公开(公告)号：US6088688A

公开(公告)日：2000-07-11

申请号：US290016

申请日：1999-04-08

申请人： Gerry Crooks ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dan Bowers ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Blaine French ,  Janna Genzberger ,  David D. Holmes ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Dave Miller ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Ed Schlect

发明人： Gerry Crooks ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dan Bowers ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Blaine French ,  Janna Genzberger ,  David D. Holmes ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Dave Miller ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Ed Schlect

IPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/10 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/00 ,  G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/102 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/008 ,  G06Q40/125 ,  Y04S10/60 ,  Y04S50/10 ,  Y04S50/12 ,  Y04S50/14 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Computerized resource accounting methods and systems, and in particular computerized utility resource management methods and systems, multi-user utility resource management methods and systems, and energy-consumption-based tracking methods and systems are described. In one implementation, a host computer includes a processor, an interface device and a database defined therein for maintaining information pertaining to one or more customers of one or more resources. Resource usage information is received into the host computer pertaining to consumption of one or more of the resources by one or more of the customers at one or more customer site. The resource usage information is processed to provide usage-based, computer-viewable data associated with a respective customer's consumption of one or more of the resources. In a preferred aspect, each customer is provided with computer access to the computer-viewable data through the interface device, wherein the customer can view the data at a location which is remote from the host computer. Preferably, the computer-viewable data comes in the form of a plurality of different graphical reports, including numerical and tabulated reports, which can be selected by a customer. For customers with multiple sites, the viewable data for the various sites can be viewed remotely and in a plurality of different report formats. In a preferred implementation, utility resource usage information, e.g. electricity, gas, water, etc . . . , is tracked, maintained, and made available to facilitate decision making.

摘要翻译： 描述了计算机资源会计方法和系统，特别是计算机化的公用事业资源管理方法和系统，多用户实用程序资源管理方法和系统以及基于能量消耗的跟踪方法和系统。 在一个实现中，主计算机包括处理器，接口设备和在其中定义的数据库，用于维护与一个或多个资源的一个或多个客户有关的信息。 资源使用信息被接收到主计算机中，涉及由一个或多个客户站点中的一个或多个客户消费一个或多个资源。 处理资源使用信息以提供与相应客户对一个或多个资源的消费相关联的基于用户的可计算机可见数据。 在优选的方面，通过接口设备向每个客户提供对计算机可浏览数据的计算机访问，其中客户可以在远离主计算机的位置处查看数据。 优选地，计算机可视数据以多种不同的图形报告的形式出现，包括可以由客户选择的数字和制表报告。 对于具有多个站点的客户，可以远程查看各种站点的可查看数据，并以多种不同的报告格式进行查看。 在优选实施例中，公用事业资源使用信息，例如， 电，煤气，水等。 。 。 ，被跟踪，维护和提供，以便于决策。

公开(公告)号：US6052671A

公开(公告)日：2000-04-18

申请号：US287394

申请日：1999-04-06

申请人： Gerry Crooks ,  Janna Genzberger ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dave Miller ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Dan Bowers

发明人： Gerry Crooks ,  Janna Genzberger ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dave Miller ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Dan Bowers

IPC分类号： G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Computerized billing and payment authorization methods and systems are described. In one aspect, a host system includes a database in which information associated with a billable entity from which payment is to be received is stored. Billing information is received from a billing entity and is associated with a bill for payment by the billable entity. The billable entity is provided with remote electronic access to the billing information in the host computer and can authorization payment thereof. In one implementation, the billing information is scrutinized in accordance with pre-determined tolerance parameters prior to the billable entity gaining access thereto. In another implementation, a plurality of billing entities provide billing information to the host system, with the billing information being subsequently checked and consolidated into a consolidated amount which can be remotely accessed by the billable entity. In a preferred implementation a plurality of utility providers are incorporated into the system and providing billing information for customers which may have a number of different, geographically-separated sites being serviced by different utilities. The billing information is consolidated and made available electronically through access which is initiated by the customer. Preferably, the systems and methodologies of the invention are implemented in connection with a multi-user computer network such as the Internet.

摘要翻译： 描述了计算机化的计费和支付授权方法和系统。 一方面，主机系统包括数据库，其中存储有与要从其接收支付的可计费实体相关联的信息。 计费信息从计费实体接收，并且与可结算实体的支付账单相关联。 可计费实体被提供对主计算机中的计费信息的远程电子访问，并且可以对其进行授权支付。 在一个实现中，在可计费实体获得访问之前，根据预定的容差参数仔细检查计费信息。 在另一实施方案中，多个计费实体向主机系统提供计费信息，随后检查计费信息并将其合并为可被可计费实体远程访问的合并量。 在优选实施方式中，将多个公用事业提供者并入系统并为客户提供计费信息，其可以具有由不同实用程序服务的多个不同的，地理上分离的站点。 计费信息通过由客户发起的访问以电子方式整合并提供。 优选地，本发明的系统和方法结合诸如因特网的多用户计算机网络来实现。

公开(公告)号：US5943656A

公开(公告)日：1999-08-24

申请号：US984708

申请日：1997-12-03

申请人： Gerry Crooks ,  Janna Genzberger ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dave Miller ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Dan Bowers

发明人： Gerry Crooks ,  Janna Genzberger ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dave Miller ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Dan Bowers

IPC分类号： G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Computerized billing and payment authorization methods and systems are described. In one aspect, a host system includes a database in which information associated with a billable entity from which payment is to be received is stored. Billing information is received from a billing entity and is associated with a bill for payment by the billable entity. The billable entity is provided with remote electronic access to the billing information in the host computer and can authorization payment thereof. In one implementation, the billing information is scrutinized in accordance with pre-determined tolerance parameters prior to the billable entity gaining access thereto. In another implementation, a plurality of billing entities provide billing information to the host system, with the billing information being subsequently checked and consolidated into a consolidated amount which can be remotely accessed by the billable entity. In a preferred implementation a plurality of utility providers are incorporated into the system and providing billing information for customers which may have a number of different, geographically-separated sites being serviced by different utilities. The billing information is consolidated and made available electronically through access which is initiated by the customer. Preferably, the systems and methodologies of the invention are implemented in connection with a multi-user computer network such as the Internet.

摘要翻译： 描述了计算机化的计费和支付授权方法和系统。 一方面，主机系统包括数据库，其中存储有与要从其接收支付的可计费实体相关联的信息。 计费信息从计费实体接收，并且与可结算实体的支付账单相关联。 可计费实体被提供对主计算机中的计费信息的远程电子访问，并且可以对其进行授权支付。 在一个实现中，在可计费实体获得访问之前，根据预定的容差参数仔细检查计费信息。 在另一实施方案中，多个计费实体向主机系统提供计费信息，随后检查计费信息并将其合并为可被可计费实体远程访问的合并量。 在优选实施方式中，将多个公用事业提供者并入系统并为客户提供计费信息，其可以具有由不同实用程序服务的多个不同的，地理上分离的站点。 计费信息通过由客户发起的访问以电子方式整合并提供。 优选地，本发明的系统和方法结合诸如因特网的多用户计算机网络来实现。

公开(公告)号：US5930773A

公开(公告)日：1999-07-27

申请号：US992678

申请日：1997-12-17

申请人： Gerry Crooks ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dan Bowers ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Blaine French ,  Janna Genzberger ,  David D. Holmes ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Dave Miller ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Ed Schlect

发明人： Gerry Crooks ,  Ed Arnhold ,  John Battista ,  Ken Boni ,  Dan Bowers ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Blaine French ,  Janna Genzberger ,  David D. Holmes ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Dave Miller ,  Shawn Nanto ,  Teri Orr ,  Ed Schlect

IPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/10 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/00 ,  G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/102 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/008 ,  G06Q40/125 ,  Y04S10/60 ,  Y04S50/10 ,  Y04S50/12 ,  Y04S50/14 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Computerized resource accounting methods and systems, and in particular computerized utility resource management methods and systems, multi-user utility resource management methods and systems, and energy-consumption-based tracking methods and systems are described. In one implementation, a host computer includes a processor, an interface device and a database defined therein for maintaining information pertaining to one or more customers of one or more resources. Resource usage information is received into the host computer pertaining to consumption of one or more of the resources by one or more of the customers at one or more customer site. The resource usage information is processed to provide usage-based, computer-viewable data associated with a respective customer's consumption of one or more of the resources. In a preferred aspect, each customer is provided with computer access to the computer-viewable data through the interface device, wherein the customer can view the data at a location which is remote from the host computer. Preferably, the computer-viewable data comes in the form of a plurality of different graphical reports, including numerical and tabulated reports, which can be selected by a customer. For customers with multiple sites, the viewable data for the various sites can be viewed remotely and in a plurality of different report formats. In a preferred implementation, utility resource usage information, e.g. electricity, gas, water, etc. . . , is tracked, maintained, and made available to facilitate decision making.

摘要翻译： 描述了计算机资源会计方法和系统，特别是计算机化的公用事业资源管理方法和系统，多用户实用程序资源管理方法和系统以及基于能量消耗的跟踪方法和系统。 在一个实现中，主计算机包括处理器，接口设备和在其中定义的数据库，用于维护与一个或多个资源的一个或多个客户有关的信息。 资源使用信息被接收到主计算机中，涉及由一个或多个客户站点中的一个或多个客户消费一个或多个资源。 处理资源使用信息以提供与相应客户对一个或多个资源的消费相关联的基于用户的可计算机可见数据。 在优选的方面，通过接口设备向每个客户提供对计算机可浏览数据的计算机访问，其中客户可以在远离主计算机的位置处查看数据。 优选地，计算机可视数据以多种不同的图形报告的形式出现，包括可以由客户选择的数字和制表报告。 对于具有多个站点的客户，可以远程查看各种站点的可查看数据，并以多种不同的报告格式进行查看。 在优选实施例中，公用事业资源使用信息，例如， 电，气，水等。 。 ，被跟踪，维护和提供，以便于决策。

公开(公告)号：US06035285A

公开(公告)日：2000-03-07

申请号：US263467

申请日：1999-03-05

申请人： Ed Schlect ,  Gerry Crooks ,  Janna Genzberger ,  Rick Kurtz ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Jody Gordon ,  Thada Ziegler

发明人： Ed Schlect ,  Gerry Crooks ,  Janna Genzberger ,  Rick Kurtz ,  Mark Feichtner ,  Larry Kippenhan ,  Jody Gordon ,  Thada Ziegler

IPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/10 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/02 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/00 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/00 ,  G06F17/60

CPC分类号： G06Q10/06 ,  G06Q10/06311 ,  G06Q20/04 ,  G06Q20/102 ,  G06Q20/14 ,  G06Q30/0283 ,  G06Q30/04 ,  G06Q30/06 ,  G06Q40/12 ,  G06Q50/06 ,  H02J3/008 ,  G06Q40/125 ,  Y04S10/60 ,  Y04S50/10 ,  Y04S50/12 ,  Y04S50/14 ,  Y10S707/99945 ,  Y10S707/99948

摘要： Electronic bill-presenting methods and bill consolidation methods are described. In one embodiment billing information pertaining to a labor-dependent service which has been rendered to a consumer is received into a host computer which preferably includes a processor. With the processor, the billing information is processed by auditing the billing information against at least one tolerance parameter to determine whether said billing information satisfies the one tolerance parameter. Processed billing information is provided into a computer-viewable format, wherein the consumer can view the processed billing information and authorize payment thereof. In another embodiment, a bill consolidation method comprises receiving into a host computer billing information pertaining to a plurality of at least one of a service or material which has been rendered or provided, respectively, to a consumer. The host computer has a processor and an interface device. With the processor, the billing information is processed to provide processed billing information which includes a consolidated amount which is owed by the consumer. The processed billing information is provided into a computer-viewable format, and the consumer is provided with remote access to the processed billing information in the computer-viewable format via the interface device. The consumer can view the processed billing information which includes the consolidated amount. Other embodiments are described.

摘要翻译： 描述电子账单提出方法和票据合并方法。 在一个实施例中，已经呈现给消费者的与劳动相关的服务有关的计费信息被接收到优选地包括处理器的主计算机中。 利用处理器，通过根据至少一个公差参数审核记帐信息来处理记帐信息，以确定所述记帐信息是否满足一个公差参数。 处理的记帐信息被提供为计算机可视格式，其中消费者可以查看处理的记帐信息并授权其付款。 在另一个实施例中，票据合并方法包括分别向消费者接收有关已经被呈现或提供的服务或材料中的多个至少一个的计费信息到主计算机中。 主机具有处理器和接口设备。 使用处理器，处理记帐信息以提供处理的记帐信息，其包括消费者所欠的合并金额。 经处理的计费信息被提供为计算机可视格式，并且通过接口设备向消费者提供以计算机可视格式的处理的计费信息的远程访问。 消费者可以查看包括合并金额的处理的结算信息。 描述其他实施例。