ELECTRICAL POWER METERING AND BILLING NETWORK
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method to facilitate the purchase of electricity between a static provider and a dynamic customer, comprising:
- establishing a communications connection between an enabling device and a transaction center;
receiving information about a plug associated with the customer and an outlet associated with the provider;
utilizing a computer in the transaction center to calculate a cost of electricity based at least on the received plug and outlet information; and
sending the cost of electricity to the enabling device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for facilitating the purchase of electricity between static provider (e.g, an Outlet Owner (OO)) and dynamic/mobile customer (e.g., a Plug Holder (PH)). The system can create open-market, real-time rate and cost determinations based on the conditions of a Charging Instance (CI) and other electricity transfers. In an embodiment, the invention can provide a Transaction Center configured to receive Charging Instance information over communications links. The Transaction Center can include computers and storage devices configured to process Charging Instance data and reconcile accounts of Plug Holders and Outlet Owners. The Transaction Center can be configured to determine the cost of electricity for a particular outlet and a particular plug. Promotional and market data can be used to calculate the cost. Clusters of outlets and groups of Plug Holders can be established. The Transaction Center can perform heuristic analysis of the data associated with a collection of Charging Instances. Users can receive predictive data for their vehicle configuration and current state based on accumulated data. The Transaction Center can communicate with Enabling Devices, Outlets, Connected Devices, and Vehicles.
220 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method to facilitate the purchase of electricity between a static provider and a dynamic customer, comprising:
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establishing a communications connection between an enabling device and a transaction center; receiving information about a plug associated with the customer and an outlet associated with the provider; utilizing a computer in the transaction center to calculate a cost of electricity based at least on the received plug and outlet information; and sending the cost of electricity to the enabling device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for determining and reconciling costs associated with charging an electric load, comprising:
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at least one data storage device having an interface for communicating over a computer network, the data storage device including a data structure comprising; a plug ID associated with the electric load; an outlet ID associated with an electrical source; a charging instance ID associated with a single charging instance; at least one server computer having an interface for communicating over a computer network, wherein the server computer is programmed to; communicate with the data storage device; receive charging instance data comprising a plug ID and an outlet ID; generate a charging instance ID; store the charging instance ID, plug ID and outlet ID in the data storage device; calculate a cost associated with the charging instance data; and transmit the cost associated with the charging instance data over the computer network. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus to enable the purchase of electricity, comprising:
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a communications module configured to transmit and receive data over a network; an electrical monitoring module configured to measure the electrical current flowing from the outlet to a load; an electrical switch; a controller including a memory module and a processor programmed to; transmit a charging instance request including an Outlet ID and a Plug ID; receive a charging instance approval; control the electrical switch to allow electricity to flow from the outlet to the load based on the charging instance approval; periodically transmit charging instance information including electrical current measurement data; terminate the charging instance; and transmit a charging instance summary including the duration or amount of electricity transferred during the charging instance. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification