a procedure for metning, integration and summation of forbrukningen of tillforda mengder of electricity, water, gas and the like by public authorities

摘要

A system for automatically reading meters for commodities such as gas, water or electricity on the consumer's premises and, preferably, producing the bill for payment due at the same time. An external sensor is triggered by indexing movement of part of a conventional meter. A processor, connected to the sensor, has a memory in which the signals are accumulated. The processor includes a card reader and printer which on presentation of a card by the consumer causes the information memorised to be released and transferred to the record card. The record card may have control or command information by which the processor is caused to calculate the total payment due for the quantity of commodity consumed so that the bill is printed and presented when the record card is released from the processor following reading and printing. The processor may be connected to more than one meter, and respective channels with associated memories can be provided for each meter. It is proposed that the record card be prepared by the relevant Authority, posted or delivered to the consumer for postal or like return, and cost savings on labour intensive meter readings can be made. IMAGE