Forensic analysis of resource consumption data
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- transmitting, by a computing device and at least partly over a wireless connection, a command to a radio frequency (RF) receiver/transmitter that is coupled to or integral with a utility meter, the command requesting data logging data for the utility meter, the RF receiver/transmitter having a temperature resistant and/or water proof housing to resist at least one of explosions, fires, or water damage;
receiving, by the computing device and at least partly over the wireless connection, the data logging data from the RF receiver/transmitter that is coupled to or integral with the utility meter, the data logging data comprising a record of consumption data for a resource over time, the data logging data including data spanning a time of an event at a premises of the utility meter, the event comprising at least one of an explosion, a fire, a flood, or water damage, the resource comprising at least one of gas, electricity, or water;
analyzing the data logging data by comparing resource consumption values during a first period of normal usage to resource consumption values during a second period of abnormal usage leading up to the event, the normal usage being based on at least one of a pattern of usage of the resource at the premises, a history of usage of the resource at the premises, a usage of the resource for a customer, or a predetermined pattern of usage of the resource, the abnormal usage being based on at least one of a predetermined amount, a predetermined pattern of usage of the resource, or a historical level of usage of the resource; and
determining, by the computing device and based at least in part on the analysis of the data logging data, whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event.
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Abstract
Following an explosion, fire, flood, water damage, or other event, consumption data of utility resources such as gas and water may be used to determine a cause of the event. For example, an interrogation may be used to read data logging data from a data collection device. The data logging data may include a record of consumption data for a resource spanning a time of an event. The data logging data may be analyzed to determine whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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transmitting, by a computing device and at least partly over a wireless connection, a command to a radio frequency (RF) receiver/transmitter that is coupled to or integral with a utility meter, the command requesting data logging data for the utility meter, the RF receiver/transmitter having a temperature resistant and/or water proof housing to resist at least one of explosions, fires, or water damage; receiving, by the computing device and at least partly over the wireless connection, the data logging data from the RF receiver/transmitter that is coupled to or integral with the utility meter, the data logging data comprising a record of consumption data for a resource over time, the data logging data including data spanning a time of an event at a premises of the utility meter, the event comprising at least one of an explosion, a fire, a flood, or water damage, the resource comprising at least one of gas, electricity, or water; analyzing the data logging data by comparing resource consumption values during a first period of normal usage to resource consumption values during a second period of abnormal usage leading up to the event, the normal usage being based on at least one of a pattern of usage of the resource at the premises, a history of usage of the resource at the premises, a usage of the resource for a customer, or a predetermined pattern of usage of the resource, the abnormal usage being based on at least one of a predetermined amount, a predetermined pattern of usage of the resource, or a historical level of usage of the resource; and determining, by the computing device and based at least in part on the analysis of the data logging data, whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system comprising:
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one or more processors; and memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors and storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising; sending, at least partly over a wireless connection, a command to a radio frequency (RF) receiver/transmitter that is coupled to or integral with a utility meter, the command requesting data logging data for the utility meter; receiving, at least partly over the wireless connection, the data logging data from the RF receiver/transmitter, the data logging data comprising a record of consumption data for a resource over time, the data logging data including data spanning a time of an event at a premises of the utility meter, the event comprising at least one of an explosion, a fire, a flood, or water damage; analyzing the data logging data by comparing resource consumption values during a first period of normal usage to resource consumption values during a second period of abnormal usage leading up to the event; and determining, based at least in part on the analysis of the data logging data, whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A data collection device coupled to or integral with a utility meter, the data collection device comprising:
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one or more processors; memory communicatively coupled to the one or more processors; a temperature resistant and/or water proof housing that houses the memory and the one or more processors, the temperature resistant and/or water proof housing being configured to resist at least one of explosions, fires, or water damage; a data logging module stored in the memory and executable by the one or more processors to log data logging data of a resource over time, the data logging data including data spanning a time of an event at a premises of the utility meter, the event comprising at least one of an explosion, a fire, a flood, or water damage, the resource comprising at least one of gas, electricity, or water; a communication component configured to; wirelessly receive, from a computing device, a command requesting the data logging data; and in response to receiving the command from the computing device, wirelessly provide the data logging data to the computing device to determine whether a utility providing the resource was responsible for the event at the premises. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification