CZ228394A3 - Method of telemetric transmission and apparatus for making the same - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for accessing a service bureau (60) or utility via a telemetry call from automated customer premises equipment (30), such as device state reporting (48) or alarm equipment (49), 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 telemetry call and are reactivated after the call has been terminated. Advantageously, access from the customer premises equipment (30) to a service bureau (60) or utility may be provided over a telephone line without limiting the customer's choice of telephone features.

Description

The invention relates to a telemetry transmission method and apparatus for carrying out the method, in particular to an arrangement for initiating telemetry transmission from remote locations of such systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Normally, there are many applications in which a device in a user's telemetry room initiates a remote telemetry connection to a centralized service. Such arrangements are used, for example, to transmit counter readings, energy reports, accessory usage, burglary alarm or maintenance conditions, or fire alarm signals from apartments to service stations or directly to police or fire stations. In such systems, if an alarm indication is detected, it is automatically switched to the office to which the caller identification is forwarded. The service is then responsible for assigning the task to the police or fire department in the housing estate from which the alarm signal was received. Telemetric calls can also be initiated remotely in cases where the measurement system initiates a data message or a fault message. For the purposes of the present description, calls initiated by the device from the subscriber's rooms are considered to be incoming (i.e., coming from a switch or service room), while calls initiated from a service or switch room are considered to be outgoing.

The problem with such arrangements is that the stream of data transmitted from the caller to the station may be interrupted by signals such as the alerting signal of the switching system if the alarm signal from the subscriber's byte is transmitted as an alert characteristic call and another subscriber is calling during the telemetry call. The use of such a device further restricts the subscriber's ability to subscribe to telephony with rasterized characteristics such as those that allow the subscriber to threaten long distance calls to a special area when the office is in that other long distance area. The problem of the prior art is that there is considerable interference between a wide class of telecommunications operations and remotely initiated telemetry intelligence or alarm operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the invention is a method of telemetry transmission, which is based on the fact that, depending on the reception of a special traffic call from the line, the call contains an identification indicator deactivating the class of subscriber characteristics for the line, whereupon said call is extended to the destination.

Another object of the invention is a device for carrying out the above method, comprising means for responding to a telemetry call, comprising an identification indicator, for deactivating subscriber characteristics of the line from which the telemetry call originated, and means for extending the special traffic call to the location destination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Giant. 1 is a block diagram illustrating links for transmitting data from subscriber counters and meters; and

Giant. 2-3 are flowchart diagrams of the operations performed to assemble connections from counters and meters

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The described analogous incoming telemetry operation utility is designed according to the outgoing telemetry operation utility. The central unit operating unit may serve a plurality of panels with a standard analogue or digital sign of the end of the local loop group carrier. The central exchange operation unit is connected to the utility or third party provider by selecting a line, branch or packet network.

The following incoming telemetry operation utility is described in dependence on the operating readings of the counters. Network architecture and interconnection features also provide other applications such as fire reporting, security alarms and start-up requirements.

Using today's upcoming technology, the communication interface measuring circuit in FIG. 1, designated as block 46, selects directly the switch 21 of the central exchange operating unit connected to the utility or the third party's operating equipment. There is no control of the characteristics associated with the calling line. Call characters, like call waiting, can interrupt the stream of data and cause errors or complete call failure. Call protection lists can prevent the central apartment unit from initiating a call. The interruption causes additional retransmission time loss, re-opening of incoming telemetry calls, and inability to place calls. If the telemetry call is allowed to continue, the measurement interface of the communication interfaces may and may not trigger the switch features to be available to end users. The communication interface measuring circuit can, for example, activate call waiting cancellation. However, the communication interface metering circuit cannot temporarily suspend end-user line features as the end-user does not have direct control to pause these features.

ii ⁴

The described incoming telemetry traffic routes the call to the end user line to the central office control unit 20, which connects it to the utility controller or the service station 60. The switch identifies the telemetry call by the access code and sends a second dial tone to determine the area code. The switch deactivates the end-user line characters interfering with telemetry calls and reactivates the end-user line characters to complete the call. When the call is terminated, an automatic posting report of the reverse billing tariff for the utility may be made. Since these calls are reverse billed, telemetry calls could be able to arrive on lines not allocated for billing purposes (empty houses, etc.).

The utility program can be called from the central exchange control unit by switching the network channels, the packet network, or it can be further routed by switching to multiple lookup groups or to an automatic call controller.

The measurement circuit of the communication interfaces sends a login signal and selects an access code. The switch recognizes the access code and sends a second dial tone. The switch activates or deactivates end-user line characters that disturb telemetry calls. The communication interface measuring circuit selects a locally limited group of telephone numbers that terminate in the central exchange operation unit via the telemetric long distance service utility program. This operating unit and the communication interface measuring circuit protect the control panel. The communication interface metering circuit instructs the central unit operation unit according to the telemetry protocol to receive the information from the communication interface metering circuit or the third party protection program. The utility or the third party providing the operation, if desired, can additionally carry out a call protection dialogue intercepted by the central unit's operating unit. Otherwise, the central unit operation unit will forward the received information from the communication interface measurement circuit to a specific utility or operational assurance. There may be bidirectional data exchange between the utility and the communication interface measuring circuit. The measuring circuit of the communication interface does not make a telemetry call if the end user line is busy. The central program utility or operating unit terminates the call by sending a final signal.

The automatic billing device records the tariff for the utility program or ensures operation by reverse charging the end user's call.

Retrieving access codes is possible, through translations, when the end user line is not allocated for billing purposes. For example, if the end user line has a traffic class such as the rapid deployment of a new facility that offers fa. BellSouth, the end-user line may have a limited retrieval class (such as prompts requesting traffic when a subscriber relocates to a pre-occupied home where telephones or telephone plugs are installed); the access code may be one of the restricted classes for calls that can be made on a line designated for that type of traffic.

The measurement interface of the communication interfaces requires the capability to transmit a login signal, select a string of digits, and initiate a dialogue with the central unit's operating unit. The requirements are as follows:

The telemetric prompt of the central exchange operation unit is initiated by a communication interface measuring circuit transmitting a login signal. The access code is preceded by the area code to determine the location of the central apartment unit. The first dial tone is an indicator for selecting the access code. The second dial tone is an indicator for selection

- 6 of the required area code, unless the access code plus the area code is authorized as an authorized number according to the switch number plan. A pause is requested to wait for the second dial tone. The communication interface metering circuit does not make a call if the end-user line is busy and the metering circuit interrupts its call when the end-user hangs up when a telemetry call is connected. An application dialogue is required between the communication interface metering circuit and the central exchange operation unit to initiate a prompt, transfer incision data to the utility, and terminate the data transfer.

The telemetric long-distance wiring utility for connecting the switch to the central apartment unit is bi-directional (incoming and outgoing). The intercity utility program operates according to the same protocol as in the outgoing case, but the switch is now capable of initializing the protocol to the central office operation unit. Only one (multi-frequency) pulse is used to trigger.

The communication interface measuring circuit achieves access to the utility by sending a routing number assigned by the intercity line in the intercity line utility group. Calls to groups other than those listed are ended. Successful calls are directed to the above groups, which are allocated to the central unit's operational units at the destination.

The following features are enabled or disabled during call preparation:

Action Sign

Cancel the Activation alert tone

Dial tone selection Cancel

Automatic recall Cancel (last out)

- 7 Reverse Accounting

Acoustic waiting signal (intermittent dial tone)

Blocking by protection list Code restriction by application

Activation

Deactivation

Deactivation of data transfer task Deactivation

When the call ends, these characters are re-loaded. The wait signal cancellation character is a character for subscribers who are assigned a wait signal to cancel a subsequent call character. The call selection wait signal is a feature by which subscribers can activate the wait signal by dialing a prescribed number: canceling this sign means that the wait signal will not be activated during a telemetry call. Automatic redialing is a feature by which a subscriber dials a predetermined code, whereupon the connection to the furthest called number is made as soon as the subscriber of that number is selectable. Of course, the end user does not wish to re-initiate a telemetry call if the central exchange operation unit has become reachable. Reverse billing is activated to tariff the utility value of a call. The wait signal acoustic message (usually the dialed dial tone) is deactivated? so that the communication interface metering circuit device receives a normal dial tone, and then reactivated, because the end user could not receive an acoustic or ooptical (e.g., wait message bulb) squeaking signal. Blocking according to the protection list and code restriction according to the number plan area are deactivated in order to continue the telemetry call even if the destination would normally be blocked by the normal call subscriber. Other characters can be added to the list if such characters interfere with incoming telemetry calls.

There are four disconnection options:

Disconnection initiated by the central unit's operating unit, utility or operating device

In this case, the central unit's operating unit sends a final signal to the long-distance service utility. This action causes the switch to send an open signal (800 ms. Open) to the communication interface measuring circuit. The communication interface measuring circuit sends a final signal to the switch and becomes passive. The switch signals the off-hook to the central unit operation unit. The PBX operation unit informs the terminated call utility program.

Switch-off initiated

In this case, the switch initiates an open (800 ms. Open) to the communication circuit measuring circuit. The measuring circuit sends a final signal to the switch and becomes passive. The switch indicates the final signal to the central apartment unit. The central processing unit centralizes the elevation with the switches. The PBX operation unit informs the terminated call utility program.

Disconnect initiated by end user

In this case, the end user initiates the telemetry call disconnection by sending a login signal. The communication interface metering circuit detects the end-user login signal and informs the central apartment unit by changing the signal level. The switch signals the suspension of the central apartment unit. The central exchange control unit informs the utility of the end of the call. Alternatively, a data signal may be used by the communication interface measuring circuit to inform the central unit operation unit of the end user's suspension.

Trip Initialized by the Communication Interface Measurement Circuit In this case, the communication interface measurement circuit initializes the disconnection by hanging up. The switch indicates the suspension of the central apartment unit. This operating unit indicates the hang up of the switch and informs the utility of the finished call.

At the end of the telemetry call, a record of the automatic bill is made. The 005 challenge type is used for the structure code 00500 of the automatic billing message. The automatic billing messages use standard definitions except for the beginning of the numbering plan area and numbers that are exchanged for the ending plan area and number. This replacement allows the Reverse Posting utility. The honor is defined at the moment when the login signal of the central apartment unit is transmitted. The disconnection is defined at the moment when the central apartment unit or the communication interface measuring circuit transmits the final signal. Alternatively, a special automatic billing entry can be used for this call; the special record may or may not include an end user number and a special record indication may be used to identify the telemetry record.

The utility call can be further routed by a switch based on multiple search group lines or by an automatic call splitter. The group divides incoming utility calls by one of several types of search lists and search layouts. The automatic call distribution switch provides a reasonable distribution of utility call prompts and informs utility control to. effectively control centralized call sources. The automatic call splitter can, for example, balance the load of incoming telemetric calls over public telephone lines, provide alternative routing of incoming telemetric calls, and provide call and operational call center data.

The physical connections between the central apartment unit and the utility are the same as those of the outgoing operation. The communication protocol enables two-way initialization, data transmission and disconnection variants.

