good point. this is a place where the patents could be of use. when i was in engineering and needed a new meter, i had to call the meter manufacturer and get the parameters that were exclusive to that meter. if i didn't do that, procurement would purchase a piece of junk from radio shack. the insurance co.s could stipulate that the device be capable of performing functions X,Y, and Z. in order to get a discount on rates. could possibly work in our favor. if we have to split the profits with the ins. co.s, so be it. jmo