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Method and apparatus for executing a command in a plurality of electrical metering devices

  • US 5,995,022 A
  • Filed: 11/05/1996
  • Issued: 11/30/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/26/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An electricity metering system comprising:

  • a plurality of electricity metering devices, each of said metering devices configured to be coupled to a respective load;

    means for remotely initiating communication with, and for providing a set of instructions to, said metering devices, said set of instructions comprising a designation of a predetermined execution time for a command, said means providing said set of instructions to said metering devices at arbitrary times which are independent of said predetermined execution time; and

    each said metering device comprising;

    metering means for measuring energy consumption of the corresponding load;

    means for storing said set of instructions, including said predetermined execution time, provided by said means for providing said set of instructions at an arbitrary time which is independent of said predetermined execution time;

    clock means for providing a present time value; and

    means responsive to said clock means for executing said set of instructions if said present time value is at least as large as said predetermined execution time such that said set of instructions is executed substantially simultaneously in said plurality of metering devices at said predetermined execution time, notwithstanding that said set of instructions was provided to said metering devices at arbitrary times which are independent of said predetermined execution time.

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