Abstract:
A method and apparatus for measuring a fluid and determining a leak comprising the steps of providing a meter and a meter register coacting with the meter. When a leak is detected, a signal is transmitted from the meter register regarding fluid consumption. The transmitted signal indicates a leak either when the measured flow rate remains a fixed volume over a fixed period of time, or the measured flow rate exceeds a threshold value.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/104,097 filed Apr. 12, 2005, now abandoned which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/092,020, filed Mar. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,819,292 which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/274,812 filed Mar. 9, 2001 entitled “Meter Register” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to meter registers and, more particularly, to meter registers for remote reading. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Presently, many locales visually read utility meters to determine utility consumption. The meters, such as water meters, include an odometer that identifies the consumption of the water consumed. The odometer is read periodically and the difference between the present and the prior reading determines the amount of utility water used. For example, if the most recent water meter reading was 2 million gallons or liters and the previous water meter reading was 1.8 million gallons or liters, then 200,000 gallons or liters of water were consumed. This procedure of individually reading water meters is time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive. In a competitive market, such an expense affects profitability to the utility provider. This is especially a problem in submetering markets where a separate entity may have to be employed to read water meters in apartment buildings and apartment building complexes. 
     Subsequently, systems were developed relating to remote reading systems. One such system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,407 to Galpern and entitled “System for Measuring and Recording a Utility Consumption”. This particular arrangement incorporated a transponder and receiver arrangement whereby a meter reader placed a meter reading device in close proximity to a transponder for a meter reading. This arrangement reduced the time spent by the meter reader on an individual site and more accurately recorded utility consumption. However, meter reading was still a labor intensive process. 
     Subsequently, meter reading systems have evolved whereby they are either connected to telephone lines and/or transmitters which transmit radio waves to a central location. In many instances, this eliminates many of the problems associated with utility consumption reading. 
     However, a problem has always existed with utility meters in that the register required substantial modification to retrofit the meter to attach a transponder. One solution was to make a hole in the register glass to attach a wire or antenna. Other solutions included drilling holes in the register case to accomplish the same goal. Problems occur when one attempts to drill through the register case, namely, moisture buildup in the register case. The moisture buildup can corrode metallic parts and/or cause short circuiting of the electrical components. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an antenna for transmitting a radio frequency signal that includes a first electrically conductive sheet, a second electrically conductive sheet spaced a first distance apart from the first electrically conductive sheet, and an axially extending leg electrically connected to the first electrically conductive sheet and the second electrically conductive sheet. The axially extending leg is electrically conductive. Preferably, the antenna is made of metal and made of a unitary sheet of metal. 
     The present antenna can be incorporated in a meter register that includes a register body. A rotatable drive shaft is coupled to the register body and a drive gear is attached to the drive shaft. At least one follower gear is rotatably attached to the register body and coupled with the drive gear. 
     Further, the present invention is a utility meter that includes a meter body having a chamber through which material passes. A measuring unit is contained within the chamber. The chamber includes a rotating member having a magnetic member and a sealed register attached to the chamber. The sealed register includes a corresponding magnetic member attached to the drive shaft coacting with the magnetic member and the above-described antenna. 
     The present invention is also an antenna adapter that includes a circular metallic ring, a first electrically conductive sheet, and a second electrically conductive sheet axially spaced from the first electrically conductive sheet. A cable electrically connects the metallic ring to the first electrically conductive sheet and the second electrically sheet whereby the metallic ring is adapted to be secured to an exterior portion of the meter register. 
     The present invention is also a method for measuring a utility that includes steps of providing a meter, providing meter register, transmitting a signal from the meter register, the signal identifying the meter type identification code and utility consumption, and receiving the information by a central authority. 
     The present invention is also directed to a method and apparatus to detect fluid flow movement through a meter via the meter register that includes a magnet rotatably coupled to a register drive shaft and magnetically coacting with magnetically activated switches. The position of the magnet relative to the magnetically activated switches determines position of the magnet. Over a period of time, the direction of movement of the magnet can be determined, which in turn is correlated to the direction of the movement of the drive shaft and material flowing through the meter register. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a meter including a meter register made in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of the meter shown in  FIG. 1  transmitting a signal to a receiver; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of a register made in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded side elevational view, partially in section, of the register shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a face plate and odometer of the register shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of an antenna used with the register shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the antenna and a portion of the antenna shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a flow directional indicator used in conjunction with the register shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a top perspective flow indicator depicted in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a chart identifying flow direction used in conjunction with the flow indicator shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevational view of the register shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  receiving and emitting signals; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic view showing a plurality of meters incorporating a meter register made in accordance with the present invention communicating with a receiver mounted on a vehicle; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic view of a meter, including a register made in accordance with the present invention, sending a signal to a receiver which then communicates via a telephone line; 
         FIG. 14  shows a meter made in accordance with the present invention positioned in a pit and coupled to an auxiliary antenna; 
         FIG. 15  is a partial sectional view of the auxiliary antenna shown in  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic view of a computer screen showing utility consumption in some graph form; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic view of a computer screen showing utility consumption in numerical form; 
         FIG. 18  is a partial perspective view of a portion of the register shown in  FIG. 4  made in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective bottom view of a portion of the register shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 20  is another perspective bottom view of a portion of the register shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic representation of the meter and auxiliary antenna made in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1 and 21  show a water meter  10  made in accordance with the present invention. The water meter  10  includes a body  12  having a measuring chamber  14 , an inlet  16 , an outlet  18 , and a register  20 . Preferably, the body  12  is made of a metallic material, such as bronze, copper, plastic, or stainless steel, although it can be made of other materials. The measuring chamber  14  can include many different types of measuring-type chambers, such as positive displacement chambers and/or a vane or a multi-jet type chamber. The inlet  16  and outlet  18  are adapted to be secured to piping P. The register  20  is a sealed register and preferably is magnetically coupled to the measuring chamber  14 , which includes a magnetic drive arrangement that is well known in the art. The register  20  of the water meter  10  of the present invention includes an arrangement to transmit and receive radio waves R as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The radio waves R are received by a transmission/receiving arrangement, such as a tower T, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  18 ,  19 , and  20  show the register  20  made in accordance with the present invention. The register  20  includes a face cap  22  attached to a metallic cup  24 . Preferably, the face cap  22  is made of glass or a clear polymeric material and is fixably secured to the metallic cup  24  which can be made of copper or stainless steel. The metallic cup  24  can be received by a polymeric shroud  27 . The face cap  22  is mechanically sealed to the metallic cup  24  and includes a rubber gasket or seal  25  to secure the face cap  22  and metallic cup  24  together and be held via a friction fit. An internal cavity C is defined by the face cap  22  and the metallic cup or bottom portion  24 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  18 ,  19 , and  20 , the register  20  includes a register subassembly  26 . The register subassembly  26  includes a face plate  28 , a dial  29 , and a gear train drive  30 . The gear train drive  30  includes a plurality of gears  32  coacting with each other as shown in  FIG. 4 . Typically, the gears  32  are tooth gears that are meshed with one another. One of the gears  32   s  includes a magnet arrangement  34 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The magnet arrangement  34  takes the shape of a cruciform having four legs extending from a center, although any shape could be provided. The gear train drive  30  is coupled to a gear drive  36  positioned on the face plate  28  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The gear drive  36  includes meshed gears  38  which drive both an odometer  40  and a wheel dial  42 , as well as a dial  29 . A plurality of spacer shafts  44  is provided for spacing various boards of the register  20 . A magnetic shield  46  shown in phantom in  FIG. 4  is provided for anti-magnet protection. Clips  48  are provided to connect meter components together including a circuit board  70  shown in phantom in  FIG. 7 . Batteries  50  and  52  are electrically coupled to the circuit board  70 . 
     A magnetic direction detection arrangement  58  is provided on a lower portion of the subassembly  26  and includes reed switches  54  and  56 . The reed switches  54  and  56  are magnetically activated switches. The reed switches  54  and  56  extend along axes A and B. Axes A and B are parallel to each other. Further, the reed switches  54  and  56  are radially spaced apart from each other as depicted by r in  FIG. 7 . The magnetic arrangement  34  as shown in  FIG. 9  is in close proximity to the reed switches  54  and  56 . 
     Referring back to  FIG. 4 , a magnetic drive arrangement  60  is provided and includes a shaft or extended shaft  62  and a magnetic coupling  64  which is adapted to coact with a magnetic drive  65  of the meter measuring chamber  14 . A magnetic shield  66  or anti-magnetic housing is provided for protecting the electronics from magnetic fields. More specifically, the magnetic drive arrangement  60  includes the magnetic coupling  64  attached to and contained within the drive shaft  62 . Rotation of the drive shaft  62  provides the mechanical energy, i.e., force and torque, to drive the gear train drive  30 , in that the drive shaft  62  is mechanically coupled to the gear drive train  30 . 
     An electronics package  68  is provided within the register  20 . The electronic package  68  includes the board  70  that has a microprocessor  72  which is electrically coupled to the batteries  50  and  52 . 
     The register  20  includes an antenna  74  is electronically coupled to the microprocessor  72 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the antenna  74  includes an arc-shaped section  76  having a leg  78  depending therefrom and a bottom substantially circular section  80 . Coaxial cable  82  is electrically coupled to the arc-shaped section  76  and the circular section  80  and electrically coupled to the microprocessor  72  as shown in phantom. This type of antenna is known as a PIFA antenna. The arc-shaped section  76  is the radiating plane and the circular section  80  is the ground plane. The leg  78  causes a short circuit between the radiating plane and the ground plane. The inner conductor of the coaxial cable  82  is electrically connected to the radiating plane and the outer conductor of the coaxial cable is connected to the ground plane. 
     More specifically, the antenna  74  includes a first electrically conductive sheet  80 , a second electrically coupled conductive sheet  76  spaced a first distance apart X from the first metallic sheet  80 , and an axially extending leg  78  electrically connected to the first electrically conductive sheet  80  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76 . The axially extending leg  78  is likewise electrically conductive. Preferably, the first electrically conductive sheet  80 , the second electrically conductive sheet  76 , and the axially extending leg  78  are made of metal. More preferably, the first electrically conductive sheet  80 , the second electrically conductive sheet  76  and the axially extending member  78  are made from a unitary sheet of metal. The first electrically conductive sheet  80  has a first arcuate-shaped outer edge  100  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76  has a second arcuate outer edge  102  wherein the axially extending member  78  extends from the first arcuate-shaped outer edge  100  to the second arcuate-shaped outer edge  102 . The first arcuate-shaped outer edge  100  has a first radius R 1  extending from a first center point  104  and a second arcuate-shaped outer edge  102  has a second radius R 2  extending from a second center point  106 . The first center point  104  and the second center point  106  are contained on a center line  108 . The first electrically conductive sheet  80  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76  are contained in a first plane  109  and a second plane  110 , respectively. The first electrically conductive sheet  80  has a first surface area  112  and a second electrically conductive sheet  76  has a second surface area  114 , wherein the first surface area  112  is greater than the second surface area  114 . Both the first electrically conductive sheet  80  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76  include cut-out sections  116 . The cut-out sections  116  permit the antenna  74  to be accommodated by the meter register  20  by permitting other register components to be received by the cut-out sections  116 . For example, the reed switches  54  and  56  are contained within one of the cut-out sections  116 . As stated previously, the coaxial cable  82  is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive sheet  80  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76 . Preferably, the distance X is approximately equal to or a multiple of a wavelength distance to be transmitted from the antenna  74 . Essentially, the axially extending leg  78  has a length equal to X. Although the antenna  74  shows substantially arcuate and circular sheets, the sheets can also be other shapes, such as rectangular or square, for example. 
     The metallic cup  24  is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive sheet  80  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76 . The cup  24  is an opened top structure having a cylindrically-shaped side wall  118  attached to a bottom wall  120 . The bottom wall  120  slopes away from the opened top portion toward a central axis  122  passing through the cup  24 . Preferably, a portion  124  of the bottom wall  120  is frusta-conical in shape. The bottom wall  120  includes a flat central portion  126  connected to an end  128  of the frusta-conical portion  124  that is adapted to receive the magnetic coupling  64 . Preferably, the first electrically conductive sheet  80  includes tabs  130  extending therefrom used for contacting the metallic cup  24 . 
     The first electrically conductive sheet  80  is spaced a second distance Y from the bottom wall  120 , which is approximately equal to or a multiple of a wavelength to be transmitted by the antenna  74 . A portion of the subassembly  26 , which includes a mechanical portion  132  of the register  20 , that includes the gear train drive  30  is received between the first conductive sheet  80  and the second conductive sheet  76 . The electronic package  68  includes an electrical frequency generator  134  coupled to the first conductive sheet  80  via the coaxial cable  82 . 
     The antenna  74  is coupled to the power source, i.e., the batteries  50  and  52 , via the frequency generator  134 . More specifically, the board  70  includes the frequency generator  134  which is electrically coupled to the first electrically coupled sheet  80 . 
     This present arrangement results in a very compact sealed register  20  which has an internal antenna. The metallic cup  24  also acts as an amplifier for the antenna  74  and forms an antenna structure. The metallic cup  24  also amplifies the radio waves that are emitted from the antenna  74  so that they may be directed externally of the register  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  11 . Furthermore, it has been found that electrically coupling the register  20  to a metallic meter case, such as the body  12 , further amplifies the signal. 
     Referring back to the meter register  20 , the mechanical portion of the meter register includes a register body  136  having the rotatable shaft or drive shaft  62  coupled thereto. A drive gear  138  is attached to the drive shaft  62  and at least one follower gear  32  is rotatably attached to the register body  136  coupled to the drive gear  138 . The antenna  74  is attached to the register body  136 , which is sandwiched between the first electrically conductive sheet  80  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76 . The odometer  40  is coupled to the drive gear  138  and at least one follower gear  32 . The rotatable drive shaft  62  includes a magnetic member or coupling  64  attached to a first end and the indicator  29  which attaches to a second end. The register drive shaft  62  extends along the longitudinal axis  122  and the first electrically conductive sheet  80  is contained in the first plane  109  and the second electrically conductive sheet  76  is contained in a second plane  110 , the longitudinal axis  122  being normal to the first plane  109  and the second plane  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a sensing follower gear  32   s  is rotatably secured to the body  136  and coacts with the drive gear  138  via a gear train drive  30  or through direct coupling. The sensing follower gear  32   s  rotates about a sensing axis  140  and drives the magnet arrangement  34 . The magnet arrangement  34  includes at least one sensing magnet  142  that coacts with the sensing follower gear  32   s  and is radially spaced from the sensing axis  140 . When the sensing follower gear  32   s  rotates about the sensing axis  140 , the sensing magnet  142  rotates about the sensing axis  140  in a rotating magnetic plane  144 . The reed switches  54  and  56  are radially spaced. When the sensing magnet  142  and the reed switches  54  and  56  are radially aligned, the reed switches  54  and  56  are in a first state, and when the sensing magnet  142  is not radially aligned with the reed switches  54  and  56 , the reed switches  54  and  56  are in a second state. Also, only one of the reed switches  54  and  56  will be in a first or second state depending on the position of the sensing magnet  142  relative to the reed switches  54  and  56 . 
     A rotational direction of the sensing follower gear  32   s  can therefore be determined by monitoring the sequence of the first state and second state of the reed switches  54  and  56  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The reed switches  54  and  56  are electrically coupled to the microprocessor  72  which can determine the rotational direction of the magnet arrangement  34 , which in turn can determine the rotational direction of the measuring chamber  14 . In this manner, one can determine if a reverse flow or forward flow condition is occurring through the meter  10  as shown in  FIG. 10 , since one can determine the direction of rotation of the drive shaft  62 . More particularly, as can be seen in  FIGS. 8-10 , the magnet  142  rotates about the sensing axis  140 . Each reed switch  54  and  56  is activated depending on the proximity of the magnet  142  to the reed switches  54  and  56 . The magnet  142  rotates about a circular path PA. The path PA can be divided into four segments: αβ, βγ, γδ, and δα when the magnet  142  is in the segment αβ, the reed switch  54  is in the first state or activated state designated as one (1) in  FIG. 10 , and the reed switch  56  is in a second state or deactivated state and designated as zero (0) in  FIG. 10 . When the magnet  142  is in the segment by, the reed switches  54  and  56  are in the first state or activated state and designated as one&#39;s (1) in  FIG. 10 . When the magnet  142  is in the segment γδ, the reed switch  54  is in the second state or deactivated state designated as zero (0) in  FIG. 10  and the reed switch  56  is in the first state or activated state designated as one (1) in  FIG. 10 . Finally, if the magnet  142  is in the segment δα, both reed switches  54  and  56  are in the deactivated state or second state designated as zero&#39;s (0) in  FIG. 10 . Depending on the sequence of the magnet position and the state of the reed switches  54  and  56 , the direction of rotation can be determined. 
     Also, a magnetically activated switch or reed switch  148  can be provided with the register  20  and coupled to the microprocessor  72 . The reed switch  148  is electrically coupled to the microprocessor  72  wherein when a magnetic field activates the magnetically activated switch  148  for a fixed period of time, the register  20  and/or antenna  74  emits a signal that indicates the register has been tampered with. 
     Preferably, the face cap  22  and metallic cup  24  form the internal seal chamber C via an elastomeric sealing member wherein the sealed chamber receives the register body  12 . Preferably, the internal chamber C is at a pressure below atmospheric pressure and, more preferably, at a pressure minus 9 atmospheres. Hence, the microprocessor  72  and antenna  74  are maintained in the evacuated internal chamber C. 
     In various cases, the meter, particularly the water meter  10 , is contained in a pit  150 , as shown in  FIG. 14 , positioned in the ground. In this arrangement, the radio wave signals of the antenna  74  cannot radiate a great distance due to the properties of the pit  150 . Further, in some instances, the pit  150  may fill with water  152  further hampering the transmission capability of the antenna  74 . In such instances, an auxiliary antenna  154  is provided. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the auxiliary antenna  154  includes a circular metallic ring  156  that is adapted to be glued or fixedly attached to the face cap  22 . A first pit electrically conductive sheet  158  and a second pit electrically conductive sheet  160  are provided. An electric insulator is provided between the two sheets  158  and  160 , hence, sheets  158  and  160  are spaced apart. An electrically conductive wire or cable  162  attaches the circular metallic ring  156  to the first pit electrically conductive sheet or radiating plane  158  and the second pit electrically conductive sheet or ground plane  160  via a short circuit element  163 . The first pit electrically conductive sheet  158  and the second pit electrically conductive sheet  160  are adapted to be positioned above a pit lid  164 . The first pit electrically conductive sheet  158 , second pit electrically conductive sheet  160 , and short circuit element  163  also form a PIFA antenna. Further, the first pit electrically conductive sheet  158 , second pit electrically conductive sheet  160 , the circular metallic ring  156 , and the cable  162  are encased in a polymeric coating or waterproof coating  166  so that should the pit  150  fill with water  152 , the auxiliary antenna  154  is not affected. Preferably, the first pit electrically conductive sheet  158  and second pit electrically conductive sheet  160  are circular in shape and are made from one unitary metallic sheet, such as copper, along with the short circuit element  163 , like antenna  74 . The axial spacing X′ of the first pit electrically conductive sheet  158  and the second pit electrically conductive sheet  160  is equal to or a multiple of the wavelength of the frequency transmitted by the antenna  74 . It is important to note that no external power source, such as batteries, supply power to the auxiliary antenna  154 . The radio waves transmitted from antenna  74  are received by the ring  156 , pass through the cable  162 , and are then transmitted via conductive sheets  158  and  160 . 
     The approximate direction of one antenna  74  is as follows: diameter of the circular section  80  is approximately 2.5″; distance X is approximately 0.75″; and diameter of the arc-shaped section  76 ′ is approximately 2.5″ for approximately 180°. Likewise, the circular sheets  158  and  160  have a diameter of approximately 2.5″ and spaced apart a distance X′ of approximately 0.75″. It is important to note that no separate electrical power is provided to the auxiliary antenna  154  and that an antenna signal  168  is generated external of the pit  150  via the first pit electrically conductive sheet  158  and the second pit electrically conductive sheet  160 . 
     The following discusses operation of the present invention. Initially, water passes through the inlet  16  causing the measuring chamber  14  to rotate. The water then flows through the outlet  18 . The measuring chamber  14  causes the magnetic drive  65  attached to the measuring chamber  14  to rotate. The corresponding magnetic coupling  64  provided in the register  20  is likewise rotated causing the drive shaft  62  to rotate. This in turn causes gears  32  of the gear train drive  30  to rotate which in turn causes the odometer  40  to move indicating the quantity of liquid flowing through the meter. At the same time, the magnet arrangement  34  rotates causing the sensing magnet  142  to rotate about the reed switches  54  and  56 . Depending on the sequence of the states of the reed switches  54  and  56  as shown in  FIG. 9  and previously discussed, the microprocessor  72  can determine the number of rotations of the measuring chamber and the direction of rotation. In this manner, a signal can be provided to the antenna  74  indicating the number of rotations which, in turn, determines the volumetric amount of fluid passing through the meter. Also, in this manner the position of the gear wheel  32   s  can be approximated by the state of the reed switches. The signal designated as  186  is then transmitted through the antenna  74  and, where applicable, the auxiliary antenna  154 . In other words, depending on the situation, the antenna  74  may be used without the auxiliary antenna  154 . The transmitted signal  186  is then picked up by a receiver  189 . The receiver  189  may, for example, be attached to a vehicle  188  as shown in  FIG. 12 . The vehicle  188  receives various packets or information transmitted from the antenna  74 . This information then can be transmitted to a central computer which then can provide the information to the end user through various means, including the internet. Alternatively, the meters  10  can be read by a meter reader individual going through each meter, i.e., an individual may carry a receiver and walk past the meters with the information transmitted by the respective antenna  74  and/or auxiliary antenna  154  to a receiver  189 . Further, the information can be provided through a stationary receiver  190  which can then either transmit another radio wave signal or send the information through telephone lines or the equivalent. Also, the signals can be received to a concentrator which then can be provided to a central source, such as through an Application Service Provider (ASP), which will convert the information into a usable format, which both the utility and the user can access via the internet, for example. In this manner, neither the utility nor the user needs special software to obtain billing and usage information since the central source (ASP) would provide this information in a user-friendly format, as will be discussed below. 
     Once the water begins to flow from the inlet  16  to the outlet  18 , the rotating element in the measuring chamber  14 , such as a multi-jet wheel, rotates which in turn causes the magnetic coupling  64  to rotate. This causes the drive shaft  62  to rotate with the respective gear train drive  30 . Hence, the dial  29  and the odometer  40  are caused to move. Likewise, the cruciform of the magnetic arrangement  34  rotates. In the present case, the magnetic arrangement  34  includes a single magnet  142 . The magnetic field caused by the magnet magnetically coacts with the two reed switches  54  and  56 . The state of the reed switches  54  and  56  are affected by the magnetic field of the magnet  142  to determine which sequence can be used to determine the direction of flow through the meter  10  such as, for example, the sequence of reed switches  54  and  56  is as follows: 0,0; 1,0; 1,1; 0,1; 0,0, etc., then this would indicate reverse flow. More than one magnet can be provided in the cruciform magnet arrangement. In the case of three magnets or an odd number of magnets provided in the cruciform section, directional flow can be determined. However, where only two oppositely positioned magnets are provided, or four magnets are provided, in each of the cruciform segments, only an indication of movement or the register can be determined, not the direction of rotation. More particularly, both flow rate and flow direction can be determined if the magnets are arranged in a non-symmetric arrangement about the cruciform, i.e., three magnets or two magnets positioned next to each other. 
     Further, the signal information provided via the antenna  74  may also include an odometer meter reading corresponding to the meter odometer  40 . Furthermore, the register can transmit, periodically or nonperiodically, information through the antenna  74  and identify such information as the meter coating utility consumption. Further, the antenna  74  can not only transmit information signals but, likewise, can receive information signals  194  from a transmitter  196 , that is a two-way communication. Preferably, this information can be used to correctly adjust the transmitted meter information indicating the odometer reading and other information. This permits the information to be transmitted via the meter register  20  to be modified in the field without removal of the meter register  20 . 
     The microprocessor  72  can also provide other information related to the operation of the meter. For example, the register  20  can monitor the flow rate via the reed switches  54  and  56 , through the meter and, if that information exceeds a fixed flow rate number or the flow rate does not change over a period of time, an alarm can be issued indicating that there may be a leak. Specifically if, for example, the meter  10  can detect a flow rate Q as low as 1 liter or quart per hour and over a fixed period of time t, e.g., thirty minutes, and if Q/t over a fixed period of time, e.g., one hour, remains constant, then this could indicate a leak condition. A low constant flow rate over a period of time could indicate a small leak, such as in a toilet, or a large consistent flow rate over a period of time could indicate that a main water line has failed or a bathtub is overflowing. An alarm can be issued either at the location of the meter, or via e-mail or a telephone message, for example. 
     Preferably, the batteries  50  and  52  provide power to the electronics of the register at 10 milliwatts and power consumption is typical at 2 micro amperes. It is believed that in this arrangement the battery life can be approximately 8 years. Preferably, the antenna  74  transmits data having a 3.3-4 milliseconds length of compression data and the time between transmissions can vary, for example, 6 seconds or twice a day from the meter, depending on the particular situation. The meter  10  can also receive information, i.e., radio signals Q, from a transmitting source TS as shown in  FIG. 11 . More preferably, the present invention system transmits information through a series of character strings that essentially identify a base code, an I.D. code, a system code, an area code, a meter-type water consumption register, reverse flow consumption, status, and a billing factor. This information can be modified on a case-by-case basis. Preferably, the present invention transmits at radio frequencies of 10 dbm (10 mW) narrow band, 800-980 MHz frequency or any other radio frequency, for example, per FCC (United States Federal Communications Commission). 
     More preferably, the present invention can be utilized in connection with the vehicle  188  which can receive the meter reading signals  186  emitted from the register antenna  74 . Specifically, the vehicle  188  can travel a set meter reading route. Along that route the vehicle receiving unit  189  will receive the various radio waves from respective meters  10 . The vehicle  188  can be provided with computer assistance to store this information. This information, which includes consumption information, can be sent to a central computer for billing and other information. The vehicle receiving unit can identify if it does not receive the signal from the meter designated on the route. This may indicate that an antenna wire was cut and/or the register was tampered with. An alternative arrangement can be provided that the meter antenna transmits meter reading information to a communication concentrator. This information can be forwarded via a communication line, such as a modem line, or radio waves to a central computer for collation of the information. As described earlier, this information can then be sent to an ASP. This information can be analyzed for billing purposes. 
     Finally, the information transmitted via the antenna  74  can then be provided through a world-wide-web or internet-based system whereby the user or utility can obtain this information via typing into a computer the user&#39;s I.D. number and password at the ASP website. The present invention can also be used in the submetering market, where the submetering entity is responsible for collecting utility fees from users. Such information that may be obtained is meter usage  197   a  and billing information  197   b  via screens  198  and  200  such as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . This information would be presented in real time. Therefore, if one wishes to monitor utility consumption, he or she need only to log onto this website from anywhere throughout the world where internet access is available. Further, utilities and users need not use special software packages to obtain the information since it would be provided by the web-based ASP that provides respective reports. Further, if it is believed that there is a leak occurring or tampering of the meter, an e-mail message  201  or automated message can be sent to the household or business for an emergency telephone number for further evaluation. For example, if a leak is detected in a home, the home owner could be e-mailed or telephoned at an emergency number to check whether a leak is occurring. Furthermore, a physical alarm can be provided on the meter, in which case, an alarm can be emitted from that meter. Also, an opening and closing valve can be provided on the pipe p, which can be remotely activated to an opened and/or closed position depending on the volume of water passing through the meter. As can be seen, the present invention solves many problems that are in existence in automatic meter reading technology. Further, the present invention can be used to measure any type of fluid, including water, gas, gasoline, etc., as well as any other type of metered materials. 
     Having described the presently preferred embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that it may otherwise be embodied within the scope of the appended claims.