GB2084773A

GB2084773A - Assimilating utility meter data with electronic probing

Info

Publication number: GB2084773A
Application number: GB8125567A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-09-08
Filing date: 1981-08-21
Publication date: 1982-04-15
Also published as: JPS5781698A; AU549648B2; GB2084773B; AU7449081A

Abstract

Utility meter data is assimilated at the meter locations by accumulating customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers on a base computer, transmitting said customer profile information over a telephone line to a telephone receiver, and coupling the telephone receiver to a portable computer for imposing the customer profile information into it. The portable computer is then disconnected from the telephone receiver and carried to the site of a given meter to be read. The new meter reading is imposed into the portable computer by temporarily coupling the portable computer to the meter being read and electronically transmitting the data of the meter to the portable computer which calculates the charge for utility usage and prints a bill for the meter customer at the site of the meter. The updated customer profile information is imposed on a storage means of the portable computer for later transmission to the base computer by coupling the portable computer to a telephone transmitter of the manually held type. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Method and means of assimilating utility meter data with electronic probing BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and means for utilizing a portable computer to assimilate utility meter data at the meter location, print a utility bill, and store updated data, the portable computer including means for connecting it to as least the manually held type receiver or transmitter of a telephone unit for communication with a base computer.

Conventionally, a typical meter reading cycle required printing route cards at a main office, shipping the cards to a branch office where the cards would be distributed to meter readers who would carry the cards to the meter locations for recording updated meter readings on them. The cards were then sent to the main office where they were read and a bill was computed, prepared and mailed to the customer. Such systems required substantial mailing costs, many people to perform clerical functions, and inherent time delays between the meter reading and billing functions.

Subsequent systems such as that disclosed in my prior U.S. Patent 4,133,034, provided portable computers capable of calculating and printing a utility bill at the meter location at the time the meter was read. Whereas that system was a substantial advance in the art, it nevertheless required the meter reader to report to a branch office to receive an input tape or the like at the beginning of his route, and to deliver the updated output tape at the end of his route for communicating the updated information to a main computer. Thus, the size of a district which could be effectively serviced by a single branch office was necessarily limited. The daily handling of the tapes required certain clerical personnel and contributed generally to the wear and tear of the tapes.These problems were resolved by the system disclosed in my copending U.S. patent application, Serial No. 127,371, filed on March 5, 1980, which embodied a tele-communication capability. Problems remained in connection with entering new meter readings into the computer by a keyboard entry terminal. This data entry method is necessarily exposed to the possibility of human error by incorrectly reading the meter output information or accidentally depressing the wrong keyboard key. These problems are believed to be resolved by the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The method and means of assimilating utility meter data according to the present invention comprises a portable computer which is connectable to at least the manually held type receiver or transmitter of a telephone unit for receiving or transmitting customer profile information from and to a remote base computer. Thus, customer profile information accumulated on a base computer is transmitted over a telephone line to a telephone receiver coupled to the portable computer having an information storage means onto which the information is imposed. The portable computer is disconnected from the telephone receiver, and carried to a meter location.

The current meter reading is imposed into the portable computer by temporarily coupling the portable computer by means of a probe to the meter being read and electronically transmitting the data from the meter to the computer. The portable computer is then actuated to calculate the charge for utility usage, print a bill for the meter customer, and store the updated customer profile information. After servicing all of the meters on a given route, the portable computer may be connected to a telephone transmitter of the manually held type for transmitting the updated customer profile information over a telephone line to the base computer. Accordingly, the delivery of tapes between the individual meter readers and their branch office is eliminated as well as the clerical tape handling functions.Data entry by electronic probe coupling assures that the current meter readings are accurately imposed into the portable computer without the possibility of human error.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of an operator operating the portable computer of the present invention at a meter side.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the portable computer connected to the manually held type transmitter of a telephone unit.

Figures 3 and 4 are detail view of the single cup acoustic couplers for connecting the portable computer to a telephone unit; and Figure 5 is a diagrammatic illustration of the operating sequence for the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A small portable computer 10, having a shoulder harness 11 secured thereto, has most of its components conventionally mounted within a housing 1 2 which is thus conveniently carried by a meter reader 1 3 as illustrated in Fig. 1. A hand held manual control means 1 4 is connected to the housing 1 2 by a flexible coupling 16, and an electronic probe is electrically connected to the portable computer 10 by a flexible cord 1 8 for quickly and accurately transmitting output data from a probe receptacle 1 9 on a utility meter 20.

The computer 10 may be comprised essentially of conventional hardware well known in the art and the precise electronic circuitry is not disclosed herein. The manual control means 14 includes a visible message output board 14a, which may be a conventional character display panel, and a plurality of depressable switches 14b which serve to recall information from the computer for display on the output board 14a, and which serves to permit raw data to be placed within the computer. For a further disclosure of the structure and operation of the manual control means 14, reference is made to my prior U.S. Patent No. 4,133,034, issued January 2, 1979.

The electronic probe 1 7 enables utility meter output data to be quickly and accurately entered into the portable computer 10 by electronic transmission. One suitable probe system for this type of application is commercially available from Neptune Water Meter company of Tallassee, Alabama in connection with their Model LCD Tape Recorder. The portable computer 10 can be adapted to recognize and receive the same impuses as those which are entered onto the magnetic tape of the Naptune unit.

Existing utility meters can be quite easily modified to accommodate meter reading by probe coupling. The meter 20 and remote receptacle 1 9 shown in Fig. 1 are intended to diagrammatically illustrate a water meter and receptacle of the type commercially available from the Neptune Water Meter Company. The water meter 20 may be conveniently installed interiorally of a building with the receptacle being situated remotely from the meter and externally accessible to a meter reader.

The portable computer 10 includes an electronic storage means (not shown) onto which customer profile information is imposed from a base computer and from which updated customer profile information is transferred to a remote base computer. To effect such communication between a remote base computer and the portable computer 10, the latter is provided with an input acoustic coupler or modem 22 (Fig. 4) and/or an output output acoustic coupler or modem 24 (Fig. 3). The input acoustic coupler 22 includes a cup 26 which is adapted to be secured onto the manually held type transmitter 28 of a telephone unit 30 (Fig.

2). Cup 26 houses conventional circuitry adapted for converting audible signals from the telephone transmitter 28 into electronic input signals which are transmitted to the portable computer 10 through wire 32. Single cup acoustic couplers of the type described are commercially available from Telxon Corporation of Bath, Ohio.

Likewise, the output acoustic coupler 24 includes a flexible cup 32 which is adapted to be secured onto the manually held type receiver 34 of a telephone unit 30. Cup 32 is connected to the portable computer 10 by wire 36 and houses circuit elements adapted for converting electrical output information signals from the portable computer 10 into audible signals capable of being picked up by the telephone receiver 34.

The meter reading and billing operation begins at the main or base computer, indicated at 38 in Fig. 5, which is generally situated at the main offices of a utility company. Base computer 38 is connected to output printer 40 in the conventional manner for printing central office records and reports. Customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers is accumulated in the memory of the base computer. In addition, special instructions indicating problems with tampering, broken meter seals or glass or indicating such things as meter location and whether a dog is present may be stored as well. Normally the information for a given customer will include the following: CUSTOMER PROFILE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS Account Number 1. Instruction/codes Service Address Dog Meter Number Key in Office Name Meter Inside Previous Reading Date Previous Reading/Usage 2. Location Codes Maximum Use In House Estimated Maximum Reading Rate factors/designation 3. Special Codes Debit/credit Tampering Deposit Special Information The above information for all of the customers on the routes within a given district is transferred to a computer terminal 42 in the branch office for that district. Specifically, the base computer 38 is connected to a conventional modem 44 for transmission of the information by wave transmission as indicated at 46 or over telephone lines as indicated at 48 to a corresponding modem 50 associated with the branch office computer terminal 42.

From the branch office, customer profile information is transmitted through a conventional modem 52 over a telephone line 54 to a telephone receiver 56 of the manually held type including tramsitter and receiver portions 28 and 34, respectively. Transmitter portion 28 is coupled to a portable computer 10 for imposing all of the information of a given route onto the information storage means of the portable computer 10. The portable computer is then disconnected from the telephone receiver 56 and manually carried to the site of the first meter on a given route.

Upon arriving at the location of the first utility customer, the meter reader may actuate the portable computer to segregate and to visually present from the customer profile information stored in the portable computer at least the meter number and customer identity information for the first customer. The portable computer may also be actuated by the manual control means 14 to sequentially display on the outputboard 1 8 any special- instructions relating to meter location, dogs and the like.

While standing before the meter 60 as indicated in Fig. 1, the operator will simply insert the probe 1 7 into the receptacle 1 9 to electronically transmit output data corresponding to the current meter reading to the portable computer 10. A switch 146 is then actuated to cause the computer to calculate or otherwise take into account the following factors: Computes the kilowatt hour usage.

Subtracts the last month's reading from the new reading.

The utility rate is applied.

Applies debit/credit entry.

Applies any special factors.

The operator then actuates another of the switches 146 to cause the bill 62 to be printed.

The printed bill is deposited in a plastic sack and placed on the doorknob of the dwelling involved. As the computer prints the bill, the updated customer profile information reflected in the printed bill 62 is imposed on the information storage means of the portable computer 1 0.

The operator can further impose on the storage means irregularities such as broken seals on the meter, cross dogs, or the like.

At the end of the day, all of the customers on the route have been billed on the day that their respective meters were read. At this point, the meter reader need only go to the nearest telephone whereupon the portable computer 10 may be connected to the receiver portion 34 of telephone receiver 56 by the acoustic coupler 24 and the portable computer may be actuated to transmit the updated computer profile information over the telephone line 54 to the branch office computer terminal 42.

The portable computers 10 thus have both uploading capabilities for receiving information from the base computer and downloading capabilities for transmitting updated information to the base computer. With this flexibility, the portable computer 10 can be uploaded or downloaded at any time from the location where there is a telephone. A meter reader does not need to go to his office or branch office in the morning to get his route information nor will it be necessary for him to go to the office at the end of the day to turn in his work. This chore can be handled in a matter of minutes from any telephone.

With this capability, it would additionally be possible to totally load each portable computer 10 with the full program in software supplied by the base computer. However, to save memory storage in the portable computer and lessen the chance of error, it is preferred to have some of the program such as the operating system, extended library, billing program logic, etc. in hard chips. This will save the majority of the portable computer memory capacity for route information.

It should be understood that the information storage means of the portable computer 10 may be of any of the conventional forms including tapes. It is preferred, however, that the portable computer include a solid state memory because of several considerations. The solid state chips weigh less, require less space and are highly energy efficient. Also, the cost of memory chips is less than the cost of tape drives. Most importantly, the solid state memory provides improved data reliability over a longer life span since it is not affected by heat, cold, humidity, dropping, etc. The ability to search the solid state memory forward and backward at random and to transmit information at higher speeds renders the solid state memory all the more attractive.

The probe coupling data entry capability of the present invention thus eliminates the inconvenience and possible inaccuracy associated with manual entry of current meter readings for-on-site billing.

From the above description, it is seen that this invention achieves substantial improvement in the process of assimilating utility meter data.

Claims

1. A method of assimilating utility meter data at the meter locations, comprising, accumulating customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers on a base computer; transmitting said customer profile information over a telephone line to a telephone receiver of the manually held type, coupling said telephone receiver to a portable computer capable of being manually carried to the site of a given meter, said portable computer having an information storage means and having the capability of receiving and storing said customer profile information, and having the capability of updating, printing and presenting various of said customer profile information for said meter customers, disconnecting said portable computer from said telephone receiver, imposing into said portable computer the correct meter reading of said given meter customer at the site of the meter being read by temporarily coupling said portable computer to the meter being read and electronically transmitting the data of said meter to said portable computer, actuating said portable computer to calculate the charge for utility usage, actuating said computer to print a bill for said meter customer at the site of said meter based upon said calculation, and imposing on said storage means the updated customer profile information reflected in said printed bill.

2. A method of assimilating utility meter data as claimed in claim 1 wherein said portable computer is connected to a telephone transmitter of the manually held type, and transmitting said updated customer profile information over a telephone line to said base computer.

3. A method of assimilating utility meter data as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printed bill is deposited at the service address of said given customer.

4. A method of assimilating utility meter data as claimed in claim 1 further comprising actuating said portable computer to segregate and to visually present from the customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers stored in said portable computer at least the meter number and customer identity information of a given meter customer.

5. A method of assimilating utility meter data at the meter locations, comprising, accumulating customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers, imposing said customer profile information on a storage means of a portable computer capable of being carried to the site of a given meter, said portable computer having the capability of receiving and storing said customer profile information, and having the capability of updating, printing and presenting various of said customer profile information for said customers, actuating said portable computer to segregate and to visually present from the customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers stored in said portable computer at least the meter number and customer identity information of a given meter customer, imposing into said portable computer the correct meter reading of said given meter customer at the site of the meter being read by temporarily coupling said portable computer to the meter being read and electronically transmitting the data of said meter to said portable computer, actuating said portable computer to calculate the charge for utility usage, actuating said computer to print a bill for said meter customer at the site of said meter based upon said calculation, connecting said portable computer to a telephone transmitter of the manually held type, and transmitting said updated customer profile information over a telephone line to a base computer.

6. In combination, a device for assimilating utility meter data and a telephone unit having a receiver and a transmitter of the manually held type, comprising, a portable computer comprising a computer housing, computer circuitry including an electronic storage means capable of storing customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers, printout means operatively connected to said computer circuitry, manual control means for actuating said portable computer circuitry, said manual control means including a probe for temporary connection to the meter being read, for electronically putting raw data into said portable computer, a base computer containing customer profile information connected to a telephone line, a telephone unit having a receiver and transmitter of the manually held type connected to said telephone line, and means for connecting said portable computer to at least one of said receivers or transmitters, for connecting said portable computer to said base computer.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 6 wherein said manual control means includes a visible message output board connected to said computer circuitry whereby the operator can visually observe certain of the information contained in said computer as said information is imposed on said output board, said control means including means for segregating and visually presenting on said output board customer profile information for one meter customer from the customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers stored on said storage means.

8. A device for assimilating utility meter data at the meter location, comprising, a portable computer comprising a computer housing, computer circuitry including an electronic storage means capable of storing customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers, printout means operatively connected to said computer circuitry, manual control means for actuating said portable computer circuitry, said manual control means including a probe for temporary connection to the meter being read, for electronically putting raw data into said portable computer, and means for connecting said portable computer to at least one of the manually held type receiver and transmitter of a telephone unit for receiving and transmitting data respectively, by said telephone unit.

9. A device for assimilating utility meter data as claimed in claim 8 wherein said manual control means includes a visible message output board connected to said computer circuitry whereby the operator can visually observe certain of the information contained in said computer as said information is imposed on said output board, said control means including means for segregating and visually presenting on said output board certain profile information for one meter customer from the customer profile information for a plurality of meter customers stored on said storage means.

10. A method of assimilating utility meter data at the meter locations substantially as hereinbefore described.

11. A device for assimilating utility meter data at the meter location substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 2. In combination, a device for assimilating utility meter data and a telephone unit having a receiver and a transmitter of the manually held type substantially as herein before described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.