REMOTE METER READING SYSTEM

• US 3,609,726 A
• Filed: 12/15/1967
• Issued: 09/28/1971
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Victor E. Stewart Jr
• Original Assignee: Victor E. Stewart Jr
• Inventors: Stewart, Victor E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Habecker, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US04/690,980
• Time in Patent Office: 1,383 Days
• Field of Search: 340/190,205,204,200
• US Class Current: 340/870.22
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 2205/773 Spiral profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 5/2492 Pulse stream
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 1/1205 Multiplexed conversion systems
• CPC Class Codes: H03M 1/282 of the pattern-shifting type, e.g. pseudo-random chain code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• 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

A position encoder and transponder for use in an automatic remote meter reading system and including disc means coupled to the meter being read and perforated in accordance with a position code and position means having a plurality of photoresponsive information bit means operatively associated with the coded disc. An oscillator provides a tone signal in accordance with a capacitive parameter and capacitance means is associated with each photoresponsive means for being placed in a parallel circuit relation with the capacitive parameter in accordance with the position of the coded disc so that a different tone signal will be provided for each disc position.

Claims

1. A position encoder and transmitter comprising a means for indicating a plurality of selected conditions, a circuit means for producing an output frequency having a value controlled by a circuit capacitance, a plurality of different value circuit modifying capacitances selectively associated with the selected conditions, and a means for connecting selected different combinations of said modifying capacitances in respective relationship with each of the conditions to the circuit means to thereby produce a different output frequency value for each of said conditions.

2. An encoding and transmitting apparatus comprising:

a converting means for indicating a preselected number of quantities, a circuit means for producing an output signal having a selected frequency and having a circuit capacitance connected to control said output frequency, a plurality of modifying capacitances operatively associated with the converting means with each capacitance having a different selected value, and a control means responsive to the quantity indicated by the converting means for connecting a different selected combination of modifying capacitances in operative association with the circuit means to thereby produce a different output frequency for each quantity indicated by said converting means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said converting means comprises a coded member movable to a different position for each quantity indicated.

4. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said circuit means, circuit capacitance and modifying capacitances are selected so that said output signal is a tone signal of a selected frequency controlled by the circuit capacitance and modifying capacitances.

5. An apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said converting means comprises a member movable to a different position for each quantity indicated having selectively positioned transparent and opaque portions, and a light source on one side of the member.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said control means comprises photocells adjacent the member and responsive to light passed through the transparent portions to connect the modifying capacitances to the oscillator circuit.

7. A position encoder and transmitter comprising a member movable to a Plurality of positions, an oscillator circuit having an output frequency controlled by a circuit capacitance, a plurality of circuit modifying capacitances having different values selectively associated with respective positions of said member, and a means for connecting selected different combinations of said capacitances in operative association with the oscillator circuit for each position of said member to thereby provide a different output frequency for each of said positions.

8. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein the modifying capacitances and capacitance values totals are interrelated according to a digital code.

9. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said means for connecting connects a selected different combination of modifying capacitances to the circuit capacitance for each relative position of said member.

10. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said circuit capacitance and said modifying capacitances are selected to produce a different output tone signal for each position of said member.

11. The combination set forth in claim 9 wherein said means for connecting couples the selected modifying capacitances in a parallel circuit relation with the circuit capacitance.

12. The combination set forth in claim 7 wherein said member is coupled for movement to a device whose position is to be determined and has at least one code unit for each position.

13. The combination set forth in claim 14 wherein said means for connecting comprises photoresponsive elements and the code units are transparent and opaque portions of the member.

14. The combination set forth in claim 13 wherein said photoresponsive elements are each connected in series with a respective modifying capacitance and said elements have a high impedance when unilluminated to effectively create an open circuit and a low impedance when illuminated to effectively create a closed circuit.