Loop test apparatus and method
First Claim
1. Telephone line diagnostic equipment for use with a loop test server, the equipment comprising:
- a frequency shift key (FSK) data detector configured for connection to a telephone line, wherein the data detector is configured to detect data encoded in accordance with the GR-30 standard provided on the telephone line and to provide signals representing the detected data at an output;
a telephone line terminator configured for connection to the telephone line, wherein the telephone line terminator terminates the telephone line in response to a termination signal received at an input, thereby causing an off-hook condition, and wherein the telephone line terminator is configured to reflect test signals sent by the loop test server over the telephone line back over the telephone line during the off-hook condition;
and a processor connected to the output of the data detector and the input of the telephone line terminator, wherein the processor monitors the signals provided at the output of the data detector for a Loop Test Message from the loop test server and provides a termination signal to the input of the telephone line terminator in response to the receipt of the Loop Test Message, wherein the Loop Test Message includes data other than caller-identification data of the loop test server.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for measuring the quality of telephone transmission lines. A device, such as a loop test apparatus, can be located at a customer'"'"'s premises and used for remotely diagnosing telephone line impairments, especially concerning the local loop and customer premises wiring. Such a device is valuable for determining if a telephone line is suitable for new services, such as DSL. The loop test apparatus can incorporate an integrated local loopback feature that can be controlled from a loop testing server (LTS) at, e.g., a telephone Central Office. The loop test apparatus can terminate a telephone line at the customer premises based on a message sent by the LTS. The local loopback will then reflect signals transmitted by the LTS back to the LTS so that line characteristics of the local loop and customer premises wiring can be analyzed, without the need to dispatch telephone company service equipment and/or personnel to a customer premises.
90 Citations
28 Claims
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1. Telephone line diagnostic equipment for use with a loop test server, the equipment comprising:
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a frequency shift key (FSK) data detector configured for connection to a telephone line, wherein the data detector is configured to detect data encoded in accordance with the GR-30 standard provided on the telephone line and to provide signals representing the detected data at an output; a telephone line terminator configured for connection to the telephone line, wherein the telephone line terminator terminates the telephone line in response to a termination signal received at an input, thereby causing an off-hook condition, and wherein the telephone line terminator is configured to reflect test signals sent by the loop test server over the telephone line back over the telephone line during the off-hook condition; and a processor connected to the output of the data detector and the input of the telephone line terminator, wherein the processor monitors the signals provided at the output of the data detector for a Loop Test Message from the loop test server and provides a termination signal to the input of the telephone line terminator in response to the receipt of the Loop Test Message, wherein the Loop Test Message includes data other than caller-identification data of the loop test server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A telephony apparatus comprising:
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detecting means, connected to a telephone line, for detecting a Loop Test Message signal sent by a remote loop testing server, wherein the Loop Test Message includes data encoded in accordance with the GR-30 standard other than caller-identification data of the remote loop testing server; central processing means, connected to said detecting means, for measuring the time the loop test is activated; hook switch means, connected to said central processing means, for terminating the telephone line during the loop test in response to the detection of the Loop Test Message by the detecting means, and for reflecting test signals sent over the telephone line by the remote loop testing server back over the telephone line during the loop test; voltage detecting means, connected to said central processing means, for measuring the voltage on the telephone line in order to determine if an extension telephone device is off-hook. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of interfacing with a loop test server comprising:
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detecting a Loop Test Message signal sent by the loop test server, wherein the Loop Test Message includes data encoded in accordance with the GR-30 standard other than caller-identification data of the loop test server; detecting if extension telephone devices are off-hook; in response to the receipt of a Loop Test Message, terminating the telephone line with an impedance in order to connect the call back to the loop test server and reflecting test signals sent over the telephone line by the loop test server back over the telephone line; measuring the duration of the loop test. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A system for evaluating a telephone line having a first end and a second end, the system comprising:
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a loop test server comprising; a Loop Test Message generator configured for communication with the first end of the telephone line, wherein the Loop Test Message generator generates a Loop Test Message that includes data encoded in accordance with the GR-30 standard other than caller-identification data of the loop test server; a test signal generator configured for communication with the first end of the telephone line; a diagnostic device comprising; a data detector configured for communication with the second end of the telephone line, wherein the data detector is configured to detect data encoded in accordance with the GR-30, and to provide signals representing the detected data at an output; a telephone line terminator configured for communication with the second end of the telephone line, wherein the telephone line terminator terminates the second end of the telephone line in response to a termination signal received at an input, thereby causing an off-hook condition, and wherein the telephone line terminator is configured to reflect test signals sent by the test signal generator of the loop test server and received at the second end of the telephone line back over the telephone line during the off-hook condition; and a processor configured for communication with the output of the data detector and the input of the telephone line terminator, wherein the processor monitors the signals provided at the output of the data detector for a Loop Test Message from the Loop Test Message generator of the loop test server, and provides a termination signal to the input of the telephone line terminator in response to the receipt of the Loop Test Message. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28)
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Specification