Abstract:
A centralized fuel monitoring system for allowing a plurality of fuel dealers to monitor the fuel level at customer locations, the system having a central computer accessible by the plurality of fuel dealers to access customer account information, the customer account information including an indication of a fuel level at a customer location. The fuel level may be remotely measured or may be calculated by the system. Also included is authorization software that allows a fuel dealer to access customer accounts and administration software that allows a fuel dealer to create new customer accounts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/072,503 filed Feb. 6, 2002, which claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/267,249 filed Feb. 8, 2001. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a system for remotely managing bulk product storage and more specifically, to managing fuel oil levels in at least one storage location. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Management of bulk product storage differs from management of storing unit products, such as discreet products like televisions, or pencils, in three key areas: measurement of the quantity of the stored product, replenishment of the stored product, and participant roles. 
         [0004]    Measuring the quantity of stored unit products requires inventorying the products that are to be managed. Televisions, chairs and the like may be readily inventoried as individual units. Other items may be inventoried in the packaging unit in which they are to be distributed and sold. Thus, an office supply distributor might inventory paper in units of pallets, a down chain office supply retailer might inventory the same paper in more convenient units of boxes, and the office manager of an end consumer office may inventory the same paper in reams. Significant is that each inventory unit is capable of being hand counted. Automated inventory management tools extend that capability. 
         [0005]    Bulk products, such as oil, coal, or grain, are inherently inconvenient or impossible to measure by eye and require different inventory methods than counting definable units. Inventorying individual units is too arduous or impossible. Since, bulk products are often needed, and thus sold, in quantities related to physical measurements, such as volume, and weight they are often inventoried as such using specialized equipment. 
         [0006]    Replenishment of stores of bulk products are usually made by large delivery vehicles purpose built and maintained. Tanker trucks and fuel barges are common sights on roadways and waterways. These bulk product carriers are solely dedicated to transporting one product during that haul unlike carriers for unit products who may mix their cargo to reach maximum capacity. Thus, trucks or barges filled with unit products may transport several different products, such as furniture and televisions, until all usable cargo space has been filled. Mixing cargo increases the unit product carrier&#39;s efficiency and profit margin. 
         [0007]    However, bulk product carriers are limited to transporting one bulk product during that haul. Additionally, health and safety regulations, issued by regulatory authorities, limit the ability of carriers to change the type of bulk product carried by individual pieces of equipment. Thus, for example, a carrier who places a tanker truck in service for fuel oil may not subsequently use that truck for carrying milk or potable water. Consequently, bulk product carriers have a great need to increase the efficiency of their operations as well as managing the storage of bulk products. 
         [0008]    Participant roles in the ownership and replenishment of bulk product stores may be often different than with those of unit quantities. Replenishment of unit quantities generally occurs at the request of the downstream purchaser. Complex business interrelationships between supplier and consumer, such as Just-In-Time delivery, have been employed to create greater efficiency in the delivery and replenishment process. 
         [0009]    However, replenishment of a bulk product may not occur at the request of the downstream purchaser. Further, a bulk storage facility may be owned by a supplier, yet located on the property of the product consumer, such as the heating tank in a home that is supplied by a fuel dealer. In such instances, the home owner may simply have contracted to have a steady supply of heating oil delivered by the dealer. Thus, the home owner may never read the tank gauge and replenishment may occur at estimated intervals rather than when needed. 
         [0010]    A number of factors can effect oil consumption in a heating system. For example, more fuel oil is used during the winter months when temperatures are low. However, it is also important to consider the efficiency of the heating system as this will impact when the oil tank will need to be refilled. U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,667 (Johnson) is directed toward an oil burner motor diagnostic apparatus for monitoring the running time and cycle time of electric motors to diagnose fuel consumption and burner functionality. However, Johnson fails to disclose or teach a system that allows, for example, for a plurality of fuel dealers to remotely check on the efficiency of customer home heating systems to which they supply home heating fuel. 
         [0011]    Still other problems can arise in connection with home heating systems. For example, if a home owner is away from their home and the burner goes out, not only can the temperature in the home drop very low possibly causing the pipes to freeze and rupture, but other serious problems can occur with the heating system. U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,721 (Butcher et al.) is directed toward a flame quality monitor system for oil burners. However, Butcher et al. fails to disclose or teach a system that allows, for example, for a plurality of fuel dealers to remotely check on the status of the burner in a customer home heating system to which they supply home heating fuel. 
         [0012]    What is desired, therefore, is an effective system and method for remotely managing a heating system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to remotely manage bulk product storage and specifically fuel for a home heating system more efficiently and accurately. 
         [0014]    Another object is to provide controlled access to the information collected on each storage location. 
         [0015]    A further object is to make the functions of remotely managing bulk product storage available over the internet or wireless communications. 
         [0016]    It is further desired to provide a system and method for remotely monitoring the efficiency of a home heating system. 
         [0017]    It is still further desired to provide a system and method for remotely monitoring the status of a home heating system. 
         [0018]    These and other objects of the invention are accomplished by the provision of a system for providing remotely managed bulk product storage and specifically fuel for a home heating system. 
         [0019]    In one embodiment, the system for remotely managing bulk product storage in a storage location includes a computer accessible by a plurality of users; a measurer for measuring the storage level of a bulk product; a data processor associated with the measurer permitting recording of the storage level; a communicator associated with the measurer permitting communication with the computer; an access interface associated with the computer; at least one communications network permitting communication by a user to the computer and permitting communication with the computer by the communicator associated with measurer, a database accessible by the computer containing a plurality of data associated with the storage location; and a plurality of functional software modules executing on the computer for enabling a plurality of users to selectively manipulate the plurality of data associated with the storage location; including an administrative software module for enrolling storage locations and administering the system, a management software module for querying the database, a scheduling software module for scheduling the system, an authorization software module for securing the system. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment a centralized fuel monitoring system for allowing a plurality of fuel dealers to monitor the fuel level at customer locations is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of fuel dealer computers, each fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to which they supply fuel, each fuel dealer having access to the computer to check on the fuel level at the customer location. The system further comprises a measurer installed at a customer location, generating a fuel signal indicative of a fuel level at the customer location and a communicator coupled to the measurer and receiving the fuel signal. The system is provided such that the communicator is coupled to the computer via a communications network, the computer receiving data indicative of the fuel level at the customer location. The system still further comprises authorization software allowing a fuel dealer to access customer accounts associated with the fuel dealer and administration software allowing a fuel dealer to create new customer accounts and enroll new customer locations to be monitored. The system is further provided such that a plurality of fuel dealer computers are able to access the computer, each fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to whom they supply fuel, each fuel dealer accessing the computer system via the authorization software and administering customer accounts via the administration software. 
         [0021]    It is contemplated that the efficiency of a home heating system can be monitored by measuring the temperature of the fuel stack as it runs throughout the course of a day. Additionally, the temperature measurements can be taken at varying sampling frequencies to determine the rise time of the temperature, the steady state temperature, the duration of the steady state temperature, and the time between cycles. All of this information may be used to assess the efficiency of the home heating system. This information may be gathered at the customer home and transmitted via a network connection to a central computer to be accessible to a plurality of fuel dealers who may then monitor the efficiency of their customer&#39;s heating systems to whom they supply fuel. 
         [0022]    Still further, the system may provide for detection of burner lockout by monitoring an alarm signal indicative of a burner lockout. The burner lockout signal may be sent from the customer home to the central computer via a network connection and accessible to a plurality of fuel dealers who may then monitor for burner lockout of their customer&#39;s heating systems to whom they supply fuel. 
         [0023]    It is further contemplated that the system may provide for a degree day estimate rather than having an actual measurer installed at the customer&#39;s home. For example, the central computer may be provided with degree day software for performing a degree day estimate for a particular customer location. The degree day estimate can take into account specific customer location information relating to the customer&#39;s home, such as for example, the size of the home, the insulation or insulating rating of the home, the type of heating equipment used, etc. In this manner, a fuel dealer may access the central computer and review a degree day estimate for a particular customer location to which the fuel dealer supplies fuel. It is further contemplated that an actual measurement may occur in another customer location in the geographic vicinity of the degree day estimate customer. The actual fuel level measurement may be used as another factor in determining the degree day estimate. Alternatively, the system could be set up such that a customer could access a degree day estimate for their own home. 
         [0024]    In one advantageous embodiment a centralized fuel monitoring system for allowing a plurality of fuel dealers to monitor the fuel level at customer locations is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of fuel dealer computers, each fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to which they supply fuel, each fuel dealer having access to the central computer to check on the fuel level at the customer location. The system further comprises a measurer installed at a customer location, generating a fuel signal indicative of a fuel level at the customer location and a communicator coupled to the measurer and receiving the fuel signal. The system is provided such that the communicator is coupled to the central computer via a communications network where the central computer receives data indicative of the fuel level at the customer location. The system further comprises authorization software allowing a fuel dealer to access customer accounts associated with the fuel dealer and administration software allowing a fuel dealer to create new customer accounts and enroll new customer locations to be monitored. The system is further provided such that a plurality of fuel dealer computers accesses the central computer, each fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to whom they supply fuel, each fuel dealer accessing the computer system via the authorization software and administering customer accounts via the administration software. 
         [0025]    In another advantageous embodiment a centralized fuel monitoring system for allowing a plurality of customers to monitor the fuel level at their customer location is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of customer computers, each customer having access to the central computer to check on the fuel level at their customer location. The system further comprises a measurer installed at a customer location, generating a fuel signal indicative of a fuel level at the customer location and a communicator coupled to the measurer and receiving the fuel signal. The system is provided such that the communicator is coupled to the central computer via a communications network where the central computer receives data indicative of the fuel level at the customer location. The system further comprises authorization software allowing a customer to access the customer&#39;s own account information and administration software allowing a customer to create a new customer account and enroll a new customer location to be monitored. The system is further provided such that a plurality of customer computers accesses the central computer, each customer accessing the central computer system via the authorization software and administering their own accounts via the administration software. 
         [0026]    In still another advantageous embodiment a centralized monitoring system for monitoring the status of heating equipment at a customer location is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of dealer computers, each dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to which they monitor heating systems, each dealer having access to the central computer to check on the status of a heating system at a customer location. The system further comprises a burner monitor installed at a customer location for monitoring the status of a burner in a customer heating system, where the burner monitor generates a burner alarm signal in the event the burner monitor determines an event with the burner in the customer heating system occurs. The system still further comprises a communicator coupled to the burner monitor and receiving the burner alarm signal, where the communicator is coupled to the central computer via a communications network, which receives data indicative of the burner alarm signal at the customer location. The system yet further comprises authorization software allowing a dealer to access the customer&#39;s account information and administration software allowing the dealer to create a new customer account and enroll new customer locations to be monitored. The system is provided such that a plurality of dealer computers accesses the central computer, each dealer accessing the central computer system via the authorization software and administering their accounts via the administration software. 
         [0027]    In yet another advantageous embodiment a centralized monitoring system for monitoring the efficiency of heating equipment at a customer location is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of dealer computers, each dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to which they monitor heating systems, each dealer having access to the central computer to check on the efficiency of a heating system at a customer location. The system further comprises an efficiency monitor installed at a customer location for monitoring the efficiency of a customer heating system where the efficiency monitor generates a measurement signal indicative of the efficiency of the customer heating system. The system still further comprises a communicator coupled to the efficiency monitor and receiving the measurement signal, where the communicator is coupled to the central computer via a communications network where the central computer receives data indicative of the measurement signal at the customer location. The system yet further comprises authorization software allowing a dealer to access the customer&#39;s account information and administration software allowing the dealer to create a new customer account and enroll new customer locations to be monitored. The system is provided such that a plurality of dealer computers accesses the central computer, each dealer accessing the central computer system via the authorization software and administering their accounts via the administration software. 
         [0028]    In still another advantageous embodiment a centralized fuel monitoring system for allowing a plurality of fuel dealers to monitor the fuel level at customer locations is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of fuel dealer computers, each fuel dealer having a plurality of customer accounts to which they supply fuel and degree day software executing on the central computer estimating the current fuel level at each customer location. The system is provided such that the degree day software estimate for each customer location takes into account specific customer location information relating to the customer&#39;s home. The system further comprises authorization software allowing a fuel dealer to access customer accounts associated with the fuel dealer and administration software allowing a fuel dealer to create new customer accounts and enroll new customer locations to be monitored. The system is further provided such that a plurality of fuel dealer computers accesses the central computer, where each fuel dealer has a plurality of customer accounts to whom they supply fuel and each fuel dealer accesses the central computer system via the authorization software and administers customer accounts via the administration software. 
         [0029]    In yet another advantageous embodiment a centralized fuel monitoring system for allowing a plurality of customers to monitor the fuel level at their customer location is provided comprising a central computer accessible by a plurality of customer computers and degree day software executing on the central computer estimating the current fuel level at each customer location. The system is provided such that the degree day software estimate for each customer location takes into account specific customer location information relating to the customer&#39;s home. The system further comprises authorization software allowing the customer to access their own customer accounts and administration software allowing a customer to create a new customer account and enroll new customer locations to be monitored. The system is further provided such that a plurality of customer computers accesses the central computer, where each customer accesses the central computer system via the authorization software and administers their own customer accounts via the administration software. 
         [0030]    Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system  10  for remotely managing bulk product storage at a storage location in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 1A  is a diagram of a system  10  for remotely managing bulk product storage at a storage location in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  depicts the administrative software module  30  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  depicts the data capture software module  40  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  depicts the management software module  50  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  depicts the monitoring software module  60  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  depicts the authorization software module  90  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of granting user  11  authorized access to system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0039]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views. 
         [0040]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of a system  10  for remotely managing bulk product storage in one storage location in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. System  10  includes one or more users  11  capable of using system  10 , a computer  12 , one or more databases  14 , bulk product  16  at a storage location  20 , a communications network  17 , an access interface  18  associated with computer  12 , one or more software modules  30 ,  40 ,  50 ,  60 ,  90 , and one or more software applications executing on computer  12 . 
         [0041]    Remotely managing bulk product storage using system  10  in accordance with the invention in a storage location  20  may include monitoring, communicating, exchanging information, and/or performing acts that affect or result in the decision making process that augments, exhausts, manipulates, considers, or in some other way affects the quantity of bulk product  16  at the storage location  20 . 
         [0042]    Bulk product  16  is defined broadly for this invention in both its form and application and exceeds the dictionary definition of “bulk product.” When used in the singular, the term is equally applicable to the plural. 
         [0043]    Bulk product  16  may be liquid such as fuel stored in home or industrial tanks for heating or distribution. Bulk product  16  may be solid such as highway deicing salt at a maintenance depot, grain stored in a silo, or processed cereal stored in quantity for packaging in boxes familiar to supermarket shoppers. Bulk product  16  may also be waste products such as husbandry effluent stored in holding tanks for environment compliance. 
         [0044]    The term “bulk product” is also applicable when bulk product  16  comprises two or more discrete products that are stored so as to constitute one product even though they are separable; such as aforementioned cereal, or oil and water, or differently graded aggregate. 
         [0045]    The term “bulk product” is further applicable when bulk product  16  is a fungible product; i.e. one that is readily interchangeable with a similar product or by its nature when stored with like product becomes irreversibly miscible; for example electricity stored in a fuel cell, or unrefined petroleum in a salt dome storage facility as are common in the Gulf Coast area. Other uses and/or applications to materials, products or items that will benefit from the invention are also envisioned to be within the invention. 
         [0046]    Storage location  20  is defined broadly for this invention and exceeds the dictionary definition of “storage location.” When used in the singular, the term is equally applicable to the plural. 
         [0047]    Storage location  20  may be any type of location used to store bulk product  16 . It may be stationary. Examples of this kind are the tank hold of a residential oil heating tank or propane tank; the tank hold of a tank in a tank farm as commonly used by petroleum distributors; storage shed in a highway maintenance depot; and basin hold of a water reservoir. 
         [0048]    However, storage location  20  may also be movable, such as the hold of a barge carrying bulk products. Storage location  20  may be temporary, such as an aggregate or cement store at a construction site. 
         [0049]    Other types of storage locations are also envisioned in accordance with the invention. As for example, in one embodiment, storage location  20  is a delivery vehicle that comes to replenish bulk product  16  at another storage location  20 , for example a tanker truck replenishing a fuel oil tank. 
         [0050]    Storage location  20  may also be a plurality of locations used to store bulk products  16 . Thus, storage location  20  may be all tank holds of all tanks in a tank farm. In such a case, a plurality of the combined quantity of bulk product  16  of tank holds may be important. 
         [0051]    Measurer  21  provides measurement  2110  of bulk product  16  in storage location  20 . Measurer  21  may be any one or plurality of devices and/or means used to measure the level of the storage of bulk product  16 . For example, a pivoting swing arm float level measuring device and/or means capable of converting analog movement to digital signals may be suitable for a fuel tank. Weight and/or laser quantity measurement device and/or means may be suitable for solid bulk products. Pressure measurement device and/or means for a liquefied-gas tank may be suitable for bulk products normally in the gaseous phase at atmospheric pressure. Quantity evacuation measurement device and/or means such as flow meters may be appropriate for storage locations such as water reservoirs that are subject to draw down and variable inflow. An ultrasonic level sensor. Measurer  21  may be any other device and/or means now known or yet to become known for measuring storage levels. 
         [0052]    Further, measurer  21  may have certain advantageous features associated with it. Thus, it may be self-contained, i.e. remote battery operated device; be self-activating, self-initiating, and-or self-charging. Therefore, in one embodiment, the measurer  21  is self-activating and initiates contact with computer  12  through associated devices and/or means. Such activation may occur upon a specific time, passage of time, level of bulk product  16 , or upon a signal initiated by the delivery of bulk product  16 . To preserve battery life, measurer  21  will normally be in the low power deactivated or in the sleep mode. 
         [0053]    Associated with measurer  21  is data processor  23 . Data processor  23  processes measurement  2110 . This may occur by instructing measurer  21  to make a measurement, storing measurement  2110 , and/or manipulating measurement  2110  in association with an event or any other process. Data processor  23  may include electronic and logic features capable of recording a plurality of measurement  2110  and executing a variety of advantageous features. Such advantageous features may include being able to associate a plurality of measurement  2110  with other references or data. In one embodiment, data processor  23  associates measurement  2110  with a temporal and/or sequential reference generated by a timer associates with data processor  23 . 
         [0054]    In another embodiment, data processor  23  associates measurement  2110  with a plurality of data signals received from transponders of deliverers, such as delivery vehicles. These signals may be both predetermined, such as identification, and non-predetermined, such as quantity of bulk product  16  delivered. Data processor  23  may further associate measurement  2110  with a predetermined level of particularity to such a delivery and/or deliverer depending on the need of any type of user  11 . 
         [0055]    In yet another embodiment, data processor  23  has the ability to compare measurement  2110  with a predetermined storage level, and creating a triggering event. Further, data processor  23  and other means and methods that allow utilizing, and relating collected data to measurement  2110  and/or other data, such as a triggering event. 
         [0056]    Data processor  23  may be a flash-memory card, a hard drive as commonly used on computers, a punch card recorder, a biochemical recorder system, or any other device capable of recording data; it may further be a computer, of any size or shape, to perform higher level functions, such as determining from measurement  2110  the relative value of miscible gas components. In one embodiment, data processor  23  may be comprised of a memory capable of storing a plurality of measurement levels  2110 . In another embodiment, data processor  23  is additionally capable of recognizing, storing, and/or manipulating data other than measurement  2110 , such as delivery date, delivery means, and other data by including a transponder in data processor  23 . It will be seen by someone skilled in the art that it is possible to configure data processor  23  to perform an almost unlimited variety of processing tasks associated with system  10 . 
         [0057]    Computer  12  may be of any type of computing device capable of performing the functions described herein. Computer  12  may be a personal computer, minicomputer, mainframe, supercomputer, web server, or an aggregation of computers in a distributed computer network, or a combination thereof. The computer may be physically located anywhere convenient or expeditious to system  10  or as required by law, regulation, or contract. 
         [0058]    Database  14  preferably is a database that is generally known in the art and capable of storing a plurality of files. The invention also encompasses a single database and/or multiple databases; relational, non-relational and/or unique type of database. 
         [0059]    It will also be seen by a person skilled in the art that a distributed processing network may be substituted for any part of computer  12  or database  14  or work in conjunction with computer  12  or database  14 . 
         [0060]    User  11  in system  10  may be an employee or agent of fuel distributor; employee or agent of delivery systems; administrator; manager; researcher, customer service personnel; regulator; accrediting organization; insurer and/or re-insurer; escrow agent; system administrator and/or manager; computer technician; accountant, vendor; subcontractor; and any other person or entity for whom authorized access to the system  10  will be beneficial. Similarly, user  11  in some circumstances may be a computer or computer system that is needed or beneficial for the system  10  or for another user  11 , such as the computer of a user&#39;s insurer or governmental agency needed for necessary interactions such as regulatory matters. It will also be seen by one skilled in the art, that where one user  11  is shown a plurality may be appropriate, such as when one user  11  is shown, a committee may be appropriate, or a consultant firm, and is included in term “user”. 
         [0061]    In one embodiment, user  11  is an employee or agent of a regulatory organization such as a governmental agency charged with environmental protection and compliance. In that instance, the user  11  is monitoring the storage location  20  for regulatory compliance. 
         [0062]    In another embodiment, user  11  is an employee or agent of an entity needing to site fungible products in a storage location  20  that may already have similar fungible bulk product  16 . In that instance, the user  11  will also need to monitor and authorize the removal of bulk product  16 . 
         [0063]    In another embodiment, user  11  is an employee or agent of an entity managing the trading of bulk product  16  or the retention of bulk product  16  in escrow. 
         [0064]    In another embodiment, user  11  is an employee or agent of an entity operating an exchange for trading of storage potential of storage location  20 . Additional users  11  may be purchasers, investors, speculators, sellers, and/or those storing bulk products  16  in storage location  20 . 
         [0065]    It will be readily seen by one skilled in the relevant art that each user  11  can be provided authorized access, or conversely denied authorized access, to any part or the entire of system  10  according to level or levels or based on individual need or benefit. Access is the capability for the usage of system  10  as represented by the functional software modules of computer  12 . Users  11  are given authorized access that may include limitations or qualifications. Qualified access may not be full access, for example qualified access to system  10  may be limited in scope and time and determined uniformly or individually. 
         [0066]    It is also readily apparent that the criteria determining, establishing, modifying, withdrawing, or disabling such authorized access can be made ahead of time, and based on one or more factors; such as the function of user  11  or the need of system  10 , frequency of that function or need, regulatory compliance, or other reasons. 
         [0067]    Conversely, criteria for determining, establishing, modifying, withdrawing, or disabling authorized access can be determined at the time the issue of the access provided to user  11  to system  10  arises. It is equally apparent that alerting, monitoring, analysis, and/or recordation of the use, misuse, and/or abuse of the authorized access privilege may be continuous, intermittent, and/or random and include features that hinder, prevent, or deny opportunity for misuse or abuse of the authorized access privilege. Other features that secure the integrity of system  10  may also be incorporated into system  10 . Associated with computer  12  is access interface  18 . As used herein, access interface  18  is either hardware or software that permits user  11  and communicator  22  to access the system  10  from a plurality of computer and/or communications protocols. Thus, access interface  18  may be a modem connected to communications network  17 . Access interface  18  may also be any other device or devices capable of connecting and communicating with user  11  and/or with communicator  22 . It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that access interface  18  can also be a communications portal, such as a web portal. 
         [0068]    Associated with measurer  21  is communicator  22 . Communicator  22  may be a modem connected to one or more communication networks  17  or any other device capable of connecting and communicating over one or more communication networks  17  now known or to be developed. Communication network  17  may be a wireless voice or data network; a radio receiving, transmitting, or paging network; or a combination thereof, such as Point-to-Multipoint Wide Area Network (WAN), wireless local loop (WLL), or other network types known or to be developed. Preferably, a computer network is linked to communications network  17 . Communicator  22  may also be directly linked to computer  12  where this communications network  17  is the direct link. Further, communication network  17  may be a plurality of networks and/or communication devices and/or means. 
         [0069]    For example, user  11  may wish to instruct the communicator  22  to perform a device calibration and integrity check. Thus, the communications network  17  may include a computer network link from user  11  to computer  12  and a wireless network link from computer  12  to communicator  22 . 
         [0070]    The communication integration software  19  operates on computer  12 . Communication integration software  19  permits user  11  and communicator  22  utilizing disparate platforms to communicate with the system  10 . Disparate platforms are the result of using differing architectures related to hardware and/or software standards employed on microelectronic devices. For example for computers, Digital UNIX maybe the operating system employed on a computer with an Alpha central processor, Hewlett-Packard&#39;s HP-UX on a PA-RISC central processor, IBM AIX on a PowerPC based central processing unit, Sun Microsystems&#39; Solaris operating system on a SPARC workstation. Disparate protocols that user  11  or communicator  22  may use also include wireless protocols of varying types; for example: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Carrier Sense Multiple Access/Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Lightweight &amp; Efficient Application Protocols (LEAP), Global System for Mobil Communications (GSM). Similarly, the disparate protocols may be related to proprietary and patented standards such as Blackberry or Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or may be related to Side Band Automatic Meter Reading protocols. 
         [0071]    Preferably, the communication integration occurs through software executing on the computer  12  that receives various inputs through the communications network  17  for integrating various types of networks, such as Wireless LANs, portable computing clients, or other types of networks known or to be developed. However, the communication integration may also occur through software for interpreting data encoded utilizing an open standard such as the Extensible Mark-up Language (XML). It may also occur through hardware and/or software capable of integrating user  11  and communicator  22  communication protocols for use in accessing the system  10 . 
         [0072]    In another embodiment, system  10  includes monitor  25 . Monitor  25  may be the capability of detecting AC power loss detection or water in the basement alarm, measuring fuel oil burned operation, monitoring burner efficiency, home smoke detectors and alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and alarms, glass break detection and alarm, intrusion detection and alarm, air quality monitoring, regulatory compliance monitoring, and/or any other device, means, or system now known or to be invented and suited for the type of monitoring performed, and an interface or interfaces that connect to data processor  23 . 
         [0073]      FIG. 2  depicts the administrative software module  30  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized user  11  accesses computer  12  of system  10  through communications network  17 , access node  1810  of access interface  18 , and communication integration software process  1910  of communication integration software  19  and is authorized. User  11  completes the necessary enrollment request  3010  of administrative software module  30  to enroll a storage location  20  by disclosing a plurality of storage location data, such as storage potential and means to contact communicator  22  of storage location  20 . Request  3010  along with the information that user  11  provided is processed by request process  3011  which creates storage location file  3012  and storage location authenticator  3014 . Both are stored on database  14  so that they are associated with each other. Storage location authenticator  3014  will grant appropriate access to the system  10  to data processor  23  which stores a copy of storage location authenticator  3014 . 
         [0074]      FIG. 3  depicts the data capture software module  40  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Data capture software module  40  of computer  12  is initiated upon instruction from user  11  or upon triggering from another software module and contacts and communicator  22  by sending data request  4010  through communications integration process  1910  of communications integration software  19  and access node  1810  of access interface  18 . In response, data processor  23  via communicator  22  sends authenticator  3014  by return path and data processor  23  and measurer  21  are authenticated by computer  12  through the use of authenticator  3014 . At that time, measurer  21  may be instructed to make a measurement  2110  or instructions may be issued by computer  12  to access storage measurement level data and/or other data previously saved by the data processor  23 . The requested information is formatted into data file  4011  stored by data processor  23  is sent by communicator  22  and is forwarded to data capture software module  40 . Transmission handler  41  copies data file  4011  to a file repository of database  14  where the data can be backed up and restored. Transmission handler  41  then forwards data file  4011  to data extraction module  42 . Data extraction module  42  parses data file  4011  for relevant information and saves the information in a predetermined form in record file  4012 . Relevant information for record file  4012  may be any relevant information deemed useful by user  11  and may be predetermined. Data-loading module  48  saves record file  4012  to database  14 . 
         [0075]    In one embodiment, contact with data capture software module  40  is initiated by the data processor  23  associated with measurer  21 . Such contact may be the result of a delivery of bulk product  16  and subsequent triggering of a new measurement  2110  by measurer  21 . It may also be the result of scheduled data requests. 
         [0076]      FIG. 4  depicts the management software module  50  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized user  11  accesses computer  12  of system  10  through communications network  17 , access node  1810  of access interface  18 , and communication integration software process  1910  of communication integration software  19  and is authorized. User  11  completes query request  5010  of management software module  50 . Query builder interface  51  submits query request  5010  to the query builder  52  which queries database  14  for such files as the set of record file  4012 . Query builder  51  then retrieves result set  5012 . Result set  5012  is the formatted by data formatter  53  into result file  5014  and forwarded to user  11  via query result interface  54 . 
         [0077]    Further management software module  50  includes scheduling software module  55  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized user  11  accesses computer  12  of system  10  through communications network  17 , access node  1810  of access interface  18 , and communication integration software process  1910  of communication integration software  19  and is authorized. User  11  completes schedule request  5510  of scheduling software module  55  to initiate a scheduled activity. Such a request would typically include identification of the storage location scheduling data and any other information deemed pertinent information. Scheduler  56  saves schedule request  5510  to database  14 . Upon the scheduled instance in schedule request  5510 , scheduling software module  55  passes an instruction file to data capture software module  40  to trigger the module to capture the requested data. 
         [0078]    Schedule request  5510  may also be a request for scheduling software module  55  to trigger the creation of a report according to one or more predetermined queries at predetermined times. Thereby, upon the scheduled instance in schedule request  5510 , scheduling software module  55  passes an instruction file to management software module  50  to create query request  5010  within the predetermined parameters of schedule request  5510 . 
         [0079]    In one embodiment, software module  50  includes an accounting software, such as accounting module, that allows for generating billing and remittances, including credit card authorizations. Such accounting software may further have the ability to calculate and determine an annual-averaged bill on a periodic basis. 
         [0080]    In one embodiment, software module  50  includes reporting software, such as reporting module, that according to a predetermined protocol report send the results of a query, result file  5014 , via communication network  17  in the form of an e-mail, a fax, or a voice mail message, or generate a web page, such as an active server page, ftp, or any other method. 
         [0081]    Associated with management software module  50  is delivery analysis software module  70 . Delivery analysis software module  70  may include one or a plurality of software modules, such as route optimization, geographical information and/or positioning systems, personnel management, and/or any other software and/or system that allow further management and/or reporting of data associate with system  10 , preferably but not necessarily limited to data associated to the delivery and/or replenishment of bulk product  16  of storage location  20 . 
         [0082]    In one preferred embodiment, software module  70  includes a route optimization software, such as route optimization module, that permit deliveries to be scheduled according to threshold storage levels of bulk product  16 . 
         [0083]    In one embodiment, software module  70  includes a geographical information system or an access interface to such a system and would be accessible over communications network  17  through the Internet, via wireless web enabled system, an/or any other convenient device and/or means. The geographical information system would associate geographical positions of storage locations, geographical positions of deliverers to known geographical data. Available and useful data may be transportation routes such as roadways, pipelines, and waterways, and their relative levels of congestion. Associated with that data in geographical information system may be route limitations, such as bridge weight or clearance limits, waterway limits on hazardous material shipment and/or other data useful and/or pertinent. 
         [0084]    In one embodiment, software module  70  includes a personnel management system that has the ability to schedule personnel within the limitations set by regulatory authorities, such as 49 CFR 350. 
         [0085]    It will be seen by someone skilled in the art that other management and software modules may be included. 
         [0086]      FIG. 5  depicts the monitoring software module  60  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Pre-authorized user  11  has previously enrolled storage location  20  in system  10  and created monitoring file  6010  which has been saved to database  14 . Monitoring file  6010  may include all such information user  11  finds useful to be monitored. For example, if user  11  is a fuel oil distributor who has entered into an exclusive supply contract, the distributor may wish to guard against rogue deliveries. Distributor user  11  enrolls the storage location  20  for bulk product  16 , a tank hold, and installs measurer  21 , data processor  23 , and communicator  22  associated with storage location  20 . Distributor user  11  then completes monitoring file  6010  which monitoring software module  60  saves to database  14 . Monitoring process  61  then forwards instruction file  6110  to data processor  23  using the communications path of communication integration software process  1910  of communication integration software  19 , access node  1810  of access interface  18 , and communication network  17  to communicator  22 . Data processor  23  saves instruction file in its memory. When bulk product  16  is filled, it causes measurer  21  to take measurement  2110  which measurer  21  forwards to data processor  23 . Data processor  23  is so configured that it recognizes that measurement  2110  exceeds parameters set in instruction file  6110 . Data processor  23  configures a result file, file  2310 , and by return path to computer  10  sends file  2310  along with previously-stored storage location authenticator  3014 . Monitoring software module  60  then analyzes file  2310  and sends an alert  6120  to user  11  informing him that the parameters created in monitoring file  6010  have been exceeded. User  11  the may take action or further use system  10  such as accessing data base  14  by creating queries and analyzing results further. 
         [0087]      FIG. 6  depicts the authorization software module  90  of system  10  in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Authorization software module  90  secures system  10  by managing the authorization and granting of authorization with and/or without human intervention of a system administrator. Unauthorized user  11  accesses computer  12  of system  10  through communications network  17 , access node  1810  of access interface  18 , and communication integration software process  1910  of communication integration software  19 . User  11  who requests authorization receives qualified access to system  10  from authorization software module  90 . Using the qualified access and using system  10 , user  11  completes the necessary authorization request  9010 , such as an application, and/or specific professional, and biographic information. Request  9010  along with the information user  11  provided is processed by request process  9011  which creates user file  9012  and authenticator  9014 . Both are stored on database  14  so that they are associated with each other. 
         [0088]    If user  11  is approved by a verification process, user  11  will be issued authenticator  9014  that will grant appropriate access to the system  10 . Authenticators that may be employed for a user  11  are known to be password, pass code, voice recognition, smart card technology, or biometric recognition. The appropriateness of assigning the type of authenticator  9014  can be determined according to standards understood by one skilled in the art and predetermined by the institution and/or in compliance with external constraints. 
         [0089]    The authorization process may include a proscribed verification process that may be attuned to the information supplied and/or level of access sought. The process for verifying the information is determined through available means and channels, such as record databases external and internal to the system  10 . 
         [0090]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of granting user  11  authorized access to system  10 . User  11  accesses computer  12  of system  10  through communications network  17  and access node  1810  of access interface  18  and communication integration software process  1910  of communication integration software  19 . Upon request of computer  12  user  11  provides previously issued authenticator  9014 . Computer  12  verifies authenticator  9014  through authentication process  9016  which queries database  14  for a copy of authenticator  9014 . Upon verification computer  12  grants access by access process  9017  or upon failure to verify denies access at denial process  9018 . 
         [0091]    Referring back to  FIG. 1  system  10  including computer  12  is optionally provided with degree day estimate software  80 . It is contemplated that degree day estimate software  80  will take into account various specific customer location information relating to the customer&#39;s home. This customer location information could include, such as for example, the size of the home, the insulation or insulating rating of the home taking into account the type of insulation and the type of size of windows in the home, the type of heating equipment used including an efficiency rating and the like. In this manner, a specific rating for the home can be used in determining the degree day estimate. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a user  11  could access computer  12  via network connection  17  to access the degree day estimate for a particular customer location. In on embodiment, user  11  may comprise a fuel dealer that supplies fuel to a customer location, in another embodiment, user  11  may comprise the customer to whom fuel is supplied. 
         [0092]    In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a first customer may utilize degree day estimate software  80  as described above. Additionally, a second customer, in a similar geographical location to the first customer, may utilize the system including measurer  21  as described earlier to generate a measurement  2110  at the second customer location. The measurement  2110  may then be used by degree day estimate software  80  to determine a degree day estimate for the first customer. 
         [0093]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , system  10  including computer  12  is optionally provided to monitor the efficiency of, for example, a home heating system. Measurer  21  is provided at the storage location  20  and is provided to measure the temperature of a fuel stack as it runs throughout the course of a day. From this measurement, the efficiency of the heating system can be determined. It is further contemplated that the temperature measurements can be taken at varying sampling frequencies to determine the rise time of the temperature, the steady state temperature, the duration of the steady state temperature, and the time between cycles to provide very accurate information. This data may be gathered at the customer location via measurer  21  and transmitted to computer  12  via network  17 , which is accessible to users  11 . 
         [0094]    In still another embodiment, the system  10  may utilize measurer  21  to monitor for detection of burner lockout. This could be accomplished, for example, by having measurer  21  monitor an alarm signal indicative of a burner lockout. The burner lockout signal may be sent from the customer location to computer  12  via network  17  to be accessible to users  11 . 
         [0095]    Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many other modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.