Giant. 1 is a block diagram of an operation of the applicant's invention. The terminal, such as a personal computer 10 of the public exchange, is connected via a link or long distance to a telephone switch 21. Alternatively, it can be connected via a packet network of integrated links of the operational data network. Once the access number and area code are received by the controller 30, the connection / carp switch 21 performs; unit 20 of the central exchange. The central exchange operation unit is located in a first central exchange which includes a switch 21. The central exchange operation unit 20 is connected to a plurality of central exchange switches such as switches 21 and 22 via telemetric long distance lines, which are now simply long distance analog or digital trunk lines. . Each of the switches 21 and 22, which may belong to different switching centers, is associated with a respective switching network 23 and 24, for transmitting communication signals as acoustic, measurement, counting and control signals according to the invention. Each of the switches comprises a control processor 26 controlled by a program 28 that is stored in a memory 27 for controlling the operation of the switch.

When a connection is established between the interworking unit 30 and the central unit operation unit 20 and the station 60, the operational unit 20 receives a signal from the central unit operation unit or the personal computer 10 via the operational unit to send data to the measurement circuit flip circuit of the communication interfaces in telemetry mode. The telemetric and control signals are then exchanged between the controller 30 and the central unit operation unit 20 or the personal computer utility controller 10, and the data received by the controller 30 is transferred by the central unit operation unit 20 to the personal computer 10 for processing in the utility program.

Similarly, the control signals of the personal computer utility 10 are sent to the central unit operation unit 20 for transmission to the controller 30 to control the apparatus in the subscriber's home. If the subscriber picks up the handset, while the transmission continues between the control unit and counters and / or other devices than the subscriber alarm devices, these transmissions are terminated quickly and normal operation resumes. However, if the telemetry call continues, the incoming call receives a busy tone.

In the specific embodiment of FIG. 1, ana log line, transmission of speech band signals, ring or alarm signals is used, using direct current to detect supervision. The term ringing is used herein for convenience, and given that it is generally used, and also with the intention of describing any subscriber notification, including alarming the subscriber with acoustic signaling. In the integrated network digital network, supervisory and alert signals are sent to the subscriber as data signals over the D subscriber line.

The telemetric long-distance utility routing is usually trunk as well as analog or digital long-distance or modulated long-distance or common-line signaling. Intercity lines of this kind are arranged such that a change of control at one end is signaled to the other end by a continuous or modulated tone or a tone outside the audio band or data signal. Thus, the control signal detected by the line circuit and passed through the processor switch to one end of the intercity line passes through the long-distance line so that the central unit's operating unit disengages the unit whose subscriber transmits a login signal during the utility access prompt. When the end user hangs up during an incoming non-alarm telemetry call, tell me the communication interface circuit or the central office control unit detects the end and end telemetry call signals so that the end user can initiate the call.

Depending on the state of the art, the deployed central office operating units are interconnected with a plurality of switches, such as switches 21, ..., 22, and each switch is connectable by means of a plurality of long distance lines. The central unit operation unit is also associated with a plurality of utility programs and a contributor to ensuring the maintenance of an alarm or security operation, of which only one case of a connection establishing a simultaneous connection with different subscribers is shown.

Giant. 1 shows in detail the operating unit. The protection circuit 40 serves to protect the remaining controller 30 from damage due to high energy electrical signals. In fact, it is surge protection. Protective circuits are generally known in the art. For incoming calls from switch 21 to controller 30, an alert circuit 42 is used to detect initial alert tones to signal a connection request to the measurement circuit of communication interfaces 46. The alert circuit continuously monitors the line to detect said signals when present on the line. final signal. When the signals are detected, a communication interface metering circuit that communicates with the personal computer 10 is activated to detect meter data and meter control information 50 as well as control device control information 48. When the control and / or readout cycle is complete as determined by the processing unit 20 of the central exchange which transmits the final signal to actuate the switch 21 to transmit a signal at a minimum interval of 800 milliseconds to open the loop to the central unit signaling the disconnection.

If the controller 30 has an excess line impedance of approximately 10 kiloohms, the central exchange considers the line to be off-hook. If the subscriber picks up the handset while the outgoing transmission continues between the personal computer and the interface unit, the switch 21 detects the login signal and initiates communication between the personal computer and the interface unit to prevent the disconnect signal from being sent to the communication interface unit the central exchange unit to terminate the connection. In the case of an incoming telemetry call, the switch receives a login signal from a traffic requesting controller.

