Method and means for accessing program memory of a common control telecommunications switching system

• US 4,154,988 A
• Filed: 10/21/1977
• Issued: 05/15/1979
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Wescom Switching Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Wescom Switching Incorporated
• Inventors: Pitroda, Satyan G., Fechalos, William A., Stehman, Carl J., Min, Byung C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Thomas W.
• Application Number:
  US05/844,290
• Time in Patent Office: 571 Days
• Field of Search: 179/18 B, 179/18 BE, 179/18 D, 179/18 DA, 179/175.2 C, 179/175.2 R, 179/18 ES
• US Class Current: 379/189
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0407 using a stored programme control

Abstract

A method and means for providing a remote data station with access to the program memory of a stored program common control telecommunications switching system. The control complex has an input/output port and a modem for interfacing that port with its switching network. The control has the capability of setting up connections in the network between the modem and a selected trunk. Incoming connections to the modem are given only limited access to the stored program control, that access for the purpose of analyzing incoming data to detect a predetermined code. In the event the predetermined code is detected, the incoming connection is taken down, and an outgoing connection established to a distant station by dialing the number of an authorized station which is stored in the program memory. Full access to the program memory is then allowed, such that full access is provided only to stations whose telephone numbers are stored in the memory of the switching exchange.

Claims

1. In a telecommunications switching system having a network for completing connections and a common control driven by a program stored in a program memory, the improvement comprising an input/output port for the common control, interface means for interfacing the input/output port and the network to allow connections to be set up in the network to the input/output port, the common control including means responsive to an incoming call to a predetermined directory number for setting up a request connection in the network between the incoming circuit and the interface means, means in the common control for analyzing data received on said request connection to detect a predetermined code, the common control having a memory for storing the telephone number of an authorized remote station, means activated by detection of the predetermined code for establishing a connection in the network and signaling the digits of the stored telephone number through said connection thereby to set up an access connection to the remote station when said remote station answers, and means for transferring data between the program memory and the remote station on said access connection, whereby the program memory is accessed only by the authorized remote station.

2. The improvement as set forth in claim 1 including means for disabling data output from said input/output port to said interface means during said request connection, thereby to maintain the switching system in a passive state during said request connection.

3. In a stored program common control telecommunications switching system, having a program memory for the common control and a network for establishing connections, the improvement comprising means for setting up a request connection in the network between an incoming circuit calling a predetermined directory number and an input/output port of the common control, means for setting up an access connection in the network between the input/output port and an authorized remote station, said last mentioned means including means for storing the telephone number of the authorized remote station and setting up said access connection only on outgoing calls to said stored number, means operative during a request connection solely for analysis of data received on said request connection for detecting a predetermined identity code, means actuated upon detection of said identity code for taking down the request connection and signaling the digits of the stored number to establish said access connection, and means operative solely during the maintenance of said access connection for transfer of data between the remote station and the program memory of the common control via the network connection.

4. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means operative during a request connection includes means for taking down and signaling consecutively without instructing said remote station to return on hook.

5. The improvement as set forth in claim 3 wherein there are provided a plurality of authorized remote stations, each having an associated telephone number and an associated identity code, said means for storing including means for separately storing all of said telephone numbers, said means operative during a request connection including means for detecting an identity code received on a request connection for selecting the associated stored telephone number.

6. The improvement as set forth in claim 5 including means for disabling data output from the input/output port during said request connection so that the telecommunications switching system is passive during the request connection, providing no directions to a requesting station for establishing an access connection.

7. In a stored program common control telecommunications system having a network for establishing connections, a program memory for the common control, and interface means between the network and an input/output port of the common control for transfer of data through the network to the common control, the improvement comprising means for setting up a request connection in the network between an incoming call to a predetermined directory number and the interface means, means for storing the telephone number of an authorized remote station, means for setting up an access connection to the remote station in the network between the interface means on an outgoing call to the stored telephone number, indicator means set to one condition during an access connection and to another condition when an access connection is not set up, means for testing said indicator means upon receipt of data at said interface means, said means for testing responding to said one condition by enabling transfer of data between the program memory and the remote station connected in said network on said access connection, said means for testing responding to said other condition by enabling only the checking of received data to detect a predetermined indentity code and upon detection thereof activating the means for setting up an access connection and switching the indicator means to said one condition.

8. In a telecommunication switching system having a network for establishing connections, a stored program common control, and a program memory for the common control, the improvement comprising an input/output port for said program memory for allowing access thereto, interface means for interfacing the input/output port with the network so that connections can be set up in the network for data communication with the common control, means responsive to an incoming call to a predetermined directory number for establishing a connection in the network between the incoming circuit and the interface means, means for storing the telephone number of an authorized remote station;

said common control including speed calling means for signaling said telephone number for establishing an outgoing connection to said remote station, means for establishing a connection in the network between said interface means and the outgoing circuit, means for distinguishing between an incoming call to the interface means for operating in a first mode and an outgoing call from said interface means for operating in a second mode, means operational in the first mode for analyzing incoming data to detect a predetermined code, means operational in the second mode for transferring data between the program memory and the remote station, and means operational in said first mode and responsive to the receipt of said predetermined code for establishing an outgoing connection and switching to said second mode.

9. A method of providing an authorized remote station access to the program memory of a common control telecommunications switching system, the system having a network for setting up connections, the method comprising the steps of storing the telephone number of the authorized station in the program memory, responding to an incoming call to a predetermined directory number by setting up an incoming connection to the common control solely for receipt of data, analyzing incoming data to detect an identification code, responding to detection of the identification code by setting up a new connection in the network to the authorized station using the stored telephone number, and transferring data between the program memory and the authorized station on said new connection.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein there are provided a plurality of authorized stations, said method including the steps of storing the telephone numbers of all of said authorized stations, associating respective identification codes with the telephone numbers and selecting the telephone number identified by a received identification code by signaling the digits of the associated telephone number.

11. A method of controlling access to the program memory of a stored program common control telecommunications system, the system having a network for establishing connections, and interface means for interfacing the network with an input/output port of the common control, the method comprising the steps of storing the telephone number of an authorized remote station in the program memory, setting up an incoming connection between the interface means and an incoming circuit in response to a call to a predetermined directory number, setting up an outgoing connection in the network and signaling the digits of the stored telephone number thereon to establish a connection between the interface means and the authorized station, setting a flag to the remote on condition for the duration of an outgoing connection to the remote station, enabling full transfer of data between the program memory and the remote station via the interface means whenever said flag is set to the remote on condition, denying said full transfer when the flag is in another condition but enabling limited transfer solely for analysis of incoming data to detect an identification code, and responding to receipt of the identification code for establishing said outgoing connection.