Patent ID: 7003078

Claim:
A customer-operable modem, associated with a customer premises, for analyzing electrical signals to determine the characteristics of a broadband communication channel between a service provider and said customer premises, said modem comprising: a transmitter connected to said broadband communication channel for delivering signals to said broadband communication channel; a receiver connected to said broadband communication channel for receiving response signals from said broadband communication channel; a modem user interface; and a modem controller having an associated memory with a testing sequence pre-stored therein, said modem controller in operative communication with said transmitter and said receiver and said modem user interface, said modem controller programmed to execute said testing sequence so as to: command said transmitter to generate test signals and deliver said test signals onto said broadband communication channel to thereby stimulate said broadband communication channel from said customer premises; measure response signals received by said receiver that are generated solely in response to stimulated effects of said test signals on said broadband communication channel; generate an output value as a function of said test signals and said response signals indicative of the electrical characteristics of said broadband communication channel; transmit said output value to said modem user interface so as to display said output value; and transmit said output value over said broadband communication channel to said communications service provider to eliminate the need for a technician dispatch to said premises, wherein said output value is capable of being utilized for qualifying said broadband communication channel for XDSL communication services.