Methods and apparatus for performing diagnostics and gathering statistics in computer supported telephony applications (CSTA)

• US 20020186831A1
• Filed: 05/23/2001
• Published: 12/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Hettish, Mark Bernard
• Granted Patent: US 6,985,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/231
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/62 for connecting to private branch exchanges

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for performing diagnostics and gathering statistics in computer supported telephony applications includes a control interface for CSTA protocols which utilizes ActiveX property pages to collect and display statistics and diagnostics. According to the preferred embodiment, Active X properties, methods, events, and pages are used to access all of the events and services provided by the CSTA protocols. Common paradigms such as Invoke₁₃ID and timers are built in to the interface.

Claims

1. A control interface for controlling CSTA protocols in a PBX switch, said control interface comprising:

(a) a computing platform coupled to the PBX switch; and

(b) component based interface objects running on said computing platform, said component based interface objects defines properties, methods, and events, said properties, methods and events being mapped to provide diagnostic and statistical information.

2. A control interface according to claim 1, whereinsaid statistical information includes messages/sec, number of requests, number of responses, number of events, number of errors and number or rejects.

3. A control interface according to claim 2, wherein said statistical information is tabulated on the incoming and outgoing link.

4. A control interface according to claim 1, wherein said diagnostic and statistical information are displayable via an ActiveX property page.

5. A control interface according to claim 1, wherein said properties, methods and events being mapped to control substantially every event and service of said PBX switch.

6. A control interface according to claim 1, wherein said component based interface objects is ActiveX.

7. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein ActiveX properties are mapped to session configuration.

8. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein ActiveX includes property pages and said property pages are mapped to session configuration.

9. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein ActiveX methods and events are mapped to startup and teardown a connection to the PBX switch.

10. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein substantially all CSTA and private data fields are supported.

11. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein invoke ID generation is automatic and configurable.

12. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein invoke ID timing is automatic and configurable.

13. A control interface according to claim 6, wherein heartbeat messages and replies are automatically generated.

14. A control interface according to claim 13, wherein said heartbeat messages and replies are configurable.

15. A control interface according to claim 1, wherein statuses and errors are automatically logged.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said statistical information includes messages/sec, number of requests, number of responses, number of events, number of errors and number or rejects.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said statistical information is tabulated on the incoming and outgoing link.

19. A method according to claim 16, wherein said diagnostic and statistical information are displayable via an ActiveX property page.

20. A method according to claim 16, wherein said properties, methods and events being mapped to control substantially every event and service of said PBX switch.

21. A method according to claim 16, wherein said component based interface objects is ActiveX.

22. A method according to claim 21, wherein ActiveX properties are mapped to session configuration.

23. A method according to claim 21, wherein ActiveX includes property pages and said property pages are mapped to session configuration.

24. A method according to claim 21, wherein ActiveX methods and events are mapped to startup and teardown a connection to the PBX switch.

25. A method according to claim 21, wherein substantially all CSTA and private data fields are supported.

26. A method according to claim 21, wherein invoke ID generation is automatic and configurable.

27. A method according to claim 21, wherein invoke ID timing is automatic and configurable.

28. A method according to claim 21, wherein heartbeat messages and replies are automatically generated.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein said heartbeat messages and replies are configurable.

30. A method according to claim 16, wherein statuses and errors are automatically logged.

16. A method for controlling CSTA protocols in a PBX switch, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) coupling a computing platform to the PBX switch; and

(b) running component based interface objects on said computing platform, said component based interface objects defining properties, methods, and events, said properties, methods and events being mapped to provide diagnostic and statistical information.