Systems, methods, and devices for testing communication lines
First Claim
1. A system for testing a communication line, comprising:
- a jack for connection to the 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 connected via the communication line to a second system substantially similar to the system;
wherein each system is operable to perform a predefined inbound test and a predefined outbound test;
wherein the predefined inbound test comprises;
receiving a plurality of known frequencies sent sequentially by the other system;
sampling the plurality of known frequencies in sequence as they arrive to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies;
storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the nontransitory memory; and
measuring a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies; and
wherein the predefined outbound test comprises sending the plurality of known frequencies through the communication line one after another.
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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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for testing a communication line, comprising:
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a jack for connection to the 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 connected via the communication line to a second system substantially similar to the system; wherein each system is operable to perform a predefined inbound test and a predefined outbound test; wherein the predefined inbound test comprises; receiving a plurality of known frequencies sent sequentially by the other system; sampling the plurality of known frequencies in sequence as they arrive to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies; storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the nontransitory memory; and measuring a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies; and wherein the predefined outbound test comprises sending the plurality of known frequencies through the communication line one after another. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for testing a communication line, comprising:
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using an apparatus to perform a predefined inbound test and a predefined outbound 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 apparatus is connected via the communication line to a second apparatus substantially similar to the system, and further wherein; a predefined inbound test comprises sequentially receiving from the other apparatus an analog signal comprising a plurality of known frequencies through a communication line, sampling the plurality of known frequencies to generate a sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies, storing the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies in the non-transitory memory, and measuring a quality of the sampled version of the plurality of known frequencies; and a predefined outbound test comprises sending to the other apparatus a plurality of known frequencies through the communication line one after another. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification