Automatic remote meter reading system and method employing selectable line interface
First Claim
1. A method of automatically collecting metering information from at least one consumption meter of a plurality of remote consumption meters individually located at and respectively connected with customer telephone lines at a plurality of different customer locations, comprising the steps of:
- connecting a metering information collecting computer to a local multiport telecommunications switch that services the customer telephone line connected with the at least one consumption meter;
sending from the information collecting computer an interface selection message to the local multiport switch representative of a selected one interface of a plurality of different types of available interfaces;
interfacing the customer telephone line connected with the at least one consumption meter to the information collecting computer through the one selected interface represented by the interface selection message; and
transmitting customer metering information from the at least one consumption meter through the one selected interface to the information collecting computer.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic metering information collection system and method in which a remotely controllable line multi-interface at a customer'"'"'s local multi-interfacing multiport switch responds to an interface selection message from a metering information collection computer at a utility service provider location to connect the hybrid digital/analog customer telephone line to a selected one of a plurality of available interfaces compatible with the type of interface employed by the meter until the metering information is conveyed to the collection computer and then automatically returns the customer'"'"'s line to a default interface used by the other types of telephonic equipment on the customer'"'"'s line.
18 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of automatically collecting metering information from at least one consumption meter of a plurality of remote consumption meters individually located at and respectively connected with customer telephone lines at a plurality of different customer locations, comprising the steps of:
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connecting a metering information collecting computer to a local multiport telecommunications switch that services the customer telephone line connected with the at least one consumption meter; sending from the information collecting computer an interface selection message to the local multiport switch representative of a selected one interface of a plurality of different types of available interfaces; interfacing the customer telephone line connected with the at least one consumption meter to the information collecting computer through the one selected interface represented by the interface selection message; and transmitting customer metering information from the at least one consumption meter through the one selected interface to the information collecting computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24)
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18. A system for automatically collecting metering information from at least one consumption meter of a plurality of remote consumption meters individually located at and respectively connected with customer telephone lines at a plurality of different customer locations, comprising:
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a metering information collecting computer connectable to a local multiport telecommunications switch that services the customer telephone line connected with the at least one consumption meter; means for sending an interface selection message from the information collecting computer to the local multiport switch representative of a selected one interface of a plurality of different types of available interfaces; means for selectively interfacing the customer telephone line connected with the at least one consumption meter to the information collecting computer through the one selected interface represented by the interface selection message; and means for transmitting customer metering information from the at least one consumption meter through the one selected interface to the information collecting computer. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification