Appeal No. 95-0005
Application 08/141,412
secondary winding, and
the signal from the transponder to the interrogator is induced
from that same secondary winding in the transponder to the
primary winding in the interrogator. All of the claims
require that a clock signal is transmitted from the
interrogator to the transponder, and that utility consumption
data is determined in the transponder and modulated over the
transmitted clock signal for transmission back to the
interrogator. Claims 47 and 50 include various means-plus-
function clauses which must be interpreted in accordance with
35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph.
Representative claims 44 and 47 are reproduced below:
44. A method for determining the quantity of utility
consumed during a given time period by a utility
customer, comprising:
(a) providing a meter for making a measurement
of the amount of utility passing therethrough;
(b) providing a register adapted to supply
electrical indications of said measurement;
(c) providing a meter transponder coupled to
said register for determining electrical
manifestations of the measurement from said
indications obtained from said register, said
3
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