Automated meter reader device having optical sensor with automatic gain control

• US 20050104744A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pine Tree Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Datamatic, Ltd. (R&P Print)
• Inventors: Patterson, Tim, Holowick, Erwin, Derry, Kenneth J., Pinkham, Jason R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,042,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/870.20
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/006 Remote reading of utility meters to a non-fixed location, i.e. mobile location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/008 Modifications to installed utility meters to enable remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 19/12 in which the signal transmitted is frequency or phase of ac
• 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

The present invention achieves technical advantages as an AMR device and method of use having an optical transceiver adapted to read analog meter faces. The transceiver advantageously includes an optical receiver having an amplifier receiving signals from photodiodes and further including an automatic gain control. A gain of the optical receiver amplifier is programmable to compensate for parameters affecting the photodiodes in the optical receiver.

Claims

1. A device for coupling to a meter measuring product delivery, comprising:

an interface module adapted to couple to the meter, the interface module having an optical transceiver comprising at least one photodiode adapted to optically ascertain readings of an analog meter face; and

an interface circuit adapted to process signals from the at least one photodiode, the interface circuit adapted to selectively process the photodiode signals.

2. The device as specified in claim 1 wherein the interface circuit comprises an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit adapted to selectively process the photodiode signals.

3. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the optical transceiver is adapted to strobe the analog meter face, and the interface circuit is adapted to process the photodiode signals during strobing to sample a reflected response from the meter face.

4. The device as specified in claim 3 wherein the interface circuit evaluates the reflected response during strobing, and compares the reflected response to a user specifiable response.

5. The device as specified in claim 4 wherein the AGC circuit has an amplifier, wherein the amplifier has a gain setting established when the reflected response correlates with the user specifiable response.

6. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the AGC circuit is adapted to be remotely programmed to provide the selective processing of the photodiode signals.

7. The device as specified in claim 2 further comprising a programming interface adapted to receive programming signals, the AGC circuit being programmed as a function of the programming signals.

8. The device as specified in claim 7 wherein the AGC circuit is adapted to be programmed by a field technician.

9. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the interface module further comprises a wireless transmitter transmitting meter face readings in an unlicensed frequency band.

10. The device as specified in claim 9 wherein the transmitter has a power level no greater than 1 mW.

11. The device as specified in claim 10 wherein the transmitter operates without the assistance of a wireless communications network.

12. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the device includes an internal battery and operates therefrom.

13. The device as specified in claim 2 further comprising a temperature stabilization circuit controlling the AGC circuit over a temperature range.

14. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the transmitter transmits the meter face readings at a fixed frequency.

15. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the transmitter transmits the meter face readings as a spread spectrum signal.

16. The device as specified in claim 2 wherein the device is adapted to couple to a fluid meter.

17. The device as specified in claim 16 wherein the device is adapted to couple to a water meter.