| abstract |
The utility meter (20) is a microprocessor-based circuit using Hall effect electric current sensors to measure power usage by residential and commercial customers. An analog signal from the Hall effect sensor is converted to a digital signal which is fed to the microprocessor for analysis and storage in random access memory. Using a real time clock, the microprocessor determines time of use information which is also stored in random access memory. The memory may be remotely interrogated via a telephone line (32) or serial communication link. If desired, the meter can receive utility usage inputs from other utility meters, such as water, (38) gas, (40) etc. <IMAGE> |