IES65204B2 - Apparatus for providing access to a line test device for testing a characteristics of a telephone line of a telephone network - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus 1 is connected by a dedicated telephone line 18 to a telephone network 2 through a main distribution frame or exchange 9 which also connects a line testing device 5 to the telephone network 2. The apparatus 1 is accessible by dialling the number of the dedicated telephone line 18 on any of the other telephone lines 4 in the telephone network 2 using a DTMF telephone 8. The line test device 5 will then test a line 4 corresponding to the telephone number that is subsequently requested by the operator of the DTMF telephone 8. Within the apparatus 1 a plurality of spoken phrases are stored in a directory to enable the relaying of the test results returned from the line test device 5 to the DTMF telephone 8 on the line 7 by the apparatus 1 in spoken form. The apparatus 1 may be connected by a number of lines 18 to the exchange 9 to enable a number of test requests to be dealt with simultaneously. The line testing device 5 can be connected by a number of lines to a number of different exchanges so that fewer line testing devices 5 are needed in a network.

Description

Apparatus for providing access to a line test device for testing a characteristic of a telephone line of a telephone network The present invention relates to apparatus for providing access from any telephone line of a telephone network to a line test device for testing a characteristic of the telephone line or another telephone line of the telephone network.

Line test devices for testing one or more characteristics of a telephone line are known. Such line test devices, in general, are installed in a telephone exchange and are arranged for connecting into a telephone network for testing the characteristics of any of the telephone lines of the telephone network. Typical characteristics which are tested are the insulation resistance between the A and B wires of a telephone line and earth, and the insulation resistance between the A and B wires. Such line test devices also test for short circuits in the A and B wires, continuity in the A and B wire, and whether or not a telephone is connected to the A and B wires of the telephone line. However, such line test devices in general, being located in the telephone exchange are accessible only to those within the exchange. In general, to test a telephone line it is necessary to 365204 key in the number of the telephone line to be tested into the line test device, and the line test device being connected to the telephone network then calls up the line to be tested and goes through a series of test steps for testing the various characteristics of the telephone line. The results of the test may be displayed on the screen of a visual display unit, or may be printed out on a printer, or both. However, in all cases it is necessary for an operator to be available to key in details of the number. Thus, in the event of an engineer being on site away from the telephone exchange and wishing to test the characteristics of a line going to the site, or indeed, another line in the telephone network, it is necessary for the engineer on site to initially set up a phone call to the operator of the line test device who in turn takes details of the line to be tested, and then operates the line test device to carry out the test. When the test has been carried out the operator then relays the test results to the engineer over the phone. This, it will be appreciated is a relatively time consuming task, cumbersome, inconvenient and is relatively expensive, since two people are required in order to carry out a test on a telephone line.

There is therefore a need for an apparatus which overcomes this problem.

The present invention is directed towards providing such an apparatus.

According to the invention there is provided apparatus for providing access from any telephone line of a telephone network to a line test device for testing a characteristic of the telephone line or another telephone line of the telephone network, the apparatus comprising a first interface means for interfacing the apparatus with the line test device, a second interface means for interfacing the apparatus with the telephone network through a dedicated telephone line, a first input/output means for outputting the number of the telephone line to be tested from the apparatus to the line test device and for receiving test results of the characteristic of the telephone line from the line test device, the first input/output means communicating with the first interface means, a second input/output means for receiving a number of the telephone line to be tested, and for outputting the test results of the characteristic of the telephone line, the second input/output means communicating with the second interface means, and a means for converting the test results of the characteristic of the telephone line being tested from digital form to spoken form for outputting the results in spoken form through the second input/output means.

Preferably, the means for converting the test results comprises a storing means for storing a plurality of phrases in speech form, and a plurality of numbers in speech form, and a selecting means for selecting an appropriate phrase in speech form and appropriate numbers in speech form from the stored phrases and numbers in response to the results received through the first input/output means from the line test device for outputting through the second input/output means onto the dedicated telephone line.

In one aspect of the invention the storing means comprises a read only memory.

Advantageously, the phrases in speech form and the numbers in speech form are stored in the storing means in the form of a look-up table, the respective phrases and numbers being cross referenced to digital signal outputs from the line test device.

In one aspect of the invention the second interface means permits interfacing of the apparatus with a plurality of dedicated telephone lines for facilitating the handling of a plurality of test requests from respective telephone lines simultaneously.

In another aspect of the invention the first interface means permits interfacing of the apparatus with a plurality of line test devices in the exchange of the network or in other exchanges of the network or in the exchanges of other networks for facilitating the handling of a plurality of test requests simultaneously.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the 10 following description of a preferred embodiment thereof which is given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block representation of a telephone network which comprises apparatus according to the invention for providing access from a telephone line of the telephone network to a line test device for testing a characteristic of a telephone line of the telephone network, Fig. 2 is a block representation of the apparatus of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a computer programme for controlling the operation of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated apparatus according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for connecting into a telephone network 2 which provides access from any telephone line 4 of the telephone network 2 to a line test device 5 for testing characteristics of any of the telephone lines 4 of the telephone network 2.

The apparatus 1 provides the test results in spoken form on the telephone line 4 from which the test was requested. For convenience and for ease of understanding the invention, the telephone line 4 of the telephone network 2 from which the test was requested is referred to as the oriqinatinq telephone line 7. In order to access the apparatus 1 a DTMF telephone 8 is connected to the originating telephone line 7 for enabling two way communication between the DTMF telephone 8 and the apparatus 1. The apparatus 1 is such that it receives instructions in digital form from the telephone 8 which are keyed into the telephone 8 through the keypad of the telephone 8. This is described in detail below.

The line test device 5 is a conventional line test device of the type associated with a telephone exchange, which comprises a computer (not shown) and a keyboard (also not shown) for inputting instructions to the line test device 5 and for inputting the number of the telephone line of the telephone network 2, the characteristics of which are to be tested. In general, a printer (not shown) is associated with the line test device 5 and the test results are printed by the printer. The line test device 5 is connected into the telephone network 2 through the telephone exchange and a main distribution frame 9. The connection of such line test devices into a telephone network will be known to those skilled in the art.

The apparatus 1 comprises a microprocessor 10 which controls the apparatus 1 and a first input/output means, namely, a first input/output port 11 which communicates the apparatus 1 through a first interface means, namely, a communicating link 12 with a corresponding input/output port (not shown) of the line test device 5. In this embodiment of the invention the communicating link 12 is provided by a telephone line 14 from the apparatus 1 and a telephone line 15 from the line test device 5, both of which are connected to the main distribution frame 9. A second input/output means, namely, a second input/output port 16 of the apparatus 1 receives instructions from and outputs test results to the originating telephone line 7 through a second interface means, namely, a dedicated telephone line 18 which is connected to the main distribution frame 9. The apparatus 1 operates under the control of a computer programme which will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 3 for receiving the telephone number of the telephone line 4 of the telephone network 2 to be tested, for initiating the line test device 5 for carrying out the test, and for relaying the results of the test.

The apparatus 1 comprises a storing means, namely, a read only memory 19 for storing the computer programme which is described below for operating the apparatus 1. The read only memory 19 stores in look-up table form a plurality of phrases in speech form which describe characteristics tested by the line test device 5, and also the numbers 0 through 1 to 9 also in speech form. The numbers 10, 20, 30, 40 up to 90 are also stored in speech form as are the words hundred, thousand, Ohms and Kilo. The phrases, words and numbers in speech form are stored in look-up tables against digital signals which correspond to the results of the various tests so that a plurality of phrases and numbers can be selected and compiled in response to signals received by the apparatus 1 from the line test device 5 for enabling the test results to be put on the originating telephone line 7 in speech form. The relevant phrases, words and numbers are selected and compiled by the microprocessor 10 under the control of the computer programme and are delivered through a digital to analog converter 20 in electronic speech signal form through the second input/output port 16 onto the dedicated telephone line 18.

Typical phrases which are stored in speech form in the look-up table in the read only memory 19 are as follows : Please key your access code, Please key the number to test and terminate with a hash or press star to cancel, The line test is ok, The A and B wires are short circuited, The insulation resistance of the A and B wires to earth is KOhms, The insulation resistance of the A and B wires to earth when tested with a 48 volt supply is KOhms, The insulation resistance between the A and B wires is KOhms, A break exists inside (outside) the main distribution frame, There appears to be a phone connected.

The digits stored in the look-up table in speech form are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and II (J II Other relevant numbers, phrases and words stored in the look-up table are as follows: Less than hundred KOhms, Greater than hundred KOhms, Ohms, Kilo.

The operation of the apparatus 1 under the control of the computer programme will now be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3. The computer programme waits in block 30 for a telephone call to be received on the dedicated telephone line 18. Block 31 checks if a call is on the dedicated telephone line 18, and if no call is on the dedicated telephone line 18 the computer programme goes to block 32 which instructs the microprocessor to carry out appropriate housekeeping sub-routines . Such housekeeping subroutines will be well known to those skilled in the art. At appropriate intervals during the carrying out of the housekeeping sub-routines the computer programme returns to block 31 to check if a call is on the dedicated telephone line 18. On block 31 determining that a call is on the dedicated telephone line 18 the computer programme moves to block 33 which answers the call.

The computer programme in this embodiment of the invention provides for security for restricting access to the apparatus 1 to authorised personnel only. The security may or may not be activated. Block 34 checks if security has been activated, and if so the computer programme moves to block 35 which looks up the spoken phrase please key your access code in the look-up table in the read only memory 19 and applies the phrase in electronic signal form through the digital to analog converter 20 onto the dedicated telephone line 18 for transmission to the originating telephone line 7 for reception in spoken form by the telephone 8. The computer programme then moves to block 36 which waits for the access code 36. The person making the request to have a line tested keys in the access code through the DTMF phone 8 on the originating line 7. The computer programme then moves to block 37 which reads the access code. On reading the access code the computer programme moves to block 38 which checks if the access code is a valid code. If the access code is not a valid code the computer programme moves to block 39 which checks if three attempts have been made to enter the access code. If not, the computer programme returns to block 35. If block 39 determines that three attempts have been made to enter the access code, the computer programme moves to block 40 which logs off, thereby terminating the telephone call and then moves to block 41 which calls up a sub-routine for logging the fact that a call has been received and the fact that a valid access code was not received. The computer programme then moves to block 42 which returns the computer programme to block 30. On block 38 determining that the access code is a valid access code, the computer programme moves to block 44. If block 34 determines that security is not activated in the computer programme, the computer programme moves from block 34 directly to block 44.

Block 44 obtains the phrase in spoken form from the look-up table in the read only memory 19 which requests please key the number to test and terminate with a hash or press star to cancel. Block 44 also applies the phrase onto the dedicated telephone line 18 through the digital to analog converter 20 in electronic form for transmission onto the originating telephone line 7 for reception in spoken form by the telephone 8. The computer programme then moves to block 45 which waits for the telephone number to be entered. The person making the request to have the line tested keys in the access code through the DTMF phone 8 on the originating line 7. The computer programme then moves to block 46 which reads the entered telephone number. Block 47 checks if the entered number is a valid telephone number, and block 47 also checks if the telephone number has been entered. If no telephone number has been entered or if the telephone number is not a valid telephone number the computer programme moves from block 47 to block 48. Block 48 checks if the star key of the telephone 8 has been pressed, and if so moves the computer programme to block 40 to terminate the call as already described. If block 48 determines that the star key has not been pressed the computer programme moves to block 49. Block 49 checks if three attempts have been made to enter the telephone number, and if so, the computer programme moves to block 40, and in turn to block 41 which have already been described. If three attempts to enter a telephone number have not been made, the computer programme returns to block 44.

On block 47 determining that the telephone number is a valid telephone number, the computer programme moves to block 50 which outputs the telephone number to the line test device 5 through the first input/output port 11 together with appropriate instructions instructing the line test device 5 to carry out a test of the line of the telephone number. The computer programme then moves to block 51 and awaits the result of the test from the line test device 5. The computer programme then moves to block 52 which checks if the results have been received by the apparatus 1 from the line test device 5. If no results are received, the computer programme moves to block 54 which checks if the elapsed time since the line test device 5 is activated exceeds a predetermined time, typically, 20 seconds, and if so the computer programme is returned to block 52 to initiate the test again. If block 54 determines that the elapsed time has not yet reached the predetermined time the computer programme is returned to block 51 to await the results. On block 52 determining that the results are available the computer programme moves to block 57 which reads the results and moves to block 58.

Block 58 extracts the relevant data from the test results, and the computer programme then moves to block 59 which compiles the results in spoken form by selecting the appropriate phrases and numbers in spoken form from the look-up tables in the read only memory 19. The computer programme then moves to block 60 which transmits the results through the digital to analog converter 20 which are applied to the dedicated telephone line 18 in electronic form and are in turn relayed through the telephone network 2 to the originating telephone line 7 for reception by the DTMF telephone 8 in spoken form. The computer programme then moves to block 61 which logs the call and the test results which may if desired be printed out in the printer (not shown) of the line test device 5 or any other printer for future reference. The computer programme then moves to block 62 which checks if the caller wishes to have a test carried out on another telephone line, and if so, the computer programme moves to block 63 which returns the computer programme to block 44. A desire to have another telephone line tested is indicated by the operator pressing the star key of the DTMF telephone 8. Should block 62 determine that no other telephone lines are to be tested, the computer programme moves to block 64 which logs off, and the computer programme then moves to block 65 which returns the computer programme to block 30 to await the next call on the dedicated telephone line 18.

Accordingly,' to operate the apparatus 1 an engineer on a remote site connects a DTMF telephone 8 into any line 4 of the telephone network 2, and by dialling the number of the dedicated telephone line 18 accesses the apparatus 1. This then causes the computer programme to go through the steps of block 30 to 65 to carry out the test. The telephone line to be tested may be the telephone line on which the DTMF telephone 8 is connected, in this case, the originating telephone line or it may be any other telephone line of the network 2.

The following is a typical spoken result of a test which is received by the telephone 8: The line test is ok. The insulation resistance of the A and B wires to earth is greater than 600 KOhms. The insulation resistance between the A and B wires is greater than 600 Ohms.

An alternative typical message could be The insulation resistance of the A and B wires to earth is greater than 600 Ohms. The A and B wires are short circuited.

While the apparatus has been described as comprising a second interface means for interfacing the apparatus with one dedicated telephone line, it will be appreciated, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the second interface means of the apparatus 1 may interface the apparatus 1 with a plurality of dedicated telephone lines for facilitating the handling of a plurality of tests from different originating telephone lines simultaneously. Additionally, it will be appreciated and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the first interface means instead of interfacing the apparatus 1 to a single line test device, could be arranged for interfacing the apparatus 1 to a plurality of line test devices which would facilitate the handling of a plurality of line tests simultaneously.

In such cases, the first interface means may interface with one or more telephone lines, and preferably, with more than one telephone lines for facilitating the setting up of a plurality of telephone links simultaneously by the apparatus with the respective line test devices. Such line test devices may be in the same exchange as the telephone network or in exchanges of other telephone networks.

It is also envisaged that as well as outputting the results in spoken form onto the dedicated telephone line, or lines as the case may be, the apparatus 1 may also output the results in digital form or in DTMF form for reception by a suitable remotely located portable apparatus.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described which may be varied in construction and detail.

Claims (5)

1. Apparatus for providing access from any telephone line of a telephone network to a line test device for testing a characteristic of the telephone line or another telephone line of the telephone network, the apparatus comprising a first interface means for interfacing the apparatus with the line test device, a second interface means for interfacing the apparatus with the telephone network through a dedicated telephone line, a first input/output means for outputting the number of the telephone line to be tested from the apparatus to the line test device and for receiving test results of the characteristic of the telephone line from the line test device, the first input/output means communicating with the first interface means, a second input/output means for receiving a number of the telephone line to be tested, and for outputting the test results of the characteristic of the telephone line, the second input/output means communicating with the second interface means, and a means for converting the test results of the characteristic of the telephone line being tested from digital form to spoken form for outputting the results in spoken form through the second input/output means.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the means for converting the test results comprises a storing means for storing a plurality of phrases in speech form, and a plurality of numbers in speech form, and a 5 selecting means for selecting an appropriate phrase in speech form and appropriate numbers in speech form from the stored phrases and numbers in response to the results received through the first input/output means from the line test device for outputting through the 10 second input/output means onto the dedicated telephone line.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 in which the storing means comprises a read only memory.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 or 3 in which the 15 phrases in speech form and the numbers in speech form are stored in the storing means in the form of a lookup table, the respective phrases and numbers being cross referenced to digital signal outputs from the line test device. 20

5. Apparatus for providing access from any telephone line of a telephone network to a line test device for testing a characteristic of the telephone line or another telephone line of the telephone network, the apparatus being substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.