Patent ID: 8385973
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: H04M,H04N

Abstract:
1. A remote equipment management apparatus comprising: a control system positioned between a power input and a power to a controlled equipment, the control system being connected to the power input, the power input providing the power to the controlled equipment, the control system comprising a signal receiver, a tone detector chip, a microprocessor, and a relay all being enclosed in a case; wherein the signal receiver is configured to receive a signal from a computerized telephone interface, the computerized telephone interface configured to automatically communicate the signal to the signal receiver the signal provided by the telephone interface being a plurality of unique input codes in the form of a plurality of tone inputs, the signal receiver being in electronic communication with the tone detector chip, the signal receiver communicating the plurality of tone inputs to the tone detector chip; wherein the tone detector chip is in electronic communication with the microprocessor, the tone detector chip communicating an input signal to the microprocessor based on the plurality of tone inputs provided by the tone detector chip; wherein the microprocessor is constructed and configured to process the input signal received from the tone detector chip to provide an output signal, the output signal provided by the microprocessor being capable of deactivating the controlled equipment by causing the relay to disconnect the power input from the power to the controlled equipment; a computer configured to identify an overdue bill for the controlled equipment and capable of deactivating the controlled equipment using the computerized telephone interface to send a signal to the signal receiver to deactivate the controlled equipment; and wherein the controlled equipment is an item of office equipment.