Method and apparatus for importing digital switching system data into a spreadsheet program

• US 7,360,153 B1
• Filed: 01/17/2000
• Issued: 04/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Abramo, Loredana
• Primary Examiner(s): HUYNH, CONG LAC T
• Application Number:
  US09/483,745
• Time in Patent Office: 3,011 Days
• Field of Search: 715/503, 715/500, 715/504, 715/509, 715/530, 370/250, 370/251, 709/200
• US Class Current: 715/212
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database

Abstract

A method and apparatus for importing digital switching system data into a spreadsheet program. Via the switch data examiner of the present invention, raw data from a digital switch/switching system such as the 5ESS® is converted by the switch data examiner to a format compatible with a spread sheet such as Microsoft® Excel, and output to worksheets and workbooks of the spreadsheet for easy accessing, and modifying data by users such as customer technical support engineers, testers, and Operation, Administration and Maintenance personnel. In contradistinction to the prior art, the user need not access the switch data one entry at a time, or download all data into a text file or the like, for time-consuming perusal, and need not have extensive knowledge of the commands associated with the particular switching system database.

Claims

1. In a telecommunication system, a method of retrieving data from a digital switching system, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving raw switch data from a digital switching system, wherein the raw switch data is stored by the digital switching system in a switch database;

via a converter, converting said raw switch data into a format compatible with a predefined spreadsheet program; and

outputting converted data to and storing said converted data in at least one predefined workbook of said spreadsheet program.

2. The method in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

prior to said receiving, converting and outputting steps, installing said digital switching system; and

performing said receiving, converting and outputting steps as part of a New Product Introduction test.

3. The method in claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

using the output of said converter as a layout, preparing scripts containing Database Modification Commands;

transferring said scripts to said digital switching system; and

via said digital switching system, executing said scripts to modify the switch database associated with the raw switch data.

4. The method in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

prior to said receiving, converting and outputting steps, installing said digital switching system; and

performing said receiving, converting and outputting steps as part of a Customer Acceptance test.

5. The method in claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

using the output of said converter as a layout, preparing scripts containing Database Modification Commands;

transferring said scripts to said digital switching system; and

via said digital switching system, executing said scripts to modify the switch database associated with the raw switch data.

6. The method in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

using the output of said converter as a layout, preparing scripts containing Database Modification Commands;

transferring said scripts to said digital switching system; and

via said digital switching system, executing said scripts to modify the switch database associated with the raw switch data.

7. The method in claim 1 wherein the raw switch data includes at least one of hardware change data, software change data, switching activity data, testing data, troubleshooting data, and new product installation data.

8. The method in claim 1 wherein the raw switch data includes recent change and verify data.

9. The method in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

preparing scripts containing Database Modification Commands;

transferring said scripts to said digital switching system; and

via said digital switching system, executing said scripts to modify the switch database associated with the raw switch data.

10. In a telecommunication system, an apparatus for retrieving data from a digital switching system, said apparatus comprising:

a data receiver adapted to receive raw switch data from a digital switching system, wherein the raw switch data is stored by the digital switching system in a switch database;

a data converter coupled to said data receiver, said data converter adapted to convert said raw switch data into a format compatible with a predefined spreadsheet program; and

a data output device coupled to an output of said data converter, said data output device adapted to transmit and store converted data to at least one predefined workbook of said spreadsheet program.

11. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein the operation of said data receiver, data converter and data output device are adapted to be triggered via a user'"'"'s “

Make Workbook”

Command.

12. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein the raw switch data includes at least one of hardware change data, software change data, switching activity data, testing data, troubleshooting data, and new product installation data.

13. The apparatus in claim 10 wherein the raw switch data includes recent change and verify data.

14. In a telecommunication system, a method of retrieving data from a digital switching system, said method comprising the steps of:

receiving raw switch data from a digital switch;

via a converter, converting said raw switch data into a format compatible with a predefined spreadsheet program; and

outputting converted data to and storing said converted data in at least one predefined workbook of said spreadsheet program.

15. The method in claim 14 further comprising the steps of:

using the output of said converter as a layout, preparing scripts containing Database Modification Commands;

transferring said scripts to said digital switch; and

via said digital switch, executing said scripts to modify a switch database associated with the raw switch data.

16. The method in claim 14 wherein the raw switch data includes at least one of hardware change data, software change data, switching activity data, testing data, troubleshooting data, and new product installation data.

17. The method in claim 14 wherein the raw switch data includes recent change and verify data.

18. In a telecommunication system, an apparatus for retrieving data from a digital switching system, said apparatus comprising:

a data receiver adapted to receive raw switch data from a digital switch;

a data converter coupled to said data receiver, said data converter adapted to convert said raw switch data into a format compatible with a predefined spreadsheet program; and

a data output device coupled to an output of said data converter, said data output device adapted to transmit and store converted data to at least one predefined workbook of said spreadsheet program.

19. The apparatus in claim 18 wherein the operation of said data receiver, data converter and data output device are adapted to be triggered via a user'"'"'s “

Make Workbook”

Command.

20. The apparatus in claim 18 wherein the raw switch data includes at least one of hardware change data, software change data, switching activity data, testing data, troubleshooting data, and new product installation data.

21. The apparatus in claim 18 wherein the raw switch data includes recent change and verify data.