US4816672A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote metering system using reflected light
Assignee: EMI Group Ltd
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Filing: 1987-06-19
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Granted: 1989-03-28
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Expires: 2007-06-19
Abstract
Abstract A system for the remote reading of a gas meter includes an interface unit within a domestic residence but situated such that an input/output terminal for the interface unit is accessable from the exterior of the residence, and a hand-held meter reading unit for connection to the terminal in order to read and record the value of the gas consumption indicated by the meter. The meter reading unit has two LED sources, whose outputs are combined a Y-coupler, for passage into the interface unit when an optical fibre is connected thereto. At a multiplexer, the combined beam is dispersed according to wavelength and separately passes along a fibre array to respective roller digits of the tumbler for reflection or not according to the displayed reading. Reflected light passes back through the system, is divided at a Y-coupler and passes to a de-multiplexer such that the light returning in respect of the roller digits can be measured and displayed at a light detector and liquid crystal display.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher J. Hughes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:24
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: 20
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
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the light source is detachably connectable to the separation means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the determining means is detachably connectable to the direction means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
29 words
A system according to claims 1, 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
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein one device constitutes the separation means and the direction means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, wherein the meter incorporates retroreflective material in the provision of sets of markings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system according to claim 1, 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.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
107 words
A remote metering system comprising: a light source; means for separating the light from the light source into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; a plurality of light transmissive means each arranged to receive light of a respective one of said portions; a plurality of markings indicative of a quantity metered; means causing light portions transmitted by said light transmissive means to be incident on a respective one of said markings and light reflected at said markings to be returned into the respective light transmissive means; and means receiving said reflected light for identifying each marking at which light was reflected to determine the metered quantity.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
107 words
A remote metering system comprising: a light source; means for separating the light from the light source into a number of different-wavelength portions of light; a plurality of light transmissive means each arranged to receive light of a respective one of said portions; a plurality of markings indicative of a quantity metered; means causing light portions transmitted by said light transmissive means to be incident on a respective one of said markings and light reflected at said markings to be returned into the respective light transmissive means; and means receiving said reflected light for identifying each marking at which light was reflected to determine the metered quantity.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
98 words
A remote metering system comprising: a light source; means for separating the light from the light source into a number of different wavelength portions of light; a plurality of markings indicative of a quantity to be metered; a plurality of light transmissive means each arranged to receive light of a respective one of said portions and transmit it to a respective one of said markings; means for receiving light reflected at said portions and analysing it to determine the metered quantity; and means for transmitting the reflected light from the respective markings to the receiving and analysing means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
98 words
A remote metering system comprising: a light source; means for separating the light from the light source into a number of different wavelength portions of light; a plurality of markings indicative of a quantity to be metered; a plurality of light transmissive means each arranged to receive light of a respective one of said portions and transmit it to a respective one of said markings; means for receiving light reflected at said portions and analysing it to determine the metered quantity; and means for transmitting the reflected light from the respective markings to the receiving and analysing means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A remote metering system according to claim 11 in which the means for transmitting the reflected light is the said plurality of light transmissive means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
82 words
An arrangement for reading a plurality of indicia representative of information, the arrangement comprising: a light source; means for separating the light from said source into components of different wavelengths; light transmissive means for receiving said components and transmitting each component to a respective one of said indicia; means for receiving light reflected at said indicia and for analysing it to determine said information; and light transmissive means for transmittng the reflected light from the indicia to the receiving and analysing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
82 words
An arrangement for reading a plurality of indicia representative of information, the arrangement comprising: a light source; means for separating the light from said source into components of different wavelengths; light transmissive means for receiving said components and transmitting each component to a respective one of said indicia; means for receiving light reflected at said indicia and for analysing it to determine said information; and light transmissive means for transmittng the reflected light from the indicia to the receiving and analysing means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
An a arrangement according to claim 13 in which the means for receiving and analysing are separable from the means for separating the light into components and the light transmissive means.
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) | 1992-03-27 | 1992-09-26 | 1993-03-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-03-27 | 1996-09-26 | 1997-03-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-03-27 | 2000-09-26 | 2001-03-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |