Event/switch matrix window

Details Event/switch matrix window Event/switch matrix window

1993-10-18

2001-03-27

Chow, Dennis-Doon (Department: 2675)

Computer graphics processing and selective visual display system

Plural physical display element control system

Display elements arranged in matrix

C345S111000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06208324

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The disclosed invention relates generally to a computer system having a windowing environment for control and monitoring of operational tasks, and more particularly to a computer system for control and monitoring of operational tasks in a telecommunications environment wherein an operator may configure the presentation of diverse information according to his needs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The current public switched telephone network employs thousands of switches, multiplexors, and other telecommunications devices that must work in concert in order to provide for the connection and completion of the ordinary telephone call. Many of these devices provide for status information which is sent back over the network to control centers regarding the health of the network. Different methods have been utilized in the past to present information from telecommunications network equipment to a network operator who is responsible for monitoring and controlling the operation of that equipment. The most common of these methods used computers that provide information to the network operator in a simple text-based presentation of the equipment activity as provided by the equipment manufacturer. The presentations are typically chronological reports of equipment activity which may not be relevant to the network operators needs. Moreover, a network operator is unable to tailor the presentation to address new needs corresponding to a changed operational environment.
In another approach, telecommunication network maintenance and monitoring is addressed with the use of a computer support system, typically using computer displays called “awareness screens” or alarm monitors.” The computer support system extracts information available from the telecommunications equipment and delivers it to a network operator on a computer display. However, these displays are inflexible, in that a network operator cannot tailor the display for the assessment of the current problem.
Prior attempts to provide overview or summary information for monitoring the telecommunications environment have included geographic mapping in which telecommunications devices are displayed according to their relative physical location on a map. However, geographic maps typically require more space on a computer display. Thus these maps are cluttered and provide for less information.
What is desirable is single, common presentation of an overview of all pertinent information, which can be tailored by the network operator, for dynamically controlling a telecommunications operating environment.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary of this invention to obviate the above noted and other disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel means of displaying operational network information in a highly ergonomic fashion.
It is a further object of the invention to provide for a means to selectively tailor information according to the needs of a network operator for presentation on a computer display.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide for a means of selecting and grouping pertinent information for presentation on a computer display.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, the Event/Matrix Window provides network operators the ability to specifically identify and display overview or summary information necessary for operations control of the telecommunications environment. The Event/Switch Matrix Window allows the network operator to modify the content of the Event/Switch Matrix Window, allowing a window displaying custom information. More specifically, the Event/Switch Matrix Window allows the user to present and rank information such as alarms, messages, and operational diagnostics in the Event/Switch Matrix Window in order to suit the needs of the network operator in carrying out the monitoring and control function.
In another aspect of the invention, the Event/Switch Matrix Window addresses ergonomic difficulties that network operators experience when monitoring telecommunications equipment by using graphical methods to depict pertinent information in the telecommunications environment. Information, including alarms, message and diagnostic information, is presented with the ability to add or delete specific types of information from the Event/Switch Matrix Window, and organize the presentation of the information within the body of the Event/Switch Matrix Window. Moreover, a network operator can directly take action on specific events by directly manipulating the representation of a network device, an icon, in the Event/Switch Matrix Window.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5049873 (1991-09-01), Robins et al.
patent: 5200744 (1993-04-01), Hiromoto et al.
patent: 5319363 (1994-06-01), Welch et al.
patent: 0529770 (1993-03-01), None

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