IE920788A1 - Message switching server for a digital communications system - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication system (KS) comprises a switching unit (SWU) for communication line switching, with a coupling field and a central control system, at least one centralized server (S1 ... SN) which provides data and programmes for performance features, and peripheral modules (SLMA, SLMB) which act as interfaces to subscriber terminals. Special terminals (DDB) with actuating means, optical display means, at least one loudspeaker and at least one handset are connected to special peripheral modules (SLMT) which are connected to the switching unit (SWU) and linked to each other via data paths (D), and are incorporated as integral components of the communication system (KS), conformably to the system, through control procedures (BS, BT), transmission technique procedures (VT) and data bank procedures (DB). The invention allows digitally based office communication and provides corresponding performance characteristics for special applications such as brokerage installations.

Description

Message switching server for a digital communications system.

The present invention concerns a communications system according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

For the communication service Speech there exist communication networks with communication systems located in their junctions. Their purpose is to make connections between the users connected to the communication systems. It is thus possible to distinguish between public communication networks and so-called local networks which are predominantly set up within organisations. Up to several thousand users can be connected to the junctions of the local networks which are often also referred to as private branch exchanges. An interface with the public communications network moreover also permits communication with external partners.

So long as the communication is directed to Speech communication, analogue communication networks and systems are adequate for the associated basic functions. However, present-day office communications comprise further forms of communication which cannot be provided by such analogue systems, or which can only be inadequately realised with such systems. This concerns the communication forms picture, data and text whose transmission and processing is achieved by digital means. In practice therefore this resulted in digital communications networks being run in parallel to the existing analogue communications networks. This necessarily results in a certain complexity and obscurity when communicating with other users, as each user is generally allocated different users' numbers for the different communications services. This was one of the reasons for integrating the existing parallel networks in one common communications network.

The ideas linked to this concept are contained within the meaning of ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network). In the public communications networks the realisation of these concepts is still undergoing changes, whilst integration of these services in the office is already more advanced. Such digital communications systems which can be flexibly adapted to modern forms of organisation are known from the publication ISDN in the office which appeared in December 1985 as a special edition to the monthly publication •Telecom Report' and Siemens Magazine COM, published by Siemens. This is achieved inter alia by an integration of so-called servers, i.e. hardware modules, which through systems procedures provide special services - performance characteristics in the communications system -. These servers are used in the transmission of pictures, text data etc.

In certain fields of application of office communication there is a requirement for special performance characteristics not generally covered; one such field of application for example is the international trade in stocks and shares, finance, raw materials, which makes it necessary for making decisions not only to communicate world-wide, but also to actively participate directly in the market activity. Special equipment for such purposes nowadays is installed as an independent system or as an ancillary private branch exchange behind an analogue main exchange.

The digital communications systems referred to in the above-mentioned publication are not designed specially for such applications; thus, for example, to a dealer in the stock exchange, who has to react within seconds to a changing situation in the money markets, it is essential not only to constantly monitor the markets, but also to be able to actively participate in the market activity. Appropriate performance characteristics for this are provided by the known digital communications systems only to a limited extent and by the known analogue communications systems only at relatively high costs, for example by an extra ancillary private branch extension additional to the analogue main installation.

It is often of particular importance that a certain member of a foreign exchange team can be quickly reached, for example for transacting a standard request, as well as the possibility of making conference telephone calls.

It is the aim of the invention to provide an office communications system on a digital basis with the provision of corresponding performance characteristics for special applications such as for example installations for dealers.

With reference to the preamble of the patent claim 1, this aim is achieved according to the invention by the characterising features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the subsequent claims.

As essential for the invention must be regarded the introduction of message switching servers into the peripherals of a digital communications system. They take the form of special peripheral modules - referred to as server modules in the following -, and are incorporated in the communications system to replace one or more of the traditional digital interface modules. The user is thus provided with the full capability of the digital communications system as well as the additional performance characteristics of the message switching server. Especially the displacement of the message switching server to the periphery of the communications system offers particular advantages such as for example the possibility of making new performance characteristics available on demand, without having to carry out substantial adjustments in the central parts of the communications system and thereby possibly having to shut down the entire system. Also, the use of the message switching servers in place of other kinds of interface modules brings with it a drastic reduction in the cost of cables and thus keeps faults to a minimum.

By special networking of the available message switching servers it is possible for an external caller to simultaneously call several members of the dealer team (performance characteristic ’parallel call'). This results in a minimum waiting time for the caller till one of the team members takes the call. For example, if five members of the dealer team are tied up in a business transaction and a client wants to guickly place an order relating to this, he can dial the number allocated to the five team members and is connected with the first member who answers the call. Provisions can also be made so that not one, but several team members can participate in a joint conversation with the caller. In order to realise this performance characteristic the functionally egual message switching servers, which have at least one switching device each, are connected to each other directly, or via an additional central message switching server. The use of a central message switching server thus has the advantage that the capacity of the switching units used in the communications switching field can be kept relatively small.

The invention is now explained in more detail with the aid of a drawing of an embodiment example. This shows a communications system KS constructed in modules to which are connected conventional terminals DT, AT as well as special terminals DDB (Digital Dealer Board) via concentrator modules DDBC (DIGITAL DEALER BOARD) and to which, starting from an interface module SB, are connected further communications systems OAK, ODK, NA.

Central to the communications system KS is a switching unit SWU. Integrated in this are all central units for switching the calls as well as a central control necessary for achieving this. The switching unit SWU is furthermore connected to interface units SB, to peripheral modules SLMB and SLMA, to an interface element STMD as well as a matching unit TRI. The interface units SB on the output side provide the connection to other private branch exchanges as well as to external communications systems. The latter for example may be public communications systems OAK, ODK. The connection between the communications system KS and the public communications systems OAK, ODK can thus be achieved through dedicated or leased lines. The communications system KS is connected to public communications networks according to the ISDN system; the interface units SB must safeguard this connection by means of special data formats. The switching unit SWU is furthermore connected via central bus systems to integrated servers S1...SN. Also connected to the switching unit SWU are the peripheral modules SLMA or SLMB whose purpose is to provide the BORSCHT functions (generally known in message switching) for user terminals. Whilst the SLMA peripheral modules enable the connection of analogue user terminals AT, the SLMB modules are designed for connection to digital user terminals DT. The interface unit STMD carries out matching functions between the communications system KS and external storage units SM.

The message switching servers are in the form of special peripheral modules SLMT, referred to as server modules in the following. They are incorporated into the communications system KS in a decentralised manner by being inserted in place of the peripheral modules SLMB. The system-conforming incorporation requires substantial matching at the relevant hardware and software interfaces, which is dealt with later.

In the case of the more sophisticated construction of the dealer installation the message switching servers SLMT are arranged into system groups SLMT11,...SLMT44...SLMTZ4. A central system group with four message switching servers is advantageously allocated to four individual system groups each containing 4 message switching servers.

In a first extension phase for smaller dealer teams only one single system group is used with four server modules SLMT11...SLMT14 which are connected to each other via data paths D and/or a central peripheral server module SLMTZ1. In the following modular stages there can be added further system groups each having four server modules SLMT21...SLMT24; SLMT31...SLMT34; SLMT41. . .SLMT44. According to the invention, these four single system groups can be interconnected directly or connected via additional data paths and/or via an additional, decentralised system group with peripheral server modules SLMTZ1...SLMTZ4. Each one of the four single system groups is thus connected via lines Ll to each one of the peripheral server modules SLMTZ1...SLMTZ4 of the central system group, which are interconnected through paths D. The maximum number of server modules SLMT per single system group is thus determined by the capacity of the switching units SWU used in the server modules. From each system group it is possible for example to run up to 59 lines (and one HDLC signalling line) to the central system group. A system group therefore has access to 59 common lines. The central system group therefore has more than 240 connections, of which four connections are provided for the HDLC signalling of the single system groups. The remaining 236 connections can thus be used as required for connections to the single system groups or to common lines.

On the output side the special terminals DDB are connected to the server modules SLMT 11...SLMT44 via concentrator modules DDBC. The concentrator modules DDBC are for this reason provided with multiplexer functions so that the data arriving from several user terminals DDB can be switched by one connecting line to one of the server modules SLMT 11...SLMT44. The connection of the user terminals DDB to the concentrator modules DDBC as well as their connection to the server modules SLMT is achieved via optical fibres LWL. A PCM pulse code modulation method is used for transmission. As can be seen from Fig. 1, different special terminals DDB can be used - depending on the dealer work place. Special terminals DDB for example may be user terminals DKB (DEALER KEY BOARD) or DTS (DEALER TOUCH SCREEN) . The user terminal DKB is a key board operated terminal designed for he dealer workplace. It is provided with optical display elements, at least one hand-held apparatus as well as a number of keys which are allocated at various levels functions which can be programmed permanently as well as optionally.

The user terminal DTS is a VDU type terminal at the dealer workplace in which, apart from at least one hand-held apparatus, is integrated a picture screen which is capable especially of producing graphics, as well as a corresponding touch medium. The control of the elements of the user terminal DKB or DTS is achieved through the server module SLMT by using control procedures BS, BT.

In general, the procedures taking place in the server module SLMT are stored in corresponding complexes of the server module SLMT. The entire software of the message switching servers SLMT therefore distinguishes between the procedures of - the operating system BS - the operating practice BT - the message switching technology VT - the fail safe technology ST as well as - the data bank DB.

Whilst the procedures of the operating system BS carry out control functions, the procedures of the operating practice BT process the control functions in the area of - time synchronisation for the communications system KS as well as systems reliability.

The smooth running of each server module SLMT is ensured by the fail safe technology ST. This ensures especially that errors which occur are immediately analyzed and if necessary appropriate reactions are triggered by the system.

The procedures of the message switching function block VT of the server module SUIT process the actual typical performance characteristics of the dealers. Typical dealer performance characteristics for example are Speech monitoring Dealing and parallel calls Conference traffic Listening-in or logging functions, which is dealt with in more detail at another place. The procedures of the message switching function block VT of the server module SLMT in particular carry out the conversion of the data formats received from the special terminals DDB into the data formats of the communications system KS.

The server module SLMT also includes a data bank DB in IE 92078® which are self-organised the static and dynamic configuration data of the special terminals DDB as well as the server module SLMT. The static configuration data gives information about the hand-held apparatus and loudspeakers connected to the user terminals DDB, whilst the dynamic configuration data supplies information about state of current use of the hand-held apparatus as well as the state of current use of the connecting lines. Via data paths D the data banks DB stored in each server module SLMT are actualised with the latest configuration. Each server module SLMT therefore contains a complete replica of the entire configuration of all the message switching servers. Any change in the configuration condition of one of the server modules SLMT or the special terminal DDB is directly communicated via the data paths D to the remaining server modules SLMT. This concept is associated with a decentralisation of static as well as dynamic configuration data. This means for example that when creating new performance characteristics, any changes can be carried out without great expense in the server modules SLMT, without having to access centrally the procedures of the communications system KS.

Also connected to the communications system KS via the interface elements STMD are external memory units referred to here as systems manager SM - with data display apparatus. In the systems manager SM is also integrated a voltage supply which is independent of the communications system KS; the systems manager SM generally contains the configuration data for the server module SLMT and the user terminals DDB. Locating the configuration data in external units is of particular benefit when the communications system is switched off for servicing work. In this case, when the communications system KS is at 'high activity', the server module SLMT as well as the user apparatus DDB are loaded with the configuration data from the system manger SM, which quickly reestablishes the original condition.

This concept results in performance characteristics which meet the special requirements of the dealer's workplace. The performance characteristic SPEECH MONITORING', by which several conversations can be switched to one loudspeaker, especially takes into consideration the special requirements of the dealer workplace.

The performance characteristic Speech Monitoring may however also be adapted in such a way that it monitors a line from a terminal or a group of terminals, e.g. grouped together via a conference module, not carrying a two-way conversation but an announcement. That is, users connected to the communications switching centre who are entitled to be connected to the relevant announcement lines, are able to make announcements to one or more groups. The special terminals DDB may be specially configured for at least one announcement line and selectable for example by means of a push button. The selected announcement line, which is allocated a call number, is designed to immediately switch over to the conversation mode. In other special apparatus DDB the announcement line is configured for example in such a way that announcements are made automatically via the loudspeaker connected to the special apparatus. This enables messages and important information to be delivered from a central position to different target groups.

Thus for example, four conversations from different stock exchanges can be switched to a loudspeaker of one of the special apparatus DDB; persons working at such workplaces are generally in a position to listen out for the information relevant to them.

The active participation in the market activity must often take place within seconds. Time consuming dialling processes for establishing world-wide connections must therefore be avoided under all circumstances. For this purpose it is therefore possible to make contact with destinations by keying-in at the user terminal DDB; via the key board it is furthermore possible to give directions and through redialling it is possible to reach the appropriate destination. Furthermore, efficient telephone communication is provided under the performance characteristic 'TRADING’, by which established connections, for example with several international stock exchanges, are put on 'HOLD' at the dealer workstation. The dealer at his workstation is therefore 'potentially' connected with a number of partners. In reality he may have activated one or two or more connections - depending on how many hand-held apparatus per apparatus are available - and through these he can communicate with the respective partners. However, at any time there is the possibility of switching an active conversation to the 'HOLD' condition and to switch over to a line which at that moment is in the 'HOLD' condition and to actively communicate with this partner. These switching processes are controlled from the special terminal DDB by pressing the appropriate keys or by touching the relevant area on the picture screen. The procedures which carry out the control processes are carried out by the procedure complexes of the communications practice VT of the server module SLMT.

Each process of buying and selling products in the legal sense constitutes a contract between two partners, normally therefore between client and dealer. A dealer on the stock exchange who every day makes decisions regarding the buying and selling of huge amounts, in principle constantly makes contracts by telephone with different partners, without there being the possibility of verifying the substance of the completed contracts. Such a possibility is provided by the performance characteristic 'listening-in/logging'. Within the concept of the message switching servers provided within the framework of the invention, provision can be made to connect further users to the relevant lines for monitoring the conversations. This takes place in one of the server modules SLMT. Depending on the static and dynamic configuration data stored in the data bank procedures, the procedures of the message switching practice VT switch the respective ’’Speech-Highways of the switching unit SWU to the server module SLMT used for ’Listening-in’ purposes. Furthermore, in order to be able to reproduce at a later time the substance of the contract, which up to this point exists only verbally, a tape recorder is additionally connected to the server module SLMT. The connection is thus effected via a matching unit TRIM, which in turn is connected to the server module SLMT, and which carries out the required matching function.

Important is of course not only the possibility of making rapid contact with the dealer team outside, e.g. the quick call to an external stock exchange, but especially also the possibility for making rapid contact between client and members of the dealer team. Time wasting, caused by repeatedly calling different team members who are not available, is to be avoided. The client is therefore given the opportunity of selecting one number by which it is possible to simultaneously call several members or a subgroup of the dealer team. Provided that this sub-group always has an adequate minimum number of members present, the client will always be able to very quickly make contact with the dealer tam. It may also be necessary for different team members to join in a conversation with the client on a conference basis.

