Self-diagnosis of loop start and ground start trunk interfaces
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for sectionalizing a fault in a connection between telephone equipment, a trunk, i.e., a physical medium which connects the telephone equipment to a trunk interface circuit, and the trunk interface circuit comprises:
- start means, in response to signals transmitted thereto from a controller, for generating a predetermined signal which corresponds to a loop start or a ground start seizure of the telephone equipment;
detection means for detecting a predetermined signal which corresponds to a loop start or ground start from the telephone equipment and for transmitting a signal in response thereto to the controller;
isolation means, connected to the trunk interface circuit, for isolating the trunk interface circuit from the trunk in response to signals transmitted thereto from the controller; and
self-diagnostic test means for performing at least one self-diagnostic test on the trunk interface circuit in response to commands from the controller.
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Abstract
Method and apparatus for sectionalization and self-diagnosis of loop start and ground start trunk interfaces without intervention from host telephone company equipment. The inventive method entails the use of an isolation relay in the trunk circuit to isolate the trunk circuit electrically from the physical medium and to apply various signals to portions of the isolated trunk circuit to carry out specific self-diagnostic tests.
101 Citations
15 Claims
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1. Apparatus for sectionalizing a fault in a connection between telephone equipment, a trunk, i.e., a physical medium which connects the telephone equipment to a trunk interface circuit, and the trunk interface circuit comprises:
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start means, in response to signals transmitted thereto from a controller, for generating a predetermined signal which corresponds to a loop start or a ground start seizure of the telephone equipment; detection means for detecting a predetermined signal which corresponds to a loop start or ground start from the telephone equipment and for transmitting a signal in response thereto to the controller; isolation means, connected to the trunk interface circuit, for isolating the trunk interface circuit from the trunk in response to signals transmitted thereto from the controller; and self-diagnostic test means for performing at least one self-diagnostic test on the trunk interface circuit in response to commands from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. Apparatus for self-diagnostic testing a trunk interface circuit which connects to a trunk comprised of a tip and ring, which trunk interface circuit comprises a battery feed means, a ring detection means, a ring ground means for grounding the tip, a loop current detector means, a relay means, and a tip ground detect means, which apparatus comprises:
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isolation means, connected to the trunk interface circuit, for isolating the trunk interface circuit from the trunk in response to signals transmitted thereto from a controller; wherein the battery feed means provides a first current in response to a battery feed enable signal from the controller and a second, larger current in response to a diagnostic enable signal from the controller. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for self-diagnostic testing a trunk interface circuit which connects to a trunk comprised of a tip and ring, which trunk interface circuit comprises a relay means and a transformer means, which apparatus comprises:
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isolation means, connected to the trunk interface circuit, for isolating the trunk interface circuit from the trunk in response to signals transmitted thereto from a controller; wherein the controller comprises means for generating a signal which causes the isolation means to isolate the trunk interface circuit from the trunk;
means for generating a signal which causes the relay means to form path from tip to ring through a first side of the transformer;
means for generating a test signal which is applied to the second side of the transformer; and
means for detecting the signal which is reflected back from the tip and ring and comparing it with the test signal.
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12. Method for sectionalizing a fault in a connection between telephone equipment, a trunk, i.e., a physical medium which connects the telephone equipment to a trunk interface circuit, and the trunk interface circuit comprises the steps of:
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generating a loop start seizure or a ground start seizure of the telephone equipment; detecting a loop start response or a ground start response from the telephone equipment; isolating the trunk interface circuit and performing self-diagnostic tests on the trunk interface circuit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. Method for self-diagnostic testing a trunk interface circuit which connects to a trunk comprised of a tip and ring, which trunk interface circuit comprises a relay means and a transformer means, which method comprises the steps of:
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isolating the trunk interface circuit; applying a signal which causes the relay means to form path from tip to ring through a first side of the transformer; applying a test signal to the second side of the transformer; and detecting the signal which is reflected back from the tip and ring and comparing it with the test signal.
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Specification