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Utility network interface device configured to detect and report abnormal operating condition

  • US 8,305,232 B2
  • Filed: 11/19/2009
  • Issued: 11/06/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2009
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A utility network interface device comprising:

  • a detector configured to produce a state signal upon occurrence of a prescribed state that interferes with the ability of a utility meter, with which the utility network interface device is associated, to at least one of measure consumption of a commodity and report consumption of the commodity;

    a control unit configured to detect a tampering with the utility meter in accordance with the state signal produced by the detector; and

    a notification unit configured to output, external to the utility meter, notification of the tampering detected by the control unit, wherein;

    the control unit is configured to automatically control the notification unit to output the external notification of the tampering in response to the detection of the tampering;

    the notification unit includes a transceiver;

    the control unit is configured to cause the transceiver to transmit a notification signal containing data representative of the tampering notification and an identification of the utility network interface device wirelessly to a node in a network of which the utility network interface device is a member; and

    the node in the network is another utility network interface device with which the utility network interface device is authorized to communicate.

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