DEVICE AND SYSTEM FOR DETECTING TAMPERING IN COMPONENTS

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

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.

BACKGROUND

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.

SUMMARY

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the subject disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the subject disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the subject disclosure.

In the drawings, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary sectional representation of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 1B illustrates an exemplary representation of a compressor (component) of the HVAC system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 1C illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a device for detecting tampering in components or equipment associated with HVAC system, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary exploded view of an embodiment of the device of FIG. 1C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary representation of an exploded view of the device of FIG. 2A in the corresponding component, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 2C illustrates an exemplary representation of an assembled view of the device of FIGS. 2A and 2B in the corresponding component, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3A illustrates an exemplary exploded view of another embodiment of the device of FIG. 1C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3B illustrates an exemplary representation of an exploded view of the device of FIG. 3A in the corresponding component, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary representation of an assembled view of the device of FIGS. 3A and 3B in the corresponding component, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 3D further illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of the installed device of FIGS. 3A to 3C, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary network architecture of a system involving multiple devices of FIG. 1C for detecting tampering in a component, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the subject disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 FIG. 1A, a sectional view of a HVAC-R or a HVAC system 1000 is illustrated. In one or more embodiments, the HVAC system 1000 may be used for heating, cooling, ventilation, and/or conditioning of air within an enclosed space. As shown, the HVAC system 1000 may include one or more passive parts/components or refrigeration components, such as a compressor (depicted as 500), a condenser, an evaporator, a fan blower, HEPA filters, a panel board (not shown), a control interface 1002, 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 1004.

In one or more embodiments, the passive components of the HVAC system 1000 may be removably attached to the enclosure 1004, to provide stability to such passive components. In one or more embodiments, the passive components may be attached to the HVAC system 1000 through 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 500, to the HVAC 1000 via a corresponding mounting flange 204. In one or more embodiments, the mounting flange 204 may be integrally connected to the passive components. In such embodiments, the mounting flange 204 may be attached to the enclosure 1004 using the fasteners (such as 202, 302 as described subsequently in the subject disclosure). In other embodiments, the mounting flange 204 may be integrally attached to the enclosure 1004. In such embodiments, the passive components (such as the compressor 500) may be connected/attached to the enclosure 1004 via the mounting flange 204.

While FIG. 1A shows 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 enclosure 1004 of the HVAC 1000 during 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 HVAC 1000 for such nefarious purposes, which is undesirable. The subject disclosure provides a device 100 (also referred to as beacon device) configured to track and trace events indicative of tampering and/or attempts to disassemble the HVAC 1000. In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be attached to the fasteners, as shown in FIG. 1B.

In some embodiments, the HVAC system 1000 may include multiple ones of the device 100 installed therein. Each of the devices 100 may be secured on at least one fastener of at least one of the passive components of the HVAC system 1000. In some embodiments, the HVAC system 1000 may include a controller/control interface (not shown), which may be configured to communicate with each of the devices 100. In some embodiments, the controller may be configured to communicate with the devices 100 using 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 100, 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 1000. In some controller may also include communication modules for communication with the devices 100, and/or a central server (such as central server 406 of FIG. 4) or other computing devices (such as computing devices 402 of FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 1B, in one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be secured to the compressor 500 (passive component) to protect the compressor 500 against tampering or unauthorized access. Further, a portion or a mounting flange 204 associated with the passive component (or compressor 500) has been shown as 204 and 304 in FIGS. 2B and 2C, and 3B and 3C, respectively, without showing the entire passive component for the sake of brevity. In one or more embodiments, the mounting flange 204, 304 may be attached to a structure 502, such as a base or a side wall, of the enclosure 1004/HVAC 1000.

As shown, the device 100 may be designed and configured to prevent the fasteners to be removed without interacting with the device 100. Further, interacting with the device 100 may cause the device 100 to 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 1000.

Referring to FIGS. 1C to 3B, the device 100 for detecting tampering/the tamper state in one or more components (also referred to as equipment, herein) of HVAC system 1000 is 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 1000. 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 100.

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 device 100 may include a housing 102 (also referred to as enclosure 102, herein) defining a shape of the device 100. In one or more embodiments, the housing 102 may be a multi-section housing that may include a first casing 102-1, and a second casing 102-2 that may be configured to the removably attached to the first casing 102-1 to form the housing 102 of the device 100, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C. The housing 102 may be configured to securely accommodate various elements of the device 100. The housing 102 may be configured to be removably attached to the passive components to be protected against tampering or un-authorized access.

The device 100 may further include a control module/electronic circuit/transmitter/processing unit 104. The processing unit 104 may include one or more processors coupled to a memory storing instructions executable by the processors, which may cause the processing unit 104 to perform one or more designated operations. The processing unit 104 may serve as a control and monitoring system that may facilitate control, monitoring, and communication functions which are essential for the device 100's operation.

In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may include a sensing element. The processing unit 104 may be configured to determine the position of the sensing element with respect to the fastener to which the housing 102 is attached. In some embodiments, the processing unit 104 may 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 device 100 may be configured such that the device 100 has to be removed before the fasteners are removed. The sensing element may be configured such that any movement or removal of the device 100 from the fasteners may cause a shift in position of the sensing element. Changes to the position of the sensing element may cause the processing unit 104 to transmit the status signal to computing device, thereby intimating the computing device of removal of the device 100 from the fasteners (and by implication tampering of the passive component).

In one or more embodiments, the sensing element may be implemented as a switch 106 enclosed in the housing 102. At least a portion of the switch 106 may extend out of the housing 102 to engage with the passive components upon securing the device 100 on the corresponding passive component. In one or more embodiments, the switch 106 may 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 switch 106 may be configured to move between an actuated position upon securing the device 100 on the passive components, and a de-actuated position upon removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component. The switch 106 may 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 104, and may cause the processing unit 104 to transmit the status signal on the electronic circuit being closed.

In one or more embodiments, the switch 106 may be movably configured/attached to the housing 102 using a spring (not shown), such that at least a portion of the switch 106 extends out of the housing 102 to engage with/abut against the passive components. Further, the switch 106 may be biased to be in the de-actuated position by the spring.

When the housing 102 is attached to the passive component, the switch 106 may 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 HVAC 1000 where all the fasteners secure the refrigerant/passive components with the HVAC 1000/enclosure 1004, the spring may remain compressed (and the switch 106 may remain in the actuated position). As a result, the spring may enable the switch 106 to automatically move to the de-actuated position upon removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component. The switch 106 may be operatively coupled to the processing unit 104, where the device 100/processing unit 104 may be configured to monitor a position of the switch 106 in real-time and correspondingly generate a status signal.

In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may include a vibration sensor 108 enclosed in the housing 102 and operatively coupled to the processing unit 104. The device 100/processing unit 104/transmitter may be configured to monitor vibrations in the device 100 in real-time using the vibration sensor 108, and correspondingly generate a vibration status signal.

In addition, in one or more embodiments, the device 100 may include a communication module 110 (which may be implemented as a wired or a wireless transmitter) enclosed within the housing 102 and operatively coupled to the processing unit 104. The communication module 110 may enable the processing unit 104 or device 100 to establish a secured communication channel with one or more registered computing devices (designated as 402 in FIG. 4, and interchangeably referred to as computing devices) in a network coverage area of the device 100 or to a central server (designated as 406 in FIG. 4). In one or more embodiments, the registered computing devices 400 may 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 devices 402 may be a mobile phone, a laptop, a desktop, a handheld smart device, and the like, associated with registered users (designated as 404 in FIG. 4). The users 404 may be technicians or an admin authorized to access the passive component or the HVAC system. Further, the designated computing devices 402 may be authorized by the admin to establish a communication with the tampering detection device 100.

Further, the device 100 may include a battery 112 removably enclosed within the housing 102. The battery 112 may be configured to supply electrical power to the processing unit 104, the communication module 110, and the vibration sensor 108. Furthermore, the device 100/processing unit 104 may be configured to generate a battery status signal indicative of a charging level of the battery 112.

Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the processing unit 104 may be configured to generate an alert signal (or the status signal having an alert message) upon detecting movement of the switch 106 from the actuated position to the de-actuated position and/or upon detecting vibrations in the device 100/housing 102. The alert signal may indicate whether the device 100 has 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.

In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be configured to monitor, using the vibration sensor 108, an alignment/orientation of the device 100 on the corresponding passive component. In some embodiments, the vibration sensor 108 may be connected to the switch 106. In such embodiments, the vibration sensor 108 may configured to determine/detect vibrations based on movement of the switch 106. The vibration sensors 108 may be useful when the switch 108 changes between positions between the actuated position and the de-actuated position. In such embodiments, while the vibrations may cause the switch 106 to move, the vibrations may be insufficient to cause the switch 106 to move to the de-actuated position to cause the device 100 to transmit the alert signals.

In other embodiments, the vibration sensor 108 may be an independent vibration sensor configured to vibrations of the device 100 with respect to the passive component. In such embodiments, the vibration sensor 108 may detect vibrations of the passive component (such as through relative distance of the device 100 to the passive component), independently of the movement of the switch 106. In one or more embodiments, the vibration sensors 108 may include any one or a combination of, accelerometers, piezoelectric sensors, displacement sensors, and the like, but not limited thereto.

The vibration sensor 108 may allow tampering attempts that do not require the fastener to be removed, such as when the passive component is being cut or damaged (such as using a drill and/or hammer).

In one or more embodiments, the vibration sensors 108 may allow the device 100 to determine an error in the alignment or orientation of the device 100 and/or the passive component on which the device 100 is secured.

Further, in one or more embodiments, the vibrations in the device 100 may be analyzed locally by the device 100, at a diagnosing module in the control interface/controller, the registered computing device, and/or at the central server end. The diagnosing tool/module may be also used to predict maintenance cycles and replacement of the passive component based on the vibrations detected. In one or more embodiments, the diagnosing module may be configured to compare vibration data received from the device 100 (through the vibration sensor 108) with a baseline vibration threshold. The baseline vibration threshold may correspond to expected vibration or acceptable vibration of the passive component during the operation, as determined by operators of the HVAC system 1000. When the vibration is greater than the baseline vibration threshold, the diagnosing module may be configured to determine tampering/tamper state of the passive component.

For instance, in a non-limiting example, in the context of a compressor, vibration monitoring may help determine maintenance cycles and predict passive component replacement. Initially, a baseline vibration signature of the compressor may be established under normal operating conditions using sensors the vibration sensor. Further, continuous monitoring of the vibrations in the compressor may allow the device 100 or the central server 406 to identify deviations from the baseline, indicating potential issues in the compressor. By analyzing the trends/patterns in the vibration data, maintenance may be proactively scheduled before failures occur, effectively extending the compressor's operational life.

In one or more embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine the tamper state of the passive component based on anomaly detection in the vibration detections received over a preceding time interval. For instance, anomalies in the vibrations with respect to the historical pattern may indicate attempts at tampering. In some embodiments, the diagnosing module may be configured to use any one or a combination of, machine learning models, expert systems, control flow rulesets, and the like, but not limited thereto, for predictive maintenance of the HVAC system 1000 (and/or the passive components thereof).

In addition, the device 100 may be configured to generate and transmit the status signal, the vibration status signal, the battery status signal, and/or the monitored alignment/orientation and the corresponding error to the registered computing devices or to the central server at/within a transmission time interval/duration, or in real-time. This may allow the registered users associated with the registered computing devices to monitor the tamper state of the passive components as well as the charging level status of the device 100, and accordingly take one or more measures. The registered computing devices may be configured to detect removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component or tampering of the corresponding passive component based on the alert signal/status signal.

In one or more embodiments, upon detection of the switch 106 to be moved to the de-actuated position, the processing unit 104 may count the switch position to be at the de-actuated position, irrespective of the movement of the switch 106 back to the actuated position. In such embodiments, the device 100 may be configured to the de-actuation in the memory of the processing unit 104. In situations of inadvertent de-actuations of the switch 106, or de-actuation of the switch 106 by an authorized entity (such those entities authorized to use any one or a combination of the controller, the registered computing devices, and/or the central server). In such embodiments, the device 100 may allow the registered users to reinstate/reset the position of the switch 106 to the actuated position using the controller/control interface, registered computing devices, and/or the central server.

In some embodiments, the device 100 position as recorded in the memory may be reset when the processing unit 104 receives a reset signal from one of the registered computing devices. In some embodiments, the controller/control interface may be configured to transmit the reset signal to the processing unit 104. The controller/control interface may transmit the reset signal when operated by an authorized entity. In such embodiments, the controller/control interface may be configured to verify credentials (such as user identifier and password, biometrics, facial recognition, automatic identification and data control (AIDC) artifacts, and the like, but not limited thereto), to authorize and entity to operate the controller/control interface. The entity may be authorized based on credentials provided through human-machine interfaces (HMI) connected to the controller. After the device 100 is reset, the device 100 may resume the operation of tamper detection, based on at least one of, de-actuation of switch, unresponsive-ness to neighboring devices, and/or vibration detections.

Further, in one or more embodiments, the device 100 may be configured to store data pertaining to the monitored position of the switch 106, the monitored vibrations in the device 100, and the monitored charging level in the memory associated with the device 100. This may allow recording the data pertaining to the monitored the tamper state of the passive components as well as the monitored charging level status of the device 100 for future reference and analysis. This stored data may be useful during a time period when there is a communication failure between the processing unit 104 and the computing devices. However, the device 100 may later transmit this stored data to the computing devices once the communication is established, thereby preventing any data loss.

In one or more embodiments, the processing unit 104 may be implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB) 102A that may be securely positioned in the housing 102. Further, the switch 106, the communication module 110, the vibration sensor 108, and the battery 112 may also be connected to the PCB 102A and enclosed within the housing 102. In other embodiments, the processing unit 104 may be implemented as a transmitter.

In one or more embodiments, the processing unit 104, the communication module 110, and the vibration sensor 108 may be configured on the PCB 102A. Further, the PCB 102A and the battery 112 may be securely accommodated in the first casing 102-1, and the first casing 102-1 may be further removably secured on the second casing 102-2, with a portion of the switch 106 extending at least partially out of the housing 102.

In one or more embodiments, the PCB 102A may accommodate the processing unit 104 that may be a microcontroller, but is not limited to the like, where the processing unit 104 may be configured to execute a set of operations. In one or more embodiments, the processing unit 104 may be, but not limited to, a Radio System on Chip with Ultra-Low Energy Technology 10 (RSL10) which is a highly integrated ultra-low-power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) microcontroller (MCU), which may be available in miniature packages and suitable for space-constrained applications where size and weight are critical considerations. However, in other embodiments, the processing unit 104 may include, but is not limited to an Arduino Nano, a ESP32-Pico-D4, and a ATtiny85. In further embodiments, the processing unit 104 may be configured to transmit the status signal through other wired and/or wireless communication means. Examples of the wired communication means may include cables, wires, optical fibre cables, and the like, but not limited thereto. Examples of the wireless communication means may include near-field communication, telecommunication networks, wireless fidelity, transponders, and the like, but not limited thereto.

In one or more embodiments, the communication module 110 may be a Bluetooth module, but not limited thereto. However, in other embodiments, the communication module 110 may also be a low-power radio frequency transceiver, but may not be limited to the like. Further, in one or more embodiments, the vibration sensor 108 may be an accelerometer that detects changes in acceleration along one or more axes and converts the changes into the signal's indicative of vibrations. The alert signal may indicate removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component or the tamper state of the corresponding passive component.

In one or more embodiments, the device 100 may include a mounting fixture 114 attached to the housing 102 and configured to secure the device 100 to the passive component. As illustrated, the mounting fixture 114 may be attached to the first casing 102-1, however, in some embodiments, the mounting fixture 114 may be attached to the second casing 102-2 without any limitation. In one or more embodiments, the mounting fixture 114 may extend from the first casing 102-1, as shown in FIGs.

In one or more embodiments, the mounting fixture 114 may be configured to attach to (with a snap-fitting or clamping attachment) a mounting flange 204, 304 associated with the passive components using a fastener(s) such that the switch 106 engages with the mounting flange 204, 304 and/or the fastener and correspondingly moves to the actuated position. In one or more embodiments, the mounting flange 204, 304 may be an integral part the passive component or may be fixedly attached to the passive component. Thus, the device 100 may remain secured to the mounting flange 204, 304 or the passive component such that removal or movement of the fastener, or the device 100 from the corresponding passive component may cause the switch 106 to move to the de-actuated position and/or cause the device 100 to vibrate. In some embodiments, the fastener may be configured to pass through the mounting flange 204, 304, and secure the passive component to a structure (such as a wall or a floor/ceiling of the HVAC 1000). In some embodiments, the structure may include one or more mounting holes, to which the fasteners may be attached/mounted/secured. For instance, the fasteners may be a threaded fastener/screw. The mounting flange 204, 304 may be secured between a head/nut of the fastener and the structure.

Further, in some embodiments, the mounting fixture 114 may also be attached to the passive component by an adhesive (such as glue) such that an interior of the passive component may be accessed only upon removal of the device 100 from the passive component, which may cause the switch 106 to move to the de-actuated position and/or cause the device 100 to vibrate. Accordingly, the device 100 may generate and transmit the alert signal, indicative of removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component or the tamper state of the corresponding passive component, to the registered computing devices upon movement of the switch 106 to the de-actuated position and/or upon detecting vibrations in the device 100. In one or more embodiments, a controller (as described subsequently in the subject disclosure) may determine a tamper state of the passive component based on the alert signal. In some embodiments, the controller may determine the tamper state to be ‘tampered’ when the switch 106 moves to the de-actuated position or upon determining the vibrations to be greater than a vibration threshold, from a ‘non-tampered’ state when the switch is in the actuated position.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in one or more embodiments, the PCB 102A with the battery 112 may be coaxially disposed or secured within the first casing 102-1. Further, the second casing 102-2 may include a snap-fixture or clamping fixture 116 configured to be snap-fitted or clamped on the first casing 102-1 to form the device 100 and secure the elements of the device 100 within the housing 102. However, in other embodiments (not shown), the second casing 102-2 may include inner threads that may engage with outer threads provided on the first casing 102-1 upon engaging and rotating the second casing 102-2 with respect to the first casing 102-1 in a predefined (clock-wise or counter-clock-wise) direction. Further, an end, opposite to the outer thread end, of the first casing 102-1 may include the mounting fixture 114 that may be configured to be attached to a fastener being used to secure the passive component.

Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the device 100 of FIG. 2A may be secured to a hex bolt 202 being used to secure the passive component to a rigid structure (not shown). For instance, but not limited to the like, in one or more embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, when a compressor 500 (passive component) associated with HVAC system is to be protected against tampering or un-authorized access, the device 100 of FIG. 2A may be secured to any of the hex bolts (fastener) 202 being used to secure the mounting flange 204 of the compressor 500 to a structure 502 associated with the HVAC system. Further, in one or more embodiments (not shown), when a control interface (passive component) associated with HVAC system is to be protected against tampering or un-authorized access, the device 100 may be secured to any of the hex bolts 202 being used to secure a mounting flange 204 of the outer panel to a casing of the control interface.

Further, the mounting fixture 114 of the device 100 may be snap-fitted or clamped to a head 202-1 of the threaded hex bolt 202 (being secured to a threaded slot 204-1 formed in the mounting flange 204) using a nut 206 such that the switch 106 of the device 100 engages with the head 202-1 of the hex bolt and correspondingly move to the actuated position. In one or more embodiment, the shaft 202-2 of the hex bolt 202 may be inserted in the threaded hole 204-1 and may be secured to the mounting flange 204 using the nut 206. Further, the device 100 may be secured to the head 202-1 of the hex bolt 202 such that the switch 106 of the device 100 engages with the head 202-1 of the hex bolt. As a result, upon moving and/or removing the device 100 to/by unscrewing the bolt 202, the switch 106 may move to the actuated position or cause the device 100 to vibrate. Accordingly, the device 100 may generate the alert signal, indicating the removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component or tampering of the corresponding passive component. This may alert the registered users and allow them to take measures.

Referring to FIG. 3A, in one or more embodiments, the PCB 102A with the battery 112 may be coaxially disposed or secured within the first casing 102-1. The first casing 102-1 may include one or more slots 118 provided on an outer surface of the first casing 102-1. Further, the second casing 102-2 may include one or more protrusions 120 that may slidably engage and lock with slots 118 of the first casing 102-1 upon sliding the second casing 102-2 on the first casing 102-1. Further, an end, opposite to the slot end, of the first casing 102-1 may include the mounting fixture 114 that may be attached to a fastener being used to secure the passive component.

Referring to FIGS. 3B to 3D, the device 100 of FIG. 3A may be secured to a two-way bolt (fastener) 302 being used to secure a mounting flange 304 of the passive component to a rigid structure. In one or more embodiments, when the passive component is to be protected against tampering or un-authorized access, a first threaded shaft 302-1 of the two-way bolt 302 may be inserted through a threaded slot provided on the mounting flange 304 of passive component and the second threaded shaft 302-2 of the two-way bolt 302 may be secured to the rigid structure. Further, a nut 306 or the like may be screwed/fastened to the first threaded shaft 302-1 to secure the two-way bolt 302 to the mounting fixture 304 or compressor. In addition, additional washers 308 may be provided between the nut 306 and the mounting flange 304 while fastening the two-way bolt 302. For instance, but not limited to the like, in one or more embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, when the compressor 500 (passive component) associated with HVAC system is to be protected against tampering or un-authorized access, the device 100 of FIG. 3A may be secured to a two-way bolt 302 being used to secure the mounting flange 304 of the compressor 500 to the structure 502.

In one or more embodiments, the mounting fixture 204, 304 may include a lip 305 extending inwardly on a distal end of the mounting fixture 204, 304. In one or more embodiments, the lip 305 is secured between a head or a nut of the fastener (such as of the two-way bolt 302) and the mounting flange 204, 304, when the device 100 is removably attached to the passive component.

Further, the mounting fixture 114 of the device 100 may be snap-fitted or clamped to the nut 306 being fastened to the threaded hex bolt 302 such that the switch 106 of the device 100 engages with the nut 306 and/or the two-way bolt 302 and correspondingly move to the actuated position. As a result, upon removal or movement of the device 100 to unfasten the nut 306 and the two-way bolt 302 from the mounting flange 304, the switch 106 may move to the de-actuated position and/or cause the device 100 to vibrate. Accordingly, the device 100 may generate the alert signal, indicative of removal of the device 100 from the corresponding passive component or tampering of the corresponding passive component. This may alert the registered users and allow them to take measures.

While various embodiments described herein have been elaborated for the securing of the device 100 on fasteners such as a hex bolt, nut, or two-way bolt being secured to the mounting flange of the passive component for the sake of brevity, however, the device 100 may also be secured to the passive component using any other means without any limitation whatsoever, and all such implementations are well within the scope of the present application.

In one or more embodiments, the processing unit 104 may comprise the one or more processor(s) that may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, edge or fog microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that process data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the one or more processor(s) may be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory of the processing unit. The memory may be configured to store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, which may be fetched and executed to create or share data packets over a network service. The memory may comprise any non-transitory storage device including, for example, volatile memory such as Random Access Memory (RAM), or non-volatile memory such as Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, the memory may be configured to store the tamper state. In one or more embodiments, the memory may permanently store the tamper state therein, when the controller determines the tamper state to be ‘tampered’. The tamper state may be changed back to ‘non-tampered’ (such as when a technician determines the tamper detection to be a false positive) by transmitting a reset signal by the controller to the processing unit 104/memory. On receiving the reset signal, the tamper state may be reinstated to the ‘non-tampered’.

The processing unit 104 may include an interface(s). The interface(s) may comprise a variety of interfaces, for example, interfaces for data input and output devices, referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, and the like. The interface(s) may facilitate communication to/from the processing unit. The interface(s) may also provide a communication pathway for one or more components of the processing unit 104. Examples of such components include, but are not limited to, processing unit/engine(s) and a local database. Further, the processing unit/engine(s) may be implemented as a combination of hardware and programming (for example, programmable instructions) to implement one or more functionalities of the processing engine(s). In examples described herein, such combinations of hardware and programming may be implemented in several different ways. For example, the programming for the processing engine(s) may be processor-executable instructions stored on a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium and the hardware for the processing engine(s) may comprise a processing resource (for example, one or more processors), to execute such instructions. In the present examples, the machine-readable storage medium may store instructions that, when executed by the processing resource, implement the processing engine(s). In such examples, the processing unit 104 may comprise the machine-readable storage medium storing the instructions and the processing resource to execute the instructions, or the machine-readable storage medium may be separate but accessible to the system and the processing resource. In other examples, the processing engine(s) may be implemented by electronic circuitry.

In one or more embodiments, the local database may comprise data that may be either stored or generated as a result of functionalities implemented by any of the components of the processors or the processing engines. In an embodiment, the local database may be separate from the processing unit 104.

In one or more embodiments, the processing engine may include one or more engines selected from any of a monitoring engine, a generation engine, a transmission engine, an alerting engine, and other engines having functions that may include but are not limited to data monitoring, data processing, data storage, data exchange, and peripheral functions, such as wireless communication unit for remote operation, alerts, and the like.

In one or more embodiments, the monitoring engine may enable the processing unit 104 to monitor the position of the switch 106 and further actuate the vibration sensor 108 to monitor the vibrations or movement in the device 100. In addition, the monitoring engine may enable the processing unit 104 to monitor a state of charge (SoC) or charging level of the battery 112. Further, in one or more embodiments, the generation engine may enable the communication module 110 of the device 100/processing unit 104 to generate the switch status signal, the vibration status signal, and/or the battery status signal based on the data monitored by the monitoring engine. Furthermore, the generation engine may also enable the device 100 to store data pertaining to the monitored position of the switch 106, the monitored vibrations in the device 100, and the monitored charging level in the memory or the database associated with the device 100.

In one or more embodiments, the transmission engine may enable the processing unit 104 and the communication module 110 to transmit the generated switch 106 status signal, the vibration status signal, and/or the battery status signal at a transmission time interval or in real-time to the registered computing devices (402 shown in FIG. 4) in a coverage network of the device 100 and/or to a central server (406 shown in FIG. 4). Further, in one or more embodiments, the alerting engine may enable the processing unit 104 to generate and transmit the alert signal to the registered computing devices 402 upon detecting movement of the switch 106 from the actuated position to the de-actuated position and/or upon detecting vibrations in the device 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, exemplary network architecture of a system 400 involving multiple devices 100 of FIG. 1C for detecting tampering in a passive component is disclosed. The system 400 may include one or more tampering detection devices 100-1 to 100-N (collectively designated as device 100, hereinafter) of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 3A. These devices 100 may be removably secured to the passive components on a set of predefined positions. The system 400 may further include one or more registered computing devices 402-1 to 402-N (collectively designated as computing devices 402, hereinafter) associated with one or more registered users 404-1 to 404-N (collectively designated as users 404, hereinafter). Each of the devices 100 may be in communication with the registered computing devices 402 present in a network coverage area of the corresponding device 100.

In one or more embodiments, the tampering detection devices 100 may be configured to generate and transmit an alert signal to the registered computing devices 402 upon detecting movement of the switch 106 from the actuated position to the de-actuated position and/or upon detecting vibrations in the corresponding device 100. These registered computing devices 402 may be configured to detect/determine that the device 100 has been removed from the corresponding passive component or the corresponding passive component has been tampered based on the alert signal, and further alert the admin at the central server 406 in communication with the computing devices 402.

Furthermore, the design of the device 100, particularly the mounting fixture 114 configured for attachment to common fasteners or flanges as described herein, facilitates retrofitting of the device 100 onto existing passive components of HVAC systems 1000 already deployed in the field, minimizing installation complexity. Subsequent to physical installation, whether as part of a new system or a retrofit, a field provisioning process may be undertaken. The provisioning process may include activation of the device 100, establishing a secure communication link via the communication module 110, and registering the specific device 100 with the designated registered computing devices 402 and/or the central server 406. Such provisioning ensures the device 100 is uniquely associated with the monitored component and authorized users 404 within the system 400, often facilitated through a dedicated application accessible by authorized personnel on a user device.

