Interactive system for managing and remotely connecting customer utility loads
First Claim
1. An interactive system for managing customer utility loads, comprising:
- a plurality of utility meters for monitoring the distribution of a product at respective said customer utility loads;
a web-based application that offers a plurality of services to a user, wherein selected of said services provide data corresponding to product distribution at selected of said customer utility loads;
a control network linked to said web-based application for managing the interaction of selected elements of said system and for storing various system-related data; and
a communications network linking said control network to said utility meters and for relaying communications signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive system for managing and remotely monitoring and effecting the connection status of a customer utility load network is disclosed. Preferred embodiments of the interactive system are utilized for customer loads that correspond to the distribution of electrical energy. The interactive system is preferably provided through a web-based application that offers a plurality of selectable services to a user. Security information is preferably required for a user to gain access to the system. Services provided may comprise a read service for providing metered customer utility data, a usage and/or demand notification service for alarming a user when utility usage and/or demand exceeds a defined threshold amount, and/or a connection service for setting a utility load as either connected or disconnected. A control system is preferably provided in conjunction with the web-based application to interface the application to other components involved in the interactive system. Such a control system preferably comprises at least a system controller for managing all nodes in the utility network and a database system for storing meter data and other system-related information. A wireless communications network is established for relaying information from the system controller and web-based utility application to any utility meters or other components linked to the system.
148 Citations
60 Claims
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1. An interactive system for managing customer utility loads, comprising:
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a plurality of utility meters for monitoring the distribution of a product at respective said customer utility loads;
a web-based application that offers a plurality of services to a user, wherein selected of said services provide data corresponding to product distribution at selected of said customer utility loads;
a control network linked to said web-based application for managing the interaction of selected elements of said system and for storing various system-related data; and
a communications network linking said control network to said utility meters and for relaying communications signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An interactive utility system for monitoring and 5 effecting the distribution of a utility product to a plurality of utility loads, said interactive system comprising:
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a plurality of utility meters provided in conjunction with an arrangement for measuring or distributing said utility product, wherein each of said utility meters incorporates a radio frequency (RF) communications device for relaying selected utility information;
a web-based platform providing selectable services to a user, wherein said services comprise;
(i) gathering and displaying data that corresponds to information gathered by selected of said utility meters; and
(ii) disconnecting or reconnecting product flow to selected of said utility loads;
a communications network established among each of said utility meters and a system controller, for passing signaled information between selected of said utility meters and said system controller, and through any intermediate communication nodes thereof; and
a control network for managing the operation of said interactive utility system, wherein said control network is linked to said web-based platform. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A remote system for disconnecting and reconnecting the flow of electricity at a customer utility load, comprising:
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a metering system corresponding to said customer utility load for monitoring the status of and providing consumption data corresponding to said utility load;
a web-based application for signaling the desired status of electricity flow, wherein said status is characterized as either connected or disconnected;
a connection element provided in conjunction with said metering system for toggling between connected or disconnected status of said electricity flow; and
a radio frequency (RF) communications device provided in conjunction with said metering system for relaying information between said metering system and said web-based application. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A web-based utility application offering selectable services for a customer utility load, said selectable services comprising:
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a read service to remotely read metered data corresponding to said customer utility load and subsequently display reports corresponding to said metered data;
a usage notification service for inputting a threshold amount of utility consumption or utility demand and receiving a notification when said customer utility load usage exceeds said threshold amount; and
a security service for inputting an identification element and a corresponding password element to gain access to said web-based utility application. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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41. A method for effecting the connection status of a customer utility load via a web-based utility application, said method comprising the steps:
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providing user-inputted access information to said web-based application;
performing a first remote read of a utility meter associated with said customer utility load to verify initial connection status of said customer utility load;
transmitting a connection signal from a main control station to an RF receiver provided at said utility meter; and
performing a second remote read of said utility meter to verify final connection status of said customer utility load. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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55. A method for remotely connecting a customer utility load via a web-based utility application, said method comprising the steps:
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accepting a load connection request from a user of said web-based utility application;
performing a first remote read of a utility meter associated with said customer utility load to verify disconnected status of said customer utility load;
transmitting a connection signal from a main control station to a communications device provided at said utility meter to signal toggling of a connection element to connected status;
performing a series of rapid remote reads to verify final connection status of said customer utility load and to monitor instantaneous energy consumption of said customer utility load; and
transmitting a disconnection signal from a main controller to a communications device provided at said utility meter to signal toggling of a connection element to disconnected status if said instantaneous energy consumption is above a predefined energy consumption threshold. - View Dependent Claims (56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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Specification