Patent ID: 7583202
Filing Date: 2009-09-01
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A metering apparatus comprising: a microcomputer (MCU); a transceiver unit coupled to the MCU to transmit and receive power line communications (PLC) between the metering apparatus and a remote device; memory coupled to the MCU to store metering data; a communication device coupled to the MCU; at least one analog transducer coupled to the MCU to supply real time data to the MCU; an electronically operated relay coupled to the MCU to disconnect the metering apparatus from one or more line outputs; a battery to provide power to the MCU such that at least of portion of the MCU's functionality when main power is off including detecting tampering of the meter; and a cold start interrupt in communication with the MCU to change the metering apparatus' mode operation from stop mode to normal mode, wherein the MCU is the only active component powered on and a power source for the metering apparatus is the battery and all clocks used by the MCU are turned off when the metering apparatus is in stop mode and when the metering apparatus is in normal mode the MCU and other components of the meter are fully powered and a real-time clock is generated.