Water service business charge analysis method and system based on flexible charging

Abstract

The invention relates to a water service business charge analysis method and system based on flexible billing, and relates to the field of water service business charge management, and the method comprises the steps: collecting user water use information in real time; determining a user water consumption time period and user water consumption based on the user water consumption information; analyzing the user water consumption time period and the user water consumption, and determining an abnormal user water consumption time period based on a preset window period duration; outputting a tenant object replacement signal based on the abnormal user water consumption time period; when the tenant object replacement signal exists, determining a cost division point based on the abnormal user water consumption time period; and determining current bill information based on the cost division point, and outputting the current bill information. The method has the effect of effectively solving the problem of cost division caused by difficulty in accurately identifying tenant replacement in traditional water business charge management.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of water utility billing management, and in particular to a water utility billing analysis method and system based on flexible billing. Background Technology

[0002] Water utility billing is a core aspect of water utility operations and management, encompassing the entire process from water metering and bill generation to fee collection and settlement. It directly impacts the revenue stability of water utilities and the user experience. Its core logic involves periodically collecting water fees from users based on water consumption data collected by metering equipment and local water pricing standards.

[0003] The current mainstream billing model in the industry is based on fixed-period unified billing. Most regions adopt a natural month settlement mechanism, where water companies or property management companies uniformly read water meter readings at the end of each month, calculate the total water consumption and water fees payable for the month, and then complete the collection through offline payment, online deduction and other methods.

[0004] Regarding the aforementioned technologies, when water bills are calculated uniformly at the end of the month, the water bills already consumed by tenant A who moves out in the middle of the month may be entirely borne by tenant B who moves in later, resulting in an unfair situation where the previous tenant consumes water while the next tenant pays for it. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the issue of unfair water cost allocation when tenants change in traditional fixed-period billing, this invention provides a water utility billing analysis method and system based on flexible billing.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing, which adopts the following technical solution: A water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing includes: Step 1: Collect user water usage information in real time; Step 2: Determine the user's water usage time period and water consumption based on the user's water usage information; Step 3: Analyze user water usage periods and user water consumption, and determine abnormal user water usage periods based on the preset off-peak period length; Step 4: Output a tenant replacement signal based on abnormal user water usage periods; Step 5: When there is a change of tenant, determine the fee split point based on the abnormal user's water usage period; Step 6: Determine the current billing information based on the cost split point and output it.

[0007] By adopting the above technical solution, user water usage information can be collected in real time, and the user's water usage time and volume can be accurately determined accordingly. Analyzing user water usage time and volume through preset idle periods can effectively identify abnormal user water usage periods, thereby outputting a tenant change signal. When a tenant change signal is detected, the billing split point can be accurately determined based on the abnormal user water usage period, and then the current billing information can be determined and output based on the billing split point. This avoids the unfair situation where the water bill of a tenant who moves out mid-month is borne entirely by the subsequent tenant, achieving flexible billing and ensuring the fairness and reasonableness of charges.

[0008] Optionally, methods for outputting tenant replacement signals based on abnormal user water usage periods include: Step 40: Determine the current water usage period and past water usage periods based on abnormal user water usage periods; Step 41: Based on the current water usage period, obtain the current user's current water consumption and current water usage frequency, and form the current water usage habits; Step 42: Based on past water usage periods, obtain the past water consumption and frequency of users for the corresponding past water usage periods, and form past water usage habits; Step 43: Determine the similarity of water usage based on current and past water usage habits; Step 44: When the water usage similarity falls within the preset reliable water usage similarity range, do not output a tenant object change signal; Step 45: When the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, output a tenant object replacement signal.

[0009] By employing the above technical solution, a detailed comparison of current and past water usage habits is made, and water usage similarity is calculated to more accurately determine whether a tenant change has occurred. When the water usage similarity is within a reliable range, it indicates that water usage habits have not changed significantly, and therefore no tenant change signal is output. However, when the water usage similarity exceeds this range, it indicates that water usage habits have changed significantly, and a tenant change signal is output to facilitate subsequent cost allocation and billing adjustments, thereby ensuring the accuracy and fairness of billing.

[0010] Optionally, methods for obtaining the current user's water consumption and frequency based on the current water usage period, and forming current water usage habits, include: Step 410: When the current water usage frequency is the preset continuous water usage frequency, determine the current water flow fluctuation rate; Step 411: When the current water flow fluctuation rate falls within the preset stable flow fluctuation range, output a preset suspected leakage signal; Step 412: In response to a suspected water leakage signal, determine the start time segment and the end time segment based on the water usage period; Step 413: Determine the current water usage habits based on the start time segment, end time segment, current user water consumption, and current water usage frequency.

[0011] By adopting the above technical solution, key factors such as water usage frequency and flow fluctuation rate are fully considered when acquiring relevant data for the current water usage period. If the current water flow fluctuation rate is within a stable flow fluctuation range, a suspected leak signal is output, which can promptly detect potential leaks and prevent abnormal increases in water consumption due to leaks, thereby affecting the accuracy of billing. In response to the suspected leak signal, the start and end time division points are determined based on the water usage period. Combined with the current user's water consumption and current water usage frequency, the current water usage habits can be more accurately determined, providing a reliable basis for subsequent billing analysis.

[0012] Optionally, it also includes a method for determining the correction of billing information, the method comprising: Step 414: In response to a suspected leak signal, execute a water flow interruption operation; Step 415: After the water flow interruption operation is performed, if the current water usage frequency is the continuous water usage frequency, determine the corrected water flow fluctuation rate; Step 416: When the corrected water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range, output a leakage signal; Step 417: Determine the start and end cost split points in response to the leak signal; Step 418: Determine the leak bill information based on the starting and ending cost split points; Step 419: Determine the corrected billing information based on the leak billing information and the current billing information, and output it.

[0013] By adopting the above technical solution, upon responding to a suspected leak signal, a water flow interruption operation is executed, effectively preventing the continued occurrence of the leak and avoiding waste of water resources and additional water bills for users. Subsequently, the corrected water flow fluctuation rate under the current water usage frequency is detected again. If it is still within the stable flow fluctuation range, the leak is further confirmed, and a leak signal is output. Based on the leak signal, the system can accurately determine the start and end cost split points, thereby calculating the additional costs incurred due to the leak, i.e., the leak bill information. Finally, the leak bill information is comprehensively processed with the current bill information to determine and output the corrected bill information, ensuring the accuracy of billing and protecting the interests of users.

[0014] Optionally, methods for obtaining past user water consumption and frequency corresponding to past water consumption periods and forming past water consumption habits based on past water consumption periods include: Step 420: When the past water usage frequency is a continuous water usage frequency, determine the past water flow fluctuation rate; Step 421: Identify past abnormal periods when the past water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range; Step 422: Determine corrected past water usage periods based on past water usage periods and past abnormal periods; Step 423: Based on the corrected past water usage period, obtain the past water consumption and past water usage frequency of the user corresponding to the corrected past water usage period, and form past water usage habits.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, key factors such as past water usage frequency and flow fluctuation rate are fully considered when analyzing past water usage periods to form past water usage habits. By determining the past water flow fluctuation rate and judging whether it falls within the stable flow fluctuation range, past abnormal periods can be accurately identified. Based on past water usage periods and past abnormal periods, past water usage periods are corrected to obtain more accurate corrected past water usage periods. Then, based on the corrected past water usage periods, the corresponding past user water consumption and past water usage frequency are obtained, thereby forming past water usage habits. This helps to improve the accuracy and fairness of the entire water utility billing analysis method.

[0016] Optionally, it also includes a method for determining current billing information without based on a cost split point, the method including: Step 450: When the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, obtain the remaining time for current bill delivery; Step 451: When the remaining time for the current bill delivery exceeds the preset minimum observation time, perform a continuous comparison of water usage similarity. Step 452: During the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, if the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, no tenant object change signal will be output. Step 453: During the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, if the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, output a tenant object replacement signal; Step 454: If the remaining time for current bill delivery is less than the minimum observation time, the current bill information is not determined based on the cost split point.

[0017] By adopting the above technical solution, in special cases where the water usage similarity is less than the reliable water usage similarity range, the system will further obtain the remaining time for current bill delivery as a judgment basis. When the remaining time exceeds the minimum observation time, the system will activate a continuous comparison mechanism to dynamically monitor the changing trend of water usage similarity. If the water usage similarity recovers to the reliable range during the observation period, the original billing logic will be maintained and no tenant replacement signal will be triggered; if the water usage similarity continues to deviate from the reliable range, a tenant replacement signal will be output in a timely manner to initiate the fee splitting process. In particular, when the remaining time for bill delivery is less than the minimum observation time, the system will adopt a conservative strategy and suspend the billing method based on the fee splitting point to avoid billing errors due to insufficient observation time, thereby ensuring the rigor of the billing process and the rights and interests of users. This hierarchical judgment mechanism not only ensures timely response to abnormal situations, but also sets a reasonable buffer period through the time threshold, effectively balancing billing accuracy and system stability.

[0018] Optional, also includes: Step 4540: Obtain the current bill amount information; Step 4541: When the bill amount is less than the preset minimum bill amount threshold, output a preset extended delivery signal; Step 4542: In response to the extended delivery signal, determine the remaining time for corrected invoice delivery; Step 4543: Output the corrected bill delivery time as the current bill delivery time, and execute steps 451 to 453.

[0019] By adopting the above technical solution, the system adds an amount threshold judgment step when processing the bill payment process. When the current bill amount is detected to be lower than the minimum threshold, an extended payment signal generation mechanism is automatically triggered. This mechanism adjusts the remaining bill payment time parameter, extending the original time to a reasonable range before re-outputting it, and simultaneously starts a dynamic monitoring process that continuously compares water usage similarity. This design provides users with small bills with more flexible payment cycles, avoiding frequent triggering of the fee splitting process due to short-term water consumption fluctuations, and ensures the accuracy of water usage habit comparison by extending the observation period.

[0020] Optionally, it also includes a method for performing an immediate payment, which includes: Step 4544: Cumulative observation duration; Step 4545: When the observation duration is greater than the minimum observation duration and the water use similarity falls within the reliable water use similarity range, output the preset signal that the current tenant object has not been changed; Step 4546: In response to the signal that the current tenant has not changed, the current billing information is not determined based on the fee split point; Step 4547: When the observation duration is greater than the minimum observation duration and the water use similarity does not fall within the reliable water use similarity range, output the preset current tenant object replacement signal; Step 4548: In response to the current tenant changing signals, update the preset payment cycle and perform an immediate payment operation.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, the system constructs a dynamic monitoring mechanism based on accumulated observation time. When the observation time exceeds a minimum threshold, a dual verification logic is formed by combining the water usage similarity judgment result. If the water usage similarity is within a reliable range, a confirmation signal indicating that the current tenant has not changed is generated, maintaining the original billing cycle unchanged. If the water usage similarity continuously deviates from the reliable range, a tenant change confirmation signal is triggered. At this time, the system will automatically adjust the payment cycle parameters and immediately initiate the billing settlement process. This design, through cross-verification of duration and water usage similarity, avoids misjudgments caused by short-term water usage fluctuations and can respond promptly to actual tenant changes, ensuring the accuracy of fee allocation and the timeliness of payment. In particular, the payment cycle update mechanism dynamically calculates the tiered water price corresponding to the remaining water usage based on the tenant change time. When executing the immediate payment operation, a revised bill containing details of the allocation between the old and new tenants is generated simultaneously, ensuring the transparency and traceability of billing settlement.

[0022] Optionally, it also includes a method for outputting a tenant replacement signal based on user water usage information, the method comprising: Step 7: Analyze user water usage information to determine the user's baseline water usage characteristics; Step 8: Determine the rate of change in user water consumption in real time based on user water consumption information; Step 9: When the rate of change in user water consumption exceeds the preset normal range for user water consumption, accumulate the abnormal time; Step 10: When the abnormal time falls within the preset reliable abnormal time range, determine the user alternation point and output a tenant object replacement signal; Step 11: Determine the current billing information based on the user's alternation points and output it.

[0023] By adopting the above technical solution, the system can dynamically capture abnormal deviations in water usage behavior. When the rate of change is detected to continuously exceed the threshold, an abnormal time accumulation mechanism is automatically activated. Only after the abnormal duration reaches the reliability standard is the user change point confirmed and a tenant replacement signal triggered. Based on the accurately identified user change points, the system can automatically segment the water usage cycles of the previous and subsequent tenants, generating a corrected bill that includes the sharing ratio and tiered water pricing details. The entire process, through the organic combination of real-time monitoring and threshold control, achieves accurate billing and intelligent management in tenant change scenarios.

[0024] Secondly, this invention provides a water utility billing analysis system based on flexible billing, employing the following technical solution: A water utility billing analysis system based on flexible billing includes: The acquisition module is used to collect user water usage information; The memory is used to store a program for analyzing water utility charges based on a flexible billing method, as described above. The processor loads and executes programs from memory.

[0025] By adopting the above technical solution, the acquisition module can collect user water usage information in real time, providing basic data support for subsequent analysis. The memory is responsible for storing the pre-designed program for water utility billing analysis based on flexible billing, which includes the various judgment logics and billing rules mentioned above. The processor loads and executes the program in memory to process and analyze the user water usage information collected by the acquisition module.

[0026] In summary, the present invention has at least one of the following beneficial technical effects: To address the issue of unfair cost sharing when tenants change, and to achieve accurate and fair billing: By identifying vacancy periods and sudden changes in water usage characteristics, the system accurately captures tenant change points, breaks down the water consumption and corresponding water fees for both new and old tenants, and completely avoids the unfair phenomenon of the previous tenant consuming and the new tenant paying in traditional fixed-period billing, thus protecting the legitimate rights and interests of both tenants and landlords. It covers scenarios such as abnormal water leakage, short-term water usage fluctuations, and small bills. By eliminating abnormal water usage data, dynamically adjusting the observation period, and distinguishing between changes in the main water user and minor adjustments to habits, it reduces billing errors while avoiding water waste and additional cost burdens for users. Breaking through the limitations of fixed-period billing, it supports dynamic adjustment of payment cycles (immediate settlement, bill consolidation), reducing manual accounting costs for water utilities, minimizing fee disputes, and improving the intelligence level of fee management and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a flowchart of a water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing, as described in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0029] This invention discloses a method for analyzing water utility billing based on flexible billing. (Refer to...) Figure 1 A water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing includes: Step 1: Collect user water usage information in real time.

[0030] User water usage information refers to the real-time acquisition of water usage timestamps, instantaneous flow rate, cumulative flow rate, water usage duration, and water usage frequency (the number of times water usage is started and stopped per unit time) through smart water meters installed on users' water pipes.

[0031] Step 2: Determine the user's water usage time period and water consumption based on the user's water usage information.

[0032] User water usage period refers to a continuous time period or discrete set of time points during which a user has water usage behavior, defined by water usage timestamps and water usage start / stop status. It can be broken down into the smallest statistical units such as natural days or hours. User water consumption refers to the cumulative flow value recorded by the smart water meter within the corresponding user water usage period. It can be divided into single-period water consumption (the cumulative flow of a single water usage period) and total water consumption (the sum of the flow of multiple water usage periods).

[0033] Step 3: Analyze user water usage periods and user water consumption, and determine abnormal user water usage periods based on the preset off-peak period length.

[0034] The "vacancy period duration" refers to a preset threshold for the continuous duration of low or zero water consumption used to determine whether a tenant might terminate their lease. This threshold must be used in conjunction with the unoccupied water consumption threshold. An abnormal user water consumption period is only identified when the average daily water consumption is less than the unoccupied water consumption threshold and the continuous period exceeds the vacancy period duration. Abnormal user water consumption periods refer to continuous water consumption periods that deviate from the user's normal water consumption pattern, including two types: low-consumption abnormal water consumption periods (i.e., tenants changing vacancy periods that meet the vacancy period duration and low water consumption conditions); and continuous abnormal water consumption periods (i.e., periods of continuous water consumption frequency, stable flow fluctuations, and a duration greater than or equal to the preset maximum water consumption duration threshold, such as leaks or forgetting to turn off the tap). The maximum water consumption duration threshold is a preset time limit used to distinguish between normal continuous water consumption (such as showering, laundry, etc.) and abnormal continuous water consumption (such as leaks, forgetting to turn off the tap, etc.).

[0035] Step 4: Output a tenant replacement signal based on the abnormal user water usage period.

[0036] The tenant change signal refers to the trigger instruction generated when the current user is different from the previous user, based on the analysis of low-consumption abnormal water usage periods and the comparison of subsequent water usage habits.

[0037] Step 5: When there is a signal indicating a change in the tenant, determine the fee split point based on the abnormal user's water usage period.

[0038] The fee split point refers to the starting time of the low-consumption abnormal water usage period (i.e., the start time of the vacancy period after the tenant moves out) as the dividing point. It is used to separate the water usage responsibility between the departing tenant (former tenant) and the new tenant (subsequent tenant). Water usage before the split point belongs to the former tenant, and water usage after the split point belongs to the new tenant, ensuring accurate fee allocation.

[0039] Step 6: Determine the current billing information based on the cost split point and output it.

[0040] The current bill information refers to the billing voucher generated by the system based on the actual water consumption of each tenant according to the fee split point and the water price standard. The voucher includes details such as tenant identity information, water usage time, water consumption, unit price, amount due, and payment period. The voucher is then pushed to the corresponding tenant or landlord through online APP, SMS, paper documents, etc., to complete the bill delivery.

[0041] The methods for outputting tenant replacement signals based on abnormal user water usage periods include: Step 40: Determine the current water usage period and past water usage periods based on the abnormal user water usage periods.

[0042] The current water usage period refers to the period after the end of the low-consumption abnormal water usage period (tenant change vacancy period) when the user's water usage returns to a continuous normal water usage period where the average daily water consumption is greater than the threshold for water usage when no one is living in the house.

[0043] Past water usage periods refer to the continuous period during which users maintained stable and normal water usage before the start of low-consumption abnormal water usage periods, and are used to compare with current water usage habits.

[0044] Step 41: Based on the current water usage period, obtain the current user's current water consumption and current water usage frequency, and form the current water usage habits.

[0045] Current user water consumption refers to the cumulative flow value recorded by the smart water meter during the current water usage period. Current water usage frequency refers to the number of times a user's water usage behavior is started and stopped per unit time (e.g., daily) during the current water usage period. Current water usage habits refer to the stable water usage behavior patterns formed by combining data such as current user water consumption, current water usage frequency, peak water usage periods, and duration of single water usage sessions, used to characterize the water usage characteristics of the current user.

[0046] Step 42: Based on past water usage periods, obtain the past water consumption and frequency of users corresponding to past water usage periods, and form past water usage habits.

[0047] Past water usage habits refer to the water usage characteristics of past users, which are characterized by a combination of past water consumption and past water usage frequency. The definitions of past user water consumption, past water usage frequency, and past water usage habits are consistent with those of current user water consumption, current water usage frequency, and current water usage habits, respectively. The only difference is that the statistical period is the past water usage period, which is used for comparison with current water usage habits.

[0048] Step 43: Determine the similarity of water use based on current water use habits and past water use habits.

[0049] Water usage similarity refers to the degree of fit between current water usage habits and past water usage habits by quantitatively calculating the similarity between the two. This is determined by comparing their respective water consumption, water usage frequency, peak water usage periods, and duration of each water usage session.

[0050] Step 44: When the water usage similarity falls within the preset reliable water usage similarity range, do not output a tenant object change signal.

[0051] The reliable water usage similarity range refers to a preset threshold range of water usage similarity that is judged to be the same user's water usage. When the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, it indicates that the current user's water usage pattern is highly consistent with the past user, there has been no change of tenant, and the low-consumption abnormal water usage period is only caused by the tenant's short-term absence (such as business trip or tourism).

[0052] Step 45: When the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, output a tenant object replacement signal.

[0053] When the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, it indicates that the current water user's water usage pattern is significantly different from that of the past water user (e.g., the daily average water usage deviation exceeds 50% and the peak water usage periods are completely misaligned). The low-consumption abnormal water usage period is the window period after the tenant is replaced, indicating that the tenant has changed.

[0054] The methods for obtaining the current user's water consumption and frequency based on the current water usage period, and forming current water usage habits, include: Step 410: When the current water usage frequency is the preset continuous water usage frequency, determine the current water flow fluctuation rate.

[0055] Continuous water usage frequency refers to a preset frequency standard for determining uninterrupted continuous water usage (i.e., the duration of a single water usage session exceeds the maximum water usage duration threshold). Current water flow fluctuation rate refers to the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum instantaneous flow rates during the current continuous water usage period to the average instantaneous flow rate. The calculation formula is: Current water flow fluctuation rate = (maximum instantaneous flow rate - minimum instantaneous flow rate) / average instantaneous flow rate × 100%, used to determine whether the water flow is stable.

[0056] Step 411: When the current water flow fluctuation rate falls within the preset stable flow fluctuation range, output a preset suspected water leakage signal.

[0057] The stable flow fluctuation range refers to a preset range of flow fluctuation rates used to determine whether the water flow is stable and whether there is a potential leak. A suspected leak signal is a command generated by the system to trigger abnormal time period segmentation when it determines that the current continuous water use is not actively initiated by the user, possibly due to forgetting to turn off the water or a pipe leak. When the current water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range, it indicates that the water flow is stable, without the start-stop fluctuation characteristics of normal water use, and does not conform to the user's active water use behavior (such as washing vegetables or taking a shower), suggesting that it is likely abnormal water use caused by forgetting to turn off the water or a pipe leak.

[0058] Step 412: In response to a suspected water leakage signal, determine the start time segment and the end time segment based on the water usage period.

[0059] The start time division point refers to the time at which the suspected leak begins its continuous water usage period. The end time division point refers to the time at which the suspected leak ends its continuous water usage period; together with the start time division point, they define the complete abnormal period of the suspected leak.

[0060] Step 413: Determine the current water usage habits based on the start time segment, end time segment, current user water consumption, and current water usage frequency.

[0061] When there are start time division points, end time division points, current user water consumption, and current water consumption frequency, it indicates that the current water consumption period includes abnormal periods where users do not actively use water. In this case, it is necessary to remove the water consumption and water consumption frequency data corresponding to the abnormal periods. Then, based on the remaining normal water consumption periods, combined with the current user water consumption (cumulative flow after removing abnormalities) and the current water consumption frequency (number of start and stop times after removing abnormalities), the current water consumption habit that can truly reflect the current water consumption behavior pattern can be determined, thus avoiding abnormal water consumption data from interfering with the habit comparison results.

[0062] This also includes a method for determining and correcting billing information, the method comprising: Step 414: In response to a suspected water leak signal, perform a water flow interruption operation.

[0063] Water flow interruption operation refers to the system automatically shutting off the water inlet channel of the user's water pipe through the remote control module to terminate the continuous abnormal water use. The core purpose is to avoid the expansion of water bill losses caused by water leakage or forgetting to turn off the water, and at the same time to provide conditions for subsequent verification of the anomaly type.

[0064] Step 415: After the water flow interruption operation is performed, determine the corrected water flow fluctuation rate when the current water usage frequency is the continuous water usage frequency.

[0065] Corrected water flow fluctuation rate refers to the proportion of flow fluctuation recalculated if the smart water meter still detects continuous water use after a water flow interruption operation is performed. This is used to verify the authenticity of abnormal water use.

[0066] Step 416: When the corrected water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range, output a leakage signal.

[0067] When the corrected water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range, it indicates that there is still stable and continuous water use after the valve is closed (not a brief flow of residual water in the pipeline). This rules out human error in forgetting to turn off the water, confirming that the abnormal water use is due to a pipeline leak, and a clear leak detection signal needs to be generated. A leak detection signal is a clear instruction generated by the system to trigger the leak handling process when it determines that the current continuous abnormal water use is due to a pipeline leak.

[0068] Step 417: Determine the start and end cost split points in response to the leak signal.

[0069] The starting point for billing is the time at which the abnormal period of water leakage in the pipeline begins, which is the recorded start time of continuous water use when a suspected leakage signal is triggered. The ending point for billing is the time at which the smart water meter detects that the flow rate has dropped to zero after the water flow interruption operation is performed (or the time at which the system confirms that the leakage has been repaired). Together, they define the complete billing period for the pipeline leakage.

[0070] Step 418: Determine the leak bill information based on the starting and ending cost split points.

[0071] Leakage bill information refers to a detailed voucher generated by the system based on the cumulative leakage volume between the starting and ending cost split points, combined with the preset water price standard. It includes information such as the leakage period, leakage volume, unit price, total leakage cost, and the pre-determined responsible party (e.g., if the tenant has not vacated the premises, it is pre-determined to be the current tenant; if the tenant has vacated the premises, it is pre-determined to be the landlord).

[0072] Step 419: Determine the corrected billing information based on the leak billing information and the current billing information, and output it.

[0073] Correcting billing information refers to separating or merging the leak bill information with the current bill information (details of charges during normal water usage periods) to obtain the final billing receipt. If the party responsible for the leak is the same as the party using the normal water (such as the same tenant who has not vacated the premises), the leak fee will be included in the current bill. If the parties responsible are different (such as the leak occurring during a vacancy period when the tenant changes, and the landlord is the responsible party), the leak fee will be removed from the current tenant's bill, and a separate leak bill will be generated for the landlord. This ensures that the normal water usage fees and leak fees are accurately attributed and avoids innocent users bearing additional costs.

[0074] Among them, the methods for obtaining past user water consumption and frequency corresponding to past water consumption periods and forming past water consumption habits include: Step 420: When the past water usage frequency is a continuous water usage frequency, determine the past water flow fluctuation rate.

[0075] Historically, water flow fluctuation rate refers to the ratio of the difference between the maximum and minimum instantaneous flow rates during a continuous water use period that conforms to the continuous water use frequency, to the average instantaneous flow rate during that period.

[0076] Step 421: Identify past abnormal periods when the past water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range.

[0077] Past abnormal periods refer to continuous periods in the past water usage that meet the criteria of continuous water usage frequency plus past water flow fluctuation rate and fall within the stable flow fluctuation range. In other words, periods when tenants forgot to turn off the water or experienced pipe leaks during past water usage are of the same type of abnormal scenario as current continuous abnormal water usage periods.

[0078] Step 422: Determine the corrected past water usage period based on past water usage periods and past abnormal periods.

[0079] Corrected past water usage periods refer to the continuous normal water usage periods that remain after removing abnormal periods from the original past water usage periods and that reflect the actual water usage behavior of tenants in the past.

[0080] Step 423: Based on the corrected past water usage period, obtain the past water consumption and past water usage frequency of the user corresponding to the corrected past water usage period, and form past water usage habits.

[0081] When there is a correction to past water usage periods, it means that the original past water usage periods contain abnormal data of water usage not actively used by the past tenant (leakage or forgetting to turn off the water). This part of the interfering data needs to be removed before past water usage habits can be formed based on the true normal water usage characteristics. This ensures that the comparison results with the current water usage habits are accurate and avoids misjudgment of tenant changes caused by abnormal data.

[0082] This also includes a method for determining current billing information that does not rely on cost split points, and this method includes: Step 450: When the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, obtain the remaining time for current bill delivery.

[0083] The remaining time for current bill delivery refers to the remaining time interval from the current time when the system calculates that the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, to the preset delivery deadline for this bill period.

[0084] Step 451: When the remaining time for the current bill delivery exceeds the preset minimum observation time, perform a continuous comparison of water usage similarity.

[0085] Minimum observation duration refers to the preset, shortest continuous monitoring time to ensure the reliability of water usage habit comparison results. Continuous water usage similarity comparison operation refers to the system continuously collecting current water usage data, updating current water usage habits in real time, and repeatedly performing the operation of calculating the water usage similarity between current and past water usage habits within the remaining time of the current bill payment.

[0086] Step 452: During the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, if the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, no tenant object change signal will be output.

[0087] When the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range during the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, it indicates that the low water usage similarity in the early stage was due to short-term fluctuations in the current tenant's water usage (such as irregular water usage in the early stage, water usage by temporary visitors, etc.), and not due to a change of tenant. At this time, the fee splitting process should be terminated to avoid incorrect bill splitting.

[0088] Step 453: During the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, if the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, output a tenant object replacement signal.

[0089] When the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range during the continuous comparison operation, it indicates that the current tenant's water usage pattern has stabilized and is significantly different from that of past tenants, and a tenant replacement signal is output.

[0090] Step 454: If the remaining time for current bill delivery is less than the minimum observation time, the current bill information is not determined based on the cost split point.

[0091] If the remaining time for the current bill delivery is less than the minimum observation time, it means that the remaining time is insufficient to collect stable water usage data for the current tenant, and it is impossible to verify whether the tenant has changed through continuous comparison. Forcibly splitting the bill may easily lead to misjudgment and disputes; in this case, the bill is generated according to the original cycle (without splitting).

[0092] This also includes: Step 4540: Obtain the current bill amount information.

[0093] The current bill amount refers to the estimated bill amount calculated based on the current unsplit cumulative water consumption (including normal water consumption during the current water usage period, without excluding segmented water consumption that may be involved in tenant replacement) and the water price standard. This amount is a temporary fee that has not been finally confirmed and will be split or combined after the determination of tenant replacement is clear.

[0094] Step 4541: Output a preset extended delivery signal when the bill amount is less than the preset minimum bill amount threshold.

[0095] The minimum bill amount threshold is a preset standard used to determine whether bills need to be merged. Its value is set manually in advance. When the bill amount is less than the minimum bill amount threshold, the remaining time for the current bill delivery is less than the minimum observation time, and the water usage similarity is less than the reliable water usage similarity range, it indicates that the current bill is too close to delivery and is insufficient to continue observing water usage similarity. Furthermore, the bill amount is too low, and splitting it separately may lead to increased management costs due to insufficient funds. In this case, the system outputs an extended delivery signal, meaning that the bill will not be split temporarily, and the current bill will be merged with the bill for the next period.

[0096] An extended delivery signal is a command generated by the system when certain conditions are met (the bill amount is less than the minimum bill amount threshold, the remaining delivery time of the current bill is less than the minimum observation time, and the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range). It is used to indicate that the current bill should not be split, but should be merged with the bill of the next cycle.

[0097] Step 4542: In response to the extended delivery signal, determine the remaining time for corrected invoice delivery.

[0098] Adjusting the remaining time for bill delivery refers to adding the current remaining time for bill delivery to the full duration of the next billing cycle to obtain the new remaining time for delivery.

[0099] Step 4543: Output the corrected bill delivery time as the current bill delivery time, and execute steps 451 to 453.

[0100] When there is a remaining time for corrected bill delivery, it means that the system has merged the current bill with the bill for the next period. In this case, the remaining time for corrected bill delivery after merging should be used as the new observation period, and the continuous comparison operation of steps 451 to 453 should be re-executed.

[0101] This also includes a method for performing immediate payment, which includes: Step 4544: Cumulative observation time.

[0102] The observation duration refers to the effective statistical duration during which the system continuously compares the similarity of water use within the extended delivery period.

[0103] Step 4545: When the observation duration is greater than the minimum observation duration and the water use similarity falls within the reliable water use similarity range, output the preset signal that the current tenant object has not been changed.

[0104] The "current tenant has not changed" signal is a confirmation instruction issued by the system after sufficient observation time, clearly determining that the current water user is the same as the past water user (no tenant change has occurred). When the observation period exceeds the minimum observation period and the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, it indicates that the previously low water usage similarity was due to short-term fluctuations in the original tenant's water usage (such as temporary absences or visitor water usage). After the observation period reaches the target, the water usage habits return to stability and are consistent with the past, so no cost allocation is required.

[0105] Step 4546: In response to the signal that the current tenant has not changed, the current billing information is not determined based on the fee split point.

[0106] Step 4547: When the observation duration is greater than the minimum observation duration and the water use similarity does not fall within the reliable water use similarity range, output the preset current tenant object replacement signal.

[0107] The "current tenant change signal" refers to a precise trigger command issued by the system after sufficient observation time under extended delivery signal conditions, clearly determining that the current water user is inconsistent with the past water user (a tenant change has occurred). When the observation time exceeds the minimum observation time and the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, it indicates that the observation data meets the statistical reliability requirements, and the current water usage habits are significantly different from past water usage habits, ruling out short-term water usage fluctuations and confirming that a new tenant has moved in. In this case, responsibility needs to be clearly defined through cost allocation.

[0108] Step 4548: In response to the current tenant changing signals, update the preset payment cycle and perform an immediate payment operation.

[0109] The payment cycle refers to the time interval (such as a calendar month or quarter) preset by the water utility system for calculating user water fees and generating bills. It is the core time standard for billing and settlement. Immediate payment refers to the system sending a detailed bill after fee breakdown to both new and existing tenants (or landlords). When there is a signal of a change in the current tenant, to avoid further changes in the tenant and increased system workload, an immediate payment operation is performed, and the payment cycle is updated.

[0110] This also includes a method for outputting a tenant replacement signal based on user water usage information, the method comprising: Step 7: Analyze user water usage information to determine user water usage baseline characteristics.

[0111] User water usage baseline characteristics refer to a set of features extracted from core water usage data of a user over two or more consecutive complete billing cycles, reflecting the stable water usage habits of the original water user. Core water usage data includes water consumption per unit time, water usage frequency (number of starts and stops per unit time), peak water usage periods, and distribution of single water usage duration. The corresponding baseline characteristics are specifically the baseline average water consumption, baseline water usage frequency, baseline peak period, and baseline duration distribution percentage.

[0112] Step 8: Determine the rate of change in user water usage in real time based on user water usage information.

[0113] User water consumption change rate refers to the comprehensive deviation ratio of real-time core water consumption data in the current water consumption cycle relative to the user's baseline water consumption characteristics. The calculation method is as follows: for each core indicator such as water consumption per unit time and water consumption frequency, calculate (current user water consumption characteristics - user water consumption baseline characteristics) / user water consumption baseline characteristics × 100%.

[0114] Step 9: When the rate of change in user water consumption exceeds the preset normal range for user water consumption, accumulate the abnormal time.

[0115] The normal fluctuation range of user water consumption refers to a pre-defined, reasonable range that accommodates short-term fluctuations in water consumption by the same user group, used to distinguish between minor adjustments to the habits of the same user and sudden changes in the habits of different users. Abnormal time refers to the continuous duration for which the user's water consumption fluctuation rate exceeds the above-mentioned normal fluctuation range.

[0116] Step 10: When the abnormal time falls within the preset reliable abnormal time range, determine the user alternation point and output a tenant object replacement signal.

[0117] The reliable anomaly time range refers to a preset time interval used to verify whether changes in water usage are consistent with the stable habits of the new water user. The user transition point refers to the time boundary when the water user changes, specifically the start time of the anomaly time (i.e., the time when the rate of change in water usage first continuously exceeds the normal range). It is used to accurately separate the water usage responsibilities of new and old tenants, replacing the fee allocation function based on the start time of the gap period mentioned above.

[0118] Step 11: Determine the current billing information based on the user's alternation points and output it.

[0119] Based on the same inventive concept, embodiments of the present invention provide a water utility billing analysis system based on flexible billing.

[0120] A water utility billing analysis system based on flexible billing includes: The acquisition module is used to collect user water usage information; The memory is used to store a program for analyzing water utility billing based on flexible billing. The processor loads and executes programs from memory.

[0121] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. All technical solutions falling within the scope of the present invention's concept are within the scope of protection of the present invention. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, any improvements and modifications made without departing from the principles of the present invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing, characterized in that, include: Step 1: Collect user water usage information in real time; Step 2: Determine the user's water usage time period and water consumption based on the user's water usage information; Step 3: Analyze user water usage periods and user water consumption, and determine abnormal user water usage periods based on the preset off-peak period length; Step 4: Output a tenant replacement signal based on abnormal user water usage periods; Step 5: When there is a change of tenant, determine the fee split point based on the abnormal user's water usage period; Step 6: Determine the current billing information based on the cost split point and output it.

2. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Methods for generating tenant replacement signals based on abnormal user water usage periods include: Step 40: Determine the current water usage period and past water usage periods based on abnormal user water usage periods; Step 41: Based on the current water usage period, obtain the current user's current water consumption and current water usage frequency, and form the current water usage habits; Step 42: Based on past water usage periods, obtain the past water consumption and frequency of users for the corresponding past water usage periods, and form past water usage habits; Step 43: Determine the similarity of water usage based on current and past water usage habits; Step 44: When the water usage similarity falls within the preset reliable water usage similarity range, do not output a tenant object change signal; Step 45: When the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, output a tenant object replacement signal.

3. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Methods for obtaining current user water consumption and frequency based on the current water usage period, and forming current water usage habits, include: Step 410: When the current water usage frequency is the preset continuous water usage frequency, determine the current water flow fluctuation rate; Step 411: When the current water flow fluctuation rate falls within the preset stable flow fluctuation range, output a preset suspected leakage signal; Step 412: In response to a suspected water leakage signal, determine the start time segment and the end time segment based on the water usage period; Step 413: Determine the current water usage habits based on the start time segment, end time segment, current user water consumption, and current water usage frequency.

4. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 3, characterized in that, It also includes a method for determining corrected billing information, the method comprising: Step 414: In response to a suspected leak signal, execute a water flow interruption operation; Step 415: After the water flow interruption operation is performed, if the current water usage frequency is the continuous water usage frequency, determine the corrected water flow fluctuation rate; Step 416: When the corrected water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range, output a leakage signal; Step 417: Determine the start and end cost split points in response to the leak signal; Step 418: Determine the leak bill information based on the starting and ending cost split points; Step 419: Determine the corrected billing information based on the leak billing information and the current billing information, and output it.

5. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 2, characterized in that, Methods for obtaining past user water consumption and frequency based on past water usage periods, and forming past water usage habits, include: Step 420: When the past water usage frequency is a continuous water usage frequency, determine the past water flow fluctuation rate; Step 421: Identify past abnormal periods when the past water flow fluctuation rate falls within the stable flow fluctuation range; Step 422: Determine the corrected past water usage period based on past water usage periods and past abnormal periods; Step 423: Based on the corrected past water usage period, obtain the past user water consumption and past water usage frequency corresponding to the corrected past water usage period, and form past water usage habits.

6. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 5, characterized in that, It also includes methods for determining current billing information that are not based on cost split points, including: Step 450: When the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, obtain the remaining time for current bill delivery; Step 451: When the remaining time for the current bill delivery exceeds the preset minimum observation time, perform a continuous comparison of water usage similarity. Step 452: During the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, if the water usage similarity falls within the reliable water usage similarity range, no tenant object change signal will be output; Step 453: During the continuous comparison of water usage similarity, if the water usage similarity does not fall within the reliable water usage similarity range, output a tenant object replacement signal; Step 454: If the remaining time for current bill delivery is less than the minimum observation time, the current bill information is not determined based on the cost split point.

7. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 6, characterized in that, Also includes: Step 4540: Obtain the current bill amount information; Step 4541: When the bill amount is less than the preset minimum bill amount threshold, output a preset extended delivery signal; Step 4542: In response to the extended delivery signal, determine the remaining time for corrected invoice delivery; Step 4543: Output the corrected bill delivery time as the current bill delivery time, and execute steps 451 to 453.

8. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a method for performing immediate payment, which includes: Step 4544: Cumulative observation duration; Step 4545: When the observation duration is greater than the minimum observation duration and the water use similarity falls within the reliable water use similarity range, output the preset signal that the current tenant object has not been changed; Step 4546: In response to the signal that the current tenant has not changed, the current billing information is not determined based on the fee split point; Step 4547: When the observation duration is greater than the minimum observation duration and the water use similarity does not fall within the reliable water use similarity range, output the preset current tenant object replacement signal; Step 4548: In response to the current tenant changing signals, update the preset payment cycle and perform an immediate payment operation.

9. The water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a method for outputting a tenant replacement signal based on user water usage information, the method comprising: Step 7: Analyze user water usage information to determine the user's baseline water usage characteristics; Step 8: Determine the rate of change in user water consumption in real time based on user water consumption information; Step 9: When the rate of change in user water consumption exceeds the preset normal range for user water consumption, accumulate the abnormal time; Step 10: When the abnormal time falls within the preset reliable abnormal time range, determine the user alternation point and output a tenant object replacement signal; Step 11: Determine the current billing information based on the user's alternation points and output it.

10. A water utility billing analysis system based on flexible billing, characterized in that, include: The acquisition module is used to collect user water usage information; A memory for storing a program for a water utility billing analysis method based on flexible billing as described in any one of claims 1 to 9; The processor loads and executes programs from memory.

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