Method, System and Computer Program Product for Transmitting Consumption Information to a User

Abstract

Provided is a method for transmitting energy consumption information to a user comprising, obtaining consumption data from at least one source, extracting consumption information from the obtained consumption data, and transmitting the extracted consumption information to the user. At least a communication channel for transmitting the consumption information to a user is selected from a set of different communication channels based on stored information extracted from previous exchange of the consumption information.

Claims

1) A method for transmitting energy consumption information to a user comprising, obtaining consumption data from at least one source, extracting consumption information from the obtained consumption data, and transmitting the extracted consumption information to the user, wherein at least a communication channel for transmitting the consumption information to a user is selected from a set of different communication channels based on stored information extracted from previous exchange of the consumption information.

2) The method of claim 1, wherein content and/or format and/or timing of the consumption information is selected based on the stored information extracted from the previous exchange of the consumption information.

3) The method of claim 1, the stored information extracted from the previous exchange of the consumption information comprises engagement measurements.

4) The method of claim 1, wherein a set of different user roles is stored and that a user is assigned to at least one of the user roles and that the communication channel and/or content and/or format and/or timing of transmission of the consumption information is selected based on the user role.

5) The method of claim 1, wherein at least time and/or date of a prospected transmission of the consumption information is extracted and that the communication channel and/or content and/or format and/or timing of transmission of the consumption information is selected based on the time and/or date.

6) The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of a response channel, a response content or a response time is extracted from previous exchange of the consumption information and used as information extracted from the previous exchange of the consumption information

7) The method of claim 1, wherein on a per user level, a set of communication channels, a set of contents and/or a set of formats and/or a set of timings is provided and that depending on at least one of a response channel, a response content or a response time extracted from previous exchange of the consumption information, elements of a respective set are assigned scoring values.

8) The method of claim 1, wherein, depending on a score of an element within a set, an element of a set is selected for transmitting the consumption information to the user.

9) The method of claim 1, wherein depending on a received inquiry the communication channel and/or content and/or format and/or timing of transmission of the consumption information to the user is selected and/or that depending on a received inquiry an element of a at least one set is assigned a scoring value.

10) The method of claim 1, wherein the consumption data is extracted at least from a remote meter reading, an bill and/or a website and/or that data extracted from the remote meter reading is compared with data within the bill.

11) The method of claim 1, wherein within extracted consumption data, at least an amount of energy and an assigned price is obtained and depending on the amount of energy and information about a tariff of the user, the assigned price is checked.

12) The method of claim 1, wherein obtained remote meter readings are compared with historic meter readings and depending on a deviation of the obtained remote meter readings from historic meter readings consumption information is transmitted to the user, wherein in particular the deviation is weighted using environmental data, such as weather data.

13) The method of claim 1, wherein consumption information comprises information concerning a response channel and an interactive element to invoke the response channel.

14) A system arranged for transmitting consumption information to a user comprising, an interface device arranged for obtaining consumption data from at least one source, an evaluation device arranged for extracting consumption information from the obtained consumption data, and a communication device arranged for transmitting the extracted consumption information to the user, wherein the communication device is arranged such that at least a communication channel for transmitting the consumption information to a user is selected from a set of communication channels based on results of the evaluation device evaluating stored information extracted from previous exchange of the consumption information.

15) A computer program product comprising instructions for causing a processor to transmitting consumption information to a user comprising the steps: obtaining consumption data from at least one source, extracting consumption information from the obtained consumption data, and transmitting the extracted consumption information to the user, wherein at least a communication channel for transmitting the consumption information to a user is selected from a set of communication channels based on stored information extracted from previous exchange of the consumption information.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0096] These and other aspects will become apparent from and in combination with at least one of the following figures. In the figures show:

[0097] FIG. 1 shows a schematic structure of implementing a method according to embodiments;

[0098] FIG. 2 shows a schematic structure showing different communication channels;

[0099] FIG. 3 shows an illustration of different templates for communicating energy consumption information;

[0100] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment for scoring elements of sets in a multi-dimensional scoring method;

[0101] FIG. 5 shows messages according to a first embodiment;

[0102] FIG. 6 shows messages according to a second embodiment;

[0103] FIG. 7 shows messages according to a third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0104] FIG. 1 illustrates a possible structure for implementing a method according to embodiments. Shown therein are various sources 2, 4, 12 providing energy consumption data. A first source 2 can be a centralized meter reading system, which is arranged for reading smart meters 6 on a regular or irregular basis. The source 2 may provide the meter readings from meters 6 online or in real time or in certain intervals to a billing facility 4, which also is a source of energy consumption data. Source 2 may provide an API, by which the meter readings can be accessed using, for instance a wide area network, such as the internet 8.

[0105] Billing facility 4 may provide for bills 10 to customers. A bill 10 can also be a source of energy consumption data. Billing facility 4 moreover provides for an API for accessing billing data of the bills 10. This can also be, for instance, a website where remote access via the wide area network 8 is possible.

[0106] A tariff engine 12 may also be provided, which provides for an API for accessing tariff data using wide area network 8.

[0107] More sources of data 2, 4, 12 may be used by a system 14 according to embodiments. The system 14 is arranged for transmitting energy consumption information to a user. Within system 14, there is provided interface 16 which is arranged for accessing the various sources 2, 4, 10, 12 through wide area network 8.

[0108] For evaluating the energy consumption data obtained through interface 16, an evaluation device 18 is provided.

[0109] In a first step, within evaluation device 18, based on input information via interface 16, triggers might be created, which can be positive or negative triggers. Expected information may create positive triggers, new information may create positive triggers and information not received but expected may create negative triggers.

[0110] Then, the evaluation device 18 may extract from the energy consumption data energy consumption information. The extracted energy consumption information can be stored and implemented into various templates, as will be described in conjunction with FIG. 3. For instance, in case a trigger is create, the evaluation device 18 may create from the extracted consumption information insights, which may be, for instance, brief and lengthy, and for a respective communication channel, a respective format of an insight might be chosen. Then, for each insight a scoring can be created, where a scoring can have at least two values, one for urgency and one for importance.

[0111] Depending on the scoring value, it may be filtered, if an insight is send to a user or not, and over which communication channel.

[0112] In particular, based on the energy consumption information and user settings, a communication channel, as illustrated in FIG. 2, can be selected for communicating the energy consumption information to a user 20.

[0113] Each user can be assigned various sets of parameters as will be described in FIG. 4 for tailoring the communication parameters with this user. Depending on the selected communication channel, a communication interface 22 can be arranged for establishing communication channels 24 with the user 20.

[0114] The selection of the communication channels 24 to communicate with the user 20 may depend on information extracted from previous exchange of the energy consumption information. Information extracted from previous exchange will be described in conjunction with FIGS. 5-7.

[0115] FIG. 2 illustrates the communication interface 22, which uses user database 26 for establishing communication channels 24 with a user 20. For each user there can be a user dataset within the database 26. Within this user dataset, for each user 20 there is provided, inter alia, a set of possible communication channels 24, and each communication channel 24 is assigned a scoring value. This scoring value for each of the communication channels 24 may depend on an engagement measure for this user. Engagement of a user 20 may be obtained by evaluating user reactions to communications, i.e. views, clicks, responses, inquiries etc., which are detected in response to a received communication from the communication interface 22.

[0116] The first communication channel 24 may be via the wide area network 8, for instance the internet. Another communication channel 24 may be a mobile communication network 28. A further communication channel 24 may be a hard wired channel 30. Each of the channels 24 may allow for bidirectional communication between communication interface 22 and user 20.

[0117] It is to be understood that a user 20 may have communication devices of different kinds and that different users 20 may have different types of communication devices. Depending on the communication device(s) of a user 20, which communication device(s) can be stored in user dataset 26, different kinds of communication channels 24, contents, formats or the like could be selected.

[0118] FIG. 3 shows different formats 32a-c for providing insights, e.g. content relating to the energy consumption data to the user 20.

[0119] For instance, a first format 32a may comprise textual and visual information 34a, 34b. In addition, interactive elements 36a, b, such as buttons can be provided within format 32a. For instance button 36a may be assigned to a positive feedback and button 36b may be assigned to a negative feedback.

[0120] Thus, when a user receives energy consumption information embedded within format 32a, he may interact with communication interface 22 and thus the system 14 through the interactive elements 36a, b. Depending on the user response, a scoring value for the communication channel and/or a scoring value for the format and/or a scoring value for the content 34a, 34b and/or a scoring value for the timing for that particular user and may be changed.

[0121] As can be seen in FIG. 3, various formats 32a-c are provided. Moreover, it may be possible to fill in the formats 32a-c with content, using the obtained energy consumption data for providing energy consumption information. A set of different formats 32a-c may be stored in a data repository. It may be possible that for each user 20 a respective set of formats may be created and stored for future use.

[0122] FIG. 4 illustrates a scoring for a certain user. As is illustrated in FIG. 4 for instance a dataset 38 for a user 20 may be provided. Within this data set 38, a user role 40 out of a set of different user roles may be assigned to the user 20. Moreover, different formats out of the formats 32a-c could be assigned to the user 20, indicating that the user shall receive the consumption information within one of these formats 32a-c.

[0123] In addition, for each of assigned formats 32a-c a multi-dimensional dataset 42 may be stored. Within this multi-dimensional dataset 42 respective sets like communication channel 24, timing 44, content 46 and/or the like may be stored for each of the different formats 32a-c. For each set at least two elements can be provided, and each of the elements can have a scoring value. The scoring values for communication channel 24, timing 44 and content 46 and any other communication parameter may be obtained from previous communications with the user and/or users within the peer group. This information extracted from previous energy consumption information is illustrated in FIG. 5-7.

[0124] FIG. 5 illustrates the communication between system 14, billing facility 4, tariff engine 12, user 20, a bookkeeping 20a of user 20 and a website 20b of user 20.

[0125] On a regular basis, the system 14 may poll 50 billing information from billing facility 4. Billing facility 4 may return 52 billing information. This may, for instance be a bill in pdf-format. This may also be an access code for accessing a website, where billing information is available, e.g. using an API.

[0126] From the energy consumption data within the returned 52 data, the system 14 may extract tariff information. Based on this tariff information, the system 14 may poll 50 tariff engine 12, whether there are other tariffs which fit better the user 20 needs. Tariff engine 12 may return 52 such information.

[0127] With the extracted energy consumption information from the data obtained from billing facility 4, the system 14 may populate 54 the website 20b. Moreover, for instance via an over-the-top (OTT) communication channel, system 14 may transmit 56 the energy consumption information, for instance within one of the formats 32a-c. The formats 32a-c may also be understood as reports. The population 54 may also be done using one of reports 32a-c.

[0128] The user 20 may evaluate the received report 32a-c and may, for instance, use one of the interactive elements 36a-b for responding 58 to system 14. Moreover, the user 20 may formulate an inquiry which may also be included in the response 58. The inquiry may contain textual information, e.g. what the user wants system 14 to do with the information or if the information was useful or if there is additional information or the like. For instance, this textual information may be send me the report by mail or give me more detail information or don't send me this report again. The communication channel 24 for the response 58 is not necessarily the same communication channel 24 by which the report was transmitted 56.

[0129] The system 14 analyses the response 58 and may formulate and create a new report 32a-c depending on the user inquiry 20.

[0130] Moreover, system 14 may evaluate, whether this information was useful for the user 20. Based on this evaluation, as is illustrated in FIG. 4, a scoring value for the communication channel 24, the timing 44, the content 46 and the report 32a-c itself can be created. In particular, the time lag between the transmission 56 and the response 58 may be indicative of a scoring value for timing 44. The use of an interactive element 36a, b, for instance indicating whether the information was useful or not, could be used for scoring the content 46. The communication channel by which the response 58 is received can be used for scoring the communication channel 24.

[0131] After having scored the various parameters in various dimensions, a newly created report 32 can be transmitted 56 to the user. Within this report 32, for instance a question whether the bill can be processed by accounting can be included and within a response the user 20 can clear the bill or not.

[0132] Again, based on the response, e.g. the response channel 24, the timing, the content of the response and the like, scoring values can be assigned to the respective report 32. Based on clearance, the system 14 may transmit 56 a new report 32 to an accounting department 20a, which processes the bill.

[0133] In addition, the system 14 may inquire 60 the user 20 about the usefulness of the previous communication and based on a response 58, the scoring of the communication can be done in the way described above.

[0134] By evaluating the responses 58 to transmissions 56 and inquiry 60, which may contain reports 32, each report 32 for each user 20 and the respective elements within the sets can be given scoring values such that within the next communication, the scoring value can be used to select the most suitable format 32 on the most suitable communication channel 24 with the most suitable content 46 at the most suitable timing 44. Thus, the system may learn who and when a report 32 was read. Moreover, the system 14 may learn, which communication channel 24 is preferred by user 20. By obtaining information from various sources 4, the reports 32 may be populated with additional data, which can be useful for the user 20.

[0135] FIG. 6 illustrates a further scenario where system 14 polls on a regular basis a meter 6 and meter 6 returns 52 meter values. Based on the returned meter values (energy consumption data), the system 14 evaluates the consumption and compares it with usage profiles for the respective user 20.

[0136] The actual usage of energy can be weighted using, for instance, weather information, transaction information, guest information and the like. The weighing can be done to normalize the consumption data. In case the system 14 detects an unusual event or unusual consumption, system 14 may sent 56 a report 32 to user 20, indicating the deviation in use. Moreover, within this report 32, the system may ask user 20 whether he was aware of this deviation and whether he found this information useful. User 20 may return a response 58 to the system 14 answering these questions.

[0137] Based on the returned 58 content and its communication channel, the previously transmit 56 report can be scored in various dimensions, i.e. the elements within the sets. In addition, system 14 may provide for a report 32 indicating next steps to be taken in a transmission 56 to user 20.

[0138] Eventually, system may inquire 60 the user 20 about the usefulness of the information and may evaluate the respective response 58. For this user 20 a scoring value of the communication channel, the report, the content, the timing and the format could be obtained.

[0139] A further embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 7. In this embodiment, system 14 may, on a regular basis, poll 50 tariff engine 12. Tariff engine 12 may return 52 tariff information.

[0140] System 14 may evaluate the returned 52 tariff information and may detect that a certain tariff may be more suitable for a user than his actual tariff

[0141] Based on these findings, the system 14 may create a new report 32 indicating to the user 20 an opportunity to change the tariff. This new report 32 can be transmitted 56 to the user 20. Within the report 32 indicating the opportunity, interactive elements 36a, b may be provided. These interactive elements may, for instance, indicate yes choose new tariff or no don't choose new tariff. Depending on the response 58 by user 20, system 14 may automatically reach out to the utility per mail to change tariff

[0142] If the response 58 was negative, the system 14 will score the report 32 in a way indicating that new tariff information is not helpful for the user 20. However, system 14 may inquire user 20 about the reason why the user 20 neglected this opportunity and based on the response 58, system 14 will adapt the scoring for reporting new opportunities.

[0143] Thus, the system gets knowledge about the user interests and the timing when for instance new tariff information shall be sent to user 20.

[0144] By receiving a positive interaction in a response 58, a scoring value of at least one element can be increased by one. When receiving in a response 58 a negative interaction, a scoring value of at least one element can be decreased by one. A non-response 58 may account for a lesser decrease in a scoring value than an actual negative response 58.

[0145] Moreover, a format 32 can be forced to be transmit 56 to the user 20 by having default scoring values for certain reports, which cannot be overruled. These forced reports 32 can be based on a user set scoring value. Thus, users can override the automatic scoring and request reports 32 for certain information irrespective of the responses 58 thereto.

[0146] By means of the inventive method, energy consumption information is provided to users in a more tailored way, enabling users to react to changes in energy data more specifically.

[0147] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

[0148] The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms comprising, having, including, and containing are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning including, but not limited to,) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0149] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0150] 2 source [0151] 4 billing facility [0152] 6 meter [0153] 8 WAN [0154] 10 bill [0155] 12 tariff engine [0156] 14 system [0157] 16 interface [0158] 18 evaluations [0159] 20 user [0160] 22 communication device [0161] 24 communication channel [0162] 26 user data base [0163] 28 mobile communication network [0164] 30 hard wired channel [0165] 32 format/report [0166] 34a textual information [0167] 34b visual information [0168] 36a,b interactive element [0169] 38 data set [0170] 40 user roles [0171] 42 data set [0172] 44 timing [0173] 46 content [0174] 50 poll [0175] 52 return [0176] 54 populate [0177] 56 transmit [0178] 58 response [0179] 60 inquiry