Test set
First Claim
1. In an automatic utility meter reading system having component parts which monitor utility usage information, send interrogation signals over the telephone lines, send the monitored utility usage information over telephone lines responsive to the receiving of interrogation signals over the telephone lines, and receive the utility usage information from the telephone lines, a test apparatus for testing component parts of the automatic utility meter reading system comprising:
- a first means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which monitor the utility usage information;
a second means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which send the interrogation signals over the telephone lines;
a third means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which send the monitored utility usage information over the telephone lines responsive to receiving the interrogation signal; and
,a fourth means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which receive the utility usage information;
the first, second, and fourth means being interconnectable to test the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which send the utility usage information over the telephone lines responsive to receiving the interrogation signals;
the second, third, and fourth means being interconnectable to test the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which monitor utility usage information; and
,the second, and fourth means being interconnectable to test the combination of components of the automatic utility meter reading system which monitor the utility usage information and send the utility usage information over the telephone lines responsive to receiving the interrogation signals.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A test set designed for testing meter reading units as well as telephone line connections for automatic utility meter reading systems. The test set is capable of simulating the meter reading apparatus when testing the telephone line and of simulating the telephone line when testing the meter reading components. The test set further simulates the receiving apparatus in the central office to test the combination of the meter reading apparatus and the telephone line. The test set is self powered by batteries or may be powered from conventional AC outlets. The test set is operative both in the telephone plant and in the field.
120 Citations
26 Claims
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1. In an automatic utility meter reading system having component parts which monitor utility usage information, send interrogation signals over the telephone lines, send the monitored utility usage information over telephone lines responsive to the receiving of interrogation signals over the telephone lines, and receive the utility usage information from the telephone lines, a test apparatus for testing component parts of the automatic utility meter reading system comprising:
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a first means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which monitor the utility usage information; a second means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which send the interrogation signals over the telephone lines; a third means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which send the monitored utility usage information over the telephone lines responsive to receiving the interrogation signal; and
,a fourth means for simulating the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which receive the utility usage information; the first, second, and fourth means being interconnectable to test the operation of the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which send the utility usage information over the telephone lines responsive to receiving the interrogation signals; the second, third, and fourth means being interconnectable to test the components of the automatic utility meter reading system which monitor utility usage information; and
,the second, and fourth means being interconnectable to test the combination of components of the automatic utility meter reading system which monitor the utility usage information and send the utility usage information over the telephone lines responsive to receiving the interrogation signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. In a automatic utility meter reading system which sends utility information over telephone lines and having a plurality of meter interface devices, each having a phone input/output line connected to a telephone line and a monitor input/output line connected to a monitor input/output line of a utility usage monitor for transmitting a usage figure to the interface device upon command therefrom, the interface devices sending alternating current representations of the usage figures transmitted from the utility usage monitors upon command from the interface devices over a plurality of discrete telephone lines in response to receiving interrogation signals, a means for sending at least one distinct alternating current interrogation signal over each of the plurality of discrete telephone lines, a means for receiving the usage representations and converting the alternating current representations into a plurality of digital representations, a test apparatus for testing the function of a suspected meter interface device, utility usage monitor, telephone line, and the test apparatus comprising:
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a first means for simulating the operation of the means for sending at least one alternating current interrogation signal, the first means having an output line for carrying at least one interrogation signal; a second means for simulating the operation of the telephone line, the second means having a signaling input/output line and an interface input/output line; a third means for simulating the operation of the means for receiving and converting the alternating current representations into digital representations, the third means having an input line; the first, second and third means being interconnectable in a first test configuration to test a suspected interface device and utility usage monitor for one of the following conditions, proper operation and improper operation; a fourth means for simulating the operation of the meter interface device the fourth means having a monitor input/output line and a phone input/output line and the first, second, third and fourth means being interconnectable in a second test configuration to test a suspected utility usage monitor for one of the following conditions, proper operation and improper operation; and
,a fifth means for simulating the operation of the utility usage monitor, the fifth means having a monitor input/output line and the first, second, third, fourth and fifth means being interconnectable to test the suspected test apparatus for one of the following conditions, proper operation and improper operation. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification