Advanced notification to enable usage reduction

• US 10,572,889 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2014
• Issued: 02/25/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Opower, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Opower, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Sloss, Brian, Nouri, Koorosh
• Primary Examiner(s): Stamber, Eric W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Young, Ashley Y
• Application Number:
  US14/581,569
• Publication Number:
  US 20160042368A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,890 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0202 Market predictions or forecasting for commercial activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply

Abstract

According to various aspects of the subject technology, systems and methods for analyzing consumption data associated with a user to determine a projected consumption cost for the user. The projected consumption cost can indicate an expected monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during a specified time period. If it is determined that the projected consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost indicating that the projected consumption cost of the user will be high, the user can be provided with one or more use reports notifying the user that the user'"'"'s projected consumption cost will be high for the time period. The use reports can warn the user that a high bill should be expected, thereby reducing bill shock and ensuing call center calls.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for providing an advanced bill notification, the method comprising:

obtaining, by a computer processor from a monitoring device through a data communication network, consumption data associated with a user;

analyzing, by the computer processor, the consumption data to determine a projected consumption cost for the user, the projected consumption cost indicating an expected monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during a first time period;

determining, by the computer processor, that the projected consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost indicating that the projected consumption cost is greater than a prior monetary cost for resource consumption during a prior time period before the first time period;

determining, by the computer processor, (i) a first heating value, a first cooling value, and a first baseload value for the first time period and (ii) a second heating value, a second cooling value, and a second baseload value for the prior time period;

determining, by the computer processor, a first difference value between the first heating value and the second heating value;

determining, by the computer processor, a second difference value between the first cooling value and the second cooling value;

determining, by the computer processor, a third difference value between the first baseload value and the second baseload value;

selecting, by the computer processor, a largest difference value among the first difference value, the second difference value, and the third difference value as a basis for diagnosis of energy usage;

generating, by the computer processor, an electronic message including

(i) a notification of the projected consumption cost, and

(ii) an instruction to automatically adjust settings to modify resource consumption associated with the largest difference value; and

transmitting, by the computer processor through the data communication network, the electronic message to a client device associated with the user to cause the instruction to be performed and resource consumption to be modified.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, by the computer processor, first weather data corresponding to the first time period;

receiving, by the computer processor, second weather data corresponding to the prior time period;

determining, by the computer processor, that exceeding the projected consumption cost is caused based at least in part on a comparison between the first weather data and the second weather data;

identifying, by the computer processor,

(i) based on the largest difference value being the first value, that the user'"'"'s building is sensitive to cold weather, or

(ii) based on the largest difference value being the third value, that the user'"'"'s building is sensitive to hot weather; and

including, by the computer processor, in the electronic message

(i) a notification that the projected consumption cost will be high for the first time period based at least in part on the comparison between the first weather data and the second weather data, and

(ii) a notification of the identified sensitivity.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the first weather data indicates a first temperature value associated with the first time period, the second weather data indicates a second temperature value associated with the prior time period, and the first temperature value is different from the second temperature value.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, by the computer processor, that the projected consumption cost is below a threshold percentage above the projected consumption cost; and

blocking, by the computer processor, the generating or the transmitting of the electronic message.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein providing one or more use reports to the user further comprises:

determining, by the computer processor, whether a rate change caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost; and

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that the rate change caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that an increase in a heating degree day (HDD) caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost responsive to the largest difference value being the first difference value.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that an increase in a cooling degree day (CCD) caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost responsive to the largest difference value being the second difference value.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that a change in a baseload value caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost responsive to the largest difference value being the third difference value.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein providing, in at least one use report, the indication that the change in the baseload value caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost, further comprises:

determining, by the computer processor, if a respective week time period is higher in resource consumption than each other week time period from the first time period;

determining, by the computer processor, if two or three consecutive days from the respective week time period is high in resource consumption based on a threshold resource consumption value;

determining, by the computer processor, if a respective day from the two or three consecutive days is higher in resource consumption than other days from the two or three consecutive days;

determining, by the computer processor, if a respective six hour time period from the respective day is higher in resource consumption than other six hour time periods from the respective day; and

providing, in the electronic message,

(i) an indication that the respective six hour time period caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost, and

(ii) a request that the user indicate the cause of the high resource consumption.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein (i) the first heating value, the first cooling value, and the first baseload value for the first time period represent a resource consumption by the user during the first time period, and (ii) the second heating value, the second cooling value, and the second baseload value for the prior time period represent a resource consumption by the user during the prior time period.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the instruction to modify resource consumption is an instruction to automatically adjust a setting of a climate control device.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the instruction to modify resource consumption is configured to cause the client device to generate a local energy usage alert notification that shows one or more energy consumption adjustments with one or more corresponding utility bill projections.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the instruction to modify resource consumption includes one or more set points and is configured to cause a setting of a climate control device to be adjusted in accordance with the one or more set points.

14. A computing device for energy usage alerts, the computing device comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device to;

obtain, from a monitoring device through a data communication network, consumption data associated with a user;

analyze the consumption data to determine a projected consumption cost for the user, wherein the projected consumption cost indicates an expected monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during a first time period;

determine that the projected consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost indicating that the projected consumption cost is greater than a prior monetary cost for resource consumption during a prior time period before the first time period;

determine (i) a first heating value, a first cooling value, and a first baseload value for the first time period and (ii) a second heating value, a second cooling value, and a second baseload value for the prior time period;

determine a first difference value between the first heating value and the second heating value;

determine a second difference value between the first cooling value and the second cooling value;

determine a third difference value between the first baseload value and the second baseload value;

select a largest difference value among the first difference value, the second difference value, and the third difference value as a basis for diagnosis of energy usage;

generate an electronic message including

(i) a notification of the projected consumption cost; and

(ii) an instruction to automatically adjust settings to modify resource consumption associated with the largest difference value; and

transmit through the data communication network the electronic message to a client device associated with the user to cause the instruction to be performed and the resource consumption to be modified.

15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

receive first weather data corresponding to the first time period;

receive second weather data corresponding to the prior time;

determine that exceeding the projected consumption cost is caused changes based at least in part on a comparison between the first weather data and the second weather data; and

include in the electronic message a notification that the projected consumption cost will be high for the first time period based at least in part on the comparison between the first weather data and the second weather data.

16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the first weather data indicates a first temperature value associated with the first time period, the second weather data indicates a second temperature value associated with the prior time period, and the first temperature value is different from the second temperature value.

17. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

determine that the projected consumption cost is below a threshold percentage above the projected consumption cost; and

block the generating or the transmitting of the electronic message.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

determine whether a rate change caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost; and

provide, in the electronic message, an indication that the rate change caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost.

19. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

provide, in the electronic message, an indication that an increase in a heating degree day (HDD) caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost responsive to the largest difference value being the first difference value.

20. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

provide, in the electronic message, an indication that an increase in a cooling degree day (CCD) caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost responsive to the largest difference value being the second difference value.

21. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to:

provide, in the electronic message,

(i) an indication that a change in a baseload value caused the projected consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost responsive to the largest difference value being the third difference value, and

(ii) an inquiry requesting that the customer explain the change in baseload value.

22. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for usage alerts on a computing device, the instructions when executed by a processor causing the processor to:

obtain, from a monitoring device through a data communication network, consumption data associated with a user;

analyze the consumption data to determine a projected consumption cost for the user, wherein the projected consumption cost indicates an expected monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during a first time period;

determine that the projected consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost indicating that the projected consumption cost is greater than a prior monetary cost for resource consumption during a prior time period before the first time period;

determine (i) a first heating value, a first cooling value, and a first baseload value for the first time period and (ii) a second heating value, a second cooling value, and a second baseload value for the prior time period;

determine a first difference value between the first heating value and the second heating value;

determine a second difference value between the first cooling value and the second cooling value;

determine a third difference value between the first baseload value and the second baseload value;

select a largest difference value among the first difference value, the second difference value, and the third difference value as a basis for diagnosis of energy usage;

generate an electronic message including

(i) a notification of the projected consumption cost; and

(ii) an instruction to automatically adjust settings to modify resource consumption associated with the largest difference value; and

transmit through the data communication network the electronic message to a client device associated with the user to cause the instruction to be performed and the resource consumption to be modified.

23. A computer-implemented method for providing a bill notification, the method comprising:

obtaining consumption data associated with a user;

analyzing, by the computer processor, after a first time period has elapsed, the consumption data to determine a consumption cost for the user, the consumption cost indicating a monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during the first time period, the first time period being a period of time in which the user'"'"'s energy consumption is tracked to determine a bill;

receiving, by the computer processor, historical consumption cost data for a prior time period before the first time period;

determining, by the computer processor, that the consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost indicating that the consumption cost is greater than a prior monetary cost billed to the user for resource consumption during the prior time period;

determining, by the computer processor, (i) a first heating value, a first cooling value, and a first baseload value for the first time period and (ii) a second heating value, a second cooling value, and a second baseload value for the prior time period;

determining, by the computer processor, a first difference value between the first heating value and the second heating value;

determining, by the computer processor, a second difference value between the first cooling value and the second cooling value;

determining, by the computer processor, a third difference value between the first baseload value and the second baseload value;

selecting, by the computer processor, a largest difference value among the first difference value, the second difference value, and the third difference value as a basis for diagnosis of energy usage;

generating, by the computer processor, an electronic message including

(i) a notification that the threshold consumption cost is exceeded for the first time period, and

(ii) an instruction to automatically adjust settings to modify resource consumption associated with the largest difference value; and

transmitting, by the computer processor through a data communication network, the electronic message to a client device associated with the user to cause the instruction to be performed and resource consumption to be modified.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, further comprising:

receiving, by the computer processor, first weather data corresponding to the first time period;

receiving, by the computer processor, second weather data corresponding to the prior time period;

determining, by the computer processor, that exceeding the projected consumption cost is caused based at least in part on a comparison between the first weather data and the second weather data; and

providing, by the computer processor, in the electronic message an indication that the consumption cost will be high for the first time period based at least in part the comparison between the first weather data and the second weather data.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 24, wherein the first weather data indicates a first temperature value associated with the first time period, the second weather data indicates a second temperature value associated with the prior time period, and the first temperature value is higher or lower than the second temperature value.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein the threshold consumption cost is further based on historical weather data including at least one past temperature during a prior time period, the historical weather data indicating a difference in weather data representing at least one temperature during the first time period in comparison to the historical weather data including the at least one past temperature.

27. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein providing one or more use reports to the user further comprises:

determining, by the computer processor, whether a rate change caused the consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost; and

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that the rate change caused the consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost.

28. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein providing one or more use reports to the user further comprises:

generating, using at least the historical consumption cost data, a graphical representation of the historical consumption cost data; and

providing, in the electronic message, the graphical representation of the historical consumption cost data.

29. The computer-implemented method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that an increase in consumption corresponding to a heating caused the consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 28, further comprising:

providing, in the electronic message, an indication that an increase in consumption corresponding to cooling caused the consumption cost to exceed the threshold consumption cost.

31. A computing device for bill notifications, the computing device comprising:

at least one processor; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the computing device to;

obtain consumption data associated with a user;

analyze, after a first time period has elapsed, the consumption data to determine a consumption cost for the user, the consumption cost indicating a monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during the first time period, the first time period being a period of time in which the user'"'"'s energy consumption is tracked to determine a bill;

receive historical consumption cost data for at least one prior time period before the first time period;

determine that the consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost indicating that the consumption cost is greater than a prior monetary cost billed to the user for resource consumption during the prior time period;

determine (i) a first heating value, a first cooling value, and a first baseload value for the first time period and (ii) a second heating value, a second cooling value, and a second baseload value for the at least one prior time period;

determine a first difference value between the first heating value and the second heating value;

determine a second difference value between the first cooling value and the second cooling value;

determine a third difference value between the first baseload value and the second baseload value;

select a largest difference value among the first difference value, the second difference value, and the third difference value as a basis for diagnosis of energy usage;

generate an electronic message including

(i) a notification that the threshold consumption cost is exceeded for the first time period, and

(ii) an instruction to automatically adjust settings to modify resource consumption associated with the largest difference value; and

transmit, through a data communication network, the electronic message to a client device associated with the user to cause the instruction to be performed and resource consumption to be modified.

32. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for usage alerts on a computing device, the instructions when executed by a processor causing the processor to:

obtain consumption data associated with a user;

analyze, after a first time period has elapsed, the consumption data to determine a consumption cost for the user, the consumption cost indicating a monetary cost that the user will be required to pay for resource consumption during the first time period, the first time period being a period of time in which the user'"'"'s energy consumption is tracked to determine a bill;

receive historical consumption cost data for at least one prior time period;

determine that the consumption cost exceeds a threshold consumption cost, the threshold consumption cost being determined based at least in part on the historical consumption cost data;

determine (i) a first heating value, a first cooling value, and a first baseload value for the first time period and (ii) a second heating value, a second cooling value, and a second baseload value for the at least one prior time period;

determine a first difference value between the first heating value and the second heating value;

determine a second difference value between the first cooling value and the second cooling value;

determine a third difference value between the first baseload value and the second baseload value;

select a largest difference value among the first difference value, the second difference value, and the third difference value as a basis for diagnosis of energy usage;

generate an electronic message including

(i) a notification that the threshold consumption cost is high exceeded for the first time period, and

(ii) an instruction to automatically adjust settings to modify resource consumption associated with the largest difference value; and

transmit, through a data communication network, the electronic message to a client device associated with the user to cause the instruction to be performed and the resource consumption to be modified.