Resource management system

• US 20050288960A1
• Filed: 06/23/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Shawn T. Sharp
• Original Assignee: Shawn T. Sharp
• Inventors: Sharp, Shawn T.
• Application Number:
  US11/159,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288960A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/400
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/00 Administration; Management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination

Abstract

This disclosure is concerned with systems, methods and devices for managing consumption of a resource, such as water, gas or electricity for example, by one or more resource-using devices. In one example of a method for managing usage of a resource by a resource-using device, resource cost information representing a per unit cost of a resource is obtained and stored. Then, the amount of the resource used by the resource-using device over a predetermined period of time is measured. The cost information and the resource consumption is then used to calculate a resource consumption cost associated with the resource-using device. Finally, output is provided to a user, where the output represents the calculated resource consumption cost.

Claims

1. A method for managing usage of a resource by at least one resource-using device, comprising:

obtaining resource cost information representing a per unit cost of a resource;

storing the resource cost information;

measuring an amount of the resource used by the at least one resource-using device over a predetermined period of time;

using the cost information and the measured amount of the resource to calculate a resource consumption cost associated with the at least one resource-using device; and

providing output to a user representing the calculated resource consumption cost.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the resource comprises at least one of:

water;

steam;

gasoline;

cable television;

satellite television;

bandwidth;

telecommunications;

radio;

short distance telephone service;

long distance telephone service;

Internet service;

mobile telephone service;

electrical or optical digital data service; and

, satellite service.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising regulating the amount of the resource consumed by the resource-using device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using consumption cost information to regulate the amount of the resource consumed by the resource-using device.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating billing data concerning the amount of the resource consumed by the at least one resource-using device.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling usage of the resource by the resource-using device upon satisfaction of predetermined criteria.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is performed in connection with each of a plurality of resource-using devices.

8. A resource meter for use in connection with the management of resource consumption by at least one resource-using device, the resource meter comprising:

a resource interface configured to detect a flow of a resource associated with the at least one resource-using device;

a measurement module in communication with the interface and configured to measure an amount of resource used by the at least one resource-using device and configured to display the amount of resource used by the at least one resource-using device;

a resource distribution module configured to regulate resource usage of the at least one resource-using device; and

a storage device in communication with the measurement module and the resource distribution module.

9. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource meter is configured to be integrated within a resource-using device.

10. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource meter is portable.

11. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource interface comprises at least one sensor.

12. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource meter further comprises provider interface for connection with a resource provider, the provider interface being in communication with at least the resource distribution module.

13. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource meter further comprises:

a four button primary user input interface that comprises;

a + button;

a −

button; and

, a mode button;

an integrated Ground Fault Interrupter (GFI) circuit and switches; and

a master reset.

14. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource meter is configured for use with at least one of:

water;

steam;

gasoline;

cable television;

satellite television;

bandwidth;

telecommunications;

radio;

short distance telephone service;

long distance telephone service;

Internet service;

mobile telephone service;

electrical or optical digital data service; and

, satellite service.

15. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource meter is configured to transfer data from the storage device to external media.

16. The resource meter as recited in claim 8, wherein the resource distribution module of the resource meter is configured to regulate resource usage responsive, at least in part, to a measured amount of resource used by the at least one resource using device.

17. A resource management system, comprising:

at least one resource meter associated with a corresponding resource-using device; and

a computing device configured for communication with the at least one resource meter by way of a network.

18. The resource management system as recited in claim 17, wherein the computing device includes at least one of:

a billing module; and

, a resource distribution module.

19. The resource management system as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one resource meter comprises:

a resource interface configured to detect a flow of a resource associated with the resource-using device;

a measurement module in communication with the interface and configured to measure an amount of resource used by the resource-using device and configured to display the amount of resource used by the resource-using device;

a resource distribution module configured to regulate resource usage of the resource-using device; and

a storage device in communication with the measurement module and the resource distribution module.

20. The resource management system as recited in claim 17, wherein the computing device comprises a server.