Method and system for sensing removal of a utility meter from its socket
First Claim
1. A device for detecting tampering of a connection between an electricity meter of the type having a rear surface which includes mounting and electrical connections thereon and an external power supply system, said device comprising:
- (a) an electricity meter having a rear surface, there being an optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said electricity meter;
(b) a housing, separate from said meter, said housing, including means for mounting said electricity meter and for connecting said electricity meter to said external power supply system;
(c) a base, within said housing, for mounting said meter, said housing being light tight when said meter is mounted to said base, said base providing electrical connections between said external power supply system and said meter when said meter is connected to said base, said base including;
(i) light emitting means for emitting light pulses toward said optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said meter;
(ii) sensing means for sensing light from said light emitting means which has been reflected from said optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said meter and for generating a bilevel voltage, one of said levels correponding to a relatively bright sensed light condition and the other one of said levels corresponding to a relatively dark sensed condition; and
(iii) detecting means for detecting the presence of light when no pulse is being emitted by said light emitting means or the absence of light when a pulse is being emitted by said light emitting means, either of which causes said detecting means to generate a meter tampering condition.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed for indication and prevention of tampering with an electricity meter having control circuitry for automatic remote reading. The control circuitry, provided externally of the meter in a base or base extension, to which the meter is connected, is also used for tamper detection. Embodiments of the invention include use of optical sensing, voltage detection and proximity detection. Ambient light sensing may be performed to detect separation of the meter from the external receptacle. Reflected light to a reflective surface of the meter is sensed to determine if the meter is properly engaged. Presence of a meter connection plug element may be sensed either optically or by position responsive switch. Voltage of the utility supply and meter user output may be monitored to determine tampering.
122 Citations
6 Claims
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1. A device for detecting tampering of a connection between an electricity meter of the type having a rear surface which includes mounting and electrical connections thereon and an external power supply system, said device comprising:
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(a) an electricity meter having a rear surface, there being an optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said electricity meter; (b) a housing, separate from said meter, said housing, including means for mounting said electricity meter and for connecting said electricity meter to said external power supply system; (c) a base, within said housing, for mounting said meter, said housing being light tight when said meter is mounted to said base, said base providing electrical connections between said external power supply system and said meter when said meter is connected to said base, said base including; (i) light emitting means for emitting light pulses toward said optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said meter; (ii) sensing means for sensing light from said light emitting means which has been reflected from said optically reflecting portion on said rear surface of said meter and for generating a bilevel voltage, one of said levels correponding to a relatively bright sensed light condition and the other one of said levels corresponding to a relatively dark sensed condition; and (iii) detecting means for detecting the presence of light when no pulse is being emitted by said light emitting means or the absence of light when a pulse is being emitted by said light emitting means, either of which causes said detecting means to generate a meter tampering condition. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A device for detecting tampering of a connection between an electricity meter and an external power supply system housing, said device comprising:
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(a) a meter enclosed in a housing which is light tight when said meter is enclosed therein, but which admits ambient light in the absence of a meter, said meter including a back surface; (b) an external power supply system housing having a surface facing said back surface of said meter during engagement of said meter and said housing; (c) an optical sensor means, mounted at said surface of said external power supply system housing for sensing ambient light; and (d) detecting means for detecting a meter tampering condition in response to the presence of ambient light sensed by said optical sensor means. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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6. A method for ascertaining tampering of a connection between an electricity meter and an external power supply system housing comprising the steps of:
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(a) sensing ambient light at a surface of said housing which is normally obstructed from light by a meter which has been installed in said housing; (b) generating an output signal of a predetermined level if the sensed ambient light is above predetermined value; and (c) detecting a meter tampering condition in response to said output signal, said meter tampering condition being indicative of whether ambient light is being sensed.
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Specification