Abstract: An electrical utility meter system measures residential energy consumption and automatically communicates this information to a host computer via the Internet. The host computer can then be accessed by the end utility customer or other authorized entities. This Internet or web based system offers two-way communication capability to support meter reconfiguration. This system is comprised of two major elements, a hardware unit and database software. The hardware unit includes a printed circuit card that is retrofitted into a form 2S single-phase residential meters. The unit measures residential energy consumption in predefined intervals, stores the measurements, and communicates at predefined times to a host database server. The unit can accommodate various wired or wireless communication technologies through a simple communications port.

Abstract: A utility meter comprises an electromechanical metering portion connectable to a power drop to a premises and an electronic portion coupled to the electromechanical portion. The electromechanical portion comprises a rotating disk portion rotating at speeds proportional to power flow through said meter. The electronic portion comprises an interface coupled to the rotating disk, a controller coupled to the interface for accumulating power usage data over predetermined intervals, a memory coupled to the controller for storing power usage data, and a modem interface for coupling the controller to a public network. The controller is programmably operative to automatically establish a connection via the modem interface for uploading power usage data stored in the memory.

Abstract: An automatic metering system in accordance with the principles of the invention comprises a plurality of groups of geographically related utility meters. Each utility meter comprises an interface unit operable to accumulate usage data and to transmit the usage data over power lines utilizing power line carrier. The system further comprises a plurality of data forwarding apparatus each comprising power line carrier communication apparatus operable to receive usage data from each utility meter in its group of utility meters. Each data forwarding apparatus comprises a first wireless communication module. Each data forwarding apparatus has a geographic relationship to its corresponding group of utility meters. A computer is located geographically apart from the plurality of data forwarding apparatus.

Abstract: A utility meter database comprises account identification information to identify a user account, a utility meter serial number for a utility meter for the user account, and utility meter configuration information for downloading to said utility meter. The database further includes account consumption information obtained from said utility meter.

Abstract: A utility meter database comprises account identification information to identify a user account, a utility meter serial number for a utility meter for the user account, and utility meter configuration information for downloading to said utility meter. The database further includes account consumption information obtained from said utility meter.

Abstract: A utility meter comprises an electromechanical metering portion connectable to a power drop to a premises and an electronic portion coupled to the electromechanical portion. The electromechanical portion comprises a rotating disk portion rotating at speeds proportional to power flow through said meter. The electronic portion comprises an interface coupled to the rotating disk, a controller coupled to the interface for accumulating power usage data over predetermined intervals, a memory coupled to the controller for storing power usage data, and a modem interface for coupling the controller to a public network. The controller is programmably operative to automatically establish a connection via the modem interface for uploading power usage data stored in the memory.

Abstract: An electrical utility meter system measures residential energy consumption and automatically communicates this information to a host computer via the Internet. The host computer can then be accessed by the end utility customer or other authorized entities. This Internet or web based system offers two-way communication capability to support meter reconfiguration. This system is comprised of two major elements, a hardware unit and database software. The hardware unit includes a printed circuit card that is retrofitted into a form 2S single-phase residential meters. The unit measures residential energy consumption in predefined intervals, stores the measurements, and communicates at predefined times to a host database server. The unit can accommodate various wired or wireless communication technologies through a simple communications port.