Method and apparatus for an electric meter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An metering apparatus comprising:
- a microcomputer (MCU);
a transceiver unit coupled to the MCU, the transceiver unit providing power line communication (PLC);
memory coupled to the MCU, the memory storing data;
a communication device coupled to the MCU;
analog transducers coupled to the MCU, supplying real time data to the MCU; and
an electronically operated relay coupled to the MCU to disconnect the line outputs from the meter.
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Abstract
An improved meter and its operation is described. The meter can be a part of a larger automated meter reading process that allows for remote reading of the meter though power line communication. Using a microcomputer core, the meter processes incoming analog data and can calculate several relevant data values need by utility providers. The meter can also be used to monitor and detect tampering dry connect/voltage free devices, such as gas and water meters, connected to the meter.
106 Citations
64 Claims
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1. An metering apparatus comprising:
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a microcomputer (MCU);
a transceiver unit coupled to the MCU, the transceiver unit providing power line communication (PLC);
memory coupled to the MCU, the memory storing data;
a communication device coupled to the MCU;
analog transducers coupled to the MCU, supplying real time data to the MCU; and
an electronically operated relay coupled to the MCU to disconnect the line outputs from the meter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of processing and acquiring data comprising:
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executing a sampling and storing interrupt procedure that includes a microcomputer (MCU) sampling and storing a group of external analog signals and storing as digital data in a memory buffer;
executing a processing interrupt procedure on at least some of the stored digital data; and
the MCU performing less time dependent processing tasks on the sampled data stored in the memory buffer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A computer-readable storage medium containing instructions for a microcomputer (MCU) comprising:
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a sampling and storing interrupt procedure that includes a microcomputer (MCU) sampling and storing a group of external analog signals and storing as digital data in a memory buffer;
a processing interrupt procedure on at least some of the stored digital data; and
other procedures for the MCU performing less time dependent processing tasks on the sampled data stored in the memory buffer. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of operating a meter comprising:
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operating a mode for normal operation, wherein a microcomputer (MCU) and other devices of the meter are fully powered and a real-time clock (RTC) is generated;
operating a mode for watch operation, wherein the MCU is the only active device powered on and the power source for the MCU is a battery and the RTC is generated;
operating a mode for stop operation, wherein the MCU is the only active device powered on and the power source for the MCU is a battery and all clocks used by the MCU are turned off. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A pulse input and tamper detection circuit comprising:
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a transformer;
a primary of the transformer in communication with a microcomputer; and
a secondary of the transformer in communication with a dry connect/voltage free device though a cable. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53)
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54. A method of indicating pulse input comprising:
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receiving a signal at a primary of a transformer;
sensing the amplitude of the resulting current in the primary of the transformer, the signal having been transmitted to a dry connect/voltage free device connected to a secondary of the transformer through a isolation circuit;
, in the primary of the transformerwherein if there is no load the dry contacts are open, and wherein if there is a full load the dry contacts are closed. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57)
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58. A method of indicating external dry connect/voltage free device tampering comprising:
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applying a first load across a secondary of a transformer connected to the dry connect/voltage free device by sending a signal through a primary of a transformer;
sensing the output voltage provided by the return current being applied to a second load, wherein if the output voltage is voltage maximum the dry connect/voltage free device has been disconnected, and wherein if the output voltage is a portion of voltage maximum the dry connect/voltage free device has been has not been disconnected. - View Dependent Claims (59, 60)
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61. A method of calibrating a meter comprising:
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performing calibration routines to compensate for the measurement errors caused by tolerances in the components used for metering hardware; and
performing self-calibration of the meter. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64)
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Specification