Portable programmer for time-of-day metering register system and method of using same

A method of using a portable programmer for programming a multiple rate electrical energy meter of the type including a first mechanical register for continuously registering the consumption of electrical energy, at least one alternate mechanical register for registering the consumption of electrical energy during preselected time intervals, a sync signal generator for generating a sync signal, a controllable clock for generating signals normally representative of real time, a recirculating storage for storing time data signals representative of a plurality of predetermined times and for storing function data signals representative of control functions to be performed at said predetermined times, a comparator for periodically comparing the signals from said clock with the time data signals, logic circuitry responsive to an output of said comparator and to the function data signals from said recirculating storage for generating at least one function control signal in accordance with the function data signals when a comparison exists between said time data signals and the signals from said clock, and means responsive to said at least one function control signal from said logic circuitry for engaging or disengaging said at least one alternate register in accordance with said at least one function control signal, said method of programming said multiple rate meter comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating real time signals by a first clock operating at a specified frequency;
• (b) displaying, in response to said real time signals, the time of day;
• (c) setting said first clock to a predetermined real time;
• (d) generating high frequency clock signals by a second clock in response to the sync signal from said multiple rate meter, said sync signal being of a substantially greater frequency than the operating frequency of said first clock;
• (f) comparing the real time signals and the high frequency clock signals from said first and second clocks respectively;
• and
• (g) inhibiting the operation of the controllable clock in said multiple rate meter when a comparison exists between said real time signals and said high frequency clock signals.

A portable programmer for programming a multiple rate electrical energy meter of the type including a first mechanical register for continuously registering the consumption of electrical energy, at least one alternate mechanical register for registering the consumption of electrical energy during preselected time intervals, a sync signal generator for generating a sync signal, a controllable clock for generating signals normally representative of real time, a recirculating storage for storing time data signals representative of a plurality of predetermined times and for storing function data signals representative of control functions to be performed at said predetermined times, a comparator for periodically comparing the signals from said clock with the time data signals, logic circuitry means responsive to an output of said comparator and to the function data signals from said recirculating storage for generating at least one function control signal in accordance with the function data signals when a comparison exists between said time data signals and the signals from said clock, and means responsive to said at least one function control signal from said logic circuitry for engaging or disengaging said at least one alternate register in accordance with said at least one function control signal, said portable programmer comprising:

• first clock means operating at a specified frequency for generating real time signals;
• means responsive to said real time signals for displaying real time;
• means for setting said first clock means to a predetermined real time;
• second clock means for generating high frequency clock signals, said second clock means being stepped by said sync signal from said multiple rate meter at a substantially greater frequency than the operating frequency of said first clock means;
• means for comparing the real time signals and the high frequency clock signals from said first and second clock means, respectively;
• means for inhibiting the operation of said controllable clock in said multiple rate meter when a comparison exists between said real time signals and said high frequency clock signals;
• means for storing a plurality of sets of time data signals, each corresponding to a plurality of predetermined times and for storing a plurality of function data signals each corresponding to control functions to be performed at said predetermined times;
• address counter means for sequentially accessing each of said time and function data signals in said storage means;
• gating means connected to said storage means for selectively enabling the passage therethrough of a selected set of time data signals and a selected set of function data signals;
• and
• means connected to said gating means for reading out said data signals in sequence into said recirculating storage of said multiple rate meter.

A portable programmer for programming a multiple rate electrical energy meter of the type including a first mechanical register for continuously registering the consumption of electrical energy, at least one alternate mechanical register for registering the consumption of electrical energy during preselected time intervals, a sync signal generator for generating a sync signal, a controllable clock for generating signals normally representative of real time, a recirculating storage for storing time data signals representative of a plurality of predetermined times and for storing function data signals representative of control functions to be performed at said predetermined times, a comparator for periodically comparing the signals from said clock with the time data signals, logic circuitry responsive to an output of said comparator and to the function data signals from said recirculating storage for generating at least one function control signal in accordance with the function data signals when a comparison exists between said time data signals and the signals from said clock, and means responsive to said at least one function control signal from said logic circuitry for engaging or disengaging said at least one alternate register in accordance with said at least one function control signal, said portable programmer comprising:

