Smart Meter Consumption Pattern Monitoring for Intrusion Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing alarm systems for securing valuable objects are expensive to install and operate, complex, and can be easily bypassed by intruders due to the need for multiple sensors and recognition of these sensors.
Innovation Solution
A method and computer program product that utilize existing infrastructure, such as smart meters connected to supply networks, to monitor consumption patterns of objects by comparing them with similar objects, reducing the need for additional devices and enhancing detection accuracy through user-defined recording profiles and geographic weighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional alarm systems with multiple sensors are installed to secure valuable objects, then security monitoring capability is improved, but installation cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using existing smart meters that serve dual purposes: their original function for utility billing and a new security monitoring function. The smart meter monitors consumption patterns to detect unauthorized access without requiring dedicated security sensors, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining security capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the existing smart meter infrastructure that is already deployed for utility measurement. The smart meter's existing electronics and communication capabilities are leveraged to perform security monitoring autonomously, eliminating the need for separate sensor installation and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors are installed for each access device to improve security coverage, then monitoring reliability is improved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The smart meter serves as a universal monitoring device that replaces multiple specialized sensors. By analyzing consumption patterns from a single smart meter, the system can detect unauthorized access events without requiring separate sensors for each access point, thereby reducing installation cost while maintaining security coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of multiple security sensors into a single smart meter device. Instead of installing separate sensors for different access devices, the consumption data from one smart meter is analyzed to infer security events across multiple access points, reducing both installation cost and complexity.
3Measurement precision
If traditional sensors are used for monitoring, then detection capability is improved, but the system becomes easily recognizable and vulnerable to bypass or sabotage
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses indirect measurement by copying and analyzing consumption pattern data rather than directly detecting security events with traditional sensors. This indirect approach makes the monitoring system less recognizable to intruders, as there are no visible security sensors to target, while maintaining detection capability through pattern analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart meter acts as an intermediary that indirectly monitors security events through consumption pattern analysis rather than directly detecting unauthorized access. This intermediary approach obscures the monitoring function from potential intruders, reducing vulnerability to targeted bypass or sabotage while maintaining detection precision.
4Reliability
If consumption patterns are monitored and compared with comparable objects, then false alarms are reduced, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies feedback by continuously comparing an object's consumption patterns against those of comparable objects and using this comparison to adjust alarm thresholds. This feedback mechanism reduces false alarms by contextualizing deviations within normal variations observed across similar objects, improving alarm accuracy while managing data processing complexity through established comparison algorithms.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves detecting a receiver of a preventing goods (110) through an object (100) to a measuring time. The measuring time is determined corresponding to a comparison value based on a predetermined receiving profile (160). The detected receiver is compared with the comparison value. The alarm signal is outputted, when the receiver is deviated from more than a predetermined amount of the comparison value from the original. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a computer program product with program code medium for executing the method; and (2) a device for monitoring of an object connected to a power supply.