Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
In a communications network having a primary and a subsidiary switching means connected by T Carrier trunk means including multiple T Carrier links and customer service units (CSU) wherein said primary switch means has maintenance access port (MAP) means having at least two ports and said subsidiary switching means has multiple stations connected at the line side thereof; remote equipment access check (REACH) means associated with one of said T Carrier links and its CSU at the subsidiary switch means; control terminal means connected to said REACH means by a control link for controlling said REACH means; said REACH means being connected to the line side of said subsidiary switch means in the manner of a station thereto; said REACH means including drop and insert means for dropping and inserting one or more channels of the T Carrier link with which it is associated whereby a loop circuit may be established from one port of said MAP means through a T Carrier in said trunk means and through said subsidiary switch means and drop and inserted channel to the other port of said MAP means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
185 words
In a communications network having a primary and a subsidiary switching means connected by T Carrier trunk means including multiple T Carrier links and customer service units (CSU) wherein said primary switch means has maintenance access port (MAP) means having at least two ports and said subsidiary switching means has multiple stations connected at the line side thereof; remote equipment access check (REACH) means associated with one of said T Carrier links and its CSU at the subsidiary switch means; control terminal means connected to said REACH means by a control link for controlling said REACH means; said REACH means being connected to the line side of said subsidiary switch means in the manner of a station thereto; said REACH means including drop and insert means for dropping and inserting one or more channels of the T Carrier link with which it is associated whereby a loop circuit may be established from one port of said MAP means through a T Carrier in said trunk means and through said subsidiary switch means and drop and inserted channel to the other port of said MAP means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the selection of and dropping and inserting of said one or more channels of the T Carrier link is under control of said control terminal means and said control means is associated with said primary switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said loop circuit extends from one port of said MAP means through a T Carrier link selected by said MAP means and through said subsidiary switch means to the REACH means and through the insert channel to the other port of said MAP means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 including test means connected to said loop circuit at said MAP means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 including test means connected to said insert channel at said REACH means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 including test means connected to said insert channel at said REACH means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said REACH means includes multiple interfaces selectably connectable to the line side of said subsidiary switch means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said multiple interfaces are adapted for voice, data and ISDN.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of testing a communications network having a primary switching means spaced from and connected to a subsidiary switching means through a T Carrier trunk means which includes multiple T Carrier links, wherein said subsidiary switching means has multiple stations connected at the line side thereof, comprising the steps of: dropping and inserting a channel of a first T Carrier link at the trunk side of said subsidiary switching means; establishing communication from the line side of said subsidiary switching means around said subsidiary switching means to the primary switching means end of the inserted channel; and accessing a preselected second T Carrier link remote from said subsidiary switching means and establishing a connection through said accessed second T Carrier link through said subsidiary switching means to the line side thereof and to the circuit extending around said subsidiary switching means to the insert channel in said first T Carrier link to establish a loop circuit having ends which are remote from said subsidiary switching means.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of testing a communications network having a primary switching means spaced from and connected to a subsidiary switching means through a T Carrier trunk means which includes multiple T Carrier links, wherein said subsidiary switching means has multiple stations connected at the line side thereof, comprising the steps of: dropping and inserting a channel of a first T Carrier link at the trunk side of said subsidiary switching means; establishing communication from the line side of said subsidiary switching means around said subsidiary switching means to the primary switching means end of the inserted channel; and accessing a preselected second T Carrier link remote from said subsidiary switching means and establishing a connection through said accessed second T Carrier link through said subsidiary switching means to the line side thereof and to the circuit extending around said subsidiary switching means to the insert channel in said first T Carrier link to establish a loop circuit having ends which are remote from said subsidiary switching means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said ends of said loop circuit are proximate one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein said first T Carrier link is accessed through said primary switching means to establish one end of said loop and said second T Carrier link extends through said primary switching means to establish the other end of said loop.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 9 including the step of testing said loop circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 9 including transmitting a test signal through said loop circuit in opposite directions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 9 including testing said loop circuit at the point of said dropping and inserting of a channel.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 9 including sequentially testing said loop circuit at the MAP position of said subsidiary switching means and at the point of said dropping and inserting of a channel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method according to claim 15 includes determining from said tests a differential signal.