Computerized measurement response system
First Claim
1. An alarm system for installation at a utility customer'"'"'s location for informing a utility central office when the consumption of fuel in a tank has been depleted to a predetermined alarm level, comprising:
- means for calculating a pump run time number representative of the number of cycles of electricity consumed in operating an electric pump for displacing the fuel in said tank to a predetermined alarm level;
memory means for storing said pump run time number;
detecting means connected to the electrical supply to said pump for detecting the number of cycles of electricity consumed by said pump during pump operation;
counter means connected to said detector means for counting the number of detected electrical cycles until the counted number is equivalent to the pump run time number stored in said memory means to thereby provide an alarm signal; and
telephone dialer means connected to the telephone service and responsive to said alarm signal from said counter means, said telephone dialer means including means responsive to said alarm signal for automatically calling from the customer telephone service to a central computer modem in said central office for informing said computer modem of said alarm condition whereby a delivery of fuel is requested to fill said tank;
whereby the central computer modem is automatically informed over the customer telephone lines of the alarm condition at its customer storage tank indicating that a delivery of fuel is necessary.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An alarm system used in a home or office for determining when the consumption of oil or other utility in a tank has been depleted to a predetermined alarm level, and automatically telephoning a computer located at the utility company'"'"'s office to report the alarm and request delivery of fuel. A pump run count is calculated corresponding to the number of cycles of electricity required to pump a given amount of fuel down to a predetermined alarm level in the tank. As fuel is displaced by the pump, a counter is advanced until it reaches the pump run count whereafter an alarm is activated to cause the alarm system to automatically seize the customer telephone service and dial the computer at the utility office for requesting delivery of fuel oil. The system eliminates the human intervention for reading meters and calling the fuel oil company over the telephone to place an order for delivery.
29 Citations
10 Claims
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1. An alarm system for installation at a utility customer'"'"'s location for informing a utility central office when the consumption of fuel in a tank has been depleted to a predetermined alarm level, comprising:
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means for calculating a pump run time number representative of the number of cycles of electricity consumed in operating an electric pump for displacing the fuel in said tank to a predetermined alarm level; memory means for storing said pump run time number; detecting means connected to the electrical supply to said pump for detecting the number of cycles of electricity consumed by said pump during pump operation; counter means connected to said detector means for counting the number of detected electrical cycles until the counted number is equivalent to the pump run time number stored in said memory means to thereby provide an alarm signal; and telephone dialer means connected to the telephone service and responsive to said alarm signal from said counter means, said telephone dialer means including means responsive to said alarm signal for automatically calling from the customer telephone service to a central computer modem in said central office for informing said computer modem of said alarm condition whereby a delivery of fuel is requested to fill said tank; whereby the central computer modem is automatically informed over the customer telephone lines of the alarm condition at its customer storage tank indicating that a delivery of fuel is necessary. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. Method of automatically informing a utility company when the consumption of fuel in a tank at a customer location has been depleted to a predetermined alarm level, comprising:
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calculating a pump run time number representative of the number of cycles of electricity consumed in operating an electric pump for displacing the fuel in said tank to a predetermined alarm level; detecting the cycles of electricity consumed by said pump during operation; counting the number of detected electrical cycles until the counted number is equivalent to said pump run time number stored in said memory means to thereby provide an alarm signal; and connecting an automatic telephone dialer to the customer telephone service for automatically calling from the customer telephone service to the utility company; and automatically operating said telephone dialer in response to said alarm signal to place a telephone call informing said utility company of said alarm condition whereby a delivery of fuel is requested to fill said tank; whereby the utility company is automatically informed over the customer telephone lines of the alarm condition at its customer tank and the requirement that fuel be delivered.
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Specification