Electronic bill presenting methods and bill consolidating methods

• US 6,035,285 A
• Filed: 03/05/1999
• Issued: 03/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ENGIE Insight Services, Inc. (ENGIE SA)
• Original Assignee: Advantage IQ, Inc. (ENGIE SA)
• Inventors: Kurtz, Rick, Genzberger, Janna, Gordon, Jody, Schlect, Ed, Kippenhan, Larry, Crooks, Gerry, Feichtner, Mark, Ziegler, Thada
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US09/263,467
• Time in Patent Office: 368 Days
• Field of Search: 235/375, 235/376, 235/379, 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 395/20.3, 395/200.31, 395/200.33, 395/200.47, 395/200.48, 395/200.49, 705/1, 705/7, 705/11, 705/30, 705/32, 705/34, 705/40, 705/400, 709/200, 709/201, 709/203, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/14 specially adapted for billing systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/125 Finance or payroll
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 3/008 involving trading of energy or energy transmission rights
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/10 Energy trading, including energy flowing from end-user application to grid
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/12 Billing, invoicing, buying or selling transactions or other related activities, e.g. cost or usage evaluation
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 50/14 Marketing, i.e. market research and analysis, surveying, promotions, advertising, buyer profiling, customer management or rewards
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

Electronic bill-presenting methods and bill consolidation methods are described. In one embodiment billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer is received into a host computer which preferably includes a processor. With the processor, the billing information is processed by auditing the billing information against at least one tolerance parameter to determine whether said billing information satisfies the one tolerance parameter. Processed billing information is provided into a computer-viewable format, wherein the consumer can view the processed billing information and authorize payment thereof. In another embodiment, a bill consolidation method comprises receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a plurality of at least one of a service or material which has been rendered or provided, respectively, to a consumer. The host computer has a processor and an interface device. With the processor, the billing information is processed to provide processed billing information which includes a consolidated amount which is owed by the consumer. The processed billing information is provided into a computer-viewable format, and the consumer is provided with remote access to the processed billing information in the computer-viewable format via the interface device. The consumer can view the processed billing information which includes the consolidated amount. Other embodiments are described.

Claims

1. An electronic bill-presenting method comprising:

receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer of said labor-dependent service, the host computer having a processor;

defining at least one tolerance parameter which relates to the labor dependent service, and wherein the at least one tolerance parameter is derived from an historical analysis of the previous billing information pertaining to the labor dependent service;

with said processor, processing said billing information pertaining to said consumer by auditing said billing information against the at least one tolerance parameter to determine whether said billing information satisfies the at least one tolerance parameter, said processing providing processed billing information; and

providing said processed billing information into a real time computer-viewable format, and wherein said consumer can view said processed real time billing information and authorize payment thereof.

2. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein said consumer has at least one site relative to which said labor-dependent service is rendered, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site.

3. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein said labor-dependent service is rendered by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data.

4. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein said labor-dependent service has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

5. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein said labor-dependent service has at least one site system or equipment classification associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one site system or equipment classifications.

6. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein;

said consumer has at least one site relative to which said labor-dependent service is rendered, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site;

said labor-dependent service is rendered by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data; and

said labor-dependent service has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

7. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein said receiving of said billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service comprises receiving billing information pertaining to a plurality of labor-dependent services.

8. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 7, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of labor-dependent services to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer.

9. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 7 further comprising providing said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format via an interface device connected with said processor.

10. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 7, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of labor-dependent services to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer;

and further comprising providing said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format via an interface device connected with said processor.

11. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 7, wherein said at least one tolerance parameter comprises a plurality of tolerance parameters.

12. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 11, wherein said plurality of tolerance parameters comprises at least two of the following parameters:

a timeliness parameter, a duplication parameter, a price parameter, a quantity parameter, and a cost conformity parameter.

13. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 1, wherein said at least one tolerance parameter comprises a plurality of tolerance parameters.

14. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a timeliness parameter.

15. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a duplication parameter.

16. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a price parameter.

17. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a cost conformity parameter.

18. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 13, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a quantity parameter.

19. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 13, wherein said plurality of tolerance parameters include at least two of the following parameters:

a timeliness parameter, a duplication parameter, a price parameter, a quantity parameter, and a cost conformity parameter.

20. An electronic bill-presenting method comprising:

receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer of said labor-dependent service, the host computer having a processor;

receiving verification information from said consumer pertaining to said labor-dependent service which has been rendered to said consumer;

comparing said billing information to said verification information to ascertain whether said billing information satisfies said verification information; and

with said processor, processing said billing information to provide processed billing information into a computer-viewable format, and wherein said consumer can view said processed billing information by way of an interface device in real time and authorize payment thereof.

21. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 20, wherein the receiving of the verification information comprises electronically receiving said verification information.

22. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 20, wherein the verification information includes at least one work-related parameter.

23. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 20, wherein the verification information includes a plurality of work-related parameters.

24. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 20, wherein said billing information pertains to a plurality of labor-dependent services which have been rendered to said consumer, and said verification information pertains to said plurality of labor-dependent services.

25. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 24, wherein the receiving of the verification information comprises electronically receiving said verification information.

26. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 24, wherein the verification information includes at least one work-related parameter.

27. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 24, wherein the verification information includes a plurality of work-related parameters.

28. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 20, wherein said billing information pertains to a plurality of service providers which have rendered at least one labor-dependent service to said consumer.

29. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 28, wherein the receiving of the verification information comprises electronically receiving said verification information.

30. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 28, wherein the verification information includes at least one work-related parameter.

31. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 28, wherein the verification information includes a plurality of work-related parameters.

32. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 28, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of service providers to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer.

33. An electronic bill-presenting method comprising:

receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer of said labor-dependent service, the host computer having a processor;

defining at least one tolerance parameter which relates to a labor dependent service by conducting a historical analysis of previous billing information pertaining to the labor-dependent service, and storing the resulting tolerance parameter in a database;

with said processor, processing said billing information pertaining to said consumer by auditing said billing information against the at least one tolerance parameter stored in the database to determine whether said billing information satisfies the at least one tolerance parameter, said processing providing processed billing information;

if, as a result of said auditing of said billing information, said billing information does not satisfy the at least one tolerance parameter, implementing a review of the billing information to ascertain why the billing information does not satisfy said at least one tolerance parameter, and wherein the audited billing information may be viewed and manipulated remotely, and in real time by way of an interface device; and

providing said processed billing information into a computer-viewable format, and wherein the consumer can view and manipulate said processed billing information and authorize payment thereof in real time.

34. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 33, wherein said consumer has at least one site relative to which said labor-dependent service is rendered, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site.

35. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 33, wherein said labor-dependent service is rendered by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data.

36. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 33, wherein said labor-dependent service has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

37. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 33, wherein;

said consumer has at least one site relative to which said labor-dependent service is rendered, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site;

said labor-dependent service is rendered by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data; and

said labor-dependent service has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

38. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 33, wherein said receiving of said billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service comprises receiving billing information pertaining to a plurality of labor-dependent services.

39. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 38, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of labor-dependent services to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer.

40. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 38 further comprising providing said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format via an interface device connected with said processor.

41. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 38, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of labor-dependent services to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer;

and further comprising providing said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format via an interface device connected with said processor.

42. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 33, wherein said at least one tolerance parameter comprises a plurality of tolerance parameters.

43. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 42, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a timeliness parameter.

44. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 42, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a duplication parameter.

45. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 42, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a price parameter.

46. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 42, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a quantity parameter.

47. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 42, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a cost conformity parameter.

48. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 42, wherein said plurality of tolerance parameters include at least two of the following parameters:

a timeliness parameter, a duplication parameter, a price parameter, a quantity parameter, and a cost conformity parameter.

49. An electronic bill-presenting method comprising:

receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer of said labor-dependent service, the host computer having a processor and an interface device;

defining a tolerance parameter relating to the labor-dependent service and storing such tolerance parameter in a database, the tolerance parameter derived from previous billing information relating to the labor-dependent service;

with said processor, processing said billing information pertaining to said consumer by auditing said billing information against at least one tolerance parameter to determine whether said billing information satisfies said at least one tolerance parameter, said processing providing processed billing information;

providing said processed billing information into a computer-viewable format which can be remotely and selectively manipulated to provide a multiplicity of informational reports which can be generated in real time; and

providing said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format via said interface device, and wherein said consumer can view said processed billing information in real time, and authorize payment thereof.

50. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 49, wherein said consumer has at least one site relative to which said labor-dependent service is rendered, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site.

51. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 49, wherein said labor-dependent service is rendered by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data.

52. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 49, wherein said labor-dependent service has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

53. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 49, wherein;

said consumer has at least one site relative to which said labor-dependent service is rendered, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site;

said labor-dependent service is rendered by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data; and

said labor-dependent service has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

54. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 49, wherein said receiving of said billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service comprises receiving billing information pertaining to a plurality of labor-dependent services.

55. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 54, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of labor-dependent services to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer.

56. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 54, wherein said processing of said billing information comprises consolidating at least some of the billing information pertaining to said plurality of labor-dependent services to provide a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer;

and wherein the providing of said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format comprises enabling said consumer to authorize payment of the consolidated amount.

57. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 49, wherein said at least one tolerance parameter comprises a plurality of tolerance parameters.

58. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 57, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a timeliness parameter.

59. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 57, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a duplication parameter.

60. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 57, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a price parameter.

61. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 57, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a quantity parameter.

62. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 57, wherein one of said plurality of tolerance parameters includes a cost conformity parameter.

63. The electronic bill-presenting method of claim 57, wherein said plurality of tolerance parameters include at least two of the following parameters:

a timeliness parameter, a duplication parameter, a price parameter, a quantity parameter, and a cost conformity parameter.

64. A bill consolidation method comprising:

receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a plurality of at least one of a service or material which has been rendered or provided, respectively, to a consumer of said service or material, the host computer having a processor and an interface device;

with said processor, processing said billing information to provide processed billing information which includes a consolidated amount which is owed by said consumer;

providing said processed billing information into a computer-viewable format having a multiplicity of selectively adjustable reports which can be generated in real time;

providing said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information in said computer-viewable format via said interface device; and

wherein said consumer can view said processed billing information which includes said consolidated amount in real time.

65. The bill consolidation method of claim 64, wherein said consumer has at least one site relative to which said service or material has been rendered or provided respectively, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site.

66. The bill consolidation method of claim 64, wherein said service or material is rendered or provided by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data.

67. The bill consolidation method of claim 64, wherein said service or material has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

68. The bill consolidation method of claim 64, wherein;

said consumer has at least one site relative to which said service or material is rendered or provided, and wherein said billing information includes site-specific data relative to said at least one site;

said service or material is rendered or provided by a service provider, and wherein said billing information includes service provider-specific data; and

said service or material has at least one cost element associated therewith, and wherein said billing information includes at least one of said at least one cost elements.

69. The bill consolidation method of claim 64, wherein the providing of said consumer with remote access to said processed billing information comprises providing a plurality of graphical formats which are selectable by said consumer for viewing said processed billing information.

70. The bill consolidation method of claim 64 further comprising enabling said consumer to electronically authorize payment of said consolidated amount via said interface.

71. The bill consolidation method of claim 64, wherein the processing of the billing information comprises auditing said billing information against at least one tolerance parameter to determine whether said billing information satisfies said at least one tolerance parameter.

72. The bill consolidation method of claim 71, wherein one of said tolerance parameters includes a timeliness parameter.

73. The bill consolidation method of claim 71, wherein one of said tolerance parameters includes a duplication parameter.

74. The bill consolidation method of claim 71, wherein one of said tolerance parameters includes a price parameter.

75. The bill consolidation method of claim 71, wherein one of said tolerance parameters includes a cost conformity parameter.

76. The bill consolidation method of claim 71, wherein one of said tolerance parameters includes a quantity parameter.

77. The bill consolidation method of claim 71, wherein said at least one tolerance parameter includes at least two of the following parameters:

a timeliness parameter, a duplication parameter, a price parameter, a quantity parameter, and a cost conformity parameter.