Voice-Controlled Mobile Meter Reading System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile automatic meter reading (MAMR) systems are inefficient and error-prone due to the need for operators to manually navigate and interact with the system, often requiring them to pull over and manually input or view route information, which is time-consuming and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A mobile data collection system incorporating speech and voice recognition capabilities, allowing operators to interact with the system using voice commands and receive navigation instructions through speech synthesis, enabling hands-free operation and reducing the need for manual input or navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If operators manually navigate and interact with the MAMR system by pulling over to view route information and input data, then the system can be operated with basic manual controls, but the operation becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (handwriting, keyboard typing, manual navigation) with voice recognition technology. Operators speak commands to navigate the system, view route information, and input meter readings, eliminating the need to pull over and manually interact with the system interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces voice recognition software as an intermediary between the operator and the MAMR system. This intermediary translates spoken commands into system actions, allowing operators to interact with the system while driving without manual intervention or stopping.
2Reliability
If operators manually input route information and meter readings, then the system can process data with basic input methods, but errors increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual data entry (handwriting, typing) with voice recognition technology. Operators speak meter readings and route information, which the voice recognition system converts into digital data, eliminating transcription errors and improving both accuracy and speed of data entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice recognition system automatically processes and records data without requiring manual verification or correction. The system self-corrects certain errors and automatically formats data, reducing the need for operators to review and edit entries.
3Ease of operation
If the system requires operators to pull over to interact with the interface, then manual interaction is possible, but safe operation is compromised and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual interface interaction with voice commands, allowing operators to safely interact with the system while driving. Voice recognition technology enables data entry and navigation without taking hands off the wheel or eyes off the road, maintaining operational safety.
4Productivity
If basic manual controls are used for navigation and data input, then the system structure remains simple, but error rates increase and speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual controls with voice recognition technology, significantly increasing the speed of navigation and data input. Operators can enter meter readings and navigate routes continuously while driving, eliminating stopping time and manual processing delays.
Data Source
AI summary
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.