Abstract: Computers that exchange data over communication networks frequently wait for responses to messages and therefor use timers to control the amount of time that the computer will wait for a response to a command issued over a network. Communication network responsiveness varies as traffic loading on the network changes. Fixed-value timers that don't take network loading into account can inadvertently terminate communications if a response is not timely received. Varying or adjusting data communication timers according to data network responsiveness can prevent erroneous data communication session termination.

Abstract: In a system and method for the collection of alphanumeric data from Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) at the behest of an enhanced service provider (such as a utility company) requesting said data, a CPE transmits the data in the form of a synthesized voice signal, obviating the need for modems. The invention is useful for applications such as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and Home and Business Electronic Systems (HBES). The targeted CPE in such a system, after being connected to a remote applications server via a telephone call including “suppressed ringing,” converts data collected to a standard voice signal via a voice synthesizer and transmits the voice signal to the applications server. The applications server performs a speech-to-text conversion to place the data back into its alphanumeric form.

Abstract: A telecommunication network with a local multi-interfacing multiport switch with a remotely controllable line multi-interface for alternatively, selectively, connecting different line unit interfaces to a single customer line to enable both digital and analog communication on a single line.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing suppressed ringing with a plurality of communication devices. The system creates a suppressed ringing signal, at a remote computer, for at least one of the plurality of communication devices, implements a protocol to direct the suppressed ringing signal to the communication device through a private network and transmits the suppressed ringing signal from the remote computer, through the private network, to the communication device.

Abstract: The system for direct suppressed ringing access of a subscriber line enables the service provider to access subscriber lines from any location, as long as the incoming call is identified and authenticated as a suppressed ringing access call. The central office switch can maintain a list of predefined line numbers that are used by an authorized service provider to perform the suppressed ringing access function. Thus, a call origination on one of these lines is automatically validated as a suppressed ringing connection call. Alternatively, the suppressed ringing connection is requested by the inclusion of a predefined code in the dial string and the central office switch automatically authenticates the identity of the service provider.

Abstract: The usage detection system establishes a suppressed ringing connection to the subscriber line for either a predetermined extended time interval to enable at least two successive usage readings to be taken, or for a duration as determined by the telemetry equipment to perform the necessary usage readings to detect the presence of usage anomalies. This usage detection system communicates with the serving central office to establish a suppressed ringing connection, the duration of which is either under the control of the usage detection system or the telemetry equipment located at the customer premises. The usage detection system communicates with the telemetry equipment to identify the usage measurements that are desired.

Abstract: The system for party line suppressed ringing access enables a service provider to access both a subscriber line and the equipment that is connected to this subscriber line. The present system makes use of the availability of party line communication apparatus, in the form of a subscriber line network interface that is equipped to interface to two lines: the subscriber line, and a telemetry party line. When an incoming call is identified as a suppressed ringing telemetry access call, the serving central office accesses the subscriber line via a suppressed ringing connection on the telemetry party line. The service provider can poll a plurality of the subscribers that are connected to the telemetry party line by means of distinctive signaling to poll each subscriber network interface seriatim.

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.

Abstract: A communication switching system, in addition to normal services i.e., voice, FAX, data, etc., provides secure bi-directional communication between the facilities of a utility and specialized voice and/or data CPE which are served by an on-premises Telemetry Interface Unit. A Central Office Service Unit (COSU), which is connected to a switching system by Utility Telemetry Trunks (UTT), is employed as an interface between utilities and one or more communication switching systems. The COSU provides detailed calling instructions and data which define the services to be rendered by the switching system. The detailed instructions serve to: define the source and character of the signals to be used to alert the TIU; sub-addresses of CPE served by a TIU; conduct of line supervision; permitted supervisory state of a called line at time of call to a TIU; broadcast of messages, etc.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing customer meters and for controlling customer devices over a telephone line. A connection using only a single distinctive brief burst of power ringing or tone is established over a customer line between a central office and customer station equipment to alert both the customer and the customer premises equipment (CPE) or a short burst of tone to alert the CPE. The connection is between a data accessing device such as a meter reading controller and a customer premises device such as a meter interface unit. Signals are exchanged over the connection between these two units without alerting the customer via a ringing signal and without changing the supervisory state of the customer's station equipment from on-hook. The connection can also be used for controlling devices such as air conditioning units, in order, for example, to avoid overloads in a power distribution system.

Abstract: An expanded telemetry feature protocol allowing the provision of additional transport capabilities: 1) switch alert of CPE or voice equipment, 2) activation of other switch capabilities, 3) a barge-in capability, and 4) a broadcast capability. A telemetry function identification is included in the protocol to define a plurality of telemetry applications. Other extensions to the protocol allow sequential broadcast of voice or data to a list of destinations, operation with an analog display station interface (ADSI) station, and subaddressing to specify particular destinations.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing a service bureau or utility via a telemetry call from automated customer premises equipment, such as device state reporting or alarm equipment, without permitting features assigned to the associated customer to interfere with that call. Customer features such as call waiting are canceled for the duration of the telemetry call and are reactivated after the call has been terminated. Advantageously, access from the customer premises equipment to a service bureau or utility may be provided over a telephone line without limiting the customer's choice of telephone features.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing customer meters and for controlling customer devices over a telephone line. A suppressed ringing connection is established over a customer line between a central office and customer station equipment. The connection is between a data accessing device such as a meter reading controller and a customer premises device such as a meter interface unit. Signals are exchanged over the connection between these two units without alerting the customer via a ringing signal and without changing the supervisory state of the customer's station equipment from on-hook. The connection can also be used for controlling devices such as air conditioning units, in order, for example, to avoid overloads in a power distribution system. The voice switching network of the central office is used for making the connection between the meter control unit and the meter interface unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing customer meters and for controlling customer devices over a telephone line. A suppressed ringing connection is established over a customer line between a central office and customer station equipment. The connection is between a data accessing device such as a meter reading controller and a customer premises device such as a meter interface unit. Signals are exchanged over the connection between these two units without alerting the customer via a ringing signal and without changing the supervisory state of the customer's station equipment from on-hook. The connection can also be used for controlling devices such as air conditioning units, in order, for example, to avoid overloads in a power distribution system. The voice switching network of the central office is used for making the connection between the meter control unit and the meter interface unit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for signaling telecommunications customer requests to a switching system. The basic signaling arrangement consists of a series of function calls, including a function type specifier and an optional parameter of the function. Function calls are separated by delimiters which are strings of characters, such as ** or *#, that are unique and not to be confused with function type specifiers or parameters. Strings of function calls can be stored in a switching system and can be called by a speed calling request. The function types include types wherein a customer supplies a parameter, such as a personal identification code in an otherwise prespecified string of function calls.