Systems and methods for apportioning usage of a utility in a multi-unit building
First Claim
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1. A method for apportioning usage of a utility in a multi-unit building, the method comprising:
- (a) measuring total usage of the utility by the multi-unit building using a meter unit to produce a total usage measurement;
(b) positioning at least one sensor unit in a single unit of the multi-unit building;
(c) monitoring usage of the utility by the single unit using the at least one sensor unit without measuring a quantity of usage of the utility by the single unit to produce monitoring data;
(d) receiving the total usage measurement and the monitoring data at a processor unit;
(e) correlating the total usage measurement and the monitoring data using the processor unit to generate correlated data; and
(f) apportioning the total usage measurement to the single unit using the processor unit based on the correlated data.
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Abstract
Usage of a utility in a multi-unit building is apportioned to a single unit by measuring the total usage of the utility using a meter unit to produce a total usage measurement, then positioning at least one sensor unit in a single unit of the multi-unit building and monitoring usage of the utility by the single unit using the at least one sensor unit to produce monitoring data. Then a processor unit receives the total usage measurement and the monitoring data and correlates them to generate correlated data. Finally, the processor unit apportions the total usage measurement to the single unit based on the correlated data.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for apportioning usage of a utility in a multi-unit building, the method comprising:
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(a) measuring total usage of the utility by the multi-unit building using a meter unit to produce a total usage measurement; (b) positioning at least one sensor unit in a single unit of the multi-unit building; (c) monitoring usage of the utility by the single unit using the at least one sensor unit without measuring a quantity of usage of the utility by the single unit to produce monitoring data; (d) receiving the total usage measurement and the monitoring data at a processor unit; (e) correlating the total usage measurement and the monitoring data using the processor unit to generate correlated data; and (f) apportioning the total usage measurement to the single unit using the processor unit based on the correlated data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for apportioning utility usage in a multi-unit building, the system comprising:
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(a) a meter unit mounted to a main feed pipe for measuring the usage of the utility by the multi-unit building to generate a total usage measurement, the main feed pipe supplying the utility to the multi-unit building; (b) at least one sensor unit positioned in a single unit of the multi-unit building for monitoring use of the utility by the single unit without measuring a quantity of use of the utility by the single unit to generate monitoring data; (c) a processor unit for; receiving the total usage measurement from the meter unit; receiving the monitoring data from the at least one sensor unit; correlating the total usage measurement and the monitoring data to generate correlated data; and apportioning the total usage measurement to the single unit based on the correlated data. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification