Cellular network data transmission system
First Claim
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1. A system for transmitting data between a subscriber site and at least one monitoring station, comprising:
- sensor circuitry for generating data responsive to an event at the subscriber site;
first transmission circuitry responsive to said sensor circuitry operable to transmit the data from the subscriber site using a cellular telecommunication network and including a cellular transceiver that transmits to and receives from said cellular telecommunications network radio frequency signals, a digital communicator connected to said sensor circuitry for receiving data therefrom, and a cellular interface connected to said digital communicator;
second transmission circuitry directly connected to said digital communicator and being operable to transmit the data from the subscriber site using a landline telecommunications network;
fault detect circuitry including a first lead line connected to said digital communicator and a sensor lead line connected to said cellular interface for continuously monitoring the operability of the system and the integrity of said cellular telecommunication network, said fault detect circuitry including circuitry operable to detect a loss of a radio frequency data link transmitted by said cellular telecommunications network and to generate a lost radio frequency link signal responsive to a loss of the radio frequency link;
circuitry coupled to said fault detect circuitry for receiving said lost radio frequency link signal and transmitting data to the monitoring station using said landline based telecommunication network responsive to said lost radio frequency link signal received from said fault detect circuitry indicating a lack of integrity in said cellular telecommunication network.
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Abstract
A data transmission network uses a cellular network as a primary telecommunications link and a landline as a backup telecommunications link. The system continuously monitors the links and switches to the back up link if the cellular link is not operative. A software package is included in the computer at a monitoring station for effecting integrity checks of the links, and RF fault modules are also included.
72 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A system for transmitting data between a subscriber site and at least one monitoring station, comprising:
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sensor circuitry for generating data responsive to an event at the subscriber site; first transmission circuitry responsive to said sensor circuitry operable to transmit the data from the subscriber site using a cellular telecommunication network and including a cellular transceiver that transmits to and receives from said cellular telecommunications network radio frequency signals, a digital communicator connected to said sensor circuitry for receiving data therefrom, and a cellular interface connected to said digital communicator; second transmission circuitry directly connected to said digital communicator and being operable to transmit the data from the subscriber site using a landline telecommunications network; fault detect circuitry including a first lead line connected to said digital communicator and a sensor lead line connected to said cellular interface for continuously monitoring the operability of the system and the integrity of said cellular telecommunication network, said fault detect circuitry including circuitry operable to detect a loss of a radio frequency data link transmitted by said cellular telecommunications network and to generate a lost radio frequency link signal responsive to a loss of the radio frequency link; circuitry coupled to said fault detect circuitry for receiving said lost radio frequency link signal and transmitting data to the monitoring station using said landline based telecommunication network responsive to said lost radio frequency link signal received from said fault detect circuitry indicating a lack of integrity in said cellular telecommunication network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A sysytem for transmitting data between a subscriber site and at least one monitoring station, comprising:
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sensor circuitry for generating data responsive to an event at the subscriber site; first transmission circuitry responsive to said sensor circuitry operable to transmit the data from the subscriber site using a cellular telecommunication network; second transmission circuitry responsive to said sensor circuitry operable to transmit the data from the subscriber site using a landline telecommunications network; selection circuitry for attempting to transmit the data using one of said first and second transmission circuities and for conditionally transmitting the data using the other of said first and second transmission circuities if said attempt is unsuccessful; and a computer located at the monitoring station and means for checking the integrity of said first and second transmission circuitry associated with said computer, said means including storage means for storing cellular network telephone numbers associated with the system and electronic serial numbers associated with the first transmission circuitry and electronic serial numbers associated with the monitoring station, and interrogating means for scanning the cellular network to ascertain that special first transmission circuits are operable, said interrogating means including means for sending a test signal to said first transmission circuitry and requesting such first transmission circuitry to send a return signal and means for recognizing such return signal. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A system for transmitting data between a subscriber site and at least one monitoring station, comprising:
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circuitry at the subscriber site for attempting to create a first communication path between the subscriber site and a selected monitoring station using a cellular telecommunication network, said circuitry including a cellular transceiver that transmits to and receives from said cellular telecommunications network radio frequency signals, a digital communicator, and a cellular interface connected to said digital communicator; fault detect circuitry at the subscriber site for continuously monitoring said first communication path for the receipt of an acknowledgment signal transmitted by the selected monitoring station, said fault detect circuitry having a first lead line connected to said digital communicator and a second lead line connected to said cellular interface and being operable to detect the loss of a radio frequency data link transmitted by said cellular telecommunications network and to generate a lost radio frequency link signal responsive to a loss of the radio frequency link; circuitry at the subscriber site directly connected to said digital communicator for transmitting data from the subscriber site to the selected monitoring station using a cellular telecommunication network and being responsive to the receipt of said acknowledgement signal; circuitry at the subscriber site for conditionally attempting to create a second communication path between the subscriber site and the selected monitoring station using a landline telecommunication network responsive to the passage of a predetermined period of time without receiving said acknowledgement signal; circuitry at the subscriber site for monitoring said second communication path for the receipt of said acknowledgement signal transmitted by the selected monitoring station; circuitry for transmitting data from the subscriber site to the selected monitoring station using said landline telecommunication network responsive to the receipt of said acknowledgement signal; and circuitry coupled to said fault detect circuitry for receiving said lost radio frequency link signal and transmitting data to the monitoring station using said landline based telecommunication network responsive to said lost radio frequency link signal received from said fault detect circuitry indicating a lack of integrity in said cellular telecommunication network.
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Specification