Electric power meter - optical reading device

Abstract

An optical translator device capable of providing information indicative of the amount of relative movement between the device and the surface of an electrical power meter's interior rotating disk. The device comprises of an optical translator device attached to the exterior of an electric power meter. The device may be attached to a host system via a wire or wirelessly. Alternatively, display or auditory devices may be built into the device to report back the speed of rotation. The device may also contain data storage to allow subsequent retrieval of rotational information for analysis at a later time. Software may be developed to use with the device that will allow a system to interpret the results of the Electric Power Meter—Optical Reading Device. This software may be useful to interpret different makes or brands of power meters or to evaluate usage over a given time period or control power consumption devices. The software can also be used to project utility costs based on different utilities rate structures.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.