Tools and techniques are described to create an interface that can translate a device language into an internal language, and describe the device to the controller in terms of actors and quanta such that when a device is attached to a controller, the controller can understand what the device does and why it does it. This internal language can then be translated back to a natural language, such as English. This allows the controller to track errors, determine what upstream or downstream device and action of the device caused the error, and to track many different facts of the system that allow for detailed reports.

A building controller with wiring terminals that has a moveable interactive screen is disclosed. The moveable interactive screen, when closed, covers the housing that holds the wiring terminals. The specific devices attached to specific terminals and the state of the devices can be displayed on the closed moveable interactive screen. Using the moveable interactive screen, a user can set up the expected devices and their protocols that will be attached to specific wiring terminals within the building controller. The controller wiring terminals can be viewed along with an interactive diagram of the devices and the terminals that have been set up for the building controller can be viewed simultaneously when the moveable interactive screen is in the open position.

A building controller with wiring terminals that has a moveable interactive screen is disclosed. The moveable interactive screen, when closed, covers the housing that holds the wiring terminals. The specific devices attached to specific terminals and the state of the devices can be displayed on the closed moveable interactive screen. Using the moveable interactive screen, a user can set up the expected devices and their protocols that will be attached to specific wiring terminals within the building controller. The controller wiring terminals can be viewed along with an interactive diagram of the the devices and the terminals that have been set up for the building controller can be viewed simultaneously when the moveable interactive screen is in the open position.

Tools and techniques are described to automate creation of point mapping diagrams between controllers and controlled resources. After receiving a defined space diagram (which may be input using a graphical interface of the controller, or by other means), resource locations and resource wiring requirements (which may be done automatically), a wiring diagram including point mapping between the resources and any necessary controllers is generated. If resources need to be moved, a new wiring diagram and/or point mapping can be regenerated.

A system for monitoring connection status of a cable in a network comprising a detector operationally connected to the cable, a metal line test module, and a processor for receiving from the detector one or more connection status reports about connection of the cable to a network node, and configured to cause, upon a connection status report threshold being reached, a test of the cable by the metal line test module to confirm the connection status of the cable. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

It is suggested to detect a single wire interruption (SWI) of a line comprising two wires, wherein such line is part of a vectoring group, comprising (i) determining a capacitance between the single wires of the line; and (ii) determining whether a single wire interruption is present based on the determined capacitance.

A communication device includes: a signal generator configured to generate a first signal and supply the first signal to a telephone line; a terminator having a variable terminal impedance as seen from the telephone line; a detector configured to detect a difference between the terminal impedance and a line impedance of the telephone line; and a controller configured to determine the terminal impedance so that the difference is reduced.

The present invention presents a method of identifying faults in a DSL line using upstream and downstream attenuation measurements, which can be obtained directly from the DSLAM or CPE, thus requiring no specialist test equipment nor disrupting service. A downstream over upstream attenuation ratio is calculated for a line, with calculations repeated over a population of lines. The distribution of ratios, as well as upper and lower thresholds, is determined based on the population. A line is identified as being potentially faulty if it has an attenuation ratio above the upper threshold or below the lower threshold. Specifically, an attenuation ratio below the lower threshold is identified as having a high resistance joint fault (caused by an imperfect connection or corrosion at a joint in at least one of the pairs of a line), and a ratio above the upper threshold as a shunt (caused by degradation of the insulation between the pairs of a line, and often coupled with water ingress).

A communication apparatus includes: a first determination unit configured to determine whether a first voltage identified under conditions where a telephone connection terminal is connected to a modem unit is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; a second determination unit configured to, if the first determination unit determines that the first voltage is greater than or equal to the first threshold value, determine whether a second voltage identified under conditions where the telephone connection terminal is disconnected from the modem unit tends to decrease; and a third determination unit configured to determine connection states of the telephone connection terminal and a line connection terminal based on determination results of the first determination unit and the second determination unit. If the second determination unit determines that the identified second voltage has decreased more than once, the third determination unit determines that a wrong connection has been made.

A controller is described with an adjacent electronic display which allows users to input building plans, and to design where devices (e.g., equipment and sensors) are to go. The controller has access to databases of the devices including wiring diagrams and protocols, such that the controller can automatically create a wiring diagram that can be used to wire the building and the controller. The adjacent display can be moved to show controller wiring, while the display shows a wiring diagram which describes a diagram of the controller wiring including devices that are connected, and wiring information about the devices.