Abstract: A remotely readable apparatus for metering of a plurality of electricity consumer lines, comprising: (a) a meter head that measures electricity usage for each of the plurality of electricity consumer lines; and (b) sensors that sense environmental conditions in a second housing enclosing a distribution transformer that steps down voltage from a distribution level to a consumer level, said one sensors in communication with said meter head and not operable to sense environmental conditions in said first housing, and wherein said meter head connects and disconnects service on said plurality of electricity consumer lines in response to information received from said sensors; wherein a transponder transmits data received to/from said meter head to/from a remotely located computer, and said meter head is operable, based on data received from said transponder, to connect/disconnect service on said electricity consumer lines.

Abstract: At least one exemplary aspect comprises an apparatus for multi-channel metering of electricity, comprising: (a) a meter head that comprises one or more metering points, the meter head operable to connect and disconnect service on each one of a plurality of electricity consumer lines, and the meter head operable to measure electricity usage for each of the plurality of electricity consumer lines; and (b) a housing containing the meter head and a distribution transformer. In another aspect, an apparatus comprising a meter head is operable, in response to an interruption in flow of electricity being received from a distribution transformer, to actuate corresponding relays to disconnect service on one or more of the electricity consumer lines. In another aspect, an apparatus comprising a meter head is in communication with one or more sensors operable to sense environmental conditions in a distribution transformer housing.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a device for measuring electricity usage, comprising: means for remote disconnection via power line communication; means for detection of electricity theft; means for tamper detection; and means for reverse voltage detection. In another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for multi-channel metering of electricity, comprising: (a) a meter head operable to measure electricity usage for a plurality of electricity consumer lines; (b) a transponder operable to transmit data received from the meter head via power line communication to a remotely located computer, and to transmit data received via power line communication from the remotely located computer to the meter head; and (c) a load control module operable to actuate connection and disconnection of each of a plurality of relays, each relay of the plurality of relays corresponding to one of the plurality of electricity consumer lines.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a system comprising: a master data clock source; one or more transponders; and a plurality of remote power line transceivers; wherein all of said plurality of transceivers are connected to a common alternating current power distribution grid; and wherein each of said plurality of transceivers has a location is operable to monitor a voltage waveform of a power line prevailing at said location. In another aspect, the invention comprises a system comprising: transponders and remote power line transceivers each connected to a common alternating current power distribution grid each operable to monitor the voltage waveform of the power line prevailing at its own location, and generate selectable frequencies from said local power line waveform of a frequency of p/q times the frequency of said power line where p and q are positive integers greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention comprises a method for tuning a power line communication inductive signal coupling device comprising a coupler and a plurality of capacitors, the method comprising: passing a carrier frequency signal through the coupler; sensing an amplitude of the signal; and switching the capacitors until the amplitude of the signal reaches a maximum. In various embodiments: (a) the signal is transmitted by a second transmitter, and the method further comprises switching to a first transmitter for data transmission; (b) the signal is received by a receiver after passing through the coupler; and (c) the capacitors are switched by a relay controller receiving commands from a microprocessor.

Abstract: A device for measuring electricity usage is disclosed. The device is capable of remote disconnection via power line communication and detecting electricity theft, tampering, and reverse voltage. In another aspect, the device is capable of multi-channel metering of electricity, using: (a) a meter head operable to measure electricity usage for a plurality of electricity consumer lines; (b) a transponder operable to transmit data received from the meter head via power line communication to a remotely located computer, and to transmit data received via power line communication from the remotely located computer to the meter head; and (c) a load control module operable to actuate connection and disconnection of each of a plurality of relays, each relay of the plurality of relays corresponding to one of the plurality of electricity consumer lines.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a system comprising: a master data clock source; one or more transponders; and a plurality of remote power line transceivers; wherein all of said plurality of transceivers are connected to a common alternating current power distribution grid; and wherein each of said plurality of transceivers has a location is operable to monitor a voltage waveform of a power line prevailing at said location. In another aspect, the invention comprises a system comprising: transponders and remote power line transceivers each connected to a common alternating current power distribution grid each operable to monitor the voltage waveform of the power line prevailing at its own location, and generate selectable frequencies from said local power line waveform of a frequency of p/q times the frequency of said power line where p and q are positive integers greater than or equal to 1.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention comprises a method for tuning a power line communication inductive signal coupling device comprising a coupler and a plurality of capacitors, the method comprising: passing a carrier frequency signal through the coupler; sensing an amplitude of the signal; and switching the capacitors until the amplitude of the signal reaches a maximum. In various embodiments: (a) the signal is transmitted by a second transmitter, and the method further comprises switching to a first transmitter for data transmission; (b) the signal is received by a receiver after passing through the coupler; and (c) the capacitors are switched by a relay controller receiving commands from a microprocessor.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a device for measuring electricity usage, comprising: means for remote disconnection via power line communication; means for detection of electricity theft; means for tamper detection; and means for reverse voltage detection. In another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for multi-channel metering of electricity, comprising: (a) a meter head operable to measure electricity usage for a plurality of electricity consumer lines; (b) a transponder operable to transmit data received from the meter head via power line communication to a remotely located computer, and to transmit data received via power line communication from the remotely located computer to the meter head; and (c) a load control module operable to actuate connection and disconnection of each of a plurality of relays, each relay of the plurality of relays corresponding to one of the plurality of electricity consumer lines.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention comprises a device for measuring electricity usage, comprising: means for remote disconnection via power line communication; means for detection of electricity theft; means for tamper detection; and means for reverse voltage detection. In another aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for multi-channel metering of electricity, comprising: (a) a meter head operable to measure electricity usage for a plurality of electricity consumer lines; (b) a transponder operable to transmit data received from the meter head via power line communication to a remotely located computer, and to transmit data received via power line communication from the remotely located computer to the meter head; and (c) a load control module operable to actuate connection and disconnection of each of a plurality of relays, each relay of the plurality of relays corresponding to one of the plurality of electricity consumer lines.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention comprises a method for tuning a power line communication inductive signal coupling device comprising a coupler and a plurality of capacitors, the method comprising: passing a carrier frequency signal through the coupler; sensing an amplitude of the signal; and switching the capacitors until the amplitude of the signal reaches a maximum. In various embodiments: (a) the signal is transmitted by a second transmitter, and the method further comprises switching to a first transmitter for data transmission; (b) the signal is received by a receiver after passing through the coupler; and (c) the capacitors are switched by a relay controller receiving commands from a microprocessor.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention comprises a method for tuning a power line communication inductive signal coupling device comprising a coupler and a plurality of capacitors, the method comprising: passing a carrier frequency signal through the coupler; sensing an amplitude of the signal; and switching the capacitors until the amplitude of the signal reaches a maximum. In various embodiments: (a) the signal is transmitted by a second transmitter, and the method further comprises switching to a first transmitter for data transmission; (b) the signal is received by a receiver after passing through the coupler; and (c) the capacitors are switched by a relay controller receiving commands from a microprocessor.

Abstract: The present invention comprises systems and methods related to monitoring of energy usage on a power line. In a preferred embodiment, this system comprises (a) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to the power line and comprising a non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein the metering device is capable of interval metering and of receiving a data request and transmitting data in response to the request over the power line; and (b) a data collector (preferably, a transponder) coupled to the metering device via the power line. The data collector is preferably capable of (i) receiving data from and transmitting data to the metering device over the power line, (ii) storing data received from the metering device over the power line, and (iii) receiving data from and transmitting data to a remotely located computer (preferably, a billing computer).

Abstract: The present invention comprises systems and methods related to monitoring of energy usage on a power line. In a preferred embodiment, this system comprises (a) an electronic microprocessor-controlled digital electricity metering device coupled to the power line and comprising a non-volatile non-battery-powered data-storage device, wherein the metering device is capable of interval metering and of receiving a data request and transmitting data in response to the request over the power line; and (b) a data collector (preferably, a transponder) coupled to the metering device via the power line. The data collector is preferably capable of (i) receiving data from and transmitting data to the metering device over the power line, (ii) storing data received from the metering device over the power line, and (iii) receiving data from and transmitting data to a remotely located computer (preferably, a billing computer).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sensing, sampling and performing calculations on a parameter of a physical quantity at a plurality of remote locations comprising a plurality of remote sensing units and at least one processing unit linked to said plurality of remote sensing units via a two way communication link. Parameters of a physical quantity are sensed and sampled, calculations are performed and accumulated and transmitted, on demand, provided to the processing unit using a plurality of frequency bands one of which is identified as having valid data.