System and method for real time generating, presenting, displaying and paying utility bills online

• US 7,098,783 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2004
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Henry B. Crichlow
• Original Assignee: Henry B. Crichlow
• Inventors: Crichlow, Henry B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US10/709,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20040243524A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 340/531, 705/63
• US Class Current: 340/531
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/145 Payments according to the detected use or quantity
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 15/003 for electricity
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 90/20 Smart grids as enabling technology in buildings sector smart grids supporting the management or operation of end-user stationary applications in general, or like technologies with no associated climate change mitigation effect Y04S20/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 20/30 Smart metering, e.g. specially adapted for remote reading

Abstract

A system for continuously providing information on the internet of the usage of a utility commodity at a meter includes an internet site at which the usage of the utility commodity at the meter can be viewed and at which a utility company can post pricing information for the use of the utility commodity at the meter. An automatic meter reader provides continuous information on the quantity of the utility commodity that is being used at the meter and information is transmitted between the automatic meter reader and the internet site. The utility company sends pricing information to the automatic meter reader and, using the pricing information, the automatic meter reader continuously calculates charges for utility usage and sends those charges to the internet site, where they are posted. The automatic meter reader can generate, present, and display real time energy use data and energy billing and can allow the customer the option of paying the bill online or at the automatic meter reader.

Claims

1. A system located at a meter site in communication with an internet site of a utility company that sells a utility commodity, said system comprising

(A) an automatic meter reader that includes a microprocessor and, independently of said internet site, provides and stores real time information on the amount of said utility commodity used at said meter, calculates the cost of said amount, and displays said information and said cost at said meter site;

and

(B) a microserver for sending information between said automatic meter reader and said internet site, whereby said utility company sends pricing information to said automatic meter reader and, using said pricing information, said automatic meter reader calculates the cost of said utility commodity and sends said cost and amount used to said internet site.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein plurality of said systems are in communication with said internet site.

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein payment is made at said internet site.

4. A system according to claim 1 including means for paying for said utility commodity at said automatic meter reader.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein access to said automatic meter reader is protected by a password.

6. A system according to claim 1 wherein said utility commodity is electric power.

7. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader calculates said cost with a delay of less than 5 minutes.

8. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader displays said information and said cost in an LCD display window.

9. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader also communicates by means of a telephone line.

10. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader also communicates by means of a wireless connection.

11. A system according to claim 1 wherein said system and said internet site also communicate by means of a direct phone link or a wireless link.

12. A system according to claim 1 wherein said system includes a means for maintaining an unique IP address for said automatic meter reader, whereby said automatic meter reader is reached online with the same ID regardless of the internet logon ID.

13. A system according to claim 1 wherein information about the amount of said commodity used is sent via an internet server provider and the internet to said utility company server, said server selects a billing algorithm and computes a bill, and said bill is converted to a web-enabled format and is displayed on a utility company website as an online bill, the above process loops continuously thereby providing real time updating of said bill.

14. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader computes a bill and said bill is converted into a web-enabled format and is displayed as a webpage on the internet.

15. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader computes a bill that is transmitted to the server of said utility company.

16. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader includes a card reader for credit or debit card payment of said bill.

17. A system according to claim 1 wherein said automatic meter reader sets off an alarm when said pricing information changes.

18. A method of generating, displaying, and paying a utility bill using a system according to claim 1 comprising installing said system at a meter site.

19. A system according to claim 1 wherein said utility commodity is natural gas.

20. A system according to claim 1 wherein said utility commodity is water.

21. A system for providing real time information on the internet and at an electric power meter site of the amount of electric power used at that meter and its cost comprising

(A) an internet site at which the power usage at said meter, the price of said power, and the charges for using said power at said meter can be viewed;

(B) an automatic meter reader that includes a microprocessor and, independently of said internet site, provides and stores real time information on the amount of said utility commodity being used at said meter, calculates the cost of said amount, generating a bill, and displays said bill at said electric power meter;

(C) means for paying said bill at said electric power meter; and

(D) means for sending information between said automatic meter reader and said internet site, whereby said utility company sends pricing information to said automatic meter reader and, using said pricing information, said automatic meter reader calculates, in real time, the cost of said electric power usage at said meter and sends usage information including said cost, said amount, said bill, and any payment of said bill to said internet site where it is posted.

22. A method of generating, displaying, and paying a utility bill using a system according to claim 21 comprising installing said system at an electric power meter site.

23. A system for providing real time information on the internet and at an electric power meter site of the amount of electric power used at that meter and its cost comprising

(A) an internet site at which the power usage at said meter, the price of said power, and the cost for using said power at said meter can be viewed;

(B) an automatic meter reader that includes a microprocessor and, independently of said internet site, provides and stores continuous information on the quantity of said utility commodity being used at said meter, calculates the cost of said amount, generating a bill, and displays said bill at said electric power meter;

(C) means for paying said bill at said electric power meter; and

(D) means for sending information between said automatic meter reader and said internet site, whereby said utility company sends pricing information to said automatic meter reader and, using said pricing information, said automatic meter reader calculates the cost, in real time, of said electric power usage at said meter, posts said amount and cost at said meter, and sends usage information including said cost, said amount, said bill, and any payment of said bill to said internet site where it is also posted; and

(D) means for directly communicating between said automatic meter reader and said utility company without communicating through said internet.

24. A method of generating, displaying, and paying a utility bill using a system according to claim 23 comprising installing said system at an electric power meter site.