Patent ID: 6226600
Filing Date: 2001-05-01
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A consumer-friendly, easily installed, programmable system for monitoring electricity consumption by a residence or business, the system comprising:(a) a measuring transmitting unit, comprising:(1) at least two current transformers for connecting the measuring transmitting unit to main service power circuits which enter the residence or business;(2) at least two power wires for connecting the measuring transmitting unit to the circuit breaker panel at the residence or business;(3) means for receiving AC analog signals from the current transformers, converting the AC analog signals to DC analog signals, summing the DC analog signals, and outputting the information;(4) a microcontroller for converting the DC analog signals to digital signals, encoding the digital signals for power line carrier transmission, and performing timing functions;(5) a power line carrier transmission interface controller for transmitting the digital signals over existing power circuits within the residence or business; and(6) a power supply for powering the measuring transmitting unit; and(b) a programmable receiving display unit, which comprises:(1) a power supply for powering the receiving display unit;(2) a power plug for plugging the receiving display unit into an AC wall receptacle;(3) a power line carrier transmission interface controller for receiving the digital signals from the measuring transmitting unit;(4) a data decoder for decoding the digital signals from the measuring transmitting unit;(5) microcontroller for processing information received by the receiving display unit;(6) memory for storage of data;(7) a liquid crystal diode display for displaying information for viewing by the consumer; and(8) one or more input or mode buttons for allowing the consumer to input setup data and control the mode of the liquid crystal diode display; andwherein the system does not receive data input from a utility company;wherein the measuring transmitting unit is capable of translating current flowing in main service power circuit conductors to digitally encoded signals, and transmitting the digitally encoded signals over existing power circuits in the residence or small business; andwherein the receiving display unit is capable of receiving the digitally encoded signals being emitted by the measuring transmitting unit, decoding the digitally encoded signals, and translating them to the liquid crystal diode display for viewing by the consumer.