Abstract: A transducer formed of one or more electrode arrays is positioned in confronting relation and parallel to the plane of rotation of one or more rotating members. A plurality of phase modulated, two-phase, square wave drive signals of the same amplitude and frequency are applied to each electrode. The signals are combined at a central node or electrode to form, as a result of the signal, the superposition of the algebraic sum of all drive signal pairs. Samples of the resultant signal taken at the same frequency and of a duration of less than one-half the duration of the drive signal period provide a multi-step, synchronously detected signal. The detected signal is a multi-step approximation to a sine wave, the phase angle thereof relative to a timing point being proportional to the angular position of the rotating member.

Abstract: A pair of uniquely designed spring clips are snapped onto existing elements of a visual indicator such as the dial of a utility meter. An encoder having attachment elements with a spacing therebetween corresponding to the spacing between the clips is attached to the clips to quickly, easily, and precisely attach the encoder to the dial in properly aligned position.

Abstract: In a printed circuit, a plurality of drive electrodes are arranged in an array which is symmetrical about a center detector electrode. A plurality of conductive arms extend outwardly from the center electrode between adjacent electrodes in the array. One of the conductive arms extends to a contact point outside the array and provides electrical communication in the form of an electrical conductive path from the center electrode to the contact point. The remaining arms terminate substantially co-extensive with the radial extremity of the drive electrodes in the array and eliminate inadvertent imbalances in the output signal from the array.

Abstract: A plurality of data communication devices of the type which operate to communicate with a data bus responsive to the receipt of a prescribed voltage are triggered automatically in a prescribed sequence without separate addressing from a central point. Each data communication device (which may be uni- or bi-directional) is connected to a common multi-wire electrical cable by means of a control station, which taps a power supply line from the main cable and directs the power to its corresponding data communication device. The data communication device is thus activated so as to permit it to transmit its data onto the data bus of the main cable. Upon completion, the data communication device ceases drawing power which indicates to the system that it has finished, whereupon the next-in-line control station initiates the process with its corresponding data communication device.

Abstract: In a remote meter reading device involving a plurality of dials, mechanical inaccuracies in the hand position are compensated for by dividing each dial into sectors, sequentially reading each dial starting with the least significant dial and adding, to each subsequent reading after the first, a correction factor based on the sector of the dial pointer of the previous reading.