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Remote meter reading transponder

  • US 3,922,492 A
  • Filed: 03/18/1974
  • Issued: 11/25/1975
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1974
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for remotely reading utility meters comprising:

  • a. a centrally located unit comprising;

    i. a digital computer having a first storage unit for storing a plurality of binary interrogation code trains, and a second storage unit for receiving binary code trains and a control unit;

    ii. an automatic telephone dialing unit, controllable by said control unit;

    iii. a first computer/telephone interface, said interface connecting said computer to said automatic dialing unit, said interface also processing codes compatible with said computer into codes compatible with said automatic dialing unit, said interface also processing codes compatible with said automatic dialing unit into codes compatible with said computer;

    b. a plurality of remotely located transponders, each transponder being comprised of;

    i. a second computer/telephone interface, said second interface connecting said transponder to said computer via a telephone line, a central exchange, said automatic dialing unit and said first interface, said second interface adapting codes from said telephone lines for use in said transponder and adapting codes from said transponder for transmission over said telephone line;

    ii. a decoder, said decoder being connected to said second interface and producing an output pulse in response to a particular one of said plurality of binary interrogation code trains received from said centrally located unit, iii. a storage unit connected to at least One sending unit, said sending unit being connected to a utility meter, said storage unit storing in binary coded decimal form the curent reading of each utility meter thereto connected;

    iv. a transmitter, said transmitter being connected to said storage unit and also connected to said second computer/telephone interface;

    v. a control circuit connected to said decoder, said control circuit switching from a first state to a second state upon receipt of said output pulse, said control circuit switching from said second state to a third state upon receipt, a second time, of said output pulse within a predetermined time period, said control circuit switching from said second state to said first state if said output pulse is not received within said predetermined time period, said control circuit, when in said third state, controlling said transmitter to transmit said binary code trains from said storage units to said second storage units of said computer, said control circuit switching from said third state to said first state upon the termination of said transmission.

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