Remote meter reading transponder
First Claim
Patent Images
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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Abstract
A system for remotely reading, storing and transmitting the current reading of a plurality of utility meters to a central computer. Each remote location using a utility is fitted with a transponder which is connected to the various utility meters. The transponders are capable of receiving pulses from sending units in the utility meters and storing these pulses. The computer can connect itself with a particular transponder by sending an interrogation code decodable only by that transponder. If the correct interrogation code is received twice within a predetermined time period the transponder is activated and transmits its stored information to the computer.
200 Citations
28 Claims
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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.
- a. a centrally located unit comprising;
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2. A telemetering transponder for storing and transmitting in the form of binary code trains, to a telephone line, the current reading of n number of utility meters, where n is a positive integer, said transponder comprising:
- a. n data input terminals, each connected to n utility meters via n sending units in a 1-to-1 correspondence, each of said n sending units producing voltage pulses, each voltage pulse representing one unit of consumption monitored by a utility meter;
b. a storage unit connected to said n input terminals for counting and storing in a binary code the sum of the voltage pulses eminating from each of said n sending units;
c. a receiving unit for receiving a binary interrogation code from a telephone line and adapting said code for use by said transponder;
d. a decoder connected to said receiving unit which produces an output pulse upon receipt of a particular binary interrogation code;
e. a binary code train encoder, for encoding said binary code stored in said storage unit to produce a binary code train;
f. a transmitting unit; and
g. a control circuit connected to said decoder, said control circuit switching from a standby state to a ready state upon receipt of said output pulse, a first time, said control circuit switching from said ready state to an operating state upon receipt of said output pulse, a second time within a predetermined time period, said control circuit switching from said ready state to said standby state if said pulse is not received within said predetermined time, wherein said control circuit, when in said operating state connects said storage unit to said encoder to thereby produce said binary code train and wherein said control circuit also connects said encoder to said transmitting unit to thereby transmit said binary code train, said control circuit switching from said operating state to said standby state upon the termination of the transmission of said binary code train.
- a. n data input terminals, each connected to n utility meters via n sending units in a 1-to-1 correspondence, each of said n sending units producing voltage pulses, each voltage pulse representing one unit of consumption monitored by a utility meter;
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3. A transponder according to claim 2, wherein said receiving unit receives a binary data code train, said date code train being a code train wherein a logical O is represented by a frequency burst of a frequency F for a predetermined time period and a logical 1 is represented by a time period of no frequency burst and wherein said receiver unit converts said binary code train into a series of high and low logic level voltages representing logical 1 and logical 0 respectively, said receiving unit comprising:
- a. an input terminal for receiving said binary data code train;
b. a first operational amplifier stage, said first stage having an input connected to said input terminal, said first stage being biased so that said frequency burst is amplified equally about a bias point located at a first predetermined D.C. voltage;
c. a first diode connected between said first oPerational amplifier output and ground;
d. a second operational amplifier, connected to said first operational amplifier and said diode for amplifying and inverting said frequency burst;
e. first and second inverters connected in series and to the second operational amplifier output for selecting the amplified portion of said frequency burst which lies between the 0 base voltage of the output of said first operational amplifier stage and a second predetermined D.C. voltage;
f. a second diode connected in series with said first and second inverters for eliminating any negative going portion of said frequency burst;
g. an integrator network connected to said second diode for eliminating the frequency burst to produce a direct current voltage level corresponding to said frequency burst and therefore corresponding to the logical 0 of said data code train; and
h. a third inverter connected to said integrator for inverting said positive voltage level to form a 0 level logic voltage.
- a. an input terminal for receiving said binary data code train;
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4. A transponder according to claim 2 wherein said receiving unit receives a binary data code train, said data code train being a code train wherein a logical 0 is represented by a frequency burst of a frequency F for a predetermined time period and a logical 1 is represented by a time period of no frequency burst and wherein said receiving unit converts said binary code train into a series of high and low logic level voltages representing logical 1 and logical 0 respectively, said receiving unit comprising:
- a. an input terminal for receiving said binary data code train;
b. a first operational amplifier stage for amplifying said frequency burst;
c. a second operational amplifier stage connected in series with said first operational amplifier stage for amplifying said frequency burst, said second operational amplifier stage being biased so as to amplify said frequency burst equally about a bias voltage point located at a predetermined D.C. voltage;
d. a third operational amplifier stage connected in series with said second operational amplifier stage to further amplify said frequency burst equally about said predetermining D.C. voltage;
e. a diode connected in series with said third operational amplifier for substantially removing the negative going portion of said frequency burst;
f. an integrator network connected in series with said diode for removing the frequency F from said burst thereby producing a positive logic level voltage corresponding to said burst; and
g. at least one integrator stage connected in series with said integrator network.
- a. an input terminal for receiving said binary data code train;
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5. A transponder according to claim 2 wherein said transmitting unit includes:
- a. an oscilator network for producing a transmit burst frequency;
b. a power amplifier stage;
c. a first electronic switch connecting said oscilator to said power amplifier stage;
d. a switch driving stage, connected to said switch, said driving stage controlling said switch to conduct said burst frequency from said oscilator to said power amplifier stage in response to said binary code train.
- a. an oscilator network for producing a transmit burst frequency;
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6. A transponder according to claim 5 wherein said first electronic switch is comprised of a field effect transistor.
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7. A transponder according to claim 5 wherein said transmitter unit further includes a second electronic switch, said second electronic switch being controllable by said switch drive stage and being biased so as to conduct when and only when said first electronic switch is not conducting, said second electronic switch being connected to said power amplifier stage to bias said power amplifier stage into cut-off when said second electronic switch is conducting.
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8. A transponder according to claim 7 wherein said first and second electronic switches are comprised of field effect transistors.
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9. A transponder according to claim 2 wherein said storage unit is comprised of 4n decade counters, said counters being arranged in n grOups of four counters each, each groupo of four counters being serially connected to one another and to one of said n sending units for receiving pulses therefrom, each group of four counters comprising:
- a. a first counter connected to said one of said n sending units for storing the units digit, in 4 bit binary coded form of the current reading of one of said n utility meters;
b. a second counter connected to said first counter for storing the tens digit, in 4 bit binary coded form of the current reading of said one of said n utility meters;
c. a third counter connected to said second counter for storing the hundreds digit, in 4 binary coded form of the current reading of said one of said n utility meters; and
d. a fourth counter connected to said third counter for storing the thousands digit, in 4 bit binary coded form of the current reading of said one of said n utility meters.
- a. a first counter connected to said one of said n sending units for storing the units digit, in 4 bit binary coded form of the current reading of one of said n utility meters;
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10. A transponder according to claim 2 wherein said decoder comprises:
- a. a serial to parallel code converter having one serial input terminal for accepting said interrogation code train and eight parallel output terminals;
b. eight inverters connected to said eight output terminals to form a total of 16 output terminals;
c. a first NAND gate having eight input terminals and one output terminal, said eight input terminals being selectively connected to eight of said 16 output terminals to activate said NAND gate upon the receipt of said particular binary interrogation code train; and
d. a second NAND gate having first, second, third and fourth input terminals and one output terminal, wherein said first input terminal is connected to the output terminal of said first NAND gate and wherein said second, third and fourth input terminals of said second NAND gate are connected to said serial to parallel converter, said second NAND gate thereby producing said pulse upon receipt of said particular interrogation code.
- a. a serial to parallel code converter having one serial input terminal for accepting said interrogation code train and eight parallel output terminals;
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11. A transponder according to claim 10 wherein said serial to parallel converter is contained within a portion of a RX/TX control chip.
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12. A transponder according to claim 2 wherein said control circuit includes:
- a. a 4 bit binary counter connected to said decoder, said counter having first, second, third and fourth output terminals;
b. a first one shot circuit element, connected to said first output terminal of said binary counter;
c. a second one shot circuit element connected to said first one shot element and having an output terminal;
d. a NAND gate having a first and a second input and an output terminal, the first input terminal of said NAND gate being connected to the output terminal of said second one shot element, the second input terminal of said NAND gate being connected to the second output terminal of said counter;
wherein, said NAND gate is activated when and only when a high logic level voltage appears simultaneously at said first and second input terminals of said NAND gate, the activation of said NAND gate representing said operating state of said control circuit.
- a. a 4 bit binary counter connected to said decoder, said counter having first, second, third and fourth output terminals;
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13. A transponder according to claim 12 wherein said control circuit further includes a second NAND gate having first and second input terminals and an output terminal, the first input terminal of said first mentioned NAND gate being connected to the first input terminal of said second NAND gate, the second input terminal of said first mentioned NAND gate being connected via an inverter to the second terminal of said second NAND gate, the output terminal of said second NAND gate being connected to one in put terminal of a first NOR gate, said NOR gate having an output connected to the reset terminal of said binary counter, wherein, a high logic level voltage simultaneously appearing on the first and second input terminals of said second NAND gate activates said second NAND gate to thereby reset said counter to 0 representiNg a switching of state of said control circuit from said ready state to said standby state.
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14. A transponder according to claim 13, wherein said control circuit further includes:
- a. a first register;
b. a plurality of multiplexing units, each having one output, each output of said multiplexing units being connected to said first register, said multiplexing units having a plurality of inputs connected in a 1-to-1 correspondence with said four end decade counters;
c. a multiplexer control counter, connected to each of said multiplexers;
wherein, said control circuit, when in said active state, controls the count of said multiplexer control counter, via a NAND gate and a clock pulse, to connect selected inputs of said multiplexer to said first register;
d. a second register connected to said first register and having an output, said output being connected to said transmitting unit, wherein, said binary code stored in said storage unit is selectively fed to said first register via said multiplexers and wherein said binary code is fed from said first to said second register where it is converted into a binary code train.
- a. a first register;
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15. A transponder according to claim 14, wherein said binary code is converted into said binary code train in said second register by adding to said binary code a start bit, a parity bit and at least one stop bit.
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16. A transponder according to claim 14, wherein said multiplexer unit outputs are connected to said first register via inverters.
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17. A transponder according to claim 16, wherein said control circuit further includes a NAND gate connected to said second register, said NAND gate being activated by said clock pulse and by said control circuit when said control circuit is in said active state to empty said binary code train from said second register to said transmitting unit.
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18. A transponder according to claim 2, wherein each of said n sending units is comprised of a normally opened switch which is closed momentarily by a cam, said cam being driven by a least significant digit wheel in said utility meter, said sending units being connected via time delay networks to said n input terminals, wherein said switch normally closes once for each revolution of said least significant digit wheel.
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19. A transponder according to claim 18, wherein one shot circuit elements are connected between said time delay networks and said n input terminals wherein said sending units activate said one shot circuit element which in turn activates said storage unit.
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20. A transponder according to claim 2, wherein each of said n sending units is comprised of a light emitting diode and a light sensitive electronic switch, wherein a light beam from said light emitting diode is reflected, via a least significant digit wheel or pointer of said utility meter, once for each revolution of said least significant digit wheel or pointer to thereby activate said light sensitive electronic switch.
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21. A transponder according to claim 20, wherein said n sending units are connected to said n input terminals via n one shot circuit elements.
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22. 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 being adapted to respond to a particular one of said plurality of binary interrogation codes;
iii. a sending unit associated with at least one utility meter and an encoder connected with said sending unit for producing a parallel code, said code representing a current decimal digit value of said at least one utility meter;
iv. a transmitter, said transmitter being connected to said encoder 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 particular one of said binary interrogation code trains, said control circuit switching from said second state to a third state upon receipt, a second time, of said particular one of said binary interrogation code trains within a predetermined time period, said control circuit switching from said second state to said first state if said particular one of said binary interrogation code trains is not received within said predetermined time period, said control circuit, when in said third state, controlling said transmitter to transmit said parallel code, in a serial manner, from said encoder to said second storage unit of said computer, said control circuit incrementing said sending unit to thereby produce a series of parallel codes each representing a digit value of said at least one utility meter, said control circuit switching from said third state to said first state upon the termination of said transmission.
- a. a centrally located unit comprising;
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23. A transponder for transmitting in the form of binary code trains, the current reading of n number of utility meters, each meter having m number of dials, each dial representing the value of each digit of said current reading, where m and n are positive integers, said transponder comprising:
- a. a sending unit having 10 outputs representing the digit values 0 to 9 of each dial, each dial being selectively interconnected to said 10 outputs;
b. an encoder connected to said 10 outputs for producing a parallel binary code train on four output lines, each parallel code train representing the decimal digit value of one of said m dials of said n utility meters;
c. an incrementing unit connected to said sending unit to sequentially connect each dial to said encoder;
d. a receiving unit for receiving a binary interrogation code from a telephone line and adapting said code for use by said transponder;
e. a decoder connected to said receiving unit which produces an output pulse upon receipt of a particular binary interrogation code;
f. a transmitting unit connected to said four output lines of said encoder, said transmitting unit including a parallel to serial binary code train converter; and
g. a control circuit connected to said decoder, said control circuit switching from a standby state to a ready state upon receipt of said output pulse, a first time, said control circuit switching from said ready state to an operating state upon receipt of said output pulse, a second time within a predetermined time period, said control circuit switching from said ready state to said standby state if said pulse is not received within said predetermined time, wherein said control circuit, when in said operating state, controls said transmitting unit to transmit said parallel code train and advances said incrementing unit a total of mn times to thereby sequentially transmit mn binary code trains representing m digit values of n utility meters, said control circuit switcHing from said operating state to said standby state upon the completion of the transmission of the m X nth code train.
- a. a sending unit having 10 outputs representing the digit values 0 to 9 of each dial, each dial being selectively interconnected to said 10 outputs;
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24. A transponder for transmitting, in the form of binary code trains, the current reading of n number of utility meters, said transponder comprising:
- a. a plurality of input terminals for connection to said n utility meters;
b. a receiving unit, connected to a telephone line, for receiving a binary interrogation code from said telephone line, said receiving unit adapting said interrogation code for use by said transponder;
c. a decoder connected to said receiving unit, said decoder producing a pulse upon receipt of a particular binary interrogation code;
d. a control circuit connected to said decoder, said control circuit switching to a ready state upon receipt of said output pulse, a first time, said control circuit switching from said ready state to an operating state upon receipt of said output pulse, a second time within a predetermined time period, said control circuit switching from said ready state to said standby state if said output pulse is not received within said predetermined time period;
e. a transmitter unit having an input section connected with said plurality of input terminals and an output section connected with said telephone line; and
f. an encoder, controlled by said control circuit when said control circuit is in said operating state to sequentially condition each of said n utility meters to produce, at selected ones of said plurality of input terminals, a plurality of pulse code trains representing the current readings of said n utility meters, said transmitting unit operating on said plurality of pulse code trains to produce, on said telephone line said binary code trains.
- a. a plurality of input terminals for connection to said n utility meters;
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25. A transponder according to claim 24, wherein said control circuit, when in said operating state, disables said receiving unit.
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26. A transponder according to claim 25, wherein said encoder, upon the completion of sequentially conditioning said n utility meters, switches said control circuit from said operating state to said standby state, thereby enabling said receiving unit for receipt of further binary interrogation codes.
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27. A transponder according to claim 24, wherein said control circuit includes a clock pulse generator and wherein clock pulses from said generator control said encoder to sequentially condition said n utility meters.
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28. A transponder according to claim 27 wherein said clock pulses control said transmitter unit to sequentially produce said binary code train.
Specification