US6003070A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
E-mail system and interface for equipment monitoring and control
Assignee: Intervoice LP
•
Filing: 1997-02-25
•
Granted: 1999-12-14
•
Expires: 2017-02-25
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an interface device that is either integral or peripheral to equipment that requires monitoring and maintenance. The equipment may be a PBX or ACD, but may also include any type of equipment that requires monitoring and/or maintenance. The interface device converts the output from the equipment to e-mail messages that are sent to the technician at a remote location, and converts e-mail instructions from the technician that are received at the interface device to ASCII terminal keystrokes that the PBX receives and understands. The interface can broadcast multiple error messages to multiple recipients. The interface device allows multiple technicians simultaneous access to the equipment. The interface devices provides enhanced access security to the equipment.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert H. Frantz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/06; H04L51/066; H04L51/21; H04L51/23; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04L51/07; H04L51/18; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/60; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M7/00; H04M7/12; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04Q3/625
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An electronic mail system that uses a global network to communicate an equipment originated message from equipment via e-mail to a recipient and to communicate an equipment destined e-mail message to the equipment, thereby enabling bidirectional communication between the equipment and a remote recipient to allow maintenance to be performed remotely for the equipment, the system comprising: equipment located at an equipment site; an e-mail link connecting the equipment site to the global network that is capable of sending at least one outgoing e-mail message to the recipient across the global network and that is capable of receiving at least one equipment destined e-mail message from the recipient across the global network; and an e-mail interpreter, connected between the equipment and the e-mail link, for receiving at least one equipment originated message from the equipment and converting said at least one equipment originated message into said at least one outgoing e-mail message, and converting said at least one equipment destined e-mail message into at least one incoming equipment message and sending said at least one incoming equipment message to the equipment.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
An electronic mail system that uses a global network to communicate an equipment originated message from equipment via e-mail to a recipient and to communicate an equipment destined e-mail message to the equipment, thereby enabling bidirectional communication between the equipment and a remote recipient to allow maintenance to be performed remotely for the equipment, the system comprising: equipment located at an equipment site; an e-mail link connecting the equipment site to the global network that is capable of sending at least one outgoing e-mail message to the recipient across the global network and that is capable of receiving at least one equipment destined e-mail message from the recipient across the global network; and an e-mail interpreter, connected between the equipment and the e-mail link, for receiving at least one equipment originated message from the equipment and converting said at least one equipment originated message into said at least one outgoing e-mail message, and converting said at least one equipment destined e-mail message into at least one incoming equipment message and sending said at least one incoming equipment message to the equipment.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the e-mail interpreter further comprises: a database having profile information about the recipient and activation criteria; wherein the e-mail interpreter addresses said at least one outgoing e-mail message to the recipient in accordance with the profile information.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the e-mail interpreter determines whether to convert said at least one equipment originated message into said at least one outgoing e-mail message in accordance with the activation criteria.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the e-mail interpreter converts all equipment originated messages into said at least one outgoing e-mail message when the activation criteria is set to a repair mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 3, wherein the e-mail interpreter converts only emergency equipment originated messages into said at least one outgoing e-mail message when the activation criteria is set to an alert mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the e-mail interpreter determines whether to send said at least one outgoing e-mail message to the recipient in accordance with the activation criteria.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 6, wherein the e-mail interpreter determines to send all outgoing e-mail messages to the recipient when the activation criteria is set to a repair mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 6, wherein the e-mail interpreter determines to send only emergency outgoing e-mail messages to the recipient when the activation criteria is set to an alert mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 2, wherein the e-mail interpreter further comprises: a database controller for altering both the profile information and the activation criteria.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 2, wherein said e-mail interpreter can determine to send said at least one outgoing e-mail message to multiple recipients in accordance with the profile information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the e-mail interpreter is integral with the equipment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the e-mail interpreter is peripherally located to the equipment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a ASCII terminal for issuing commands to the equipment; and a line printer for at least recording information concerning the equipment; wherein the e-mail interpreter is connected between each of the ASCII terminal, the line printer, and the equipment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
The system of claim 13, wherein: said at least one e-mail interpreter receives the equipment originated message that the equipment is sending to either the ASCII terminal or the line printer and converts the equipment originated message into said at least one outgoing e-mail message; and the e-mail interpreter receives a command e-mail message from the recipient and converts the command e-mail message into an equipment command message, wherein the equipment responds to the equipment command message as if the equipment command message was inputted on the ASCII terminal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 14, wherein: the e-mail interpreter passes the equipment originated message to either the ASCII terminal or the line printer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment is selected from the group consisting of: a PBX system, an ACD, other telecommunications equipment, a security system, a safety system, a vending machine, a photocopier, a home-type appliance, a weather alert system, a lighting system, a computer, a printer, a vehicle, personal monitoring system, a building environmental control system, and any combination thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one equipment originated message is selected from the group consisting of: a system message, an error message, an interrupt, register content, memory mapping, memory content, software description, configuration setting, error log content, and any combination thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one incoming equipment message is selected from the group consisting of: system command, request for information, upgrade instruction, and any combination thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment destined and outgoing e-mail messages include textual information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the equipment has a primary function, and the equipment destined and outgoing e-mail messages include communication which is separate and independent from the primary function of the equipment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the e-mail link allows multiple of the recipients simultaneous communication access to the equipment.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: an e-mail generator that sends said at least one outgoing e-mail message to the recipient.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said maintenance comprises querying, monitoring, repairing, upgrading, and other functions to be performed for the equipment.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one equipment originated message originates in response to communication from the recipient.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said at least one equipment originated message originates independent of communication from the recipient.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electronic mail interface for connecting equipment to an e-mail system that sends and receives messages between the equipment and a recipient, wherein such communication allows for maintenance to be performed remotely for the equipment, the interface comprising: a database having profile information about the recipient; means for interpreting an equipment originated message and converting the equipment originated message into an outgoing e-mail message; means for sending the outgoing e-mail message to the recipient in accordance with the profile information; means for receiving an incoming e-mail message from the recipient; and means for interpreting the incoming e-mail message and converting the incoming e-mail message into an incoming equipment message that is presented to the equipment.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
115 words
An electronic mail interface for connecting equipment to an e-mail system that sends and receives messages between the equipment and a recipient, wherein such communication allows for maintenance to be performed remotely for the equipment, the interface comprising: a database having profile information about the recipient; means for interpreting an equipment originated message and converting the equipment originated message into an outgoing e-mail message; means for sending the outgoing e-mail message to the recipient in accordance with the profile information; means for receiving an incoming e-mail message from the recipient; and means for interpreting the incoming e-mail message and converting the incoming e-mail message into an incoming equipment message that is presented to the equipment.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the database stores activation criteria and wherein the means for interpreting an equipment originated message determines whether to convert the equipment originated message into an outgoing e-mail message in accordance with the activation criteria.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interface of claim 27, wherein the means for interpreting an equipment originated message converts all equipment originated messages into an outgoing e-mail message when the activation criteria is set to a repair mode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The interface of claim 27, wherein the means for interpreting an equipment originated message converts only emergency equipment originated messages when the activation criteria is set to an alert mode.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the database stores activation criteria and wherein the means for interpreting an equipment originated message determines whether to send the outgoing e-mail message to the recipient in accordance with the activation criteria.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The interface of claim 30, wherein the means for interpreting an equipment originated message determines to send all outgoing e-mail messages to the recipient when the activation criteria is set to a repair mode.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The interface of claim 30, wherein the means for interpreting an equipment originated message determines to send only emergency outgoing e-mail messages to the recipient when the activation criteria is set to an alert mode.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interface of claim 27, further comprising: a database controller for altering both the profile information and the activation criteria.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the e-mail interface is integral with the equipment.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the e-mail interface is peripherally located to the equipment.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
12 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the equipment is a PBX system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
56 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the equipment is at least one of the following: an ACD, other telecommunications equipment, a security system, a safety system, a vending machine, a photocopier, a home-type appliance, a weather alert system, a lighting system, a computer, a printer, a vehicle, personal monitoring system, and a building environmental control system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the incoming and outgoing e-mail messages include textual information.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein the equipment has a primary function, and the incoming and outgoing e-mail messages include communication which is separate and independent from the primary function of the equipment.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein multiple of said recipients are allowed simultaneous communication access to the equipment.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein said means for sending the outgoing e-mail message to the recipient in accordance with the profile information can send said outgoing e-mail message to multiple recipients in accordance with said profile information.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein said means for interpreting an equipment originated message and said means for interpreting the incoming e-mail message and converting the incoming e-mail message are an e-mail interpreter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
22 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein said maintenance comprises querying, monitoring, repairing, upgrading, and other functions to be performed for said equipment.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein said equipment originated message originates in response to communication from said recipient.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
17 words
The interface of claim 26, wherein said equipment originated message originates independent of communication from said recipient.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of performing bidirectional communication between equipment and a remote technician to enable remote maintenance for the equipment, the method comprising: receiving at least one equipment originated message from the equipment; converting said at least one equipment originated message into at least one outgoing e-mail message; sending said at least one outgoing e-mail message across a global network to at least one technician; receiving at least one equipment destined e-mail message from said at least one technician across a global network; converting said at least one equipment destined e-mail message into at least one equipment command message; and sending said at least one equipment command message to the equipment.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
110 words
A method of performing bidirectional communication between equipment and a remote technician to enable remote maintenance for the equipment, the method comprising: receiving at least one equipment originated message from the equipment; converting said at least one equipment originated message into at least one outgoing e-mail message; sending said at least one outgoing e-mail message across a global network to at least one technician; receiving at least one equipment destined e-mail message from said at least one technician across a global network; converting said at least one equipment destined e-mail message into at least one equipment command message; and sending said at least one equipment command message to the equipment.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said equipment is selected from the group consisting of: a PBX system, an ACD, other telecommunications equipment, a security system, a safety system, a vending machine, a photocopier, a home-type appliance, a weather alert system, a lighting system, a computer, a printer, a vehicle, personal monitoring system, a building environmental control system, and any combination thereof.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said equipment originated message is selected from the group consisting of: an error message, an interrupt, register content, memory mapping, memory content, software description, configuration setting, error log content, and any combination thereof.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said equipment command message is selected from the group consisting of: system command, request for information, upgrade instruction, and any combination thereof.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said equipment has a primary function, and the equipment destined and outgoing e-mail messages include communication which is separate and independent from the primary function of the equipment.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said converting said at least one equipment originated message into said at least one outgoing e-mail message is performed in accordance with a predefined activation criteria.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said sending said at least one outgoing e-mail message is performed in accordance with profile information about the technician.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said sending said at least one outgoing e-mail message is performed in accordance with a predefined activation criteria.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said maintenance comprises querying, monitoring, repairing, upgrading, and other functions to be performed for said equipment.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said equipment originated message originates in response to communication from said technician.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 46, wherein said equipment originated message originates independent of communication from said technician.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-13 | 2003-06-14 | 2003-12-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-13 | 2007-06-14 | 2007-12-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-13 | 2011-06-14 | 2011-12-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |