Utility monitoring device, system and method

A monitoring system for in-building monitoring of usage of a commodity supplied by a utility and displaying within the building at least two usage metrics, comprising at least one monitoring device having:

• receiver means for receiving information relating to at least a first of said two usage metrics, said first usage metric relating to present consumption rate or aggregate consumption of the commodity;
• display means having a display area:
• light source means for selectively illuminating at least part of the display area with light of a selected one of a plurality of colours and varying the illuminated area;
• and
• control means responsive to the receiver means for controlling the light source means to select the illumination colour and to vary the illuminated area, the colour selection and area variation each being indicative of a respective one of the at least two usage metrics,
• the system further comprising at least one additional device for deploying elsewhere in the building from the first monitoring device but in communication therewith, the additional device receiving and displaying the two usage metrics.

A transceiver adapter for mounting between an electricity meter and a receptacle for the electricity meter and communicating with a remote monitoring device, the adapter comprising:

• a set of connectors each for connecting a respective one of a set of terminals on the electricity meter to a corresponding one of a set of complementary terminals on the receptacle, and provide a conductive path for the power lines,
• a base having
• means for extracting current from line current carrying conductors within the adapter,
• means for deriving from the extracted current a signal representing present consumption;
• transmitter means responsive to the signal for transmitting to the monitoring device a further signal representing present consumption, and
• power supply means for extracting power from the lines to supply components in the adapter.