WO2001067282A2 - Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances - Google Patents

Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001067282A2
WO2001067282A2 PCT/US2001/006770 US0106770W WO0167282A2 WO 2001067282 A2 WO2001067282 A2 WO 2001067282A2 US 0106770 W US0106770 W US 0106770W WO 0167282 A2 WO0167282 A2 WO 0167282A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
information
data
user
search
network
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2001/006770
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2001067282A3 (fr
Inventor
Kishore Swaminathan
Edy S. Liongosari
Kelly L. Dempski
Scott Kurth
Adam B. Brody
Original Assignee
Accenture Llp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/521,471 external-priority patent/US6900807B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/521,235 external-priority patent/US7350138B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/520,939 external-priority patent/US6721726B1/en
Application filed by Accenture Llp filed Critical Accenture Llp
Priority to AU4001001A priority Critical patent/AU4001001A/xx
Priority to AU2001240010A priority patent/AU2001240010B2/en
Priority to CA002402253A priority patent/CA2402253C/fr
Priority to EP01914646A priority patent/EP1377914A2/fr
Publication of WO2001067282A2 publication Critical patent/WO2001067282A2/fr
Publication of WO2001067282A3 publication Critical patent/WO2001067282A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
    • G06F16/903—Querying
    • G06F16/9038—Presentation of query results

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to knowledge management and more particularly to a tool for extracting data from various knowledge repositories to create a virtual single knowledge source.
  • An "information space” is the set of all sources of information that is available to a user at a given time or setting.
  • An “information space” is the set of all sources of information that is available to a user at a given time or setting.
  • a user is forced to spend too much "overhead” on discovering and remembering where different information is located (e.g., online technical books, manual pages ("manpages"), release notes, help information, etc.).
  • the user also spends a large amount of time remembering how to find information in each delivery mechanism.
  • a method for managing data across an enterprise i.e., a business, company, etc.
  • a request for information is received from a user.
  • a request may be in the form of a search query or through selection of a link.
  • Data relating to the user request is searched for in at least two geographically separated information repositories, such as databases.
  • a network such as an intranet or the Internet may be used to access the repositories.
  • a wireless network could also be used.
  • the information repositories form part of a secure network.
  • the results of the search are presented to the user such as by sending the results to a user station where they can be displayed.
  • the user is allowed to browse through additional data of the information repositories.
  • Links between data items and other data entries in the information repositories are created according to relationships the data items have to the other data entries.
  • a smart engine may be used to create such links. For example, if you search for a particular person, the search engine returns information not only on the person, but also on the clients, topics, documents, and projects about which that person has made entries into the information repositories. This allows the user to browse across relationships (instead of repeatedly entering searches) that could not be found by ordinary search engines.
  • a chart showing statistics about data in the information repositories is generated.
  • One of the most interesting tools provided by the invention is the ability to view statistics on people, clients, and topics.
  • the invention can generate Gantt charts (charts that show timelines related to, in this case, people and clients), line charts that show the number of documents on a particular topic posted per year, or pie charts that illustrate the volume of entries on that topic found in various libraries.
  • the request for information is about a person
  • data relating to at least one of clients, topics, documents, and projects about which that person has made entries into the information repositories is output to the user.
  • the user is allowed or required to select a category as part of the request for information for limiting the results of the search.
  • the categories may include person, document, topic, project, and/or client. It should be kept in mind that equivalent words could be used interchangeably with these topics.
  • a topic category of "employee" or "name” may be equivalent to the topic category "person.”
  • the results of the search include abstracts of the data found during the search.
  • a dossier that includes people, prior documents, and past projects pertaining to the requested information is prepared based on the request for information.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a process for managing data across an enterprise, which allows users to browse through several databases and sources as if the actual data resided in one vast, all- encompassing database;
  • Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware implementation of one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 3 depicts a process for providing a user interface for a data management application that extracts data from several data sources across an enterprise according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 4 illustrates a user interface that may be used with the process shown in Figure 3;
  • Figure 5 illustrates search results for a document search according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 6 illustrates selection of a search result according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 7 illustrates a detailed view of the search result of Figure 6 including several nodes
  • Figure 8 illustrates the tree nodes of Figure 7 in an expanded state
  • Figure 9 depicts a detailed view of an employee selected by clicking on the employee's name in the display shown in Figure 7;
  • Figure 10 depicts a search result for an employee in the Standard View in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 11 illustrates the search result for an employee in the Categorized View according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 12 illustrates a Topic View that illustrates additional topics that may be of interest to a search according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 13 illustrates a process for providing an abstract for data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 14 illustrates process for generating a chart in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 15 illustrates a Gantt chart for an employee according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 16 shows a timeline chart for a company/client that illustrates information on a specific topic was posted about the company/client in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 17 illustrates a line chart and pie chart for the topic results shown in Figure 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 18 is a flowchart of a process for developing a dossier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 19 depicts an introduction window that appears upon initiation of the process of Figure 18 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 20 illustrates a text box for entry of the name of the client about whom a dossier is to be prepared according to one embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 21 shows a client result window with a list of clients matching the name entered in the text box of Figure 20;
  • Figure 22 illustrates a window that displays a list of industries associated with the client(s) selected from the list displayed in the window of Figure 21;
  • Figure 23 illustrates a list of other industries that appear in the window of Figure 22 when the View Other Industries button of the window of Figure 22 is selected;
  • Figure 24 depicts a window that displays user-selectable topics for the proposal dossier from a list of available topics
  • Figure 25 illustrates a window that allows selection of items that will be displayed in the dossier
  • Figure 26 is a verification window that allows a user to verify that all information is correct
  • Figure 27 illustrates the resultant dossier created by the process of Figure 18
  • Figure 28 is a flowchart showing a Fault Management Process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 29 is a block diagram showing a Fault Management component in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 30 is a flowchart showing an Element Management Process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 31 is a flowchart showing a Three Tiered Customer Support Process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a Data Mining Process in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • the knowledge management tool is a new tool for enterprise-wide knowledge management.
  • the knowledge management tool extracts data from various knowledge repositories to create a single knowledge source, allowing users to browse through several databases and sources as if the actual data resided in one vast, all- encompassing database.
  • the intelligent extraction process also creates links between items according the relationships they have to other database entries. (For example, if a search is made for a particular person, the search engine returns information not only on the person, but also on the clients, topics, documents, and projects about which that person has made entries into knowledge exchange (KX) databases.) This allows the user to browse across relationships (instead of repeatedly entering searches) that could not be found by ordinary search engines.
  • KX knowledge exchange
  • the knowledge management tool consists of a simple graphical user interface (GUI) for accessing the extracted data.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • the interface is similar to a Web browser: The user can view "pages" of information extracted from the knowledge exchange and click hyperlinks to see information about related items.
  • the result is an application that allows a user to search and browse the knowledge exchange, creating a fast, efficient way to find and use enterprise-wide knowledge.
  • Figure 1 illustrates a process 100 for managing data across an enterprise (i.e., a business, company, etc.), which allows users to browse through several databases and sources as if the actual data resided in one vast, all-encompassing database.
  • a request for information is received from a user. Such a request may be in the form of a search query or through selection of a link, for example.
  • Data relating to the user request is searched for in operation 104 in at least two geographically separated information repositories, such as databases.
  • a network such as an intranet or the Internet may be used to access the repositories.
  • a wireless network could also be used.
  • the information repositories form part of a secure network.
  • the results of the search are presented to the user in operation
  • 106 such as by sending the results to a user station where they can be displayed.
  • the user is allowed to browse through additional data of the information repositories in operation 108.
  • links between data items and other data entries in the information repositories are created according to relationships the data items have to the other data entries.
  • a smart engine may be used to create such links. For example, when searching for a particular person, the search engine returns information not only on the person, but also on the clients, topics, documents, and projects about which that person has made entries into the information repositories. This allows the user to browse across relationships (instead of repeatedly entering searches) that could not be found by ordinary search engines.
  • a chart showing statistics about data in the information repositories is generated.
  • One of the most interesting tools provided by the invention is the ability to view statistics on people, clients, and topics.
  • the invention can generate Gantt charts
  • the request for information is about a person
  • data relating to at least one of clients, topics, documents, and projects about which that person has made entries into the information repositories is output to the user.
  • the user is allowed or required to select a category as part of the request for information for limiting the results of the search.
  • the categories may include person, document, topic, project, and/or client. It should be kept in mind that equivalent words could be used interchangeably with these topics. For example, a topic category of "employee" or "name” may be equivalent to the topic category "person.”
  • the results of the search include abstracts of the data found during the search.
  • a dossier that includes people, prior documents, and past projects pertaining to the requested information is prepared based on the request for information.
  • a preferred embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention is preferably practiced in the context of a personal computer such as an IBM compatible personal computer, Apple Macintosh computer or U LX based workstation.
  • a representative hardware environment is depicted in Figure 2, which illustrates a typical hardware configuration of a workstation in accordance with a preferred embodiment having a central processing unit 210, such as a microprocessor, and a number of other units interconnected via a system bus 212.
  • the workstation shown in Figure 2 includes a Random Access Memory (RAM) 214, Read Only Memory (ROM) 216, an I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices such as disk storage units 220 to the bus 212, a user interface adapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, a speaker 228, a microphone 232, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen (not shown) to the bus 212, communication adapter
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • I/O adapter 218 for connecting peripheral devices such as disk storage units 220 to the bus 212
  • user interface adapter 222 for connecting a keyboard 224, a mouse 226, a speaker 228, a microphone 232, and/or other user interface devices such as a touch screen (not shown) to the bus 212
  • the workstation typically has resident thereon an operating system such as the Microsoft Windows NT or Windows/95 Operating System (OS), the IBM OS/2 operating system, the
  • OOP object oriented programming
  • a preferred embodiment is written using JAVA, C, and the C++ language and utilizes object oriented programming methodology.
  • Object oriented programming (OOP) has become increasingly used to develop complex applications.
  • OOP moves toward the mainstream of software design and development, various software solutions require adaptation to make use of the benefits of OOP.
  • OOP is a process of developing computer software using objects, including the steps of analyzing the problem, designing the system, and constructing the program.
  • An object is a software package that contains both data and a collection of related structures and procedures.
  • OOP Since it contains both data and a collection of structures and procedures, it can be visualized as a self-sufficient component that does not require other additional structures, procedures or data to perform its specific task. OOP, therefore, views a computer program as a collection of largely autonomous components, called objects, each of which is responsible for a specific task. This concept of packaging data, structures, and procedures together in one component or module is called encapsulation.
  • OOP components are reusable software modules which present an interface that conforms to an object model and which are accessed at run-time through a component integration architecture.
  • a component integration architecture is a set of architecture mechanisms which allow software modules in different process spaces to utilize each others capabilities or functions. This is generally done by assuming a common component object model on which to build the architecture. It is worthwhile to differentiate between an object and a class of objects at this point.
  • An object is a single instance of the class of objects, which is often just called a class.
  • a class of objects can be viewed as a blueprint, from which many objects can be formed.
  • OOP allows the programmer to create an object that is a part of another object.
  • the object representing a piston engine is said to have a composition-relationship with the object representing a piston.
  • a piston engine comprises a piston, valves and many other components; the fact that a piston is an element of a piston engine can be logically and semantically represented in OOP by two objects.
  • OOP also allows creation of an object that "depends from” another object. If there are two objects, one representing a piston engine and the other representing a piston engine wherein the piston is made of ceramic, then the relationship between the two objects is not that of composition.
  • a ceramic piston engine does not make up a piston engine. Rather it is merely one kind of piston engine that has one more limitation than the piston engine; its piston is made of ceramic.
  • the object representing the ceramic piston engine is called a derived object, and it inherits all of the aspects of the object representing the piston engine and adds further limitation or detail to it.
  • the object representing the ceramic piston engine "depends from" the object representing the piston engine. The relationship between these objects is called inheritance.
  • the object or class representing the ceramic piston engine inherits all of the aspects of the objects representing the piston engine, it inherits the thermal characteristics of a standard piston defined in the piston engine class.
  • the ceramic piston engine object overrides these ceramic specific thermal characteristics, which are typically different from those associated with a metal piston. It skips over the original and uses new functions related to ceramic pistons.
  • Different kinds of piston engines have different characteristics, but may have the same underlying functions associated with it (e.g., how many pistons in the engine, ignition sequences, lubrication, etc.).
  • a programmer would call the same functions with the same names, but each type of piston engine may have different overriding implementations of functions behind the same name. This ability to hide different implementations of a function behind the same name is called polymorphism and it greatly simplifies communication among objects.
  • composition-relationship With the concepts of composition-relationship, encapsulation, inheritance and polymorphism, an object can represent just about anything in the real world. In fact, one's logical perception of the reality is the only limit on determining the kinds of things that can become objects in object-oriented software. Some typical categories are as follows:
  • Objects can represent physical objects, such as automobiles in a traffic-flow simulation, electrical components in a circuit-design program, countries in an economics model, or aircraft in an air-traffic-control system.
  • Objects can represent elements of the computer-user environment such as windows, menus or graphics objects.
  • An object can represent an inventory, such as a personnel file or a table of the latitudes and longitudes of cities.
  • An object can represent user-defined data types such as time, angles, and complex numbers, or points on the plane.
  • OOP allows the software developer to design and implement a computer program that is a model of some aspects of reality, whether that reality is a physical entity, a process, a system, or a composition of matter. Since the object can represent anything, the software developer can create an object which can be used as a component in a larger software project in the future.
  • OOP enables software developers to build objects out of other, previously built objects.
  • C++ is an OOP language that offers a fast, machine-executable code.
  • C++ is suitable for both commercial-application and systems-programming projects.
  • C++ appears to be the most popular choice among many OOP programmers, but there is a host of other OOP languages, such as Smalltalk, Common Lisp Object System (CLOS), and Eiffel. Additionally, OOP capabilities are being added to more traditional popular computer programming languages such as Pascal.
  • Encapsulation enforces data abstraction through the organization of data into small, independent objects that can communicate with each other. Encapsulation protects the data in an object from accidental damage, but allows other objects to interact with that data by calling the object's member functions and structures. • Subclassing and inheritance make it possible to extend and modify objects through deriving new kinds of objects from the standard classes available in the system. Thus, new capabilities are created without having to start from scratch.
  • Class hierarchies and containment hierarchies provide a flexible mechanism for modeling real-world objects and the relationships among them.
  • class libraries allow programmers to use and reuse many small pieces of code, each programmer puts those pieces together in a different way.
  • Two different programmers can use the same set of class libraries to write two programs that do exactly the same thing but whose internal structure (i.e., design) may be quite different, depending on hundreds of small decisions each programmer makes along the way.
  • similar pieces of code end up doing similar things in slightly different ways and do not work as well together as they should.
  • Class libraries are very flexible. As programs grow more complex, more programmers are forced to adopt basic solutions to basic problems over and over again.
  • a relatively new extension of the class library concept is to have a framework of class libraries. This framework is more complex and consists of significant collections of collaborating classes that capture both the small scale patterns and major mechanisms that implement the common requirements and design in a specific application domain. They were first developed to free application programmers from the chores involved in displaying menus, windows, dialog boxes, and other standard user interface elements for personal computers.
  • Frameworks also represent a change in the way programmers think about the interaction between the code they write and code written by others.
  • the programmer called libraries provided by the operating system to perform certain tasks, but basically the program executed down the page from start to finish, and the programmer was solely responsible for the flow of control. This was appropriate for printing out paychecks, calculating a mathematical table, or solving other problems with a program that executed in just one way.
  • Application frameworks reduce the total amount of code that a programmer has to write from scratch.
  • the framework is really a generic application that displays windows, supports copy and paste, and so on, the programmer can also relinquish control to a greater degree than event loop programs permit.
  • the framework code takes care of almost all event handling and flow of control, and the programmer's code is called only when the framework needs it (e.g., to create or manipulate a proprietary data structure).
  • a programmer writing a framework program not only relinquishes control to the user (as is also true for event loop programs), but also relinquishes the detailed flow of control within the program to the framework. This approach allows the creation of more complex systems that work together in interesting ways, as opposed to isolated programs, having custom code, being created over and over again for similar problems.
  • a framework basically is a collection of cooperating classes that make up a reusable design solution for a given problem domain. It typically includes objects that provide default behavior (e.g., for menus and windows), and programmers use it by inheriting some of that default behavior and overriding other behavior so that the framework calls application code at the appropriate times.
  • default behavior e.g., for menus and windows
  • Behavior versus protocol Class libraries are essentially collections of behaviors that you can call when you want those individual behaviors in your program.
  • a framework provides not only behavior but also the protocol or set of rules that govern the ways in which behaviors can be combined, including rules for what a programmer is supposed to provide versus what the framework provides.
  • a framework embodies the way a family of related programs or pieces of software work. It represents a generic design solution that can be adapted to a variety of specific problems in a given domain. For example, a single framework can embody the way a user interface works, even though two different user interfaces created with the same framework might solve quite different interface problems.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes HyperText Markup Language (HTML) to implement documents on the Internet together with a general-pu ⁇ ose secure communication protocol for a transport medium between the client and the Newco.
  • HTTP or other protocols could be readily substituted for HTML without undue experimentation.
  • Information on these products is available in T. Berners-Lee, D. Connoly, "RFC 1866: Hypertext Markup Language - 2.0" (Nov. 1995); and R. Fielding, H, Frystyk, T. Berners-Lee, J. Gettys and J.C. Mogul, "Hypertext Transfer Protocol - HTTP/1.1 : HTTP Working Group Internet Draft” (May 2, 1996).
  • HTML is a simple data format used to create hypertext documents that are portable from one platform to another. HTML documents are
  • HTML has been in use by the World-Wide Web global information initiative since 1990. HTML is an application of ISO Standard 8879; 1986 Information Processing Text and Office Systems; Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML).
  • HTML has been the dominant technology used in development of Web-based solutions.
  • HTML has proven to be inadequate in the following areas: Poor performance;
  • UI User Interface
  • Custom “widgets” e.g., real-time stock tickers, animated icons, etc.
  • client-side performance is improved.
  • Java supports the notion of client-side validation, offloading appropriate processing onto the client for improved performance.
  • Dynamic, real-time Web pages can be created. Using the above-mentioned custom UI components, dynamic Web pages can also be created.
  • Sun's Java language has emerged as an industry-recognized language for "programming the Internet.”
  • Sun defines Java as: "a simple, object-oriented, distributed, inte ⁇ reted, robust, secure, architecture-neutral, portable, high-performance, multithreaded, dynamic, buzzword- compliant, general-pu ⁇ ose programming language.
  • Java supports programming for the Internet in the form of platform-independent Java applets.”
  • Java applets are small, specialized applications that comply with Sun's Java Application Programming Interface (API) allowing developers to add "interactive content” to Web documents (e.g., simple animations, page adornments, basic games, etc.).
  • API Java Application Programming Interface
  • Applets execute within a Java-compatible browser (e.g., Netscape Navigator) by copying code from the server to client. From a language standpoint, Java's core feature set is based on C++. Sun's Java literature states that Java is basically, "C++ with extensions from Objective C for more dynamic method resolution.”
  • ActiveX includes tools for developing animation, 3-D virtual reality, video and other multimedia content.
  • the tools use Internet standards, work on multiple platforms, and are being supported by over 100 companies.
  • the group's building blocks are called ActiveX Controls, small, fast components that enable developers to embed parts of software in hypertext markup language (HTML) pages.
  • HTML hypertext markup language
  • ActiveX Controls work with a variety of programming languages including Microsoft Visual
  • ActiveX Technologies also includes ActiveX Server Framework, allowing developers to create server applications.
  • ActiveX could be substituted for JAVA without undue experimentation to practice the invention.
  • the information found in the knowledge management tool is extracted from the following databases:
  • Figure 3 depicts a process 300 for providing a user interface for a data management application that extracts data from several data sources across an ente ⁇ rise, optionally in a secure environment.
  • a user is allowed to input a search query.
  • Data items found during a search based on the query are received in operation 304 and displayed in nodes arranged in a tree format in operation 306.
  • a portion of the data items are hyper linked to detailed views of the data items. Such a detailed view may be created by opening the item or displaying an abstract of the item.
  • a detailed view of one of the hyper linked data items is displayed in operation 308 upon selection of the one of the hyper linked data items by the user.
  • the selected hyper linked data items are added to a history list. This feature can include not only a displayable listing of the data items but also use of a "back" button.
  • Types of searches include searches by person, document, topic, project, and/or client.
  • the data items that are displayed are limited to those matching the selected type of search.
  • each item found during the search is categorized and marked with an icon that represents the category. Further, the data items may be sorted by one or more categories including person, client, and/or topic
  • a portion or all of the nodes expand to display additional data and/or subnodes upon selection.
  • a user is allowed to save data items in a bookmark list for later retrieval by opening the bookmark list and selecting a data item saved in the bookmark list.
  • Figure 4 illustrates a user interface 400 that may be used with the process shown in Figure 3.
  • the user When using the knowledge management tool, the user usually begins by selecting the search type from the leftmost dropdown box 402. There one can choose from the following search types:
  • FIG. 5 illustrates search results for a document search. As shown, the display includes categories of information for each result, including title 500, type of document 502, a date 504, and the information repository 506 where the document is being stored. A user can choose and double-click on one of the items from the list to see detailed information about that item.
  • Figure 6 illustrates selection of the search result 600 entitled
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed view 700 of the "Model Bank
  • FIG. 8 illustrates the tree nodes 702 and 704 of Figure 7 in an expanded state. Items that are linked to more data can be shown in blue or underlined, for example, and can be clicked/double-clicked to jump to a detailed view of that item.
  • Figure 9 depicts a detailed view 900 of "Richard L. Brower"
  • the tree view can be used to browse the information found in the knowledge management tool by following the chain of linked items. Each time a link is followed, that item is added to the search history, making it easy to return there. Further, interesting information that is likely to be viewed frequently can be added to the bookmarks or saved by copying and pasting into other applications.
  • the results may be viewed two different ways.
  • the first view simply sorts the items under the appropriate tree headings based on the entity type.
  • the second view, Categorized View also sorts the artifacts and projects based on the particular person, client, or topic to which they are related. For example, a search for Kishore S. Swaminathan under the Standard View setting would list the documents, topics, projects, and clients which he has been a part of.
  • Figure 10 depicts the search result 1000 for Kishore S. Swaminathan in the Standard View. If the view state was switched to Categorized View, expanding the topic "Knowledge
  • FIG. 11 illustrates the search result 1100 for Kishore S. Swaminathan in the Categorized View.
  • a user can easily jump between items he or she has found by navigating through the search history. There are two ways to navigate:
  • the knowledge management tool can help a user to find other topics that may be of interest to a search.
  • Related topics are topics that commonly are associated with the same documents as the current topic.
  • Figure 12 illustrates a Topic View 1200 that illustrates additional topics that may be of interest to a search. To view the related topics for a topic, expand the Related Topics node 1202 in the Topic View.
  • the knowledge management tool can include a direct connection to an information-displaying program, such as Lotus Notes, for obtaining documents found while browsing.
  • an information-displaying program such as Lotus Notes
  • KMT knowledge management tool
  • This feature allows a user to order attachments from the knowledge exchange for documents with attachments. If not connected, the order will be placed in the local outgoing mailbox. When viewing a document select Tools
  • Figure 13 illustrates a process 1300 for providing an abstract for data.
  • a request for information from a user is received and processed.
  • Data relating to the user request is searched for in at least one information repository in operation 1304.
  • the results of the search are presented to the user in operation 1306 such as by sending the results to a user station where they can be displayed.
  • at least one abstract database is searched for abstracts of the search results. It should be noted that it is possible that not all search results will have abstracts.
  • Links to the abstracts of the search results in the abstract database are created or recognized and displayed in operation 1310. Selection of one of the links to the abstracts by the user is recognized in operation 1312 and the abstract associated with the selected link is displayed in operation 1314.
  • the abstract database is installed on a user station on which the search results are output.
  • the user is prompted to install the abstract database if the abstract database is not installed on the user station.
  • the user may select one of a plurality of abstract databases for installation on the user station.
  • a check for an updated version of the abstract database is performed before searching the abstract database for the abstracts of the search results. This is to allow the user to install an update or an updated abstract database.
  • the abstract databases may also be stored in the information repositories.
  • the abstract can be sent to the user utilizing a mailback function, such as via facsimile, electronic mail, etc.
  • the knowledge management tool has the ability to search for document abstracts and project descriptions that contain a given text string. To use this feature, select Tools
  • an automated monitoring engine monitors internal activities and events on the network based on user-specified information.
  • the monitoring engine has the ability to monitor the activities such as the activities of a particular employee, a client, or even particular projects or groups of projects.
  • a new publication, note, or report related to the object of interest is published or posted to the data repository, the user will be informed about it.
  • the user can also be given the opportunity to view the information. For example, a page with links to the document and a description or title of the document can be displayed.
  • an automated monitoring engine searches internal and/or external sources based on user-specified information.
  • the monitoring engine has the ability to monitor the external sources such web sites and news about the company. Whenever a new publication, note, report, article, or web page related to the object of interest is published or posted to the data repository, the user will be informed about it. The user can also be given the opportunity to view the information. For example, a page with links to the document, etc. and a description or title of the document can be displayed.
  • an automated searching engine monitors external sources based on user-specified information, preferably on the Internet.
  • the searching engine has the ability to monitor the external sources such web sites and news about the company. Whenever a new publication, note, report, article, or web page related to the object of interest is published or posted to the data repository, the user will be informed about it. The user can also be given the opportunity to view the information. For example, a page with links to the document and a description or title of the document, etc. can be displayed.
  • the knowledge management tool can generate Gantt charts (charts that show timelines related to, in this case, people and clients), line charts that show the number of KX documents on a particular topic posted per year, or pie charts that illustrate the volume of entries on that topic found in various KX libraries.
  • Figure 14 illustrates process 1400 for generating a chart in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
  • a request for information is received from a user. Such a request may be in the form of a search query or through selection of a link.
  • a search for data relating to the request for information is performed in operation 1404 in at least two geographically separated information repositories of an ente ⁇ rise.
  • a network such as an intranet or the Internet may be used to access the repositories.
  • a wireless network could also be used.
  • the results of the search are presented to the user in operation 1406, such as by sending the results to a user station where they can be displayed.
  • the user is allowed to select a search result from the results of the search.
  • a search result that is selected by the user is recognized in operation 1410.
  • a chart that illustrates information related to the search result selected by the user is generated and displayed. See operations
  • the chart is of a type selected from the group consisting of: a Gantt chart showing a timeline, a line chart that shows a number of documents on a particular topic posted to the information repositories during a preselected period of time, and a pie chart that illustrates the volume of entries on a topic found in the information repositories.
  • the chart illustrates a person's activity by at least one of topics and keywords associated with items the person has posted to at least one of the information repositories of the ente ⁇ rise.
  • the posting may include notes, documents, or any other type of information saved in the information repository.
  • the chart may illustrate a timeline of postings about a client of the ente ⁇ rise.
  • a second chart that differs from the chart may be generated and displayed.
  • the chart may be a line chart that illustrates a number of documents submitted to the information repositories on a given topic, while the second chart may be a pie chart that categorizes postings on the given topic according to the information repository from which they came, for example.
  • Figure 17 illustrates such line chart 1702 and pie chart 1704 for the topic results shown in Figure 12 and is discussed below under "Topic charts.”
  • the knowledge management tool will display a KX Profile for the selected individual.
  • the chart illustrates the person's KX activity by the topics or keywords associated with items the person has posted to various KX libraries.
  • Figure 15 illustrates a Gantt chart 1500 for Mike Ethelston.
  • the chart shows the user that in 1998 Ethelston posted articles to the KX on Shared Services 1502 and Financial Management 1504.
  • the knowledge management tool will display a KX Profile for the selected client.
  • the chart illustrates the KX postings relative to that client in various KX libraries.
  • the chart 1600 for Microsoft illustrated in Figure 16, shows that people began posting client documents about Microsoft on the KX in 1996 as well as the point in time when information on a specific topic was posted about Microsoft.
  • the knowledge management tool will display two different charts on any given topic.
  • the line chart on the left illustrates the number of documents submitted to the KX on the given topic each year.
  • the pie chart on the right categorizes the postings on the given topic according to the KX library from which they came.
  • Figure 17 depicts topic charts for Electronic Commerce.
  • the pie chart 1700 shows that in 1999, 61 percent of KX documents about Electronic Commerce were posted in the Technology Library.
  • the line chart 1702 shows that between 1996 and 1997, the number of Electronic Commerce documents on the KX jumped from about 100 to about 500.
  • the scroll bar 1704 beneath the pie chart can be scrolled to the right or left to see a similar breakdown for each year.
  • the knowledge management tool has the ability to store bookmarks of your favorite or most frequently visited items.
  • To bookmark a knowledge management tool location select the item you want to add to your bookmark file. Click on Bookmarks
  • search topic i.e. People, Topic, Document, Client, or Project
  • Listings in the knowledge management tool can be sorted in much the same way as columns in a database or Windows Explorer. To sort listing in a column, click on the column heading at the top of the column.
  • Proposal Wizard Figure 18 is a flowchart of a process 1800 for developing a dossier in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a name of one or more clients which may be relevant to the proposal is received.
  • the name may be input or selected by the user, for example.
  • a list of industries associated with the client(s) is presented to the user in operation 1804.
  • a search may be conducted in information repositories of the ente ⁇ rise to find the industries with which the client is associated.
  • the user is allowed to select an industry from the list of industries in operation 1806.
  • a search for information relating to the client and the selected industry is performed in operation 1808, such as by using the data management tool.
  • the dossier is prepared in operation 1810 utilizing the information found during the searching.
  • an alternate list of industries having industries different from the industries on the list of industries associated with the client is presented.
  • the user is allowed to select one of the alternate industries.
  • topics associated with the client are displayed and the user is allowed to select one or more of the topics for insertion of information relating to the selected topic(s) in the dossier.
  • the dossier may be arranged in sections according to people, documents, and projects.
  • the people section is arranged according to the number of documents and projects an individual has produced related to the client, industry, or topic.
  • the documents and projects sections are arranged chronologically, such as with the most recent information displayed first.
  • the Proposal Wizard is designed to aid in the task of writing a proposal for a particular client in a particular industry based on various topics used throughout the firm. After supplying the wizard with the appropriate information, a complete dossier will be developed which includes experienced people, prior documents, and past projects pertaining to the desired information.
  • the wizard is a 5-step process as explained below.
  • Step 2 A list of industries associated with the selected client(s) is presented in window 2200, as shown in Figure 22. Select the appropriate industry for the proposal. If the proper industry is not shown, press the View Other Industries button 2202 to select from an alternate list of industries.
  • Figure 23 illustrates a list of other industries 2204 that appear in window 2200 when the View Other Industries button 2202 is pressed.
  • Step 3 Referring to Figure 24, choose any appropriate topics for the proposal dossier from the list of available topics 2402 in window 2400. Select topics from the lists associated with the Bl Competencies or each of the selected clients and click the right- arrow button 2404 to add them to the proposal dossier. A dossier may be prepared without any topics selected; therefore, it is not necessary to choose a topic to proceed.
  • Increasing the number of topics may increase the time necessary to prepare the proposal dossier.
  • Step 4 - Window 2500 allows selection of items which will be displayed in the proposal dossier. See Figure 25. Select the items which you wish to have displayed in the proposal dossier.
  • Step 5 Verify that all information is correct in window 2600 (Figure 26) and click the Finish button 2602 to prepare the dossier.
  • Figure 27 illustrates the resultant dossier. As shown, expandable nodes and sub-nodes relating to people 2700, documents 2702, and projects 2704 are displayed.
  • Each section of the dossier is arranged for easy access to the best information.
  • the People sections are arranged according to the number of documents and projects an individual has produced related to that client, industry, or topic.
  • the Documents and Projects sections are arranged chronologically, with the most recent information displayed first.
  • the Proposal Wizard Picks section of the dossier is an attempt to predict the most relevant people, documents, and projects for the proposal based on a weighting scheme.
  • the weighting scheme takes into account a person's (or document's or project's) relevance with respect to the chosen clients, industry, and topics. This is by no means a complete list, but merely a starting point.
  • IP Internet Protocol
  • next generation networks should also have the ability to dynamically reconfigure the network so that it can guarantee a predetermined amount of bandwidth for the requested quality of service (QOS).
  • QOS quality of service
  • the concept is to provide network managers with complete “command and control” over the entire network's infrastructure—not just tell them when a failure has occurred.
  • ATM asynchronous transfer mode
  • ATM promises to provide a more economical and scalable set of technologies for implementing the ultra-high-performance information networks that will be required to provide the quality of service users will demand.
  • the network infrastructure may change from packet-based standards to one based on ATM cell switching. While changes in the accompanying network will be dramatic, it would be desirable for users making the transition to be able to retain their most recent equipment investment.
  • Another expected change in tomorrow's networks is a change in data flow. Data flow in today's network typically follows the client-server computing model. This is where many clients are all transferring data into and out of one or more network servers.
  • Clients do not normally talk to each other; they share data by using the server. While this type of data exchange will continue, much more of the information flow in tomorrow's networks will be peer-to-peer. Since the ultimate goal is a truly distributed computing environment where all systems act as both the client and server, more of the data flow will follow a peer-to-peer model. The network will be required to provide more direct access to all peers wishing to use high-performance backbone internets connecting, for example, the desktop computers.
  • Text files and images can be sent over existing packet-based networks because the delivery of this information is not time critical.
  • the new traffic (voice and video) is delivery time sensitive— variable or excessive latency will degrade the quality of service and can render this information worthless.
  • Such networks are generally point-to-point in nature in that a packet from a single source is directed to a single destination by an address attached to the packet. The network responds to the packet address by connecting the packet to the appropriate destination.
  • Packet switching networks are also used which combine burst type data with the more continuous types of information such as voice, high quality audio, and motion video.
  • Commercialization of voice, video and audio transmission makes it desirable to be able to connect packets to multiple destinations, called packet broadcasting.
  • a broadcast video service such as pay-per-view television involves a single source of video packets, each of which is directed to multiple video receivers.
  • conferencing capabilities for voice communication also require single source to multiple destination transmission.
  • One prior packet broadcast arrangement comprises a network consisting of a packet duplication arrangement followed by a packet routing arrangement. As a broadcast packet enters this network, packet copies are made in the packet duplicating arrangement until as many copies exist as there are destinations for the packet. A translation table look up is then performed at the duplication arrangement outputs for each of the packet copies to provide a different, single destination address for each copy. All of the packet copies with their new packet addresses are then applied to the packet routing arrangement, which connects them to the appropriate network output ports.
  • packets in the form of units of data are transmitted from a source—such as a user terminal, computer, application program within a computer, or other data handling or data communication device— to a destination, which may be simply another data handling or data communication device of the same character.
  • the devices themselves typically are referred to as users, in the context of the network.
  • Blocks or frames of data are transmitted over a link along a path between nodes of the network.
  • Each block consists of a packet together with control information in the form of a header and a trailer which are added to the packet as it exits the respective node.
  • the header typically contains, in addition to the destination address field, a number of subfields such as operation code, source address, sequence number, and length code.
  • the trailer is typically a technique for generating redundancy checks, such as a cyclic redundancy code for detecting errors.
  • the receiving node strips off the control information, performs the required synchronization and error detection, and reinserts the control information onto the departing packet.
  • Packet switching arose, in part, to fulfill the need for low cost data communications in networks developed to allow access to host computers.
  • Special pu ⁇ ose computers designated as communication processors have been developed to offload the communication handling tasks which were formerly required of the host.
  • the communication processor is adapted to interface with the host and to route packets along the network; consequently, such a processor is often simply called a packet switch.
  • Data concentrators have also been developed to interface with hosts and to route packets along the network. In essence, data concentrators serve to switch a number of lightly used links onto a smaller number of more heavily used links. They are often used in conjunction with, and ahead of, the packet switch.
  • packet-switched data transmission is accomplished via predetermined end-to-end paths through the network, in which user packets associated with a great number of users share link and switch facilities as the packets travel over the network.
  • the packets may require storage at nodes between transmission links of the network until they may be forwarded along the respective outgoing link for the overall path.
  • connectionless transmission another mode of packet-switched data transmission, no initial connection is required for a data path through the network. In this mode, individual datagrams carrying a destination address are routed through the network from source to destination via intermediate nodes, and do not necessarily arrive in the order in which they were transmitted.
  • the widely-used Telenet public packet switching network routes data using a two-level hierarchy.
  • the hierarchy comprises a long distance-spanning backbone network with a multiplicity of nodes or hubs, each of which utilizes a cluster of backbone switches; and smaller geographic area networks with backbone trunks, access lines and clustered lower level switches connected to each hub.
  • Packet-switched data is transmitted through the network via VCs, using CCITT (International Cord and Telephone Consultative Committee of the
  • SNA Systems Network Architecture
  • OSI Open Systems Interconnection
  • X.25 is an interface organized as a three-layered architecture for connecting data terminals, computers, and other user systems or devices, generally refereed to as data terminal equipment (DTE), to a packet-switched network through data circuit terminating equipment
  • DTE data terminal equipment
  • DCE utilized to control the DTE's access to the network.
  • the three layers of the X.25 interface architecture are the physical level, the frame level and the packet level.
  • X.25 establishes procedures for congestion control among users, as well as call setup (or connect) and call clearing (or disconnect) for individual users, handling of errors, and various other packet transmission services within the DTE-DCE interface.
  • X.25 is employed for virtual circuit (VC) connections, including the call setup, data transfer, and call clearing phases.
  • Call setup between DTEs connected to the network is established by one DTE issuing an X.25 call-request packet to the related DCE, the packet containing the channel number for the logical connections, the calling and called DTE addresses, parameters specifying the call characteristics, and the data.
  • the destination DCE issues an incoming call packet, which is of the same general format as the call-request packet, to the destination DTE, the latter replying with a call-accepted packet.
  • the calling DCE issues a call- connected packet to its related DTE.
  • the data transfer phase may begin by delivery of data packets.
  • Prospective routing paths in the network are initially determined by a network control center, which then transmits these predetermined paths to the backbone switches as routing tables consisting of primary and secondary choices of available links from each hub.
  • the secondary choices are viable only in the event of primary link failures, and the specific secondary link selection is a local decision at the respective hub based principally on current or recent traffic congestion patterns.
  • the unavailability of an outgoing link from a hub at the time of the call setup effects a clearing back of the VC for the sought call to the preceding hub.
  • An alternative link is then selected by that hub, or, if none is available there, the VC circuit is again cleared back to the next preceding hub, and so forth, until an available path is uncovered from the routing tables.
  • Messages concerning link and/or hub failures are communicated immediately to the network control center, and that information is dispatched to the rest of the network by the center.
  • the data processing devices reside in a plurality of cards or boards containing printed circuits or integrated circuits for performing the various functions of the respective device in combination with the system software.
  • the cards are inserted into designated slots in cages within a console, with backplane access to a data bus for communication with one another or to other devices in the network.
  • the VME bus is presently the most popular 16/32-bit backplane bus. References from time to time herein to cards or boards will be understood to mean the various devices embodied in such cards or boards.
  • PDNs public data networks
  • D identification
  • password password
  • Some data communication networks involve a variety of different customers each of whom makes available a host and one or more databases to its users, and may place a level of security on its database which differs from the level placed by other customers on their respective hosts and databases. In those instances, it is customary to make the host responsible for security and access to itself and its associated database. Thus, a user might have access to certain destinations in the network without restriction, but no access to other destinations.
  • MNS Managed Networked Services
  • the present invention's overall approach to implementing the NM/MNS market offering is two fold.
  • the current opportunity that presents itself is MNS. While this market opportunity for clients is large, they need assistance in understanding data network management - for years they have been solely focused on voice. Additionally, they need to move into this market quickly in order to maintain and grow revenue.
  • the present invention includes a set of assets consisting primarily of job aids and software that can greatly reduce our clients lead time for service implementation.
  • the present invention assists service providers by providing them the tools to better manage their carrier data networks - the packet switched networks of the future.
  • the present invention significantly enhances and scales MNS assets to address carrier network management in a data networking world. This solution template enables the convergence of circuit and packet switching network control centers and workforces.
  • the present invention's market offering suggests companies take a graduated approach to delivering MNS.
  • One end of the continuum consists of MNS for current network services, including leased lines, frame relay, and X.25.
  • MNS for current network services, including leased lines, frame relay, and X.25.
  • On the far end is outsourced MNS characterized by long-term contracts, involving hundreds of millions of dollars.
  • the NM/MNS market offering is proposing our clients go beyond the management of the router and the WAN, and into the world of the local area network (LAN), even as far as the desktop and business applications. Service providers have been intimidated by these propositions in the past, since management of the LAN and its equipment and applications has clearly not been their forte.
  • Business Strategy - Companies may look to the present invention for assistance in creating a business strategy for entering the MNS market.
  • this type of engagement will defines a company's target market for MNS (small, mid-market, large) and defines the service offerings that are best suited for the company to offer.
  • Design and Implementation - Companies may be ready to move to the design and implementation phases of creating an MNS capability.
  • the present invention will confirm that their network meets the requirements to provide the service, then assist the client in the designing and implementing an appropriate solution suite.
  • NM/MNS we have created an online catalog of services.
  • the present invention's solution is a continuous cycle that begins with the four major processes associated with NM/MNS. These processes drive the technology and the people components of the solution. Within each of these processes are a number of core functions and sub-functions.
  • the MNS Online Catalog contains all of this information, including the supporting process, technology and organizational solutions for each function.
  • MNSIS Managed Networked Services Integrated Solution
  • each process should be performed in order to provide a complete NM/MNS solution.
  • each process has a number of associated functions and sub-functions that provide the complete picture of the process.
  • the major functions associated with each process are as follows.
  • the main goal of the technology solution is to provide access to network information to make informed decisions.
  • the present invention includes three layers of management: element management, information services management and presentation management. Every action starts with an incident. Processing is tailored to handling the incident with technology that responds to the unique characteristics of each incident.
  • the element manager communicates with the network elements to receive alarms and alerts through trapping and polling techniques.
  • the element manager is the layer where the primary data reduction functions reside. At this layer, events received at the element manager will be filtered, aggregated and correlated to further isolate problems within the network.
  • An element manager can be, but is not necessarily, software which adheres to open standards such as the
  • SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
  • OMG Object Management Group's
  • the information services manager provides the data management and data communications between element managers and presentation managers. All information forwarded from the element managers is utilized by the information services manager to provide information to the network operators.
  • the information services manager adheres to CORBA standards to provide ubiquitous information access via an Object Request Broker (ORB).
  • ORB allows the information services manager to share management information stored in distributed databases.
  • the information services manager stores critical management information into operational
  • the databases includes online manuals for administrative pu ⁇ oses, as well as for the maintenance specialists to access element specific information.
  • the databases also provide procedures, policies and computer based training to network users.
  • the information services manager provides requested information (real-time and historical) to the network users via the presentation manager.
  • the presentation manager performs the function its name implies: the presentation of the information to an end user. Because different locations and job functions require access to different types of information, there are at least two types of display methods. The first is for graphic intensive presentations and the second is for nomadic use, such as field technicians. The first environment requires a graphic intensive display, such as those provided by X-
  • the second environment is potentially bandwidth poor where dial-up or wireless access may be used along with more traditional LAN access. This is also where browser technology is employed.
  • the people vision for the NM/MNS include an organization model for customer service support, the corresponding roles and responsibilities for this organization model and a conceptual design for workforce transformation to packet switching.
  • Customer service support provides a single point of contact that is customer focused. This single point of contact provides technical expertise in resolving customer incidents, troubles and requests. Generally a three tiered support structure is optimal for satisfying customer service needs. Each tier, or level, possesses an increasing level of skill, with tasks and responsibilities distributed accordingly. Such a structure is as follows:
  • Tier 1 - typically has a broad set of technical skills and is the first level of support to the customer. Typically this group is responsible for resolving 60-
  • Tier 2 - are technical experts and field support personnel who may specialize in specific areas. Typically this group is responsible for resolving 30-40 percent of the opened problems.
  • Tier 3 - are considered solution experts and often consist of hardware vendors, software vendors or custom application development / maintenance teams (in- depth skills needed to investigate and resolve difficult problems within their area of expertise). They are the last resort for solving the most difficult problems. Typically this group is responsible for resolving 5 percent or fewer of the opened problems.
  • the above model is generally referred to as the Skilled Model because personnel at all three tiers are highly skilled. This model generally creates a high percentage of calls resolved on the first call.
  • Other approaches include:
  • Tier 1 only logs calls, they do not resolve calls.
  • One advantage of this model is that skilled resources don't have to waste time logging calls.
  • the integrated network management solution template consists of a suite of best of breed third party software products that automate problem diagnosis, notification, custom-developed reporting, and IP services monitoring. This solution template is a great first step in realizing our technology solution vision.
  • Web-Based SLA Reporting Tool - is a browser based tool that provides the personalized SLA reports to customers in both a template and ad-hoc format.
  • Data Mining Demonstration Provides the capability to analyze network management data looking for patterns and correlations across multiple dimensions. Build models of the behavior of the data in order to predict future growth or problems and facilitate managing the network in a proactive, yet cost-effective manner.
  • Integrated Solution which maps network element events, to service offerings, to customers. This tool allows the Customer Service Representative to proactively address network outages with customers.
  • Service Planning includes both the strategic and tactical planning required to manage distributed environments effectively. Although most planning typically occurs during rollout of the system, certain planning activities must otherwise take place. Service Planning ensures that change can be successfully controlled and implemented.
  • Operations Management consists of the day-to-day operational functions required to maintain the system (e.g. fault detection / correction, security management and performance management).
  • Service Management controls the overall service to the users of the system. It isolates users from how the system is managed, and ensures that users receive the quality support services they need to carry out their daily business activities.
  • the present invention includes a system, method, and article of manufacture for providing a hybrid circuit switched/packet switched network.
  • This hybrid network is used as a transitioning network to transition from old "Core” network architectures to "New Core” networks.
  • the details of the NGN transitioning network will first be set forth after which details relating to specific billing aspects of the present invention will be described.
  • PSTN, wireless, and cable networks have continued to grow at their organic rates determined by the growth of the vertical services they were providing.
  • the data networks used a small portion of the backbone SONET bandwidth, while PSTN was still the dominant bandwidth user.
  • IP traffic Due to the exponential growth in IP traffic, the IP based data networks are soon slated to utilize more bandwidth than the PSTN.
  • huge technical advances in packet technologies have made it possible to carry traditional voice over IP networks. This has started a move towards the "Next Generation Network (NGN)" where there will be more sharing of common network infrastructure to provide services, and these services will start to become more interoperable.
  • NTN Next Generation Network
  • the "NGN” is a transition network which will exist during the transformation from the current "Core” to the "New Core".
  • the present invention maps a course for the network evolution from circuit to packet switched technology using a migratory approach in which the network becomes a hybrid circuit and packet topology over a 3 to 7 year period.
  • the current wire-line "Core” network consists of parallel PSTN, SMDS, ATM, Frame-Relay, B/PRI and IP networks.
  • the PSTN network has been evolving over the last century and is a mix of old and new circuit switched technologies.
  • the PSTN network mainly provides point- to-point interactive two-way voice communication services.
  • the service set has evolved to include many intelligent network (IN) service features.
  • IN intelligent network
  • AIN Advanced Intelligent Networks
  • the major IN requirements include session establishment, advanced call processing, call routing and call treatment (network messages and call termination).
  • Examples of applications and features are the CLASS family of services (Call waiting, Call forwarding, Conference calling, Call rejection), enhanced call routing, Number Portability, Calling Card Services, and Audio delivered Information Services (e.g. travel, stocks and weather).
  • SCE Service Creation Environment
  • the data networks consist of many technologies e.g. SMDS, ATM, frame-relay and IP. In some cases, these data networks themselves are parallel networks, in other cases, they share a common technology in the backbone (e.g. ATM can be the backbone for frame relay and IP data networks). These data networks share the same SONET based backbone with the PSTN network.
  • the services on the PSTN and the data networks are very distinct and non- interoperable (example: voice versus web access).
  • the Internet is a method of interconnecting physical networks and a set of conventions for using networks that allow the computers they reach to interact. Physically, the Internet is a huge, global network spanning over 92 countries and comprising 59,000 academic, commercial, government, and military networks, according to the Government Accounting
  • the backbone of the Internet consists of a series of high-speed communication links between major supercomputer sites and educational and research institutions within the U.S. and throughout the world.
  • TCP/LP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
  • RRCs Requests for Comments
  • ITU-T International Telecommunication Union
  • ITU-T has established numerous standards governing protocols and line encoding for telecommunication devices. Because many of these standards are referenced throughout this document, summaries of the relevant standards are listed below for reference.
  • ITU G.722 Recommendation for 7kHz Audio Coding within a 64kbit s channel.
  • ITU G.723 Recommendation for dual rate speech coder for multimedia communication transmitting at 5.3 and 6.3 kbits.
  • ITU H.221 Frame Structure for a 64 to 1920 kbit/s Channel in Audiovisual Teleservices
  • ITU H.225 ITU Recommendation for Media Stream Packetization and Synchronization on non-guaranteed quality of service LANs.
  • ITU H.242 System for Establishing Communication Between Audiovisual Terminals Using Digital Channels up to 2Mbits
  • ITU H.243 System for Establishing Communication Between Three or More Audiovisual
  • ITU H.261 Recommendation for Video Coder-Decoder for audiovisual services supporting video resolutions of 352x288 pixels and 176x144 pixels.
  • ITU H.263 Recommendation for Video Coder-Decoder for audiovisual services supporting video resolutions of 128x96 pixels, 176x144 pixels, 352x288 pixels, 704x576 pixels and 1408x1152 pixels.
  • ITU H.323 ITU Recommendation for Visual Telephone Systems and Equipment for Local Area Networks which provide a non-guaranteed quality of service.
  • ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network the digital communication standard for transmission of voice, video and data on a single communications link.
  • RTP Real-Time Transport Protocol an Internet Standard Protocol for transmission of realtime data like voice and video over unicast and multicast networks.
  • IP Internet Protocol an Internet Standard Protocol for transmission and delivery of data packets on a packet switched network of interconnected computer systems.
  • MPEG Motion Pictures Expert Group a standards body under the International Standards Organization(ISO), Recommendations for compression of digital Video and Audio including the bit stream but not the compression algorithms.
  • TCP/IP protocols The popularity of the TCP/IP protocols on the Internet grew rapidly because they met an important need for worldwide data communication and had several important characteristics that allowed them to meet this need. These characteristics, still in use today, include: 1) A common addressing scheme that allows any device running TCP/LP to uniquely address any other device on the Internet. 2) Open protocol standards, freely available and developed independently of any hardware or operating system. Thus, TCP/LP is capable of being used with different hardware and software, even if Internet communication is not required.
  • TCP/LP can be used over an Ethernet, a token ring, a dial-up line, or virtually any other kinds of physical transmission media.
  • the traditional type of communication network is circuit switched.
  • the U.S. telephone system uses such circuit switching techniques.
  • the switching equipment within the telephone system seeks out a physical path from the originating telephone to the receiver's telephone.
  • a circuit-switched network attempts to form a dedicated connection, or circuit, between these two points by first establishing a circuit from the originating phone through the local switching office, then across trunk lines, to a remote switching office, and finally to the destination telephone. This dedicated connection exists until the call terminates.
  • the establishment of a completed path is a prerequisite to the transmission of data for circuit switched networks.
  • the microphone captures analog signals, and the signals are transmitted to the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) Central Office (CO) in analog form over an analog loop.
  • LEC Local Exchange Carrier
  • CO Central Office
  • the analog signal is not converted to digital form until it reaches the LEC Co, and even then only if the equipment is modem enough to support digital information.
  • the analog signals are converted to digital at the device and transmitted to the LEC as digital information.
  • the circuit guarantees that the samples can be delivered and reproduced by maintaining a data path of 64 Kbps (thousand bits per second). This rate is not the rate required to send digitized voice per se. Rather, 64Kbps is the rate required to send voice digitized with the Pulse Code Modulated (PCM) technique. Many other methods for digitizing voice exist, including ADPCM (32Kbps), GSM (13 Kbps), TrueSpeech 8.5 (8.5 Kbps), G.723 (6.4 Kbps or 5.3 Kbps) and Voxware RT29HQ (2.9 Kbps). Furthermore, the 64 Kbps path is maintained from LEC Central Office (CO) Switch to LEC CO, but not from end to end. The analog local loop transmits an analog signal, not 64 Kbps digitized audio. One of these analog local loops typically exists as the "last mile" of each of the telephone network circuits to attach the local telephone of the calling party.
  • PCM Pulse Code Modulated
  • circuit switching has two significant drawbacks.
  • the entire circuit switching infrastructure is built around 64 Kbps circuits.
  • the infrastructure assumes the use of PCM encoding techniques for voice.
  • very high quality codecs are available that can encode voice using less than one-tenth of the bandwidth of PCM.
  • the circuit switched network blindly allocates 64 Kbps of bandwidth for a call, end-to-end, even if only one-tenth of the bandwidth is utilized.
  • each circuit generally only connects two parties. Without the assistance of conference bridging equipment, an entire circuit to a phone is occupied in connecting one party to another party.
  • Circuit switching has no multicast or multipoint communication capabilities, except when used in combination with conference bridging equipment.
  • Packet switched networks which predominate the computer network industry, divide data into small pieces called packets that are multiplexed onto high capacity intermachine connections.
  • a packet is a block of data with a strict upper limit on block size that carries with it sufficient identification necessary for delivery to its destination.
  • Such packets usually contain several hundred bytes of data and occupy a given transmission line for only a few tens of milliseconds. Delivery of a larger file via packet switching requires that it be broken into many small packets and sent one at a time from one machine to the other.
  • the network hardware delivers these packets to the specified destination, where the software reassembles them into a single file.
  • Packet switching is used by virtually all computer interconnections because of its efficiency in data transmissions. Packet switched networks use bandwidth on a circuit as needed, allowing other transmissions to pass through the lines in the interim. Furthermore, throughput is increased by the fact that a router or switching office can quickly forward to the next stop any given packet, or portion of a large file, that it receives, long before the other packets of the file have arrived. In message switching, the intermediate router would have to wait until the entire block was delivered before forwarding. Today, message switching is no longer used in computer networks because of the superiority of packet switching.
  • the public switched telephone network was designed with the goal of transmitting human voice, in a more or less recognizable form. Their suitability has been improved for computer-to- computer communications but remains far from optimal.
  • a cable running between two computers can transfer data at speeds in the hundreds of megabits, and even gigabits per second. A poor error rate at these speeds would be only one error per day.
  • a dial- up line using standard telephone lines, has a maximum data rate in the thousands of bits per second, and a much higher error rate.
  • the combined bit rate times error rate performance of a local cable could be 11 orders of magnitude better than a voice-grade telephone line.
  • New technology has been improving the performance of these lines.
  • the Internet is composed of a great number of individual networks, together forming a global connection of thousands of computer systems. After understanding that machines are connected to the individual networks, we can investigate how the networks are connected together to form an internetwork, or an internet. At this point, internet gateways and internet routers come into play.
  • gateways and routers provide those links necessary to send packets between networks and thus make connections possible. Without these links, data communication through the Intemet would not be possible, as the information either would not reach its destination or would be incomprehensible upon arrival.
  • a gateway may be thought of as an entrance to a communications network that performs code and protocol conversion between two otherwise incompatible networks. For instance, gateways transfer electronic mail and data files between networks over the intemet.
  • IP Routers are also computers that connect networks and is a newer term preferred by vendors. These routers must make decisions as to how to send the data packets it receives to its destination through the use of continually updated routing tables. By analyzing the destination network address of the packets, routers make these decisions. Importantly, a router does not generally need to decide which host or end user will receive a packet; instead, a router seeks only the destination network and thus keeps track of information sufficient to get to the appropriate network, not necessarily the appropriate end user. Therefore, routers do not need to be huge supercomputing systems and are often just machines with small main memories and little disk storage. The distinction between gateways and routers is slight, and current usage blurs the line to the extent that the two terms are often used interchangeably. In current terminology, a gateway moves data between different protocols and a router moves data between different networks. So a system that moves mail between TCP/IP and OSI is a gateway, but a traditional LP gateway (that connects different networks) is a router.
  • the telephone system is organized as a highly redundant, multilevel hierarchy. Each telephone has two copper wires coming out of it that go directly to the telephone company's nearest end office, also called a local central office. The distance is typically less than 10 km; in the U.S. alone, there are approximately 20,000 end offices.
  • the concatenation of the area code and the first three digits of the telephone number uniquely specify an end office and help dictate the rate and billing structure.
  • the two-wire connections between each subscriber's telephone and the end office are called local loops. If a subscriber attached to a given end office calls another subscriber attached to the same end office, the switching mechanism within the office sets up a direct electrical connection between the two local loops. This connection remains intact for the duration of the call, due to the circuit switching techniques discussed earlier.
  • each end office has a number of outgoing lines to one or more nearby switching centers, called toll offices. These lines are called toll connecting tmnks. If both the caller's and the receiver's end offices happen to have a toll connecting trunk to the same toll office, the connection may be established within the toll office. If the caller and the recipient of the call do not share a toll office, then the path will have to be established somewhere higher up in the hierarchy. There are sectional and regional offices that form a network by which the toll offices are connected. The toll, sectional, and regional exchanges communicate with each other via high bandwidth inter-toll tmnks. The number of different kinds of switching centers and their specific topology varies from country to country, depending on its telephone density.
  • TCP/IP In addition to the data transfer functionality of the Internet, TCP/IP also seeks to convince users that the Intemet is a solitary, virtual network. TCP/LP accomplishes this by providing a universal interconnection among machines, independent of the specific networks to which hosts and end users attach. Besides router interconnection of physical networks, software is required on each host to allow application programs to use the Internet as if it were a single, real physical network.
  • IP Internet Protocol/LP
  • TCP/LP Transmission Control Protocol/LP
  • datagrams This section will briefly discuss how these datagrams are routed through the Internet.
  • routing is the process of choosing a path over which to send packets.
  • routers are the computers that make such choices. For the routing of information from one host within a network to another host on the same network, the datagrams that are sent do not actually reach the Internet backbone. This is an example of internal routing, which is completely self-contained within the network. The machines outside of the network do not participate in these internal routing decisions.
  • Direct delivery is the transmission of a datagram from one machine across a single physical network to another machine on the same physical network. Such deliveries do not involve routers. Instead, the sender encapsulates the datagram in a physical frame, addresses it, and then sends the frame directly to the destination machine.
  • Indirect delivery is necessary when more than one physical network is involved, in particular when a machine on one network wishes to communicate with a machine on another network. This type of communication is what we think of when we speak of routing information across the Intemet backbone.
  • routers are required. To send a datagram, the sender must identify a router to which the datagram can be sent, and the router then forwards the datagram towards the destination network. Recall that routers generally do not keep track of the individual host addresses (of which there are millions), but rather just keeps track of physical networks (of which there are thousands). Essentially, routers in the Internet form a cooperative, interconnected structure, and datagrams pass from router to router across the backbone until they reach a router that can deliver the datagram directly.
  • ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
  • ATM networks require modem hardware including: 1) High speed switches that can operate at gigabit (trillion bit) per second speeds to handle the traffic from many computers.
  • ATM inco ⁇ orates features of both packet switching and circuit switching, as it is designed to carry voice, video, and television signals in addition to data. Pure packet switching technology is not conducive to carrying voice transmissions because such transfers demand more stable bandwidth.
  • Frame relay systems use packet switching techniques, but are more efficient than traditional systems. This efficiency is partly due to the fact that they perform less error checking than traditional X.25 packet-switching services. In fact, many intermediate nodes do little or no error checking at all and only deal with routing, leaving the error checking to the higher layers of the system. With the greater reliability of today's transmissions, much of the error checking previously performed has become unnecessary. Thus, frame relay offers increased performance compared to traditional systems.
  • An Integrated Services Digital Network is an "international telecommunications standard for transmitting voice, video, and data over digital lines," most commonly running at 64 kilobits per second.
  • the traditional phone network ns voice at only 4 kilobits per second.
  • an end user or company must upgrade to ISDN terminal equipment, central office hardware, and central office software.
  • the ostensible goals of ISDN include the following: 1) To provide an internationally accepted standard for voice, data and signaling;
  • An ISP is composed of several disparate systems. As ISP integration proceeds, formerly independent systems now become part of one larger whole with concomitant increases in the level of analysis, testing, scheduling, and training in all disciplines of the ISP.
  • the NGN operations architecture specifies the points of insertion and collections for network wide events that feed the Fault Management systems. Since the components of the packet portion of the hybrid NGN infrastructure are in most cases manageable by SNMP or some other standard management protocol the major challenges are the following:
  • the network management components of the NGN provide comprehensive solutions to address these challenges. Correlation is provided by the use of rules based inference engines. Event gathering and inte ⁇ retation is typically performed by custom development of software interfaces which communicate directly with the network elements, process raw events and sort them by context prior to storing them. For example, alarms versus command responses. The mediation and standardization challenge is addressed by using a comprehensive library of all possible message types and network events categorize the numerous messages that the NGN generates.
  • FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing a Fault Management Process 2800 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the Fault Management Process 2800 begins with a transmitting step 2802.
  • step 2802 data is transmitted over the hybrid network, including video and mixed audio information.
  • the data transmission generally makes full use of the hybrid networks mixed circuit-switched an packet-switched components.
  • the hybrid network includes approximately all the advantages of a packet based network while still making use of the older circuit-switched components already in place.
  • a circuit-switched event gathering step 2804 an event is obtained from a circuit-switched based network element.
  • event gathering and inte ⁇ retation is typically performed by custom developed software interfaces which communicate directly with the network elements, process raw network events, and sort the events by context prior to storing them. After obtaining the events, the events are correlated in a correlation step 2806.
  • a correlation step 2806 the event gathered in step 2804 is correlated with a second event obtained from a packet-switched network element.
  • packet-switched event gathering and inte ⁇ retation is typically performed by custom developed software interfaces which communicate directly with the network elements, process raw network events, and sort the events by context prior to storing them.
  • the correlation is preferably provided by a rules based inference engine.
  • a fault message is created based on the correlated first and second events obtained in steps 2804 and 2806.
  • the fault message is created utilizing a comprehensive library of all possible message types and network events which categorizes the numerous messages that the hybrid network generates.
  • FIG. 29 is a block diagram showing a Fault Management component 2900 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the Fault Management component 2900 records failures and exceptions in network devices (e.g. network routers or UNIX servers) and performs the following operations:
  • the Fault Management component 2900 includes the following elements:
  • SNMP Devices 2906 Any SNMP manageable device.
  • Manager is one product which performs several functions. In this context it is it is responsible for receiving performance information from BMC Patrol clients via BMC Patrol View.
  • Seagate NerveCenter 2910 In a fault management context, Seagate NerveCenter performs root-cause correlation of faults and events across the network.
  • HP OV Network Node Manager Network Map 2912 - HP OpenView Network Node Manager is one product which performs several functions. In this context it is responsible for maintaining and displaying the node level network map of the network the MNSIS architecture monitors.
  • HP OV Network Node Manager 2914 - HP OpenView Network Node Manager is one product which performs several functions. In this context it is it is responsible for receiving and displaying all events, regardless of their source.
  • Netcool HP OV NNM Probe 2916 An Omnibus Netcool probe which is installed on the same system as HP OV Network Node Manager and forwards events to the Omnibus Netcool Object Server.
  • monitors which monitor internet services such as FTP, POP3, SMTP, NNTP, DNS, HTTP, and RADIUS. These monitors collect availability and performance data and forward the information as alerts to the Omnibus Netcool Object Server.
  • Netcool Object Server 2920 The Omnibus Netcool Object Server is a real-time memory resident database which stores all current events (alerts). The events are viewable by operations personnel using a number of event lists and views, all of which are highly customizable by each operator. Notification Spooler 2922 - A custom provided sub-component which spools job-files that specify which events have occurred for possible notifications.
  • Each spooled job represents a specific event that was received by the Netcool Object Server and may need to result in one or more notification actions.
  • Each job is stored as a file in a special notification spool directory.
  • Notification Actor 2926 A custom provided sub-component which determines the alert time, source node, and alert type from the loaded spooled job and initiates notification actions based as specified in the configuration file.
  • Notification actions include alphanumeric pages, trouble tickets, email, and resolution scripts. Multiple notification actions can be specified in the configuration files such that different actions are taken for different alert times, source nodes, and/or alert types. Default actions are also supported.
  • Alphanumeric Page 2928 An alphanumeric page sent using Telamon TelAlert via modem dialing the relevant paging provider.
  • the alphanumeric page message provides contextual notification of actions to be performed.
  • Context can include any information but frequently contains information such as the device name, problem description, and priority.
  • the mail message is frequently used to provide non-urgent notification of situations or actions automatically performed by the MNSIS architecture along with detailed context.
  • Local Script Execution 2932 Initiates any local script on the machine, which may initiate scripts or applications on other machines.
  • the Omnibus Netcool Remedy Gateway automatically reads alerts in the Netcool Object Server and opens tickets within Remedy as customized by the user.
  • the Remedy trouble ticket ID is returned to the Omnibus and can be viewed as further reference.
  • Oracle Gateway 2938 The Omnibus Netcool Oracle Gateway automatically reads alerts in the Netcool Object Server and logs records within Oracle as customized by the user.
  • Oracle 2940 - Oracle is a relational database management system.
  • SOL Loader Script 2946 - A custom script which automatically loads records into Oracle via SQL Loader Direct Load.
  • the element manager works with the Information Services Manager and the Presentation Manager to assist in the management of the hybrid network system.
  • the three components are briefly described below to provide context for the detailed discussion of the element manager that follows.
  • the element manager communicates with the network elements to receive alarms and alerts through trapping and polling techniques.
  • the element manager is the layer where the primary data reduction functions reside. At this layer, events received at the element manager will be filtered, aggregated and correlated to further isolate problems within the network. Information that is deemed critical to monitor and manage the network is translated into a standard object format and forwarded to the Information Services Manager.
  • An element manager can be, but is not necessarily, software which adheres to open standards such as the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and the Object Management Group's (OMG) Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA).
  • SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
  • OMG Object Management Group's
  • CORBA Common Object Request Broker Architecture
  • the information services manager provides the data management and data communications between element managers and presentation managers. All information forwarded from the element managers is utilized by the information services manager to provide information to the network operators.
  • the information services manager adheres to CORBA standards to provide ubiquitous information access via an object request broker (ORB).
  • ORB object request broker
  • the ORB allows the information services manager to share management information stored in distributed databases.
  • the information services manager stores critical management information into operational (real-time) and analytical (historical) distributed databases. These databases provide common data storage so that new products can be easily inserted into the management environment. For example, if an event is received at an element manager that is deemed critical to display to a network user, the information services manager will store a copy of the alarm in the operational database and then forward the alarm to the appropriate network operator.
  • the databases includes online manuals for administrative pu ⁇ oses, as well as for the maintenance specialists to access element specific information.
  • the databases also provide procedures, policies and computer based training to network users.
  • the information services manager provides requested information (real-time and historical) to the network users via the presentation manager.
  • the presentation manager performs the function its name implies: the presentation of the information to an end user. Because different locations and job functions require access to different types of information, there are at least two types of display methods. The first is for graphic intensive presentations and the second is for nomadic use, such as field technicians.
  • the first environment requires a graphic intensive display, such as those provided by X- Windows/MOTLF.
  • the second environment is potentially bandwidth poor where dial-up or wireless access may be used along with more traditional LAN access. This is also where browser technology is employed.
  • the Element Management Aspect of the present invention works in conjunction with other components of the system, such as Fault Management, to provide communication between the various network elements of the system.
  • FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an Element Management Process 3000 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the Element Management Process 3000 begins with a monitoring step 3002.
  • the Element Manager monitors the system for events generated by network elements.
  • the Element Manager continuously monitors the system to translate events for other system components, such as the Fault
  • the Element Manager receives events from various network elements.
  • the events are provided by custom software interfaces which communicate directly with network elements.
  • the software interfaces preferably process the raw network events and sort them by context prior to providing the events to the Element Manager.
  • a filtering and correlating step 3006 the Element Manager filters and correlates the events received in step 3004. Preferably the correlation is provided by a rules based inference engine. After collecting and correlating the events, the Element Manager performs a translation step 3008. In step 3008, the events correlated in step 3006 are translated into standard object format. Generally a comprehensive library of all message types generated by the hybrid system is utilized to translate the correlated events into standard object format. Once the events are translated, they are ready for use by other system components, such as Fault Management or Billing.
  • the organization model for customer service support in the NGN network provides a single point of contact that is customer focused. This single point of contact provides technical expertise in resolving customer incidents, troubles and requests. Generally a three tiered support structure is greatly increases customer satisfaction in service needs. Each tier, or level, possess an increased level of skill, with tasks and responsibilities distributed accordingly.
  • FIG 31 is a flowchart showing a Three Tiered Customer Support Process 3100 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the Three Tiered Customer Support Process 3100 begins with a First Tier step 3102.
  • step 3102 a customer with a hybrid network problem is provided access to customer support personnel having a broad set of technical skills. The broad set of technical skills allows this group to solve about 60-70% of all hybrid network problems. If the customers network problem is solved at this stage, the process ends. However, if the customers network problem is not solved at this stage, the process continues to a Second Tier step 3104.
  • the customer is provided access to technical experts and field support personnel who may specialize in specific areas.
  • This group allows it to solve many problems the group in step 3102 could not solve.
  • This group is generally responsible for solving 30-40% of all hybrid network problems. If the customers network problem is solved at this stage, the process ends. However, if the customers network problem is not solved at this stage, the process continues to a Third Tier step 3106.
  • the customer is provided access to solution experts who are often hardware vendors, software vendors, or customer application development and maintenance teems.
  • Solution experts who are often hardware vendors, software vendors, or customer application development and maintenance teems.
  • Customer network problems that get this far in the customer support process 3100 need individuals possessing in-depth skills to investigate and resolve the difficult problems with there area of expertise.
  • Solution experts are the last resort for solving the most difficult problems. Typically this group solves about 5% of all hybrid network problems.
  • the above model is generally referred to as the Skilled Model because personnel at all three tiers are highly skilled. This model generally creates a high percentage of calls resolved on the first call.
  • Other approaches include a Functional Model, and a Bypass Model.
  • Functional Model users are requested to contact different areas depending on the nature of the incident. Calls are routed to the customer support representative best able to handle the call.
  • a customer calling a customer support center in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is first asked a series of questions by an interactive voice response (IVR) system or an live operator.
  • the customer uses Touch-Tone keys on the telephone to respond to these queries from the IVR, or responds normally to a live operator.
  • IVR interactive voice response
  • the product support engineer can query the customer's computer via support agents for additional information, if necessary.
  • the customer spends less time interacting with a product support engineer, and is relieved of many of the responsibilities in diagnosing and resolving problems. Automated diagnoses and shorter customer interactions save the product support center time, resources, and money. At the same time, the customer receives a better diagnosis and resolution of the problem than could usually be achieved with prior art product support techniques.
  • one embodiment of the present invention makes the Internet a viable alternative to telephone calls as a tool for providing consumer product support.
  • Many on-line computer services such as Prodigy and America On-Line, provide, for a fee as a part of their on-line service, software for connecting to and accessing the Internet.
  • the Internet access software accesses and "handshakes" with an "Internet Entry Server", which verifies the PIN number, provides the access and times the user's access time.
  • Internet Entry Server is programmed to recognize the PIN number as entitling the user to a limited prepaid or "free" Internet access time for on-line help services. Such a time period could be for a total time period such as 1 hour or more, or access to on-line help services can be unlimited for 90 days, 6 months, etc., for example, with the access time paid for by the sponsor/vendor.
  • Server performs a registration process which includes a number of personal questions and custom data gathering in the form of queries provided by the sponsor/vendor for response by the user.
  • the Internet Entry Server then "hot-links" the customer to the sponsor/vendor's Internet domain or Home Page for a mandatory "guided tour" where the user is exposed to any current product promotion by the sponsor/vendor and can download promotional coupons, product information, etc. After this mandatory guided tour is completed, the customer is allowed to enter queries for help in installing or using the sponsor/vendor's product. As an optional promotional service, upon termination of the on-line help session, access to other information on the Internet can be provided. Once the "free" on-line help service time or time period is up, the Internet Entry Server prompts the user with one or more of a plurality of options for extending the availability of on-line help.
  • the user can be prompted to enter a credit card number to which on-line help charges can be charged; he or she can be given the opportunity to answer additional survey information in return for additional "free" on-line help; or a 900 subscriber paid telephone access number can be provided through which additional on-line help will be billed via the normal telephone company 900 billing cycles.
  • the present invention includes data mining capability that provides the capability to analyze network management data looking for patterns and correlations across multiple dimensions.
  • the system also constmcts models of the behavior of the data in order to predict future growth or problems and facilitate managing the network in a proactive, yet cost-effective manner.
  • a technique called data mining allows a user to search large databases and to discover hidden patterns in that data.
  • Data mining is thus the efficient discovery of valuable, non-obvious information from a large collection of data and centers on the automated discovery of new facts and underlying relationships in the data.
  • the term "data mining” comes from the idea that the raw material is the business data, and the data mining algorithm is the excavator, shifting through the vast quantities of raw data looking for the valuable nuggets of business information.
  • Accurate forecasting relies heavily upon the ability to analyze large amounts of data. This task is extremely difficult because of the sheer quantity of data involved and the complexity of the analyses that must be performed. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that the data often resides in multiple databases, each database having different internal file structures. Rarely is the relevant information explicitly stored in the databases. Rather, the important information exists only in the hidden relationships among items in the databases. Recently, artificial intelligence techniques have been employed to assist users in discovering these relationships and, in some cases, in automatically discovering the relationships.
  • FIG 32 is a flowchart showing a Data Mining Process 3200 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the Data Mining Process 3200 begins with an identifying step 3202.
  • the system identifies patterns and correlations in the system data over the hybrid communication system.
  • the system data is analyzed across multiple dimensions to provide better future system behavior prediction.
  • a model building step 3204 the system builds a model of the network behavior based on the patterns and correlations identified in step 3202.
  • Data mining is a process that uses specific techniques to find patterns in data, allowing a user to conduct a relatively broad search of large databases for relevant information that may not be explicitly stored in the databases.
  • a user initially specifies a search phrase or strategy and the system then extracts patterns and relations corresponding to that strategy from the stored data.
  • Such a search system permits searching across multiple databases.
  • the extracted patterns and relations can be: (1) used by the user, or data analyst, to form a prediction model; (2) used to refine an existing model; and/or (3) organized into a summary of the target database, as in predicting step 3206.
  • a predicting step 3206 the system predicts future behavior of the network based on the model generated in step 3204.
  • data mining There are two existing forms of data mining: top-down; and bottom-up. Both forms are separately available on existing systems.
  • Top-down systems are also referred to as "pattern validation,” “verification-driven data mining” and “confirmatory analysis.” This is a type of analysis that allows an analyst to express a piece of knowledge, validate or validate that knowledge, and obtain the reasons for the validation or invalidation.
  • the validation step in a top-down analysis requires that data refuting the knowledge as well as data supporting the knowledge be considered.
  • Bottom-up systems are also referred to as “data exploration .” Bottom-up systems discover knowledge, generally in the form of patterns, in data.
  • the network is managed based on the future behavior of the network.
  • Data mining involves the development of tools that analyze large databases to extract useful information from them
  • customer purchasing patterns may be de ⁇ ved from a large customer transaction database by analyzing its transaction records
  • Such purchasing habits can provide invaluable marketing information
  • retailers can create more effective store displays and more effective control inventory than otherwise would be possible if they know consumer purchase patterns
  • catalog companies can conduct more effective mass mailings if they know that, given that a consumer has purchased a first item, the same consumer can be expected, with some degree of probability, to purchase a particular second item within a defined time pe ⁇ od after the first purchase.
  • Classification of the data records to extract useful information is an essential part of data mining. Of importance to the present invention is the constmction of a classifier, from records of known classes, for use in classifying other records whose classes are unknown.
  • a classifier is generated from input data, also called a training set, which consist of multiple records Each record is identified with a class label
  • the input data is analyzed to develop an accurate desc ⁇ ption, or model, for each class of the records. Based on the class desc ⁇ ptions, the classifier can then classify future records, referred to as test data, for which the class labels are unknown
  • a credit card company which has a large database on its card holders and wants to develop a profile for each customer class that will be used for accepting or rejecting future credit applicants. Assuming that the card holders have been divided into two classes, good and bad customers, based on their credit history. The problem can be solved using classification.
  • a training set consisting of customer data with the assigned classes are provided to a classifier as input.
  • the output from the classifier is a desc ⁇ ption of each class, i.e., good and bad, which then can be used to process future credit card applicants.
  • Similar applications of classification are also found in other fields such as target marketing, medical diagnosis, treatment effectiveness, and store location search.
  • SQL SQL statements used for accessing databases, and achieve comparable or better classification accuracy than other classification methods.
  • Another data mining classifier technique solves the memory constraint problem and simultaneously improve execution time by partitioning the data into subsets that fit in the memory and developing classifiers for the subsets in parallel. The output of the classifiers are then combined using various algorithms to obtain the final classification. This approach reduces running time significantly. Another method classifies data in batches.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computational Linguistics (AREA)
  • Data Mining & Analysis (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Information Retrieval, Db Structures And Fs Structures Therefor (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé servant à gérer des données dans une entreprise. Ceci consiste à recevoir une demande d'informations de la part d'un utilisateur. On effectue la recherche des données concernant la demande de l'utilisateur dans au moins deux référentiels d'informations séparés géographiquement. On présente à l'utilisateur les résultats de la recherche. Cet utilisateur est autorisé à explorer des données supplémentaires dans les référentiels. On crée des liens entre des articles de données et d'autres entrées de données contenues dans les référentiels en fonction de rapports existant entre ces articles de données et les autres entrées de données.
PCT/US2001/006770 2000-03-08 2001-02-28 Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances WO2001067282A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU4001001A AU4001001A (en) 2000-03-08 2001-02-28 Method of manufacture for a knowledge management tool
AU2001240010A AU2001240010B2 (en) 2000-03-08 2001-02-28 Method of manufacture for a knowledge management tool
CA002402253A CA2402253C (fr) 2000-03-08 2001-02-28 Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances
EP01914646A EP1377914A2 (fr) 2000-03-08 2001-02-28 Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/521,471 US6900807B1 (en) 2000-03-08 2000-03-08 System for generating charts in a knowledge management tool
US09/521,235 2000-03-08
US09/521,235 US7350138B1 (en) 2000-03-08 2000-03-08 System, method and article of manufacture for a knowledge management tool proposal wizard
US09/520,939 US6721726B1 (en) 2000-03-08 2000-03-08 Knowledge management tool
US09/521,471 2000-03-08
US09/520,939 2000-03-08

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001067282A2 true WO2001067282A2 (fr) 2001-09-13
WO2001067282A3 WO2001067282A3 (fr) 2003-10-16

Family

ID=27414779

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2001/006770 WO2001067282A2 (fr) 2000-03-08 2001-02-28 Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1377914A2 (fr)
AU (2) AU4001001A (fr)
CA (1) CA2402253C (fr)
WO (1) WO2001067282A2 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1490793A1 (fr) * 2002-03-19 2004-12-29 Medhand International Inc. Architecture et procede pour integrer et presenter des informations medicales
EP1982255A2 (fr) * 2006-02-09 2008-10-22 Unz.Org, Llc Organisation de contenu numérisé sur l'internet par études de contenu numérisé
US7930301B2 (en) 2003-03-31 2011-04-19 Microsoft Corporation System and method for searching computer files and returning identified files and associated files
US8126818B2 (en) 2002-12-30 2012-02-28 West Publishing Company Knowledge-management systems for law firms
CN1929488B (zh) * 2006-10-08 2012-07-04 华为技术有限公司 基于服务器分页的跨多页操作方法和装置

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN110837583B (zh) * 2019-09-27 2022-10-28 西安空间无线电技术研究所 一种基于数据链消息活跃度的快速查找方法、系统及介质
CN114969558B (zh) * 2022-08-03 2022-11-08 安徽商信政通信息技术股份有限公司 一种基于用户行为习惯分析的用户画像生成方法和系统

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5297249A (en) * 1990-10-31 1994-03-22 International Business Machines Corporation Hypermedia link marker abstract and search services
US5710918A (en) * 1995-06-07 1998-01-20 International Business Machines Corporation Method for distributed task fulfillment of web browser requests
US5819271A (en) * 1996-06-04 1998-10-06 Multex Systems, Inc. Corporate information communication and delivery system and method including entitlable hypertext links
JP3521174B2 (ja) * 1997-08-08 2004-04-19 株式会社東芝 情報フィルタリング装置および同装置に適用される関連情報提供方法

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
AMARA D ANGELICA: "Business Data Finds a Home on Custom Portals" TECHWEEK, 22 February 1999 (1999-02-22), XP002180677 *
DAVIES N J ET AL: "KNOWLEDGE SHARING AGENTS OVER THE WORLD WIDE WEB" BT TECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, BT LABORATORIES, GB, vol. 16, no. 3, 1 July 1998 (1998-07-01), pages 104-109, XP000781604 ISSN: 1358-3948 *
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 05, 31 May 1999 (1999-05-31) & JP 11 053392 A (TOSHIBA CORP), 26 February 1999 (1999-02-26) *

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1490793A1 (fr) * 2002-03-19 2004-12-29 Medhand International Inc. Architecture et procede pour integrer et presenter des informations medicales
EP1490793A4 (fr) * 2002-03-19 2007-02-14 Medhand Internat Inc Architecture et procede pour integrer et presenter des informations medicales
US8126818B2 (en) 2002-12-30 2012-02-28 West Publishing Company Knowledge-management systems for law firms
US9710786B2 (en) 2002-12-30 2017-07-18 Thomson Reuters Global Resources Systems and methods for managing documents for law firms
US10832212B2 (en) 2002-12-30 2020-11-10 Thomson Reuters Enterprise Centre Gmbh Systems and methods for managing documents for law firms
US7930301B2 (en) 2003-03-31 2011-04-19 Microsoft Corporation System and method for searching computer files and returning identified files and associated files
EP1982255A2 (fr) * 2006-02-09 2008-10-22 Unz.Org, Llc Organisation de contenu numérisé sur l'internet par études de contenu numérisé
EP1982255A4 (fr) * 2006-02-09 2011-05-25 Unz Org Llc Organisation de contenu numérisé sur l'internet par études de contenu numérisé
CN1929488B (zh) * 2006-10-08 2012-07-04 华为技术有限公司 基于服务器分页的跨多页操作方法和装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1377914A2 (fr) 2004-01-07
CA2402253C (fr) 2009-08-11
CA2402253A1 (fr) 2001-09-13
AU2001240010B2 (en) 2005-12-08
WO2001067282A3 (fr) 2003-10-16
AU4001001A (en) 2001-09-17

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US8938435B2 (en) Knowledge management tool
US6727927B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for a user interface for a knowledge management tool
US6564209B1 (en) Knowledge management tool for providing abstracts of information
US6900807B1 (en) System for generating charts in a knowledge management tool
US7350138B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for a knowledge management tool proposal wizard
US6147975A (en) System, method and article of manufacture of a proactive threhold manager in a hybrid communication system architecture
US6195697B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for providing a customer interface in a hybrid network
US6449588B1 (en) Customer-driven QOS in hybrid communication system
US6081518A (en) System, method and article of manufacture for cross-location registration in a communication system architecture
US6442547B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for information service management in a hybrid communication system
US6542593B1 (en) Rules database server in a hybrid communication system architecture
US6556659B1 (en) Service level management in a hybrid network architecture
US6707812B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for element management in a hybrid communication system
US6345239B1 (en) Remote demonstration of business capabilities in an e-commerce environment
US6611867B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for implementing a hybrid network
US6427132B1 (en) System, method and article of manufacture for demonstrating E-commerce capabilities via a simulation on a network
WO2000074431A2 (fr) Systeme, procede et article de fabrication a interface utilisateur de telephone internet integree pour explorer une architecture hybride d'un systeme de communication
US6167395A (en) Method and apparatus for creating specialized multimedia threads in a multimedia communication center
WO2000074359A2 (fr) Systeme, procede et article manufacture permettant la gestion des incidents de videoconferences dans un reseau hybride
WO2001017169A9 (fr) Systeme, procede et article pour systeme de gestion previsionnelle des anomalies sur reseau
WO2000028425A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif permettant de determiner et d'amorcer une directionalite d'interaction au sein d'un centre de communication multimedia
CA2402253C (fr) Procede servant a elaborer un outil de gestion de connaissances
AU2001240010A1 (en) Method of manufacture for a knowledge management tool
WO2001017313A1 (fr) Systeme, methode et article fabrique pour reseau de communication grande vitesse a plusieurs niveaux et a efficacite accrue
WO2000074337A2 (fr) Systeme, procede et article manufacture destines a un serveur de base de donnees de regles dans une architecture de systeme de communication hybride

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY CA CH CN CU CZ DE DK EE ES FI GB GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MD MG MK MN MW MX NO NZ PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TR TT UA UG UZ VN YU ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2402253

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2001240010

Country of ref document: AU

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2001914646

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2001914646

Country of ref document: EP

NENP Non-entry into the national phase in:

Ref country code: JP

WWG Wipo information: grant in national office

Ref document number: 2001240010

Country of ref document: AU