BACKGROUND Owners of facilities, for example, department stores and warehouses, often want to upgrade existing systems of the facility, such as a lighting system. One reason to upgrade the lighting system is to respond to the government's increased demand for energy efficient systems. In the late 1980's and early 1990's, the Department of Energy and the Public Utility Commission provided a financial incentive for utilities to offer Demand Side Measures (DSM) to their customers. Facility owners took advantage of DSM in the form of utility funded rebates used to purchase more energy efficient motors, variable frequency drives, lighting systems, and occupancy sensors.

A problem occurs, however, when the facility owner owns tens or even hundreds of facilities to be upgraded. To implement such an upgrade, the facility owner typically manually identifies and takes bids from a plurality of contractors, such as taking bids from multiple contractors for each local facility. The facility owner and the contractors often then negotiate contract terms that cover services to be performed at the various facilities, upgrades to be accomplished, dates and times of the installation and billing. Thereafter, the owner of the facilities manually verifies that the work at each facility is being done according to the terms of the contract. In addition, the owner may maintain separate accounting and bill payments for each facility due to the localized bidding and contracting. Finally, the owner has no easy way of verifying that the upgraded systems at all the facilities are working correctly after being implemented.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. By way of introduction, the preferred embodiment described below includes a method and system for centralized implementation and monitoring of a system, for example, a lighting system.

In one aspect of the preferred embodiment the lighting system of at least one customer facility is implemented and monitored via an interactive website. First, the customer determines via the interactive website whether the customer is qualified for implementation of the provided services at the customer's facility. If qualified, a contract concerning implementation of the system is executed via the interactive website. At least one contractor who will implement the lighting system upgrade is chosen via the interactive website. Thereafter, status information regarding the implementation of the system upgrade can be monitored via the interactive website.

In another aspect, the customer pays the owner of the website for the services of the contractor. For example, the customer pays an amount determined as a function of energy cost savings. The contractor or plurality of contractors are paid by the owner of the website. Where the customer has multiple facilities, only one periodic payment is made to the owner of the website. Furthermore, the customer can monitor the status of upgrades and energy savings for multiple facilities at one location, the website.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art with reference to the detailed description and the drawings, of which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one preferred embodiment of an exemplary facility lighting system and remote monitoring connection; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one preferred embodiment of a system for monitoring information regarding, for example, installation of the facility's lighting system, power consumption and faults occurring at the facility ; FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing one preferred embodiment of the remote monitoring system where multiple facilities connect with a control center; and FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing one preferred embodiment of a method for using the systems shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

TABLE OF ACRONYMS The following table aids the reader in determining the meaning of the several acronyms used to describe the embodiments: C/T = current transformer.

DSL = digital subscriber line.

GSP = guaranteed service program.

HID = high intensity discharge.

I/O = input/output.

ISDN = integrated services digital network.

ISP = Internet service provider.

KWH = kilowatt hours.

LCU = lighting control unit.

PC = personal computer.

UPS = uninterrupted power source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Generally, the system and method of the preferred embodiments provides qualification of a customer through computer processing. In addition, once qualified, the customer chooses vendors to service a facility of the customer. For example, the customer orders the retrofitting of their facility lighting system in a manner as described in commonly owned U. S. Patent No. (Application Serial No. 09/454,775), directed to a"System and Method for Monitoring Lighting Systems,"which is incorporated by reference herein. Thereafter, the customer can view on a computer the progress of the system's retrofit, power consumption of the facility, new electrical equipment performance and faults occurring within the system.

In one embodiment, the above described information is provided by a website. For example, one website provides all or a sub-set of this information for each of a plurality of remotely located facilities.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, an exemplary lighting system includes at least one ballast 4 and lighting fixture 5. The lighting fixture 5 includes a lamp 6, powered from an end user panel 7 that connects with an electric utility 8. The electric utility 8 uses, for example, an electric utility meter 9 to monitor the end user's power consumption to determine an amount the end user should be charged.

In addition, according to the preferred embodiments, the lighting system is modified to include a lighting control unit (LCU) 10. A preferred LCU 10 is an ULTRAWATT power savings unit as described in commonly owned patents to Walker, U. S. Patent No. 5,754,036 and Bangerter 5,583,423, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other equipment that produces energy reduction may be used, such as other electronically controlled power reduction devices, transformers, switch based power reducers or dimmer switches. In an alternative embodiment, energy monitoring devices without energy reduction capabilities are used.

The LCU 10 sends signals relating to power consumption and system faults via a communication port to a control center 12, for example. These signals allow the control center 12 to diagnose the operation of the lighting system and to monitor power consumption. The system includes a power monitor 14, or alternatively current transformers (C/T's) with power monitoring capabilities, for logging energy data, such as, Amperage, Voltage, power, phasing, frequency, line noise and KWH. An exemplary power monitor is a NEMA enclosure surface mount meter model number DMMS425B manufactured by Electro Industries, but other power monitors may be used.

In alternative embodiments, the LCU 10 performs the consumption and/or fault monitoring.

Referring to FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the lighting system is shown which includes network or website communications. The power monitor 14 includes C/T's that are preferably connected in daisy chain fashion with an input/output (I/O) card 16. Preferably, one C/T is utilized for each phase of the electrical system. An exemplary)/0 card is model number 8D-11 manufactured by Electro Industries, but other 1/0 cards may be used. The 1/0 card 16 connects with the LCU's communication port. For example, the communications port is a standard 1 5-pin connector that is rated for nominal 5 Volt, 10 milliamp dry contact operation. Other communication ports may be used. The 1/0 card 16 includes a protocol platform so that a device, such a personal computer (PC) 18, may read the signals sent via the communications port of the LCU 10. The PC 18 is preferably an embedded programmed personal computer, but other PCs, workstations, servers, processors or application specific integrated circuits could be used.

Preferably, the protocol platform identifies each LCU 10 with a unique address so that an operator can determine from which LCU 10 a signal originated.

The PC 18 is a personal computer that contains, for example, a microprocessor, a communication card and a modem. The PC 18 preferably includes software that is configurable so that the PC 18 may adapt to different lighting system configurations, but may be hard wired. The PC 18 logs energy information, like kilowatt-hour (KWH) usage of the lighting system, and signals, like alarm signals, from the LCU 10, and automatically transfers this information, for example, via electronic-mail. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the PC 18 can send messages to the control center 12 using other methods, such as an indirect, a direct or a dedicated connection via a telephone line with a modem, via a T1 line, via a wireless connection or by cable. The messages could be sent, for example, once every week, daily, monthly or substantially real-time (e. g. upon receipt).

Optionally, the PC 18 connects with a first uninterrupted power source (UPS) 20 for continuous operation in the case of a power failure. The UPS 20 allows operators at the control center 12 to communicate with the PC 18 to diagnose alarms during power failure.

In one embodiment, for electronic-mail communication, an Internet service provider (ISP) 22 connects with the PC 18. The ISP 22 allows operators or processors at the control center 12 to connect with any LCU 10.

The ISP 22 also allows messages to be sent from the PC 18 to the control center 12 from anywhere in a region or globally. A domain name 24 is preferably set-up, for example, ULTRAWATT-LINK. com, to allow the control center 12 to receive the messages from the PC 18 and other PCs.

Optionally, a concentrator 26 connects the ISP 22 with the control center 12 via a data line, for example, a modem connection, a digital subscriber line (DSL), an integrated services digital network (ISDN) high speed data line, a T1 line or other data transfer mechanism. The concentrator 26 allows multiple computers to connect with and simultaneously run from a single data line in real-time, twenty-four hours a day. Other communication configurations may be used, such as using multiple dedicated lines and modems, T1 or cable connections. The ISDN allows digital data communication and preferably provides two simultaneous connections over a single line. In addition, multiple devices may attach to the line in a network fashion. Typically, the ISP 22 provides the concentrator 26 that houses a high speed (SON Modem expansion card. Preferably, the concentrator 26 connects with a second UPS 28.

The concentrator 26, ISP 22, LCU 10, power monitor 14 or lao 16 connects with a network server 30 at the control center 12. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the concentrator 26'may also be located away from the control center 12. The network server 30 facilitates message delivery to a mail server processor 32, for example, a PC, and transfers logging data between the PCs and an accounting department, described below. The network server 30 preferably connects with an internal backup 34 and a third UPS 36 with a generator 38, to safeguard against the loss and corruption of received energy consumption and alarm data.

The mail server processor 32 is located at the control center 12 and is preferably a dedicated stand alone PC with a live (i. e. continuous) connection to the network server 30. The mail server processor 32 automatically sends information relating to contractor or vendor performance, tracking system upgrades, alarms and energy output, for example, via electronic-mail, to at least one customer processor 40a-40c, for example, a PC. Preferably, each end user account, per facility or group of facilities, has a dedicated customer processor 40a-40c that logs energy information and receives alarm messages. Each customer processor 40a-40c is networked via the network server 30 and connects with dedicated accounting processors 42a-42c, for example, PCs, one for each monitored facility, groups thereof, customer or groups thereof, for ease of transferring logged alarm signals and energy consumption information. Preferably, software automatically sends logged signals and information to the customer. In alternative embodiments, the mail server 32 performs the functions of one or more of the customer processors 40a-c and/or accounting processors 42a-c. Any combination of processor, PC, and/or server functionality may be used.

The accounting processors 42a-42c can be used to determine charged fees under a service program, for example. The accounting processors 42a- 42c are preferably connected on a network 43, for example via an intranet connection. Dedicated processors or PCs are used per facility for convenience purposes, but one PC could be used for all or a sub-set of facilities. In an exemplary embodiment, processor software automatically sends accounting information to the customer, such as via electronic-mail, upon receipt of the information or periodically.

Preferably, all processors are interconnected by the network and have substantially constant connection to the Internet through the ISP 22 for receiving information. In addition, the server processor 32 connects with a redundant server processor 44 and the customer dedicated processors 40a- 40c connect with data backups 46a-46c and UPSs 48a-48c. Non-redundant or different redundant systems may be used. In alternate embodiments, the control center 12 includes different components, connections or architectures for receiving communications and providing data.

Referring to FIG. 3, those skilled in the art can appreciate that one or more facilities 49a-f connects with the control center 12, in one or more ways.

For example, the facilities 49a, b, d connect directly with the control center 12.

Moreover, the facility 49c connects with the control center 12 via another facility 49b. Similarly, the facilities 49e, f connect with the control center 12 via a satellite control center 51 that collects data, for example, on a local level.

Thereafter, data collected at the satellite control center 51 is sent to the control center 12. In each case, information is gathered from the facility 49a-f to the control center 12, for example, via the ULTRWATT-LINK. com domain or other connection with the control center 12.

The system and method of the preferred embodiments include a second domain name 50, for example, ULTRAWATT. com, connected with the ULTRAWATT-LINK. com domain via the network server 30. While ULTRAWATT-LINK. com is preferably a private domain used solely by the website owner for the collection of logging energy consumption data and alarms, ULTRAWATT. com provides an interactive website. Thus, while ULTRAWATT-LINK. com is a secure domain that allows no or limited outside access, the website owner and a plurality of third party users may access information 52 via the ULTRAWATT. com website, for example, via the Internet. In alternative embodiments, a single website with one or multiple levels of access is provided. In yet other alternative embodiments, each one of multiple interactive websites are dedicated to one or more customers, service providers or others.

The third party users, which includes customers, service providers, contractor members, manufacturers who supply components and others involved with facility systems, are able to interact through the interactive website. Facility systems include lighting systems, security systems, refrigeration systems and other such systems. Users enter the interactive website to supply information for others to view on the website and/or to view information from the website.

When the user first accesses the website, the user preferably views a home page screen that includes, for example, the website owner's name and logo. Also included at the home page is a list of options for the user to choose from. For example, one option is for the user to view general information about the website owner. Another option is for the user to view information about the website owners'service and other programs. Yet another option for the user is to view a list of program contractors and service providers, and general information concerning each contractor and service provider. In a particular example, another option is for the users to view information regarding how a lighting system is retrofitted. The user may also select an option to be qualified as a customer to the lighting system, or other system, retrofit. One or more of the possible selections may be displayed only for particular users. For example, only a qualified customer is provided with the selectable option and associated list of program contractors and service provider information.

Referring to FIG. 4, if a user wishes to become, for example, a customer of the lighting system retrofit, lighting system installation, energy monitoring or other system services, the user first attempts to be qualified as a customer (block 100). Qualification of the customer includes a single step or multiple steps, such as pre-qualification and final qualification steps. As part of the qualification, potential customers are, preferably reviewed to determine whether the customer's financial position is solid and to determine whether the customer's facility or facilities fall within the guidelines of the service program.

To determine whether the potential customer falls within determined guidelines, information is gathered, preferably via the interactive website, about the potential customer's facilities. For example, hours of operation, kilowatt hours (KWH) rates, and existing lighting system component information is obtained. In addition, information is gathered, for example, concerning the square footage of the potential customer's facility, whether the customer uses high intensity discharge- (HID) lights and whether the potential customer's facility runs for twenty or more hours a day for seven days a week.

In alternative embodiments, the potential customer is provided with contact information (address, e-mail or phone number).

If the customer meets the above guideline, the process continues by asking the customer more detailed questions. Gathered information is then used as input to a computer model, for example, to determine the financial feasibility of the project for the service provider (e. g., owner of the website), For example, the model calculates the margin of profit where customers are charged for energy savings. The higher the KWH costs, for example, greater than seven cents, and the longer the operating hours, the greater the potential for profit. In addition, particular applications, for example warehouses, distribution centers, retail, and industrial buildings have a greater potential for using high wattage lamps than residential buildings, and thus have the potential for higher energy consumption and greater energy savings.

Thereafter, preferably while the potential customer is still connected to the interactive website, the computer model determines the feasibility of the project and whether the potential customer is qualified. Other feasibility variables may be separately or also considered such as whether operating hours vary in different areas of the facility.

If the customer is qualified, as indicated via the website, the customer is assigned a password. The password preferably gives the customer access to information such as a bulletin board or listing on the interactive website, where the information is customized for that particular customer. Software communicates and/or extracts pertinent information from and/or for the customer and other users, as described below.

Thereafter, the customer is asked to execute a contract (block 102).

The contract may be on or downloaded from the website with already provided information filed in, or may be mailed : Any questions and negotiations concerning the contract are preferably accomplished via electronic-mail, by phone or in person. Thereafter, the owner of the website receives the executed contract via electronic-mail from the interactive website, by mail or in person, for example, and performs any necessary due diligence analysis on the customer, such as determining the customer's creditworthiness. In alternative embodiments, a processor of electronic credit information automatically determines the customer's creditworthiness.

If the due diligence and creditworthiness of the customer are acceptable, the website owner notifies the customer, preferably via an electronic mail message, that the customer is approved. Thereafter, an on site analysis of the customer's facility is scheduled via the interactive website (block 104). Preferably the customer views, via the website, contactors to perform the on site analysis, and the days that the contractors are available.

Contractor and availability information may be displayed in calendar as a list or in some other way. Alternatively, the customer may choose to enter the customer's own choice of contractor that is not listed on the website.

Phone or mail based communications may also be used to schedule the site analysis.

At the site, the contractor prepares an audit of the facility. The audit reflects, for example, the operating hours of the facility by area and whether or not the area has air conditioning. If lights are switched on/off, the switching method is verified. Switching methods include energy management system, time clock, photocell, and occupancy sensors. If some fixtures are switched by wall switches, the average hours of operation for these fixtures is noted.

These fixtures may be excluded from the base program and may be included under separate negotiations with the customer. Alternatively, such fixtures are included in the program. Type and number of fixtures and lamps, their wattage and voltage, and the type of reflectors, if any are identified. Broken and discolored lenses are noted, as is the type of bell of the fixture. The approximate age of ballasts is also recorded for use during the design phase of the project. Any obvious or other code violations are noted, and new lighting control equipment is considered for any lighting circuits to achieve additional energy savings.

After the on site analysis is completed, the website owner has approved the customer's financial status and the customer is approved for installation, the interactive website, electronic mail, phone or mail is used to notify the customer of their approved status. The customer then signs a report that reflects the contractor's on site analysis, and the report accompanies the earlier signed contract. A secured password is assigned to the customer for access to the bulletin board or customer information.

To schedule the project design and installation (block 106), if any, the customer accesses the interactive website. Preferably, the customer has a choice of approved electrical contractors and lighting service providers.

Service providers can be approved according to their reputation in the industry, service history, licensing, number of complaints and other factors known to those skilled in the art. After the customer makes the selections, the selections are preferably displayed on the customer's information or bulletin board and on the bulletin board or information provided to the owner of the website or other centralized location.

A secured project number is assigned for future access to information for each project. Thereafter, the customer uses their project number and password to access from the interactive website a customized source of information or bulletin board. The customized information contains information, such as lighting system retrofit installation dates and progress, maintenance scheduling and when maintenance was performed, emergency services that were provided, facility energy data and alarms that occurred due to a fault condition in the facility's system, such as a blown circuit breaker.

The information is stored either according to the work being accomplished, the facility or a combination of both. Thus, a customer can access up-to-date information concerning ongoing projects and facility energy consumption at their facilities, at any time. Alternatively or additionally, information regarding completed services is automatically sent to the customer via electronic mail or in another way. Since the system gathers information from multiple facilities, one source is provided to the customer for project and consumption information for the multiple facilities.

To ensure that data viewed by the customers is up to date, service providers or contractors access the interactive website with passwords to update the progress of specific projects and enter other pertinent information concerning those projects (block 108). Preferably, the service provider or contractor is required to enter specific information concerning the customer's facility. Exemplary information includes initial system installation information, the project's progress, schduled facility maintenance, schduled facility group re-lamp and emergency services that were provided, thereby updating substantially real-time information about the customer's facility on the interactive website. The interactive website provides the customer a historical tracking system to ensure that the customer's needs are being attended to on a timely basis per the terms and conditions of their contract.

As an incentive for the service provider to update the required information, the service provider preferably agrees, per terms of a contract, not to be paid for a provided service until the service is performed and the website is updated. For example, the service provider contract details a list of progress based payments to be made upon performance of service and updating of the interactive website. A separate information or bulletin board is preferably maintained for the contractors, the service providers and the customers. Alternatively, there may be interaction between the customer, contractor, service providers and others via the information or bulletin board.

Thus, the interactive website serves as a check and balance system for customers locally and nationwide, and others concerned with facility projects, e. g., accounting systems, contractors and other service providers. The customized bulletin boards or information on the website is checked at any time to easily determine whether a project is, or is not, proceeding as schduled. The customer can also view the information or bulletin board at any time to view their facility's energy output and any faults that have occurred at the facility, such as faults occurring to the lighting system or a refrigeration system. Historical information is maintained.

Moreover, accounting issues, for example, with respect to invoicing and billing, are preferably managed and executed through the interactive website or other central location to enable quick turn around time on receivables. One such program that utilizes central billing is the guaranteed service program (GSP) described in commonly owned"System and Method for Monitoring Lighting Systems,"referenced above. According to the GSP, revenue is based on cost avoidance funds as determined by costs to the facility both before and after the facility is upgraded. The facility is typically upgraded with, for example, the LCU 10, energy efficient lamps and lighting fixtures, new ballasts, energy meters, and/or communications hardware and software. The service providers or hired contractors typically install the LCU 10 and upgrade the facilities lighting system at no cost. Additional changes may be provided. Thereafter, the service providers gain a stream of revenue based on savings in energy costs to the customer. Other billing methods may be used, such as billing for services performed.

In one embodiment, performing accounting according to the GSP system, or other system, through the interactive website especially benefits customers with tens or even hundreds of facilities. Of course, such accounting could also benefit customers that have a single or a few sites since using the interactive website may reduce paperwork and manhours.

Customers have the benefit of paying one bill, such as paying a bill to the owner of the interactive website or another, to consolidate their payments.

Once the contractor or service provider has completed a job and updated the interactive website, the website owner pays the contractor or service provider respectively. The customer may pay the website owner via the website based on energy savings provided to the customer's facility, or some other way.

Thus, the bulletin board or information allows the customer peace of mind, reduced accounting costs and worries, reduced project management costs and worries and improved quality of their lighting system, all through a single payment.

The communication system shown in FIG. 2 is also used to transmit signals to systems of the facility, for example, the lighting system. For example, the communication system is used in conjunction with a security system to turn on lights when a break-in occurs. Signals coming from the facility or other source, for example a third party security company, are gathered at the control center 12 via the interactive website. Thereafter, if the incoming signal indicates a break-in at the facility, outgoing signals are sent to the facility to activate, for example, the lighting system, which can act to scare off intruders.

It is to be understood that changes and modifications to the embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and are contemplated. For example, the interactive website could be used to monitor power quality and total KWH entering a plurality of facilities from one location. It is therefore intended that the foregoing detailed description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that it be understood that it is the following claims, including all equivalents, that are intended to define the spirit and scope of this invention.