Exchange system

• US 6,167,053 A
• Filed: 01/28/1998
• Issued: 12/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Sato, Shuichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Wellington
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, PRENELL P
• Application Number:
  US09/014,597
• Time in Patent Office: 1,063 Days
• Field of Search: 370/410, 370/409, 370/358, 370/397, 370/338, 370/219, 370/395, 370/445, 370/313, 714/797, 717/11, 709/212, 709/218, 455/518, 455/462
• US Class Current: 370/410
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13166 Fault prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13167 Redundant apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54566 Intelligent peripherals, adjunct processors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/625 Arrangements in the private branch exchange

Abstract

An exchange system comprises a main device including a plurality of interface sections each containing one of an extension terminal, an office line, and a private line, and a plurality of exchange control systems. The exchange system also comprises a control data management device connected to the main device and including a data storage section for storing a number of control data items, wherein each of the plurality of exchange control systems includes an exchange section for arbitrarily exchanging connections of the interface sections, and a first request section for requesting a control data item necessary for an exchange service to be provided, from the control data management device. The control data management device includes a requested data output section for reading the control data item requested by the first request section and for outputting the control data item to the main device. Each of the plurality of exchange control systems includes an exchange control section for controlling each of the exchange section and the plurality of interface sections, based on the control data item outputted from the requested data output section, where any of the exchange control systems is defined as an active system.

Claims

1. An exchange system comprising:

a main device including a plurality of interface sections each containing one of an extension terminal, an office line, and a private line, and a plurality of exchange control systems;

a control data management device connected to said main device and including a data storage section for storing control data items,

wherein each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes an exchange section for exchanging connections of said interface sections, and a first request section for requesting a control data item necessary for an exchange service to be provided to said control data management device,

said control data management device includes a requested data output section for reading the control data item requested by said first request section from said data storage section and for outputting the control data item to said main device,

each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes

an exchange control section for controlling said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections, based on the control data item outputted from the requested data output section, where said each of said plurality of exchange control systems is defined as an active system, and

a control data storage section for storing the control data item outputted by said requested data output section,

each of said first request sections requests to said control data management device, a control data item which is not stored in said control data storage section among control data items necessary for an exchange service to be performed by a control system whose first request section is requesting, and

each of said exchange control sections controls said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections, based on the control data item outputted from said requested data output section and the control data items stored in said control data storage section, when said exchange control system including said each of said exchange control sections is defined as an active system.

2. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein each of said first request sections requests, to said control data management device, a predetermined control data item among the number of control data items, when said exchange control system including said each of said first request sections defined as an active system is started.

3. An exchange system according to claim 2, wherein each of said first request sections requests, to said control data management device, a predetermined control data item among the number of control data items, even when said exchange control system including said each of said first request sections defined as a stand-by system is started.

4. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein

each of the plurality of exchange control systems includes a data rewrite command receiving section for receiving a control data change request supplied though the plurality of interface sections, and for instructing said control data management device of a control data item to be changed and a content of a change, in accordance with the change request, and

said control data management device includes a first control data changing section for changing a control data item stored in said control data storage section, in accordance with an instruction by the data change command receiving section.

5. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein

each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes a data rewrite command receiving section for receiving a control data change request supplied though the plurality of interface sections, and for instructing said control data management device of a control data item to be changed and a content of a change, in accordance with the change request,

said control data management device includes a first control data rewrite section for changing a control data item stored in said control data storage section, in accordance with an instruction by said data rewrite command receiving section, and a first notification section for notifying said main device of a correct completion of the change of the control data item, and

each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes a first control data rewrite section for rewriting a corresponding control data item in said control data storage section in accordance with a notification from said first notification section.

6. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein said control data management device includes a second control data change section for receiving a predetermined control data change request and for changing a control data item stored in said control data storage section, in accordance with said control data change request.

7. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein

said control data management device includes a second control data change section for receiving a predetermined control data change request and for changing a control data item stored in said control data storage section, in accordance with said control data change request, and a second notification section for notifying said main device of a correct completion of the change of the control data item by said second control data change section, and

each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes a second control data change section for changing a corresponding control data item in said control data storage section in accordance with a notification from said second notification section.

8. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes:

an acquirement status determining section for determining whether or not a control data requested by said first request section is acquired correctly, where any of said exchange control systems is defined as an active system;

a second request section for requesting a control system defined as a stand-by system to send a corresponding control data item if said acquirement status determining section determines that a control data item has not been correctly outputted to said main device, where a control system is defined as an active system; and

a requested data transfer section for transferring a corresponding control data item to a control system requesting, if a control data item corresponding to a request from said second request section is stored in said control data storage section, and

if a control data item is transferred by said requested data transfer section, said exchange control section continues to control said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections in accordance with the control data item, and if no control data item is transferred by said requested data transfer section, said exchange control section stops controlling said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections.

9. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes:

an external storage section for storing a control data item outputted from said requested data output section, at a predetermined timing;

an acquirement status determining section for determining whether or not a control data requested by said first request section has been acquired correctly, where any of said exchange control systems is defined as an active system; and

a control data retrieve section for retrieving a corresponding control data item from control data items stored in said external storage device and for reading the corresponding control data item, if said acquirement status determining section determines that a control data item has not been correctly outputted to said main device, and

if the corresponding control data item is read by said control data retrieve section, said exchange control section continues to control said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections in accordance with the control data item, and if no control data item is read by said control data retrieve section, said exchange control section stops controlling said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections.

10. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein

said exchange control section of each of the plurality of exchange control systems includes an exchange program for controlling said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections, such that the exchange program can be updated,

each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes a program version notification section for notifying said control data management section, of the type of the exchange program of said control system, and

said control data management device includes a control data conversion section for converting a control data item requested by said first request section, into a format corresponding to the type notified by said program version notification section provided in the control system requesting, and for thereafter making said requested data output section output the control data item to said main device.

11. An exchange system according to claim 1, wherein each of said exchange control systems includes:

a storage area monitor section for determining whether or not an empty area exists for storing a new control data item; and

a control data erase section for obtaining an empty area by erasing a predetermined control data item among control data items stored in said control data storage section at a time point at which a determination is made by said storage area monitor section, if said storage area monitor section determines that no empty area for storing a new control data item exists in said control data storage section, when acquiring a new control data item, and

a control data item newly acquired is stored into the empty area obtained by said control data erase section.

12. An exchange system according to claim 11, wherein said control data erase section erases one of a control data item acquired last, a control data item to which said exchange control section referred earliest, and a control data item to which said exchange control section referred at a lowermost frequency.

13. An exchange system according to claim 12, wherein said control data erase section erases one of a control data item acquired last, a control data item to which said exchange control section referred earliest, or a control data item to which said exchange control section referred at a lowermost frequency, among control data items other than the predetermined control data item.

14. An exchange system containing at least one control system and managed with use of a memory or an external storage device, by associating a control data item necessary for said control system to provide an exchange service, with an ID of the control data item, the system comprising:

an analysis section for analyzing a control data change request relating to registration, change, and deletion of the control data item, from an external input device or a telephone terminal;

a change processing section for performing change processing corresponding to the control data change request, based on an analysis result of the analysis section; and

a control data change history control section for generating a control data change history information item, by associating a context of a control data item as a target to be processed, after a change, with an ID of the control data item, when the change processing is performed, and for storing the control data item into said memory and/or said external storage device,

wherein when said system starts or the control data change request is issued, the control data change history information item stored in said memory or said external storage device is analyzed, and change processing of the control data change history information item in said memory is performed again in accordance with the control data change history information item.

15. An exchange system according to claim 14, further comprising a change processing start control section for performing change processing on a control data item stored in said storage section, based on the control data change history item, when a control data change history information storage area exceeds a preset storage capacity in said memory or said external storage device, or for every control data change request from said external input device and said telephone terminal.

16. An exchange system according to claim 14, further comprising an erase section for erasing the control data change history information item in said memory or said external storage device, when data in said memory is stored into said external storage device, or when change processing is performed on a control data item stored in said external storage device, based on the control data change history information item.

17. An exchange system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a comparison section for comparing a context of a control data item in said memory with a context of a control data item in said external storage device; and

means for changing the control data item in said memory by referring to a control data change history stored in said operating memory and said external storage device if both of the contexts are not equal to each other, and by referring to the control data item in said external storage device if a corresponding control data change history information item is not stored in the control data change history.

18. An exchange system containing at least one control system and comprising a system main section having a memory for storing a control data item necessary for said control system to provide an exchange service, and a management device connected to said system main section through a communication path and having a function of registering, changing, and deleting the control data item, for performing operation management of said system main section,

wherein said management device comprises:

a control data file generating section for generating a control data file including a control data ID for identifying a control data item, and a control data item corresponding to the control data ID, for every control data item inputted from an external input device;

a storage section for storing the control data file; and

a transfer control section for transferring the control data file stored in said storage section, to said system main section through said communication path; and

said system main section comprises;

a reception control section for controlling reception of the control data file transferred from said management device;

a temporary storage section for temporarily storing the control data file received by said reception control section; and

a control data update processing section for storing the control data file stored in said temporary storage section, into said operating memory, thereby to update a corresponding control data item, when said system of itself starts operating.

19. An exchange system according to claim 18, wherein said control data file generating section includes a control data compatibility processing section for processing a control data item inputted, so as to be a control data file of a format which can be dealt with by said system main section.

20. An exchange system according to claim 19, wherein

said control data compatibility processing section includes a first recording section for adding information concerning at least a type of data, a length of data, and an order of bytes forming data, to each of the control data ID in the control data file inputted and the control data context corresponding to the control data ID, and for recording the control data file into the storage section, in the order of bytes forming data, and

said control data update processing section includes a first read section for reading the control data file stored in said temporary storage section, into said operating memory, in a manner in which the control data ID and the data context corresponding to the control data ID are read in accordance with the type of data, the length of data, and the order of bytes forming data, recorded in the control data file.

21. An exchange system according to claim 19, wherein

said control data compatibility processing section is constituted by a second recording section for adding information concerning at least a type of data, a length of data, and an order of bytes forming data, to each of the control data ID in the control data file inputted and the control data context corresponding to the control data ID, and for recording the control data file into said storage section, in the order of bytes forming data, and

said control data update processing section includes a second read section for reading the control data file stored in said temporary storage section, into said operating memory, in a manner in which the control data ID and the data context corresponding to the control data ID are read in accordance with the type of data, the length of data, and the order of bytes forming data, recorded in the control data file.

22. An exchange system according to claim 18, wherein said management device comprises:

a determining section for determining whether the control data file inputted is of a format which can be read by said system main section; and

a conversion section for converting the control data file into a format which can be read by said system main section can read if the control data file is determined as not being of a format which can be read by said system main section.

23. An exchange system according to claim 22, wherein

said management device includes a function property acquirement section for obtaining function property information representing a function of said main system body, and

said determining section makes a determination, based on the function property information obtained from said system main section.

24. An exchange system according to claim 23, wherein the function property information contains at least a type of said system main section, a model thereof, a CPU type thereof, and a version of an exchange program thereof.

25. An exchange system according to claim 22, wherein

said management device includes a function property setting section for setting the function property information inputted from said external input device, and

said determining section makes a determination, based on the function property information obtained from said system main section.

26. An exchange system according to claim 25, wherein the function property information contains at least a type of said system main section, a model thereof, a CPU type thereof, and a version of an exchange program thereof.

27. An exchange system comprising:

a main device including a plurality of interface sections each containing one of an extension terminal, an office line, and a private line, and a plurality of exchange control systems; and

a control data management device connected to said main device and including a data storage section for storing control data items,

wherein each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes an exchange section for exchanging connections of said interface sections, and a first request section for requesting a control data item necessary for an exchange service to be provided to said control data management device,

said control data management device includes a requested data output section for reading the control data item requested by said first request section from said data storage section and for outputting the control data item to said main device,

each of said plurality of exchange control systems includes

an exchange control section for controlling said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections, based on the control data item outputted from the requested data output section, where said each of said plurality of exchange control systems is defined as an active system and said exchange control section of each of the plurality of exchange control systems includes an exchange program for controlling said exchange section and the plurality of interface sections, such that the exchange program can be updated, and

a program version notification section for notifying said control data management section, of the type of the exchange program of said control system, and

said control data management device includes a control data conversion section for converting a control data item requested by said first request section, into a format corresponding to the type notifed by said program version notification section provided in the control system requesting, and for thereafter making said requested data output section output the control data item to said main device.