Patent US3577123A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3577123A
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Meter reading system
Assignee: Neptune Meter Co
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Filing: 1968-05-31
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Granted: 1971-05-04
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Expires: 1988-05-31
Abstract
Abstract In a system for reading meter registers and the like, special error detecting circuits are provided in the meter reading and recording apparatus forming part of the system. For every character recorded two error checks are performed, one at the decimal level, and a further one at the binary level. The decimal check determines if there are any errors that have been introduced due to faults anywhere in the decimal portion of the system, including the entire house installation. Such errors might arise, for example, due to open or short circuits within such installation. A fault at the decimal level will result in a ''''no digit/multidigit'''' or ''''house error'''' indication being given. The binary check determines if the recorder electronics are working properly. A fault at the binary level will result in an incorrect parity indication, or ''''recorder error'''' being given.
Inventors
- 👤 James R Taylor
- 👤 Thomas C Clements
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/08; G06F11/10; G06F11/1008; G06F11/1012; G06F11/1032; G06F11/085; G08; G08C; G08C25/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In a system adapted to read decimal digits, corresponding to Analog quantities, and to encode same into binary form, the improvement which comprises means for sensing faults within the system prior to the encoding apparatus, said means comprising a circuit for detecting a no-digit and a multidigit condition corresponding to faults in the system, and including; an analog summing network for forming the sum of the signal voltages on a plurality of input lines and for providing an output signal corresponding to the number of decimal digits present at the input; a voltage reference network for establishing two fixed reference voltages; a comparator for sensing whether the output from the analog summing network exceeds the higher of the two fixed reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of at least two decimal digits, or is below the lower of the two reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of no decimal digits; means for sensing whether either condition exists and for providing a single output alarm signal uniquely indicative of either condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a system adapted to read decimal digits, corresponding to Analog quantities, and to encode same into binary form, the improvement which comprises means for sensing faults within the system prior to the encoding apparatus, said means comprising a circuit for detecting a no-digit and a multidigit condition corresponding to faults in the system, and including; an analog summing network for forming the sum of the signal voltages on a plurality of input lines and for providing an output signal corresponding to the number of decimal digits present at the input; a voltage reference network for establishing two fixed reference voltages; a comparator for sensing whether the output from the analog summing network exceeds the higher of the two fixed reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of at least two decimal digits, or is below the lower of the two reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of no decimal digits; means for sensing whether either condition exists and for providing a single output alarm signal uniquely indicative of either condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a system adapted as defined in claim 1, wherein said binary form comprises characters in six channels, further including means for recording the binary coded characters: the further improvement which comprises means for checking for errors introduced by the recording means comprising a parity error checking circuit, said circuit being connected to the output of said encoding network and including means for checking the six channels containing the binary coded characters for parity, and means for providing an alarm signal responsive to an incorrect parity.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
319 words
A system adapted to read the decimal digit positions of a meter register, corresponding to analog quantities, and to encode same into binary form and in which ambiguities are present between said decimal digit positions comprising: a binary code generating means for generating a binary code of constant and even parity for the main characters representing each of the decimal digits and also for the ambiguous characters representing the ambiguous states between decimal digits; said binary code generating means comprising an encoder and an encoding network, said encoder comprising a plurality of conductive segments and including a means for sensing the decimal digit positions of a meter register, said encoding network being connected to said encoder for producing the binary code characters for the main decimal digits responsive to contacting each of said conductive segments and for producing the binary code characters for ambiguous states in response to contacting pairs of adjacent conductive segments; recording means for recording the binary coded signals from said encoding network; means for sensing faults within the meter reading system prior to said encoding netowrk, said means comprising a circuit for detecting a no-digit and multidigit condition corresponding to faults in the system and including; an analog summing network for forming the sum of the signal voltages on a plurality of input lines and for providing an output voltage corresponding to the number of decimal digits present at the input; a voltage reference network for establishing two fixed reference voltages; a comparator for sensing whether the output from the analog summing network exceeds the higher of the two fixed reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of at least two decimal digits, or is below the lower of the two reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of no decimal digits; and means for sensing whether either condition exists and for providing a single output alarm signal uniquely indicative of such condition.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
319 words
A system adapted to read the decimal digit positions of a meter register, corresponding to analog quantities, and to encode same into binary form and in which ambiguities are present between said decimal digit positions comprising: a binary code generating means for generating a binary code of constant and even parity for the main characters representing each of the decimal digits and also for the ambiguous characters representing the ambiguous states between decimal digits; said binary code generating means comprising an encoder and an encoding network, said encoder comprising a plurality of conductive segments and including a means for sensing the decimal digit positions of a meter register, said encoding network being connected to said encoder for producing the binary code characters for the main decimal digits responsive to contacting each of said conductive segments and for producing the binary code characters for ambiguous states in response to contacting pairs of adjacent conductive segments; recording means for recording the binary coded signals from said encoding network; means for sensing faults within the meter reading system prior to said encoding netowrk, said means comprising a circuit for detecting a no-digit and multidigit condition corresponding to faults in the system and including; an analog summing network for forming the sum of the signal voltages on a plurality of input lines and for providing an output voltage corresponding to the number of decimal digits present at the input; a voltage reference network for establishing two fixed reference voltages; a comparator for sensing whether the output from the analog summing network exceeds the higher of the two fixed reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of at least two decimal digits, or is below the lower of the two reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of no decimal digits; and means for sensing whether either condition exists and for providing a single output alarm signal uniquely indicative of such condition.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, in which said encoding network comprises a pair of diodes connected to each of said plurality of conductive segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 3, which said recording means records the binary coded signals from each of said pairs of diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defineD in claim 3, in which said encoding network comprises a pair of diodes connected to each of said plurality of conductive segments, each pair of diodes being connected to a discrete combination of pairs of recording tracks in said recording means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6, in which those pairs of said diodes which are connected, at their first ends, to adjacent segments on said encoder are also connected at their opposite ends to distinctive pairs of said recording tracks.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
157 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, further including: means for sensing faults within the system prior to the said encoding network, said means comprising a circuit for detecting a no-digit and multidigit condition corresponding to faults in the system and including; an analog summing network for forming the sum of the signal voltages on a plurality of input lines and for providing an output voltage corresponding to the number of decimal digits present at the input; a voltage reference network for establishing two fixed reference voltages; a comparator for sensing whether the output from the analog summing network exceed the higher of the two fixed reference voltages and thus corresponds to the presence of at least two decimal digits, or is below the lower of the two reference voltage and thus corresponds to the presence of no decimal digits; and means for sensing whether either condition exists and for providing an alarm signal indicative of such condition.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
218 words
A system adapted to read the decimal digit positions of a meter register, corresponding to analog quantities and to encode same into binary form and in which ambiguities are present between said decimal digit positions, comprising: a binary code generating means for generating a binary code of constant and even parity for the main characters representing each of the decimal digits and also for the ambiguous characters representing the ambiguous states between decimal digits; said binary code generating means comprising an encoder and an encoding network, said encoder comprising a plurality of conductive segments and including a means for sensing the decimal digit positions of a meter register, said encoding network being connected to said encoder for producing the binary code characters for the main decimal digits responsive to contacting each of said conductive segments and for producing the binary code characters for ambiguous states in response to contacting pairs of adjacent conductive segments; recording means, including a recording head, for recording the binary coded signals from said encoding network; means for checking exclusively for those errors introduced by the recording means comprising a parity-error checking circuit, said circuit being connected and operative to check for errors introduced between said encoding network and said recording head; and means for providing an alarm signal responsive to an incorrect parity.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
218 words
A system adapted to read the decimal digit positions of a meter register, corresponding to analog quantities and to encode same into binary form and in which ambiguities are present between said decimal digit positions, comprising: a binary code generating means for generating a binary code of constant and even parity for the main characters representing each of the decimal digits and also for the ambiguous characters representing the ambiguous states between decimal digits; said binary code generating means comprising an encoder and an encoding network, said encoder comprising a plurality of conductive segments and including a means for sensing the decimal digit positions of a meter register, said encoding network being connected to said encoder for producing the binary code characters for the main decimal digits responsive to contacting each of said conductive segments and for producing the binary code characters for ambiguous states in response to contacting pairs of adjacent conductive segments; recording means, including a recording head, for recording the binary coded signals from said encoding network; means for checking exclusively for those errors introduced by the recording means comprising a parity-error checking circuit, said circuit being connected and operative to check for errors introduced between said encoding network and said recording head; and means for providing an alarm signal responsive to an incorrect parity.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-03 | 1974-11-02 | 1975-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-03 | 1978-11-02 | 1979-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-03 | 1982-11-02 | 1983-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |