Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-23
2001-06-12
Geckil, Mehmet B. (Department: 2152)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
C709S223000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247052
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to the field of telecommunications switching systems. More particularly, the present invention is related to a Graphic User Interface System for a Telecommunications Switch Management System for use with telecommunications switching systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional telecommunications switching systems employ centralized switching facilities which result in undesirable lengthy switching paths. Therefore, it is desirable to implement distributed telecommunications switching systems which do not require centralized switching facilities. However, elaborate management systems normally are required in order to provide users and operators with the ability to control, configure and monitor the various switches and other components which make up a typical distributed telecommunications switching system. For example, an operator or user must be able to control, configure and monitor a distributed switching system's individual application cards, as well as the communication busses which interconnect those application cards.
Conventional distributed telecommunications switching systems use dedicated Operational Support Systems (“OSSs”) and relatively complex and cryptic command-driven user interface systems in order to provide users with the ability to control, configure and monitor distributed switching systems. These dedicated OSSs are cumbersome to develop, maintain, upgrade and expand upon. Additionally, the command-driven user interfaces are relatively cryptic, cumbersome, non-intuitive and difficult for users to learn and use.
In addition, conventional distributed telecommunications switching systems can be accessed by users only from dedicated terminals located at specific locations which are selected by the proprietor of the switching systems. Thus, conventional telecommunications switching systems require that a user be at the dedicated terminal in order to control, configure or monitor the switching systems. Such limited access is inflexible in that it prevents users from accessing distributed switching systems from any location desired. Therefore, a need has arisen for a system which will permit users to access telecommunications switching systems from any desired location, so that users can control, configure and monitor the switching systems from those locations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a graphic user interface (“GUI”) launcher for a telecommunications switching system is provided which substantially eliminates or reduces the disadvantages and problems associated with prior user interfaces for distributed telecommunications switching systems.
The graphic user interface launcher of the present invention provides graphic displays for enabling one or more users to access a telecommunications switching system for any desired purpose, such as to monitor, control or reconfigure the telecommunications switching system. Users may access the telecommunications switching system from any remote location using a standard remote computer having a browser. The remote computer uses the browser and a communications link to access a remote server which contains the application program necessary for a user of the remote computer to remotely access the telecommunications switching system. The remote server then provides a copy of the application program to the remote computer, typically in the form of a Java Applet. The remote computer runs the application program, typically in a stand-alone capacity, and accesses a system manager building block via a second communications link. The system manager building block is part of an overall telecommunications switch management system, of which the GUI launcher is also a part. The system manager building block is also in communication with another portion of the telecommunications switch management system, namely a system management interface software building block, which implements communication between the remote computer and the telecommunications switching system. The system manager building block also contains information identifying the users who are authorized to access the telecommunications switching system, and uses this information to determine whether to allow users to access the system.
In another aspect of the invention, the remote computer can communicate with the remote server and/or the system manager building block via the Internet. In yet another aspect of the invention, communication over the Internet communications links can take place using Internet Inter-ORB (Object Request Broker) protocol (“IIOP”) or Hypertext Transport Protocol (“HTTP”). In still another aspect of the invention, the remote server can be a Hypertext Markup Language (“HTML”) server. In yet another aspect of the invention, the system manager building block and/or the system management interface building block can be designed using the well-known Common Object Request Broker Architecture (“CORBA”).
A technical advantage of the GUI launcher of the present invention is the GUI launcher's ability to provide users access to telecommunications switching systems from any desired remote location having a remote computer. The GUI launcher provides users with remote access for all of the same purposes as would be available using a dedicated terminal located proximate to the telecommunications switching system. Another technical advantage of the GUI launcher of the present invention is that the application program which enables the remote computer to access the telecommunications switching system can be maintained on a server, thereby eliminating the need to maintain multiple copies of the application program on each remote computer which will be used to access the switching system. Still another technical advantage of the GUI launcher of the present invention is that it is not a cryptic command-driven user interface, and therefore is substantially more intuitive and easier to learn and use than command-driven user interfaces.
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Braud, II Rock N.
Horvath Joseph K.
Huang Peter Sung-An
Alcatel USA Sourcing L.P.
Baker & Botts L.L.P.
Geckil Mehmet B.
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