# US 2021/0082008 A1 · System and method for realizing utility cost savings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0082008 A1 - Document ID: US20210082008A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/574,222 - Filed: 2019-09-18 - Published: 2021-03-18 - Earliest claimed: 2019-09-18 - Assignees: Universal Electronics Inc. - Applicants: Universal Electronics Inc. - Inventors: Masakazu Sueda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210082008A1 ## CPC - G06Q 30/0283: Price estimation or determination - G06Q 50/06: Energy or water supply - G06Q 10/02: Reservations, e.g. for tickets, services or events - G06Q 50/12: Hotels or restaurants - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract A pre-defined cost savings benefit is provided to a guest as a function of an amount of a calculated cost savings that can be attributed to the guest during a period of occupancy by the guest. Utility cost saving are tracked in real-time during the period of guest occupancy and the guest will be able to use a device to visualize the utility cost savings that are being realized during this period. By being able to view the utility cost savings being realized in real-time, the guest will be incentivized to directly engage in a utility cost savings effort for the personal benefit of the guest which will, in turn, benefit the hotel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system, comprising: an administration server; a display device communicatively coupled to the administration server; and at least one utility meter communicatively coupled to the administration server; wherein the administration server has programming that causes the administration server to: determine a time of a guest check-in at a lodging; receive from the at least one utility meter data indicative of utility usage at the time of the guest check-in; periodically receive from the at least one utility meter data indicative of utility usage subsequent to the time of the guest check-in; use the data indicative of utility usage subsequent to the time of the guest check-in and the data indicative of utility usage at the time of the guest check-in to calculate a periodic amount of cost savings being realized by the guest; and provide to the display device the calculated cost savings realized by the guest. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the administration server has further programming that causes the administration server to determine a time of the guest check-out of the lodging, receive from the at least one utility meter data indicative of utility usage at the time of the guest check-out, use the data indicative of utility usage at the time of the guest check-out and the data indicative of utility usage at the time of the guest check-in to calculate a final amount of cost savings that was realized by the guest, and to cause a benefit to be provided to the guest as a function of the calculated final amount of cost savings that was realized by the guest. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system as recited in claim 2, wherein the benefit provided to the guest comprises a reduction in a hotel bill by a percentage amount of the calculated final amount of cost savings that was realized by the guest. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system as recited in claim 3, wherein the benefit provided to the guest comprises an addition to a reward points account that is reflective of a percentage amount of the calculated final amount of cost savings that was realized by the guest. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device is further communicatively coupled to a utility controller associated with the at least one utility meter and wherein the display device and the utility controller have complimentary program that allows the display device to be used to remotely control operations of the utility associated with the at least one utility meter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the administration server has further programming that prevents the display device from being used to remotely control operations of the utility associated with the at least one utility meter subsequent to a time of the guest checking-out of the lodging. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one utility meter comprises an electric meter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one utility meter comprises a gas meter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one utility meter comprises a water meter. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the administration server is communicatively coupled to a utility service provider computer system for receiving from the utility service provider system utility usage rate data and wherein the administration server uses the utility usage rate data when calculating the periodic amount of cost savings being realized by the guest. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the administration server uses a historical, calculated utility usage cost associated with the lodging when calculating the periodic amount of cost savings being realized by the guest. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the administration server uses a utility service provider determined utility usage cost when calculating the periodic amount of cost savings being realized by the guest. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a mobile phone. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a kiosk. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a television. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the lodging comprises a hotel room.