Automatic calibration of time keeping for utility meters

An arrangement for adaptive time keeping in a utility meter, the arrangement comprising:

• a) a timing circuit operable to generate timing signals;
• b) a controller operably coupled to said timing circuit to receive timing signals therefrom, the controller operable to:
• generate a first real-time value based at least in part on an externally generated first reference time value;
• derive a subsequent second real-time value, based at least in part on the first real-time value, the timing signals, and a calibration value;
• obtain an externally generated second reference time value;
• determine a rate adjustment based at least in part on a difference between said second real-time value and said second reference time value;
• and
• generate a subsequent real-time value based at least in part on said timing signals, the calibration value, and the rate adjustment.

A method of adaptively calibrating a real-time clock within a utility meter, the real-time clock generating real-time values based at least in part on timing signals generated by a timing circuit, the method comprising:

• a) generating a first real-time value based at least in part on an externally generated first reference time value;
• b) deriving a subsequent second real-time value based at least in part on the first real-time value, the timing signals, and a calibration value;
• c) obtaining an externally generated second reference time value;
• d) determining a rate adjustment based at least in part on a difference between said second real-time value and said second reference time value;
• and
• e) generating a subsequent real-time value based at least in part on said timing signals, the calibration value, and the rate adjustment.

A method of generating metering information within a utility meter, the utility meter having a source of commodity consumption information and the utility meter having a real-time clock generating real-time values based at least in part on timing signals generated by a timing circuit, the method comprising:

• a) generating a first real-time value based at least in part on an externally generated first reference time value;
• b) deriving a subsequent second real-time value based at least in part on the first real-time value, the timing signals, and a calibration value;
• c) obtaining an externally generated second reference time value;
• d) determining a rate adjustment based at least in part on a difference between said second real-time value and said second reference time value;
• e) generating a subsequent real-time value based at least in part on said timing signals, the calibration value, and the rate adjustment;
• and
• f) generating the metering information based at least in part on the commodity consumption information and said subsequent real-time value.