System and method for providing to multiple user computers concurrent telephonic access to muliple remote devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. For communication between a plurality of user computers and a plurality of devices, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, a connection system comprising:
- a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system;
a user directory containing user information including for each computer user listed in the user directory, which of the devices are permitted to be communicatively linked to one of the user computers being used by the computer user;
a device directory containing for each of the devices, identification of which of the computer users are authorized to access the device and containing device access information for the user computers being used by the authorized computer users to communicatively link to the device through the telephone system; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between particular user computers, being used by particular computer users authorized to access particular devices, and the particular devices.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for acquiring and managing data from multiple remote devices. A server is programmed to automatically dial and connect to remote devices that are connected to standard phone lines. The invention allows multiple remote user computers to concurrently control and access data supplied by the remote devices over combined computer network and telephone systems.
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Citations
71 Claims
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1. For communication between a plurality of user computers and a plurality of devices, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, a connection system comprising:
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a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system;
a user directory containing user information including for each computer user listed in the user directory, which of the devices are permitted to be communicatively linked to one of the user computers being used by the computer user;
a device directory containing for each of the devices, identification of which of the computer users are authorized to access the device and containing device access information for the user computers being used by the authorized computer users to communicatively link to the device through the telephone system; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between particular user computers, being used by particular computer users authorized to access particular devices, and the particular devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. For communication between a plurality of user computers and a device, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the device being communicatively linked to a telephone system, a connection system comprising:
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a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the device through the telephone system;
a directory containing identification of which of the users are authorized to access the device and containing device access information for the user computers being used by the authorized users to communicatively link to the device through the telephone system; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between particular of the user computers, being used by particular computer users authorized to access the device, and the device.
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15. For communication between a user computer and a plurality of devices, the user computer being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, a connection system comprising:
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a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computer through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system;
a directory containing user information for each computer user listed in the user directory, which of the devices are permitted to be communicatively linked to the user computer being used by the computer user; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between the user computer, being used by particular computer users authorized to access particular devices, and the particular devices.
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16. A communication system comprising:
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a computer network;
a telephone system;
a plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to the computer network;
a plurality of devices being communicatively linked to the telephone system; and
a connection system comprising;
a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system;
records containing information on which computer users are authorized to access which devices;
records containing device access information for the user computers being used by the authorized users to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between particular user computers, being used by particular computer users authorized to access particular devices, and the particular devices. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A communication system comprising:
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a computer network;
a telephone system;
a plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to the computer network;
a device being communicatively linked to the telephone system; and
a connection system comprising;
a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the device through the telephone system;
records containing information on what computer users are authorized to access the device;
records containing device access information for the user computers being used by the authorized users to communicatively link to the device through the telephone system; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between particular user computers, being used by particular computer users authorized to access the device.
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24. A communication system comprising:
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a computer network;
a telephone system;
a user computer being communicatively linked to the computer network;
a plurality of devices being communicatively linked to the telephone system; and
a connection system comprising;
a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computer through the computer network;
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system;
records containing device access information for the user computer to communicatively link to the devices through the telephone system; and
a connection manager configured to establish user-device connections via the computer network access and the telephone system access to provide concurrent communication links between the user computer and the devices.
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25. For a camera having a radio frequency access, a communication system comprising:
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a telephone system communicatively linked with the camera by a radio frequency link with the radio frequency access of the camera;
a computer network;
a plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to the computer network; and
a connection system comprising;
a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network; and
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the camera through the telephone system. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. For a building equipment controller, communication system comprising:
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a telephone system configured to communicatively link to the building equipment controller;
a computer network;
a plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to the computer network; and
a connection system comprising;
a computer network access configured to communicatively link to the user computers through the computer network; and
a telephone system access configured to communicatively link to the building equipment controller through the telephone system;
- View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. For communication between a plurality of user computers and a plurality of devices, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, a system comprising:
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means for receiving a user identification of a first computer user who is using a first user computer communicatively linked to the computer network;
means for verifying, from the provided user identification for the first computer user, that the first computer user is authorized;
means for establishing a first user-host communication link between the first user computer and the host computer via the computer network if the first user is verified as being authorized;
means for determining a first set of the devices and being a plurality, if not all, of those devices that the first computer user is authorized to access;
means for establishing first host-device communication links via the telephone system with the first set of the devices, with the first host-device communication links being concurrent with the first user-host communication link to provide access for the first user computer to the first set of devices via the first user-host communication link;
means for receiving a user identification of a second computer user who is using a second user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
means for verifying, from the provided user identification for the second computer user, that the second computer user is authorized;
means for establishing a second user-host communication link between the second user computer and the host computer via the computer network, if the second user is verified as being authorized;
means for determining a second set of the devices and being a plurality, if not all, of those devices that the second computer user is authorized to access; and
means for establishing second host-device communication links via the telephone system with the second set of the devices, with the second host-device communication links being concurrent with the second user-host communication link to provide access for the second user computer to the second set of devices via the second user-host communication link.
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38. A system that of communication between a plurality of user computers and a device, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the device being communicatively linked to a telephone system, the system comprising:
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means for receiving a user identification of a first computer user who is using a first user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
means for the verifying, from the provided user identification for the first computer user, that the first computer user is authorized;
means for establishing a first user-host communication link between the first user computer and the host computer via the computer network, if the first computer user is verified as being authorized;
means for establishing a host-device communication link via the telephone system with the device, the host-device communication link to provide access for the first user computer to the first set of devices via the first user-host communication link;
means for receiving a user identification of a second computer user who is using a second user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
means for verifying, from the provided user identification for the second computer user, that the second computer user is authorized;
means for establishing a second user-host communication link between the second user computer and the host computer via the computer network, if the second computer user is verified as being authorized;
means for sending a first communication between the first user computer and the device via the first user-host communication link and the host-device communication link; and
means for sending a second communication between the second user computer and the device via the second user-host communication link and the host-device communication link.
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39. A system of communication between a user computer and a plurality of devices, the user computer being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, the system comprising:
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means for receiving a user identification of the computer user who is using a user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
means for verifying, from the provided user identification for the computer user, that the computer user is authorized;
means for establishing a user-host communication link with the user computer via the computer network, if the computer user is verified as being authorized;
means for determining a first device and a second device that the computer user is authorized to access;
means for establishing a first host-device communication link with the first device and a second host-device communication link with the second device, the first and second communication links being concurrent with one another;
means for sending a first communication between the user computer and the first device via the user-host communication link and the first host-device communication link; and
means for sending a second communication between the user computer and the second device via the user-host communication link and the second host-device communication link.
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40. A system comprising:
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means for establishing a first user-host communication link with a first user computer used by a first computer user via a computer network;
means for establishing a second user-host communication link with a second user computer used by a second computer user via the computer network;
means for establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device to provide concurrent first access to the first device for the first and second user computers; and
means for establishing a user communication link between the first and second computer users.
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41. A system comprising:
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means for establishing a first user-host communication link with a first user computer used by a first computer user via a computer network;
means for establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device to provide first access to the first device for the first user computer; and
means for establishing a second host-device communication link via the telephone system with a second device to provide second access to the second device for a second user computer, the second access being concurrent with the first access.
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42. For communication between a plurality of user computers and a plurality of devices, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, a method comprising:
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receiving a user identification of a first computer user who is using a first user computer communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the first computer user, that the first computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a first user-host communication link between the first user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
determining a first set of the devices and being a plurality, if not all, of those devices that the first computer user is authorized to access;
establishing first host-device communication links via the telephone system with the first set of the devices, with the first host-device communication links being concurrent with the first user-host communication link and providing access for the first user computer to the first set of devices via the first user-host communication link;
receiving a user identification of a second computer user who is using a second user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the second computer user, that the second computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a second user-host communication link between the second user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
determining a second set of the devices and being a plurality, if not all, of those devices that the second computer user is authorized to access; and
establishing second host-device communication links via the telephone system with the second set of the devices, with the second host-device communication links being concurrent with the second user-host communication link and providing access for the second user computer to the second set of devices via the second user-host communication link. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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49. A method of communication between a plurality of user computers and a device, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the device being communicatively linked to a telephone system, the method comprising:
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receiving a user identification of a first computer user who is using a first user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the first computer user, that the first computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a first user-host communication link between the first user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
establishing a host-device communication link via the telephone system with the device, the host-device communication link providing access for the first user computer to the first set of devices via the first user-host communication link;
receiving a user identification of a second computer user who is using a second user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the second computer user, that the second computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a second user-host communication link between the second user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
sending a first communication between the first user computer and the device via the first user-host communication link and the host-device communication link; and
sending a second communication between the second user computer and the device via the second user-host communication link and the host-device communication link. - View Dependent Claims (50)
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51. A method of communication between a user computer and a plurality of devices, the user computer being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, the method comprising:
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receiving a user identification of the computer user who is using a user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the computer user, that the computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a user-host communication link with the user computer via the computer network;
determining a first device and a second device that the computer user is authorized to access;
establishing a first host-device communication link with the first device and a second host-device communication link with the second device, the first and second communication links being concurrent with one another;
sending a first communication between the user computer and the first device via the user-host communication link and the first host-device communication link; and
sending a second communication between the user computer and the second device via the user-host communication link and the second host-device communication link.
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52. A method comprising:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a first user computer used by a first computer user via a computer network;
establishing a second user-host communication link with a second user computer used by a second computer user via the computer network; and
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device to provide concurrent first access to the first device for the first and second user computers. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58)
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59. A method comprising:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a user computer used by a first computer user via a computer network;
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device to provide first access to the first device for the first user computer; and
establishing a second host-device communication link via the telephone system with a second device to provide second access to the second device for the user computer concurrent, the second access being concurrent with the first access. - View Dependent Claims (60, 61)
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62. A method of fire-fighting associated with a building having a fire therein, the method comprising:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a first user computer used by a fire-fighter via a computer network;
establishing a second user-host communication link with a second user computer used by a building expert possessing certain knowledge of the building desired by the fire-fighter via the computer network; and
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device in the building to provide concurrent first access to the first device in the building for the fire-fighter and the building expert. - View Dependent Claims (63, 64)
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65. A method of fire-fighting associated with a building having a fire therein, the method comprising:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a user computer used by a fire-fighter via a computer network;
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device in the building to provide first access to the first device for the user computer; and
establishing a second host-device communication link via the telephone system with a second device in the building to provide second access to the second device for the user computer concurrent with the first access.
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66. A method of obtaining information regarding a construction site, the method comprising:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a user computer used by one desiring the construction site information via a computer network;
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device at the construction site to provide first access to the first device for the user computer; and
establishing a second host-device communication link via the telephone system with a second device to provide second access to the second device for the user computer concurrent with the first access.
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67. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a host computer to support communication between a plurality of user computers and a plurality of devices, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, by:
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receiving a user identification of a first computer user who is using a first user computer communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the first computer user, that the first computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a first user-host communication link between the first user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
determining a first set of the devices and being a plurality, if not all, of those devices that the first computer user is authorized to access;
establishing first host-device communication links via the telephone system with the first set of the devices, with the first host-device communication links being concurrent with the first user-host communication link and providing access for the first user computer to the first set of devices via the first user-host communication link;
receiving a user identification of a second computer user who is using a second user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the second computer user, that the second computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a second user-host communication link between the second user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
determining a second set of the devices and being a plurality, if not all, of those devices that the second computer user is authorized to access; and
establishing second host-device communication links via the telephone system with the second set of the devices, with the second host-device communication links being concurrent with the second user-host communication link and providing access for the second user computer to the second set of devices via the second user-host communication link.
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68. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a host computer to support communication between a plurality of user computers and a device, the plurality of user computers being communicatively linked to a computer network, the device being communicatively linked to a telephone system, by:
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receiving a user identification of a first computer user who is using a first user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the first computer user, that the first computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a first user-host communication link between the first user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
establishing a host-device communication link via the telephone system with the device, the host-device communication link providing access for the first user computer to the first set of devices via the first user-host communication link;
receiving a user identification of a second computer user who is using a second user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the second computer user, that the second computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a second user-host communication link between the second user computer and the host computer via the computer network;
sending a first communication between the first user computer and the device via the first user-host communication link and the host-device communication link; and
sending a second communication between the second user computer and the device via the second user-host communication link and the host-device communication link.
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69. A computer-readable medium whose contents cause a host computer to support communication between a user computer and a plurality of devices, the user computer being communicatively linked to a computer network, the plurality of devices being communicatively linked to a telephone system, by:
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receiving a user identification of the computer user who is using a user computer that is communicatively linked to the computer network;
verifying, from the provided user identification for the computer user, that the computer user is authorized and if so, establishing a user-host communication link with the user computer via the computer network;
determining a first device and a second device that the computer user is authorized to access;
establishing a first host-device communication link with the first device and a second host-device communication link with the second device, the first and second communication links being concurrent with one another;
sending a first communication between the user computer and the first device via the user-host communication link and the first host-device communication link; and
sending a second communication between the user computer and the second device via the user-host communication link and the second host-device communication link.
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70. A computer readable-medium whose contents cause a host computer to support communication by:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a first user computer used by a first computer user via a computer network;
establishing a second user-host communication link with a second user computer used by a second computer user via the computer network; and
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device to provide concurrent first access to the first device for the first and second user computers.
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71. A computer readable-medium whose contents cause a host computer to support communication by:
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establishing a first user-host communication link with a first user computer used by a first computer user via a computer network;
establishing a first host-device communication link via a telephone system with a first device to provide first access to the first device for the first user computer; and
establishing a second host-device communication link via the telephone system with a second device to provide second access to the second device for second user computer concurrent, the second access being concurrent with the first access.
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Specification