Automated test call generation and execution system

• US 5,809,108 A
• Filed: 09/27/1996
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Bartholomew, Scot, Tsai, Charlie C., Thompson, Ira A., Liese, William R.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/722,513
• Time in Patent Office: 718 Days
• Field of Search: 379/1, 379/9-17, 379/32, 379/34, 379/207, 379/230, 379/22, 379/24, 379/27, 379/29, 370/242, 370/244, 370/250, 370/251, 370/252
• US Class Current: 379/10.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2254 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/323 for the arrangements providing the connection (test connection, test call, call simulation)
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/045 Selection or connection testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1316 Service observation, testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13335 Simulation, emulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 Signaling in general, in-band signalling

Abstract

A test system and method that generates and executes test calls and verifies signaling for test calls using in-band, out-of-band and ISDN signaling. The test system captures signaling data from the origination and termination sides of test calls that use both in band, out-of-band and ISDN signaling techniques. The captured data is saved in a computer file and stored in a computer database for subsequent use. When the test case is subsequently executed, the captured data is retrieved from the database and used to verify signaling data by comparing the captured data from the test call with the previously captured data. The test case generator builds test calls by presenting to a user, a menu for each step in a test call. The user creates test calls by selecting list items and by entering keyboard data where appropriate. In this fashion, test calls are created without needing specialized knowledge of specific languages used by test call execution systems.

Claims

1. An automated test call system, coupled with a telecommunications network, comprising:

a controller;

a call generator coupled with said controller comprising;

a first in-band test set, coupled between the telecommunications network and the controller, configured to function as a test call originator

a second in-band test set, coupled between said test call originator and said controller, configured to monitor the signaling bits of said test call originator;

a third in-band test set, coupled between the telecommunications network and said controller, configured to function as a test call terminator; and

a fourth in-band test set, coupled between said call terminator and said controller, configured to monitor the signaling bits of said terminator;

a database coupled to said controller; and

a user interface coupled to said controller.

2. The automated test system of claim 1, wherein the input port of said first in-band test set is coupled with the output port of said second inband-test set, and the output port of said first in-band test set is coupled with said input port of said second in-band test set.

3. The automated test system of claim 1, wherein the input port of said third in-band test set is coupled with the output port of said fourth inband-test set, and the output port of said third in-band test set is coupled with said input port of said fourth in-band test set.

4. An automated test call system, coupled with a telecommunications network, comprising:

a controller;

a call generator coupled with said controller comprising;

a first out-of-band protocol analyzer, coupled between the test network and said controller, configured to monitor test call signaling data and to originate test calls;

a second out-of-band protocol analyzer, coupled between the test network and the controller, configured to monitor test call signaling data and to terminate test calls;

a signal transfer point coupled to the test network, said first out-of-band protocol analyzer and second out-of-band protocol analyzer;

a database coupled to said controller; and

a user interface coupled to said controller.

5. The automated test call system of claim 4, further comprising:

an in-band test set, coupled between the telecommunications network and said controller and capable of functioning as either a test call originator or terminator.

6. The automated test call system of claim 4, further comprising a modem coupled between said controller and said first out-of-band protocol analyzer.

7. A method for testing signaling data for telephone calls connected to a telecommunications network, comprising the steps of:

(1) creating a test call script including the steps of;

(a) executing a test call generation program;

(b) defining each test call parameter by either selecting an item from a pre-defined list or by entering data into a test call parameter data entry field, said defining step including the steps of;

(I) identifying an originating trunk;

(ii) identifying a terminating trunk;

(iii) identifying a called party telephone number; and

(iv) identifying a signaling template; and

(c) saving the test call script;

(2) creating a test call template comprising the steps of;

(a) executing the test call script to begin a benchmark test call;

(b) capturing signaling data from the benchmark test call;

(c) saving the signaling data captured from the benchmark test call to a computer data file to create a test call template;

(3) executing the test call script to begin a diagnostic test call;

(4) capturing signaling data from the diagnostic test call;

(5) comparing the signaling data from the diagnostic test call with signaling data from the test call template; and

(6) reporting the results from said comparing step.

8. The method of claim 7, whereby step (1) (b) further comprises:

(i) entering an identification for the test call script;

(ii) identifying an originating trunk channel; and

(iv) identifying a terminating trunk channel.

9. A computer program-product including a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for creating a test call script to be executed by a controller coupled with a call generator, wherein said call generator is driven by pre-defined commands sent by the controller, and comprises first and second in-band test sets for monitoring and originating test calls, and second and third in-band test sets for monitoring and terminating test calls, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

presenting means for enabling the computer to present to a user, a test call generation screen, whereby the user is prompted to enter each test call parameter by either selecting a list item from a predefined list of test call parameters or by entering data into a test call parameter entry field; and

translating means for enabling the computer to translate the test call parameters from said presenting means into a test case script comprising a list of pre-defined commands for the call generator.

10. The computer program-product of claim 9, wherein said translating means comprises:

reading means for enabling the computer to read a test call parameter from the list of test call parameters entered from said presenting means; and

(b) converting means for enabling the computer to convert the test call parameter from said reading means into at least one pre-defined command for the test call generator.

11. A computer program-product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for enabling a computer to test signaling data for telephone calls connected to a telecommunications network, wherein said computer program logic comprises:

(1) test call script creation means for enabling the computer to create a test call script, said test call script creation means including;

(a) first execution means for enabling the computer to execute a test call generation program;

(b) input means for enabling the computer to accept test call parameters from a user by presenting selectable predefined list items or data entry fields, so that the user can specify test call parameters including;

an originating trunk;

a terminating trunk;

a called party telephone number; and

a signaling template; and

(c) first storage means for enabling the computer to save the test call script;

(2) test call template creation means for enabling the computer to create a test call template, said test call template creation means including;

(a) second execution means for enabling the computer to execute the test call script created by said test call script creation means;

(b) first capture means for enabling the computer to capture signaling data from the test call executed by said second execution means;

(c) second storage means for enabling the computer to save the signaling data from said first capture means;

(3) means for enabling the computer to execute the test call script created by said test call script creation means to begin a test call;

(4) second capture means for enabling the computer to capture signaling data from the test call;

(5) compare means for enabling the computer to compare the signaling data from said second capture means with the signaling data from said first capture means; and

(6) means for enabling the computer to report results from said compare means.

12. The computer program-product of claim 11, wherein said input means further comprises:

means for enabling the computer to accept input from a user to provide a name for the test call script;

means for enabling the computer to accept input from a user to select an originating trunk channel; and

means for enabling the computer to accept input from a user to select a terminating trunk channel.

13. A method for creating a test call script to be executed by a controller coupled with a call generator that is driven by pre-defined commands sent by the controller, said call generator comprising a first out-of-band protocol analyzer for monitoring signaling data and originating test calls, and a second out-of-band protocol analyzer for monitoring signaling data and terminating test calls, said method comprising the steps of:

presenting to a user a test call generation screen, wherein the user is prompted to enter each test call parameter by either selecting a list item from a predefined list of test call parameters or by entering data into a test call parameter entry field; and

translating the test call parameters from said presenting step into a test case script comprising a list of pre-defined commands for the call generator.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said translating step comprises the steps of:

reading a test call parameter entered from said presenting step; and

converting the test call parameter from said reading step into a pre-defined command for the test call generator.