Meter reading system

• US 20040078350A1
• Filed: 09/02/2003
• Published: 04/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Instruments Incorporated (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Hattori, Osamu
• Granted Patent: US 7,248,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

To provide an automated meter reading system minimizing the power consumption while waiting between measurements. A clock integrating a calendar function submits signals for the certain period of the month. Receiving this signal output by the main power supply activates the main power supply and electrical power is started supplied. The image-processing system is fed by the main power supply and the image-processing system begins to acquire the image of display panel.

Claims

1. A meter reading system comprising:

a calendar clock

a first power supply that is activated by a signal from the calendar clock; and

an image-processing system for acquiring an image of front panel of a meter and being powered by the power supply;

wherein the calendar clock generates a signal to activate the first power supply for a certain period of time within a month.

2. A meter reading system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second power supply activated by the signal from the calendar clock; and

a radio communication unit being powered by the second power supply and for transferring the data of images acquired by the image-processing system toward another radio equipments;

wherein the calendar clock generates a signal to activate the second power supply for a certain period of time within a month.

3. A meter reading system according to claim 2,

wherein the certain period when the calendar clock is operated may be changed by the transmission of command through the radio communication unit.

4. A meter reading system according to claim 1, further comprising:

a movable joint that permits to mount the image-processing unit upon the display portion of the meter system; and

a fixing apparatus in order for the movable joint to prevent rotating.

5. A meter reading system according to claim 2,

wherein the radio communication unit transfers the information obtained from the image-processing unit with the user specific identification data.