Patent ID: 6232885
Filing Date: 2001-05-15
Classification: G01R,G08C

Abstract:
A meter for measuring electricity usage for a given load, said meter comprising:a housing;a first light source and a second light source, each said light source disposed in said housing and configured to output light at a predetermined frequency;a first light receiver and a second light receiver, wherein each said light receiver is disposed in said housing so that a first light path is defined between said first light source and said first light receiver and so that a second light path is defined between said second light source and said second light receiver, and wherein each said light receiver is configured to receive said light from its respective said light source and to output a signal responsively thereto at a frequency related to said predetermined frequency by a predetermined relationship;a rotatable member disposed in said housing and being rotatable responsively to said electricity usage, said rotatable member defining a first portion and a second portion so that said first portion and said second portion alternatingly intercept each of said first light path and said second light path as said rotatable member rotates,wherein said first portion transmits incident light from a said light source to its respective said light receiver and wherein said second portion blocks said incident light, and wherein one of said first portion and said second portion is defined on said rotatable member so that said one of said first and second portions can intercept only one of said first light path and said second light path at a time; anda filter circuit includingtwo band pass filters, each in communication with a respective one of said first light receiver and said second light receiver, wherein each said band pass filter receives said output signal from its said respective light receiver and passes a frequency range that includes said related frequency so that said band pass filter outputs a signal at said related frequency upon receipt of said light receiver output signal,two acquisition circuits, each in communication with a respective one of said band pass filters, wherein each said acquisition circuit receives said output signal from its said respective band pass filter and is configured to output responsively thereto a signal having a magnitude based on the magnitude of said band pass filter output signal, andtwo comparator circuits, each in communication with a respective one of said acquisition circuits, wherein each said comparator circuit receives said output signal from its said respective acquisition circuit and is configured to compare said acquisition circuit output signal with a threshold voltage and output a signal in one of two states depending on said comparison.