PREPAYMENT ENERGY METERING SYSTEM

摘要

A pre-payment energy metering system (10, 20) uses two-way smart card (30) communications. Secure power line carrier communications are provided at the consumer locations for communication between a customer terminal (40) and the utility meter (60). Two-way secure communication of data is provided through the use of a smart card or memory card which conveys data from the utility service provider to the customer's terminal and also conveys information from the customer's terminal back to the utility. The pre-payment power system of the present invention allows consumers to pay for electricity prior to consumption through the use of the smart card which is loaded with funds at a fully automatic point-of-sale (POS) terminal or at the utility service providers staffed customer service center. Back office software interfaces between the POS terminals (16) and customer service centers, and utility service providers customer information systems.