Wireless diagnostic system

• US 8,112,669 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2009
• Issued: 02/07/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ComSonics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ComSonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Zimmerman, Dennis A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MCCARTHY, CHRISTOPHER S
• Application Number:
  US12/550,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20110055632A1
• Time in Patent Office: 890 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 714/31
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2294 by remote test
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/30 for subscriber's lines , for the local loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/301 Circuit arrangements at the subscriber's side of the line
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition

Abstract

Results of field testing of portions of a distributed system such as a Broadband Communications System from a testing device to a controller which downloads programmed test protocols and sequences thereof to the separate testing device over a wired or wireless link and thereafter can be used to control the testing device as well as display test results and provide analysis of the test results and suggest procedures to technical personnel. The controller then can transmit the test data to a central facility or distribution hub in substantially real-time together with work performance data where full technical analysis can be performed. The test data and results of analysis can then be distributed as desired such as to a management analysis facility to support improvement of efficiency of the system and the operation thereof.

Claims

1. A test system for measuring operating parameters of a distributed system, said test system comprising:

a testing device including

a connector for connection to a test point,

a memory for storing instructions for a plurality of test sequences,

a short range communication structure capable of transmitting said results of said collecting and analyzing data, and

a processor responsive to commands for executing said instructions to perform said test sequences, collecting and analyzing data responsive to said test sequences and storing results of said collecting and analyzing data; and

a controller physically separate from said testing device including

a manual input arrangement,

a display,

a processor responsive to said manual input arrangement for controlling storage and execution of said instructions for a plurality of said test sequences in said testing device and receiving, storing and further analyzing results of said collecting and analyzing by said testing device,

a communication link complementary to said short range communication structure between said testing device and said controller for communicating control signals and said instructions for a plurality of said test sequences from said controller to said testing device and communicating said data collected and analyzed by said testing device to said controller when said testing device is within communication range of said controller over said communication link including said short range communication structure and communicating said data collected, analyzed and stored by said processor of said testing device during at least periods when said testing device is not within communication range of said controller over said communication link including said short range communication structure when said testing device is brought within said communication range, and

a display for displaying said results of said collecting and analyzing, when received from said testing device, and results of said further analyzing of said results.

2. A test system as recited in claim 1, further comprising

a further communication link from said controller to a central facility or distribution hub for communication of test data comprising said results of said collecting and analyzing, when received from said testing device, and results of said further analyzing of said results and information concerning operation of said communication link between said testing device and said controller to a central facility or distribution hub.

3. A test system as recited in claim 2, further comprising

a facility for storing and providing technical analysis of said test data.

4. A test system as recited in claim 3, further comprising

a facility for providing management analysis of work performance data and said test data.

5. A test system as recited in claim 1, wherein said testing device further includes

at least one indicator for indicating status of said testing device.

6. A test system as recited in claim 5, wherein at least one of an active testing/stand-by state, status of said communication link between said testing device and said controller and halting or interruption of a test sequence is indicated.

7. A test system as recited in claim 1, wherein said testing device further includes an analysis facility capable of detecting abnormal or out-of-tolerance test data.

8. A test system as recited in claim 1, wherein said communication link between said testing device and said controller is a wireless link.

9. A method of testing portions of a distributed system, said method including:

establishing a communication link between a testing device and a controller physically separate from said testing device;

storing instructions for a plurality of test sequences in said testing device under control of said controller or in storage device connected to said testing device;

connecting said testing device to a test point of said distributed system;

performing said test sequence and collecting and analyzing test data at said testing device;

transmitting said test data and results of analyzing said test data from said testing device to said controller over a short range communication structure in said test device when in communication range of said controller over said short range communication structure and storing said test data and results of analyzing said test data when said testing device is moved beyond range of said communication link from said controller; and

displaying said test data, results of said analyzing of test data at said testing device and results of said further analyzing of said test data and results of analyzing of said test data at said controller.

10. A method in claim 9, further comprising a step of

communicating said test data, results of said analyzing of test data at said testing device and results of said further analyzing of said test data and results of analyzing of said test data and information concerning operation of said communication link between said testing device and said controller indicating work performance data to a central facility or distribution hub.

11. A method as recited in claim 10, further comprising a step of

storing and providing technical analysis of said test data.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising a step of

providing management analysis of said test data and work performance data.

13. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising a step of

indicating status of said testing device at said testing device.

14. A method as recited in claim 13, wherein at least one of an active testing/stand-by state, status of said communication link between said testing device and said controller and halting or interruption of a test sequence is indicated.

15. A method as recited in claim 9, further comprising a step of

detecting abnormal or out-of-tolerance test data at said testing device.

16. A method as recited in claim 9, including the further step of

providing said communication link between said testing device and said controller with a wireless link.

17. A testing device comprising

a connector for connection to a test point,

a memory device contained in or connected to said testing device for storing instructions for a plurality of test sequences,

a short range communication structure capable of transmitting said results of said collecting and analyzing data when in range of a complementary receiver, and

a processor for executing said instructions to perform said test sequences and collecting and analyzing data responsive to said test sequences and storing results of said collecting and analyzing data when said testing device is moved beyond range of said short range communication structure from a complementary receiver.

18. A testing device as recited in claim 17, wherein said testing device further includes

at least one indicator for indicating status of said testing device.

19. A testing device as recited in claim 18, wherein at least one of an active testing/stand-by state, status of said communication link between said testing device and said controller and halting or interruption of a test sequence is indicated.

20. A testing device as recited in claim 17, wherein said testing device further includes an analysis facility capable of detecting abnormal or out-of-tolerance test data.

21. A testing device as recited in claim 17, wherein said short range communication structure includes a wireless link.