System and method for telephone network testing

Claim 3

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively sending further comprises: (1) a trigger detector, disposed across the subscriber loop, for sensing triggering events and initiating a response; and (2) a sequencer for sequencing a switch for terminating the subscriber loop and cycling a serial number unit for sending the unique ID code.

Claim 4

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 2 further comprising an oscillator, responsive to the sequencer, for sending a test tone.

Claim 5

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for selectively sending further comprises: (1) a tone detector for recognizing a predetermined triggering tone; and (2) a processing circuit, responsive to the tone detector, for providing an off-hook status and retrieving the unique ID code, the processing circuit transmitting a data stream representing the unique ID code.

Claim 6

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 4 further comprising a tone generator, responsive to the processing circuit, for transmitting a tone for diagnostic testing.

Claim 7

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 4 wherein the data stream is ASCII coded and is transmitted at frequencies compatible with standard modems.

Claim 8

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for isolating further includes a DC signature impedance disposed across the subscriber loop.

Claim 9

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 7 wherein the DC signature impedance is tested by a Local Test Desk.

Claim 10

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 7 wherein the DC signature impedance is tested by a Mechanized Loop Test.

Claim 11

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for querying and verifying the identity of the subscriber loop is triggered with a characteristic tone sent over the network.

Claim 12

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for querying and verifying the identity of the subscriber loop is triggered by activation of the application of a voltage greater than a predetermined threshold.

Claim 13

A system for testing a telephone network as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for querying and verifying the identity of the subscriber loop further comprises means for sending a test tone for additional diagnostic testing.

Claim 14

In a telephone network, at least one subscriber line having a tip and a ring terminal coupled to a diagnostic device at a demarcation point between the telephone network and the subscriber line inside wiring, the device comprising: (a) a half ringer, having a first terminal coupled to the tip terminal and a second terminal coupled to the ring terminal at the demarcation point, for providing an ac impedance to satisfy a ringing current test originating in a central office; (b) a maintenance terminal unit, coupled to the subscriber line having a first terminal coupled to the tip terminal, a second terminal coupled to the ring terminal, a third and fourth terminal coupled to a tip and ring terminal at the demarcation point, for providing a dc signature for fault testing and for isolating the subscriber station from the network in response to the station being on-hook, wherein the maintenance terminal unit provides continuity between the first and third terminals and the second and fourth terminals respectively in response to an off-hook condition; and (c) an identifying code response unit, coupled across the tip and ring terminals at the demarcation point and responsive to a trigger condition, for terminating the subscriber line, and for sending an identifying code over the subscriber line.

Claim 15

In a telephone network, at least one subscriber line having a tip and a ring terminal coupled to a diagnostic device at a demarcation point between the telephone network and the subscriber line inside wiring, the device comprising: (a) a half ringer, having a first terminal coupled to the tip terminal and a second terminal coupled to the ring terminal at the demarcation point, for providing an ac impedance to satisfy a ringing current test originating in a central office; (b) a maintenance terminal unit, coupled to the subscriber line having a first terminal coupled to the tip terminal, a second terminal coupled to the ring terminal, a third and fourth terminal coupled to a tip and ring terminal at the demarcation point, for providing a dc signature for fault testing and for isolating the subscriber station from the network in response to the station being on-hook, wherein the maintenance terminal unit provides continuity between the first and third terminals and the second and fourth terminals respectively in response to an off-hook condition; and (c) an identifying code response unit, coupled across the tip and ring terminals at the demarcation point and responsive to a trigger condition, for terminating the subscriber line, and for sending an identifying code over the subscriber line.

Claim 16

A device as recited in claim 13 wherein the identifying code response unit further includes means for sending a test tone signal over the subscriber line.

Claim 17

A device as recited in claim 13 wherein the half ringer has an impedance value of substantially 0.5 REN.

Claim 18

A device as recited in claim 13 wherein the maintenance terminal unit further comprises a first and a second bilateral voltage sensitive switch disposed between the first and third terminals and the second and fourth terminals respectively for connecting the subscriber loop to the network.

Claim 19

A device as recited in claim 16 wherein the first and the second bilateral voltage sensitive switches are a pair of silicon controlled rectifiers connected in an inverse parallel relationship.

Claim 20

A device as recited in claim 16 wherein the first and the second bilateral voltage sensitive switches are a TRIAC.