Abstract:
An inexpensive energy monitoring device and method for measuring energy usage and power costs in real time. The invention can include an external type digital battery powered camera that can be mounted away from and adjacent to the outdoor utility meter on a rotatable arm, which can send data signals to remote locations indoors using wireless such as an RF signal to a detector/display inside the residence. The indoor unit can be programmed to display desirable energy status information to a home owner on power usage and power costs on a daily bases, monthly bases, and yearly bases so that the home owner can budget energy usage and energy costs as needed. A shield can also be used with device and method for shielding power meters from adverse weather conditions.

Description:
This invention relates to optical sensors, and in particular to meter reader systems and methods having camera type sensors mounted adjacent and separate from a utility meter such as externally located electric and water meters, for accurately reading the utility meters and transmitting up to date information in a wireless manner into an adjacent business or residence for real-time energy usage monitoring and budget status. 
   BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART 
   Homeowners have had a long felt need to monitor the daily energy consumption. Currently homeowners adjust their energy consumption by their past energy bills, such as evaluating a previous month&#39;s electric bill. It is very difficult for consumers to make immediate changes to the energy consumption by having to wait to the end of the month when they get a monthly bill in order adjust their energy usage. 
   Various patents have been proposed over the years. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,115 to Boldridge, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,853 to Fisher; U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,704 to Konicek et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,181 to Swanson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,632 to Frew et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,587 to Green; U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,462 to Whitehead, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,895 to Murr; U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,139 to Allen et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,331 to Lewis et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,903 to Shuey et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,464 to Vrionis; U.S. Pat. No. 5,924,051 to Provost et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,719 to Tracy et al. These proposed devices have many problems. 
   For example, many of the devices require attaching a monitoring device directly to the glass type cover of the utility meter, or require portions of the monitoring device be inserted inside the utility meter. See for example Boldridge, Jr. &#39;115 and Green &#39;587. A problem with these devices is that they are generally illegal in many jurisdictions which prohibit utility meters from being tampered with by obstructing and/or modifying the utility meter box itself. Thus, most of these devices cannot be legally used. Furthermore, the cost of the device components and extra labor time to install these devices makes them further impractical to be used. Finally, many of these devices can obstruct the rotating disk so that meter readers are delayed from taking a reading when needed or emergency personnel cannot remove the meter if required during an emergency. 
   Many other monitoring devices rely on reading the black line on the rotating meter wheel. See for example Whitehead, Jr. &#39;462. These devices have problems such as the alignment of the black mark line so that it can be read. Additionally, these devices have inherent problems for false readings, and the like. Furthermore, these devices do not give real-time readings since the monitor has to wait until the black line on the rotating disk passes by the sensor. 
   Furthermore many of these consumer monitor devices referred to above also require installation by electricians and/or by utility company employees. Furthermore, these hardwired systems can require that power to the residence be turned off during installation of the monitoring device. Still furthermore, many of these devices can malfunction during power shortages, to the residence. 
   Portable proposed devices have other problems, For example, the portable monitoring devices are limited to professional meter readers, and cannot be adapted for residential use, and do not allow for displaying power usage, history usage, and projected future usage. See for example Frew et al. &#39;632. Thus, there exists the need for solutions to the above problems with the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The first objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor system which allows homeowners to monitor instantaneous power usage, history and projected future energy usage. 
   The second objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor system where power usage can be determined instantaneously. 
   The third objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor that does not require installation by electrician or power company employee. 
   The fourth objective of this invention is to provide an energy monitor where installation does not require power to the home to be interrupted. 
   The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor having a wireless interface that allows indoor unit to be mounted in a centralized, conspicuous location in the home so all family members can become more aware of power usage. 
   The sixth objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor having a display that allows for “at a glance” indication of whether the homeowner is on-track to meet his monthly energy cost goal. 
   The seventh objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor with a sensor that is easy to install and align due to lens design and use of alignment light emitting diodes(LED&#39;s). 
   The eight objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor that does not obstruct a utility meter to allow for easy access by the power company meter reader or emergency personnel. 
   The ninth objective of the present invention is to provide an energy monitor that can be used to monitor different types of meters having rotating disc wheels. 
   A preferred embodiment of the invention can include an exterior assembly having a digital type camera mounted on an end of an arm above and separate from a power meter such as a glass cupped power meter. The camera can detect velocity data of the rotating wheel disk on the power meter, and send velocity data by a wireless transmission such as by RF, and the like, to an indoor display monitor inside of a building, such as a home. There can be 2–4 keys for user input and the LCD will display a “heartbeat” symbol to indicate that the unit is receiving information from the power meter sensor. 
   The indoor display unit can compute and display daily, weekly, monthly and yearly energy cost as well as current demand in dollars. A budget feature will allow the operator to set limits on monthly power usage to help costs from rising too high. Green and red LED&#39;s can be used to indicate whether the energy cost is below or above the budget amount. The entire unit can be designed to sell for a retail price of less than $50 as a home owner self installation kit, and can be used with different energy type meters. 
   Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment which is illustrated schematically in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective exterior view of a novel power meter monitor attached to a rotatable arm with mount adjacent to a power meter and indoor display receiver/monitor. 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the meter monitor and arm of  FIG. 1  adjacent to the power meter. 
       FIG. 3  is a front cross-sectional view of the monitor and arm of  FIG. 2  along arrow  3 X. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the monitor on rotatable arm and mount of  FIG. 2  along arrow  4 Y. 
       FIG. 5  is an end view of the mount and arm of  FIG. 4  along arrow  5 X. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the monitor, arm and mount of the preceding figures. 
       FIG. 6A  shows a wall plate for hanging the base mount portion of  FIG. 6  thereon. 
       FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the wall plate and base mount portion of  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the indoor receiver/monitor of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  shows an exemplary setup screen for the receiver/monitor of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
       FIG. 9  shows an exemplary budget screen for the receiver/monitor of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an exemplary status screen for the receiver/monitor of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . 
       FIG. 11  is another embodiment of the receiver/monitor used with a personal computer. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. 
     FIG. 1  shows a perspective exterior view of a novel outdoor monitor unit assembly  100  that can include power meter monitor  110  attached to a rotatable arm  140  with wall mount  160  adjacent to a power meter  20 ,  30  and cut-away view of an indoor display receiver/monitor  200 .  FIG. 2  is an enlarged perspective view of the meter monitor  110  and arm  140  of  FIG. 1  adjacent to the power meter  20 ,  30 .  FIG. 3  is a front cross-sectional view of the meter monitor  110  and arm  140  of  FIG. 2  along arrow  3 X.  FIG. 4  is a top view of the meter monitor  110  on rotatable arm  140  and wall mount  160  of  FIG. 2  along arrow  4 Y.  FIG. 5  is an end view of the wall mount  160  detached from the wall  10  and arm  140  of  FIG. 4  along arrow  5 X.  FIG. 6  is an exploded view of the meter monitor  110 , arm  140  and wall mount  160  of the preceding figures. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 – 6 , the novel outdoor monitor assembly  100  can be mounted to a wall adjacent but not touching a power meter that can include an outdoor electricity meter  30  mounted to an exterior box on the outer wall  10  of a building  1  such as a home, and the like. The wall mount  160  can include an end  162  having a bracket portion  170  such as a perpendicular flange having a flat surface  172  with a through-hole  175  for allowing a fastener(s)  177 , such as but not limited to a screw, and the like to fasten the wall mount  160  to the wall surface  10  of the building  1 . 
     FIG. 6A  shows a wall plate  176  for hanging the bracket portion  170  of  FIG. 6  thereon. Wall plate  176  can include fastening holes for allowing fasteners such as but not limited to screws, and the like, to prefasten wall plate  176  to the exterior surface of an outer wall of a home type structure, and include a female type-groove portion  178 , that can mateably receive the male type protruding portion  173  protruding from an under portion of bracket  170  by being slid in the direction of arrow BS(as shown in  FIG. 6 ).  FIG. 6B  shows a side view of the wall plate and base mount portion of  FIGS. 6 ,  6 A. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  4 – 6 , wall mount  160  can have a length ML that between wall mounting end  162  and arm mounting end  168  so that arm mounting end  168  extends further away from wall  10  than the front face window  32  of the meter  30 . Inside wall mount  160  can be a compartment  163  for allowing a power supply  166  such as but not limited to a four pack of 1.5 volt batteries, to be stored in side, and held in place by a snapable door  164 . Replaceable power supply  166  can be used to power the meter monitor  110  which will be described in detail later. Additionally, a solar panel  180  can be mounted by removable fasteners  185 , such as but not limited to hook and loop fasteners, and peel and stick tape, to the top surface  22  of meter box  20 . During clear daylight hours, solar panel  180 , such as those found on calculators, and the like, can be used to recharge power supply  166  through line  181 . Alternatively, the meter monitor  110  can be powered by a power cord plug  190  that can be attached to an exterior outlet  195  on the building  1 . On the outer end  168  of wall mount  160  can be a slit opening  169  for allowing a connecting end  142  of arm  140  to be connected to outer end  168  of wall mount  160  by a pin  167 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2–6 , arm  140  can rotate in the direction of double arrow PR from position P 1  which is substantially perpendicular to wall mount  160 , with an interior wall portion  161  inside slit opening  169  limits the rotation of arm  140  to position P 1 . Rotating arm  140  in the direction of arrow P 2  allows the meter monitor attached to the second end  148  of arm  140  to extend outward away from meter  30 . Arm  140  can be positioned that it is slightly above meter  30  so as not to block the actual meter dials  50  and rotating wheel  40  of the meter itself. The length AL of the arm  140  can be long enough to allow the meter monitor  110  to be positioned above the rotating wheel  40  of power meter  30 . Attached to the outer end  148  of rotatable arm  140  can be the meter monitor  110 . Unlike prior art devices the novel monitor  110  does not interfere with the power meter  30  either directly or indirectly. For example, physically reading the actual meter dials  50  will not be obstructed, and no penetration and/or insertion is done into the power meter box  20  and/or meter  30  either directly or indirectly. 
   The meter monitor  110  can be rotated up to 180 degrees within the outer end  148  of the rotatable arm(as shown by double arrows MR  FIG. 2 ) to allow the wall mount  160  to be mounted to the right or left side of the meter box  20 . The meter monitor  110  can be rotated a smaller amount to compensate for the mounting of the base unit on a home with siding. In addition, the meter monitor  110  can be slid in or out of the outer end  148  of the rotatable arm  140 (as shown by double arrows MS  FIG. 3 ) to allow positioning of the monitor  110  over any portion of the rotating disk wheel  40  which is not obstructed by internal mechanisms. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–6 , meter monitor  110  can include a narrow neck male portion  114  that attaches monitor  110  to arm  140  though a receiving female slot in outer end  148  of arm  140 . monitor  110  can include a rear wall portion  112  that can have an oval shape with inwardly facing cup shaped side walls  113  for supporting a panel  120  which functions as both a circuit board and support for an infrared light emitting diode (IR LED)  122 , a red light emitting diode(R LED)  126 , and a CCD camera  124  therebetween. IR LED  122  and R LED  126  are positioned so that light beams T 1 , T 2  are respectively emitted toward an edge of rotating wheel  40 . A focusing lens  130  can be used for focusing the reflecting light RR from rotating wheel  40  to be read by CCD camera  124 . Lens  130  is intended to focus the image of the rotating disk wheel  40  onto the CCD optical sensor  124 . A lens mount  134  with an opening for the lens  130  can be attached to the side walls  113  of monitor  110 . Additionally, the size of the monitor  110  can be built large enough to provide a degree of protection from falling rain and dirt. 
   IR LED  122  and R LED  126  and CCD camera  124  can together form a digital type sensor camera that can take approximately 100 and 2300 frame pictures per second of the meter rotating disk to detect disk rotation and velocity. 
   The meter monitor  110  of the invention can include an optical mouse sensor such as but not limited to an Agilent ADNS-2051 to detect disk rotation velocity. The lens  130  can be used to image the surface of the rotating disk  40  on to a CMOS 16×16 pixel imaging array included in the ADNS-2051 IC. 
   The wall mount  160  and arm  140  and backing portion  112 , and connector neck portion  112  of monitor  110  can be formed from injection molded plastic, and the like, or rust resistant metal and the like, and be sealed against moisture penetration. 
   Inside the wall mount  160  can be a microprocessor  180  such as those found in personal digital assistants (PDA) and the like which can read data information by line  119  from the CCD optical sensor  124 , pre-process the data into velocity information. The microprocessor  180  can additionally encrypt data for the transmitter portion  190 . The wireless transmitter portion  190  can be a radio frequency(RF) having a frequency and power level transmission band that has been approved by FCC for short-range transmission. Alternatively, the wireless transmitter portion can include other types of signal transmitters such as but not limited to ultrasonic, radar, and the like, that sends a wireless signal W to interior monitor unit  200 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , an optional roof shield  140  such as bent plastic, and the like, can be mounted to an upper surface of arm  140  and monitor  110  so as to form a protective shield for these components as well as for the meter( 30   FIGS. 1 ,  2 ) from potentially harmful weather conditions such as rain, snow, and the like. 
     FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the indoor receiver/monitor  200  of  FIG. 1 , which can include an interior wall mounted box  210  that can be mounted to an interior wall surface  201  by a hook bracket(s)  203  that uses removable fastener(s)  203  such as but not limited to screws and the like. Inside box  210  can be an RF receiver  215  and programmable minicomputer  217  such as those used with a PDA (personal digital assistant), and the like. The interior processor  217  can be used to read and decrypt the wireless data transmission W, for display on the LCD screen  310 . 
   As described above, the screen panel  300  on a front portion  220  of the box can have a liquid crystal display (LCD)  310  that shows various screens that can be triggered by display buttons such as a status screen button  230 , setup screen button  240 , and adjust button  250 . The interior wall mounted box  210  can be powered by replaceable batteries  270  and/or by an AC 120 volt wall outlet plug  280 . The indoor receiver/monitor  200  can have screen dimensions being approximately 4 inches by approximately four inches so that the entire unit  200  is not obtrusive and can be sized to be no larger than a typical intercom used in homes. Although three buttons  230 – 250  are shown, less or more buttons can be used as needed and selected by the user of the invention. Green and red LED&#39;s can also be used in the various display screens to indicate whether the energy cost is below or above the budget amount. 
     FIG. 10  shows an exemplary status screen for the receiver/monitor of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  10 , depressing status button  230  can provide an LCD display  310 C that shows the current status in an LCD readout  370  of the power usage in terms of power costs in the last 24 hours (for the current day), as well as an LCD display  380  of the power costs so far that month. In the example shown in  FIG. 10  electrical power usage is two dollars and 14.8 cents on Oct. 24, 2001( 310 ) as of 9:42 pm ( 320 B). By depressing status button  230  repeatedly the lower portion of the status screen  380  can cycle through the available energy data as follows: current week, current month, current year, last week, last month and last year. 
     FIG. 8  shows an exemplary setup screen  310 A for the receiver/monitor  200  of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  8  depressing setup button  240  can provide an LCD display having month, date and year  310 , current time of day  320 , one month&#39;s energy cost  330  and corresponding kWh usage  340 . The user can program setup data by depressing adjust button  250 , to scroll through the numbers 0–9 on each field arcade style. The number being changed will be identified by the number flashing on and off. Once the number is correct the user will depress the status button  230  to move to the next field/number. The setup screen will allow the date data  310  to be changed first, then the time of day  320  to be entered, then one month&#39;s energy cost  330  and finally the corresponding kWh value  340 . Once all entries have been completed depressing the setup button  240  will save the entered information and move the user to the budget screen depicted in  FIG. 9 . 
     FIG. 9  shows an exemplary budget screen  310 B for the receiver/monitor  200  of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  9 , depressing setup button  240  when the user is on the setup screen  310 A can provide an LCD display  310 B that allows a budget entry to be used with the monitor. The budget screen will allow the budget mode  350  to be activated or deactivated by displaying the word YES or NO. The budget screen will also allow entry of a desired maximum monthly energy bill. Once the budget screen is entered depressing adjust button  250  will cycle the budget mode enable to YES or NO. The status button  230  can then be depressed to move the user to the monthly budget field were depressing adjust button  250  will scroll through the numbers 0–9 on each field arcade style. The number being changed will be identified by the number flashing on and off. Once the number is correct the user will depress the status button  230  to move to the next field/number until the complete budget number is entered. This method can allow the user to insert a monthly budget amount to the receiver/monitor  200 . For example, a $100.00 monthly amount can be set into the monitor  200  so that the user can try to achieve power usage within that set amount per month. Once all entries have been completed depressing the setup button  240  will save the entered information and move the user back to the main status screen depicted in  FIG. 10 . Note that while on the budget screen the current date  310  and time of day  320  entered on the setup screen  310 A will be displayed but cannot be changed. Once enabled the budget mode will allow the system to provide feedback to the user as to whether they are on track to meet their monthly energy bill goals. The receiver/monitor  200  can use green and red LEDs to indicate whether the user is currently under or over the entered monthly budget. 
   An optional version of the screen panel  300  will now be described in reference to  FIGS. 7–10  where on a front portion  220  of the box can have a touch screen liquid crystal display(LCD)  310  that shows various screens that can be triggered by display buttons such as a setup screen button  230 , budget screen button  240 , and status screen button  250 .  FIG. 8  shows an exemplary setup screen  310 A for the receiver/monitor  200  of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  8  depressing status button  230  can provide an LCD display having month, date and year  310 , current time of day  320 . The user can program setup data by depressing buttons  332 ,  334  respectively, to raise or lower a current monthly power bill to date, and depressing buttons  342 ,  344 , respectively, to raise and lower to the current month and day. 
     FIG. 9  shows an exemplary budget screen  310 B for the receiver/monitor  200  of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  9 , depressing budget button  240  can provide an LCD display  310 B that allows a budget entry to be used with the monitor. Depressing screen button  352  can allow the budget function to be activated, and depressing screen button  354  can deactivate the budget function. Up and down screen buttons  362  and  364  can allow the user to insert a monthly budget amount to the receiver/monitor  200 . For example, a $100.00 monthly amount can be set into the monitor  200  so that the user can try to achieve power usage within that set amount per month. Note that current month, day and year  310  as well as current time  320  can be continuously displayed on budget screen  310 B. 
     FIG. 10  shows an exemplary status screen for the receiver/monitor of  FIGS. 1 and 7 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  7  and  10 , depressing status button  250  can provide an LCD display  310 C that shows the current status in an LCD readout  370  of the power usage in terms of power costs in the last 24 hours(for the current day), as well as an LCD display  280  of the power costs so far that month. In the example shown in  FIG. 10  electrical power usage is two dollars and 14.8 cents on Oct. 24, 2001( 310 ) as of 9:42 pm( 320 B). 
     FIG. 11  is another embodiment  500  of the receiver/monitor screens described above in reference to  FIGS. 7–10  to be programmed into a personal computer  510  such as but not limited to a Pentium 4, and the like. Here a portable RF receiver  530  can receive the wireless signals from exterior monitor unit  100  shown in  FIGS. 1–6 , and the user can selectively program the novel invention. The novel invention can be used with a PC  510  to display various data such as but not limited to monthly power bills to date, the last 24 hour power consumption and/or billing costs to date, and the like. 
   The invention has numerous advantages and benefits over prior devices such as:
     1. Allows the homeowner to monitor instantaneous power usage, history, and projected future use.   2. A key feature is that power usage can be determined instantaneously instead of having to wait for the black on the disk to pass by the detector. In low usage conditions, this could take a relatively long time.   3. Does not require installation by electrician or power company employee.   4. Installation does not require power to the home to be interrupted.   5. Wireless interface allows indoor unit to be mounted in a centralized, conspicuous location in the home so all family members can become more aware of power usage.   6. Budget LED&#39;s allow “at a glance” indication of whether the homeowner is on-track to meet his monthly energy cost goal.   7. Sensor design is easy to install and align due to lens design and use of alignment LED&#39;s.   8. Sensor design does not obstruct the power meter to allow for easy access by the power company meter reader or emergency personnel.   9. Can be sold as a kit which is easy to install and setup by a typical homeowner.   

   The operation of the invention will now be described in reference to power calculations, velocity measurements, and camera-sensor calibration and alignment. 
   For power calculations, the outdoor monitor unit  100  and indoor receiver/display unit  200  allows for the home owner customer to see in real-time the direct relationship between the rotations of the disk in the power meter to the amount of energy being consumed by the homeowner. This relationship is the Watt-hour Constant or Kh and is printed on the outside face of all power meters. The second is that for the typical residential customer, the total amount due at the end of the month including fees and taxes is proportional to the total energy used during the month. Therefore, using the following three inputs, the cost of energy per disk revolution can be calculated:
 
Kh=Watt-Hour constant=7.2 watt-hours/revolution
 
 B =Amount of last month&#39;s bill=$183
 
KWh=Kilowatt-hours used last month=2116 KWh
 
Cost per Kilowatt-hour= B /KWh=$183/2116 KWh=$0.0865/KWh
 
   Therefore, the cost of one disk revolution is: 
       Cost   =           Kh   ⁢           ⁢   Watt   ⁢     -     ⁢   hour     Revolution     *       $0   ⁢   .0865       kW   ⁢     -     ⁢   hour       *       1   ⁢           ⁢   kW       1000   ⁢           ⁢   W         =         (     7.2   *   $0   ⁢   .0865     )     /   1000     =     $0   ⁢     .0006228   /   revolution               
 
However, since we are measuring actual disk velocity, we don&#39;t need to wait for the disk ( 40   FIG. 2 ) to complete one revolution. A 3⅝″ diameter disk has a circumference of 11.39 inches at the edge of the disk which corresponds to about $0.0005468/inch. If the disk is turning at 1 revolution every 10 seconds (6 RPM), the velocity at the outer edge is about 1.14 inches/second, well within the 14 inches/second specification for the CCD camera sensor  124 ( FIG. 3 ). Therefore, in one second, the disk will turn 1.14 inches corresponding to about $0.000623 in energy cost.
 
   A preferred embodiment of using the novel invention to determine velocity measurements will now be described. The sensor (CCD sensor  124   FIG. 3 ) can continuously takes digital images of the disk ( 40   FIG. 3 ) at a rate of up to 2300 frames per second. The sensor (CCD sensor  124   FIG. 3 ) then uses an “Optical Navigation Engine” which is shown and described by U.S. Pat. No. 5,644,139 which describes a “Navigation Technique for Detecting Movement of Navigation Sensors Relative to an Object” which is incorporated by reference. The “Optical Navigation Engine” employs a technique called “optical two-dimensional auto-correlation” that essentially tracks common features in sequential images to determine the magnitude of movement in each dimension. In addition, the information can also be generated on image quality including gain levels, pixel ranges, and the like. This information can be used to control illumination levels and gauge measurement accuracy. The sensor (CCD sensor  124   FIG. 3 ) continuously updates the x and y movement data from the last time the sensor was read. This information can then be sent to the indoor receiver/monitor unit  200  to calculate the total movement vector based on the Pythagorean Theorem x 2 +y 2 =z 2 , where z is the movement in the angular direction of arc tan (x/y). The velocity is calculated by computing the Δz/(time between two consecutive images), where Δz is the z measured from two consecutive images. The result is a measure of velocity of the disk measured at a particular radius from the center of the moving disk. A calibration procedure will scale the velocity to a monetary value per rotational rate. 
   An optional sensor calibration and alignment can be used with the invention. 
   Note in the example given above, if we measure velocity ½-inch from the edge of the disk, the velocity drops to about 0.825 inches/second. The illumination LED (R LED  126   FIG. 3 ) can be used to help the user point the camera(CCD sensor  124   FIG. 3 ) at a location approximately one-half inch from the edge of the disk ( 40   FIG. 3 ). An optional calibration button( 189   FIG. 2 ) can be pressed when the black stripe on the edge of the disk( 40   FIG. 3 ) crosses the center of the front edge of the meter ( 30   FIG. 3 ). After one complete revolution, the button ( 189   FIG. 3 ) can be released, thus indicating one complete revolution. The circumference of the disk at the exact point of focus can now be calculated for use in the formulas above. 
   Although the preferred embodiment describes the novel invention for use with reading outdoor electrical meters, the invention can be used to read other meters such as but not limited to water meters, and the like, and any other types of meters that can use a rotating wheel configuration. 
   An optional KYZ pulse input can be used for reading nonrotating disk power meters. 
   The optional personal computer interface can be utilized to allow the device to interface with home security systems and smart home technologies. 
   While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.