Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining information from a utility meter, the method comprising steps of directing emitted radiation on to a rotating element of the utility meter, receiving incident radiation, the incident radiation comprising reflected radiation from a reflective surface of the rotating element, the reflective surface having a marker, determining an instant value of intensity of the incident radiation, determining a reference value from earlier ones of the determined values of the intensity of the incident radiation and detecting passing of the marker, as a function of the reference value and the instant value.

Abstract: A retrofittable system for automatic reading of a utility meter having a meter housing with at least one transparent meter housing part. The system includes an optical sensor unit adapted to detect a signal from the consumption indication of the meter. The optical sensor unit includes a sensor unit housing adapted to be mounted on the transparent meter housing part of the utility meter housing using an adhesive. The optical sensor unit includes an electrical cable connection adapted to connect the sensor unit to a data processing unit remote from the sensor unit. The processing unit includes a wireless transmission device adapted to transmit processed data from the data processing unit to a further remote device for further processing and/or display. Also disclosed is a template for aligning the optical sensor housing.

Abstract: A retrofittable system for automatic reading of a utility meter having a meter housing with at least one transparent meter housing part. The system includes an optical sensor unit adapted to detect a signal from the consumption indication of the meter. The optical sensor unit includes a sensor unit housing adapted to be mounted on the transparent meter housing part of the utility meter housing using an adhesive. The optical sensor unit includes an electrical cable connection adapted to connect the sensor unit to a data processing unit remote from the sensor unit. The processing unit includes a wireless transmission device adapted to transmit processed data from the data processing unit to a further remote device for further processing and/or display. Also disclosed is a template for aligning the optical sensor housing.