US 2026/0113638 A1 · NETWORKED DEVICE CONFIGURED TO DETECT SIGNAL BLOCKAGE AND TAMPERING

Abstract

Techniques for detecting blockage of a utility meter or other networked device are described. The blockage may be natural, e.g., snow, ice, and/or biomass. The blockage (e.g., aluminum foil) may be an intentional attempt to tamper with the device. In both cases, the blockage material may interfere with radio frequency (RF) communications of the networked device with other devices on a network. For example, snow, ice, biomass, and/or aluminum foil may prevent a networked utility device (e.g., a metering device) from reporting consumption data to a data-collecting device. Blockage may be detected based at least in part on the use of optical sensors and/or RF sensors. In one example, an out-going optical signal (e.g., infrared light) may be reflected off blockage material and the reflection may be received and processed. In a further example, an in-coming RF signal may be attenuated and/or frequency-shifted thereby revealing aspects about the blockage material.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

obtaining sensor measurements detecting blockage material on an enclosure of a networked device;
determining if an elapsed time, during which the blockage material increased, has exceeded a threshold period of time;
responsive to the elapsed time exceeding the threshold period of time, sending a first message to a customer of a service site of the networked device, wherein the first message requests the customer remove the blockage material;
and
responsive to the elapsed time being less than or equal to the threshold period of time, sending a second message to a remote computing device, wherein the second message includes an indication that the blockage material is a result of tampering.

2 more elements

A networked device, comprising:

a processor;
one or more memory devices in communication with the processor;
statements, defined in the one or more memory devices, which when executed by the processor to perform actions comprising:
obtaining a sensor measurement detecting a blockage material on an enclosure of the networked device;
responsive detection of the blockage material, increasing a rate at which sensor measurements are obtained;
and
responsive detection of the blockage material, rescheduling transmission times during which data is transmitted by the networked device.

4 more elements

One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, configure a computing device to perform actions comprising:

obtaining a sensor measurement detecting a blockage material on an enclosure of a networked device;
responsive to detection of the blockage material, increasing a rate at which sensor measurements are obtained;
and
responsive to detection of the blockage material, rescheduling transmission times during which data is transmitted by the networked device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Networked device configured to detect signal blockage and tampering

Life of this patent

Networked device configured to detect signal blockage and tampering

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26