Failing resource manager in a multiplex communication system
First Claim
1. A method to analyze errors in a system, the system having a plurality of resources with replaceable units, a display, a processor, and memory means for storing decision trees, data structures, failing resource manager tasks and error analysis tasks, the resources including a diagnostics card having a processor and memory means for storing resource analysis tasks, and communication resources, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) testing said resources intermittently by said error analysis tasks invoking a card analysis task on said diagnostics card to test for an error in said communication resources in said system;
(b) detecting an error and invoking an appropriate error analysis tasks to further diagnose the cause of said error;
(c) isolating said error to a replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card;
(d) writing data to record said error in said data structure in said memory of said system;
(e) retesting said replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card;
(f) removing said replaceable unit from service if said retest detects said error;
(g) retesting said replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card to detect a return to normal operation;
(h) returning said replaceable unit to service if said error is not detected; and
(i) displaying a message indicative of said error on said display of said system.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for detecting and analyzing errors in a communications system is described. The method employs expert system techniques to isolate failures to specific field replaceable units and attempts to restore the failing unit to service by removing it from service, resetting the resource and returning it to service if it passes retesting. The expert system techniques include detailed decision trees designed for each resource in the system. The decision trees also filter extraneous sources of errors from affecting the error analysis results.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method to analyze errors in a system, the system having a plurality of resources with replaceable units, a display, a processor, and memory means for storing decision trees, data structures, failing resource manager tasks and error analysis tasks, the resources including a diagnostics card having a processor and memory means for storing resource analysis tasks, and communication resources, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) testing said resources intermittently by said error analysis tasks invoking a card analysis task on said diagnostics card to test for an error in said communication resources in said system; (b) detecting an error and invoking an appropriate error analysis tasks to further diagnose the cause of said error; (c) isolating said error to a replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card; (d) writing data to record said error in said data structure in said memory of said system; (e) retesting said replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card; (f) removing said replaceable unit from service if said retest detects said error; (g) retesting said replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card to detect a return to normal operation; (h) returning said replaceable unit to service if said error is not detected; and (i) displaying a message indicative of said error on said display of said system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for analyzing errors in a system having a plurality of communications resources with replaceable units, a display, a processor and memory means for storing data structures, decision trees, failing resource manager tasks and error analysis tasks comprising:
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(a) means for testing said resources intermittently by said error analysis tasks invoking a card analysis tack on said diagnostics card to test for an error in said communication resources in said system; (b) means for detecting an error and invoking an appropriate error analysis tasks to further diagnose the cause of said error; (c) means for isolating said error to a replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics cards; (d) means for writing data to record said error in said data structure in said memory of said system; (e) means for retesting said replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics cards; (f) means for removing said replaceable unit from service if said retest detects said error; (g) means for retesting said replaceable unit by automatically traversing said decision trees in said error analysis tasks on said diagnostics card to detect a return to normal operation; (h) means for returning said replaceable unit to service if said error is not detected; and (i) means for displaying a message indicative of said error on said display of said system. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification