A control device for a meter device, particularly a water meter device, includes a first data interface for a meter unit measuring a flow of a fluid of the meter device, a second data interface for a reading device communicating with the meter unit through the control device, and a supply interface receiving a combined clock and voltage supply signal for the control device. The control device can assume a read mode in which data at the first data interface can be transmitted by the control device to the second data interface upon receiving a clock and voltage supply signal having a read signal variation. The control device can additionally assume a write mode in which data at the second data interface can be transmitted to the first data interface upon receiving a clock and voltage supply signal with a write signal variation different from the read signal variation.

A system for serial communication may include a first device and a plurality of devices on a series connection. The first device may have a master circuit and the plurality devices may have a slave circuit. The master circuit may enable the first device to communicate with the plurality devices having the slave circuit on the series connection. The master circuit may enable the first device to send a command frame on the series connection. The command frame may include an execution mode command and a plurality of commands. The second devices may execute the commands within the command frame at or after the end of the command frame based on the execution mode command indicating a synchronous mode of command execution; and may execute the commands within the command frame at the ends of individual ones of the commands based on the execution mode command indicating a non-synchronous mode of command execution.

A system for serial communication may include a first device and a plurality of devices on a series connection. The first device may have a master circuit and the plurality devices may have a slave circuit. The master circuit may enable the first device to communicate with the plurality devices having the slave circuit on the series connection. The master circuit may enable the first device to send a command frame on the series connection. The command frame may include an execution mode command and a plurality of commands. The second devices may execute the commands within the command frame at or after the end of the command frame based on the execution mode command indicating a synchronous mode of command execution; and may execute the commands within the command frame at the ends of individual ones of the commands based on the execution mode command indicating a non-synchronous mode of command execution.

A remote control unit of a remote control device wirelessly transmits a first instruction signal or a second instruction signal instructing to operate a solenoid valve, to a solenoid valve control unit. The solenoid valve control unit receives the first instruction signal or the second instruction signal and generates a first drive signal or a second drive signal on the basis of the received first instruction signal or the received second instruction signal, respectively. The solenoid valve is of a double solenoid type, and includes a first solenoid to which the first drive signal is supplied and a second solenoid to which the second drive signal is supplied.

A remote control unit of a remote control device wirelessly transmits a first instruction signal or a second instruction signal instructing to operate a solenoid valve, to a solenoid valve control unit. The solenoid valve control unit receives the first instruction signal or the second instruction signal and generates a first drive signal or a second drive signal on the basis of the received first instruction signal or the received second instruction signal, respectively. The solenoid valve is of a double solenoid type, and includes a first solenoid to which the first drive signal is supplied and a second solenoid to which the second drive signal is supplied.

A system for serial communication may include a first device and a plurality of devices on a series connection. The first device may have a master circuit and the plurality devices may have a slave circuit. The master circuit may enable the first device to communicate with the plurality devices having the slave circuit on the series connection. The master circuit may enable the first device to send a command frame on the series connection. The command frame may include an execution mode command and a plurality of commands. The second devices may execute the commands within the command frame at or after the end of the command frame based on the execution mode command indicating a synchronous mode of command execution; and may execute the commands within the command frame at the ends of individual ones of the commands based on the execution mode command indicating a non-synchronous mode of command execution.

A system for serial communication may include a first device and a plurality of devices on a series connection. The first device may have a master circuit and the plurality devices may have a slave circuit. The master circuit may enable the first device to communicate with the plurality devices having the slave circuit on the series connection. The master circuit may enable the first device to send a command frame on the series connection. The command frame may include an execution mode command and a plurality of commands. The second devices may execute the commands within the command frame at or after the end of the command frame based on the execution mode command indicating a synchronous mode of command execution; and may execute the commands within the command frame at the ends of individual ones of the commands based on the execution mode command indicating a non-synchronous mode of command execution.

A method of controlling an external apparatus includes receiving a user input information; obtaining apparatus information regarding a plurality of external apparatuses; selecting one or more external apparatuses, from the plurality of external apparatuses, which is communicable with and controllable based on the user input information; generating a control information for controlling the one or more external apparatuses based on a user's input and the apparatus information; and transmitting a control command to the one or more external apparatuses, the control command being generated based on the received control information.

Computer readable media, methods and apparatuses may be configured for determining a rate of signal pulses transmitted by a device and a transmission interval occurring between a first of the signal pulses and a second of the signal pulses, detecting selection of a command by a user, and transmitting the command and/or one or more buffered previous commands during the transmission interval.

Computer readable media, methods and apparatuses may be configured for determining a rate of signal pulses transmitted by a device and a transmission interval occurring between a first of the signal pulses and a second of the signal pulses, detecting selection of a command by a user, and transmitting the command and/or one or more buffered previous commands during the transmission interval.