Mobile utility data collection system with voice technology, such as for data collection relating to an electric, gas, or water utility
First Claim
1. A mobile utility data collection system for automatically or semi-automatically collecting data regarding consumption of a public utility, the system comprising:
- a remote reading component configured to facilitate communications from one or more endpoints, including receiving meter information from the one or more endpoints that relates to consumption of a gas, water, and/or electric utility;
an automatic meter reading component configured to collect and manage information received by the remote meter reading component;
a speech synthesis component coupled to the automatic meter reading component and configured to provide audio output to an operator of the mobile data collection system, wherein the audio output includes audible signals corresponding to prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech, and wherein the prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech includes statements for informing an operator about collection of utility data or about a current state of the mobile utility data collection system; and
a voice recognition component coupled to the automatic meter reading component and configured to process incoming human speech commands, wherein the voice recognition component is configured for use in generating computer-readable instructions for controlling at least some operations of the mobile utility data collection system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile data collection system with voice capabilities is provided. The mobile data collection system can be a system for automatically or semi-automatically collecting data regarding consumption of a public utility, but can also be a system for collecting other types of data. The system may include a speech synthesis component configured to provide audio output to an operator, the output including audible signals corresponding to prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech. For example, the prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech may include statements for informing an operator about collection of utility data or about a current state of the mobile utility data collection system. The system may also include a voice recognition component configured to process incoming human speech commands. For example, the voice recognition component may be configured for use in generating computer-readable instructions for controlling at least some operations of the system.
19 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A mobile utility data collection system for automatically or semi-automatically collecting data regarding consumption of a public utility, the system comprising:
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a remote reading component configured to facilitate communications from one or more endpoints, including receiving meter information from the one or more endpoints that relates to consumption of a gas, water, and/or electric utility;
an automatic meter reading component configured to collect and manage information received by the remote meter reading component;
a speech synthesis component coupled to the automatic meter reading component and configured to provide audio output to an operator of the mobile data collection system, wherein the audio output includes audible signals corresponding to prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech, and wherein the prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech includes statements for informing an operator about collection of utility data or about a current state of the mobile utility data collection system; and
a voice recognition component coupled to the automatic meter reading component and configured to process incoming human speech commands, wherein the voice recognition component is configured for use in generating computer-readable instructions for controlling at least some operations of the mobile utility data collection system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for providing information in a mobile utility data collection system for automatically or semi-automatically collecting data regarding consumption of a water, gas, or electric utility, the method comprising:
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synthesizing information to be provided as output to an operator of the mobile utility data collection system, wherein the mobile utility data collection system is configured to collect information provided by multiple endpoints located in a vicinity associated with a utility meter reading route; and
outputting audible signals at the mobile utility data collection system, wherein the audible signals correspond to prerecorded human speech or artificial human speech, and wherein at least some of the audible signals comprise statements for informing the operator about collection of utility data or about a current state of the mobile utility data collection system. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A mobile utility data collection system for receiving information in association with automatic or semi-automatic collection of utility data associated with consumption of a public utility, the system comprising:
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means for receiving voice commands at the mobile utility data collection system, wherein the voice commands relate to operation of the mobile utility data collection system, and wherein at least some of the received voice commands direct collection of utility consumption information provided by multiple endpoints located in a vicinity associated with a meter reading route; and
means for processing the received voice command to generate an executable computer instruction for operating the mobile utility data collection system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A computer-readable medium for use in a mobile utility data collection system configured for automatic or semi-automatic meter reading, the computer-readable medium comprising:
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at least one data structure used in association with collecting data from multiple endpoints, wherein the data collected from the multiple endpoints includes data related to consumption of a gas, water, or electric utility;
at least one data structure used in generating computer-readable instructions based on one or more user voice commands provided during operation of the mobile utility data collection system, wherein the one or more user voice commands are provided in association with controlling the operation of the mobile utility data collection system, and wherein at least some of the one or more user voice commands direct collection of utility consumption information provided by multiple endpoints located in a vicinity associated with a meter reading route. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification