Remote battery replacement notification system and method

• US 8,060,081 B2
• Filed: 10/21/2008
• Issued: 11/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Goering, Scott Christopher, Owens, Michael Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Hannon; Christian
• Application Number:
  US12/255,298
• Publication Number:
  US 20090041228A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,120 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550.1, 455/572, 455/573, 455/574, 4555541-5542, 455/557, 455/456.6, 455/407, 455/423, 455/425, 379/322, 340 732- 733, 340/636.1, 340/693.2, 702 60- 63
• US Class Current: 455/425
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/08 with current supply sources at the substations generating ringing current H04M19/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0296 switching to a backup power supply
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A remote battery replacement notification system (10) for a communication system includes a subscriber unit (12) having a battery (14). An operational support system (16) is in communication with the subscriber unit (12). The operational support system (16) periodically polls the subscriber unit (12). A compact service node (18) is in communication with the subscriber unit (12). The compact service node (18) sends a replace battery notification to the subscriber unit (12) when a replace battery message is received from the operational support system (16).

Claims

1. A subscriber unit comprising:

a wireless transceiver to receive telecommunication signals from a wireless access node, the transceiver to provide battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node, the transceiver to receive a replace battery notification from a service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system, the transceiver to provide the replace battery message to a subscriber, the transceiver to establish a phone connection with a service representative in response to a reply from the subscriber to an option presented via the transceiver in the replace battery message.

2. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the subscriber unit is to be polled by the operational support system via the wireless access node.

3. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the transceiver is in communication with the operational support system via an optical network unit.

4. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1, wherein the transceiver is in communication with at least one of an Internet, a personal computer, and a television.

5. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1, further comprising a power supply having an input to receive power from a commercial power source and an output to supply power to the transceiver.

6. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 5, further comprising a switch in communication with a battery and the power supply, the switch to cause the transceiver to receive power from the battery when the commercial power source experiences an outage.

7. A subscriber unit comprising:

a wireless transceiver to receive telecommunication signals from a wireless access node, the transceiver to provide battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node, the transceiver to receive a replace battery notification from a service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system, the transceiver to provide the replace battery message to a subscriber, the transceiver to establish a phone connection with a service representative in response to the replace battery message, wherein the replace battery message includes a link corresponding to a battery replacement option, and wherein the link is an element of an email sent to an email address associated with the subscriber.

8. A method of operating a subscriber unit comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

transmitting a delivery order to a battery supplier in response to a reply to the battery replacement message.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, further comprising receiving a periodic polling from the operational support system.

10. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the battery replacement message comprises an audio message.

11. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the battery replacement message comprises a text message.

12. A method comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

determining when the subscriber has finished dialing a telephone number on a telephone and providing the subscriber a plurality of audible battery replacement options via the telephone, wherein the plurality of battery replacement options includes requesting a service representative to replace the battery.

13. A method comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

determining when the subscriber has finished dialing a telephone number on a telephone and providing the subscriber a plurality of recorded audible battery replacement options via the telephone, wherein the plurality of battery replacement options includes requesting to speak with a service representative.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

determining when the subscriber has finished dialing a telephone number on a telephone and providing the subscriber a plurality of recorded audible battery replacement options via the telephone.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, wherein the plurality of battery replacement options includes purchasing a new battery at a designated store.