Display for a remote receiver in an electrical utility load management system

In a method for controlling an electrical load management system of an electrical utility, said system including means for transmitting address signals for directing commands to particular load management receivers and coded command signals and receiver means located proximate each one of a plurality of electrical loads to be controlled, a method of monitoring and testing said receiver means, comprising the steps of:

• decoding said address signals at the receiver means for determining whether the receiver means has been addressed to receive a command;
• determining whether the coded command signals correspond to a load reduction command signal or a status inquiry command signal;
• removing an electrical load from the electrical distribution system in response to a load reduction command signal;
• providing a memory means in said receiver means for storing a plurality of parameters of operation of said receiver means;
• storing in said memory means status data related to a plurality of parameters of operation of said receiver means in response to the execution of a command by the receiver;
• retrieving said status data from said memory means in response to the status inquiry command signal;
• formatting said retrieved status data in a format for display on a display means;
• and
• displaying said formatted status data on said display means.

In an electrical load management system for an electrical distribution system, said system including a receiver located proximate an electrical load to be controlled, said receiver being responsive to a transmitted coded command signal to remove an electrical load from the electrical distribution system, a receiver monitoring and testing apparatus, comprising:

• memory means associated with said receiver for storing status data related to a parameter of operation of said receiver;
• means associated with said receiver responsive to a transmitted predetermined status inquiry command signal for retrieving said status data from said memory means;
• means associated with said receiver for transmitting said retrieved status data in a predetermined communications format;
• and
• a transportable display unit for displaying said status data to an operator, comprising:
• transmitting means for transmitting said predetermined status inquiry command signal from said display unit to said receiver;
• means for receiving said transmitted status data from said receiver transmitting means;
• a data display associated with said transportable display unit and positioned for viewing by said operator;
• and
• means for converting said received status data into a format for display on said data display to an operator;
• means for displaying said formatted status data on said data display.

A transportable transmitting and display apparatus for receiving and displaying status information from an electrical load management system receiver, comprising:

• transmitting means for transmitting a predetermined status inquiry command signal to said receiver;
• means for receiving transmitted status data transmitted by said receiver in response to said status inquiry command signal, said status data comprising data related to the number of transmissions of a predetermined test command signal from a utility central transmitter, the time elapsed since power loss or receipt of a predetermined reset command, or the number of load control functions commanded and provided by the receiver within a predetermined time period;
• means for converting said received status data into a format for display to an operator;
• and
• means for displaying to an operator a numeric read out display of said data related to said number of transmissions of said predetermined test command signal from the utility central transmitter, said time elapsed since power loss or receipt of said predetermined reset command, or said number of load control functions commanded and provided by said receiver within said predetermined time period.

In an electrical load management system, said system including means for transmitting coded radio command signals for causing electrical load reductions from an electrical distribution system and receiver means located proximate each one of a plurality of electrical loads to be controlled,

• said receiver means including radio receiver means for decoding said coded radio command signals and being responsive to decoded command signals to remove an electrical load from the electrical distribution system and local oscillator means for demodulating said coded radio command signals;
• an improved status display for said receiver means, comprising:
• memory means for storing status data related to a plurality of parameters of operation of said receiver means;
• means responsive to a predetermined status inquiry command signal for retrieving said status data from said memory means;
• means for utilizing signals produced by said local oscillator means for obtaining a radio carrier signal;
• formatting means for arranging said retrieved status data in a format for transmitting via said radio carrier signal;
• transmitting means for transmitting said formatted status data via said radio carrier signal in response to said predetermined status inquiry command signal;
• an electrically independent portable display unit separate from said receiver means including means for receiving status data transmitted by said radio carrier signal from said receiver unit;
• and
• means for displaying said formatted status data on a display associated with said portable display unit.

In an electrical load management system, said system including means for transmitting address signals for directing commands to particular load management receivers and coded command signals for causing electrical load reductions from an electrical distribution system, an improved load management receiver for controlling an electrical load and for transmitting status information for display, comprising:

• address decoding means responsive to said address signals for determining whether said receiver has been addressed to receive a command;
• means for decoding said coded command signals in response to said address decoding means determining that said receiver has been addressed, said coded command signals including a load reduction command and a status inquiry command;
• means responsive to a load reduction command for removing an electrical load from the electrical distribution system;
• memory means for storing status data related to a plurality of parameters of operation of said receiver means;
• means responsive to said status inquiry command signal for retrieving said status data from said memory means;
• formatting means for arranging said retrieved status data in a predetermined communications format;
• data transmitting means for transmitting data in said communications format;
• and
• display control means operative for causing said data transmitting means to transmit said retrieved status data in said communications format to an external location for display.