Utility meter label support and antenna
First Claim
1. An antenna for inclusion within a standard utility meter housing, said antenna comprising a conductive material embedded in a flexible circuit and configured for attachment to a substantially planar member of a label support which is configured to mount on a circuit board within the meter housing.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A utility meter label support and antenna are described. The label support supports a product label and an antenna for radio frequency-based, remote meter reading capability, all within standard type utility meter housing. In one embodiment, the label support is fabricated from molded plastic and includes a plurality of support members connected to a substantially planar member. The support members are configured to insert into openings in the printed circuit board of the utility meter. The antenna is embedded in a flexible circuit and mounted on the planar member. A conducting element is embedded in a portion of the flexible circuit and is configured to physically and electrically connect the antenna to a transceiver on the circuit board. A product label is mounted on the label support and may be viewed through a transparent window in the meter housing.
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Citations
24 Claims
- 1. An antenna for inclusion within a standard utility meter housing, said antenna comprising a conductive material embedded in a flexible circuit and configured for attachment to a substantially planar member of a label support which is configured to mount on a circuit board within the meter housing.
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5. A label support and antenna for securing to a circuit board of a utility meter, wherein the circuit board includes radio frequency electronics, said label support and antenna comprising:
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a substantially planar member;
a plurality of support members extending from said substantially planar member, said support members for securing said substantially planar member to the circuit board;
an antenna embedded in a flexible circuit, said flexible circuit mounted on the substantially planar member; and
a conducting element for making an electrical connection between said antenna and the electronics in the circuit board, said conducting element embedded in said flexible circuit. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A utility meter comprising:
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a base;
a cover configured to mount to said base;
a current/voltage sensor assembly configured to mount on said base and to couple to a power line;
a circuit board further comprising a display, said circuit board electrically coupled to said sensor assembly;
a label support mounted on said circuit board; and
an antenna completely enclosed within said base and said cover and attached to said label support. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
a substantially planar member; and
at least one support member extending from said substantially planar member, said support member configured to secure said label support to said circuit board.
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12. A utility meter according to claim 11 wherein said circuit board further comprises:
at least one opening therethrough, and wherein said support member comprises at least one tab configured to insert through said opening.
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13. A utility meter in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a hinged connection between said planar member and said at least one support member.
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14. A utility meter in accordance with claim 11 wherein said substantially planar member has an opening therethrough.
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15. A utility meter in accordance with claim 10 comprising a plurality of support members.
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16. A utility meter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said antenna further comprises a conductive material embedded in a flexible circuit.
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17. A utility meter in accordance with claim 10 wherein said antenna further comprises a conducting element embedded in said flexible circuit, said conducting element coupled to said antenna for connecting said antenna with an electronic circuit on said circuit board.
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18. A utility meter in accordance with claim 17 wherein said electronic circuit and said antenna configured to transmit a radio-frequency signal representing utility usage data as measured by said meter.
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19. A utility meter in accordance with claim 17 wherein said electronic circuit and said antenna configured to receive a radio-frequency signal representing a prompt signal from a central location.
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20. An antenna assembly for a utility meter assembly having a circuit board, said antenna assembly comprising:
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a label support comprising a substantially planar member, said label support configured to mount on the circuit board;
at least one support member extending from said substantially planar member, said support member configured to secure said label support to the circuit board; and
an antenna attached to said label support. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification