| 摘要 |
A multi-segmented non-volatile flash memory structure is employed in combination with at least one associated memory structure for storing, updating, and preserving meter data. By initially storing meter data in the associated memory, meter data is buffered until either a predetermined amount of data is obtained or until power to the meter is disabled, at which point the stored meter data is copied into selected blocks of flash memory. The various locations for transferring data are respectively determined by flash pointers indicating which segments or blocks of flash memory to utilize. In some embodiments, the size of the associated memory structure corresponds to the size of each segment of flash memory to maximize data transfer when the associated memory structure is full and also to reduce the number of times the flash memory is written to, thus increasing the potential active lifespan of the flash memory.
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