Ael Microtel, Ltd.

Universal Industrial Control Devices Ltd.

James R Lumsden

The present invention relates to an automatic meter reading transponder. The transponder is comprised of a receiver for receiving an external instruction and a transmitter for transmitting data. A CPU is connected to the receiver and the transmitter. A ROM is connected to the CPU and ROM contains a program for controlling the operation of the CPU. A real time clock is connected to the CPU for determining sequential predetermined time periods. Three input terminals are connected to the CPU for receiving data to be stored in a RAM. One of the three input terminals has pulses impressed thereon, the number of pulses being representative of electric power consumption. The one input terminal is also connected, via the CPU to a time-of-day memory. The memory is comprised of a plurality of discretely addressable registers wherein the CPU equates each addressable register sequentially with a consecutive one of the predetermined time periods, so that each register sequentially contains a count which is representative of the power consumed during its associated time period or any fraction thereof. The CPU activates the transmitter to transmit data upon receipt of the external instruction. The data is, in part, the contents of each register in the time-of-day memory transmitted in sequence.

Automatic meter reading transponder

The invention relates to a high speed central office scanner for use with a plurality of transponding units connected by telephone lines. The scanner is comprised of N, I/O units, each comprised of a multiplexer for connecting the I/O units to M telephone lines; a microprocessor and multiplex logic which sequentially selects one of the M telephone lines; a busy detect circuit for checking the selected telephone line and providing a signal when the line is busy; a TX/RX unit connected to the selected line for transmitting an instruction code to a transponder connected thereto when the signal is absent and for receiving data from the transponder in response to the instruction code; and a storage unit. The scanner further includes a master microprocessing unit, which includes a main microprocessor for sequentially selecting one of the N, I/O units and for generating an interrogating code for transmission to each selected I/O unit. Each master microprocessor unit includes a master storage unit for storing received data from the selected I/O unit and a main TX/RX unit for transmitting the received data stored in the main storage unit, upon receipt of a further interrogation code, wherein each of the N, I/O units scan the M telephone lines independently and asynchronously with respect to each other of the N, I/O units and the master microprocessing unit.

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Edmonton, Canada

James R Lumsden