Abstract:
A method and system for controlling the purchase of fine-grained resource purchases, such as utility resources or access to limited highway lanes. Real time pricing based upon current demand and/or usage is periodically determined. Access to that real time pricing information is obtained by individual users via a distributed computing network or radio frequency broadcast system and utilization of those resources is then locally controlled based upon that pricing information. Access to limited highway lanes may be priced based upon current actual utilization and pricing information is then broadcast, permitting users to selectively access those lanes based upon real time pricing decisions by those users.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates in general to an improved method and system for real time pricing of fine-grained resources and in particular to an improved method and system for real time pricing of fine-grained resources utilizing a distributed computing network. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to an improved method and system for real time pricing of fine-grained resources which permits efficient and intelligent multi-parameter purchasing/consumption of fine-grained resources. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Producers of goods and services typically set their prices in accordance with the cost of production and the expected demand for those goods or services. However, for a large class of producers, the cost of a particular item or class of service is dependent upon the demand for that item or class of service. For example, electrical utilities typically have a fixed maximum generating capacity. It is quite expensive for an electrical power generation station to be switched on and off and this consideration causes the incremental cost of electrical power to be quite low when the demand for electrical power is low. As the demand for electrical power increases, the incremental cost of energy rises. When demand is close to the maximum power generation capacity, the cost of additional electrical energy becomes quite high, resulting in a demand for the construction of increased generation capacity and a requirement for electrical power generation stations to preemptively disconnect consumers from the electrical power distribution network. 
     Traditionally, this problem has been addressed by relying upon a pricing scheme which takes anticipated demand into account. For example, during the summer when high air conditioning costs are expected electrical power costs are set higher than during the winter. Similarly, gasoline prices rise during the summer months in anticipation of increased consumption by drivers. However, since both of these solution rely upon the prediction of future demand, they can lead to significantly flawed pricing models. 
     One solution to this problem is a real time pricing model in which the price is dynamically adjusted periodically to match demand for the goods or services. One example of this model is short term trading on the stock exchange. Barring news that substantially changes the inherent value of the stock of a particular company, the price of that stock is directly related to the demand for that stock. Another example of this pricing model is telecommunications network capacity auctions which are provided in real time by companies like Arbinet, at “www.arbinet.com.” 
     Real time pricing models currently exist in situations where a large quantity of a resource exchanges hands. In both stock markets and telecom network capacity auctions, the buyers and sellers meet at an exchange to trade large quantities of stocks and telecommunication capacity. The inherent efficiencies of real time pricing models make them extremely attractive. However, the overhead of real time price management introduces considerable difficult in extending this model to situations where small quantities of resources are bought and sold. 
     Glorioso, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,776 discloses one system in which the consumption of electrical power is controlled by price points. A smart thermostat is utilized having a transceiver for two-way communication with the energy provider. The smart thermostat includes a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature, a user interface for displaying and receiving information to and from the user, a port connecting the thermostat to a cooling or heating device, a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver receives a current energy price from an energy provider and the user interface receives temperature set points and associated acceptable energy costs. The processor then issues a control signal to the cooling or heating device to operate when the temperature is different than the temperature set point and the acceptable energy cost is not greater than the current price of energy. Information regarding the temperature set points and associated costs are transmitted by the transceiver from the smart thermostat to the energy provider which may then predict the effect that a change in the current energy price will have on energy demand. The user interface may also display a bill for the accumulated use of energy either calculated by the processor or downloaded from the energy provider for utilization by the user. 
     Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,974,308, issued to Vedel discloses a cellular telephone system which optimizes user demand by charging the system subscribers according to a variable charge rate based upon utilization of each cell within the system by subscribers. The service provider monitors the load in each cell within the cellular system and for each cell a continuously determined charge rate is tailored to specific subscriber categories according to a number of variables which are optimized for an individual cell&#39;s capacity and overall system capacity. 
     While both of these aforementioned systems describe techniques for varying the real time price of a commodity, both of these techniques are directed to systems which permit the supplier of the commodity to vary the price for that commodity based upon accurate presumptions regarding utilization of that commodity in order to bring additional accuracy to the prediction of future demand and increase the accuracy of pricing models. However, neither of these systems shows or suggests a method or system whereby a user may efficiently and accurately utilize the resultant pricing data to accurately control the purchasing and/or consumption of the goods or services. Consequently, those skilled in the art should appreciate that a need exists for a method and system whereby a user may efficiently and intelligently purchase and consume various fine-grained resources based upon multi-parameter decisions rules. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for real time pricing of fine-grained resources. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for real time pricing of fine-grained resources which utilizes a distributed computing network. 
     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved method and system for real time pricing of fine-grained resources which permits efficient and intelligent multi-parameter purchasing/consumption decisions to be made. 
     The foregoing objects are achieved as is now described. A method and system are disclosed for controlling the purchase of fine-grained resource purchases, such as utility resources or access to limited highway lanes. Real time pricing based upon current demand and/or usage is periodically determined. Access to that real time pricing information is obtained by individual users via a distributed computing network or a radio frequency broadcast system and utilization of those resources is then locally controlled based upon that pricing information. Access to limited highway lanes may be priced based upon current actual utilization and pricing information is then broadcast, permitting users to selectively access those lanes based upon real time pricing decisions by those users. 
     The above as well as additional objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partially schematic, pictorial view of a system for real time pricing of fine-grained resource purchases in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a high-level logic flowchart of the process for utilizing the system of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a partially schematic, pictorial view of a system for real time pricing of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) highway lane access in accordance with the method and system of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a high-level logic flowchart of the process for utilizing the system of FIG.  3 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to FIG. 1, there is depicted a partially schematic, pictorial view of a system  10  for real time pricing of fine-grained resource purchases in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As depicted, system  10  includes a central processing unit  12  which is depicted within a user location  14 . Those having skill in this art will appreciate that central processing unit  12  may comprise any suitable programmable processor such as, for example, a personal computer, minicomputer or even an appropriately programmed dedicated processor constructed integrally within user location  14 . 
     As depicted, central processing unit  12  includes communication capacity or modem for communicating with the outside world including a so-called wide area network (WAN) such as the World Wide Web, depicted at reference numeral  16 . 
     In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, also coupled to wide area network  16  are power generation system number one, indicated at reference numeral  18 , power generation system number two, indicated at reference numeral  20 , water supply number one, indicated at reference numeral  22 , water supply number two, indicated at reference numeral  24  and a natural gas supply indicated at reference numeral  36 . Additionally, billing computer  34  is shown coupled to wide area network  16  in a manner which will be explained in greater detail below. 
     Referring again to user location  14 , it may be seen that user location  14  includes multiple appliances including appliance  26  and  28  which may comprise various appliances typically found within the user&#39;s home such as, for example, dishwashers, hot water heaters or the like. Similarly, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system  30  and irrigation system  32  are also depicted as associated with user location  14 . As illustrated, natural gas supply  36  and the various power generation systems and water supply systems are each coupled to user location  14  in a manner well known to those having skill in these arts. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, there is depicted a high-level logic flowchart of the process for utilizing the system of FIG.  1 . Continued reference will also be made to FIG.  1 . As illustrated, this process begins at block  40  and thereafter passes to block  42  which depicts the prompting of a user for a desired HVAC/appliance schedule. In this manner, the user may program a time schedule, temperature set points or the like into central processing unit  12  in its embodiment as a home computer or into the central processing unit portion of a controller associated with a so-called “smart house.” 
     Next, the process passes to block  44 . Block  44  illustrates the periodic linking of central processing unit  12  to various utility suppliers via a wide area network, such as the world wide web, depicted at reference numeral  16  within FIG.  1 . The process then passes to block  46 . 
     Block  46  illustrates the determination of real time pricing for the various utilities depicted within FIG.  1 . By real time pricing, what is meant is the price set by the provider of various goods or services for a fixed interval of time or a fixed amount of those goods or services. Of course, as described above, the model utilized by the provider of these goods or services may be adaptive in nature and thus, the pricing information for the goods or services may vary dramatically over relatively short periods of time. 
     Additionally, it is contemplated that the determination of real time pricing of the utilities whose suppliers are coupled to the world wide web may contemplate more than a simple downloading of a current price from those utilities. For example, pricing information may include a variable price over multiple service quality levels. For utility services these multiple service quality levels may include differing levels of interruptibility, or various maximum or minimum flows. Further, a pricing algorithm may be present within central processing unit  12  which attempts to predict the pricing of various goods or services based upon the current price of those goods or services from multiple sources for those goods or services, and known statistical information including: current environmental and temperature readings; historical variations in utilization data; and, possible political upheaval in those areas where the various resources are produced. In this manner, it is contemplated that central processing unit  12  (see FIG. 1) may utilize a sophisticated pricing algorithm to determine the current and likely future price of various goods or services by utilizing a sophisticated pricing algorithm in combination with communications containing current pricing for those goods or service from one or more source. 
     Next as depicted at block  48 , the periodic usage or consumption of those utilities is scheduled by central processing unit  12 , based upon the real time pricing, both current and predicted. In this manner, for example, it may be possible to utilize central processing unit  12  to vary the start time for an appliance, such as a dishwasher, until such time as the cost of water and electricity reach a daily minimum. Further, it is contemplated that various dual fuel source appliances may be utilized and the selection of a particular appliance may be varied based upon the dynamically determined cost for the utility which powers that appliance. For example, HVAC system  30  may include both a natural gas furnace and an electric heat pump unit and a decision regarding which of these device is initiated will be based dynamically upon the determined and predicted price for natural gas and electricity in accordance with the method and system of the present invention. Of course, as noted above, provision of electrical power or water, for example, by multiple providers can also result in variations in a price which can be utilized by the pricing algorithm within central processing unit  12 . 
     Thereafter, as illustrated at block  50 , the HVAC system and appliance systems are controlled utilizing central processing unit  12  in accordance with the schedule determined above. Finally, the purchases of the various resources are posted to the user&#39;s account utilizing billing computer  34 . 
     With reference now to FIG. 3, there is depicted a partially schematic pictorial view of a system for real time pricing of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) highway lane access in accordance with the method and system of the present invention. 
     Many modern cities include multi-lane freeways which include a reversible high occupancy lanes which are reserved for utilization by vehicles carrying more than a preset number of passengers. These lanes are often under utilized for lack of a sufficient number of vehicles that meet the appropriate criteria. Consequently, it would be useful to provide a method and system for dynamically calculating the capacity of these lanes and setting a price for utilization thereof. 
     As illustrated in FIG. 3, the highway system graphically depicted includes southbound lanes  60 , northbound lanes  62  and high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64 . In accordance with the depicted embodiment of the present invention, the amount of traffic presently within high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  is periodically and dynamically determined utilizing well known traffic sensor devices, such as traffic sensors  66  and  68 . These devices determine the number of vehicles passing over a roadway surface during a specific period of time by detecting the presence of large metallic objects within the range of an inductive circuit, or utilizing other technology, such as optical technology. 
     Traffic loading information from traffic sensors  66  and  68  is then coupled to central traffic and billing computer  78 . In a period of time during which high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  are underutilized, the appropriate access lanes for traffic in that direction may be opened to non-qualified vehicles. For example, access lanes  70  and  72  permit traffic from north bound lanes  62  to enter high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64 . 
     However, it is important that the utilization of these lanes be priced dynamically based upon the amount of additional traffic desired for these lanes. Consequently, based upon various traffic models and the traffic load present within high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64 , central traffic and billing computer  78  calculates an access charge for those lanes which is then, in the depicted embodiment, periodically broadcast via radio frequency systems over broadcast antenna  80 . 
     Vehicles within north bound lanes  62  who desire access to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  may then enter those lanes via access lanes  70  and  72  and may be identified via tag sensors  74  and  76 . Tag sensors  74  and  76  are utilized in a manner well known to those having skill in this particular art, to detect and identify particular users passing through access lanes  70  and  72  so that access charges for utilization of high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  may be posted to credit card accounts for those users. 
     Finally, referring to FIG. 4, there is depicted a high level logic flowchart of the process for utilizing the system of FIG.  3 . As illustrated, this process begins at block  90 . Thereafter, as described above, the traffic load within high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  is periodically determined utilizing, for example, traffic sensors  66  and  68 . 
     Next, the access price for access to high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  is determined. Of course, in situations in which the traffic load within high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  exceeds some predetermined level the access price may be set at infinity, effectively prohibiting the entry of additional vehicles which do not meet the high occupancy vehicle (HOV) criterion. 
     Next, as depicted at block  96 , the access price is periodically broadcast, permitting the highway authority to dynamically alter the access price for access to these lanes in a manner reflective of the current access utilization of those lanes. 
     Finally, as depicted at block  98 , the access charges for each vehicle entering high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes  64  are posted to user&#39;s account utilizing tag sensors  74  and  76  as described above. The process then passes to block  100  and returns. 
     Preferred implementations of the invention include implementations as a computer system programmed to execute the method or methods described herein, and as a program product. According to the computer system implementation, sets of instructions for executing the method and methods are resident in RAM of one or more computer systems configured generally as described above. Until required by the computer system, the set of instructions may be stored as a computer-program product in another computer memory, for example, in a disk drive (which may include a removable memory such as an optical disk or floppy disk for eventual utilization in disk drive). 
     The computer-program product can also be stored at another computer and transmitted when desired to the user&#39;s workstation by a network or by an external communications network. One skilled in the art can appreciate that the physical storage of the sets of instructions physically carries computer-readable information. The change may be electrical, magnetic, chemical, or some other physical change. While it is convenient to describe the invention in terms of instructions, symbols, characters, or the like, the reader should remember that all of these and similar terms should be associated with the appropriate physical elements. Thus, a method for implementing the steps described within reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 can be accomplished with a computer-aided device. In such a method, data stored in a memory unit of a data-processing system such as a data-processing system, can represent steps in a method for implementing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     Upon reference to the foregoing, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present application describes a method and system whereby the purchase and consumption of fine-grained resources may be intelligently and accurately adjusted based upon real time pricing data which may be dynamically determined and adjusted utilizing a sophisticated pricing algorithm of the user&#39;s choice. In this manner, real time pricing models may be extended to situations where a relatively small quantities of resources are purchased in a fine-grained fashion by an end consumer in an intelligent and efficient manner. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.