CA1285027C - Freezing items for display in electronic watthour register - Google Patents
Freezing items for display in electronic watthour registerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1285027C CA1285027C CA000561732A CA561732A CA1285027C CA 1285027 C CA1285027 C CA 1285027C CA 000561732 A CA000561732 A CA 000561732A CA 561732 A CA561732 A CA 561732A CA 1285027 C CA1285027 C CA 1285027C
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- data items
- display buffer
- processing unit
- central processing
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Abstract
FREEZING ITEMS FOR DISPLAY IN ELECTRONIC
WATTHOUR REGISTER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electronic register for an electric watthour metering system includes a display buffer for receiving, at substantially the same time, all data items to be displayed. The data items in the display buffer are scrolled to a display in sets appropriate for the capacity of the display. Each set is maintained on the display for as long as required for human reading. The displayed items, having been taken into the display buffer at the same instant, are consistent with each other regardless of the length of time required to complete the display sequence.
WATTHOUR REGISTER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electronic register for an electric watthour metering system includes a display buffer for receiving, at substantially the same time, all data items to be displayed. The data items in the display buffer are scrolled to a display in sets appropriate for the capacity of the display. Each set is maintained on the display for as long as required for human reading. The displayed items, having been taken into the display buffer at the same instant, are consistent with each other regardless of the length of time required to complete the display sequence.
Description
--r + ~ _ 1 11 ~E 17 FREEZING ITEMS FOR DISPLAY
IN ELECTRONIC WATTHOUR REGISTER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The pr~sent invention relates to electrio . 5 watthour metering systems and, more particularly, to watthour.m~tering systems including an electronic register containing a plurality o~ items to be - displayed.
Electxic watthour metering systems conventionally employ means for measuring instantaneous power consumption by a load and means for accumulating the insta~taneous power consumption to provide a measurement of electric energy consumed by the load.
The most familiar type of power-measurement : ~ device includes a metallic disk driven at a speed ; proportional to the product of the line voltage and the load current, that is, the power consumed by the load. Each revolution of the metallic disk signifies the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric energy. In some equipment, a pulse initiator converts the revolutions of the disk into electrical output pulses, each signifying the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric , .- ~
\ :
IN ELECTRONIC WATTHOUR REGISTER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The pr~sent invention relates to electrio . 5 watthour metering systems and, more particularly, to watthour.m~tering systems including an electronic register containing a plurality o~ items to be - displayed.
Electxic watthour metering systems conventionally employ means for measuring instantaneous power consumption by a load and means for accumulating the insta~taneous power consumption to provide a measurement of electric energy consumed by the load.
The most familiar type of power-measurement : ~ device includes a metallic disk driven at a speed ; proportional to the product of the line voltage and the load current, that is, the power consumed by the load. Each revolution of the metallic disk signifies the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric energy. In some equipment, a pulse initiator converts the revolutions of the disk into electrical output pulses, each signifying the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric , .- ~
\ :
2 11~ 178 energy.
More recently, fully electronic power-measurement devices are disclosed which directly measure consumption of electric power without the - 5 intermediate step of rotating a disk. Thes~
electronic devices produce an output pulse upon sensing the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric energy.
Xn either type of power~measurement equipment, 10 an electronic register conventionally sums the pulses to produce a total of energy consumption.
~ Utilities generally consider that the cost o~
electric energy can be attributed to two factors: 1) the out-of-pocket cost ~or generatiny the energy 15 (fuel, operating and ~aintenance personnel and eguipment, etc.~ and 2~ the capital cost of the generating equipment which ~ust be installed to generate the electric energy.
Electric energy consumptiDn is far from 20 constant over a day, month or year. In some seasons such as, for example, the air-conditioning season, power demand is much greater than at other seasons.
In order to provide aQequate service, the utility must provide generating e~uipment capable of 2~ satisfying the maximum demand which it may experience. Thus, the utility must bear the capital cost of installing sufficient generating capacity to satisfy the peak demand. It must do this while knowing that, except at peak times, a substantial 30 portion of its generating capacity remains idle.
- According to this analysis, the capital component ~f the total energy cost is governed by the peak demand 3 11-ME~178 in the peak season.
Some rate-setting bodies have recognized the importance ~f peak demand and have established tariffs in a manner designed t~ encourage energy consumers to limit peaks in their energy usage and to shift energy consumption from peak to ofE-peak times. ~ne of such tariffs permits the utility to measure the am~unt of energy consumed in a ~equence of demand intervals. At the end of each demand interval, the demand in the just-completed demand interval is compared with a stored value representing the highest demand in any demand interval since the register was last reset. If the demand in the just-completed demand interval is higher than the previous high demand value, then the -- value of the demand in the just-completed demand interval is stored and the previously-stored value is deleted. The value of the maximum demand existing at the time the meter is read determines the rate the consumer must pay for all of its electric energy. Thus, the consumer receives a powerful econo~ic incentive to limit the peak load - placed on the utility system.
An electronic register including demand metering and time-of-use metering requires constantly updated time and date information for setting the lengths of the demand intervals and Eor switching between the permitted rates at different times and seasons.
The data in an electronic register is displayed on a human-readable display device for providing access to the data stored therein. Conventional . 7 4 ll-ME-178 display device~ include, for example, light-emitting diodes and liquid-crystal displays. In order to limit cost, and to conser~e ~pace, ~uch display devices are capable of displaying far less than the total amount o~ information contained in the electronic register. It is thus conventional to display the data sequentially, one or two lines at a time, holding each displayed line on the display for ~ long enough for a person to ~ee,~ possibly to write down, the relevant in~ormation. Each item may remain displayed for several ~econds. In some operations for electr~nic registers, a large number of 6eparate items require seq~ential occupancy on the display wherein each occupancy requires several seconds to complete. The complete display sequence, - sometimes called a scroll, may take up to several minutes.
The extended time for running a complete display scroll produces a problem in interpreting the data. In conventional systems, each displayed item represents the value of the displayed data at the time that it is displayed. In a scroll lasting - for several minutes, the later-displayed data may not relate to the earlier-displayed data. For example, during the scroll, the electronic register may have passed from one demand interval to another, and may have recorded a new maximum demand, and have zeroed the data in the current-demand period. One examining the scrolled display may find it difficult to understand the relationship between present, very small, amount of energy accumulated in the current-demand period and the previously-displayed data of f..~
~7 the timing of the demand interval itself which showed that the end of the demand interval was being approached. As a further example, during the scroll, the time of day may ha~e passed from one time-of-use accumulation to another, Combining earlier- and later-displayed data o~ this type may be misleading, Accordingly, it an object of the invention to provide an electronic resister for electric watthour metering system which overcomes the drawbacks of the : prior art.
It i5 a further object o~ the invention to provide ~n electronic register for an electric watthour metering system wherein all elements in scrolled display data relate to each other.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic register for an electric ; watthour metering system including a display buffer into which all data to be displayed is stored, and ~rom which, desired items of data are scrolled for display. The display buffer ensures that all displayed items in a display scroll relate to the same time and to consistent conditions of the data in the electronic register, Briefly stated, the present invention provides an electronic register for an electric watthour metering system. The electronic register includes a - display buffer for receiving, at substantially the same time, all data items to be displayed. The data items in the display bu~fer are scrolled to a display in sets appropriate for the capacity of the display. Each set is maintained on the display for as long as required for human reading. The displayed items, having heen taken into the display ~ buffer at the same instant, are consistent with each other regardless of the length of time required to complete the display sequence.
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electronic register for a - electric watthour metering system, the electric watthour metering system including a power measurement device e~fective for producing signals each signifying consumption o~ a predetermined - quantum of electricity by a load, comprising: a central processing unit effective for accumulating the signals, a display for displaying data in the central processing unit, a display buffer, means for transferring all data to be displayed to the display buf~er at substantially the same instant, and means for displaying data in the display buffer without the display reflecting changes in data in the central processing unit.
According to a feature of the invention, there is provided a method for displaying data in an electronic register for a electric watthour metering system, the electric watthour metering system including a power measurement device effectiYe for producing signals each signifying consumption of a predetermined quantum of electricity by a load, comprising: accumulating the signals in a central processing unit, kransferring all data to be displayed to a display buffer at substantially the same instant, and displaying data in the display buffer without the display reflecting changes in data in thQ central processing unit.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which - 10 like reference numerals designate the same elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION O~ THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an electric watthour metering system accordin~ to the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an electric watthour metering system according to an embodiment of the invention.
DE~AILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFE~RED E~BODIMæNT
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown, generally at 10, an electric watthour metering system according to the teaching of the p_ior art. A
power- measurement device 12 which may be, for example, an electro-mechanical or an all-electronic device, produces signals, each signifying the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric energy, for application on a line 14 to a central 8 11-M~-178 processing unit 16 of an electronic registPr 18. A
clock/calendar circuit 2a applies ~ignals indicating the current date and time of day on a line 22 to central pr~cessing unit 16.
A display 24 pr3duces human-readable indicia indicating the present contents of data registers in central processing unit 16. Such contents ~ay include, ~or example, the date, time of day, the current demand intervall the amount of energy accumulated in the current demand interval, the maximum demand experienced in any demand intexval - since the register was last reset, the time of-use rate currently being applied. In addition to the - preceding, various test and troubleshcoting functions may ~xpand the data to be displayed, and .-- the consequent time to aocomplish the display, by an order of magnitude.
A display controller 26 applies control sisnals on a line 28 to central processing unit 16 for controlling the data to be displayed and the manner in which the display is to be accomplished. It is conventional for display controller 26 to provide a normal-operation mode in which a small nu~ber of the data items of interest to the energy consumer are displayed, either constantly, or in a scroll of relatively brief length. Display controller 26 may : also be capable of receiving manual or electronic commands for changing the amount and type of data displayed. For example, an externally actuatable switch (not shown) such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,602,211 issued July 22, 1986, Losapio et al, may be provided. The switch may be actuated from the normal position to a reading positi.on by a meter reader to enable display of the data of interest to the meter reader. The switch may also include means for resetting a demand register upon completion of reading. The switch may also ha~e a test position accessible to a service technician for providing display of more detailed data o~ interest t~ the service technician in verifying correct performance of electronic register 18, or in isolzting a fault to a replaceable unit.
Display modes other than the normal display can ~ contain enough items for sequential display that a relationship between earlier- and later-displayed items i~ lost.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown, generally at3electric watthour metering system, a electric watthour metering sy~tem according to an embodiment of the invention. Elements ha~ing identical reference numerals to ~hose in ~ig. 1 are identical in structure and function in the embodiment in Fig. 2. Elements in Fig. 2 which have substantially similar functions to those described in connection with Fig. 1 are primed. A full discussion of the identical items is properly omitted herefrom.
A display buffer 32 is interposed between central processing unit 16' and display 24. One output of display controller 26' on line 28 enables output of all items to be displayed from central processing unit 16' on a line 34 to display buffer 32. The transfer of data to be displayed into display buffer 32 is so fast as to be substantially ~ ~5q~'~
instantaneous. Thus, the data in display buffer 32 represents a snapshot at a ~ingle time of the data in central processing unit 16'. Display controller 26' applies a display-scrolling command signal on a line 36 to display buffer 32. Display buffer 32 then outputs the sequence of data items on a line 3 to display 24 in a sequence, and for times required for human use of the data.
The data items displayed on display 24 are all lo from the ins ant that the full set of data was transferred into display buffer 32. While the display is proceeding, the contents of central processing unit 16' are proceeding in their normal functions wherein ~ome of the data items are changed. Such change~ do not provide inconsistencies -- to the one observing the display.
Any convenient devices may be employed for realizing the invention in Fig. 2. As previously noted, power measurement device 12 may be electronic or electro mechanical. Central pro_essing unit 16' is preferably a digital device and, most preferably, a microprocessor. Display buffer 32 may be an area of random-access memory or may be an storage element such, for example, an electronically eraseable read 2~ only memory. Cl~ck/cale~dar circuit 20 may be a conventional integrated circuit, preCerably including a battery backup for providing continued operation during a power outage.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
...
More recently, fully electronic power-measurement devices are disclosed which directly measure consumption of electric power without the - 5 intermediate step of rotating a disk. Thes~
electronic devices produce an output pulse upon sensing the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric energy.
Xn either type of power~measurement equipment, 10 an electronic register conventionally sums the pulses to produce a total of energy consumption.
~ Utilities generally consider that the cost o~
electric energy can be attributed to two factors: 1) the out-of-pocket cost ~or generatiny the energy 15 (fuel, operating and ~aintenance personnel and eguipment, etc.~ and 2~ the capital cost of the generating equipment which ~ust be installed to generate the electric energy.
Electric energy consumptiDn is far from 20 constant over a day, month or year. In some seasons such as, for example, the air-conditioning season, power demand is much greater than at other seasons.
In order to provide aQequate service, the utility must provide generating e~uipment capable of 2~ satisfying the maximum demand which it may experience. Thus, the utility must bear the capital cost of installing sufficient generating capacity to satisfy the peak demand. It must do this while knowing that, except at peak times, a substantial 30 portion of its generating capacity remains idle.
- According to this analysis, the capital component ~f the total energy cost is governed by the peak demand 3 11-ME~178 in the peak season.
Some rate-setting bodies have recognized the importance ~f peak demand and have established tariffs in a manner designed t~ encourage energy consumers to limit peaks in their energy usage and to shift energy consumption from peak to ofE-peak times. ~ne of such tariffs permits the utility to measure the am~unt of energy consumed in a ~equence of demand intervals. At the end of each demand interval, the demand in the just-completed demand interval is compared with a stored value representing the highest demand in any demand interval since the register was last reset. If the demand in the just-completed demand interval is higher than the previous high demand value, then the -- value of the demand in the just-completed demand interval is stored and the previously-stored value is deleted. The value of the maximum demand existing at the time the meter is read determines the rate the consumer must pay for all of its electric energy. Thus, the consumer receives a powerful econo~ic incentive to limit the peak load - placed on the utility system.
An electronic register including demand metering and time-of-use metering requires constantly updated time and date information for setting the lengths of the demand intervals and Eor switching between the permitted rates at different times and seasons.
The data in an electronic register is displayed on a human-readable display device for providing access to the data stored therein. Conventional . 7 4 ll-ME-178 display device~ include, for example, light-emitting diodes and liquid-crystal displays. In order to limit cost, and to conser~e ~pace, ~uch display devices are capable of displaying far less than the total amount o~ information contained in the electronic register. It is thus conventional to display the data sequentially, one or two lines at a time, holding each displayed line on the display for ~ long enough for a person to ~ee,~ possibly to write down, the relevant in~ormation. Each item may remain displayed for several ~econds. In some operations for electr~nic registers, a large number of 6eparate items require seq~ential occupancy on the display wherein each occupancy requires several seconds to complete. The complete display sequence, - sometimes called a scroll, may take up to several minutes.
The extended time for running a complete display scroll produces a problem in interpreting the data. In conventional systems, each displayed item represents the value of the displayed data at the time that it is displayed. In a scroll lasting - for several minutes, the later-displayed data may not relate to the earlier-displayed data. For example, during the scroll, the electronic register may have passed from one demand interval to another, and may have recorded a new maximum demand, and have zeroed the data in the current-demand period. One examining the scrolled display may find it difficult to understand the relationship between present, very small, amount of energy accumulated in the current-demand period and the previously-displayed data of f..~
~7 the timing of the demand interval itself which showed that the end of the demand interval was being approached. As a further example, during the scroll, the time of day may ha~e passed from one time-of-use accumulation to another, Combining earlier- and later-displayed data o~ this type may be misleading, Accordingly, it an object of the invention to provide an electronic resister for electric watthour metering system which overcomes the drawbacks of the : prior art.
It i5 a further object o~ the invention to provide ~n electronic register for an electric watthour metering system wherein all elements in scrolled display data relate to each other.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an electronic register for an electric ; watthour metering system including a display buffer into which all data to be displayed is stored, and ~rom which, desired items of data are scrolled for display. The display buffer ensures that all displayed items in a display scroll relate to the same time and to consistent conditions of the data in the electronic register, Briefly stated, the present invention provides an electronic register for an electric watthour metering system. The electronic register includes a - display buffer for receiving, at substantially the same time, all data items to be displayed. The data items in the display bu~fer are scrolled to a display in sets appropriate for the capacity of the display. Each set is maintained on the display for as long as required for human reading. The displayed items, having heen taken into the display ~ buffer at the same instant, are consistent with each other regardless of the length of time required to complete the display sequence.
According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an electronic register for a - electric watthour metering system, the electric watthour metering system including a power measurement device e~fective for producing signals each signifying consumption o~ a predetermined - quantum of electricity by a load, comprising: a central processing unit effective for accumulating the signals, a display for displaying data in the central processing unit, a display buffer, means for transferring all data to be displayed to the display buf~er at substantially the same instant, and means for displaying data in the display buffer without the display reflecting changes in data in the central processing unit.
According to a feature of the invention, there is provided a method for displaying data in an electronic register for a electric watthour metering system, the electric watthour metering system including a power measurement device effectiYe for producing signals each signifying consumption of a predetermined quantum of electricity by a load, comprising: accumulating the signals in a central processing unit, kransferring all data to be displayed to a display buffer at substantially the same instant, and displaying data in the display buffer without the display reflecting changes in data in thQ central processing unit.
The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which - 10 like reference numerals designate the same elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION O~ THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an electric watthour metering system accordin~ to the prior art.
Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an electric watthour metering system according to an embodiment of the invention.
DE~AILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFE~RED E~BODIMæNT
Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown, generally at 10, an electric watthour metering system according to the teaching of the p_ior art. A
power- measurement device 12 which may be, for example, an electro-mechanical or an all-electronic device, produces signals, each signifying the consumption of a predetermined quantum of electric energy, for application on a line 14 to a central 8 11-M~-178 processing unit 16 of an electronic registPr 18. A
clock/calendar circuit 2a applies ~ignals indicating the current date and time of day on a line 22 to central pr~cessing unit 16.
A display 24 pr3duces human-readable indicia indicating the present contents of data registers in central processing unit 16. Such contents ~ay include, ~or example, the date, time of day, the current demand intervall the amount of energy accumulated in the current demand interval, the maximum demand experienced in any demand intexval - since the register was last reset, the time of-use rate currently being applied. In addition to the - preceding, various test and troubleshcoting functions may ~xpand the data to be displayed, and .-- the consequent time to aocomplish the display, by an order of magnitude.
A display controller 26 applies control sisnals on a line 28 to central processing unit 16 for controlling the data to be displayed and the manner in which the display is to be accomplished. It is conventional for display controller 26 to provide a normal-operation mode in which a small nu~ber of the data items of interest to the energy consumer are displayed, either constantly, or in a scroll of relatively brief length. Display controller 26 may : also be capable of receiving manual or electronic commands for changing the amount and type of data displayed. For example, an externally actuatable switch (not shown) such as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,602,211 issued July 22, 1986, Losapio et al, may be provided. The switch may be actuated from the normal position to a reading positi.on by a meter reader to enable display of the data of interest to the meter reader. The switch may also include means for resetting a demand register upon completion of reading. The switch may also ha~e a test position accessible to a service technician for providing display of more detailed data o~ interest t~ the service technician in verifying correct performance of electronic register 18, or in isolzting a fault to a replaceable unit.
Display modes other than the normal display can ~ contain enough items for sequential display that a relationship between earlier- and later-displayed items i~ lost.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown, generally at3electric watthour metering system, a electric watthour metering sy~tem according to an embodiment of the invention. Elements ha~ing identical reference numerals to ~hose in ~ig. 1 are identical in structure and function in the embodiment in Fig. 2. Elements in Fig. 2 which have substantially similar functions to those described in connection with Fig. 1 are primed. A full discussion of the identical items is properly omitted herefrom.
A display buffer 32 is interposed between central processing unit 16' and display 24. One output of display controller 26' on line 28 enables output of all items to be displayed from central processing unit 16' on a line 34 to display buffer 32. The transfer of data to be displayed into display buffer 32 is so fast as to be substantially ~ ~5q~'~
instantaneous. Thus, the data in display buffer 32 represents a snapshot at a ~ingle time of the data in central processing unit 16'. Display controller 26' applies a display-scrolling command signal on a line 36 to display buffer 32. Display buffer 32 then outputs the sequence of data items on a line 3 to display 24 in a sequence, and for times required for human use of the data.
The data items displayed on display 24 are all lo from the ins ant that the full set of data was transferred into display buffer 32. While the display is proceeding, the contents of central processing unit 16' are proceeding in their normal functions wherein ~ome of the data items are changed. Such change~ do not provide inconsistencies -- to the one observing the display.
Any convenient devices may be employed for realizing the invention in Fig. 2. As previously noted, power measurement device 12 may be electronic or electro mechanical. Central pro_essing unit 16' is preferably a digital device and, most preferably, a microprocessor. Display buffer 32 may be an area of random-access memory or may be an storage element such, for example, an electronically eraseable read 2~ only memory. Cl~ck/cale~dar circuit 20 may be a conventional integrated circuit, preCerably including a battery backup for providing continued operation during a power outage.
Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
...
Claims (6)
1. An electronic register for an electric watthour metering system, said electric watthour metering system including a power measurement device effective for producing signals each signifying consumption of a predetermined quantum of electricity by a load comprising:
(a) a central processing unit effective for accumulating said signals and deriving therefrom at least one power measurement quantity to be provided at an output of said central processing unit as a plurality of data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity:
(b) a display effective for displayi:ng data items;
(c) a display buffer;
(d) first means for, substantially instantaneously, transferring said plurality of data items to said display buffer from said central processing unit;
(e) second means for effecting a sequential transfer of said plurality of data items from said display buffer to said display; and (f) means for preventing any data item in said display buffer from being changed while the data items are being sequentially transferred, to thus display, on said display, indicia representative of said at least one power measurement quantity existent at the time of the instantaneous transferring of said plurality of data items to said display buffer.
(a) a central processing unit effective for accumulating said signals and deriving therefrom at least one power measurement quantity to be provided at an output of said central processing unit as a plurality of data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity:
(b) a display effective for displayi:ng data items;
(c) a display buffer;
(d) first means for, substantially instantaneously, transferring said plurality of data items to said display buffer from said central processing unit;
(e) second means for effecting a sequential transfer of said plurality of data items from said display buffer to said display; and (f) means for preventing any data item in said display buffer from being changed while the data items are being sequentially transferred, to thus display, on said display, indicia representative of said at least one power measurement quantity existent at the time of the instantaneous transferring of said plurality of data items to said display buffer.
2. An electronic register according to claim 1, further comprising a clock/calendar for maintaining said central processing unit updated with current time and date, the time and date being transferred as additional data items to said display buffer at substantially the same instant as those data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity are transferred by said first means for transferring.
3. An electronic register according to claim 2 wherein said second means for effecting a sequential transfer further effects a sequential transfer of said additional data items from said display buffer to said display for display thereon as indicia indicating that instant in time when those data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity are transferred to said display buffer.
4. A method for displaying data in an electronic register for an electric watthour metering system, said electric watthour metering system including a power measurement device effective for producing signals each signifying consumption of a predetermined quantum of electricity by a load, comprising the steps of:
(a) accumulating, in a central processing unit, said signals and deriving therefrom at least one power measurement quantity to be provided, at an output of said central processing unit, as a plurality of data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity;
(b) transferring, substantially instantaneously, said plurality of data items from said central processing unit to a display buffer; and (c) displaying, sequentially, the data items in said display buffer on a display, while preventing any data item in said display buffer from being changed as the data items are being displayed, to thus display, on said display, indicia representative of said at least one power measurement quantity existent at the time of the instantaneous transferring of said plurality of data items to said display buffer.
(a) accumulating, in a central processing unit, said signals and deriving therefrom at least one power measurement quantity to be provided, at an output of said central processing unit, as a plurality of data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity;
(b) transferring, substantially instantaneously, said plurality of data items from said central processing unit to a display buffer; and (c) displaying, sequentially, the data items in said display buffer on a display, while preventing any data item in said display buffer from being changed as the data items are being displayed, to thus display, on said display, indicia representative of said at least one power measurement quantity existent at the time of the instantaneous transferring of said plurality of data items to said display buffer.
5. The method according to claim 4, further including the step of maintaining, in said central processing unit, current time and date to be provided at the output of said central processing unit as a plurality of additional data items representative of the time and date, whereby, during the steps of transferring and displaying, said additional data items are transferred to said display buffer and sequentially displayed on said display as indicia indicating that instant in time when these data items representative of said at least one power measurement quantity are transferred to said display buffer.
6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the step of accumulating includes the step of continuing to accumulate said signals, in said central processing unit, and changing said at least one power measurement quantity in said central processing unit while sequentially displaying, on said display, indicia representative of those data items transferred to said display buffer in the step of transferring.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000561732A CA1285027C (en) | 1988-03-17 | 1988-03-17 | Freezing items for display in electronic watthour register |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000561732A CA1285027C (en) | 1988-03-17 | 1988-03-17 | Freezing items for display in electronic watthour register |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1285027C true CA1285027C (en) | 1991-06-18 |
Family
ID=4137662
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000561732A Expired - Fee Related CA1285027C (en) | 1988-03-17 | 1988-03-17 | Freezing items for display in electronic watthour register |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1285027C (en) |
-
1988
- 1988-03-17 CA CA000561732A patent/CA1285027C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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