System and method for accurate reading of rotating disk
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for reading and monitoring a rotating disk, comprising:
- an adhesive material applied to a portion of the rotating disk that is less than the circumference of the disk and having at least one highly reflective section and at least one substantially non-reflective section so as to produce contrasting sections of reflective material and non-reflective material on the adhesive material;
an optical sensor configured to produce a first output corresponding to detections of the highly reflective section of the adhesive material and a second output corresponding to detections of the substantially non-reflective sections of the adhesive material;
a processor coupled to the optical sensor configured to interpret the outputs produced by the optical sensor; and
a transceiver coupled to the processor for transmitting data to a remote location.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel system and method for achieving accurate readings of the rotational speed, number of revolutions and direction of rotation of a utility system. More specifically, a system and method for retrofitting existing utility meters with a lightweight tape, having contrasting sections of reflective and non-reflective material applied thereto, which is read by optical sensors as the lightweight tape passes by with the revolutions of the disk of the utility meter. Additionally, the system and method detects unauthorized use of the utility or tampering with the utility meter and its functions.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A system for reading and monitoring a rotating disk, comprising:
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an adhesive material applied to a portion of the rotating disk that is less than the circumference of the disk and having at least one highly reflective section and at least one substantially non-reflective section so as to produce contrasting sections of reflective material and non-reflective material on the adhesive material; an optical sensor configured to produce a first output corresponding to detections of the highly reflective section of the adhesive material and a second output corresponding to detections of the substantially non-reflective sections of the adhesive material; a processor coupled to the optical sensor configured to interpret the outputs produced by the optical sensor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor for transmitting data to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system for reading and monitoring a moving device having a sequence of highly reflective portions and substantially non-reflective portions, comprising:
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a moving device that is a belt; an optical sensor positioned to detect the sequence of highly reflective portions and substantially non-reflective portions of the moving device and configured to produce a signal corresponding to detections of the highly reflective and the substantially non-reflective portions of the moving device, wherein the sequence of highly reflective and non-reflective portions are positioned at a predetermined location on the moving device that is less than entire surface area of the moving device; a processor coupled to the optical sensor configured to interpret signals produced by the optical sensor; and a transceiver coupled to the processor for transmitting data to a remote location. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification