×

Alarming based on resource consumption data

  • US 9,441,987 B2
  • Filed: 09/23/2011
  • Issued: 09/13/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2011
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. One or more computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a data collection device, configure the one or more processors of the data collection device to perform acts comprising:

  • monitoring a flow rate of natural gas through a utility meter at a location in substantially real time;

    detecting abnormal consumption of the natural gas at the location based on the flow rate through the utility meter by;

    determining that the flow rate of the natural gas exceeds a predetermined threshold consumption rate for a predetermined threshold amount of time, the predetermined threshold consumption rate varying over time, the predetermined threshold consumption rate including a first threshold consumption rate at a first time during the predetermined threshold amount of time and including a second threshold consumption rate at a second time during the predetermined threshold amount of time, at least one of the first threshold consumption rate or the second threshold consumption rate being based on at least one of a time of year, a current temperature, or an occupancy status; and

    comparing the flow of the natural gas with one or more predetermined normal consumption patterns, the one or more predetermined normal consumption patterns being based at least in part on;

    average natural gas consumption for other locations similarly situated to the location;

    oraverage natural gas consumption by other customers similarly situated to a customer currently associated with the utility meter;

    determining that an amount of abnormal consumption of the natural gas is sufficient to cause an explosion or fire;

    determining, based on the flow rate, that the abnormal consumption occurs on a customer side of the utility meter; and

    transmitting an alert indicating the abnormal consumption of the natural gas to a remote computing device.

View all claims
  • 3 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×