Optical sensor for utility meter
US6798352B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 29, 2001 |
| Grant date | Sep 28, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 9, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A radio frequency automated meter reading (AMR) device for determining quantities of a consumed utility product including electric, gas and water service. The present invention intermittently transmits utility product consumption as a modulated RF signal, and does not require complex polling and bi-directional communication. Data is obtained and formatted for transmission and is adapted to be received by a remote receiving device having an RF receiver. The present invention is adaptable to water meters, gas meters and electric meters, and has an IR programming module facilitating remote programming and diagnostic procedures. In the case of water and gas meters, an internal lithium battery provides an operational life of up to ten years. In the case of the electric meter, power is tapped directly from the electric service.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.