US3829835A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multi-signal encoder and transponder
Assignee: McGraw Edison Co
•
Filing: 1972-09-20
•
Granted: 1974-08-13
•
Expires: 1992-09-20
Abstract
Abstract A position encoder and transponder for use in an automatic remote meter reading system and including disc means coupled to the meter being read and perforated in accordance with a position code and position means having a plurality of photoresponsive information bit means operatively associated with the coded disc. An oscillator provides two different tone signals in accordance with associated capacitive parameters and capacitance means is associated with each photoresponsive means for being placed in a parallel circuit relation with the capacitive parameters in accordance with the position of the coded disc so that a different pair of tone signals will be provided for each disc position.
Inventors
- 👤 V Stewart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 17:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q9/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A meter reading system having an encoder adapted to be connected to a meter to be read and movable to a plurality of coded positions in response to meter movement, and a transmitter connected to and controlled by the encoder for transmitting an ouput signal over telephone lines, said transmitter comprising a signal means responsive to the position of the encoder to produce a unique output signal for each of said plurality of positions, said signal means comprising: a first oscillator having a plurality of selectable output frequencies, a second oscillator having a plurality of selectable output frequencies, a means for transmitting the two output frequencies to produce the output signal, and a means for controlling the output frequencies in response to the positions to the encoder to produce a unique combination of a first oscillator frequency and a second oscillator frequency for each position of the encoder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A meter reading system having an encoder adapted to be connected to a meter to be read and movable to a plurality of coded positions in response to meter movement, and a transmitter connected to and controlled by the encoder for transmitting an ouput signal over telephone lines, said transmitter comprising a signal means responsive to the position of the encoder to produce a unique output signal for each of said plurality of positions, said signal means comprising: a first oscillator having a plurality of selectable output frequencies, a second oscillator having a plurality of selectable output frequencies, a means for transmitting the two output frequencies to produce the output signal, and a means for controlling the output frequencies in response to the positions to the encoder to produce a unique combination of a first oscillator frequency and a second oscillator frequency for each position of the encoder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said encoder comprises a disc rotatable to a plurality of positions and having selected opaque and transparent portions in a track on the disc correlated to said plurality of positions, a light source on one side of the disc, and photosensitive resistances positioned on the other side of the disc to selectively receive light through transparent portions of said disc.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system according to claim 2 wherein said photosensitive resistances are respectively connected to each of the oscillators to control the output frequencies of each of said oscillators.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 3 wherein said output signal is produced in two sequential parts with one part produced by operating the oscillators with the light source turned off and with the other part produced by operating said oscillators with the light source turned on.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein said oscillators each have a base frequency and said output signal is produced in two sequential parts with one part produced by operating the oscillators at the base frequencies and with the other part produced by operating said oscillators at the frequencies occurring in response to the positions of the encoder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
141 words
A meter reading system having an encoder adapted to be connected to a meter for indicating the meter position and a transmitter for producing an output signal comprising: a coding means having a selected number of positions for producing a unique indication of each of said positions, a first means responsive to the indications of the coding means for producing a signal having a first number of levels, and a second means responsive to the indications of the coding means for producing a signal having a second number of levels with said signals of said first and second means combined to produce the output signal and with said signal levels selected to provide a number of unique outputs equal to the product of the first and second number of levels and equal to the number of positions of the coding means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A meter reading system having an encoder adapted to be connected to a meter for indicating the meter position and a transmitter for producing an output signal comprising: a coding means having a selected number of positions for producing a unique indication of each of said positions, a first means responsive to the indications of the coding means for producing a signal having a first number of levels, and a second means responsive to the indications of the coding means for producing a signal having a second number of levels with said signals of said first and second means combined to produce the output signal and with said signal levels selected to provide a number of unique outputs equal to the product of the first and second number of levels and equal to the number of positions of the coding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A system according to claim 6 also comprising a means for controlling the first means and the second means to selectively produce a selected one of said first number of levels and a selected one of said second number of levels for a selectEd period of time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system according to claim 6 wherein said coding means comprises a light source, and a plurality of photosensitive resistances selectively exposed to the light source to thereby provide the unique indications.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said output signal is produced in two sequential parts with one part produced by operating the first means and second means without illuminating the light source and with the other part produced by operating said first means and second means illuminating said light source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said first and second means are oscillator circuits producing first and second number of frequencies, respectively, and said photosensitive resistances are connected to respectively control the frequencies of said oscillators.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2719284A
Cited
US3108255A
Cited
US3492649A
Cited
US3609691A
Cited
US3609754A
Cited
US3675237A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |