Remote site telecom equipment communication

• US 8,380,181 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2007
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Edmon, Eugene
• Primary Examiner(s): Ho, Huy C
• Application Number:
  US11/872,587
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030321A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,954 Days
• Field of Search: 455418-420
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/43 using wireless personal area networks [WPAN], e.g. 802.15, 802.15.1, 802.15.4, Bluetooth or ZigBee
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/86 Performing a diagnostic of the sensing device
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0203 in the radio access network or backbone network of wireless communication networks

Abstract

The present invention provides for a system, method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunication components. The invention provides a switch placed at a remote location, wherein the switch includes a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage, a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users; and an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office. A transmitter is associated with the converter or other switch component; the transmitter transmits a wireless signal relating to a converter or other switch component operating condition. A receiving device receives wireless signals from the transmitter and provides the signals to a serving area interface for processing and/or transmission of the signals to a Central Office for monitoring. A transmitter may initiate transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition.

Claims

1. A telecommunication monitoring system switch associated with a central office, the telecommunication system monitoring switch comprising:

a converter to convert a first voltage to a second voltage;

a sensor, coupled to the converter, to provide a status signal relating to an operating condition of the converter;

a communication interface to establish communication links with the central office and with a plurality of end users over a plurality of communication lines; and

a transmitter device, associated with the converter, to wirelessly transmit the status signal to a receiving device associated with the communication interface;

wherein the receiving device communicates the status signal to the central office, wherein the communication interface is a digital subscriber loop multiplexer, and wherein the transmitter device is a reduced function device in deep-sleep until awakened in response to a change in the operating condition.

2. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 1, further comprising a processor, associated with the communication interface, for processing the signal at the communication interface.

3. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 1 wherein the transmitter device initiates transmission responsive to a change in the operating condition.

4. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 3 wherein the change in the operating condition is selected from a power failure and a change in power.

5. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 1 wherein the transmitter device is a transceiver.

6. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 1 wherein the receiving device is a full function device.

7. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 1 wherein the receiving device is a transceiver.

8. The telecommunication monitoring system switch of claim 1 wherein the transmitting device randomly initiates communication with the receiving device.

9. A telecommunication device monitoring method comprising:

providing a switch at a remote location, the switch including;

a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage,

a sensor coupled to the converter that provides a converter signal relating to an operating condition of the converter, and

a communication interface that establishes a communication link with a central office and a plurality of end users over a plurality of communication lines;

wirelessly transmitting the converter signal from a wireless transmitter associated with the converter to a wireless receiving device associated with the communication interface; and

communicating the converter signal to the central office;

wherein the communication interface is a digital subscriber loop multiplexer, and wherein the wireless transmitter is a reduced function device configured to stay in deep-sleep and to awaken in response to a change in the operating condition.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising processing the converter signal at the communication interface.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein wirelessly transmitting the converter signal initiates upon a change in the operating condition.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the change in the operating condition includes a change selected from a power failure and a change in power.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the wireless transmitter is a transceiver.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the wireless receiving device is a full function device.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the wireless receiving device is a transceiver.

16. A telecommunication monitoring system switch, comprising:

a converter to convert power from a first voltage to a second voltage;

a sensor, coupled to the converter, to generate a converter signal indicating an operating condition of the converter;

a digital subscriber loop access multiplexer having a connection to a central office;

a serving area interface to establish communication links with the central office and with a plurality of end users over a plurality of communication lines;

a reduced function transmitter device, associated with the converter, to wirelessly transmit the converter signal; and

a full function receiving device, associated with the serving area interface, for wirelessly receiving the converter signal and for communicating the converter signal to the central office;

wherein the reduced function transmitter device is a reduced function device in deep-sleep and to awaken in response to a change in the operating condition.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the reduced function transmitter device is a Zigbee device.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the full function receiving device is a Zigbee device.