US4819235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modem use monitor
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1987-11-27
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Granted: 1989-04-04
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Expires: 2007-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A modem use monitor (MUM) is disclosed which is utilizable with one or more groups of modems for analyzing modem defects of the individual modems. Typically, a rotary hunt arrangement of telephone lines for data communications is sequentially served by several modems. For analytical purposes, an intercept device is provided to receive a data carrier detect signal from each modem. The intercept device has been enhanced to receive a plurality of signals and to facilitate defect analysis. Exemplary of the processed signals is the summing of the ring indicator (RI) signal and the data carrier detect (SCD) by means of a logical OR to provide a single test signal which can be examined for a ring-no-answer condition.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Kelly
- 👤 Tadhg Kelly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 01:27
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/22; H04M3/36
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for analyzing modem defects among a plurality of modems formed into one or more groups thereof, each said group of modems sequentially serving a rotary hunt arrangement of telephone lines for data communications, said device receiving one or more signals from and for each said modem comprising: a plurality of intercept means, one for each modem, each for providing at least one combined signal for examination, said combined signal formed by selectively preprocessing two or more intercepted said signals; central processing means for processing the one or more signals from each said itnercept means and, in turn, being responsive to the condition of said signals, and providing responses for each modem on a periodic basis; register means for storing said responses for each modem in numbered sequence; said central processing means further for examining said register means upon acquisition of each said response and, defect-reporting means for recording all responses from said register means for a given period; whereby modem defects are apparent upon examination of the defect-reporting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
171 words
A device for analyzing modem defects among a plurality of modems formed into one or more groups thereof, each said group of modems sequentially serving a rotary hunt arrangement of telephone lines for data communications, said device receiving one or more signals from and for each said modem comprising: a plurality of intercept means, one for each modem, each for providing at least one combined signal for examination, said combined signal formed by selectively preprocessing two or more intercepted said signals; central processing means for processing the one or more signals from each said itnercept means and, in turn, being responsive to the condition of said signals, and providing responses for each modem on a periodic basis; register means for storing said responses for each modem in numbered sequence; said central processing means further for examining said register means upon acquisition of each said response and, defect-reporting means for recording all responses from said register means for a given period; whereby modem defects are apparent upon examination of the defect-reporting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein one of said intercept means is a data carrier detect signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device as described in claim 2 wherein one of said intercepted signals preprocessed by said intercept means is a ring indicator signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as described in claim 3 wherein a signal provided by said intercept means is a logically preprocessed signal combining said data carrier detect and said ring indicator signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as described in claim 4 further comprising a display panel means for displaying the data carrier detect signal status for each modem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as described in claim 5 wherein said display means has a light emitting diode for each modem which, when illuminated, shows the presence of data carrier detect detect at said modem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device as described in claim 2 wherein said central processing means in turn further comprises computing means for computing a modem utilization factor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as described in claim 7 wherein said modem utilization factor is computed in Erlangs according to the following formula: ##EQU3##
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device as described in claim 8 further comprising: memory means for storing summarized information from said register means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as described in claim 9 wherein said memory means is further providing a 24-hour summary chart listing, for each hour, N 1 +N 2 +N 3 . . . N 60 whereby an overview of the activity for each day is displayed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device as described in claim 1 wherein said defect-reporting means is a histogram.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of analyzing modem defects among a plurality of modems formed into one or more groups thereof, the modems within each said group sequentially serving a rotary hunt arrangement of telephone lines for data communications and having one or more signals from and for each said modem present when in use, said method comprising the steps of: a. intercepting at least one of said signals for each said modem; b. sequentially processing within each group each said signal within recurring predetermined time periods to provide an indication of the condition of the signal; c. storing in a register the signal status for each modem during each predetermined time period; d. indicating in a defect-reporting form non-use, initiation-of-use, continuation-of-use and improper use of each said modem.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
126 words
A method of analyzing modem defects among a plurality of modems formed into one or more groups thereof, the modems within each said group sequentially serving a rotary hunt arrangement of telephone lines for data communications and having one or more signals from and for each said modem present when in use, said method comprising the steps of: a. intercepting at least one of said signals for each said modem; b. sequentially processing within each group each said signal within recurring predetermined time periods to provide an indication of the condition of the signal; c. storing in a register the signal status for each modem during each predetermined time period; d. indicating in a defect-reporting form non-use, initiation-of-use, continuation-of-use and improper use of each said modem.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as described in claim 12 further comprising the step of e. examining said register to corroborate that all lower-in-sequence modems were responsive to the data carrier detect signal status; and,
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as described in claim 13 wherein said examining step reviews the lower-in-sequence modems in reverse sequential order.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method as described in claim 12 wherein the predetermined time period is one minute.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as described in claim 15 further comprising the steps of: f. transferring to a memory data stored in said register; g. clearing the register at the conclusion of said predetermined time period; and, h. summarizing the modem activity for each 24-hour period on a 24-hour summary chart.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as described in claim 16 wherein an intercepted signal is a data carrier detect signal and wherein the transferring includes the substep of incrementing the memory upon each data carrier detect signal indicated as present at a modem.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as described in claim 17 wherein step (b) is repeated a plurality of times within the predetermined time period to validate the data initially accumulated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as described in claim 17 further comprising the steps of: j. branching the intercepted data carrier detect signal for each modem to a panel; and, k. displaying at the panel the data carrier detect signal status for each modem.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as described in claim 19 wherein said panel has a light emitting diode for each modem, which, when illuminated, shows the presence of said data carrier detect signal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for analyzing modem defects among a plurality of modems formed into one or more groups thereof, each said group of modems serving an arrangement of telephone lines for data communications with a host computer comprising: a plurality of intercept means, one for each modem, each for providing at least one signal for examination, said intercept means, in turn, comprising intercept branching means for branching at least one said signal present at an output port of said modem; an intercept connector connecting said intercept branching means to said modem output port; a computer connector connecting said intercept branching means to said host computer; central processing means for processing the signal from each said intercept means and, in turn, being responsive to the presence and absence of said signals, and providing responses for each modem on a periodic basis; register means for storing said responses for each modem in numbered sequence; defect-reporting means for recording all responses from said register means for a given period showing data carrier detect present, said carrier detect absent, and modem answering out-of-sequence; whereby modem defects are apparent upon examination of the defect-reporting means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
189 words
A device for analyzing modem defects among a plurality of modems formed into one or more groups thereof, each said group of modems serving an arrangement of telephone lines for data communications with a host computer comprising: a plurality of intercept means, one for each modem, each for providing at least one signal for examination, said intercept means, in turn, comprising intercept branching means for branching at least one said signal present at an output port of said modem; an intercept connector connecting said intercept branching means to said modem output port; a computer connector connecting said intercept branching means to said host computer; central processing means for processing the signal from each said intercept means and, in turn, being responsive to the presence and absence of said signals, and providing responses for each modem on a periodic basis; register means for storing said responses for each modem in numbered sequence; defect-reporting means for recording all responses from said register means for a given period showing data carrier detect present, said carrier detect absent, and modem answering out-of-sequence; whereby modem defects are apparent upon examination of the defect-reporting means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as described in claim 21 wherein a signal provided by said intercept means is a data carrier detect signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as described in claim 22 wherein a signal provided by said intercept means is a ring indicator signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as described in claim 23 wherein said intercept branching means further includes: first circuit means for bussing all inputs present at said intercept connector to said computer connector; and second circuit means for prepocessing said data carrier detect and said ring indicator signals.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
34 words
A device as described in claim 24 wherein said second circuit means is a logical or circuit combining said data carrier detect and said ring indicator signal into a single signal to be monitored.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as described in claim 21 wherein a signal provided by said intercept means is a ring indicator signal.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as described in claim 21 wherein said intercept means provides up to five signals for examination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device as described in claim 27 wherein said intercept means further includes a modem use monitor connector.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as described in claim 28 wherein said modem use monitor connector from each intercept means is an RJ-12 connector.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as described in claim 21 wherein said intercept connector is an RS-232-C connector.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device as described in claim 21 wherein said computer connector is an RS-232-C connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-03 | 1992-10-03 | 1993-04-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-03 | 1996-10-03 | 1997-04-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-03 | 2000-10-03 | 2001-04-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |