Patent US6618709B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6618709B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Computer assisted and/or implemented process and architecture for web-based monitoring of energy related usage, and client accessibility therefor
Assignee: Itron Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-30
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Granted: 2003-09-09
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Expires: 2018-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and computer architecture monitoring resource usage via a global computer network. The computer architecture may include a resource-metering data recorder/translator unit having a global computer network node and, in operation, recording resource usage measured by and associated resource meter. The computer architecture further includes a database and at least one global computer network server, in operation, storing resource usage data recorded by the data recorder/translator unit in the database, receiving a resource usage data query from a user, calling the database for resource usage data relevant to the user, and presenting resource management information based on the relevant resource usage data via a global computer network site to the user. The computer architecture may also include a resource-metering data recorder, in operation, recording resource usage data measured by an associated resource meter, and also includes a recorder translator, in operation calling the data recorder, and transferring the resource usage data from the data recorder to the database.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Sneeringer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 06:45
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/06; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0283; G06Q50/00; G06Q50/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 63
Claim 1
Independent Claim
261 words
A computer architecture for global computer network-based monitoring of resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: at least one resource-metering data recorder, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by a plurality of resource meters, operatively connected to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices; a recorder translator, in operation, one of periodically and aperiodically, calling said data recorder, and one of periodically and aperiodically, transferring one of directly and indirectly resource usage data from said data recorder to a database; and at least one global computer network server, in operation, receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieving the resource usage data of at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query entered by the user, aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two resource users, and transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data collected from the plurality of resource meters to the user via a global computer network site responsively connected to said global computer network and said at least one global computer network server for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider, said at least one global computer network server including billing software having at least one of a billing estimation and a billing engine for providing the user with billing estimates based on existing billing structures.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
261 words
A computer architecture for global computer network-based monitoring of resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: at least one resource-metering data recorder, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by a plurality of resource meters, operatively connected to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices; a recorder translator, in operation, one of periodically and aperiodically, calling said data recorder, and one of periodically and aperiodically, transferring one of directly and indirectly resource usage data from said data recorder to a database; and at least one global computer network server, in operation, receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieving the resource usage data of at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query entered by the user, aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two resource users, and transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data collected from the plurality of resource meters to the user via a global computer network site responsively connected to said global computer network and said at least one global computer network server for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider, said at least one global computer network server including billing software having at least one of a billing estimation and a billing engine for providing the user with billing estimates based on existing billing structures.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein said data recorder includes a modem connectable to one of a public switched telephone network and a wireless communications network and is in operative communication with said at least one server, using one of direct dial-up and Internet Protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one server, in operation, presents said resource management information one of to a computer network of the user, to the user via the global computer network, and in a downloadable data file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer architecture according to claim 3 , wherein said server includes at least one of resource management software having at least one of load profiles and load tables, financial management software having at least one of real-time pricing, energy cost calculation, and cost allocation, and rate analysis software having rate comparison with variable rate structures and pricing options.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein said data recorder, in operation, records at least one of a meter identification, data stamp, time stamp, kilowatts, kilowatt-hours, MCF of gas, gph, temperature, pressure, volts, amperes, power quality, water low indication, pounds of steam, and measurement units of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, cable television, band width, telecommunications, short distance service, long distance service, water, Internet usage, radio usage, cellular device usage, digital usage, and satellite usage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The computer architecture according to claim 1 , further comprising: a resource-metering data recorder/translator unit including a global computer network node and, in operation, recording one of periodically and aperiodically resource usage measured by an associated resource meter, wherein said at least one server, in operation, stores the resource usage data recorded by said data recorder/translator unit in said database.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer architecture according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one global computer network server includes a World Wide Web server and said global computer network site includes a World Wide Web site.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of monitoring resource usage, via a global computer network, for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, the method comprising the steps of: (a) recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage measured by at least one resource meter, operatively connected to at least one remotely located resource consuming device, using a resource metering data recorder; (b) polling, one of periodically and aperiodically, the data recorder for the resource usage data; (c) storing, one of periodically and aperiodically, the resource usage data in a database; (d) repeating said recording step (a), said polling step (b), and said storing step (c); (e) determining, simultaneously to said repeating step (d), whether a query from a user is received at a global computer network server; (f) retrieving, when a query is received, resource usage data relevant to the user and at least two resource users from the database; (g) aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two resource users; and (h) transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user one of at a global computer network interface site and in a downloadable data file, the global computer network interface site and the downloadable file being responsively connected to the global computer network server for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider; and (i) transmitting billing estimates to the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
256 words
A method of monitoring resource usage, via a global computer network, for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, the method comprising the steps of: (a) recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage measured by at least one resource meter, operatively connected to at least one remotely located resource consuming device, using a resource metering data recorder; (b) polling, one of periodically and aperiodically, the data recorder for the resource usage data; (c) storing, one of periodically and aperiodically, the resource usage data in a database; (d) repeating said recording step (a), said polling step (b), and said storing step (c); (e) determining, simultaneously to said repeating step (d), whether a query from a user is received at a global computer network server; (f) retrieving, when a query is received, resource usage data relevant to the user and at least two resource users from the database; (g) aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two resource users; and (h) transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user one of at a global computer network interface site and in a downloadable data file, the global computer network interface site and the downloadable file being responsively connected to the global computer network server for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider; and (i) transmitting billing estimates to the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 8 , further comprising the step of repeating said determining step (e), said retrieving step (f), said aggregating step (g), and said transmitting step (h).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method according to claim 8 , wherein said recording step (a) includes recording at least one of a meter identification, data stamp, time stamp, kilowatts, kilowatt-hours, MCF of gas, gph, temperature, pressure, volts, amperes, power quality, water low indication, pounds of steam, and measurement units of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, cable television, band width, telecommunications, short distance service, long distance service, water, Internet usage, radio usage, cellular device usage, digital usage, and satellite usage.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method according to claim 8 , wherein said server includes at least one of resource management software having at least one of load profiles and load tables, financial management software having at least one of real-time pricing, energy cost calculation, and cost allocation, rate analysis software having rate comparison with variable rate structures and pricing options, and billing software having at least one of billing estimation and a billing engine.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
236 words
A computer architecture for global computer network-based monitoring of resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator unit including a global computer network node and, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by a plurality of resource meters operationally connected to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices; and at least one global computer network server, in operation, storing the resource usage data recorded by said data recorder/translator unit, receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieving the resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query entered by the user, aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two resource users and transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via a global computer network site responsively connected to said global computer network and said at least one global network server for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider, said at least one global computer network server including billing software having at least one of a billing estimation and a billing engine for providing the user with billing estimates based on existing billing structures.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
236 words
A computer architecture for global computer network-based monitoring of resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator unit including a global computer network node and, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by a plurality of resource meters operationally connected to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices; and at least one global computer network server, in operation, storing the resource usage data recorded by said data recorder/translator unit, receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieving the resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query entered by the user, aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two resource users and transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via a global computer network site responsively connected to said global computer network and said at least one global network server for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider, said at least one global computer network server including billing software having at least one of a billing estimation and a billing engine for providing the user with billing estimates based on existing billing structures.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , wherein said data recorder/translator unit includes a modem connectable to one of a public switched telephone network and a wireless communications network, and, in operation, communicates with said at least one server using one of direct dial-up, Internet Protocol, and a publish/subscribe network communication protocol.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , wherein said data recorder/translator unit includes a World Wide Web site, which in operation displays at least one of the resource usage data recorded by said data recorder/translator unit and the energy management information.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one server, in operation, presents said resource management information one of to a network of the user, to the user via the global computer network, and in a downloadable data file.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , wherein said server includes at least one of resource management software having at least one of load profiles and load tables, financial management software having at least one of real-time pricing, energy cost calculation, and cost allocation, and rate analysis software having rate comparison with variable rate structures and pricing options.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
77 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , wherein said data recorder/translator unit, in operation, records at least one of a meter identification, data stamp, time stamp, kilowatts, kilowatt-hours, MCF of gas, gph, temperature, pressure, volts, amperes, power quality, water low indication, pounds of steam, and measurement units of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, cable television, band width, telecommunications, short distance service, long distance service, water, Internet usage, radio usage, cellular device usage, digital usage, and satellite usage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , further comprising: a resource-metering data recorder, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by an associated resource meter; and a recorder translator, in operation, calling, one of periodically and aperiodically, said data recorder, and transferring, one of periodically and aperiodically, the resource usage data from said data recorder to said database.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer architecture according to claim 12 , wherein said at least one global computer network server includes a World Wide Web server and said global computer network site includes a World Wide Web site.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
292 words
A method of monitoring resource usage, via a global computer network, for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, the method comprising the steps of: (a) recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by at least one resource meter, operatively connected to at least one remotely located resource consuming device, using a resource usage data recorder/translator unit; (b) publishing, one of periodically and aperiodically, the recorded resource usage data on a global computer network via a publish/subscribe network communication protocol, using the data recorder/translator unit; (c) subscribing, one of periodically and aperiodically, to the published resource usage data, using at least one global computer network server; (d) storing, one of periodically and aperiodically, the subscribed resource usage data to a database; (e) repeating said recording step (a), said publishing step (b), said subscribing step (c), and said storing step (d); (f) determining, simultaneous to said repeating step (e), whether a query from a user is received at the at least one server; (g) retrieving, when a query is received, resource usage data relevant to at least two resource users from the database; (h) aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two users; and (i) transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user one of at a global computer network site and in a downloadable data file for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider, the global computer network site and the downloadable data file being responsively connected to the global computer network server; and (j) transmitting billing estimates to the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
292 words
A method of monitoring resource usage, via a global computer network, for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, the method comprising the steps of: (a) recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by at least one resource meter, operatively connected to at least one remotely located resource consuming device, using a resource usage data recorder/translator unit; (b) publishing, one of periodically and aperiodically, the recorded resource usage data on a global computer network via a publish/subscribe network communication protocol, using the data recorder/translator unit; (c) subscribing, one of periodically and aperiodically, to the published resource usage data, using at least one global computer network server; (d) storing, one of periodically and aperiodically, the subscribed resource usage data to a database; (e) repeating said recording step (a), said publishing step (b), said subscribing step (c), and said storing step (d); (f) determining, simultaneous to said repeating step (e), whether a query from a user is received at the at least one server; (g) retrieving, when a query is received, resource usage data relevant to at least two resource users from the database; (h) aggregating the resource usage data for the at least two users; and (i) transmitting resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user one of at a global computer network site and in a downloadable data file for analysis by the user of the aggregated resource usage data collected by the at least two resource users provided by the at least one energy provider, the global computer network site and the downloadable data file being responsively connected to the global computer network server; and (j) transmitting billing estimates to the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 20 , further comprising the step of repeating said determining step (f), said retrieving step (g), said aggregating step (h), and said transmitting step (i).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method according to claim 20 , wherein said recording step (a) includes recording at least one of a meter identification, data stamp, time stamp, kilowatts, kilowatt-hours, MCF of gas, gph, temperature, pressure, volts, amperes, power quality, water low indication, pounds of steam, and measurement units of electricity, natural gas, gasoline, cable television, band width, telecommunications, short distance service, long distance service, water, Internet usage, radio usage, cellular device usage, digital usage, and satellite usage.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method according to claim 20 , wherein said server includes at least one of resource management software having at least one of load profiles and load tables, financial management software having at least one of real-time pricing, energy cost calculation, and cost allocation, rate analysis software having rate comparison with variable rate structures and pricing options, and billing software having at least one of billing estimation and a billing engine.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
165 words
A computer architecture for computer network-based monitoring of resource usage, comprising: at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator unit including a computer network node and, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data collected by a plurality of resource meters operationally connectable to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices, respectively; and at least one computer network server, in operation, storing the resource usage data recorded by said at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator unit, receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a computer network, retrieving the resource usage data responsive to the resource usage data query entered by the user, and aggregating resource management information based on the resource usage data collected from the plurality of resource meters, transmitting the aggregated resource usage data to the user via a computer network site responsively connected to said at least one computer network server and said computer network, and transmitting billing estimates to the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
165 words
A computer architecture for computer network-based monitoring of resource usage, comprising: at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator unit including a computer network node and, in operation, recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data collected by a plurality of resource meters operationally connectable to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices, respectively; and at least one computer network server, in operation, storing the resource usage data recorded by said at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator unit, receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a computer network, retrieving the resource usage data responsive to the resource usage data query entered by the user, and aggregating resource management information based on the resource usage data collected from the plurality of resource meters, transmitting the aggregated resource usage data to the user via a computer network site responsively connected to said at least one computer network server and said computer network, and transmitting billing estimates to the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer implemented process of computer network-based monitoring of resource usage assisting a user in the purchase of resources, comprising the steps of: (a) recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by a plurality of resource meters operationally connectable to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices, respectively; (b) receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a computer network, and correlating the resource usage data responsive to the resource usage data query; (c) aggregating the correlated resource usage data; (d) transmitting the aggregated resource usage data to the user via a computer network site responsively connected to said at least one computer network server and said computer network; and (e) evaluating, by the user, the aggregated resource usage data; and (f) purchasing the resources responsive to the aggregated resource usage data for said plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
147 words
A computer implemented process of computer network-based monitoring of resource usage assisting a user in the purchase of resources, comprising the steps of: (a) recording, one of periodically and aperiodically, resource usage data measured by a plurality of resource meters operationally connectable to a plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices, respectively; (b) receiving a resource usage data query from a user via a computer network, and correlating the resource usage data responsive to the resource usage data query; (c) aggregating the correlated resource usage data; (d) transmitting the aggregated resource usage data to the user via a computer network site responsively connected to said at least one computer network server and said computer network; and (e) evaluating, by the user, the aggregated resource usage data; and (f) purchasing the resources responsive to the aggregated resource usage data for said plurality of remotely located resource consuming devices.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a computer architecture for global computer network-based monitoring of resource usage including at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator recording resource usage data collected by resource meters connected to remote located consuming device, a method comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring energy use of a specific resource over the global computer network; (b) evaluating the energy use of a specific resource responsive to said monitoring step; and (c) determining whether maintenance is required for the specific resource responsive to the energy use of the specific resource.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
86 words
In a computer architecture for global computer network-based monitoring of resource usage including at least one resource-metering data recorder/translator recording resource usage data collected by resource meters connected to remote located consuming device, a method comprising the steps of: (a) monitoring energy use of a specific resource over the global computer network; (b) evaluating the energy use of a specific resource responsive to said monitoring step; and (c) determining whether maintenance is required for the specific resource responsive to the energy use of the specific resource.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer system including software architecture reporting resource usage implemented by the computer system, comprising: financial management software implementing at least one of real-time pricing, energy cost calculation and cost allocation; resource management software means for implementing at least one of load profiles and load tables; rate analysis software means for implementing rate comparison with variable rate structures and pricing options, and; billing software means for implementing at least one of billing estimation and a billing engine.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
77 words
A computer system including software architecture reporting resource usage implemented by the computer system, comprising: financial management software implementing at least one of real-time pricing, energy cost calculation and cost allocation; resource management software means for implementing at least one of load profiles and load tables; rate analysis software means for implementing rate comparison with variable rate structures and pricing options, and; billing software means for implementing at least one of billing estimation and a billing engine.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
58 words
The computer system according to claim 27 , wherein said computer system further comprising the ability to implement at least one of: tracking different markets needs, aggregating energy information, combining gas, electric and power information, nominating maximum daily quantities, accessing and displaying any measurable data, signaling abnormal energy consumption, forecasting energy use, identifying of complementary loads and analyzing.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
98 words
The computer system according to claim 27 , wherein said computer system further implementing the function of: creating load and cost curves for energy use; creating maximum daily quality plots of energy and gas; power quality analysis of outages, voltage dips and sags, power factor, phase information for power, amps, and volts, and/or harmonics; billing information which creates billing comparisons, bill estimation, bill simulation and includes a billing engine (for example, billing and/or payment over the Internet); and weather data, which is optionally specific to at least one of a customer's locale, real-time energy prices and/utility cost management.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer system according to claim 27 , wherein said computer system further implementing the function of: weather data, which is specific to at least one of a customer's locale, real-time energy prices and utility cost management.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
171 words
An arrangement for globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: a plurality of resource meters operatively coupled to remotely located resource consuming devices, said plurality of resource meters measuring resource usage data from said resource consuming devices; at least one resource-metering data recorder for recording the measured resource usage data; and at least one global computer network server configured to: receive the resource usage data from said at least one resource-metering data recorder and store the resource usage data in a database system, receive a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieve resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query, aggregate the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users, and transmit resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via said global computer network, and transmit billing estimates for the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
171 words
An arrangement for globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: a plurality of resource meters operatively coupled to remotely located resource consuming devices, said plurality of resource meters measuring resource usage data from said resource consuming devices; at least one resource-metering data recorder for recording the measured resource usage data; and at least one global computer network server configured to: receive the resource usage data from said at least one resource-metering data recorder and store the resource usage data in a database system, receive a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieve resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query, aggregate the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users, and transmit resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via said global computer network, and transmit billing estimates for the user based on existing billing structures.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
22 words
The arrangement of claim 31 , wherein said global computer network server is further configured to optimize the aggregated resource usage data.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
The arrangement of claim 32 , wherein the global computer network server optimizes the aggregated resource usage data by removing the resource usage data of one or more of the at least one additional users.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
27 words
The arrangement of claim 32 , wherein the global computer network server optimizes the aggregated resource usage data by retrieving resource usage data from different resource users.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
41 words
The arrangement of claim 32 , wherein the global computer network server optimizes the aggregated resource usage data by removing the resource usage data of one or more of the resource users, and retrieving resource usage data from different resource users.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
The arrangement of claim 32 , wherein the optimized aggregate resource usage data represents a substantially constant rate of average resource consumption for the resource users and the at least one additional user by said plurality of resource consuming devices.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, the method comprising the steps of: measuring resource usage data from a plurality of resource consuming devices; recording the measured resource usage data; transmitting the recorded resource usage data to a global computer network server; storing the resource usage data in a database system; receiving, by the global computer network server, a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network; retrieving, by the global computer network server, resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query; aggregating the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users; and transmitting resource management information and billing estimates based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via the global computer network.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, the method comprising the steps of: measuring resource usage data from a plurality of resource consuming devices; recording the measured resource usage data; transmitting the recorded resource usage data to a global computer network server; storing the resource usage data in a database system; receiving, by the global computer network server, a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network; retrieving, by the global computer network server, resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query; aggregating the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users; and transmitting resource management information and billing estimates based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via the global computer network.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method claim 37 , further comprising a step of optimizing the aggregated resource usage data prior to performing the step of transmitting.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the step of optimizing further includes the steps of: removing the resource usage data of one or more of the at least two resource users; and repeating the step of aggregating.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 38 , wherein the step of optimizing further includes the steps of: retrieving resource usage data from different resource users; and repeating the step of aggregating.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
42 words
The arrangement of claim 38 , wherein the step of optimizing further includes the steps of: removing the resource usage data of one or more of the additional users; retrieving resource usage data from different users; and repeating the step of aggregating.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
195 words
A system for globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: a plurality of resource meters operatively coupled to remotely located resource consuming devices, said plurality of resource meters measuring resource usage data from said resource consuming devices; at least one resource-metering data recorder for recording the measured resource usage data; and at least one global computer network server configured to: receive the resource usage data from said at least one resource-metering data recorder and store the resource usage data in a database system, receive a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieve resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query, aggregate the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users, transmit resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via said global computer network, and transmit billing estimates for the user based on existing billing structures; wherein the resource management information includes a chart displaying information relating to kilovolt ampere reactance (kVAr), power factor, real-time pricing cost, and contract rate cost.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
195 words
A system for globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: a plurality of resource meters operatively coupled to remotely located resource consuming devices, said plurality of resource meters measuring resource usage data from said resource consuming devices; at least one resource-metering data recorder for recording the measured resource usage data; and at least one global computer network server configured to: receive the resource usage data from said at least one resource-metering data recorder and store the resource usage data in a database system, receive a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieve resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query, aggregate the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users, transmit resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via said global computer network, and transmit billing estimates for the user based on existing billing structures; wherein the resource management information includes a chart displaying information relating to kilovolt ampere reactance (kVAr), power factor, real-time pricing cost, and contract rate cost.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: a plurality of resource meters operatively coupled to remotely located resource consuming devices, said plurality of resource meters measuring resource usage data from said resource consuming devices; at least one resource-metering data recorder for recording the measured resource usage data; and at least one global computer network server configured to: receive the resource usage data from said at least one resource-metering data recorder and store the resource usage data in a database system, receive a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieve resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query, aggregate the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users, transmit resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via said global computer network, and transmit billing estimates for the user based on existing billing structures; wherein the resource management information includes a chart displaying resource usage by each resource user and the aggregated resource usage.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for globally monitoring resource usage for at least one energy provider providing energy to a plurality of resource users, comprising: a plurality of resource meters operatively coupled to remotely located resource consuming devices, said plurality of resource meters measuring resource usage data from said resource consuming devices; at least one resource-metering data recorder for recording the measured resource usage data; and at least one global computer network server configured to: receive the resource usage data from said at least one resource-metering data recorder and store the resource usage data in a database system, receive a resource usage data query from a user via a global computer network, retrieve resource usage data for at least two resource users responsive to the resource usage data query, aggregate the resource usage data retrieved for the at least two resource users, transmit resource management information based on the aggregated resource usage data to the user via said global computer network, and transmit billing estimates for the user based on existing billing structures; wherein the resource management information includes a chart displaying resource usage by each resource user and the aggregated resource usage.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer architecture of claim 1 , wherein said at least two resource users are remotely located from each other.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer architecture of claim 1 , wherein said at least two resource users receive the resource from different energy providers.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer architecture of claim 12 , wherein said at least two resource users are remotely located from each other.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer architecture of claim 12 , wherein said at least two resource users receive the resource from different energy providers.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
19 words
The arrangement of claim 31 , wherein said at least two resource users are remotely located from each other.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
20 words
The arrangement of claim 31 , wherein said at least two resource users receive the resource from different energy providers.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 42 , wherein said at least two resource users are remotely located from each other.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 42 , wherein said at least two resource users receive energy from different energy providers.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-09-08 | 2007-03-10 | 2007-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-09-08 | 2011-03-10 | 2011-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-09-08 | 2015-03-10 | 2015-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |