Utility meter interface unit

A utility meter interface unit for use with a meter encoder, said unit comprising:

• a transmitter operative to send usage information obtained from said meter encoder to a remote location;
• a processor operative to initiate reading of said usage information from said meter encoder and to control transmission thereof;
• and
• power management circuitry responsive to said processor, said power management circuitry operative to direct power from a power source to said meter encoder only at selected times such that power is conserved during periods when said usage information is not being read;
• wherein said power management circuitry includes step-up circuitry operative to step-up a source voltage supplied by said power source to a predetermined higher voltage level.

A utility meter interface unit for use with a meter encoder, said unit comprising:

• a transmitter operative to send usage information obtained from said meter encoder to a remote location;
• a memory;
• a processor operative to initiate reading of said usage information from said meter encoder and store data representative thereof in said memory, said processor being operative during reading of said usage information to identify said meter encoder from among at least two encoder models;
• and
• said processor being further operative to control transmission of said usage information utilizing a predetermined transmission protocol.

A utility meter interface unit for use with a meter encoder requiring a predetermined encoder voltage level, said unit comprising:

• a power source supplying a source voltage level less than said encoder voltage level;
• a transmitter operative to send usage information obtained from said meter encoder to a remote location;
• a processor operative to initiate reading of usage information from said meter encoder and to control transmission thereof;
• and
• power management circuitry responsive to said processor, said power management circuitry including step-up circuitry operative to step-up said source voltage level to at least said encoder voltage level.

A method of reading usage information from a utility meter encoder, said method comprising steps of:

• (a) supplying power to said encoder at a first predetermined frequency;
• (b) verifying whether said encoder is of a first known type based on information responsively supplied by said encoder;
• (c) if said encoder is not of said first model, supplying power to said encoder at a second predetermined frequency;
• (d) verifying whether said encoder is of a second model based on information responsively supplied by said encoder;
• (e) reading and storing usage information from said encoder;
• and
• (f) transmitting said usage information to a remote location.

A utility meter interface unit for use with a meter encoder, said unit comprising:

• a transmitter operative to send usage information obtained from said meter encoder to a remote location;
• a processor operative to initiate reading of said usage information from said meter encoder and to control transmission thereof;
• and
• power management circuitry responsive to said processor, said power management circuitry operative to direct power from a power source to said meter encoder only at selected times such that power is conserved during periods when said usage information is not being read and wherein said power management circuitry includes a selectively conducting arrangement controlled by said processor to supply power to said encoder at a predetermined frequency.

A utility meter interface unit for use with a meter encoder, said unit comprising:

• a transmitter operative to send usage information obtained from said meter encoder to a remote location;
• a processor operative to initiate reading of said usage information from said meter encoder and to control transmission thereof;
• power management circuitry responsive to said processor, said power management circuitry operative to direct power from a power source to said meter encoder only at selected times such that power is conserved during periods when said usage information is not being read;
• and
• wherein said processor is operative to identify said meter encoder and wherein said power management circuitry supplies power at a predetermined frequency depending on the meter encoder identified.