Automated meter inspection and reading
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United States of America Patent
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Sep 24, 1996
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Jun 28, 1993
filing date -
Jun 28, 1993
priority date (Note) -
Expired
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Abstract
A method and device, including a portable embodiment, for the automated inspection of devices having different visual changeable and non-changeable indicia on the faces thereof. Specific devices include meters, particularly electric usage meters, for detection of tampering, for improving efficiency of maintenance procedures and for usage in reading the meters for billing purposes. Meters of various heights, configuration and construction are fixed into designated positions and are inspected by visual computer-linked camera scanning, to determine meter periphery and a location reference point, and imaging of identifying portions of meter faces relative to the determined location reference point. The identifying portions are compared with correlative templates of existing meter types, stored in computer memory. Identification of specific meter type permits exact location and subsequent OCR identification of the specific meter number (with use history) and parameters (voltage, amperage, wire connections etc.) for preparation of an operability-inspection station. Meter dial needle positions are read by light scanning of respective determined dial positions, and imaging of connected dark pixels, indicating needle location. A slope determination fixes the reading of the dial, which is used for billing purposes. Adjacent dial needles are in a predetermined relative position with deviations therefrom indicating tampering. Numeral meter readings are OCR scanned for billing purposes.
First Claim
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- 15 United States
- 10 France
- 8 Japan
- 7 China
- 5 Korea
- 2 Other
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International Classification(s)
Inventor(s)
Inventor Name | Address | # of filed Patents | Total Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Dhaliwal, Jaskaran | 10 Challenger Ct., North Plainfield, NJ 07060 | 1 | 29 |
Gidney, John | 45 Glenwood Dr., North Bergenfield, NJ 07621 | 1 | 29 |
Gore, Gerald E | 1005 Highway 28, North Branch, NJ 08876 | 9 | 423 |
Greenfeder, Jack J | 9 Deepdale Dr., Randolph, NJ 07869 | 1 | 29 |
Greenfeld, Joshua | 54 Leslie St., Edison, NJ 08817 | 1 | 29 |
Hinton, Melvin C | 147 Fulton Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901 | 1 | 29 |
Lubliner, David J | 143 Howell Ave., Fords, NJ 08863 | 1 | 29 |
McHugh, William | 6 Walden La., Denville, NJ 07834 | 1 | 29 |
Parsio, Anthony | 461 Hickory Ave., Kearney Pt., NJ 07481 | 1 | 29 |
Rintel, Ian | 57 Ottawa Rd., South Marlboro, NJ 07746 | 1 | 29 |
Roman, Harry T | 25 Laurel Ave., East Orange, NJ 07017 | 9 | 501 |
Vogelaar, Jake | 729 Willow Run, Wyckoff, NJ 07481 | 1 | 29 |
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Maintenance Fees
Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee | due date |
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Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee |
---|---|---|---|
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable | $700.00 | $350.00 | $175.00 |
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional | $1,640.00 | $820.00 | $410.00 |
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