Automated meter reading system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An automated meter reading device comprising:
- an imaging device;
a timer, said timer generating a first signal when a predetermined time expires;
a controller being activated by the first signal and causing the imaging device to obtain an image of a display area of the meter, said controller inputting the image from said imaging device; and
a communication interface for transmitting the image to an external device.
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Abstract
An automated meter reading system having an image obtaining device, mounted to the outside of a conventional meter, and a central station for receiving and processing images from the image obtaining device. The image obtaining device lies dormant until its internal circuitry recognizes that it is time to obtain an image of the meter'"'"'s readout. Once the image is obtained, the image is transmitted to the central station, which processes the image to obtain billing and other information.
54 Citations
31 Claims
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1. An automated meter reading device comprising:
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an imaging device;
a timer, said timer generating a first signal when a predetermined time expires;
a controller being activated by the first signal and causing the imaging device to obtain an image of a display area of the meter, said controller inputting the image from said imaging device; and
a communication interface for transmitting the image to an external device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An automated meter reading device comprising:
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a housing;
a mount for mounting said housing to a meter;
a timer within said housing, said timer generating a first signal when a predetermined time expires;
a controller within said housing being activated by the first signal and causing the imaging device to obtain an image of a display area of the meter, said controller inputting the image from said imaging device; and
a communication interface within said housing for transmitting the image to an external device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An automated meter reading system comprising:
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an automated image obtaining and sending device comprising;
a housing, a mount for mounting said housing to a meter, a timer within said housing, said timer generating a first signal when a predetermined time expires, a first processor within said housing being activated by the first signal and causing the imaging device to obtain an image of a display area of the meter, said first processor inputting the image from said imaging device, and a first communication interface within said housing for transmitting the image; and
a central station comprising;
a second communication interface for receiving the transmitted image from the first communication interface, and a second processor for recognizing a pattern in the image and using the pattern to determine a value of the meter display area. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An automated meter reading system comprising:
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a plurality of automated image obtaining and sending devices, each device comprising an imaging device, a timer, said timer generating a first signal when a predetermined time expires, a controller being activated by the first signal and causing the imaging device to obtain an image of a display area of the meter, said controller inputting the image from said imaging device, and a communication interface for transmitting the image via a wireless communication medium, wherein at least one of the automated image obtaining and sending devices transmits its associated image to another of said automated image obtaining and sending devices and said another automated image obtaining and sending device transmits its images and images received from said at least one automated image obtaining and sending device to an external device.
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31. An automated meter reading system comprising:
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a plurality of automated image obtaining and sending devices, each device comprising an imaging device, a timer, said timer generating a first signal when a predetermined time expires, a controller being activated by the first signal and causing the imaging device to obtain an image of a display area of the meter, said controller inputting the image from said imaging device, and a communication interface for transmitting the image via a wireless communication medium, wherein at least one of the automated image obtaining and sending devices transmits its associated image to another of said automated image obtaining and sending devices and said another automated image obtaining and sending device processes its images and images received from said at least one automated image obtaining and sending device and transmits data representing said images to an external device.
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Specification