power meter 7, a power meter ID 71 for uniquely identifying the power meter 7 and a cumulative power usage amount 72 are displayed. The power meter 7 may be a general power meter instead of a dedicated one.

  The camera 61 may be a general small-sized digital camera having about several hundred thousand pixels that is commercialized and operates on a battery. Further, it may be a normal camera that captures only a specific direction or a camera that can panoramaly capture 360 degrees. The camera 61 is required to have at least brightness and resolution that can photograph the surface of the power meter 7 and read the characters of the power meter ID 71 and the power consumption 72 therein. Furthermore, considering that the place where the power meter 7 is installed is in a distribution board, the camera 61 may be an infrared camera as well as a visible light camera. Or you may have an LED lamp instead of a flash. In that case, the LED is lit only during shooting.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the power telemetry system according to the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 3, the power meter 7 and the terminal device 6 are illustrated one by one for convenience. In the present invention, the power meter 7 is assumed to be an existing power meter. The terminal device 6 includes a camera 61, a transmission unit 62, a timer 63, a storage unit 64, a control circuit 65, and a temporary storage unit 66. The power remote measurement device 1 includes a reception unit 11, a pattern recognition unit 12, a data appending unit 13, a storage unit 14, a temporary storage unit 15, a control circuit 16, and a temporary storage unit 17.

  When receiving the shooting instruction command from the control circuit 65, the camera 61 of the terminal device 6 shoots the power meter 7 and outputs the shot photo to the temporary storage unit 66. Further, when the camera 61 outputs the photographed photograph to the temporary storage unit 66, the camera 61 outputs a signal for informing it to the control circuit 65.

  When the transmission unit 62 receives a transmission instruction command from the control circuit 65, the transmission unit 62 stores the current date and time 643 stored in the storage unit 64 and the photographed photograph 661 stored in the temporary storage unit 66 in the storage unit 64. To the communication address 641. For example, when an extension telephone such as an in-home call by PHS or an IP telephone by wireless LAN is laid in the office, the transmission unit 62 can be realized at a lower cost by using this infrastructure. Alternatively, it is possible to use a radio such as Zigbee (registered trademark). In the present invention, a specific communication infrastructure is not designated.

  The timer 63 periodically outputs the current date and time to the storage unit 64, and may be a normal clock. Further, when the timer 63 outputs the current date and time to the storage unit 64, the timer 63 outputs a signal for informing it to the control circuit 65.

  The storage unit 64 stores a communication address 641, a shooting date / time list 642, and a current date / time 643.

  The communication address 641 is a transmission destination address when the transmission unit 62 transmits the current date and time 643 and the photographed photograph 661 to the power remote measurement device 1. When using e-mail as a communication protocol, the communication address 641 is an e-mail address. When the file transfer protocol is adopted, the communication address 641 is an IP address. Further, the present invention does not prevent the use of other protocols (eg, original protocol). In the present embodiment, the communication address 641 is an e-mail address.

  The shooting date / time list 642 is a preset date and time when the camera 61 takes a picture.

  The current date and time 643 is the current date and time received from the timer 63, and is overwritten every time the current date and time is received from the timer 63.

  The control circuit 65 is activated each time it receives a signal notifying that the current date and time has been output from the timer 63 to the storage unit 64, and confirms whether or not the shooting date and time list 642 includes a date and time that matches the current date and time 643. If the shooting date / time list 642 includes a date / time that matches the current date / time 643, a shooting instruction command is sent to the camera 61. Further, when the control circuit 65 receives a signal informing that the photographed photograph has been output from the camera 61 to the temporary storage unit 66, it sends a transmission instruction command to the transmission unit 62.

  Temporary storage unit 66 receives a photograph taken from camera 61 and temporarily stores it as photographed photograph 661.

  The receiving unit 11 of the power telemetry device 1 has a communication address 641, receives the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 (shooting date and time) from the transmitting unit 62 of the terminal device 6, and outputs them to the temporary storage unit 15. . Similarly to the transmission unit 62, the reception unit 11 can be realized at a lower cost by using this infrastructure, for example, when an extension telephone such as an in-home call using PHS or an IP phone using a wireless LAN is laid in the office. . Alternatively, it is possible to use a radio such as Zigbee (registered trademark). In this embodiment, a specific communication infrastructure is not specified. In addition, when the reception unit 11 outputs the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 to the temporary storage unit 15, the reception unit 11 outputs a signal for informing it to the control circuit 16.

  When the pattern recognition unit 12 receives the pattern recognition command from the control circuit 16, the pattern recognition unit 12 reads out the image data 151 stored in the temporary storage unit 15, analyzes the image, and extracts an image of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72. . The pattern recognition unit 12 performs character recognition on the image of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72 and reads the values of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72 described on the surface of the power meter 7. The pattern recognition unit 12 outputs the photographing date and time 152 stored in the temporary storage unit 15 and the read values of the power meter ID 71 and the power consumption 72 to the temporary storage unit 17. In addition, when the pattern recognition unit 12 outputs the photographing date and time 152 and the read power meter ID 71 and the value of the power usage 72 to the temporary storage unit 17, the pattern recognition unit 12 outputs a signal to notify the control circuit 16.

  Character recognition is a field of pattern recognition technology, and there is already a lot of commercial software (reference: "Easy-to-understand pattern recognition" Kenichiro Ishii, Eisaku Maeda, Nobuyoshi Ueda, Hiroshi Murase (Author), Ohmsha ). The present invention does not specify the character recognition technology itself. Since the present invention uses character recognition, an optimum character recognition technology available on the market may be employed.

  When the data appending unit 13 receives a data appending command to the power usage status table 141 from the control circuit 16, the data appending unit 13 reads out the power meter ID 171, the power usage amount 172, and the shooting date and time 152 stored in the temporary storage unit 17. The record is added to the power usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14 as a new record.

  The storage unit 14 stores a power usage status table 141. The power usage status table 141 is a data array in which three sets of a power usage amount 172, a power meter ID 171 and a shooting date and time 152 are used as unit records. The storage unit 14 can be realized by a memory, and a database management system should be used when the scale of the data array becomes large due to management of a large number of power meters 7 or storage of data for a long period of time. Is also possible. Using a database management system makes it easier to search for records.

  The temporary storage unit 15 temporarily stores the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 (shooting date and time) received from the receiving unit 11 as the image data 151 and the photographing date and time 152. The power remote measurement device 1 may include a timer, and the temporary storage unit 15 may temporarily store the date and time when the reception unit 11 receives the photographed photo 661 from the transmission unit 62 of the terminal device 6 as the photographing date and time 152.

  The control circuit 16 sends a pattern recognition command to the pattern recognition unit 12 when receiving a signal notifying that the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 have been output from the reception unit 11 to the temporary storage unit 15. In addition, when the control circuit 16 receives the signal for notifying that the photographing date and time 152 and the read power meter ID 71 and the value of the power consumption 72 are output from the pattern recognition unit 12 to the temporary storage unit 17, the data appending unit 13. Sends a data appending command to the electricity usage status table 141.

  The temporary storage unit 17 temporarily stores the shooting date / time 152 received from the pattern recognition unit 12 and the read values of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage 72 as the shooting date / time 152, the power meter ID 171 and the power usage 172, respectively.

  In the present embodiment, the pattern recognition unit 12 of the power remote measurement device 1 reads the value of the power meter ID 71 from the image data 151. However, the power meter ID is stored in the storage unit 64 of the terminal device 6 in advance. You may keep it. In this case, the transmission unit 62 transmits the current date and time 643, the photographed photograph 661, and the power meter ID to the communication address 641. That is, the power telemetry device 1 acquires the electronic meter ID from the terminal device 6. Alternatively, the pattern recognition unit 12 of the power remote measurement device 1 may read the value of the power meter ID 71 from the image data 151 and acquire the electronic meter ID from the terminal device 6. In this case, the value of the power meter ID read from the image data 151 is determined by determining whether or not the value of the power meter ID 71 read from the image data 151 matches the electronic meter ID acquired from the terminal device 6. Reliability can be improved.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the process of the power remote measurement device according to the first embodiment. First, the reception unit 11 of the power remote measurement device 1 receives, from the transmission unit 62 of the terminal device 6, a photographed photograph 661 obtained by photographing the surface of the power meter 7 and a current date and time 643 when the power meter 7 is photographed. . The receiving unit 11 temporarily stores the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 in the temporary storage unit 15 as the image data 151 and the photographing date and time 152, respectively.

  When receiving the pattern recognition command from the control circuit 16, the pattern recognition unit 12 reads the image data 151 and the shooting date / time 152 from the temporary storage unit 15. In the example of FIG. 4, the shooting date and time 152 is “June 1, 2010 12:00”. The pattern recognition unit 12 performs image analysis on the image data 151 and extracts an image of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72. The pattern recognition unit 12 performs character recognition on the image of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72 and reads the values of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72. In the example of FIG. 4, the value of the power meter ID 71 is “6435 ***”, and the value of the power usage amount 72 is “7314”.

  The pattern recognition unit 12 reads the shooting date and time 152 (June 1, 2010 12:00) read from the temporary storage unit 15, the value “6435 ***” of the power meter ID 71 read from the image data 151, and the power usage amount. The value “7314” of 72 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 17. When the data appending unit 13 receives a data appending command to the electricity usage status table 141 from the control circuit 16, the data recording date 152 (June 1, 2010 12:00) and the power meter ID 171 stored in the temporary storage unit 17 are stored. (6435 ***) and the power usage 172 (7314) are read out to make one record, and added as a new record to the power usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a shooting date / time list. In the example of FIG. 5, the shooting date / time list 642 has a shooting date of 12:00 on June 1, 2010, 12:00 on June 2, 2010, and 12:00 on June 3, 2010, so that it is shot every day at 12:00. 00,... Are set. For example, when the current date and time output by the timer 63 to the storage unit 64 is 12:00 on June 1, 2010, the control circuit 65 sends a shooting instruction command to the camera 61.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an electricity usage status table. The example of FIG. 6 shows an electricity usage status table 141 in which two power meters 7 are photographed once a day at 12:00 and recorded for five days. The electricity usage status table 141 includes a “power meter ID” that uniquely identifies the power meter 7, a “power usage amount” that indicates a value of the accumulated power usage amount of the power meter 7, and the date and time when the power meter 7 is captured. It is composed of an item “shooting date and time”. For example, the value of the power consumption 172 of the power meter 7 whose power meter ID 171 is 6435 *** taken at 12:00 on June 1, 2010 is 7314. On the other hand, the power usage value of the power meter 7 whose power meter ID 171 is 6426 *** taken at 12:00 on June 1, 2010 is 5628. Since the power usage 72 of the power meter 7 is a value indicating the accumulated power usage, the item “Power usage” in the electricity usage status table 141 includes the value of the power usage 172 on the current day and the previous day. It is good also as recording the difference of the value of the electric power consumption 172.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of power telemetry according to the first embodiment. First, the timer 63 of the terminal device 6 outputs the current date and time to the storage unit 64 (step S11). At this time, the timer 63 outputs a signal notifying that the current date and time have been output to the control circuit 65. When receiving a signal notifying that the current date and time has been output from the timer 63, the control circuit 65 refers to the storage unit 64 and determines whether or not the shooting date and time list 642 includes a date and time that matches the current date and time 643. (Step S12). If the shooting date / time list 642 does not include a date / time that matches the current date / time 643 (step S12; NO), the process returns to step S11, and steps S11 and S12 are repeated.

  If the shooting date / time list 642 includes a date / time that matches the current date / time 643 (step S <b> 12; YES), the control circuit 65 sends a shooting instruction command to the camera 61. When the camera 61 receives the shooting instruction command from the control circuit 65, the camera 61 takes a picture of the power meter 7 (step S13). The camera 61 temporarily stores a photograph 661 taken by the power meter 7 in the temporary storage unit 66. At this time, the camera 61 outputs a signal notifying that the photographed photograph 661 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 66 to the control circuit 65.

  When the control circuit 65 receives a signal for notifying that the photographed photograph 661 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 66 from the camera 61, the control circuit 65 sends a transmission instruction command to the transmission unit 62. Upon receiving a transmission instruction command from the control circuit 65, the transmission unit 62 transmits the current date and time 643 stored in the storage unit 64 and the photographed photo 661 stored in the temporary storage unit 66 to the power remote measurement device 1. (Step S14).

  The reception unit 11 of the power remote measurement device 1 receives the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 from the transmission unit 6 of the terminal device 6 (step S21). The receiving unit 11 temporarily stores the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 in the temporary storage unit 66 as the image data 151 and the photographing date and time 152, respectively. At this time, the receiving unit 11 outputs a signal notifying that the image data 151 and the shooting date / time 152 are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 15 to the control circuit 16. The control circuit 16 sends a pattern recognition command to the pattern recognition unit 12 when receiving a signal from the reception unit 11 for notifying that the image data 151 and the shooting date / time 152 have been temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 15.

  When receiving the pattern recognition command from the control circuit 16, the pattern recognition unit 12 reads the image data 151 stored in the temporary storage unit 15 and performs image analysis (step S22). Then, the pattern recognition unit 12 performs character recognition on the image of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72 extracted by image analysis, and reads the values of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage amount 72 (step S23). . The pattern recognition unit 12 uses the photographing date and time 152 stored in the temporary storage unit 15 and the read values of the power meter ID 71 and the power usage 72 as the photographing date and time 152, the power meter ID 171, and the power usage 172. To temporarily store. At this time, the pattern recognizing unit 12 outputs to the control circuit 16 a signal that informs the temporary storage unit 17 that the photographing date and time 152 and the read power meter ID 71 and the value of the power usage 72 are stored. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal from the pattern recognition unit 12 informing the temporary storage unit 17 that the photographing date and time 152 and the read power meter ID 71 and the value of the power usage 72 have been stored, the data adding unit 13 receives the signal. A command for adding data to the electricity usage status table 141 is sent.

  When the data appending unit 13 receives a data appending command to the electricity usage status table 141 from the control circuit 16, the data appending unit 13 reads the shooting date and time 152, the power meter ID 171, and the power usage amount 172 stored in the temporary storage unit 17. A record is added to the power usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14 as a new record (step S24), and the process is terminated.

  As described above, according to the power remote measurement device 1 of the first embodiment, an operation equivalent to the measurement performed visually can be automatically performed while using a conventional facility without introducing a new power meter. Can be realized with an apparatus that is easy to mass-produce and inexpensive. This is effective in situations where many power meters must be frequently measured.

  In addition, the power remote measurement device 1 according to the first embodiment is installed on a distribution board or the like in the office in the vicinity of an existing power meter, or it is possible for a person concerned to access the electricity usage status table 141. As a result, the amount of power used in the office can be easily presented to the parties concerned. According to this, there is an effect of digitizing and visualizing the analog information of the power consumption that has been closed in the distribution board or referred to by only the building manager. As a result, the effect of improving the interest of the employer in the energy saving is generated, and as a result, the effect of improving the energy saving effect of the entire office can be expected.

  Furthermore, the power remote measuring device 1 according to the present invention does not require any changes to the existing power meter, the wiring of the power meter, and the like, and can be operated, so that conventional equipment can be used. This is particularly effective in establishments where it is impossible to stop work such as power outages or establishments that are reluctant to invest in new facilities.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining functions of the power telemetry system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the second embodiment, it is determined whether or not the expiration date of the power meter 7 is approaching within a predetermined period. If the expiration date of the power meter 7 is approaching within a predetermined period, a warning is given. Similarly to the power telemetry system 101, the power telemetry system 102 includes one or more power meters 7, the same number of terminal devices 6 that are paired with the power meter 7, and the power telemetry device 1. The terminal device 6 and the power remote measurement device 1 can communicate with each other via a network (not shown). The power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 102 includes a date and time comparison unit 18 and a warning unit 19 in addition to the configuration of the power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 101.

  The pattern recognition unit 12 of the power telemetry system 102 performs image analysis on the photographed photograph received by the receiver 11, and uses the character recognition technology to determine the power meter ID, power usage amount, and expiration date from the photographed photograph. read.

  The date and time comparison unit 18 compares the expiration date and the shooting date and time. When the photographing date / time is within a predetermined period (for example, within one month) before the expiration date, the date / time comparison unit 18 determines that the expiration date is approaching within the predetermined period and the warning unit 19 Alert. In addition, the date and time comparison unit 18 notifies the data appending unit 13 of the presence of the power meter 7 whose expiration date is approaching. When the data appending unit 13 is notified of the existence of the power meter 7 whose expiration date is approaching from the date and time comparison unit 18, the data addition unit 13 stores the power meter ID, the shooting date and time, and the expiration date of the power meter 7 in the storage unit 14. . Other functions of each part are the same as those of the power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 101. When the shooting date / time is earlier than the expiration date, the date / time comparison unit 18 causes the warning unit 19 to warn the electronic meter 7 that has passed the expiration date, and stores the data in the storage unit 14 in the data appending unit 13. You may let them.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power meter according to the second embodiment. For example, a power meter installed in each household by an electric power company charges consumption based on the numerical value of the accumulated usage, so it is necessary to guarantee the accuracy of the electric meter. Such a power meter is specifically referred to as a “proof electric meter”. The “expert electric meter” has an expiration date that guarantees its accuracy. The example of FIG. 9 is a power meter 7 to which the expiration date mark is attached. On the surface of the power meter 7, a power meter ID 71 for uniquely identifying the power meter, a cumulative power usage amount 72, and an expiration date 73 are displayed.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the power telemetry system according to the second embodiment. In the example of FIG. 10, for convenience, the power meter 7 and the terminal device 6 are illustrated one by one. The configuration of the terminal device 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The power remote measurement device 1 includes a date and time comparison unit 18 and a warning unit 19 in addition to the configuration of the power remote measurement device 1 of the first embodiment.

  When receiving the pattern recognition command from the control circuit 16, the pattern recognition unit 12 of the power telemetry system 102 reads the image data 151 stored in the temporary storage unit 15 and performs character recognition, and is written on the surface of the power meter 7. The values of the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73 are read. The pattern recognition unit 12 outputs the photographing date and time 152 stored in the temporary storage unit 15 and the read values of the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73 to the temporary storage unit 17. In addition, when the pattern recognition unit 12 outputs the photographing date and time 152 and the read power meter ID 71, power usage amount 72, and expiration date 73 to the temporary storage unit 17, the pattern recognition unit 12 outputs a signal for informing it to the control circuit 16. .

  When the data appending unit 13 receives a data appending command to the expiration date schedule 142 from the control circuit 16, the data appending unit 13 reads out the photographing date / time 152, the power meter ID 171 and the expiration date 173 stored in the temporary storage unit 17 to record one record. And added to the expiration date schedule 142 stored in the storage unit 14 as a new record.

  The storage unit 14 stores a power usage status table 141 and an expiration date schedule table 142. The power usage status table 141 is a data array in which three sets of a power usage amount 172, a shooting date and time 152, and a power meter ID 171 are used as unit records. The expiration date schedule 142 is a data array having three sets of power meter IDs 171, shooting dates and times 152, and expiration dates 173 as unit records. The unit record of the expiration date schedule 142 may be a set of the power meter ID 171 and the photographing date and time 152 or a set of the power meter ID 171 and the expiration date 173.

  When the control circuit 16 receives the signal indicating that the photographing date and time 152 and the read power meter ID 71, power usage amount 72, and expiration date 73 have been output from the pattern recognition unit 12 to the temporary storage unit 17, the data addition is performed. A data addition instruction to the electricity usage status table 141 is sent to the unit 13, and a date comparison command is sent to the date comparison unit 18. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal from the date / time comparison unit 18 notifying that the expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period, the control circuit 16 sends a data addition instruction to the expiration date schedule 142 to the data addition unit 13. A warning command is sent to the warning unit 19.

  The temporary storage unit 17 displays the photographing date and time 152 received from the pattern recognition unit 12 and the read power meter ID 71, power usage amount 72, and expiration date 73 as the photographing date and time 152, power meter ID 171 and power usage amount 172, respectively. Temporary storage is performed with a deadline 173.

  When receiving the date / time comparison command from the control circuit 16, the date / time comparison unit 18 reads the imaging date / time 152 and the expiration date 173 from the temporary storage unit 17 and compares them. When the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period before the expiration date (for example, within one month), the date and time comparison unit 18 sends a signal to notify that the expiration date is approaching within the predetermined period. Output to the control circuit 16.

  When the warning unit 19 receives a warning command from the control circuit 16, the warning unit 19 outputs information that warns that there is an electronic meter whose expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period. The power meter ID 171 may be read from the temporary storage unit 17 to identify the electronic meter 7 and output warning information. Further, the warning information may be output by voice or a message may be displayed. Or it is good also as transmitting to an administrator by electronic mail. Other operations of each part are the same as those of the power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 101.

  The power telemetry device 1 according to the present embodiment does not include the warning unit 19, and the administrator or the related person refers to the expiration date schedule 142 stored in the storage unit 14 and the expiration date is a predetermined period. It is good also as grasping | ascertaining whether the electric power meter which is approaching in exists.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of processing of the power remote measurement device according to the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 11, the predetermined period before the expiration date for warning is set to one month. First, the reception unit 11 of the power remote measurement device 1 receives, from the transmission unit 62 of the terminal device 6, a photographed photograph 661 obtained by photographing the surface of the power meter 7 and a current date and time 643 when the power meter 7 is photographed. . The receiving unit 11 temporarily stores the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 in the temporary storage unit 15 as the image data 151 and the photographing date and time 152, respectively.

  When receiving the pattern recognition command from the control circuit 16, the pattern recognition unit 12 reads the image data 151 and the shooting date / time 152 from the temporary storage unit 15. In the example of FIG. 11, the shooting date and time 152 is “June 1, 2010 12:00”. The pattern recognition unit 12 performs image analysis on the image data 151 and extracts an image of the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73. The pattern recognition unit 12 performs character recognition on the image of the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73, and reads the values of the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73. In the example of FIG. 4, the value of the power meter ID 71 is “6435 ***”, the value of the power consumption 72 is “7314”, and the value of the expiration date 73 is “June 2010”.

  The pattern recognition unit 12 reads the shooting date and time 152 (June 1, 2010 12:00) read from the temporary storage unit 15, the power meter ID value “6435 ***” read from the image data 151, and the power usage amount. Value “7314” and the expiration date “June 2010” are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 17.

  When the data appending unit 13 receives a data appending command from the control circuit 16 to the power usage status table 141, the data recording date 152 (June 1, 2010 12:00) and the power meter ID 171 ( 6435 ***) and the power usage amount 172 (7314) are read out as one record and added as a new record to the power usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14.

  When the date and time comparison unit 18 receives the date and time comparison command from the control circuit 16, the date and time 152 (June 1, 2010 12:00) and the expiration date 173 (June 2010) are stored from the temporary storage unit 17. Read and compare. Since the shooting date and time 152 is within one month before the expiration date 173, the date and time comparison unit 18 outputs a signal to the control circuit 16 that informs the power meter 7 that the expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period. . When the control circuit 16 receives a signal notifying that the expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period, the control circuit 16 sends a data addition command to the expiration date schedule 142 to the data addition unit 13 and issues a warning command to the warning unit 19. send.

  When the data appending unit 13 receives a data appending command to the expiration date schedule 142 from the control circuit 16, the data recording date 152 (June 1, 2010 12:00) stored in the temporary storage unit 17 and the power meter ID 171 ( 6435 ***) and the expiration date 173 (June 2010) are read out to form one record and added as a new record to the expiration date schedule 142 stored in the storage unit 14.

  When the warning unit 19 receives a warning command from the control circuit 16, the warning unit 19 outputs information for warning that there is an electronic meter 7 whose expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period. In the example of FIG. 11, a message “There is a power meter whose expiration date is approaching” is output.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of an expiration date schedule. The expiration date schedule 142 lists the power meters 7 whose expiration dates are approaching. The expiry date schedule table 142 includes a “power meter ID” that uniquely identifies the power meter 7, a “expiration date confirmation date” that indicates the date when the power meter 7 whose expiry date is approaching within a predetermined period, It consists of an item “expiration date” indicating the expiration date of the power meter 7. The “expiration date confirmation date” is the photographing date and time 152 when the power meter 7 whose expiry date is approaching within a predetermined period is photographed. In the example of FIG. 12, for example, the expiration date of the power meter 7 with the power meter ID 171 of 6435 *** taken on June 1, 2010 is June 2010.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of power telemetry according to the second embodiment. First, the timer 63 of the terminal device 6 outputs the current date and time to the storage unit 64 (step S31). At this time, the timer 63 outputs a signal notifying that the current date and time have been output to the control circuit 65. When receiving a signal notifying that the current date and time has been output from the timer 63, the control circuit 65 refers to the storage unit 64 and determines whether or not the shooting date and time list 642 includes a date and time that matches the current date and time 643. (Step S32). If the shooting date / time list 642 does not include a date / time that matches the current date / time 643 (step S32; NO), the process returns to step S31, and steps S31 and S32 are repeated.

  If the shooting date / time list 642 includes a date / time that matches the current date / time 643 (step S <b> 32; YES), the control circuit 65 sends a shooting instruction command to the camera 61. When the camera 61 receives a photographing instruction command from the control circuit 65, the camera 61 photographs the power meter 7 (step S33). The camera 61 temporarily stores a photograph 661 taken by the power meter 7 in the temporary storage unit 66. At this time, the camera 61 outputs a signal notifying that the photographed photograph 661 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 66 to the control circuit 65.

  When the control circuit 65 receives a signal for notifying that the photographed photograph 661 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 66 from the camera 61, the control circuit 65 sends a transmission instruction command to the transmission unit 62. Upon receiving a transmission instruction command from the control circuit 65, the transmission unit 62 transmits the current date and time 643 stored in the storage unit 64 and the photographed photo 661 stored in the temporary storage unit 66 to the power remote measurement device 1. (Step S34).

  The reception unit 11 of the power remote measurement device 1 receives the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 from the transmission unit 62 of the terminal device 6 (step S41). The receiving unit 11 temporarily stores the photographed photograph 661 and the current date and time 643 in the temporary storage unit 66 as the image data 151 and the photographing date and time 152, respectively. At this time, the receiving unit 11 outputs a signal notifying that the image data 151 and the shooting date / time 152 are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 15 to the control circuit 16. The control circuit 16 sends a pattern recognition command to the pattern recognition unit 12 when receiving a signal from the reception unit 11 for notifying that the image data 151 and the shooting date / time 152 have been temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 15.

  When receiving the pattern recognition command from the control circuit 16, the pattern recognition unit 12 reads the image data 151 stored in the temporary storage unit 15 and performs image analysis (step S42). Then, the pattern recognition unit 12 performs character recognition on the image of the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73 extracted by image analysis, and the power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73. Is read (step S43). The pattern recognition unit 12 stores the shooting date and time 152 stored in the temporary storage unit 15, the read power meter ID 71, the power usage amount 72, and the expiration date 73, the shooting date and time 152, the power meter ID 171, and the power usage amount. 172 and the expiration date 173 are temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 17.

  At this time, the pattern recognition unit 12 outputs to the control circuit 16 a signal that informs the temporary storage unit 17 that the shooting date and time 152, the power meter ID 171, the power consumption 172, and the expiration date 173 are temporarily stored. To do. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal from the pattern recognition unit 12 informing the temporary storage unit 17 that the shooting date / time 152, the power meter ID 171, the power usage 172, and the expiration date 173 are temporarily stored, the data A data appending command to the power usage status table 141 is sent to the appending unit 13, and a date / time comparison command is sent to the date / time comparison unit 18.

  When the data appending unit 13 receives the data appending command from the control circuit 16, the data recording date and time 152, the power meter ID 171 and the power usage 172 stored in the temporary storage unit 17 are read out into one record, and the storage unit 14 A new record is added to the stored power usage status table 141 (step S44).

  On the other hand, when the date and time comparison unit 18 receives the date and time comparison command from the control circuit 16, the date and time comparison unit 18 compares the shooting date and time 152 stored in the temporary storage unit 17 with the expiration date 173 to determine whether or not the expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period. Is determined (step S45). If the expiration date is not approaching within the predetermined period (step S45; NO), the process is terminated. When the expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period (step S45; YES), the date and time comparison unit 18 notifies the control circuit 16 that the expiration date of the power meter 7 is approaching within the predetermined period. Output. When the control circuit 16 receives from the date and time comparison unit 18 a signal for notifying that the expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period, the control circuit 16 sends a data addition instruction to the expiration date schedule 142 to the data addition unit 13 and issues a warning unit. 19 is sent a warning command.

  When the data appending unit 13 receives the data appending command from the control circuit 16, the data recording date 152, the power meter ID 171 and the expiration date 173 stored in the temporary storage unit 17 are read out into one record, and the storage unit 14 stores the data. It adds to the expiration date schedule 142 to be added as a new record (step S46).

  When the warning unit 19 receives a warning command from the control circuit 16, the warning unit 19 outputs information for warning that there is an electronic meter whose expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period (step S47) and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the power remote measurement device 1 of the second embodiment, a power meter whose expiration date is approaching within a predetermined period can be automatically discovered, recorded, and warned. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the expiration date from being exceeded and to make a schedule for exchanging and maintaining the electric meter 7 systematically.

(Embodiment 3)
When the company conducts more detailed measurement of energy usage in the office, for example, in units of departments due to reporting obligations under the revised Energy Conservation Law and energy conservation activities within the company (company), measure the power meter. The values need to be aggregated by department. In addition, when energy-saving activities within businesses are promoted, it becomes necessary to make the measured values of power meters public (visualize). However, departments within a business operator are subject to frequent organizational changes, and the layout of members of the department is premised on frequent changes in the floor and the layout within the floor. Therefore, even if organizational changes occur, the installation of the power meter is not changed as much as possible, and the correspondence between the power meter and the operator's department and its floor can be realized simply by rewriting the information. A flexible configuration that facilitates handling is required.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining functions of the power telemetry system according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the measurement results of the power meter 7 are totaled for each department. Similar to the power telemetry system 101 and the power telemetry system 102, the power telemetry system 103 includes one or more power meters 7, the same number of terminal devices 6 that are paired with the power meter 7, and the power telemetry device 1. It consists of. The terminal device 6 and the power remote measurement device 1 can communicate with each other via a network (not shown). The power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 103 includes a departmental totaling unit 20, a temporary storage unit 22, and a totalization result output unit 21 in addition to the configuration of the power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 101.

  The department totaling unit 20 receives an instruction to totalize the measurement results of the power meter 7 in units of departments from an administrator or a related person. The department totaling unit 20 reads the measurement results of the power meter 7 of the department that has received the totaling instruction from the storage unit 14 and totals the results. The department totaling unit 20 causes the totaling result output unit 21 to output the totaling result of the measurement results of the power meter of the department that has received the totaling instruction. Other functions of each part are the same as those of the power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 101.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific configuration of the power telemetry system according to the third embodiment. In the example of FIG. 15, the power meter 7 and the terminal device 6 are illustrated one by one for convenience. The configuration of the terminal device 6 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The power remote measurement device 1 includes a departmental totaling unit 20, a totaling result output unit 21, and a temporary storage unit 22 in addition to the configuration of the power remote measurement device 1 of the first embodiment. In the example of FIG. 15, one power remote measurement device 1 is installed in a business office, but the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, when a service provider of a power telemetry service provides a service to a plurality of businesses, a form in which one power telemetry device 1 exists for a plurality of businesses is also possible.

