METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR METERING ELECTRICITY USAGE AND ELECTRONICALLY PROVIDING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED THEREWITH
First Claim
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.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for remotely metering electricity usage at a consumer site and providing metering and billing data, the method comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for remotely metering electricity usage at a consumer site and providing metering and billing data, the method comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20)
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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.
- MBIS”
Specification