METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR METERING ELECTRICITY USAGE AND ELECTRONICALLY PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED THEREWITH

• US 20020091653A1
• Filed: 12/07/1998
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Constellation NewEnergy, Inc. (Constellation Energy Corp. (Maryland))
• Original Assignee: Constellation Energy Group Incorporated (Exelon Corporation)
• Inventors: PEEVEY, MICHAEL R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,043,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A Metering Billing and Information Solutions (“MBIS”) system for metering electricity usage and processing associated information includes an automated meter which electronically communicates metering information to a data processing system. The data processing system then appropriately calculates an electric bill using the metering information received from the meter. Additionally, the data processing system electronically stores the metering, billing, and other appropriate consumer account information. The MBIS system also includes an information system, which can be used by a consumer to remotely access the information stored by the data processing system. A payment system is also included in the MBIS system to facilitate electronic payment by a consumer.

Claims

1. A method for remotely metering electricity usage at a consumer site and providing metering and billing data, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving metering data from an electric meter, wherein said metering data is electronically transmitted from said electric meter;

calculating billing data using said metering data;

electronically storing said metering data and said billing data electronically; and

reporting said metering data and said billing data.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of polling said meter using an electronic communication medium.

3. The method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said polling step polls said meter using a toll-free telephone line.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving step receives said metering data automatically transmitted from said meter.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving operational status of said meter.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving step receives metering data from said meter wherein said meter is suitably configured with a modem for connecting to an electronic data line.

7. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said calculating step calculates said billing data using generation, transmission and distribution costs of electricity.

8. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said storing step stores said metering data and said billing data in a computer database.

9. The method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said reporting step further comprises the steps of:

providing a web site on the Internet;

retrieving said metering data and said billing data from said database; and

presenting said metering data and said billing data on said web site.

10. A method for remotely metering electricity usage at a consumer site and providing metering and billing data, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving electricity usage information remotely from an electric meter;

calculating an electricity bill based on said usage information;

storing said usage information and said electricity bill; and

generating reports containing said usage information and electricity bill, wherein said reports are electronically accessible.

11. The method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said generating step further comprises the steps of:

providing a web site on the Internet;

requesting a consumer identification and a security code associated with said consumer identification on said web site;

verifying said consumer identification and said security code;

retrieving said metering data and said billing data from said database associated with said consumer identification; and

displaying said metering data and said billing data on said web site.

12. The method in accordance with claim 11 wherein said displaying step displays said metering data and said billing data in graphical and tabular formats.

13. The method in accordance with claim 11 further comprising the steps of:

providing an electronic payment option on said web site for making payment electronically using electronic funds transfer; and

transferring funds electronically from a financial institution when said electronic payment option is selected.

14. The method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said receiving step receives said usage information from said electric method by polling said electric meter using an electronic communication medium, wherein said electronic meter is configured with a modem to connect to said communication medium.

15. The method in accordance with claim 10 wherein said storing step stores said usage information and said billing data in a computer database.

16. The method of metering electricity usage in accordance with claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

receiving water metering information from a water meter;

calculating an water bill based on said water metering information;

storing said water metering information in said database; and

generating reports contains said water metering and billing data.

18. The system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said electric meter is configured with a modem for transmitting said data on an electronic data line.

19. The system in accordance with claim 17 wherein said user interface means further comprises a web site on the Internet for interactively providing said usage data and said electricity bill to consumers.

20. The system in accordance with claim 19 wherein said web site is configured with an electronic funds transfers means for electronically transferring funds from a financial institution.

17. A Metering and Billing Information Solution (“

MBIS”

) system for remotely metering electricity usage at a consumer site and for providing consumers with metering information, billing information, and electronic payment options, the system comprising;

an electric meter for obtaining usage data on the amount of electricity delivered to said consumer site and transmitting said usage data;

receiving means for receiving said usage data transmitted by said electric meter;

calculating means for calculating an electricity bill for the amount of electricity used based on said usage data;

a computer database for storing said usage data and said electricity bill;

data retrieval means for retrieving said usage data and said electricity bill stored on said computer database; and

user interface means for presenting said usage data and said electricity bill to consumers.