Settings Communications Tab The Communications tab displays the plug-in ports (locations) on the laptop required for communication to the mobile transceiver and/or receiver and the GPS. Before reading meters for the first time, it is important to ensure the correct communication (Com/COM) ports have been set for the mobile transceiver and/or receiver to establish communication with the ORS software application.
Settings GPS Receiver • Com Port The GPS is built into the Panasonic Toughbook laptop, and is always assigned to COM3. If you are running ORS on a non-Badger Meter supplied computer, assign the appropriate COM port per the manufacturer's instructions. • Allow GPS to List View Only Mode Display GPS readings in a List View format without displaying a map. • No Data Received Timeout The time (in milliseconds) before notification is given indicating the receiver is not receiving satellite data.
Settings User Interface Tab The User Interface tab shows the default frequency settings for the Panasonic Toughbook laptop computer. The settings on this screen do not typically require modification. If you make changes to the settings on this screen, select OK and return to the reading cycle. Select Cancel to disregard changes and return to the main menu. Figure 46: Settings screen – User Interface tab Computer Monitor Width For all Panasonic Toughbook computers, this field is set at the factory.
Out-of-route reads OUT-OF-ROUTE READS There are times when it is convenient to view readings of all meters in an area, not just those included in the route. For these occasions, ORS provides the Out-of-Route reading option. When enabled, the Out-of-Route option logs the readings of all meters it encounters as if they were on the route. The software creates a report which can be viewed. To set up the Out-of-Route option, follow these steps. 1.
Geocoding meter locations GEOCODING METER LOCATIONS To capture the approximate location of meters automatically, the location coordinates (latitude and longitude) can be gathered automatically. The geocoding feature of the ORS assigns the current location of the vehicle to the meter when the meter reading transmission is received. Furthermore, to capture the closest location to the meter, the software also stores the location of the meter reading that had the strongest signal strength.
Geocoding meter locations 4. Select OK. Result: In Map View, the map control display on the left side of the screen changes to show "GPS OK" and the vehicle speed (Figure 49). 5. Drive the route slowly (between 5 and 10 mph). As meter readings are received, the software logs the latitude and longitude values of each meter reading. The location values for the strongest reading received for each meter are stored.
Geocoding meter locations Changing a Geocoded Entry As meter readings are received, the software logs the latitude and longitude values of each meter reading. The latitude and longitude values can be changed, if needed, on the Service Details screen. 1. With GPS on, drive slowly and stop as close as possible to the meter location. 2. Click the Details button for the meter you want to change. Result: The Service Details screen opens. 3. Select the Current Reading tab if it is not already selected. 4.
Reports REPORTS The Reports feature organizes meter reading information in a number of different ways to facilitate easy information gathering. The screen is organized to accommodate report types, filters and exceptional status filters. • Reports can be maximized to the full screen to see all details. • Reading-status rows are color-coded: gray background for tampers and leaks; color background for high and low readings; white background for all other meters.
Reports Exception Statuses Filter Select one or more check boxes and the screen displays a report for the status option(s) selected. This reporting feature updates with live information. Click the Clear Exception Statuses button to clear all selected statuses, refresh the screen and run an updated status report the next time a box is checked. • Tamper The list of endpoints that have reported a tamper condition. • Reverse Flow The list of endpoints that have reported a reverse flow condition.
Reports 3. To modify or “filter” the report, check Only Low/High Readings to display a report limited to low and high readings only. Figure 54: Report filters 4. To further "filter" the report, check one or more boxes under Exception Statuses Filter. For example, to see a report including those meters that have been successfully read but are reporting a potential leak status, click the Potential Leak box. 5. Check Unread Services Only.
Reports Special Reports Special Reports for the ORS application are described below. Each report is automatically updated as the meter reader views the report and ORS gathers data. Summary Report The Summary report of the current status of in-progress meter readings is displayed in the lower half of the screen as shown in Figure 56. Figure 56: Summary report Total Accounts The number of accounts loaded in the route file. Total Services The total number of services included in those accounts.
Reports Audit Report The Audit report lists all exception conditions encountered in the ORS software according to time and date.
Reports Alert Report An Alert report displays exception conditions in the meters that are reporting their readings. Figure 58: Alert report An Alert report allows you to view each of the alert messages that have been displayed during meter readings. The report indicates potential leaks that were sited and provides the addresses associated with those potential leaks. It also includes the time and date when the reading occurred.
Two-way communications TWO-WAY COMMUNICATIONS ORION Migratable endpoints and ORION Fixed Network endpoints operating in mobile mode are capable of two-way communication with the ORION USB-powered mobile transceiver. Using the two-way functionality, extended status, historical interval data and firmware information can be extracted from the endpoint. The Service Details screen for an ORION Migratable endpoint provides access to the two-way communication functionality.
Two-way communications Work Items When ORS is used with ReadCenter Analytics or Analytics Mobile software, the reading data management software operator can request work items to collect extended status, historical interval data and/or the endpoint firmware version using the two-way communication functionality of the ORION Migratable endpoints. Work items can be set up for automatic collection or they can be performed manually by the meter reader.
Two-way communications Requesting Extended Status Manually The Extended Status tab provides access to additional information which has been programmed into an endpoint, including meter type and size, unit of measure, encoder type, as well as exception statuses such as tamper and no usage.
Two-way communications Interval History The Interval History tab gives you the ability to collect an historical interval profile from the endpoint. The data collected becomes part of the route unload file and provides a water usage profile useful in discovering potential leaks, addressing customer questions and/or resolving billing disputes.
Two-way communications Requesting Interval History Manually If it was not requested as an automatic work item, you can manually initiate a request for historical data from an ORION Migratable or ORION Fixed Network (in mobile mode) endpoint by performing the following steps. 1. With the Current Reading tab selected on the Service Details screen, click the Interval History tab. NNOTE: “Not Required/Optional” displays at the top of the screen to indicate that an automatic work item was not requested.
Two-way communications Requesting Firmware Manually If it was not set up to be done as an automatic work item, you can manually initiate a request for the firmware version from an ORION Migratable or Fixed Network (in mobile mode) endpoint by performing the following steps. 1. With the Current Reading tab selected on the Service Details screen, click the Firmware Version tab. NNOTE: “Not Required/Optional” displays at the top of the screen to indicate that an automatic work item was not requested.
Find FIND Search functionality is accessible during an active reading session. The Find option on the main tool bar allows you to search for meters based on specific criteria. Click the Find button on the main tool bar to display the following screen. Figure 70: Find screen Example 1 (Figure 71) To search for a meter, enter information about the particular meter into one of the search fields.
Find Example 2 (Figure 72) In example 2, in addition to the letter "J" in the Name field, the number "4" was entered in the Addr field to narrow the search. There is are three meters in the route with "4" in the Addr field and a "J" in the Name field. As Figure 72 shows, the search includes addresses with the number "4" anywhere in the address.
Unarchive UNARCHIVE ORS stores all route files that have been unloaded. The Unarchive option on the main menu provides access to any previously unloaded route file. The file is "read only" and cannot be changed but the user can unload the data to a memory stick. This is helpful if the previously unloaded file was lost. Figure 73: Main menu - Unarchive 1. Click Unarchive on the main menu. Result: A list of the previous route files displays. Figure 74: Archived readings 2.
Unarchive Page 66 ORION® Meter Reading System (ORS) August 2014
Appendix APPENDIX August 2014 ORION® Meter Reading System (ORS) Page 67
Glossary GLOSSARY ADE® The Absolute Digital Encoder (ADE) is a position-based encoder that senses the position of each number wheel to determine the reading for touch and AMR/AMI systems. The ADE encoder displays as ”ENC“ on the software screens. AMI Advanced metering infrastructure (AMI). AMR An automated meter reading (AMR) system that uses radio frequency technology to transmit meter readings between an endpoint and a data collection device.
Glossary UTC ORS uses Coordinated Universal Time or UTC which is converted to local time in the reading data management software. waiting for MM Waiting for MM (mobile message) displays only when reading ORION Migratable or Fixed Network (in mobile mode) endpoints. The message displays on the Service Details screen and indicates the meter reading vehicle is not yet close enough to the endpoint for the FHSS mobile transceiver to receive the signal or mobile message, or reading has been paused or stopped.
Troubleshooting TROUBLESHOOTING Use the guidelines in this section if you encounter the situations described below during normal ORS operations. COM Port Errors The correct communication (COM) port for the transceiver and/or receiver(s) should be verified prior to reading meters for the first time. For more information, refer to "Communications Tab" on page 44.
Technical support TECHNICAL SUPPORT Errors do not normally occur, so it is important to report all occurrences of error windows to Badger Meter Technical Support. NNOTE: Trouble Codes and/or information from any notes you created in Comments Codes/Messages can be useful when contacting Technical Support.
ORION METER READING SYSTEM (ORS) Making Water Visible® ADE, ORION, ReadCenter and RTR are registered trademarks of Badger Meter, Inc. Other trademarks appearing in this document are the property of their respective entities. Due to continuous research, product improvements and enhancements, Badger Meter reserves the right to change product or system specifications without notice, except to the extent an outstanding contractual obligation exists. © 2014 Badger Meter, Inc. All rights reserved. www.
