Patent US4149069A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3676875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for transmitting information in meter reading
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1970-03-10
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Granted: 1972-07-11
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Expires: 1990-03-10
Abstract
Abstract For transmitting information representing the readings of a plurality of meters a separate translating unit is provided. This unit includes a separate encoder for each of the meters which converts analog information derived from the associated meter into digital information. The translating unit preferably includes a scanner for interrogating successively the outputs of the encoders. Information from the scanner is transmitted to a translator which may comprise a device for recording the transmitted information or which may comprise a computer for performing desired operations on the information. If the output of the scanner is to be modified before transmission to the translator the translating unit desirably may include an interface for performing the desired modification. If the meters to be read include an electric meter and a fluid meter preferably electric energy required for operating the translating unit is derived from the source of electric energy being measured by the electric meter.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney V Adams
- 👤 Roger E Medlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063; G06; G06M; G06M1/00; G06M1/27; G06M1/276
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In a system for transmitting information from a plurality of meters at one location to a common information center at a remote location wherein each meter has a mechanical register and at least one of the meters is an electric meter connected to an electrical power source having an eleCtrical quantity measured at said one location by such electrical meter, the combination comprising: plural pulse signal means each being located at one of said plurality of meters, each of said plural signal means indicating movement of an associated meter register so as to signal in accordance with changes in indications of such register; a plurality of encoder means located at said one location and remotely of said plurality of meters, each of said plurality of encoder means having an input control means and coded output lines; a plurality of pulse signal transmission circuits, each pulse signal transmission circuit separately connecting the signal means of one of said meters to said input control means of one of said encoder means; and an energizing circuit means connecting said electrical power source and said plurality of encoder means so that said electrical power source is coupled to each pulse signal transmission circuit simultaneously and each of said encoder means is continuously conditioned to correspond to information indicated by the register of an associated meter when said energizing circuit means is rendered operable by said electrical power source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In a system for transmitting information from a plurality of meters at one location to a common information center at a remote location wherein each meter has a mechanical register and at least one of the meters is an electric meter connected to an electrical power source having an eleCtrical quantity measured at said one location by such electrical meter, the combination comprising: plural pulse signal means each being located at one of said plurality of meters, each of said plural signal means indicating movement of an associated meter register so as to signal in accordance with changes in indications of such register; a plurality of encoder means located at said one location and remotely of said plurality of meters, each of said plurality of encoder means having an input control means and coded output lines; a plurality of pulse signal transmission circuits, each pulse signal transmission circuit separately connecting the signal means of one of said meters to said input control means of one of said encoder means; and an energizing circuit means connecting said electrical power source and said plurality of encoder means so that said electrical power source is coupled to each pulse signal transmission circuit simultaneously and each of said encoder means is continuously conditioned to correspond to information indicated by the register of an associated meter when said energizing circuit means is rendered operable by said electrical power source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 including a scanner having input means connected for successively scanning the encoder output lines to deliver to a scanner output means successive outputs representing the outputs of the encoder means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electric meters is an electric watthour meter and another of said meters is a fluid meter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as claimed in claim 3 wherein each of said meters has an output developed by an associated pulse signal means in the form of analog pulses, and each of said encoder means converts an analog input into a digital output.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for transmitting information from plural meters at one location to a common information center wherein each of the meters includes a mechanical register and at least one of the plural meters is an electric meter connected to an electric power source so as to develop a source of potential therein in response to electrical energy of said electrical power source to be measured at said one location, the system comprising: a plurality of pulse transmitter switches each being separately located within one of said plural meters, each of said switches including an actuator movable by indicating movement of the register, each switch being alternately closed and opened in response to movement of said actuator; a plurality of encoder means located at said one location and remote from said meters, each of said encoders having an input control means and coded output lines developing variable coded information when successive pulse signals are applied to said input control means; a single power circuit continuously connected between said source of potential at said electric meter and each of the remotely located encoder means; a plurality of pulse signal transmission circuits, each of said transmission circuits series connecting said input control means of one of said encoder means and one of said switches and in parallel with said source of potential such that said successive pulse signals are developed at said input control means of an associated encoder means in accordance with said opening and closing of said switches and concurrently said coded information of each of said output lines continuously corresponds to indications of an associated register.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
266 words
A system for transmitting information from plural meters at one location to a common information center wherein each of the meters includes a mechanical register and at least one of the plural meters is an electric meter connected to an electric power source so as to develop a source of potential therein in response to electrical energy of said electrical power source to be measured at said one location, the system comprising: a plurality of pulse transmitter switches each being separately located within one of said plural meters, each of said switches including an actuator movable by indicating movement of the register, each switch being alternately closed and opened in response to movement of said actuator; a plurality of encoder means located at said one location and remote from said meters, each of said encoders having an input control means and coded output lines developing variable coded information when successive pulse signals are applied to said input control means; a single power circuit continuously connected between said source of potential at said electric meter and each of the remotely located encoder means; a plurality of pulse signal transmission circuits, each of said transmission circuits series connecting said input control means of one of said encoder means and one of said switches and in parallel with said source of potential such that said successive pulse signals are developed at said input control means of an associated encoder means in accordance with said opening and closing of said switches and concurrently said coded information of each of said output lines continuously corresponds to indications of an associated register.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of encoder means includes a rotatable drive means responsive to said pulse signals applied to an associated input control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as claimed in claim 6 including a scanner including plural inputs, each input being connected to one of the coded output lines, said scanner further including, an output and a movable contact arm for selectively connecting said plural inputs with the scanner output, and said scanner still further includes a motor means for driving said movable contact arm, said motor meaNs being connected to said source of potential supplied by said electrical power source.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-11 | 1976-01-10 | 1976-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-11 | 1980-01-10 | 1980-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-11 | 1984-01-10 | 1984-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |