Terminal Arrangement To Enable Remote Testing (e.g., Testing Interface) Patents (Class 379/29.01)
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Patent number: 6750643Abstract: A group wiring patching device which has built-in light emitting device and filtering device coupled with wire pair receptacle thereof. When a testing voltage is applied to the circuit of the light emitting device, the light emitting device will emit light for assisting wire pair identification. The filtering device can minimize or even eliminate loop back shorting resulted by the circuit of the connected light emitting when communication signals or low voltage signals being applied thereto. Therefore, the group wiring patching device of the present invention will be able to perform ordinary signal transmitting functions without the need to remove the light emitting device after the wire pair identification process is done.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Inventors: Richard Hwang, Wayne Hwang, Memiee L. Hwang
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Patent number: 6744853Abstract: A telephone line testing device for use with a PABX having a plurality of input lines. The testing device includes test circuitry, a first connecting means for connection to a telephone line of a telephone system, a second connecting means for connection to a desired input line of the PABX, a first switch means for connecting either the PABX input line or the test circuitry to the telephone line. The test circuitry includes a test signal generating means for generating a test signal, a ringing signal detection means for detecting the presence of a ringing signal on the telephone line, and a second switch means which is responsive to the ringing signal detection means for automatically supplying a test signal generated by the test signal generating means to the telephone system when the test circuitry is connected to the telephone line by the first switch means and a ringing signal is desired.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 1, 2004Assignee: Oakdene LimitedInventor: Petrus Cornelius Albertus Van Rooyen
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Patent number: 6738455Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing the connectivity of subscriber terminals more efficiently. A subscriber test controller controls a process of a subscriber test by sending related test parameters and identification data to identify a target subscriber to be tested. A subscriber data management unit collects subscriber data and centrally manages the collected subscriber data. A target subscriber determination unit identifies the target subscriber by using the identification data in searching the subscriber data. A subscriber test execution unit receives the test parameters through a transmission path routed separately from trunks interconnecting the telecommunications devices, and runs a subscriber test according to the received test parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Takeshi Miyagawa
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Patent number: 6707886Abstract: A subscriber loop test apparatus relates to the testing of a subscriber loop by the use of a touchtone telephone. The touchstone buttons on a telephone provide Dual-Tone, Multiple Frequencies for each key pressed. For example, referring to FIG. 1, pressing the ‘3’ key causes tones at 697 and 1477 Hz to be sent across the telephone line. Pressing a sequence of keys provides discrete coverage of the frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz, through the use of the touchtone telephone. The frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz can be characterized in this fashion. Information about the line: loop loss (loop length), presence of bridge taps (i.e., excessively long bridge taps in particular) or loading coils, and the presence of Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs), et cetera. The use of the switch-hook flash provides the ability to determine the channel (impulse) response of the loop, including any noise and hum that may be on the loop due to imbalance or coupled interference.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Richard Henry Erving, Maura Elizabeth Marcus, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice
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Patent number: 6668041Abstract: Single ended line probing techniques for determining if a telephone line qualifies for digital subscriber line service are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: Centillium Communications, Inc.Inventors: Jalil Kamali, Babak H. Khalaj
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Publication number: 20030231744Abstract: A performance monitoring access device for a DSX system is disclosed herein. The monitoring device provides connection locations for readily connecting digital equipment to performance monitoring equipment. The monitoring devices allows for dual performance monitoring of digital equipment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 17, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Hans-Georg Grosse-Boes, James D. Dewey, Scott K. Baker, Dominic L. Louwagie, Ryan L. Lindquist
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Publication number: 20030228000Abstract: A system and method of troubleshooting a communication connection for a remotely located security system is disclosed. A communication line test unit is incorporated into the remote security system and its communication unit. A central control unit can then contact the remote security system communication unit, enable the communication line test unit and perform tests on various operational parameters of the communication unit located in the remote unit and the communication connection of the local unit. The tests conducted can include loop current, tip to ring voltage, ring to ground current, circuit loss, circuit noise, power influence as well as other tests. Based on the results of these tests a determination can be made if the problem is an extraneous influence, such as a poor local telephone line connection, or some problem with the security system communication unit itself.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2002Publication date: December 11, 2003Inventor: Wayne C. Hom
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Publication number: 20030206615Abstract: Improved arrangement for interfacing between a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), and a telephone network and data network. A Low-Pass Filter is mounted together with a POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service) interface circuit to reduce the number of connections to a Main Distributing Frame (MDF). Other arrangements are disclosed for mounting blocking capacitors to isolate a data network test access from the POTS service provision. Advantageously, reliable DSL service is provided at lower operations and apparatus cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2002Publication date: November 6, 2003Inventors: Wim L. Brouwer, Carl Robert Posthuma
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Patent number: 6614881Abstract: Telecommunications conductor wire pair test circuits are provided. The test circuits include a switch electrically coupled to the wire pair. The switch has a first position in which the test circuit provides an open circuit across the wires of the wire pair and a second position in which the test circuit is detectable across the wires of the wire pair. An energy storage cell is electrically coupled across the wires of the wire pair so as to charge the energy storage cell when the switch is in the second position. The switch is powered by the energy storage cell. An energy monitor circuit is electrically coupled to the energy storage cell which detects an energy level of the energy storage cell. A switch control circuit switches the switch from the first position to the second position responsive to the energy monitor circuit. In other embodiments, the switch is a relay and the energy monitor circuit is optionally included. Methods are also provided using the test circuit.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2000Date of Patent: September 2, 2003Assignee: Tyco Electronics CorporationInventor: Ian Paul Atkins
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Publication number: 20030156685Abstract: A subscriber loop test apparatus relates to the testing of a subscriber loop by the use of a touchtone telephone. The touchstone buttons on a telephone provide Dual-Tone, Multiple Frequencies for each key pressed. For example, referring to FIG. 1, pressing the ‘3’ key causes tones at 697 and 1477 Hz to be sent across the telephone line. Pressing a sequence of keys provides discrete coverage of the frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz, through the use of the touchtone telephone. The frequency band from 697 to 1477 Hz can be characterized in this fashion. Information about the line: loop loss (loop length), presence of bridge taps (i.e., excessively long bridge taps in particular) or loading coils, and the presence of Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs), et cetera. The use of the switch-hook flash provides the ability to determine the channel (impulse) response of the loop, including any noise and hum that may be on the loop due to imbalance or coupled interference.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Richard Henry Erving, Maura Elizabeth Marcus, Robert Raymond Miller, Christopher W. Rice
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Patent number: 6594343Abstract: The invention described herein relates to a splitter bypass system and method for monitoring, testing and maintaining copper loops and lines. Switching devices are implemented in the present invention to bypass a low pass filter and/or a high pass filter in the splitter, thereby actuating bypass functions to bypass a splitter or portions thereof for enabling pure metallic access to the loop, digital equipment, voice equipment, and/or test equipment. The splitter bypass function can be used with a conventional splitter in the current voice and digital system. The splitter bypass operation includes selecting a copper loop or portions thereof for monitoring, testing and maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Turnstone Systems, Inc.Inventors: P. Kingston Duffie, Jayant Ragde, Wojtek Antoszkiewicz
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Patent number: 6587543Abstract: A system and method for the automated testing of a telecommunications system. In operation, the automated test system may be used to test the functionality of telephony applications residing on telecommunications equipment and to validate the data contained within related databases. In an exemplary embodiment, the automated test system is used to test the functionality of an automated messaging system and the accuracy of associated call detail records (CDR) located within a CDR database. A capture/playback tool is preferably used to emulate the interaction of a test person on a workstation of the test system to thereby automate the testing process.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 1, 2003Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.Inventors: Robert Howard, Jack Johnson, Dave Hoover, Glenn Workinger
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Patent number: 6584148Abstract: A system for testing a communication path for digital subscriber line (DSL) signals includes a loop management device coupled in the communication path between a DSL access multiplexer (DSLAM) and a DSL modem located at a customer premises. The system also includes a remote test interface coupled in the communication path between the loop management device and the DSL modem. The loop management device and the remote test interface communicate using voice-band signals transmitted over the communication path and collaboratively test the communication path.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2000Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Nokia Inc.Inventors: Brent R. Zitting, Robert D. Deaton, Mark O. Rigby, Ron M. Roberson, Kevin R. Banks, Jeffrey J. Sands
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Patent number: 6580782Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: June 17, 2003Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: William C. Hardy, Earl L. Mannas
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Patent number: 6574308Abstract: A communication device transmits very low frequency signals in order to help diagnose the cause of a communication problem in a DSL communication system. The communication problem may be, for example, the inability of a remote data transceiver unit (DTU-R) to successfully train-up with a central data transceiver unit (DTU-C). The very low frequency signals may be used to communicate the status or settings of the remote transceiver unit to the DTU-C, to download settings parameters or executable code to the DTU-R, or to coordinate the transmission of testing signals.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Paradyne CorporationInventors: Alistair Malcolm Macdonald, Joseph Q. Chapman
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Patent number: 6574309Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remotely actuated splitter bypass function (RASB) working in conjunction with a test head at the central office for testing and maintaining copper loops in the digital subscriber line environment. The RASB allows a competitive local exchange carrier to test and maintain the xDSL portion of the copper loop with minimal interference and disturbance to/from the plain old telephone system (POTS) service by bypassing the central office splitter. The splitter bypass operation includes the steps of selecting a copper loop pair for testing, actuating a first relay for monitor mode, actuating a second relay for bypass mode, testing the selected copper loop, and resetting the first and second relays back to normal mode. By applying positive and negative voltages from the tip and ring with respect to ground, various relays can be set (actuated) and reset to provide multiple modes of operations.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2000Date of Patent: June 3, 2003Assignee: Turnstone Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ramon C. W. Chea, Jr., P. Kingston Duffie
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Publication number: 20030076946Abstract: Combined plain old telephone system (POTS) and digital subscriber loop (DSL) line card capable of suppressing low frequency transients. The line card includes the following elements. A DSL receive path receives DSL data from a loop. A POTS receive path receives POTS data from the loop. A combined POTS and DSL transmit path transmits POTS and DSL data to the loop. An impedance generator is coupled between the POTS receive path and the combined POTS and DSL transmit path for synthesizing impedance for signals in the combined POTS and DSL transmit path. A low frequency detector selectively applies a high pass filter to an output of the impedance generator for filtering the low frequency transients. Further, a clipped signal detector and a variable pole high pass filter are provided in the POTS receive path. The clipped signal detector in the POTS receive path triggers a switch that discharges stored transient energy in the receive path.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: Catena Networks, Inc.Inventors: Michael Dziawa, Scott McClennon, Francois Tremblay, S. Donald McGinn
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Patent number: 6553098Abstract: An apparatus for assessing signal coupling and radiation from cable networks by exciting the network with multiple broadband signals modulated by a common source, the networks having a plurality of channels, including a noise generator to generate a plurality of test signals, a plurality of modulators, each coupled to one of the plurality of channels, for modulating the plurality of test signals, and a control apparatus coupled to the plurality of modulators for controlling coupling and decoupling of each of the plurality of channels to the signal generating means.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.Inventors: Warner George Harrison, John Winsor Lovell
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Patent number: 6549610Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Hideki Kikui
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Publication number: 20030063713Abstract: A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2002Publication date: April 3, 2003Applicant: WorldCom, INC.Inventors: William Christopher Hardy, Vaikunth N. Gupta
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Patent number: 6535579Abstract: A telephone network interface device (NID) includes a test circuit that is readily connected and disconnected. The NID has a portion of an electrical circuit that connects a pair of provider wires as well as a pair of test wires to a pair of subscriber terminals. The test wires lead to a test circuit on the provider side of the housing of the NID. The subscriber terminals are located on the subscriber side of the housing to interconnect the provider wires with a pair of subscriber wires. A jack in the NID has a normal mode of operation in which the provider wires are electrically connected to the subscriber wires and a test mode of operation in which the provider wires are disconnected from the subscriber wires. A pair of lead wires are electrically connected to the jack and have free ends that connect to the subscriber terminals. This connects the test circuit in parallel physically and electrically between the provider wires and the subscriber wires.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2000Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Corning Cable Systems LLCInventors: K. Erin Blake, Anthony R. Board
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Patent number: 6535581Abstract: In a telephone communication system employing a lower spectral band and a higher spectral band for communication of voice and video, wherein the system includes a first line for carrying signals at both the first and the second spectral bands and a second line for carrying signals at only the second spectral band, and wherein capacitors are employed for connection of the second line to the first line for exclusion of DC at a signal splitter of the communication system, the system has a bypass DC signal path for an alternative connection of the second line to the first line in substitution for the connection of the capacitors. The bypass can be activated electronically and remotely to establish conditions for the conduction of test of the signal carrying lines.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Mphase TechnologiesInventor: Michael Singaliese
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Patent number: 6526124Abstract: In a telecommunications system, an object having an incoming side and an outgoing side is tested using a plurality of test components allocated in parallel for the incoming and outgoing sides of the object. The in-parallel allocated test components perform testing routines for the incoming and outgoing sides of the object. A main test component is connected to each of the in-parallel allocated test components, and equivalently controls operations of the in-parallel allocated test components. The resulting test structure for testing the incoming and outgoing sides of the object, is symmetric.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2000Date of Patent: February 25, 2003Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)Inventors: Tom Swahn, Mika Kämäräinen
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Patent number: 6519323Abstract: A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test unit may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1999Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.Inventors: William Christopher Hardy, Vaikunth N. Gupta
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Patent number: 6519320Abstract: In a state monitoring method in a subscriber line test in a communication system in which a subscriber telephone and a subscriber terminal are independently connected to a telephone exchange and an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) apparatus through a subscriber line, the telephone exchange to which a first control terminal is connected is connected, through an interface, to the ADSL apparatus to which a second control terminal is connected. A line blocked state due to a line test instruction is notified from one of the first and second control terminals to the other of the first and second control terminals through the interface. Upon receiving the notification of the line block state due to the line test instruction, the other of the first and second control terminals determines that the line blocked state is not caused by a fault. A state monitoring apparatus is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Kazuya Yanagi
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Patent number: 6516055Abstract: A trouble report processing system provides an electronic interface between a telephone company's trouble report input system and its trouble report resolution system. The interface eliminates the need for the trouble report input system to generate a paper ticket that must be carried to a trouble report resolution system. An operator receives a call and generates a trouble report which is stored in the trouble report input system as an electronic trouble ticket. The interface continually, periodically or as desired, monitors the trouble report input system for the presence of new electronic trouble tickets. When the interface finds a new electronic trouble ticket, it acquires the information contained therein and uses it to build a trouble ticket in a format that the trouble ticket resolution system can process.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1999Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.Inventors: Robert J. Bedeski, H. R. Greene, Jr., Corky Umstead, Debbie A. Hill, Ron D. Stanley
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Publication number: 20030021391Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for testing a telephone or communications line to determine if the line qualifies for a particular type or class of communications service, for example DSL service. In accordance with one embodiment, a potential customer can download a software program. The program first performs a DSL distance qualification calculation. If the customer's line passes this step, the program determines whether the line coupled between the customer and a central office servicing that customer is electrically qualified for DSL communications. A series of tests to measure signal levels, noise, and other characteristics are performed by a test server, which generally include local loop tests to determine the presence of bridged taps, load coils, and subscriber line concentrators. After the tests are completed, the customer can receive the results, order completion and other instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: January 30, 2003Inventors: David A. Rubin, Anthony M. Kolodzinski
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Patent number: 6510204Abstract: An apparatus for use in an all digital loop contains a first network node (30), a second network node (31), and a data transmission line (32) there between. Each one of the first and second network nodes (30, 31) is operable to transmit to the other at least one digitised telephone signal with other digital data via a set of carriers. One of the first and second network nodes (30, 31) thereto includes or is associated with means which in the event of power failure at the first network node (30), is operable selectively to provide power to the first node (30) such that the first node (30) operates only via a limited subset of said carriers. This limited subset is such as to minimise the power required for the transmission of a telephone lifeline signal between the first and second nodes (30, 31).Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: AlcatelInventors: Luc Josephine Theoduul De Clercq, Franciscus Maria Ploumen, Marc Maria Marcel Van Bladel, Peter Paul Frans Reusens, Luc Maria Marcel Verpooten, Willem Jules Antoine Verbiest
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Patent number: 6504906Abstract: A telephone micro-tester and transport system for testing smaller remote SLC customer's lines and terminal equipment is provided. A micro-tester is located at a remote terminal for measuring and storing signatures of test performed on the SLC customer's lines and terminal equipment to determine faults. A first modem is located at the remote terminal and is coupled to the micro-tester for transferring the measured and stored signatures of the test performed to a second modem. The second modem is located at the telephone company's central office for receiving the measured and stored signatures of the tests performed which are being transferred by the first modem. A synthesizer is located at the telephone company's central office and is coupled to the second modem for re-creating virtual signatures of the test performed by the micro-tester at the remote terminal and for transporting the them to a test system at the telephone company's central office.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2000Date of Patent: January 7, 2003Assignee: Excelsus Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Frederick J. Kiko
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Publication number: 20020181666Abstract: In a telephone communication system employing a lower spectral band and a higher spectral band for communication of voice and video, wherein the system includes a first line for carrying signals at both the first and the second spectral bands and a second line for carrying signals at only the second spectral band, and wherein capacitors are employed for connection of the second line to the first line for exclusion of DC at a signal splitter of the communication system, the system has a bypass DC signal path for an alternative connection of the second line to the first line in substitution for the connection of the capacitors. The bypass can be activated electronically and remotely to establish conditions for the conduction of test of the signal carrying lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2001Publication date: December 5, 2002Inventor: Michael Singaliese
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Patent number: 6487276Abstract: A method tests a subscriber line. The method includes providing a classifier to predict a performance characteristic of the line based at least in part on a value of an auxiliary variable. Each value of the auxiliary variable represents a property of the line. The method also includes performing electrical measurements on the subscriber line, using the measurements to predict a value of the auxiliary variable, and predicting the performance characteristic of the line. The act of predicting the characteristic applies the classifier to the predicted value of auxiliary variable.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 26, 2002Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.Inventors: Joseph S. Rosen, Susan E. McGill
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Patent number: 6480469Abstract: The present invention system automates the process of testing the integrity of the components residing at each node of a data network. After automatically dial connecting to a site of the network by selecting a telephone number from a retrieved list of telephone numbers each representing a site of the network, the instant invention sends a query directed to a particular component at the site. And depending on the response/non-response received, the instant invention can readily determine whether there is a problem with the being queried component. If there is a fault detected, this fault is reported either as a HTML file or a text file to either a web site or a data store, so that a technician can readily retrieve that information when needed. After all components at a site are tested, a report of the operational effectiveness of each of the components could be generated and provided either to the web site or dumped into the data store.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 1998Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: WorldCom, Inc.Inventors: Paul D. Moore, Sherman S. LaCost, Jeff Coburn
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Patent number: 6480575Abstract: The present invention is directed to a remotely actuated splitter bypass function (RASB) working in conjunction with a test head at the central office for testing and maintaining copper loops in the digital subscriber line environment. The RASB allows a competitive local exchange carrier to test and maintain the xDSL portion of the copper loop with minimal interference and disturbance to/from the plain old telephone system (POTS) service by bypassing the central office splitter. The splitter bypass operation includes the steps of selecting a copper loop pair for testing, actuating a first relay for monitor mode, actuating a second relay for bypass mode, testing the selected copper loop, and resetting the first and second relays back to normal mode. By applying positive and negative voltages from the tip and ring with respect to ground, various relays can be set (actuated) and reset to provide multiple modes of operations.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: Turnstone Systems, Inc.Inventors: Ramon C. W. Chea, Jr., P. Kingston Duffie
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Patent number: 6480576Abstract: For testing a network, a connection between an originating station and an answering station is established over the network. Signals are sent over the connection and if the signals are not correctly received through the connection, the connection is maintained and a message is sent to a monitoring station indicating that a defective connection has been detected.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: November 12, 2002Assignee: AT&T Corp.Inventors: Michael S. Cluff, John D. Francis, Allen J. Mollica
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Patent number: 6466650Abstract: Telephone line service type identification is provided to a telephone technician in the field by the placement of one or more tuned circuit(s) across the telephone line. In one embodiment, an inexpensive tuned circuit such as a ceramic resonator forms a telecom service resonator ID device which is placed across a telephone line, either at the central office or at the customer premises. Injection of a test current at a predetermined frequency, and a suitable amplitude of the same indicates to the technician aspects of telecom service to that particular telephone line (e.g., the existence of POTS, ISDN, and/or xDSL) and or use of the telephone line by a home network such as HPNA. In another embodiment, a telecom service transponder ID device is formed to provide line service identification to an interrogating line technician. The telecom service transponder ID device is activated when the test signal including an appropriate frequency is present to cause excitation in the telecom service transponder ID device.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2000Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: Agere Systems Guardian Corp.Inventors: Jonathan H. Fischer, Donald R. Laturell, Lane A. Smith
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Patent number: 6466647Abstract: A characteristic of a local loop is used to estimate the loop's data carrying capacity. The characteristic is measured and applied to a table previously stored in memory which contains values relating the characteristic to downstream data rates. Using interpolation when required, an estimate of the data carrying capacity of the local loop is estimated based on the measured characteristic. The measured characteristic may be, for example, the input impedance or the DC resistance of the local loop.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 1999Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventor: Gary Tennyson
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Publication number: 20020141544Abstract: A bi-directional communication system advantageously automatically senses and reports problems to a central operator network management station and operates with fewer subscriber service interruptions by detecting and correcting such conditions before they result in subscriber service interruption. Specifically, a system adaptively varies upstream transmission power level to prevent communication interruption in a cable modem network. A method for adaptively adjusting communication operation by varying a transmission parameter involves retrieving a communication parameter from memory and comparing the retrieved parameter with a predetermined threshold. A message is transmitted to a CATV head-end at a remote site representing that the parameter value indicates adjustment of the parameter is necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2001Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventors: Larry Cecil Brown, John Alan Gervais
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Publication number: 20020141543Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a customer services terminal that is connected intermediate a telephone exchange and a user location that has a plurality of telephone lines. The customer services terminal and/or the telephone lines are tested by providing a web server within the customer services terminal. The web server includes a graphic user interface that enables the selection of self-test to be applied to selected portions of the customer services terminal, and/or enables the selection of loop test to be applied to selected ones of the plurality of telephone lines. Selected self-tests are applied to selected portions of the customer services terminal, and/or selected loop-tests are applied to selected ones of the plurality of telephone lines, as a remainder of the customer services terminal and/or a remainder of the plurality of telephone lines remain operative to supply telecommunications services to the user-location.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2002Publication date: October 3, 2002Inventor: Gary Harold Dunlap
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Patent number: 6453014Abstract: A system and method for accessing a number of communication lines by one or more testing devices is disclosed. Each of the communications lines is coupled through the system and includes a first termination at a first telecommunications termination site and a second termination at a second telecommunications termination site. The system includes a number of line access devices, each of which is coupled to at least one of the communication lines terminating at the first telecommunications termination site and at least one of the communication lines terminating at the second telecommunications termination site. The system further includes a test device interface, signal direction circuitry, a communications device that facilitates remote access to the test access system by a remote processing unit, and a control device.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1998Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.Inventors: Haim Jacobson, David Foni, Marian Kramarczyk
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Patent number: 6453015Abstract: An electronic relay matrix (22) is connectable between a plurality of customer telephone lines and a plurality of testers (2, 201-203). The electronic relay matrix (22) includes a line matrix (80) having a plurality of relay assemblies (821-8250). Each relay assembly (82) in a relaxed state connects together the line-side (12) and the drop-side (8) of one of the customer telephone lines. Each relay assembly (82) is adjustable to enable one of the plurality of testers (2, 201-203) to be connected to the drop-side (8) and/or the line-side (12) of a desired customer telephone line.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Tollgrade Communications, Inc.Inventors: John M. Benedict, Bradford R. Holmes, Larry Mortimer
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Patent number: 6453016Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 27, 2001Date of Patent: September 17, 2002Assignee: Turnstone Systems, Inc.Inventor: Ramon C. W. Chea, Jr.
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Publication number: 20020110222Abstract: An electronic relay matrix (22) is connectable between a plurality of customer telephone lines and a plurality of testers (2, 201-203). The electronic relay matrix (22) includes a line matrix (80) having a plurality of relay assemblies (821-8250). Each relay assembly (82) in a relaxed state connects together the line-side (12) and the drop-side (8) of one of the customer telephone lines. Each relay assembly (82) is adjustable to enable one of the plurality of testers (2, 201-203) to be connected to the drop-side (8) and/or the line-side (12) of a desired customer telephone line.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2002Publication date: August 15, 2002Applicant: Tollgrade CommunicationsInventors: John M. Benedict, Bradford R. Holmes, Larry Mortimer
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Patent number: 6400802Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: June 4, 2002Assignee: Minacom International Inc.Inventor: Christian Légaré
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Patent number: 6389112Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 7, 1998Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: David Stewart, Todd Simonsen, Michael R. Buckalew
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Patent number: 6385296Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 6, 1999Date of Patent: May 7, 2002Assignee: MCI Communications CorporationInventors: William C. Hardy, Earl L. Mannas
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Publication number: 20020048348Abstract: A system for diagnosing failures of ADSL comprises an access module for locating and monitoring the subscriber lines providing the ADSL services, a plurality of ADSL test devices each having various extension test boards corresponding to the test kinds detected for the failures of the subscriber lines accessed by the access module, and a control device for controlling the ADSL test devices. Preferably, extension boards may be additionally provided to adapt for increase of the number of the subscribers.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2001Publication date: April 25, 2002Inventors: Byung-Wook Jin, Hyun-Min Lim, Bok-Kyu Hwang, Geon-Bok Lee, Hyung-Soo Kim
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Patent number: 6373924Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Toshiaki Tanaka, Hiroshi Mano, Setsuo Kimura, Yoshihito Nagano, Masayuki Tsurusaki, Takashi Watanabe, Terunori Suwa, Isaku Komuro, Yoshihiro Kawauchi, Nobuhiro Masaki
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Patent number: 6366644Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.Inventors: James R. Sisk, John F. McHale
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Publication number: 20020021787Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 27, 2001Publication date: February 21, 2002Applicant: Turnstone Systems, Inc.Inventor: Ramon C.W. Chea
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Patent number: 6349130Abstract: A method that uses a test system at one end of a communication link to test the communication link for high speed service by coupling the test system to the communication link, placing a telephonic call to telephonic equipment located at an other end of the communication link and testing the communication link with the test system after the call has been terminated at the telephonic equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1998Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Carl R. Posthuma, Albert J. Sawyer