Multi-use telephone test sets and related systems

• US 8,588,374 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2012
• Issued: 11/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Urban, Blake R., Cobas, Jorge
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US13/528,050
• Publication Number:
  US 20120257726A1
• Time in Patent Office: 517 Days
• Field of Search: 379/21, 379/419, 379/433.04
• US Class Current: 379/21
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/308 Craftsperson test terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42034 Calling party identification service

Abstract

Telephone test sets include a telephone test set housing and at least one lead that extends away from the telephone test set housing. The lead is configured to be coupled to a telephone line. A light source, a data port and/or a display are integrated with the telephone test set housing. The light source is configured to project light away from the telephone test set to illuminate an area adjacent the telephone test set. The data port is configured to receive a data jack operatively associated with a communications device. The display is configured to display identification information associated with the telephone line. Related methods and systems are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for communicating with a website by a telephone linesman comprising:

a communications device to communicate with the website over a network; and

a telephone test set comprising;

a lead that extends away from a telephone test set housing and is configured to be coupled to a telephone line and a data port to receive a data jack coupled to the communications device and to connect the communications device to the network over the telephone line;

a light source integrated with the telephone test set housing, the light source being powered by a battery in the telephone test set housing; and

a charging circuit to charge the battery in the telephone test set housing when the lead is coupled to the telephone line.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the website comprises a customer database and wherein the communications device is further to update customer records stored in the customer database.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the communications device is to update customer records, receive work orders and close work orders via the website.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device comprises a laptop computer.