Network interface device for line testing
US6039578A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04Q1/20
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A network interface device (37, 37a) for use with a communication system. The communication system includes a plurality of interconnect elements (39) coupled to incoming and outgoing lines (41, 47). The network interface device is selectively and individually coupled to selected ones of said interconnect elements to test incoming lines of the communication system. The network interface device includes a first connector (34) for coupling a shared test device (53) thereto, or the shared test device itself. A second connector (38) is coupled to the first connector, for example, by a cable (36) and is used for selectively and individually coupling to a selected one of the plurality of interconnect elements. The network interface device is normally disconnected from the communication circuit and is a passive element until it is connected to the interconnect element. Use of the second connector will interrupt circuitry between contacts (43, 45) in the selected interconnect element. A pair of binding posts (57, 59) may be coupled to the first connector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.