Dial inbound meter interface unit (MIU) for automatic meter reading using no subscriber line access controller
First Claim
1. A method of providing a meter interface unit (MIU) which may be called from a central station without any special equipment in the telephone central office, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) monitoring a telephone line until a ring signal is detected;
(b) waiting until the telephone stops ringing;
(c) determining whether the telephone is on-hook or off-hook when the telephone stops ringing;
(d) waiting until the telephone has been hung up if it was off-hook in step (c);
(e) detecting that the phone line has been hung up;
(f) seizing the phone line to prevent a disconnect from taking place;
(g) waiting a predetermined period of time for a signal indicative of an attempt to communicate with the MIU; and
(h) connecting the MIU to the central computer if a signal indicative of an attempt to communicate with the MIU is present within said predetermined period of time, and releasing the telephone line if said signal is not present within said predetermined period of time.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a method by which a dial inbound MIU is able to provide for connection with a central station computer without the need for any specialized telephone equipment at the telephone company'"'"'s central office. If the customer'"'"'s phone has been called, the invention detects whether the customer has answered. It then waits until the customer hangs up, and when the customer hangs up it siezes the line and waits for a modem tone indicative of the presence of the central station computer waiting to establish communication. If that modem tone is present, the MIU will connect to the central computer and permit communication to take place before releasing the phone line.
70 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method of providing a meter interface unit (MIU) which may be called from a central station without any special equipment in the telephone central office, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) monitoring a telephone line until a ring signal is detected; (b) waiting until the telephone stops ringing; (c) determining whether the telephone is on-hook or off-hook when the telephone stops ringing; (d) waiting until the telephone has been hung up if it was off-hook in step (c); (e) detecting that the phone line has been hung up; (f) seizing the phone line to prevent a disconnect from taking place; (g) waiting a predetermined period of time for a signal indicative of an attempt to communicate with the MIU; and (h) connecting the MIU to the central computer if a signal indicative of an attempt to communicate with the MIU is present within said predetermined period of time, and releasing the telephone line if said signal is not present within said predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of siezing the phone line to prevent a disconnect from taking place is accomplished by enabling a relay when it has been determined that the phone line has been placed on-hook, but before the actual disconnect takes place at the telephone company'"'"'s central office.
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8. An improved meter interface unit (MIU) which may be called from a central station without any special equipment in the telephone central office, said MIU comprising:
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(a) means for monitoring a telephone line until a ring signal is detected and then waiting until the telephone stops ringing; (b) means for determining whether the telephone is on-hook or off-hook when the telephone stops ringing and waiting until the telephone has been hung up if it was off-hook; (c) means detecting that the phone line has been hung up; (d) means for seizing the phone line to prevent a disconnect from taking place and waiting a predetermined period of time for a signal indicative of an attempt to communicate with the MIU; and (e) means for connecting the MIU to the central computer, if a signal indicative of an attempt to communicate with the MIU is present within said predetermined period of time, and for releasing the telephone line if said signal is not present within said predetermined period of time. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification