Automated reader for gauge-based meters
AssigneeFlex Ltd.
InventorMarco De Angeli
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Mechanical gauges remain a common means to present values of a system or system component to a user. Connecting mechanical gauges to allow for notification messages to be generated, when the value indicated by a needle of the gauge is of particular interest, provides for greater usability. Illuminating a narrow portion of a gauge and utilizing a light detector to determine if the needle is, or is not, reflecting the light emitted, allows for systems to be alerted when the gauge has a particular value. Additionally, the area of interest may be further divided and illuminated by differentiated light to allow the notification to further include the direction from which the needle has entered the area of interest.
Claims20
A device for detecting the presence of a needle being within a target position of a gauge, comprising:
- a first light emitter emit a first beam to illuminate the target position on a dial of the gauge;
- a light detector to convert detected light into an output signal;
- a processor to receive the output signal;
- and
- an output interface to output an alert, from the processor, to an alerting component;
- and
- wherein the processor receives the output signal and, upon determining that the value of the output signal is associated with the needle reflecting the first beam by being within the target position, causes the output interface to output the alert.
A method for reading a needle position of a gauge, comprising:
- illuminating a target position of a dial of the gauge with a first beam;
- receiving light at a light detector and outputting a corresponding output signal associated with an attribute of the received light;
- determining, by a processor receiving the output signal, whether the output signal is associated with the needle reflecting the first beam by the needle being within the target position;
- and
- in response, to determining that the needle is within the target position, outputting an alert to an alert receiving component.
A system for detecting the presence of a needle being within a target position of a gauge, comprising:
- a first light emitter to emit a first beam to illuminate the target position on a dial of the gauge;
- a light detector to convert detected light into an output signal;
- an output interface to produce an alert signal;
- and
- a processor to receive the output signal;
- and
- wherein the processor receives the output signal and, upon determining that the value of the output signal is associated with the needle reflecting the first beam, causes the output signal to output the alert signal to a component connected thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.