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.

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.