US4250352A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Remote station monitoring system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-05-10
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Granted: 1981-02-10
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Expires: 1999-05-10
Abstract
Abstract A system for monitoring the operating condition of one or more reporting devices, which incorporates a telephone network connecting a remote terminal and a monitor terminal. A control circuit is provided in which one or more monitor relays are interposed, each monitor relay opening independently in response to a change in operating condition of a reporting device. When a monitor relay opens, current flow is interrupted to a return signal control relay, which thereby short-circuits the subscriber loop to the remote terminal, so that a busy signal is returned in response to calls from the monitor terminal. When all monitor relays are closed, indicating all reporting devices to be in normal condition, the return signal control relay is energized, opening the short circuit in the subscriber loop. Accordingly, a ringing signal is returned in response to calls to the remote terminal.
Inventors
- 👤 William S. Workman, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:45
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In combination with a telecommunication system establishing signal transmission between a monitor terminal and a remote terminal, wherein a status inquiry signal originating at the monitor terminal and directed to the remote terminal results in transmission to the monitor terminal of a return signal having a selected one of a first mode and a second mode, a system for monitoring the operating condition of at least one reporting device, the system comprising: first monitor means for originating a first alarm signal for the duration of a change in operating condition of a first reporting device; timing means connected to the first monitor means for receiving the first alarm signal and undergoing a transition to a de-energized state in response to the reception of the first alarm signal for a time period in excess of a preselected time limit; and return signal control means connected to the remote terminal for controlling the mode of the return signal, wherein the return signal control means is connected to the timing means so as to be conditioned by the state of the timing means to transmit return signals in the second mode thereof at such times that the timing means is in the de-energized state thereof.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In combination with a telecommunication system establishing signal transmission between a monitor terminal and a remote terminal, wherein a status inquiry signal originating at the monitor terminal and directed to the remote terminal results in transmission to the monitor terminal of a return signal having a selected one of a first mode and a second mode, a system for monitoring the operating condition of at least one reporting device, the system comprising: first monitor means for originating a first alarm signal for the duration of a change in operating condition of a first reporting device; timing means connected to the first monitor means for receiving the first alarm signal and undergoing a transition to a de-energized state in response to the reception of the first alarm signal for a time period in excess of a preselected time limit; and return signal control means connected to the remote terminal for controlling the mode of the return signal, wherein the return signal control means is connected to the timing means so as to be conditioned by the state of the timing means to transmit return signals in the second mode thereof at such times that the timing means is in the de-energized state thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 1 in which the first monitor means comprises: a control circuit providing an electrical current to the timing means, thereby energizing the timing means, in the absence of the first alarm signal; and a first monitor relay interposed in the control circuit for selectively interrupting current flow in the control circuit in response to a change in operating condition of a first reporting device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 2 further comprising a second monitor relay interposed in the control circuit, in serial relation to the first monitor relay, for selectively interrupting current flow in the control circuit in response to a change in operating condition of a second reporting device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
44 words
The system of claims 2 or 3 in which the telecommunication system comprises: a telephone exchange system; a first subscriber loop connecting the telephone exchange system to the monitor terminal; and a second subscriber loop connecting the telephone exchange system to the remote terminal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 4 in which one mode of the return signal is a ringing signal transmitted to the monitor terminal from the telephone exchange system, and in which the other mode of the return signal is a busy signal transmitted to the monitor terminal from the telephone exchange system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 5 in which the return signal control means comprises a return signal control relay having a first state and a second state.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 6 in which the second subscriber loop comprises a ring line and a tip line connected at the remote terminal; and in which the return signal control relay, in changing from its first state to its second state, forms a short circuit between the ring line and the tip line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 7 in which the first mode return signal is a ringing signal, and in which the second mode return signal is a busy signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the timing circuit is further characterized as being a time delay relay of the type which remains in the de-energized state thereof after undergoing a transition to said de-energized state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 9 further comprising: first display means, responsive to the first relay means, for visually indicating whether a first alarm signal is being transmitted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 5 in which the remote terminal further comprises a switch hook having an on-hook position for transmitting a first mode return signal and having an off-hook position for transmitting a second mode return signal; and in which the return signal control means comprises: switch hook actuator means for moving the switch hook between its on-hook position and its off-hook position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system of claim 11 in which a remote terminal further comprises: a handpiece having a cradle position in which the switch hook is caused to assume its on-hook position, and having a raised position in which the switch hook is caused to assume its off-hook position; and in which the switch hook actuator means comprises: a solenoid powered by the control circuit; and handpiece lifting means, magnetically responsive to the solenoid, for moving the handpiece between its cradle position and its raised position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The system of claim 12 in which the handpiece lifting means further comprises: a planar base member; an arm member, having a first end pivotally connected to the base member and a second end, with the arm member disposed such that its second end moves along a path substantially coincident with the axis of the solenoid; and connection means for securing the second end of the arm member to the handpiece.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 13 in which the first mode of the return signal is a ringing signal and in which the second mode return signal is a busy signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 14 wherein the timing circuit is further characterized as being a time delay relay of the type which remains in the de-energized state thereof after undergoing a transition to said de-energized state.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 15 further comprising: first display means, responsive to the first monitor relay means, for visually indicating whether a first alarm signal is being transmitted.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-02-10 | 1984-08-11 | 1985-02-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-02-10 | 1988-08-11 | 1989-02-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-02-10 | 1992-08-11 | 1993-02-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |