Lockable network testing device
First Claim
1. A method for unlocking a testing device for testing a communication network, the method comprising:
- determining, by the testing device, a first value based on a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device, and a second value based on a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device;
comparing, by the testing device, the first value to a first threshold comprising a maximum number of power cycles after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and comparing the second value to a second threshold comprising a maximum time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and upon determining, by the testing device, that at least one of the first and second thresholds is exceeded, the testing device locking the testing device by disabling at least one operating function of the testing device;
establishing, by the testing device, a connection between the testing device and a remote server in response to the locking of the testing device by the testing device;
receiving, at the testing device via the connection, an unlock command from the remote server; and
upon receiving the unlock command from the remote server, the testing device unlocking the testing device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A network testing device may be linked to a dedicated remote server e.g. a cloud-based server having a unique, pre-determined address. The testing device may be configured to cease operating, become locked or limited in testing functionality after a number of startup cycles, days of use, a certain date, etc. Once the testing device is locked, the testing device may be re-activated only by establishing a connection to the server. A database of network testing devices currently in use may be provided. Once a testing device is lost or stolen, the database may be remotely updated to prevent reactivation of that testing device, so as to render the lost or stolen testing device useless for an unauthorized operator of the testing device.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for unlocking a testing device for testing a communication network, the method comprising:
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determining, by the testing device, a first value based on a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device, and a second value based on a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device; comparing, by the testing device, the first value to a first threshold comprising a maximum number of power cycles after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and comparing the second value to a second threshold comprising a maximum time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and upon determining, by the testing device, that at least one of the first and second thresholds is exceeded, the testing device locking the testing device by disabling at least one operating function of the testing device; establishing, by the testing device, a connection between the testing device and a remote server in response to the locking of the testing device by the testing device; receiving, at the testing device via the connection, an unlock command from the remote server; and upon receiving the unlock command from the remote server, the testing device unlocking the testing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for remotely unlocking a testing device, the method comprising:
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coupling a server to a database comprising locking-related information for the testing device, wherein the locking-related information includes an indication of whether the testing device is in a locked state; establishing, in response to a request from the testing device, a connection between the server and the testing device, wherein the testing device is in a locked state that disables at least one operating function of the testing device, wherein the testing device is in the locked state after a determination by the testing device that at least one of a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum number of previous power cycles, and a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum time interval, and wherein the connection is established with the server by the testing device upon locking of the testing device by the testing device; determining, by the server, whether the testing device is to remain locked by referring to the testing device'"'"'s locking-related information stored in the database; and upon determining that the testing device is not to remain locked, sending, by the server, an unlock command to the testing device for unlocking the testing device and enabling the at least one disabled operating function. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A system for remotely unlocking a testing device for testing a communication network, the system comprising:
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a database configured to store locking-related information for the testing device, wherein the locking-related information includes an indication of whether the testing device is in a locked state; and a server operably coupled to the database, the server comprising a hardware processor, wherein the server, in response to a locking of the testing device by the testing device placing the testing device in a locked state that disables at least one operating function, establish, upon initiation by the testing device, a connection between the server and the testing device, wherein the server is further to; determine whether the testing device is to remain in the locked state by referring to the testing device locking-related information in the database; and upon determining that the testing device is not to remain in the locked state, send an unlock command to the testing device to unlock the testing device and enable the at least one operating function of the testing device, wherein the locking of the testing device is based on at least one of a determination by the testing device that a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum number of previous power cycles, and a determination by the testing device that a time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device has exceeded a maximum time interval. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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17. A testing device for testing a communication network, the testing device comprising:
access control logic including a hardware processor to; determine a first value upon starting up the testing device based on a number of previous power cycles of the testing device after a previous unlocking of the testing device, and a second value based on a time interval after a previous unlocking of the testing device; compare the first value to a first threshold comprising a maximum number of power cycles after the previous unlocking of the testing device, and compare the second value to a second threshold comprising a maximum time interval after the previous unlocking of the testing device; and upon a determination that at least one of the first value exceeds the first threshold and the second value exceeds the second threshold, lock the testing device by disabling at least one operating function of the testing device; and communication logic coupled to the access control logic, the communication logic to; establish a connection with a remote server upon the locking of the testing device; and receive, via the established connection, an unlock command from the remote server to unlock the testing device and enable the at least one operating function of the testing device. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
Specification