The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 11, 2003
Filed:
May. 20, 1999
Applicant:
Inventors:
William Christopher Hardy, Dallas, TX (US);
Vaikunth N. Gupta, Potomac, MD (US);
Assignee:
WorldCom, Inc., Clinton, MS (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
H04M 1/24 ; H04M 3/08 ; H04M 3/22 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
H04M 1/24 ; H04M 3/08 ; H04M 3/22 ;
Abstract
A test unit provides testing capability at a network interface device (NID). The test unit may be remotely activated so that testing is initiated upon activation from a remote site. In one embodiment, a characteristic signal is sent over a telephone line toward the NID. A characteristic signal is detected and the testing unit is activated. The testing unit may perform multiple types of tests, including tests for detecting line loss, line noise and latency. The test unit may be implemented using electronic circuitry or using an intelligent computer system.