Apparatus and method for remotely monitoring a utility meter by use of a liquid crystal display
US4628313A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 12, 1984 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 12, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention relates to an optical sensor apparatus (21) for use in a remote meter monitoring system (20) for remotely monitoring the dials (34) of a utility meter or the like by use of a liquid crystal display (31). The liquid crystal display (31) includes five distinct areas 71 through 75 arranged in a semicircle in register with the circumferential path of a dial pointer arrangement (36) of the meter which including a dial pointer (37) and a disk like member (38) having a light absorptive semicircular portion (38a) and a reflective semicircular portion (38b). A sixth distinct area (76) being positioned in a diametrically opposed semicircle. The disk like member (38) being illuminated by a light emitting diode (40). The sixth distinct areas (71 through 76) being sequentially switched to a transparent condition and a readout of the light passing therethrough being obtained from a photodiode detector (42) so as to ascertain the angular position of the dial pointer arrangement (36) and thus obtain a readout thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.