US5897607A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic meter reading system
Assignee: Jenney Systems Assoc Ltd
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Filing: 1997-02-28
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Granted: 1999-04-27
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Expires: 2017-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for measuring use of a commodity and for transmitting the measurement over a global computer information network to a remote location. The apparatus comprises a data acquisition and reporting device and an automatic meter reading device operatively arranged to measure use of a commodity and transmit the measurement over a global information network to the data acquisition and reporting device.
Inventors
- 👤 William P. Jenney
- 👤 Lawrence G. Szydlowski
- 👤 Richard D. Ferguson
- 👤 Carl A. Potaczala
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for measuring use of a commodity and for transmitting said measurement over a global computer information network to a remote location, comprising: a data acquisition and reporting device; and, an automatic meter reading device operatively arranged to measure use of said commodity and transmit said measurement over said global computer information network to said data acquisition and reporting device, wherein said automatic meter reading device is a personal computer comprising: means for detecting and counting pulses from a meter, which pulses correspond to usage of said commodity; means for converting said counted pulses into data corresponding to measured usage of said commodity; and, means for transmitting said data via said global computer information network.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
116 words
An apparatus for measuring use of a commodity and for transmitting said measurement over a global computer information network to a remote location, comprising: a data acquisition and reporting device; and, an automatic meter reading device operatively arranged to measure use of said commodity and transmit said measurement over said global computer information network to said data acquisition and reporting device, wherein said automatic meter reading device is a personal computer comprising: means for detecting and counting pulses from a meter, which pulses correspond to usage of said commodity; means for converting said counted pulses into data corresponding to measured usage of said commodity; and, means for transmitting said data via said global computer information network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said transmission of measurement is done automatically.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said measured commodity is electricity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said measured commodity is gas.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said measured commodity is water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said measured commodity is steam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reading device is operatively arranged to automatically transmit said measurements via said global computer information network at one or more preset times.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said data acquisition and reporting device comprises: means for connecting to said global computer information network; and, means for acquiring commodity measurement data from said global computer information network.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8 wherein said data acquisition and reporting device further comprises means for processing and storing said commodity measurement data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting said data by e-mail messaging.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting said data by sending data files directly from said automatic meter reader to said data acquisition device via the global computer information network.
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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) | 2002-04-26 | 2002-10-26 | 2003-04-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-04-26 | 2006-10-26 | 2007-04-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-04-26 | 2010-10-26 | 2011-04-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |