Computerized system and method for providing cost savings for consumers

• US 7,149,727 B1
• Filed: 11/01/2000
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ENGIE Insight Services, Inc. (ENGIE SA)
• Original Assignee: Advantage IQ, Inc. (ENGIE SA)
• Inventors: Schlect, Edward D. Jr., Nicholls, Kevin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dixon, Thomas A.
• Application Number:
  US09/704,425
• Time in Patent Office: 2,232 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/400, 705/412, 705/413, 705/23
• US Class Current: 705/412
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 4/004 Remote reading of utility meters to a fixed location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/06 Energy or water supply
• 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 computerized system and method for providing cost savings for utility users is shown and which includes defining a database in a host computer; storing in the database variable business information from a plurality of goods and services providers; receiving into the host computer goods and services related consumption information and determining an optimal business expense from the variable business expense information to provide cost savings for the customer; processing the optimal business expense information, and goods and services consumption information to provide usage-based computer viewable data which is associated with a consumer'"'"'s consumption of the goods and services; and providing the customer with computer access to the computer viewable data and wherein the customer can view the computer viewable data, from a location remote to the host computer.

Claims

1. A computerized method for selecting an appropriate utility rate to provide cost savings for a consumer, comprising:

defining a first database in a first computer;

storing in the first database consumer information collected by a first party, and wherein the consumer consumes a utility for which it desires to manage and account;

receiving in the first database utility consumption information relating to the consumer and which is collected by the first party, and whereas the utility consumption information has various portions;

analyzing the utility consumption information of the consumer against predetermined tolerance parameters by the first party and determining whether the utility consumption information satisfies the predetermined tolerance parameters;

defining a second database in a second computer, and wherein the second computer is coupled in data exchanging relation relative to the first computer;

receiving into the second database from a second party a plurality of utility rate information which relates to a plurality of utility providers;

receiving into the second computer selected portions of the utility consumption information relating to the consumer, and which satisfies the predetermined tolerance parameters, and processing the received utility consumption information by analyzing the utility consumption history relative to the utility rate information to identify a utility rate which provides potential cost savings to the consumer based upon the selected portions of utility consumption information which meets the predetermined tolerance parameters, and wherein the second computer cannot gain direct access to all of the customer consumer information stored in the first database, and the first computer cannot gain access to the utility rate information stored in the second database;

receiving into the first computer the identified utility rate which provides the consumer with potential cost savings, and processing the utility consumption information which meets the predetermined tolerance parameters and the identified utility rate to provide usage-based, computer viewable data which is associated with the consumer'"'"'s consumption of the utility and which is related to the identified utility rate;

providing the consumer with computer access to the first computer to view the computer viewable data at a location which is remote relative to the first computer, and wherein the consumer views and considers the computer viewable data related to the consumption of the utility which is associated with the identified utility rate, and then affirmatively selects the identified utility rate which meets their needs; and

establishing a compensation for the first and second parties for acting on the behalf of the consumer to provide the cost savings realized by the consumer by the affirmative selection of the identified utility rate, and wherein the consumer remits to the first and second parties a portion of the realized cost savings from affirmatively selecting the identified utility rate which provides cost savings.

2. A computerized method as claimed in claim 1, and wherein before the step of analyzing the utility consumption information, the method further comprises:

establishing predetermined tolerance parameters by the first party for analyzing the utility consumption information.

3. A computerized method as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the step of establishing a compensation for the first and second parties, further comprises:

retaining and sharing a portion of the cost savings realized as an earned fee between the first and second parties.

5. A computerized method as claimed in claim 3, and wherein after the step of receiving into the host computer the utility consumption information of the consumer, and before the step of processing the utility consumption information and the identified utility rate to provide use-based computer viewable data, the method further comprises:

determining a cost savings tolerance parameter for the consumer.

6. A computerized method as claimed in claim 5, and further comprising:

providing a second party database in a second computer, and wherein the plurality of variable utility rate information which relates to the plurality of utility providers, is accumulated by a second party and stored in the second party database, and wherein the second computer is coupled in data exchanging relation relative to the host computer, and wherein the first party computer cannot gain access to the plurality of variable utility rate information stored in the second party database, and the second party computer cannot gain access to the customer consumer'"'"'s utility consumption information stored in the first party database.

7. A computerized method as claimed in claim 6, and wherein the second party collecting the plurality of variable utility rate information is a utility rate consultant.

8. A computerized method as claimed in claim 6, and further comprising:

preparing computer readable templates by the second party and which summarize the plurality of variable utility rate information collected by the second party; and

providing the computer readable templates prepared by the second party to the host computer.

9. A computerized method as claimed in claim 8, and wherein the step of receiving into the host computer the utility consumption information relating to the consumer further comprises:

removing the consumer'"'"'s identity and assigning an encrypted identifier to the consumer, and which now relates to the utility consumption history of the consumer stored in the first database; and

providing the utility consumption information bearing the encrypted identifier to the host computer, and wherein the second party computer cannot gain access to the consumer'"'"'s identity stored in the first database.

10. A computerized method as claimed in claim 9, and wherein the step of processing the utility consumption information and the identified utility rate to provide usage-based computer viewable data further comprises:

processing the identified utility rate information which meets the predetermined tolerance parameters for the utility consumption history information bearing the encrypted identifier.

11. A computerized method as claimed in claim 10, and wherein the step of providing the consumer with remote access to the computer viewable data further comprises:

allowing the consumer'"'"'s agent to select the identified utility rate which meets the consumer'"'"'s needs;

after the step of selecting the identified utility rate, calculating a percentage of the cost savings experienced by the consumer as a result of the selection of the identified utility rate, and retaining and sharing a portion to the cost savings as an earned fee between the first party and the second party.

12. A computerized method as claimed in claim 11, and wherein the host computer is an automated clearing house provided by a third party, and wherein the earned fee is also shared with the third party.

13. A computerized method as claimed in claim 12, and wherein the utility consumption information relates to the usage of consumable resources and services.

4. A computerized method for selecting an appropriate utility rate to provide cost savings for a consumer, comprising:

defining a database in a host computer;

providing a first party database in a first party computer;

accumulating and storing in the first party database utility consumption information previously collected by the first party, and which relates to the previous utility consumption by a consumer;

processing the previous utility consumption information to provide historical billing data relating to the utility consumption by the consumer;

processing the historical billing data stored in the first database to provide predetermined tolerance parameters for the utility consumption information of the consumer;

performing an audit of the utility consumption information relating to the consumer against the predetermined tolerance parameters to determine whether the utility consumption information satisfies the predetermined tolerance parameters;

accumulating a plurality of variable utility rate information from a plurality of utility providers;

storing in the database of the host computer the variable utility rate information from the plurality of utility providers;

receiving into the host computer the utility consumption information relating to the consumer and identifying a utility rate from the plurality of variable utility rate information that provides cost savings to the consumer;

processing the utility consumption information and the identified utility rate to provide usage-based, computer viewable data which is associated with consumer'"'"'s consumption of the utility; and

providing the consumer with remote access to the computer viewable data, and wherein the consumer can view the computer viewable data at a remote location relative to the host computer, and further affirmatively acts upon the computer viewable data to select the identified utility rate which provides cost savings to the consumer.

14. A computerized method for selecting an appropriate utility rate to provide cost savings for a consumer, comprising:

accumulating a utility consumption history for at least one consumer by a first party;

analyzing the utility consumption history against predetermined tolerance parameters by the first party;

accumulating a plurality of utility rate schedules by a second party;

analyzing the utility consumption history provided by the first party by utilizing the plurality of utility rate schedules provided by the second party;

subscribing the consumer to a utility rate schedule which is identified among the plurality of utility rate schedules, and which provides cost savings for the consumer; and

compensating the first and second parties for the cost savings realized by the consumer.

15. A computerized method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the step of accumulating utility consumption history further comprises:

providing a first party computer;

defining in the first party computer a first database for storing consumer information relating to the previous utility consumption by the consumer;

processing the previous utility consumption information to provide historical billing data relating to the utilities consumption by the consumer; and

assigning an encrypted identifier to protect the consumers'"'"' identity, and wherein the encrypted identifier thereafter identifies the utility consumption information of the consumer.

16. A computerized method as claimed in claim 15, wherein after the step of defining the first database in the first party computer, and before the step of assigning an encrypted identifier to protect the consumer'"'"'s identity, the method further comprises:

providing predetermined tolerance parameters which relate to the historical billing data to the first database; and

receiving recent utility consumption information relating to the consumer and processing the recent utility consumption information against the predetermined tolerance parameters or otherwise establishing that the recent utility consumption information is valid for establishing a utility consumption history.

17. A computerized method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the step of accumulating a plurality of utility rate schedules by a second party further comprises:

providing a second party computer which is coupled in data exchanging relation relative to the first party computer, and wherein the second party computer cannot gain access to the consumer'"'"'s identity in the first database;

defining a second database in the second party computer; and

storing in the second database the plurality of utility rate schedules which were collected by the second party, and wherein the plurality of utility rate schedules are stored in the form of a computer readable template, and wherein the first party cannot gain access to the plurality of utility rate schedules which are stored in the second party database.

18. A computerized method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of processing the recent utility consumption information against the predetermined tolerance parameters further comprises:

providing a third party computer coupled in data exchanging relation relative to the first and second party computers;

defining a third party database in the third party computer;

storing in the third party database the utility consumption information bearing the encrypted identifier and which is supplied by the first party computer, and the utility rate schedules which are in the form of the computer readable template which is supplied by the second party computer;

processing the utility consumption information with the computer readable template to identify potential cost saving utility rates from among the plurality of utility rate schedules for the utility consumption information which bears the encrypted identifier; and

supplying the potential cost saving utility rates correlated to the utility consumption information bearing the encrypted identifier to the first database which is in the first party computer.

19. A computerized method as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of subscribing the consumer to a utility rate schedule further comprises:

determining cost savings tolerance parameters for the utility consumption information bearing the encrypted identifier, and wherein the cost saving tolerance parameters are stored in the first party database;

processing the potential cost saving utility rates supplied by the third party database and which meets the cost savings tolerance parameters against the utility consumption information collected by the first party;

providing the consumer with remote access to the potential cost savings utility rates meeting the cost saving tolerance parameters in a computer readable form; and

permitting the consumer to select potential cost savings utility rates which meets the consumer'"'"'s needs.

20. A computerized method as claimed in claim 19, wherein after the step of permitting the consumer to select the potential cost savings utility rates which meets the consumer'"'"'s needs, the method further comprises:

implementing the election of the consumer with respect to the potential cost savings utility rates.

21. A computerized method for selecting an appropriate utility rate to provide cost savings for a consumer, comprising:

accumulating utility consumption history into a first database for at least one consumer by a first party, and wherein the first party assigns an encrypted identifier to the identity of the consumer and which relates to the utility consumption history stored in the first database;

analyzing the utility consumption history for the at least one consumer by the first party against predetermined tolerance parameters;

accumulating a plurality of utility rate schedules by a second party into a second database, and wherein the first party transmits the utility consumption history meeting the predetermined tolerance parameters and bearing the encrypted identifier from the first database to the second database;

analyzing in the second database the transmitted utility consumption history bearing the encrypted identifier with the utility rate schedules provided by the second party to determine potential cost savings for the consumer;

reporting utility rate schedules which provide potential cost savings for the consumer'"'"'s consumption history which has been analyzed to the first party;

reporting to the consumer the utility rate schedules which provide potential cost savings by the first party;

affirmatively selecting and implementing utility rate schedules which provide advantageous cost savings by the consumer; and

compensating the first and second parties for the cost savings realized by the consumer by the selection of the advantageous utility rate schedules.

