KR100272140B1 - Pro-active billing and routing test set - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides an apparatus for verifying central office billing translation from a remote location. The system includes a processor with software that generates a patterned telephone call through a test set for all operational access codes at the switch of the switching center. Billing information for these calls is recorded later. Once the recorded information has been processed, the record generated from the test set is verified by its assigned telephone number. These records are preferably extracted and recorded so that they can be automatically verified against the correct routing and billing tables for a particular site. The table is preferably stored in a test set.

Description

Pro-Active Billing and Rooting Test Set

1 is an explanatory diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3 are flow charts illustrating the process of an embodiment of the invention.

4 (a) to 4 (d) show an embodiment of a CPU card used in the test set of the present invention.

5 shows an embodiment of a monitor card used in the test set of the present invention.

6 (a) and 6 (b) show an embodiment of a telephone interface board used in the test set of the present invention.

7 shows an embodiment of a power supply board for use in the test set of the present invention.

8 (a) to 8 (h) show in flowchart form an embodiment of the firmware used for the test set of the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

52: remote terminal 54: test set

56: modem 58: host computer

60 tape 64 polling host

70: CPU card 80: monitor card

U1: Microprocessor U6: Detector

J2: External Audio Jack

[Industrial use]

The present invention relates generally to a system and apparatus for verifying a central office routing transaction in a telephony network from a remote location, and in particular to a central station billing and routing transaction in a telephony network from a remote location. A system and apparatus for verifying central office billing and routing translation.

[Conventional Technology and Its Problems]

Telephony networks often require carriers to verify station billing and routing of telephone calls. Verification is necessary to ensure proper billing as well as to ensure that the call can reach the proper destination. Inadequate routing of calls can also be caused by translation errors or wiring errors, depending on the type of station. For example, verification of billing and routing is needed before new central station switches replace existing switches or invade services that establish new services.

A system for verifying the routing of telephone calls is disclosed in US Pat. No. 4,937,850, assigned jointly with this application. US Patent No. 4,937, 850 is incorporated herein by reference. However, the system disclosed in this patent does not provide any means for verifying billing translation. A translation is a fairly complex set of instructions that defines billing and other exchange functions based on the type of service, access code, and other settings unique to each station or switching station. Types of services include, for example, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), Business, Hotel / Motel, Coin, Plant Board Extension (PBX), and the like. There are thousands of translations, and each group's translations undergo frequent revisions and changes. As a result, the possibility of an error in billing becomes considerably large. The magnitude of the translation of the error can range from minor to very expensive.

Traditionally, telephone companies have relied on billing complaints from customers to identify translation billing faults. Unfortunately, customers tend to say little more dissatisfaction about calls they have to claim but not to reverse. Moreover, complaints about billing have recently been registered by long distance carriers, which may involve thousands of calls. In the past, telephone companies did not have a good response to such complaints because there was no easy and reliable way to inspect the translation. In the past, the verification process consisted of manual dialing of each access code by an individual type of service followed by a line-by-line check of the billing output. This verification process is time consuming and error prone.

Therefore, it would be desirable to develop a system that provides an accurate way to alleviate the tedious and cumbersome manual effort of current methods and eliminate complaints about long distance carriers and billing from other users. It is also desirable to provide a promising system that is relatively inexpensive and has the capacity to inspect a large number of lines from the Central Office. In addition, the system preferably has the ability to inspect or verify billing and routing from a remote location.

[Purpose of invention]

The present invention has been invented in view of the above, and it is a main object of the present invention to provide a system and apparatus for automatically verifying billing and routing translation of a central station.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and apparatus for automatically verifying billing and routing translation of a central station at a remote location.

[Configuration and Function of Invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus for verifying a central station billing translation from a remote centralized test location. The system includes a central location processor with software that generates a patterned telephone call through a test set of switches at the switchboard for all work access codes. The test set confirms and reports successful call completion. The billing information of these successful calls is then recorded and saved to a file. Once the recorded information has been processed, the record generated from the test set is verified by its assigned telephone number. These reds are preferably extracted and recorded so that they can be verified against the correct routing and billing tables for a particular site. The table is properly stored on the computer at the concentrated test location.

The system and device provide a low cost system that eliminates the tedious and cumbersome manual effort currently used to verify billing data.

EXAMPLE

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 shows a circuit description of an embodiment of the invention in block diagram form. The test set 54 is located in the central station 50. The test set 54 is connected to a computer 58 located at an independent test location 52 via a modem 56. The test set 54 includes a 16-line switch card that connects common line circuits to the called lines. The test set 54 preferably has eight of these cards for a total of 128 lines that can be tested. The 128 testlines provide access to several kinds of services that can be translated to bill differently for the same call. The test set 54 accepts instructions for connecting the common line circuit to the appropriate test line. The test set 54 also includes a line monitor card, which will be described in detail later, which is connected to the telephone via the monitoring screen 68 so that the user can monitor the tests executed by the system. The test set 54 is configured such that reporting of test results (ie, successful call completion) is stored in a pass or fail file for other actions. Test set 54 is programmed to accept a variable length string of digits that are dialed by adding a test code. These numeric variable-length strings have the number of tests and the type of tests performed.

An embodiment of the telephone transaction testing system of the present invention uses a series of steps outlined in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. The Pro-Action Record Processing (AMA) Testing Program (PAT) accesses the code used to identify the switch where the call occurred. This code is referred to as Common Language Location Identifier (CLLI). The program then uses the action file (Figure 1) and the profile file (Figure 2) to determine which type of action was taken. Table 2 provides an example of office profile data. The data includes (1) a station CLLI code; (2) a switch type for informing the user which switch vendor is supplied to the station under test; (3) LATA (Local access tandem area) test line-A first test line, which is a port in the modem that connects the user to the personal computer 58, and a monitor port that allows the user to listen to the actual call as the process is executed. 2 test lines; (4) Office equipment for two test lines is included.

The program then uses the file used to determine what type of line the billing is generated from, which type of service. This code is called line class code (LCC). The program then accesses a test file (Figure 3) containing the tests that may be performed by the test set. Detailed sheets of software for implementing the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3 are provided in Appendix A. FIG.

[Figure 1]

[Table 2]

[Chart 3]

For circuitry to verify proper response to test set 54, test set 54 includes a tone detection system for all call progresses as well as for 1004 Hz tones. Thus, the test set 54 will monitor some and all of the following conditions: (1) 500 ms of 1004 Hz tone alone within a 10 second period; (2) 500 ms of a 480 Hz tone alone within a 10 second period; (3) 500 ms of 489 Hz tone after nearly 15 bursts of busy tone.

Calls made during the test generate billing records. These records are then recorded on tape 60 at the central station, or registered via a polling link 66 by a polling processor 64 located at a polling processor or remote location 6. . Then, the data on the storage medium such as the storage tape or the data registered in the polling host 64 is transmitted to the data processing office (DPO) for billing. The test call is extracted from the tape and input to the host computer 58 for billing comparison with test data stored in a table of memory of the host computer 58.

The test set 54 includes four important components, which are further described later and shown in FIGS. 4-8. The first major component consists of the CPU card 70 shown in FIG. The CPU card 70 includes a microprocessor U1, which may be, for example, a Dallas microprocessor stick model DS2244T. The stick includes an integrated modem which is used to send and receive data from a remote terminal 52. The modem can operate at typical baud rates such as 2400, 1200, and 300. The stick may further include a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) decoder. The stick may also include, for example, a 32k × 8 nonvolatile static RAM memory storage area powered by an internal lithium battery.

24 I / O pins are installed to control different parts of the circuit. The CPU card 70 also includes two data access arrangement (DAA) sticks U3 and U4, suitable DAAs available commercially from Dallas Semiconductor as Model DS2249. These two DAAs U3 and U4 provide direct connection to switched telephone lines. These two DAAs (U3, U4) are used for 2- to 4-wire conversion, ring detection, and audio output. The DAA stick U4 is a line interface stick used by the internal modem. The DAA stick U3 is used to receive audio tones for processing and to interface incoming / outgoing (input / output) messages from a speech stick.

The voice stick U2, such as the Dallas voice stick model DS2271, provides solid state audio recording and a play back system for the purpose of sending announcements about the call number. The voice stick U2 has the ability to record a message longer than seven seconds in length via a telephone line or an external audio jack J2, and can reproduce the message as required by the CPU.

The serial shift register / driver U19 records and plays four indicator LEDs, a test line off-hook diode (D2), a modem carrier detection diode (D3), a message diode (D4), and a modem off. It is used to drive the hook diode D5. The serial shift register / driver U19 is also used as a buffer / driver for accessing one of the eight input / output (I / O) line cards in the test set 52. Suitable shift registers / drivers are available from National Semiconductor as model ICMM548.

The CPU card 70 also includes a zero crossing detector U6 for converting analog sine wave tones (such as 1004 Hz tones) into pulses with stable fast rise and fall times that can later be processed by the CPU. have. Also included is a detector U5 for detecting dual tones. Suitable detector U5 is Teletone M-982.

The signal converter U8 is used to convert a logic circuit from the CPU into an RS232C signal for communication with an external computer. Suitable signal converters are available from Linear Technology as the model LT1281CN.

Circuits with input AND gates (U16: A, U16: B, U16: D) are used to supply enable signals for proper control of serial data.

Opto-couplers U14 (4N33 optocouplers, etc.) are used to provide a means for detecting the reversal of the tip and ring lines.

The power to the CPU card 70 is supplied at + 12V and down regulated to +5 volts by the regulator U12. This regulator U2 supplies all the voltages for the logic circuit by bypassing provided by capacitors C6 and C7. An additional + 5V power source, commonly referred to as VDD, is supplied by regulator U11 and capacitor C1. A suitable regulator is National Semiconductor's LM7805 regulator. VDD provides an independent noise-free power supply for the analog portion of the circuit. A third supply consisting of the charge pump circuit U7 and capacitors C8 and C9 converts + 12V to -10V. This -10V is bypassed by capacitor C9 and down regulated to -5V to supply clean negative power to the analog circuit at -5V.

In a configuration with 128 possible lines, one of these lines is selected by having a CPU that transfers the appropriate data to the hexadecimal driver U19 to enable one of the eight I / O cards. The desired actual line from each I / O card is addressed in series by sending data pulses and a synchronous clock generated by the CPU and buffered by inverters U15: C and U15: E.

The return signal from the I / O card is buffered by the inverters U15: S and NAND gates U16: C and sent to the CPU for handshaking. Once the line is selected, it is connected to the DAA stick U3 via a back plane bus. If the polarity of the line is correct, the diode D1 is connected and the optocoupler U14 is turned on to transmit a + 5V signal to the inverters U15: A. The + 5V signal is inverted, buffered, shaped, and sent to the CPU for interrogation. The DAA stick U3 transmits the audio signal through an inverting op-amp consisting of resistor R5, amplifiers U17: B and resistor R4. The audio signal then goes to the addition amplifiers U17: D through one of the two tone detection circuits.

When a single audio sine wave tone is received, a detector U6 is used to convert this tone signal into a logical pulse. The tone is connected to detector U6 via resistor R14. Detector U6 acts as a variable hysterisis zero crossing detector by sensing the peak-peak amplitude of the tone and charging capacitor C15 at half the peak voltage. This voltage is the trigger point of the internal comparator of the detector U6. Thus, when the sine wave exceeds half of the peak voltage, the sine wave transitions states. Once detector U6 is switched, the detector also internally changes its trigger point from half the peak voltage to zero. The sine wave then passes through zero to switch states again. This detection method provides a fairly high noise immunity index and allows very accurate measurements.

Resistor R16 and capacitor C16 form a simple R / C network for detector U60 to produce a fixed pulse width. Resistor R21 is used to bias peak capacitor C15 to the preset level to allow a minimum detection level as required.

For dual tone detection, a call progress tone detector, available from Tele tones such as M-982, is used. This integrated circuit has four single or dual tones: 480 Hz; 440 Hz; 620 Hz; It will detect one of 350 Hz. When one of these tones is received, the appropriate output pin will be true and ready for further processing by the CPU.

An embodiment of the monitor card 80 used for the test set 54 will be described with reference to FIG. The monitor card 80, as installed, allows a test caller from a remote location 52 to listen on the call. This feature can be used to verify failure after the test is made. When the call is set to monitor card 80, optocouplers AU2 and AU4 detect a ring that starts the timing circuit. The timing circuit is composed of the NAND gate AU3, the capacitor AC3, the diodes AD1 and AD2, the capacitor AC4 and the resistor AR3. Between the first ring, the timing circuit activates the optical SCR AU6 taking line off-hook. The audio signal from the switched line is amplified by amplifiers AU1: B and AU1: C and then connected to the monitor line by a transformer AT1. This line will remain off hook or monitor until the tester is disconnected from the remote end 52.

Next, the line telephone interface board 90 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). The line telephone interface board 90 connects one of the 16 individual telephone lines to a common line circuit on the CPU card 70. Enabled data and clock signals are received from the CPU card 70 through the NAND gate BU59 serving as an inverter buffer. Driver latch BU49 takes a count from the data lead measured by a clock lead and latches the corresponding output. The output alternately activates one of the 16 solid state relays (BU43 to Bu58). These relays BU43 to BU58 are connected to a common bus leading one of the 16 telephone lines to a line circuit on the CPU board 70. LED1 to LED16 indicate the connected line.

7 shows a power supply board. The power supply board converts the -48V DC central station power supply to 12V needed for the electronic components on the other circuit cards of the test set 54. The power supply card consists of a DC-DC converter (CU1), a solid state regulated switching power supply. Diode CD1 is used to protect the power supply from reverse current. LED C1 provides a visual indication that the circuit is functioning properly.

The firmware for operating the test set 54 is shown in the form of a flowchart in FIGS. 8 (a) to 8 (h). In the idle state, the remote test set is reset to wait for a call on the modem line. When an incoming call is received, the test set checks that the phone is valid and waits for a command or test call request. Upon receiving a command for parameter change or line change, the test set completes the request and responds to the central computer. If a test call is required, the test set accepts the dialed number and test code and proceeds to match the test call. The test set then responds whether the test call was successful. The test set then waits for another command or test call. If the test set receives a disconnect, the test set returns to the idle state.

The present invention has been described according to the presently expected embodiments. Of course, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims (14)

A telephone transaction test system for checking telephone billing transactions for multiple telephone calls made with multiple different kinds of services, each having a different billing rate for the same telephone call from a central test location, the first central location. A processor disposed in the processor and connected to an input device for inputting, into the processor, test data indicating a telephone call made with each telephone number and a type of service for which the telephone call is made, and operatively connected to the processor. And a memory having accurate billing data stored for telephony calls made of different kinds of services, a means for transferring data from the processor, a common telephone line connected at one end to means for transferring data from the processor, Placed in a second position away from one Means for receiving a test signal from the processor, means for connecting the common telephone line to a plurality of test lines, means for selecting one of the plurality of telephone lines in accordance with test data, and from the selected test line And a detector operatively connected to receive a test signal, the test set for confirming successful completion of the received test signal and storing it as a success file, and success file data received in the test set. Means for transmitting to said processor, said processor including logic for comparing data in said success file and comparing billing data stored in said memory with said data. system. The telephone transaction test system of claim 1, wherein the detector is a tone detector. 2. The telephone transaction test system of claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting the success file data comprises a storage medium. 2. A telephone transaction test system according to claim 1, wherein the means for transmitting the success file data comprises a polling processor. 2. The telephone transaction test system of claim 1, further comprising means for monitoring the test at the central location. 2. The telephone transaction test system of claim 1, wherein the modem is a modem that is means for receiving data from the processor. 2. The telephone transaction test system of claim 1, wherein the modem is a modem for transmitting data from the processor. A telephone transaction test system for checking telephone billing transactions for multiple telephone calls made from a plurality of different kinds of services, each having a different billing rate for the same telephone call from a central test location, the telephone transaction test system being located at a first central location, A processor connected to an input device for inputting a telephone call made from each telephone number and test data indicating the type of service for which the telephone call is made to the processor, and operatively connected to the processor; Memory with accurate billing data stored for telephony made of a kind of service, means for transferring data from said processor, common telephone line connected at one end to means for transferring data from said processor, away from said first location Placed in a second position away from said Means for receiving a test signal from a processor, means for connecting the common telephone line to a plurality of test lines, means for selecting one of the plurality of telephone lines in accordance with test data, and receiving a test signal from the selected test line. And a tone set operatively connected to receive a test set for confirming successful completion of the received test signal and reporting it to a success file, and for transmitting the success file data received in the test set to the processor. And means for comparing the data of the success file, comparing the data with billing data stored in the memory, and generating a result signal according to the comparison. Telephone transaction testing system. 9. A telephone transaction test system according to claim 8, wherein the means for transmitting the success file data comprises a storage medium. 9. A telephone transaction test system according to claim 8, wherein the means for transmitting the success file data comprises a polling processor. 9. The telephone transaction test system of claim 8, further comprising means for monitoring a test at the central location. 9. A telephone transaction test system according to claim 8, wherein the means for receiving data from the processor is a modem. 9. A telephone transaction test system according to claim 8, wherein the means for transmitting data from the processor is a modem. A telephone transaction test system for checking telephone billing transactions for multiple telephone calls made from a plurality of different kinds of services, each having a different billing rate for the same telephone call from a central test location, the telephone transaction test system being located at a first central location, A processor connected to an input device for inputting a telephone call made from each telephone number and test data indicating the type of service for which the telephone call is made to the processor, and operatively connected to the processor; A memory with accurate billing data stored for a telephone call made of a kind of service, a first modem operatively connected to transfer data from the processor, a common telephone line, one end of which is connected to the first modem, from the first location A second position away from the processor; A second modem operatively connected to receive a signal, means for connecting said common telephone line to a plurality of test lines, means for selecting one of said plurality of telephone lines in accordance with test data, and selected test lines And a tone detector operatively connected to receive a test signal from the processor, the test set for confirming successful completion of the received test signal and reporting it as a success file, and the success file data received in the test set. And means for comparing the data received from the test set, comparing the data with billing data stored in the memory, and generating a result signal according to the comparison. Telephone transaction test system, characterized in that it comprises.