Patents Assigned to Westell Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 7092375
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an integrated access device (IAD) that provides multiple communication interfaces for communications to a variety of service providers. The disclosed IAD acts as a DSL modem and combines the functions of a gateway, router, and Ethernet hub to provide high-speed Internet access to PCs sharing a local network. It provides the networking functions that let PCs connect through a variety of methods, including traditional Ethernet, wireless, universal serial bus (USB), and home phoneline networking alliance (HPNA). It also provides point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPOE) tunneling through network address translation (NAT).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: George Pitsoulakis
  • Patent number: 7076030
    Abstract: In an XDSL system, a network interface device can connect between a central office and a customer premises. The network interface device can monitor for an indication to enter a test mode. In the test mode, the network interface device can provide a test signal to the central office, which can be used to test central office equipment and transmission lines connecting the network interface device with the central office. The network interface device can also provide the test signal to the customer premises, and the test signal can be used to test customer premises wiring and equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Bella, Bill Noll
  • Publication number: 20060077968
    Abstract: Several examples for in-home Voice-Over-Internet Protocol (VOIP) telephony distribution are described. In one example, an analog telephone adapter may be modified to provide wireless capabilities. In another example, an isolation device or circuit may be added to a Network Interface Device or a Central Office. In yet another example, a second pair of wires may be used to provide VOIP service. As a result of implementing any one of these examples, a user may place a VOIP call throughout the user's home without being tethered to a fixed location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Applicant: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George Pitsoulakis, Christopher Simanonis, Mark Ziermann, Mark Beegle
  • Publication number: 20040190500
    Abstract: A call path for a call between devices may include one or more transitions between circuit switched networks and packet switched networks. Elements in the call path may communicate with each other in order to determine whether the call may be rerouted to bypass one or more circuit switched network segments in the call path, thereby potentially reducing the number of transitions between the circuit switched networks and the packet switched networks in the call path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Wratten
  • Patent number: 6718030
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a private telephone network using Voice over Internet Protocol includes an addressing scheme that supports two levels of numbers, an Internet name that identifies individual users and a Directory number, which allow the network supported by a plurality of switches to function as if the multiple customers are being served by a single switch. The system of the present invention includes a gateway in communication with both a Public Switch Telephone Network and users of the private network; a call agent in communication with the gateway for processing different requests received at the gateway; a server-based interface including a Directory Server for translating between the Internet name (Network Address) and a Customer address and a Domain Name Server for translating between the Internet name (Network Address) and an Internet Protocol Address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George W. Turner, William J. Noll, Paul V. Harrington, Rodger D. Higgins
  • Patent number: 6477250
    Abstract: A two-wire line conditioning apparatus utilizing dial tone for alignment. Variable impedances are iteratively adjusted using a multitone calibration signal. The hybrid device filters out dial tone components in measuring the echo of the multitone signal during the variable impedance adjustment. The level of the dial tone is measured to determine the overall gain that is to be inserted on the line by the line conditioning apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurence L. Sheets
  • Patent number: 6453432
    Abstract: A method and system for reporting the status of a digital transmission line element, such as a regenerative repeater or a network interface unit, to a remote location. The line element is interconnected to a digital transmission line and receives a data stream via the transmission line from the remote location. The data stream follows predetermined coding rules. In a loopback mode, the line element loops back the data stream via the transmission line to the sending end. The line element includes a detector and an error generator. The detector senses a status query signal in the data stream and responsively enables the error generator to then selectively introduce error message into the data stream being looped back along the transmission line. The error message may then be detected at a remote location to a provide information regarding the line element, such as its location or operating mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Pesetski, Nicholas J. Arnone
  • Patent number: 6359527
    Abstract: An improved, more intelligent network interface unit capable of processing signals received from a high speed transmission media and outputting the received signals without substantial amplification or reduction. The network interface unit comprises a regenerator circuit which detects T1 signals from said high-speed transmission media and outputs a digital stream to a serial data processor for processing via a micro-controller. A wave shaper circuit receives the output from the serial data processor and, in conjunction with the micro-controller and a level detector circuit, regenerates signals having substantially the same wave shape and amplitude as the original T1 signals received from said transmission media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Goluch, Christopher F. Simanonis, George G. Wagner, Mark S. Ziermann
  • Patent number: 6278769
    Abstract: A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (“TELCO”). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. The test mode has two phases. In the first phase, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office. This allows the central office to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. In the second phase, which is entered into upon completion of the first phase, the customer-end ADSL low pass filter is bypassed so that the central office can test the customer's POTS equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6212258
    Abstract: A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (“TELCO”). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. In the test mode, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office so that the central office is able to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. A network interface device in accordance with the present invention has a monitor circuit which looks for a request signal from the central office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Bella, Michael Clegg
  • Patent number: 6188763
    Abstract: An improved, more intelligent network interface unit capable of processing signals received from a high speed transmission media and outputting the received signals without substantial amplification or reduction. The network interface unit comprises a regenerator circuit which detects T1 signals from said high-speed transmission media and outputs a digital stream to a serial data processor for processing via a micro-controller. A wave shaper circuit receives the output from the serial data processor and, in conjunction with the micro-controller and a level detector circuit, regenerates signals having substantially the same wave shape and amplitude as the original T1 signals received from said transmission media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Goluch, Christopher F. Simanonis, George G. Wagner, Mark S. Ziermann
  • Patent number: 6181775
    Abstract: A network interface device intended to be placed approximate to the customers equipment and remote from a central office of a telephone company (“TELCO”). The purpose of the network interface device is to allow the twisted pair transmission line between the central office and the customer's port to be selectively switched from a normal monitoring mode into a test mode. The test mode has two phases. In the first phase, the NIU transmits a signal back to the central office. This allows the central office to determine whether there are any problems with the transmission line, the potential bandwidth for the transmission line and related parameters concerning the efficacy and suitability of the transmission line for a variety of communication services. In the second phase, which is entered into upon completion of the first phase, the customer-end ADSL low pass filter is bypassed so that the central office can test the customer's POTS equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6144735
    Abstract: A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the remote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6137880
    Abstract: A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the remote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella
  • Patent number: 6115466
    Abstract: A dual-mode filter network for an Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) has a first frequency response when the Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) telephone is on-hook and has a second frequency response when the POTS telephone is off-hook. A detector is used to determine the on-hook/off-hook status. The dual-mode filter network may be situated at the central unit and connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) while the detector at the re-mote unit connected between the POTS low pass filter and the POTS telephone. In such case, the detector outputs a signal which is transmitter via the twisted pair on an overhead channel. Alternatively, the dual-mode filter and the detector may be co-located at either the central unit or at the remote unit. Regardless of where it, or the detector are located, the dual-mode filter network has at least different combinations of components which are activated, depending on the on-hook/off-hook status of the POTS phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Westell Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory L. Bella