Diagnostic Testing, Malfunction Indication, Or Electrical Condition Measurement Patents (Class 379/1.01)
  • Patent number: 6449365
    Abstract: A client/server interface enables a user to provide information to a server relating to a change in the status of a network resource. The user also identifies an intended recipient of a notification message regarding the status of the network resource. The server then automatically handles the transmission of a notification message to the designated recipient or group of recipients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. Hodges, Steven J. Munsat, John J. Westerhoff, Robert Pombrio
  • Patent number: 6430266
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method a method for testing, configuring, and evaluating a transmission line. The method receives a set of command and data signals through an input/output interface and processes the command and data signals from the input/output interface for controlling at least one relay. The method also activates at least one switch for testing and improving a transmission signal line using the relay and testing and emulating the transmission signal line based upon the activated switch. The method also configures the transmission signal line based upon the testing and emulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Legerity, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugen Gershon
  • Patent number: 6424700
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for maintaining established local calls at an access module in case of change of the call control for a distributed PBX over a communications network, e.g. WAN or LAN, especially an IP network. In accordance with a first main embodiment, the system is composed of one Call Server controlling the call processing of other PBX access modules in a normal situation. These access modules have the ability to operate in Stand Alone or Survival mode if the link to the Call Server is down for any reason. In a second main embodiment, two call servers may be used, an active call server and a hot-standby server. The active call server controls the call processing of the access modules. In case the link between one access module and the active call server fails, the hot-standby Call Server can take over the control of the access module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Thibon, Sandrine Millet, Erlé De Pillot, Ian D. Sinclair, Cuthbert C. Cheung, Aline Gateau
  • Publication number: 20020094077
    Abstract: A subscriber circuit and method for the internal functional testing of the subscriber circuit, wherein the circuit contains at least one signal processor, with a control device, an evaluation device and a device for generating test signals, at least one A/D converter and at least one high voltage part, a circuit arrangement for line monitoring of the subscriber circuit with a number of switches being provided in the at least one high voltage part, and wherein the control device is configured such that all the switches are closed in a test operating state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Kunisch
  • Patent number: 6421424
    Abstract: A client simulator for simulating client behavior in groups or individuals to telephone services in a test system for testing telephone services between subscribers in a PSTN and clients in a distributed information network, for example, the Internet (IP Network), prior to availability of the telephone services to the subscribers and clients. A processor is coupled to a TCP/IP data network linked to the PSTN via a System Control Point (SCP) and the IP Network via an application server. A storage means is coupled to the processor through input/output registers and includes stored instruction for a parent process and a pool of client processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corp.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Creamer, Shailesh Gandhi, Peeyush Jaiswal
  • Patent number: 6418196
    Abstract: A user of a telephone service selects the quality level of a connection by manually specifying the desired quality level, automatically setting up the call with the specified quality level. To assist the user when selecting the quality, a voice sample of the user or a pre-recorded voice sample with specified quality levels may be played back to the user as a reference before the selection of a quality level. Alternatively, the user may be informed about transmission parameters associated with specified quality levels before the selection of a quality level. The method may be carried out by a service control point and a service switching point in a telecommunication network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Robert Brlenic, Jens Lundstr Öm, Aleksander Marlevi
  • Patent number: 6418195
    Abstract: An apparatus communicates a diagnostic device with a telecommunications service source, or alternatively with a telecommunications service subscriber device, through a remote network unit. The apparatus includes a test plug structure receivable in operative engagement with a panel of over-voltage protection receptacles in the remote network unit. The apparatus further includes an engagement structure which connects the test plug structure with the diagnostic device in a plurality of selectable alternative conditions. These include a first condition in which the engagement structure communicates the diagnostic device with the service source through the test plug structure, and a second condition in which the engagement structure communicates the diagnostic device alternatively with the subscriber device through the test plug structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: Marconi Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: John Autry, Mark Szewczul
  • Patent number: 6415024
    Abstract: It is desirable to be able to recognize data calls so that different charges can be applied to such calls and that vertical services, such as the use of special transmission facilities, may be offered to data callers. This recognition is accomplished by attaching a tone detector to a call in order to detect the special tones characteristic of a data call. Advantageously, this permits different charges to be imposed on data calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: James Patrick Dunn, Don Howard Dvorak, Mark Alan Lassig, Eugene J. Rosenthal, Ronald David Slusky
  • Patent number: 6411678
    Abstract: Public or private remote access infrastructures in a communication system are used to facilitate communications between a remote site and a centrally located diagnostic center using only local telephone calls. The diagnostic center as well as one or more remote sites at which monitored equipment is located are coupled to a wide area network (WAN). When data are to be transferred from a remote site to the central diagnostic center, the remote site initiates a local telephone call to a point-of-presence (POP) server on the WAN backbone. This could be an Internet Service Provider (ISP) if the Internet is used, or an intranet if a private network is used. Data are then transferred to the POP server. To complete the transfer, the diagnostic center retrieves the data from the POP server using the public or private wide-area network (the Internet or intranet). The data transfer can be performed either on a scheduled basis, or when an alarm condition is detected at the remote site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Harold Woodruff Tomlinson, Jr., Michael James Hartman, Robert James Mitchell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6404867
    Abstract: A point of presence with data collecting means (24; 43) arranged for collecting predetermined data and having a first output for outputting said predetermined data at a first transmission rate, the point of presence having forwarding means (22, 28(1), 28(2); 44) with a forwarding means output for outputting data to a dedicated telecommunication network (8) at a second transmission rate differing from said first transmission rate, said point of presence also having feedback means (26(1), 26(2), 26(3), 26(4); 46, 48; 46, 48, 26(5), 52) having a feedback input and a feedback output, said feedback means being arranged to receive said predetermined data at said first transmission rate from said data collecting means (24; 43), said forwarding means (22, 28(1), 28(2); 44) being connected to said feedback output for receiving said predetermined data and forwarding these predetermined data to said dedicated telecommunication network (8) at said second transmission rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Koninklijke KPN N.V.
    Inventors: Paul Henricus Hubertus Tommassen, Johannes Van Wingerden, Cornelis Smitshoek
  • Patent number: 6404855
    Abstract: A conditioner unit is wired in parallel with a pair gain test controller used to test a digital loop carrier telephone network. The conditioner unit senses a signal intended to request test results from the pair gain test controller and provides a response signal which indicates that the pair gain test controller performed a successful test, even though the pair gain test controller was not activated. This allows testing of the network without use of a bypass pair or the need to interface the digital loop carrier network with the pair gain test controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Pairgain Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: John Beck
  • Patent number: 6400803
    Abstract: Customer premises equipment for a telecommunications DSL subscriber is adapted to provide a lifeline voice service under a fault condition, e.g. a power failure at the subscriber station. The arrangement incorporates a number of switchable local subscriber ports each providing access to a respective telephone instrument, and a router circuit whereby, under normal conditions, voice calls may be routed each to a respective loop port. Under a fault condition the router directs an incoming call to a selected port to provide the lifeline service. Further calls may be barred when such a lifeline call is in progress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Christopher N Tate, Jonathan Beattie, Roger J Williamson, Igor K Czajkowski, Mark Bridger
  • Patent number: 6400802
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing and measuring transmission line parameters, such as the post-dial delay, the line rate, the noise level and the signal level, among others. The method comprises the step of enabling an echo canceler present in the transmission line and afterwards measuring the parameters of the line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Minacom International Inc.
    Inventor: Christian Légaré
  • Patent number: 6389112
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for on-line monitoring of a telecommunications network comprised of first and second switches. Data is collected at each of the first and second switches and transferred to a central data processing unit. The collected data for each one of the first and second switches is arranged, at the switch, into a first data subset containing log information for each one of the first and second switches, a second data subset containing configuration data for each one of the first and second switches and a third data subset containing operational management information for each one of the first and second switches. The arranged data is then transferred to the central data processing unit where first and second evaluations of operating conditions for the telecommunications network are generated therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: David Stewart, Todd Simonsen, Michael R. Buckalew
  • Patent number: 6385296
    Abstract: A system and method for testing a telephone connection using an interactive telephone response module (ITRM). In one embodiment, the ITRM is connected between the handset and station set of a telephone terminating one end of the connection to be tested. In another embodiment, the ITRM is connected between the telephone connection and the station set of a telephone terminating one end of the connection to be tested. By operating switches on the ITRM, a user can impose predetermined conditions on the connection. A test coordinator located at a test point or other termination in the telephone network then tests the connection under the predetermined conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Hardy, Earl L. Mannas
  • Patent number: 6385298
    Abstract: An error reporting system in a communication system of the type that includes a PBX (10) and a monitoring system (20) that forwards internally detected errors from the PBX to a customer service center (28). A trouble ticket server (30) is coupled via a switch contact (40) to the monitoring system and is programmed to close the switch contact in an event a user reported error message is received. Upon detecting the contact closure, the monitoring system forwards an external alarm message to the customer service center. Alternatively, the trouble ticket server may be connected to the monitoring system via a serial communication link (52) that forwards a description of the user reported error to the monitoring system. The monitoring system may direct the PBX to run one or more diagnostic tests and forward the results of the tests to the customer service center along with the description of the user reported error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: William Joseph Beyda, Shmuel Shaffer
  • Patent number: 6377678
    Abstract: An interface device is provided for (1) automatically diagnosing the type and terminal connections of the earphone and microphone transducers used in any handset or headset and (2) automatically connecting any transducer set provided as a replacement handset or headset to emulate the original handset or headset. Subsequently, the user can connect, without further action, the replacement transducer set to the telephone base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Knowles Electronics, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas F. Longwell
  • Patent number: 6377671
    Abstract: According to this invention, a digital key telephone system connected to an analog public network NW having a function of transmitting a ringing signal including identification information of a calling line through a subscriber line (CO line), accommodating a plurality of extension lines each connected to a digital key telephone (DKT) 2 or a standard telephone (STT) 4 as an extension terminal, and having a function of switching and connecting the subscriber line to the plurality of extension lines or the extension lines to each other includes a called party storage means storing, in advance, information representing the correlation between the calling line and the extension terminals 2 and 4 as a called terminal. When a ringing signal arrives from the analog communication network NW, calling line identification information (caller ID) contained in the ringing signal is detected by a calling line identification information interface unit (RCIU) 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Toshiaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Mano, Setsuo Kimura, Yoshihito Nagano, Masayuki Tsurusaki, Takashi Watanabe, Terunori Suwa, Isaku Komuro, Yoshihiro Kawauchi, Nobuhiro Masaki
  • Publication number: 20020041656
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a system for measuring the transmission characteristic of an xDSL system that implements high-speed data communication over existing copper wires connecting an office and a subscriber includes a pulling device included in the outside line of an xDSL circuit, which is installed in an office, for pulling a subscriber line. A noise level measuring circuit measures the level of cross-talk noise on the subscriber line. A decision circuit determines, based on the level of cross-talk noise measured, whether or not the subscriber line is usable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiya Shimura, Minoru Sudo
  • Patent number: 6366644
    Abstract: A digital subscriber line (xDSL) communication system (10) is disclosed that allows xDSL communication across a local loop. The system (10) includes a local loop termination point (14) and customer premises equipment (12) connected to a twisted pair telephone line (16). Loop integrity test devices (22, 24) for xDSL communication are located at the local loop termination point (14) and the customer premises equipment (12) and are coupled to the telephone line (16). The loop integrity test devices (22, 24) are respectively operable to transmit test signatures across the telephone line (16), to receive and evaluate test signatures from the telephone line (16), and to indicate whether the telephone line (16) can support xDSL communication based upon evaluation of test signatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Sisk, John F. McHale
  • Patent number: 6363137
    Abstract: Objects of the invention are to enable different kinds of communication apparatus having interfaces of different input/output methods and different signal voltages to be connected to the same interface; to achieve communication processing appropriate to the automatically detected attribute of the communication apparatus; to explicitly indicate optimum communication means; and to enable communications to be automatically resumed even if the communication apparatus is replaced in the middle of communication. The communication apparatus comprises: means for sending the connected state of the communication apparatus and an attribute of the communication apparatus which connected to information terminal apparatus; a signal line for sending a connection notification to the information terminal apparatus; and a signal input section and a signal output section for transferring control signals and data to and from the information terminal apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Nakao, Masayuki Natsumi, Takashi Yoshida, Susumu Kitaguchi
  • Patent number: 6356622
    Abstract: A system for providing robust and secure communications connections in a telecommunications network is disclosed. The system includes an apparatus supporting functions directed to the establishment of a backup link in the event of a network fault, security, and network connection prioritization. Each of these features are uniquely achieved by utilizing caller identification information associated with the calling party when users are interconnected via private branch exchanges to local area networks. The features of the invention are uniquely achieved by retrieving and utilizing data-link connection identifiers or Internet protocol addresses associated with the accessing user when users are connected to the network via frame relay routers. The apparatus establishes a backup link for rerouting data in a network by establishing a primary network link between a calling party and a called party, by examining call/link setup information at the called party to identify the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Paradyne Corporation
    Inventors: Suzanne Hassell, Vincent Ciletti, Peter Calderon
  • Publication number: 20020021787
    Abstract: The invention presented herein is directed to a remotely addressable maintenance unit (RAMU) working in conjunction with a test head at the central office for detecting and locating faults in digital subscriber loop (DSL) and/or plain old telephone system (POTS) environments. The RAMU includes circuitry for setting and resetting one or more relays for either normal or testing/maintenance mode. The present invention provides a system and method for addressing the RAMU by applying either positive or negative voltages from the tip to ground, from ring to ground, and from tip and ring to ground. In this manner, individual RAMUs can be defined/designed to respond in certain voltage levels and polarities. Accurate fault detection and sectionalization is achieved by the combination of the addressing capabilities enumerated herein, and the impedance signature designed into the RAMU, working in concert with a test head in the central office.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 21, 2002
    Applicant: Turnstone Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ramon C.W. Chea
  • Patent number: 6343113
    Abstract: A telephone line measurement circuit is disclosed for detecting a variation of a characteristic between a first and a second leads of a telephone line. The circuit comprises a first circuit having a first and a second inputs and an output. The circuit also has a second circuit having a first and a second inputs and an output. The first input of the first circuit and the second input of the second circuit are coupled to the first lead of the telephone line and the second input of the first circuit and the first input of the second circuit are coupled to the second lead of the telephone line. The outputs of the first and the second circuits are then coupled together to provide an output for the measurement circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing S.A.
    Inventor: Linmei Shu
  • Publication number: 20020009180
    Abstract: A system for providing at least one telephone service in a multiservice communication system, the system comprising a combiner for combining a plurality of services for delivery between a source and a user along a common line. A decombiner recovers the plurality of services from the common line, a detector detects a failure condition in at least one of the combiner or the decombiner, and a switch responsive to the detected failure bypasses the failed combiner or decombiner to couple at least one service determined to be critical between the source and the user. This allows an improved response to loss of power than many exiting systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Weirich, Gudmundur Hjartarson, Allan Isfan
  • Patent number: 6341159
    Abstract: A wide band noise extrapolation test system, which may reside within a processor-controlled test head installed in a central office, or as part of test signal generation and processing circuitry of a craftsperson's test set, processes data derived from applying single ended stimuli to a plurality of wirelines. The processing mechanism accurately and reliably identifies the locations and amplitudes of remote noise sources for each of the wirelines, by determining attenuation along and the lengths of the wirelines, and then modifying values of noise measurements in accordance with the determined attenuation and length values, so as to extrapolate the amplitudes of the noise at their identified source locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: James M. Jollota
  • Publication number: 20020006186
    Abstract: This invention relates to bulk testing of voice messaging applications by playing back an interaction from a recorded script. During development of a voice response system and application it is necessary to simulate a plurality of calls to the system so that the performance under strain can be monitored. Such a simulation can be performed by a bulk call generator which makes real telephone calls to the IVR through a private branch switch. However with bulk call testing some problems occur which rigorous functional and/or performance testing does not find. This is because real callers behave in unpredictable ways which were not expected or assumed by the creators of the functional and/or performance tests.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Jeremy Guy Sanders
  • Patent number: 6334055
    Abstract: An adapter/converter circuit converts transmissions by a mobile telephone built for one standard (e.g., PCS) from the telephone transmit/base station receive frequency of that one standard to the telephone transmit/base station receive frequency of another standard (e.g., cellular), and converts transmissions by a base station or similar device (e.g., a base station simulator) from the telephone receive/base station transmit frequency of the one standard to the telephone receive/base station transmit frequency of the other standard. The two frequency conversions occur simultaneously on two parallel legs under the control of a PLL dual frequency synthesizer, which is in turn controlled by user input (in the case where the adapter is used to allow, e.g., PCS telephones to be tested on cellular test equipment) or by the base station (in the case where the adapter is used to allow, e.g., PCS telephones to be used with a cellular base station).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Garner, Zhihong Huang, Winston H. Lieu
  • Patent number: 6333978
    Abstract: It is an object of the invention to provide a telephone system which is capable of protecting privacy of a manager of a slave unit on an incoming caller telephone number as well as protecting privacy of a manager of a master unit on an incoming caller telephone number. The telephone system of the invention comprises a master unit and at least one slave unit, wherein when incoming caller telephone number data is associated with the master unit, the caller telephone number data is displayed only at the master unit and held in a history storage buffer, and when incoming caller telephone number data is associated with the slave unit, the caller telephone number data is transmitted from the master unit to the associated slave unit to be displayed at the associated slave unit as well as held in a history storage buffer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Harumichi Tamura
  • Publication number: 20010053205
    Abstract: A subscriber circuit allowing a reliable and proper subscriber line test is disclosed. The subscriber circuit includes a splitter and a feeder for feeding a current to subscriber equipment through a subscriber line. A path selector is provided to select one of a first path and a second path between the subscriber line and the feeder. The first path has the splitter inserted therein and the second path has no splitter inserted therein. The path selector normally selects the first path. When the subscriber line test instruction is received, the path selector selects the second path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Applicant: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hideki Kikui
  • Patent number: 6330306
    Abstract: An in-line data protector for preventing a test set from accessing a telephone line under a predetermined condition is disclosed. The in-line data protector selectively connects the test set and the telephone line responsive to detection of a data signal on the telephone line. The in-line data protector includes a power circuit for providing general operating power, a processor connected to the telephone line, and a relay serially connected between the telephone line and the test set. When general operating power is received, the processor analyzes the telephone line by emulating a single band filter. By using a single band filter, a very good determination can be made as to whether a signal on the telephone line is a data signal or a voice signal. If the signal is not a data signal, the processor instructs the relay to close, thereby connecting the telephone line to the test set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Inventor: Paul C. Brown
  • Patent number: 6324260
    Abstract: When there is an error in setting of a companding law of an encoder or a decoder, there is a problem of an error in judgment although it should be originally judged that the continuity of the testing channel does not exist. Therefore, a channel check test system includes a transmitting side DCME for inserting a nonlinear quantized input test pattern into a channel to be tested, and a receiving side DCME.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukimasa Sugino, Shigeaki Suzuki, Nobuyoshi Horie
  • Publication number: 20010043674
    Abstract: A conditioner unit is wired in parallel with a pair gain test controller used to test a digital loop carrier telephone network. The conditioner unit senses a signal intended to request test results from the pair gain test controller and provides a response signal which indicates that the pair gain test controller performed a successful test, even though the pair gain test controller was not activated. This allows testing of the network without use of a bypass pair or the need to interface the digital loop carrier network with the pair gain test controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 1998
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Applicant: PairGain Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: JOHN BECK
  • Publication number: 20010043672
    Abstract: A long-distance transmission system includes a network terminal that accommodates terminal equipment, and a line terminal connected to the network terminal via a two-wire metallic subscriber line. The network terminal includes an amplifier, which amplifies a transmission level of a transmission signal to be transmitted to the line terminal via the two-wire metallic subscriber line on the basis of a characteristic of the two-wire transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Publication date: November 22, 2001
    Inventor: MASAKAZU OI
  • Patent number: 6320939
    Abstract: A remote telephone testing device (22) includes a transmitter (30), a receiver (24), a controller (26) and a test circuit (28). In response to the receiver (24) receiving a test signal from a test system (20) via a telephone network (2, 4, 6, 8), the controller (26) communicatively isolates telephone equipment (10) of a subscriber (S) from the telephone network (2, 4, 6, 8) and connects the test circuit (28) to the telephone equipment (10). The test circuit (28) tests the telephone equipment (10) and conveys one or more results of such test to the controller (26) which relays the one or more results to the test system (20) via the transmitter (30). When testing is complete, the telephone equipment (10) is isolated from the test circuit (28) and is communicatively connected to the telephone network (2, 4, 6, 8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Tollgrade Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory M. Nulty, Larry Mortimer
  • Patent number: 6314162
    Abstract: A line circuit for serving a digital telephone set over a link of indeterminate length and attenuation characteristics includes a processor for issuing test messages over the link to the telephone set and which responds to the receipt of an acknowledgment message from the telephone set by inserting increasing amounts of finite attenuation into the link until the acknowledgment message fails to be received, at which point the value of inserted attenuation is a measure of the excess link margin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp
    Inventors: Emanuel James Fulcomer, Paul Benjamin Newland
  • Patent number: 6304633
    Abstract: A testing system for voice system equipment in a switchboard includes a testing maintenance terminal for inputting telephone number information of an ordinary subscriber's telephone that is to be designated as a maintenance party telephone. The testing maintenance terminal can be a testing maintenance terminal of a general-purpose information processing unit. A call processing block inside a control unit of the switchboard includes a test accepting module for accepting the telephone number information from the testing maintenance terminal and for transmitting a call message to a call control module, in addition to the call control module and a translation module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Adachi, Shinji Yamada, Shinji Segawa, Morimitsu Miura
  • Patent number: 6301345
    Abstract: There is described a key telephone system which enables rewriting of the main program of the key telephone system, recovery of the key telephone system from a failure, and maintenance of the key telephone system such as diagnosis in an immediate, flexible, and inexpensive manner, a maintenance method for the key telephone system, and a medium on which is recorded a program for carrying out the maintenance method. A program to be rewritten is downloaded from an external device to a second storage means. After an existing program of a storage means has been saved into the second storage means, the downloaded program stored in the second storage means is transmitted and rewritten into the storage means. Failure information recording means records information regarding at least failures that occur at the time of downloading the program, failures that occur at the time of saving the existing program, and failures that occur at the time of rewriting the downloaded program.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takafumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6298119
    Abstract: A system and method for telephone trouble reporting. One aspect of the present invention is a context-sensitive graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI allows a user to select a trouble reporting option at various stages of a telephone call in a telephony-over-LAN system. Thus, a series of menus listing potential call difficulties are provided in the interface of the digital or IP phone or telephony-enabled computer to the user during the telephone call. Selecting one of the options allows the user to report the problem to the server or other central switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, William J. Beyda
  • Publication number: 20010022835
    Abstract: A speaker apparatus can ensure a large size and area of a diaphragm so as to improve reproducing capability in a low sound range and increase an output sound pressure, and can constitute a plurality of vibrating points (signal control points). An input signal Vin having a plurality of independent channels is inputted, then the signal input Vin is processed in a sound signal processing portion 30 by calculating and adding of an interference canceling signal between the signal control points, by calculating and adding of a sound interference signal for causing the interference between outputs from the signal control points in an arbitrary point, etc., so as to be inputted to transducers 20 that are attached to a single diaphragm 10. The transducer 20 transduces an electric signal into mechanical vibration. A plurality of the signal control points are generated on the single diaphragm, and each signal control point cause the single diaphragm 10 to vibrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Naoshi Matsuo
  • Publication number: 20010009576
    Abstract: A testing environment and a method for telephone number identification and/or verification. The method identifies a telephone number associated with a tested telephone line by: (a) operatively connecting a test equipment to the tested telephone line; (b) dialing via a communication port of the test equipment, via the tested telephone line, via a cellular communication system, to a cellular receiver, and (c) processing a received signal received by the cellular receiver to identify the telephone number associated with the tested telephone line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: July 26, 2001
    Applicant: Y.P. Unitesters LTD.
    Inventors: Yair Avitsur, Yosef Yahav, Alon Mano
  • Publication number: 20010008412
    Abstract: A visual telephone unit is disclosed, that comprises a first inputting portion for inputting a picture frame, a second inputting portion for inputting a compensation amount of a rotation angle of the picture frame around a perpendicular line that passes through the picture frame, and a rotating portion for rotating the picture frame by the compensation amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 19, 2001
    Inventors: Takeshi Ando, Masakatsu Takizawa