Device and System for Detecting Tampering in Components

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/633,038, filed on Apr. 11, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The subject disclosure relates to the field of tampering detection systems, and more particularly, a device and system for detecting tampering or un-authorized access in components or equipment.

Described herein is a method for tampering detection in at least one passive component of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) system, the method comprising attaching one or more devices to a corresponding fastener of the at least one passive component, wherein the one or more devices are configured to transmit an alert signal based on at least one of a position of a sensing element of the one or more devices, vibration detections between the one or more devices and the at least one passive component, and/or unresponsiveness of at least one neighboring device, determining, by a controller, tamper state of the at least one passive component based on the alert signal, and transmitting, by the controller, an electronic control signal to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the HVAC-R system based on the tamper state.

In one or more embodiments, the sensing element comprises a switch configured to move between an actuated position and a de-actuated position, the alert signal comprising the position of the sensing element, and wherein the step of determining the tamper state of the at least one passive component comprises determining, by the controller, the at least one passive component to be tampered when the alert signal comprises the de-actuated position.

In one or more embodiments, the device comprises a vibration sensor configured to determine the vibration detections of the one or more devices with respect to the passive component.

In one or more embodiments, the step of determining the tamper state of the at least one passive component comprises determining, by the controller, the tamper state of the at least one passive component based on the vibration detections being greater than a baseline vibration threshold.

In one or more embodiments, the step of determining the tamper state of the at least one passive component comprises determining, by the controller, the tamper state of the at least one passive component based on anomaly detection in the vibration detections received over a preceding time interval.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic control signal comprises a reset signal, the reset signal being transmitted to the one or more devices based on authorization of an entity operating the controller.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises authorizing, by the controller, the entity to operate the controller based on verification of credentials provided by the entity.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting, by the controller, a control request signal to a building management system (BMS) on determination of the tamper state of the at least one passive component.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, by the controller, an operational control signal from the BMS, and transmitting, by the controller, the electronic control signals to change an operational stage of the HVAC-R system based on the operational control signal.

In one or more embodiments, the method further comprises determining, by the controller, the at least one passive component to be tampered when the one or more devices are unresponsive for a threshold number of time intervals.

In one or more embodiments, at least one of the alert signal and/or the electronic control signal is encrypted based on an identifier of the controller.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more devices comprises a unique identifier, and wherein the method further comprises transmitting, by the controller, the electronic control signal comprising the unique identifier of the one or more devices of the at least one passive component to at least one registered computing device.

Described herein is a method of tamper detection of at least one passive component of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) system, the method comprises providing one or more devices attached to a corresponding fastener of the at least one passive component, and transmitting, by a processing unit of the one or more devices, an alert signal to a controller based on at least one neighboring device being unresponsive.

Described herein is a system for tampering detection in at least one passive component of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC-R) system, the system comprising one or more devices attached to a corresponding fastener of the passive component, wherein the one or more devices are configured to transmit an alert signal based on at least one of a position of a sensing element, vibration detections between the one or more devices and the at least one passive component, and/or unresponsiveness of at least one neighboring device, and a controller operatively coupled to the one or more devices and the HVAC-R system, the controller comprising a processor configured to execute instructions stored in memory, wherein execution of the instructions causes the processor to receive the alert signal from the one or more devices, determine a tamper state of the at least one passive component based on the alert signal, and transmit an electronic control signal to at least one of the one or more devices and/or the HVAC-R system based on the tamper state.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more devices comprise the sensing element, the sensing element comprising a switch configured to move between an actuated position and a de-actuated position, the alert signal comprising the position of the sensing element, and wherein the controller is further configured to determine the at least one passive component to be tampered when the alert signal comprises the de-actuated position.

In one or more embodiments, the one or more devices comprise a vibration sensor configured to determine the vibration detections of the one or more devices with respect to the at least one passive component.

In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the tamper state of the at least one passive component based on anomaly detection in the vibration detections received over a preceding time interval.

In one or more embodiments, the electronic control signal comprises a reset signal, and wherein the controller is configured to transmit the reset signal to the one or more devices based on authorization of an entity operating the controller.

In one or more embodiments, the system further comprises a building management system (BMS) operatively coupled to the controller, wherein execution of the instructions further causes the processor to transmit a control request signal to the BMS on determination of the tamper state of the at least one passive component.

In one or more embodiments, the controller is configured to determine the at least one passive component to be tampered when the one or more devices fail to transmit a status signal for a threshold number of time intervals.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, features, and techniques of the subject disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the subject disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the subject disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.

In the specification, reference may be made to the spatial relationships between various components and to the spatial orientation of various aspects of components as the devices are depicted in the attached drawings. However, as will be recognized by those skilled in the art after a complete reading of the subject disclosure, the components of described herein may be positioned in any desired orientation. Thus, the use of terms such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” “first,” “second,” or other like terms to describe a spatial relationship between various components or to describe the spatial orientation of aspects of such components should be understood to describe a relative relationship between the components or a spatial orientation of aspects of such components, described herein may be oriented in any desired direction.

Heating and cooling systems, commonly referred to as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems, are integral components of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, ensuring comfort and maintaining optimal environmental conditions year-round. Unauthorized access to various components, especially passive or non-smart components, associated with these HVAC systems may lead to tampering, which may cause inaccurate adjustment of control settings, blocking of air flow path, damaging of the components, and the like. As a result, intrusion or tampering by unauthorized personnel may disrupt the HVAC system's operation, thereby compromising indoor comfort and posing safety risks.

There is therefore a need to address the above-mentioned challenges associated with unauthorized access to components of HVAC systems, by providing an improved, reliable, and effective solution to detect unauthorized access or tampering in the components or equipment of the HVAC systems. This may help build securely proprietary systems and maintain service and maintenance quality.

Referring to, a sectional view of a HVAC-R or a HVAC systemis illustrated. In one or more embodiments, the HVAC systemmay be used for heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or conditioning of air within an enclosed space. As shown, the HVAC systemmay include one or more passive parts/components or refrigeration components, such as a compressor (depicted as), a condenser, an evaporator, a fan blower, HEPA filters, a panel board (not shown), a control interface, a motor (not shown), a heater, pipes, valves, engines, generators, and the like, but not limited thereto. Such passive components may be provided/secured within an enclosure.

In one or more embodiments, the passive components of the HVAC systemmay be removably attached to the enclosure, to provide stability to such passive components. In one or more embodiments, the passive components may be attached to the HVAC systemthrough any attachment means or fasteners, such as screws, nails, nuts and bolts, magnets, interlocking elements, interference fitting elements, straps, clamps, and the like, but not limited thereto.

In one or more embodiments, fasteners may be used to attach the passive components, such as the compressor, to the HVACvia a corresponding mounting flange. In one or more embodiments, the mounting flangemay be integrally connected to the passive components. In such embodiments, the mounting flangemay be attached to the enclosureusing the fasteners (such as,as described subsequently in the subject disclosure). In other embodiments, the mounting flangemay be integrally attached to the enclosure. In such embodiments, the passive components (such as the compressor) may be connected/attached to the enclosurevia the mounting flange.

Whileshows a representation of an HVAC used in industrial or commercial settings, it may be appreciated that the embodiments of the present disclosure may be suitably adapted to other types of HVACs.

In one or more embodiments, the passive components may be assembled and attached to the enclosureof the HVACduring operation thereof, via the fasteners. Once the passive components are assembled, such passive components can only be disassembled by removing the fasteners. Since the fasteners may be reversible, they may allow for untraceable disassembly and unauthorized removal and/or replacement of parts, which lead to inefficiencies in performance of the HVAC, degradation of other proprietary passive components of the HVAC, and increase risk of damage and failure. Further, malfeasant actors may deliberately disassemble the HVACfor such nefarious purposes, which is undesirable. The subject disclosure provides a device(also referred to as beacon device) configured to track and trace events indicative of tampering and/or attempts to disassemble the HVAC. In one or more embodiments, the devicemay be attached to the fasteners, as shown in.

In some embodiments, the HVAC systemmay include multiple ones of the deviceinstalled therein. Each of the devicesmay be secured on at least one fastener of at least one of the passive components of the HVAC system. In some embodiments, the HVAC systemmay include a controller/control interface (not shown), which may be configured to communicate with each of the devices. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to communicate with the devicesusing wireless communication means, such as Bluetooth Low Energy, but not limited thereto. The controller may be configured to receive and transmit encrypted messages with the devices, which may be analysed to determine tampering (or a tamper state). In some embodiments, the tamper state may indicate whether the passive component has been ‘tampered’ or ‘non-tampered’. The controller (being a control interface) may include a display, which may be used to indicate any tampering of the passive components of the HVAC system. In some controller may also include communication modules for communication with the devices, and/or a central server (such as central serverof) or other computing devices (such as computing devicesof).

Referring to, in one or more embodiments, the devicemay be secured to the compressor(passive component) to protect the compressoragainst tampering or unauthorized access. Further, a portion or a mounting flangeassociated with the passive component (or compressor) has been shown asandin, respectively, without showing the entire passive component for the sake of brevity. In one or more embodiments, the mounting flange,may be attached to a structure, such as a base or a side wall, of the enclosure/HVAC.

As shown, the devicemay be designed and configured to prevent the fasteners to be removed without interacting with the device. Further, interacting with the devicemay cause the deviceto transmit signals to external devices (such as registered computing devices), thereby tracking the removal or attempts thereof for disassembling the passive components of the HVAC.

Referring to, the devicefor detecting tampering/the tamper state in one or more components (also referred to as equipment, herein) of HVAC systemis disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the components may be selected from a passive component associated with a residential or commercial HVAC system. The term “passive component” used herein refers to a non-smart and/or non-communicative component, which does not have the ability to interact or communicate with other devices or controllers on its own. While the subject disclosure is described in the context of passive components, in other embodiments, the passive components may also include active components associated with a residential or commercial HVAC system. The term “active component” used herein refers to a smart component that has the ability to interact or communicate with other devices or controllers on its own. The active components may be configured to detect and intimate tampering thereof, exclusively using the device.

While various embodiments and drawings described herein have been elaborated for detecting tampering in passive components or equipment associated with HVAC systems, however, the teachings of the subject disclosure are equally applicable to other non-HVAC components or equipment without any limitation whatsoever, and all such implementations are well within the scope of the present application.

In one or more embodiments, the devicemay include a housing(also referred to as enclosure, herein) defining a shape of the device. In one or more embodiments, the housingmay be a multi-section housing that may include a first casing-, and a second casing-that may be configured to the removably attached to the first casing-to form the housingof the device, as shown in. The housingmay be configured to securely accommodate various elements of the device. The housingmay be configured to be removably attached to the passive components to be protected against tampering or un-authorized access.

The devicemay further include a control module/electronic circuit/transmitter/processing unit. The processing unitmay include one or more processors coupled to a memory storing instructions executable by the processors, which may cause the processing unitto perform one or more designated operations. The processing unitmay serve as a control and monitoring system that may facilitate control, monitoring, and communication functions which are essential for the device's operation.

In one or more embodiments, the devicemay include a sensing element. The processing unitmay be configured to determine the position of the sensing element with respect to the fastener to which the housingis attached. In some embodiments, the processing unitmay be configured to transmit a status signal based on the position of the sensing element. For example, a transmitter may be configured to transmit the status signal to one or more (external) computing devices based on the position of the sensing element, thereby indicating the current position of the sensing element to the computing devices. The position of the sensing element may indicate tampering or attempts thereof.

For instance, for tampering with the passive components, the fasteners have to be removed. In one or more embodiments, the devicemay be configured such that the devicehas to be removed before the fasteners are removed. The sensing element may be configured such that any movement or removal of the devicefrom the fasteners may cause a shift in position of the sensing element. Changes to the position of the sensing element may cause the processing unitto transmit the status signal to computing device, thereby intimating the computing device of removal of the devicefrom the fasteners (and by implication tampering of the passive component).

In one or more embodiments, the sensing element may be implemented as a switchenclosed in the housing. At least a portion of the switchmay extend out of the housingto engage with the passive components upon securing the deviceon the corresponding passive component. In one or more embodiments, the switchmay be selected from a group comprising, but not limited to, a toggle switch, a push button switch, a rotary switch, a rocker switch, a slide switch, a dual in-line package (DIP) switch, a reed switch, and a pressure switch.

The switchmay be configured to move between an actuated position upon securing the deviceon the passive components, and a de-actuated position upon removal of the devicefrom the corresponding passive component. The switchmay be configured to open or close an electronic circuit when the actuated position or the de-actuated position, respectively, or vice-versa. The electronic circuit may be implemented within the processing unit, and may cause the processing unitto transmit the status signal on the electronic circuit being closed.

In one or more embodiments, the switchmay be movably configured/attached to the housingusing a spring (not shown), such that at least a portion of the switchextends out of the housingto engage with/abut against the passive components. Further, the switchmay be biased to be in the de-actuated position by the spring.

When the housingis attached to the passive component, the switchmay abut against a surface of the passive component and move to the actuated position, against the bias of the spring. In such embodiments, during normal operation of the HVACwhere all the fasteners secure the refrigerant/passive components with the HVAC/enclosure, the spring may remain compressed (and the switchmay remain in the actuated position). As a result, the spring may enable the switchto automatically move to the de-actuated position upon removal of the devicefrom the corresponding passive component. The switchmay be operatively coupled to the processing unit, where the device/processing unitmay be configured to monitor a position of the switchin real-time and correspondingly generate a status signal.

In one or more embodiments, the devicemay include a vibration sensorenclosed in the housingand operatively coupled to the processing unit. The device/processing unit/transmitter may be configured to monitor vibrations in the devicein real-time using the vibration sensor, and correspondingly generate a vibration status signal.

In addition, in one or more embodiments, the devicemay include a communication module(which may be implemented as a wired or a wireless transmitter) enclosed within the housingand operatively coupled to the processing unit. The communication modulemay enable the processing unitor deviceto establish a secured communication channel with one or more registered computing devices (designated asin, and interchangeably referred to as computing devices) in a network coverage area of the deviceor to a central server (designated asin). In one or more embodiments, the registered computing devicesmay include, but may be not limited to, smart home devices, thermistors, a controller associated with the HVAC system, and a controller associated with the passive component or the equipment. Further, in some embodiments, the (registered) computing devicesmay be a mobile phone, a laptop, a desktop, a handheld smart device, and the like, associated with registered users (designated asin). The usersmay be technicians or an admin authorized to access the passive component or the HVAC system. Further, the designated computing devicesmay be authorized by the admin to establish a communication with the tampering detection device.

Further, the devicemay include a batteryremovably enclosed within the housing. The batterymay be configured to supply electrical power to the processing unit, the communication module, and the vibration sensor. Furthermore, the device/processing unitmay be configured to generate a battery status signal indicative of a charging level of the battery.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the processing unitmay be configured to generate an alert signal (or the status signal having an alert message) upon detecting movement of the switchfrom the actuated position to the de-actuated position and/or upon detecting vibrations in the device/housing. The alert signal may indicate whether the devicehas been removed from the corresponding passive component, or whether the corresponding passive component has been tampered. The tampering of the corresponding passive component may involve, but is not limited to, a physical tampering, an act of replacing original components, an act of bypassing security seals, and an access-restricted interfacing.