Method of indicating consumption of utility services with multi-level pricing
First Claim
1. A method of indicating energy consumption for a length of time comprising:
- the steps of;
dividing the length of time into a plurality of time periods, each time period having a predetermined price per unit of energy;
setting a number of rating points corresponding to each of the time periods, wherein the value of each rating point is inversely related to the price; and
determining an overall rating by calculating an average of the combined rating points for all time periods.
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Abstract
A method of indicating consumption of utility services with multi-level pricing. In the method, a rating system is created that is determined by the pattern of electric usage for different time periods. The rating has an arbitrarily set point level for each time period, each of the levels corresponding inversely to the price. An overall rating is calculated by multiplying the kilowatt hours consumed during a low-priced time period by the highest rating to arrive at a point score for that time period, multiplying the kilowatt hours consumed during a high-priced time period by the lowest rating to arrive at another point score for that time period, and multiplying the kilowatt hours consumed during any intermediate-priced time period by an intermediate rating to arrive at still another point score for that time period. All of the points for the time periods are added together, and the total points are divided by total kilowatt-hours consumed to arrive at an average rating level to help consumers compare the relative costs of their usage month to month, season by season and year to year.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of indicating energy consumption for a length of time comprising:
- the steps of;
dividing the length of time into a plurality of time periods, each time period having a predetermined price per unit of energy;
setting a number of rating points corresponding to each of the time periods, wherein the value of each rating point is inversely related to the price; and
determining an overall rating by calculating an average of the combined rating points for all time periods. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
- the steps of;
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11. A method of indicating energy consumption to at least some customers of an energy utility comprising steps of:
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setting a billing interval for energy services provided to the customers;
dividing each day of the billing interval into a plurality of time periods wherein the time periods correspond to different overall levels of energy consumption by all customers;
assigning different prices per unit of energy provided during each of the time periods;
assigning a rating point level for each of the time periods wherein the rating point level is inversely related to the price for the corresponding time period; and
calculating an average rating point interval for the billing period and submitting it to the customers. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification