Billing recorder with non-volatile solid state memory
US4361877A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 5, 1980 |
| Grant date | Nov 30, 1982 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2000 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R22/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A billing recorder for providing a record of customer usage of electricity has a controller which may include a microprocessor for receiving and processing pulses from an electric meter. Data from one or more input channels is temporarily stored in random access memory by the controller in data words representative of energy consumed in predetermined time ("demand") intervals. The accumulated measurement ("event") data and time reference data are transferred to a non-volatile, solid state memory at the end of relatively long collection periods which comprise a number of demand intervals. The solid state preferably is energized by the controller only during data transfers. The entire memory module is removable for processing at a central location, and it is replaced with a new one when it is removed. During memory replacement, which may occur at most times with minor exception, the processor prepares a special Removal Record and transfers that record to predetermined locations on the memory module being removed. The processor also prepares a special Insertion Record for the new module. The cumulative counts recorded on these special records as well as the normal records establish re…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.