An apparatus and method, using a computer, for the efficient generation of a wiring map of the connectivity between two sets of terminals at different locations which have established communication links between respective terminals at the two locations. A signal at a first location uniquely identifies each of the terminals, by code, frequency, sequence of connection or the like, and is transmitted to a respective terminal at the second location via a respective communication link. The terminals at the second location are sampled and the presence of the transmitted signal correlated to the identity of the first terminal. The correlation may be direct, as by unique terminal identifier, or by a comparison of data bases stored by computers. The computer-based correlation is used to generate a map of the limited terminals.

Apparatus and method for mapping the connectivity of communications systems with multiple communications paths

Apparatus is disclosed for disconnecting and reconnecting equipment to a telephone line in response to at least one signal sent over the telephone line. The apparatus includes a voltage threshold circuit, a voltage regulator circuit, a current chargeable element such as a capacitor, a discharge circuit, a switch and a switch control. The switch is coupled to the telephone line and to the equipment and disconnects the equipment from the line in response to the signal sent over the line. The threshold circuit is coupled to the line and receives the signal. It provides an output signal to the regulator circuit only when the signal on the line exceeds a threshold voltage level. The voltage regulator circuit regulates the voltage at the output of the threshold circuit and provides a substantially constant voltage to the chargeable element. Since the voltage applied to the chargeable element is known, the time required to charge the chargeable element can be precisely determined. The chargeable element is coupled to the discharge circuit which causes the chargeable element to discharge when the signal to the threshold circuit falls below the threshold value, for example, when the signal is removed. The switch control is coupled to the discharge circuit and maintains the switch in a switched, equipment-disconnected condition while the chargeable element is discharging.

Remotely-activated switching apparatus

An apparatus and method for the efficient generation of a wiring map of the connectivity between two sets of terminals at different locations which have established communication links between respective terminals at the two locations. A single at a first location uniquely identifies each of the terminals, by code, frequency, sequence of connection or the like, and is transmitted to a respective termimal at the second location via a respective communication link. The terminals at the second location are sampled and the presence of the transmitted signal correlated to the identity of the first terminal. The correlation may be direct, as by unique terminal identifier, or by a comparision of data bases stored by computers. First and second data bases, each relating the terminal locations to the transmitted information, respectively, are correlated to create a third data base used to generate a map of the linked terminals.

Method and apparatus for mapping communications media

An impulse activated switch having a controlled time-delayed self-restoration from its complementary state to its initial state is described. Upon illumination, a photodiode array connected to the gate and source electrodes of a field effect transistor produces a voltage which changes the current conduction state of the field effect transistor to its complementary state and charges a capacitance. The capacitance forms part of an RC timing network which controls the time required for self-restoration. The switch may be normally on or off and unilateral or bilateral.

Impulse activated time delay self-restoring switch

A remotely actuated line testing connection block with modular jack is disclosed for installation and use to connect directly to a subscriber's telephone instrument. The block is connected to the incoming tip and ring wires of the line and to ground and provides tests which closely emulate those performed by a field repairman. When a test voltage of a first polarity from a central office is applied across one of the tip and ring wires and ground, a capacitor is charged. Upon release of the test voltage, the capacitor actuates a first switch which shorts the tip and ring wires together and may also ground them if a ground test option is selected. The capacitor also activates a second switch which disconnects the user's instrument. The first switch releases after about half of a test interval with the second switch releasing at the end thereof to restore normal line connections. In addition to, or in lieu of the first and second switches, the test block may include a test signal generator driven by a second capacitor charged from a test voltage of reversed polarity.

Telephone instrument connection block with remotely actuated line test

A subscriber loop test device is connected across a subscriber loop adjacent a subscriber equipment and remote an associated switching office. The subscriber loop test device includes a relaxation oscillator and a connection circuit responsive to a predetermined high voltage applied at the switching office for connecting the relaxation oscillator to the subscriber loop. The relaxation oscillator responds by drawing an energizing current which it modulates at the operating frequency of the oscillator. Detection of this frequency in the switching office verifies the DC and the AC continuity of the subscriber loop. Additional contacts in the connection circuit are used to disconnect the subscriber apparatus for the duration of the operation of the test device so that faulty subscriber apparatus will not interfere with verification of subscriber loop serviceability.

George Howard Wright

Papers

Subscriber loop verification device and method