Patent US3822367A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3822367A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for remote testing of a transmission line
Assignee: Allstate Insurance Co
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Filing: 1972-08-29
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Granted: 1974-07-02
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Expires: 1992-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for testing a plurality of private information transmission lines which connect a plurality of regional offices with a plurality of local offices from a single location at a home office. A commercial telephone circuit link is established between the home office and the regional office associated with the transmission line to be tested by dialing the telephone number of the regional station at the home station on a commercial telephone handset. A selective coupling means is provided at each regional office for selectively coupling the information transmission lines at that office with the commercial telephone lines at the office and hence providing a complete testing loop from the home office to the transmission lines and back to the home office. The coupling means includes means for matching the impedance of the commercial telephone lines and the private transmission lines, means for adjusting the levels of the signals entering and exiting from the regional office and means for selectively connecting any of a plurality of transmission lines to the commercial telephone lines.
Inventors
- 👤 M Humphrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:59
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/26; H04M3/28; H04M3/32; H04B; H04B3/00; H04B3/02; H04B3/46
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
293 words
In a system comprising a main station, a plurality of first sub-stations and a plurality of second substations associated with each first sub-station and connected to said each first substation by receive and transmit information transmission lines, wherein each pair of receive and transmit lines connecting a second sub-station with a first sub-station comprises an information transmission link, a method of enabling a selected transmission link to be tested from said main station comprising the steps of: establishing two separate commercial telephone circuits between said main station and the first sub-station which is connected to a transmission link to be tested by dialing the telephone number of said first sub-station at said main station on two separate telephone instruments, bridging said commercial telephone circuits together at said first sub-station, generating a reference test signal at said main station on one of said telephone circuits, measuring a first value of a pre-selected parameter of the returned test signal at said main station on the other of said telephone circuits, opening the bridge which connects said commercial telephone circuits together, manually coupling the receive line of said selected transmission link to one of said commercial telephone circuits and the transmit line to the other of said telephone circuits whereby a completed two-way connection is made between said main station and said selected transmission link, generating said reference test signal at said main station on said one of said telephone circuits which signal is transmitted to said transmission link and is returned from said transmission link by the other of said telephone circuits to said main station, measuring a second value of said pre-selected parameter of said returned signal at said main station, and subtracting said first value of said pre-selected parameter from said second value.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
293 words
In a system comprising a main station, a plurality of first sub-stations and a plurality of second substations associated with each first sub-station and connected to said each first substation by receive and transmit information transmission lines, wherein each pair of receive and transmit lines connecting a second sub-station with a first sub-station comprises an information transmission link, a method of enabling a selected transmission link to be tested from said main station comprising the steps of: establishing two separate commercial telephone circuits between said main station and the first sub-station which is connected to a transmission link to be tested by dialing the telephone number of said first sub-station at said main station on two separate telephone instruments, bridging said commercial telephone circuits together at said first sub-station, generating a reference test signal at said main station on one of said telephone circuits, measuring a first value of a pre-selected parameter of the returned test signal at said main station on the other of said telephone circuits, opening the bridge which connects said commercial telephone circuits together, manually coupling the receive line of said selected transmission link to one of said commercial telephone circuits and the transmit line to the other of said telephone circuits whereby a completed two-way connection is made between said main station and said selected transmission link, generating said reference test signal at said main station on said one of said telephone circuits which signal is transmitted to said transmission link and is returned from said transmission link by the other of said telephone circuits to said main station, measuring a second value of said pre-selected parameter of said returned signal at said main station, and subtracting said first value of said pre-selected parameter from said second value.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said pre-selected parameter measured at said main station is signal degradation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 2 wherein information transmission and reception equipment is located at each of said second sub-stations and is connected to said information transmission lines at said second sub-stations and wherein said reference test signal is sent through said equipment to test said equipment as well as said transmission lines.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of coupling comprises, matching the impedances oF said commercial telephone circuit link and said information transmission lines, and at said first sub-station adjusting the level of said signal which enters said transmission lines and which is returned to said commercial telephone circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said information transmission lines are data transmission lines and wherein said information transmission and reception equipment comprises a receive/transmit modem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the level of said test signal at said first sub-station is further adjusted before said commercial telephone circuits are bridged together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said signal degradation is measured with a peak to average ratio meter at said main station.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a system comprising a main station, a plurality of first sub-stations and a plurality of second sub-stations associated with each first sub-station and connected to said each first sub-station by receive and transmit information transmission lines, wherein each pair of receive and transmit lines connecting a second sub-station with a first sub-station comprises an information transmission link, apparatus for testing a selected transmission link from said main station comprising: a unit at each of said first sub-stations including two inputs for commercial telephone lines first manual switch means at said first sub-stations for bridging said two inputs together whereby said commercial telephone lines are bridged together when connected to said inputs, second manual switch means at said first sub-stations for manually coupling the receive line of said selected transmission link to one of said inputs and the transmit line to the other of said inputs whereby when telephone circuits are dialed up on said commercial telephone lines a completed two-way testing path is made between said main station and said selected transmission link for testing said link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
In a system comprising a main station, a plurality of first sub-stations and a plurality of second sub-stations associated with each first sub-station and connected to said each first sub-station by receive and transmit information transmission lines, wherein each pair of receive and transmit lines connecting a second sub-station with a first sub-station comprises an information transmission link, apparatus for testing a selected transmission link from said main station comprising: a unit at each of said first sub-stations including two inputs for commercial telephone lines first manual switch means at said first sub-stations for bridging said two inputs together whereby said commercial telephone lines are bridged together when connected to said inputs, second manual switch means at said first sub-stations for manually coupling the receive line of said selected transmission link to one of said inputs and the transmit line to the other of said inputs whereby when telephone circuits are dialed up on said commercial telephone lines a completed two-way testing path is made between said main station and said selected transmission link for testing said link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising test signal generating means located at said main station for generating a test signal on said testing path and return signal measuring means located at said main station for measuring a selected parameter of the signal which is returned to said main station on said testing path.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said means for measuring a selected parameter is means for measuring signal degradation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said coupling means includes means for matching the impedance of said commercial lines and said information transmission lines and means for adjusting the level of said signal for entrance to said transmission lines and for return to said commercial telephone lines.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of said coupling means further includes selective switch means for determining which of said information transmission lines is coupled to said commercial telephone lines.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said means for adjusting the levels of said signal includes first and second adjustable amplifier means, and wherein said coupling means further includes multiposition switch means which includes means for connecting at least one of said inputs to said first adjustable amplifier means, means for connecting said inputs to said selective switch means for connection to said information transmission lines, and means for connecting at least one of said information transmission lines to said second adjustable amplifier means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said multiposition switch means includes at least three mechanically independent switch means connected together and wherein each of said three switch means must be in a unique position to couple said signal from said inputs to said transmission lines.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said commercial lines are connected to transmitting and receiving equipment at said second sub-stations, said equipment thereby forming a part of said testing path.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-01 | 1977-12-31 | 1978-07-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-01 | 1981-12-31 | 1982-07-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-01 | 1985-12-31 | 1986-07-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |