Mapping in mobile data collection systems, such as for utility meter reading and related applications

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.

1 . In a mobile data collection system, an apparatus for providing an indication of out of route endpoints encountered along an automatic meter reading route having multiple predetermined endpoints from which utility consumption data is gathered, the apparatus comprising:
 data storage for storing
 meter reading route data, wherein the meter reading route data includes information identifying each of multiple endpoints in the automatic meter reading route, and 
 collected information relating to each of the endpoints detected along the automatic meter reading route, wherein the collected information includes
 (a) utility consumption information collected from at least some of the detected endpoints, and 
 (b) identification information; and 
 
   a processor coupled to the data storage, wherein, for each endpoint for which information is collected, the processor is configured to
 (i) determine whether the endpoint is one of the multiple endpoints in the automatic meter reading route, wherein the determining is based, at least in part, on the meter reading route and the identification information identifying at least some of the detected endpoints in the collected information, and 
 (ii) if the endpoint is not in the automatic meter reading route, then identifying the endpoint as an out of route endpoint, and providing utility consumption information and identification information for the identified out of route endpoint. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the provided indication of the location of the out of route endpoint is a set of location coordinates. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a wireless receiver, coupled to the processor, for wirelessly receiving the collected information while traveling the automatic meter reading route. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is configured to provide the indication of the location of the out of route endpoint to a system at a utility provider associated with the out of route endpoint. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least the processor is a host processing system of a public utility. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide, via an output device, driving directions based on the indication of the location of the out of route endpoint.