Wireless meter for real time measurements and method therefor

• US 7,305,327 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2006
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SPER Scientific Limited
• Original Assignee: SPER Scientific Limited
• Inventors: Sper, Devin
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano; Edward R
• Application Number:
  US11/343,133
• Publication Number:
  US 20070179754A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/500, 340/531, 340/539.1, 340/539.16, 340/539.17, 340/539.19, 340/854.3, 340/854.6, 340/854.7, 340/870.01, 340/870.28, 340/539.11, 340/539.22, 340/539.26, 340/601, 702/1, 702/57, 702/60, 702/61, 702/62, 702/64, 702/104, 702/127, 702/187, 702/189, 702/198, 702/188
• US Class Current: 702/187
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter has a probe for measuring the at least one parameter. The probe will wirelessly transmit real time measured values. A meter is wirelessly coupled to the probe. The meter is used for displaying the real time measured values.

Claims

1. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter comprising:

a portable probe for measuring the at least one parameter and for wirelessly transmitting real time measured values, wherein the at least one parameter is ambient light or sound; and

a portable meter wirelessly coupled to the probe for displaying the real time measured value;

wherein the wireless metering device is a portable self-contained metering device, the portable meter housed in a hand-held housing, the portable probe being detachable from the hand-held housing and communicates with the portable meter via a wireless RF signal.

2. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the meter stores the real time measured values.

3. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the at least one sensor comprise a plurality of sensors.

4. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the meter comprises:

a meter housing;

a meter measuring circuit located in the housing; and

a display coupled to the meter measuring circuit.

5. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 4 wherein the meter measuring circuit comprises:

a meter power supply;

a receiver wirelessly coupled to the probe for receiving the real time measured values from the probe;

a processor coupled to an output of the receiver; and

a plurality of control buttons coupled to a first input of the processor.

6. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 5 wherein the meter measuring circuit comprises a meter I/O port coupled to a second input of the processor for directly coupling the probe to the meter.

7. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 6 wherein the meter measuring circuit comprises a data port coupled to the processor for downloading and uploading data to and from the meter.

8. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 1 wherein the probe comprises:

at least one sensor for measuring the at least one parameter;

a measuring circuit coupled to the at least one sensor for taking measurement signals from the at least one sensor and converting the measurement signals to digital signals; and

a probe housing for protecting the measuring circuit.

9. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 8 wherein the measuring circuit comprises:

a probe power supply;

an amplifier coupled to an output of the at least one sensor;

an RMS value detection circuit coupled to an output of the amplifier;

an A/D converter coupled to an output of the RMS value detection circuit; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to an output of the A/D converter.

10. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 9 wherein the measuring circuit further comprises a filter coupled to an output of the amplifier.

11. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 9 wherein the measuring circuit further comprises a probe I/O port coupled to an output of the A/D converter for directly coupling the probe to the meter.

12. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 9 further comprising:

a calibrating circuit for sending a calibration signal to calibrate the at least one sensor; and

a switching mechanism for coupling the sensor to the calibration circuit and the measuring circuit.

13. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 12 wherein the measuring circuit further comprises an adjustable amplifier coupled to the output of the amplifier for adjusting the calibration signal.

14. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of a plurality of parameters comprising:

a portable probe for measuring the plurality of parameters and for wirelessly transmitting real time measured values, wherein the probe comprises;

a probe housing;

a plurality of sensors coupled to the housing, wherein each sensor measures one of the plurality of parameters; and

a measuring circuit located in the probe housing and coupled to the plurality of sensors for taking measurement signals from the plurality of sensors and converting the measurement signals to digital signals; and

a portable meter wirelessly coupled to the probe for displaying the real time measured values and for storing the real time measured values, wherein the meter comprises;

a meter housing;

a meter measuring circuit located in the housing, wherein the meter measuring circuit comprises;

a meter power supply;

a receiver wirelessly coupled to the probe for receiving the real time measured values from the probe;

a processor coupled to an output of the receiver; and

a plurality of control buttons coupled to a first input of the processor;

a meter I/O port coupled to a second input of the processor for directly coupling the probe to the meter; and

a display coupled to the meter measuring circuit;

wherein the wireless metering device is a portable self-contained metering device, the portable meter housed in a hand-held housing, the portable probe being detachable from the hand-held housing and communicates with the portable meter via a wireless RF signal.

15. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter in accordance with claim 14 wherein the measuring circuit comprises a data port for downloading and uploading data to and from the meter.

16. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of a plurality of parameters in accordance with claim 14 wherein the measuring circuit comprises:

a probe power supply;

an amplifier coupled to an output of the at least one sensor;

an RMS value detection circuit coupled to an output of the amplifier;

an A/D converter coupled to an output of the RMS value detection circuit; and

a wireless transmitter coupled to an output of the A/D converter.

17. A wireless metering device for real time measuring a plurality of parameters in accordance with claim 16 wherein the measuring circuit further comprises a probe I/O port coupled to an output of the A/D converter for directly coupling the probe to the meter.

18. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of a plurality of parameters in accordance with claim 16 further comprising:

a calibrating circuit for sending calibration signals to calibrate the plurality of sensors; and

a switching mechanism for coupling the plurality of sensors to the calibration circuit and the measuring circuit.

19. A wireless metering device for real time measuring of at least one parameter comprising:

a portable probe for measuring the at least one parameter and for wirelessly transmitting real time measured values; and

a portable meter wirelessly coupled to the probe for displaying the real time measured value, wherein the meter comprises;

a meter housing;

a meter measuring circuit located in the housing, wherein the meter measuring circuit comprises;

a meter power supply;

a receiver wirelessly coupled to the probe for receiving the real time measured values from the probe;

a processor coupled to an output of the receiver;

a meter I/O port coupled to a second input of the processor for directly coupling the probe to the meter; and

a plurality of control buttons coupled to a first input of the processor; and

a display coupled to the meter measuring circuit;

wherein the wireless metering device is a portable self-contained metering device, the portable meter housed in a hand-held housing, the portable probe being detachable from the hand-held housing and communicates with the portable meter via a wireless RF signal.