Patent ID: 6072858
Filing Date: 2000-06-06
Classification: H04B,H04M

Abstract:
A method for reporting a defective telephone line in a power line network comprising a plurality of utility processors, each connected to a common power line that functions as a communications medium among the utility processors, at least some of the utility processors each connected to a respective telephone line, said method comprising the steps of:(a) monitoring a first one of the telephone lines with a first one of the utility processors to generate a signal in response to a defective in the first telephone line;(b) sending a first message with the first utility processor in response to the signal via the common power line to at least two other of the utility processors, each of which is connected to another one of the telephone lines;(c) receiving the first message at a second utility processor, one of the two others referenced in part (b);(d) attempting to send a second message from the second utility processor to a remote site, said second message indicative of the defective telephone line;(e) receiving the first message at a third utility processor, the other of the two referenced in part (b);(f) waiting for a time period to receive at the third utility processor a confirmation message indicating that the second utility processor has processed the message; and(g) sending the second message from the third utility processor to the remote site when no confirmation message is received at the third utility processor during the time period.