Integrating remote meter reading and home security

Abstract

The meter minder is capable of storing up to 60 days of usage history for three on-site meters, which could all be electric meters, or one each of electric, gas, and water meters. Through its use, the utility gains knowledge of the electrical consumption, the quality of service, and the ability to connect/disconnect the service. The customers gain the ability to detect unwanted intrusion in their homes as well as 24-h monitoring of the household environment for fire, medical emergency, flooding, or freezing. The utility also gains by having a new revenue stream, from monitoring the add-on security system, to offset the expense of the meter-reading equipment. The customer also gains by receiving lower than market costs for the quality security service from the local electric utility.<>