Remote condition reporting system

• US 4,086,434 A
• Filed: 09/07/1976
• Issued: 04/25/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Republic Acceptance Corp (US Bancorp)
• Original Assignee: Leo P. Christiansen
• Inventors: Bocchi, Quinto M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Claffy, Kathleen H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Popek, Joseph A.
• Application Number:
  US05/721,319
• Time in Patent Office: 595 Days
• Field of Search: 179/2 R, 179/2 A, 179/2 AM, 179/5 R, 340/150, 340/151, 340/152 T, 340/163, 340/164 R, 340/164 B
• US Class Current: 379/91.01
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 3/00 Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/002 with telemetering systems telemetering in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/06 Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors

Abstract

A remote condition reporting system for use in a home, for example, includes a microprocessor with memory and a firmware program, telephone dialing equipment, a clock and a plurality of inputs to receive utility meter readings and/or the outputs of alarm condition sensors. The system initiates calls to utility company central offices at predetermined intervals to report utility usage, including time of day power usage metering and the system also can automatically and immediately initiate a call to the appropriate authorities i.e., fire department, police department, etc., in response to an alarm condition. Data keyboard terminal means also permits electronic fund transfer communication between the home unit and a bank.

Claims

1. A remote condition reporting unit, comprising a microprocessor including memory operatively associated therewith, mean connected to said microprocessor for receiving signals indicative of a condition to be reported, means connected to said microprocessor for generating signals for initiating a telephone connection and for transmitting data thereover, and calendar clock means connected to said microprocessor for supplying time signals indicative of date and time of day thereto, said microprocessor including circuit means operable at a predetermined time for initiating a call to a central reporting station and for transmitting data thereto corresponding to said signals indicative of said condition to be reported.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for receiving signals includes means for receiving a plurality of signals indicative of metered utility usage, and wherein said microprocessor includes circuit means for initiating calls to central reporting stations for each utility at a predetermined time for each of said utilities.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for receiving signals is adapted for receiving signals indicative of metered electrical power usage, and wherein said microprocessor includes circuit means for recording and totaling on-peak and off-peak electrical power usage, and for transmitting said totaled on-peak and off-peak electrical usage data to a central reporting station at a predetermined time.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means for receiving alarm signals indicative of an emergency condition to be reported, and wherein said microprocessor includes circuit means operable when an alarm signal is received for initiating a call to an emergency reporting station.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating signals comprises a tone generator.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for generating signals comprises a pulse train generator.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including keyboard means connected to said microprocessor for data entry thereto, and wherein said microprocessor includes circuit means for initiating a call to a financial institution for establishing communication between said keyboard and said institution.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 further including means connected for receiving an acknowledgement signal from said central reporting station, and wherein said microprocessor is connectable to said receiving means and includes circuit means for testing receipt by said receiving means of an acknowledgement signal prior to transmitting said data.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for receiving signals comprises a plurality of input means including means for receiving contact closure signals indicative of metered utility usage, means for receiving contact closure signals indicative of the existance of emergency conditions, and means for receiving coded signals indicative of accumulated metered utility usage, and wherein said microprocessor includes circuit means for scanning said plurality of input means.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said microprocessor includes circuit means for transmitting signals indicative of the location of said remote reporting unit.

11. A system for reporting metered utility usage from a plurality of remote usage locations via standard telephone network having a telephone line at each of said remote locations, comprising:

a plurality of remote reporting units, each comprising a microprocessor including memory operatively associated therewith, means connected to said microprocessor for receiving signals from a utility metering device indicative of utility usage to be reported, means connected to said microprocessor and to the telephone line serving the remote location for generating signals for initiating a telephone connection and for transmitting data thereover, means connected to said microprocessor and to the telephone line for receiving acknowledgement signals, and calendar clock means connected to said microprocessor for supplying time signals indicative of date and time of day thereto, said microprocessor including circuit means operable at a predetermined time for initiating a call to a central reporting station and for transmitting thereto signals indicative of the location of said remote reporting unit, and data corresponding to said signals indicative of utility usage; and

a central reporting station including means for connection to a telephone line at a central station for receiving telephone calls, means for transmitting acknowledgement signals to remote units calling said central station, means for receiving data from said remote units transmitted over the telephone connection, and means for recording said received data.