US5140351A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote meter reading method and apparatus
Assignee: TEL-TRANSFER SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1990-02-22
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Granted: 1992-08-18
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Expires: 2010-02-22
Abstract
Abstract A new and novel apparatus and method for remotely reading a meter, and more specifically a utility meter, is disclosed. In the present invention an apparatus is provided which can be used to remotely read a utility meter which is not affected by electro-magnetic interference (EMI) or radio-magnetic interference (RFI). In the present invention an apparatus for remotely reading a utility meter which is not susceptible to lightning strikes and voltage transients and surges is disclosed. The present invention employs a coherent-light fiber optic link operatively coupled between an image transmitter and an image receiver.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar Garcia
- 👤 George Farmer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:50
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/008; G01D4/002; G01D4/004; G01D4/006; G01F; G01F15/00; G01F15/06; G01F15/061; G01F15/063; G01R; G01R11/00; G01R11/02; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/04; G02B6/06; G06; G06M; G06M3/00; G06M3/06; G08; G08C; G08C23/00; G08C23/06; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A remote meter reading apparatus for transferring alphanumeric information to a remote location comprising: a) a dial which rotates about a fixed needle; b) at least one partially shaded concentric band affixed to said dial to represent discrete locations on said dial; c) means to detect the presence or absence of the shaded concentric band with at least one fiber optic element; d) means to transmit the image detected by the fiber optic element to a remote location; e) means to decode the image detected by the fiber optic element; and f) means to display the decoded image on a display element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
A remote meter reading apparatus for transferring alphanumeric information to a remote location comprising: a) a dial which rotates about a fixed needle; b) at least one partially shaded concentric band affixed to said dial to represent discrete locations on said dial; c) means to detect the presence or absence of the shaded concentric band with at least one fiber optic element; d) means to transmit the image detected by the fiber optic element to a remote location; e) means to decode the image detected by the fiber optic element; and f) means to display the decoded image on a display element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein four concentric bands and four fiber optic elements are used and the image is decoded into a four-bit signal for display as a digit with a value between 0 and 9.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
115 words
A remote meter reading apparatus for transferring alphanumeric information to a remote location comprising: a) a stationary dial with at least ten digits on the face of said dial; b) a rotating a needle to indicate a value on the face of said dial; c) at least ten fiber optic elements affixed about the centerline of the dial wherein said fiber optic elements are positioned to detect the presence or absence of the rotating needle; d) means to transmit the image detected by the fiber optic elements to a remote location; and e) a remote reading head, wherein the fiber optic elements are arranged to correspond to the digits on the face of the dial.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
115 words
A remote meter reading apparatus for transferring alphanumeric information to a remote location comprising: a) a stationary dial with at least ten digits on the face of said dial; b) a rotating a needle to indicate a value on the face of said dial; c) at least ten fiber optic elements affixed about the centerline of the dial wherein said fiber optic elements are positioned to detect the presence or absence of the rotating needle; d) means to transmit the image detected by the fiber optic elements to a remote location; and e) a remote reading head, wherein the fiber optic elements are arranged to correspond to the digits on the face of the dial.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus set forth in claim 3 further comprising a light pipe to provide an auxiliary light source at the dial.
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) | 1995-08-18 | 1996-02-17 | 1996-08-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-08-18 | 2000-02-17 | 2000-08-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-08-18 | 2004-02-17 | 2004-08-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |