Meter with IrDA port

A power meter for measuring power consumed including a first processor for processing the measured power, the power meter comprising:

• an IrDA port for wirelessly transmitting data to an optical port of a computing device located at a predetermined distance away from the IrDA port, wherein the IrDA port comprises a second processor inoperative communication with the first processor configured for receiving the measured power from the first processor and converting the measured power to at least one IrDA protocol;
• and
• means for determining whether to wirelessly transmit data via the IrDA port comprising:
• means for wirelessly receiving a key via the IrDA port;
• means for determining if the key matches a key stores within a memory of the meter;
• and
• means for actuating transmission of the data via the IrDA port if the received key matches the stored key.

A method for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data comprising:

• providing a meter for measuring power consumed comprising an IrDA port and a processor for determining whether to wirelessly transmit data via the IrDA port and for converting the data to at least one IrDA protocol;
• wirelessly receiving a key via the IrDA port from an optical port of a computing device located at a non-contact distance from the meter;
• comparing the received key with a key stored within a memory of the meter;
• and
• transmitting the data via the IrDA port if the received key matches the stored key.