22. A computerized method as claimed in claim 21, and wherein the step of accumulating utility consumption information further comprises:

providing a first party database in a first party computer;

storing in the first party database the consumer'"'"'s utility consumption information collected by the first party, and which relates to the consumption of utilities by the consumer; and

processing the utility consumption information to provide historical billing data relating to the consumption of the utilities by the consumer; and

wherein the step of compensating the first and second parties includes sharing a portion of the cost savings realized by the consumer.

23. A computerized method as claimed in claim 22, and wherein after the step of accumulating utility consumption history into a first database, and before the first party assigns an encrypted identifier, the method further comprises:

processing the consumer'"'"'s utility consumption history accumulated in the first database to provide the predetermined tolerance parameters; and

performing an audit of the recent utility consumption information history of the consumer against the predetermined tolerance parameters to determine whether the recent utility consumption information history meets the predetermined tolerance parameters.

24. A computerized method as claimed in claim 21, and wherein before the step of analyzing in the second database the transmitted utility consumption history, the method further comprises:

determining a cost savings tolerance parameter for the customer consumer.

25. A computerized method as claimed in claim 21, and wherein after the step of affirmatively selecting and implementing utility rate schedules which provides advantageous cost savings, the method further comprises:

subscribing the consumer to the selected utility rate schedule.

26. A computerized method as claimed in claim 22, and wherein the step of sharing a portion of the cost savings realized by the consumer further comprises:

remitting payment to the first and second parties of a portion of the cost savings realized.

27. A computerized method for selecting an appropriate utility rate to provide cost savings for a consumer, comprising:

accumulating utility usage history for at least one consumer in a first database by a first party, and wherein the first party analyzes the utility usage history of the consumer and develops predetermined tolerance parameters for the utility usage history based upon the utility usage history, and wherein the consumer has an agent;

accumulating a plurality of utility rate schedules in a second database by a second party;

accumulating and storing in the first party database recent utility consumption information of the consumer;

providing an automated clearinghouse by a third party which receives the recent utility consumption information meeting the tolerance parameters from the first database, and the utility rate schedules from the second database, and wherein the automated clearing house analyzes the recent utility consumption information and the utility rate schedules received from the first and second parties to identify advantageous utility rate schedules which provide cost savings for the consumer, and which further inhibits the first and second parties from accessing the other parties data which has been submitted to the automated clearinghouse;

reporting the identified advantageous rate schedules which provide cost savings, and which have been developed by the automated clearinghouse, and the third party, to the first party;

reporting the identified advantageous rate schedules which provide cost savings to the consumer by the first party, and wherein the consumer or the agent of the utility user consumer remotely accesses the identified advantageous rate schedules to analyze and consider the identified advantageous rate schedules and then affirmatively selects a previously identified advantageous rate schedule which provides the desired cost savings; and

sharing the cost savings realized by the consumer by the affirmative selection of a previously identified advantageous rate schedule by the consumer, or agent of the consumer, and remitting a portion of the cost savings realized by the consumer or agent of the consumer to the first, second and third parties.

28. A computerized method as claimed in claim 27, and wherein the step of accumulating the utility usage history for at least one consumer in a first database further comprises:

providing a first party database in a first party computer;

storing in the first party database consumer information and the utility usage history which was previously collected by the first party,

processing the utility usage history to provide historical billing data relating to the consumption of the utilities by the consumer.

29. A computerized method as claimed in claim 28, and wherein after the step of developing the predetermined tolerance parameters for the utility usage history, the method further comprises:

performing an audit of the recent utility consumption information of the consumer which was accumulated and stored in the first party database against the predetermined tolerance parameters to determine whether the recent utility consumption information of the consumer satisfies the predetermined tolerance parameters.

30. A computerized method as claimed in claim 29, and wherein the step of accumulating a plurality of utility rate schedules in a second database further comprises:

providing a second party database in a second party computer.

31. A computerized method as claimed in claim 30, and wherein the step of providing an automated clearinghouse by a third party further comprises:

providing a third party clearinghouse computer.

32. A computerized method as claimed in claim 31, and wherein before the step of reporting the identified advantageous rate schedules which could potentially provide cost savings to the consumer, the method further comprises:

determining a cost savings parameter for the consumer.