System for monitoring utility usage
US4261037A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1979 |
| Grant date | Apr 7, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q50/06
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Electronic circuitry monitors the electrical energy consumption of a system and displays the current cost of the energy usage. The projected monthly billing cost is calculated at the current rate of consumption, and an alarm signal is generated if the projected cost is higher than a budget amount. The current flow is sensed and digital pulses are fed to a microprocessor for counting and conversion to cost parameters. Clock pulses are also directed to the microprocessor for calculating the billing period and for displaying time parameters. A keyboard enables initializing and modifying the cost and time parameters in the microprocessor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.