Multiplex communications – Diagnostic testing – Determination of communication parameters
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-21
2003-08-12
Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Diagnostic testing
Determination of communication parameters
C370S386000, C340S573400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06606304
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to automated systems for monitoring real-time events for anomalies, recurring events specified activities and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for receiving input information from a plurality of sources, processing that information according to preset, definable rules, determining if the collected data satisfies or violates the parameters of the operational rules and executing appropriate response.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The system of the present invention is divided into three tiers: data gathering, processing and operator interface. Although the three tiers are interrelated to form the system, each of the three tiers can be independently modified while maintaining the integrity of the system.
A number of data gathering units are distributed throughout the system for information collection. The collected information is then processed according to a set of precessing rules. The rules can include automated response to certain data and presentation of other data within defined parameters to one or more operators for further processing and/or response. The data gathering units can include remote units, indirectly or intermittently connected to the system, networked units, local units connected directly to the system and other data gathering units. The data collection units can communicate over wireless or land line communication channels. Communication of information can include dial up on POTS lines with transmission of information in packet data, VOA, audio, DTMF tones or other viable data transmission means.
The processing is performed on one or more servers distributed throughout the system. The servers are linked to share data from a common data base and to execute rules processing according to a common rule set. Information collected is distributed throughout the system according to specified distribution rules for effective processing and response.
The information is gathered, handled and provided to the system in a common communication data format defined by the system. The data so gathered represents events which are then processed by the system according to a set of rules. The rules are executed on a tier separate from that of the data gathering and handling. The data is first processed on a automatic level, recognizing and responding to anticipated events. If a communicated event needs specific operator intervention, the system provides information of that event to a operator for appropriate direction and response. The system also monitors for specific events which are anticipated to occur at specified times. Failure to detect such an anticipated event can result in an automated active polling to determine the nature of the failure. Continued failure to detect can result in an alert to initiate operator intervention.
The present invention uses a scalable, three-tier client/server system using a component object Model. The system can be deployed in a 32 bit Windows environment. All screen input allows for easy internationalization, either through the use of graphical labels or table/header defined variables. Scalability ideally permits the system and/or at least substantial components of the system to operate on a single Windows 95 machine for small installations, and large distributed networks for big installations. The system permits scalability simply by changing deployment strategies.
A three-tier system with COM components separates the operator interface, business rules, and data gathering/handling into separate logical components, potentially written with different applications. The MS Visual Studio is ideal for this as the contained applications are designed for development of COM components and for the use and development of ActiveX.
The true three-tier system permits use of any number of ODBC compliant databases. These includes MS FoxPro, MS Visual FoxPro, MS Access, SQL Server, Oracle, dBase and others.
Three Tiers
The three tiers are the User Interface (UI), Business Rules Processing, and Database Gathering/Storage and Handling. The present invention is described in a first embodiment below as a system for monitoring the location, movement and related activities of a population of individuals. The system is designed in such a way as to permit interchangeability of the various components at each tier. The User Interface need not be the one developed for this invention, it could be a standard browser or other front end that suits the regional or language requirements of the end user. The Database Storage tier can be any ODBC compliant database structured to contain the basic information components used by the system. This permits relatively easy regionalization and scalability. The components of each tier of the present invention are as follows:
Tier I
User Interface
The user interface includes a number of components for display of desired information to the system operators and to allow access t the database and to provide a user-friendly interface for manipulation of the data and for implementation of desired response to the data presented to the operator. The exemplary operator interface described below includes the following components:
A. Data Entry/Edit Forms
Tabbed forms with name on each page
Common navigation buttons with graphical labels
Search on multiple fields and/or grid style incremental search
Simple presentation with logical groupings and a minimum of mandatory fields
B. Incident Handling Screens
Explorer style ordering
Auto Dialer for follow-up
C. Report Generation Screens
Data driven report menus allow users to specify the unique suite of reports that they will use in their operation. In addition, the report engine permits more advanced users to develop their own reports and fit them into the system without necessitating access to the system source code.
The document creation/delivery system permits the user to generate reports to a printer or disk file. Reports sent to the disk can be viewed on the screen or transmitted to another via facsimile or e-mail.
D. Training and Testing Mode
Training mode permits new and experienced users to hone their monitoring skills without affecting any real time data. Setting a flag in the local machine's system registry forces entry into training mode. In addition, an on line test can be administered to trainees to determine skill levels and proficiency. The test questions can be devised by administration and scored automatically by the system. Scores can be kept in an operator file and can be used to inform the skills based routing of incidents.
E. Remote Access Mode
Remote access mode is a custom interface for users dialing into the system from a remote location. This may be accomplished using any of a number of remote control applications, or ultimately on a web site via the Internet. Remote access requires password identification and presents the remote user with a subset of data (generally related to their caseload) and a subset of the functions available to local users.
Tier II
Business Rules
The business rules tier is the basic engine that determines how the system operates.
A. Communication Server Clients
Communication Server clients (ComServers) handle all communication with specific brands of Data acquisition equipment. The ComServer is designed to watch communication ports, which are assigned to a brand of equipment, and pass a normalized data “slug” to the database server for interpretation. ComServers provide a level of hardware abstraction for the database server by pre-processing information and passing it to the database by executing a method in the server. Typically, Data acquisition equipment calling in first identifies itself by unit number. As soon as the ComServer receives the identity block it executes the Early Warning method on the database server and passes a port ID and unit identification. The ComServer then continues to receive event information from the Data acquisition equipment. When the ComServer has received all events, it executes the Event Received method of the database
Alvarez David
Grinter Richard C.
Kizou Hassan
On Guard Plus
Pezzlo John
Zito Joseph J.
ZITO tlp
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