Remote site telecom equipment communication

Abstract

The present invention provides for a system, method and apparatus for monitoring telecommunication components. The invention provides a switch placed at a remote location, wherein the switch includes a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage, a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users; and an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office. A transmitter is associated with the converter or other switch component; the transmitter transmits a wireless signal relating to a converter or other switch component operating condition. A receiving device receives wireless signals from the transmitter and provides the signals to a serving area interface for processing and/or transmission of the signals to a Central Office for monitoring. A transmitter may initiate transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition.

1 . A telecommunication monitoring system comprising: 
 (a) a switch placed at a remote location, said switch including: 
 i) a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage;  
 ii) a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users;  
 iii) an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office;  
   (b) a transmitter device associated with the converter that transmits a wireless signal relating to an operating condition of the converter; and    (c) a receiving device associated with the interface for receiving wireless signals from the transmitting device and for communicating the signals to the interface.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter device associated with the converter is a reduced function device.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter device associated with the converter is a transceiver.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the receiving device associated with the interface is a full function device.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the receiving device associated with the interface is a transceiver.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter device associated with a converter initiates transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the change in the operating condition further comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of: i) a power failure, ii) a reduced power; and iii) a change in power.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the transmitting device associated with the converter randomly initiates communication with the receiving device associated with the interface.  
     
     
         9 . A telecommunication device monitoring method comprising: 
 (a) placing at least one switch at a remote location, said switch including: 
 i) a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage;  
 ii) a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users;  
 iii) an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office;  
   (b) transmitting a signal relating to an operating condition of the converter using a wireless transmitter associated with the converter; and    (c) receiving the signal with a wireless receiving device associated with the interface from the transmitting device and communicating the signals to the interface.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the wireless transmitter associated with the converter is a reduced function device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the transmitter associated with a converter is a transceiver.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the receiving device associated with the interface is a full function device.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the receiving device associated with the interface is also a transceiver.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the transmitter device associated with a converter initiates transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the change in operating condition further comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of: i) a power failure, ii) a reduced power; and iii) a change in power.  
     
     
         16 . A telecommunication monitoring system comprising: 
 (a) at least one switch placed at a remote location, said switch including 
 i) a converter that converts power from a first voltage to a second voltage;  
 ii) a plurality of communication lines for a connection to a plurality of end users;  
 iii) an interface that establishes a communication link with a central office;  
   (b) a reduced function transmitter device associated with the converter that transmits a wireless signal relating to an operating condition of the converter; and    (c) a full function receiving device associated with the interface for receiving wireless signals from the transmitting device and for communicating the signals to the interface.    
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the transmitter device associated with the converter is a Zigbee device.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the receiving device associated with the interface is a Zigbee device.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the transmitter device associated with a converter initiates transmission upon the occurrence of a change in operating condition.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19  wherein the change in operating condition further comprises at least one condition selected from the group consisting of: i) a power failure, ii) a reduced power; and iii) a change in power.