US 5,214,587 A · Device for monitoring utility usage

Abstract

A device (10) for monitoring utility usage comprising a meter sensor assembly (16) attached to a utility meter (14) and a customer interface unit (20) placed inside a building (12). Sensor signals from the meter sensor assembly (16) are transmitted through a reset/driver unit (18) via the cable (22) to the customer interface unit (20) where the signal is processed into usable data that is communicated by a LCD display (114) on the front face (110) of the customer interface unit (20). Rotation of the meter disk (24) is sensed by infrared light signals (82) detecting the passage of the mark (38) on the edge (32) of the disk (24). The mounting assembly (40) is easily attached to the front face (30) of the transparent case (26). The reset/driver unit (18) includes a magnetic reset switch (98) that coordinates processing of data with the monthly billing cycle of the utility.

Claims9

Dependent claims

A device for monitoring utility usage for installation and use by homeowners and consumers with existing public utility meters having a disk that is mounted inside a transparent case and that rotates in response to electrical current usage, the device comprising:

a disk rotation monitoring assembly for mounting on the exterior of the transparent case, said monitoring assembly comprising:
(a) a sensor for sensing disk rotation speed and generating a signal in response thereto;
and
(b) means for mounting said sensor on the transparent case, said mounting means further comprising means for holding said sensor, means for attaching said holding means to the transparent case, and means for adjusting the position of said holding means to enable precise alignment of said sensor with the plane of the disk such that said sensor is in optical communication with the edge of said disk;
one or more remote display terminals in electrical communication with said monitoring assembly, each of said one or more remote terminals comprising:
(a) means for receiving said signal and processing said signal into utility consumption data;
(b) an electronic memory for storing said data;
(c) a visual display for displaying data in a reader-usable format about consumption;
and
(d) a display controller that enables selective displaying of any of said data on said visual display.

7 more elements

An electrical power usage monitoring and display device for installation and use by homeowners and consumers with existing public utility power meters that have a disk, which is mounted inside a transparent cover, rotating in response to electric current usage, the device comprising:

an optical sensor for optically sensing disk rotation speed and generating a signal in response thereto;
a mounting assembly for adhesively mounting said optical sensor directly on the exterior of the transparent case such that the optical sensor lies in the plane of the disk in optical communication with the edge of the disk;
a processor means for receiving said signal and processing said signal into electrical power consumption data;
a visual display device for displaying data in a reader-usable format about consumption usage and cost;
and
a key pad associated with said processor means and said visual display that enables a user to enter information into said processor means and enables selective displaying of said electrical power consumption data.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for monitoring utility usage

Life of this patent

Device for monitoring utility usage

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims9