FR2590705A1 - DEVICE FOR MEASURING GENERAL SERVICES (WATER, GAS, ELECTRICITY ...) - Google Patents

Abstract

The general service metering device 20 of the invention is a microprocessor driven circuit using Hall effect electric current detectors to measure energy use by residential and commercial customers. An analog signal from the Hall effect detector is transformed into a digital signal which is applied to the microprocessor for analysis and storage in a random access memory. Using a real-time clock, the microprocessor determines information on times of use, which is also stored in a direct-access memory. The memory can be interrogated remotely via a telephone line or a serial link. If desired, the measuring device 20 can receive inputs on the use of the services from other similar measuring devices, such as water, gas meters, etc. 40, 58. (CF DRAWING IN BOPI)

Description

1. The present invention relates to devices for measuring services

  (water, gas, etc.) used in a

  residence or a business and, more

  positive microprocessor-based automatic telemetry for the measurement of consumption in utilities such as electricity, water, gas, etc. Utilities, such as electricity, water, gas, etc. are sold to consumers

  residences and businesses on the basis of

  measured. In general, measurement devices are used.

  separate for each service, each measuring device

  requiring a periodic reading by the consumer or

  officials of the statements of the services of public utility.

  The vast majority of measuring devices currently in use

  are either mechanical or electromechanical devices

  which convert measured consumption into some form of rotational movement so as to advance a

  disc or a rotating cylinder which gives a visual indication-

  the consumption. Mechanical or electromechanical measuring devices of this type are inherently imprecise, especially in the case of low consumption. As an example, a conventional electrical meter, or watt-hour meter, does not typically respond to levels

  less than 32-38 watts / second. For the supply

  In the case of electrical energy, energy consumption below this value represents unbilled energy. The effect

  cumulative loss of billing is important when

  we make the total over one year for all customers.

  In addition, electromechanical measuring devices consume

  some power to make the measurements. The power

  this consumed by a typical watt-hour meter costs for each customer an average of about 12 francs per year. Therefore, both the company providing public utility services

  that the consumer would benefit from the presence of a

  more accurate and efficient measurement.

  Apart from the inaccuracy and high consumption

  energy, conventional devices for measuring

  these audiences do not have the possibility of tele-

  measure, and can not be refurbished either

  to include such a possibility. The possibility of telemetry

  re would eliminate the time and expense involved in the door-to-door reading of each measuring device

  and therefore would be a very desirable feature.

  Most of the current measuring devices

  are designed to be read manually, say at a frequent

  this monthly, and give a reading of the cumulative consumption

  on the date of the measure. Classical measuring devices

  give no information on the times of use.

  This is information about the instantaneous consumption at a preselected time. In services

  electricity suppliers, for example, information

  time of use can be very useful and important. The consumption of electrical energy

  is not generally uniform throughout the day.

  In summer, for example, consumption is generally

  higher shot during the hot hours of the day when 3.

  the air conditioning equipment works. In the big

  metropolitan areas, in particular those involving

  heavy industry, the load caused by the climatic

  coincides with the burden of business and

  to create a strong demand for energy.

  which may be greater than the average demand of one year

  born. In order to avoid reductions in light intensity or lack of electrical power, electricity suppliers must have sufficient

  o10 electricity generating equipment to meet this-

  the tip asks you. During off-peak hours, this

  it is unused. It is naturally expensive to maintain

  a reserve to satisfy peak demand, for the reason

  the main reason that this reserve remains periodically without

  ployment. By. Therefore, it would be desirable to charge

  electrical summation at a higher rate during the hours

  peak and at a lower rate during

  his. In order to apply a correct billing rate,

  it must be possible to determine not only the value of the

  used, but also when it is used.

  The measurement of the moments of use is therefore extremely

desirable.

  Outside the measurement of usage times-for billing purposes during peak hours / hours

  information about the times of use is

  would also be potentially useful for monitoring

  customer needs in the preparation of forecasts

  future expansion, for the optimization of

  supply networks and for the search for provoking

  as for breakdowns and interruptions of service. In the field

  does of the electricity supply, for example, it is useful

  to have information on the moments of use

  that the nominal power of the distribution transformers is chosen, when a three-phase distribution system is balanced so that the load of all the phases is 4. the same, and during the search for breakdown and localization

  the origin of spikes or drops of power. The appa-

  Current measurement values generally do not allow for

such information.

  The present invention represents a marked improvement in general service measurement apparatus of the prior art. The present invention includes at least one means, and several optional means, for detecting the use of the services. The consumption of electrical energy is measured in

  O10 using a device sensitive to a magnetic field that

  carries a Hall effect device. The detector is fairly accurate even at low levels of power consumption and does not

  provides no insertion loss that can degrade accuracy.

  In addition to detecting the consumption of electrical energy, the present invention is also capable of receiving,

  arbitrate, and process signals from other

  very general service sensors including water meters,

  gas meters, and other devices of this kind.

  The present invention further relates to a processor or microprocessor that responds to the service detector (s) and provides digital information representative of the usage.

  such a service. A memory, such as a memory with

  rect, is coupled to the processor to store the information

  digital. The processor also includes

  analog / digital interface to transform the analog signals of the service detector into digital signals for

  manipulation by the microprocessor. A visualization device

  such as a 7-segment diode display

  electroluminescent or liquid crystal

  cessor and gives a visual indication of the numeric information

  provided by the processor. In addition, a means of communication

  cation is coupled to the processor to transmit the information

  at a location remote from the meter.

  safe. The communication means may be adapted to allow communication by a telephone system, a fiber optic communication system or any other link, of which

2S90705

5.

  transmission lines and radio links. Lors-

  telephone communication, the processor provides an output for serial communication with a

modem circuit.

  In addition to providing the visual indication of the use of the services via the display device and a remote indication via the means of communication,

  the subject of the present invention is furthermore a means of

  for the processor to monitor the digital information

  as it receives it, or at periodic intervals, and to provide an indication of a case of alarm in response to

  a predetermined defective situation. For example, the

  can be programmed to respond to an interruption

  supply of the service or degradation of that service

  niture by storing a record of the event and the time it occurred. There may be remote access to memory via the means of

  communication to obtain details of the event.

  causing the alarm, even after its appearance. In the alternative, the processor can automatically provide an indication of the event causing the alarm at an office

  central station, at a substation or at any other

  located at a distance via the means of communication. The electronic circuits of the present invention obtain their main power from the service itself

  and may include a backup power source comprising

  an accumulator battery and a detection circuit.

  the possible state of weakness of this battery. During a

  primary energy failure, the backup battery operates

  the processor and its associated circuits in such a way as to

  ensure there is no loss of information.

  The device of the present invention is enclosed

  in an enclosure that prevents physical rape with the cir-

  cooked electronic. The entire assembly, including the housing, can be mounted in an existing base of a four-jaw measuring device. The enclosure includes a

  fraud detection device which is associated with the housing

  and coupled to the processor. The fraud detection device transmits an alarm signal in case of fraud, that the processor can exit via the means of communication.

  transmission to the central office or sub-office

  control. To further ensure protection against a

  malfunction of the measuring instrument due to

  In the processor, a sequence controller circuit is coupled to the processor and provides an initial reset signal in response to the inactivity of the processor for a predetermined time. If the processor becomes inactive or becomes immobile due to fraud or site power signals, the sequence controller circuit detects this location.

  and restart the processor control program.

  The present invention will be well understood during the

  following description made in conjunction with the drawings

joints in which:

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device

  general service measurement in a given facility <as an example; Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the telemetry device with a presently preferred telephone telemetry system; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the measuring device with the protective enclosure removed so as to bring out the arrangement of the circuit boards;

  Figure 4 is a sectional view taken

  along line 4-4 of Figure 3 and illustrating the underside of the wafer having the energy detector;

  Figure 5 is a diagram of the wafer

  both the energy detector according to the present invention;

  Figures 6A and 6B are a diagram of the plaquet-

  processor and display device according to the invention; Fig. 7 is a block diagram of software for the control means of the invention; Figure 8 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 4, of another embodiment of the invention; and

  Figure 9 is a front view in perspective.

  of the measuring device, representing the

tection and a facial plate.

  In connection with FIG.

  The general service measure of the present invention is

  outlined in footnote 20. The provision

  The measuring head 20 is installed in a conventional socket 22 for a four-jaw apparatus which is attached to the lower end of a riser conduit 24. The base 22

  the measuring device is attached to the structure 26 of the building

  or a utility pole or other suitable mounting structure. The arrival of electrical energy

  cable 28, which may comprise one or more

  while live conductors and a neutral. This food

  It enters the conduit 24 of the riser, passes through the base 22 and enters the structure of the building through

  through an input cable 30. As explained-

  In detail hereinafter, the measuring device 20 proceeds to

  the measurement of the electric field produced by the electric current

  than entering. The input cable 30 enters the structure

  re 26 of the building for attachment to a distribution panel

  27 with fuses or circuit breakers

usual way.

  One of the advantages of the present invention is that it easily provides a reading capability to

  distance through a number of systems.

  my telemetry, including commercial phone line telemetry, radio transmissions,

  fiber optic cables, specialized transmission lines

  mission, AC lines etc. Although the present invention can be implemented using a

  any telemetry system, telephone lines

  prevail and therefore, currently have the pre-

  Therefore, Figure 1 illustrates a telephone line

  32 that enters the interface 34 with the network in the usual manner. Preferably set on the client side, or

  subscriber side of the interface 34 is a unit 36 of inter-

  face with the measuring device (UIDM). Unit 36 is

  to the measuring device 20 and provides communication between this device and the telephone network. The unit 36 can be placed inside the protective enclosure of the device

20, where applicable.

  Another advantage of the invention is its ability to monitor other general services outside the supply of electrical energy. In general, this

  invention is capable of monitoring any public service con-

  controlled by a measuring device, for example water and gas. AT

  illustrative aspects of this aspect of the invention, the

  re 1 describes a water meter 38 and a gas meter 40. The meters 38 and 40 are connected to the measuring device 20 of

  the present invention through con-

  42. Meters 38 and 40 may be conventional flow meters that include electrical reading capabilities or have been refurbished to include

  such possibilities. The electrical signals of reading pro

  from meters 38 and 40 are supplied to the measuring device

  of the present invention via the

  42. As soon as they are supplied to the measuring device 20, these read signals are analyzed, stored and processed so that the appropriate utility company can

  may access via the telephone line

  32. The measuring device 20 does an arbitration on the

  service signals (electricity, gas, water, etc.) that are

  stored and analyzed at any given moment. The signals can be sampled sequentially at a 9.

  frequency fast enough for the sample error-

swimming is negligible.

  Now in conjunction with Figure 2, we have

  a currently preferred telemetry system that uses

  phone networks. Figure 2 shows the general service meter 20 with a second apparatus

  optional measuring device (such as a water or gas meter)

  outline in 44. In order to explain

  In the present invention, interface unit 36 has been illustrated.

  with the measuring device being external to the device

  20. Of course, as mentioned above,

  unit 36 may be incorporated within the assembly.

  itself constituted by the measuring device. The unit 36 is connected to the measuring device 20 via wire

  26, which have the designation RXD, TXD and TRIG,

  used in Figure 6A and discussed below. The spell

  of the unit 36 is coupled to the conductor 48 connected to the end.

  of a bipolar plug and to the driver 50 connected to the man-

  jack plug jack of the long distance test line of a

  telephone network. The wires 48 and 50 are in turn connected

  via an interface 34 to the telephone network.

  that or loop 52 which routes the calls to the customer of the public services by means of switching circuits located within a telephone exchange 54. Access to the line

  inter-city test by the switching circuits is

  kills in the classic way so as to access the circuit

  telephone number without ringing the bell.

  In order to communicate with the interface unit with the measuring device, the utility company,

  for example, the company supplying electrical energy,

  a data communication terminal 56 which comprises a computer processor sub-system 58 and an interface unit 60 for the data communication which is coupled

  through the telephone network or through

  a dedicated telephone line 62 to a unit 64 located inside the central office. When the meter of a particular customer is to be read, the subsystem 58 dials the number or accesses the unit 64 at the central office 54, where a request for read the meter of the customer. The unit 64 accesses the customer's telephone line via the test trunk line. Unit 64 opens the line for the

  customer's phone but does not trigger a ringing signal.

  (so the residence phone does not ring).

  On the contrary, unit 64 imposes a special tone that de-

  latches the interface unit 36 with the measuring device.

  When triggering, the unit 36 reads the corresponding data.

  for the use made of the service provided to it by the cir-

  The interface unit with the measuring device then collects the data according to a pre-defined format or protocol and sends the data back to the unit 64. The unit 64 interprets at turn or decondense the data and returns it to subsystem 58 in which consumption and moment

of use are analyzed.

  While other communication circuits are also possible, the currently preferred interface unit with the measuring device has at least one

  Universal Asynchronous Transceiver (ERAU), a modern circuit

  standard dem 103 says Bell (300 baud) and an active bandwidth filter. Preferably, the interface unit with the

  measuring device is implemented using a cir-

  baked integrated CMOS (oxide-metal semiconductor with complementary symmetry) so that the whole unit works with the power supply provided by the telephone line. We can

  to obtain an appropriate interface unit with the

  Measurement system at Base 10 Systems, Trenton, New Jersey (USA). Nevertheless, other units

  interface can also be used.

  Figures 3, 4 and 9 illustrate the physical schema

  currently preferred for the present invention. The 11th.

  device of the invention is intended to be connected directly

  in existing sockets for

  four jaws, such as the base 22 (Figure 9). The cir-

  baked is housed inside a protective enclosure 66 made of glass or plastic material which has overall dimensions and a shape comparable to those of glass enclosures which are

  encounter in conventional electromechanical watt-hourmeters

  c. If necessary, a microswitch 67 or other sensor

  can be placed so as to be in contact with the

  66 to detect the removal of the enclosure. The figures

  3 and 4 illustrate the measuring device with the enclosure removed.The electronic circuit which comprises the device of

  The measurement 20 is preferably assembled on two circuit boards.

  baked 68 and 70 being spaced from each other.

  The two plates are circular so as to match the inner shape of the protective enclosure 66. The plate

  circuit 68 is the wafer comprising the

  rant and the circuit board 70 is the process plate.

* seur / visualization. Preferably, platelets 68 and 70 are mounted

  on a base plate 72 by means of bolts 74 and

  The plates may be mounted with their

  metallized sections facing one another. From the component side

  of the wafer 70 processor / visualization, a series of dis-

  seven-segment alphanumeric 78 visualization positives

  light-emitting diodes or liquid crystal is fixed.

  The display devices 78 are placed inside a rectangular opening 79 formed in the cover 82

  of the faceplate (Figure 9) and are, therefore,

  through the protective enclosure 66.

  The wafer 68 comprising the current detector supports at least one Hall-effect toroidal sensor 84 (two detectors are shown in FIG. 8). The detectors 84 have a circular opening 86 in alignment with

  a similar opening formed in the wafer 68 by the

  intermediate of which pass the power supply conductors 12. in current. FIG. 4 illustrates an input cable 30 as comprising three individual conductors 88, 90 and 92. The conductor 92 is the neutral and the conductors 88 and 90 are

  the power supply conductors coupled to the windings

  secondary parts of a geared-on reduction transformer

  tie or stand. According to current practice, conductors

  88 and 90 are eventually connected to the control panel.

  At the same time as the neutral 92, 110 volt standard outlets are then mounted between the neutral 92 and either of the leads 88 and go90. If necessary,

  220 volts are mounted between conductors 88 and 90. The con-

  Conductors 88 and 90 are both under-voltage conductors whose currents are 180 degrees out of phase. In order to ensure that all the power supplied to the building is measured and billed, the conductors 88 and 90 both enter through the circular opening 86 in one of the toroidal detectors 84. Lobby. Since the currents of these two conductors are out of phase with each other, one conductor enters the opening 86 in the top direction and the other in the down direction, so that the

  magnetic fields surrounding the two drivers are added.

  This is shown in Figure 4 as well as in Figure 8.

  In the other embodiment illustrated in FIG.

  In FIG. 8, two toroidal detectors 84 with Hall effect are shown, although only one is used and the other remains unused. A second and even a third Hall effect detector can be incorporated for use in multiphase applications. Alternatively, additional Hall effect detectors may be used to measure the energy consumption of a

  different customer at the same address. In

  duplexes, it is therefore possible to use a

  Positive measurement to serve both occupants. In

  single-phase applications and single-phase applications, additional detectors can be

Hall effect.

  13. In FIG. 5, the circuit of the energy detector associated with the circuit board 68 is illustrated.

  current detector comprises a power supply circuit

  The circuit 94 receives the electrical energy by coupling to the conductors 88 and 90 via fuses 96. The fuses 96 are at their

  connected to the primary wires of the transformer

  98 which provides two pairs of outputs 100 and 102 to the

  secondary bearing. Metal oxide varistors 104 are mounted between each fuse and the outer mass 106 to provide tip protection. The secondary wires 102 feed AC down one

  two-phase bridge rectifier 108 to which capacitors

  110. The negative side of the rectifier 108 is

  grounded and the positive side is connected to a bus 112 of

  to which voltage regulators 114 and 116 are connected. Preferably, the voltage regulator 114 provides a

  DC voltage of 12 volts while the regula-

  driver 116 provides a DC voltage of 5 volts.

  The secondary wires 100 are connected through the

  from a resistor network 118 to the detector 84. The re-

  Resistance bucket 118 includes an adjustable rheostat 120 and a thermistor 122 for temperature compensation. The detector 86 may be in the form of a current / watt detector of the so-called PI series manufactured by the F. W. Bell company, Orlando, Florida (United States). The detector 86 provides two S1 and S4 bias wires and two S2 and S3 output wires. Of the-

  detector 86 operates on the principle of Ampere's law which

  establish that the current in a conductor produces a magnetic field

  proportional tick that surrounds it. The detector has a torus

  toroidal air gap with a Hall generator mounted in the entre-

  iron. The core concentrates the magnetic field produced by the

  in the driver passing through it and transmits this magnetic field.

  to the Hall generator. The Hall generator is a semiconductor

  magnetosensor which provides a proportional output voltage

  tional to the product of the magnetic field perpendicular to its surface by the control current passing through it.

  of polarization. The control current is supplied by

  intermediate polarization terminals S1 and S4. The Hall effect detector (sensitive to current flow as well as polarization voltage) is proportional to the power consumed. The output voltage of the detector 86 is applied to an operational amplifier 124 which includes a feedback capacitor 126 so as to act as an integrator. The output of the operational amplifier 124 is an analog DC level proportional to the integral over time of

  the power detected by the detector 84.

  In addition to the adjustment rheostat 120, the circuit

  also carries a bias potentiometer 128 allows

  both to adjust the level of the signals entering the amplifica-

  124. A pair of test terminals 130 is

  seen at the two output terminals S2 and S3 of the detector. In short

  circuiting the test terminals 130 during the calibration,

  actually removes from the circuit the detector 84 and no

  Input signal is applied to the operational amplifier 124. Under these conditions, the potentiometer 128 can be adjusted to produce a DC voltage level at the output of the amplifier 124. The short circuit is eliminated. at terminals 130 and a known test current or no current of

  test passing through the opening 86 of the detector 84, it is possible

  string the rheostat 120 to produce the correct output at

the operational amplifier 124.

  The output of the operational amplifier 124 is supplied to a voltage-frequency converter 132, which can

  to be implemented in the form of an integrated circuit LM 131.

  The voltage to frequency converter performs a certain

  me of analog / digital transformation. The transformation is done by sampling the output 3 of the converter on a wire 134 for a fixed time interval and counting

  the number of pulses or oscillations produced. The name-

  The number of pulses or oscillations produced is proportional 15.

  at the DC level provided by the amplifier 124.

  Knowing the sampling time interval, the name

  number of impulses counted is proportional to the level

  The output conductor 134 is coupled to a pull-down resistor 136, which is representative of the energy passing through the circular aperture 86 of the detector 84.

  top that is coupled to the five-volt power supply and makes the output

  converter 132 compatible with digital logic levels. In connection now with FIGS. 6A and 6B, the

  processor / visualization circuit includes a microproces-

  138, such as an Intel 8751 microprocessor. In FIG. 6A, the microprocessor 138 input and output wires have been

  referenced with common designations. An external quartz

  140 provides a 4 MHz timebase. The microproces-

  The transmitter 138 communicates with the address / data bus 142, which provides 8 data bits in parallel and 16 address bits in parallel. The microprocessor 138 also has 8 points

  serial input / output device Pl.O-Pl.7. The microprocessor 138 com-

  has internal random access memory (RAM) and is also

  able to send an external memory through

  When the internal memory is used, the terminal EA of the microprocessor 138 is connected to the power supply volts, for example by the jumper connection 144. When

  that an external memory is used in place of the memory

  internally, the terminal EA is connected to ground, for example by the jumper 146. The microprocessor 138 comprises an input of an external timer (TO) to which is connected the wire 134 of the output of the voltage / frequency converter. Terminals

  (RXD and TXD) serial data reception and transmission

  the input / output point Pl.O (used for the trip signals) communicate with an interface unit with the measuring device, such as the unit 36

  (Figure 2). The microprocessor 138 also includes terminals

  INT! and INTO and a reset terminal (REI). To provide a proper interface between the microprocessor 138 and an external memory, there is provided

  a flip-flop circuit 148. The circuit 148 may be implemented

  The output of circuit 148 includes the low-order bits of the 16-bit address word. The output of circuit 148 includes an integrated circuit called 74LS373 and is coupled to the shared data / address lines of bus 142. With the remaining address lines of the

  142, the output of the circuit 148 provides the address bus 150.

  The data bus 152 is obtained between the input wires and the circuit 148. The VBA terminal or enable terminal of the microprocessor address latch 138 provides the logic signal to indicate whether the input of the information in the latch 148 is address information or a

data information.

  In the presently preferred embodiment, the

  The local kilowatt hours consumed is provided by the 78-segment display devices 78. The devices

  78 are attacked by an attack circuit 154.

  visualization, which may consist of an ICM7218D integrated circuit. The driver circuit is addressed by the address lines AO, A1 and A2. The data is provided

on the DO-D3 data lines.

  In addition to the direct access internal memory located within the microprocessor 138, the invention also includes a nonvolatile data storage memory 156 and, optionally, a program store memory 158. The

  memory 156 can be implemented using provisions

  electronic erasable programmable read only

  (MPEE) such as an integrated circuit called 2816. The memory

  program 158, if used, can be a memory

  electrically erasable programmable reset on circuit

  2716 or the like. In order to allow the micro-

  processor 138 to selectively address the data storage memory 156, the program memory 158 or the drive circuit 154 of the display, there is provided a circuit 160 of 17.

  device selection. Circuit 160, which may be a circuit

  built-in cooking said 74LS138, is coupled to the address lines

  A13-A15 and provides output signals of

  device to the EC write terminal of the circuit

  and microprocessor 138 may select which of these devices it needs to address by placing the appropriate address signals on the address lines.

  A13-A15. Memory circuits 156 and 158 are also

  the read terminals and the write EC of the microproces-

  138 in the usual way. As illustrated, the bus of

  data 152 and the most significant bits A8-A15 of the address bus

  its 150 are connected via resistance groups

  162 draws up to the 5 volts power supply.

  As discussed above, the electronic circuit

  that of the present invention is mainly put under

  connection by connecting to the AC input line.

  The circuit may also be powered from a battery auxiliary source 167, as discussed above, to operate a real time clock 169, which communicates with the access points P1.4. and P1.5 and is used for measurements of the moments of use. To protect against faulty readings during the drop in intensity, there is provided a circuit 164 for monitoring the voltage. The circuit 164 comprises a Zener diode 166 which is

  coupled to the test point TESTV of the power supply bus 112

  sion (Figure 5). When the voltage of the bus 112 falls below

  below the Zener threshold, a logic gate 168 initializes a signal which in turn causes the production by a logic gate 170

  an interrupt signal on the INTO line of the microproces-

  138. The zero interruption is an interruption of priority

  high level which causes the microprocessor 138 to

  kills a power-off routine, whereby all data being processed is stored in the nonvolatile data storage memory 156 with the state of the microprocessor machine. The program thus preserves

  data and causes ignorance of the subsequent data.

  potentially invalid. As soon as the correct levels

  voltage was restored, the microprocessor 138

  father his first machine state and continues processing the

data in the usual way.

  For protection against immobilisation of the pro-

  gram, a sequence control circuit 172 is provided. Pen

  In normal operation, the microprocessor 138 executes the programmed set of instructions (contained within

  internal memory or as an option in a program memory.

  me 158). In case of peak power or momentary drop of the power supply, or in case someone tries to violate the programmed instructions, it is possible to block a program. The blocking occurs when the program counter inside the microprocessor 138 loses its place in the program and the microprocessor tries to execute a program.

  unplanned instruction, often with unpredictable results

  ble. To protect against such a blockage, the microproces-

  138 is programmed to periodically send a signal

  sequence control via point P.7. Logical doors

  174 and 176 monitor this signal and give an answer

  when the signal is absent by releasing the microproces-

  138 in the initial state via the REI terminal. Thus, if the

  croprocessor 138 stops and sends out sequence control signals, it is brought back to a starting point

  predetermined within the control program.

  With the previous description of the present material

  in mind, we will now describe the control program.

  33 In connection with FIG. 7, the control program executes

  The microprocessor 138 is illustrated in terms of sub-

  programs or functional modules. In Figure 7, the modules

  are represented by interconnected blocks in order to illustrate

  tracing the order of the program. Interrupt events have been described by circles. Preferably, the control program is written in assembly language 19.

  machine language and stored inside a certain form of

  of nonvolatile memory, either in the internal memory of the

  Croprocessor is inside the program memory 158 as an option. The control program can be encoded directly into assembly language instructions, or can be compiled or interpreted using level computer languages

  high to implement the algorithm of Figure 7.

  Preferably, the control program implements

  interrupts both hardware and software; and therefore, the control program includes a table 178 of interrupt vector breaks. When it occurs

  interruption of the hardware or software, the control program

  to consult the table to determine where the command of the

  program should resume, based on the number of the interrup-

  tion or identity. For example, a delivery signal to

  the initial state present at the terminal REI is treated as interrup-

  reset the equipment. In a similar way

  re, the interrupts received on the lines INTO and INT1 are also interruptions of material. The number zero interruption

  (INTO) is used to initiate the power down mode.

  whereas the interruption number one (INT1) is used to transmit

  data. Other interruptions, including

  software ruptures, may also be included in the leap table. Other interruptions will be discussed in

  liaison with the parts of the program that produce them.

  When the hardware is raised or reset to 180, program control enters the initialization routine 182. The

  initialization routine initializes the serial point of the micro-

  processor at the baud rate (e.g.

  300 bauds). The internal timer 1 of the microprocessor serves

  to produce the baud rate of the serial point. The point

  is configured for a start bit, a stop bit, and 8 data bits. At this point, the interruption for the point

  serial number is validated and interrupt number one (INT1) is equal to

  validated. The initialization routine then reads 20.

  memory 156 to store the data in order to obtain the last

  stored data representative of the use of energy

  until that moment. The last stored data item is then written to the display devices 78 by calling the updated display routine 184, which will be described later.

  quently. At the end of the initialization process, the

  initialization 182 exits to the background routine 186.

  The background routine 186 is the function routine

  normally from which other routines are called. She coordinates the other routines, calling them if necessary. The control of the program does not normally come out of the background routine 186 unless it is caused to do so by a hardware interruption. As illustrated in Figure 7,

  the background routine 186 can call a number of rolls

  A different routine includes the timer routine 188, the external memory backup routine 190, the sensor data sending routine 192, the binary coded decimal report routine 194, and the updated display routine 184. When one of these routines is called by the background routine 186, the control goes to that routine, then returns to

  the background routine when finished.

  Many routines are called by the background routine 186 at periodic time intervals. The timer routine 188 and the timer control routine 202

  are responsible for providing temporal information

  the at the bottom routine. Routine 202 is responsible for interrupting the timer internally produced by the microprocessor. Routine 202 measures various intervals

  time by incrementing the software counters and

  an indication of the time intervals measured in

  software flags. Such a flag is a 10 millisecond flag that the background routine 186 uses to call a timer routine 188. Another flag is the calibration flag that is set and reset every 100 milliseconds and makes sure that the 21.

  points P1.4 and P1.5 of the microprocessor

  between the states of introduction and reinstatement

  tial. During calibration of the measuring device, the points

  P1.4 and P1.5 are monitored to determine if any

  determinative temporal effects are found in the specifications.

  The timer routine 188 operates in conjunc-

  tion with the timer control routine 202 in order to

  keep track of when others are

  nes are called from the background routine. The road

  No. 188 is called by the background routine every 10 milli-

  seconds, as determined by the 10 milli-

  seconds controlled by the routine 202. Routine 188 commands

  software counters that measure time intervals of 20 milliseconds, 100 milliseconds, and 1 second.

  software flags are introduced and returned to the initial state

  tial in order to convey this temporal information

  than the background routine 186. The 20 millisecond timer is used to regulate the rate at which the data is written to the data storage memory 156 at the same time.

  following a writing instruction from the micropro-

  The 100-millisecond timer is used to control the speed at which the data is transmitted by

  through the point of communication in response to a

  trip signal at point P0.0. The timer of a

  second is used to avoid a slow path. The chemistry

  is a phenomenon caused by noise in the analog circuit by which the representative value of

  the use of energy slowly increases when there is no energy

  It is not consumed. This path is corrected by eliminating

  the data on energy consumption which is

  below the level of the noise threshold. Once per second the data is tested as to the path and if it is above the noise threshold, the data of the present reading is placed in a temporary storage buffer by starting the current count in the buffer routine 196. Routine 196 22. Stores the present reading where it can be accessed by other routines, for example backup routine 190

to external memory.

  The routine 190 backup to external memory is called by the background routine 186 every 20 milliseconds.

  condes (as determined by the minute routine).

  188). Routine 190 moves the data between the temporary buffer

  poraire and the memory 156 of data storage. Preferably

  this, this data is stored in decimal coded binary or ASCII format. The routine 190, thanks to the delay of 20 milliseconds, allows the data captured in the temporary buffer to be described in the relative non-volatile memory device.

  slower the memory 156 without delaying the other routines.

  Routine 192 of the detector data to be sent

  transmit the data via the point of communica-

  in series. If a trigger signal is received from

  the unit 36 of the interface with the measuring device

  then, following a delay of 100 milliseconds,

  present of the measuring device is sent to a

  300 bauds through the serial point with even parity. A header with an ASCII asterisk, followed by two additional ASCII characters, receives the value of

  the present reading of the measuring device. If it is

  In binary coded decimal digits, the read value is converted to ASCII before transmission. interruption

  service serial 204 works in conjunction with

  do 192 data from the detector to send. The interrupt 204 responds to an interrupt produced when the interface unit

* with the measuring device wishes to communicate with the

  croprocesseur. Routine 206 determines whether the request for

  nication consists of receiving or transmitting data. If it is a request for transmission, routine 206 establishes

  a flag that validates routine 192.

  The updated display routine 184 has the effect of

  fet that the indicator data of watts-hour consumed must 23.

  be displayed on the display devices 78. The rou-

  Step 184 does this by validating the driver circuit 154 of the display using a device selection circuit 160. The drive circuit 154 is then addressed and D the data is output to the display devices in binary coded decimal format, so as to implement a

  binary coded decimal format, a reporting routine

  incorrectly coded binary is called in order to verify and deter-

  if the most significant figure is greater than 10,

  case a transfer to the next decimal place takes place.

  In addition to the routines called from the background routine, the program also includes other interrupt-controlled routines. The 200 power down routine, responds to the interrupt number zero (INTO) which is activated by

  the circuit 164 for controlling the voltage. As we explained

  previously, the circuit 164 produces the interrupt number

  zero, when the voltage of the AC line drops

  be below a security level. The 200 routine freezes

  the internal clock, stopping all functions.

  2) The present reading of the measuring device is maintained in the memory 156 and a reset of the hardware

  is initialized so that the power is restored and the com-

mande restarts at routine 182.

  The routine for interpreting the data on the use of power, present on line 134, is the

  revision counting routine 198. This routine is a routine

  interrupted tine which responds to the interruption of the overflow of the internal zero counter. At the beginning of

  each interval of 10 milliseconds, the background routine in-

  a zero internal counter in order to count a pre-

  determined from base counts that represent the state at

  rest of the measuring device. At the beginning of each

  10 milliseconds, the zero counter is initialized to count the number of base counts. After

  that the basic counts have been counted, the number of

  sions on line 134 needed to make a watt is 24.

  determined. A flag is introduced when a watt is

  complexion. This flag is checked in the background routine, after which the watt is added to the binary coded digit already in memory. For each watt-hour counted, a flag is set to update the display.

  The present invention is not limited to the examples

  the embodiments described above, it is, on the contrary, susceptible of modifications and variants which

will appear to those skilled in the art.

25.

Claims (16)

  1 - Device for measuring general services, characterized in that it comprises: - a means for detecting the use of said services;   a processor means responsive by means of   to provide digital information representative of of said use;   memory means coupled by means of process   to store digital information; a means of sensitive visualization by means of   processor to provide a visual indication of the information digital and   - a means of communication coupled by means of   to transmit digital information to a place   located remote from the measuring device.   2 - measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor means comprises an auxiliary input means for determining a second use of these services.   3 - measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a chamber for enclosing at least the processor and the memory, and in that   it includes a fraud detection means associated with the   and coupled to the processor means for transmitting an alarm signal in case of fraud in response to an attempt fraud of the enclosure.   4 - measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means comprises a modem circuit means for providing communications by a telephone system.   Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means is a means of serial communication.   6 - Measuring device according to claim 1, 26.   in which the means of communication is a means of communication asynchronous cation.   7 - measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means is an optical signal communication means. 8 - measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication means comprises means for producing optical signals and means for   couple the optical signals to a fiber optic cable.   9 - Measuring device according to claim 1,   characterized in that the detecting means comprises a detecting Hall Effect.   Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detecting means comprises a means sensitive to a magnetic field.   11 - Measuring device according to claim 1, characterized in that the detection means comprises a toroidal means sensitive to a magnetic field and an effect means Hall coupled with toroldal means.   12 - Measuring device according to claim 1,   characterized in that it further comprises a means of com-   to bring about surveillance-by means of   digital information and to provide an indica-   an alarm case in response to a faulty situation. is predetermined.   13 - Measuring device according to the claim   12, characterized in that the defective situation pre-   determined is an interruption in the provision of general services. 14 - Measuring device according to claim 12, characterized in that the predetermined defective situation   is a degradation of the provision of general services.   - Measuring device according to the claim   12, characterized in that it further comprises clock means coupled to the processor means for determining 27.   the moment of the defective situation.   16 - Measuring device according to the claim   1, characterized in that it further comprises a means of feeding   auxiliary power supply to provide power to the processor. 17 - Measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the processor means comprises means for   invalidate the display means at preselect times tioned.   18 - Measuring device according to the claim   1, characterized in that it further comprises a sequence control circuit means coupled to the processor means   to provide a reset signal to the process   in response to the inactivity of the latter during an inter- predetermined time range.   19 - Measuring device according to the claim   1, characterized in that it further comprises a source   battery backup power supply and a means for detecting   the state of weakness of the battery.   20 - Device for measuring general services, characterized in that it comprises: - at least one detector for providing a first signal representative of the use of said services; - converter means coupled to the detector for providing a digital signal representative of the first signal;   a processor means receiving the digital signal   that and having a time means for determining time intervals;   memory means coupled to the process sor;   a control means for bringing the means of pro-   to store digital values representative of the digital signal in the memory means at intervals predetermined time. 28.   21 - Measuring device according to the claim   20, characterized in that the detector comprises a detection Hall Effect.   22 - Measuring device according to the claim   20, characterized in that it further comprises means   interrogation to bring the processor means to recover   the numerical values and to transfer numerical values   recovered at a location remote from the device measurement.