MAPPING IN MOBILE DATA COLLECTION SYSTEMS, SUCH AS FOR UTILITY METER READING AND RELATED APPLICATIONS
First Claim
1. At a mobile data collection system, a method for providing an indication of out of route endpoints encountered while progressing through an automatic meter reading route comprising a plurality of predetermined endpoints from which utility consumption data is gathered, the method comprising:
- receiving meter reading route data providing an indication of each of the predetermined endpoints in the automatic meter reading route;
progressing through the automatic meter reading route and collecting information relating to each of the endpoints detected while progressing through the meter reading route, wherein the collected information includes information about the location of the detected endpoints;
for each endpoint for which information is collected, determining whether the endpoint is included in the automatic meter reading route, wherein the determining is based, at least in part, on the collected information and on the received meter reading route data; and
if the endpoint is not included in the automatic meter reading route, identifying the endpoint as an out of route endpoint and providing an indication of a location of the out of route endpoint.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile data collection system may perform or facilitate monitoring and management of mobile automatic meter reading (MAMR) activities via out of route meter read identification and graphical route playback. In identifying out of route endpoints, the mobile data collection system receives an indication of each of the endpoints included in a predetermined meter reading route. The mobile data collection system executes the route detecting endpoints and collecting location information relating to out of route endpoints that are not included in the predetermined route. Location information identifying the out of route endpoints is then presented to a user. In facilitating graphical route playback, the mobile data collection system collects information as it progresses through the route. The collected information may then be used in a graphical playback of the route, which shows the mobile data collection system dynamically traveling through the route (e.g., on a map) and reading endpoints.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. At a mobile data collection system, a method for providing an indication of out of route endpoints encountered while progressing through an automatic meter reading route comprising a plurality of predetermined endpoints from which utility consumption data is gathered, the method comprising:
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receiving meter reading route data providing an indication of each of the predetermined endpoints in the automatic meter reading route;
progressing through the automatic meter reading route and collecting information relating to each of the endpoints detected while progressing through the meter reading route, wherein the collected information includes information about the location of the detected endpoints;
for each endpoint for which information is collected, determining whether the endpoint is included in the automatic meter reading route, wherein the determining is based, at least in part, on the collected information and on the received meter reading route data; and
if the endpoint is not included in the automatic meter reading route, identifying the endpoint as an out of route endpoint and providing an indication of a location of the out of route endpoint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification