The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2000
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1997
Mihoji Tsumura, Osaka, JP;
Ricos Co., Ltd., , JP;
Abstract
A system for automatically billing information services in conjunction with utilities services. The system includes a main unit having a host computer with a database for storing data of various types, and a transceiver for radio communications. The system also includes a plurality of terminal units for receiving said data of various types. In operation, the main unit transmits data tagged with a unique data identification code, and each of the plurality of terminal units is provided with a utilization status counter for storing data identification codes of data actually executed. Each terminal unit then calculates service fee based on the stored data identification codes in the utilization status counter referring to fee conversion data which the main unit transmits at regular intervals. Service fee information is sent to a fee conversion adaptor connected to said terminal unit, and a signal provided from the adaptor is used to control the integrating meter which indicates the rate of usage of a public utility.