Mapping in mobile data collection systems, such as for utility meter reading and related applications
First Claim
1. In a system for automatically collecting utility data from multiple utility meters, wherein each of the multiple utility meters includes at least a transmitter for transmitting meter data including associated utility consumption data, the system comprising:
- a mobile utility data collection system, wherein the mobile utility data collection system includes;
at least one wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving meter data transmitted by at least some of the multiple utility meters, wherein at least some of the received meter data includes utility consumption data,at least one geographic positioning system for determining geographic positions of the mobile utility data collection system as the mobile utility data collection system travels along a current route,data storage for storingthe received meter data,geographic position data associated with the determined geographic positions of the mobile utility data collection system as the mobile utility data collection system travels along the current route, anddisplayable information associated with a predetermined route, wherein the displayable information includes information regarding a set of the multiple utility meters in a predetermined route and utility meters not in the predetermined route,wherein the received meter data stored in the data storage includes meter data from the set of utility meters in the predetermined route and utility meters not in the predetermined route, anda visual display device for displaying information regarding at least a portion of the predetermined route, including at least some utility meters in the set of utility meters in the predetermined route and some meters not in the predetermined route,at least one processor coupled among the wireless receiver, the geographic positioning system, the display device, and the data storage; and
,at least one head end server computer configured to receive information from the mobile utility data collection system, including the received meter data and the geographic position data stored in the storage device, andwherein the server computer is configured to;
process the received meter data to determine a modified and optimized route for the mobile utility data collection system to later travel to collect future meter data, andprocess the geographic position data to provide displayable information regarding the current route, which may be compared to the predetermined route.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
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.
67 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a system for automatically collecting utility data from multiple utility meters, wherein each of the multiple utility meters includes at least a transmitter for transmitting meter data including associated utility consumption data, the system comprising:
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a mobile utility data collection system, wherein the mobile utility data collection system includes; at least one wireless receiver for wirelessly receiving meter data transmitted by at least some of the multiple utility meters, wherein at least some of the received meter data includes utility consumption data, at least one geographic positioning system for determining geographic positions of the mobile utility data collection system as the mobile utility data collection system travels along a current route, data storage for storing the received meter data, geographic position data associated with the determined geographic positions of the mobile utility data collection system as the mobile utility data collection system travels along the current route, and displayable information associated with a predetermined route, wherein the displayable information includes information regarding a set of the multiple utility meters in a predetermined route and utility meters not in the predetermined route, wherein the received meter data stored in the data storage includes meter data from the set of utility meters in the predetermined route and utility meters not in the predetermined route, and a visual display device for displaying information regarding at least a portion of the predetermined route, including at least some utility meters in the set of utility meters in the predetermined route and some meters not in the predetermined route, at least one processor coupled among the wireless receiver, the geographic positioning system, the display device, and the data storage; and
,at least one head end server computer configured to receive information from the mobile utility data collection system, including the received meter data and the geographic position data stored in the storage device, and wherein the server computer is configured to; process the received meter data to determine a modified and optimized route for the mobile utility data collection system to later travel to collect future meter data, and process the geographic position data to provide displayable information regarding the current route, which may be compared to the predetermined route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a system for automatically collecting utility data from multiple utility meters, wherein each of the multiple utility meters includes at least a transmitter for transmitting meter data, a mobile apparatus comprising:
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processing means for processing data and instructions; receiver means, coupled to the processing means, for wirelessly receiving meter data transmitted by at least some of the multiple utility meters; data storage means, coupled to the processing means, for storing map information and the received meter data, wherein the map information includes information regarding a predetermined route for the mobile apparatus, and wherein the received meter data includes data regarding a set of the multiple utility meters on the predetermined route and utility meters not on the predetermined route; analysis means, coupled to the processing means, for determining whether a read meter is a meter within the predetermined route or not in the predetermined route; and display means, coupled to the processing means, for displaying at least a portion of the map information together with symbols representing at least some utility meters in the set and different symbols representing some meters not in the predetermined route wherein the symbols are based on the determination of the analysis means. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a system for automatically collecting utility data from multiple utility meters by a mobile apparatus, wherein each of the multiple utility meters includes at least a transmitter for transmitting meter data, a method comprising:
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wirelessly receiving meter data transmitted by at least some of the multiple utility meters; storing map information and the received meter data, wherein the map information includes information regarding a predetermined route for the mobile apparatus to traverse while gathering utility meter data, and wherein the received meter data includes data regarding a set of the multiple utility meters on the predetermined route and utility meters not on the predetermined route; determining whether a read meter is a meter within the predetermined route or not in the predetermined route; and displaying at least a portion of the map information together with symbols representing at least some utility meters in the set and different symbols representing some meters not in the predetermined route wherein the symbols are based on the determination step. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification