Abstract: A method for an authentication server to authenticate Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices includes receiving a request from a unverified VoIP device to verify its global telephone number over a computer network, searching for verified VoIP devices that have authenticated identities and caller ID service, and providing the telephone numbers of the verified VoIP devices to the unverified VoIP device, wherein the unverified VoIP device calls the verified VoIP devices and the verified VoIP devices detect telephone numbers of the unverified VoIP device. The method further comprises receiving the detected telephone numbers from the verified VoIP devices and determining if the detected telephone numbers match a telephone number provided by the unverified VoIP device, wherein the unverified VoIP device becomes verified if the telephone numbers match the telephone number provided by the VoIP device.

Abstract: Additional information and/or status messages are routed to a telephone 124 by a gateway device 110 via a caller identification (ID) process. The gateway device determines when a status or information message is available and distributes the message to the telephone when a user answers the telephone. In a similar fashion, a user can call a special telephone number on a plain old telephone system (POTS) 202, hang up the telephone 204 and receive a status/information message as a caller ID message upon a callback by the POTS.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling a media terminal adapter (MTA) for locally ringing back coupled telephones having a caller identification display. Management information base (MIB) objects are defined to enable a caller identification information function along with caller identification name and number in order to verify the caller identification information is working properly. A technician or user dials a predetermined digit string from a coupled telephone, and the MTA responds with the defined caller identification information.

Abstract: A system for remote control of equipment such as office equipment is provided. The system involving a telephone interface and a control system. A method is provided for remote equipment control having steps of installing and configuring equipment. A method is provided controlling equipment remotely having steps relating to using elements of a control system.

Abstract: A localized digital telephone network may automatically contact a centralized server to identify telephone numbers that connect the local network to a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The server may be a remote identification server that receives calls from local networks, and informs the local networks of the telephone numbers being used by the local networks. The server may capture caller-ID information of the incoming calls, and may return the calls with the captured information encoded in caller-ID signals of the return calls. A method for automated detection may include acts in which a local network generates an outgoing call to a server on a communications port, and then detects an incoming call from the server on the communications port. The local network may determine a caller identifier from the incoming call, and may map the caller identifier to the communications port.

Abstract: A method for testing an assigned Location Routing Number (LRN) that is assigned to a first switch is provided according to the invention. The method includes in the first switch generating a LRN test telephone call to a second switch. The LRN test telephone call is targeted to the LRN assigned to the first switch. The method further includes indicating that the LRN is being incorrectly routed in the second switch if the first switch does not receive the LRN test telephone call back from the second switch. The method further includes indicating that the LRN is being correctly routed in the second switch if the first switch receives the LRN test telephone call back from the second switch.

Abstract: A portable, automated telephone line test device includes a test module which applies test signals to a telephone line to be tested and detects electrical characteristics of the telephone line, and a user interface module. The user interface module includes a microprocessor, a display, a keyboard and a program memory in accordance with a standard microcomputer architecture. The processor of the user interface module is programmed to control the test module to perform a pre-programmed sequence of tests. The display provides indications of the tests being performed. The programmed sequence is varied by the device according to test results. Depending on the results obtained, the device also provides interpretative diagnostic messages and instructs the user to carry out additional test procedures.

Abstract: A portable, automated telephone line test device includes a test module which applies test signals to a telephone line to be tested and detects electrical characteristics of the telephone line, and a user interface module. The user interface module includes a microprocessor, a display, a keyboard and a program memory in accordance with a standard microcomputer architecture. The processor of the user interface module is programmed to control the test module to perform a pre-programmed sequence of tests. The display provides indications of the tests being performed. The programmed sequence is varied by the device according to test results. Depending on the results obtained, the device also provides interpretative diagnostic messages and instructs the user to carry out additional test procedures.

Abstract: A slave test unit is used in conjunction with a remote test unit to test voice signal quality parameters, such as clarity, delay and echo. A remote master test unit, or a remote slave test unit, controls the slave test unit via commands sent by the remote test unit over a phone connection established by the remote test unit. Such a system of test units eliminates the need for a human test operator to be present at the location of the slave test unit. The inclusion of a “dialback” capability in the slave test unit allows a remote test unit to instruct the slave test unit to call back the remote test unit, thus allowing voice quality tests to be performed over a phone connection that has been initiated by the slave test unit. This capability is advantageous in voice quality testing over phone connections involving a digital data network, since the path of the connection through a data network is typically determined by the location of the origination of the call.

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.

Abstract: A portable, automated telephone line test device includes a test module which applies test signals to a telephone line to be tested and detects electrical characteristics of the telephone line, and a user interface module. The user interface module includes a microprocessor, a display, a keyboard and a program memory in accordance with a standard microcomputer architecture. The processor of the user interface module is programmed to control the test module to perform a pre-programmed sequence of tests. The display provides indications of the tests being performed. The programmed sequence is varied by the device according to test results. Depending on the results obtained, the device also provides interpretative diagnostic messages and instructs the user to carry out additional test procedures.

Abstract: The addition of directory entries into phone devices, such as telephones, is disclosed. The phone devices are coupled to common phone line wiring, and have caller ID, caller log, and directory storage capabilities. Phone calls are simulated to the phone devices. The phone calls correspond to directory entries, such as those that the user wishes to add to the phone devices. Each phone call has caller ID information reflecting a corresponding directory entry. After the phone calls for the directory entries have been simulated, each phone device has a caller log of the caller ID information of the simulated phone calls for transfer into a directory storage thereof.

Abstract: The present invention customizes a network connection to customer premises equipment using a calibration signal. A network signal processor emits a tag signal indicating that a signal processing platform is in use. Customer premises equipment (CPE) issues a calibration signal to the network signal processor based on detection of the tag signal. The customer premises equipment outputs the calibration signal to the network signal processor which measures the signal loss, adjusts the gain mapping and issues a calibration signal to the customer premises equipment. The customer premises equipment then estimates spectral shaping based on the calibration signal from the network signal processor and equalizes the receive path so that the signal processing platform is detected and implemented. Embodiments of the present invention are illustrative of a more general concept of the use of CPE as an agent in telephone network maintenance.

Abstract: A centralized test apparatus is provided for a telecommunications network which includes local switches and a core network. Each local switch is connected through terminating lines to terminating equipment such as telephone handsets. The test apparatus enables a field engineer to obtain the identity of a terminating line from one of the local switches. When a field engineer dials the number of the test apparatus, the test apparatus retrieves the calling line identity on answering the call. It then transmits the calling line identity in speech form back to the calling line. After transmitting the calling line identity, the test apparatus offers a menu of further services which comprise a ring back service and the provision of a test tone on a specified telephone line.