Abstract: This application discloses a photovoltaic device, a photovoltaic inverter, a system, and a power limit control method. The device includes a DC-DC converter circuit, an inverter circuit, and a controller. An input end of the DC-DC converter circuit is connected to a photovoltaic array, and an output end of the DC-DC converter circuit is connected to an input end of the inverter circuit. The controller is configured to: receive a power scheduling instruction, where the power scheduling instruction carries a power reference value; and when the power reference value is less than a power at a maximum power point, reduce an input current of the DC-DC converter circuit; or when an input voltage of the DC-DC converter circuit is greater than or equal to a preset voltage, increase an input current of the DC-DC converter circuit until an output power of an inverter becomes consistent with the power reference value.

Abstract: A control circuit for a switching power supply, can include: a sampling circuit configured to obtain an inductor current and a drain-source voltage of a main power transistor in a power stage circuit, in order to generate a sampling signal; where the control circuit generates an inductor current sampling signal according to the sampling signal during an on-period of the main power transistor; and where during an off-period of the main power transistor, the control circuit generates a zero-crossing signal of the inductor current and an overvoltage signal of an output voltage of the switching power supply according to the sampling signal.

Abstract: In a power converter apparatus including a PFC circuit operating in a current-critical mode, a zero point of an inductor current is accurately detected. The control circuit includes a current detector unit including a first detection circuit that detects an inductor current, amplifies a voltage corresponding to the detected current with a gain, and outputs it as a detection voltage and a comparison circuit that compares the detected voltage with a predetermined reference voltage and outputs a comparison result signal. The control circuit calculates the reference voltage for making a delay when detecting the zero value of the inductor current substantially zero, based on the detected input voltage, the detected output voltage, the preset delay time, the inductance value of the inductor, the conversion factor in current/voltage converting, the power supply voltage, and the gain, and then, outputs it to the comparison circuit.

Abstract: A device includes an operational amplifier having a first input, a second input and an output, the operational amplifier configured to generate a first signal at the output. The device includes a reference resistor divider having a first and second resistor, a first terminal of the first resistor coupled to the second input of the operational amplifier. A second terminal of the first resistor is coupled to a first terminal of the second resistor and a second terminal of the second resistor coupled to an electrically neutral terminal. The device includes a voltage to current (V2I) converter having an input and an output, the input coupled to the output of the operational amplifier, and the V2I converter configured to generate a second signal at the output of the V2I converter. The device includes a switch coupled to the output of the V2I converter and to the reference resistor divider.

Abstract: A load control device for an electrical load is configured to operate in a normal mode and a burst mode to adjust the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The load control device comprises a control circuit that operates in the normal mode to regulate an average magnitude of a load current conducted through the load between a maximum rated current and a minimum rated current. During the normal mode, the control circuit controls the operating period of a load regulation circuit between a high-end operating period and a low-end operating period. The control circuit operates in the burst mode to regulate the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current. During the burst mode, the control circuit adjusts the low-end operating period to be less than or equal to a minimum on time of the load regulation circuit.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an optical detection cell for detecting inorganic analytes in an aquatic environment. The optical detection cell comprises a microfluidic channel defining an optical detection path. First and second transparent windows are bonded at opposite locations on the microfluidic channel. The optical detection cell is provided with a UV-LED, and light detector respectively positioned proximally to the first and second transparent windows. The UV-LED configured to be driven by a constant electrical current having a value between 2.5 mA and 50.0 mA.

Abstract: An apparatus for process automation for use in an area where there is a risk of explosion and in which dusts may occur, including a wall structure serving as a housing of the apparatus and having a first wall structure section defining a first housing inner area and a second wall structure section defining a second housing inner area separated from the first housing inner area, wherein a first circuit arrangement is arranged in the first housing inner area and the first housing inner area is dust-tightly enclosed by the first wall structure section so that the dusts cannot penetrate into the first housing inner area and the explosion safety of the first housing inner area is ensured by the dust-tight enclosure, one or more electrical circuits being arranged in the second housing inner area and all the electrical circuits arranged in the second inner area forming an altogether intrinsically safe second circuit arrangement.

Abstract: A power source switch circuit include a switch, a switch control circuit configured to control the switch to be turned on/off, and a negative feedback circuit configured to feedback an output voltage of the switch. An input end of switch is connected to the switch control circuit, an output end of the switch is connected to a load circuit and the negative feedback circuit, and a control end of the switch is connected to the switch control circuit and the negative feedback circuit. The switch control circuit includes a bipolar transistor having a base, a collector and an emitter, a first resistor connected between the base and a control signal, a second resistor connected between the collector and the input end of the switch, and a third resistor connected between the collector and the control end of the switch.

Abstract: A method for controlling a fan in a fan start-up stage including a first time period and a second time period comprises the following steps of: during the first time period, continuously providing a first driving signal to drive the fan; and during the second time period, continuously providing a second driving signal to drive the fan; wherein, the signal value of the first driving signal gradually decreases until being equal to the signal value of the second driving signal. Wherein the signal value of the first driving signal non-linearly decreases, the signal value of the second driving signal is an unchanged value. Wherein, the first time period and the second time period are adjusted for a different fan but the sum of the first time period and the second time period is always the same. A fan is also disclosed.

Abstract: A distributed power system including multiple DC power sources and multiple power modules. The power modules include inputs coupled respectively to the DC power sources and outputs coupled in series to form a serial string. An inverter is coupled to the serial string. The inverter converts power input from the serial string to output power. A signaling mechanism between the inverter and the power module is adapted for controlling operation of the power modules. Also, for a protection method in the distributed power system, when the inverter stops production of the output power, each of the power modules is shut down and thereby the power input to the inverter is ceased.

Abstract: An on-board charger (OBC) may include a power factor corrector PFC comprising a three phase active front end (AFE) connected to an AC electrical grid, and a DC/DC converter receiving a regulated DC voltage from the PFC and configured to charge a high voltage battery. The OBC may be configured to extract a power value which is equal to a reference maximum power extracted from a three phase electrical grid PMAX3?, from any type of AC electrical grid to which the OBC is connected, and may include three switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 and a diodes arm having diodes D1 and D2 connected in series between a high and low side of the AFE, whereby two switches SW1 and SW2 are arranged between the AFE and the AC electrical grid and are able to interrupt current flowing between phase arms of the three phase AFE, wherein the third switch SW3 is arranged on a line connecting the diodes arm and the AC electrical grid.

Abstract: A charge voltage calibration system comprises a power supply, a light string, a driver, and a calibration circuit. The driver comprises a capacitor, a switch, and a sense resistor. The switch, sense resistor, and light string are coupled in series to form a discharge path coupled in parallel with the capacitor. The calibration circuit comprises a controller, a DAC, a comparator, a memory device. The controller is configured to control the DAC to provide a reference voltage to the comparator, cause the power converter to supply a first charge voltage to the driver, cause the switch to transition from an off state to an on state to discharge stored energy in the capacitor through the discharge path, and store a value of the first charge voltage in the memory device in response to detection of voltage generated across the sense resistor being greater than or equal to the reference voltage.

Abstract: A drive circuit drives a switch configuring a power converter. The drive circuit divides an inter-terminal voltage of a switch. The drive circuit includes a differential circuit having first and second input terminals to which the divided inter-terminal voltages are inputted. The differential circuit outputs an analog voltage based on a voltage difference between the input terminals. The differential circuit executes reset of the output voltage, and with the voltage difference when reset is canceled after reset is executed as a reference voltage, outputs an analog voltage in which an amount of change from the reference voltage is multiplied by an amplification factor. The drive circuit outputs a binary signal based on comparison results between a threshold and the analog voltage outputted from the differential circuit, and sets a transfer rate of a gate charge of the switch when a driving state is switched, based on the output signal thereof.

Abstract: A cordless compressor has an air storage tank, a pump, a motor for driving the pump, and a controller circuit electrically connected to the motor. A pressure switch assembly is connected to the controller circuit. The pressure switch assembly has first and second pressure switches for sensing pressure within the air storage tank. The controller circuit controls de-activation of the motor depending upon status of the first and second pressure switches.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to protection of a standby amplifier of a memory device. Specifically, an input voltage of the standby amplifier may be reduced to decrease an occurrence of damage to the standby amplifier or components thereof. In some embodiments, the input voltage may be reduced using a voltage divider that provides the reduced input voltage to the standby amplifier during a power up operation. Upon completion of the power up operation, the input voltage of the standby amplifier may return to an operating voltage. The reduced input voltage may reduce the occurrence of damage to the standby amplifier by maintaining a gate to drain voltage of one or more transistors of the standby amplifier below a maximum.

Abstract: A power managing system and method are provided. When an under voltage lockout circuit determines that a common voltage of the power managing system is lower than a first lockout voltage, the under voltage lockout circuit outputs a first under voltage lockout signal for controlling one of a plurality of power converters that supplies a highest output voltage to rapidly reduce its output voltage to a zero value. Then, the under voltage lockout circuit outputs a second under voltage lockout signal for controlling another one of the power converters that supplies a lowest output voltage to gradually reduce its output voltage to the zero value.

Abstract: An interface circuitry includes an interface, a transmitter module and a receiver module. The transmitter module includes an input stage, a driving circuit and a regulator circuit. The input stage is powered by a regulated voltage and configured to receive an input signal and generate a first output signal and a second output signal. The driving circuit is configured to drive the interface according to the first output signal and the second output signal and to provide a first data signal, a second data signal and a driving signal. The regulator circuit is coupled between the input stage and the driving circuit, and configured to provide the supply voltage according to the driving current.

Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum-rated current to a minimum-rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum-rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst-mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum-rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum-rated current.

Abstract: An example power supply circuit includes a boost converter and a feedback control circuit. The boost converter generally includes an inductive element coupled between an input voltage node and a switching node, a first switch coupled between the switching node and a reference potential node, a second switch or a diode coupled between the switching node and an output voltage node. The feedback control circuit has a first input coupled to the output voltage node and has an output coupled to at least a control input of the first switch. The feedback control circuit generally includes a voltage node configured to influence a duty cycle of the boost converter; and a feedforward path coupled to the voltage node and configured to have a voltage signal derived from at least one of an input voltage at the input voltage node or an output signal at the output voltage node.

Abstract: A gate drive control circuit is provided that charges a gate voltage of a power switch transistor during a power switch transistor on-time period. During a first portion of the on-time period, the gate drive control circuit charges the gate voltage through a relatively-low resistance. During a second portion of the on-time period, the gate drive control circuit charges the gate voltage through a relatively-high resistance. Finally, during a third portion of the on-time period, the gate drive control circuit charges the gate voltage through another relatively-low resistance.

Abstract: Power converters can include a plurality of switching devices and a combination of one or more inductors and one or more flying capacitors. Both boost and buck converters may employ such topologies, and can achieve high efficiency and small size in at least some applications, including those with high conversion ratios. A control circuit can generate a first pair of complementary gate drive signals to drive a first complementary switch pairs and a second pair of complementary gate drive signals to drive a second complementary switch pair. The control circuit can vary a phase shift between the first pair of complementary gate drive signals and the second pair of complementary gate drive signals to regulate the flying capacitor voltage.

Abstract: A converter circuit includes first and second input terminals, control circuitry, and a storage capacitor. The first and second input terminals are configured for connection to an AC power supply to receive an AC signal. The control circuitry is coupled to the first and second input terminals. A terminal of the storage capacitor is coupled to an output node of the control circuitry. The storage capacitor is charged by the control circuitry and configured for use as a DC power source. The control circuitry is configured to couple the first input terminal to the storage capacitor during a portion of a positive half-cycle of the input AC signal to charge the storage capacitor and to decouple the first input terminal from the storage capacitor during an entirety of each negative half-cycle of the input AC signal, to thereby prevent discharging of the storage capacitor by the input AC signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for gate driver with field-adjustable undervoltage lockout (UVLO) are disclosed. A gate driver system comprises a control circuit and a driver circuit. The driver circuit incorporates a field-adjustable UVLO, a control logic, and an inverter. The level of the field-adjustable UVLO is adjustable by an external circuit, which can be a resistor based voltage divider. By setting the UVLO level externally adjustable and by moving a reference ground to the external voltage divider, the gate driver system is able to implement gate control for various load without needing extra ground pin.

Abstract: Provided is a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) apparatus for an energy harvesting system and an MPPT control method. A count value of the time for an output voltage of a direct current (DC)-DC converter to reach a high reference voltage is used to change and output a control parameter of the DC-DC converter for maximum power.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing current for a plurality of circuits are provided. Aspects include receiving, by a controller, a fault threshold for each circuit of the plurality of circuits, operating one or more switching circuits to output a current for each circuit of the plurality of circuits, wherein the one or more switching circuits are coupled to a constant current sources, and wherein the one or more switching circuits drive a plurality of current drive circuits, monitoring, by a fault determining circuit, a voltage across each circuit of the plurality of circuits, and determine a fault condition for a first circuit in the plurality of circuits based at least in part on the voltage across the first circuit exceeding the fault threshold for the first circuit.

Abstract: An energy harvester is provided. The energy harvester includes a current-voltage converter, a voltage-PWM converter, an analog multiplier, a sample-hold circuit, an ?-generator, and a fractional open-circuit voltage circuit.

Abstract: A power converter and method to provide a small conversion ratio between an input and an output voltage. The power converter has an inductor coupled to the input port of the power converter. The power converter has a first stage with an input node; a first switch; a second switch; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the first stage and to a reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the input node. The power converter also has a second stage with an input node; a first switch coupled to the input node of the second stage and to the output port of the power converter; a second switch coupled to the input node of the first stage; a third switch coupled to the second switch of the second stage and to the reference potential; and a flying capacitor coupled to the inductor.

Abstract: Power supply units e.g. in network operated loudspeakers are tailored to peak values that are reached only relatively rarely and then in pulses. With an intermediate storage of electrical energy in an intermediate circuit energy storage element it is possible to provide a significantly higher amount of power at least for a short period of time. The intermediate circuit energy storage element may be a capacitor or accumulator, for example, which is connected to an intermediate circuit voltage that is higher than the input voltage, and that is generated by an upconverter. A downconverter generates the output voltage of the power supply unit from the energy stored in the intermediate circuit storage element. The output voltage of the power supply unit is used as power supply for an audio amplifier. The power supply unit may provide for a short period of time a higher current or more energy respectively than the actual energy source, for example the network node.

Abstract: A current sensing circuit includes an inductor current sensing circuit and a processing circuit. The inductor current sensing circuit senses an inductor current of a direct current to direct current (DC-to-DC) converter to generate a first sensed current signal, wherein an average value of the first sensed current signal is not a constant under different input voltages of the DC-to-DC converter. The processing circuit generates a second sensed current signal, wherein the first sensed current signal is involved in generation of the second sensed current signal, the second sensed current signal is involved in current-mode control of the DC-to-DC converter, and an average value of the second sensed current signal is a constant under said different input voltages of the DC-to-DC converter.

Abstract: An auxiliary power supply circuit operating within a wide input voltage range has a voltage follower unit and a voltage comparison unit. The voltage follower unit has an electronic switch, a resistor, and a Zener diode. The electronic switch has a first terminal electrically connected to a voltage input terminal of the working voltage conversion circuit, a second terminal electrically connected to a voltage output terminal of the working voltage conversion circuit, and a control terminal. The resistor is electrically connected between the first terminal and the control terminal of the electronic switch. The Zener diode has a cathode electrically connected to the control terminal of the electronic switch. The voltage comparison unit has a detecting terminal electrically connected to the voltage input terminal of the working voltage conversion circuit, and an output terminal electrically connected to the control terminal of the electronic switch.

Abstract: System and method for controlling a bleeder current to increase a power factor of an LED lighting system without any TRIAC dimmer. For example, the system for controlling a bleeder current to increase a power factor of an LED lighting system without any TRIAC dimmer includes: a first current controller configured to receive a rectified voltage generated by a rectifier that directly receives an AC input voltage without through any TRIAC dimmer; and a second current controller configured to: control a light emitting diode current flowing through one or more light emitting diodes that receive the rectified voltage not clipped by any TRIAC dimmer; and generate a sensing voltage based at least in part upon the light emitting diode current, the sensing voltage representing the light emitting diode current in magnitude.

Abstract: A control method includes entering, by a powered device, a first status, controlling, by the powered device, at least one of a plurality of first loads in the powered device to be in a connected state, and controlling, by the powered device, a second load in the powered device to be in a disconnected state.

Abstract: Devices and methods for determining and indicating a source of power based on a characteristic of received power are disclosed. According to an aspect, a device includes a power line interface configured to receive power from multiple power lines. The device also includes a comparator module configured to compare one or more characteristics of the received power from the plurality of power lines. The comparator module is also configured to determine whether the received power on the power lines are from the same source based on the comparison. Further, the device includes a user interface configured to indicate whether the received power on the power lines are from the same source based on the determination.

Abstract: An interface electronic circuit between an energy harvesting stage is provided with an inductor and a charging stage, the interface electronic circuit having a regulation circuit capable of servo-controlling an average input impedance value of the interface electronic circuit to a predetermined optimum impedance value.

Abstract: Provided is an energy harvester having excellent portability. The energy harvester includes a flat plate-shaped energy harvesting section and a pair of connectors that are electrically conductive. The energy harvesting section includes an electricity generating region that utilizes energy in the external environment to generate electrical power and metal foils. The metal foils extend from the electricity generating region to a peripheral part of the energy harvesting section. The electrical power of the electricity generating region is supplied to the metal foils. The peripheral part includes a pair of holes that expose part of each of the metal foils. Each of the connectors includes a spring, a terminal part that is electrically connected to the spring and is connectable to an external device, and a flat plate part that overlaps with the energy harvesting section. The springs are electrically connected to the metal foils exposed via the holes.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to circuits and techniques for detecting or responding to temperature of a power switch. A driver circuit for the power switch may be configured to deliver a modulation signal to a control node of the power switch to control on/off switching of the power switch, wherein the driver circuit is further configured to modulate an output impedance of the driver circuit at the control node, perform one or more voltage measurements while modulating the output impedance of the driver circuit, and control the power switch based at least in part on the one or more voltage measurements.

Abstract: A power supply having at least one PMIC provides flexible control to the power manage systems. The PMIC has an enable pin configured to receive a control signal, and a clock pin configured to generate and/or receive a series of clock pulses, so as to facilitate the operation of the PMIC.

Abstract: An electrical circuit for detecting circuit defects and/or for preventing overvoltages in controllers. The electrical circuit including a power controller circuit, encompassing a first transistor, a control loop including an operation amplifier and a first reference voltage source, and feedback resistors, and an overvoltage suppression circuit, encompassing a second transistor, a control loop including an operation amplifier and a reference voltage source, and feedback resistors, the power controller circuit being provided to make a voltage available for the overvoltage suppression circuit and the overvoltage suppression circuit being provided to make a protected voltage available.

Abstract: A battery charge control apparatus to be installed in a vehicle includes a current regulation circuit and a controller. The vehicle is provided with a first battery, a voltage converter, a second battery, and an onboard device. The voltage converter lowers an output voltage of the first battery. The second battery is electrically charged by an output from the voltage converter and outputs a voltage lower than an output voltage of the first battery. The onboard device is operated by an output from the second battery and an output from the voltage converter. The current regulation circuit is disposed between the voltage converter and the second battery and reduces an amount of a charging current to be delivered via the voltage converter to the second battery. The controller controls the current regulation circuit on the basis of an output current from the voltage converter.

Abstract: A capacitive power supply circuit including, between first and second terminals of application of an AC input voltage, a distributed capacitive structure including a plurality of elementary capacitive units, each including a current limiter series-connected with a capacitor between first and second terminals of the unit and a voltage limiter connected in parallel with the capacitor, the elementary capacitive units being series-coupled by their first and second terminals.

Abstract: Adaptive charging networks in accordance with embodiments of the invention enable the optimization of electric design of charging networks for electric vehicles. One embodiment includes an electrical supply; a plurality of adaptive charging stations; wherein at least one adaptive charging station distributes power to at least one other adaptive charging station; wherein at least one adaptive charging station is configured to communicate capacity information to a controller; and wherein the controller is configured to control the distribution of power to the plurality of adaptive charging stations based upon the capacity information received from at least one adaptive charging station.

Abstract: A voltage limiting circuit for limiting the voltage developed across a current sensing circuit and a method are disclosed. The voltage limiting circuit includes an input terminal configured to receive an input signal from the current sensing circuit, and an output terminal configured to receive an output signal from the current sensing circuit. A voltage sense circuit is connected to the input terminal and output terminal to detect that a predefined threshold voltage is developed between the input terminal and output terminal. An activation circuit receives a signal from the voltage sense circuit to activate the voltage limiting circuit, and a level shifting circuit interfaces the voltage sense circuitry to the activation circuitry and other circuits by level shifting signals to required levels.

Abstract: A system and method for digital management and control of power conversion from battery cells. The system utilizes a power management and conversion module that uses a CPU to maintain a high power conversion efficiency over a wide range of loads and to manage charge and discharge operation of the battery cells. The power management and conversion module includes the CPU, a current sense unit, a charge/discharge unit, a DC-to-DC conversion unit, a battery protection unit, a fuel gauge and an internal DC regulation unit. Through intelligent power conversion and charge/discharge operations, a given battery type is given the ability to emulate other battery types by conversion of the output voltage of the battery and adaptation of the charging scheme to suit the battery.

Abstract: A voltage converter includes first and second inputs to receive a supply voltage and a reference voltage, respectively, from a power supply component, the supply voltage being higher than the reference voltage by a scaling factor of at least five. The voltage converter iteratively charges an internal filter capacitor to produce a converted voltage that follows the reference voltage by switchably coupling the first input to the filter capacitor while the converted voltage is less than the reference voltage to raise the converted voltage, and by switchably decoupling the first input from the filter capacitor while the converted voltage exceeds the reference voltage to enable the converted voltage to decay.

Abstract: A power conversion device includes a rectifying circuit that full-wave rectifies an input AC power, a first conversion circuit that includes a passive element, a first switching element, and a second switching element and digitally converts a rectified power while compensating a power factor of the rectified power through at least one of the passive element, the first switching element, and the second switching element, a second conversion circuit that converts the digitally-converted power into a power with a specified magnitude and output the power with the specified magnitude, a device circuit that consumes an output power of the second conversion circuit, a first control circuit that monitors current consumption of the device circuit and controls an amount of output current of the second conversion circuit based on the current consumption of the device circuit, and a second control circuit that controls a power factor compensation degree of the first conversion circuit based on the current consumption, wh

Abstract: An electric module for adapting a first signal of a first system to a second signal of a second system, including: a power supply source supplying a first signal; a converter module configured to convert the first signal into an intermediate signal; a microcontroller controlling and regulating the converter module; and an inverter module configured to output a signal compatible with a second signal of a second system.

Abstract: A carry-signal controlled LED light with fast discharge includes at least one LED and a drive unit. The drive unit includes a signal detector, a fast discharge unit, a light control unit, and a capacitor. The signal detector receives the carry light signal and provides a discharging control signal according to the carry light signal. The fast discharge unit receives the discharging control signal and controls a voltage of the carry light signal to be fast lower than a low-level voltage. The light control unit drives the light behavior of the at least one LED according to light command content of the carry light signal. The capacitor receives a DC power source to be charged and provides the required work power to the LED light when the fast discharge unit fast discharges.

Abstract: A power factor corrector circuit and a method of operating the power factor corrector circuit include a power factor corrector operable in a conduction mode within an operating frequency between a minimum value and a maximum value. A measured variable k1 can define a relation between a predetermined level set for a current ripple of a peak current Ipeakh minus a peak current Ipeakl in combination with a variable a that sets a ratio between a primary and secondary stroke interval and a resulting time period.

Abstract: A wind turbine temperature control system for maintaining the temperature of an energy storage device, the temperature control system has a breaking resistor for providing heat to the energy storage device and a power supply for causing a current to flow in the breaking resistor.

Abstract: Resource providers that provide a resource (e.g., electricity) to customers often have programs that operate to save customers money or otherwise benefit the customers. Traditionally, customers enroll in these programs by assenting to enroll in combination with providing that customer's account number. For various reasons, requiring the customer to provide his or her account number dramatically reduces the number of customers that ultimately sign up for a program. Accordingly, customer's willing to sign up for programs offered by the resource provider can do so without the need to give a customer number. Rather, the necessary information can be determined based on an image of the customer's meter.