Patent ID: 8140414

Claim:
A system to control a utility meter comprising: a collar unit coupled to the utility meter; and a display unit communicatively coupled to the collar unit to display customer utility data corresponding to the utility meter; said collar unit configured to mount between said meter and a meter base, said collar unit configured to electrically couple said meter to said meter base, said collar unit adapted to mount on said meter base and said collar unit adapted to mount said meter on said collar unit; said collar unit configured to receive utility power from a power provider through a first connection between said collar unit and said meter base and to provide said power to said meter, said collar unit configured to receive measured power from said meter and to provide said measured power to a consumer premises through a second connection between said collar unit and said meter base; said collar unit configured to receive measurement information relating to said measured power from said meter; said collar unit comprising a power supply connected to said utility power and configured to supply auxiliary power to external communications equipment through an auxiliary power connection to said collar unit, said auxiliary power connection separate from said first connection and said second connection; said auxiliary power not conducted through said second connection; said external communications equipment being disposed external to said collar unit; said collar unit having a network interface for network communications with a data server for said power provider; said collar unit configured to receive commands through said external communications equipment from said data server and said collar unit configured to provide said measurement information through said external communications equipment to said data server; said collar unit comprising a relay configured for connection and disconnection of said measured power to said consumer premises in response to said commands received through said external communications equipment; and said system comprising a backup battery to provide power to said collar unit and said external communications equipment; said backup battery connected to said collar unit through said auxiliary power connection.