Utility metering slider bar

• US 20020191024A1
• Filed: 06/11/2002
• Published: 12/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Automated Energy Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Automated Energy Incorporated
• Inventors: Huneycutt, Timothy
• Application Number:
  US10/165,990
• Publication Number:
  US 20020191024A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/772
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00001 characterised by the display of information or by user interaction, e.g. supervisory control and data acquisition systems [SCADA] or graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 13/00028 involving the use of Internet protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/003 Load forecast, e.g. methods or systems for forecasting future load demand
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/40 Display of information, e.g. of data or controls
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid

Abstract

Systems and techniques for displaying a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface includes a load profile of a customer and a slider bar. The slider bar is used to set a reduced peak demand level. Approximate potential savings are displayed to the customer at the reduced peak demand level.

Claims

1. A method of utility management, the method comprising:

displaying a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a load profile of a customer and a slider bar;

using the slider bar to set a reduced peak demand level; and

displaying approximate potential savings to the customer at the reduced peak demand level.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein using the slider bar comprises pulling down a horizontal line across the load profile from an actual peak demand level to the reduced peak demand level.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the horizontal line is configured to be pulled down in fixed percentage intervals of the actual peak demand level.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a utility reduction necessary to achieve the reduced peak demand level.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying a time reduction necessary to achieve the reduced peak demand level.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising suggesting utility-conserving actions to take to achieve the approximate potential cost savings.

7. A computer program, residing on a computer-readable storage medium for providing remote access to a software application for displaying utility data, the computer program comprising instructions to:

display a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a load profile of a customer and a slider bar;

receive commands through the slider bar to set a reduced peak demand level; and

display approximate potential savings to the customer at the reduced peak demand level.

8. The computer program of claim 7 further comprising instructions to display a utility reduction necessary to achieve the reduced peak demand level.

9. The computer program of claim 7 further comprising instructions to display a time reduction necessary to achieve the reduced peak demand level.

10. The computer program of claim 7 further comprising instructions to suggest utility-conserving actions to take to achieve the approximate potential cost savings.

11. A computer system for providing remote access to a software application for displaying utility data, the system comprising:

a host configured to interact with a client to display a graphical user interface, the graphical user interface including a load profile of a customer and a slider bar, wherein at least one of the host and the client receive commands through the slider bar to set a reduced peak demand level and display approximate potential savings to the customer at the reduced peak demand level.

12. A graphical user interface comprising:

a load profile of a customer; and

a slider bar configured to set a reduced peak demand level; and

a window for displaying approximate potential savings to the customer at the reduced peak demand level.