Integrated metrology systems and information and control apparatus for interaction with integrated metrology systems
US7379791B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 2, 2005 |
| Grant date | May 27, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 28, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY04S20/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system is disposed at a location of a utility commodity subscriber for informing the subscriber of and controlling utility commodity usage. The system includes utility meters, an information and control apparatus, and a first and second data communication link. The meters measure usage and and generate usage signals. The information and control apparatus includes a microprocessor, a memory, a clock, and a user interface. The first data communication link is between the utility meters and the information and control apparatus and the second data communication link is between the information and control apparatus and one or more central locations. The second communication link also provides rate information to the information and control apparatus and utility commodity usage data to the central location. The microprocessor computes an accumulated cost of utility commodity for a predetermined period of time. Information related to the accumulated cost is output to the subscriber.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.