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  Power theft detection system and methodThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080109387. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/555,740 filed Nov. 2, 2006 (CRNT-0302-US), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002]The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for detecting power theft, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for detecting, locating, and communicating power theft in a power distribution system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003]Electrical power for consumption at residences, offices and other structures is delivered by a power distribution system. Electrical power is transmitted at high voltages from a power plant to substations near populated areas. Electrical power then is distributed from a substation along power lines and through distribution transformers toward consumer premises. Utility meters typically are located at the consumer's premises to measure the amount of power being consumed at the premises. Equipment, appliances and other devices plug into power outlets at the premises and draw power. [0004]Power traversing through the utility meter is metered to determine the utility fees to be billed to the customer of a given premises. Power that is used upstream from a given power meter is not measured by such power meter. Tapping into the power line upstream of the power meter to supply power to a premises or devices is illegal and is power theft. It is estimated that approximately 3% of the power being generated in the United States is stolen (used by, but not paid for, by consumers). In other countries the amount may be significantly higher being estimated to be approximately 10% in Europe and up to 30% elsewhere. [0005]Other than the loss of revenue to the utility provider, power theft also has adverse effects on consumers and society. One effect to consumers is the increase in the fees paid by consumers who pay for power. For example, a consumer may be billed for power based upon the amount of power consumed. The cost of producing and delivering power is passed on to the consumer and determines, in part, the rates charged for power. As a result, the paying consumer ends up subsidizing the power thief by paying the thief's share of the power costs. A less apparent effect is that a thief receiving some power for free is not billed accurately for all of their power consumption. In effect the thief is getting power at a lesser charge. Therefore, the thief does not have the same motivation to conserve power, which, in the aggregate, may impact the environment. [0006]One of the challenges in stopping power theft is the difficulty in detecting power theft. In particular it is difficult to obtain data which identifies specific locations where power theft is occurring. [0007]Power is delivered to premises low voltage power lines that are supplied power by medium voltage power lines. Parameters of power delivery include power line current, power line voltage and network load distribution, among others. Measurement of such parameters has not been available in a satisfactory manner to optimize power network management. For example, consider power line current. Current measurements typically have only been available at transfer substations (i.e., a location where the high voltage power lines couple to medium voltage power lines for regional power distribution) and, in some instances, at the customer's power meter. [0008]Accordingly, there is a need for measuring power and other parameters in a manner enabling effective identification of power theft. One or more embodiments of the present invention may overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and satisfy the need. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009]The present invention provides a device, system and method of providing utility data services. In one embodiment the method includes receiving meter data of the measured power consumed by a plurality of power customers, receiving delivered power data that includes data of the power delivered to the plurality of power customers, determining a difference between the meter data and the delivered power data, determining that the difference between the meter data and the delivered power data is greater than a predetermined amount, and indicating a discrepancy if the difference between the meter data and the delivered power data is greater than a predetermined amount. In addition, the method may include determining that a discrepancy varies over time by a predetermined amount and providing a discrepancy notification such as wirelessly and/or via power line. [0010]The invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011]The invention is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting illustrative embodiments of the invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the drawings. As should be understood, however, the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: [0012]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an example power line communication and power distribution parameter measurement system; [0013]FIG. 2 is a block diagram and partial schematic of an example embodiment of a power line current sensor device; [0014]FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a power line parameter sensor device coupled to a power line communication device; [0015]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a power line parameter sensor device coupled to a power line communication device by a wireless medium; [0016]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a power line parameter sensor device coupled to a power line communication device by a wireless medium; [0017]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of a backhaul node; [0018]FIG. 7 illustrates an implementation of an example embodiment of a backhaul node; [0019]FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example embodiment of an access node; Continue reading... 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