Method and apparatus for capturing energy from a meter reading device
First Claim
1. A register associated with a meter and operative to record and report flow data for a commodity, comprising:
- a reading device interface configured for operatively coupling to a reading device that is intermittently coupled to the register for establishing communication sessions with the register to read out metered quantity data from the register;
one or more sensors operative to generate sensor signals, in response to the flow of the commodity through the meter;
a controller operative to generate and store the metered quantity data, based on receiving and processing the sensor signals as they occur, and further operative to establish a communication session with the reading device, in response to detecting that the reading device is coupled to the register, and to output the metered quantity data via the reading device interface during the communication session, in accordance with a predetermined protocol; and
a storage capacitor coupled to the reading device interface and operative to power the controller from stored charge during each communication session with the reading device and during the intervals between the communication sessions, based on charging from a voltage provided by the reading device during each communication session.
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Abstract
Electronic circuits in a register associated with a commodity usage meter capture energy from a meter reading device when the device is coupled to the register (e.g., either electrically or inductively coupled) for the purpose of reading metered quantity data from the register. Electrical charge obtained from the reading device may be stored in a high-capacity storage capacitor. When the capacitor is sufficiently charged, it provides power to at least part of the register circuits, such as a controller, for at least the duration of the communication session with the reading device. In some embodiments, the capacitor may additionally supply sufficient power to operate the register until a subsequent reading device coupling.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A register associated with a meter and operative to record and report flow data for a commodity, comprising:
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a reading device interface configured for operatively coupling to a reading device that is intermittently coupled to the register for establishing communication sessions with the register to read out metered quantity data from the register; one or more sensors operative to generate sensor signals, in response to the flow of the commodity through the meter; a controller operative to generate and store the metered quantity data, based on receiving and processing the sensor signals as they occur, and further operative to establish a communication session with the reading device, in response to detecting that the reading device is coupled to the register, and to output the metered quantity data via the reading device interface during the communication session, in accordance with a predetermined protocol; and a storage capacitor coupled to the reading device interface and operative to power the controller from stored charge during each communication session with the reading device and during the intervals between the communication sessions, based on charging from a voltage provided by the reading device during each communication session. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification