Meter data gathering and transmission system

• US 6,087,957 A
• Filed: 10/22/1993
• Issued: 07/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sensus Spectrum, LLC (Xylem, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: M&FC Holding, LLC
• Inventors: Gray, Bruce Edward
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANG, KENT WU
• Application Number:
  US08/141,412
• Time in Patent Office: 2,454 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.03, 340/825.54, 340/825.55, 340/505, 379/106, 379/107, 371/52, 49/29
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/00 Tariff metering apparatus in taximeters G07B13/00; apparatus actuated by coins, cards or the like with meter-controlled dispensing of liquid, gas, or electricity G07F15/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 15/063 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: G06M 1/27 for representing the result of count in the form of electric signals, e.g. by sensing markings on the counter drum

Abstract

A utility data gathering system is disclosed as comprising a register including a series of index members coupled to a meter mechanism. Each index member includes a plurality of contacts and a switch arm moveable with its index member. The meter mechanism is responsive to utility consumption for moving the index members to positions indicative of the utility consumed, whereby each switch arm completes in normal operation a circuit with just one of its plurality of contacts dependent upon the position of its index member. A digital computer is programmed for performing first and second scans of each contact of each index member to obtain corresponding first and second sets of data indicative of a completed circuit through the switch arm and contacts of each index member. The completed circuit data obtained from each of the first and second scans are compared and if the circuit data of the first and second scans are different, an alarm manifestation is generated.

Claims

1. A method for determining the quantity of utility consumed during a given time period by a utility customer, comprising:

(a) providing a meter for making a measurement of the amount of utility passing therethrough;

(b) providing a register adapted to supply electrical indications of said measurement;

(c) providing a meter transponder coupled to said register for determining electrical manifestations of the measurement from said indications obtained from said register, said meter transponder being electrically connected to a secondary winding;

(d) allowing passage of the utility through the meter to provide the measurement;

(e) determining the electrical manifestations of the measurement in the meter transponder;

(f) providing a portable interrogator having a primary winding;

(g) bringing the portable interrogator to a position in relation to the meter transponder whereby the secondary winding and the primary winding are disposed such that a signal in either would induce the same signal in the other by inductive coupling;

(h) actuating the portable interrogator and transmitting an electrical signal having a clock pulse component, from the portable interrogator to the meter transponder, by placing the electrical signal on the primary winding whereby it is induced in the secondary winding, thereby activating the meter transponder and causing the meter transponder to obtain said electrical manifestations, and modulate said electrical signals with respect to said clock pulse component, thereby generating a signal representative of the electrical manifestations of the measurement available to the interrogator and placing the signal on the secondary winding; and

(i) determining from the signal the measurement of utility represented thereby.

2. The method according to claim 1, step (e) further comprising storing an electrical manifestation of the measurement in said meter transponder.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising, providing an identification means for determining the identification number of said meter, storing an electrical manifestation of said identification number in said meter transponder, causing the signal to be further representative of the electrical manifestation of said identification number.

4. A utility data gathering system comprising;

an interrogator comprising;

means for transmitting an interrogation signal across a single inductive coupling permitting bidirectional communication between a meter transponder and the interrogator, said interrogation signal including a clock signal,

means for receiving signals representative of utility consumption data,

a meter transponder comprising;

register means coupled to a utility meter, for providing consumption signals representing utility consumption data,

signal processing means comprising;

means for accessing said register means to obtain said consumption signals, means for modulating said consumption signals in accordance with said clock signal to generate consumption signals representing said utility consumption data, means for transmitting said consumption signals to said interrogator across said single inductive coupling,

whereby said interrogator means for receiving further includes means for demodulating said consumption signals to determine said utility consumption data.

5. The utility data gathering system according to claim 4 further comprising identification means coupled to said utility meter for providing electrical signals representing meter identity data.

6. The utility data gathering system according to claim 5, said meter transponder further comprising storage means for storing electrical manifestations of said utility consumption data and said meter identity data, respectively.

7. A utility data gathering system comprising:

a utility meter,

register means coupled to said utility meter for providing electrical signals representing utility consumption data;

identification means coupled to said utility meter for providing electrical signals representing meter identity data;

a meter transponder comprising;

signal processing means comprising;

means for repeatedly accessing said register means and said identification means to obtain said signals representing said utility consumption data and meter identity data, means for modulating said signals to generate digital signals conveying binary digits, means for transmitting said digital signals to an interrogator via a single inductive coupling, said inductive coupling permitting bidirectional communication between said meter transponder and a remote interrogator,

an interrogator comprising;

means for effecting communication with said meter transponder via said single inductive coupling, means for transmitting signals requesting said utility consumption data and said meter identity data, means for receiving digital signals from said meter transponder, means for demodulating said digital signals to distinguish between said differing binary digits thereby determining said utility consumption data and said identity data.