Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery – Data processing system error or fault handling – Reliability and availability
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-12
2001-10-30
Iqbal, Nadeem (Department: 2185)
Error detection/correction and fault detection/recovery
Data processing system error or fault handling
Reliability and availability
C379S222000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311291
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
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.
2. Description of Related Art
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 a 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Iqbal Nadeem
PC-Tel, Inc.
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