Method and apparatus for providing an efficient use of telecommunication network resources

• US 5,761,432 A
• Filed: 07/15/1996
• Issued: 06/02/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ting, Peter Di-Hsian, Bergholm, Joseph O., Davis, John Michael, Lee, Shui Yee, Nadji, Behzad
• Primary Examiner(s): Voeltz, Emanuel Todd
• Assistant Examiner(s): PEESO, THOMAS R
• Application Number:
  US08/680,943
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 395/200.03, 395/200.56, 395/200.59, 364/478.04, 364/478.09, 364/479.06, 364/479.07, 705/28
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13504 client/server architectures
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13525 GUI - graphical user interface, inc. for service creation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13526 resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13547 subscriber, e.g. profile, database, database access
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0062 Provisions for network management

Abstract

An attribute design database system provides for inventory management, order process management and design management. The system operates in a telecommunications management network provisioning environment. It provides a physical network management system that includes various telecommunications network management tools. Graphical user interface facilitates the user'"'"'s navigation of the database system to enable the same person to have access to and the ability to modify information in regards to inventory management, design management and order management for the network.

Claims

1. A system for providing efficient management of network resources comprising:

workstation;

a central server; and

a network connecting said workstation and said central server;

wherein said central server includes,

a telecommunication network order management subsystem;

a subsystem for inventory management of components for a telecommunication network; and

a subsystem for design management of a telecommunication network.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said central server includes an attribute designed database wherein each subsystem is based on an attribute-based design.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein user accessibility to one of said subsystems is defined by a user group identification code.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said workstation displays a graphical user interface facilitating access to said subsystems.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said inventory management subsystem comprises means for tracking of the use and availability of telecommunication network components.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said order management subsystem comprises means for tracking orders for telecommunication facilities.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said order management subsystem further comprises means for scheduling activities related to completion of orders.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said design management subsystem comprises means for creating a telecommunication network design.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said design management subsystem further comprises means for automatically provisioning inventory to satisfy an order request.

10. A system for efficient use of resources of a telecommunication network comprising:

a first plurality of workstations;

a first local area network coupling said first plurality of workstations;

a central server; and

a wide area network coupling said first local area network to said central server;

wherein said central server includes,

a telecommunications network order management subsystem,

a subsystem for inventory management of a telecommunication network, and

a subsystem for design management for a telecommunication network.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein said central server includes an attribute designed database wherein each subsystem is based on an attribute-base design.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein user accessibility to one of said subsystems is defined by a user group identification code.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein said workstation displays a graphical user interface facilitating access to said subsystems.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein said inventory management subsystem comprises means for tracking of the use and availability of telecommunication network components.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein said order management subsystem comprises means for tracking orders for telecommunication facilities.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein said design management subsystem comprises means for creating a telecommunication network design.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said design management subsystem further comprises means for automatically provisioning inventory to satisfy an order request.

18. A system for efficient use of resources of a telecommunication network comprising:

a first plurality of workstations;

a first local area network coupling said first plurality of workstations;

a central server wherein said central server comprises;

an order management subsystem,

an inventory management subsystem, and

a design management subsystem

a wide area network coupling said first local area network to said central server;

a second plurality of workstations; and

a second local area network coupling said second plurality of workstations, wherein said wide area network couples said second local area network to said central server.

19. The system of claim 18 further comprising a third plurality of workstations and a third local area network coupling said third plurality of workstations and wherein said third local area network further couples said third plurality of workstations to said central server.

20. A method for providing an adaptable system that provides efficient management of network resources the method comprising the steps of:

defining a plurality of generic attribute classes;

associating network features with specific attribute values based on said defined plurality of generic attribute classes; and

integrating the associated specific attribute values with a central server adapted to provide a plurality of management subsystems.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein said plurality of generic attribute classes are defined by a generic code, wherein said attribute values are determined by a first set of user defined data rules;

and wherein the combination of said generic code and said attribute values yields a database suitable to manage a first-type network.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein a second set of attribute values are determined by a second set of user defined data rules and wherein the combination of said generic code and said second set of attributable values yields a database suitable to manage a second-type network.