Self-diagnostic system for cellular-transceiver systems with remote-reporting capabilities

In an auto-diagnostic apparatus for testing the proper functioning of a cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver and a cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit operatively coupled to said cellular transceiver, which interface unit couples a land-type telephone device to the cellular transceiver whereby DTMF or pulse-type dialing signals are converted into digital format for sending to said cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver, whereby the dialed number made on the land-type of telephone may be used to call a number over the cellular, or cellular-like, system, and wherein said auto-diagnostic apparatus comprises auto-diagnostic means coupled to said interface unit for generating signals for testing the operation of said cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver and said cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit, the improvement comprising:

• off-site, remote-test initiation means for generating a signal for initiating in said auto-diagnostic means the initiation of the testing of the proper functioning of the cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver and the cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit operatively coupled to said cellular transceiver, said remote-testing initiation means being located off-site from the location where said auto-diagnostic apparatus is located;
• signal-responsive means associated with said auto-diagnostic means responsive to said signal from said remote-testing initiation means for starting the testing process of said auto-diagnostic apparatus;
• and
• remote-reporting means operatively associated with said auto-diagnostic apparatus for reporting data representing the results of the test of said auto-diagnostic apparatus to a remote location by means of said cellular, or cellular-like, network.

A method of remotely testing for the proper operation of a cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit by means of a diagnostic unit, which cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit is capable of being coupled to a land-type telephone or telephone-like instrument, said cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit capable of converting DTMF signals or pulse-type dialing signals from a land-type telephone instrument coupled thereto into digital data format for sending the digital data to a cellular, or cellular-like transceiver, said method comprising:

• (a) sending a test-initiation signal from an off-site location to the diagnostic unit;
• (b) in response to said step (a), carrying out the testing of the cellular, or cellular-like, interface unit by means of the diagnostic unit;
• (c) transforming the test-results into data that is capable of being sent over the cellular, or cellular-like, network;
• (d) sending the test-results data to an off-site monitoring center by means of the cellular, or cellular-like, transceiver;
• and
• prior to said step (d), generating an acknowledgment signal from the off-site monitoring center to the diagnostic unit indicating establishment of data connection:
• said step (b) comprising monitoring the functions performed by said interface unit;
• said step of monitoring comprising:
• simulating the functions performed by a communications device for generating in said interface unit respective, corresponding responses in said interface unit, in order to determine if said interface unit is operating correctly.