In one or more embodiments, non-receipt of the switch status signal, the vibration status signal, and/or the alert signal from the tampering detection devices 100 by the computing devices 402 and/or the server 406 for a non-transmission time interval may be indicative of a tampering event in the corresponding passive component and the respective tampering detection devices 100. For example, if the non-transmission time interval is 30 days, and no signal is received from the tampering detection device 100 for 30 days, the computing devices 402 and/or the server 406 may assume that the device 100 has been removed or the passive component has been tampered with. For instance, the tampering detection device 100 may be damaged during the process of tampering such that the tampering detection device 100 is no longer able to transmit signals to the computing devices 402 and/or the server 406.

In one or more embodiments, the alert signal generated by the tampering devices 100 may be analyzed by the computing devices 402 and/or the server 406 to generate a warning message indicative of deterioration in performance and efficiency of the corresponding passive components. However, in some embodiments, the tampering devices 100 may also analyze the switch status signal and/or the vibration status signal to generate a warning message indicative of deterioration in performance and efficiency of the corresponding passive components.

In addition, the tampering detection devices 100 may be configured to generate and transmit the switch status signal, the vibration status signal, and/or the battery status signal to the registered computing devices 402 at a transmission time interval or in real-time. This may allow the registered users 404 associated with the registered computing devices 402 to monitor tampering status of the passive components as well as the charging level status of the device, and accordingly take one or more measures.

In one or more embodiments, the predefined positions for the installation of the tampering detection devices 100 on the passive component or equipment may be selected such that movement of the device(s) 100 upon removal from the corresponding passive component may cause the switch 106 to move to the de-actuated position and/or cause the device 100 to vibrate.

In a non-limiting example, a top end of the first housing 102-1 and an overall second hosing 102-2 of the device 100 may have an outer diameter of 1.22 inches. Further, a bottom end of the first housing 102-1 may have an outer diameter of 1 inch and an inner diameter of 0.72 inch. Furthermore, the overall height of the device 100 may be 0.82 inches. It is to be appreciated that the dimensions mentioned above are only exemplary, and these can be changed to other dimensions without any limitation whatsoever, and all such implementations are well within the scope of the subject disclosure.

The subject disclosure has been explained considering that the system 400 may be implemented as a web-application on a server 406, it may be understood that system 400 may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a server, a network server, a cloud-based environment, and the like. It would be appreciated that the system 400 may be accessed by multiple registered users, through user mobile devices (collectively referred to as user devices, hereinafter), or applications residing on the user devices that may remain in communication with the registered computing devices or the server.

The system 400 may be operatively coupled to a website or an application and so be operable from any internet-enabled user device. Examples of user devices 404 may include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a workstation. The user devices and the computing devices 402 are communicatively coupled or in communication with server through a network 408.

In one or more implementations, the network 408 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. Network 408 may be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. Further, the network 408 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further, network 408 may include a variety of network devices, including transceivers, routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like. The network 408 may be a cellular network or mobile communication network based on various technologies, including but not limited to, Global System for Mobile (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), WiMAX, 5G or 6G network protocols, and the like. In one or more embodiments, the communication of the signals between the communication module/processing unit 104 and the registered computing devices may be achieved through an encryption authorization protocol, such as including, but not limited to, Transport Layer Security (TLS), Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), Symmetric-Key Encryption, custom cryptographic protocols, Secure Boot/Trusted Platform Modules (TPMs), Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), and the like, but not limited thereto. This secure transmission allows for security between the device 100/communication module and the registered computing devices, by preventing unauthorized access by nature of the secure transmission therebetween.

In one or more embodiments, a method of use of a device for tamper detection. The method includes providing a device having a processing unit and a sensing element disposed in a housing, the housing being attached to a mounting fixture (such as device 100 and components thereof as shown in FIGS. 1A to 3D).

The method includes attaching, via the mounting fixture, the device to a passive component of a HVAC-R system through a fastener and/or a mounting flange of the passive component.

The method also includes monitoring a position of the sensing element, with respect to the fastener and/or the mounting flange.

The method then includes transmitting a status signal to one or more computing devices based on the monitored position of the sensing element.

In one or more embodiments, the step of attaching the device to the passive component comprising snap-fitting or clamping the mounting fixture to the mounting flange and/or the fastener.

In some embodiments, the devices 100 may be configured to communicate with each other. The devices 100 may be configured to periodically transmit signals to other neighboring devices (which are other devices 100 in proximity or signal range of the device 100). If a device 100 is removed/tampered with (and regardless of whether the removed/tampered transmits the alert signal, or if the device 100 is removed without triggering/de-actuating the switch 106), the neighboring devices may, on the absence of receiving the periodical signals from the removed/tampered device 100, determine that the device 100 has been tampered, and accordingly generate alert signals to indicate the same. The alert signals may be transmitted to at least one of, the controller/control interface, the central server, and/or the registered computing devices.

In one or more embodiments, the controller/control interface may be configured to communicate with each of the devices 100. In one or more embodiments, the devices 100 may be configured to transmit a status signal to the controller. The devices 100 may be configured to transmit the status signal periodically at (predetermined) time intervals. The controller may receive the status signal. In one or more embodiments, in case of one of the devices is unresponsive (i.e., absence of the status signal for the time interval or a threshold number of time intervals), the controller may be configured to determine the device 100 (and by implication the corresponding passive component) to be tampered (and accordingly set the tamper state from ‘non-tampered’ to ‘tampered’). In such embodiments, the controller may be configured to determine the tamper state of the passive components, in cases where the device 100 and/or the passive component is tampered without triggering the device 100 to transmit the alert signal.

In some embodiments, the controller and/or the devices 100 may be configured to transmit encrypted signals to each other. In some embodiments, the alert signal and/or the electronic control signals may be encrypted based on an identifier of the controller. For example, a media access control (MAC) address of the controller may be used to encrypt the signal transmitted between the devices 100 and the controller. The identifier may be stored in the memory of the processing unit 104. The identifier may be used as key for cryptographic encryption algorithms or protocols to encrypt the signals. In some embodiments, if a registered computing device or the central server receives the alert signal, the registered computing device and/or the central server may be configured to determine the identifier that allows the message to be decrypted. The determined identifier may allow the registered computing device and/or the central server to identify the HVAC system 1000 (or the corresponding controller) having one of the passive components that has been tampered. Additionally, the encryption of the signals may prevent unauthorized entities from intercepting and/or generate fake or malicious signals.

In one or more embodiments, the devices 100 may include a corresponding unique identifier. In some embodiments, the unique identifier may be stored in one or more bits of the memory in the processing unit 104. In one or more embodiments, the alert signals may include unique identifier. The unique identifier may allow the controller to identify the device 100 (or the corresponding the passive component) that has been tampered. In one or more embodiments, the unique identifier may be displayed on the control interface/controller, to allow technicians to identify the passive components that has been tampered.

In one or more embodiments, the controller may be configured to transmit an electronic control signal having the unique identifier to the registered computing device and/or the central server, thereby allowing operates of the registered computing device and/or the central server (such as technicians) to identify the passive component and/or the corresponding device 100 to inspect/examine. In some embodiments, the electronic control signal may also include the identifier of the controller, which allows the technician to also identifier the HVAC system 1000 in which the tampered passive component is installed. In such embodiments, the registered computing device and/or the central server may include a database or a look-up table (or any other data structure) mapping the identifier of the controller and/or the unique identifier of the devices 100 with a corresponding location and/or the passive component. The mapping may allow the technician to conveniently identify the location the passive component that has been tampered.

In one or more embodiments, on receiving the alert signal, at least one of, the controller/control interface, the central server, and/or the registered computing devices may be configured to transmit a control request signal to a building management system (BMS) (not shown). In some embodiments, the BMS may be configured to control one or more of the HVAC system 1000 installed in a building. In some embodiments, the BMS may be configured to shut down, start-up, and/or control/change operational stage of the HVAC systems 1000. The operational stage may correspond to different configurations in which the HVAC system 1000 can operate, such as power efficiency modes, maximal performance modes (such as for maximizing cooling/heating output), and the like. In some embodiments, the BMS may be configured to perform diagnostic tests, such as based on power efficiency, performance parameters, and the like, but not limited thereto, on receiving the control request signals. In some embodiments, the BMS may be configured to transmit operational control signals to the controller/control interface of to control the operational stage of each of the HVAC system 1000. In some embodiments, the controller/control interface may be configured to transmit the electronic control signals to the HVAC system 1000 based on the operational control signals.

In one or more embodiments, the controller/control interface may be installed at the HVAC system 1000 (such as on a control panel thereof). In other embodiments, the controller/control interface may be implemented within the registered computing devices and/or the central server. In one or more embodiments, the controller/control interface may include a user interface to display the tamper state (such as an icon or a graphical element). The tamper state may indicate whether the passive component is ‘tampered’ or ‘non-tampered’. The graphical element may be changed on the user interface based on the determination of the tamper state.

Aspects of the present disclosure is a method for tampering detection in at least one passive component of a HVAC-R system, the method includes attaching one or more devices to a corresponding fastener of the at least one passive component, where 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. The method further includes determining, by a controller, the 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 includes 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 includes 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 includes 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 includes 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 includes 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 includes transmitting, by the controller, a control request signal to a 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 includes a unique identifier, and where the method further includes 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.

Aspects of the subject disclosure also relate to a method of tamper detection of at least one passive component of a HVAC-R system. The method includes 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.

Thus, the subject disclosure overcomes the challenges associated with unauthorized access to passive components or equipment associated with HVAC systems, by providing a power-efficient, effective, and reliable the tamper state detection device and system that may detect unauthorized access or the tamper state to the passive components. This may help build proprietary systems and maintain service and maintenance quality in HVAC systems.

While the subject disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the subject disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the subject disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the subject disclosure includes all embodiments falling within the scope of the subject disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

In interpreting the specification, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.