US5396342A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic remote facsimile testing system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-02-20
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Granted: 1995-03-07
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Expires: 2012-02-20
Abstract
Abstract Users of facsimile communications systems may test their fax transceivers by transmitting a test fax page over the public switched telephone network to a system that makes measurements of the test transmission and of telephone line characteristics. Measurements are analyzed to locate possible anomalies. Results of analysis, the measurements themselves and a copy of the user's test fax are incorporated into a test report. The test report is delivered to users as a fax message or spoken announcement during the same call or a second call.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard R. Meyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00007; H04N1/0001; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00031; H04N1/00034; H04N1/00039; H04N1/00045; H04N1/00053; H04N1/00058; H04N1/00061; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/0035; H04N1/00405; H04N1/00488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for automatically testing a remote facsimile communications system, comprising the steps of: (a) transferring a test fax transmission from said remote facsimile communications system to a diagnostic system and automatically making quantitative measurements of said test fax transmission during the transferring process, thereafter (b) automatically preparing a test report in said diagnostic system incorporating said measurements, and thereafter (c) delivering said test report to a remote location, in order to inform a user at said remote location of the condition of said facsimile communications system.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for automatically testing a remote facsimile communications system, comprising the steps of: (a) transferring a test fax transmission from said remote facsimile communications system to a diagnostic system and automatically making quantitative measurements of said test fax transmission during the transferring process, thereafter (b) automatically preparing a test report in said diagnostic system incorporating said measurements, and thereafter (c) delivering said test report to a remote location, in order to inform a user at said remote location of the condition of said facsimile communications system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said facsimile communications system is connected to a public switched telephone network, further comprising the steps of: (a) receiving automatic number identification of said facsimile communications system's telephone number from said public switched telephone network, (b) transmitting said test report to said facsimile communications system's telephone number as designated by said automatic number identification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
73 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said facsimile communications system is connected to a public switched telephone network, further comprising the steps of: (a) receiving identification of said facsimile communications system's telephone number, (b) receiving transmitting subscriber identification of said facsimile communications system and (c) preparing said test report to include a message describing any discrepancy between the telephone number represented by said identification and the telephone number represented by transmitting subscriber identification.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said test report includes a copy of said test fax transmission.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said test fax transmission is received by means of a pay-per-call telephone number on a public switched telephone network.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said test report is delivered by means of a spoken announcement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1 wherein: said facsimile communications system is connected to a telephone network, said transferring step is by means of said telephone network and said delivering step takes place during the same telephone connection as said transferring step.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps of transferring and making quantitative measurements is by means of direct connection of said diagnostic system to a long distance telephone carrier's digital network, whereby said measurements may be used to avoid possible inaccuracies caused by a local loop connection.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said test fax transmission includes transmitting a standard test chart of known content.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
96 words
A diagnostic system for automatically testing a remote facsimile communications system, comprising: (a) means for transferring a test fax transmission from said remote facsimile communications system to said diagnostic system, (b) means coupled to said transferring means to automatically make quantitative measurements upon said test facsimile transmission, and (c) reporting means for incorporating results of said measurements into a test report, and (d) means coupled to said measuring means for delivering said test report to a remote location in order to inform a user at said remote location of the condition of said facsimile communications system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
A diagnostic system for automatically testing a remote facsimile communications system, comprising: (a) means for transferring a test fax transmission from said remote facsimile communications system to said diagnostic system, (b) means coupled to said transferring means to automatically make quantitative measurements upon said test facsimile transmission, and (c) reporting means for incorporating results of said measurements into a test report, and (d) means coupled to said measuring means for delivering said test report to a remote location in order to inform a user at said remote location of the condition of said facsimile communications system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 10, wherein: said facsimile communications system is connected to a telephone network, said test fax transmission includes receiving automatic number identification of said facsimile communications system's telephone number, and said test report is delivered to said facsimile communications system as designated by said automatic number identification.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 10 wherein: said facsimile communications system is connected to a telephone network, said test fax transmission includes receiving said facsimile communications system's telephone number, and said test fax transmission includes receiving transmitting subscriber identification of said facsimile communications system, said test report includes a message describing any discrepancy between said telephone number and said transmitting subscriber identification.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said test report includes a copy of said test fax transmission.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said test fax transmission is received by means of a pay-per-call telephone number on a public switched telephone network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein said test report is delivered by means of a spoken announcement.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 10 wherein: said facsimile communications system is connected to a telephone network, said transferring means is by means of said telephone network and said delivering of said test report occurs during the same telephone connection as said transferring of the test fax transmission.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 28 wherein said step of transferring is by means of direct connection of said diagnostic system to a long distance telephone carrier's digital network, whereby said measurements may be used to avoid possible inaccuracies caused by a local loop connection.
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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) | 1998-03-06 | 1998-09-05 | 1999-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-03-06 | 2002-09-05 | 2003-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-03-06 | 2006-09-05 | 2007-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |