Abstract: A utility usage data and event data acquisition system effective to acquire input serial data messages representing the amount of consumed utility services and/or binary event data from one or several external sources having differing drive signal requirements, the system also being effective to reformat the input data and append an identification code and an error detection code to the acquired data, and thereafter transmit messages comprising the identification code, the acquired data, the error detection code and other control information to a central location through the agency of coaxial cables, public switched telephone networks or other transmission facilities utilizing data terminals which accept serial binary messages at logic level voltages. Data message transmission is initiated either at random times by an algorithm within the control program of a microprocessor incorporated in the system or from an externally applied command signal.

Abstract: A utility usage data and event data acquisition system effective to acquire input serial data messages representing the amount of consumed utility services and/or binary event data from one or several external sources having differing drive signal requirements, the system also being effective to reformat the input data and append an identification code and an error detection code to the acquired data, and thereafter transmit messages comprising the identification code, the acquired data, the error detection code and other control information to a central location through the agency of coaxial cables, public switched telephone networks or other transmission facilities utilizing data terminals which accept serial binary messages at logic level voltages. Data message transmission is initiated either at random times by an algorithm within the control program of a microprocessor incorporated in the system or from an externally applied command signal.