System and method for automatically detecting root causes of switching connection failures in a telephone network
First Claim
1. A system for operating an analog telephone switching machine having a first plurality of paired line link and trunk link networks, each of the paired networks having a second plurality of sequentially interlinked switch stages, each of the switch stages having multiple grids with input levels and output levels interconnectable at crosspoints by respective relay switches and interconnectable between switch stages by links to form call connection paths, and pulse order objects being provided in a third plurality of pulse paths for energizing the crosspoint relays, the system comprising:
- a controller for generating network call connection orders and operating the pulse devices to implement the network orders;
said controller generating a post-connection continuity check and generating an error message if the continuity check indicates that the ordered connection has failed;
means for processing the error messages generated over time to identify the root cause of connection failures;
said processing means having means for identifying failed crosspoints from error messages that represent failed crosspoints; and
said processing means having means for identifying failed pulse path objects from error messages that represent failed pulse paths.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An operating system is provided for an analog switching machine having switch fabric formed by multiple line and trunk link networks having interconnected switch stages with each switch stage having multiple grid connections and makes post-connection continuity checks. Error messages are generated for connection faults and sent to a monitor and analyzer computer. The error messages are automatically processed to identify the root causes of connection faults, i.e. to detect open and stuck crosspoints, faulty interstage links and faulty pulse path devices. The analyzer computer further generates command signals that provide for removal of faulty crosspoints and other failed elements from analog switching machine operation.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for operating an analog telephone switching machine having a first plurality of paired line link and trunk link networks, each of the paired networks having a second plurality of sequentially interlinked switch stages, each of the switch stages having multiple grids with input levels and output levels interconnectable at crosspoints by respective relay switches and interconnectable between switch stages by links to form call connection paths, and pulse order objects being provided in a third plurality of pulse paths for energizing the crosspoint relays, the system comprising:
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a controller for generating network call connection orders and operating the pulse devices to implement the network orders; said controller generating a post-connection continuity check and generating an error message if the continuity check indicates that the ordered connection has failed; means for processing the error messages generated over time to identify the root cause of connection failures; said processing means having means for identifying failed crosspoints from error messages that represent failed crosspoints; and said processing means having means for identifying failed pulse path objects from error messages that represent failed pulse paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 29, 31)
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5. A system for operating an analog telephone switching machine having a first plurality of paired line link and trunk link networks, each of the paired networks having a second plurality of sequentially interlinked switch stages, each of the switch stages having multiple grids with input levels and output levels interconnectable at crosspoints by respective relay switches and interconnectable between switch stages by links to form call connection paths, and pulse order objects being provided in a third plurality of pulse paths for energizing the crosspoint relays, the system comprising:
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a controller for generating network call connection orders and operating the pulse devices to implement the network orders; said controller generating a post-connection continuity check and generating an error message if the continuity check indicates that the ordered connection has failed; means for processing the error messages generated over time to identify the root cause of connection failures; said processing means having means for identifying failed crosspoints from error messages that represent failed crosspoints; and means for removing from operation crosspoints identified as having failed.
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23. A method for operating an analog switching machine having a first plurality of paired line link and trunk link networks, each of the paired networks having a second plurality of sequentially interlinked switch stages, each of the switch stages having multiple grids with input levels and output levels interconnectable at crosspoints by respective relay switches and interconnectable between switch stages by links to form call connection paths, and pulse order objects being provided in a fourth plurality of pulse paths for energizing the crosspoint relays, the method steps comprising:
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generating network call connection orders and operating the pulse devices to implement the network orders; generating a post-connection continuity check and generating an error message if the continuity check indicates that the ordered connection has failed; processing the error messages generated over time to identify the root cause of connection failures; identifying failed crosspoints from error messages that represent failed crosspoints; and identifying failed pulse path objects from error messages that represent failed pulse paths. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 32)
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Specification