Remote battery replacement notification system and method

• US 20040235534A1
• Filed: 05/12/2004
• Published: 11/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sbc Holdings Properties, LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AmeriTech Properties Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goering, Scott Christopher, Owens, Michael Kevin
• Granted Patent: US 7,457,647 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/572
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/08 with current supply sources at the substations generating ringing current H04M19/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0296 switching to a backup power supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A remote battery replacement notification system (10) for a communication system includes a subscriber unit (12) having a battery (14). An operational support system (16) is in communication with the subscriber unit (12). The operational support system (16) periodically polls the subscriber unit (12). A compact service node (18) is in communication with the subscriber unit (12). The compact service node (18) sends a replace battery notification to the subscriber unit (12) when a replace battery message is received from the operational support system (16).

Claims

1-24. -24. (cancelled)

25. A remote battery replacement notification system for a communication system, comprising:

a subscriber unit having a battery;

an operational support system in communication with the subscriber unit, the operational support system periodically polling the subscriber unit;

a compact service node in communication with the subscriber unit and sending a replace battery notification to the subscriber unit when a replace battery message is received from the operational support system.

26. The system of claim 25, further including a battery replacement service center in communication with the operation support system.

27. A remote battery replacement notification method, comprising the steps of:

(a) polling a subscriber unit for a battery state by a communication system;

(b) receiving a response including the battery state; and

(c) when the battery state indicates that a battery requires replacing, transmitting a battery replacement notification to the subscriber unit.

28. The method of claim 27, further including the steps of:

(d) receiving a reply from a subscriber;

(e) when the reply is to purchase a new battery at a designated store, generating a battery discount for inclusion in a subscriber bill.

29. The method of claim 28, further including the step of:

(f) notifying the subscriber of the address of the designated store.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein step (c) includes the step of:

(c1) sending a replace battery message to a compact service node;

(c2) determining when a subscriber has finished dialing a called number;

(c3) when the subscriber has finished dialing the called number, providing the subscriber with a plurality of battery replacement options.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein step (c) includes the step of:

(c1) determining a subscriber email address;

(c1) sending a replace battery message to the subscriber email address.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein step (c1) further includes the step of:

i) inserting a plurality of hypertext links corresponding to a plurality of battery replacement options.

33. A remote battery replacement notification system for a communication system, comprising:

a subscriber unit having a transceiver, a battery connected to the transceiver and a line power input connected to the battery;

a wireless network access node having a wireless connection with the transceiver of the subscriber unit;

an operation support system coupled to the wireless network access node, the operational support system periodically polling the subscriber unit through the wireless network access node;

a compact service node the compact service node receiving from the operational support system a replace battery message and sending a replace battery notification to the subscriber unit; and

a battery replacement service center connected to the operational support system.

34. A remote batter replacement notification method, comprising the steps of:

a) polling a subscriber unit for a battery state from a remote location; and

b) receiving a response including the battery state.