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.

Apparatus and method for sensing tampering with a utility meter

Method and apparatus to facilitate improved sensing of tampering of an electrically powered device, such as an electric watt-hour meter installed at a residence for metering the amount of electric energy consumed at the residence. The detected tampering involves an effort to remove the electric meter from its power socket, to interrupt the metering of electric energy consumption, or to otherwise gain access for diverting electric energy. The method and apparatus senses motion (10) of the meter and sets a 'Tampering Flag' in a non-volatile memory (12). The 'Tamper Flag' is cleared if there is no loss of power to the meter within the predetermined period of time. Upon detecting a resumption of power after a loss of power to the meter, an indication of sensed tampering is made if the 'Tamper Flag' is set.

Method and apparatus for indicating meter tampering

Computer controlled numbering of consecutive business forms is provided for both computer controlled presses and in the form of a retrofit unit for conventional rotary presses. The retrofit unit includes a disk provided with radially oriented metallic strips of predetermined locations on the disk, and mounted on a suitable shaft of the press. The disk cooperates with a stationary transducer mounted, for example, on a stationary press wall to send signals to the control unit to fire the printer.

Method and apparatus for automatic numbering of forms on a rotary printing press

Tamper-respondent assemblies, electronic assembly packages, and methods of fabrication are provided which include multiple, discrete tamper-respondent sensors that overlap, at least in part, and facilitate defining a secure volume about one or more electronic components to be protected, such as an electronic assembly. The tamper-respondent sensors include a first tamper-respondent sensor and a second tamper-respondent sensor, which may be similarly constructed or differently constructed. In certain embodiments, the tamper-respondent sensors wrap, at least in part, over an electronic enclosure, and in other embodiments, the tamper-respondent sensors cover, at least in part, an inner surface of an electronic enclosure to facilitate defining a secure volume in association with a multilayer circuit board to which the electronic enclosure is mounted.

Overlapping, discrete tamper-respondent sensors

Tamper-respondent assemblies and methods of fabrication are provided which include a multi-layer stack having multiple discrete component layers stacked and electrically connected together via a plurality of electrical contacts in between the component layers. Further, the tamper-respondent assembly includes a tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure embedded within the multi-layer stack. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure includes at least one tamper-respondent sensor embedded, at least in part, within at least one component layer of the multiple discrete component layers of the multi-layer stack. The tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure defines a secure volume within the multi-layer stack. For instance, the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure may be fully embedded within the multi-layer stack, with monitor circuitry of the tamper-respondent electronic circuit structure residing within the secure volume within the multi-layer stack.

Multi-layer stack with embedded tamper-detect protection

An apparatus for indicating electric meter tamper is disclosed having a switch provided with normally closed contacts in the nature of an enclosed race having a central inner contact and a plurality of spaced outer contacts operating in conjunction with a conductive, magnetic ball disposed in the race such that when the ball is in a stable position one of the outer contacts is electrically connected to the center contact and when the ball is disturbed from a stable position the circuit is temporarily opened. The system further includes an actuator device responsive to the opening of the normally closed contacts and an indicator device responsive to the actuator device to indicate the opening of contacts which marks the meter or otherwise signals a tampering incident. Thus, the system is sensitive to changes in position of the meter, vibration and/or magnetic fields, which are sufficient to cause said contacts to temporarily open.

Electro-mechanical anti-tampering device for electric meters

An apparatus for indicating meter tampering in a plug in meter with a transparent cover such as a watthour meter is disclosed which includes a spring loaded "mouse trap" mechanism including a tyne member adapted to be released so as to strike and rupture a dye-filled frangible container upon a tampering incident to indicate tampering.

Roger A. Rausch

Papers

Electro-mechanical anti-tampering device for electric meters

Mechanical meter tampering indicator

Pulse frequency converter