Computer controlled energy monitoring system
First Claim
1. A remote station for selectively coupling one of a plurality of information channels to a central station comprising:
- a first plurality of information channels;
a first communication channel for communicating with a central station;
means for detecting the presence of a clocking tone on said first communication channel and for providing a clocking signal upon the occurrence of each clocking tone;
means for presetting a predetermined remote station address;
means for counting said clocking signals and for providing an enable signal when the number of counted clock signals falls within a predetermined numerical range corresponding to said predetermined address;
means rendered operative by said enable signal and responsive to the counting of said clock signals by said counting means for selectively connecting a different one of said first plurality of information channels to said first communications channel upon the occurrence of each clocking signal which occurs while said enable signal is provided.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A centralized data communications system incorporating a plurality of remote stations, each having a plurality of information channels associated therewith. A selected remote station and its associated information channels are tone addressed by a central station communicating with a group of remote stations over a respective communications channel. The remote stations may have a current sensor connected to one of the information channels for sending data corresponding to the amount of current sensed in an electrical path back to the central station upon being properly addressed. This data, together with data representative of the voltage on the monitored electrical path, is used by the central station to calculate energy consumption. The calculated energy consumption is retained at the central station and used for information and billing purposes. The central station may also send data to an addressed information channel at a remote station for controlling an operation thereat. The central station can also receive data from various parameter measuring sensors at a remote station, e.g. sensors measuring temperature, humidity, fluid flow, etc. which may be connected to other information channels and thus the system may be used as a general purpose data gathering or distributing communications system.
88 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A remote station for selectively coupling one of a plurality of information channels to a central station comprising:
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a first plurality of information channels; a first communication channel for communicating with a central station; means for detecting the presence of a clocking tone on said first communication channel and for providing a clocking signal upon the occurrence of each clocking tone; means for presetting a predetermined remote station address; means for counting said clocking signals and for providing an enable signal when the number of counted clock signals falls within a predetermined numerical range corresponding to said predetermined address; means rendered operative by said enable signal and responsive to the counting of said clock signals by said counting means for selectively connecting a different one of said first plurality of information channels to said first communications channel upon the occurrence of each clocking signal which occurs while said enable signal is provided. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification