MAGNETIC OPTICAL COUPLER FOR UTILITY METERS AND THE LIKE

COUPLEUR OPTOMAGNETIQUE POUR COMPTEURS DE CONSOMMATION D'ENERGIE

English Abstract

05-ME-99
MAGNETIC OPTICAL COUPLER FOR
UTILITY METERS AND THE LIKE
ABSTRACT
Disclosed is a meter cover (housing) mounted
receptacle and detachable magnetic coupler incorporating
optical communication devices for electronically commun-
icating with electronic circuitry housed within the meter
cover.

Claims

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The embodiments of the invention in which an
exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined
as follows:
1. In a system of the type including a meter
having electronic circuitry housed within a cover of the
meter, the combination comprising:
a) a fixed coupler assembly of magnetically
inductive material rigidly mounted through a portion of
the meter cover, said fixed coupler assembly having a face
portion external of the meter cover and including an
aperture extending into said fixed coupler assembly from
the face portion, said fixed coupler assembly further
including,
1) an optical communication means of a
first type disposed in the aperture of said fixed
coupler assembly for optical communication external
of the meter cover at the face portion of said
fixed coupler assembly, and
2) means connecting said optical communication
means to the electronic circuitry for electronically
communicating therewith;
b) a magnetic coupler assembly having a magnetized
surface on one end thereof and including an aperture
extending into said magnetic coupler assembly from the
magnetized surface, said magnetic coupler assembly further
including,
1) an optical communication means of a
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnetic coupler assembly for optical
communication out the magnetized surface end
thereof, and
2) a shield surrounding said magnetic
coupler assembly and having a lip extending
over the magnetic end surface thereof, said
shield surrounding said fixed coupler assembly
at the face portion thereof and serving to align
the optical communication means of said first

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and second types and to inhibit the entry of
ambient light between the face portion and the
magnetized surface when said fixed and magnetic
coupler assemblies, respectively, are magnetically
attached; and
c) external communication means connected to the
optical communication means of said second type in said
magnetic coupler assembly for electronically communicating
information between the electronic circuitry in the meter
cover and said external communication means, via the
optical communication means of said first and second types,
when said fixed and magnetic coupler assemblies are
magnetically attached.
2. The system in accordance with claim 1,
wherein one of the optical communication means of said
first and second types is a light emitting diode and the
other of said first and second types is a photocell.
3. The system in accordance with claim 1,
wherein said fixed coupler assembly further includes a
transparent protective shield on the face portion thereof
for protecting the optical communication means disposed
in the aperture of said fixed coupler assembly.
4. Apparatus for establishing a communication
link for the transfer of information comprising:
a) a first coupler assembly including,
1) a housing of magnetically inductive
material, the structure of said housing being
characterized by a cylindrical body having a
face portion and being further characterized
by an aperture extending from the face portion
into said body,
2) a transparent shield covering the
aperture in the face portion of said housing,
and
3) an optical communication means of a
first type disposed in the aperture of said
housing for optically communicating through

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said transparent shield and the aperture in the
face portion of said housing;
b) a second coupler assembly including,
1) a magnet for magnetic attachment to said
first coupler assembly, the structure of said
magnet being characterized by a cyclindrical body
having a face portion substantially symetrical
with the face portion of said first coupler
assembly and being further characterized by an
aperture extending from the face portion into
said magnet, and positioned therein to align with
the aperture in the face portion of said first
coupler assembly,
2) an optical communication means of a
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnet for optically communicating with the
optical communication means in said first coupler
assembly; and
3) an annular lip extending beyond the face
portion of said magnet, said lip serving to align
the face portions of said first and second coupler
assemblies and to inhibit the entry of ambient
light between the face portions by closely
circumventing the body of said first coupler
assembly at the face end thereof, when the coupler
assemblies are magnetically attached to establish
a communication link for the transfer of informa-
tion.
5. Apparatus for establishing a communication
link for the transfer of information comprising
a) a first coupler assembly including,
1) a housing of magnetically inductive
material, the structure of said housing being
characterized by a body having a face portion and
being further characterized by first and second
apertures extending from the face portion of said
body into a cavity formed therein,

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Claim 5 continued:
2) a first optical emitter device,
3) a first optical detector device,
4) means for mounting said first optical
emitter and detector devices in the cavity of
said body, whereby said first optical emitter
and detector devices may optically communicate
through the first and second apertures respectively
in the face portion of said body;
b) a second coupler assembly including,
1) a magnet for magnetic attachment to
said first coupler assembly, the structure of
said magnet being characterized by a body having
a face portion substantially symmetrical with the
face portion of said housing and being further
characterized by third and fourth apertures,
positioned for symetrical alignment with said
first and second apertures respectively, extending
from the face portion of said magnet into a cavity
formed therein,
2) a second optical emitter device,
3) a second optical detector device, and
4) means for mounting said second optical
emitter and detector devices in the cavity of
said magnet, whereby said second optical emitter
and detector devices may optically communicate
through the third and fourth apertures respectively
in the face portion of said magnet; and
c) means formed on either of said first and second
coupler assemblies, serving to prevent the entry of ambient
light between said first and second coupler assemblies, in-
cluding means on said first and second coupler assemblies
for ensuring alignment of the apertures in the face portions
of said housing and said magnet, whereby said first optical
emitter device in said housing may communicate with said
second optical detector device in said magnet and said first

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optical detector device in said housing may communicate
with said second optical emitter device in said magnet,
when said first and second coupler assemblies are
magnetically attached to form an optical communication
link for the transfer of information.
6. In a meter of the type including electronic
circuitry housed within a meter cover, apparatus for
electronically communicating with the electronic circuitry
externally of the meter cover comprising:
a) a fixed coupler assembly of magnetically
inductive material rigidly mounted through a portion of
the meter cover, the structure of said fixed coupler assembly
being characterized by a substantially cylindrical body
having a face portion on one end, including a radially
extending shoulder in nesting relationship with the outside
of the meter cover where mounted, and further including first
alignment means in the face portion of the shoulder, said
first coupler assembly being further characterized by
first and second apertures extending through said body
from the face portion end thereof; said fixed coupler
assembly further including,
1) a first optical emitter device;
2) a first optical detector device;
3) means for mounting said first optical
emitter and detector devices in the first and
second apertures respectively of said body,
whereby said first optical emitter and detector
devices may optically communicate externally
of the meter cover, through the face portion of
said fixed coupler assembly; and
4) means for electrically connecting said
first optical emitter and detector devices to
the electronic circuitry inside the meter cover;
and
b) a detachable coupler assembly having a
structure characterized by a substantially cylindrical
magnet having a magnetized surface on one end thereof,

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Claim 6 continued:
said magnetized surface being substantially symetrical
with the face portion of said fixed coupler assembly
and the radially extending shoulder thereof for magnetic
attachment to the body of said fixed coupler assembly,
said magnet further being characterized by third and fourth
apertures extending through said magnet from the magnetized
surface end thereof, and being positioned for symetrical
alignment with the first and second apertures respectively in
the body of said fixed coupler assembly;
1) a second optical emitter device;
2) a second optical detector device;
3) means for mounting said second optical
emitter and detector devices in the third and
fourth apertures respectively of said magnet,
whereby said second optical emitter and detector
devices may communicate through the third and fourth
apertures respectively in the magnetized surface
end of said magnet; and
4) a light shield, circumventing said magnet
and forming an annular lip extending beyond the
magnetized surface end thereof, said light shield
surrounding the shoulder of said fixed coupler
assembly, when said fixed and detachable coupler
assemblies are magnetically attached, to prevent
entry of ambient light between said fixed and
detachable coupler assemblies, said light shield
including second alignment means adapted for
engagement with said first alignment means to
ensure alignment of the apertures in the face
portion and magnetized surface end of said fixed
and detachable coupler assemblies respectively,
whereby said first optical emitter device in said
fixed coupler assembly communicates with said
second optical detector device in said detachable
coupler assembly, and said first optical detector
device in said fixed coupler assembly communicates

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with said second optical emitter device in
said detachable coupler assembly, when said fixed
and detachable coupler assemblies are magnetically
attached to ?rm an optical communication link
for electronically communicating, externally of
the meter cover, with the electronic circuitry
inside the meter cover.
7. Apparatus for establishing a communication
link for the transfer of information comprising:
a) a first coupler assembly including,
1) a housing of magnetically inductive
material, the structure of said housing being
characterized by a body having a face portion
and being further characterized by an aperture
extending from the face portion into said body,
and
2) an optical communication means of a first
type disposed in the aperture of said housing for
optically communicating through the aperture in
the face portion of said housing;
b) a second coupler assembly including,
1) a magnet for magnetic attachment to
said first coupler assembly, the structure of
said magnet being characterized by a body having
a face portion and further characterized by an
aperture extending from the face portion into said
magnet,
2) an optical communication means of a
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnet for optically communicating through the
aperture in the face portion of said magnet;
and,
c) means, formed on either of said first and
second coupler assemblies, serving to align the face
portions of said housing and said magnet and thus the
optical communication means of said first and second types

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respectively, and to substantially prevent the entry of
ambient light between said first and second coupler assem-
blies, when the coupler assemblies are magnetically
attached to form an optical communication link for the
transfer of information.
8. Information transfer apparatus comprising:
a) a first coupler assembly including,
1) a first magnet, the structure thereof
being characterized by a substantially
cyclindrical body having a face portion and
being further characterized by an aperture
extending into said body from the face portion
thereof, and
2) an optical communication device of a
first type disposed in the aperture of said body
for optically communicating through the aperture
in the face portion of said body,
b) a second coupler assembly including,
1) a second magnet for magnetic attachment
to said first coupler assembly, the structure of
said second magnet being characterized by a
substantially cyclindrical body having a
magnetized surface on one end thereof and being
further characterized by an aperture extending
into the body thereof from the magnetized
surface end, and
2) an optical communication device of a
second type disposed in the aperture of the
body of said second magnet for optically
communicating through the aperture in the
magnetized surface end thereof, and
c) means circumventing the face portion end of
the magnetized surface end of one of said first and second
magnets respectively and extending over the end of the one
magnet forming an annular lip to inhibit the entry of
ambient light between said first and second magnets and
to ensure alignment of the apertures in the magnets, when

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said first and second coupler assemblies are magnetically
attached to form an optical communication link for the
transfer information.
9. In a system for electronically communicating
information, the combination comprising:
a) a sealed enclosure;
b) electronic circuitry disposed inside said
sealed enclosure;
c) a fixed coupler assembly rigidly mounted through
a portion of said sealed enclosure including,
1) a housing of magnetically inductive
material, said housing having a face portion
external of said sealed enclosure, the face
portion having a first alignment means forming
a part thereof and including an aperture therein
opening from the face portion into said housing,
and
2) an optical communication device of a first
type disposed in the aperture of said housing for
optical communication externally of said sealed
enclosure;
d) means for electrically connecting said optical
communication device to said electronic circuitry inside
said sealed enclosure; and
e) a detachable coupler assembly including,
1) a magnet for magnetic attachment to the
face portion of said fixed coupler assembly, said
magnet having a second alignment means in one end
thereof for alignment with said first alignment
means in said housing and an aperture in said one
end positioned for alignment with the aperture
in the housing when said fixed and detachable
coupler assemblies are attached,
2) an optical communication device of a
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnet for optical communication, out the one end

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thereof, with the optical communication device of said
first type, when said fixed and detachable coupler assem-
blies are magnetically attached; and
f) external communication means connected to
the optical communication device of said second type in said
detachable coupler assembly for electronically communicating
information between the electronic circuitry in said sealed
enclosure and said external communication means, via the
optical communication devices of said first and second types,
when said fixed and detachable coupler assemblies are
magnetically attached.
10. The system in according with claim 9,
wherein said detachable coupler assembly further includes
a cover of magnetically inductive material surrounding
at least a portion thereof, said cover forming a part of said
magnet, and being inductively coupled with the magnetic field
generated by said magnet, to increase the strength of said
magnet and enhance the magnetic retentivity thereof.
11. The system in accordance with claim 10,
wherein said cover of said magnet further includes a light
shield formed as a lip extending beyond the one end of said
magnet for circumventing said housing of said fixed coupler
assembly, to prevent the entry of ambient light between
said fixed and detachable coupler assemblies, when said
latter assemblies are magnetically coupled.
12. In a meter that is adapted to be linked for
optical communication purposes via a readily-detachable
magnetic coupler assembly having (i) a magnetized surface
on one end thereof, (ii) an aperture extending into the
coupler assembly from the magnetized surface, (iii) optical
communication means of a first type disposed in said aperture
for optical communication out the magnetized surface, and
(iv) a surrounding shield having a lip extending over the
magnetized surface, the following combination comprising:
a) a meter cover,
b) circuitry housed within said cover,

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Claim 12 continued:
c) a fixed coupler assembly of magnetically
inductive material rigidly mounted through a portion of
the cover and having a face portion external of the cover
and including an aperture extending into said fixed
coupler assembler from the face portion, the fixed coupler
assembly being adapted to magnetically couple with the
magnetic coupler assembly and when so coupled to have its
face portion positioned immediately adjacent the magnetized
surface of the magnetic coupler assembly and in such a
location that the face portion will be surrounded by said
shield so that the shield will inhibit the entry of ambient
light between the face portion and the magnetized surface,
the fixed coupler assembly further comprising:
c1) optical communication means of a second
type disposed in the aperture of said fixed
coupler assembly for optical communication
external of the meter cover at the face portion
of said fixed coupler assembly, and
c2) means connecting the optical communication
means of said second type to the electronic
circuitry for electronically communicating
therewith.
13. In a meter that is adapted to be linked for
optical communication purposes via a readily - detachable
coupler assembly characterized by (i) a magnetically
inductive material having a face portion on one end thereof,
(ii) an aperture extending into the coupler assembly from
the face portion, (iii) optical communication means of a
first type disposed in said aperture for optical communica-
tion out the face portion, and (iv) a surrounding shield
having a lip extending over the face portion, the
following combination comprising:
a) a meter cover,
b) circuitry housed within said cover,
c) a fixed magnetic coupler assembly rigidly
mounted through a portion of the cover and having a

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magnetized surface external of the cover and including
an aperture extending into said fixed magnetic coupler
assembly from the magnetized surface, the fixed magnetic
coupler assembly being adapted to magnetically couple with
the detachable coupler assembly and when so coupled to
have its magnetized surface positioned immediately adjacent
the face portion of the detachable coupler assembly and in
such a location that the magnetized surface will be
surrounded by said shield so that the shield will inhibit
the entry of ambient light between the magnetized surface
and the face portion, the fixed magnetic coupler assembly
further comprising;
c1) optical communication means of a second
type disposed in the aperture of said fixed
magnetic optical coupler assembly for optical
communication external of the meter cover at the
magnetized surface of said fixed magnetic
coupler assembly, and
c2) means connecting the optical communica-
tion means of said second type to the electronic
circuitry for communicating therewith.
14. A meter that is adapted to be linked for
optical communication purposes via two coupler assemblies
that are adapted to be coupled together in preparation for
such communication, said meter comprising a cover and means
for mounting a single one of the following two coupler
assemblies on the cover so that the mounted coupler assembly
projects through the cover and is adapted to cooperate with
the other coupler assembly in the manner specified by the
following combination comprising:
a) a first coupler assembly including
1) a body of magnetically inductive material
having a face portion and including an aperture
extending into the body from the face portion,
and
2) an optical communication means of a

5ME-99
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Claim 14 continued:
first type disposed in the aperture of said body
for optically communicating out the face portion
of said body; and
b) a second coupler assembly including
1) a magnet having a magnetized surface
adapted to magnetically couple to and register
with the face portion of said first coupler
assembly and including an aperture extending
from the magnetized surface into said magnet
and further adapted to align with the aperture
in the face portion of said first coupler
assembly,
2) an optical communication means of a
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnet for optically communicating with the
optical communication means of said first type
in said first coupler assembly, and
3) a shield forming a lip extending over
the magnetized surface of said magnet and
adapted to align the face portion of said first
coupler assembly with the magnetized surface
of said second coupler assembly and to inhibit
the entry of ambient light between the face
portion and the magnetized surface by closely
surrounding the body of said first coupler
assembly at the face portion end thereof when
the coupler assemblies are magnetically coupled
together in registry to establish a communication
link for the transfer of information.
15. A meter that is adapted to be linked for
optical communication purposes via two coupler assemblies
that are adapted to be coupled together in preparation for
such communication, said meter comprising a cover and means
for mounting a single one of the following two coupler
assemblies on the cover so that the mounted coupler assembly

5ME-99
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Claim 15 continued:
projects through the cover and is adapted to cooperate
with the other coupler assembly in the manner specified by
the following combination comprising:
a) a first coupler assembly including
1) a housing of magnetically inductive
material, the structure of said housing being
characterized by a cylindrical body having a
face portion and being further characterized
by an aperture extending from the face portion
into said body,
2) a transparent shield covering the
aperture in the face portion of said housing,
and
3) an optical communication means of a first
type disposed in the aperture of said housing
for optically communicating through said trans-
parent shield and the aperture in the face
portion of said housing;
b) a second coupler assembly including
1) a magnet for magnetic attachment to
said first coupler assembly, the structure of
said magnet being characterized by a cylindrical
body having a face portion adapted to register
with the face portion of said first coupler
assembly and including an aperture extending
from the face portion of said magnet into said
magnet and adapted to align with the aperture
in the face portion of said first coupler assembly,
2) an optical communication means of a
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnet for optically communicating with the
optical communication means in said first
coupler assembly; and
3) an annular lip extending beyond the face
portion of said magnet and adapted to align the

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face portions of said first and second coupler
assemblies and to inhibit the entry of ambient
light between the face portions by closely
circumventing the body of said first coupler
assembly at the face end thereof when the
coupler assemblies are magnetically coupled
together with their faces in registry to
establish a communication link for the transfer
of information.
16. A meter that is adapted to be linked for
optical communication purposes via two coupler assemblies
that are adapted to be coupled together in preparation for
such communication, said meter comprising a cover and means
for mounting a single one of the following two coupler
assemblies on the cover so that the mounted coupler assembly
projects through the cover and is adapted to cooperate
with the other coupler assembly in the manner specified by
the following combination comprising:
a) a first coupler assembly including,
1) a housing of magnetically inductive material,
the structure of said housing being characterized
by a body having a face portion and being further
characterized by an aperture extending from the
face portion into said body, and
2) an optical communication means of a first
type disposed in the aperture of said housing for
optically communicating through the aperture in
the face portion of said housing;
b) a second coupler assembly including,
1) a magnet for magnetic attachment to said
first coupler assembly, the structure of said
magnet being characterized by a body having a
face portion and further characterized by an
aperture extending from the face portion into
said magnet,
2) an optical communication means of a

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Claim 16 continued:
second type disposed in the aperture of said
magnet for optically communicating through the
aperture in the face portion of said magnet;
and,
c) one of said coupler assemblies including
means adapted to align the face portions of said housing
and said magnet and thus the optical communication means
of said first and second types respectively, and to
substantially prevent the entry of ambient light between
said first and second coupler assemblies, when the coupler
assemblies are magnetically coupled together to form an
optical communication link for the transfer of information.

Description

5ME-99
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~53NErIC OPTICAL ~ R FOR
Da~ ,
Background of the Invention
m e present invention relates gener~lly to c ~ -
cation coupler devices~and more particularly to such devices
~aving magnetic and optical charac~eristics which allow mating
magnetic couplers to be jolned for the transfer of m formation
5 be ~ electron~c devices.
Ihe present m ven~;Qn finds use in mDst any type o~
ap~plication whÆre it is desirable or necessary to electronic-
a1ly ~ ate with elec~ nic ~ircuitry which is in-access-
ikly housed, such as in a sealed eDclosure. To this er~, and
10 as a preferred e:bixl~nent, the invention finds E~ JciL.r
application in utility meters o~ the com~uterized electronically
pr3grammable type. ~hese types of meters are most frequently
designed to be progranr~xl or re-progra~med at the place of
instaliation, such as at the custcmer residence, or a commercial
15 business site. Ideally, these types of meters are desi~næd for
electronic readout o meter data (eg. total kilowa~t hours
consumption, demand kilowatt consump~ion and the like).
EI~xpllm~ing and reading of the above types of meters
is ncrmally dc0e by a utility company mete~ reader or service
20 Ee~m ~tilizing a EY~able pro~ra~er/re2der device. qhis
device is usu211y prov~ded with sc~e type of plu~ device for
attachment to the meter to enable the programmer/reader to
ccmmunicate with the electronics inside the ~eter cover.
The use o~ an optical coupler for programming meters
25 of the above type is mad~ attrac~ive kecause of the e~oncmic
desiqn and mQnufacturin~ cost incentives such a coupler affords.
A ~urther attractive feature is the high reliability of the
optical e~itter 3nd detector devices employed in such couplers.
It has keen~fiound, hcwever, that optical emitter and
detector devices, when coupled t3ge~her for the cammunication
of information, = t be precisely aligned, as well as bein~
'~

~27~
~2- CCX~CET ~0. 05-~E-99
substantially shielded to preYent ambient light ~rom m terfer-
Lng with the optical cammunicatiQn link between the coupled
devices. ~his precise alignxent an~ light shielding æ e tWD
problems which mLst be~overcome in order b~ have a highly
reliable optir~l communication coupler.
As far as it is ~ , thQ detachable part d all
prlRr art type optical couplers m~st be h1d in place by h~L~d
while the ooupler is in operati~n. m is has the distiNct dis-
advantage in that the persDn hDlding the coupler may unLnbent-
io~ally move the coupler during its operation, thus disruptingbhe conm~nication link. Another d~ uantage is that the
person operating the c~upler does not have bDth han~s free bo
perform other needed operational t3sks, such as operating the
various switches and controls typically found on a portable
progralmer/reader.~
~here~oxe, a nee exists ~ar a detachable optical
ccmmunication caupler dvice which ~n be ecQncmically manu- :
factured and which prDvides excellent alignment and light
shielding while fre&ing the hands of an operator to perform
the necessary tasks for crYrw micating bebween electronic devices.
Summary of the I~vention
The ~forementioned problems and disadvantages are
overcome by t present Lnventio~ by the pr w iSiQn of a n~
and i~proved ccmb m a~;on magnetic and optical c ~ cation
oGupler apparatus for use in electroni d ly ccnD~micating wQth
ele ~ c circuit~y i~accessikly housed within an enclosure
from a source e~ n~al o~ the enclosu~e. The invantion, in a
p~efe~l~3d enb x~uaent, is advantageously applied in utility
meters of the electronically p:eX :~rmmible type, which can be
externally p~ ~y a ~e pr~gp3mnlrr/reader device~
In applying the apparatus of the LnVentiOn, a first
c~upler assenbly is rigid~y mounted thr~ugh a meter c~ver.

~ 1 72703
_3_ - DCCKET ~0. 05-.~E-99
ThiS first coupler assembly may alternatively be construct~d
as a magnet, or fabri~ated frcm a magnetically inductive
material. m e coupler assembly contains a face portion which
is mDunted e ~ of the meter cover. An apertNre exten~s
S from this face portion into the coupler assembly. At least
one optical conmunica~ion means is disposQd in the aperture,
anl is orie~ted thereln to provide a commLnication path for
the optical c ~ ~ation means through the aperture in the
face portion of the coupler assembly. This optical co: ::nDca-
10 tion ~ is connected to electrcnic circuitxy inside themeter cover.
A sesx~xl ooupler asselbly is providel fc~ magnetic
attachment to the first coupler assembly. m is second ccupler
assembly may al~o be construc~ed as a magnet or fabricated of
15 magnetically inductive n~terial. At least one of the coupler
assemblies, or both must be constn~#d as a magnet.
The second coupler contaills a mag~etized surface fc~
mating magnetic attachment to the ~Ice portion of the first
coupler assembly. In a ~Qnner similar to the first c~upler
20 assembly, the secQnd coupler assembly also contains an apertNre
extending rom its magnetizOEd surace intô the body o the
seoonl coupler or the oontainment of a second op*ical ccm n~ni-
ca~io~ m~ m s~ The orientatic~ of the second optical communicata~
means in the a ~ o~ the second ODUpler assembly prcvides an
2~ oE~ ccmmunication path thrDugh the aperture for the estab-
lis~x~nt o~ a communicatiun link be~een the first an~ secnod
optical communica~iQn ~E#Los when the two ooupler assenblies are
magnetically ooupled. ~ portable p=yxpoIlmer/rea~ar is ccnr~ e1
b~ the seDond optical ~ ca~ion means to oomple~e oommunica-
30 tions with the meber elec~3x~nic circuitry via the optical couplerassembly.
Alignment means is pro~ided bo insure precise opti~ 1
coupling bet~e~n the first and secx~xl op~ical c~mmunication
means ~hen ~ne first and seoDn~ coupler assemblies are magnetic-

5~LE-gg
.~ ~72~
-4-
ally coupled. A means is also provided to inhibit the entry
of ambient light ~rcm entering between the coupled ErtiDns
of the two couplers bo fu~ Er en~uNce the optical coupling.
It is there~ore an object of the present Lnvention
to provide an optical coupling apparatus for the transfer of
electronic information having enhanced structural anl oper-
atiQnal capabilities.
It is another object of the present invention to
proYide a magnetically detachable optical coupling apparatus
charactexiz3d by a structure ~ provides precise optical
alignTent anl light shieldins bo ensure error free. txansfer
of information throuyh an opticar c~Dr:Dsicltion link established
by the apparatus.
A still further object of the invention is to pruvide
an optical ooupling apparatus which allows communication with an
electronic cir~uit inaccessibly housei within an enclosure
from an electronic device or sourc~ external of the enclosure.
Still another object o the in~ention is bo provide a
combination magne~ic and optical coupler apparatus for use in
a meter syætem for electronically communicating with electronic
circuitry hous~d with~n the oover of a meter fram a portable
electronic com~unica~ion device oonnected ex~n~ll of the
me~er cover.,
- Yet another object o~ the invention ~ bo provide a
25 ~agnetic optical coupler which allows an operator of the pre-
ceding mentioned F ~ e electronic commum catl~n device bo
have both hands free bo operabe the ccrn;=1u:ltion device while
oommunicatLng with the electronic circuitry m side the me~er
cover.
It is~another object o~ tha present inven ~ b~
provide a combinatio~ optical magnetic coupler apparatus which
p~ovide~ the capability of unidirectional or bi-directional
oo~n~nication with an electronically Er~x~aua=a~le meter from
a programmYr/reader ccnnected external of a meter cover having
electxcnics in-a~cessibly housed therein.

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Brief Description of the Drawing
The present invention may be more readily undersboc1
by reference bo the accc~panying drawing in which:
Fig. 1 is a Edi~YIrial drawing illustrating ~he mag-
ne~ic optical coupler of the present invention in use by ~n
operator of a portable programmer/reader device communicating
with an electronically progr~mnNable meter;
Fig~ 2 is a side view, ~ y in cross-section, o a
first coupler assembly of the present invention and showing
that coupler a~se~bly ~ounte1 bo a meter cover or enclosure;
Fig. 3 is an enl vi~w sb~ ng a F~t=u~n of the first
coupler assembly of Fig. 2 looking inbo ~he left side thereof;
Fig. 4 is an end view sho~ing a por~ian of the first
coupler assembly oP Fig. 2 looking into the right side thereof;
Fig. 5 is a side view, partly m cross-section, of a
seoon1 c~upler assembly of the pre~;ent invention, for magnetic
coupling bo the first coupler assen~ly o Fig. 2 and shcwing a
cable fox connection to the progra~Yr~reader of Fig~ l;
Fig. 6 is an end view shc~ing a portion of the second
coupler oP Fig~ S looking into the lePt side thereof;
Fig. 7 is an end view shc~ng a portion oP the sec2n1
coupler of Fig. S locking into the right side there~f;
Fig. 8 is a s;~e view, p3x~1y in cu~-away and par~ly
L~ cr~ss ~ , sh~wing the first and second coupler
asse~blies of Fi~s. 2 and 5, respectively, magnetically coupled
for opexation o~ the inven~on while comm~nicating with a
ErlYpllmmible meter; and
Fig. 9 is an electrical schematic sh~ ng the wiring
o opticaI cc~llmication d~vices used in each of the fLrst and
second couplers of the present in~entic~-.

. 5ME-99
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Description of the Preferrel Emkodiment
Re~erence is now made to Fig. 1 which shows a meter-
ing systen 10 illustrating the operation of the invention in
its disclosed ~ t. A kilowatt hour meter 12 is shown
- attached to a custa~er residence, or utility usexs building
14 in a conventional manner known to the utility industry~ To
operate the invention, a utility service person or meter
reader 1~, carryLng a portable proqrammer/re ~ r device 18
suspended by a strap 20 arouDl ~he-meter reader's neEk,
approaches the residence 14. Ihe meter reader 16 then attaches
a magnetic optical reader appara~us or coupler 22 bo a mating
receptacle coupler or assembly 24 shown rigidly mounted throu~h
a poxtion of the meter cover such as at 26.
Optical communication devices in the mating coupler 24
are connected via wires to electronic circuitry (not sbcwn)
within the mete~ o~ver 12. In a similar manner, optical devices
Ln the magnetic coupler assembly 22 are electrically connected
t~ tne E cY~ol]ier reader device 18 via a cable or conductor 28.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, the coupler devices 22 and
24 are held in place on the metYr cover 12, thereby leaving
both hands of the meter reader free to opera~e the prcgrawiYar/
- reader 18. AS will subsequently be seYn, this hands off oper-
atiQn of the coupIer aFparatus of the present ~ ~;an is
de possïble by the magnetic attachment ch2~xu~ueristics of
the ap~aratus, as:well as alignment means provided on the
apparatus ~hich allows the coupler assemblies 22 and ~4 bo be
easily attacheid in pre~ise ali~nment whenever a.meter is to
he int ~ ted c~ pnogp rnnsd by the p ~ reader 18.
R~lerencQ is now made to Fig, 2 which shcws the first
coupler 24 of the preslent invention, in side view cross-section,
atta d ed b~ the face 26 of the meter cover 12. In its ~rcadest
context, the coupler 24 may be formed as an integral housing,
or body gener~lly shown as 30/ of a ~agnetically inductive
material. Ho~ever, it is bo be recognized that the recap~acle

5ME-99
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or hou~ m g 24 may also be ~o~med as a magnet. Ihe structure
of the housin~ 30 i5 characberi2ed b~ a body 32 havin~ a face
portiQn 34 and further having at least one aperture 36 extend-
ing ~rom the face portion 34 inbo the body 32.
As ~ in Fig. 2, the aperture 36 oon~ ms at least
one optical ccmmunication m~ans or device 38 held disposed in
place by a circuit boand shcwn as boards 40 and 42. The boalds
40 anl 42 are held displacel by two spacers generally shown a~
~4~ Ihe leads o~ the optical devi oe 38 are brought through suita~le
boles in the kcxLnls 42 and 44 and 5oldered to the boards shown
at connecting or oonductor points 46 tsee Fig. 4); Three con-
ducbors 48 of a cable 49 are solderel to these ~ oonnector
points~ The entire assembly, comprised of the optical device 38
and the circuit board~ 42 and 44, is secured in place within a
cavi~y 51 of ~le body 32 by two retai m ng screws 50 as shcwn in
Figs. 2 and 4. These screws 50 are passed through the spacer~
44 and screwed m to the body 32 through threads (not shown) in
the body.
The entire ix~$ ooupler a,ssembly 24 is rigidly
20 att2ched to the meteL- cover 12 by a nut 52 screwed on to the
b~dy 32 ~rom the inside of the metEr cover 12. To protect
the inside of the meter fr~n outside elements ~such as moisture
ar.d dirt), ~ gasket~ 54 and 56 are placed on the outside and
~ resFY~ 21y of the m~ter oover. ~150, a flat washer 58
is placed~between the gasket 56 and the nut 52 tD prevent damage
b~ th~ gasket as the nu~ 52 is tighten0d aga m st the gasket. As
an optiQn bo the present invention, as shown in the end views o~
Figs 3 and 4, the body 32 may has~ an alignment. pLn in th~ back
side o~ an c~nnular shoulder 60 which aligns with ~ mating hole
in the meter coYer 12 ba Fr~n~nt the oouFler from turning a~d
m sur~ that the cr~iLer 24 is properly orientfxl when LnstalLed.

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This alignment pin and its corresponding alignment hole is
shown in dDtted or hidden line foL~ in Figs. 3 and 4 as 62.
Still referring to Fig. 2, a portion of the body 32
includes a face oover 64, preferably fabricat~d from a soft
iron ~agnetically inductive material comp~tible with that of
the entire body 3~. AS shcw.n in Figs. 2 ard 4, this cover
64 is attached to ~he body by three screws 66 threaded fr
the backside of ~he shoulder 60 Ln~o the backside of the
oover 66. Tb ccmplet~ the sealing ar.rangement of tha coupler
assembly, a gasket 68 is intexFosed between the shoulder 60
and the cov~r 64.
A light path is provided thm u~h the cover 64, ~hich
also has an opening or aFerture in the face pOrtiQn to allow
light ccmmNnication through the front of the cover with the
optical device 38. For protection of the optical device 38,
a transparent cover 70 is dispos~d withLn the oover 66. m is
transparent cover is preferably fa~ricated from a high imçact
plastic or glass substance impervious to breakage. The seal-
Lng arrangement of the coupler of F.ig. 2 is further enhanced
by means of another gasket 72 dispo~ed between the glass 70
aNd a shoulder on the inside of the cover 66.
As best seen Ln Fig. 3, the body 32, and the oover
64 forming a part thereof, also includes a first alignme~t
nEans 74 shcwn as a 1at on the botbom side of the oover 64.
As will subsequently be described~ this alignment means is
configured bo symetri~all~ align with a mating s~cond align-
men~ means on the detachable coupler 22.
In the Freferred embodi~ent where info~mation is~b~
be bi ~ ionally transferred,.two apertures 36' and 36 "
are formed in the kody 32 (se~ Fig. 3) . Mounted within these
latter two ap ~ es are associated optical oammunication
devices 38' and 38 " shown Ln Fig. 9 as an emitter (such as a
light emitting dicde) and a collecbor s~ch as a pho ~ 38 "
respecti~ely. Fig. 9 schematically shows the wiring of cable
49 for cGnnecting these optical ccmmunication devices to the
circuit boards 42 aNd 44 at oannecting points 46 o Fig. 4~

5ME-99
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Reference is now made bo Fig. 5, shc~ing a cross
sectional ide view of a seoQnl coupler of ~le invention such
as coupler 22 of Fig. 1. AS previously described in connection
with Fig. 1, this ooupler is magnetically at~achable to the
mating coupler 24. In its broadest con ~ t, the coupler 22 .:
of Fig. 5 ma~ be ccmprised of a unitary magnet structlreO The
structure of the ooupler 22 is ccmprisel oX a magnetic body 76
having a face portion 78 preferably symetrically designed to
~ te with the face portion on the body 32 of the coupler 24
lQ of Fig. 2. In a neuu~r sinLLar b~ thP coupler 24 of Fig. 2,
the oolpler 22 also has an aperkure 80 extending into a QVity
rom the face Fortion of tha~body 76 for the retention of at
laast one other optical communication device 82. If only
unidirectional oommunication is desired, there would be
only o~e optical ccmmunication devi.ce located within the
apertNLe 80 of Fig. 5 and that device ~ould ccmmunicate with
a oammunica~ion device of opposite type in the apertNre 36 o
the coupler 24 of Fig. 2. ~ever, as previously described,
if bi-directional commLnication is dasired, two apertures
such as 80' and 80 " o~ Fig. 7.are formed in ~he body 76 to hold
optical oommunication devices o~ opposite types si~ilar to
devices 38' and 38'' ~see Fig. 9). The moun~ing of opticaL
c ~ cation devices, such as 82 of Fig. 5, within ~he kody
76 is done Ln a simdlar manner to that describel for Fig. 2.
For t~at reason, a detailed des~ription of how devices such
as 82 or 38' and 38 " are mounbed, will not be given, as it
is believed ~o be clearly shown by Fig. 5.
Tb form the st ~ e o the s~ccnd coupler assembly
22 of Fig. 5, a magnet 84 is disposed around a front annular
sboulder portion 86 of the kody 76. Aa shown at 88 in Fig. 5,
the magnet 84 is preferably held in place by a suitabl~ cement,
such as epo~, to rigidly attach the magnet 86 to the entire
structure or bcdy 760
.: . , . ~

7 ~ ~
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A cover 90, forminy a part of ~he body 76 and maqnet
assembly 84, is attached to the body 76 by three countersunk
screws 92, only one of which is shown m Fiqs. S and 7. This
cover is preferably of magnetic or inductively magnetic
S material and serves essentially four purFoses. The first
of these purposes is b~ provide a Fa~:ial protective cover
~or the coupler assembly 22. qhe second purpose is to prcvide
a light shieJd, as shGwn at 94, Ln the fonm of a l;p extend-
ing out over the face pQrtion end of the magnet and body
assembly 76, 84. qhirdly, the cover 90 proviles a se~ond
alignment ~eans 96 formed as a flat in the face p~rtion end
of the lip of the light shield 94. qh~ alignment means 96
is symetrically ~ormed to coact with the flat 74 of the first
alignment means shcwn in Fig. 3. And fourthly, the cover ~0
serves a~ a return path of ~he m~gnetic flux, to thus improve
the ma~net holding force and increase the magnet retentivity.
I~ complete the coupler assembly 22 of Fig. 5, a
second o~ rear cylin~rical oover 98 is attached to body 76
by three screws 100 threaded into the body 76. AS can be
seen in Fig. 5, the purpose of cove~ 98 i9 to protect the
wirLng extending from the circuit ~oard inside the coupler
22. T~ prevent fraying of the wiring on cable 28, a ruhber
protective gr~met 102 is preferably ins~alled between the
body 76 and the cover 98.
The interrelationships between the first and second
couplers 24 and 22 respectively is best illustrated by Fig. 8,
Fig. 8 shows, in FYu~iLal cutaway cross sectional side view,
the relationship between the o w plers 22 and 24 when they are
magnetically attached. AS there shown, the lip on cover 90,
forming the light shield 94, closely su~rounds the cover 64
bo thereby provide a substantially enclosed environnent for
the optical ~cmmunication devices to pre~ent or inhibit the
entry of ambient light between the face portions of the coupler
assenblies. E~Drther, as can b~ seen in Fig. 8, the first and

~ 05-ME-99
7 ~ ~
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se~ond coupler assemblies are always precisely alig.led by the
mat m g of the two alignment means 74 and 96, to thus ensure
that the optical ccmmunication devices are always precisely
aligned whenever the bhD ooupler assemblies are magnetically
attached.
The aduan~ages o~ the present invention are bel_eved
to best be realizel by the utilization of a pNlse oode or
binary communication protoool. When using such a protocol,
the emitter devices (such as dioles 38') are pulsed by
electronic sign31s fron their ccr:YxlOed electronics to transmit
light pul~es across th~ communication link to their corres~ond-
ing collector devices (such as p~to transistors 38'') which in
turn co~vert those liqht pulses to electronic pulses for re-
ception by the electronic CLrCUitry to t~hich the collector
deYices are connected. This type of commNnication protocol
is particularly advantageous when used t~ith meters t~hich
implement programmable micro processors t~hich must ke inter
rogatel and programmed by an external devàce such as 18
of Fig. l.
E3x~n the foregoing description of the invention, it
will be apparent that ~urther mcdifications and alternative
emtxtlD-ents of it may be made without departang fram its
teaching; accxu~lingly, it is our inbention bo eIcx~ass
within the follc~nu~g claims the true spirit and scope of
the inNen~ion~