Browser on test equipment
First Claim
1. A communications test device comprising:
- a hand-held housing enclosinga processor,a protocol analyzer,a web browser module, andat least a portion of a display; and
a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprisingperforming test operations on a communications network,initiating data communications between the web browser module and a source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve information from the source of information located external to the communications test device, wherein performing the test operations on the communications network comprises performing the test operations on a communications line of the communications network and wherein initiating the data communications between the web browser module and the source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve the information from the source of information located external to the communications test device comprises initiating the data communications over the communications line being tested, anddisplaying, via the display to a user of the communications test device, the information retrieved from the source of information located external to the communications test device.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable telecommunication test set with a web browser incorporated therein is provided. A standard Hyper Text Mark-up Language or Wireless Application Protocol browser may be incorporated within the portable test set, allowing a network technician to access the Internet as well as other remotely-located sources of information to retrieve data and other useful technical information while in the field for communication network or telephone line maintenance, troubleshooting or repair. The test set may contain memory to locally store certain technical information that may be retrieved and “read” by the built-in browser module when prompted by the network technician. The web browser may display the content of the requested information on a display provided on the test set. Line-specific (as well as manufacturer-specific) test information need not be in a manufacturer-dictated proprietary format. Testing-related data may thus be supplied by a vendor other than the manufacturer of the test set.
101 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A communications test device comprising:
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a hand-held housing enclosing a processor, a protocol analyzer, a web browser module, and at least a portion of a display; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising performing test operations on a communications network, initiating data communications between the web browser module and a source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve information from the source of information located external to the communications test device, wherein performing the test operations on the communications network comprises performing the test operations on a communications line of the communications network and wherein initiating the data communications between the web browser module and the source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve the information from the source of information located external to the communications test device comprises initiating the data communications over the communications line being tested, and displaying, via the display to a user of the communications test device, the information retrieved from the source of information located external to the communications test device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A communications test device comprising:
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a hand-held housing enclosing a processor, a testing module, a web browser module, and at least a portion of a display; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising receiving, from a user of the communications test device, a first indication and initiating responsively, via the testing module, a test operation for testing functionality of a communications network, receiving, from the user of the communications test device, a second indication and initiating data communications between the web browser module and a source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve information from the source of information located external to the communications test device, wherein testing the functionality of the communications network comprises testing the functionality of a communications line of the communications network and wherein initiating the data communications between the web browser module and the source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve the information from the source of information located external to the communications test device comprises initiating the data communications over the communications line being tested, and displaying, via the display to the user of the communications test device, the information retrieved from the source of information located external to the communications test device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A communications test device comprising:
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a hand-held housing enclosing a processor, a protocol analyzer, a web browser module, and at least a portion of a display; and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising performing test operations on a communications network, initiating data communications between the web browser module and a source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve information from the source of information located external to the communications test device, wherein performing the test operations on the communications network comprises performing the test operations on a communications line of the communications network and wherein initiating the data communications between the web browser module and the source of information located external to the communications test device to retrieve the information from the source of information located external to the communications test device comprises initiating the data communications over the communications line being tested, displaying, via the display to a user of the communications test device, the information retrieved from the source of information located external to the communications test device, and providing, to the user of the communications test device, an alert indicating a potential for use of the communications test device to disrupt data transmission associated with the communications network.
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Specification