Patent ID: 6774807
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: G08B

Abstract:
A system for detecting unauthorized movement of a communications/meter device, the system comprising:at least one device attachment mechanism, having a selected attachment direction, that attaches a communications/meter device to a selected attachment site; a magnetic field source, associated with the attachment mechanism, that provides a first magnetic field with a first field direction and a second magnetic field with a second field direction when the attachment mechanism is in a first selected position and in a second selected position, respectively; a field-activated magnetic switch, positioned adjacent to the attachment mechanism and arranged so that, when the first magnetic field is applied to the switch, the switch is in a first switch state, and when the second magnetic field is applied to the switch, the switch is in a second switch state, distinct from the first switch state; and an electrical current source, connected to said field-activated magnetic switch at a first selected location, that provides a current through said switch; an electrical current sensor, connected to the field-activated magnetic switch at a second selected location, that senses a first level of current through the switch; and an alarm, coupled to the current sensor, that generates a selected alarm signal when the switch is not in the first switch state, upon the sensed level of current in the current sensor.