Systems, methods, and devices for testing communication lines
First Claim
1. A system for testing a communication line, comprising:
- a jack for connection to a communication line;
a sampler coupled to the jack;
a processor in communication with the sampler; and
a non-transitory memory coupled to the processor, wherein the system is operable to perform a pre-defined inbound basic test and a pre-defined inbound extended test,wherein the inbound basic test comprises;
receiving at least three known frequencies defining a bandwidth greater than about 2000 Hz sent sequentially by a second system substantially similar to the system;
sampling each of the three known frequencies in sequence as they arrive;
storing the three known sampled frequencies in the non-transitory memory; and
measuring a quality of each of the three known frequencies,and wherein the inbound extended test comprises;
receiving at least five known frequencies, at least one of which is below 1000 Hz and at least one of which is above 3000 Hz, the at least five known frequencies sent sequentially by the second system;
sampling each of the five known frequencies;
storing the five known sampled frequencies in the non-transitory memory;
measuring a quality of each of the five known frequencies; and
determining that the communication line cannot operate in a secure mode.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention generally relates to systems, devices, and methods for testing communication lines. In certain aspects, the invention provides systems and devices that include a digital/analog converter configured to operate with a computer processor and memory to send or receive an analog signal over a communication line that includes a plurality of signals having known frequencies. Inbound receiving sub-systems or devices sample the analog signal and measure a quality of the sampled, digital signal to evaluate the communication line. The key differentiator is the recognition that the human mouth and ear are intrinsically analog without encryption. By locating the test device as close to the user as possible, this system incorporates testing of complex communication streams including numerous variables and transforms (e.g. encryption, Analog to digital, Voice over IP, packet switching, ATM, SONET). Ultimately, it provides a simple interface to convert qualitative analysis to quantitative (numerical) analysis.
50 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A system for testing a communication line, comprising:
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a jack for connection to a communication line; a sampler coupled to the jack; a processor in communication with the sampler; and a non-transitory memory coupled to the processor, wherein the system is operable to perform a pre-defined inbound basic test and a pre-defined inbound extended test, wherein the inbound basic test comprises; receiving at least three known frequencies defining a bandwidth greater than about 2000 Hz sent sequentially by a second system substantially similar to the system; sampling each of the three known frequencies in sequence as they arrive; storing the three known sampled frequencies in the non-transitory memory; and measuring a quality of each of the three known frequencies, and wherein the inbound extended test comprises; receiving at least five known frequencies, at least one of which is below 1000 Hz and at least one of which is above 3000 Hz, the at least five known frequencies sent sequentially by the second system; sampling each of the five known frequencies; storing the five known sampled frequencies in the non-transitory memory; measuring a quality of each of the five known frequencies; and determining that the communication line cannot operate in a secure mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for testing a communication line, comprising:
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using an apparatus to perform an inbound basic line test, an outbound basic line test, an inbound extended line test, and an outbound extended line test, the apparatus comprising a sampler coupled to a jack for connection to a communication line and a processor coupled to a non-transitory memory and in communication with the sampler, wherein; the inbound basic line test comprises sequentially receiving an analog signal comprising at least three known frequencies spanning about 2000 Hz through a communication line, sampling the three known frequencies, and storing the sampled frequencies in the non-transitory memory; the outbound basic line test comprises sending the three known frequencies through the communication line one after another; the inbound extended line test comprises sequentially receiving and sampling at least five frequencies spanning about 2000 Hz and storing the sampled five frequencies in the non-transitory memory, measuring a quality of the sampled five frequencies, storing a measurement of the quality of the sampled five frequencies, providing the measurement to a user, and determining a suitability of the communication line for secure operation; and the outbound extended line test comprises sending the at least five known frequencies one after another. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification