Monitoring system for remote devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for auditing the usage of a device and communicating the status of the audited device to a central computer via a telecommunications line, comprising:
- (a) a power supply connected to the telecommunications line;
(b) a microcontroller including memory means, said microcontroller being connected to said power supply;
(c) means to receive and transmit data signals, comprising a receiver and a transmitter, said means to receive and transmit data signals being connected to said microcontroller and to the telecommunications line;
(d) means to detect voltage levels input via the telecommunications line which are a function of the operation of the audited device, said means to detect being connected to said microcontroller;
(e) program logic means residing in said microcontroller, for receiving data signals and voltage levels pertaining to the operation of the audited device and reporting the status of the audited device to the central computer at a predetermined time, said program logic means periodically disrupting power usage by the apparatus; and
(f) clock control means connected to said micro controller and to said means to receive and transmit data signals, wherein said receiver alternately strobes a plurality of said data signals to detect differing frequencies simultaneously in said data signals.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for auditing the usage and indicating the status of a remote coin telephone system to a central computer via a telephone line. The apparatus comprises a power conversion and supply section connected to the telephone line and which derives current from it. The power conversion and supply section has a capacitor for periodically storing and providing electric charge. A microcontroller is connected to the power conversion and supply section. The apparatus also comprises a data signal reception and transmission section, which is connected to the microcontroller and to the telephone line, and a circuit section which detects telephone line voltage, current and frequency signals connected to the telephone line, which are a function of the operation of the audited coin telephone system. Finally the apparatus has a program logic residing in the microcontroller, which receives data signals and waveforms pertaining to the operation of the audited coin telephone system and reports them to the central computer at predetermined time intervals. The program logic also periodically disrupts power usage by the apparatus.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. An apparatus for auditing the usage of a device and communicating the status of the audited device to a central computer via a telecommunications line, comprising:
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(a) a power supply connected to the telecommunications line; (b) a microcontroller including memory means, said microcontroller being connected to said power supply; (c) means to receive and transmit data signals, comprising a receiver and a transmitter, said means to receive and transmit data signals being connected to said microcontroller and to the telecommunications line; (d) means to detect voltage levels input via the telecommunications line which are a function of the operation of the audited device, said means to detect being connected to said microcontroller; (e) program logic means residing in said microcontroller, for receiving data signals and voltage levels pertaining to the operation of the audited device and reporting the status of the audited device to the central computer at a predetermined time, said program logic means periodically disrupting power usage by the apparatus; and (f) clock control means connected to said micro controller and to said means to receive and transmit data signals, wherein said receiver alternately strobes a plurality of said data signals to detect differing frequencies simultaneously in said data signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A unitary, compact apparatus for auditing the usage and indicating the status of a coin telephone to a central computer via a telephone line, comprising:
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(a) power conversion and supply means, said power conversion and supply means being connected to the telephone line; (b) a microcontroller including memory means, said microcontroller being connected to said power conversion and supply means; (c) means to receive and transmit data signals, said means to receive and transmit data signals being connected to said microcontroller and to the telephone line; (d) means to detect voltage, current and frequency levels input to the coin telephone from the telephone line which are a function of the operation of the coin telephone, and said means to detect being connected to said microcontroller; (e) program logic means residing in said microcontroller, said program logic means whereby the apparatus receives data signals and voltage, current and frequency levels pertaining to the operation of the coin telephone and reports the status of the coin telephone to the central computer at predetermined time intervals; and (f) clock control means connected to said microcontroller and to said means to receive and transmit data signals, and including at least one analog switch and an oscillator, and wherein said means to transmit and receive data alternately strobes a plurality of said data signals to detect differing frequencies simultaneously in said data signals.
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Specification