Utility allocation and control system and method
First Claim
1. A method for allocating individual usage and/or costs for utility comprising:
- providing the utility to a plurality of zones based on a pre-determined parameter set on a controller within each zone, wherein each controller is operably coupled to a respective output device and the utility is provided to the respective zone by the output device until the pre-determined parameter is met, wherein each output device is operably coupled to a utility provider;
transmitting utility run-time data within each zone from each respective controller to a processor;
processing the utility run-time data to determine a proportion of a total utility used by each zone, thereby allocating individual usage and/or costs for the provided utility using the proportion; and
blocking a user from modifying a first controller associated with the user.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A utility individual usage allocation and control system and method to manage utility and related services to a plurality of units in a facility to increase operational efficiency and cost savings. The system and method include a plurality of controllers positioned in a plurality of respective zones. A plurality of output devices are operably coupled to each controller and a utility provider is operably coupled to each of the output devices. A processor is configured to receive run-time data from each of the plurality of controllers, the run-time data corresponding with actual time the output device is in an engaged state. Run-time data from each controller is processed to determine proportion of total utility used by each zone. The processor is remote from the controllers and data is transmitted by wireless signals. The utility is selected from a group comprising hot air, hot water, cool air, electricity and memory data.
2 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for allocating individual usage and/or costs for utility comprising:
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providing the utility to a plurality of zones based on a pre-determined parameter set on a controller within each zone, wherein each controller is operably coupled to a respective output device and the utility is provided to the respective zone by the output device until the pre-determined parameter is met, wherein each output device is operably coupled to a utility provider; transmitting utility run-time data within each zone from each respective controller to a processor; processing the utility run-time data to determine a proportion of a total utility used by each zone, thereby allocating individual usage and/or costs for the provided utility using the proportion; and blocking a user from modifying a first controller associated with the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for allocating individual usage and/or costs for utility comprising:
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providing the utility to a plurality of zones based on a pre-determined parameter set on a controller within each zone; transmitting utility run-time data within each zone from each respective controller to a processor; processing the utility run-time data to determine a proportion of a total utility used by each zone, thereby allocating individual usage and/or costs for the provided utility using the proportion; and blocking a user from modifying a first controller associated with the user. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for allocating individual usage and/or costs for utility comprising:
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a plurality of controllers positioned in a plurality of respective zones; a plurality of output devices, each output device operably coupled to a respective controller; a utility provider operably coupled to each of the plurality of output devices for providing the utility; and a processor configured to receive utility run-time data from each of the plurality of controllers to determine a proportion of a total utility used by each zone, thereby allocating individual usage and/or costs for the provided utility using the proportion, and to block a user from modifying a first controller associated with the user. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification