Patents by Inventor Derek G. Foster

Derek G. Foster has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5832058
    Abstract: A test interface adapter allows a line-conditioning or test device, such as a direct access test unit (DATU), that is normally interfaced with a standard central office switch via a no-test trunk, to be coupled to and communicate with the respective ports of a test interface of a non-standard central office switch that is not equipped with a no test trunk, so that conditioning and/or testing of subscriber telephone lines served by such non-standard central office switch may be carried out. When so installed, the interface adapter of the present invention is operative to map signals at first interface ports, to which the non-standard central office switch is connected, to second interface ports to which the line conditioning/test device (e.g DATU) is connected, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Walance, Derek G. Foster
  • Patent number: 5621782
    Abstract: A test interface adapter allows a line-conditioning or test device, such as a direct access test unit (DATU), that is normally interfaced with a standard central office switch via a no-test trunk, to be coupled to and communicate with the respective ports of a test interface of a non-standard central office switch that is not equipped with a no test trunk, so that conditioning and/or testing of subscriber telephone lines served by such non-standard central office switch may be carried out. When so installed, the interface adapter of the present invention is operative to map signals at first interface ports, to which the non-standard central office switch is connected, to second interface ports to which the line conditioning/test device (e.g DATU) is connected, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1997
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Robert B. Walance, Derek G. Foster
  • Patent number: 5615225
    Abstract: A processor-controlled integrated telephone line measurement and conditioning apparatus installable at a remote site provides a multiplicity of measurement and conditioning functions that are selectively executable in response to commands issued from a supervisory command site. The dual measurement and conditioning capabilities of the architecture of the present invention impart both remote measurement unit (RMU) functionality and metallic access unit (MAU) functionality that may be individually accessed and controlled. The RMU operates primarily as a test head that performs mechanized loop testing (MLT) tasks, while the MAU is operative to impart prescribed electrical conditions to a specified line circuit. When controllably accessed to operate as an RMU, the present invention responds to instructions from a command site (loop maintenance operations systems) and performs single-line demand tests on a line provided by a pair gain system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Derek G. Foster, Edward K. W. Siu, Ben A. Pierce, Michael Kennedy, Onofrio Schillaci, Alex Knight