• first clock means operating at a predetermined frequency for generating real time signals;
• means responsive to said real time signals for displaying real time;
• means for setting said first clock means to a predetermined real time;
• second clock means for generating high frequency clock signals, said second clock means being stepped by said sync signal from said multiple rate meter at a substantially greater frequency than the operating frequency of said first clock means;
• means for comparing the real time signals and the high frequency clock signals from said first and second clock means, respectively;
• means for inhibiting the operation of said controllable clock in said multiple rate meter when a comparison exists between said real time signals and said high frequency clock signals;
• means for storing a plurality of time data signals, each corresponding to a plurality of predetermined times and for storing a plurality of function data signals each corresponding to control functions to be performed at said predetermined times;
• address counter means for sequentially accessing each of said time and function data signals in said storage means;
• gating means for enabling said sync signals to clock said address counter means when a program is to be read into said multiple rate meter;
• gating means connected to said storage means for selectively enabling the passage therethrough of a selected set of time data signals and a selected set of function data signals;
• means connected to said gating means for reading out said data signals in sequence into said recirculating storage of said multiple rate meter;
• means for determining when a complete set of time data signals and function data signals has been read into said recirculating storage of said multiple rate meter;
• and
• means for inhibiting said gating means for passing said sync signals to said address counter means.

A portable programmer for programming a multiple rate electrical energy meter of the type including a first mechanical register for continuously registering the consumption of electrical energy, at least one alternate mechanical register for registering the consumption of electrical energy during preselected time intervals, a sync signal generator for generating a sync signal, a controllable clock for generating signals normally representative of real time, a recirculating storage for storing time data signals representative of a plurality of predetermined times and for storing function data signals representative of control functions to be performed at said predetermined times, a comparator for periodically comparing the signals from said clock with the time data signals, logic circuitry responsive to an output of said comparator and to the function data signals from said recirculating storage for generating at least one function control signal in accordance with the function data signals when a comparison exists between said time data signals and the signals from said clock, and means responsive to said at least one function control signal from said logic circuitry for engaging or disengaging said at least one alternate register in accordance with said at least one function control signal, said portable programmer comprising:

• first clock means operating at a predetermined frequency for generating real time signals;
• means responsive to said real time signals for displaying real time;
• means for setting said first clock means to a predetermined real time;
• second clock means for generating high frequency clock signals, said second clock means being stepped by said sync signal from said multiple rate meter at a substantially greater frequency than the operating frequency of said first clock means;
• means for comparing the real time signals and the high frequency clock signals from said first and second clock means, respectively;
• means for inhibiting the operation of said controllable clock in said multiple rate meter when a comparison exists between said real time signals and said high frequency clock signals;
• switch means for initiating a test procedure in said portable programmer;
• timing means responsive to the actuation of said switch means for resetting said switch means after a predetermined period of time;
• means responsive to the actuation of said switch means for stepping said multiple rate meter at said sync signal rate;
• means for storing a plurality of sets of time data signals each corresponding to a plurality of predetermined times and for storing a plurality of function data signals each corresponding to control functions to be performed at said predetermined times;
• gating means connected to said storage means for selectively enabling the passage therethrough of a selected set of time data signals and a selected set of function data signals;
• means for simulating the operation of said multiple rate meter;
• means connected to said gating means for reading out said data signals in sequence into said means for simulating the operation of said multiple rate meter, said reading out means being responsive to said test switch means for initiating the reading out of said data signals;
• and
• means responsive to said simulating means for indicating the successful or unsuccessful operation of said multiple rate meter.

A method of operating a portable programmer for programming a multiple rate electrical energy meter of the type including a first mechanical register for continuously registering the consumption of electrical energy, at least one alternate mechanical register for registering the consumption of electrical energy during preselected time intervals, a sync signal generator for generating a sync signal, a controllable clock for generating signals normally representative of real time, a recirculating storage for storing time data signals representative of a plurality of predetermined times and for storing function data signals representative of control functions to be performed at said predetermined times, a comparator for periodically comparing the signals from said clock with the time data signals, logic circuitry means responsive to an output of said comparator and to the function data signals from said recirculating storage for generating at least one function control signal in accordance with the function data signals when a comparison exists between said time data signals and the signals from said clock, and means responsive to said at least one function control signal from said logic circuitry for engaging or disengaging said at least one alternate register in accordance with said at least one function control signal, said method comprising:

• operating a first clock at a specified frequency for generating real time signals, displaying in response to said real time signals the real time;
• setting said first clock means to a predetermined real time;
• generating high frequency clock signals by stepping a second clock with said sync signal from said multiple rate meter at a substantially greater frequency than the operating frequency of said first clock;
• comparing the real time signals and the high frequency clock signals from said first and second clocks, respectively;
• inhibiting the operation of said controllable clock in said multiple rate meter when a comparison exists between said real time signals and said high frequency clock signals;
• storing a plurality of sets of time data signals, each corresponding to a plurality of predetermined times in a storage;
• storing a plurality of function data signals each corresponding to control functions to be performed at said predetermined times in said storage;
• sequentially accessing each of said time and function data signals in said storage;
• selectively enabling the passage through a gate of a selected set of time data signals and a selected set of function data signals;
• and
• reading out said data signals in sequence into said recirculating storage of said multiple rate meter.