Mobile utility data collection system with voice technology, such as for data collection relating to an electric, gas, or water utility

• US 7,362,236 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Itron, Inc.
• Inventors: Hoiness, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Edwards, Jr.; Timothy
• Application Number:
  US11/294,748
• Publication Number:
  US 20060119488A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 340/870.02, 340/870.07, 455/79, 455/563, 455/575.9, 704/231
• US Class Current: 340/870.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/50 using a mobile data collecting device, e.g. walk by or drive by
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

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.

Claims

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.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote meter reading component, the automatic meter reading component, the speech synthesis component, and the voice recognition component operate within a vehicle during performance of a meter reading route.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the automatic meter reading component performs tasks from the group comprising:

maintaining route-related meter reading statistics;

providing operating status information for the mobile data collection system;

storing collected meter-reading data;

processing collected meter reading data;

formatting collected meter reading data; and

displaying collected meter reading data.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the automatic meter reading component performs administrative functions allowing users to control preferences and settings of the mobile data collection system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the remote reading component communicates with the endpoints, at least in part, via wake-up RF communications.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the automatic meter reading component is further configured for performing activities associate with meter servicing.

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:

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.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the synthesizing includes performing text-to-speech processing.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signals include signals used to direct navigation during performance of a meter reading or meter servicing route.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signals include signals used to reflect status of operations handled by the mobile utility data collection system during performance of a meter reading or meter servicing route.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signals include signals used to alert the operator of a condition occurring during performance of a meter reading or meter servicing route, wherein the condition is from a group comprising:

general meter reading route alerts;

route discrepancy alerts;

service alerts;

missed endpoint alerts;

out of route endpoint alerts;

tamper alerts; and

route status alerts.

12. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signals include signals used to indicate that a meter reading or meter servicing route has been completed.

13. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signals include signals used to direct navigation during performance of a meter reading or meter servicing route, wherein the audible signals include indications of when a driver should slow down a vehicle used to perform the meter reading route so as to conduct endpoint reads effectively.

14. The method of claim 7 wherein the audible signals are provided in conjunction with displaying mapping images used to show current progress of a vehicle while performing the meter reading route.

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:

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.

16. The mobile utility data collection system of claim 15 wherein the received voice command replaces one or more keyboard or mouse commands associated with a user interface.

17. The mobile utility data collection system of claim 15 wherein the executable computer instruction facilitates a user menu selection.

18. The mobile utility data collection system of claim 15 wherein the executable computer instruction facilitates selecting a next meter reading or meter servicing route to be performed via the mobile system.

19. The mobile utility data collection system of claim 15 wherein the executable computer instruction facilitates inputting manual meter read information.

20. The mobile utility data collection system of claim 15 wherein the executable computer instruction facilitates providing automated help services to an operator of the mobile system.

21. The mobile utility data collection system of claim 15 wherein the means for receiving and the means for processing are incorporated into a notebook computer or portable device.

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:

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.

23. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein the one or more user voice commands relate to identifying missed meters during a meter reading route being performed by the mobile utility data collection system.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein the one or more user voice commands relate to identifying a current location of a vehicle from which the mobile utility data collection system is operating while performing a meter reading route.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein at least some of the one or more user voice commands relate to starting a new meter reading route to be performed by the mobile utility data collection system.

26. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein at least some of the one or more user voice commands relate to selecting menu options offered by the mobile utility data collection system while performing a meter reading route.

27. The computer-readable medium of claim 22 wherein at least some of the one or more user voice commands relate to inputting an operator note while in the process of performing a meter reading route.