Interactive system for managing and remotely connecting customer utility loads
First Claim
1. An interactive system for managing customer utility loads, comprising:
- a plurality of utility meters for monitoring the distribution of a product at respective said customer utility loads;
a web-based application that offers a plurality of services to a user, wherein selected of said services provide data corresponding to product distribution at selected of said customer utility loads, wherein said plurality of services comprises;
a read service to remotely read metered data corresponding to selected of said customer utility loads and subsequently display data reports corresponding to said metered data; and
a usage notification service wherein a user inputs threshold amounts of utility consumption, utility demand, or combinations thereof, and receives a notification when selected of said customer utility loads exceeds said threshold amounts;
a control network linked to said web-based application for managing the interaction of selected elements of said system and for storing various system-related data; and
a communications network linking said control network to said utility meters and for relaying communications signals.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Reexamination
Accused Products
Abstract
An interactive system for managing and remotely monitoring and effecting the connection status of a customer utility load network is disclosed. Preferred embodiments of the interactive system are utilized for customer loads that correspond to the distribution of electrical energy. The interactive system is preferably provided through a web-based application that offers a plurality of selectable services to a user. Security information is preferably required for a user to gain access to the system. Services provided may comprise a read service for providing metered customer utility data, a usage and/or demand notification service for alarming a user when utility usage and/or demand exceeds a defined threshold amount, and/or a connection service for setting a utility load as either connected or disconnected. A control system is preferably provided in conjunction with the web-based application to interface the application to other components involved in the interactive system. Such a control system preferably comprises at least a system controller for managing all nodes in the utility network and a database system for storing meter data and other system-related information. A wireless communications network is established for relaying information from the system controller and web-based utility application to any utility meters or other components linked to the system.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An interactive system for managing customer utility loads, comprising:
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a plurality of utility meters for monitoring the distribution of a product at respective said customer utility loads; a web-based application that offers a plurality of services to a user, wherein selected of said services provide data corresponding to product distribution at selected of said customer utility loads, wherein said plurality of services comprises; a read service to remotely read metered data corresponding to selected of said customer utility loads and subsequently display data reports corresponding to said metered data; and a usage notification service wherein a user inputs threshold amounts of utility consumption, utility demand, or combinations thereof, and receives a notification when selected of said customer utility loads exceeds said threshold amounts; a control network linked to said web-based application for managing the interaction of selected elements of said system and for storing various system-related data; and a communications network linking said control network to said utility meters and for relaying communications signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An interactive utility system for monitoring and effecting the distribution of a utility product to a plurality of utility loads, said interactive system comprising:
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a plurality of utility meters provided in conjunction with an arrangement for measuring or distributing said utility product, wherein each of said utility meters incorporates a radio frequency (RF) communications device for relaying selected utility information; a web-based platform providing selectable services to a user, wherein said selectable services comprise; (i) gathering and displaying data that corresponds to information gathered by selected of said utility meters; (ii) disconnecting or reconnecting product flow to selected of said utility loads; and (iii) a usage notification service wherein a user inputs threshold amounts of utility consumption, utility demand, or combinations thereof, and receives a notification when selected of said customer utility loads exceeds said threshold amounts; a communications network established among each of said utility meters and a system controller, for passing signaled information between selected of said utility meters and said system controller, and through any intermediate communication nodes thereof; and a control network for managing the operation of said interactive utility system, wherein said control network is linked to said web-based platform. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A remote system for disconnecting and reconnecting the flow of electricity at a customer utility load, comprising:
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a metering system corresponding to said customer utility load for monitoring the status of and providing consumption data corresponding to said customer utility load; a connection element provided in conjunction with said metering system for toggling between connected or disconnected status of the electricity flow; a web-based application for remotely controlling status of the electricity flow, wherein said status is characterized as either connected or disconnected, wherein said web-based application comprises a service for; connecting the electricity flow by remotely toggling the connection element to connected status; performing a series of rapid data reads to verify the connection status and to monitor instantaneous energy consumptiom; and disconnecting the electricity flow by remotely toggling the connection element to disconnected status when the instantaneous energy consumption is above a predefined threshold; and a radio frequency (RF) communications device provided in conjunction with said metering system for relaying information between said metering system and said web-based application. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification