Self-diagnostic system for cellular-transceiver systems with remote-reporting capabilities

• US 6,690,923 B1
• Filed: 09/08/1999
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Telular Corporation (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Telular Corporation (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Ramos, Alexis Torres, Ortiz Perez, Luis R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): CRAVER, CHARLES R
• Application Number:
  US09/392,017
• Time in Patent Office: 1,616 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414, 455/425, 455/74.1, 455/90, 455/575, 455/550, 455/344, 455/347, 455/423, 455/555, 455/556.1, 455/557, 455/74, 379/21, 379/26.01, 379/26.02, 379/27-1-
• US Class Current: 455/74.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/24 Arrangements for testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/725 Cordless telephones user interfaces specially adapted therefor H04M1/724
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/14 WLL [Wireless Local Loop]; RLL [Radio Local Loop]

Abstract

A self-diagnostic system for a checking all functions of a cellular-transceiver system having a cellular-interface unit, which interface unit couples a standard telephone set to a cellular transceiver, which interface unit converts the DTMF or pulse-type of dialing signals into digital format for transmission to the cellular transceiver, whereby the dialed number made on the land-type of telephone may be used to call a number over the cellular system. The present invention not only monitors and checks the proper functioning of the transceiver and associated power supply, and the like, but will also monitor and check the interface unit, and report the results to an off-site monitoring center by means of the cellular network.

Claims

1. An auto-diagnostic apparatus for testing the proper functioning of a cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver and a cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit operatively coupled to said cellular transceiver, which interface unit couples a land-type telephone device to the cellular transceiver whereby DTMF or pulse-type dialing signals are converted into digital format for sending to said cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver, whereby the dialed number made on the land-type of telephone may be used to call a number over the cellular, or cellular-like, system, said apparatus comprising:

auto-diagnostic means coupled to said interface unit for generating signals for testing the operation of said cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit;

means for generating a signal for initiating in said auto-diagnostic means the initiation of the testing of the proper functioning of said cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit operatively coupled to said cellular transceiver.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said auto-diagnostic means also comprises means for testing the operation of said cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said testing means also comprises means for testing the operation of said cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver.

3. In an apparatus comprising a cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver and a cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit operatively coupled to said cellular transceiver, which interface unit couples a land-type telephone device to the cellular transceiver whereby DTMF or pulse-type dialing signals are converted into digital format for sending to said cellular, or cellular-like transceiver, whereby the dialed number made on the land-type of telephone may be used to call a number over the cellular, or cellular-like system, the improvement comprising:

testing apparatus comprising diagnostic means coupled to said interface unit for generating signals for testing the operation of said cellular, or cellular-like interface unit;

initiating means for generating a signal for initiating in said testing apparatus the initiation of the testing of the proper functioning or said cellular, or cellular-like interface unit operatively coupled to said cellular transceiver;

said diagnostic means having signal-responsive means responsive to said signal from said initiating means for starting the testing process of testing apparatus.

5. A method of testing for the proper operation of a cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit by means of a diagnostic unit, which cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit is capable of being coupled to a land-type telephone or telephone-like instrument, said cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit capable of converting DTMF signals or pulse-type dialing signals from a land-type telephone instrument coupled thereto into digital data format for sending the digital data to a cellular, or cellular-like transceiver, said method comprising:

(a) sending a test-initiation signal to the diagnostic unit;

(b) in response to said step (a), carrying out the testing of the cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit by means of the diagnostic unit;

(c) reporting the test-results data of said step (b);

said step (b) comprising monitoring at least one function performed by said interface unit.