Communication link identifier
First Claim
1. A private branch exchange having a control module which selectively interconnects a trunk extending from a trunk side of said control module to at least one of a plurality of communications links, said plurality of communications links extending from a line side of said control module to communications devices, said private branch exchange comprisingmeans in said control module for receiving a predetermined test signal which has been applied to a communications link, said predetermined test signal is distributed over a plurality of recurring frames in a time-division-multiplexed signal format and said receiving means assembles said predetermined test signal from these frames;
- andmeans in said control module responsive to said predetermined test signal for providing to said communications link information which identifies said communications link.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a communications system having components which are interconnected via communications links, the system is provided with capability of responding to the application of a predetermined test signal to a link with information which identifies that link. Such information can take a variety of forms including the name of one or more persons assigned to use the link, and/or the telephone number or numbers associated with the link. This capability greatly reduces the time and expense associated with the maintenance and testing of a variety of communications systems, such as PBXs and central office switching machines.
98 Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A private branch exchange having a control module which selectively interconnects a trunk extending from a trunk side of said control module to at least one of a plurality of communications links, said plurality of communications links extending from a line side of said control module to communications devices, said private branch exchange comprising
means in said control module for receiving a predetermined test signal which has been applied to a communications link, said predetermined test signal is distributed over a plurality of recurring frames in a time-division-multiplexed signal format and said receiving means assembles said predetermined test signal from these frames; - and
means in said control module responsive to said predetermined test signal for providing to said communications link information which identifies said communications link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
- and
-
12. A method of testing communications links in a private branch exchange having a control module which interconnects a trunk extending from a trunk side of said control module to said communications links extending from a line side of said control module to communications devices, said method comprising the steps of
receiving a predetermined test signal in said control module which has been applied to a communications link being distributed over a plurality of recurring frames in a time-division-multiplexed signal format and said receiving step assembles said predetermined test signal from these frames; - and
providing from said control module to said communications link information which identifies said communications link in response to said predetermined test signal.
- and
-
13. Apparatus for use in a communications system having a control module, and a plurality of communications links extending therefrom for connection to communications devices, said apparatus comprising
means in said control module for receiving predetermined signals which have been applied to a communications link; - and
means in said control module responsive to a first one of said predetermined signals for providing to said communications link information which identifies said communications link and said providing means also being responsive to a second one of said predetermined signals, following said first, for providing additional information relating to service capabilities provided by a communications device connected to said communications link. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
- and
-
16. Apparatus for use in a communications system having a control module and a plurality of communications links extending therefrom for connection to communications devices, said apparatus comprising
means in said control module for receiving a predetermined set of signals which have been applied to a communications link; - and
means in said control module responsive to a first plurality of signals in said set for providing to said communications link information which identifies said communications link and wherein different link Identifying information is provided in response to each signal in said first plurality. - View Dependent Claims (17)
- and
-
18. A private branch exchange having a control module which selectively interconnects a trunk extending from a trunk side of said control module to at least one of a plurality of communications links, said plurality of communications links extending from a line side of said control module to communications devices, said private branch exchange comprising
means in said control module for receiving a predetermined test signal which has been applied to a communications link, said predetermined test signal is received by said receiving means in a signalling time interval within a time-division-multiplexed format including said signalling time interval and other intervals for non-signalling information; - and
means in said control module responsive to said predetermined test signal for providing to said communications link information which identifies said communications link. - View Dependent Claims (19)
- and
Specification