US3875406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical system for automatic meter reader
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-03-25
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1994-03-25
Abstract
Abstract An optical system, comprising a single light source, collimating optics, collecting optics, and a detector, sequentially scans coded, apertured discs to produce a pulse code indicative of the rotational position of said discs.
Inventors
- 👤 John M Holeman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 10:07
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/02; G02B27/022; G02B27/024; G02B27/025; G01; G01R; G01R11/00; G01R21/00; H; H03; H03M; H03M1/00; H03M1/12; H03M1/22; H03M1/24; H03M1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An improved stationary optical system for remote meter readers having a plurality of rotating aperture discs and a rotating scanning disc for scanning portions of said aperture discs comprising: an incandescent light source having a filament producing divergent light rays; collimating optics for collimating said divergent light rays and producing a beam of parallel light rays, said beam directed by said collimating optics through the apertures in said discs; collecting optics positioned to receive the light beam passing through said apertures from said collimating optics, said collecting optics comprising at least two reflectors for receiving said light beam and directing said light beam along a folded beam path to a focus to form an image of the filament of said incandescent light source; and photodetector means, positioned at said focus, having an active area for converting the light passing through said apertures into an electrical signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An improved stationary optical system for remote meter readers having a plurality of rotating aperture discs and a rotating scanning disc for scanning portions of said aperture discs comprising: an incandescent light source having a filament producing divergent light rays; collimating optics for collimating said divergent light rays and producing a beam of parallel light rays, said beam directed by said collimating optics through the apertures in said discs; collecting optics positioned to receive the light beam passing through said apertures from said collimating optics, said collecting optics comprising at least two reflectors for receiving said light beam and directing said light beam along a folded beam path to a focus to form an image of the filament of said incandescent light source; and photodetector means, positioned at said focus, having an active area for converting the light passing through said apertures into an electrical signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An improved optical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the image of the filament of said incandescent light source is larger than the active area of said photodetector means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved optical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collimating optics comprises a parabolic reflector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An improved optical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collecting optics comprises a Cassegrainian reflector.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
An improved optical system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said collimating optics has an optical axis, said collecting optics has an optical axis and said optical axes are collinear, forming the axis of said optical system, and said photodetector means is positioned on the axis of said optical system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved stationary optical system for remote meter readers having a plurality of rotating aperture discs and a rotating scanning disc for scanning portions of said aperture discs comprising: an incandescent light source having a filament producing divergent light rays; collimating optics for collimating said divergent light rays and producing a beam of parallel light rays, said beam directed by said collimating optics through the apertures in said discs; collecting optics comprising at least two reflectors for receiving the light passing through said apertures and directing said light along a folded beam path to a focus; photodetector means, positioned at said focus, for converting the light passing through said apertures into an electrical signal; and wherein the rotating motion of said scanning disc defines an axis of rotation and the optical axes of collimating optics and said collecting optics are parallel to and collinear with the axis of rotation of said scanning disc.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
An improved stationary optical system for remote meter readers having a plurality of rotating aperture discs and a rotating scanning disc for scanning portions of said aperture discs comprising: an incandescent light source having a filament producing divergent light rays; collimating optics for collimating said divergent light rays and producing a beam of parallel light rays, said beam directed by said collimating optics through the apertures in said discs; collecting optics comprising at least two reflectors for receiving the light passing through said apertures and directing said light along a folded beam path to a focus; photodetector means, positioned at said focus, for converting the light passing through said apertures into an electrical signal; and wherein the rotating motion of said scanning disc defines an axis of rotation and the optical axes of collimating optics and said collecting optics are parallel to and collinear with the axis of rotation of said scanning disc.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An improved optical system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said incandescent light source and said focus are located on said collinear axes.
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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) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |