Modem Answering Machine Asymmetric Timing Remote Diagnosis

Solution Overview

Problem

Remote network equipment sites often lack on-site human presence for diagnosing failures, leading to costly and time-consuming technician dispatches.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a modem and an answering machine connected to a telephone line, where the modem answers calls within a shorter time frame than the answering machine, allowing remote diagnosis of network hardware issues by determining connection status and providing indications of problems through a management console.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a technician is dispatched to diagnose equipment failures on-site, then accurate diagnosis can be achieved, but cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-diagnosis through automated telephone testing. The modem and answering machine automatically execute test calls and analyze connection status without human intervention, allowing the equipment to diagnose itself and report failures remotely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of technician dispatch with an automated electronic testing system. Telephone calls are automatically placed and answered by the modem/answering machine combination, which electronically determines connection status and transmits diagnostic data without physical human presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If a technician is dispatched to diagnose equipment failures on-site, then accurate diagnosis can be achieved, but cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnosis accuracyVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-diagnosis through automated telephone testing. The modem and answering machine automatically execute test calls and analyze connection status without human intervention, allowing the equipment to diagnose itself and report failures remotely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of technician dispatch with an automated electronic testing system. Telephone calls are automatically placed and answered by the modem/answering machine combination, which electronically determines connection status and transmits diagnostic data without physical human presence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If the modem answers calls immediately, then connection status can be determined quickly, but the answering machine cannot perform its backup diagnostic function

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection detection speedVSAvoiddiagnostic capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses asymmetric time delays where the modem is configured to answer calls after a first predetermined time period while the answering machine answers after a second predetermined time period that is longer than the first. This asymmetric timing allows the modem to perform primary connection detection while the answering machine provides backup diagnostic capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The modem performs preliminary connection detection by answering calls first within a shorter time frame. If the modem successfully answers, it indicates the telephone line and modem are functional. The answering machine is pre-configured with a longer answer delay to provide backup diagnostic information if the modem fails to answer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8923486B2System and method for remotely diagnosing and reporting failures in network equipment

Publication Date: 2014.12.30 AT&T LABS INC

AI summary

A system and method for initiating a telephone call to a telephone line that is connected to a modem and an answering machine, the modem being configured to connect to the telephone call prior to the answering machine, determining whether the modem has connected to the telephone call, determining, if the modem has not connected to the telephone call, whether the answering machine has connected to the telephone call and providing a first indication to a user if neither of the modem nor the answering machine has connected to the telephone call.