Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHODS, APPARATUS, MEDIA AND SIGNALS FOR FACILITATING REAL-TIME
MANAGEMENT OF A UTILITY SUPPLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0001] This application relates generally to utilities, more particularly
selecting a
utility provider and utility user, automatically and on real-time basis.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] There is an increased interest in providing a competitive marketplace
for
utility providers. Further, it is well known that certain utilities are
governed by government
regulations. Moreover, it is well known that certain utilities, such as
electricity, are supplied
on a common grid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In one embodiment, there is provided a method of:
[0004] a-Producing and recording information data related to representation of
a
specific utility and the provider of that utility, at the provider site,
[0005] b-Transmitting said data to consumer sites and/or a Control & Clearing
House, and distribution system in real-time, via any available methods, and/or
networks of
telecommunication systems,
[0006] c-Receiving, verifying, processing, recording and storing of said data
at a
controller and/or a computer in the consumer site and/or Control & Clearing
House, and/or
the distribution system, in real time, via any available methods, and/or
networks of
telecommunication systems.
[0007] The features of this embodiment are advantageous because the features
of
this embodiment would promote healthy competition for price by allowing small
scale
producers to sell directly to consumer and create incentives to the private
sector in finding
alternative sources of supply and most importantly educate the consumers
towards
optimum social economically correct consumptions.
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[0008] One embodiment relates to methods, apparatus, media and signals for
performing real-time identification, differentiation, recording, storing and
communication of
utility data related to the supply of one or more types of utilities each from
a variety of utility
suppliers and/or retailers. In one embodiment, a retailer is a utility
supplier (a reseller) that
resells a utility after buying in bulk a utility supply from a supplier. In
one embodiment, the
utility data is stored at an intermediary authority, and/or at a specific
consumer site or
subscriber. One embodiment relates to the allocation of scarce energy and/or
water from a
specific supplier and/or retailer where there are many available suppliers
and/or retailers of
the same kind of utility. One embodiment is configured to provide the consumer
and/or
subscriber on a real-time basis price information related to the provided
utility, and a time
stamped usage regulations. In one embodiment, the time stamped usage
regulations are
restrictions or rules on the use or consumption of a utility by a consumer.
[0009] In one embodiment, the representation of specific utility and the
provider
may comprise: specifications of the provider, type and specification and
available quantity
of the utility, real-time price(s) (plus or minus a percentage of spot price,
for example),
government regulation information and/or limitations of usage, and
verification codes, for
example.
[0010] In one embodiment, the utility data comprises information related to
the
utility provider, utility availability, utility allocation limits, time of use
price, and specifications
of a utility service provided by multiple producers and/or retailers to a
specific consumer
and/or subscriber in real- time, and automatically billing the consumer and
clearing
accounts for all parties involved like: supplier, transmission facilitator,
and revenue agency,
etc. accordingly.
[0011] In one embodiment, a Control & Clearing House is an intermediary entity
that manages, controls, oversees and foresees the pooling of utilities,
monitor quality and
quantity standards, enforce real-time regulations, and process billing and
payment for each
utility provided by retailers or suppliers and distributors and governments.
In one
embodiment, the Control & Clearing House is linked to a Consumer Site Usage
and
Management Computer System. In one embodiment, the Control & Clearing House
may
have different departments for controlling usage or accounts clearing
features. In one
embodiment, a utility broker or a utility retailer purchases a supply of
utility in bulk and later
sells the utility to the individual consumers through the Control & Clearing
House.
[0012] In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer
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System is a programmable device located at the consumer site. In one
embodiment, the
Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System comprises the features and
advantages of programmable devices described in other patents. For example,
U.S.
Patent No. 6,842,706 B1 issued January 11, 2005 discloses methods, apparatus,
computer
readable media, and signals for managing utility usage. Generally, each
involves receiving
a representation of a utility service usage at a load, receiving and storing a
usage range
representation, and producing a control signal for use by a utility service
interrupter, when
the usage is outside of the usage range representation. The control signal is
operable to
cause the utility service interrupter to interrupt a supply of the utility
service to the load.
Each also involves receiving a control signal indicating that a usage of the
utility service at
the load is outside of a usage range representation, and interrupting the
supply of the utility
service to the load in response to the control signal. In one embodiment, a
consumer site
has a programmable device that is configured to control a utility consuming
device.
Additionally, U.S. Patent No. 6,842,706 B1 issued January 11, 2005 discloses
systems and
methods for monitoring subscriber usage of a utility service and for billing a
subscriber for
utility service usage, which are all features include in one embodiment of the
Consumer
Site Usage and Management Computer System.
[0013] In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer
System comprises the features disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,842,706 B1 issued
January
11, 2005 for producing and storing a plurality of measurements of usage of the
utility
service, measuring usage of a plurality of utility services, obtaining rate
information for at
least some of the utility services, applying the rate information to the at
least some of the
utility services to produce at least some billing values for the at least some
utility services,
and causing at least some bills to be produced, bearing the at least some
billing values,
and producing a billing signal in response to a request for the bill to be
produced.
[0014] In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer
System is a programmable device connected to a communications network and to a
utility
consuming device such that the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer
System is configured to control the utility consuming device and/or the amount
of utility
provided or consumed by the utility consuming device. In one embodiment, the
Consumer
Site Usage and Management Computer System comprises a network interface to
receive
and send a data stream. In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and
Management
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Computer System comprises a storage medium for storing data. In one
embodiment, the
Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System comprises a processor
configured to process a data stream in real-time to determine and select a
preferred utility
provider at given time.
[0015] In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and Control System is a
programmable device or computer system that stores and records the consumer
data
specifically relating to utility usage, utility usage billing and consumer
choice and
preference information. In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and Control
System reduces the need to centrally store such consumer data thereby reducing
the high
volume of data created and stored at a Control & Clearing House and/or at the
Utility Site.
[0016] In one embodiment, a utility includes but is not limited to:
electricity, gas,
drinking or industrial or reclaimed or irrigation water, cold and/or hot
water, telephone,
cable TV and/or satellite TV, internet access, waste water or sewage drainage,
data flow,
and flow of chemicals that may enter or exit from a consumer site by means of
conductor
or pipe, RF (radio frequency), MW (Micro Wave), light and other carriers, in
common public
or private grids or networks. In one embodiment, a utility includes services
related to the
processing and/or removal and/or drainage of waste water or chemical
discharges.
[0017] In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting and/or receiving a
data stream from and/or between a server computer and a Consumer Site Usage
and
Management Computer System by a carrier wave, wire, RF, IR (infrared),
microwave,
laser, internet, PSTN, or via relaying satellite/s or any other means for
transmitting a data
stream. In one embodiment the server computer is located at a utility provider
site. In one
embodiment, the server computer is located at Control & Clearing House. In one
embodiment, the server computer is located at a regulatory authority. In one
embodiment,
the server computer is located at the distribution and transmission site. In
one
embodiment, the regulatory authority is a government entity or a regulatory
entity or an
entity that establishes rules for consuming a utility. In one embodiment, the
regulatory
authority produces rule data or causes a third party entity to produce rule
data related to
the regulation of the use or consumption of a utility by a consumer. In one
embodiment,
the distribution and transmission entity is an entity that distributes and/or
transmits a utility
over pipelines or wires or other means.
[0018] In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting and/or receiving a
data stream in a programmable device/computer by a carrier wave via wire, RF,
IR,
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microwave, laser, internet, PSTN and any other contemporary methods directly
or via
relaying satellite/s, and/or by direct interface input at the consumer site
and/or a Control &
Clearing House, for example
[0019] In one embodiment, the method includes recognizing the utility type and
the
utility provider in the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System
and/or
Control & Clearing House computer from a machine readable code by comparing
the code
to a stored lookup table or information inputted by consumer through an input
device. In
one embodiment, the utility type and utility provider information transmitted
to the
Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System and/or the Control &
Clearing
House computer as a text file.
[0020] In one embodiment, utility provider data is derived from
differentiating
between the different suppliers/retailers of same kind of utility by
extracting and processing
the various specification and information from the data stream at the Consumer
Site Usage
and Management Computer System and/or Control & Clearing House. In one
embodiment, the utility provider is recorded and stored in the Consumer Site
Usage and
Management Computer System. In one embodiment, utility provider data is
recorded and
stored in the Control & Clearing House computer. In one embodiment, utility
provider data
includes but is not limited information and data related to the utility
provider and the utility
offered by the provider. In one embodiment, the utility provider data includes
but is not
limited to price of the utility, quality of utility, billing information
related to the provider.
[0021] In one embodiment, a utility provider records and stores within a
utility
provider server the specification and information related to the utility that
the provider is
offering. In one embodiment, the method includes recording and storing within
a utility
provider server the specification and information related to the utility that
the provider is
offering.
[0022] In one embodiment, the method includes comparing utility provider data
with
consumer preference data. In one embodiment, consumer preference data is known
as
consumer data. In one embodiment, consumer preference data is a representation
of
consumer preferences and priorities, and is recorded and stored in the
Consumer Site
Usage and Management Computer System. In one embodiment, a selection of
utility
provider is based on consumer preference data.
[0023] In one embodiment, the method includes comparing utility provider data
with
values inputted by a consumer through an interface device to select a
preferred provider of
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a particular utility.
[0024] In one embodiment, the method includes comparing utility provider data
received from a particular utility provider with other utility provider data
transmitted from the
Control & Clearing House to select a preferred provider of a particular
utility. In one
embodiment, the utility provider data received from the Control & Clearing
House is
recorded and stored in the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System
to
allow the consumer to command, in real-time, the Control & Clearing House to
provide the
consumer with a particular utility from a preferred utility provider at a
particular time. In one
embodiment, the utility provider data received from a utility provider is
recorded and stored
in the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System to allow the
consumer to
command, in real-time, the Control & Clearing House to provide the consumer
with a utility
from said utility provider at a particular time.
[0025] In one embodiment, consumer preference data comprises consumer
preferences related to selecting a provider, and include but are not limited
to: lowest price,
green production methods, location of the producer, reliability, fewer
blackouts or
disruptions, political or social affiliation or orientation, type of the
resources used, price,
billing and payment flexibility of the provider.
[0026] In one embodiment, the method includes comparing the consumer
preference data to regulatory data received from a utility usage curtailment
authority or
other utility regulatory entity or entity that creates by-laws or ordinances.
In one
embodiment, the regulatory data is received by the Consumer Site Usage and
Management Computer System and/or Control & Clearing House, and defines the
limits of
utility consumption and/or allowable providers, suppliers and/or retailers. In
one
embodiment, regulatory data comprises rules or regulations prohibiting the use
of industrial
grade energy by kitchen appliances. In one embodiment, the regulatory data
comprises
rules or regulations prohibiting the use of drinking water for watering lawns
or washing
cars.
[0027] In one embodiment, the method includes comparing utility provider data
from various providers and recording and storing the data in the Consumer Site
Usage and
Management Computer System and/or Control & Clearing House systems. In one
embodiment, the utility provider data is stored in a database in the Consumer
Site Usage
and Management Computer System. In one embodiment, the Consumer Site Usage and
Management Computer System ranks the utility providers based on the
corresponding
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utility provider data stored within the database. In one embodiment, the
Consumer Site
Usage and Management Computer System derives utility provider comparison
charts that
comprise data related to a plurality of utility providers and corresponding
data related to the
utility that the provider is offering.
[0028] In one embodiment, the plurality of utility providers comprises at
least a first
provider and a second provider that supplies a consumer with a particular
utility. In one
embodiment, a first utility data relates to the first provider and comprises
information
related to the utility that is provided by the provider and information
related to the utility
provider. In one embodiment, a second utility data relates to the second
provider.
[0029] In one embodiment, the method includes receiving consumer preference
information and storing the consumer preference information into a consumer
preference
database located in the Consumer Site Usage and Control System. In one
embodiment,
the method includes receiving regulatory data into a regulatory data database
located in
the Consumer Site Usage and Control System. In one embodiment, the consumer
reference information and the regulatory data is received and recorded in at
least one
database located in the Control & Clearing House computers. In one embodiment,
the
method includes creating charts of preferences as inputted by a consumer,
and/or directed
by utility regulators in Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System
and/or
Control & Clearing House computers.
[0030] In one embodiment, the method includes processing the utility provider
data
and the consumer preference data and the regulatory data to select a preferred
utility
provider. In one embodiment, the processing is performed by the Consumer Site
Usage
and Management Computer System and/or the Control & Clearing House computers.
In
one embodiment, the method includes utilizing and comparing the utility
provider
comparison charts with the charts of preferences to select a preferred utility
provider. In
one embodiment, the comparison is performed by the Consumer Site Usage and
Management Computer System and/or the Control & Clearing House computers.
[0031] In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, in real-time, from a
utility
provider different price codes for different usages or loads at a particular
time. In one
embodiment, the different price codes are received in the Consumer Site Usage
and
Control System and/or in the Control & Clearing House computers.
[0032] In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, in real-time,
different
consumer choice data for different usages or loads at a particular time. In
one
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embodiment, the consumer choice data is received in the Consumer Site Usage
and
Control System and/or in the Control & Clearing House computers and/or in the
utility
provider server.
[0033] In one embodiment, the method includes receiving, in real-time, from a
utility
provider different utility specifications and information related to different
usages or loads at
a particular time. In one embodiment, the different utility specifications and
information are
received in the Consumer Site Usage and Control System and/or in the Control &
Clearing
House computers.
[0034] In one embodiment, there is provided a computer readable medium for
providing instruction codes executable by a programmable device, for directing
the
programmable device to receive a representation of a utility and the utility
provider at
consumer site and/or Control & Clearing House. In one embodiment, the
programmable
device receives and stores usage rules and limitations from a utility
regulating entity and/or
distribution system. In one embodiment, the programmable device compares the
representation of a utility and the provider, and the usages rules and
limitations with a utility
usage by a consumer to determine whether the utility usage conforms to the
rules and
limitations. In one embodiment, the programmable device produces a signal
indicating
conformed usage, and a signal to be used by a billing and usage control
system. In one
embodiment, the programmable device is the Consumer Site Usage and Management
Computer System.
[0035] In one embodiment, there is provided a computer data signal embodied in
a
carrier. The computer data signal includes code segments for directing a
plurality of
programmable devices to transmit a representation of a utility and the
provider, rules and
regulations related to utility usage, and/or grid capacity information,
consumer choices and
preferences information, and a signal to be used by a billing and usage
control system.
[0036] In one embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for communicating,
recognizing, differentiating, recording and storing a representation of a
utility and the utility
provider at the consumer site and/or Control & Clearing House, communicating
with
regulators in order to receive current and time stamped regulation of usage,
and/or
communicating with distribution system to receive grid capacity, and receiving
consumer
input of preferred provider preferences.
[0037] In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a programmable device, a
processor circuit, a communication device, and be linked to a utility usage
management
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system. In one embodiment, the programmable devise is the Consumer Site Usage
and
Management Computer System.
[0038] In one embodiment, the communication device is operable to communicate
with a plurality of utilities providers, plurality of utility regulatory
entities, plurality of grids
capacity entities, a plurality of distributors, a plurality of consumer sites,
and plurality of
billing and payment entities.
[0039] In one embodiment, there is a method of supplying a Consumer Site Usage
and Management Computer System with a utility provided by plurality of
providers who
have a real-time access, and providing real time representation of the
provider and the
utility, to a Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System, and to an
intermediary authority, the method comprising: a) producing a representation
of a utility and
the provider at provider site recording and storing the said representation at
the said site,
then transmitting the said representation from the said provider site; b)
receiving, recording,
and storing representation of rule and regulation of consumptions from the
authorities, in
the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System, and Control & Clearing
House computer; c) receiving, recording, and storing representation of the
utility and the
provider at Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System and Control &
Clearing House, and distribution and transmission system computer; d)
receiving,
recording and storing consumer choice parameter and preferred provider's
specification at
the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System and/or Control &
Clearing
House computer; e) processing received information b, c, and d, at the
Consumer Site
Usage and Management Computer System and finding the most suitable provider
among
many for the given time for a utility consumed.
[0040] One embodiment relates to the method wherein at least one of the first
or
second providers is a producer and supplier of a utility. One embodiment
relates to the
method wherein at least one of the first and second providers is a retail
supplier of a utility,
wherein a retailer is a utility supplier that resells a utility. One
embodiment relates to the
method wherein receiving/ transmitting comprises a message in a format of code
executable by a programmable device from or by a communication system. One
embodiment relates to the method wherein wherein receiving comprises
extracting the
code from a network protocol. One embodiment relates to the method wherein
receiving
recording and storing comprises receiving recording and storing plurality of:
b) said rule
and regulation, c) said representation of the utility and the provider and/or
grid capacity d)
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said consumer choice parameter.
[0041] One embodiment relates to the method of step (a) and comprises
producing
presentations of plurality of utilities and/or group of providers at the
provider site. One
embodiment relates to the method and further comprises a plurality of Control
& Clearing
Houses with multiple departments for various activities. One embodiment
relates to the
method and further comprises a plurality of consumer sites usage management
systems.
One embodiment relates to the method and further comprises a plurality of
consumer
choice parameters. One embodiment relates to the method and further comprises
a
plurality of transmission and distribution systems. One embodiment relates to
the method
and further comprises a group of consumers. One embodiment relates to the
method
wherein the processing comprises comparing received data with preset data and
deriving a
conclusion for most suitable provider. One embodiment relates to the method
wherein
processing comprises comparing plurality of received, and preset data and
deriving
conclusion for most suitable provider.
[0042] One embodiment relates to the method and further comprises providing
processed data of utility provider and its real time price to be used for
billing in the
consumer site's billing system as described in U.S. Publication No.
20060129497
published June 15, 2006, for example, or any other billing systems. One
embodiment
relates to the method and further comprises transmitting processed data of
utility
representation and the provider to a display or annunciation device. One
embodiment
relates to the method wherein entering representation of a utility and the
provider into the
control& clearing house computer is directly from the consumer site by an
interface device
or phone. One embodiment relates to the method wherein entering consumer
choice
parameters into the consumer site usage management system are directly from
the site by
an interface device. One embodiment relates to the method and comprises an
interface
user apparatus, for example, card reader, keyboard, PDA (personal digital
assistant), voice
recognition input device, telephone, and pre-programmed keys etc.
[0043] One embodiment relates to the method wherein representation of utility
may
include different prices for different usages or loads simultaneously. One
embodiment
relates to the method wherein consumer choice may include different choices
for different
usages or loads simultaneously. One embodiment relates to the method wherein
different
usage codes are initiated by the load itself or the consumer. One embodiment
relates to
the method wherein processing includes calculating fees to be paid to
provider, and
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distribution and transmission system, and revenue agencies as a factor of
consumption
and real time price simultaneously, and billing the consumer accordingly. One
embodiment
relates to the method and further comprises using the usage management
apparatus on
consumer site.
[0044] One embodiment relates to an apparatus for facilitating consumer usage
of
a utility from plurality of providers, apparatus comprising: a) a programmable
device at
provider site to generate representation of utility and the provider data
signals live in real
time; b) a programmable device at control and clearing house to receive and
process data
from provider, distribution, regulator, and consumer; c) a programmable device
at
consumer site to receive and process consumer choice parameters, regulations,
and
provider and utility representations and process and derive comparisons to
find most
suitable supplier of time of use, and report the results to Control & Clearing
House; d) a
programmable device at distribution and transmission system side to receive
utility and
provider representation supplying to the grid, and communicate grid or network
capacities
to the regulators, consumer usage management system and control and clearing
house; e)
a communication device operable to receive and send above said data among the
said
apparatus a, b, c, and d; and f) data storage devices operable to record and
store data
produced, and located at each above said apparatus a),b),c), and d),
locations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for facilitating the
consumption
of a utility provided to a consumer site from a variety of suppliers and/or
retailers. In one
embodiment, the system oversees the whole process, monitors the utility
supply, bills the
consumer, and clears the accounts on a real time basis by interacting with the
Control &
Clearing House.
[0046] Figure 2 is a tabular representation of a utility and a provider that
is
transmitted between the provider and/or Control & Clearing House and/or the
Consumer
Site Usage and Management Computer System.
[0047] Figure 3 is a tabular representation of rules and regulations that
govern utility
consumption by the consumer on a real-time basis. In one embodiment, the
representation
is transmitted from utility regulating authorities to the Control & Clearing
House and/or to
the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System.
[0048] Figure 4 is a tabular representation of consumer choice and
preferences.
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[0049] Figure 5 is a tabular representation of utility providers stored in a
Consumer
Site Usage and Management Computer System in real time. In one embodiment, the
utility
providers are ranked.
[0050] Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting a process of pooling, distribution,
and
regulating, billing and clearing the accounts for transmission of a utility
service.
[0050.1] Figure 7 is a flow chart depicting the process of determining a
preferred
provider.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0051] Referring to Figure 1, in one embodiment, the system includes: a
plurality of
suppliers 1 of a utility, and a plurality of retailers 9 of the same utility.
In one embodiment, the
suppliers and the retailers are the providers of utility services. In one
embodiment, the
retailers are companies or individuals or entities that buy the utility to be
supplied at a specific
date and time at a discounted wholesale price from the suppliers, and the
retailers may sell
the utility to consumers at rates higher or lower than the spot price at
another time. In one
embodiment, the utility pool 2 is the location where all supplies of a
particular type of utility
are combined or added together, such that participant suppliers can put their
utility products
from any location on the grid. In one embodiment, even small producers who
have difficulty
in competing in regulated markets because the small producers have difficulty
handling the
metering and billing functions by themselves can benefit from these features.
In one
embodiment, the utility products are transmitted and distributed on a
distribution and
transmission system 3 (for waves and signals distributed over a wire or
wireless networks) to
the consumer sites, then utility usage management system 4, an automatic
system that can
make measurements and flow adjustments, and process data. In one embodiment,
the utility
usage management system 4 forms part of or is the Consumer Site Usage and
Management
Computer System as described herein. In one embodiment, the communication
system 5
facilitates all communications between the providers 1, the suppliers 9, the
usage
management system 4 at consumer sites, the Control & Clearing House 8, the
distribution
and transmission system 3, regulators 6, and the billing and clearing house 8,
the regulation
and by-law authority 6, which dictates utility usage rules to the usage
management system 4
and the Control & Clearing House 8. In one embodiment, the communication
system 5 also
facilitates all communications between the consumers 7 and the suppliers 1 and
the retailers
9. In one embodiment, the suppliers 1 and retailers 9 directly communicate
with a consumer 7
and the usage management system 4 via media connections or links a and b.
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[0052] In one embodiment, the distribution and transmission 3 charges each
consumer a levy or fee that is proportional to consumption of each utility as
a "delivery
charge" and paid to the entity that operates and maintains and expands the
grid or the
network.
[0053] In one embodiment, regulators 6 (for example, a congress, a city
government, or district authority, etc.) impose consumption limits to create a
utility reserve
in the pool to prevent disconnections, blackouts, or bandwidth congestions. In
one
embodiment, a rule specifies that at the time of large scale disaster, house
to house phone
calls are to be limited to two minutes at a time for example. In one
embodiment, a rule
specifies that lawn water sprinklers are to be limited to one hour of use
between 6-10 pm
when water reserves are low for example. In one embodiment, a rule specifies
that neon
signs or swimming pool heaters are to be turned off during the day if power
reserves are
low.
[0054] In one embodiment, the Control & Clearing Houses 8 controls the process
of
managing utility flow and/or selecting a preferred utility provider. In one
embodiment, the
Control & Clearing House 8 connects to the consumer site 7, and also connects
to the
suppliers 1 and retailers 9. In one embodiment, the Control & Clearing House 8
creates a
price index or comparison chart to provide to consumers. In one embodiment,
the Control
& Clearing House 8 connects to utility regulating authorities 6 and to
distributors 3. In one
embodiment, the Control & Clearing House 8 connect to the consumer 7 via
phone, media,
or direct contact with consumer to promote voluntary conservation.
[0055] In one embodiment, the utility usage management system 4 controls the
process of managing utility flow and/or selecting a preferred utility
provider. In one
embodiment, the utility usage management system 4 measures utility usages in
real time,
and is configured to disconnect, reconnect and adjust the utility consumption
at the
consumer site
7. In one embodiment, the utility usage management system 4 reports deficiency
of the
appliances and machinery to the consumer 7 and the Control & Clearing House 8.
In one
embodiment, the utility usage management system 4 prints or displays a derived
bill for all
types of utilities consumed at a consumer site 7. In one embodiment, the
utility usage
management system 4 produces a bill by tallying each segment of real time
priced
consumption and the system is configured to pay the bill on behalf of the
consumer 7. In
one embodiment, the utility usage management system 4 chooses, in real-time, a
preferred
13
CA 02621287 2008-02-07
utility supplier at any point in time for a consumer site 7. In one
embodiment, the utility
usage management system 4 produces data for payments allotted to each
provider,
distribution and transmission authority, and revenue agency during the
consumption period
and sends the data to the Control & Clearing House 8 which clears the accounts
with all
participant suppliers 1 and retailers 9.
[0056] In one embodiment, the suppliers 1 are separate from retailers 9. In
one
embodiment, the suppliers 1 physically produce utility product. In one
embodiment, the
suppliers 1 include but are not limited to owners of underground water
reservoirs who
pump and refine and put their products in municipal pipes and reservoirs,
power plants and
wind and solar power generators, gas refineries, sewage treatment plants,
phone and
cable companies etc. who pool their product in common grids or networks of
supply. In
one embodiment, the retailers 9 generally do not have infrastructure to
produce utilities or
generate carrier waves or process waste but they buy these products and
services from
the producers at wholesale or future options price, and by advertising or
contacting
consumers sell their products on a + or ¨ percentage of spot price. An
advantage of the
embodiments described herein is a consumer site 7 is capable of contracting
with multiple
suppliers 1 and/or retailers 9 simultaneously over a period of time as oppose
to contracting
with only one supplier or retailer over a period of time. Another advantage of
the
embodiments described herein is that suppliers 1 are able to sell their
services directly to
consumer and by pass the retailers 9.
[0057] In one embodiment, the utility pool 2 is the location where all utility
supplies
converge after having met certain synchronization and other standards. In one
embodiment, the utility pool 2 is the location where utility supplies are
aggregated and sent
to reservoirs, grids, and/or networks. In one embodiment, small utility
producers are able
to supply or send their utility supplies to the utility pool 2 thereby
providing the small
producers a chance to profit fairly from their operations and search for
alternative sources
of supply and/or consumers for their supply.
[0058] In one embodiment, the communication system 5 manages the data and
signals transmission between all other entities in Figure 1. In one
embodiment, all
information and related produced instruction and information codes, which are
executable
by a programmable device, are sent between the communication system 5 and
other
entities. In one embodiment, the communication 5 is capable of communicating
on any
available method of communication. In one embodiment, the communication system
5 is
14
CA 02621287 2008-02-07
configured to communicate on, but is not limited to, a PTSN, the internet, RF,
IR (infrared),
laser, WIFI, WAN, LAN. In one embodiment, the communication system 5 is
configured to
communicate on a wireless network or a wired network.
[0059] In one embodiment, the consumer 7 is reached by suppliers 1 and/or
retailers 9 directly or by media advertisement or on site display (including a
small dialogue
box on the corner of TV screen or special channel). In one embodiment, the
consumer 7 is
provide privileges and/or incentives for short or long term contracts with
suppliers 1 and/or
retailers 9. In one embodiment, the consumer 7 has access to several suppliers
1 and/or
retailers 9 of one type utility at any time and is enabled to choose among
different suppliers
1 or retailers 9 on real-time basis. In one embodiment, the consumer 7 is
enabled to buy
heating gas, power, water, phone, cable, internet, and sewage discharge
services from
different suppliers 1 and retailers 9 at different minutes and hours of the
day 24/7 on a real-
time basis. In one embodiment, the utility usage management system 4
facilitates contacts
and billings. In one embodiment, the utility usage management system 4 is
configured to
pay the produced bills from the appointed consumer account automatically.
[0060] Figure 2 is a representation of information about a particular type of
utility
and the available utility providers in tabular format in the first column. In
one embodiment,
the utility providers are shown in the top row and each utility provider is
represented by a
binary code. In one embodiment, each group of utility providers for a specific
type of utility
is separated by a blank row. In one embodiment, a utility provider code
identifies the utility
provider. In one embodiment, the second column lists the types of utilities
available. In one
embodiment, the binary code 100 is for power, 110 is for water and 010 is for
phone and so
forth. In one embodiment, the third and forth columns contain a binary code of
10 for a
retailer and 01 for a producer. In one embodiment, columns five, six and seven
represent
different types of utility production and each production type is represented
by a different
code. In one embodiment, the code 000 is for nuclear, 010 is hydro powers, and
100 is
gas. In one embodiment, column 8 represents consumption type, and column 9
represents
the available quantity of a utility in real time. In one embodiment, column 10
represents the
utility quality of a utility, and column 11 is a representation of real time
rates. In one
embodiment, all representations are in binary codes. In one embodiment, the
columns
x,y,... represent other specifications. In one embodiment, a code:
1101110110011101000101110, specifies that water supplier x who is a producer
and
produces from a well, has a history of some disconnections, produces home
quality water,
CA 02621287 2008-02-07
at a real time price $0.02 per liter, and has a reserve of 222 Kilo Cubic
Meter at this real
time. In one embodiment, such a code is produced, recorded, and stored at a
utility
provider supplier and then is communicated to Control & Clearing House,
distribution and
transmission system, and/or consumer site.
[0061] Figure 3 is an example of a tabular representation of rules and
regulations
that govern consumption by a consumer on a real-time basis. In one embodiment,
the
regulations and restrictions are applied when inventory of one or more
supplies of a
particular utility is nearing critical levels, or capacity of transmission
network or grid is
nearing maximum levels. In one embodiment, the restrictions 1, 2, and 3
represent
different restrictions for different types of utilities. In one embodiment, a
restriction law for
power prohibits turning on advertising neon lights during daylight hours,
turning on
swimming pool water heater at specific times. In one embodiment, a restriction
law for
water prohibits the use of lawn watering systems when evaporation is high and
water
reservoir levels are low. In one embodiment, a restriction law for internet
usage prohibits
internet gaming during office hours and emergencies due to dangers of
congestion and/or
dropping data transfer rates. In one embodiment, all restrictions are
translated to a code
format executable by a programmable device. In one embodiment, the
programmable
device is the utility usage management system computers at consumer site
and/or the
Control & Clearing House computers.
[0062] Figure 4 is tabular example demonstrating consumer choice and
preferences in one embodiment. In one embodiment, consumer preferences are
given a
priority number. In one embodiment, priority 1 reveals a consumer wish to use
green
power, spring water, gas produced by bio degrading waste, low priced long
distance
phone, and movie channel package for cable television (CAT). In one
embodiment, all the
cells of the table are translated into binary codes and conform to coding of
Figure 2 and the
result can be similar to tabular format in Figure 5 and communicated to the
utility usage
management system and the Control & Clearing House computers.
[0063] Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting the flow of a utility from a provider
to a
consumer site (left side of flowchart and shown in solid arrow), and the flow
of data signals
(right side of flowchart and shown in dotted lines). In one embodiment, most
of dotted lines
are two way data communication. In one embodiment, the Control & Clearing
House 4
sends billing and account clearing information to the service provider 1, and
receives utility
and the provider representation from the provider 1. In one embodiment, the
consumer 8
16
CA 02621287 2008-07-23
enters the consumer choice and preference data into the utility usage
management system
7 located at the consumer site or the consumer provides the data to the
Control & Clearing
House 4 over the phone. In one embodiment, the consumer receives a display of:
usage,
price, and billing information at the consumer site. In one embodiment, one
way
communication occurs between the utility regulating authority 5 and the
utility usage
management system 6 located at the consumer site. In one embodiment, one way
communication occurs between the utility regulating authority 5 and the
Control & Clearing
House 4. In one embodiment, one way communications occur because the
regulations and
by-laws are written, debated and passed by legislation and the regulations are
recorded in
the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer System 7 and/or control
center. In
one embodiment, the regulations are activated by time and situational factors,
for example,
curtailment of usage might not be enforced unless inventory of pool goes down
or
transmission capacity peaks. In one embodiment, two way communications occur
between
the regulatory authority and the Consumer Site Usage and Management Computer
System
7 to ensure consumers are complying with the regulations. In one embodiment,
two way
communications occur between the regulatory authority and the Control &
Clearing House
4 to ensure consumers are complying with the regulations. In one embodiment,
consumers voluntarily comply with some regulatory rules limiting utility
consumption and
consumers input consumer preference data into utility usage management system
7. In
one embodiment, the direction of utility flow shown by solid arrows would be
considered
reversed for each provider of a utility service for sewage and other disposal.
[0063.1] Figure 7 is a flow chart depicting the process of determining a
preferred
utility provider. In certain embodiments, the method of determining a
preferred utility
provider comprises electronically receiving 701 a first utility data from a
first provider;
electronically receiving 703 a second utility data from a second provider;
electronically
receiving 705 rule data related to a regulation of usage of a utility;
electronically receiving
707 consumer data related to a consumption of the utility by a consumer;
electronically
receiving 709 grid data related to availability or grid capacity from a
distribution authority;
automatically processing 711 in real-time the first utility data, the second
utility data, the
rule data, the consumer data, and the grid data to determine a preferred
provider selected
from a group of providers comprising at least the first provider and the
second provider.
[0064] As used herein, the word module refers to logic embodied in hardware or
firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, possibly having entry
and exit points,
17
CA 02621287 2008-07-23
written in a programming language, such as, for example, C or C++. A software
module
may be compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamic
link library,
or may be written in an interpreted programming language such as, for example,
BASIC,
PerlTM, or PythonTM. It will be appreciated that software modules may be
callable from other
modules or from themselves, and/or may be invoked in response to detected
events or
interrupts. Software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an
EPROM. It will
be further appreciated that hardware modules may be comprised of connected
logic units,
such as gates and flip-flops, and/or may be comprised of programmable units,
such as
programmable gate arrays or processors. The modules described herein are
preferably
implemented as real time operating software modules, but may be represented in
hardware
or firmware.
[0065] While specific embodiments of the invention have been described and
illustrated, such embodiments, or examples in descriptions, should be
considered
illustrative and informative only and not limiting the invention as construed
with the
accompanying claims.
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