CONVERTING METHOD FROM MECHANICAL COUNTER TO DIGITAL SIGNAL FOR MECHANICAL TYPE UTILITY METER

摘要

A method of digital data conversion of a mechanical utility meter which enables remote electronic inspection while using existing mechanical utility meters. Sensor apparatus comprising light emitter and reflected light detector is attached to the exterior of a mechanical utility meter, facing the last digit of the indicator numbers. Light emitter transmits light to the indicator surface and detector receives reflected light signal. Revolutions of the indicator can be determined by linear tracing vertical movement of a certain point of the indicator surface and counting numbers of the light 'pulses' generated by the detector converting reflected light intensity alterations into high and low pulses.