Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-04-02
2001-08-07
Amsbury, Wayne (Department: 2171)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C379S219000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272496
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a computer program that can create new private branch exchange databases from all or parts of one or more existing private branch exchange databases containing data information for the operation of data and voice audio telecommunication switches.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
The configuration of telecommunication switches usually occurs in at least three environments. First, during the testing of switch hardware and software, a laboratory switch is configured to the requirements established for the test. Second, when a switch is sold to a customer, the switch is configured to the customer's specifications. Third, when a switch experiences a full failure, it often requires reconfiguration ofthe databases supporting the failed switch or configuration of new databases for an emergency backup switch or replacement switch. Normally, the configuration of telecommunication switches during these three environments requires the manual input of thousands and possibly millions of records of information. This process is extremely time consuming and can take weeks or months to complete.
In the first environment, telecommunication companies continually test new versions of switch software, peripheral devices and other hardware devices during the life of a telecommunication switch. When testing software or hardware, switch engineers design different operating environments to establish operating parameters of the new software or hardware. Data engineers manually input data to configure the operation ofthe switch for the designed test. Usually, the configuration of the testing environment is performed on a data build machine (computer). The configuration of the switch to simulate the desired testing operational conditions often involves retesting archived configurations or modified archived configurations. Otherwise, the testing configuration is accomplished by manual data entry.
In the second environment, telecommunication switches sold to customers are configured based on the customer's intended operational conditions and requirements. Usually, the configurations for new switches are manually built new data configurations without relying on existing database configurations. However, the configuration ofthe features, switching software and hardware is often adopted from other existing configurations.
The third operational environment is recovery of the switch after the switch has experienced a failure. These failures can result from equipment failure to natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or fires. Recovery of the failed switch sometimes requires the installation of an emergency backup switch. The emergency backup switch requires database configurations that replicate the databases in the damaged switch. Normally, the configuration ofthe emergency backup switch requires manual, time consuming input of data that will support specific customer features and routing of calls on the emergency backup switch. Having the ability to configure the telecommunication switch by transferring existing data information from known databases into new databases by automating the manual tasks of data entry would save considerable time, money and significantly improve productivity. In addition, instant access to many different switching systems is a critical task that currently requires many hours or days of research and manual browsing. A need exists for a robust process to automatically replace the current manual method data entry to configure private branch exchange data for telecommunications switches.
SUMMARY
In order to automate the current manual data entry process of engineering private branch exchange configuration databases, the computer program of this invention establishes a new database structure and mines source database private branch exchange data to load source into the new private branch exchange database structure. The computer program is capable of searching for the desired data and automates many of the tasks for configuring a new private branch exchange database from the source databases. This eliminates the current requirement manual data entry for configuring new private branch exchange databases for telecommunication switches.
This computer program is multifunctional allowing for the browsing of all private branch exchange databases prior to the configuration. Once the target source private branch exchange databases are determined, the computer program creates a new data directory structure and selectively copies all or part of the data from the source private branch exchange database into the new database.
The invention selects the source databases, creates an index of desired data elements and converts the desired data elements from binary into ASCII format. The private branch exchange data relating to business group definitions, the business group members, the subscriber trunks, the trunks, the multi-line hunt groups, the attendant member definitions, the ISDN PBX definition data elements, and the ISDN PBX individualized dialing members is modified and configured for the new database. Other related private branch data is copied into the new database. The data is extracted and converted to the same software release and loaded into the new private branch exchange data directory structure.
This invention provides accurate and timely customer information, significantly decreases the time interval for engineering a new private branch exchange database, decreases the research and data entry time, decreases the interval for lab planning and project management, improves database integrity, provides a cleaner private branch exchange database, reuses existing private branch exchange data eliminating double data entry, reuses some existing software code, can use preexisting tools, and provides a platform for future growth and expandability. By accomplishing these tasks, the private branch exchange telecommunication switch manufacturer or private branch exchange telecommunication switch operator saves time, money and decreases time-to-market product and service schedules.
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Cox W. V.: “The Flexcom TM/Link System: A Customer Network Reconfiguration System” Proceedings of the Global Telecommunications Conference and Exhibition (Globecom), US, New York, IEEE, vol. 1, Dec. 2-5, 1990; XP000218699.
Lennert Joseph Francis
Mahaney William T.
Watson Eric B.
Amsbury Wayne
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
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