EP0251549A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote metering
Assignee: EMI Group Ltd
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Filing: 1987-06-16
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-06-16
Abstract
Abstract A system for the remote reading of a gas meter l includes an interface unit 2 within a domestic residence 3 but situated such that an input/output terminal 4 for unit 2 is accessable from the exterior of the residence, and a hand-held meter reading unit 5 for connection to terminal 4 in order to read and record the value of the gas consumption indicated by meter l. Unit 5 has two LED sources 6 and 7, whose outputs are combined at Y-coupler l0, for passage into unit 2 when optical fibre ll is connected thereto. At multiplexer l4, the combined beam is dispersed according to wavelength and separately passes along fibre array l7 to respective roller digits of tumbler l8 for reflection or not according to the displayed reading. Reflected light passes back through the system, is divided at Y-coupler 20 and passes to de-multiplexer 2l such that the light returning in respect of the roller digits can be measured and displayed at light detector 22 and liquid crystal display 23.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher John Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:34
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/39; G01D4/00; G01D4/008; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/06; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A remote-metering system comprising: a light source; an optical fibre for connection with the light source thereby to direct light therefrom towards means to separate the light into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; an array of optical fibres for connection to the output of the separation means to enable each said light portion to be fed into a separate optical fibre of said array; meter means having at least one moveable member with two or more sets of markings, to indicate the consumption of a quantity; the end of each fibre in the array remote from the separation means being located in the vicinity of a set of markings to cause light, output from the fibre end and reflected at the moveable member, to return into the fibre; means to direct reflected light, from all the fibres of the array, into the optical fibre for connection with the light source; and means for determining whether a reflected light output exists for each set of markings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A remote-metering system comprising: a light source; an optical fibre for connection with the light source thereby to direct light therefrom towards means to separate the light into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; an array of optical fibres for connection to the output of the separation means to enable each said light portion to be fed into a separate optical fibre of said array; meter means having at least one moveable member with two or more sets of markings, to indicate the consumption of a quantity; the end of each fibre in the array remote from the separation means being located in the vicinity of a set of markings to cause light, output from the fibre end and reflected at the moveable member, to return into the fibre; means to direct reflected light, from all the fibres of the array, into the optical fibre for connection with the light source; and means for determining whether a reflected light output exists for each set of markings.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
17 words
A system according to Claim l, wherein the light source is detachably connectable to the separation means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A system according to Claim l or Claim 2, wherein the determining means is detachably connectable to the direction means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
33 words
A system according to anyone of Claims l to 3 wherein the light source and the determining means are situated in a unit which is detachably connectable to other components of the system.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
21 words
A system according to anyone of Claims l to 4 wherein one device constitutes the separation means and the direction means.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
24 words
A system according to any one of Claims l to 5, wherein the meter incorporates retroreflective material in the provision of sets of markings.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
24 words
A system according to any one of Claims l to 6, comprising means to compensate for changes in light source intensity and spectral distribution.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
98 words
A meter-interface unit for a remote-metering system, the unit comprising means to separate light from a light source into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; an array of optical fibres arranged with the output of the separation means to enable each said light portion to be fed into a separate optical fibre of said array, the end of each fibre in the array remote from the separation means for location in the vicinity of a set of markings to cause light, output from the fibre end and reflected at the moveable member, to return into the fibre.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
A meter-interface unit for a remote-metering system, the unit comprising means to separate light from a light source into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; an array of optical fibres arranged with the output of the separation means to enable each said light portion to be fed into a separate optical fibre of said array, the end of each fibre in the array remote from the separation means for location in the vicinity of a set of markings to cause light, output from the fibre end and reflected at the moveable member, to return into the fibre.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
60 words
A meter reading unit for a remote-metering system, the unit comprising a light source; an optical fibre for connection with the light source thereby to direct light therefrom towards means to separate the light into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; and means for determining whether a reflected light output exists for each set of markings of a meter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A meter reading unit for a remote-metering system, the unit comprising a light source; an optical fibre for connection with the light source thereby to direct light therefrom towards means to separate the light into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; and means for determining whether a reflected light output exists for each set of markings of a meter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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