Meter terminal unit for use in automatic remote meter reading and control system

• US 4,204,195 A
• Filed: 04/24/1978
• Issued: 05/20/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: General Electric Company
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Bogacki, Anthony P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yusko, Donald J.
• Application Number:
  US05/899,728
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 340/147 SY, 340/183, 340/310 A, 340/310 CP, 340/151
• US Class Current: 340/870.03
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 21/007 Adapted for special tariff measuring G01R21/01, G01R21/02, G01R21/08, G01R21/10, G01R21/1278 and G01R21/1333 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00009 using pulsed signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0083 Formatting with frames or packets; Protocol or part of protocol for error control
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/14 Calling by using pulses
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/00 Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/121 using the power network as support for the transmission

Abstract

A meter terminal unit for use in automatic meter reading systems of the type including a control center for transmitting commands to and receiving measurement data from the terminal unit via a distribution unit serving several terminal units. The terminal unit is selectively responsive to commands generated by the control center to carry out load control operations, encoder meter reading and store operations, or transfer previously stored meter data from the terminal unit to the control center in accordance with functions specified by the various commands.

Claims

1. In a meter terminal unit of the type for use in an automatic meter reading system, the combination comprising:

(a) a source of alternating current,

(b) a meter including a readable encoder electrically energizable by said alternating current for directly generating a serial stream of data signals having binary states representative of a meter measurement wherein the data signals are generated asynchronously of the alternating current;

(c) clock signal generating means including synchronization means electrically responsive to said alternating current and said data signals from said encoder to provide a repetitively occurring clock signal which is synchronized with said data signals; and

,

(d) means for combining said clock signal and said data signals whereby said data signals are provided as identifiable measurement data synchronized by said clock signal.

2. The meter terminal unit in accordance with claim 1 wherein said serial stream of data signals includes a specified start code of binary bits as a first portion thereof and wherein said synchronization means further includes start code recognition means responsive to said start code to enable the generation of said clock signal when said start code is recognized by said start code recognition means.

3. The apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for combining comprises storage means for receiving and storing the states of said data signals in response to said clock signal.