System, method and article of manufacture to enhance computerized alert system information awareness and facilitate real-time intervention services

• US 6,275,855 B1
• Filed: 04/16/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Johnson R. Brent
• Original Assignee: Johnson R. Brent
• Inventors: Johnson, R. Brent
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Philip B.
• Application Number:
  US09/293,605
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 709/223, 709/224, 709/217, 709/203, 714/31, 714/38, 379/216, 703/26, 703/27
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2205 using arrangements specific to the hardware being tested
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/107 Terminal emulation

Abstract

An improved system, method and article of manufacture for facilitating computerized alert system information awareness, information presentation consistency and real-time intervention services is hereby disclosed. A transmitting, or monitored system central processing unit communicates alert related information to a second central processing unit. The second, or monitoring system central processing unit validates such alert information, apprises the operator of status modification with respect to all objects monitored, provides for historical, or precipitating event analysis, and facilitates the input of remedial entries by connecting to the monitored system as an operator console with input command authority. The invention additionally provides for the clearing of monitored object status indicators and a return to its intended monitoring function.

Claims

1. An computerized alert monitoring system for use with at least one transmitting system central processing unit remote from said monitoring system, said transmitting system having a console configured to communicate computer generated alert information, said system comprising:

at least one monitoring system central processing unit communicably attached to said transmitting system central processing unit;

a video display in communication with and located at said monitoring system central processing unit and said transmitting system central processing unit;

a console entry input capability in communication with ad located at said monitoring system central processing unit and in communication with said transmitting system central processing unit; and

a computer program executing within said monitoring system to receive said computer generated alert information and, upon operator action, to connect to said transmitting system and emulate console display screens of said transmitting console as well as updates thereto, said operator using said computer program to retrieve history of message activity of said display screens from said transmitting system to permit said operator to interactively analyze said transmitting system display screens, to analyze dynamic event history, and to input remedial entries.

2. The computerized alert monitoring system as recited in claim 1 wherein said monitoring system central processing unit and said transmitting system central processing unit are communicably attached by a computer network.

3. The computer program as recited in claim 1, wherein said communication with said central processing unit further comprises connecting to said central processing unit as an operator command console.

4. A computerized alert monitoring system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said computer generated alert information includes a sen icon and said operator action includes clicking on said screen icon to connect to, emulate and display screens of said transmitting console.

5. A computerized alert monitoring system as set forth in claim 1 including a memory in said transmitting system to store both said history of a plurality of said console screen displays and said plurality of system information updates to said transmitting screen displays.

6. A computerize alert monitoring system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said transmitting screen displays and said plurality of system information updates may be accessed and transmitted in reverse order.

7. A computerized alert monitoring system as set forth in claim 5 wherein said plurality of screen displays and said plurality of system information updates may be browsed.

8. A method to communicate computerized alert information between transmitting and monitoring system central processing units, comprising the steps of:

initializing an alert monitor program within a monitoring system central processing unit;

determining at least one transmitting system to be monitored by said alert monitor program;

displaying at least one representative alert upon said alert monitor video display;

awaiting a monitored alert event from said transmitting system central processing unit;

validating said alert event received from said transition system central processing unit;

modifying said representative alert;

emulating console display screens of said transmitting system using history of said displace screens from said transmitting system as well as updates;

inputting remedial entries at said monitoring system to said transmitting system central processing unit by an operator after interactively analyzing said history of said emulated display screens; and

modifying said representative alert to denote resolved alert event status.

9. A method to communicate computerized alert information as set forth in claim 8 including the steps of:

storing both a history of a plurality of said transmitting screen displays and a plurality of updates to said screen displays in said transmitting system.

10. A method to communicate computerized alert information as set forth in claim 9 including transmitting said transmitting screen displays and plurality of updates in reverse order.