Monitoring and control module

• US 20040258226A1
• Filed: 07/14/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tierra Telecom Incorporated AKA Tierra Telecommunications
• Original Assignee: Tierra Telecom Incorporated AKA Tierra Telecommunications
• Inventors: Host, Lawrence William
• Granted Patent: US 7,418,088 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/106.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6443 Network Node Interface, e.g. Routing, Path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/04 Interdomain routing, e.g. hierarchical routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/124 using a combination of metrics
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/22 Alternate routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0087 Network testing or monitoring arrangements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for monitoring and controlling one or more aspects of one or more communication devices. In one embodiment the communication device is configured to transmit and receive packets of data via a packet-switched network. In one configuration the monitoring and controlling is performed by a command and control system (C/C system) that is configured to operate in conjunction with a communication device. In one configuration the communication device comprises an Interface device configured to Interface a voice communication network with a packet switched network. The C/C system may be configured to monitor or control aspects of the communication device including temperature, cooling device operation, security, drive operation, power supply output and power supply routing, system re-boots, or any other aspect of device operation. In one configuration the C/C system Interfaces with a remote location via a communication link, such as a packet switched network. Monitoring and control of various systems can be achieved from the remote location.

Claims

1-53. -53 (Canceled)

54. A system to maintain call quality over a packet switched network comprising:

a command and control system configured to monitor at least one parameter affecting functioning of one or more path interface devices through which calls are directed;

a monitoring and routing system at a remote location for monitoring a plurality of command and control systems and for routing calls between the path interface devices;

said command and control system comprising a processor to compare a value of the at least one parameter to a stored range or threshold and to generate an alarm signal in response to a value of said comparison;

said command and control system being further operable to transmit a condition-responsive report to said monitoring and routing system in the absence of an alarm condition, said monitoring and routing system analyzing data from each command and control system to generate responses thereto, and

said monitoring and routing system being responsive to the alarm signal to produce and transmit a signal indicative of a proposed action to affect the at least one parameter at said command and control system producing the alarm signal.

55. The system according to claim 54, wherein said monitoring system comprises means for providing the signal indicative of the proposed action to said command and control system and wherein said command and control system in response to the signal indicative of the proposed action controls a means to affect the at least one parameter.

56. The system according to claim 54, wherein said signal indicative of a proposed action to affect the at least one parameter at said command and control system producing the alarm signal comprises a signal to command dispatch of a repair technician.

57. The system according to claim 55, wherein the at least one parameter is temperature.

58. The system according to claim 57, wherein said means to affect the at least one parameter is a fan.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein said command and control system is housed in a pressurized housing pressurized by a fan and the at least one parameter comprises fan speed.

60. The system of claim 55, wherein the at least one parameter comprises power supplied to said interface and said means for affecting the at least one parameter comprises a switching means responsive to a failure of a power supply to said command and control unit to switch alternative power thereto.

61. A method to maintain call quality over a packet switched network comprising:

monitoring with a command and control system at least one parameter affecting functioning of one or more path interface devices through which calls are directed, said command and control system comprising a processor to compare a value of the at least one parameter to a stored range or threshold;

providing a monitoring and routing system at a remote location for monitoring a plurality of command and control systems and for routing calls between the path interface devices;

generating an alarm signal in response to a value of said comparison and providing said alarm signal to said monitoring and routing system;

operating said command and control system to transmit a condition-responsive report to said monitoring and routing system in the absence of an alarm condition;

analyzing at said monitoring and routing system data from each command and control system to generate responses thereto; and

providing from said monitoring and routing system in response to the alarm signal a signal indicative of a proposed action; and

transmitting the signal indicative of a proposed action to affect the at least one parameter at said command and control system producing the alarm signal.

62. The method of claim 61, further comprising operating said command and control system in response to the signal indicative of the proposed action to affect the at least one parameter.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein providing from said monitoring and routing system in response to said alarm signal a signal indicative of a proposed action and transmitting a signal indicative of a proposed action to affect the at least one parameter at said command and control system producing the alarm signal comprises producing a signal to command dispatch of a repair technician.

64. The method according to claim 61, wherein the at least one parameter is temperature.

65. The method according to claim 64, wherein said means to affect the at least one parameter is a fan.

66. The method of claim 61, wherein said command and control system is housed in a pressurized housing pressurized by a fan and the at least one parameter comprises fan speed.

67. The method of claim 61, wherein said at least one parameter comprises power supplied to said interface and said means for affecting said at least one parameter comprises a switching means responsive to a failure of a power supply to said command and control unit to switch alternative power thereto.