IP Library Granted Patent US 8,060,081
Granted Patent B2
US 8,060,081 · App. 12/255,298 · Granted Nov 15, 2011

Remote battery replacement notification system and method

Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,060,081
App. No.
12/255,298
Granted
Nov 15, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

A remote battery replacement notification system ( 10 ) for a communication system includes a subscriber unit ( 12 ) having a battery ( 14 ). An operational support system ( 16 ) is in communication with the subscriber unit ( 12 ). The operational support system ( 16 ) periodically polls the subscriber unit ( 12 ). A compact service node ( 18 ) is in communication with the subscriber unit ( 12 ). The compact service node ( 18 ) sends a replace battery notification to the subscriber unit ( 12 ) when a replace battery message is received from the operational support system ( 16 ).

Claims (37)

1. A subscriber unit comprising:

a wireless transceiver to receive telecommunication signals from a wireless access node, the transceiver to provide battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node, the transceiver to receive a replace battery notification from a service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system, the transceiver to provide the replace battery message to a subscriber, the transceiver to establish a phone connection with a service representative in response to a reply from the subscriber to an option presented via the transceiver in the replace battery message.

2. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1 , wherein the subscriber unit is to be polled by the operational support system via the wireless access node.

3. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is in communication with the operational support system via an optical network unit.

4. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1 , wherein the transceiver is in communication with at least one of an Internet, a personal computer, and a television.

5. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a power supply having an input to receive power from a commercial power source and an output to supply power to the transceiver.

6. A subscriber unit as defined in claim 5 , further comprising a switch in communication with a battery and the power supply, the switch to cause the transceiver to receive power from the battery when the commercial power source experiences an outage.

7. A subscriber unit comprising:

a wireless transceiver to receive telecommunication signals from a wireless access node, the transceiver to provide battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node, the transceiver to receive a replace battery notification from a service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system, the transceiver to provide the replace battery message to a subscriber, the transceiver to establish a phone connection with a service representative in response to the replace battery message, wherein the replace battery message includes a link corresponding to a battery replacement option, and wherein the link is an element of an email sent to an email address associated with the subscriber.

8. A method of operating a subscriber unit comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

transmitting a delivery order to a battery supplier in response to a reply to the battery replacement message.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 , further comprising receiving a periodic polling from the operational support system.

10. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the battery replacement message comprises an audio message.

11. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the battery replacement message comprises a text message.

12. A method comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

determining when the subscriber has finished dialing a telephone number on a telephone and providing the subscriber a plurality of audible battery replacement options via the telephone, wherein the plurality of battery replacement options includes requesting a service representative to replace the battery.

13. A method comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

determining when the subscriber has finished dialing a telephone number on a telephone and providing the subscriber a plurality of recorded audible battery replacement options via the telephone, wherein the plurality of battery replacement options includes requesting to speak with a service representative.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving, via a wireless transceiver, telecommunication signals from a wireless access node;

providing battery status information to an operational support system via the wireless access node;

receiving a replace battery notification from a compact service node in response to a replace battery message received by the service node from the operational support system;

forwarding the replace battery message to a subscriber; and

determining when the subscriber has finished dialing a telephone number on a telephone and providing the subscriber a plurality of recorded audible battery replacement options via the telephone.

15. A method as defined in claim 14 , wherein the plurality of battery replacement options includes purchasing a new battery at a designated store.

Continuity (3)
Continuation 10844222 · May 12, 2004
Continuation 09550991 · Apr 17, 2000
Related Publication 20090041228A1 · Feb 12, 2009