CA1172708A - Magnetic optical coupler for utility meters and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

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.

Description

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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~
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~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~

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~-.

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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 I 1 7 2 7 ~ 8 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~

o ~

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 ~ ~

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~

Claims (16)

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 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 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,

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 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,

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 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 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 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 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,

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 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

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

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 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

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.