Utility model billing system for propane and heating oil consumers

• US 20050289021A1
• Filed: 05/16/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schmitt Measurement Systems, Inc. (Schmitt Industries, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Schmitt Measurement Systems, Inc. (Schmitt Industries, Inc.)
• Inventors: Lagergren, Peter John
• Application Number:
  US11/131,441
• Publication Number:
  US 20050289021A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

The invention describes a method whereby the measured consumption of propane and heating oil fuels can be used to provide a repetitive “utility style” billing method for consumers. The method involves the use of measurement methods that provide a close estimate of actual liquid volume in a fuel container and reconciles that measurement with the amount delivered to the consumer with each inventory replenishment cycle that uses an approved custody transfer meter.

Claims

1. What is claimed in this invention is a method of billing for the usage of propane and heating oil and;

a method of reconciling consumer usage of propane and heating oil measured with a non-custody transfer metering/inventory monitoring method and an aproved custody transfer meter.