A display system that communicates with existing automated meter reading
communications systems to provide information to a user. The display
includes a radio that listens to communications between a utility meter
and the reading system. When the display recognizes a particular utility
meter identifier, it captures meter read information and stores it in
memory. The information may then be presented to the user. Alternatively,
a broadcast message may be communicated, that when received by the
display, causes the display to extract information from the receiver. A
manual override button may be provided to allow a user to manually
request information from the meter. The display will extract information
from the meter upon receipt of the manual request.