Patent Publication Number: US-9418290-B2

Title: System and method for managing water

Description:
The present application claims priority from: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/091,040 filed Dec. 12, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention generally deals with systems and method of managing water. 
     With states across the country dealing with unprecedented levels of drought, water utilities are scrambling to find effective ways to analyze water usage within their districts and target their conservation efforts. In order to do this, they need to create an accurate water budget that shows them how much water each land parcel in their water district needs given the evapotranspiration (ET) rates of its land cover composition. An evapotranspiration rate is the sum of evaporation and plant transpiration from the Earth&#39;s land and ocean surface to the atmosphere. Evaporation accounts for the movement of water to the air from sources such as the soil, canopy interception, and waterbodies. 
     This information, combined with actual customer water use data, provides the water district with information on where to target water conservation marketing efforts. Without technology, this process must be done by manually surveying each parcel, which is a costly, time consuming, and error-prone process. 
     A conventional solution has three main stages: water budget calculation, result display, and comparison between the water budget and the customer water use data. 
     Satellite imagery is conventionally used to determine the square footage of each parcel by land cover type, e.g., trees, grass, natural water body, man-made surface, man-made water body, etc. The final water budget will be calculated by multiplying the area of each parcel&#39;s land cover type by the associated ET rate and combining these products. These calculations essentially show how much of each land cover type is present on each parcel (i.e., blacktop, grass, swimming pool, etc.) and therefore how much water each parcel should need. For example, trees may have a higher ET rate than a blacktop, so a parcel of land of trees will need more water than a parcel of land of blacktop. 
     A parcel&#39;s water budget is then compared with the actual water use taken from customer water meter data. Parcels with large discrepancies indicate abnormal water use that can be targeted for further outreach and investigation. This solution uses satellite imagery, geo-located parcel data, customer water use data, and an external source for ET rates. 
     A conventional system and method for managing water will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional system  100  for managing water. 
     As shown in the figure, system  100  includes resource managing component  102  and a network  104 . Resource managing component  102  includes a database  106 , a controlling component  108 , an accessing component  110 , a communication component  112 , a vegetation index component  114 , a classification component  116 , a zonal statistics component  118 , a water budget component  120  and a delta component  122 . 
     In this example, database  106 , controlling component  108 , accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  116 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120  and delta component  122  are illustrated as individual devices. However, in some embodiments, at least two of database  106 , controlling component  108 , accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  116 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120  and delta component  122  may be combined as a unitary device. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of database  106 , controlling component  108 , accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  116 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120  and delta component  122  may be implemented as a computer having tangible computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such tangible computer-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. Non-limiting examples of tangible computer-readable media include physical storage and/or memory media such as RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. For information transferred or provided over a network or another communications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer may properly view the connection as a computer-readable medium. Thus, any such connection may be properly termed a computer-readable medium. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     Controlling component  108  is in communication with each of accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  116 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120  and delta component  122  by communication channels (not shown). Controlling component  108  may be any device or system that is able to control operation of each of accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  116 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120  and delta component  122 . 
     Accessing component  110  is arranged to bi-directionally communicate with database  106  via a communication channel  124  and is arranged to bi-directionally communicate with communication component  112  via a communication channel  126 . Accessing component  110  is additionally arranged to communicate with vegetation index component  114  via a communication channel  128 , to communicate with classification component  116  via a communication channel  130 , to communicate with zonal statistics component  118  via a communication channel  132 , to communicate with water budget component  120  via a communication channel  134  and to communicate with delta component  122  via a communication channel  136 . Accessing component  110  may be any device or system that is able to access data within database  106  directly via communication channel  124  or indirectly, via communication channel  126 , communication component  112 , communication channel  138 , network  104  and communication channel  140 . 
     Communication component  112  is additionally arranged to bi-directionally communicate with network  104  via a communication channel  138 . Communication component  112  may be any device or system that is able to bi-directionally communicate with network  104  via communication channel  138 . 
     Network  104  is additionally arranged to bi-directionally communicate with database  106  via a communication channel  140 . Network  104  may be any of known various communication networks, non-limiting examples of which include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a wireless network and combinations thereof. Such networks may support telephony services for a mobile terminal to communicate over a telephony network (e.g., Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Non-limiting example wireless networks include a radio network that supports a number of wireless terminals, which may be fixed or mobile, using various radio access technologies. According to some example embodiments, radio technologies that can be contemplated include: first generation (1G) technologies (e.g., advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), cellular digital packet data (CDPD), etc.), second generation (2G) technologies (e.g., global system for mobile communications (GSM), interim standard 95 (IS-95), etc.), third generation (3G) technologies (e.g., code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), general packet radio service (GPRS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc.), 4G, etc. For instance, various mobile communication standards have been introduced, such as first generation (1G) technologies (e.g., advanced mobile phone system (AMPS), cellular digital packet data (CDPD), etc.), second generation (2G) technologies (e.g., global system for mobile communications (GSM), interim standard 95 (IS-95), etc.), third generation (3G) technologies (e.g., code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA2000), general packet radio service (GPRS), universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), etc.), and beyond 30 technologies (e.g., third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (3GPP LTE), 3GPP2 universal mobile broadband (3GPP2 UMB), etc.). 
     Complementing the evolution in mobile communication standards adoption, other radio access technologies have also been developed by various professional bodies, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), for the support of various applications, services, and deployment scenarios. For example, the IEEE 802.11 standard, also known as wireless fidelity (WiFi), has been introduced for wireless local area networking, while the IEEE 802.16 standard, also known as worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) has been introduced for the provision of wireless communications on point-to-point links, as well as for full mobile access over longer distances. Other examples include Bluetooth™, ultra-wideband (UWB), the IEEE 802.22 standard, etc. 
     Vegetation index component  114  is additionally arranged to communicate with classification component  116  via a communication channel  142 . Vegetation index component  114  may be any device or system that is able to generate a vegetation index, or a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). An NDVI is a simple graphical indicator that can be used to analyze remote sensing measurements, typically not necessarily form a space platform, and assess whether the target being observed contains live green vegetation or not. In an example embodiment, a normalized difference vegetation index is generated using the following equation:
 
(ν NIR −ν R )/(ν NIR +ν R ),  (1)
 
where ν NIR  is the near infrared band and where ν R  is the red band.
 
     Classification component  116  is additionally arranged to communicate with zonal statistics component  118  via a communication channel  144 . Classification component  116  may be any device or system that is able to classify each pixel, or group of pixels, of an image as one of the group of predefined land cover classes. In some non-limiting examples, classification component  116  is able to classify each pixel as one of the group consisting of grass, a tree, a shrub, a man-made surface, a man-made pool, a natural water body and artificial turf. 
     Zonal statistics component  118  is additionally arranged to communicate with water budget component  120  via a communication channel  146 . Zonal statistics component  118  may be any device or system that is able to generate a land cover classification per parcel of land. For example, zonal statistics component  118  may determine that a specific county, as the parcel of land, has 38% tree cover, 18% shrub cover, 16% blacktop cover, 12% grass cover, 8% natural water cover and 8% man-made structure cover based on the classification of the pixels of the image within the county as defined by the parcel data. In some embodiments, zonal statistics component  11  may determine the percentages of cover by dividing the number of pixels of the image within the parcel by the number of pixels of a particular type of classification (cover). 
     Water budget component  120  is additionally arranged to communicate with delta component  122  via a communication channel  148 . Water budget component  120  may be any device or system that is able to calculate a water budget per parcel of land in view of the evapotranspiration rates for the parcel of land. For example, water budget component  118  may determine the water budget of the county discussed above (having 38% tree cover, 18% shrub cover, 16% blacktop cover, 12% grass cover, 8% natural water cover and 8% man-made structure cover) based on the ET rates of trees, shrubs, blacktop, grass, natural water and man-made structures. 
     Delta component  122  is additionally arranged to communicate with communication component  112  via a communication channel  150 . Delta component  122  may be any device or system that is able to generate a difference of an amount of water, Δ, by comparing the water budget with the water meter readings within the parcel of land. For example, delta component  122  may determine Δ of a parcel of land based on the following:
 
Δ= w   m   −ΣET,   (2)
 
where w m  is the total amount of metered water in the parcel of land, ET is the ET rate of a pixel within the parcel of land.
 
     Communication channels  124 ,  126 ,  128 ,  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140 ,  142 ,  144 ,  146 ,  148  and  150  may be any known wired or wireless communication channel. 
     Operation of system  100  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 2-6 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional method  200  of managing water. 
     As shown in the figure, method  200  starts (S 202 ) and image data is received (S 204 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , accessing component  110  retrieves image data from database  106 . In some embodiments, accessing component  110  may retrieve the image data directly from database  106  via communication channel  124 . In other embodiments, accessing component  110  may retrieve the image data from database  106  via a path of communication channel  124 , communication component  112 , communication channel  138 , network  104  and communication channel  140 . 
     Database  106  may have various types of data stored therein. This will be further described with reference to  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an example of database  106  of  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  includes an image data database  302 , a training data database  304 , a parcel data database  306 , an evapotranspiration (“ET”) rates database  308  and a water meter database  310 . 
     In this example, image data database  302 , training data database  304 , parcel data database  306 , ET rates database  308  and water meter database  310  are illustrated as individual devices. However, in some embodiments, at least two of image data database  302 , training data database  304 , parcel data database  306 , ET rates database  308  and water meter database  310  may be combined as a unitary device. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of image data database  302 , training data database  304 , parcel data database  306 , ET rates database  308  and water meter database  310  may be implemented as a computer having tangible computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. 
     Image data database  302  includes image data corresponding to an area of land for which water is to be managed. The image data may be provided via a satellite imaging platform. The image data may include a single band or multi-band image data, wherein the image (of the same area of land for which water is to be managed) is imaged in a more than one frequency. In some embodiments, image data may include 4-band image data, which include red, green, blue and near infrared bands (RGB-NIR) of the same area of land for which water is to be managed. In other embodiments, the image data may include more than 4 bands, e.g., hyperspectral image data. The image data comprises pixels, each of which includes respective data values for frequency (color) and intensity (brightness). The frequency may include a plurality of frequencies, based on the number of bands used in the image data. Further, there may be a respective intensity value for each frequency value. 
     Training data database  304  includes training data to train a classification component to distinctly classify an image pixel. For example, training data for a 4-band image may include specific 4-band pixels data values associated with each land cover classification. In other words, there may be training data for a pixel associated with an image of a tree and different training data for a pixel associated with a man-made surface such as blacktop. 
     Parcel data database  306  includes geographically divided portions of the land. This may be provided by government agencies or public utilities. Non-limiting examples of geographically divided portions include country, state, county, township, city or individual land owner borders. 
     ET rates database  308  includes ET rates for regions. These ET rates may be provided by government agencies or public utilities. 
     Water meter data database  310  includes water meter readings as provided by government agencies or public utilities. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , in some cases, database  106  is included in resource managing component  102 . However, in other cases, database  106  is separated from resource managing component  102 , as indicated by dotted rectangle  110 . 
     As accessing component  110  will be accessing many types of data from database  106 , accessing component  110  includes many data managing components. This will be described with greater detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an example of accessing component  110  of  FIG. 1 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , accessing component  110  includes a communication component  402 , an image data receiving component  404 , a training data receiving component  406 , a parcel data receiving component  408 , an ET rates data receiving component  410  and a water meter data receiving component  412 . 
     In this example, communication component  402 , image data receiving component  404 , training data receiving component  406 , parcel data receiving component  408 , ET rates data receiving component  410  and water meter data receiving component  412  are illustrated as individual devices. However, in some embodiments, at least two of communication component  402 , image data receiving component  404 , training data receiving component  406 , parcel data receiving component  408 , ET rates data receiving component  410  and water meter data receiving component  412  may be combined as a unitary device. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of communication component  402 , image data receiving component  404 , training data receiving component  406 , parcel data receiving component  408 , ET rates data receiving component  410  and water meter data receiving component  412  may be implemented as a computer having tangible computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. 
     Communication component  402  is arranged to bi-directionally communicate with database  106  via a communication channel  124  and is arranged to bi-directionally communicate with communication component  112  via a communication channel  126 . 
     Communication component  402  is additionally arranged to directionally communicate with image data component  404  via a communication channel  414 , to communicate with training data component  406  via a communication channel  416 , to communicate with parcel data component  408  via a communication channel  418 , to communicate with ET rates data component  410  via a communication channel  420  and to communicate with water meter data component  412  via a communication channel  422 . Communication component  402  may be any device or system that is able to access data within database  106  directly via communication channel  124  or indirectly, via communication channel  126 , communication component  112 , communication channel  138 , network  104  and communication channel  140 . Image data component  404 , training data component  406 , parcel data component  408 , ET rates data component  410  and water meter data component  412  may each be any device or system that is able to receive data from communication component  402  and to output the received data. 
     Image data component  402  is additionally arranged to communicate with vegetation index component  114  via communication channel  128 . Training data component  406  is additionally arranged to communicate with classification component  116  via communication channel  130 . Parcel data component  408  is additionally arranged to communicate with zonal statistics component  118  via communication channel  132 . ET rates data component  410  is additionally arranged to communicate with water budget component  120  via communication channel  134 . Water meter data component  412  is additionally arranged to communicate with delta component  122  via communication channel  136 . Communication channels  414 ,  416 ,  418 ,  420  and  422  may be any known wired or wireless communication channel. 
     Returning to  FIG. 1 , at this point accessing component  110  has received the image data. An example of such image data will now be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a satellite image  500  of a plot of land. 
     As shown in the figure, satellite image  500  includes a grass  502 , trees  504 , man-made surfaces—including building  506  and road  508 , and a man-made pool  510 . 
     As for a broad view of method  200 , system  100  will be able to determine the amount of water that is received within the area of land within satellite image  500 , to determine, with the ET rate of water within the area of land within satellite image  500 , the amount of water used (by residents for example) within the area of land within satellite image  500  and to determine a surplus or deficit (Δ) of water within the area of land within satellite image  500 . 
     This will now be continued by returning to  FIG. 2 . 
     After the image data is received (S 204 ), a vegetation index is generated (S 206 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , accessing component  110  provides the received image data to vegetation index component  114  via communication channel  128 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  accessing component  110  retrieves image data from database  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  provides the image data from image data database  302 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , communication component  402  receives the image data from image data database  302  and provides the image data to image data receiving component  404  via communication channel  414 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , image data receiving component  404  (of accessing component  110 ) then provides the image data to vegetation index component  114  via communication channel  128 . 
     Vegetation index component  114  generates a NDVI vegetation index for the image data and provides the vegetation index to classification component  116  via communication channel  142 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the vegetation index is generated (S 206 ), classification results are generated (S 208 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , accessing component  110  provides the received image data additionally to classification component  116  via communication channel  130 . Further, vegetation index component  114  provides the vegetation index to classification component  116  via communication line  142 . With the image data from accessing component  110  and with the vegetation index from vegetation index component, classification component  116  classifies each pixel of data as one of many predetermined classes. 
     For example, returning to  FIG. 5 , a pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  will have colors (frequencies) and intensities indicative of trees. As such, classification component will use information from the vegetation index in addition to the image data for that pixel to classify the pixel as a tree. Similarly, a pixel within image  500  at the location of road  508  will have colors (frequencies) and intensities indicative of a road. As such, classification component will use information from the vegetation index in addition to the image data for that pixel to classify the pixel as a road. This classification continues for each pixel within image  500 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the classification results are generated (S 208 ), training data is received (S 210 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  accessing component  110  retrieves training data from database  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  provides the training data from training data database  304 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , communication component  402  receives the training data from training data database  304  and provides the training data to training data receiving component  406  via communication channel  416 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , training data receiving component  406  (of accessing component  110 ) then provides the training data to classification component  116  via communication channel  130 . 
     It should be noted that in the example discussed above, generating the classification results (S 208 ) is prior to receiving training data (S 210 ). However, in some embodiments, generating the classification results (S 208 ) may occur after receiving training data (S 210 ). Further, in some embodiments, generating the classification results (S 208 ) may occur concurrently with receiving training data (S 210 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the training data is received (S 210 ), a final classification is generated (S 212 ). For example, every pixel within the entire image  500  of  FIG. 5  will have been classified. This will be described with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a classified image  600  of the plot of land within satellite image  500  of  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , classified image  600  includes an area  602 , an area  604 , an area  606 , an area  608  and an area  610 . Area  602  corresponds to grass  502  of satellite image  500  of  FIG. 5 . Area  604  corresponds to trees  504  of satellite image  500  of  FIG. 5 . Area  606  corresponds to building  506  of satellite image  500  of  FIG. 5 . Area  608  corresponds to road  508  of satellite image  500  of  FIG. 5 . Area  610  corresponds to man-made pool  510  of satellite image  500  of  FIG. 5 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the final classification is generated (S 212 ), parcel data is received (S 214 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , accessing component  110  provides the parcel data to zonal statistics component  118  via communication channel  132 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  accessing component  110  retrieves parcel data from database  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  provides the parcel data from parcel data database  306 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , communication component  402  receives the parcel data from parcel data database  306  and provides the parcel data to parcel data receiving component  408  via communication channel  418 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , parcel data receiving component  408  (of accessing component  110 ) then provides the parcel data to zonal statistics component  118  via communication channel  132 . 
     At this point, the boundaries of land are known by way of the parcel data. These boundaries may include country boundaries, state boundaries, county boundaries, city/town boundaries and boundaries of individually owned parcels of land. These boundaries may be provided by government entities and/or private entities. Zonal statistics component  118  may use the boundaries as identified in the parcel data to establish the land cover per parcel of land. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the parcel data is received (S 214 ) and the land cover has been classified per parcel of land, the land cover by parcel is generated (S 216 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1   
     Zonal statistics component  118  then generates the land cover classification per parcel of land. For example, if the image data were to include the image of an entire state, zonal statistics component  118  may be able to generate the land cover classification per county, per town, or even per parcel of land by organizing the land cover classification per county, per town, etc. More particularly, polygons are drawn around each land cover type. The end result is a vector layer of land cover polygons that are then used to calculate area. Zonal statistics is not often used, but is used in more general remote sensing applications. The biggest difference is that zonal statistics are derived directly from the imagery. On the other hand, land cover calculation using vector layers has an intermediary step of transforming the image into a vector layer for each land cover type, and then the area for each vector layer is calculated within the parcel. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the land cover by parcel is generated (S 216 ), the ET rates are received (S 218 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , accessing component  110  provides the ET rates data to water budget component  120  via communication channel  134 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  accessing component  110  retrieves ET rates data from database  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  provides the ET rates data from ET rates data database  308 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , communication component  402  receives the ET rates data from ET rates data database  308  and provides the ET rates data to ET rates data receiving component  410  via communication channel  420 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , ET rates data receiving component  410  (of accessing component  110 ) then provides the ET rates data to water budget component  120  via communication channel  134 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the ET rates are received (S 218 ), the water budget per parcel is generated (S 220 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , water budget component  120  determines a water budget per parcel in light of the ET rate of the respective parcel. For example, for purposes of discussion, let the plot of land within image  500  of  FIG. 5  be a delineated parcel of land. 
     At this point of method  200 , land cover of the parcel of land within image  500  has been determined. As shown in  FIG. 1 , zonal statistics component  118  provides the land cover of the parcel of land to water budget component  120  via communication channel  146 . Further, the ET rates are known from ET rates database  308 . As such, the ET rates of the plot of land within image  500  of  FIG. 5  may be determined. 
     A water budget may be determined with a pre-determined upper threshold of retained water and a predetermined lower threshold of retained water. The retained water is determined by subtracting the amount of evaporated water, as determined from the evapotranspiration rate, from the amount of received water. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after water budget per parcel is generated (S 220 ), the water meter readings are received (S 222 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , accessing component  110  provides the water meter data to delta component  122  via communication channel  136 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  accessing component  110  retrieves water meter data from database  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  provides the water meter data from water meter data database  310 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , communication component  402  receives the water meter data from water meter data database  310  and provides the water meter data to water meter data receiving component  412  via communication channel  422 . Returning to  FIG. 1 , water meter data receiving component  412  (of accessing component  110 ) then provides the water meter data to delta component  122  via communication channel  136 . 
     The water meter readings indicate the amount of metered water used in the parcel. For example, in a county, the sum water meter readings of the individual property owners will provide an accurate estimate of the amount of water used and disposed of by the county. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after water meter readings are received (S 222 ), the Δ is generated (S 224 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , delta component  122  determines a water surplus or water deficit per parcel of land. Water budget component  120  provides the water budget per parcel to delta component  122  via communication line  148 . Further, as noted above, accessing component  110  provides the ET rates to delta component via communication channel  136 . 
     The amount of water retained by the land will include the precipitation within the parcel of land minus the metered water, minus the evaporated water, wherein the evaporated water is determined by the ET rate. Typically, it is a goal to maintain a constant amount of retained water, wherein the amount of precipitation is equal to the amount of metered water and evaporated water. In this light, a water budget is based on the amount of precipitation—the amount of water received, and the amount of evaporated water—derived from the ET rates. If the amount of water received is less than the combined amount of metered water and the amount of evaporated water, then the parcel of land will have a water deficit, wherein the Δ for the parcel of land will be negative. If the amount of water received is more than the combined amount of metered water and the amount of evaporated water, then the parcel of land will have a water surplus deficit, wherein the Δ for the parcel of land will be positive. 
     Returning to  FIG. 2 , after the Δ is generated (S 224 ), method  200  stops (S 226 ). 
     A problem with the conventional system discussed above is that classification component  116  may inaccurately classify some pixels because the classification is based solely on the vegetation index. There may be circumstances that non-vegetation has a similar image to vegetation. In such cases, the non-vegetation as imaged by the satellite platform may have a similar vegetation index generated by vegetation index component  114 . Therefore, the non-vegetation would incorrectly be classified as vegetation by classification component  116 . This would ultimately lead to an incorrect land cover, an incorrect water budget and an incorrect Δ. 
     Another problem with the conventional system discussed above is there are many available individual classification methods that may be employed classification component  116 , wherein each classification method has its strengths and weaknesses. Accordingly, there is no perfect classification method for all images. Therefore, in some cases, many pixels of the image may incorrectly be classified by classification component  116 , again which would ultimately lead to an incorrect land cover, an incorrect water budget and an incorrect Δ. 
     Accordingly, for at least the foregoing reasons there exists a need to provide an improved method and apparatus of managing water. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus of managing water. 
     Various embodiments described herein are drawn to a device that includes an image data receiving component, a vegetation index generation component, a GLC matrix component, a plurality of classifying components and a voting component. The image data receiving component receives multiband image data of a geographic region. The vegetation index generation component generates a normalized difference vegetation index based on the received multiband image data. The GLC matrix component generates a grey level co-occurrence matrix image band based on the received multiband image data. The classifying components generate land cover classifications based on the received multiband image data, the normalized difference vegetation index and the grey level co-occurrence matrix image band. The voting component generates a final land cover classification based a majority vote of the land cover classifications. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional system for managing water; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional method of managing water; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of the database of  FIG. 1 : 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an example of the accessing component of  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 5  illustrates a satellite image of a plot of land; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a classified image of the plot of land within the satellite image of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an example system for managing water in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a method of managing water in accordance with aspects of the present invention: 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an example of the voting component of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a graph of actual water usage verses predicted water usage. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Aspects of the present invention are drawn to a system and method for managing water. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is drawn to using a grey level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) to additionally help identify pixels in an image. A classification component in accordance with aspects of the present invention is able to classify each pixel of an image in view of the vegetation index in combination with results from the GLCM. The additional information provided by the GLCM reduces the likelihood that a pixel will be incorrectly classified. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is drawn to using a plurality of classification components to classify each pixel and then determining the final land cover classification based on a majority vote of the plurality of classifications for each pixel. Is should be noted that, in some embodiments, this is on a class by class basis, not on the whole image. In some embodiments, the image is broken up into different class images and is then reassembled. 
     As mentioned above, there are many classification methods, each with its own respective strengths and weaknesses. In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a pixel of an image may be classified by at least three classification components. If one of the three resulting classifications is different from the other two, it is ignored. In other words the majority of the two similar classifications of the pixel will increase the likelihood that the pixel will be classified correctly. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is drawn to a regression technique to generate a water use forecast. 
     Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an example system  700  for managing water in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     As shown in the figure, system  700  includes many components of system  100  of  FIG. 1  discussed above. However, system  700  additionally includes a GLC matrix component  706 , a voting component  710  and a regression component  712 . Further system  700  replaces controlling component  108  of system  100  of  FIG. 1  with a controlling component  704  and replaces classification component  116  of system  100  of  FIG. 1  with a classification component  708 . 
     In this example, database  106 , controlling component  704 , accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , a classification component  708 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120 , delta component  122 , GLC matrix component  706 , voting component  710  and regression component  712  are illustrated as individual devices. However, in some embodiments, at least two of database  106 , controlling component  704 , accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  708 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120 , delta component  122 , GLC matrix component  706 , voting component  710  and regression component  712  may be combined as a unitary device. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of database  106 , controlling component  704 , accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , classification component  708 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120 , delta component  122 , GLC matrix component  706 , voting component  710  and regression component  712  may be implemented as a computer having tangible computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. 
     Accessing component  110  is additionally arranged to communicate with GLC matrix component  706  via communication channel  128  and to communicate with classification component  708  via communication channel  130 . 
     Vegetation index component  114  is additionally arranged to communicate with classification component  708  via communication channel  142 . 
     GLC matrix component  706  is additionally arranged to communicate with classification component  708  via a communication channel  714 . Regression component  124  may be any device or system that is able to generate a GLC matrix image band. GLC matrix component  706  provides a series of “second order” texture calculations, and considers the relationship between groups of two pixels in the original image to generate a GLC matrix image band. GLC matrix component  706  considers the relation between two pixels at a time, called the reference and the neighbor pixel. Each pixel is the reference pixel at some point in the calculation. The result of this process is a plurality of measures for each pixel that indicates a type of relationship between that pixel and its neighbors, and most measures are weighted averages of the normalized GLC matrix cell contents. 
     In an example embodiment, GLC matrix component  706  provides 17 measures for each pixel. These measures are split into three categories: contrast, orderliness and statistics. The contrast group includes a contrast band, a dissimilarity band, a homogeneity band and an inertia band. The orderliness group includes an angular second moment (ASM) with energy band—also called “uniformity band,” a maximum probability (MAX) band, an entropy (ENT) band, a sum of entropy (SENT) band and a difference of entropy (DENT) band. The statistics group includes an average (MEAN) band, a variance (VAR) band—also known as the “sum of squares variance” band, a correlation (CORR) band, a maximum correlation coefficient (MaxCORR) band, an information measures of correlation 1 (imcorr1) band, an information measures of correlation 2 (imcorr2) band, a sum of average (SAVG) band, an sum of variance (SVAR) band and a difference of variance (DVAR) band. In an example embodiment, out of the 18 bands, three are used, one for each category. 
     Classification component  708  is additionally arranged to communicate with voting component  710  via a communication channel  716 , as compared with being able to communicate with zonal statistics component  118  as shown in system  100  of  FIG. 1 . Classification component  708  may be any device or system that is able to generate a plurality of land cover classifications based on the received multiband image data, the normalized difference vegetation index and the grey level co-occurrence matrix image band. 
     Voting component  710  is additionally arranged to communicate with zonal statistics component  118  via a communication channel  718 . Voting component  710  may be any device or system that is able to generate a final land cover classification based a majority vote of the land cover classifications generated by classification component  708 . 
     Delta component  122  is additionally arranged to communicate with regression component  712  via communication channel  150 . 
     Regression component  712  is additionally arranged to communicate with accessing component  110  via communication channel  720  and with communication component  112  via communication channel  722 . Regression component  712  may be any device or system that is able to generate a water use forecast based on the land cover classification per parcel of land, the water budget and the Δ. Regression component  712  uses a history of water usage to extrapolate a predicted water usage. Regression component  712  uses the land cover classification per parcel, the water budget per parcel and the Δ to generate a water use forecast for each parcel. 
     Controlling component  704  is in communication with each of accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , GLC matrix component  706 , classification component  708 , voting component  710 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120 , delta component  122  and regression component  712  by communication channels (not shown). Controlling component  704  may be any device or system that is able to control operation of each of accessing component  110 , communication component  112 , vegetation index component  114 , GLC matrix component  706 , classification component  708 , voting component  710 , zonal statistics component  118 , water budget component  120 , delta component  122  and regression component  712 . 
     Communication channels  714 ,  716  and  718  may be any known wired or wireless communication channel. 
     Operation of system  700  will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 8-9 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a method  800  of managing water in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     As shown in the figure, method  800  starts (S 202 ), the image data is received (S 204 ) and the vegetation index is generated (S 206 ) in a manner as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . After the vegetation index is generated, a GLC matrix is generated (S 802 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , component  110  provides the received image data to GLC matrix component  706  via communication channel  128 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1  accessing component  110  retrieves image data from database  106 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , database  106  provides the image data from image data database  302 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , communication component  402  receives the image data from image data database  302  and provides the image data to image data receiving component  404  via communication channel  414 . Returning to  FIG. 7 , image data receiving component  404  (of accessing component  110 ) then provides the image data to GLC matrix component  706  via communication channel  128 . 
     GLC matrix component  706  then generates the GLC matrix based on the image data. In an example embodiment, GLX matrix component  706  generates a contrast group result, an orderliness group result and a statistics group result. 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , after the GLC matrix is generated (S 802 ), the classification results are generated (S 804 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , accessing component  110  provides the received image data additionally to classification component  708  via communication channel  130 . Further, vegetation index component  114  provides the vegetation index to classification component  708  via communication line  142 . Still further, GLC matrix component  706  provides the group result to classification component  708  via communication channel  714 . With the image data from accessing component  110  and with the vegetation index from vegetation index component  114 , classification component  708  classifies each pixel of data as one of many predetermined classes. This will be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an example of voting component  706  of  FIG. 7 , in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , voting component  706  includes a plurality of classifying components  902  and a majority voting component  904 . 
     In this example, plurality of classifying components  902  and majority voting component  904  are illustrated as individual devices. However, in some embodiments, plurality of classifying components  902  and majority voting component  904  may be combined as a unitary device. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of classifying components  902  and majority voting component  904  may be implemented as a computer having tangible computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. 
     Plurality of classifying components  902  includes a CART classifying component  908 , a Naïve Bayes classifying component  910 , a random forests classifying component  912 , a GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914 , an MCP classifying component  916 , a Pegasos classifying component  918 , an IKPamir classifying component  920 , a voting SVM classifying component  922 , a margin SVM classifying component  924  and a Winnow classifying component  926 . It should be noted, that any number of classifying components may be used in accordance with aspects of the present invention, wherein those listed in plurality of classifying components  902  are merely non-limiting examples used for purposes of discussion. 
     In this example, CART classifying component  908 , Naîve Bayes classifying component  910 , random forests classifying component  912 , GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914 , MCP classifying component  916 , Pegasos classifying component  918 , IKPamir classifying component  920 , voting SVM classifying component  922 , margin SVM classifying component  924  and Winnow classifying component  926  are illustrated as individual devices. However, in some embodiments, at least two of CART classifying component  908 , Naïve Bayes classifying component  910 , random forests classifying component  912 , GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914 , MCP classifying component  916 , Pegasos classifying component  918 , IKPamir classifying component  920 , voting SVM classifying component  922 , margin SVM classifying component  924  and Winnow classifying component  926  may be combined as a unitary device. Further, in some embodiments, at least one of CART classifying component  908 , Naïve Bayes classifying component  910 , random forests classifying component  912 , GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914 , MCP classifying component  916 , Pegasos classifying component  918 , IKPamir classifying component  920 , voting SVM classifying component  922 , margin SVM classifying component  924  and Winnow classifying component  926  may be implemented as a computer having tangible computer-readable media for carrying or having computer-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. 
     CART (for Classification and Regression Trees) classifying component  908  uses a decision tree as a predictive model which maps observations about an item to conclusions about the item&#39;s target value. 
     Naïve Bayes classifying component  910  may be any device or system that is able to use a simple probabilistic classifier based on applying Bayes&#39; theorem with strong (naive) independence assumptions between the features. Naive Bayes classifier  910  combines a Bayes classifier model with a decision rule. Other example embodiments may use a Fast Naïve Bayes classifying component, which works on binary or integer weighted features. 
     Random forests classifying component  912  may be any device or system that is able to employ an ensemble learning method for classification, regression and other tasks, and operates by constructing a multitude of decision trees at training time and outputting the class that is the mode of the classes (classification) or mean prediction (regression) of the individual trees. 
     GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914  may be any device or system that is able to use a multinomial logistic regression classification method that generalizes logistic regression to multiclass problems, i.e. with more than two possible discrete outcomes. In other words, GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914  uses a model that predicts the probabilities of the different possible outcomes of a categorically distributed dependent variable, given a set of independent variables (which may be real-valued, binary-valued, categorical-valued, etc.). 
     MCP (for Multi Class Perceptron) classifying component  916  may be any device or system that is a type of linear classifier and as such makes its predictions based on a linear predictor function combining a set of weights with the feature vector. MCP classifying component  916  is used for supervised classification. 
     Pegasos (for Primal Estimated sub-GrAdient SOlver for SVM) classifying component  918  may be any device or system that is able to employ simple and effective iterative algorithm for solving the optimization problem cast by Support Vector Machines (SVM). The method alternates between stochastic gradient descent steps and projection steps. The method was created by Shalev-Shwartz, Singer, and Srebro. 
     IKPamir (for Intersection Kernel Support Vector Machines) classifying component  920  may be any device or system that is able to employ a non-linear SVM classifier and uses histogram intersection kernels. 
     Voting SVM classifying component  922  may be any device or system that is able to employ, for the one-versus-one approach, classification by a max-wins voting strategy. Specifically, every classifier assigns the instance to one of the two classes, then the vote for the assigned class is increased by one vote, and finally the class with the most votes determines the instance classification. 
     Margin SVM classifying component  924  may be any device or system that is able to construct a hyperplane or set of hyperplanes in a high- or infinite-dimensional space, which can be used for classification, regression, or other tasks. Intuitively, a good separation is achieved by the hyperplane that has the largest distance to the nearest training data point of any class (so-called functional margin), since in general the larger the margin the lower the generalization error of the classifier. Margin SVM classifying component  924  employs a linear SVM model. 
     Winnow classifying component  926  may be any device or system that is able to use an algorithm similar to the perceptron algorithm. However, MCP classifying component  916  uses an additive weight-update scheme, whereas Winnow classifying component  926  uses a multiplicative scheme that allows it to perform much better when many dimensions are irrelevant (hence its name). 
     In the example embodiment of  FIG. 9 , classification component  708  includes 10 distinct classifying components. It should be noted that any number of distinct classifying components equal to or greater than three may be used. The reason that at least three classifying components are used is that the final classification per pixel is based on a majority vote of at least some of the classifying components. 
     For example, for purposes of discussion, consider classification component  708  of  FIG. 9 . Further, returning to  FIG. 5 , let a pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504 , be classified by each of CART classifying component  908 , Naïve Bayes classifying component  910 , random forests classifying component  912 . GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914 , MCP classifying component  916 , Pegasos classifying component  918 , IKPamir classifying component  920 , voting SVM classifying component  922 , margin SVM classifying component  924  and Winnow classifying component  926 . Further, as discussed above, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, each classification is performed with additional reference to the group results generated by GLC matrix component  714  to further reduce the likelihood of an erroneous classification. 
     As mentioned previously, each classifying method may have specific strengths and weaknesses, wherein some instances of classification are more reliable than others. In this example, for purposes of discussion, presume that CART classifying component  908 , Naïve Bayes classifying component  910 , random forests classifying component  912 , GMO Max Entropy classifying component  914  and MCP classifying component  916  correctly classify the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a tree. Further, presume that Pegasos classifying component  918 , IKPamir classifying component  920 , and voting SVM classifying component  922  incorrectly classify the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to artificial turf. Finally, presume that margin SVM classifying component  924  and Winnow classifying component  926  incorrectly classify the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a road. 
     In this example, clearly there is not 100% agreement between all the classifying components. However, a majority vote of the classifications will increase likelihood of a correct classification. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the classifying components provide their respective classifications to voting component  710  via communication channel  716 . In some embodiments, the distinct classifications are provided to voting component  710  in a serial manner. In some embodiments, the distinct classifications are provided to voting component  710  in parallel. 
     Voting component  710  tallies the classifications for each pixel and generates a final classification for each pixel based on a majority vote of the individual classifications. Using the example discussed above, 5 classifying components classify the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a tree, 3 classifying components classify the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to artificial turf and 2 classifying components classify the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a road. In this example, the 5 classifying components that classified the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a tree are a majority as compared to the 3 classifying components that classified the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to artificial turf and as compared to the 2 classifying components that classified the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a road. Therefore, voting component  710  would generate the final classification of the pixel within image  500  at the location of trees  504  as corresponding to a tree. 
     In some embodiments, voting component  710  considers the classifications from all classifying components within classification component  708 . In other embodiments, voting component may consider the classifications from less than all classifying components within classification component  708 , so long as the number of classifications is equal to or greater than three. In this manner, voting component  710  will avoid the situation where two classifying component each provide different classifications for the same image pixel, so there cannot be a majority. 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , after the classification results are generated (S 804 ), the training data is received (S 210 ) in a manner as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . After the training data is received, a final classification is generated (S 806 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , after the final classification is generated (S 806 ), the parcel data is received (S 214 ), the land cover by parcel is generated (S 216 ), the ET rates are received (S 218 ), the water budget by parcel is generated (S 220 ), the water meter readings are received (S 222 ) and the Δ is generated (S 224 ) in a manner as discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     After the Δ is generated (S 224 ), a water use forecast is generated (S 808 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , after the Δ is generated (S 224 ), the water use forecast is generated (S 808 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , zonal statistics component  118  provides the land cover classification per county, per town, or even per parcel of land by organizing the land cover classification per county, per town, etc., to regression component  712  via communication line  146 . Further, water budget component provides the water budget per parcel to regression component  712  via communication line  148 . Finally delta component  122  provides the Δ to regression component  712  via communication line  150 . 
     Regression component  712  uses the land cover classification per parcel, the water budget per parcel and the Δ to generate a water use forecast for each parcel. The land cover classification per parcel is used in combination with collected and derived data that includes representative actual water usage data, parcel information (lot area, dwelling area, number of bathrooms, etc.), demographic and economic data to produce a predictive model of water usage for each parcel. In particular, using previous data and the current data, regression component  712  uses conventional extrapolation methods to predict a water use forecast. With each newly received nowcast, i.e., provided land cover by parcel, the water budget per parcel and the Δ, regression component  712  re-evaluates the extrapolation. In this manner regression component  712  continually generates a water use forecast as an iterative extrapolation method. 
     The predictive analytics of the water use enables derivation of a relationship between land class and use without the need of the water budget and without using the ET rates. The relationship between land class and use is further enriched by including weather data. 
     The water use forecast may then be provided to local utilities or government agencies for water management planning. For example, a local agency may enact water saving policies, e.g., preventing watering of lawns or washing cars, as proactive measures in light of a water use forecast that predicts a water shortage. This is a more conservative approach than reactively enacting water saving policies based on a current water shortage, which may have been mitigated or avoided. Conventionally, utilities would look at water use at a global scale and regression is not applied. However, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, water use is evaluated a parcel level scale, and regression is applied to predict future water usage. The Δ may be used to identify high users for the proactive targeting in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     For example, as shown in  FIG. 7 , zonal statistics component  118  provides the land cover classification per county, per town, or even per parcel of land by organizing the land cover classification per county, per town, etc., to regression component  712  via communication line  146 . Further, water budget component provides the water budget per parcel to regression component  712  via communication line  148 . Finally delta component  122  provides the Δ to regression component  712  via communication line  150 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a graph  1000  of actual water usage verses predicted water usage. 
     As shown in the figure, graph  1000  includes a Y-axis  1002 , an X-axis  1004  and a plurality of data point  1006 . It is clear from graph  1000 , that a water use forecast in accordance with aspects of the present invention accurately models actual water usage. 
     Returning to  FIG. 8 , after the water use forecast is generated (S 808 ), method  800  stops (S 226 ). 
     Conventional water managing systems, such as those discussed above with reference to  FIGS. 1-2 , rely on a single classifying component to classify the image data. Such systems are prone to inaccuracy because no single classifying component is 100% accurate all the time. Further, conventional water managing systems fail to provide a water forecast. 
     In accordance with aspects of the present invention, a system and method for managing water uses a plurality of classifying components to classify the image data. A majority voting mechanism increases the likelihood for accuracy of classification of the image data. Further, in accordance with aspects of the present invention, a system and method for managing water employs a multivariate regression to provide a water forecast per parcel. 
     In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.