  The storage unit 14 of the power remote measurement system 103 stores a power usage status table 141 and a department versus meter table 143. The department-to-meter table 143 is a table showing a correspondence relationship between a department ID that uniquely identifies each department of the business operator and a power meter ID that uniquely identifies the power meter 7 installed on the floor managed by the department. It is.

  The department totaling unit 20 receives an instruction to totalize the measurement results of the power meter 7 in units of departments from an administrator or a related person. When the department totaling unit 20 receives a totaling instruction for the measurement result of the power meter 7 of a specific department together with the department ID as an argument, the department totaling unit 20 refers to the department-to-meter table 143 and corresponds to the designated department ID. Get an ID. The department totaling unit 20 reads out the power meter ID records corresponding to the designated department ID from the electricity usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14 and totals the records. The department totalization unit 20 outputs the totalization result of the record of the power meter ID corresponding to the designated department ID to the temporary storage unit 22. The department totaling unit 20 outputs a signal notifying that the totaling result has been output to the temporary storage unit 22 to the control circuit 16.

  On the other hand, when there is no record of the power meter 7 of the power meter ID corresponding to the department ID specified in the electricity usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14, the department totaling unit 20 stores the record of the power meter ID. A signal notifying that there is no signal is output to the control circuit 16. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal for notifying that there is no record of the power meter ID from the departmental totaling unit 20, it sends an error output command to the totaling result output unit 21. When receiving the error output command from the control circuit 16, the counting result output unit 21 outputs an error notifying that there is no record of the power meter ID.

  The temporary storage unit 22 temporarily stores the aggregation result received from the departmental aggregation unit 20 as the aggregation result 221. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal informing that the total result has been output from the departmental total unit 20 to the temporary storage unit 22, it sends a total result output command to the total result output unit 21.

  When receiving the total result output command from the control circuit 16, the total result output unit 21 outputs the total result 221 stored in the temporary storage unit 22. The output of the total result 221 may be an audio output or may be displayed. Or it is good also as transmitting to an administrator and an interested person who inputted a totaling command by E-mail. Other operations of each part are the same as those of the power remote measurement device 1 of the power remote measurement system 101.

  FIG. 16 is an image diagram of a layout of the power telemetry system according to the third embodiment. There are three departments (A, B, C) in an office, with departments A and 1 being meters, department B being meter 3, department C being meter 4, department D being meter 5 and 6 is installed. The building 1 has a department A and a department B, and the building 2 has a department C and a department D. Electric power is drawn from the outside, received by the parent power meter, and divided into six child meters.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a department-to-meter table. The example of FIG. 17A shows the department versus meter table 143 in the layout of FIG. As described above, department A has power meter 7 (power meter ID: 1) and power meter 7 (power meter ID: 2), department B has power meter 7 (power meter ID: 3), and department C has power meter 7. (Power meter ID: 4), Department D corresponds to power meter 7 (power meter ID: 5) and power meter 7 (power meter ID: 6). For example, it is assumed that department B is integrated into department A by organizational change in this office. In this case, for the power meter 7 (power meter ID: 3) corresponding to the department B, it is only necessary to rewrite the corresponding department from the department B to the department A. FIG. 17B shows the rewritten department versus meter table 143.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the departmental aggregation operation according to the third embodiment. First, the department totalization unit 20 of the power remote measurement device 1 accepts a totalization instruction and department ID from an administrator or a related person (step S51). The department totaling unit 20 refers to the department-to-meter table 143 stored in the storage unit 14, and acquires the power meter ID corresponding to the accepted department ID (step S52). Next, the department totalization unit 20 determines whether or not there is a record of the power meter ID corresponding to the accepted department ID in the electricity usage status table 141 stored in the storage unit 14 (step S53).

  When there is a record of the power meter ID corresponding to the accepted department ID (step S53; YES), the departmental totaling unit 20 totals the records of the power meter ID and stores the totaling result 221 in the temporary storage unit 22. Temporary storage. At this time, the department totalization unit 20 outputs to the control circuit 16 a signal that informs that the totalization result 221 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal notifying that the total result 221 is temporarily stored in the temporary storage unit 22 from the departmental total unit 20, the control circuit 16 sends a total result output command to the total result output unit 21. When receiving the total result output command from the control circuit 16, the total result output unit 21 outputs the total result 221 stored in the temporary storage unit 22 (step S54) and ends the process.

  On the other hand, when there is no record of the power meter ID corresponding to the accepted department ID (step S53; NO), the department totaling unit 20 notifies the control circuit 16 that there is no record of the power meter ID. Output. When the control circuit 16 receives a signal for notifying that there is no record of the power meter ID from the departmental totaling unit 20, it sends an error output command to the totaling result output unit 21. When receiving the error output command from the control circuit 16, the counting result output unit 21 outputs an error notifying that there is no record of the power meter ID (step S54), and ends the process.

  As described above, according to the power remote measurement device 1 of the third embodiment, when examining the power usage for each department, refer to the department / electricity meter comparison table (department vs. meter table 143), The records are counted after checking the power meter ID of the power meter of the department, so even if the layout of the department is changed due to organizational changes, etc., it is only necessary to rewrite the comparison table of the department and the power meter. There is no need to change the installation.

  In addition, you may implement | achieve an electric power telemetry system combining 2 or more methods of said each embodiment.

  FIG. 19 is a block diagram illustrating a physical configuration example of the power remote measurement device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, the power telemetry device 1 includes a control unit 31, a main storage unit 32, an external storage unit 33, an operation unit 34, a display unit 35, and a transmission / reception unit 36. The main storage unit 32, the external storage unit 33, the operation unit 34, the display unit 35, and the transmission / reception unit 36 are all connected to the control unit 31 via the internal bus 30.

  The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the like, and executes the above-described communication processing according to a control program 39 stored in the external storage unit 33. The control unit functions as a pattern recognition unit 12, a data addition unit 13, a control circuit 16, a date / time comparison unit 18, and a department totaling unit 20.

  The main storage unit 32 is composed of a RAM (Random-Access Memory) or the like, loads a control program 39 stored in the external storage unit 33, and is used as a work area for the control unit 31. The temporary storage unit 15, the temporary storage unit 17, and the temporary storage unit 22 are configured in the main storage unit 32.

  The external storage unit 33 includes a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk, a DVD-RAM (Digital Versatile Disc Random-Access Memory), a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disc ReWritable), etc. A control program 39 to be executed is stored in advance, and data stored in the control program 39 is supplied to the control unit 31 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 31, and the data supplied from the control unit 31 is stored. The storage unit 14 is configured in the main external storage unit 33.

  The operation unit 34 includes a pointing device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an interface device that connects the keyboard and the pointing device to the internal bus 30. The department-to-meter table 143 and the like are input via the operation unit 34 and supplied to the control unit 31.

  The display unit 35 is composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like. The display unit 35 includes information for warning that there is an electronic meter whose expiry date is approaching within a predetermined period, a totaling result 221, and a designation. An error or the like notifying that there is no record of the specified power meter ID is displayed.

  The transmission / reception unit 36 includes a network termination device or a wireless transceiver, and a serial interface or a LAN (Local Area Network) interface connected thereto. The transmission / reception unit 36 functions as the reception unit 11, the warning unit 19, and the aggregation result output unit 21.

  The receiving unit 11, the pattern recognition unit 12, the data appending unit 13, the storage unit 14, the temporary storage unit 15, the control circuit 16, the temporary storage unit 17, the date and time comparison of the power telemetry device 1 shown in FIG. The processing of the unit 18, the warning unit 19, the departmental totaling unit 20, the temporary storage unit 22 and the totaling result output unit 21 is performed by a control program 39 including a control unit 31, a main storage unit 32, an external storage unit 33, an operation unit 34, The processing is executed by using the display unit 35 and the transmission / reception unit 36 as resources.

  In addition, the above-described hardware configuration and flowchart are examples, and can be arbitrarily changed and modified.

  The central part that performs processing of the power remote measurement device 1 including the control unit 31, main storage unit 32, external storage unit 33, operation unit 34, display unit 35, and transmission / reception unit 36 of the power remote measurement device 1 It can be realized using a normal computer system regardless of a dedicated system. For example, a computer program for executing the above operation is stored and distributed in a computer-readable recording medium (flexible disk, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.), and the computer program is installed in the computer. Thus, the power telemetry apparatus 1 that executes the above-described processing may be configured. Further, the power remote measurement device 1 may be configured by storing the computer program in a storage device included in a server device on a communication network such as the Internet and downloading the computer program by a normal computer system.

  Further, when the function of the power telemetry device 1 is realized by sharing of an OS (operating system) and an application program, or by cooperation between the OS and the application program, only the application program portion is stored in a recording medium or a storage device. It may be stored.

  It is also possible to superimpose a computer program on a carrier wave and distribute it via a communication network. For example, the computer program may be posted on a bulletin board (BBS, Bulletin Board System) on a communication network, and the computer program distributed via the network. The computer program may be started and executed in the same manner as other application programs under the control of the OS, so that the above-described processing may be executed.

  A part or all of the above-described embodiment can be described as in the following supplementary notes, but is not limited thereto.

(Appendix 1)
Receiving means for receiving a photograph taken by the power meter from a terminal device for photographing an existing power meter;
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image recognition of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a part of the power consumption of the power meter, pattern recognition means for pattern recognition of the extracted part and reading the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the electric meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other; ,
A power telemetry device comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The second acquisition means performs image analysis on a photograph taken by the power meter, extracts a portion of the power meter ID that uniquely identifies the power meter, recognizes a pattern of the extracted portion, and sets the value of the power meter ID The power telemetry apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein

(Appendix 3)
The power telemetry device according to appendix 1 or 2, wherein the receiving means receives a photograph taken by the power meter from the terminal device at a predetermined time interval.

(Appendix 4)
An image analysis of the photograph taken by the power meter, further extracting an expiration date portion of the power meter, pattern acquisition of the expiration date portion and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison means;
Further comprising
The storage unit further stores the power meter ID and the expiration date in association with each other when the date and time comparison unit determines that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date. The power telemetry device according to any one of appendices 1 to 3, characterized in that:

(Appendix 5)
When the date and time comparison unit determines that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date, a warning is output indicating that the power meter is within the predetermined period from the expiration date The power telemetry device according to appendix 4, further comprising warning means for

(Appendix 6)
The storage means stores a department-to-meter table indicating a correspondence relationship between a department in which the power meter is installed and the power meter,
A calculation command including the power usage of the power meter corresponding to the department is received from the storage means by receiving a totaling instruction for the power usage of the specific department from the user, referring to the department-to-meter table. Departmental aggregation means to read and aggregate,
A totaling result output means for outputting the measurement result of the power meter corresponding to the department totalized by the departmental totaling means;
The power telemetry device according to any one of appendices 1 to 5, further comprising:

(Appendix 7)
Photographing means for photographing an existing power meter;
Transmitting means for transmitting a photograph taken by the power meter taken by the photographing means to a power telemetry device;
A terminal device comprising:
Receiving means for receiving a photograph taken by the power meter from the terminal device;
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image recognition of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a part of the power consumption of the power meter, pattern recognition means for pattern recognition of the extracted part and reading the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the electric meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other; ,
The power telemetry device comprising:
A power telemetry system comprising:

(Appendix 8)
Executed by the terminal device,
A shooting step for shooting an existing power meter;
A transmission step of transmitting a photograph of the power meter photographed in the photographing step to a power telemetry device;
Executed by the power telemetry device;
A receiving step of receiving a photograph of the power meter from the terminal device;
A first acquisition step of acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
A second acquisition step of acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image analysis of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a portion of the power usage of the power meter, pattern recognition step of pattern recognition of the extracted portion to read the value of the power usage;
The power consumption value read in the pattern recognition step, the photographing date and time acquired in the first acquisition step, and the electric meter ID acquired in the second acquisition step are stored in association with each other. A memory step;
A power telemetry method comprising:

(Appendix 9)
In the second acquisition step, the photograph of the power meter is subjected to image analysis, a portion of the power meter ID that uniquely identifies the power meter is extracted, the extracted portion is subjected to pattern recognition, and the value of the power meter ID The power telemetry method according to appendix 8, characterized in that:

(Appendix 10)
The power telemetry method according to appendix 8 or 9, wherein in the reception step, a photograph taken by the power meter is received from the terminal device at a predetermined time interval.

(Appendix 11)
A third acquisition step of performing image analysis on a photograph of the power meter, further extracting a portion of an expiration date of the power meter, pattern-recognizing the portion of the expiration date, and reading the value of the expiration date;
Date and time comparison step of comparing the shooting date and time acquired in the acquisition step with the expiration date read in the third acquisition step and determining whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date When,
Further comprising
In the storing step, when it is determined in the date / time comparison step that the shooting date / time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date, the shooting date / time and the expiration date are associated with each other in the storage means 11. The power telemetry method according to any one of appendices 8 to 10, wherein the power telemetry method is stored.

(Appendix 12)
When the date and time comparison step determines that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date, a warning indicating that the power meter is within the predetermined period from the expiration date is output The power telemetry method according to claim 11, further comprising a warning step.

(Appendix 13)
Refer to the department-to-meter table indicating the correspondence between the department in which the power meter stored in the storage means is stored and the power meter, after receiving a totaling command for the power usage of the specific department from the user And a department-by-section aggregation step of reading out and totaling the measurement results including the power consumption of the power meter corresponding to the department from the storage means;
A totaling result output step for outputting the measurement result of the power meter corresponding to the department totalized in the departmental totaling step;
The power telemetry method according to any one of appendices 8 to 12, further comprising:

(Appendix 14)
Computer
Receiving means for receiving a photograph taken by the power meter from a terminal device for photographing an existing power meter;
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device has shot the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
A pattern recognition means for analyzing a photograph of the power meter, extracting a portion of the power usage of the power meter, and recognizing the extracted portion to read the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the electric meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other;
A program characterized by functioning as

1 Electric power telemetry device
6 Terminal device
7 Electricity meter
11 Receiver
12 Pattern recognition unit
13 Data appending part
14 Storage unit
15 Temporary storage
16 Control circuit
17 Temporary storage
18 Date and time comparison part
19 Warning section
20 Departmental Total
21 Total result output part
21 Temporary storage
31 Control unit
32 Main memory
33 External storage
34 Input section
36 Transceiver
39 Control program
61 camera
62 Transmitter
63 timer
64 storage unit
65 Control circuit
66 Temporary storage
71 Power meter ID
72 Electricity consumption
73 Expiration Date 101, 102, 103 Power Telemetry System
141 Electricity usage status table
151 Image data
152 shooting date and time
171 Power meter ID
172 Electricity consumption
641 Communication address
642 Shooting Date List
643 Current date and time
661 Photo taken

Claims (7)

Receiving means for receiving a photograph taken by the power meter from a terminal device for photographing an existing power meter;
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image recognition of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a part of the power consumption of the power meter, pattern recognition means for pattern recognition of the extracted part and reading the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the power meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other; ,
An image analysis of the photograph taken by the power meter, further extracting an expiration date portion of the power meter, pattern acquisition of the expiration date portion and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison means;
With
The storage unit further stores the power meter ID and the expiration date in association with each other when the date and time comparison unit determines that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date. Power telemetry device characterized by.   The second acquisition means performs image analysis on a photograph taken by the power meter, extracts a portion of the power meter ID that uniquely identifies the power meter, recognizes a pattern of the extracted portion, and sets the value of the power meter ID The power telemetry device according to claim 1, wherein When the date and time comparison unit determines that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date, a warning is output indicating that the power meter is within the predetermined period from the expiration date power telemetry apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 warning means, and further comprising a for. The storage means stores a department-to-meter table indicating a correspondence relationship between a department in which the power meter is installed and the power meter,
A calculation command including the power usage of the power meter corresponding to the department is received from the storage means by receiving a totaling instruction for the power usage of the specific department from the user, referring to the department-to-meter table. Departmental aggregation means to read and aggregate,
A totaling result output means for outputting the measurement result of the power meter corresponding to the department totalized by the departmental totaling means;
Further claims 1, characterized in that it comprises a to the power telemetry apparatus according to any one of 3. A photographing means for photographing a power meter already set,
Transmitting means for transmitting a photographed picture of the power meter in which the imaging means has captured power to the remote measuring device,
A terminal device comprising:
Receiving means for receiving a photographed picture of the power meter from the previous SL terminal device,
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image recognition of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a part of the power consumption of the power meter, pattern recognition means for pattern recognition of the extracted part and reading the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the power meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other; ,
An image analysis of the photograph taken by the power meter, further extracting an expiration date portion of the power meter, pattern acquisition of the expiration date portion and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison means;
Equipped with a,
Said storage means, said time comparing means, when the shooting date and time is determined to be within a predetermined time period from the expiry date, you further stored in association with the expiration date and the power meter ID The power telemetry device;
A power telemetry system comprising: Executed by the terminal device,
A shooting step for shooting an existing power meter;
A transmission step of transmitting a photograph of the power meter photographed in the photographing step to a power telemetry device;
Executed by the power telemetry device;
A receiving step of receiving a photograph of the power meter from the terminal device;
A first acquisition step of acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device images the power meter;
A second acquisition step of acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
Image analysis of a photograph taken by the power meter, extracting a portion of the power usage of the power meter, pattern recognition step of pattern recognition of the extracted portion to read the value of the power usage;
A storage step of storing the power usage value read in the pattern recognition step, the shooting date and time acquired in the first acquisition step, and the power meter ID acquired in the second acquisition step in association with each other; ,
A third acquisition step of performing image analysis on a photograph of the power meter, further extracting a portion of an expiration date of the power meter, pattern-recognizing the portion of the expiration date, and reading the value of the expiration date;
The date and time for comparing the shooting date and time acquired in the first acquisition step with the expiration date read in the third acquisition step and determining whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date A comparison step;
With
In the storage step, when it is determined in the date and time comparison step that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date, the power meter ID and the expiration date are further stored in association with each other. Power telemetry method characterized by. Computer
Receiving means for receiving a photograph taken by the power meter from a terminal device for photographing an existing power meter;
First acquisition means for acquiring a shooting date and time when the terminal device has shot the power meter;
Second acquisition means for acquiring a power meter ID for uniquely identifying the power meter;
A pattern recognition means for analyzing a photograph of the power meter, extracting a portion of the power usage of the power meter, and recognizing the extracted portion to read the value of the power usage;
Storage means for storing the power usage value read by the pattern recognition means, the photographing date and time acquired by the first acquisition means, and the power meter ID acquired by the second acquisition means in association with each other;
A third acquisition unit that analyzes an image of the photograph of the power meter, further extracts a portion of the expiration date of the power meter, recognizes the portion of the expiration date, and reads the value of the expiration date;
The date and time when the shooting date and time acquired by the first acquisition unit and the expiration date read by the third acquisition unit are compared to determine whether or not the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date Comparison means,
Function as
The storage unit further stores the power meter ID and the expiration date in association with each other when the date and time comparison unit determines that the shooting date and time is within a predetermined period from the expiration date. A program characterized by

Images