Method and apparatus for reading meters from a video image
First Claim
1. A system for acquiring data about an environment from at least one meter which employs an indicator that changes in response to fluctuations of at least one measurable parameter of the environment, said system comprising:
- a) camera means positioned relative to at least one meter including at least one indicator, for generating a video signal of said at least one meter;
b) means for associating a time reference signal with said video signal;
c) data interface means for digitizing the video signal generated by said camera means;
d) calibration means for calibrating each region of the digitized video signal which corresponds to the indicator of the at least one meter;
e) analysis means for determining the value indicated by said indicator; and
f) output means for generating a meter reading from the value indicated by said meter indicator as determined by said analysis means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system to enable acquisition of data about an environment from one or more meters using video images. One or more meters are imaged by a video camera and the video signal is digitized. Then, each region of the digital image which corresponds to the indicator of the meter is calibrated and the video signal is analyzed to determine the value indicated by each meter indicator. Finally, from the value indicated by each meter indicator in the calibrated region, a meter reading is generated. The method and system offer the advantages of automatic data collection in a relatively non-intrusive manner without making any complicated or expensive electronic connections, and without requiring intensive manpower.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A system for acquiring data about an environment from at least one meter which employs an indicator that changes in response to fluctuations of at least one measurable parameter of the environment, said system comprising:
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a) camera means positioned relative to at least one meter including at least one indicator, for generating a video signal of said at least one meter; b) means for associating a time reference signal with said video signal; c) data interface means for digitizing the video signal generated by said camera means; d) calibration means for calibrating each region of the digitized video signal which corresponds to the indicator of the at least one meter; e) analysis means for determining the value indicated by said indicator; and f) output means for generating a meter reading from the value indicated by said meter indicator as determined by said analysis means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of acquiring data about an environment from at least one meter which employs an indicator that varies in response to fluctuations of at least one measurable parameter of the environment, said method comprising the steps of:
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a) positioning a video camera such that it generates a video signal of at least one meter which includes at least one indicator; b) associating a time reference signal with the video signal; c) converting the video signal to a digital representation; d) retaining the time reference signal in association with the digital representation of the video signal; e) calibrating at least one region of the digital representation which corresponds to the indicator of the at least one meter; f) determining the value represented by the at least one meter indicator by analysis of the at least one calibrated region; and g) generating at least one meter reading on the basis of the value represented by the at least one meter indicator. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification