Schlumberger RoadMAPS User manual

RoadMAPSTM
User’s Manual
Version 2.0

This manual is an unpublished work and contains the trade secrets and confidential infor-
mation of Schlumberger Resource Management Services, Inc., which are not to be
divulged to third parties and may not be reproduced or transmitted in whole or part, in
any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical for any purpose, without the express
written permission of Schlumberger Resource Management Services, Inc. All rights to
designs or inventions disclosed herein, including the right to manufacture, are reserved
to Schlumberger Resource Management Services, Inc.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Schlum-
berger reserves the right to change the product specifications at any time without incur-
ring any obligations.
Trademarks used in this manual
RouteMapsTM and RoadMAPSTM are trademarks of Schlumberger Resource Manage-
ment Services, Inc. Other brands or product names are the trademarks or registered
trademarks of their respective holders.
FCC Registration
RoadMAPS Unit complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules.
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This unit may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) This unit must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
RoadMAPS Unit device complies with Industry Canada RS210
Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) RoadMAPS Unit may not cause interference, and
(2) RoadMAPS Unit must accept any interference, including interference that may cause
undesired operation of the unit.
Copyright © 1999
Schlumberger Resource Management Services, Inc.
All rights reserved.
RoadMAPSTM User’s Manual 2.0
Literature No. SY-0043.1-GB-012.99
Resource Management Services
5430 Metric Place
Norcross, GA 30092-2550
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

Contents
RoadMAPS User’s Manual iii
1Introduction
System Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-1
About this Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Conventions Used in This Manual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
Product Support Within the United States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
Contacting technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
2RoadMAPS Overview
RoadMAPS Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
The Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
PC Memory Card Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
Navigation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
RoadMAPS Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
RoadMAPS Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
RoadMAPS Function Buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Reading indicator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-8
Message area and progress bar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-9
Information area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-10
Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
Route Display Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
RoadMAPS Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
RF Receiver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Radio Frequency (RF) Front End . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Digital Multi-channel Receiver (DMR) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
Central Processing Unit (CPU) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15

iv RoadMAPS User’s Manual
Contents
RF Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Logic Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Power Supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-16
Antenna and Duplexer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-18
3Setting Up the RoadMAPS Unit
Removing Carrying Case Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-1
To remove the carrying case cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Inserting the PC Memory Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Placing the RoadMAPS Unit in the Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Connecting the Antenna . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Plugging in the Power Cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Turning the Unit On . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
To start RoadMAPS Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
If No Route Data File is Found . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
Adjusting System Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Backlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
Contrast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-12
4Using the RoadMAPS Unit
Route File Generation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Off-site meter reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
File Transfer to Host and Billing System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Using PC Memory Cards to Exchange Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4

Contents
RoadMAPS User’s Manual v
To exchange information with the host computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
Reading Meters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Beeper Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
To turn the beeper on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
Selecting Routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
Detail Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
To view account detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
Collecting Readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
To begin meter reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-12
Navigation on the Route Display Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
To view routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
Identifying Missed Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
Viewing Account Details . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
To move from one account to the next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
To display account detail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
Rereading Missed Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Pausing and Restarting Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-19
Creating an Export File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-20
Exiting RoadMAPS Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
5Closing the RoadMAPS Unit
ASpecifications
Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
Laptop PC Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1

vi RoadMAPS User’s Manual
Contents
Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
Dimensions and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
BTroubleshooting
Performing Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
To display and exit RoadMAPS self diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-2
CGlossary
Glossary
Index

RoadMAPS User’s Manual vii
Figures
Figure Title Page
1.1 RoadMAPS Meter Reading Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
2.1 RoadMAPS Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2.2 Laptop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2.3 Memory Card Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2.4 Navigating Within RoadMAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2.5 Route Selection screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-11
2.6 Missed Reads and Captured Reads Screens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
2.7 MIU Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-13
2.8 RoadMAPS Unit Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-14
3.1 Latches on RoadMAPS carrying case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
3.2 PC memory card slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-3
3.3 Removing the Safety Latch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
3.4 Placing Seatbelt in Retention Loop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3.5 Replacing the Safety Pin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
3.6 Securing the unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
3.7 Cables retained by Velcro strapping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
3.8 Antenna routing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
3.9 Antenna placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-8
3.10 Cigarette lighter power cable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
3.11 Laptop Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
3.12 Error Message on start up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
4.1 Host File Transfer to RoadMAPS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4.2 RoadMAPS Automatic Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-3
4.3 Reading File Transfer to Host . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-4
4.4 Route Display with multiple routes being read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6
4.5 Use Beeper Field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-7
4.6 Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-8
4.7 Missed Reads Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-9
4.8 MIU Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-10
4.9 Route Selection Screen with Account Highlighted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-11
4.10 Meter Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-13

Figures
viii RoadMAPS User’s Manual
Figure Title Page
4.11 Route With All Reads Completed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-14
4.12 Route Selection Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
4.13 Captured Reads Screen Message Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-16
4.14 Viewing Details of an Account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-17
4.15 MIU Details Dialog Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-18
5.1 Laptop and cables prepared for closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-2
5.2 Cover replaced on RoadMAPS Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-3
A.1 RoadMAPS Unit Dimensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
B.1 Route Import Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3
B.2 System Check Screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-3

RoadMAPS User’s Manual ix
Tables
Table Title Page
2.1 Operating Voltage and Current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-17
A.1 Electrical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
A.1 PC Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1
A.1 Environmental Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
A.1 Dimensions and Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2
B.1 Troubleshooting Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B-1

xRoadMAPS User’s Manual
Notes:
Tables

RoadMAPS User’s Manual 1-1
Chapter 1 Introduction
The RoadMAPS™ Unit is a rugged, compact, portable, easy-to-use,
multi-energy (electric, gas, and water) meter reading unit that can
be securely placed in the passenger seat of any vehicle with a stan-
dard seat belt while being powered by the cigarette lighter recep-
tacle.
The RoadMAPS Unit provides the meter reading industry with
many advantages over current meter reading methods:
•Improved meter reading accuracy
•Addresses “hard-to-read” meters
•Reduced man-hours needed to collect readings
•Suitable for any size utility
•Portable and easy to set up
System Operations
From the utility billing system, operators use RouteMAPS™or EZ
RouteMAPS™ host software to make route assignments for meter
readers via the PC memory cards. Each meter reader inserts a PC
memory card into the RoadMAPS Unit and then drives through the
routes assigned to collect data broadcast by R900, R100, R200,
R300, or ERT Meter Interface Units (MIUs). The data is stored on
the memory card. When finished, the meter readers return the PC
memory cards so the read data can be uploaded to the host soft-
ware. The host software transfers the customer information to the
billing computer to generate customer bills (See Figure 1.1).

Introduction
1-2 RoadMAPS User’s Manual
.
Figure 1.1 RoadMAPS Meter Reading Operations
About this Manual
The RoadMAPS User’s Manual describes the system and its fea-
tures and provides procedures on how to use the RoadMAPS Unit
from setting up the unit and using its software to exiting and clos-
ing up the unit.
Throughout this manual, the Personal Portable Computer (PPC), a
component of the RoadMAPS unit, is referred to as the laptop
computer. In addition, the PCMCIA card used with the RoadMAPS
unit is called the PC memory card. In addition to this introduction,
this manual contains the following chapters:
Chapter Title Description
2RoadMAPS Overview Provides an overview of the Road-
MAPS unit and software, includ-
ing a description of function keys,
screens, and RoadMAPS hard-
ware.

Introduction
RoadMAPS User’s Manual 1-3
Conventions Used in This Manual
This manual uses the following icons and typographical conven-
tions to identify special information.
3Setting Up the RoadMAPS
Unit
Describes hardware setup instruc-
tions, power and antenna connec-
tion, and instructions on how to
turn on the laptop computer. The
chapter also includes information
on how to adjust system settings
including keyboard backlighting,
display intensity, and the beeper
settings.
4Using the RoadMAPS Unit Explains how the product works,
procedures for reading meters,
reviewing account information,
reading missed meters, and exit-
ing RoadMAPS.
5Closing the RoadMAPS Unit Provides a procedure for closing
the RoadMAPS Unit.
Appendix A Specifications Provides a reference section con-
taining product specifications.
Appendix B Troubleshooting Provides diagnostics procedures
for troubleshooting RoadMAPS
problems.
Chapter Title Description
The Warning icon identifies actions that can injure the user or permanently damage
the product.
The Caution icon identifies important information that is critical to ensuring that data
stored with the RoadMAPS Unit is not lost.

Introduction
1-4 RoadMAPS User’s Manual
Product Support Within the United States
Schlumberger offers you different ways to obtain high-quality,
responsive technical support. However, before contacting
Schlumberger, it is important that you know the version number
of the software that your RoadMAPS Unit uses. This information
is useful to the support technical who helps you.
To find the version number of RoadMAPS Software, you must dis-
play the RoadMAPS System Check screen. For instructions on
obtaining the version number of the RoadMAPS software, see
“Performing Diagnostics,” on Page B-2.
Contacting technical support
Within the United States, Schlumberger technical support is avail-
able Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM Eastern Standard
Time by telephone or fax. Whichever method you use to contact
technical support, be prepared to give the following information:
•The exact wording of any message that appeared in the dis-
play of the RoadMAPS Unit
•A description of what happened and what you were doing
when the problem occurred
•A description of how you tried to solve the problem
•Your company’s personal identification number (PIN)
The Note icon identifies information that clarifies a point within the text.
All small caps Refers to keys. Examples: ENTER, ALT, TAB
All bold initial caps Refers to field names, menus, buttons, and menu options. Example: Device field or File
menu.
+ between keys Refers to pressing the keys at the same time. Example: ALT+B

RoadMAPS User’s Manual 2-1
Chapter 2 RoadMAPS Overview
The RoadMAPS Unit is a portable, mobile data collector used in
conjunction with internal software and host software to provide
automatic meter reading for collection of route information to be
used in the utility’s billing system.
RoadMAPS features the following:
•Durable carrying case designed for easy set-up and use in any
vehicle
•A spill-proof membrane keyboard
•A touch screen display to allow for easy navigation and option
selection
•A light sensor to adjust screen intensity to ambient light
•A beeper to indicate successful readings
•Direct launching of RoadMAPS software when the laptop is
turned on, preventing meter readers from running other pro-
grams within the Windows® environment during meter read-
ing operations
•Automatic exchange of route data between the RoadMAPS
laptop and PC memory cards so that the user does not have to
upload or download routes and accounts
•Ability to receive SURF and ITRON messages simultaneously,
and at the same time transmit wake up signals for ERTs, R200,
and R100 devices.
•Storage of received data in nonvolatile memory.

RoadMAPS Overview
2-2 RoadMAPS User’s Manual
RoadMAPS Features
RoadMAPS consists of a data collection unit and laptop computer
in a portable case designed for easy set-up and use in meter read-
ing (see Figure 2.1). The unit features RoadMAPS meter reading
software designed for simplified route information and data gath-
ering.
Figure 2.1 RoadMAPS Unit
Laptop Computer
PC Memory Card
Slot
Plug-in Power Cord
Receiving/
Processing Unit
Antenna
Do not attempt to open the bottom of the RoadMAPS Unit carrying case. Attempting to
repair or modify the unit on your own can result in personal injury or damage to the
unit.

RoadMAPS Overview
RoadMAPS User’s Manual 2-3
The Laptop
The PPC, the laptop computer on the RoadMAPS Unit as shown in
Figure 2.2, is a part of the overall RoadMAPS data collector. It
communicates with the receiver through a serial link at 38.8 Kbps
using the RoadMAPS software, which decodes and records the
messages detected by the receiver.
Figure 2.2 Laptop
To protect the safety of the driver collecting readings, the laptop
computer provides an audible indicator option that can be turned
on or off as required. For more information, see “Beeper Settings,”
on page 4-6. The unit beeps each time an MIU signal is received by
the receiver, excluding duplicate signals that are filtered out.
To protect the driver’s safety, use the Beeper function on the RoadMAPS Unit to moni-
tor meter reading.

RoadMAPS Overview
2-4 RoadMAPS User’s Manual
The laptop computer retrieves meter readings from the receiver in
real-time, stores them in nonvolatile memory, and checks reading
completeness against route files downloaded from the host soft-
ware. The data retrieved is used to display the route reading status
in a message line and graphic progress bar typically one second
after the reading is received.
PC Memory Card Port
The PC memory card port, shown in Figure 2.3, is located on the
side of the RoadMAPS laptop unit. It includes two memory card
slots. You may use either slot for meter reading, but do not use
both slots at the same time.
Figure 2.3 Memory Card Port
The RoadMAPS Unit requires that you have only one PC memory card in a slot at a
time. To avoid losing metered data, do not put PC memory cards in both slots of the PC
memory card port at the same time.

RoadMAPS Overview
RoadMAPS User’s Manual 2-5
Navigation
All RoadMAPS functions are performed in one of two ways:
•Using the TAB key or the arrow
keys to move the focus to the appropriate button and pressing
ENTER.
•Using the provided stylus to touch the selections on the
screen.
Figure 2.4 Navigating Within RoadMAPS
For example, Figure 2.4 shows the Route Import screen with
Route 02000608 highlighted. Any field, or area of a field, on the
screen can be selected by touching that area with the stylus, or by
doing the following:
Tab
PgUpPgDnEndHome
Always use the stylus provided with the laptop to touch the screen. Substituting a hard
or sharp item could damage the screen.

RoadMAPS Overview
2-6 RoadMAPS User’s Manual
•Press to move the focus to the previous item within the
field, in this case Route 02000607.
•Press to move the focus to the next item within the field,
in this case Route 02000609.
•Press TAB to move the focus to the next field, in this case, the
Import Routes button.
•Press SHIFT + TAB to move the focus to the previous field, in
this case, the Open DB button.
•Press CTRL+ TAB to move to the next screen, in this case the
Route Selection screen.
RoadMAPS Software
The RoadMAPS software application runs on the laptop computer
that is part of the RoadMAPS Unit. The purpose of the RoadMAPS
software is to log meter data from routes of possible meter IDs.
Messages from metered IDs outside of the route are identified as
such and are discarded. RoadMAPS also provides a visual inter-
face for the operator to see the progress in reading meters on the
route.
Although the RoadMAPS software can start and stop the record-
ing of message data, it does not control the receive frequency or
the decoding of message data. Instead, the RoadMAPS Unit con-
tains a receiving/processing unit that collects data from R900,
R100, R200, R300, or ERT MIUs.
The file transfer between the host software and the RoadMAPS
Unit is via PC memory cards that store routes and accounts. The
file transfer between the host software and the utility company
billing system is in a file format specific to the utility.
RoadMAPS Display
Information in the display of RoadMAPS software is shown on an
800 x 600 pixel screen.
PgUp
PgDn