Arrangements for communicating a device with a login signal as well as interface units are well known in the art and are defined, for example, in Bellcore Technical Reference TR-TSY-000030, edition 1, June 1988.

In order to process remotely initiated, i.e. incoming telecommunication calls, the controller 30 and the communication circuit measuring circuit 46 perform additional functions. The communication interface measuring circuit 46 controls the switch 52 for the subscriber line 50. The interface unit then forwards the call to the utility or service. The end user line switch 52 breaks the normal telephone subscriber line, which could otherwise prevent or block alert calls whenever the subscriber uses the line or wishes to use the telephone 54. The switch 52 controlled by the communication interface measuring circuit 46 disconnects the subscriber telephone when the warning message from the warning device 49 is such that this message is continuously transmitted by the warning device 49 ♦ For incoming telemetric prompts other than the alert, the end user has priority over the telemetric prompt that is disconnected when the end user picks up the phone and in this case the connection is not disconnected by the switch 5. The programmable device 47 is also connectable to the measuring circuit 46, which can be remotely controlled and can transmit an information message, e.g. fault reporting law. The subscriber telephone is not disconnected during these messages, and if the subscriber intends to make a call while the message is being transmitted, the message is simply sent again after the subscriber is disconnected.

Giant. 1 also includes an automated call splitter 24 which serves to distribute calls from a plurality of PBX operating units to multiple inputs of a utility or service station. The switches 71, ..., 72 are connected to the second central unit operation unit 70, which is connected to the automatic call splitter 24. The automatic call splitter 24 is also connected to the redundant service 61 to process said excess. The automatic call splitter 24 converts peak traffic from one switch 21, ..., 22 to the other 71, ..., 72. Alternatively, the outputs of the process units 20, 70, 73 can be connected directly by a private line or by selecting the connection of an individual input or a lookup group via a switching network 23 to a utility or service 60.

Giant. 2 depicts functions performed by the exchange depending on long distance telemetry calls. Block 702 indicates that the control panel will record the receipt of origin. Block 704 shows the beginning of the digit collection. Block 706 is used to determine whether the initial digits are special access code digits such as = 67 to identify a special challenge class. If a special access code is detected, the interference characters assigned to the line are temporarily suspended by the action block 710 and implemented by block 712. reverse billing. If no special access code is detected, then standard processing by block 708 is performed. Among the canceled characters during a telemetry call are: a wait signal, blocking outgoing data job applications, blocking outgoing calls by specific number plan areas, user characters as automatic callback query (end user automatically calls the last incoming number), automatically repeated request (end user automatically calls the acoustic wait signal (intermittent dial tone), and operation of concealed origin. After a telemetry call connection is canceled during a telemetry call, auto-redial is one character that is not activated when the call ends, because the last number is now the service program number rarra or office, although it would be possible to program the switch to set the auto-inquiry number stored in the switch before the telemetry call. After setting all digits of the dialed number, switch 21 checks the dialed number for test 714. Test 714 is l

necessary to prevent participants from simply collecting all their elected calls, which would be called by a special access code. If test 714 proves that the dialed number is one of the PBX offering telemetry operation, then the action block 716 completes the dialed number call. If this is not the case, the call is rejected by the action block 717. Upon completion of the call, the communication interface measurement circuit 46 can establish a connection to the service, including a password, so that unauthorized subscribers cannot access the service. Subsequently, when the call is terminated and each end disconnected by the disconnect block 718, a billing report for the call, including reverse tariffs, is prepared and the dependent features for that line are re-established by the block 722.

Giant. 3 shows the respective functions for the integrated network operation of the digital network. The network switch receives the programmed message to the digital network line as the start function of block 802. The compiled message contains the called area code. The switch tests the field with a traffic access point identifier to determine whether it is a telemetry challenge or not. If it is not a telemetric call, the call is processed by the binary 808 for standard calls through the digital network of integrated operations. If it is a telemetry call, then the slave line is provided with a block 818 of allocated characters and the remaining call is processed in substantially the same manner as the above described pco telemetry calls on analog lines.

As can be seen, the above description of only one preferred embodiment of the invention. Numerous other configurations can be deduced by one skilled in the art without deviating from the field of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (29)

1. A method of telemetric transmission, characterized in that, depending on the receipt of a special traffic call from a line, the special traffic call comprises an identification indicator deactivating the subscriber class of the subscriber line, the class of characters identified by the identification indicator and and, depending on the receipt of the special traffic call extending the special traffic call to the destination, the features that may interfere with the special traffic call are automatically deactivated when the special traffic call is extended to the destination by the interconnection system. 2. The method according to claim 1, comprising re-activating some classes of said line after the end of the special operating call. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification indicator is an access code to distinguish special traffic branches from other challenges. The method of claim 1, wherein the access code begins with a non-digital symbol prefix, whereby the access code is immediately distinguished from the first digits of the called area code. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identification indicator is a special indicator in the integrated message header of the digital network. The method of claim 5, wherein the special indicator is in the header of the identifier point traffic access field. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the entry of the special operational call is billed such that the call is billed to the subscriber who directs it to the destination. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the subscriber class is a wait call 9. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the classes of subscriber symbols is automatic repetition of the last outgoing call. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein one of the subscriber classes is blocking applications of data transfer tasks. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the classes of subscriber symbols is a region of a code restriction numbering plan. 12. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the classes of subscriber symbols is blocking regular outgoing traffic. 13. The method of claim 1, wherein one of the subscriber feature classes is an acoustic indication of a waiting message. The method of claim 2, wherein one of the reactivated features is a wait call. 15. The method of claim 2, wherein one of the reactivated features is an acoustic indication of a waiting message. 16. The method of claim 2, wherein one of the reactivated features is a screen lock on the screen. 17. The method of claim 2, wherein one of the reactivated features is a code restriction code plan region. 18. The method of claim 1, wherein the propagation is accomplished by automatic distribution of calls. 19. The method according to claim 1, wherein the extension is realized by means of extension groups of search multiple lines. 20. The method of claim 1, wherein before extending the special traffic call to a given destination, it is tested whether the called number is one of a list of telemetric call numbers. 21. An apparatus for carrying out the method of claim 1, comprising means responsive to receiving a telemetric call, comprising an identification indicator for deactivating line subscriber features characterizing the origin of the special traffic call class features, comprising incoming and outgoing call features that may interfere with a special operational call, and means responding to a special traffic call to extend it to its destination. 22. The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a central exchange operation unit connected by an intercity line to receive programmed call signals from a telemetry control unit in the subscriber room. 23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the central office operating unit further comprises means for connecting to a public switched telephone network to reach said destination. 24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the multi-service destination further comprises an automatic splitter device for connecting the outputs of one or more of the central office operation units to individual destination destinations. 25. A method of telemetry transmission, and apparatus for performing the method, characterized in that, depending on the reception of call signals characterizing an incoming telemetry call from a given line, temporarily, with respect to the duration of the incoming telemetry call, temporarily blocks operations of all signals a given line that has the potential to interfere with incoming telemetry calls. 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the features having the potential for interference of incoming telemetry prompts include, but are not limited to: call wait, automatic repetition of the last outgoing call, an acoustic wait signal, screen blocking on the screen, code restrictions according to the area of the numeric plan, and no normal original traffic. 27. The method of claim 25, wherein, depending on receiving a call signal characterizing an incoming telemetry call from a given line, temporarily, for the duration of the call, the system enables features that support the incoming telemetry call. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein reverse billing is a feature that supports an incoming telemetry challenge. 29. The method of claim 27, further comprising verifying signals requesting execution of the incoming telemetry call. Fig. 1