초록 ▼

Systems for monitoring consumer dependency on services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a service dependency notification system includes: at least one computing device adapted to identify a dependency aware device by performing actions comprising: determining whether a service dependency exists; a

Systems for monitoring consumer dependency on services are disclosed. In one embodiment, a service dependency notification system includes: at least one computing device adapted to identify a dependency aware device by performing actions comprising: determining whether a service dependency exists; and providing a service dependency status indicator configured to be communicated via a utility network, the service dependency status indicator indicating whether the service dependency exists.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A service dependency notification system comprising: at least one computing device adapted to monitor a utility supply to a dependency aware device by performing actions including: determining whether a service dependency exists,wherein the determining includes obtaining dependency data from the

1. A service dependency notification system comprising: at least one computing device adapted to monitor a utility supply to a dependency aware device by performing actions including: determining whether a service dependency exists,wherein the determining includes obtaining dependency data from the dependency aware device;obtaining service supply data about the dependency aware device;comparing the dependency data with the service supply data for the dependency aware device to determine whether a service supply deficiency exists; andproviding a service status indicator configured to be communicated via a utility network, the service status indicator indicating whether the service supply deficiency exists. 2. The service dependency notification system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computing device is further configured to transmit dependency data from the dependency aware device to the utility network in real-time. 3. The service dependency notification system of claim 2, wherein the dependency data may be selected from a group consisting of: an operational status of the dependency aware device, a registration of the dependency aware device as service dependent, a battery life of the dependency aware device, a tolerable duration of service outage for the dependency aware device, vital signs of the individual supported by the dependency aware device, an occupancy at a utility meter location, a current environmental condition at the dependency aware device and a status of need of an individual supported by the dependency aware device. 4. The service dependency notification system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to send the service status indicator through the utility network to notify an emergency network. 5. The service dependency notification system of claim 1, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to send the service status indicator through the utility network to notify a relative. 6. The service dependency notification system of claim 1, wherein the utility network includes a utility awareness system configured to make a critical situation prediction for the dependency aware device, the critical situation prediction determining a tolerable duration of service outage for the dependency aware device. 7. The service dependency notification system of claim 6, wherein the utility awareness system is further configured to prioritize service restoration efforts amongst a plurality of utility meter locations based upon a comparison of the critical situation predictions made for each of the plurality of utility meter locations. 8. The service dependency notification system of claim 6, wherein the utility awareness system is further configured to prioritize emergency efforts amongst a plurality of utility meter locations based upon a comparison of the critical situation predictions made for each of the plurality of utility meter locations. 9. A program product stored on a computer readable storage medium, which when executed by at least one computing device, performs the following: obtains dependency data from a dependency aware device at a utility meter;determines whether a service dependency exists at the utility meter based upon the dependency data obtained from the dependency aware device;obtains service supply data about the dependency aware device at the utility meter;compares the dependency data with the service supply data for the dependency aware device to determine whether a service supply deficiency exists; andprovides a service dependency status indicator configured to be communicated via a utility network, the service dependency status indicator indicating whether the service dependency exists. 10. The program product of claim 9, wherein the dependency data may be selected from a group consisting of: an operational status of the dependency aware device, a registration of the dependency aware device as service dependent, a battery life of the dependency aware device, a tolerable duration of service outage for the dependency aware device, vital signs of the individual supported by the dependency aware device, an occupancy at a utility meter location, a current environmental condition at the dependency aware device and a status of need of the individual supported by the dependency aware device. 11. The program product of claim 9, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to transmit dependency data from the dependency aware device to the utility network in real-time. 12. The program product of claim 9, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to send the service status indicator through the utility network to notify an emergency network. 13. The program product of claim 9, wherein the comparing of the dependency data with the service supply data includes determining a tolerable duration of service outage for the dependency aware device. 14. The program product of claim 13, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to send a priority indicator through the utility network, the priority indicator indicating the tolerable duration of service outage for the dependency aware device. 15. A dependency aware device comprising: at least one computing device adapted to monitor a utility supply to the dependency aware device by performing actions including: obtaining service supply data about the dependency aware device;comparing the service supply data for the dependency aware device with a set of dependency data for the dependency aware device to determine whether a service supply deficiency exists; andproviding a service dependency status indicator configured to be communicated via a utility network, the service dependency status indicator indicating that a service dependency exists. 16. The dependency aware device of claim 15, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to generate the set of dependency data, the set of dependency data being selected from a group consisting of: an operational status of the dependency aware device, a registration of the dependency aware device as service dependent, a battery life of the dependency aware device, a tolerable duration of service outage for the dependency aware device, vital signs of the individual supported by the dependency aware device, an occupancy at a utility meter location, a current environmental condition at the dependency aware device and a status of need of the individual supported by the dependency aware device. 17. The dependency aware device of claim 16, wherein the at least one computing device is adapted to determine a tolerable duration of service outage by comparing service supply data with the dependency data. 18. The dependency aware device of claim 16, wherein the at least one computing device is further adapted to transmit the dependency data to the utility network in real-time.