PORTABLE DEVICE FOR ORIENTING A FILL-LEVEL MEASURING DEVICE ON A CONTAINER

Abstract

A portable device for orienting a level measuring instrument on a container is provided. The device can be placed on a surface of the instrument. The device includes a tilt sensor configured to determine an inclination of the device and an inclination of the instrument; a processor configured to determine an alteration that is required in an orientation of the instrument on the basis of the inclination of the instrument, a dimension of the container, and a position of the instrument relative to the container, or on the basis of an angle of inclination to be set for the instrument on the container. The alteration in the orientation of the instrument can be displayed on a display device of the device. A level measuring system and a method for using a portable device to orient a level measuring instrument on a container are also provided.

Claims

1.-19. (canceled)

20. A portable device for orienting a level measuring instrument on a container, comprising: a processor; a tilt sensor; and a display device, wherein the processor is configured to: determine an inclination of the level measuring instrument by using the tilt sensor to determine an inclination of the device when the device is touching the level measuring instrument, determine a dimension of the container and a position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, determine a required alteration in an orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the dimension of the container, the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, and the inclination of the level measuring instrument, and transmit to the display device a signal to output the determined required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument.

21. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit to the display device a signal to display a direction of the determined required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument.

22. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit to the display device a signal to display a bull's-eye level, which shows a current orientation of the level measuring instrument relative to a required orientation of the level measuring instrument.

23. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: determine a propagation in the container of a measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument on the basis of the dimension of the container and the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, and transmit to the display device a signal to display the determined propagation in the container of the measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument.

24. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to: ascertain a parameter of the measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument, and simulate the propagation of the measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument on the basis of the parameter of the measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument, the dimension of the container, the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument.

25. The portable device according to claim 24, wherein the device is configured to determine the parameter of the measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument by means of an input of a serial number of the level measuring instrument or by scanning a code, the code including a barcode or a QR code.

26. The portable device according to claim 23, wherein the determined propagation of the measurement signal of the level measuring instrument comprises a transmit lobe of the level measuring instrument, and wherein the processor is further configured to transmit to the display device a signal to display the transmit lobe in the container.

27. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the tilt sensor is an accelerometer.

28. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the dimension of the container comprises a height of the container, and wherein the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container comprises a distance of the level measuring instrument from a center axis of the container.

29. The portable device according to claim 20, further comprising: an input device, and wherein the processor is further configured to determine the dimension of the container and the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container by means of an input into the input device.

30. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the processor is further configured to determine the dimension of the container and/or the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container by scanning a code, the code including a barcode or a QR code.

31. A portable device for orienting a level measuring instrument on a container, comprising: a processor; a tilt sensor; and a display device, wherein the processor is configured to: determine an inclination of the level measuring instrument by using the tilt sensor to determine an inclination of the device when the device is touching the level measuring instrument, determine an angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument, determine a required alteration in an orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the angle of inclination to be set of the level measuring instrument and the inclination of the level measuring instrument, and transmit to the display device a signal to output the determined required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument.

32. The portable device according to claim 31, further comprising: a camera configured to capture an image; and a control element, wherein the processor is further configured to: generate in the captured image a target marker to aim at a desired point of the container, transmit to the display device a signal to display the captured image containing the target marker, and apply, on actuation of the control element, a current angle of inclination of the portable device as the angle of inclination to be set.

33. A level measuring system, comprising: the portable device according to claim 20, wherein the level measuring instrument includes a mounting device for the portable device.

34. A method for using a portable device to orient a level measuring instrument on a container, comprising: determining, by the portable device, a dimension of the container and a position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, or determining, by the portable device, an angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument on the container; determining, by the portable device, an angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument to measure an angle of inclination, the portable device touching the level measuring instrument; determining, by the portable device, an alteration in an orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the dimension of the container, the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument, or on the basis of the angle of inclination to be set and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument; and outputting, by the portable device, the determined alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument.

35. A nontransitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a program, which when executed on a processor of a portable device for orienting a level measuring instrument on a container, instructs the portable device to perform steps comprising: determining a dimension of the container and a position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, or determining, by the portable device, an angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument on the container; determining an angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument to measure an angle of inclination, the portable device touching the level measuring instrument; determining an alteration in an orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the dimension of the container, the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument, or on the basis of the angle of inclination to be set and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument; and outputting the determined alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument.

36. The portable device according to claim 20, wherein the portable device is a mobile terminal.

37. The portable device according to claim 31, wherein the portable device is a mobile terminal.

38. The method according to claim 34, wherein the portable device is a mobile terminal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0063] FIG. 1 shows a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows a level measuring system and a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0065] FIG. 3 shows a level measuring system and a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0066] FIG. 4 shows a level measuring system according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0067] FIGS. 5A and 5B each show a display on a display device of a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0068] FIG. 6 shows the propagation of a measurement signal according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0069] FIGS. 7A and 7B each show the propagation of a measurement signal in a container according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0070] FIG. 8 shows an image on a display device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0072] FIG. 10 shows a container comprising a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0073] FIG. 11 shows an image output displayed on a display unit of a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0074] The figures are schematic and are not shown to scale. Where the same reference signs in different figures are mentioned in the following description, they denote the same or similar elements. The same or similar elements may also be denoted by different reference signs, however.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a portable device 100 for orienting a level measuring instrument on a container. The portable device 100 comprises a processor 101, a tilt sensor 102 integrated in the portable device, and a display device 103.

[0076] The processor 101 of the portable device 100 is designed to ascertain an inclination of the level measuring instrument by using the tilt sensor 102 to determine an inclination of the portable device 100 when the portable device 100 is lying on the level measuring instrument. The processor 101 is also designed to ascertain a dimension of the container and a position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container. Said determination of the dimension of the container and of the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container can be performed, for example, by a user input by means of the input device 104, which in this embodiment is in the form of a keyboard. It is also possible to determine the dimension of the container and/or the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container by scanning a code by means of the scanner 105, which in this embodiment is in the form of a camera or a barcode scanner. In a memory unit 109 of the portable device 100 can be stored a database in which various container geometries, dimensions of containers and relative positions for installed level measuring instruments are stored and associated with a particular code. Once the code has been scanned, the processor 101 can query in the database stored in the memory unit 109 the dimension of the container and/or the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container.

[0077] The processor 101 is also designed to determine a required alteration in an orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the dimension of the container, the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container and the inclination of the level measuring instrument. In order to determine the required alteration, an angle of inclination to be set or a setpoint angle of inclination may be compared with a current angle of inclination or an actual angle of inclination. The setpoint angle of inclination can be determined from the dimension of the container, whereas the actual angle of inclination may be determined essentially directly by the tilt sensor 102. The processor 101 is also designed to transmit to the display device a signal 108 for outputting 107 the determined required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument. For instance, the processor 101 can transmit an electrical signal 108 to the display device 103. Based on the signal 108, the display device can display an arrow 107, for example, indicating the direction in which the level measuring instrument is meant to be tilted in order to be oriented correctly. The portable device can also comprise a loudspeaker 106, which outputs the required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument by an acoustic signal. The acoustic signal may consist in an output tone becoming louder or softer, for example, when the level measuring instrument reaches the correct orientation.

[0078] Alternatively, the processor 101 is designed to determine directly an angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument, as described by way of example in the context of FIG. 10. Then the processor 101 can determine a required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument and the current inclination of the level measuring instrument.

[0079] In other words, instead of using the dimension of the container, the required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument can be calculated by directly comparing the angle of inclination to be set with the current angle of inclination.

[0080] The angle of inclination to be set can be determined by the portable device 100. The portable device can comprise a camera 111 for this purpose, which can be used to generate an image for aiming at a desired point of the container. The processor 101 can also be designed to generate a target marker in the image in order to be able to aim at the desired point using the target marker. When the aim is on the desired point, the processor can read the current angle of inclination from the tilt sensor 102 and use this angle as the angle of inclination to be set.

[0081] For the case in which the angle of inclination to be set, or in other words the setpoint angle of inclination, is determined indirectly, e.g. by ascertaining the dimension of the container, the camera 111 can be omitted.

[0082] FIG. 1 also shows a computer-readable medium 110 according to an embodiment of the invention, in which medium is stored a program element that instructs the processor 101 of the portable device 100 to perform the method according to the invention.

[0083] FIG. 2 shows a container 200 and a level measuring system comprising a level measuring instrument 201 and a portable device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The container 200 is a bulk solid container, for instance, which has a cylindrical shape with a tapered end 207. This container 200 is designed to be rotationally symmetrical about the centre axis 205. In addition, the container 200 has a height 203. A level measuring instrument 201 is fitted on the container 200 at a distance 204 from the centre axis 205 or reference line 205 of the container 200. The reason for this may be that the top of the container 200 has in its centre an inlet aperture of the container 200. The level measuring instrument 201 already has the correct angle of inclination 206 in this figure, for which the measurement signals emitted by the antenna 202 of the level measuring instrument 201 can be emitted down to the lowest end of the container 200. This allows the level in the container 200 to be determined down to the lowest tip of the tapered end 207 of the container 200. The correct angle of inclination 206 equals arctan [(distance 204)/(height 203)]. In the figure, the dashed line 208 denotes the alignment or orientation of the level measuring instrument or more specifically the direction of propagation of the measurement signal emitted by the level measuring instrument 201. This orientation 208 of the level measuring instrument may coincide with a longitudinal axis of the level measuring instrument. The portable device 100 can be used, for example, to orient, or to set the orientation 208 of, the level measuring instrument 201. For this purpose, the portable device 100 is placed on a surface of the level measuring instrument 201, which is fixed relative to the antenna 202 of the level measuring instrument 201 in a known relationship. In this case, the supporting surface of the portable device 100 is perpendicular to the antenna 202 or more precisely to the emitted signal from the antenna 202. The dashed line 209 represents here the orientation or the inclination of the portable device. The angle 210 equals the angle of inclination of the portable device 100. Since the portable device 100 lies on a surface of the level measuring instrument 201, which surface is fixed in relation to the emitted measurement signal from the level measuring instrument 201, the angle of inclination 206 of the level measuring instrument can be deduced from the angle 210. The relationship between the angle of inclination 210 of the portable device 100 and the angle of inclination 206 of the level measuring instrument 201 may be different depending on the seating or supporting surface of the portable device 100.

[0084] It should also be pointed out that because of the simplified two-dimensional representation, only one angle of inclination is shown and described for the portable device and for the level measuring instrument in each case. In three dimensions, however, the respective inclinations of the portable device and of the level measuring instrument can also have two angles of inclination in each case.

[0085] A code 212 is arranged on the container 200, and a code 211 is arranged on the level measuring instrument 201, which codes are in the form of a barcode or a QR code for example. The user can thereby use the portable device 100 to scan the code 212 and/or the code 211 in order to orient the level measuring instrument. The portable device 100 can hence be configured for the container 200 and/or for the level measuring instrument 201. Then, if the portable device 100 is lying on the level measuring instrument 201, the display device of the portable device 100 can show how the level measuring instrument is meant to be oriented correctly.

[0086] FIG. 3 shows a container 200 and a level measuring system comprising a level measuring instrument 201 and a portable device 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this case, the level measuring instrument does not yet have the correct orientation. For the sake of simplicity, this figure shows only the orientations or angles of inclination of the level measuring instrument 201 but not those of the portable device. In addition, certain details may have been exaggerated in order to illustrate the substantive matter.

[0087] The axis 205 again denotes the centre axis of the container. The axis 302 denotes the current orientation or the actual orientation of the level measuring instrument 201. The axis 301 in turn denotes the correct or required orientation of the level measuring instrument, for which the level measuring instrument is able to determine the level in the container 200 down to the lowest point of the tapered end. The angle 303 equals the required angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument, i.e. the setpoint angle of inclination. Thus the level measuring instrument 201 must be tilted through the angle 304 in order to have the required orientation or the correct orientation. In other words, the angle 304 corresponds to the required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument. The display device of the portable device 100 can hence display information that guides the user to tilt the level measuring instrument through the angle 304 towards the centre of the container.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a level measuring system according to an embodiment of the invention. The level measuring system comprises a level measuring instrument 201 and a portable device 100. The level measuring system here comprises a mounting device 400, 401 for the portable device 100. In this embodiment, the mounting device is in the form of a stop edge 400 comprising a clamping mechanism 401. The portable device 100 can be clamped thereby between the edge 400 and the clamping mechanism 401, with the result that the portable device 100 has a fixed orientation with respect to the level measuring instrument 201. It is hence possible to deduce the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument 201 from the angle of inclination of the portable device 100.

[0089] FIGS. 5A and 5B each show a display of an output on a display device of a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention. It should be mentioned here that these displays are merely examples and shall not be deemed to have a limiting effect.

[0090] FIG. 5A shows a simple display 501 in the form of an arrow 503 of the required alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument. This arrow 503 guides the user to tilt the level measuring instrument in the direction of the arrow 503. The size of the arrow 503 can depend on the size of the required angle of inclination, for example. In other words, the arrow 503 can be shown smaller, for instance, if the level measuring instrument needs only a small inclination.

[0091] FIG. 5B shows a display 502 in the form of a bull's eye level 504. The bull's eye level 504 here comprises a crosshair reticle 505 and an air bubble 506. The level measuring instrument must now be tilted such that the air bubble 506 lies inside the crosshair reticle 505 or in the centre of the crosshair reticle 505. In addition, the display 502 may also contain angle values 507 and 508, which equal the required angles of inclination.

[0092] FIG. 6 shows the propagation of a measurement signal 602 emitted by an antenna of a level measuring instrument, according to an embodiment of the invention. This measurement signal 602 can be simulated by a portable device in this case. Various parameters of the level measuring instrument 601 can be included in this simulation, for instance the beam width of the measurement signal 602 and/or the size of the antenna of the level measuring instrument 601.

[0093] FIGS. 7A and 7B each show the propagation of a measurement signal 701, 702 in a container 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the measurement signal 701 emitted by the level measuring instrument 201 has in FIG. 7A a larger beam width than the measurement signal 702 emitted by the level measuring instrument 201 in FIG. 7B.

[0094] FIG. 8 shows an output of a display device of a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention. The output 800 displays a cross section 801 of the container. It also displays the position of the level measuring instrument 802 relative to the container 801. In addition, it displays the simulated propagation of the measurement signal 803, which propagation depends on the inclination of the level measuring instrument. The level measuring instrument can thereby be tilted such that the measurement signal has the required propagation. In addition, the output 800 can display the height of the container 804 and the lateral offset of the level measuring instrument from the centre axis of the container 805.

[0095] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart for a method for using a portable device to orient a level measuring instrument on a container according to an embodiment of the invention. Said method comprises the step S1 of a portable device ascertaining a dimension of the container and a position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container, or the portable device determining an angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument on the container. The method also comprises the step S2 of ascertaining an angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument by using the portable device, which is lying on the level measuring instrument, to measure an angle of inclination. The step S3 is also performed of the portable device calculating an alteration in an orientation of the level measuring instrument on the basis of the dimension of the container, the position of the level measuring instrument relative to the container and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument, or on the basis of the angle of inclination to be set and the angle of inclination of the level measuring instrument. The method also comprises the step S4 of the portable device outputting the calculated alteration in the orientation of the level measuring instrument.

[0096] According to one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises performing the angle measurement, in which measurement a mobile alignment tool or a portable device, e.g. a mobile phone, a tablet or another mobile or portable device, having integral camera, integral tilt sensor and an aiming device, e.g. a crosshair reticle on a screen, a camera viewfinder or the like, is positioned over the installation point of the sensor or level measuring instrument on the container. Once the aiming device or the camera is aimed at the target, the measured angle is stored in the mobile alignment tool or in the portable device.

[0097] The method also comprises fitting the sensor or level measuring instrument, which involves installing the sensor or level measuring instrument on the installation point.

[0098] The method then proceeds according to the method for orienting the sensor or the level measuring instrument, in which method for orienting the sensor or level measuring instrument, the mobile alignment tool or the portable device is placed on the fitted sensor or on the level measuring instrument. The sensor or the level measuring instrument is then aligned, e.g. tilted and/or rotated, until the angle of the sensor or of the level measuring instrument matches the stored angle for the mobile alignment tool or for the portable device. The sensor or the level measuring instrument is then fastened or fixed in place.

[0099] FIG. 10 shows a container 200 comprising a portable device 100′ according to an embodiment of the invention. The portable device 100′ is arranged on an aperture 1001 of the container in order to determine an angle of inclination 1003 to be set for a level measuring instrument on the container 200. The level measuring instrument is subsequently mounted on the aperture 1001 of the container. Although the device 100′ is shown lying on the cover 1004 of the container 200, the device 100′ may also be oriented freely in relation to the container 200 in order to allow a good aim at the desired point 1002. In one example, the device 100′ may have substantially the same design as the device 100.

[0100] The camera 111 is used to capture an image of the container interior, in which a target marker is shown so that it is possible to aim at a desired point 1002 of the container 200. The desired point 1002 is, for example, the lowest point of the container 200. When the aim is on the desired point 1002 of the container 200, by actuating a control element, the angle of inclination can be read from the tilt sensor of the portable device and used as the angle of inclination to be set or setpoint angle of inclination for the level measuring instrument.

[0101] FIG. 11 shows an image output 1100 displayed on a display unit of a portable device according to an embodiment of the invention. The image output displays a user interface of a program element for determining an angle of inclination to be set for a level measuring instrument on a container. The user interface is embodied, for example, as a user interface for a portable device comprising a touchscreen.

[0102] The user interface comprises an image 1107 of the container interior captured by a camera of the portable device, which image 1107 comprises a target marker or a crosshair reticle 1101 for the purpose of aiming at a desired point. The captured image 1107 shows a two-dimensional representation of a three-dimensional container interior, for instance of a hopper. The container can also be another form of receptacle, reference plane and/or storage means, however. For instance, the container need not necessarily have a cover and/or side walls. The image 1107 and the target marker 1101 can be generated independently of one another, for example by different devices and/or program elements, and superimposed. The image also displays a reference point 1108 towards which the level measuring instrument is meant to be oriented. In this case, the reference point 1108 may be a lowest point of the container and/or a drain outlet of the container. In order to determine the angle of inclination to be set, the target marker 1101 must be aimed at the reference point 1108. Once the target marker 1101 is aimed at the reference point, in other words the aim is on the reference point 1108, the current angle of inclination can be read from the field 1102, and by actuating the control element 1103 can be stored and/or used as the angle of inclination to be set.

[0103] The user interface also comprises a control element 1103 for using the current angle of inclination of the portable device as the angle of inclination to be set for the level measuring instrument on the container. The field 1102 here displays the current angle of inclination of the portable device. The user interface also comprises another control element 1106 in order to actuate a lighting element, e.g. a light-emitting diode, of the portable device to illuminate the container interior when capturing the image.

[0104] In addition, the user interface comprises a control element 1105 for actuating a function for inputting a dimension of the container, and a control element 1104 for actuating the function for determining the angle of inclination to be set, which function is actuated in FIG. 11. The function for inputting the dimension of the container and the function for determining the angle of inclination to be set can hence be used as alternatives for determining the required orientation of the level measuring instrument.

[0105] In addition, it should be mentioned that the terms “comprising” or “having” do not exclude any other elements, and “a” or “an” does not rule out more than one. It should also be pointed out that features that have been described with reference to one of the above embodiments or examples can also be used in combination with other features of other embodiments or examples described above. Reference signs in the claims shall not be deemed to have a limiting effect.