A call from a client, which for example is passed to the server module SLMT11, can be switched-through to various team members of different further systems groups can thus be effected by the switching unit SWU of the server module SLMT11 via direct data lines to the respective systems groups (without the involvement of a central system group) . However, it can easily be envisaged that with an increasing number of additional systems groups there will be a sharp increase in the demand for capacity of the switching unit SWU of each server module SLMT and in the number of expected connections. A central systems group with peripheral server modules SLMTZ1...SLMTZ4 is therefore advantageously put into operation. Through message switching procedures it is now made possible that when an external call is received by one of the central systems groups, a common connection is established to several systems groups. The signalling takes place at the same time in all the respective systems groups. The speech monitoring, the joining by further users of the same systems group on switched-through lines and the switching of lines preferably takes place in the single systems group. A common line can be switched-through by the central systems group to different single systems groups. These common connections made by the central systems group are concentrated in the single systems groups preferably on a single server module SLMT. Each one of the single systems groups receives from this SLMT a HDLC signalling path to the central systems group. Depending on the location of the caller, the signalling from or to the central systems group can thus be effected via this signalling path. The acoustic interconnection of several systems groups in the central systems group or of individual participants in a conversation of a single systems group therefore takes place in conference modules which are provided in the server modules SLMT.

Claims (14)

1. Patent claims

1. Communications system (KS) with - a switching unit (SWU) with a switching matrix and a central control for switching trunk lines, - at least one central server (S1...SN) for preparing data and programmes for performance characteristics as well as - peripheral modules (SLMA, SLMB) functioning as interfaces for user terminals, characterised in that special terminals (DDB) with operating means, optical display means, at least one loudspeaker as well as at least one hand-held apparatus are connected to the special peripheral module (SLMT) which, connected to the switching unit (SWU), are networked together via data paths (D) and, in conformity with systems practice, connected as an integral part of the communications system (KS) to the communications system (KS) via control procedures (BS, BT) , communications procedures (VT) and data bank procedures (DB) .

2. Communications system according to claim 1, characterised in that the control procedures (BS, BT) carry out the control of the operating means and the optical display means and transmit data by a transmit procedure from the special terminals (DDB) as well as the special peripheral modules (SLMT) to an external storage medium (SM) via an interface element (STMD).

3. Communications system according to claim 1, characterised in that message switching procedures (VT) change the transmission formats of the special information data of the special terminals (DDB) into communications system specific formats and furthermore make available the basic functions of the message switching practice as basic modules for further performance characteristics.

4. Communications system according to claim 1 to 4, characterised in that the data bank procedures (DB) supply information to all special peripheral modules (SLMT) via the special terminals (DDB) and the special peripheral modules (SLMT) and the use of the data paths (D).

5. Communications system according to claim 1, characterised in that the special terminals (DDB) are connected to the special peripheral modules (SLMT) via concentrator modules (DDBC).

6. Communications system according to claim 1 to 5, characterised in that the special terminals (DDB) are equipped with transmit and receive means for a number of desired channels and an arrangement between a desired channel and an acoustic element can be influenced by key board operation.

7. Communications system according to one of he claims 1 to 6, characterised in that further user terminals (AT, DT) are connected to at last one of the special peripheral modules (SLMT) for passively listening-in.

8. Communications system according to one of he claims 1 to 7 , characterised in that a further external storage medium for recording conversations can be connected via a matching unit (TRIM) to at least one of the special peripheral modules (SLMT).

9. Communications system according to one of he claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the special peripheral modules (SLMT) are connected to the switching unit (SWU) via at least one additional central peripheral server module (SLMTZj...SLMT N ).

10. Communications system according to claim 1 to 9, characterised in that the special peripheral modules (SLMT) are subdivided into system groups (SLMT11...SLMT44; SLMTZ^...SLMTZ N ) , wherein the special peripheral modules (SLMT11...SLMT14; SLMT41...SLMT44; SLMTZ 1 ....SLMTZ N ) are interconnected by data paths (D).

11. Communications system according to claim 1 to 10, characterised in that several special terminals (DDB) connected to the special peripheral modules (SLMT) can be dialled simultaneously via at least one central peripheral server module (SLMTZ N ) .

12. Communications system according to claim 1 to 11, characterised in that conference modules are provided in the special peripheral modules (SLMT) in such a way that at least two of the dialled special terminals (DDB) can be accessed with one call.

13. Communications system according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that individual special terminals (DDB) or special terminals (DDB) grouped together are configured to monitor the speech on a line which entitled users have engaged for placing an announcement and which is freed for delivering the message immediately after dialling the appropriate call number.

14. A communications system according to any preceding claim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.