System for suppressed ringing access of subscriber lines to identify usage anomalies of customer premise equipment connected thereto

Abstract

The usage detection system establishes a suppressed ringing connection to the subscriber line for either a predetermined extended time interval to enable at least two successive usage readings to be taken, or for a duration as determined by the telemetry equipment to perform the necessary usage readings to detect the presence of usage anomalies. This usage detection system communicates with the serving central office to establish a suppressed ringing connection, the duration of which is either under the control of the usage detection system or the telemetry equipment located at the customer premises. The usage detection system communicates with the telemetry equipment to identify the usage measurements that are desired. The parameters that are passed by the usage detection system to the telemetry equipment can include: identification of the telemetry equipment to be tested, number of successive usage readings, time interval between usage readings, anticipated usage rate, duration of usage measurement interval, return to service actions. This communication enables the telemetry equipment to actively perform the usage measurements without the intimate involvement of the usage detection system and within the single call connection and significantly reduces the number of call connections that are required to perform usage detection tests.