Computerized utility cost estimation method and system
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method of managing utility information responsive to at least one of usage and estimated usage of utility resources, comprising the steps of:
- (A) Storing information regarding at least one user, at least one utility relating to the at least one user, and a plurality of rules that may be applied by the at least one utility for the at least one user in determining the utility information;
(B) Collecting measurement related or estimate related information representative of the at least one of the utility usage and the estimated usage by the at least one user;
(C) Selecting at least one preference representative of a variable utilized in generating the utility information for the at least one user;
(D) Generating the utility information for the at least one user responsive to the at least one preference, the utility information relating to the at least one user, the at least one preference, and the measurement related or estimate related information for the at least one user; and
(E) Displaying a report representative of the utility information utilizing the at least one preference.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides a method, system, and computer program device for cost estimation relating to utility usage and utility billing. Utility information concerning usage of utilities is collected, and a report is provided of actual and/or estimated usage and/or cost of utility resources. Information is stored relating to customers, one or more utilities relating to the customer, as well as a variety of rules that may be applied by the utilities for the customers, depending on various situations, in determining the utility information and the costs thereof. Measurement related information and/or estimate related information is collected, representative of the utility usage and the estimated usage by the customer(s). A user may selected one or more preferences representative of a variable, which are utilized in generating the utility information for the user. The report is based on utility information relating to the customer, the preference for the variable(s), and the measurement related or estimate related information for the customer. A report is displayed, representative of the utility information utilizing the preference for the variable(s).
456 Citations
47 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method of managing utility information responsive to at least one of usage and estimated usage of utility resources, comprising the steps of:
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(A) Storing information regarding at least one user, at least one utility relating to the at least one user, and a plurality of rules that may be applied by the at least one utility for the at least one user in determining the utility information;
(B) Collecting measurement related or estimate related information representative of the at least one of the utility usage and the estimated usage by the at least one user;
(C) Selecting at least one preference representative of a variable utilized in generating the utility information for the at least one user;
(D) Generating the utility information for the at least one user responsive to the at least one preference, the utility information relating to the at least one user, the at least one preference, and the measurement related or estimate related information for the at least one user; and
(E) Displaying a report representative of the utility information utilizing the at least one preference. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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16. A computer program device for use in managing utility information responsive to at least one of usage and estimated usage of utility resources, comprising:
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(A) At least one computer readable medium;
(B) Instructions, provided on the at least one computer readable medium, for storing information regarding at least one user, at least one utility relating to the at least one user, and a plurality of rules that may be applied by the at least one utility for the at least one user in determining the utility information;
(C) Instructions, provided on the at least one computer readable medium, for collecting measurement related or estimate related information representative of the at least one of the utility usage and the estimated usage by the at least one user;
(D) Instructions, provided on the at least one computer readable medium, for selecting at least one preference representative of a variable utilized in generating the utility information for the at least one user;
(E) Instructions, provided on the at least one computer readable medium, for generating the utility information for the at least one user responsive to the at least one preference, the utility information relating to the at least one user, the at least one preference, and the measurement related or estimate related information for the at least one user; and
(F) Instructions, provided on the at least one computer readable medium, for displaying a report representative of the utility information utilizing the at least one preference.
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33. A computer-based system for managing utility information responsive to at least one of usage and estimated usage of utility resources, comprising:
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(A) Stored information regarding at least one user, at least one utility relating to the at least one user, and a plurality of rules that may be applied by the at least one utility for the at least one user in determining the utility information;
(B) Stored measurement related or estimate related information representative of the at least one of the utility usage and the estimated usage by the at least one user;
(C) Means for selecting at least one preference representative of a variable utilized in generating the utility information for the at least one user;
(D) Means for generating the utility information for the at least one user responsive to the at least one preference, the utility information relating to the at least one user, the at least one preference, and the measurement related or estimate related information for the at least one user; and
(E) Display means for displaying a report representative of the utility information utilizing the at least one preference. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification