Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for sending a server-specified message from an application server to Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) without setting up a call path between the application server and the CPE. The application server is coupled with a switch, which is in turn coupled with the CPE. The application server sends a request to the switch. The switch sends, based upon the request, a predetermined server-specified message to the CPE without setting up a call path between the application server and the CPE. The CPE is not rung and the predetermined message is not affected by the features of the line associated with the CPE.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for providing, to a service provider, telemetry access to customer equipment. The telemetry access is provided using wireless access means to avoid having to provide special residential wiring to connect to meters and control devices at customer premises. Each customer device is provided with a cellular station having its own mobile identity, either an international mobile switching identifier (IMSI) or a mobile identity number (MIN). Each IMSI or MIN need not be associated with a different telephone number. For example, a single telephone number can be assigned to a service provider to access all devices telemetered by that service provided. Advantageously, this arrangement provides for an inexpensive method and apparatus for accessing customer devices.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a telecommunications switching system, at least one subscriber terminal coupled to the switching system, at least one telecommunications agency coupled to the switching system. The agency stores subscriber information and provides the information to external requestors in the form of subscriber service images defining services and features to be provided for subscribers. The subscriber terminal includes a portable subscriber module identifying the subscriber and optionally contains information defining services and features to be provided for the subscriber by the subscriber terminal and the switching system. The switching system has a facility for storing all subscriber-related information as a plurality of transient subscriber service images defining the services and features to be provided for subscribers having pending or active calls.

Abstract: A system and method for polling communication lines in a communication system having a plurality of communication lines and at least one telemetry device coupled to one of the plurality of communication lines. The method comprises the steps of creating a polling signal at the network switch, transmitting the polling signal from the network switch to one of the communication lines and determining whether the one communication line is associated with the telemetry device.

Abstract: A system and method enabling a remote customer station (server, CPE or end user) to control, or modify, selected functional capabilities of a telephone switch via control messages sent after cell setup and during the course of a data stream. The customer station receives back from the telephone switch indications of modifications in status of the switch occurring in response to the control messages. The functional capabilities which may be modified include both software and hardware configurations of the telephone switch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a suppressed ringing connection between a server and customer premises equipment, wherein the server is connected to a first switch and the customer premises equipment is connected to a second switch, different from said first switch. The switch connected to the server has translation information identifying the trunk to the server as a server trunk. Signaling between the server, which is not connected to the Common Channel Signaling Network (CCS7), and the second switch is performed according to the protocols used for sending messages to a switch connected to the target customer premises equipment that is at the other end of the suppressed ringing connection. The first switch converts signals received from the server into a common channel signaling format for transmission to the second switch, serving the target CPE. The second switch then establishes a suppressed ringing connection to the target CPE.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for handling incoming or intra-office calls when a telephone subscriber having a POTS, (Plain Old Telephone Service) telephone instrument and line connecting that customer to a serving switch, is connected to an Internet service provider for providing communications to the Internet. The bandwidth of the customer's line is divided into a lower band for providing communications, and a higher band for transmitting signaling and control information. When an incoming or intra-office call is received while the customer is connected to the Internet, the signal channel is used to transmit information which can be displayed to the called customer providing information about the call. If the called customer wishes to answer the call, the called customer can signal over the signaling channel a request that the incoming or intra-office call be completed.

Abstract: An architecture for communicating with telemetering interface units (TIUs). The system comprises an application controller which interfaces with service vendors who make requests for telemetering metering actions and/or control actions; or network server for communicating via UTTs, (Utility Telemetry Trunks), with an end office switch for accessing TIUs, using a suppressed ringing connection to distinguish between telemetering connections and telephone connections; a service control point (SCP), for providing data about the telecommunications network, the data being necessary in order to allow the network server to access the correct TIU, and a data network for interconnecting the application controller, network server and switching control point. Advantageously, using this arrangement, the functions of the application controller which interfaces with the service vendor are segregated from the functions for controlling the telecommunication network to access the TIU.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between Customer Premises Equipment, (CPE) alarm sensing devices, and alarm monitoring stations. The sensing devices communicate with an end office switch by transmitting a message, such as a string of Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, (DTMF) digits to that switch. At the switch, the message is processed and a determination is made which of a plurality of alarm monitoring stations should receive the alarm indication. One or more data packets are sent to the selected alarm monitoring stations with the packets identifying the source of the alarm indication, and the type of alarm indication. Advantageously, the packetized communication between the end office switch and the alarm monitoring system allows a high volume of alarm indications to be sent to an alarm monitoring station, because individual telephone connections are not required for each such alarm message.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for ordering the delivery of a plurality of messages to a destination telecommunications customer. Messages are received in an output gateway. If the customer is available, a message is immediately delivered. If the customer is not available, the message is stored in one of a plurality of queues, each queue corresponding to a precedence level for a received message. When the customer becomes available, stored messages are transmitted from the queue highest priority messages being transmitted first; lowest priority messages being transmitted last. Advantageously, this arrangement ensures that the most important messages are delivered to the customer as quickly as possible.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a telecommunications switching system, at least one subscriber terminal coupled to the switching system, at least one telecommunications agency coupled to the switching system. The agency stores subscriber information and provides the information to external requestors in the form of subscriber service images defining services and features to be provided for subscribers. The subscriber terminal includes a portable subscriber module identifying the subscriber and optionally contains information defining services and features to be provided for the subscriber by the subscriber terminal and the switching system. The switching system has a facility for storing all subscriber-related information as a plurality of transient subscriber service images defining the services and features to be provided for subscribers having pending or active calls.

Abstract: A server (102, 204, 208) communicates with a modem, computer or other data communications device (104) to provide, for example, an information delivery service. The server produces multiple channels of data for delivery. The server uses multiple telephone lines to create a high-speed communications channel when necessary. Suppressed ringing connections are made from the server to facilitate data communications over the multiple lines of the multiple channels of data produced by the server.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for handling incoming or intra-office calls when a telephone subscriber having a POTS, (Plain Old Telephone Service) telephone instrument and line connecting that customer to a serving switch, is connected to an Internet service provider for providing communications to the Internet. The bandwidth of the customer's line is divided into a lower band for providing communications, and a higher band for transmitting signaling and control information. When an incoming or intraoffice call is received while the customer is connected to the Internet, the signal channel is used to transmit information which can be displayed to the called customer providing information about the call. If the called customer wishes to answer the call, the called customer can signal over the signaling channel a request that the incoming or intra-office call be completed.

Abstract: Relates to apparatus and methods for permitting an agent of a utility or service bureau to access customer metering equipment before or during a conversation with the customer. For accessing before a call, while the customer is still on-book, an alert signal is sent to activate the telemetering equipment prior to establishing a voice connection. For accessing during the call, an alert signal is sent while the customer is off-hook. Advantageously, the measurement can be made in conjunction with the oral contact with the customer, thus making customer contacts more efficient and providing better service to customers.

Abstract: A service provider accesses the customer premises equipment of an end user via a broad based data network such as the Internet. Security precautions are described for insuring that alias users cannot access the customer premises equipment. Advantageously, a service provider may provide service over a very wide area without incurring excessive telecommunications services charges. Advantageously, many service providers can readily access the customer premises equipment of a single end user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for accessing customer telemetering equipment while on a voice connection between an agent of a customer server and the customer. A voice connection is initially established between a customer and an agent of a server such as a utility. The original connection may be established when a customer complains, or in response to receipt of a complaint report at an earlier time. If, during the discussion between the customer and an agent of the server, the agent believes that accessing the customer's telemetering equipment might help to uncover the problem, the agent signals a customer Telemetering Interface Gateway to allow the agent to access the appropriate telemetering equipment. After the agent has obtained information from this equipment, the agent sends another signal to the Gateway and the voice connection to the customer is re-established. Advantageously, problems can be discussed and solved while the customer is still connected to the agent, thus avoiding repeated telephone calls.

Abstract: The customer performs a search or otherwise defines selected data maintained by the information provider. Once the selected data is identified, the information provider maintains the requested data, typically by maintaining pointers identiying the data, but delays delivery of the requested data until the scheduled delivery time, such as a particular day and time requested by the customer or a non-peak period as determined by the information provider. When the information provider determines that delivery is appropriate, it makes a request for a suppressed ringing connection to a switching system. The switching system responds to the request for connection by creating a suppressed ringing connection where a silent alert tone or digital alert signal is transmitted to the customer premise equipment. The customer premise equipment includes a receiving system that receives one or more tones from the switching system over the suppressed ringing connection and becomes active.

Abstract: The system of the invention consists of a central office service unit (COSU) connected to a plurality of switching systems via dedicated telemetry trunks or a common channel signaling network such as the CCS7 network. The switching systems are connected to a plurality of inbound-only TIUs located on the customer premise that are in turn connected to customer devices such as utility meters, appliances, security systems or the like. The TIUs are inbound-only that can originate calls but cannot answer calls initiated by the controlling entity. A controlling entity, such as a utility, is connected to one of the switching systems over a customer line such that the controlling entity can be connected to any TIU hosted by the switching systems. The controlling entity requests that an alerting tone be sent by the COSU to a desired TIU. The COSU, as is known in the art, delivers an alert tone through a suppressed ringing connection to the TIU that does not audibly ring the customer's telephone.

Abstract: A utility meter or other fixed device is assigned a permanent dialed number that is unrelated to the telephone number of the customer premise where the device is located. Instead, the dialed number is permanently assigned to a line termination location in the switch such that when the dialed number is dialed a connection is made to the line terminated at that physical location in the network switching system irrespective of the customer's telephone number. As a result, the number dialed by the calling party is unrelated to the customer's telephone number such that changes in a customer's telephone number do not affect the telemetry system. Moreover, the telemetry number could be selected from a specified range of numbers or could include a predetermined command digit such as *8 prior to the number string.

Abstract: The test system of the invention uses suppressed ringing connections from a test unit to the customer premise equipment via the central office to establish connections for performing the loop-back test. The suppressed ringing connections are established over standard voice trunks between a switch in the central office and the test unit by a central office service unit (COSU) such that the number of lines that can be tested simultaneously is limited only by the number of trunks linking the COSU to a switch. Because these trunks are relatively inexpensive and simple to install and maintain, the test system of the invention can be readily installed and expanded in the existing network to provide virtually any level of monitoring capability.