Method and system for accumulating data over nondedicated telephone lines

US4126762A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• John R. Martin · Foxborough, US
• Robert S. Block · Chino, US

Key dates

• Filing date: May 4, 1976
• Grant date: Nov 21, 1978
• Expiry date: May 4, 1996

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M11/002
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A system wherein a telephone calling signal from a central station initiates the connection of a remote terminal, including a data accumulator, at a subscriber's station to a nondedicated telephone line for reading by a billing processor computer at the central station. In one embodiment, sequential ringing signals having a different time spacing than the signals from a normal telephone call may, through operation of a ring muting circuit at the subscriber's station, condition the remote terminal to intercept the ringing signals and to provide selective connection of the accumulator to the line without disturbing the subscriber or disrupting normal telephone operation. Alternatively, timing means may be operated at the subscriber's station to condition the remote terminal and provide a short time window during a time of the day when the telephone there is not likely to be used for normal telephone calls so that a call made from the central station during the time window will cause connection of the data accumulator. In both embodiments conditioning and connection of the subscriber terminal are accomplished without actuating the subscriber ringer.