Abstract: A system including a plurality of remotely configurable telephone network communication terminals (102) is adapted to communicate with a programming terminal (134) over a data network (222) by adding a remote interface means (RIM) (202) for each terminal to convert communications between the terminal to or from a format adapted for transmission over the data network, the programming terminal having a modem emulator (202) having communication and programming capabilities to interface the programming terminal with the network; by converting the programming terminal data to a network compatible format, obtaining an address for the RIM, connecting the programming terminal and the RIM via the data network, connecting the RIM and the communication terminal, transmitting the converted programming terminal data to the RIM, reconstituting the converted data to a format suitable for the communication terminal, and transmitting the reconstituted data to the communication terminal.

Abstract: A system including a plurality of remotely configurable telephone network communication terminals (102) is adapted to communicate with a programming terminal (134) over a data network (222) by adding a remote interface means (RIM) (202) for each terminal to convert communications between the terminal to or from a format adapted for transmission over the data network, the programming terminal having a modem emulator (202) having communication and programming capabilities to interface the programming terminal with the network; by converting the programming terminal data to a network compatible format, obtaining an address for the RIM, connecting the programming terminal and the RIM via the data network, connecting the RIM and the communication terminal, transmitting the converted programming terminal data to the RIM, reconstituting the converted data to a format suitable for the communication terminal, and transmitting the reconstituted data to the communication terminal.

Abstract: In a remote monitoring system, a supervision terminal (37) monitors the status of the communication link (32, 34, 36) between the supervision terminal and each of a plurality of remote terminals (33) connected to the supervision terminal via a data network (35). The remote terminals may be used to emulate a line interface for monitor devices such as fire alarms (31), while providing continual assurance of the integrity of the link between the supervision terminal and the alarm.

Abstract: In a remote monitoring system, a supervision terminal, 37, monitors the status of the communication link, 32, 34, 36, between the supervision terminal and each of a plurality of remote terminals, 33, connected to the supervision terminal via a data network, 35. The remote terminals may be used to emulate a line interface for monitor devices such as fire alarms, 31, while providing continual assurance of the integrity of the link between the supervision terminal and the alarm.