Patent ID: 8244642

Claim:
A method of data storage for a utility meter device that stores metering information, for ensuring the integrity of metering data during power outages, the utility meter device comprising memory components for storing metering data regarding the consumption of a commodity, the memory components having a top value storage cell and a plurality of incremental storage cells, the method comprising: obtaining and storing, by the utility meter device, initial metering data of the consumed commodity in such top value storage cell of the memory components; accumulating, by the utility meter device, subsequent metering data at the utility meter device regarding the commodity being consumed; monitoring, by the utility meter device, such accumulating subsequent metering data at the utility meter device for reaching a predetermined consumption threshold; updating, by the utility meter device, a predetermined state in an incremental storage cell of the plurality of incremental storage cells once such predetermined consumption threshold is reached, the incremental storage cell being different from the top value storage cell; repeating, by the utility meter device, the accumulating, monitoring, and updating operations until each of the plurality of incremental storage cells have respectively been updated; updating, by the utility meter device, the top value storage cell with an updated energy total once each of the plurality of incremental storage cells has been respectively updated; and thereafter repeating, by the utility meter device, the updating of each respective one of the plurality of incremental storage cells.