IE80532B1 - A telecommunication system - Google Patents

Abstract

A telecommunication system having a number of local telephone units (2), a digital switch (3) and a local processor (11) allowing modification or mounting of individual or groups at telephone units (2) in real time.

Description

The present invention relates to a telecommunication system and more particularly to a telecommunications system comprising:a plurality of local telephone units, each unit having a numeric keypad and at least one function key; a digital switch connected to the local telephone units and comprising a plurality of switch circuits, a switch processor, a switch memory and a serial communications port; and a local communication processor connected to the switch processor by the serial communications port and having a local datastore and a display.

A wide variety of such telecommunication systems are known. Examples of various telecommunication systems are shown in European Patent No. 0 590 863 A2 and United Kingdom Patent No. GB 2 179 224 B. While these systems provide effective switching between trunk lines and the internal telephone units of an organisation, they require the presence on-site of specialist operator personnel when configuration modifications are required.

Changes of this type may be required when personnel leave or are moved within an organisation necessitating modification of the functionality of one or more telephone units .

Additionally, the known systems are very useful to maintenance personnel for detection and correction of operating faults. However they are unsuitable for use in system administration tasks required for controlling telephone usage.

It is an object of the invention to provide telecommunication system which overcomes at least some of these problems.

The invention is characterised in that the local communication processor comprises means for monitoring communication between at least one local telephone unit and another telephone unit in real time by:retrieving a unique multi-byte remote switch identifier from the switch memory and validating the retrieved identifier against an encrypted identification code in the local datastore; isolating a communication channel of a switch circuit associated with a local telephone unit in response to a validated switch identifier by parsing a multi-bit terminal number retrieved from the local datastore to generate a loop identifier, a shelf identifier, a card identifier and a local telephone unit identifier; loading a call register in response to the identified device busy code; in response to a call register loaded signal, extracting and transmitting to the local communications processor a position dependent originating terminal identifier, a position dependent terminating terminal identifier, a dialled number identifier, and a call duration pulse identifier; and displaying received identifiers on the local display.

In this way, the telecommunication system is highly versatile and scalable to any given application. Operation may be easily modified by authorised but nonspecialist personnel.

Ideally the means for monitoring communication incorporates means for checking the status of a monitored telephone unit by:extracting a status code from an isolated switch and characterising the extracted status code by comparison with a plurality of pre-defined status codes; and identifying the status code and transmitting the identified code to the local processor, thereby providing additional functionality to the system.

Preferably the local communication processor 5 incorporates means for modifying a telephone configuration list in the switch memory by:retrieving a unique multi-byte remote switch identifier from the switch memory and validating the retrieved identifier against an encrypted identification code in the local datastore; isolating a terminal function register in a switch circuit associated with a local telephone unit in response to a validated switch identifier by parsing a multi-bit terminal number retrieved from the local datastore to generate a loop identifier, a shelf identifier, a card identifier and a local telephone unit identifier; retrieving the isolated terminal function register into the local datastore from the isolated switch in response to switch isolated signal; generating a replacement function register in the local datastore by extracting and replacing selected portions of the terminal function register with selected portions of a configuration update file in response to modify signals from the local processor; and transmitting and storing the replacement function register to the isolated switch.

In this way, the operation of a telephone may be easily modified. This is particularly useful when it is desired to temporarily limit use of the telephone for example when an employee takes holiday leave.

In one arrangement the local communication processor incorporates means for simultaneously modifying a plurality of related telephone configuration lists in the switch memory by:assigning a common group identifier to associated local telephone units to generate a group modify list; and iteratively updating each terminal function register isolated by the group modify list.

The use of a group identifier allows non specialist personnel to allow or prevent a group access to a given function without requiring manual specialist hardware reconfiguration.

Ideally the means for modifying a telephone configuration list includes timing means for scheduling modifications .

Preferably the timing means incorporates a download controller for periodically downloading portion of the contents of the switch memory to the local processor, this updating may be scheduled for times of reduced system activity.

In one embodiment the timing means incorporates means for synchronising operation of the switch processor and the timing means.

Preferably the serial port communicates at greater than 300 bits/sec, the multi-byte remote switch identifier is a 64 bit dataword and the multi-bit terminal number is parsed to provide a six bit loop identifier, a one bit shelf identifier, a four bit card identifier and a five bit local unit identifier.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:5 Fig.1 is a schematic view of a telecommunication system in accordance with the invention; and Figs. 2 to 4 are diagrammatic views of use of the telecommunication system of Fig. 1.

For the purposes of this description, specific processors, memory devices, timing and performance details have been omitted for clarity. Thus, the constituent components of the invention have been described in terms of functionality as many ways of achieving said functionality will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are of no importance to the operation of the invention. This is particularly the case as in most instances system requirements will dictate choice of components.

Referring to the drawing and initially to Fig. 1 there is illustrated a telecommunication system according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1. The system 1 has seven local telephone units 2, a digital switch 5 and a local processor 11.

Each of the telephone units 2 has a numeric keypad 3 and a function key 4. The switch 5 is connected to the telephone units 2 by a cable 6. The switch 5 has twelve switch circuits 7, a switch processor 8, a switch memory 9 and a serial communications port 10. The local communication processor 11 has a local data store 14 a display 15 and communicates with the serial port 10 by a serial bus 12.

The method of operation of the local communication processor 11 for monitoring communication between one of the local telephone units 2 and another telephone unit in real time is illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4. The telephone unit 2 for which real time monitoring is requested is selected by an administration module in step 20 and the monitoring process initiated by the administration module in step 21. A terminal number associated with the telephone selected in step 20 is retrieved by the local processor 11 in step 22 and validated in step 23. If the unit selected has no valid terminal number then a fail condition is indicated in step 24 by transmitting a fail code to the display 15. When the terminal number has been validated in step 23 a communication link is established with the serial port of the switch 5 along the serial bus 12. A check is conducted in step 26 by the local processor 11 to determine whether a reliable communications link has been established. If no carrier signal is detected between the local processor 11 and the switch 5 the failure to establish a communication link is recorded by an error handling routine in step 27 and a further attempt to establish communication is initiated. When the communications link has been estabiished and validated in step 26 an initialisation sequence is transmitted from the local processor 11 to the switch processor 8. This initialising sequence may vary in content depending on the nature of the hardware used. A check is then conducted in step 29 to establish whether a previous log-in from the local processor 11 is on record at the switch processor 8. If a previous log-in is detected then an automatic log-out is conducted in step 30 and the initialisation sequence is retransmitted from step 28. This prevents concurrent logins from a number of local processors providing conflicting or parallel modifications at the switch 5. An overlay memory retrieved from the switch memory 9 is cleared in step 31 and a requested overlay type is transmitted from the local processor 11 along the serial bus 12 to the switch processor 8 in step 32. A validity check is performed on the received overlay code in step 33 to determine whether this overlay is present in the switch memory 9. If the overlay requested by the local processor 11 is not found an error condition is signalled in step 34 and the overlay memory tiered again in step 31. When a valid overlay request is detected at step 33 the requested overlay file is retrieved from the switch memory into the switch processor 8 in step 35. The local processor 11 then retrieves the task to be performed by the digital switch 5 in step 40. The local processor 11 then requests the I.D. of the digital switch from the switch processor 8 in step 41. The switch processor 8 retrieves the unique identifier from the switch memory 9 and transmits it to the local processor 11 through the serial port 10 in step 42. A local identifier is retrieved from an encrypted file stored on the local data store 14 in step 43 and the local identifier and unique identifier returned in step 42 are compared in step 44. The validity of the comparison is checked in step 46 and if the identifiers to not match a fail condition is indicated in step 47. The use of a unique identifier provides additional security in that it is impossible for non-authorised local processors to update either a single telephone unit 2 or a group of telephone units 2. This is particularly beneficial in that the log-in passwords associated with digital switches of this type frequently re-set whenever power is cut reverting to a system default. In these situations it is a relatively simple task for non-authorised personnel to access the digital switch and amend the configurations of the telephone units .

When the identifiers have been validated in step 46 the overlay memory of the switch processor 8 is cleared in step 48 and the required overlay is loaded in step 49. The task request retrieved in step 40 is then transmitted to the switch processor 8 in step 50 and the terminal number retrieved in step 22 is transmitted in step 51. The terminal number retrieved in step 22 is then converted in step 52. This is achieved by parsing the 32 bit terminal number into four digital words. The digital words refer to the loop, shelf, card and unit identifiers of a given telephone unit 2. In this way, a variety of digital switches 5 may be used in that each telephone unit 2 will be assigned to one of a number of cards and this card may be stored on one of the number of shelves using one of a number of loops. Thus the terminal number is used to address each individual telephone unit associated with the digital switch. The status register isolated by the loop identifier, shelf identifier, card identifier and local telephone unit identifier is read in step 53 and a status mnemonic is extracted from the status register in step 54. The mnemonic extracted in step 54 is returned to the local processor 11 in step 55. The returned mnemonic is then compared against a number of pre-defined mnemonic stored in the local data store 14 in step 56 and a validity check is conducted in step 57. If the mnemonic retrieved in step 55 does not have a corresponding entry on the local data store 56 the request is re-issued to the switch processor 8 and steps 50 to 56 are repeated. When the status has been accurately read and validated in step 57 the pass request transmitted in step 50 is checked in step 59 to determine whether a trace is required. If no trace is required then the status associated with the returned mnemonic of step 55 is transmitted to the display 15. When a trace request is identified in step 59 a further check is conducted in step 60 to determine whether the mnemonic retrieved relates to a busy line. If the line is not busy then a trace cannot be conducted therefore the current status of the telephone unit is returned and displayed on the screen in step 58. When a busy mnemonic is encountered the call register associated with the isolated telephone is retrieved in step 61. An originating terminal identifier, terminating terminal number identifier and dialled number identifier are extracted from the call register loaded in step 61 in step 62. These identifiers are transmitted to the local processor 11 in step 63 and validated against values previously stored in the local data store 14 in step 64. Providing corresponding entries are found in the local data store for the extracted identifiers the results are displayed on the display 15 in step 65.

It will be appreciated that the security provided by the encrypted identifier to match the unique identifier of the digital switch ensures that modifications may only be made by an authorised local processor.

When it is required to change the configuration of a single telephone unit a communication link is established between the local processor 11 and the switch processor 8 as described with reference to Figs. 20 to 35 and the overlay loaded. The retrieve task of step 40 in this instance will be a configuration list modify instruction at a particular telephone unit 2 isolated as described with reference to steps 40 to 52. When the correct unit has been isolated a terminal function register associated with this unit is retrieved by the local processor 11 and stored in the local data store 14. A replacement function register is then generated by the local processor 11 by replacing selected portions of the retrieved terminal function register with selected portions of a configuration update file stored in the local data store 14.

It will be appreciated that a common group identifier may be associated with a number of telephone units to generate a group modify list which may be used to update a number of telephone units simultaneously. Such a group may include members of a department or of an entire building where additional functions may be required. Similarly, this group modify may be used to withdraw functionality from a group of telephone units 2. One example of where a group modify of this type may be used with a timer to schedule modifications would be where it is necessary to disable each telephone unit to prevent calls being made after a certain time. Values entered in the function register may be used to determine whether certain numbers are prohibited from use by certain telephone units or to provide certain functions to particular telephone units.

Similarly, it will be noted that the timer may be used to request log-ins for particular tasks to be performed at certain times i.e. updates of telephone configuration lists during the night.

It will be appreciated that the method described may easily be adapted for VLSI implementation or may be incorporated in an application specific integrated circuit. This will result in an increase in processing speed and would facilitate the production of a dedicated communication station.

It will also be appreciated that the functionality described may be combined and may include one or more software routines without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be further appreciated that the number of switch circuits used will vary according to system requirements and may number several hundred and that the system may be used by technical staff for first line maintenance functions.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment hereinbefore described, which may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (7)

1. A telecommunications system comprising:a plurality of local telephone units, each unit having a numeric keypad and at least one function key; a digital switch connected to the local telephone units and comprising a plurality of switch circuits, a switch processor, a switch memory and a serial communications port; and a local communication processor connected to the switch processor by the serial communications port and having a local datastore and a display; wherein the local communication processor comprises means for monitoring communication between at least one local telephone unit and another telephone unit in real time by:retrieving a unique multi-byte remote switch identifier from the switch memory and validating the retrieved identifier against an encrypted identification code in the local datastore; isolating a communication channel of a switch circuit associated with a local telephone unit in response to a validated switch identifier by parsing a multi-bit terminal number retrieved from the local datastore to generate a loop identifier, a shelf identifier, a card identifier and a local telephone unit identifier; loading a call register in response to the identified device busy code; in response to a call register loaded signal, extracting and transmitting to the local communications processor a position dependent originating terminal identifier, a position dependent terminating terminal identifier and a dialled number identifier; and displaying received identifiers on the local display. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the means for monitoring communication incorporates means for checking the status of a monitored telephone unit by:extracting a status code from an isolated switch and characterising the extracted status code by comparison with a plurality of pre-defined status codes; and identifying the status code and transmitting the identified code to the local processor. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the local communication processor incorporates means for modifying a telephone configuration list in the switch memory by:retrieving a unique multi-byte remote switch identifier from the switch memory and validating the retrieved identifier against an encrypted identification code in the local datastore; isolating a terminal function register in a switch circuit associated with a local telephone unit in response to a validated switch identifier by parsing a multi-bit terminal number retrieved from the local datastore to generate a loop identifier, a shelf identifier, a card identifier and a local telephone unit identifier; retrieving the isolated terminal function register into the local datastore from the isolated switch in response to switch isolated signal; generating a replacement function register in the local datastore by extracting and replacing selected portions of the terminal function register with selected portions of a configuration update file in response to modify signals from the local processor; and transmitting and storing the replacement function register to the isolated switch.

2. 4. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the local communication processor incorporates means for simultaneously modifying a plurality of related telephone configuration lists in the switch memory by:assigning a common group identifier to associated local telephone units to generate a group modify list; and iteratively updating each terminal function register isolated by the group modify list.

3. 5. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the means for modifying a telephone configuration list includes timing means for scheduling modifications.

4. 6. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 5 wherein the timing means incorporates a download controller for periodically downloading portion of the contents of the switch memory to the local processor.

5. 7. A telecommunication system as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the timing means incorporates means for synchronising operation of the switch processor and the timing means.

6. 8. A telecommunication system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the serial port communicates at greater than 300 bits/sec, the multi-byte remote switch identifier is a 64 bit 5 dataword and the multi-bit terminal number is parsed to provide :a six bit loop identifier, a one bit shelf identifier, a four bit card identifier, and 10 a five bit local unit identifier.

7. 9. A telecommunication system as claimed in any preceding claim with reference to the accompanying drawings.