Intelligent configuration server

Details Intelligent configuration server Intelligent configuration server

1999-05-26

2001-11-20

Nguyen, Duc (Department: 2643)

Telephonic communications

With usage measurement

Call charge metering or monitoring

C379S111000, C379S114030, C379S133000, C379S134000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06320944

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to a Private Branch Exchange (PBX) and more particularly to an intelligent configuration server that automatically initializes a call accounting system which generates reports from PBX call detail record output data.
Phone calls from a PBX system are tracked and reported using call accounting programs The accounting program reads Call Detail Recording (CDR) messages alternatively referred to as Station Message Detail Recording (SMDR) messages which are output from the PBX. A PBX output port, usually comprising an RS-232 receptacle, outputs the CDR messages. The accounting program is loaded onto a personal computer (PC) and the PC is connected directly into the RS-232 receptacle on the PBX or through an inline intermediate storage device, or via a dial-up modem.
The CDR messages output from the PBX output port contain information about each telephone call processed by the PBX. The call accounting program reformats the CDR messages into sophisticated tracking reports. For example, the accounting program can reformat the CDR messages into lists identifying telephone calls according to business department, telephone extension or by time of day. Different PBX manufacturers and even different PBX models from the same manufacturer may generate different CDR message formats. Therefore, in order to accurately decipher CDR messages, accounting programs must be configured specifically for the PBX type.
A rate table is a database that contains the cost of calls, for example, referenced to different parameters such as country codes, city codes, area codes and exchange based on the number dialed plus certain time-of-day considerations. Typically, rate tables are manually loaded into the PC running the accounting program via floppy disk. The rate tables are periodically updated, again via floppy disk, to reflect changes in phone tariffs.
Typically, call accounting programs require a local PBX technician to identify the PBX manufacturer and PBX model number as part of the sales order or part of the installation procedure. The call accounting program is either hard-coded to support the specific PBX type or shipped with pre-configured tables that support known PBX types. If the PBX type and model number are unknown to the local PBX technician or if the PBX type is not one of the PBX types hard-coded into the call accounting software, the accounting program cannot generate reports from the PBX.
Rate tables are typically manually loaded into the PC running the accounting program. Rate tables vary according to location of the PBX (area code and exchange) or vary according to country codes and city codes. Therefore, a different rate table is required for each accounting program or for each site configuration within the program which is operating in a different Local Exchange Carrier's rate center. There are over 15,000 rate centers in the U.S. Presently, the different rate tables are copied onto floppy disks and sent to each local PC software operator. The software operator then manually copies the contents of the floppy disk into the PC running the accounting program. Tariffs and numbering plans for telephone calls frequently change. Thus, rate tables must be constantly updated in each PBX accounting program. Manually tracking the appropriate rate table for each accounting program and then periodically mailing updated rate tables to each customer is time-consuming, expensive and prone to mishandling resulting in magnetic media damage.
Accordingly, a need remains for automatically reconfiguring an accounting program to run with different PBX types and CDR software package updates on a PBX, automatically updating program rate tables for each accounting program and increasing security for proprietary software used in the accounting program.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An intelligent configuration server analyzes sample CDR messages from different PBXs. A sample CDR message from a PBX is transmitted to the central configuration server via a standard dial-up modem. The configuration server determines the actual PBX type by comparing the sample CDR message with known CDR message streams previously stored in server memory.
If the PBX type is identified, a corresponding PBX interface file is transmitted from the configuration server back to a local PC connected to the PBX. The PBX interface file is used by the PC accounting program to identify the correct format for CDR messages output from the PBX. The accounting program can then correctly interpret the CDR messages output from the PBX into call reports. If a sample set of CDR messages is not recognized by the configuration server, a message is transmitted to the local PC software operator and to a customer service operator maintaining the configuration server.
The configuration server downloads rate tables via modem to the local PBX. The PC call accounting software automatically sends identification (ID) and location data to the configuration server. The ID and location data includes the name, address, area code and exchange for the local PBX. The configuration server uses the ID and location data to identify the appropriate rate table for the local PBX. The rate table is then automatically downloaded from the configuration server to the local PC for use with the accounting program.
Each remote PC software operator can manually request rate table updates at any time from the configuration server or schedule the downloads to take place automatically on a periodic basis. Thus, operator interaction is not required to maintain up-to-date tariffs in customers' call accounting programs.
CDR message analysis and rate table assembly is performed at one central configuration server location. Security of proprietary CDR message analysis software is increased since analysis software is not distributed to end users. The time and cost of distributing, tracking and updating rate tables for each customer is decreased since rate tables are automatically sent via modem from a central server. Repeated end-user training due to personnel changes is reduced and system accuracy improved through the automation of this process.


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patent: 5627886 (1997-05-01), Bowman
patent: 5926530 (1999-07-01), Schlossman et al.

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