Method and apparatus for reading and controlling utility consumption
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring and controlling utility-based consumption comprising:
- a reader for obtaining utility consumption data from a utility meter; and
a computer system for collecting the data from the reader wherein the computer system computes a forecast of consumption for one or more predetermined periods of time and wherein the computer system signals for the control of consumption through the controlling of one or more devices that consume utility-based product based on the forecast.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and device, including an automatic meter reader, for enabling a consumer and a supplier to view and manage utility consumption. A sensor attached to a bracket is mounted to the outside cover of a utility meter without modification of the meter or removal of its housing. A data-collector stores data obtained from the sensor. The data-collector connects to a computer which provides the ability to view and manage utility-based consumption. The real-time and combined historic data can be used to forecast whether usage will fall above or below a usage level during a given period of time. In response to a forecast exceeding said level, the computer may display the appropriate graph in a red colored bar within a quantity vs. time chart and may send appropriate notifications. The computer may signal for the direct or indirect control of utility product consuming devices. A communication system may be established to the system for remote management by the consumer or by the utility company for its own billing and management purposes.
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Citations
68 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring and controlling utility-based consumption comprising:
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a reader for obtaining utility consumption data from a utility meter; and
a computer system for collecting the data from the reader wherein the computer system computes a forecast of consumption for one or more predetermined periods of time and wherein the computer system signals for the control of consumption through the controlling of one or more devices that consume utility-based product based on the forecast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method of monitoring and controlling utility-based consumption comprising:
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reading consumption data from an utility meter using an automatic reader;
collecting the data from the reader in a computer memory device;
computing a forecast of consumption for one or more predetermined periods of time using a computer system; and
controlling an amount of consumption by the computer system signaling for the control of one or more devices that consume utility-based product based on the forecast. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A system for monitoring and controlling power consumption comprising:
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one or more readers for obtaining power consumption data from one or more electric utility meters; and
a computer system for collecting the data from the one or more readers wherein the computer system makes forecasts of electric power consumption based on the data and signals for the control of power consumption by controlling one or more devices that consume electricity. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method for monitoring the value displayed by a segmented numeric indicator, comprising:
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monitoring the state of segments associated with said indicator; and
determining a value displayed by said indicator by associating each value that said indicator displays with the state of each monitored segment. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A method for monitoring the value displayed by a segmented numeric indicator, comprising:
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monitoring the state of five segments associated with said indicator wherein the five segments are not a bottom segment and one other segment and wherein the said one other segment is selected from the group consisting of;
a top-right segment and a bottom-right segment; and
determining a value displayed by said indicator by associating each value that said indicator displays with the state of each monitored segment.
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67. A method for monitoring the value displayed by a segmented numeric indicator of a utility meter, comprising:
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obtaining data by optically monitoring a plurality of segmented indicators which together indicate a present utility consumption; and
determining a value displayed by said indicator by performing optical character recognition on the obtained data. - View Dependent Claims (68)
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Specification