U.S. patent application number 09/900730 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-08 for remote modem control and diagnostic system and method.
Invention is credited to Barrett, Ronald Laurence SR..
Application Number | 20010039631 09/900730 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22455710 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010039631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barrett, Ronald Laurence
SR. |
November 8, 2001 |
Remote modem control and diagnostic system and method
Abstract
In accordance with the invention, a remote modem control and
diagnostic system is provided which includes a remote diagnostic
unit (RDU) and a control computer linked by conventional telephone
lines using a conventional control modem. The RDU also includes a
test software modem and a reference conventional modem. A computer
operator located at the control computer, through the use of remote
control software installed on both the control computer and the
RDU, operates the RDU in order to conduct testing of the test
modem, performance comparisons with the reference modem,
modifications to the RDU, and installation of new modem software on
the RDU.
Inventors: |
Barrett, Ronald Laurence SR.;
(Alameda, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Carmen C. Cook, Esq.
Skjerven Morrill MacPherson LLP
Suite 700
25 Metro Drive
San Jose
CA
95110
US
|
Family ID: |
22455710 |
Appl. No.: |
09/900730 |
Filed: |
July 6, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09900730 |
Jul 6, 2001 |
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09132811 |
Aug 12, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
714/4.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 11/06 20130101;
H04L 43/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
714/4 |
International
Class: |
H04B 001/74 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A method for remote control of a computer system and modem,
comprising: establishing a communication connection between a first
computer unit and a second computer unit using a first control
modem provided in the first computer unit and a second control
modem provided in the second computer unit; using said first
computer unit to remotely control said second computer unit,
wherein said second computer is directed to perform a function
selected from a group consisting of operating a test modem in said
second computer unit, operating a reference modem in said second
computer unit, installing modem software on said second computer
unit, and modifying modem settings on said second computer
unit.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first computer unit directs
all active functions said second computer unit performs.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said communication connection is
a telephone line.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing performance
of said test modem over a local telephone line with performance of
said reference modem of said local telephone line.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing performance
of said test modem over a first local telephone line with the
performance of said reference modem over a second local telephone
line.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said test modem is a software
modem.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said test modem is a hardware
modem with flash EEPROM.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein said software installed on said
second computer unit includes one or more members of the group
consisting of a software modem application and a software modem
driver.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first computer unit via the
first communication connection actuates a power control unit to
shut down and reboot the second computer unit.
10. A method for remote control of a computer system and modem,
comprising: establishing a communication connection between a first
computer unit and a second computer unit using a first control
modem provided in the first computer unit and a second control
modem provided in the second computer unit; using said first
computer unit to remotely control said second computer unit,
wherein said second computer is directed to operating a test modem
in said second computer unit.
11. A system for remote control of a computer system and modem,
comprising: a first computer unit having a first control modem; a
second computer unit having a second control modem and a test
modem; a first communication connection between said first control
modem and said second control modem; and a control system that
enables said first computer unit to remotely control said second
computer unit via said first communication connection to perform a
function selected from a group consisting of operating the test
modem provided in said second computer unit over a second
communication connection, installing modem software on said second
computer unit, and modifying modem settings on said second computer
unit.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein said second computer further
comprises a reference modem, and said control system enables said
first computer to operate the reference modem provided.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein said reference modem is
operated over said second communication connection.
14. The system of claim 12, wherein said reference modem is
operated over a third communication connection.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein said third communication
connection is a telephone line.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein said first computer unit
directs all active functions said second computer unit
performs.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein said test modem is a software
modem.
18. The method of claim 11, wherein said test modem is a hardware
modem with flash EEPROM.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein said software installed on said
second computer unit includes one or more members of the group
consisting of a software modem application and a software modem
driver.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein said first communication
connection is a telephone line.
21. The system of claim 11, wherein said second communication
connection is a telephone line.
22. The system of claim 11, wherein the control system comprises a
power control unit supplying power to the second computer unit,
wherein a signal sent from the first computer unit to said power
control unit via the first communication connection actuates a shut
down and restart of the second computer unit.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein the control system further
comprises software that permits the first computer control
operation of the second computer unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a system for remote control of a
computer system, and in particular to real-time remote diagnostic
computer systems to monitor, update, and repair remotely located
modems. This invention further relates to a method of monitoring,
updating, and repairing remotely located modems.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Computers traditionally use modems for transmitting and
receiving data over telephone lines. One type of modem, a host
signal processing (HSP) modem, uses a central processing unit (CPU)
in a host computer to perform processing tasks that are more
commonly performed by modem hardware such as a digital signal
processor in a conventional modem. For example, a conventional
modem receives data from a host computer, uses hardware in the
modem to convert the data to an analog signal in compliance with a
communication protocol, and transmits the analog signal to a remote
device. The conventional modem also receives an analog signal from
the remote device, uses hardware in the modem to extract data from
the analog signal, and passes the data to the host computer.
[0005] In an HSP modem, also known as a software modem, the host
computer executes software that performs many of the conversions
performed by a digital signal processor or other hardware in a
conventional modem. Hardware in the HSP modem performs simple
analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversions such as
converting a received analog communication signal to a series of
digital samples that represent amplitudes of the received signal.
The host computer executes software that interprets the samples
according to a communication protocol and derives the received data
from the samples. The host computer also generates a series of
output samples that represent amplitudes of a transmitted
communication signal in compliance with the protocol, and hardware
of the HSP modem converts the output samples into the transmitted
signal. When compared to conventional modems, HSP modems have less
complex (and less expensive) hardware because with HSP modems, the
host computer performs many of the tasks performed by hardware in
conventional modems.
[0006] An additional benefit of HSP modems is that a user can
modify or upgrade the modem by simply installing updated HSP
software onto the host computer. This eliminates the need for
costly hardware upgrades and enables the user to modify the
performance of the HSP modem relatively frequently and
economically.
[0007] The analog signals sent from modems are typically sent over
conventional telephone lines. The characteristics of the carrier
telephone lines can vary significantly from location to location.
The variation in signal-carrying characteristics and quality
becomes particularly acute when dealing with telephone lines
overseas.
[0008] Testing and modifying modems, both conventional hardware
modems and HSP modems, has heretofore required that an operator or
tester be in the area where modem performance is being tested on
local phone lines. The necessity of having an operator of the
computer system and modem being tested often requires a great deal
of time and expense, particularly when the computer system is
located inconveniently, such as at a remote overseas site. For
vendors, diagnosing and repairing complex hardware and software
problems on a customer's installed computer system typically
requires that a support technician travel to the customer's
location to work on the computer system on-site. This also involves
a great deal of time and travel expense, particularly in the case
of systems installed overseas. Similar types of expenses are
incurred when a modem manufacturer wishes to test the performance
of a particular modem over the local telephone lines at a remote
site.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with the invention, a remote modem control and
diagnostic system is provided which includes a remote diagnostic
unit (RDU) and a control computer linked by telephone lines and
control modem. The RDU also includes a test modem and a reference
modem. A computer operator located at the control computer, through
the use of remote control software installed on both the control
computer and the RDU, operates the RDU to test the test modem, to
perform comparisons of the test modem and the reference modem, to
modify the RDU or test modem, and to install new modem software on
the RDU.
[0010] In accordance with the invention, a method for remote
control of a computer system and modem is provided by: establishing
a communication connection between a first computer unit and a
second computer unit using a first control modem provided in the
first computer unit and a second control modem provided in the
second computer unit; and using the first computer unit to remotely
control the second computer unit. The second computer is then
directed to perform one or more functions including operating a
test modem provided in the second computer unit, operating a
reference modem provided in the second computer unit, installing
modem software on the second computer unit, and modifying modem
settings on the second computer unit.
[0011] Typically the communication connection is a telephone line.
The method may further include monitoring how the test modem
performs on a local telephone line connected to the second computer
unit and comparing the performances of the test modem and the
reference modem on the local telephone line. The method can compare
the performance of the test modem over a first local telephone line
with the performance of the reference modem over a second local
telephone line. In an exemplary embodiment, the test modem is a
software modem that includes a software modem driver that converts
samples of an analog received signal to input digital data and
converts output data to samples representing an analog transmitted
signal.
[0012] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a system
for remote control of a computer system and modem is provided,
including: a first computer unit having a first control modem; a
second computer unit having a second control modem and a test
modem; and a first communication connection between the first
control modem and the second control modem. The first computer unit
remotely controls the second computer unit via the first
communication connection to perform one or more functions such as
operating the test modem provided in the second computer unit over
a second communication connection, installing modem software on the
second computer unit, and modifying modem settings on the second
computer unit.
[0013] The second computer can be remotely controlled by the first
computer to operate a reference modem in the second computer. The
reference modem operates over the second or a third communication
connection. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the test
modem is a software modem that includes modem software in the form
of an application, an interrupt routine, or a driver.
Alternatively, the test modem is a hardware modem with flash
ROM.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a modem testing system in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a modem testing
system 100 in accordance with this invention. System 100 includes a
remote diagnostic unit (RDU) 1 and a control computer 3 that are
connected via a control line 7a and a power control unit 9. RDU 1
is a conventional computer having a processing unit, a main memory,
and a local bus (not shown). In one embodiment of the invention,
RDU 1 is an IBM or compatible personal computer, and the local bus
is an ISA, VESA, PCI, or serial bus. It is noted, however, that the
connection can be made with any of various types as are well known
in the art. Independently connected to the local bus are a control
modem 11, a test modem 13, and a reference modem 15. Test modem 13
and reference modem 15 are connected through a T-connector 17 to an
outgoing line 19, preferably a local telephone line.
[0016] Control modem 11 may be a standard hardware modem as is well
known in the art, and is connected via a local control line 7b
through power control device 9 to control line 7a. Control line 7a,
which links control computer 3 and RDU 1, may be any type of
telecommunications channel, including but not limited to
international public-switched telephone networks, TCP/IP links, and
cellular connections. Control computer 3 is also a conventional
computer having a processing unit, a main memory, and a local bus
(not shown), with control computer modem 5 connected to a local bus
of control computer 3.
[0017] The operation of the preferred embodiment is as follows. An
operator at control computer 3 uses control computer modem 5 to
make a modem connection to the control modem 11 in RDU 1 via
control line 7a, power control computer 9, and local control line
7b. RDU 1 is preconfigured to remain in stand-by mode, and
automatically makes the connection with control computer 3 without
an operator present at RDU 1. Using remote control computer
software as is well-known in the art, such as Symantec
Corporation's pcAnywhere.TM., the operator at control computer 3
remotely controls the RDU 1.
[0018] To analyze the performance of the test modem 13, the
operator commands the RDU 1 to connect to outgoing line 19 using
reference modem 15. The operator can then execute an experiment
over outgoing line 19, such as a binary file transfer. The
performance of reference modem 15, including factors such as
connect speed and transfer time are recorded. Preferably, reference
modem 15 is a well-tested modem with known performance
characteristics and established reliability.
[0019] The operator can then command the RDU 1 to connect to
outgoing line 19 using test modem 13, and re-execute the same
experiment, this time monitoring test modem 13's performance as
compared to reference modem 15. If necessary, test modem 13's
settings can be modified. Preferably, test modem 13 and reference
modem 15 connect to the same outgoing line 19 via T-connector 17
for more accurate performance comparisons. However, test modem 13
and reference modem 15 connect to separate outgoing lines as well.
Since reference modem 15's performance characteristics are well
established, any degradation in test modem 13's performance caused
by the outgoing line 19 can be more effectively analyzed by
comparison with reference modem 15.
[0020] When the test modem 13 is an HSP modem, this system can be
used to modify by installing new software on the host computer, RDU
1. Because in a conventional modem dedicated hardware in the modem
performs these processing functions, to modify those functions
typically requires that hardware be physically replaced in the host
computer system. Some hardware modems include EEPROM for firmware
used in DSP's. The firmware can be modified in a similar manner to
modifying modem software. The present invention enables a user to
vary the functions of an HSP modem through a modification of
software alone and to do so from a remote location.
[0021] A connection is made between control computer 3 and the RDU
1 via control line 7a and 7b, as described above, and control
computer 3 transfers or downloads software from the memory of
control computer 3 to the memory of RDU 1. Using remote control
software, the operator at control computer 3 can install and/or
modify the HSP modem software for test modem 13 on RDU 1, and then
test its performance over outgoing line 19. These procedures can be
performed independently, or in conjunction with tests run on
reference modem 15.
[0022] The function of power control unit allows control computer 3
to turn RDU off and on, for example, to reboot RDU 1. Incoming
power line 27a connects to power control device 9, and provides
electrical power to both the power control device 9 and the RDU 1
via local power line 27b. Control line 7a, preferably a standard
telephone line, also connects to power control device 9. Local
control line 7b, local power line 27b, and power control line 29
link RDU 1 and power control device 9. Power control device 9
allows the operator at remotely-located control computer 3 to shut
down and restart the RDU 1, which may be necessary in case of a
system crash, locked software, or after the installation of new
software. For power control device 9, Power On/Off+Aux.TM. by
Server Technology, Inc., or any of a number of commercially
available devices may be used. When the appropriate reboot or shut
down signal is received by power control device 9 from control
computer 3 via control line 7a, power control device 9 sends a
signal to the RDU 1 via power control line 29, connected to the
serial or parallel port (not shown) of RDU 1. This signal initiates
a restart or shut down process on the RDU 1's operating system. If
necessary, power control device 9 will disconnect power flowing
through local power line 27b to the RDU 1.
[0023] This remote modem control and diagnostic system has numerous
applications. It allows a developer to modify or upgrade the driver
software for a test modem, install that software onto a remote
user's computer system, and test the performance of the modified or
upgraded software modem, all without the necessity of having an
operator present at the remote computer. It also enables a vendor
to maintain test sites internationally, where an installed host
computer can be maintained with only minimal local human resources.
Upgraded HSP software can be installed onto the test site remotely,
and diagnostic tests can be run to monitor the software modem's
performance on local telephone lines around the world.
[0024] Although the present invention has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, the description is only an
example of the invention's application and should not be taken as a
limitation. Various adaptations and combinations of features of the
embodiments disclosed will be apparent to those skilled in the art
and are within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
following claims.
* * * * *