Communications system for use in a hotel/motel

• US 4,829,560 A
• Filed: 01/30/1987
• Issued: 05/09/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: On Command Corporation
• Original Assignee: Spectradyne
• Inventors: Douglas, Michael W., Beber, Michael H., Donaldson, Joel R., Larsen, J.Orville, Evanyk, Walter R., Adams, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/009,187
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 379/102, 379/104, 379/105, 379/106, 379/107, 358/86, 455/4, 455/5, 340/825.08, 340/825.16, 340/870.03, 330/17
• US Class Current: 379/106.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems

Abstract

A communications system for use in a coaxial cable data transmission system such as in a hotel/motel system between a central processor and a room and the room and appliances within the room wherein frequency shift key modulation of a high frequency signal is used for communication between the central processor and the rooms and amplitude shift key modulation of a low frequency signal is utilized for communication within the room between the in-room controller and appliances within the room. In addition, the system also utilizes a serial interface input/output card in the central processor which detects the quality of the signal coming from each room in regard to frequency, signal level and deviation and stores those signals for maintenance purposes. Also, the system provides for long distance interrogation of the central processor over telephone lines so that the hotel/motel operating system may be reviewed from a remote distance.

Claims

1. A communication system for use in a coaxial cable data transmission system between a central processor and a remote terminal located in each of a plurality of remote locations comprising:

a. means in each of said remote terminals for generating an identifiable data transmission signal,

b. means in said central processor coupled to each of said remote terminals by a communication line for separately and individually receiving said identifiable data transmission signals,

c. a single signal moitoring device in said central processor coupled to said communication line for individually measuring selected parameter data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each of said identifiable transmission signals, and

d. storage means in said central processor coupled to said monitoring device for recoverably storing each of said selected measured signal parameters so that the stored data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each transmitted identifiable signal may be accessed for maintenance purposes.

2. A communication system for use in a coaxial cable data transmission system between a central processor and a remote terminal in each of a plurality of remote locations comprising:

a. computer means in said central processor for consecutively polling each of said remote terminals over a communication line,

b. means in each of said remote terminals for generating an identifiable response signal on said communication line when polled,

c. means in said central processor for consecutively receiving said identifiable response signals from each of said consecutively polled remote terminals on said communication line,

d. a single signal monitoring device in said central processor coupled to said communication line for individually measuring selected parameter data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each of said identifiable transmission signals, and

e. storage means in said central processor coupled to said measuring means for recoverably storing each of said selected measured signal parameters so that the stored data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each transmitted identifiable signal may be accessed for maintenance purposes.

3. A communication system for use in a coaxial cable distribution system comprising:

a. a remote terminal in each of a plurality of remote locations,

b. means in each remote terminal for generating identifiable data transmission signals representing a remote location condition,

c. a central processor having a communication line coupled to each of said remote terminals for polling each of said terminals and receiving said identifiable transmission signal in response thereto,

d. first storage means in said central processor for recoverably storing said identifiable data representing said remote location condition so that said stored data may be accessed for statistical purposes,

e. a single signal monitoring device in said central processor coupled to said communication line for measuring selected parameter data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each of said identifiable transmission signals, and

f. second storage means in said central processor coupled to said monitoring device for recoverably storing each of said selected measured signal parameters so that the stored data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each transmission signal may be accessed for maintenance purposes.

4. A device as in claim 3 wherein said single monitoring device comprises;

a. an FSK receiver for producing an analogue output signal to said central processor representing each of said identifiable response signals,

b. first means coupled to said FSK receiver for generating a first analogue signal representing said response signal level,

c. second means coupled to said FSK receiver for generating a second analogue signal representing said response signal frequency, and

d. third means coupled to said FSK receiver for generating a third analogue signal representing said response signal deviation.

5. A device as in claim 4 further comprising;

a. means for converting each of said first, second and third analogue signal to a corresponding first, second and third digital signals, and

b. means in said central processor coupled to said converting means for accessibly storing said corresponding digital signals representing said measured parameters of each said response signal.

11. A device as in claim 3 further comprising:

a. an interface in said central processor,

b. a telephone modem external of said central processor and coupled to said interface for enabling telephone communications with said central processor, and

c. a control center remote from said central processor and coupled to said modem by telephone lines for generating interrogation signals to said central processor to access said second storage means and recover data representing the quality of each said transmitted signal so that said selected response signals may be reviewed remotely for maintenance purposes.

12. A device as in claim 11 further including:

a. means in said central processor for accessing selected response signal parameters in said second storage means in response to said interrogation signals from said control center, and

b. means in said central processor for coupling said selected signal parameters to said interface for transmission by telephone lines to said remote control center.

15. A device as in claim 3 wherein said means in each of said remote terminals for generating an identifiable data transmission signal representing a remote location condition comprises:

a. an in-room controller in a hotel/motel room,

b. a plurality of appliances in said room,

c. at least one sensor in each appliance for generating an identifiable signal representing a condition of said appliance,

d. an appliance interface controller coupled to each appliance for receiving said condition representing signal,

e. means in said appliance interface controller for modulating a signal with said condition representing signal for transmission to said in-room controller,

f. signal means in said in-room controller for continuously polling said appliance interface controllers and receiving said modulated signal in response to said polling signal and recovering said condition representing signal, and

g. means in said in-room controller for modulating a high frequency signal with said condition representing signal and a coded signal identifying said room for transmission to said central processor.

16. A device as in claim 15 further comprising:

a. signal generating means in said appliance interface controller for polling each room appliance on a periodic basis to obtain an identifiable data signal representing a condition of said appliance, and

b. means in said appliance interface controller for storing said identifiable data signal received from said sensor representing said appliance condition and transmitting said stored identifiable data signal to said in-room controller in response to said in-room controller polling signal.

17. A device as in claim 16 further comprising means in said appliance interface controller for utilizing said identifiable data signal to amplitude shift key modulate a low frequency signal for transmission to said in-room controller.

18. A device as in claim 17 further comprising:

a. means in said in-room controller for recovering said identifiable data signal from said low frequency signal, and

b. a data storage device in said in-room controller for storing said recovered identifiable data signal representing said appliance condition.

6. A method of communication for use in a coaxial cable data distribution system comprising the steps of:

a. generating an identifiable data transmission signal with a remote terminal in each of said remote locations to represent a remote location condition,

b. coupling a central processor having a communication line to each of said remote terminals for receiving said identifiable transmission signal,

c. recoverably storing said identifiable data signal representing said remote location condition in first storage means in said central processor so that said stored data signal may be accessed for statistical purpose,

d. coupling a single signal monitoring device in said central processor to said communication line for measuring selected parameter data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each of said identifiable transmission signals, and

e. coupling said signal monitoring device to a second storage means in said central processor for recoverably storing each of said selected measured signal parameters so that the stored data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each transmitted signal may be accessed for maintenance.

7. A method as in claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

a. producing an FSK analogue output signal to represent each of said identifiable response signals,

b. coupling first means to said FSK receiver for generating a first analogue signal representing said response signal level,

c. coupling second means to said FSK receiver for generating a second analogue signal representing said response signal frequency, and

d. coupling third means to said FSK receiver for generating a third analogue signal representing said signal deviation.

8. A method as in claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

a. converting said first, second and third analogue signals to corresponding first, second and third digital signals, and

b. accessibly storing said corresponding digital signals representing said measured parameters of each of said response signals in said central processor.

13. A method as claim 6 further comprising the steps of:

a. coupling a telephone modem external of said central processor to an interface in said central processor for enabling telephone communications with said central processor, and

b. generating interrogation signals to said central processor through said modem by telephone lines from said control center remote from said central processor to access said second storage means and recover data representing the quality of each of said transmitted signals so that the quality of each of said selected response signals may be reviewed remotely for maintenance.

14. A method as in claim 13 further comprising the steps of:

a. accessing selected response signal parameters in said second storage means in said central processor in response to said interrogation signals from said control center, and

b. coupling said selected signal parameters to said interface in said central processor for transmission by telephone lines to said remote control center.

9. A method of communicating in a coaxial cable data transmission system between a central processor and a remote terminal located in each of a plurality of remote locations comprising the steps of:

a. generating an identifiable data transmission signal by each of said remote terminals,

b. separately and individually receiving said identifiable data transmission signals in said central processor,

c. individually measuring selected parameter data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each of said identifiable transmission signals with a single monitoring device in said central processor, and

d. recoverably storing each of said selected measured signal parameters so that the stored data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each transmitted identifiable signal may be accessed for maintenance purposes.

10. A method of communication for use in a coaxial cable data transmission system between a central processor and a remote terminal in each of a plurality of remote locations comprising the steps of:

a. consecutively polling each of said remote terminals over a communication line with a computer means in said central processor,

b. generating an identifiable response signal by each of said remote terminals on said communication line when polled,

c. consecutively receiving said identifiable response signals from each of said consecutively polled remote terminals on said communication line by said central processor,

d. individually measuring selected parameter data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each of said identifiable transmission signals with a single monitoring device in said central processor, and

e. recoverably storing each of said selected measured signal parameters in storage means in said central processor so that the stored data representing the signal level, signal frequency and signal frequency deviation of each transmitted identifiable signal may be accessed for maintenance purposes.

19. A system for long distance computer interrogation of hotel/motel operations comprising:

a. a central processor in said hotel/motel for receiving and storing signals representing room conditions from each room over a coaxial communication cable,

b. means in said central processor coupled to said communications cable for generating and storing signals representing the transmission quality of each of said received room signals,

c. an interface in said central processor,

d. a telephone modem external of said central processor and coupled to said interface for enabling telephone communication with said central processor,

e. a computerized control center located at a remote distance from said central processor and coupled to said modem by telephone line, and

f. means in said control center for generating interrogation signals to said central processor over said telephone lines to access said stored signals representing said room conditions and said room signal transmission quality for review at said computerized control center.

20. A method of long distance computer interrogation of hotel/motel operations comprising the steps of:

a. receiving signals representing room conditions from each room in said hotel/motel over a coaxial cable and storing said received signals in a central processor,

b. generating and storing signals in said central processor which represent the transmission quality of each of said received room signals,

c. coupling a telephone modem external of said central processor to an interface in said central processor for enabling telephone communication with said central processor,

d. locating a computerized control center at a remote distance from said central processor,

e. coupling said computerized control center to said modem by telephone lines for communication with said central processor, and

f. generating interrogation signals to said central processor from said control center over said telephone lines to access said stored signals representing said room conditions and said room signal transmission quality for review at said computerized control center.

21. An in-room polling link for hotel/motel operations having a central processor for communicating with each room over a signal line comprising:

a. an in-room controller in each of said rooms,

b. a plurality of appliances in each of said rooms,

c. at least one sensor in each appliance for generating an identifiable data signal representing a condition of said appliance,

d. an appliance interface controller coupled to each appliance for receiving said appliance condition representing signal,

e. means in said appliance interface controller for modulating a low frequency signal with said condition representing signal for transmission to said in-room controller,

f. signal means in said in-room controller for continuously polling said appliance interface controllers and receiving said modulated low frequency signal in response to said polling signal and recovering said condition representing signal,

g. means in said in-room controller for generating a code signal identifying said room, and

h. means in said in-room controller for modulating a high frequency signal with said recovered appliance condition representing signal and said room identifying code signal for transmission to said central processor.

22. An in-room link as in claim 21 further comprising:

a. means in said appliance interface controller for amplitude shift key modulation of said low frequency signal with said appliance condition signal for transmission to said in-room controller, and

b. means in said in-room controller for frequency shift key modulation of said high frequency signal with said recovered appliance condition signal and said room identifying code signal for transmission to said central processor.

23. A method for in-room polling for hotel/motel operations having a central processor for communicating with each room over a signal line comprising the steps of:

a. a sensor coupled to at least one appliance in each of said rooms for generating an identifiable data signal representing a condition of said appliance,

b. coupling an appliance interface controller to each appliance for receiving said appliance condition representing signal,

c. modulating a low frequency signal with said condition representing signal in said appliance interface controller for transmission,

d. continuously polling each appliance interface controller with an in-room controller,

e. receiving said modulated low frequency signal in said in-room controller in response to said polling signal and recovering said condition representing signal,

f. generating a code signal in said in-room controller for identifying said room , and

g. modulating a high frequency signal in said in room controller with said recovered appliance condition representing signal and said room identifying code signal for transmission to said central processor.

24. A method as in claim 23 further comprising the steps of:

a. amplitude shift key modulating said low frequency signal in said appliance interface controller with said appliance condition signal for transmission to said in-room controller, and

b. frequency shift key modulating said high frequency signal in said in-room controller with said recovered appliance condition signal and said room identifying code signal for transmission to said central processor.

25. A communications system for use in a hotel/motel between a central processor and each of a plurality of rooms and each of said rooms and appliances within said room comprising:

a. an in-room controller in each room for communicating with central processor and said appliances,

b. means in said central processor and said in-room controller for frequency shift key modulation of a high frequency signal with intelligence data for communicating between said room and said central processor,

c. an appliance interface controller coupled to each appliance for receiving said communications from said in-room controller and communicating with said appliances, and

d. means in said in-room controller and said appliance interface controller for amplitude shift key modulation of a low frequency signal for communication between said appliance interface controller and said in-room controller.

26. A communications system as in claim 25 further comprising:

a. a coaxial cable coupling said in-room controller with said appliance interface controller for carrying said communications, and

b. a plug-in type AC power supply coupled to said cable for carrying power for said in-room controller and said appliance interface controller.

27. A method of communication for use in hotel/motel between a central processor and each of a plurality of rooms and each of said rooms and at least one appliance within said room comprising:

a. communicating with both said central processor and said appliances with an in-room controller in each room,

b. frequency shift key modulating a high frequency signal in both said central processor and said in-room controller with intelligence data for communicating between said room and said central processor,

c. coupling an appliance interface controller to each appliance for receiving said communications from said in-room controller and communicating with said appliance, and

d. amplitude shift key modulating a low frequency signal in said in-room controller and said appliance interface controller for communication between said appliance interface controller and said in-room controller.

28. A method as in claim 27 further comprising the steps of:

a. coupling said in-room controller to said appliance interface controller with a coaxial cable for carrying said communications, and

b. coupling a plug-in type AC power supply to said cable for carrying power for said in-room controller and said appliance interface controller.