Methods and systems for data collection and processing in association with service performed in a telecommunications system

• US 6,771,744 B1
• Filed: 03/21/2002
• Issued: 08/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Steven G., Schwaiger, Gary P., Hughes, Jeffery Lynn, Cotter, Timothy Andrew, Medlin, Dennis Ray, Davis, Mitchell E.
• Primary Examiner(s): FOSTER, ROLAND G
• Application Number:
  US10/103,045
• Time in Patent Office: 866 Days
• Field of Search: 379/1.01, 379/9-1-, 379/9.03, 379/9.04, 379/29.01, 379/37.01, 379/93.01, 379/93.05, 379/93.06, 379/29.1, 379/90.01, 714/1, 714/2, 714/3, 714/25, 714/27, 714/28, 714/48, 714/57, 714/100, 709/217
• US Class Current: 379/67.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/30 for subscriber's lines , for the local loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/308 Craftsperson test terminals

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for collecting and transmitting data obtained in association with service performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system. One method embodiment includes the steps of: accessing an access device operatively connected to a technician server of the telecommunications system; displaying at least one screen on the access device, wherein the screen is adapted to receive data collected in association with the service performed at the customer location; completing the screen with at least a portion of the collected data; and, transmitting the completed screen to the technician server. Computer-readable media embodiments of the present methods are also provided. One system embodiment includes at least one access device operatively associated with a technician server. The access device is configured to display at least one screen adapted to receive data collected in association with the service performed at the customer location. The access device is also configured to complete the screen with the collected data. In addition, the technician server is configured to receive at least one completed screen.

Claims

1. A method for collecting and transmitting data obtained in association with service performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system, said method comprising the steps of:

accessing an access device operatively connected to a technician server of said telecommunications system;

displaying at least one screen on said access device, said screen adapted to receive data collected in association with said service performed at said customer service location, wherein said service performed at said customer service location includes digital subscriber line service;

completing said screen with at least a portion of said collected data;

transmitting said completed screen to said technician server; and

comparing at least one creation date for data in said access device with at least one corresponding creation date for said data in an administration system of said telecommunications system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising not permitting access to said access device until said completing step is performed.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising not permitting access to said access device until a confirmation is received that said transmitting step has been performed successfully.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising processing said collected data in said transmitted screen in at least one legacy system of said telecommunications system.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting at least one updated screen in connection with said comparing step.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising permitting access to said collected data in said completed screen by at least one service provider.

7. A system for collecting and transmitting data obtained in association with service performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system, said system comprising:

at least one access device operatively associated with a technician server,

said access device configured to display at least one screen adapted to receive data collected in association with said service performed at said customer service location, said access device configured to complete said screen with said collected data, wherein said service performed at said customer service location includes digital subscriber line service,

said technician server configured to receive at least one said completed screen, and

said technician server configured to compare at least one creation date for data in said access device with at least one corresponding creation date for said data in an administration system of said telecommunications system.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising at least one legacy system operatively associated with said technician server, said legacy system being adapted for receiving said collected data from said completed screen.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising an administration system operatively associated with said technician server, said administration system including at least one data field corresponding to at least one data field of said screen.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said data field includes a stamp indicative of a creation date of said data field.

11. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for assisting a computer system to perform a method for collecting and transmitting data obtained in association with service performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system, said method comprising the steps of:

accessing an access device operatively connected to a technician server of said telecommunications system;

displaying at least one screen on said access device, said screen adapted to receive data collected in association with said service performed at said customer service location, wherein said service performed at said customer service location includes digital subscriber line service;

completing said screen with at least a portion of said collected data;

transmitting said completed screen to said technician server; and

comparing at least one creation date for data in said access device with at least one corresponding creation date for said data in an administration system of said telecommunications system.

12. The medium of claim 11, further comprising not permitting access to said access device until said completing step is performed.

13. The medium of claim 11, further comprising not permitting access to said access device until a confirmation is received that said transmitting step has been performed successfully.

14. The medium of claim 11, further comprising processing said collected data in said transmitted screen in at least one legacy system of said telecommunications system.

15. The medium of claim 11, further comprising transmitting at least one updated screen in connection with said comparing step.

16. The medium of claim 11, further comprising permitting access to said data collected in said completed screen by at least one service provider.

17. A system for collecting and transmitting data obtained in association with service performed by a technician at a customer service location in a telecommunications system, said system comprising:

access means operatively connected to a server means of said telecommunications system;

means for displaying at least one data collection means on said access means, said data collection means adapted to receive data collected in association with said service performed at said customer service location, wherein said service performed at said customer service location includes digital subscriber line service;

means for completing said data collection means with at least a portion of said collected data;

means for transmitting said completed data collection means to said server; and

means for comparing at least one creation date for data in said access means with at least one corresponding creation date for said data in an administration means of said telecommunications system.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for not permitting access to said access means until said data collection means is completed.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for not permitting access to said access means until a confirmation is received that said means for transmitting has successfully transmitted said completed data collection means.

20. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for processing said collected data in said completed data collection means.

21. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for transmitting at least one updated data collection means in connection with the determination of said means for comparing.

22. The system of claim 17, further comprising means for permitting access to said collected data in said completed data collection means by at least one service provider.