Apparatus and method for sensing tampering with a utility meter
First Claim
1. An apparatus for detecting tampering with a metering device, comprising:
- (a) an early power failure detecting means for detecting a loss of power to said metering device, said early power failure detecting means generating an early power failure detect signal, SEPFD, in response to detection of loss of power to said metering device;
(b) a movement detection means for detecting movement of said metering device, said movement detection means supplying, in response to the detection of movement of said metering device, a movement signal;
(c) timer means for supplying a power failure detect enable signal, SPFDE, of a predetermined time duration in response to receipt of said movement signal; and
(d) a logic means for providing a tamper detect output in response to receipt by said logic means of both of said power failure detect signal, SEPFD, and said power failure detect enable signal, SPPFDE, whereby said tamper detect signal can only be generated by the detection of movement of said metering device within a time period corresponding to said predetermined time duration which follows the detection of movement of said metering device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A device for detecting tampering of a utility meter includes sensors to detect a positional displacement of the meter and loss of power to the meter. On sensing a positional displacement of the meter, indicative of an attempt to remove the meter, a timer is activated to enable sensing a power loss to the meter. In response to detection of a power loss during the time period defined by the timer, an indication is stored in a nonvolatile memory of the tamper event. In response to loss of power with or without a detection of tampering, required parameters including utility consumption data are stored in nonvolatile memory. Remote access to and data retrieval from the nonvolatile memory and system are provided over telephone lines, power lines, or a radio frequency circuit.
194 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An apparatus for detecting tampering with a metering device, comprising:
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(a) an early power failure detecting means for detecting a loss of power to said metering device, said early power failure detecting means generating an early power failure detect signal, SEPFD, in response to detection of loss of power to said metering device; (b) a movement detection means for detecting movement of said metering device, said movement detection means supplying, in response to the detection of movement of said metering device, a movement signal; (c) timer means for supplying a power failure detect enable signal, SPFDE, of a predetermined time duration in response to receipt of said movement signal; and (d) a logic means for providing a tamper detect output in response to receipt by said logic means of both of said power failure detect signal, SEPFD, and said power failure detect enable signal, SPPFDE, whereby said tamper detect signal can only be generated by the detection of movement of said metering device within a time period corresponding to said predetermined time duration which follows the detection of movement of said metering device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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16. A method of detecting tampering of an electrically powered device, including the steps of:
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(a) detecting a displacement of said electrically powered device, and generating a power failure detect enable signal having a predetermined time duration in response thereto; (b) detecting a loss of power to said electrically powered device, and generating an early power failure detect signal in response thereto; and (c) providing an indication of tampering in response to detecting both said power failure detect enable signal and said early power failure detect signal within said predetermined time duration after detecting displacement of said device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24)
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25. An apparatus for detecting tampering with a metering device, comprising:
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(a) early power detecting means for detecting a loss of power to said metering device and, in response, supplying a power failure warning signal; (b) position detection means for detecting a displacement of said metering device and, in response, supplying a displacement signal; (c) timer means responsive to said displacement signal for supplying a power failure detect enable signal of a predetermined duration; and (d) logic means responsive to said power failure warning signal and said power failure detect enable signal for indicating a tampering of said metering device when said power failure detect enable signal is followed by said power failure warning signal within said predetermined time duration.
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33. A method of detecting tampering of an electrically powered device, including the steps of:
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(a) detecting a displacement of said electrically powered device; (b) generating a power failure detect enable signal in response to said step of detecting a displacement of said electrically powered device;
said power failure detect enable signal having a predetermined time duration;(c) detecting an imminent loss of power to said electrically powered device and generating an early power failure detect signal in response thereto; and (d) providing an indication of tampering in response to the concurrent detection of said power failure detect enable signal and said early power failure detect signal within said predetermined time duration after detecting displacement of said device. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification