Portable electro-magnetic radiation sensor warning device

• US 6,157,311 A
• Filed: 01/07/1999
• Issued: 12/05/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yossi Berkovich
• Original Assignee: Yossi Berkovich
• Inventors: Berkovich, Yossi
• Primary Examiner(s): TONG, NINA C
• Application Number:
  US09/226,149
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 340/688, 340/686.1, 340/870.02, 340/870.27, 340/870.28, 340/870.29, 340/870.31, 324/207.11, 324/207.13, 324/207.2, 250/215, 250/231.11, 356/375
• US Class Current: 340/688
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/26 adapted to perform a further operation, e.g. making electrical contact
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 7/12 Audible indication of meter readings, e.g. for the blind
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/10 for indicating predetermined speeds
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 1/11 by the detection of the position of the indicator needle

Abstract

A portable, compact, freestanding sensor housing is configured to be stably and removably affixed relative to a metering device having a movable indicator element. The housing includes a transmitter for emitting electro-magnetic radiation and a receiver for receiving electro-magnetic radiation. The transmitter and the receiver are positioned to define a reflective region within which an object will reflect electro-magnetic radiation emitted from the transmitter toward the receiver. A signal generator, in communication with the receiver, generates a signal indicating that the movable indicator element is located within the reflective region. A sensor warning device affixed relative to the metering device will thereby generate a signal when the movable indicator element is located within the reflective region.

Claims

1. A light sensor warning device, comprising:

a portable, compact, freestanding sensor housing configured to be stably and removably affixed relative to a metering device having a movable indicator element, the housing comprising;

1) a receiver for receiving light reflected from the movable indicator element, wherein the light comprises ambient or environmental light,

2) the receiver being positioned to define a reflective region within which the movable indicator element will reflect light toward the receiver,

3) a signal generator in communication with the receiver for generating a signal indicating that the movable indicator element is located within the reflective region,

4) a power source for powering at least one of the receiver and the signal generator,

whereby the sensor warning device affixed relative to the metering device will generate a warning signal when the movable indicator element is located within the reflective region to indicate that the indicator has reached a predetermined level, and whereby the system does not require a light transmitter.