Patent ID: 9410822
Filing Date: 2016-08-09
CPC Classification: G01D,Y02B,Y04S

Claim Text:
1. A method for upgrading a power meter, the method comprising the steps of: providing a power meter configured to perform a base level of functionality for measuring electrical parameters related to an amount of power consumed at a particular location, wherein the power meter comprises a first interface having a first connector coupled to a first data path and a second connector coupled to a second data path, and wherein the power meter further comprises a second interface having a first connector coupled to the first data path and a second connector coupled to the second data path; providing a plurality of external option devices, wherein each external option device comprises a first connector and a second connector, and wherein each external option device is configured to enable the power meter to perform at least one optional function in addition to the base level of functionality; allowing a user to select a first external option device from the plurality of external option devices and couple the first external option device with the first interface of the power meter such that the first connector of the first external option device contacts the first connector of the first interface and the second connector of the first external option device contacts the second connector of the first interface; sending initialization data from a storage device disposed in the first external option device via the first connector of the first external option device to the first data path of the power meter via the first connector of the first interface, wherein the initialization data enables the power meter to operate with the first external option device; sending electrical parameters measured by the power meter via the second data path and second connector of the first interface to the first external option device via the second connector of the first external option device; processing the electrical parameters by the first external option device; and operating the power meter with the first external option device, wherein the at least one optional function is added to the base level of functionality of the power meter when the first external option device is coupled with the first interface of the power meter and the power meter receives the initialization data from the first external option device.