US5619192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for reading utility meters
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1994-06-14
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Granted: 1997-04-08
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Expires: 2014-06-14
Abstract
Abstract An electronic meter reader having a transmitter and antenna for inductively transmitting alternating current power in any selected one of a plurality of frequencies. The reader further includes a receiver for inductively receiving meter reading data from the meter being read represented by a load modulation of the transmitted frequency. A bandpass filter limits the bandwidth of the modulation frequency. The power transmitted by the transmitter may also be used by the meter to generate and transmit data representative of the meter reading back to the reader. A second receiver is also provided for inductively receiving reading data from the meter in the form of a modulated frequency generated by the meter. The reader includes a microprocessor and program which control the generation of a plurality of interrogation signal formats, and which decode a plurality of received data formats.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond F. Ayala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:54
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08C; G08C17/00; G08C17/04; G01; G01D; G01D4/00; G01D4/002; G01D4/006; G01R; G01R21/00; G01R21/133; G01R22/00; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B90/00; Y02B90/20; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter, comprising: means for inductively transmitting power to the meter at a frequency to which the utility meter will respond, said means being able to transmit power at a plurality of frequencies since different types of utility meters respond to different frequencies; and means for inductively receiving data from the meter represented by load modulation of the transmitted frequency, the transmitted frequency thereby having a modulation envelope.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter, comprising: means for inductively transmitting power to the meter at a frequency to which the utility meter will respond, said means being able to transmit power at a plurality of frequencies since different types of utility meters respond to different frequencies; and means for inductively receiving data from the meter represented by load modulation of the transmitted frequency, the transmitted frequency thereby having a modulation envelope.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The reader according to claim 1 wherein the transmitted power includes an interrogation signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reader according to claim 1 further comprising selectable filter means for controlling the bandwidth of the modulation envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The reader according to claim 1 further comprising means for inductively receiving data from the meter represented by an amplitude modulated frequency generated by the meter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
102 words
The reader according to claim 1 wherein the reader includes a primary battery supply connectable to an external battery charger and memory means for storing a program received from an external computer, the battery charger producing a battery charging signal when connected to the battery supply and the external computer producing a programming signal when transferring a program to the memory means, further comprising: interface means responsive to a simultaneous battery charging signal and programming signal to produce a program mode signal; and microprocessor means for controlling the transfer of the program into the memory in response to the program mode signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reader according to claim 5 further comprising a detachable probe having wire terminals directly connectable to the meter for receiving said data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The reader according to claim 1 further comprising: converter means for converting the data in the form of the modulation envelope to a digital data signal; and program means for controlling the operation of the converter means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The reader according to claim 3 further comprising means for inductively receiving data from the meter represented by a frequency generated by the meter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The reader according to claim 8 further comprising: converter means for converting the data in the form of the modulated transmitted frequency to a digital data signal; and program means for controlling the operation of the converter means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
The reader according to claim 8 wherein the reader includes a primary battery supply connectable to an external battery charger and memory means for storing a program received from an external computer, the battery charger producing a battery charging signal when connected to the battery supply and the external computer producing a programming signal when transferring a program to the memory means, further comprising: interface means responsive to a simultaneous battery charging signal and programming signal to produce a program mode signal; and microprocessor means for controlling the transfer of the program into the memory in response to the program mode signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The reader according to claim 8 further comprising: a detachable probe having wire terminals directly connectable to the meter for receiving said data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The reader according to claim 11 further comprising: a random access memory; and a secondary battery means for supplying power to the memory in the event of failure of the primary battery supply.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter, comprising: means for inductively transmitting power at a selected frequency to the meter; means for inductively receiving data from the meter represented by load modulation of the transmitted frequency; the frequency thereby having a modulation envelope; and filter means for controlling the bandwidth of the modulation envelope.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter, comprising: means for inductively transmitting power at a selected frequency to the meter; means for inductively receiving data from the meter represented by load modulation of the transmitted frequency; the frequency thereby having a modulation envelope; and filter means for controlling the bandwidth of the modulation envelope.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The reader according to claim 13 further comprising: converter means for converting the data in the form of the modulation envelope to a digital data signal; and program means for controlling the operation of the converter means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The reader according to claim 13 wherein the filter means has an adjustable low end frequency value whereby said bandwidth is controlled.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter having a register containing the data, comprising: means for inductively transmitting power at a selected frequency to the register at a frequency to which the register will respond, said means being able to transmit power at a plurality of frequencies since different types of utility meters respond to different frequencies; first means for inductively receiving data from the register in the form of load modulation of the transmitted frequency; the frequency thereby having a modulation envelope; and second means for inductively receiving data from the register in the form of an amplitude modulated frequency generated by the meter.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
111 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter having a register containing the data, comprising: means for inductively transmitting power at a selected frequency to the register at a frequency to which the register will respond, said means being able to transmit power at a plurality of frequencies since different types of utility meters respond to different frequencies; first means for inductively receiving data from the register in the form of load modulation of the transmitted frequency; the frequency thereby having a modulation envelope; and second means for inductively receiving data from the register in the form of an amplitude modulated frequency generated by the meter.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The reader according to claim 16 further comprising filter means for controlling the bandwidth of the load modulation envelope.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A reader for receiving data representative of the reading of a utility meter, comprising: means for inductively transmitting an interrogation signal to the meter in any selected one of a plurality of formats; means for inductively receiving from the meter any one of a plurality of data formats determined by the format of the interrogation signal and representative of reading data of the meter; and microprocessor and program means for controlling the selection of the interrogation signal format and decoding the reading data in any one of the data formats.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
90 words
A reader for receiving data representative of the reading of a utility meter, comprising: means for inductively transmitting an interrogation signal to the meter in any selected one of a plurality of formats; means for inductively receiving from the meter any one of a plurality of data formats determined by the format of the interrogation signal and representative of reading data of the meter; and microprocessor and program means for controlling the selection of the interrogation signal format and decoding the reading data in any one of the data formats.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
92 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter having a register containing the data, comprising: means for inductively transmitting an interrogation signal to the meter at a frequency to which the utility meter will respond, said means being able to transmit the interrogation signal at a plurality of frequencies since different types of utility meters respond to different frequencies,; means for generating and transmitting at the meter a data signal representative of the meter reading data; and means for inductively receiving the data signal from the meter.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
92 words
A reader for receiving data indicative of the reading of a utility meter having a register containing the data, comprising: means for inductively transmitting an interrogation signal to the meter at a frequency to which the utility meter will respond, said means being able to transmit the interrogation signal at a plurality of frequencies since different types of utility meters respond to different frequencies,; means for generating and transmitting at the meter a data signal representative of the meter reading data; and means for inductively receiving the data signal from the meter.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The reader according to claim 19 wherein the interrogation signal has a plurality of selectable formats.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for reading a utility meter comprising the steps of: transmitting electrical power from a reader antenna to the meter; selecting the frequency at which the power is transmitted from a plurality of frequencies the reader is capable of transmitting, wherein different meters respond to different frequencies; load modulating the transmitted power to represent the meter reading; and sensing the variations in the electrical power being transmitted as a result of the modulation to determine the meter reading.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for reading a utility meter comprising the steps of: transmitting electrical power from a reader antenna to the meter; selecting the frequency at which the power is transmitted from a plurality of frequencies the reader is capable of transmitting, wherein different meters respond to different frequencies; load modulating the transmitted power to represent the meter reading; and sensing the variations in the electrical power being transmitted as a result of the modulation to determine the meter reading.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 17 further comprising the steps of: converting the variations in the modulation envelope of the transmitted power from an analog to a digital form; and controlling the converting with a program.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 17 further comprising: alternatively to the step of modulating the frequency of the transmitted power, storing the transmitted power at the meter; transmitting to the reader antenna a frequency signal varying to represent the meter reading from an antenna at the meter using the transmitted power stored at the meter; and sensing the varying frequency signal to determine the meter reading.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 19 further comprising the steps of: converting the variations in the modulated frequency from an analog to a digital form; and controlling the converting with a program.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 17 further comprising the step of controlling the bandwidth of the modulation envelope of the transmitted power.
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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) | 2000-04-07 | 2000-10-07 | 2001-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-04-07 | 2004-10-07 | 2005-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-04-07 | 2008-10-07 | 2009-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |