Automatic detection of unusual consumption by a utility meter
First Claim
1. In an automatic meter-reading system comprising an endpoint communicatively coupled to a utility meter, a method of operating the endpoint, the method comprising:
- a) taking and storing in memory a first reading from the utility meter at a start of a sampling window;
b) taking a second reading from the utility meter at an end of the sampling window;
c) determining a utility consumption during the sampling window from the first and second readings to produce a determined utility consumption;
d) comparing the determined utility consumption to a problem-event criterion and, in response, e) saving in memory the determined utility consumption as an occurrence if the determined utility consumption meets the problem-event criterion;
f) repeating (a)-(e);
g) comparing to an event-count criterion a number of consecutive times the determined utility consumption has met the problem-event criterion; and
h) transmitting an RF signal indicating a positive detection if the number of consecutive times the determined utility consumption has met the problem-event criterion equals or exceeds the event-count criterion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A utility meter endpoint measures consumption of a commodity such as water, gas, or electricity, includes a configurable function for detecting the presence of an abnormality in consumption such as leaks, tampering, short-circuits or other malfunctions, or unauthorized bypassing of the meter, and the like. The endpoint can take multiple samples according to a configurable time schedule, and test the usage pattern against programmable criteria that reflect certain types of unusual activity or other problems. If the criteria are satisfied, the endpoint can report the occurrence of the unusual event to the AMR system during its usual communications cycle or by initiating a special, unscheduled communication to signal an alarm condition.
46 Citations
22 Claims
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1. In an automatic meter-reading system comprising an endpoint communicatively coupled to a utility meter, a method of operating the endpoint, the method comprising:
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a) taking and storing in memory a first reading from the utility meter at a start of a sampling window;
b) taking a second reading from the utility meter at an end of the sampling window;
c) determining a utility consumption during the sampling window from the first and second readings to produce a determined utility consumption;
d) comparing the determined utility consumption to a problem-event criterion and, in response, e) saving in memory the determined utility consumption as an occurrence if the determined utility consumption meets the problem-event criterion;
f) repeating (a)-(e);
g) comparing to an event-count criterion a number of consecutive times the determined utility consumption has met the problem-event criterion; and
h) transmitting an RF signal indicating a positive detection if the number of consecutive times the determined utility consumption has met the problem-event criterion equals or exceeds the event-count criterion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An endpoint communicatively coupled to a utility meter for detecting unusual measurements by the utility meter, the endpoint comprising:
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(a) an RF transmitter;
(b) a microprocessor with memory, the microprocessor operated by program instructions including configurable parameters, the parameters including a sampling window, a sampling period, a problem-event criterion, and an event-count criterion;
wherein the endpoint takes and stores in memory a first reading from the utility meter at a start of the sampling window, takes a second reading from the utility meter at an end of the sampling window, and determines a utility consumption during the sampling window from the first and second readings;
wherein the endpoint compares the determined utility consumption to the problem-event criterion and, in response, saves in memory the determined utility consumption as an occurrence if the determined utility consumption meets the problem-event criterion;
wherein the endpoint compares to the event-count criterion a number of consecutive times the determined utility consumption has met the problem-event criterion; and
wherein the RF transmitter transmits an indication of a positive detection if the number of consecutive times the determined utility consumption has met the problem-event criterion equals or exceeds the event-count criterion. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification