Method and apparatus for correcting errors in a system

• US 5,058,113 A
• Filed: 12/16/1988
• Issued: 10/15/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telenet Communications Corporation
• Original Assignee: Sprint International Communications Corp. (Deutsche Telekom AG)
• Inventors: Ray, Lewis, Burnham, Dana
• Primary Examiner(s): Atkinson, Charles E.
• Application Number:
  US07/285,441
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 371/15.1, 371/16.4, 371/16.5, 364/513, 364/550, 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File, 364/276.5, 364/276.8, 364/276
• US Class Current: 714/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2205 using arrangements specific to the hardware being tested
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2257 using expert systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/32 with visual or acoustical indication of the functioning of the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/34 Recording or statistical evaluation of computer activity, e.g. of down time, of input/output operation ; Recording or statistical evaluation of user activity, e.g. usability assessment
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3466 Performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3476 Data logging G06F11/14, G06F11/2205 take precedence

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a computer based method for artificial intelligence with sufficient flexibility for permitting the program to be configured or adapted to different circumstances. The computer based method is provided with a simplified language which permits certain tasks to be done in a preselected sequence as determined by the user. All the tasks and the time at which they will be accomplished are set out in a job display indicating the day, the start time, the end time, the length of interval and when the next one will be accomplished. Errors, when found, are flagged and error correction strings are utilized to automatically correct the error so that the computer can move to the next job. Recordation of the job monitored and any errors found can be made in any convenient data base, including a printer, a voice signal or simply the display. This system permits the more mundane monitoring tasks to be accomplished by computer based method alerting the personnel only when needed.

Claims

1. A computer based method, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a first system to be monitored using a computer method, said first system having a number of specific variables having preselected values corresponding to said first system;

(b) selecting, using computer methods, the time at which the monitoring of the selected system will be commenced;

(c) selecting discrete intervals during the monitoring of the system at which the selected system will be monitored;

(d) recording said system selected, said time and said interval;

(e) recording and visually displaying warnings of errors when said variables are other than the preselected values.

2. The computer based method according to claim 1 further comprising the step of correcting errors in the system being monitored by referring to a database with means for correcting errors in said system being monitored, said means for correcting errors being activated when corresponding errors are found during execution of a particular job.

3. The computer based method according to claim 2 including the step of monitoring the system at a location remote from a monitoring computer by means provided for monitoring said remote system, further including the step of correcting errors by transmitting from said database command signals corresponding to error correction to said remote system.

4. The computer based method according to claim 3 including the step of providing as said remote system a second computer system, said error including said second computer system being deactivated, said means for correcting said second computer system including activating said system by connecting it to a power source, transmitting said signal to said second system upon detection of said error.

5. The computer based method according to claim 4 wherein said corrective step includes producing an audible signal as a warning.

6. The computer based method according to claim 5 wherein said audible signal as a warning includes a simulated human voice.

7. The computer based method according to claim 6 wherein said method for recording information includes transmitting information to a printer.

8. The computer based method comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting a first system to be monitored using a computer method, said first system including first preselected variables;

(b) selecting a second system to be monitored using a computer method said second system having a second set of preselected variables;

(c) selecting a first interval during which said first system will be monitored, said intervals being at different times;

(d) recording said selected variables, said interval time and said intervals;

(e) monitoring said first system during said first preselected intervals and recording the results of said first system monitoring step;

(f) monitoring said second system during said second interval and recording the results of said second system monitoring step.

9. The computer based method according to claim 8 wherein said recording step includes recording the proper operation and any errors in said monitoring steps during said intervals.

10. The computer based method according to claim 9 wherein said recording step includes displaying information on the screen.

11. The computer based method according to claim 9 wherein said recording step includes converting information obtained to an audible signal

12. The computer based method according to claim 9 wherein said recording step includes recording said information on a data base.

13. The computer based method according to claim 9 wherein said recording step includes recording information on a printer.

14. The computer based method according to claim 13 including an error correction step of sensing an error in at least one of said first and second systems, addressing a data base for correcting said error, correcting the error based on instruction of said data base and continuing said monitoring step.

15. The computer based method according to claim 14 wherein said recording step includes recording the presence of an error and said error correction.