Apparatus and method for sensing tampering with a utility meter
US5473322A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 24, 1992 |
| Grant date | Dec 5, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 24, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R22/066
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.