Utility vending system and method

摘要

A utility vending system having: a system management server and a plurality of supply meters. The supply meter having: a processor and utility usage measuring means. The usage measuring means communicating utility usage to the processor. The meter further having a two way communication module allowing the processor to communicate with the system management server. The meter also having memory for storing a plurality of supply credits and time of use data for the consumed utility. The meter including means to allowing the supply of the utility to be cut off by the processor when insufficient supply credits are stored. The processor decreasing the supply credits in response to use of the utility reported by the measuring means, storing usage of the utility by time of use. The processor in response to an instruction from the system management server providing time of use data to the system management server; and in response to an instruction from the system management server increases the supply credits.