US6380971B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
VDSL video/data set top test equipment
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
•
Filing: 1999-05-28
•
Granted: 2002-04-30
•
Expires: 2019-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A VDSL customer drop testing arrangement and equipment utilizes a test set top box having a sign-on identifier unique to an authorized test device to perform testing of the customer drop without the need to provision the drop for receipt of video programming or data services from any network information or service providers (VIPs or DSPs). Because the test arrangement of the present invention does not require such provisioning, isolation of the customer drop is achieved. Such isolation insures that the test set is not being affected by problems originated from a VIP or DSP.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald L. Brodigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:16
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0421; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/50; H04M; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/062; H04N; H04N17/00; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1301; H04Q2213/13034; H04Q2213/13039; H04Q2213/13107; H04Q2213/13202; H04Q2213/1329; H04Q2213/13332; H04Q2213/13389; H04Q2213/13396
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for testing performance capability of a user drop in an xDSL-based video and data communication network comprising: a network video signal test source and a network data signal test source arranged to generate at least one video test channel and one data test line, the network including a signal processing arrangement for converting the test signals to an xDSL format for transmission on a network cable; a test device coupled to the user drop having a network sign-on identifier for identifying the device as a test device; and a network entitlement controller arranged to provision user drops for receipt of video programming and data from a network distribution system, said network entitlement controller arranged to provision an unprovisioned customer drop for receipt of the network video test channel and the network data test line in response to receipt of a test device sign-on identifier, wherein said test device is arranged to test the user drop for video signal quality, and data transfer rate, error and loss conditions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
169 words
A system for testing performance capability of a user drop in an xDSL-based video and data communication network comprising: a network video signal test source and a network data signal test source arranged to generate at least one video test channel and one data test line, the network including a signal processing arrangement for converting the test signals to an xDSL format for transmission on a network cable; a test device coupled to the user drop having a network sign-on identifier for identifying the device as a test device; and a network entitlement controller arranged to provision user drops for receipt of video programming and data from a network distribution system, said network entitlement controller arranged to provision an unprovisioned customer drop for receipt of the network video test channel and the network data test line in response to receipt of a test device sign-on identifier, wherein said test device is arranged to test the user drop for video signal quality, and data transfer rate, error and loss conditions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the test device comprises a user set top box modified to use the test device network sign-on identifier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the network video signal test source generates at least two video test channels, and the test device is arranged to test xDSL signaling capability of the user drop by generating a channel change command to change between the at least two video test channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the test device comprises at least one video output port and at least one data output port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 4 further comprising a video display device connected to the at least one video output port, wherein the video signal quality is tested by viewing the received test channel on the video display device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 4 further comprising a personal computer connected to the at least one data output port, wherein the personal computer is programed to request transfer of a test data file of known size to measure transfer rate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the personal computer is further programmed to request a test data file of known content, and to compare the received file with the known file to provide error and loss of data detection.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the test device comprises a set of test indicators for displaying the result of each test.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the test device further comprises a microprocessor system programed to request transfer of a test data file of known size to measure transfer rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 9 wherein the microprocessor system is further programmed to request a test data file of known content, and to compare the received file with the known file to provide error and loss of data detection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5410343A
Cited
WO1994005119A1
Cited
US5559854A
Cited
US5586111A
Cited
US5808671A
Cited
US5654751A
Cited
US5874992A
Cited
US5859895A
Cited
US5987061A
Cited
US6021167A
Cited
US6075552A
Cited
US5764284A
Cited
US5883883A
Cited
US6076113A
Cited
US6002671A
Cited
US5978019A
Cited
US6304578B1
Cited
US6292468B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-04-29 | 2005-10-29 | 2006-04-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-04-29 | 2009-10-29 | 2010-04-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-04-29 | 2013-10-29 | 2014-04-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |