US 6,295,339 B1 · Audio verification of digital subscriber line connection

Abstract

A test matrix switch-associated mechanism conducts an interactive communication session with the butt set of an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) technician, to verify the intended connectivity of a digital subscriber line pair through the switch to customer premises equipment subscribing to digital service from a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC). Connectivity through the switch is controlled by way of a supervisory control processor that may be downloaded with communication and test control software from a remote test unit, in association with one or more CLECs that are served by the ILEC's central office equipment. Once loaded with this control software, including a routine for executing the connectivity verification mechanism of the invention, the switch's control processor sources digitally synthesized test signals for application to a line under test, and conducts a digitally-based analysis of replies to such signals as supplied by a craftsperson's butt set. The executed routine enables an ILEC technician to remotely verify and complete establishment of a digital subscriber line path through the switch for the digital service supplied by the CLEC.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method of providing a digital subscriber line path between a source of digital communication services supplied by a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) to an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) site and a customer premises site, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a wireline path, that is connectable to said source of digital communication services, between said ILEC site and said customer premises site;
(b) coupling a test set to a remote location of said wireline path associated with said customer premises site;
and
(c) conducting an interactive communication session between said test set and said ILEC site that is effective to enable said test set to remotely verify that said wireline path is connectable to said source of digital communication services, and to place said wireline path in circuit with each of said source of digital communication services and said customer premises site, said interactive communication session including the step of changing a cross-connect of a matrix switch from a line test path to a high speed telecommunication service provided by the CLEC based on a prescribed user prompt message and user reply.

1 more element

A method for enabling an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) technician to remotely verify establishment of a digital subscriber line path to a wireline connection for a customer premises site for digital communication services supplied by a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) to a matrix switch at an ILEC site, said matrix switch having a plurality of cross-points, through which digital subscriber line paths for digital communication services supplied said CLEC are controllably connectable over wireline paths to remote sites at which wireline connections to customer premises equipment are effected, and a control processor coupled with cross-points and being operative to control connectivity therethrough, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) coupling a test set with said wireline connection;
and
(b) conducting an interactive communication session between said test set and said control processor that is effective to enable said technician to remotely verify that a digital subscriber line path exists between said wireline connection and a cross-point of said matrix switch associated with digital communication services supplied by said CLEC, and to cause said control processor to couple said cross-point to a communication path through which digital communication services are supplied by said CLEC, said interactive communication session including the step of changing a cross-connect of a matrix switch from a line test path to a high speed telecommunication service provided by the CLEC based on a prescribed user prompt message and user reply.

For use with a test matrix switch installed an incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) site and having a plurality of cross-points, through which digital subscriber line paths for digital communication services supplied by one or more competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) to said ILEC site are controllably connected over wireline paths therefrom to customer premises sites, a system comprising:

a control processor coupled with said test matrix switch, and being operative to communicate, by way of a cross-point of said test matrix switch associated with a wireline path to a wireline connection for customer premises equipment at a remote site, with a test set coupled to said wireline connection, while decoupling said cross-point from a communication path through which digital communication services are supplied by a CLEC;
and
a test set through which a technician may be placed in communication with said wireline connection, and being operative to exchange signals with said control processor, that enable said technician to remotely verify establishment of a digital subscriber line path through said cross-point for digital communication services supplied by said CLEC by changing a cross-connect of the matrix switch from a line test path to a high speed telecommunications service provided by the CLEC based on a prescribed user prompt message and user reply.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Audio verification of digital subscriber line connection

Life of this patent

Audio verification of digital subscriber line connection

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18