Field service and meter reading devices with GPS functionality
First Claim
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1. A utility meter reading device with a global positioning system (GPS) capacity, comprising:
- a handheld mobile utility meter reading unit that is capable of reading utility meter usage data that is transmitted from a utility meter;
a GPS unit that is integrated into utility meter reading unit, where the GPS unit automatically collects locating coordinates of the utility meter, provides navigation assistance to the user of the utility meter reading device in the form of heading, elevation, and speed, and also provides warnings to the user about hazards that may be encountered;
where the reading unit provides a notice to the user that an incorrect meter has been read; and
an electronic memory device that stores the locating coordinates and usage data collected by the utility meter reading device.
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Abstract
A utility meter reading device with a global positioning system (GPS) functionality has been developed. The device includes a utility meter reading unit that reads usage data from a utility meter and GPS unit. The GPS unit collects locating coordinates of the utility meter while the meter reading unit collects the usage data.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A utility meter reading device with a global positioning system (GPS) capacity, comprising:
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a handheld mobile utility meter reading unit that is capable of reading utility meter usage data that is transmitted from a utility meter; a GPS unit that is integrated into utility meter reading unit, where the GPS unit automatically collects locating coordinates of the utility meter, provides navigation assistance to the user of the utility meter reading device in the form of heading, elevation, and speed, and also provides warnings to the user about hazards that may be encountered; where the reading unit provides a notice to the user that an incorrect meter has been read; and an electronic memory device that stores the locating coordinates and usage data collected by the utility meter reading device.
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2. An apparatus for reading a utility meter, comprising:
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a utility meter reading unit that reads usage data from a utility meter; and a global positioning system (GPS) unit that collects locating coordinates of the utility meter while the meter reading unit collects the usage data; where the reading unit provides a warning to a user that an incorrect meter has been read. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus for reading a utility meter, comprising:
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means for reading utility meter usage data; and means for collecting location coordinates with a global positioning system (GPS) of the utility meter while the means for reading utility meter usage data collects the usage data; means for warning a user that an incorrect meter has been read.
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Specification