Wide area remote telemetry

• US 6,366,217 B1
• Filed: 08/16/1999
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Internet Telemetry Corp.
• Original Assignee: Internet Telemetry Corp.
• Inventors: Cunningham, James D., Holmes, John K., Wonderly, Gregg G., Hollcroft, Keith D., Wallace, Donald I., Schuermann, Chris L.
• Primary Examiner(s): EDWARDS JR, TIMOTHY
• Application Number:
  US09/376,103
• Time in Patent Office: 960 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.31, 340/637, 732/73
• US Class Current: 340/870.31
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• 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 wide-area remote telemetry system which monitors and controls remote devices by means of a information control system. The system uses a plurality of sensor interface modules which constantly monitor devices for triggering events. The sensor interface modules transmit information to at least one data collection module which gathers, process, stores and transmits information to a host system via standard external communication systems. The host module receives, records, processes, and transmits information to the network. The information may then be transmitted to customers or may be accessed by customers as desired.

Claims

1. A pulse encoder for a sensor interface module, said pulse encoder for use with an existing meter having a meter dial, said encoder comprising:

an encoder shaft having a first end with a top and bottom, and a second end having an attachment clip, wherein said bottom is slotted to fit over a meter dial and said top has a shoulder;

a surrounding spring mounted around said encoder shaft and biased against said shoulder;

an encoding magnetic field generator having a central opening therethrough, wherein said generator is mounted over said encoder shaft in order to rotate with said encoder shaft and biased against said surrounding spring; and

a magnetically actuated reed switch positioned adjacent to said shaft having two flexible reeds, wherein each reed has a contact point for connecting and deconnecting with the contact point of the other reed whereby the rotation of a magnetic field by the magnetic field generator causes the connecting and deconnecting of said contacts.

2. The pulse encoder of claim 1, further comprising:

a positioning end for rotatably positioning said magnetic field generator on said shaft; and

an adaptor placed between said encoding magnetic field generator and said positioning end for changing the position of said magnetic field generator in relation to said end.

3. The pulse encoder of claim 2, further comprising:

an encoder faceplate seal for sealably attaching said positioning end to a utility meter cover having said meter dial.

4. A sensor interface module, comprising:

a hardware sensor including a pulse encoder wherein said encoder includes an encoder shaft which is slotted to fit over a meter dial and a magnet having a central opening therethrough with said magnet mounted over said encoder shaft;

a sensor connecting harness;

a central processing unit micro-controller;

a clock;

a battery power supply and or a converter for external power;

a spread spectrum radio transmitter including a synthesizer, a voltage controlled oscillator, a voltage controlled oscillator filter, a power amplifier, an amplifier filter, and an antenna;

a termination cover enclosure main body with mounting location for said hardware sensor;

a front cover; and

a front seal which sealably attaches with said main body to said front cover.

5. A sensor interface module as set forth in claim 4 including a mounting adapter for connecting to said harness.