Abstract: One embodiment is a device, which comprises a meter portion having one or more blades, the blades configured to reside within both a premises-side opening and a utility-side opening within a socket, a supply unit connected to the meter portion, a metering unit connected to the supply unit and configured to measure an amount of electricity that passes through the meter portion, and a sensor connected to the meter portion, wherein when the meter portion is placed in the socket, the sensor collects data associated with the placing of the meter portion in the socket.

Abstract: Enhanced resolution for a real-time clock is implemented, which includes a real-time clock configured to operate at a first time resolution, at least one processing unit configured to operate at a second time resolution, wherein the second time resolution has a higher frequency than the first time resolution, a memory for storing data at a location including data from the real-time clock and the at least one processing unit, an interrupt configured to load information into the memory at the location using the at least one processing unit, the interrupt further configured to operate at a frequency associated with the second time resolution, a timing service configured to read information from the memory at the location, the timing service configured to operate at the second time resolution, and a calibration module configured to re-calibrate the real-time clock.

Abstract: Enhanced resolution for a real-time clock is implemented, which includes a real-time clock configured to operate at a first time resolution, at least one processing unit configured to operate at a second time resolution, wherein the second time resolution has a higher frequency than the first time resolution, a memory for storing data at a location including data from the real-time clock and the at least one processing unit, an interrupt configured to load information into the memory at the location using the at least one processing unit, the interrupt further configured to operate at a frequency associated with the second time resolution, a timing service configured to read information from the memory at the location, the timing service configured to operate at the second time resolution, and a calibration module configured to re-calibrate the real-time clock.

Abstract: One embodiment is a device, which comprises a meter portion having one or more blades, the blades configured to reside within both a premises-side opening and a utility-side opening within a socket, a supply unit connected to the meter portion, a metering unit connected to the supply unit and configured to measure an amount of electricity that passes through the meter portion, and a sensor connected to the meter portion, wherein when the meter portion is placed in the socket, the sensor collects data associated with the placing of the meter portion in the socket.

Abstract: Enhanced resolution for a real-time clock is implemented, which includes a real-time clock configured to operate at a first time resolution, at least one processing unit configured to operate at a second time resolution, wherein the second time resolution has a higher frequency than the first time resolution, a memory for storing data at a location including data from the real-time clock and the at least one processing unit, an interrupt configured to load information into the memory at the location using the at least one processing unit, the interrupt further configured to operate at a frequency associated with the second time resolution, a timing service configured to read information from the memory at the location, the timing service configured to operate at the second time resolution, and a calibration module configured to re-calibrate the real-time clock.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for storing and transmitting meter data. The system comprises a memory, a processor, and a transceiver. The memory includes a table for storing the meter data. The processor is configured to store a record of meter data for a plurality of time intervals in the table stored in the memory, and further configured to receive a request for the record of meter data at a first time interval of the plurality of time intervals. The transceiver is configured to transmit the record of meter data for the first time interval of the plurality of time intervals.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for testing the ability of a meter to issue a notification to a utility head-end. The method comprises: entering the meter into a system test mode, wherein in system test mode the meter records actual data, actual events, and actual errors in an actual table in a memory, and the meter receives commands to induce simulated events and errors; receiving a command to induce an event or error in the meter; recording, in a test table in the memory of the meter, information indicative of the occurrence of the induced event or error; and transmitting to the utility head-end, while the meter remains in the system test mode, the information stored in the test table.

Abstract: A metering system for metering consumption of a commodity. The metering system comprising a meter socket and a meter. The meter comprising a memory, a plurality of sensors, and a processor. Each of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect a different condition of the meter. The processor is configured to determine a plurality of events that have occurred based on the conditions detected by the sensors; compare the plurality of events to a table stored in the memory of the meter, the table defining an action to be performed by the meter for each of a plurality of different combinations of the plurality of events; select an action from the table for which the plurality of events match a corresponding combination of events stored in the table; and perform the selected action.

Abstract: A metering system for metering consumption of a commodity. The metering system includes a meter socket, a meter, and a controller. The meter socket has a tag with identification information. The meter includes a sensor configured to read the identification information from the tag of the meter socket and provide a signal indicative of the identification information from the tag. The controller includes a memory and a processor and is configured to record energy consumption data from the meter. The processor is configured to receive the signal indicative of the identification information of the tag and associate the energy consumption data with the identification information of the tag. The processor is further configured to store the energy consumption data associated with the identification information of the tag in the memory.

Abstract: A metering system for metering consumption of a commodity. The metering system includes a meter socket, a meter, and a controller. The meter socket has a tag with identification information. The meter includes a sensor configured to read the identification information from the tag of the meter socket and provide a signal indicative of the identification information from the tag. The controller includes a memory and a processor and is configured to record energy consumption data from the meter. The processor is configured to receive the signal indicative of the identification information of the tag and associate the energy consumption data with the identification information of the tag. The processor is further configured to store the energy consumption data associated with the identification information of the tag in the memory.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for efficient modification of data in non-volatile memory. In some examples, an update, such as a firmware update, may be generated for a first portion of data, such as firmware or a portion of firmware. In some cases, the first portion of data may be used in combination with a respective second portion of data. Also, in some cases, in combination with the update, various modifications may be determined for the second portion of data. Additionally, a set of tasks may be generated for performing the modifications to the second portion of data. The update may then be transmitted along with the set of tasks from one or more control devices to one or more update devices that are being updated with the update.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for adding functionality to a metering device. A metering device may include a microcontroller (MCU) having separate blocks of memory for storing different types of data. The MCU may store main program code as firmware in one block of the flash memory, while also storing a virtual option board as firmware in a separate block of flash memory. The main program code may be used by the metering device to implement a base level of functionality in the metering device. The virtual option board may be used by the metering device to implement additional functionality. The functionality added by the virtual option board may include customer-specific metering operations and/or market-specific metering operations.