Apparatus and method for remote sensor monitoring, metering and control

• US 4,455,453 A
• Filed: 12/23/1980
• Issued: 06/19/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Metretek, Inc. (Southern Company)
• Original Assignee: Metretek, Inc. (Southern Company)
• Inventors: Parasekvakos, Theodoros G., Bushma, W. Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Popek, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US06/219,863
• Time in Patent Office: 1,274 Days
• Field of Search: 179/2 A, 179/2 AM, 179/5 R, 340/150, 340/825.26
• US Class Current: 379/106.06
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C

Abstract

A remote unit for a remote meter reading system. The remote unit initiates a telephone call to a central complex at a predetermined callback time. In response to an acknowledgement signal indicative of a completed connection, the remote unit transmits indicia of its indentity and collected data. The central complex responds with an instruction word, to control the next scheduled callback time and operational mode of the remote unit. Error code, load management and demand metering provisions are disclosed.

Claims

1. A method for monitoring anc controlling a remote unit adapted for communicating data to a central complex through a non-dedicated telephone line, said central complex having a telephone number assigned thereto, said method comprising the steps of:

deriving and storing information within said remote unit;

selectively controlling, responsive to signals indicative of real time occurrence, at least a portion of said remote unit so as to selectively seize said telephone line at a predetermined real time;

generating signals onto said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number at said predetermined real time to thereby address said central complex and effect a communication connection therewith;

generating at the remote unit onto said telephone line, responsive to acknowledgement signals received from said central complex, coded signals indicating the identity of said remote unit and said stored information; and

receiving and storing at the remote unit subsequent signals from said central complex including indicia of the current real time and of the next predetermined real time at which the foregoing steps are to be repeated.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said parameter control signals received from the central complex include indicia of the next desired callback time.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said parameter control signals further include indicia of real time at the time of receiving the parameter control signals, and said generating said callback signal step includes:

generating, responsive to said stored indicia of real time, a signal indicative of instantaneous real time;

comparing said instantaneous real time signal to indicia of said desired callback time; and

generating said callback signal upon a favorable comparison.

19. The method of claim 1, 17, or 18 wherein said selectively seizing step includes:

testing said telephone line at said predetermined real time and responsively generating a line availability signal;

responsive to indicia of line non-availability, waiting a first predetermined delay period, then retesting said telephone line and responsively generating said line availability signal; and

responsive to indicia of line availability, seizing said telephone line.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said selectively seizing step further includes the steps of:

counting the number of retests of said telephone lines; and

after a predetermined number of said retests, waiting a second predetermined delay period, then repeating said retest step, said second predetermined delay period being longer than said first predetermined delay period.

21. The method of claim 1, or 18 wherein said subsequent signals from said central complex indicative of real time include an error code portion in accordance with the other portions thereof and said receiving and storing step includes receiving and storing said error code portion, said method further including the steps of:

independently deriving said error code from said other portions of said subsequent transmission;

comparing said derived error code to the received error code portion, and responsively generating indicia of said error code comparison; and

responsive to indicia of an unfavorable error code comparison, releasing said telephone line, then after a first predetermined period of time, repeating in sequence at least said selectively seizing step, said generating signal steps, and said receiving and storing step.

22. The method of claim 21 further comprising the step of detecting if said error code portion of said subsequent transmission is not received within a second predetermined time period after said generating coded signals step is initiated and responsively releasing said telephone line and repeating in sequence at least said selectively seizing step, said generating steps, and said receiving and storing step.

2. A method for remotely monitoring a plurality of parameters input to a remote unit adapted to automatically communicate with a central complex through a non-dedicated telephone line, said central complex having a telephone number assigned thereto, said method comprising the steps of:

selectively generating in said remote unit respective numerical indicia of said parameters having values determined as a function of parameter control signals;

selectively seizing said telephone line at a predetermined real time and generating signals onto said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex;

generating, responsive to acknowledgement signals from said central complex, coded signals indicative of the identity of said remote unit and said respective parameter indicia; and

receiving and storing at the remote unit from said central complex said parameter control signals.

5. A method for remote monitoring of a parameter wherein a remote unit communicates with a central complex through a telephone line comprising the steps of:

generating, responsive to and as a function of parameter control signals, indicia of said parameter;

generating, from stored representations of instruction signals transmitted by telephone from said central complex in response to the last previous communications from the remote unit, a callback signal indicative of the occurance of a desired callback time;

generating, responsive to said callback signal, line selection signals on said telephone line to effect a telephone connection between said remote unit and said central complex;

effecting, responsive to a signal from said central complex indicative of a completed telephone connection, a data transmission including indicia of the identity of said remote unit and a representation of said indicia of said parameter; and

receiving and storing instruction signals from said central complex in response to said data transmission, said instruction signals including indicia of said parameter control signals.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said instruction signals further include indicia of real time at the time of receiving the instruction signals, and said generating said callback signal step includes:

generating, responsive to said stored indicia of real time, a signal indicative of instantaneous real time;

comparing said instantaneous real time signal to indicia of said desired callback time; and

generating said callback signal upon a favorable comparison.

7. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

register means, responsive to signals indicative of consumption and register control signals applied thereto, for selectively generating indicia of cumulative consumption;

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith;

said control signals including a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time and said register control signals;

means, responsive to said callback control signal, for generating selection signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex;

sync detector means, responsive to said instruction signals, for generating a local sync signal indicative of reception of a proper sync signal transmitted from said central complex in acknowledgement of a completed telephone connection;

means, responsive to said local sync signal, for effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said data transmission including signals indicative of said indicia of cumulative consumption;

said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission.

8. In a system for monitoring respective parameters of a remote unit wherein communications between said remote unit and a central computer are effected through a telephone system, a remote unit comprising:

means, responsive to parameter control signals applied thereto, for deriving indicia of at least one of said parameters;

means for storing an instruction word from said central computer;

means for generating said parameter control signals from said stored instruction words;

means for generating a representation of real time and generating a callback control signal at a desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback control signal, for establishing a telephone call from said remote monitoring unit to said central computer at said desired callback time, said central computer acknowledging a completed telephone connection by transmitting a first synchronization signal to said remote monitoring unit through said telephone system; and

means, responsive to said first synchronization signal, for transmitting a data word to said central computer, said data word including a portion representative of the identity of the remote unit and a portion representative of said indicia of said parameter.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said means for generating a representative of real time and generating a callback signal comprises:

presettable counter means, receptive of indicia in said instruction word of real time at the time of reception, and responsive to a clock signal applied thereto, for generating a signal indicative of instantaneous real time;

storage means, for strong indicia in said instruction word of the next desired callback time; and

comparitor means, cooperating with said counter means and said storage means, for generating said callback signal when said real time signal equals said stored callback time indicia.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein

said instruction word includes an error code portion derived in a predetermined manner from the other portions of said instruction word,

said means for storing includes means for storing indicia of said error code, and

said remote unit further comprises:

error code computation means for independently deriving said error code in said predetermined manner from the other portions of said instruction word;

means for comparing said stored indicia of said error code with said independently derived error code and responsively selectively generating an error control signal and

means, responsive to said error coded signal for retransmitting said data transmission.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, or 10 further including:

input means, for generating signals indicative of additional data; and

means, responsive to signals indicative of said additional data for storing indicia of additional data;

signals representative of said stored additional data being transmitted with said data word.

12. In a system for monitoring a remote unit having apparatus associated therewith wherein communications between said remote unit and a central computer are effected through a telephone system, said remote monitoring unit comprising:

at least one sensor;

means, coupled to said sensor, for storing indicia of the status of said sensor;

means for storing an instruction word including indicia of at least one predetermined time period;

means for generating a representation of real time;

means for storing indicia of a desired callback time;

means, responsive to said representation of real time and time period indicia, for generating a control signal indicative of the occurrence of said predetermined time period;

means, responsive to said control signal, for selectively effecting control of said associated apparatus during said time period;

means, responsive to said representation of real time and said indicia of desired callback time, for generating a call back control signal at the desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback control signal, for establishing a telephone connection from said remote monitoring unit to said central computer at said desired callback time, said central computer acknowledging a completed telephone connection by transmitting a first synchronization signal to said remote monitoring unit through said telephone system; and

means, responsive to said first synchronization signal, for transmitting a data word to said central computer, said data word including a portion representative of the identity of the remote unit and a portion representative of said stored indicia of the status of said sensor.

13. Apparatus, adapted for operative connection into a telephone system and for automatic communication to a central complex through said telephone system, said central complex having a predetermined telephone number assigned thereto, said apparatus comprising:

means for deriving information concerning the operation of said apparatus;

memory means for storing indicia of said information;

means for receiving and storing instruction signals from said central complex, said instruction signals including indicia of a desired callback time and indicia of at least one predetermined period;

clock means for providing a clock signal indicative of real time;

means, responsive to said clock signal and said stored indicia of said predetermined time period for generating signals indicative of real time occurrence of said predetermined period;

means, responsive to said signals indicative of real time occurrence of said predetermined period, for selectively controlling operation of at least a portion of said apparatus;

means for storing indicia of central complex telephone number and indicia of the identity of said apparatus;

means, responsive to said clock signal and desired callback time indica, for generating a callback control signal upon real time occurrence of said desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback control signal and said stored indicia of said central complex telephone number, for selectively seizing a telephone line in said telephone system and generating signals onto said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex;

means, responsive to said stored indicia of said identity and said stored indicia of said information and to signals received from said central complex indicative of a completed connection to said central complex, for transmitting signals representative of said identity indicia and information indicia over said telephone lines to said central complex.

14. In a system for remote monitoring of a parameter associated with an apparatus, said apparatus being adapted for operative connection into a telephone system and for automatic communication to a central complex through said telephone system, said central complex having a predetermined telephone number assigned thereto, said apparatus comprising:

means for storing said central complex telephone number and indicia of the identity of said apparatus;

means, responsive to parameter control signals applied thereto, for deriving indicia of said parameter;

clock means for providing a clock signal indicative of real time;

means, responsive to said clock signal for generating a callback control signal at a real time corresponding to said desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback signal, for selectively seizing a telephone line in said telephone system and generating signals onto said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex;

means, coupled to both of said means for storing and responsive to signals indicative of a completed connection to said central complex, for transmitting signals representative of said identity indicia and parameter indicia over said telephone lines to said central complex;

means, receptive of instruction signals transmitted from said central complex in response to said parameter indicia transmission by said apparatus, for generating said parameter control signals.

15. A system for remote monitoring of a parameter associated with a remote unit, said monitoring system being of the type including said remote unit and a central computer, said remote unit and central computer both being adapted for connection into a telephone system, said monitoring system comprising:

means, in said remote unit, for deriving indicia of said parameter in accordance with parameter control signals applied thereto;

means, in said remote unit, connected to receive and to store an instruction word transmitted from said central computer including a representation of said parameter control signals;

means, in said remote unit, for generating a representation of real time and generating a callback control signal at a desired callback time;

means, in said remote unit and responsive to said callback control signal, for establishing a telephone call from said remote unit to said central computer; and

means, in said remote unit and responsive to a first synchronization signal from said central computer indicative of a completed connection, for transmitting through said telephone system to said central computer a data word, said data word including a portion indicative of the identity of said remote unit and a portion representative of said indicia of the derived parameter;

said central computer, in response to successful reception of said data word, transmitting to said remote unit said instruction word through said telephone system.

16. Apparatus adapted for selective operative connection through a telephone system to a central complex, said apparatus comprising:

input storage means for receiving and storing an instruction word from said central complex,

said instruction word including indicia of real time at the time of transmission of said instruction word, and indicia of desired operational status for each successive period of predetermined duration in a day,

said input storage means including;

presettable counter means, responsive to a clock signal applied thereto and to said instruction word indicia of real time for generating a signal indicative of instantaneous real time; and

register means, including a respective portion corresponding to each said period of predetermined duration, for storing indicia of said desired operational status for each of said periods;

means, responsive to said instantaneous real time signal and said stored indicia of operational status, for selectively controlling at least a portion of said apparatus; and

means, responsive to said instantaneous real time signal, for selectively seizing said telephone line at a predetermined real time, and effecting a telephone connection to said central complex, said central complex transmitting said instruction word through said telephone connection.

17. A method for remote monitoring of sensors adapted for automatic communication with a central complex through a telephone line, said central complex having a telephone number assigned thereto, comprising the steps of:

maintaining, in said unit, indicia of real time;

responsive to said indicia of real time, selectively seizing said telephone line at a predetermined real time;

generating signals onto said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex;

generating, responsive to acknowledgement signals from said central complex, coded signals indicative of the identity of said sensors and data indicative of the status of said sensors; and

responsive to subsequent signals from said central complex indicative of real time, updating said indicia of real time.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said subsequent signals from the central complex include signals indicative of the real time of the next scheduled seizure of said telephone line and further including the step of:

receiving and storing said signals from said central complex indicative of the time of the next scheduled seizure of said telephone line.

23. A method for remote monitoring of a parameter wherein a remote unit communicates with a central complex through a telephone line comprising the steps of:

generating, in said remote unit, indicia of said parameter;

generating, from stored representations of instruction signals transmitted by telephone from said central complex in response to the last previous communication from the remote unit, a callback signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

generating in said remote unit, responsive to said callback signal, signals on said telephone line to effect a telephone connection between said remote unit and said central complex;

effecting, responsive to a signal from said central complex indicative of a completed telephone connection, a data transmission including indicia of the identity of said remote unit and a representation of said indicia of said parameter; and

receiving and storing instruction signals from said central complex in response to said data transmission, said instruction signals including indicia of the current real time, for facilitating the next generation of said callback signal.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein said instruction signals further include indicia of a next desired callback time.

25. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises;

first register means, responsive to signals indicative of consumption, for generating indicia of cumulative consumption;

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith;

said instruction input means, including presettable real time counter means, for generating real time signals indicative of real time, said real time counter means being preset in accordance with said instruction signals;

said instruction input means further including means, responsive to said real time signals, for generating a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

signal generating means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex and for thereafter effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said data transmission including a portion indicative of said indicia of cumulative consumption; and

said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein said signal generating means includes:

sync detector means responsive to said instruction signals for generating an in-sync signal indicative of reception of a proper sync signal transmission from said central complex in acknowledgement of a completed telephone connection;

means, responsive to said in-sync signal, for effecting said data transmission.

27. The remote unit of claim 7, 25, or 26 wherein said instruction input means comprises:

input byte decoder means, responsive to serial instruction signals applied thereto, for generating sequential parallel instruction bytes and instruction byte control signals indicative thereof, said instruction bytes including representations of said desired callback time; and

instruction data register means, responsive to said instruction bytes and instruction byte control signals, and a clock signal applied thereto, for storing said instruction bytes and generating said respective control signals in accordance with said instruction bytes.

28. The remote unit of claim 25 or 26 wherein said instruction signals include respective portions representative of a consumption threshold value, and sampling period and said remote unit further includes:

first counter means, responsive to signals indicative of power consumption, for selectively accumulating a count indicative of consumption during said sampling periods; and

comparator means, for comparing said count to said consumption threshold value and upon an unfavorable comparison signal to effect control of a predetermined consuming appliance.

29. The remote unit of claim 28 further including:

consumer over-ride means, for generating an over-ride signal to effect release of control of said predetermined consuming appliance; and

second counter means, receptive to signals indicative of power consumption, said over-ride signal and said comparison signal, for selectively accumulating a premium count indicative of consumption during periods when a disabling of said predetermined consuming appliance is over-ridden, said data transmission including portion representative of said premium count.

30. The remote unit of claim 28 further including:

means, responsive to said comparison signal, for selectively controlling in predetermined sequence further consuming appliances, upon successive unfavorable comparisons, and for releasing control of said consuming appliances in predetermined sequence upon subsequent favorable comparisons.

31. The remote unit of claim 25 or 26 wherein said instruction signals include portions representative of a sampling period and said remote unit further includes:

counter means, responsive to signals indicative of consumption and reset signals applied thereto, for selectively accumulating counts indicative of consumption during said sampling periods;

a storage register, coupled to said counter means, and responsive to load signals applied thereto for selectively storing the instantaneous count in said counter means; and

comparator means, for comparing the instantaneous count in said counter means and the contents of said storage register and upon an unfavorble comparison, generating a comparison signal to effect loading of said storage register with said instantaneous count.

32. The system of claim 25 wherein said instruction input means further includes presettable period register means, responsive to said instruction word for storing indicia in said instruction word of a desired operational status of at least a portion of said remote unit;

and

said remote unit further comprises;

means, responsive to said real time signals and cooperating with said period register means, for selectively controlling operation of at least said portion of said remote unit.

33. The system of claims 7, 25 or 26 wherein said instruction signal include an error code portion derived in a predetermined manner from the other portions of said instruction signals, and said instruction input means includes means for storing indicia of said instruction signal error code;

and

said remote unit further comprises;

error code computation means for independently deriving said error code in said predetermined manner from the other portions of said instruction signals,

means for comparing said stored indicia and said independently derived error codes, and generating an error control signal, in response to an unfavorable comparison; and

means responsive to said error control signal, for reeffecting said data transmission to said control complex.

49. The apparatus of claim 7, 25, 43, 44, 45, 46 or 48 further including:

input means, for generating signals indicative of additional data; and

means, responsive to signals indicative of said additional data, for storing indicia of said additional data;

signals representative of said stored additional data being transmitted in said data transmission to said central complex.

34. In a system for remote monitoring of a sensor wherein communications between said sensor and a central computer are effected through a telephone system, a remote monitoring unit comprising:

means, coupled to said sensor, for storing indicia of the status of said sensor;

means for storing an instruction word including a representation of current real time, and including means for generating a real time count;

means responsive to said real time count for generating a callback control signal at a desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback control signal, for establishing a telephone call from said remote monitoring unit to said central computer at said desired callback time, said central computer acknowledging a completed telephone connection by transmitting a first synchronization signal to said remote monitoring unit through said telephone system; and

means, responsive to said first synchronization signal, for transmitting a data word to said central computer, said data word including a portion representative of the identity of the remote unit and a portion representative of said stored indicia of the status of said sensor.

35. The system of claim 8 or 34 wherein said instruction word further includes a representation of said desired callback time.

36. Apparatus for remote monitoring of a sensor, said apparatus being adapted for operative connection into a telephone system and for automatic communication to a central complex through said telephone system, said central complex having a predetermined telephone number assigned thereto, said apparatus comprising:

means for storing said central complex telephone number and indicia of the identity of said sensor;

means, coupled to said sensor, for storing indicia of the state of said sensor;

clock means, responsive to real time update signals from said central complex, for providing a clock signal indicative of real time;

means, responsive to said clock signal and a signal representative of a desired callback time, for generating a callback control signal at said desired callbeck time;

means, responsive to said callback control signals thereto, for selectively seizing a telephone line in said telephone system and generating signals into said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex;

means coupled to both of said means for storing, responsive to signals indicative of a completed connection to said central complex, for transmitting signals representative of said identity indica and state indicia over said telephone lines to said central complex; and

means for generating said signal representative of said desired callback time.

37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said means for generating said signal representative of said desired callback time comprises means for storing a representative of said desired callback time transmitted from said central complex.

38. The apparatus of claim 36 or 37 further including:

input means for generating signals indicative of additional data; and

means, responsive to signals indicative of said additional data for storing indicia of additional data;

signals representative of said stored additional data being transmitted with said signals representative of said identity indicia and status indicia to said central complex.

39. The remote unit of claim 36 further including:

error code processing means, for generating an error code from sequential signals applied thereto, said sequential data signals being applied to said error code generator means to develop a data word error code,

signals representative of said data word error code being applied to said data output means for communicating to said central complex;

said instruction word including indicia of an instruction word error code;

said sequential instruction signals also being applied to error code processor means to produce a derived error code for said instruction word; and

said error code processor means including second comparator means, responsive to signals indicative of said instruction word error code and signals indicative of said derived error code, for generating a bad error code signal when said instruction word error code and said derived error code compare unfavorably, to effect a further callback to said central complex after a predetermined time period.

40. The remote unit of claim 39 wherein said sequential data signals and said sequential instruction signals comprise sequential bytes of predetermined bit length, and said error code processor means comprises:

a longitudinal redundance code (LRC) generator;

a Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) code generator;

means for selectively applying the last significant bits of said sequential bytes to said BCH code generator and the remaining bits to said LRC generator; and

said LRC and said BCH code generator being selectively coupled to said second comparator means.

58. The remote unit of claims 39, 56 or 57 futher including:

means for generating additional information signals representative of additional information;

means for storing indicia of said additional information; and

means for selectively applying signals indicative of said stored additional data, to effect generation of sequential data signals indicative of said additional information.

59. The system of claim 58 wherein said instruction word further includes indicia of respective operational time periods, and said remote unit further comprises means, responsive to said indicia of respective operational time periods, for selectively controlling operation of at least a portion of said remote unit.

60. The system of claims 39, 56 or 57 wherein said instruction word further includes indicia of respective operational time periods, and said remote unit further comprises means, responsive to said indicia of respective operational time periods, for selectively controlling operation of at least a portion of said remote unit.

41. A system for remote monitoring of a sensor, said monitoring system being of the type including a remote unit coupled to said sensor and a central computer, said remote unit and central computer both being adapted for connection into a telephone system, said monitoring system comprising:

means in said remote unit for storing indicia of the status of said sensor;

means, in said remote unit, for receiving and storing an instruction word transmitted from said central computer including a representation of a desired callback time and a real time update;

means, in said remote unit and responsive to said real time update and said representation of a desired real time, for generating a callback control signal at said desired callback time;

means, in said remote unit and responsive to said callback control signal, for establishing a telephone call from said remote unit to said central computer at said desired callback time; and

means, in said remote unit and responsive to a first synchronization signal from said central computer indicative of a completed connection, for transmitting through said telephone system to said central computer a data word, said data word including a portion indicative of the identity of said remote unit and a portion representative of said stored indicia of the status of said sensor;

said central computer, in response to successful reception of said data word, transmitting to said remote unit said instruction word through said telephone system.

42. The system of claim 41 adapted for monitoring electrical power consumed over a power line wherein said sensor comprises a solid state meter including:

means, for generating a signal indicative of current passing through the power line;

means, for generating a signal indicative of voltage across the power line; and

means, responsive to said signals indicative of current voltages, for generating a signal indicative of the product of said voltage and current to thereby provide indicia of power consumed.

43. In a system for remotely monitoring a parameter, said system being of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a sensor for providing signals indicative of said parameter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selectively interconnection through a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

first index register means, responsive to signals indiactive of said parameter, for generating cumulative indicia of said parameter;

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith;

said instruction input means including means, responsive to respective update signals from said central complex, for generating a callback contrl signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex;

sync detector means, responsive to said instruction signals for generating a local sync signal indicative of reception of a predetermined synchronization signal transmitted from said central complex in acknowledgement of a completed telephone connection; and

means, responsive to said local sync signal, and coupled to said first index register for effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said data transmission being synchronized with said predetermined synchronization signal and including a portion indicative of said cumulative indicia of said parameter;

said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission.

44. The remote unit of claim 43 wherein said instruction input means comprises:

input byte decoder means, responsive to serial instruction signals applied thereto, for generating sequential parallel instruction bytes and instruction byte control signals indicative thereof, said instruction bytes including representations of said desired callback time; and

instruction data register means, responsive to said instruction bytes, said instruction byte control signals and a clock signal applied thereto, for storing said instruction bytes and generating said respective control signals in accordance with said instruction bytes.

45. The remote unit of claim 43 wherein said instruction signals include respective portions representative of a parameter threshold value and a sampling period, and said remote unit further includes;

first counter means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter for selectively accumulating a count indicative of said parameter during said sampling periods; and

comparator means, for comparing said count to said parameter threshold value and upon an unfavorable comparison generating a comparison signal to effect a control of a predetermined device.

46. The remote unit of claim 45 further including:

consumer over-ride means, for generating an over-ride signal to decontrol said predetermined device; and

second counter means, receptive of signals indicative of said parameter, said over-ride signal and said comparison signal, for selectively accumulating a premium count indicative of said parameter during periods when control of said predetermined consuming appliance is over-ridden, said data transmission including portion representative of said premium count.

47. The remote unit of claims 45 or 46 further including:

means, responsive to said comparison signal for selectively controlling in predetermined sequence further devices upon successive unfavorable comparisons, and for decontrolling said consuming appliances in predetermined sequence upon subsequent favorable comparisons.

48. The remote unit of claim 43 wherein said instruction signals include portions representative of a sampling period and said remote unit further includes:

counter means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter and reset signals applied thereto, for selectively accumulating a count indicative of consumption during said sampling periods;

a storage register, coupled to said counter means and responsive to load signals applied thereto, for selectively storing said count; and

comparator means for comparing said count and the contents of said storage register, and upon an unfavorable comparison generating a comparison signal to effect loading of said storage register with said count.

50. In a system wherein a remote unit periodically communicates information relating to a given parameter to a central complex, said communications being effected through a telephone system, the remote unit comprising:

index register means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter, for accumulating said information relating to said parameter;

memory means, for storing indicia of the telephone number of said central complex and indicia of said remote unit identity;

means, responsive to a callback command signal applied thereto for generating a start dial mode signal;

output means for generating signals through said telephone system to said central complex, said output means including dialing means, coupled to said memory means and responsive to said start dial mode signal, for sequentially generating signals indicative of the respective digits of said stored telephone number digits to said telephone system to effect a telephone connection between said remote unit and said central complex;

said output means further including data output means responsive to a signal indicative of a completed telephone connection to said central complex, for sequentially generating sequential data signals indicative of said stored indicia of remote unit identity and said accumulated information, and communicating said stored indicia and said accumulated information to said central complex through said telephone system;

instruction input means, receptive of sequential instruction signals indicative of an instruction word through said telephone system from said central complex for storing indicia of said instruction word and generating respective control signals in accordance with said instruction word, said instruction word including indicia of a desired callback time; and

said instruction input means including real time clock means, responsive to said instruction word, for providing an indicia of real time, and first comparator means, responsive to signals indicative of said desired callback time and the instantaneous real time, for generating said callback command signals upon occurrence of said desired callback time.

51. The remote unit of claim 50 wherein said instruction word contains indicia of a desired operational mode indicia of a threshold value, and indicia of designated time periods during which said desired operational mode is to be effected;

and

said instruction input means includes means responsive to signals indicative of said indicia of a desired operation mode, for generating respective DMD mode, L-M mode, and sample command signals, means responsive to signals indicative of said indicia of said designated time periods for generating an ENB signal during said designated time periods; and

said index register means includes first gating means, responsive to signals indicative of said metered parameter and said ENB signal, for providing output signals indicative of said parameter during said time periods;

first counter means, responsive to said first gating means output signal and a reset signal applied thereto, for accumulating a count indicative of said first gating means output signal;

pulse generator means, responsive to said sample command signal, for generating sequences of timing pulses of sampling intervals in accordance with said sample command signal;

Q register means, cooperating with said first counter and said instruction input means and responsive to said L-M mode control signal, a first one of said pulse generator timing pulses, and a comparison signal applied thereto, for controllably storing indicia of said threshold value, or said first counter means count in accordance with said L-M mode control signal;

third comparator means, for comparing the indicia stored in said Q register means with said first counter means count at said sampling intervals and generating said comparison signal upon an unfavorable comparison;

said Q register means including means, responsive to said DMD signal and said comparison signal, for effecting storing of said first counter means count in response to said comparison signal;

said index register means further comprising load control means, responsive to said L-M signal and said comparison signal and a consumer over-ride signal for selectively effecting control of designated apparatus in response to unfavorable comparisons;

said load control means releasing control of said designated apparatus in response to said consumer over-ride signal;

second gating means, responsive to signals indicative of said metered parameter, said L-M control signal, and a consumer over-ride signal, for selectively generating an output signal indicative of said metered parameter during load management over-ride time periods in accordance with said consumer over-ride signal;

second counter means, for generating a count indicative of said second gating means output signal; and

means for controllably providing output signals indicative of the indicia stored in said Q register means and said second register count.

52. The remote unit of claim 50 wherein said output means comprises:

means for providing first, second, third and fourth clock signals, each of said clock signals comprising a train of pulses having leading and lagging edges and recurring at respective predetermined frequencies;

means for selectively generating sequential information byte signals, said information byte signals including a predetermined number of bytes representative of the respective digits of said stored telephone number, and a predetermined number of data bytes representative of said stored indicia of identity and said information accumulated by said index register means;

means, responsive to said information byte signals, for generating translated information byte signals whereby each information byte is represented by a translated information byte having a value at least equal to one;

clock selection logic means responsive to said first, second and third clock signals, said start dial mode signal and said signal indicative of a completed telephone connection, for selectively generating mode control signals and generating a sequence of pulses at said third clock signal frequency, in timed relation with the lagging edge of each pulse of a chosen one of said first and second clock signals, said chosen one of said first and second clock signals and said mode control signals being in accordance with said start dial mode signal and said signal indicative of a completed telephone connection;

output gating means, responsive to said first, second and fourth clock signals and mode control signals and a mark enable signal applied thereto, for selectively providing, in accordance with said mode control signals, first or second output signals respectively indicative of said telephone number digits and said data bytes, said telephone number digits being represented by a number of pulses of said first clock signal, delineated by an absence of pulses during a predetermined period corresponding to a predetermined number of cycles of said first clock signal, and said data bytes being represented by bursts of said fourth clock signal during periods defined by a number of pulses of said second clock signal, delineated by an absence of pulses during a predetermined period corresponding to a predetermined number of cycles of said second clock signal;

mark counter means, responsive to a first of said timing pulses and to a signal indicative of said mark enable signal for selectively accumulating a mark count indicative of the number of pulses provided by said output gating means;

mark comparator means, cooperating with said mark counter means and responsive to said translated information bytes and a second timing pulse subsequent to said first timing pulse, for comparing said accumulated mark count and said translated information byte after each time said first counter means is incremented, and generating said mark enable signal during periods when said accumulated mark count is less than the value of said translated information byte and a space enable signal when said accumualted mark count is equal to said translated information byte value, said mark counter means being reset in response to generation of said space enable signal;

space counter means, responsive to said space enable signal, a signal indicative of said mode control signals and said first timing pulse for generating respective control signals to said mark comparator means to effect regeneration of said mark enable signal after a predetermined time period corresponding to said predetermined number of cycles of said chosen one of said first and second clock signals;

said mark enable signal enabling the generation of said first or second output signals by said output gating means, whereby said telephone number digits are represented by a number of said first clock signal pulses corresponding to the value of the associated translated information byte and said bytes are represented by a number of bursts of said fourth clock signal corresponding to the value of the associated translated information byte.

53. The remote unit of claim 50 wherein said index register means comprises a counter responsive to signals indicative of said metered parameter and means for controllably providing output signals indicative of the contents of said counter and wherein said remote unit further comprises auxiliary index register means, responsive to control signals applied thereto, and selectively responsive to signals indicative of said metered parameter, and signals indicative of the most significant bit of said first index register means counter register means, for selectively accumulating information relating to said metered parameter, and second index register means comprising:

first gating means, for selectively providing output signals indicative of said signals indicative of said parameter or said signals indicative of said most significant bit of said first register means counter, in accordance with control signals thereto;

second counter means, responsive to said first gating means output signal and a reset signal applied thereto, for accumulating a count indicative of said first gating means output signal;

second gating means, responsive to control signals applied thereto, for selectively providing an output signal alternatively indicative of said metered parameter or indicative of the most significant bit of said second counter means;

third counter means, responsive to said second gating means output signal for accumulating a count indicative of said second gating means output signal;

Q register means, cooperating with said second counter means and responsive to signals indicative of said instruction word and control signals applied thereto, for controllably storing indicia of a chosen one of a predetermined portion of said instruction word or indicia of the contents of said second counter means, in accordance with the control signals applied thereto;

pulse generator means, responsive to a sample command signal, and control signals applied thereto, for controllably generating first and second sequential timing pulses in response to each sample command signal;

control logic means, selectively responsive to said first timing pulse or a comparison signal in accordance with control signals applied thereto, for controllably generating load command control signals to said Q register means;

third comparator means for comparing the contents of said second counter means and Q register means, and generating said comparison signal upon an unfavorable comparison;

means, responsive to said comparison signal, for selectively effecting control of designated apparatus; and

means for controllably providing output signals indicative of the contents of said Q register means and the contents of said third counter means;

said second timing pulse being applied as said reset signal to said second counter means.

54. The remote unit of claim 51, 52 or 53 further including:

means, for generating additional information signals representative of additional information;

means, for storing indicia of said additional information; and

means, for selectively applying signals indicative of said stored additional data, to effect generation of sequential data signals indicative of said additional information.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein said instruction word further includes indicia of respective operational time periods, and said remote unit further comprises means, responsive to said indicia of respective operational time periods, for selectively controlling operation of at least a portion of said remote unit.

56. In a system wherein a remote unit periodically communicates information relating to a given parameter to a central complex, said communications being effected through a telephone system, the remote unit comprising:

index register means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter, for accumulating said information relating to said parameter;

memory means, for storing indicia of the telephone number of said central complex and indicia of said remote unit identity;

means, responsive to a callback command signal applied thereto for generating a start dial mode signal;

output means for generating signals through said telephone system to said central complex, said output means including dialing means, coupled to said memory means and responsive to said start dial mode signal, for sequentially generating signals indicative of the respective digits of said stored telephone number digits to said telephone system to effect a telephone connection between said remote unit and said central complex;

said output means further including data output means responsive to a signal indicative of a completed telephone connection to said central complex, for sequentially generating sequential data signals indicative of said stored indicia of remote unit identity and said accumulated information, and communicating said stored indicia and said accumulated information to said central complex through said telephone system;

instruction input means, receptive of sequential instruction signals indicative of an instruction word through said telephone system from said central complex for storing indicia of said instruction word and generating respective control signals in accordance with said instruction word, said instruction word including indicia of a desired callback time; and

said instruction input means including real time clock means, responsive to said instruction word, for providing an indicia of real time, and first comparator means, responsive to signals indicative of said desired callback time and the instantaneous real time, for generating said callback command signals upon concurrence of said desired callback time;

wherein said sequential instruction signals comprise respective sequential groupings of bursts of a predetermined modulation frequency signal, said signal bursts being of a duration and spacing in accordance with a predetermined data frequency signal, said grouping being representative of respective bytes of said instruction word and separated by an absence of said bursts for a period corresponding to predetermined number of cycles of said data frequency signals, and said instruction input means further comprising;

demodulating means, responsive to said signal bursts, for generating demodulation signals indicative of the corresponding pulses of said data frequency signal;

pulse counter means, responsive to said demodulated signals and a reset signal applied thereto, for accumulating an instruction byte count indicative of the number of pulses in the respective sequential grouping;

end-of-byte detector means, responsive to said demodulated signal, for detecting an absence of pulses over said predetermined number of cycles of said data frequency signal, and generating sequential end-of-byte timing signals indicative of said detected absence;

instruction byte control means, responsive to a first one of said sequential end-of-byte timing signals, for generating an instruction byte control signal indicative of the relative placement of the instruction word byte represented by said instruction byte count within said instruction word;

a subsequent one of said end-of-timing signals being applied as said reset signal to said instruction byte counter means, to facilitate accumulation of the instruction byte count indicative of the next successive sequential grouping; and

instruction byte storage means, associated with respective instruction word bytes and responsive to said instruction word byte control signals, for storing counts corresponding to the associated respective instruction word bytes.

57. The remote unit of claim 56 wherein said instruction word includes bytes representative of the real time minutes and hours at which the instruction word is generated, and

said real time clock means comprises:

presettable counter logic, preset with said instruction word bytes representative of said real time minutes and hours and incremented by a clock signal applied thereto; and

said instruction byte storage means includes a callback time register for storing said bytes representative of said desired callback time;

said presettable counter logic and said callback time register providing input signals to said comparator means.

61. Apparatus for remote digital data reading via telephone lines including an automatic telephone dialing apparatus and data transceiving means for communicating via standard telephone line connections with a central station having data processing capabilities, real time measuring means for maintaining data representing the current real time, telephone line seizure means for seizing control of a connected telephone line at a preset real time and effecting a telephone line connection to said central station including means for exchanging signals with said central station to confirm establishment of that connection, and an output data register for maintaining digital data for transmission to said central station upon establishment of that connection, said apparatus being characterized by:

an input data register for receiving data during said connection from said central station used to preset a call back register which records the preset real time at which the next operation of the telephone line seizure means to effect another digital data reading operation is to occur.

62. Apparatus for remote digital data reading as in claim 61 further characterized by:

said input data register including means for receiving data from said central station representative of the then current real time which data is used to update the real time measuring means so as to more accurately maintain data representing the current real time.

63. Apparatus for remote digital data reading as in claim 62 further characterized by:

said input data register including means for receiving control data from said central station representative of a desired one of plural possible operational modes for the apparatus which thereafter operates in accordance with the thus selected mode of operation.

64. Apparatus for remote digital data reading as in claim 63 further characterized by:

said output data register comprising at least two separate stage which may be used separately to meter different parameters or together to provide increased precision or capacity for the metering of a single parameter in corresponding different modes of operation.

65. Apparatus for remote digital data reading as in claim 64 further characterized by:

load management means for controlling the local usage of quantity being metered in accordance with data received from said central station.

66. Apparatus for remote digital data reading as in claim 65 further characterized by:

said telephone line seizure means including means for repetitively attempting to seize the telephone line if initially unsuccessful for a predetermined number of attempts and, if still unsuccessful, the attempted line seizure cycles are repeated the following day at the same relative time.

67. Apparatus for remote digital data reading as in claim 65 further characterized by:

display or printer means for recording billing data at the remote location of said apparatus.

68. Method for remote digital data reading via telephone lines when an automatic telephone dialing apparatus and data transceiving means communicates via standard telephone line connections with a central station having data processing capabilities, maintaining data representing the current real time seizing control of a connected telephone line at a preset real time and effecting a telephone line connection to said central station and exchanging signals with said central station to confirm establishment of that connection maintaining output digital data for transmission to said central station said method being characterized by:

receiving data from said central station used to preset a call back register which records the preset real time at which the next operation of the telephone line seizure means is to occur.

69. Method for remote digital data reading as in claim 68 further characterized by:

receiving data from said central station representative of the then current real time which data is used to update the real time measuring means so as to more accurately maintain data representing the current real time.

70. Method for remote digital data reading as in claim 69 further characterized by:

receiving control data from said central station representative of a desired one of plural possible operational mode for the apparatus which thereafter operates in accordance with the thus selected mode of operation.

71. Method for remote digital data reading as in claim 70 further characterized by:

separately metering different parameters in separate registers.

72. Method for remote digital data reading as in claim 71 further characterized by:

controlling the local usage of the quantity being metered in accordance with data received from said central station.

73. Method for remote digital data reading as in claim 72 further characterized by:

repetitively attempting to seize the telephone line if initially unsuccessful for a predetermined number of attempts and, if still unsuccessful, repeating the attempted line seizure cycles the following day at the same relative time.

74. Method for remote digital data reading as in claim 73 further characterized by:

recording billing data at the remote location of said apparatus.

75. A method for remote monitoring of sensors adapted for automatic communication with a central complex through a telephone line, said central complex having a telephone number assigned thereto, comprising the steps of:

receiving and storing real time update signals from said central complex;

generating, from said real time update signals, indicia of instantaneous real time;

comparing said instantaneous real time indicia to indicia of a predetermined seizing time, and responsively generating a callback signal;

responsive to said callback signal, seizing said telephone line;

generating signals onto said telephone line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex;

generating, responsive to acknowledgement signals from said central complex, coded signals indicative of the identity of said sensors, and data indicative of the states of said sensors; and

receiving and storing subsequent signals from said central complex indicative of the time of the next scheduled seizure of said telephone line.

76. The method of claim 75 further including the step or receiving and storing signals from said central complex indicative of said predetermined seizing time and generating therefrom said indicia of said seizing time.

77. A method for remote monitoring of sensors adapted for automatic communication with a central complex through a telephone line, said central complex having a telephone number assigned thereto, comprising the steps of:

maintaining, in said unit, indicia of real time;

testing said telephone line at said predetermined real time and responsively generating a line availability signal;

responsive to indicia of line non-availability, waiting a first predetermined delay period, then retesting said telephone line and responsively generating said line availability signal;

responsive to indicia of line availability, seizing said telephone line;

counting the number of retests of said telephone lines;

after a predetermined number of said retests, waiting a second predetermined delay period, then repeating said retest step, said second predetermined delay period being longer than said first predetermined delay period;

generating signals onto said telephne line representative of said central complex telephone number to address said central complex; and

generating, responsive to acknowledgement signals from said central complex, coded signals indicative of the identity of said sensors and data indicative of the status of said sensors.

78. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

register means, responsive to signals indicative of consumption and register control signals applied thereto, for selectively generating indicia of cumulative consumption;

input bytes decoder means, responsive to serial instruction signals applied thereto, for generating sequential parallel instruction bytes and instruction byte control signals indicative thereof, said instruction bytes including representations of a desired callback time;

instruction data register means, responsive to said instruction bytes and instruction byte control signals, and a clock signal applied thereto, for storing said instruction bytes and generating said respective control signals in accordance with said instruction bytes;

said control signals including said callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time and said register control signals;

means, responsive to said callback control signal, for generating selection signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex;

means, responsive to an acknowledgement signal from said central complex, for effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said data transmission including signals indicative of said indicia of cumulative consumption;

said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission; and

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing respresentations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith.

79. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted to selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith;

instruction signals including respective portions representative of a consumption threshold value, and a sampling period;

means for generating real time signals indicative of real time;

said instruction input means including means, responsive to said real time signals, for generating a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

signal generating means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex and for thereafter effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission;

first counter means, responsive to signals indicative of power consumption, for selectively accumulating a count indicative of consumption during said sampling periods; and

comparator means, for comparing said count to said consumption threshold value and, upon an unfavorable comparison signal for effecting control of a predetermined consuming appliance.

80. The remote unit of claim 179 further including:

means, responsive to said comparison signal, for selectively controlling in predetermined sequence further consuming appliances, upon successive unfavorable comparisons, and for releasing control of said consuming appliances in predetermined sequence upon subsequent favorable comparisons.

81. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith, said instruction signals including portions representative of a sampling period;

means for generating real time signals indicative of real time;

said instruction input means including means, responsive to said real time signals, for generating a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

signal generating means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex and for thereafter effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission;

counter means, responsive to signals indicative of consumption and reset signals applied thereto, for selectively accumulating counts indicative of consumption during said sampling periods;

a storage register, coupled to said counter means, and responsive to load signals applied thereto for selectively storing the instantaneous count in said counter means; and

comparator means, for comparing the instantaneous count in said counter means and the contents of said storage register and upon an unfavorable comparison, generating a comparison signal to effect loading of said storage register with said instantaneous count.

82. In a system for remotely monitoring a parameter, said system being of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a sensor for providing signals indicative of said parameter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection through a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

first index register means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter, for generating cumulative indicia of said parameter;

input byte decoder means, responsive to serial instruction signals applied thereto, for generating sequential parallel instruction bytes and instruction byte control signals indicative thereof, said instruction bytes including representations of a desired callback time;

instruction data register means, responsive to said instruction bytes, said instruction byte control signals and a clock signal applied thereto, for storing said instruction bytes and said generating respective control signals in accordance with said instruction bytes;

said instruction input means including means for generating a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of said desired callback time;

means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex;

means, responsive to an acknowledgement signal from said central complex, and coupled means, responsive to said local sync signal, and coupled to said first index register for effecting a data transmission to said central complex; and

said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission.

83. The remote unit of claim 82 wherein said instruction signals include respective portions representative of a parameter threshold value and a sampling period, and said remote unit further includes:

first counter means, for selectively accumulating a count indicative of said parameter during said sampling periods; and

comparator means, for comparing said count to said parameter threshold value and upon an unfavorable comparison generating a comparison signal to effect a control of a predetermined device.

84. The remote unit of claim 83 further including:

consumer over-ride means, for generating an over-ride signal to decontrol said predetermined device; and

second counter means, receptive of signals indicative of said parameter, said over-ride signal and said comparison signal, for selectively accumulating a premium count indicative of said parameter during periods when control of said predetermined consuming appliance is over-ridden, said data transmission including portion representative of said premium count.

85. In a system for remotely monitoring a parameter, said system being of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a sensor for providing signals indicative of said parameter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection through a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

first index register means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter, for generating cumulative indicia of said parameter;

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith, said instruction signals include portions representative of a sampling period;

means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex;

means for generating a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

means, responsive to an acknowledgement signal from said central complex and coupled to said first index register for effecting a data transmission to said central complex;

said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission;

counter means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter and reset signals applied thereto, for selectively accumulating a count indicative of consumption during said sampling periods;

a storage register, coupled to said counter means and responsive to load signals applied thereto, for selectively storing said count; and

comparator means for comparing said count and the contents of said storage register, and upon an unfavorable comparison generating a comparison signal to effect loading of said storage register with said count.

86. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith;

said instruction input means including presettable period register means, responsive to said instruction signals for storing indicia in said instruction input of a desired operational status of at least a portion of said remote unit;

means for generating real time signals indicative of real time;

said instruction input means further including means, responsive to said real time signals, for generating a callback control signal indicative of the occurrence of a desired callback time;

signal generating means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex and for thereafter effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission; and

means, responsive to said real time signals and cooperating with said period register means, for selectively controlling operation of at least said portion of said remote unit.

87. In a system for remotely monitoring consumption of the type comprising a remote unit cooperating with a consumption meter and a central complex, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective interconnection by a telephone system, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

instruction input means, responsive to instruction signals applied thereto and a clock signal, for storing representations of said instruction signals and generating respective control signals in accordance therewith, said instruction signals including an error code portion derived in a predetermined manner from the other portions of said instruction signals, and said instruction input means including means for storing indicia of said instruction signal error code;

means for generating a callback control signal;

signal generating means, responsive to said callback control signal for generating dial signals to said telephone system to effect a telephone call from said remote unit to said central complex and for thereafter effecting a data transmission to said central complex, said central complex generating said instruction signals to said remote unit in response to reception of said data transmission;

error code computation means for independently deriving said error code in said predetermined manner from the other portions of said instruction signals;

means for comparing said stored indica and said independently derived error code, and generating an error control signal, in response to an unfavorable comparison; and

means responsive to said error control signal, for reeffecting said data transmission of said control complex.

88. In a system wherein a remote unit periodically communicates information relating to a given parameter to a central complex, said communications being effected through a telephone system, the remote unit comprising:

index register means, responsive to signals indicative of said parameter, for accumulating said information relating to said parameter;

memory means, for storing indicia of the telephone number of said central complex and indicia of said remote unit indentity;

means for generating a callback command signal;

means, responsive to said callback command signal applied thereto for generating a start dial mode signal;

output means for generating signals through said telephone system to said central complex, said output means including dialing means, coupled to said memory means and responsive to said start dial mode signal, for sequentially generating signals indicative of the respective digits of said stored telephone number digits of said telephone system to effect a telephone connection between said remote unit and said central complex;

said output means further including data output means responsive to a signal indicative of a completed telephone connection to said central complex, for sequentially generating sequential data signals indicative of said stored indicia of remote unit identity and said accumulated information, and communicating said stored indicia and said accumulated information to said central complex through said telephone system;

instruction input means, receptive of sequential instruction signals indicative of an instruction word through said telephone system from said central complex, for storing indicia of said instruction word and generating respective control signals in accordance with said instruction word;

said instruction word contains indicia of a desired operational mode indicia of a threshold value, and indicia of designated time periods during which said desired operational mode is to be effected; and

said instruction input means includes means responsive to signals indicative of said indicia of a desired operation mode, for generating respective DMD mode, L-M mode, and sample command signals, means responsive to signals indicative of said indicia of said designated time periods for generating an ENB signal during said designated time periods; and

said index register means includes first gating means, responsive to signals indicative of said metered parameter and said ENB signal, for providing output signals indicative of said parameter during said time periods;

first counter means, responsive to said first gating means output signal and a reset signal applied thereto, for accumulating a count indicative of said first gating means output signal;

pulse generator means, responsive to said sample command signal, for generating sequences of timing pulses of sampling intervals in accordance with said sample command signal;

Q register means, cooperating with said first counter and said instruction input means and responsive to said L-M mode control signal, a first one of said pulse generator timing pulses, and a comparison signal applied thereto, for controllably storing indicia of said threshold value, or said first counter means count in accordance with said L-M mode control signal;

third comparator means, for comparing the indicia stored in said Q register means with said first counter means count at said sampling intervals and generating said comparison signal upon an unfavorable comparison;

said Q register means including means, responsive to said DMD signal and said comparison signal, for effecting storing of said first counter means count in response to said comparison signal;

said index register means further comprising load control means, responsive to said L-M signal and said comparison signal and a consumer over-ride signal for selectively effecting control of designated apparatus in response to unfavorable comparisons;

said load control means releasing control of said designated apparatus in response to said consumer over-ride signal;

second gating means, responsive to signals indicative of said metered parameter, said L-M control signal, and a consumer over-ride signal, for selectively generating an output signal indicative of said metered parameter during load management over-ride time periods in accordance with said consumer over-ride signal;

second counter means, for generating a count indicative of said second gating means output signal; and

means for controllably providing output signals indicative of the indicia stored in said Q register means and said second register count.

89. In a system of the type including a central complex and a remote unit, said central complex and said remote unit being adapted for selective communication by a telephone system at selected real times, the improvement wherein said remote unit comprises:

means, responsive to communications received from said central complex, for updating and storing indicia of real time and of at least one selected real time for call back to the central complex;

means, responsive to said real time indicia, for generating a control signal indicative of the occurrence of said selected real time;

means, responsive to said control signal, for selectively effecting a telephone connection to said central complex, said complex transmitting further communications to said remote unit in response to said connection for updating and storing said indicia of real time.