Daily Independent (Lagos)
Aaron Ukodie
23 June 2009
Lagos — Several technological designs at the Covenant University are now ready for government intervention to translate them for commercial use and begin the drive for local input into technological advancement and contribution by Nigerian scientists.
Two of such designs were demonstrated to Daily Independent at the weekend Dr. Victor Olugbemiga Matthews of the university's Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, who leads the inventions. He is being supported by Emmanuel Adetiba, a doctorate student in the department.
They are the Wireless Meter Billing Solution (WIMBIS) and the Wazobia Position Locator and Speed Reporter.
WIMBIS is designed to reduce the burden of electricity bill gathering and processing and end the era of inaccurate billing in Nigeria, while the Position Location is an electronic device that identify locations without human informant by using the GPS satellite technology.
According to Matthews, the WIMBIS'S which prototype is now ready will fully automate intelligently the data gathering, tracking, transmission and billing of any electricity subscriber.
According to him, the WIMBIS is a new concept in electricity meter billing based on a mixed-signal microcontroller (programmable system on chip-PSOC). When deployed, the device automates the gathering and tracking of data about electricity usage.
Matthews said the device is a new concept of using a microprocessor controlled digital meter and the GSM platform to read and send billing information to customers and thereby eliminate human intervention in meter reading.
The digital power meter comprise a digital display section interfaced with a programmable GSM SIM card based MtoM module. It has an LCD panel for displaying periodical bills depending on user's preference as well as give audio alerts when new bills are displayed.
The meter permits the use of pre-paid billing system through the use of scratch card, which could be purchased at will, and it can also accept remote instructions to connect or disconnect the subscriber's accordingly.
According to Matthews, the servers are to be programmed by MtoM Research group to generate appropriate bills and send same to subscribers' handset as an alternative to the bill display on digital meter.
The server also allows subscribers to effect bill payment with their handset using e-banking platforms and it processes and keeps records of subscribers' financial status on an hourly basis.
Matthews has argued that the WIMBIS has become necessary as it enables meter readers to read meters at most locations without entering homeowner's property because the meter billing information is sent remotely via radio (GSM SMS) signal from a module installed in the electric meter to the nearest PHCN office.
It reduces data collection costs bringing about economy of electric power billing by the utility company due to minimal human intervention in reading meters and it ensures real time accurate and immediate billing information.
It gives instant tamper detection report and billing is through a low cost GSM SMS; it is fast and easy to install at user's residence and billing of users without power consumption will be completely eliminated since meter reading is automated.
Already discussions are on with the PHCN officials with the view of translating the prototype into commercial use.
It was learnt that the presidency has directed the PHCN to look into the invention so as to translate it into reality. But PHCN officials preferred that the designs prototype be perfected before concrete talks between it and the inventor could be consummated.
The Wazobia works with the aid of the GPS satellite receivers in synchrony with a microcontroller that activates a sound microchip when there is an appropriate match of geographical co-ordinates of a particular location.
The device can be programmed with different coordinates of major locations and building a voice module that is programmed with three major languages as well as Pidgin English.
It is aimed at solving insufficient directions and signs in any particular place without having to rely on word of mouths.
According to Matthews, the Wazobia device can be deployed by the Lagos State government to assist BRT tour guide workers.
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