Universal line status monitoring and response system
First Claim
1. A universal telephone line status and reaction system for connection between a central office or a private branch exchange (PBX) and a plurality of telephone substations via respective telephone line pairs comprising:
- a line status monitor connected across the line pairs for each of the plurality of telephone substations;
said line status monitor including means for examining each of said line pairs to determine status thereof including at least receiver OFF-HOOK, DIALING IN PROGRESS and LINE IN RING condition;
means for timing receiver off hook duration;
means for detecting at least one sequence of dialed numbers indicative of an alarm condition; and
means responsive to an OFF HOOK condition greater than a predetermined time without detection of DIALING IN PROGRESS or LINE IN RING condition for generating a signal indicative of an alarm condition and identifying the substation with the alarm condition; and
a monitor station coupled to said line status detector for representing an alarm condition for a particular substation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system is disclosed for monitoring telephone lines by bridging across each line between a telephone central office or private branch exchange (PBX) and a telephone set. The lines are scanned periodically for OFF-HOOK, DIALING or IN-RING condition to determine line status. OFF-HOOK without DIALING or IN-RING condition for more than a preselected period is considered one form of an alarm condition. Dialing signals of certain predetermined numbers is considered an alarm. A computer is provided to store line status information, preset numbers, personel identification (PIN) numbers and telephone set locations to provide a universal software controlled monitoring of locations, telephone sets and personnel whereever telephone sets are located.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A universal telephone line status and reaction system for connection between a central office or a private branch exchange (PBX) and a plurality of telephone substations via respective telephone line pairs comprising:
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a line status monitor connected across the line pairs for each of the plurality of telephone substations; said line status monitor including means for examining each of said line pairs to determine status thereof including at least receiver OFF-HOOK, DIALING IN PROGRESS and LINE IN RING condition; means for timing receiver off hook duration; means for detecting at least one sequence of dialed numbers indicative of an alarm condition; and means responsive to an OFF HOOK condition greater than a predetermined time without detection of DIALING IN PROGRESS or LINE IN RING condition for generating a signal indicative of an alarm condition and identifying the substation with the alarm condition; and a monitor station coupled to said line status detector for representing an alarm condition for a particular substation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A universal telephone line status and reaction system comprising:
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a high impedance line circuit including means for bridging the line circuit across a telephone line; voltage detecting means for detecting normal line voltage for OFF-HOOK and LINE IN RING condition; a dialing signal detector; a timer; logic means for indicating an OFF-HOOK condition with no dialing signal pre-set on the line for a predetermined time period as determined from said timer as an alarm condition; means for storing a number of preselected digits as an alarm indication; means responsive to detection of said preselected digits to indicate an alarm combination; and means for recording the line identification, time and alarm condition. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for detecting the status of a telephone line and for utilizing the line for auxiliary information transfer on a maximum interference basis comprising:
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monitoring a plurality of telephone lines for RECEIVER OFF HOOK amd PRESELECTED DIGITS DIALED; storing location information for each line; timing a RECEIVER OFF HOOK condition; comparing the time of RECEIVER OFF HOOK against a preselected standard maximum time; identifying as an alarm condition a RECEIVER OFF HOOK condition exceeding the standard; and indicating the alarm condition, the line and time of occurrence. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. In a combined telephone and alarm system including a plurality of lines with alarm input devices associated within said lines,
computer means coupled to said telephone lines for storing line identification, personnel identification, predetermined digits, and predetermined timed delays; -
said computer responding to an OFF-HOOK condition on a telephone line in excess of a preselected time or a preselected dialed number on said line to indicate an alarm condition; said computer indicating an alarm condition; means for inputting an alarm clear signal to said computer; said computer means responding to an alarm clear signal only when accompanied by a preselected personnel identification. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification