U.S. patent application number 13/034837 was filed with the patent office on 2011-07-21 for emergency facility information system and methods.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T LABS, INC.. Invention is credited to Michael L. ALLEN, Craig E. BOSSE, Lisa A. BRICKHAUS, Ajay BUDHRAJA, Saul E. CARTER, Sherry CERUTTI, Brenda GIDEON, Terry J. JACKSON, Dmitri SAVINTSEV, Ronald D. STAGGS, Richard B. STOBAUGH, Cheryl WEISENBORN.
Application Number | 20110179379 13/034837 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22225991 |
Filed Date | 2011-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110179379 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ALLEN; Michael L. ; et
al. |
July 21, 2011 |
EMERGENCY FACILITY INFORMATION SYSTEM AND METHODS
Abstract
A method, computer-readable medium, and system for providing
communication circuit information from a communication system
database of a communications facility information system via a
graphical user interface are provided. A reroute option window that
includes at least a circuit identifier input field is displayed on
the graphical user interface. A circuit identifier entry is
received from the circuit identifier input field. The
communications system database of the communications facility
information system is accessed, and a reroute path of a
communication circuit that corresponds to the circuit identifier
entry received from the circuit identifier input field is
determined. The reroute path of the communication circuit is
displayed on the graphical user interface.
Inventors: |
ALLEN; Michael L.; (Shawnee,
KS) ; BOSSE; Craig E.; (Katy, TX) ; BRICKHAUS;
Lisa A.; (St. Charles, MO) ; BUDHRAJA; Ajay;
(St. Louis, MO) ; CARTER; Saul E.; (Florissant,
MO) ; CERUTTI; Sherry; (Broken Arrow, OK) ;
GIDEON; Brenda; (Katy, TX) ; JACKSON; Terry J.;
(Fayetteville, AR) ; SAVINTSEV; Dmitri;
(Bloomington, IN) ; STAGGS; Ronald D.;
(Manchester, MO) ; STOBAUGH; Richard B.; (Bryant,
AR) ; WEISENBORN; Cheryl; (Lee's Summit, MO) |
Assignee: |
AT&T LABS, INC.
Austin
TX
|
Family ID: |
22225991 |
Appl. No.: |
13/034837 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11680768 |
Mar 1, 2007 |
7921096 |
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13034837 |
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10902096 |
Jul 30, 2004 |
7216153 |
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11680768 |
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10346106 |
Jan 17, 2003 |
6810415 |
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10902096 |
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09342833 |
Jun 28, 1999 |
6549940 |
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10346106 |
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60091087 |
Jun 29, 1998 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
715/781 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 16/248 20190101;
Y10S 707/99933 20130101; H04L 41/22 20130101; G06F 16/903
20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
715/781 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048 |
Claims
1. A method for providing communication circuit information from a
communication system database of a communications facility
information system via a graphical user interface, comprising:
displaying, on the graphical user interface, a reroute option
window that includes at least a circuit identifier input field;
receiving a circuit identifier entry from the circuit identifier
input field; accessing the communication system database of the
communications facility information system and determining a
reroute path of a communication circuit that corresponds to the
circuit identifier entry that is received from the circuit
identifier input field; and displaying, on the graphical user
interface, the reroute path of the communication circuit.
2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reroute option
window includes a reroute option parameter input field for
receiving a reroute option parameter entry, and the reroute path of
the communication circuit that corresponds to the circuit
identifier entry is determined based on the reroute option
parameter entry when the reroute option parameter entry is received
in the reroute option parameter input field.
3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein a default reroute
option parameter corresponds to the reroute option parameter input
field, and the reroute path of the communication circuit that
corresponds to the circuit identifier entry is determined based on
the default reroute option parameter when the reroute option
parameter entry is not received in the reroute option parameter
input field.
4. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein the reroute option
parameter input field is for receiving a number of offices.
5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reroute option
window includes an avoid location input field for receiving an
avoid location entry, and the reroute path of the communication
circuit that corresponds to the circuit identifier entry excludes
the avoid location entry when the avoid location entry is received
in the avoid location input field.
6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the reroute path of
the communication circuit is hierarchically displayed and
selectable for displaying communication circuit information at a
higher hierarchy level and selectable for displaying communication
circuit information at a lower hierarchy level.
7. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:
displaying, on the graphical user interface, a main option window
that includes a plurality of subsystem windows, wherein the reroute
option window is included in one of the plurality of subsystem
windows and displayed in response to a selection of the one of the
plurality of subsystem windows.
8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the circuit
identifier entry is searchable and selectable based upon customer
data.
9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the circuit
identifier entry is searchable and selectable based upon
communications facility equipment data.
10. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the communication
system database is accessed via a network and services database and
a data propagator.
11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium for providing
communication circuit information from a communication system
database of a communications facility information system via a
graphical user interface, comprising: a reroute window displaying
code segment that, when executed, displays a reroute option window
that includes at least a circuit identifier input field on the
graphical user interface; a circuit identifier receiving code
segment that, when executed, receives a circuit identifier entry
from the circuit identifier input field; an accessing and
determining code segment that, when executed, accesses the
communication system database of the communications facility
information system and determines a reroute path of a communication
circuit that corresponds to the circuit identifier entry that is
received by the circuit identifier receiving code segment; and a
reroute path displaying code segment that, when executed, displays
the reroute path of the communication circuit on the graphical user
interface.
12. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 11, wherein the reroute option window includes a reroute
option parameter input field for receiving a reroute option
parameter entry, and the non-transitory computer-readable medium
further comprises: a reroute parameter receiving code segment that
receives the reroute option parameter entry from the reroute option
parameter input field when the reroute option parameter input field
receives the reroute option parameter entry, wherein the accessing
and determining code segment determines the reroute path of the
communication circuit that corresponds to the circuit identifier
entry based on the reroute option parameter entry when the reroute
parameter receiving code segment receives the reroute option
parameter entry from the reroute option parameter input field.
13. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 12, wherein a default reroute option parameter corresponds to
the reroute option parameter input field, and the accessing and
determining code segment determines the reroute path of the
communication circuit that corresponds to the circuit identifier
entry based on the default reroute option parameter when the
reroute parameter receiving code segment does not receive the
reroute option parameter entry from the reroute option parameter
input field.
14. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 12, wherein the reroute option parameter input field is for
receiving a number of offices.
15. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 11, wherein the reroute option window includes an avoid
location input field for receiving an avoid location entry, and the
non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprises: an
avoidance parameter receiving code segment that receives the avoid
location entry from the avoid location input field when the avoid
location input field receives the avoid location entry, wherein the
reroute path of the communication circuit that corresponds to the
circuit identifier entry excludes the avoid location entry when the
avoidance parameter receiving code segment receives the avoid
location entry.
16. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 11, wherein the reroute path displaying code segment
hierarchically displays the reroute path of the communication
circuit, the reroute path being selectable for displaying
communication circuit information at a higher hierarchy level and
selectable for displaying communication circuit information at a
lower hierarchy level.
17. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 11, further comprising: a main window displaying code segment
that, when executed, displays a main window that includes a
plurality of subsystem windows, wherein the reroute option window
is included in one of the plurality of subsystem windows, and the
reroute window displaying code segment displays the reroute option
window in response to a selection of the one of the plurality of
subsystem windows.
18. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 11, wherein the circuit identifier entry is searchable and
selectable based upon at least one of customer data and
communications facility equipment data.
19. The non-transitory computer readable medium as set forth in
claim 11, wherein the accessing and determining code segment
accesses the communication system database via a network and
services database and a data propagator.
20. A system for providing communication circuit information from a
communication system database of a communications facility
information system via a graphical user interface, comprising: a
display that displays the graphical user interface; a processor
that displays a reroute option window that includes at least a
circuit identifier input field on the graphical user interface; a
receiver that receives a circuit identifier entry that is in the
circuit identifier input field, wherein the processor is configured
to access the communication system database of the communications
facility information system, determine a reroute path of a
communication circuit that corresponds to the circuit identifier
entry that is received by the receiver, and display the reroute
path of the communication circuit on the graphical user interface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE OF THE RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This is a continuation application of pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/680,768, filed on Mar. 1, 2007, which is a
continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/902,096, filed on Jul. 30, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,216,153,
which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 10/346,106, filed on Jan. 17, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.
6,810,415, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/342,833, filed on Jun. 28, 1999, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,549,940 and which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/091,087, filed on Jun. 29, 1998, the
contents of all of which are expressly incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to communication circuits and
customer data information systems, and more specifically to
communication circuits and customer data information systems that
provide easy, efficient, and accurate access to the customer data
information for use during emergency situations involving facility
failures and service outages.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Background Information
[0005] Telecommunications networks provide communication paths or
routes for communication between a source or origination point and
a destination or termination point. These networks may include
millions of circuits, or signal paths, that provide the routes for
communication between a source location and a destination location.
There are many types of circuits, from those that carry a single
signal to those that carry multiple signals. Also, these various
types of circuits may have various information transfer rates or
bandwidth. Due to the many types of circuits, a communication from
a source to a destination may have a variety of paths that it may
take to get from source location to the destination location.
This availability of a variety of paths is important should a
particular circuit or path breakdown for some reason. In these
situations, a communication from a source to a destination may be
rerouted from a path through circuits that would normally be used,
but are faulty, to an alternate path of circuits that successfully
route the communication.
[0006] However, before a communication can be rerouted, a
determination must be made as to how, or if it can be rerouted. To
help make this determination, all information related to the
communication network, including the circuits and other
information, may need to be reviewed. This information may be
stored in a database. Personnel that service and/or maintain the
communications network may use a facility information system which
provides a user interface that allows users (e.g., service
personnel) to review details regarding the communications network.
This facility information system provides access to the database
and presents specific information about the communications network
based on input from the user. Therefore, should a circuit have
problems, data related to the faulty circuit may be obtained from
the database. This data may contain information regarding other
affected circuits, affected customers, and possible alternative
routes.
[0007] Current facility information systems provide a user
interface that is character based. This presents problems in that
it is cumbersome to navigate around using this interface. Most
options must be accessed by traversing through a tree of menu
options. Also, if a user starts out in one menu, and traverses
through the tree to get to the option desired, after selection of
the option, the user must back out of the menu tree to get back to
the original starting menu screen. This can be time consuming and
inconvenient for the user who must remember how to get back to
where (s)he started.
[0008] Further, current facility information systems access
databases that only contain information related to the circuits of
the communications network that reside in that area. For example,
information related to the circuits for a particular state would
reside in a database located in that state. Facility information
systems in that state generally have access to the database that
contains information regarding the circuits of the communications
network that are located in that particular state. This presents a
problem where customers that use these circuits, and circuits that
reside in different states and that connect to these, are affected.
These customers may be affected when a faulty circuit in one state
affects circuits in other states, but the facility information
system can only access information related to circuits of the state
of the faulty circuit. Such customers may include common carriers
such as AT&T, MCI, and Sprint, or private carriers. The users
of the facility information system will usually work for service
providers that provide the communication network and telephone
services within a LATA (Local Access and Transport Area) that may
extend across several states. Therefore, current facility
information systems that are limited to viewing circuits only
within the state that they reside cannot adequately service
customers that use circuits in several states when a problem or
outage occurs.
[0009] Moreover, the databases that contain information regarding
circuits within a particular state are updated infrequently.
Usually these databases are updated roughly every month. Therefore,
users of the facility information system may not be viewing the
latest information regarding the communication network even upon
accessing the database.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an
emergency facility information system and methods that
substantially obviates one or more of the problems arising from the
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
emergency facility information system that provides reliable access
and retrieval of data relating to communication circuits and
customer information during critical outage situations.
[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide
an emergency facility information system that provides easy to use
point and click operation.
[0013] Another object of the present invention to provide an
emergency facility information system with an easy to use graphical
user interface.
[0014] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide an emergency facility information system that provides more
detailed information available to users, and quicker data
access.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method
for accessing communication circuits information and customer data
information. Communications facility information system is accessed
by a user. A graphical user interface is provided to the user for
use of the communications facility information system. Search
criteria is inputted to the communications facility information
system by the user where the search criteria is related to
equipment data and/or customer data, and the graphical user
interface provides input areas for the user to enter the search
criteria. At least one database is searched for the communication
circuits information and/or the customer data information related
to the search criteria. A result of the searching is displayed
where the result includes the communication circuits information
an/or the customer data information related to the search
criteria.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the accessing includes providing a
user ID and password to the communications facility information
system, and verifying that the user ID and password are valid. The
valid user ID and password allow the user access to the
communications facility information system.
[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the graphical user interface is
capable of displaying multiple windows simultaneously. The user is
able to navigate between the multiple windows by selecting a
desired one of the multiple windows.
[0018] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the graphical user interface
provides a main menu for the communications facility information
system after the user accesses the communications facility
information system. The main menu provides the user with options of
selecting a circuit/facility subsystem or a SONET subsystem.
[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the selection of circuit/facility
subsystem provides the user with options of selecting carrier
circuit, facility reroute, customer, or cable.
[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes the circuit id
of a carrier circuit and user options of reroute, hierarchy, cable,
standard report, and custom report if carrier circuit is selected
and the user entered at least one of a system id, facility id, A
location, and Z location as the search criteria.
[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes a circuit id,
status, vacant channel id, circuit route, and number of offices if
facility reroute is selected and the user entered at least one of a
system id, facility id, A location, Z location, circuit id, avoid
location, and number of offices as the search criteria.
[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes a customer
name, customer address, ACNA, circuit id, MCN, contact name, and
contact number if customer is selected and the user entered at
least one of customer name and customer address as the search
criteria.
[0023] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information wherein options of interoffice circuits,
exchange circuits, lookup by customer, and lookup by circuit are
presented to the user if cable listing is selected.
[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes a listing of
cables wherein each listed cable has an associated cable id,
location A and location Z if interoffice circuits is selected and
the user entered at least one of a cable id, pair id, pair range, A
CLLI, Z CLLI, and terminal address as the search criteria.
[0025] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes a circuit
id, TSP, pair id, HICAP, location A, location Z, customer name,
terminal address, and WFA wire center for one of the listed cables
if the one cable of the listed cables is selected.
[0026] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes a listing of
cables wherein each listed cable has an associated cable id,
location A and location Z if exchange circuits is selected and the
user entered at least one of a NPANXX, terminal address, cable id,
pair id, and pair range as the search criteria.
[0027] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes a circuit
id, TSP, pair id, HICAP, location A, location Z, customer name,
terminal address, and WFA wire center for one of the listed cables
if the one cable of the listed cables is selected.
[0028] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes a listing of
cables wherein each listed cable has an associated cable id,
location A and location Z if lookup by customer is selected and the
user entered at least one of customer name, customer address, ACNA,
and circuit id as the search criteria.
[0029] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where another result includes the circuit
id, TSP, pair id, HICAP, location A, location Z, customer name,
terminal address, and WFA wire center for one of the listed cables
if the one cable of the listed cables is selected.
[0030] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes a listing of
cables wherein each listed cable has an associated cable id,
location A and location Z if lookup by circuit is selected and the
user entered a circuit id.
[0031] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where another result includes the circuit
id, TSP, pair id, HICAP, location A, location Z, customer name,
terminal address, and WFA wire center for one of the listed cables
if the one cable of the listed cables is selected.
[0032] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes the
circuit id, status, vacant channel id, circuit route, and number of
offices if the reroute option is selected and the user entered at
least one of the system id, facility id, A location, Z location,
circuit id, avoid location, and number of offices as the search
criteria.
[0033] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes displaying
a down hierarchy of the carrier circuit includes a status picture
tree, channel id, and circuit id of channels that ride on the
carrier circuit if the hierarchy option is selected.
[0034] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method fop accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a third result includes displaying
an up hierarchy of the carrier circuit includes a status picture
tree, channel id, and circuit id of carriers that the carrier
circuit rides on if a hierarchy up option is selected.
[0035] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes a listing
of cables wherein each listed cable has an associated cable id,
location A and location Z if the cable option is selected.
[0036] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a third result includes the circuit
id, TSP, pair id, HICAP, location A, location Z, customer name,
terminal address, and WFA wire center for one of the listed cables
if the one cable of the listed cables is selected.
[0037] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a cable standard report includes a customer name, total number of
circuits, and a listing of all circuits and their type for each
cable associated with the customer name, if standard reports and
customer listing by cable have been selected.
[0038] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a cable standard report includes a total per circuit type for each
cable associated with the customer name, if standard reports and
cable totals have been selected.
[0039] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a circuit id and customer name for each high capacity cable
associated with the customer name, if standard reports and HICAP
listing have been selected.
[0040] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a circuit, if custom reports and
the circuit have been selected.
[0041] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a piece of equipment, if custom
reports and the equipment have been selected.
[0042] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a facility, if custom reports and
the facility have been selected.
[0043] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a fourth result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a circuit, if custom reports and
hierarchy have been selected. It is another object of the present
invention to provide a method for accessing communication circuits
information and customer data information where a fourth result
includes displaying a list of data from which to select for
incorporation into a customized report generated for a ring, if
custom reports and the ring have been selected.
[0044] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes the
circuit id, customer name, TSP, A location, Z location, status,
contact name, and contact number if the standard report option and
circuit hierarchy with customers are selected.
[0045] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes customer
name, the circuit id, and level if the standard report option and
circuit listing by customer are selected.
[0046] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes a listing
of all circuit types by circuit if the standard report option and
totals are selected.
[0047] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes a list of
the totals for each circuit type for each selected circuit if the
standard report option and priority circuit restoration are
selected.
[0048] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a circuit, if the custom report
option and the circuit have been selected.
[0049] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a piece of equipment, if the custom
report option and the equipment have been selected.
[0050] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a facility, if the custom report
option and the facility have been selected.
[0051] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a circuit, if the custom report
option and hierarchy have been selected.
[0052] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes displaying
a list of data from which to select for incorporation into a
customized report generated for a ring, if the custom report option
and the ring have been selected.
[0053] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where the result includes an A end, Z
end, cable id, CAC, level, node A, node Z, SCID, and topology, if
SONET is selected, and the user has entered at least one of a cable
id, CAC, circuit id, circuit layout order, SCID, and rack id.
[0054] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes the cable
id, east designation, node id, node location, pair id, relay rack
id, SCID, topology, and west designation, if draw has been
selected.
[0055] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes the cable
id, CAC, level, node id, node location, pair id, and topology, if
reports and node listing have been selected.
[0056] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes an A
location, Z, location, CAC, circuit id, circuit layout order,
contact name, contact number, customer name, high speed indicator,
and low speed indicator, if reports and high speed mapping have
been selected.
[0057] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes an A
location, Z, location, CAC, circuit id, circuit layout order,
contact name, contact number, customer name, frame id, high speed
indicator; and low speed indicator, if reports and low speed
mapping have been selected.
[0058] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes customer
id, customer name, and HICAP circuits, if reports and HICAP listing
have been selected.
[0059] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits information and
customer data information where a second result includes a listing
of a total number of all circuit types, if reports and priority
circuit listing have been selected.
[0060] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
method for accessing communication circuits info nation and
customer data information where a second result includes associated
circuits, circuit id, contact name, contact number, customer
address, and customer name, if reports and customer listing have
been selected.
[0061] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
communications facility information system that includes at least
one database where each at least one database contains
communication circuits information and/or customer data
information; at least one processor where each at least one
processor is operably connected to each at least one database, and
where each at least one processor provides the capability to search
each at least one database for the communication circuits
information and/or the customer data information; and at least one
remote station where each at least one remote station operably
connects to each at least one processor, and each at least one
remote station provides access to the communications facility
information system by a user. Each at least one remote station is
used by the user to input search criteria to the communications
facility information system where the search criteria is related to
equipment data and/or customer data. The communications facility
information system provides a graphical user interface including
input areas for the user to enter the search criteria, wherein the
communications facility information system provides a display of a
result of the search at the at least one remote station. The result
includes the communication circuits information and/or the customer
data information related to the search criteria.
[0062] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
communications facility information system where the graphical user
interface is capable of displaying multiple windows simultaneously.
The user is able to navigate between the multiple windows by
selecting a desired one of the multiple windows.
[0063] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
communications facility information system that provides the user
the capability to obtain more general information related to the
result.
[0064] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
communications facility information system that provides the user
the capability to obtain more detailed information related to the
result.
[0065] Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present
invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure
and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0066] The present invention is further described in a detailed
description which follows in reference to the noted plurality of
drawings by way of non-limiting examples of preferred embodiments
of the present invention in which like reference numerals represent
similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings and
wherein:
[0067] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary emergency facility
information system according to the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 2 shows an EFIS main menu according to the present
invention;
[0069] FIG. 3 shows a Circuit/Facility main menu according to the
present invention;
[0070] FIG. 4 shows a Carrier Circuit menu according to the present
invention;
[0071] FIG. 5 shows a Carrier Circuits-Selection Output display
according to the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 6 shows a View Hierarchy display according to the
present invention;
[0073] FIG. 7 shows a Standard Reports menu according to the
present invention;
[0074] FIG. 8 shows a Circuit Listing by Customer Report display
according to the present invention;
[0075] FIG. 9 shows a Circuit Hierarchy with Customers display
according to the present invention;
[0076] FIG. 10 shows a Circuit Totals display according to the
present invention;
[0077] FIG. 11 shows a Priority Circuit Restoration display
according to the present invention;
[0078] FIG. 12 shows a Custom Reports menu according to the present
invention;
[0079] FIG. 13 shows a display with results returned for selection
of customer, circuit ID, an CAC under the Custom Reports menu of
FIG. 12;
[0080] FIG. 14 shows a Carrier Circuit Reroute display according to
the present invention;
[0081] FIG. 15 shows a display with a result set after selection of
a specific circuit and reroute under the Carrier Circuit Reroute
display of FIG. 14 according to the present invention;
[0082] FIG. 16 shows a Customer menu according to the present
invention;
[0083] FIG. 17 shows a results display after Find is selected in
the Customer menu of FIG. 16 according to the present
invention;
[0084] FIG. 18 shows a display with customer information in a grid
format according to the present invention;
[0085] FIG. 19 shows a Cable menu display according to the present
invention;
[0086] FIG. 20 shows a Lookup by Customer menu display according to
the present invention;
[0087] FIG. 21 shows a Lookup by Circuit menu display according to
the present invention;
[0088] FIG. 21A shows a display displaying a list of cables
resulting after entering information under the menus of FIG. 20 or
21 according to the present invention;
[0089] FIG. 22 shows a display with more detailed information after
the user drills down on a selected cable in FIG. 21A according to
the present invention;
[0090] FIG. 23 shows a Standard Reports menu display according to
the present invention;
[0091] FIG. 24 shows a Customer Listing by Cable report display
according to the present invention;
[0092] FIG. 25 shows a Customer Listing by Pair report display
according to the present invention;
[0093] FIG. 26 shows a Cable Totals report display according to the
present invention;
[0094] FIG. 27 shows a SONET Lookup menu display according to the
present invention;
[0095] FIG. 28 shows a SCID listing display according to the
present invention;
[0096] FIG. 29 shows a SONET layout according to the present
invention;
[0097] FIG. 30 shows a pop-up box on the SONET layout of FIG. 29
displaying node details according to the present invention;
[0098] FIG. 31 shows a SONET Reports menu display according to the
present invention;
[0099] FIG. 32 shows a Node Listing report display according to the
present invention;
[0100] FIG. 33 shows a High Speed report display according to the
present invention;
[0101] FIG. 34 shows a Low Speed Assignments display according to
the present invention;
[0102] FIG. 35 shows a HICAP Listing report display according to
the present invention;
[0103] FIG. 36 shows a Circuit Totals report display according to
the present invention;
[0104] FIG. 37 shows a display with results listing counts for all
circuits associated with a customer name according to the present
invention;
[0105] FIG. 38 shows a Priority Restoration report display
according to the present invention;
[0106] FIG. 39, is a flowchart showing the operational processing
of an EFIS system for a user accessing the system according to the
present invention;
[0107] FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a circuit/facility option of an EFIS system according to the
present invention;
[0108] FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a carrier circuit option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0109] FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a hierarchy option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0110] FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a reroute option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0111] FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a cable option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0112] FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a circuit/facility option of an EFIS system according
to the present invention;
[0113] FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a circuit/facility option of an EFIS system-according
to the present invention;
[0114] FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a circuit/facility option of an EFIS system according
to the present invention;
[0115] FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a cable listing, interoffice circuits option of an EFIS system
according to the present invention;
[0116] FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a cable listing, exchange circuits option or an EFIS system
according to the present invention;
[0117] FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a cable listing, lookup by customer option of an EFIS system
according to the present invention;
[0118] FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a cable listing, lookup by circuit option of an EFIS system
according to the present invention;
[0119] FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a circuit standard reports option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention;
[0120] FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a cable standard reports option of an EFIS system according to the
present invention;
[0121] FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a custom reports option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0122] FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a custom reports option of an EFIS system according
to the present invention;
[0123] FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a SONET lookup option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0124] FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a SONET lookup option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention;
[0125] FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a SONET lookup option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention;
[0126] FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a SONET drawing option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0127] FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a SONET reports option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0128] FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a SONET reports option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention;
[0129] FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a SONET reports option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention;
[0130] FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing the operational processing of
a CLLI lookup option of an EFIS system according to the present
invention;
[0131] FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a CLLI lookup option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention; and
[0132] FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing further operational
processing of a CLLI lookup option of an EFIS system according to
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0133] The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for
purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the
present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing
a useful and readily understood description of the principles and
conceptual aspects of the present invention. In this regard, no
attempt is made to show structural details of the present invention
in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding
of the present invention, the description taken with the drawings
making it apparent to those skilled in the art how the several
forms of the present invention may be embodied in practice.
[0134] The present invention will be described using an embodiment
of an emergency facility information system (EFIS) that includes
one or more databases that store information regarding circuits and
customers of a communications network. The EFIS databases may be a
collection of ORACLE.RTM. tables. The tables may contain data that
are either composites or subsets of NSDB IMS tables or DB2 tables.
The system also includes processors that access these databases and
allow a system user to access the network information using a
personal computer. The users may use a personal computer to access
the processors and gain access to the emergency facility
information system. The personal computers gain access by using a
modem, Internet, or any other method that provides a communication
link between devices that may be close or separated by a
considerable distance.
[0135] The system provides the user with the ability to search for
information related to the circuits and/or customers, and also to
compile information sought in the form of reports. The system
provides a graphical user interface to the user that allows the
user to view information in one or more windows. The graphical user
interface allows the user to move through various menus and screens
without having to back out of each screen to get back to an
origination point before selecting a new path.
[0136] Several terms and acronyms will be used in the written
description to describe the present invention. Although some may be
known, use of several of these is not strictly standardized in the
art. Therefore, since these terms and acronyms are used throughout
this description, the following list of definitions is provided to
clarify terms and acronyms used in the description, and to provide
a central place where one may look to find a definition and an
understanding of a particular term or acronym.
1. DEFINITIONS, ACRONYMS, AND ABBREVIATIONS
[0137] 2-char wire center code--2 alpha-numeric character code
which represents a specific wire center. [0138] 911 Circuit--All
911 emergency circuits. [0139] A location (A loc, Loc
A)--origination end of a circuit; A location CLLI code [0140] A and
Z address--the street address of the A (originating) or Z
(terminating) end of the circuit. [0141] A and Z contact
address--the street address of the customer contact person. [0142]
A and Z contact name--name of customer contact person. [0143] A and
Z contact phone--phone number of the customer contact person [0144]
A/Z End indicator--the literal A or Z is stored with the database
record to indicate the record is associated with the originating or
terminating end of the circuit. [0145] ACNA--Access Customer Name
Abbreviation; 3-4 characters assigned to inter-exchange carriers
(i.e. AT&T, MCI, Sprint, etc.) [0146] Accounting Control Office
(ACO)--code used to identify the business office associated with
the customer circuit records and billing information. [0147] Avoid
location--a CLLI code location that is to be excluded from a list
of available circuits that pass through that location for possible
rerouting. [0148] Back--go to the previously displayed screen
[0149] Cable (Cable ID)--a unique identifier or name with a wire
center for cable that carries customer circuits. [0150] Cable
type--the use of the cable for either exchange or trunking [0151]
Cable designation--indicates whether the exchange cable is a feeder
or distribution cable. [0152] CAC--Circuit Access Code. [0153]
Carrier circuit--high capacity circuit (HICAP) that is channelized
(carries multiple circuits); minimum 1.544 Mbits/circuit [0154]
Channel ID (on parent circuit)--a standard numbering scheme for
bandwidth assignment or subdivisions of the associated parent
circuit. [0155] Circuit Action of Order--the order action such as
add, disconnect, rename, or rearrange [0156] Circuit ID (CID)--a
unique combination of alpha-numeric character that is used to
convey intelligence about the type and usage of the circuit. [0157]
Circuit Priority Level--user defined restoration priority ranking
based on circuit capacity or usage. [0158] Class of
service--numbering scheme applied to circuit classification of
business or residence usage. [0159] CLLI--Common Language Location
Identifier; an 1.1 character code that denotes the location of the
equipment where a telephone call originates (i.e. city, state,
switching center, etc.) [0160] CLO--Circuit Layout Order order
number assigned by an operation support system. [0161] Data
Prop--Data--Propagator; set of DB2 tables which act as the
intermediary between NSDB and EFIS; only will house changes from
NSDB; all EFIS updates are gathered from Data Propagator. [0162]
DataGate--Middleware product; provides functionality common to all
distributed applications across most hardware platforms. [0163]
DB2--Database 2; relational database architecture [0164]
DBMS--Database Management System. [0165] Derived cable
name--distribution cable name at the terminating end of a pair gain
system. [0166] Drilling Down--progressing down to lower levels in
the hierarchy of a circuit, or other information, to get further
details [0167] Drilling Up--progressing up to higher levels in the
hierarchy of a circuit, or other information, to get more general
information [0168] Drop--a wire, or cable from a pole or cable
terminal to a building [0169] DS1 Circuit--Digital Signal 1; a
1.544 Mbps digital signal; (generally 24 voice conversations)
[0170] DS3 Circuit--Digital Signal 3; a 44.736 Mbps digital signal
(28 DS1 signals). [0171] EFIS--Emergency Facility Information
System [0172] Equipment Action Code--the literal A for add and D
for delete for equipment. [0173] Equipment Action indicator--the
Database field that contains the equipment action code of A or D.
[0174] Essential Line Indicator (ESL)--a database field that
indicates the circuit has a specific restoration priority level.
[0175] Facility ID--a component of a carrier circuit id that
represents a characteristic of the circuit such as the bandwidth
[0176] Facility (cable)--material cable is made of [0177] Facility
(carrier)--means of transport [0178] Facility Binding Post--the
physical point of terminating the cable pair. [0179] Facility
Binding Post Color--the color of wires of the cable pair when there
is no physical binding post. [0180] File Transfer Protocol (FTP)--a
service that supports file transfer between local and remote
computers [0181] HECIG--Human Equipment Catalog Item Group--a human
code representing a group of equipment having identical
capabilities. [0182] HICAP--High Capacity Circuit; any circuit with
greater capacity than a DS3 circuit (e.g. OC12); non-channeled
[0183] High speed mapping--optical level time slot for the
assignment of a specific amount of bandwidth to carry a circuit.
[0184] Installation Center (ICTR)--group assigned the
responsibility of coordinating installation activities associated
with circuits. [0185] IEC--InterExchange Carriers (e.g. AT&T,
MCI, Sprint); long-haul long distance carriers; inter-LATA carriers
[0186] IMS tables--a hierarchical database structure as opposed to
a relational database structure. [0187] Jack ID--number scheme for
cross connection of equipment using a group of jacks contained in a
panel. [0188] LATA--Local Area and Transport Area; one of several
local geographical areas in the US within which a local telephone
company may offer telecommunication services, local or long
distance [0189] LEC--Local Exchange Carrier, local phone companies
[0190] Level--refers to the SONET bandwidth such as OC03, OC12, or
OC48. [0191] Local service offering--refers to the central office
that will provide the local service. [0192] Loop contact name--name
of person at the customers location that will coordinate with the
telephone company installer.
[0193] Loop telephone number--phone number of the contact person at
the customer location [0194] Market Area--organizational entity in
which the circuit resides. [0195] MCN--Major Customer Number;
assigned to large customers internally by service provider [0196]
Maintenance Control Office (MCO)--the group that has over all
coordination responsibility of maintenance activities associated
with a circuit. [0197] Maintenance Center (MCTR)--group that may be
assigned the maintenance activities for one end of a circuit.
[0198] Message circuit--circuit owned by the telephone company;
non-customer assigned trunk circuits that run between offices;
carries multi-customer traffic; typically rides on a carrier type
circuit [0199] OC-X--Optical carrier level X; a SONET optical
signal (e.g. OC-1=51.84 Mbps; OC-12=622.08 Mbps) [0200]
NCI--Network Channel Interface--device that interconnects customer
equipment to the telephone network [0201] Node A--refers to the
location that a low level circuit is added to a SONET
configuration. [0202] Node Z--refers to the location that a low
level circuit is dropped off of a SONET configuration. [0203] Node
ID--a number assigned to a Node in SONET to indicate it's
positional order in the configuration. [0204] NPA--Numbering Plan
Area (i.e. Area Code in a telephone number) [0205] NSDB--Network
and Services Database. [0206] Number of offices--refers to the
number of offices to use in rerouting a damaged facility. [0207]
NXX--the first three digits in a seven digit telephone number that
denotes the telephone company central office that serves that
number [0208] Pair ID--a unique number assigned to each pair in a
cable. [0209] Pair gain--the multiplexing of x number phone
conversations over a lesser number of physical facilities [0210]
Pair range--a grouping of pair numbers from low to high (i.e. 1 to
100) [0211] Parent circuit--refers to the transport circuit that
the child is assigned a channel number on the parent. [0212]
PC--Personal Computer. [0213] Pending merge status--internally used
database status to indicate whether all internal processing is
completed for a particular circuit record. [0214] Protection
type--refers to redundancy assigned to the circuit. [0215] Priority
classification--an assigned classification of restoration priority
based on capacity or usage of the circuit. [0216] Priority total--a
total count of all circuits that may have a priority
classification. [0217] Rack--refers a location of a physical object
for mounting equipment. [0218] SCID--SONET Carrier ID--6 character
code that uniquely identifies SONET configurations [0219] Sequence
Number--an internal database ordering number for group data [0220]
Service Address of Customer (SA)--street address of the customer
circuit. [0221] Service Name--customer name [0222] Slot
Number--optical time slot which represents a standard bandwidth
position. [0223] SOAC--Service Order Assignment Control. [0224]
SONET--Synchronous Optical Network. [0225] SORD--Service Order
Retrieval and Distribution. [0226] Special circuit--dial tone type
circuit ranging from voice to 1.544 Mbis/circuit capacity; not
channelized; single customer buys bandwidth [0227] Speed equipment
code--HECIG for high and low speed SONET equipment [0228]
SQLNET--Structured Query Language Network. [0229] SRS--Software
Requirements Specification. [0230] SS7 Circuit--Signal System 7;
control links between offices. [0231] Status--defines whether the
circuit is in-effect (working), disconnected (not working) or
pending (i.e. to be installed) [0232] Status picture--bitmap symbol
used to visually display status [0233] Sub-tending circuits--lower
level circuits that ride on a higher level circuit [0234] System
ID--a component of a carrier circuit ID that is an arbitrarily
assigned number [0235] T1--a digital transmission link with a
capacity of 1.544 Mbps; uses two twisted pair wires [0236]
Telephone circuit ID--circuit ID format for switched voice grade
circuits. [0237] Terminal Address ID (Term)--street or building
address where telephone cable terminates. [0238] Target Identifier
(TID)--a combination of the location CLLI code and the relay rack
to identify a SONET node. [0239] Topology--SONET configuration;
either RING or CHAIN. [0240] Tracking Key--Same as the TIRKS CLO
(Circuit Layout Order) [0241] Transmission designation--transmit
can be from the A to Z end or Z to A; specified as AZ or ZA [0242]
Transmit/Receive indicator--database field to indicate whether a
cable pair is used for transmit or receive purpose. [0243]
Transport facility indicator--database field used to identify a
SPAN line; the indicator will be S [0244] TSP--Telecommunications
Service Priority; a flag that denotes that a particular circuit has
the highest priority regarding installation and repair [0245]
Update Date--date the database record was updated. [0246] Update
ID--system or user the initiated the update. [0247] Update
Time--time of day that update occurred. [0248] Update
Segment--database segment that was updated [0249] Vacant channel
ID--spare or unassigned channel of a parent circuit. [0250] Virtual
group ID--identifier of a sub-SONET bandwidth; (i.e. VT1.5, VT2,
VT3, VT6) [0251] Wire Center--another term for a Central Office
switch and its corresponding geographic boundaries. [0252] Z
location (Z loc, Loc Z)--termination end of a circuit; Z location
CLLI code [0253] Zoom In--magnify 1 item in a SONET ring
diagram.
[0254] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an exemplary emergency
facility information system (EFIS) 1 according to the present
invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system may include
one or more databases 2 (only one shown) that contain communication
circuit information regarding all networks, circuits, trunks,
equipment, and other information regarding the communication
system, as well as information related to customers owning or using
parts of the system. The database 2 is connected to one or more
EFIS processors 3 that perform the processing for the emergency
facility information system 1. The database may contain a data
propagator 5 that is a set of DB2 (Database 2) tables which act as
the intermediary between the NSDB and EFIS. All EFIS updates are
retrieved through data propagator 5.
[0255] Each EFIS processor 3 has the same information, and may be
located in different regions, thereby, providing users with fault
tolerant access to the system. If one EFIS processor 3 is down or
being updated, another EFIS processor 3 takes over and services the
users. The EFIS processors 3 access the database 2 for retrieval of
information related to the circuits, trunks, customers, status,
etc. of communication system 1. This information may be retrieved
by the EFIS processors 3 using the FTP protocol, or any other
method for accessing a database. Users may access the EFIS
processors 3 by using a remote station or terminal such as a
personal computer 4 Various remote stations or personal computers
may be operably connected to the EFIS 1, by telephone wires, direct
connection, local area network, Internet, or other methods. Remote
stations may be any device with display capability that can
interface and communicate with a processor.
[0256] The EFIS provides easy access and use to one or more users
by providing a graphical user interface which can display different
information simultaneously in separate windows displayed on the
screen. A user can access EFIS and search for data and information
related to communication circuits and/or customers. EFIS also
allows a user to drill up or down on a selected item or data
displayed (e.g., move up or down in the hierarchy of a circuit). If
a user drills up on the selected item or data, information related
to the selected item or data in a broader sense is obtained and
displayed (i.e., information related to what this item or data is a
part of, contained in, or connected to at a higher level). If a
user drills down on the selected item or data, further more
detailed information is obtained and displayed (i.e., information
related to what the selected item or data contains in it, is made
up of or what connects to or makes up the selected item or data at
lower levels). A user may then select one of the newly displayed
items or data and then drill up or down on it. Therefore, EFIS
allows a user to easily access and efficiently search communication
circuit information and customer data information, and easily
navigate through the resultant information to obtain more general
or more detailed information, in accordance with the user's
needs.
[0257] For a user to access the EFIS 1, the user may need to submit
a user ID and password. The EFIS system will validate the user ID
and password to ensure that they are correct. If the user ID and
password submitted by the user are incorrect, the system will
prompt the user to re-enter the user ID and password. If the user
ID and password are correct, the EFIS computer will allow the user
access to the EFIS system 1, by displaying the EFIS main menu on
the user's personal computer 4.
[0258] As shown in FIG. 2, the EFIS main menu is a graphical user
interface that includes a window with tool bars, command lines, and
menu bars. The EFIS main menu allows users to select between two
main modules, the Circuit/Facility module, or the SONET module. An
Exit button is also presented to allow a user to exit the emergency
facility information system. A tool bar may appear just below the
menu bar at the top of every EFIS screen. The tool bar may include
buttons that allow the user access to other applications or
functions.
[0259] The EFIS main menu also has a menu bar. The EFIS menu bar
includes standard Windows commands, and shortcuts to common EFIS
queries. "Print preview", "printing", and "file save as" functions
allow the user to view, print or save any of the reports or result
sets created while using EFIS. Sorting may be accomplished by
clicking the heading in any report displayed in a grid format.
Thus, report tables in EFIS may be resorted as desired by the user.
The user may want to see the bottom of a long list without
scrolling down several screens. In such a situation, the user would
simply click the header or the column that the user wants to use as
a basis for sorting. This would act as a toggle switch. If the user
clicks the column or header only once, this will cause a sort to
occur alphanumerically from 0 to 9 and then A to Z by that column's
data. If the user clicks again, a reverse sort will occur by that
column's data (i.e., Z to A and then 9 to 0).
[0260] A user may enter search criteria into EFIS to be used to
search for information related to circuits or customer information
in the system. Wild cards may be used by the user of EFIS to expand
the search. Two special wild card characters that may be used are
percent sign (%) and underscore (_). The percent sign matches zero,
one, or many characters. For example, if the user enters "6%", the
following would be valid matches: 63, 63B, 633142, 6AF12.
Therefore, everything that starts with "6" is a valid match. If
"%6" is entered by the user, valid matches would be: 6, 628736,
345A46. Thus, everything that ends with "6" is a valid match. If
"%6%" is entered by the user, then everything that has a "6" would
be a valid match.
[0261] An underscore "_" is a space holder for exactly one
character. Any character may go in this space holder, but just one.
For example, if the user enters "6_", the following would be valid
matches: 60, 62, 6A, which are strings consisting of "6" and one
other character. If the user enters ".sub.--6", valid matches would
contain strings consisting of any one character followed by a "6".
Similarly, if ".sub.--6_" is entered, valid matches would include
any one character followed by a "6" followed by one other
character.
[0262] From the EFIS main menu, if the Circuit/Facility button is
selected, a circuit/facility menu will appear. This menu is shown
in FIG. 3, and may be used if the user is looking for information
on a carrier circuit, facility re-route, customer, or cable. This
menu also allows a user to select a search path. The user may need
to have some information available to help narrow the search path.
This information may include: some part of the system ID, some part
of the facility ID, some part of the A-location, some part of the
Z-location, some part or spelling of the customer name, and/or some
part or spelling of the customer address.
[0263] The Circuit/Facility menu may give the user choices for
searching, such as: carrier, facility, customer, and cable. If the
carrier button is selected, the user is allowed to look for
information about a carrier or circuit ID. Selection of the
facility button may be made by the user to search for the best
re-route, while knowing the circuit ID. If the user desires to
search for information about a specific customer, they would select
the customer button. The cable button may be selected by the user
to search for information about a cable that the user can narrow or
define.
[0264] If the user selects Carrier Circuit Input, a carrier circuit
menu will appear as shown in FIG. 4. This menu allows a user to
narrow their search by specifying a facility, system; and location.
This menu presents four input fields where the user may enter
information. This menu allows the user to enter information
regarding any part of the facility ID, any part of the system ID,
or any part of either the A-location or Z-location.
[0265] After the user has entered any known, or desired,
information into one or more of these information boxes, the user
will select the "find" button. This causes EFIS to find information
about any carrier circuit that contains the information the user
has indicated in the text entry fields. The user must enter
information in at least one of the fields before selecting the find
button. After selection of the find button, the next screen to
appear will be the Carrier Circuit-Selection Output screen. If the
user has entered information into the text entry fields, and then
wants to change or delete this information, the user can select a
Clear button and EFIS will delete what the user has entered from
all text entry fields on the screen. The user may then start over
if he or she so chooses. The user may drill down on any circuit or
customer information to get further details regarding the
information. Drilling down is available from all appropriate
displays.
[0266] The Carrier Circuit-Selection Output screen, shown in FIG.
5, is the first screen that appears after the user selects "find"
on the carrier circuit input screen. This screen may either show a
list of matching circuit ID's from which the user may select, or
show a single matching circuit ID. The user may then select a
circuit ID and select a particular report to be created. The user
may select reports such as, View Hierarchy Report, Re-route Report,
Cable Information Report, Standard Reports, or Custom Reports.
[0267] If View Hierarchy was selected, a screen denoting the
carrier circuit hierarchy will be displayed as shown in FIG. 6: The
user may then view the hierarchy up or down from the current
carrier circuit. The user may want other information, for example,
what other high capacity circuits are effected by damage to the
particular circuit selected. If the user wants a hierarchy of
carriers that this circuit rides on (i.e., carriers that this view
if it is embedded in), the user would select hierarchy up. If the
user wants an hierarchy of channels that ride on this circuit, the
user would select hierarchy down. A Show Table option may be
selected by the user which causes display of a circuit hierarchy in
a table format rather than a tree view.
[0268] From any point in the hierarchy, the user may select a
circuit ID and print Standard and Custom Reports. If Standard
Reports is selected, the screen shown in FIG. 7 will be displayed
which allows a user to choose from various standard reports. These
include the following reports: Circuit Listing By Customer, Circuit
Hierarchy With Customers, Totals, Priority Circuit Restoration, and
Circuit Totals.
[0269] The Circuit Listing by Customer Report is a standard report
for carrier circuits. It is available to the user whenever the user
selects Circuit Listing by Customer and a circuit ID and depresses
the right mouse button. This report includes customer and circuit
ID for each circuit level, and is shown in FIG. 8.
[0270] Circuit Hierarchy with Customers is a standard report for
carrier circuits that is available whenever the user selects
Circuit Hierarchy with Customers and depresses the right mouse
button with a circuit ID selected. This report is shown in FIG. 9,
and includes what facilities the selected circuit rides on (or what
assigned signals ride on the selected circuit) by level. This
report also includes the customer, channel and circuit ID, status,
TSP, A and Z address, A and Z contact name, and A and Z contact
address.
[0271] Circuit Totals is a standard report for carrier circuits,
and is shown in FIG. 10. This report is available to a user
whenever the user selects Circuit Totals and right clicks a circuit
ID or chooses Circuit Totals Report option. This report includes
the number of circuits by type (e.g., TSP, 911, SS7, IEC, LEC,
HICAP, DS3, or DS1. It also includes a number of circuits that are
Carrier, Message, and Special, and the total number of priority
circuits.
[0272] Priority Circuit Restoration is a standard report for
carrier circuits, and is shown in FIG. 11. It is available to the
user whenever the user selects Priority Circuit Restoration and
right clicks the mouse button with a circuit ID selected, or
chooses the Priority Circuit Report option. This report includes
the customer name, circuit ID, and circuit type (e.g., TSP, 911,
SS7, IEC, LEC, HICAP, DS3, DS1).
[0273] The Custom Reports option is available when the user has
queried a carrier circuit or has clicked the right side mouse
button while a circuit ID is selected. This report option, shown in
FIG. 12, presents a list of information available regarding the
selected circuit and allows the user to select one or more of these
pieces of information to be used during preparation of the report.
Based on which items are selected by the user, the following
results may be returned (i.e obtained): circuit ID, circuit status,
contact name A-end, contact name Z-end, contact phone number A-end,
contact phone number Z-end, A-Loc address, Z-Loc address, TSP ID,
HICAP, MCN or parent circuit CAC. FIG. 13 shows results return for
selection of customer, circuit ID, and CAC.
[0274] If the facility reroute button of the circuit facility main
menu is selected by the user, the menu shown in FIG. 14 will
appear. This menu will display text input fields for the user to
enter a system ID, facility ID, A-Loc, Z-Loc, and circuit ID. The
user may enter the full information, i.e., the full circuit ID, or
a partial circuit ID. If a partial circuit ID is entered, the query
may give the user several choices, whereby, the user must select
one circuit ID for the reroute query. The default number of central
offices for rerouting a circuit is two with optional three or four
office reroute search. After the user has selected a specific
circuit and chooses a reroute office option, the result set is
returned, as shown in FIG. 15. This may include the circuit ID,
list of available channels, and total free channels.
[0275] If the customer button on the circuit facility main menu is
selected by the user, the screen shown in FIG. 16 appears where the
user may make a query based on either a customer name, or major
customer number (MCN) and/or a customer address. Wild card
utilization may be used to expand the input criteria. Selection of
the find button initiates the query. A clear button clears the
input fields for a new selection. When the find button is selected,
a new screen is displayed, as shown in FIG. 17. The results
returned on this screen include a number of fields from the
database such as circuit ID, customer name, customer address, MCN,
A location, Z location. ACNA, and contact name and phone number.
From this screen a circuit ID may be selected (by clicking the
mouse button) to display additional report options such as View
Hierarchy, Reroute, Standard and Custom Reports, identical to the
previously described report options. Selecting the right mouse
button is a feature that is available from any report, and displays
a circuit ID in a grid format, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0276] If Cable is selected from the circuit facility main menu,
the screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed that offers the user
selections to choose from such as Interoffice Circuits, Exchange
Circuits Lookup By Customer, and Lookup By Circuit. If Interoffice
Circuits is selected, another menu will be displayed which provides
text input areas for the user to enter cable ID, pair (range
optional), A-CLLI, Z-CLLI, and terminal address. After entering any
information necessary by the user and selecting find, EFIS will run
the query and the interoffice circuits listing will appear.
[0277] If the Exchange Circuits option is selected by the user, an
input screen will appear which allows the user to enter any
information that he or she may already have on a cable that extends
out from an office to a customer. This may include information such
as Wire Center (NPANNX), terminal address, cable ID, or pair (range
optional).
[0278] If the user selects Lookup by Customer, the screen shown in
FIG. 20 will appear which displays text input fields for the user
to enter customer information such as the customer name, customer
address, ACNA, and circuit ID. When find is selected, EFIS will run
the query and the customer cable listing will appear.
[0279] If the user selects Lookup by Circuit, another screen
appears which allows the user to enter a full or partial circuit
ID. Once entered, and the find button is selected, EFIS will run
the query and return a list of cables assigned to that circuit ID,
as shown in FIG. 21. Selecting one of the cables listed, and
selecting the find button, will cause the system to return more
specific cable information. A high level view of each circuit that
is physically assigned to each individual cable pair will be
displayed. The information displayed will include: cable ID, A
location, Z location, NPANNX, and SCID. Selecting one of the cables
and pressing the find button effectively drills down (i.e.,
progresses down to lower levels) on the selected cable producing
the screen shown in FIG. 22 with additional information. This
screen allows the user to select Standard Reports or Custom
Reports.
[0280] If the user selects Standard Reports, the screen shown in
FIG. 23 will be displayed which allows the user to select between a
number of options. These options include Customer Listing By Cable,
Customer Listing By Pair, Cable Totals, and HICAP Listing.
[0281] If Customer Listing By Cable report is selected, the screen
shown in FIG. 24 is displayed which totals by customer, the
priority counts for the following categories (TSP, 911, SS7, IEC,
LEC, HICAP, DS3, DS1 and total circuits). The counts reflect all
sub-tending circuits for each carrier circuit hierarchy.
[0282] Selecting Customer Listing By Pair report displays the
screen shown in FIG. 25 which details customer and circuit ID for
each cable pair, as well as sub-tending circuits for each carrier
circuit hierarchy.
[0283] Selecting Cable Totals generates the screen shown in FIG. 26
which summarizes cable totals for the following categories (TSP,
911, SS7, IEC, LEC, HICAP, DS3, DS1 and total circuit counts for
Carrier, Special, and Message circuit formats).
[0284] Selecting the HICAP Circuit Listing generates a new screen
which lists only DS1 and above circuits that meet this selection
criteria. These results include sub-tending high capacity circuits
in each carrier circuit hierarchy.
[0285] Selecting Custom Reports allows a user to select from a
predefined list of fields and create a report containing only the
criteria selected. A user may select between a list of fields that
may include cable designation, cable ID, cable type, CAC, circuit
ID, circuit status, contact name A location, contact name Z
location, contact address A location, contact address Z location,
contact phone A location, contact phone Z location, customer, HICAP
flag, NPA/NNX, pair ID, terminal address, and TSP.
[0286] Returning to the EFIS main menu, if SONET is selected, then
the menu shown in FIG. 27 appears showing the SONET circuit lookup
input screen. Depending on what input information is known by the
user, the user will then select one of several options
corresponding to the information known by the user. The options
include a carrier circuit ID, message circuit ID, special circuit
ID, telephone circuit ID, CAC, cable, order number (SORD), CLO
(circuit layout order), SCID, TID and Rack. Selecting Clear clears
all input fields. SCID listing returns all SCIDs in a market area.
Selection of Find initiates a query based on the input values. The
results are then displayed on a new screen, as shown in FIG. 28.
The new screen will also include options for selections such as
Draw and Reports.
[0287] Selecting Draw initiates a query based on the SCID selected
and starts VISIO.RTM. for display of SONET layout, as shown in FIG.
29. Selecting the right mouse button will cause the system to
display a pop-up box with node details, shown in FIG. 30.
[0288] Selecting Reports causes the display of report options
available for a particular node, or the entire SCID. A screen will
be displayed, as shown in FIG. 31, allowing the user to select
between choices such as node listing, high speed assignments or
mapping, low speed assignments or mapping, HICAP listing, circuit
totals, customer totals and priority restoration.
[0289] Selection of Node Listing report displays a new screen, as
shown in FIG. 32, with a text description on the SONET layout in
the order of sequence. The new screen will display information
regarding the node ID, node location, relay rack appearance,
connecting cable ID, CAC for connecting circuit ID, and equipment
identifiers (HECIG).
[0290] If the user selects the High Speed report option, a new
display will appear as shown in FIG. 33, showing the high speed
slot assignment for individual circuits on the SCID. This display
will contain information regarding the slot number, circuit ID,
CAC, CLO, A and Z locations (points of entry and exit from SCID),
customer name, MCN, TSP, circuit priority level, A and Z address of
circuit ID, and contact name and telephone number.
[0291] Selection of the Low Speed Assignment report option by the
user will cause the display of the low speed slot assignment for
individual circuits on the SCID. This display is shown in FIG. 34
and includes information such as slot number, circuit ID, CAC, CLO,
equipment identifier (HECIG), customer name, MCN, TSP, circuit
priority level, A and Z address of circuit ID, and contact name and
telephone number.
[0292] If the user selects the HICAP Listing report option, a
display, as shown in FIG. 35, results which shows the high capacity
circuits associated with the selected node on the SCID. This
display will show information that includes circuit ID, customer
name, slot number, A and/or Z locations (points of entry and exit
from SCID), SCID, and CAC.
[0293] Selection of the Circuit Totals report option, results in
the display shown in FIG. 36, which shows the count of priority
circuits associated with the selected node or SCID, as well as the
count by type of Carrier, Special and Message circuits on the SCID.
These counts include all levels of circuits associated with the
carrier circuit hierarchy. The resulting screen displays
information related to TSP totals, 911 totals, SS7 totals, IEC
totals, LEC totals, DS3 totals, DS1 totals, carrier circuit totals,
message circuit totals, and special circuit totals.
[0294] If the user selects the Customer Totals report button, a new
screen appears, as shown in FIG. 37, which shows a listing of
counts for all circuits associated with a particular customer name.
This includes all sub-tending circuits associated with a carrier
circuit hierarchy. The screen includes information regarding
customer name, and count of each customer's circuits.
[0295] Selection by the user of the Priority Restoration report
button, causes the new screen shown in FIG. 38 to appear showing a
listing of all priority circuits including sub-tending circuits
associated with the selected node or SCID. This screen includes
information regarding customer name, circuit ID, and priority
classification.
[0296] FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing the functional selections
made by the user during operation of the EFIS system. As noted
previously, to access the EFIS system, the user Must first supply a
user ID and password (S2). The system will validate the user ID and
password (S3), and if it is not correct, prompt the user to
re-enter the user ID and Password (S5). If the user ID and password
are correct, the user will be given access to the EFIS main menu
(S6). On the EFIS main menu, the user will select either Circuit
Facility (S7), SONET (S8), or Exit (S9). The system will wait for
the user's input if no selections have been made (S10).
[0297] FIGS. 40, 45, 46, and 47 show that if the user selects
Circuit Facility, the system will then check to see if the user has
selected any of carrier circuit (S12), Back (S13), facility reroute
(S59), back (S60), customer (S61), back (S62), cable listing (S69),
and if not, the system then will go to back (S70).
[0298] As shown in FIG. 40, if "carrier circuit" is selected (S12),
the system will wait for the user to enter the system ID, facility
ID, A_LOC and Z_LOC (S14). The system will verify that at least one
of these has been entered (S15), and if not, the system will wait
for input from the user (S16). If at least one of these has been
entered, the system will then return with a screen which provides a
circuit ID, reroute option, hierarchy option, cable option,
standard report option and customer report option (S17).
[0299] FIGS. 41 and 43 show that if "reroute" is selected by the
user (S18) a new screen will appear where the user would be allowed
to enter information regarding the system ID, the facility ID,
A_Loc, Z_Loc, circuit ID, avoid location, and a number of offices
(S45). The system will verify that information has been entered by
the user in at least one field (S46), and if not, the system will
wait for input from the user (S47). If information has been entered
in at least one field (S46), a new screen will be presented whereby
the system presents information regarding the circuit ID, status,
vacant channel ID, circuit route, and number of offices (S48).
Then, if back is selected (S49), the system will go back to the
previous screen, or if not, the system will wait for input from the
user (S50).
[0300] FIGS. 41 and 42 show that if the hierarchy option is
selected from the carrier circuit menu (S19), then the system
presents another screen which shows the hierarchy down which
consist of a status picture, tree, channel ID, and circuit ID
(S25). The system then determines if picture codes are selected
(S33) and, if so, it displays picture codes (S37), and then goes to
back (S38). If not, the system determines if hierarchy up is
selected (S26). If so, the system presents information regarding
status, picture tree, channel ID, and circuit ID (S34). If
hierarchy up is not selected, the system checks to see if the user
has selected standard reports (S27), custom reports (S28), show
table (S29), collapse all (S30), or back (S31), and if not, the
system waits for user input (S32).
[0301] FIGS. 42 and 52 show that if "standard reports" is selected
(S27), the system checks to see if "circuit hierarchy with
customers" is selected (S93), circuit listing by customers (S94),
totals (S95), priority circuit restoration (S96), or back (S97) is
selected and, if not, the system waits for user input (S98). If
circuit hierarchy with customers is selected (S93), the system then
displays information regarding circuit ID, customer name, TSP, A
Loc, Z Loc, status, contact name, and contact number (S99), and
then goes to back (S107).
[0302] If circuit listing by customer is selected (S94), the system
displays information regarding the customer name, circuit ID, and
level (S101), and then goes to back (S107).
[0303] If totals is selected by the user (S95), the customer
displays information related to DS1 total per circuit, DS3 total
per circuit, TSP total per circuit, SS7 total per circuit, 911
total per circuit, carrier total per circuit, message total per
circuit, and special total per circuit (S100), and then goes to
back (S107).
[0304] If priority circuit restoration is selected by the user
(S96), the system will check to see if all circuits have been
selected by the user (S102). If all circuits have not been selected
by the user, the system will check to see if any circuits have been
selected (S105) and if so the system will display the selected
totals (S106). If the user has selected all circuits, the system
will display information regarding DS1 total, DS3 total, TSP total,
SS7 total, 911 total, priority total, carrier total, message total,
special total, and circuit total (S103), and then go to back
(S107).
[0305] If back (S97) is selected by the user, the system will
display the previous input page (S104).
[0306] As shown in FIGS. 42 and 54 if customs reports is selected
(S28) from the hierarchy option, the system will check to see if
circuit is selected by the user (S117). If circuit has been
selected by the user, the system displays information regarding.
CAC, circuit ID, circuit type, customer name, customer telephone
number, HICAP, major customer number, operation status, service
address, TSP ID, and parent circuit CAC (S118), and then goes to
back (S119).
[0307] As shown in FIG. 42, if show table is selected by the user
(S29) under the hierarchy option, the system will display the
level, circuit ID, and status (S35). The system will then check to
see if show tree has been selected (S39). If show tree has been
selected, the system will go to step S25 (hierarchy down), which
was previously discussed. If show tree was not selected, the system
will go to standard reports (S27) discussed previously.
[0308] If collapse is selected (S30) under the hierarchy option,
the system will return the first level hierarchy, and the second
level hierarchy (S36). The system will then check to see if expand
all has been selected by the user (S40). If expand all has been
selected, the system will return all hierarchy levels (S43). If
expand all has not been selected, then the system will go to step
S27.
[0309] As shown in FIGS. 41 and 44, if cable option (S20) is
selected under the carrier circuit menu, the system will return the
cable ID, LOC A, and LOC Z (S51). The system will then check to see
if cable is selected (S52). If cable is not selected, the system
will wait for input from the user (S53). If cable is selected, the
system will return circuit ID, TSP, pair ID, HICAP, LOCA, LOCZ,
customer name, terminal address, and WFA Wire Center (S54). The
system will then check to see if standard reports has been selected
by the user (S55). If not, the user will check to see if custom
reports (S56) or back (S57) have been selected, and if not, the
system will wait for input from the user (S58).
[0310] FIGS. 44 and 53 show that if standard reports under the
cable option has been selected, the system will then check to see
if customer listing by cable (S108), cable totals (S109), HICAP
listing (S110), or back (S111) has been selected. If none of these
have been selected, the system will wait for input from the user
(S112).
[0311] If customer listing by cable has been selected, the system
will display the customer name, total number of circuits, DS1
circuits, DS3 circuits, HICAP circuits, interexchange carrier
circuits, local carrier circuits, SS7 circuits, TSP circuits, and
911 circuits (S113).
[0312] If cable totals has been selected by the user, the system
will display DS1 total per cable, DS3 total per cable,
interexchange total per cable, local exchange total per cable, TSP
total per cable, SS7 total per cable, 911 total per cable, priority
total per cable, carrier total per cable, message total per cable,
special total per cable; and total circuits per cable (S114).
[0313] If HICAP listing has been selected by the user, the system
will display the circuit ID and the customer name (S115). If back
is selected, the system will show the previous screen.
[0314] As shown in FIGS. 44 and 55, if custom reports (S56) under
the cable option has been selected by the user, the system will
then check to see if cable has been selected (S123). If cable is
selected, the system will display information related to cable ID,
CAC, city state address, customer contact name, derived cable name,
facility type, facility cable ID, facility ID, facility pair ID,
loop contact name A to Z, loop telephone number A to Z, local
telephone number A to Z, pair ID, terminal address, tracking key,
transmit/receive indicator, transport facility indicator, HICAP,
and TSP (S124).
[0315] If back is selected (S57) under the cable option menu, the
system will display the previous menu.
[0316] FIGS. 41 and 52 show that if standard report option (S21)
under carrier circuit menu has been selected by the user, the
system will check to see if circuit hierarchy with customers (S93)
has been selected and proceed as discussed previously under the
circuit standard reports menu.
[0317] FIGS. 41 and 54 show that if custom report option (S22) has
been selected under the carrier circuit menu, the system will check
to see if circuit has been selected (S117) and proceed as discussed
previously under custom reports. If back is selected (S23) under
the carrier circuit menu, the system will display the previous
screen.
[0318] FIGS. 40, 43, and 45 show that if the carrier circuit (S12)
under the circuit facility menu is not selected and back (S13) has
not been selected, and facility reroute (S59) has been selected,
the system will wait for the user to enter at least one of the
parameters from step 45 and proceed as discussed previously under
the reroute option.
[0319] As shown in FIG. 46, if customer is selected (S61) under the
circuit facility main menu, the system will then wait for the user
to enter at least one of the customer name or the customer address
(S63). If one of these parameters is entered by the user (S64), the
system will return a customer name, customer address, ACNA, circuit
ID, MCN, contact name, and contact number (S66). The system will
then check to see if back (S67) has been selected and if it has,
the system will display the previous menu. If back has not been
selected, the system will wait for input from the user (S68).
[0320] FIG. 47 shows that if cable listing (S69) has been selected
by the user under the circuit/facility main menu, the system will
wait (S76) for the user to select either interoffice circuits
(S71), exchange circuits (S72), lookup by customer (S73), lookup by
circuit selected (S74), or back (S75).
[0321] FIGS. 44, 47 and 48 show that if interoffice circuits (S71)
has been selected, the system will provide text input fields for
the user to enter cable ID, pair TD, pair range, A_CLLI, Z_CLLI, or
terminal address (S77). The system will wait for input from the
user (S80) unless back (S79) is selected whereby the system will
display the previous menu screen. If the user has entered
information in at least one of these fields (S78), the system will
then return the cable ID, LOCA, and LOCZ (S51), and proceed as
discussed previously under the cable option.
[0322] As shown in FIG. 49, if exchange circuits (S72) has been
selected, the system will provide text input boxes for the user to
enter information regarding NPANNX, terminal address, cable ID,
pair ID, and pair range (S81). The system will wait until the user
has entered information in at least one of these fields (S84) or
until the user selects back (S83) which causes the system will
display the previous menu. If the user has entered information in
at least one of these fields (S82), the system will return cable
ID, LOCA, and LOCZ (S51), and proceed as discussed previously under
the cable option.
[0323] FIGS. 47 and 50 show that if lookup by customer (S73) is
selected by the user, the system will provide text input boxes for
the user to enter information regarding customer name, customer
address, ACNA, and circuit ID (S85). The system will wait for the
user to enter information in at least one of these fields (S88) or
until the user selects back (S87) which causes the system to
present the previous menu screen. Once the user has entered
information in one of the fields (S86), the system will return the
cable ID, LOCA and LOCZ (S51), and proceed as discussed previously
under the cable option.
[0324] As shown in FIGS. 47 and 51, if lookup by circuit is
selected by the user (S74), the system will provide a text input
box for the user to enter the circuit ID (S89). The system will
wait until the user has entered the circuit ID or selects back
(S92). If the user selects back (S91), the system will display the
previous menu. Once the user has entered the circuit ID, the system
will return the cable ID, LOCA, and LOCZ (S44), and proceed as
previously discussed under the cable option.
[0325] FIGS. 39, 56, and 57 show that if SONET (S8) is selected by
the user from the EFIS main menu, the system will present a screen
with text input boxes for the user to enter information regarding
cable ID, CAC, circuit ID, CLO/tracking key, SCID, SORD order
number, and TID/rack ID (S133). The system will then check to see
if cable is input (S134) and, if not, will check to see if any
other field is populated (S140). If no fields are populated, the
system will wait for input from the user (S142). If back is
selected (S141), the system will display the EFIS main menu.
[0326] As shown in FIGS. 56 and 59, if cable input is selected
(S134), the system will return A end, Z end, cable ID, CAC, level,
node A, node Z, SCID, and topology (S135). The system will then
wait for the user to select draw, reports, or back (S139). If draw
is selected by the user (S136), the system display the cable ID,
east designation, node ID, node location, pair ID, relay rack ID,
SCID, topology, and west designation (S155). The system will then
wait for input from the user (S157). If back is selected (S156),
the system will display the previous menu screen.
[0327] As shown in FIGS. 56, 60, 61 and 62, if reports (S137) is
selected by the user, the system will wait for additional input
from the user. The system will wait to see if the user selects
either node listing (S158), high speed mapping (S159), low speed
mapping (S160), HICAP listing (S161), priority circuit listing
(S166), customer listing (S167), or back (S170).
[0328] If node listing is selected (S158); the system will display
the cable ID, CAC, level, node ID, node location, pair ID, and
topology (S162), and then wait for user input (S171).
[0329] If high speed mapping is selected (S159), the system will
display A LOC, Z LOC, CAC, circuit ID, CLO/tracking key, contact
name, contact number, customer name, high speed indicator; low
speed indicator, and NCI (S163). The system will then wait for
additional user input (S171).
[0330] If low speed mapping is selected (S160), the system will
display A LOC, Z LOC, circuit ID, CAC, CLO/tracking key, contact
name, contact number, customer name, frame ID, high speed
indicator, low speed indicator, jack ID, NCI, and panel ID (S164).
The system will then wait for additional user input (S171).
[0331] If HICAP is selected (S161), the system will display
customer ID, customer name, and HICAP circuits (S165). The system
will then wait for additional user input (S171).
[0332] If priority circuit listing is selected by the user (S166),
the system will display DS1 total, DS3 total, TSP total, SS7 total,
911 total, priority total, carrier total, message total, special
total, and circuit total (S168). The system will then wait for
additional input from the user (S171).
[0333] If customer listing is selected by the user (S167), the
system will display associated circuits, circuit ID, contact name,
contact number, customer address, and customer name (S169). The
system will then wait for additional input from the user (S171). If
back is selected by the user (S170), the system will display the
previous screen.
[0334] As shown in FIGS. 56, 57 and 58 if, under the SONET main
menu, cable input was not selected (S134), and another field was
populated (S140), the system will check to see if enter was
selected (S143). If enter was not selected, the system will check
to see if SCID listing or back was selected, and if not, the system
will wait for user input (S151). If back is selected (S150), the
system will display the previous menu screen.
[0335] If enter has been selected (S143), the system will display
level, node ID, node location, relay rack, SCID, and topology
(S144). The system will then check to see if the user has selected
draw (S145), reports (S146), or back (S147), and if not, the system
will wait for user input (S148).
[0336] If draw has been selected (S145), the system will proceed as
shown in step S155, and as recited previously when draw was
selected under cable input (FIG. 56, step 136).
[0337] If reports has been selected (S146), the system will proceed
as shown in step S158, and as recited previously when reports was
selected under cable input.
[0338] As shown in FIGS. 57 and 58, if enter was not selected
(S143), and SCID listing was selected (S149), the system will
display level, node ID, node location, relay rack, SCID, and
topology (S152). The system will then check to see if reports
(S153) has been selected, and if not, the system will go to back
(S154). If reports have been selected (S153), the system will
proceed as shown in step S158, and as recited previously when
reports was selected under cable input.
[0339] Some features may be selected by the user from any screen.
As shown in FIG. 63, the user may select CLLI lookup (S172) from
any menu screen.
[0340] FIGS. 63, 64 and 65 show that if CLLI lookup has been
selected from any screen (S172), the system will provide text input
boxes for the user to enter information regarding building name,
city name, CLLI code, NPA NNX, state name, street address, street
name, and wire center code (S174). The system will wait for the
user to enter information in at least one of these fields (S175) or
for the user to select back (S176) which causes the system to
display the previously or originating displayed screen (S179). If
the user has entered information in at least one of these fields
(S175), the system will display access location code, ACTL of ACTO,
admin area, base control number, building name, building type, CIC
comp center, city name, CLLI format, CLLI LPC, corridor name,
county name, delete indicator, description, division revenue study
area, effective date, exchange, extension, host LPC, host remote
indicator, job title, LATA, location code, mail route, master group
control group number, master location flag, and master location
process code (S178).
[0341] As shown in FIG. 65, the system will also display office
class, office lost database, office impedance OHM, office range
OHM, office type, ownership, phone number, planning admin area,
point code 1, point code 2, point code 3, POP, redesign, secondary
office, service office flag, service office types, serving wire
center, serving wire center LPC, serving wire center six number,
serving wire center two character, state name, status, status code,
street name, switching system, switch type, TAS option, TAS
universal switch code, telephone company number, wats metering, and
zip code (S179).
[0342] If the user selects back (S180), the system will go to the
previous screen (S182) and, if not, the system will wait for
further user input (S181).
[0343] It is noted that the foregoing examples have been provided
merely for the purpose of explanation and are in no way to be
construed as limiting of the present invention. While the present
invention has been described with reference to a preferred
embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used
herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words
of limitation. Changes may be made within the purview of the
appended claims, as presently stated and as amended, without
departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention in any
or all of its aspects. Although the present invention has been
described herein with reference to particular means, materials, and
embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to
the particulars disclosed herein, rather, the present invention
extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and
uses, such as are within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *