Abstract: Utility meter for monitoring, recording and communicating commodity consumption data at a customer site, comprising: a meter unit (9, 10) for recording said consumption data and generating a meter output signal being representative of said consumption data; a processor unit (4, 17) for processing said meter output data and for providing at least one evaluation value; a memory unit (6) for storing said meter output data and/or said at least one evaluation value; a communications unit (7, 8, 15) for transmitting said evaluation value to a utility supplier and for receiving evaluation parameters from said utility supplier, characterized by a power supply converter unit (3, 12) for converting external electric power into internal electric power for the supply of said meter unit, processor unit, memory unit and communications unit, which power supply converter unit is self-adjusting to an external electric power input voltage.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for handling and monitoring alarm calls from subscribers. Consistent with embodiments of the invention, an alarm monitor system is provided at a subscriber location (such as house). The system includes a telephone receiver unit and line, and an alarm handset unit is connected to telephone line such that when alarm handset unit is pressed, an alarm call is made to a call center. The call center may includes operators who have access to a database of subscriber information. When an alarm call is received at the call center, a compiler outputs the subscriber information from database, and a return telephone call to the subscriber is made automatically by a transmit unit. The transmit unit may also passes on the alarm call and subscriber information to an operator and/or simultaneously add the operator into the return telephone call made to the subscriber.