Method and configuration for replacing a faulty module, particularly a faulty module within a digital exchange installation

• US 6,691,243 B1
• Filed: 08/14/2000
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Belgardt, Eckhardt, Bittermann, Hans, Steinigke, Klaus, Köpp, Jörg
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wilson, Yolanda L
• Application Number:
  US09/637,591
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 714/3, 714/44, 714/56, 714/57, 714/46, 361/679, 324/556
• US Class Current: 714/3
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/10 Providing fault- or trouble-signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/12 Marking faulty circuits "busy"; Enabling equipment to disengage itself from faulty circuits ; Using redundant circuits; Response of a circuit, apparatus or system to an error
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/20 Testing circuits or apparatus; Circuits or apparatus for detecting, indicating, or signalling faults or troubles

Abstract

Different conditions of a module are indicated by means of at least one visual indicator element, for instance in the form of a light emitting diode, mounted visibly on the module. Pressing a repair key initiates a repair condition, in which the actions and control procedures necessary for taking the faulty module out of service are carried out, and also causes a newly inserted module in a module frame to be automatically recognized, prompts a test function and causes the new module to be automatically put into service upon passing a test procedure.

Claims

1. In a method of replacing a faulty module in a module frame for a digital branch exchange, wherein:

a faulty condition of the module in the module frame is indicated in accordance with an extent of an effect of the faulty condition, with at least one visual indicator element mounted visibly on the module;

an out-of service condition is indicated with one or more of the visual indicator elements once the module has been taken out of service; and

after a new module has been inserted in place of the faulty module in the module frame, a test-function performance condition and the subsequent in-service condition of the new module are indicated, as appropriate;

the method comprising the steps of;

pressing a repair key assigned to the module of the digital branch exchange for initiating a repair condition, wherein actions and control procedures required for taking the faulty module out of service are carried out, and for causing the new module inserted in the module frame to be automatically recognized; and

for initiating a test function and an automatic placement into service of the new module in dependence on a positive test result obtained in the test function.

2. The method according to claim 1, which comprises suppressing alarm and fault messages conventionally prompted when the faulty module is removed from the module frame during the repair condition, and limiting the repair condition to a predetermined period of time.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the module and the module frame form a part of a digital exchange installation, and the method further comprises configuring necessary actions and control procedures for taking the faulty module out of service such that, during the repair condition, no new connections are set up and existing connections are maintained.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the existing connections are maintained for their entire duration.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the existing connections are maintained for a limited period of time.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of assigning a function of the repair key to a respective plurality of the modules.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of mounting the repair key on a module frame containing one or more modules.

12. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the repair key is mounted on a module frame containing one or more modules.

8. An apparatus for of replacing a faulty module in a module frame for a digital branch exchange, wherein:

a faulty condition of the module in the module frame is indicated in accordance with an extent of an effect of the faulty condition, with at least one visual indicator element mounted visibly on the module;

an out-of service condition is indicated with one or more of the visual indicator elements once the module has been taken out of service; and

after a new module has been inserted in place of the faulty module in the module frame, a test-function performance condition and the subsequent in-service condition of the new module are indicated, as appropriate;

the apparatus comprising;

a repair key assigned to the module of the digital branch exchange for initiating a repair condition, wherein actions and control procedures required for taking the faulty module out of service are carried out, and for causing the new module inserted in the module frame to be automatically recognized, and

for initiating a test function and an automatic placement into service of the new module in dependence on a positive test result obtained in the test function.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the repair key is individually assigned to each module.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the repair key is individually mounted on the module.

11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the repair key is functionally assigned to a respective plurality of the modules.