Patent US3609754A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3609754A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Position-encoding device with frequency coded output signals
Assignee: McGraw Edison Co
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Filing: 1969-03-17
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Granted: 1971-09-28
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Expires: 1989-03-17
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a position encoder for use in an automatic remote meter-reading system including a pair of coded discs each having a plurality of groups of position-coding elements. A plurality of photocells are disposed between the discs and are arranged to be selectively energized from their opposite sides by individual-illuminating means associated with each disc. The presence or absence of illumination on each photocell is operative to modify the parameters of an oscillating circuit so that the circuit has a different frequency for each position of the coded discs.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E Riebs
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:29
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for reading meters and the like comprising: a disc connected to intermittently rotate to selected positions in response to selected amounts of movement of a meter, a coded track on the disc having transparent and opaque portions arrayed in a coded relationship and correlated to uniquely indicate each position of the disc, a sensing means for sensing the coded track comprising a group of photosensitive resistances spaced along and adjacent to the coded track on one side of the disc and a controllable light source on the other side of the disc, a control means for selectively activating the light source to thereby activate a selected group of photosensitive resistances, and an oscillator connected to be controlled by the photosensitive resistances to produce a different respective frequency in response to each different group of activated photosensitive resistances, to thereby indicate the position of the disc.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for reading meters and the like comprising: a disc connected to intermittently rotate to selected positions in response to selected amounts of movement of a meter, a coded track on the disc having transparent and opaque portions arrayed in a coded relationship and correlated to uniquely indicate each position of the disc, a sensing means for sensing the coded track comprising a group of photosensitive resistances spaced along and adjacent to the coded track on one side of the disc and a controllable light source on the other side of the disc, a control means for selectively activating the light source to thereby activate a selected group of photosensitive resistances, and an oscillator connected to be controlled by the photosensitive resistances to produce a different respective frequency in response to each different group of activated photosensitive resistances, to thereby indicate the position of the disc.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system according to claim 1 also comprising a second disc similar to the first disc and connected to intermittently rotate to consecutivE positions in response to each complete revolution of the first disc and having a similar coded track with coded portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein said two discs rotate about the same axis and said light responsive elements are located between the discs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system according to claim 3 also comprising a second light source with said light sources each located and adjacent a different disc on the side of each disc opposite to the light responsive elements.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for reading meters comprising: a member connected to intermittently move selected amounts in response to selected amounts of movement of a meter, a coded track on the member, a controllable light source adjacent the coded track, a group of light-responsive elements adjacent the coded track and responsive to the coded track and to the light source, a control means for activating the energy source to thereby activate selected elements determined by the response of said elements to the coded track, and an oscillator connected to be controlled by the elements to produce a different frequency in response to each respective different combination of activated elements to thereby indicate the position of the member.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for reading meters comprising: a member connected to intermittently move selected amounts in response to selected amounts of movement of a meter, a coded track on the member, a controllable light source adjacent the coded track, a group of light-responsive elements adjacent the coded track and responsive to the coded track and to the light source, a control means for activating the energy source to thereby activate selected elements determined by the response of said elements to the coded track, and an oscillator connected to be controlled by the elements to produce a different frequency in response to each respective different combination of activated elements to thereby indicate the position of the member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 5 wherein said member is a disc intermittently rotatable about an axis to consecutive positions in response to the movement of the meter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said energy-responsive elements are light responsive and are selectively spaced along and adjacent to the coded track on one side of the disc and said energy source is a controllable light source on the other side of the disc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said coded portions are transparent and opaque portions correlated to uniquely indicate each position of the disc.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system according to claim 6 comprising a second disc similar to the first disc and connected to intermittently rotate to consecutive positions in response to each complete revolution of the first disc and having a coded track with coded portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said energy source is a controllable light source and said energy-responsive elements are light-responsive elements.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said coded portions are transparent and opaque portions correlated to uniquely indicate each position of the disc.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein said two discs rotate about the same axis and said light-responsive elements are located between the discs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system according to claim 12 also comprising a second light source with said light sources located one adjacent each disc on the side opposite to the light-responsive elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-27 | 1975-03-29 | 1975-09-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-27 | 1979-03-29 | 1979-09-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-27 | 1983-03-29 | 1983-09-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |