Abstract: A network administration system includes an Internet-based repair (eRepair) subsystem that is configured to accept customer trouble tickets related to a network and to provide customer trouble ticket status information to customers. The administration system also includes a Work Force and Administration-Control (WFA/C) subsystem that is configured to manage repair services that are performed on the network in response to the customer trouble tickets. A repair status update system, method and/or computer program product is configured to automatically push a status change message from the WFA/C subsystem to the eRepair subsystem upon occurrence of a change in a status of a customer trouble ticket in the WFA/C subsystem as a result of repair services that are performed on the network. The customer trouble ticket status information is updated in response to receipt of the status change message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining Digital Loop Carriers and a telephone system local loop. One embodiment for proactively maintaining a Digital Loop Carrier in a telephone system local loop includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring status information associated with the Digital Loop Carrier. Proactive maintenance is predicted based upon the status information. The status information may be weighted. The status information may also be combined with information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. The embodiment may also generate and dispatch work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. A further embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one of customer information associated with copper line pairs, service information associated with copper line pairs, and status information associated with a Digital Loop Carrier.

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for screening a work order to diagnose and to isolate trouble in a telephone system. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring work order information, the work order information representing the work order. The work order information may be annotated with at least one of a date, a time, and an origin of the work order. The work order information is filtered for a screening criteria, with the screening criteria having a corresponding action. The work order information is updated according to the corresponding action, with the corresponding action updating at least one of a telephone system status code, a telephone system route code, and a narrative portion describing the telephone system. The process screens the work order for known indications of trouble in the telephone system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes acquiring at least one type of information selected from information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer or information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one type of information selected from the group consisting of customer information associated with copper line pairs and service information associated with copper line pairs. Still another embodiment describes a system including software modules communicating with a communications network. Software modules include a Dynamic Network Analyzer module and a Loop Facilities and Control System module. A database interfaces with the Dynamic Network Analyzer module and with the Loop Facilities and Control System module. A processor is also included, and the processor is capable of processing information stored in the database and of generating proactive maintenance.

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for creating and for managing trouble tickets and work orders. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and receiving a request to create a trouble ticket. The trouble ticket is created to investigate a problem with a communications system. The trouble ticket is assigned a work item number, with the work item number including a telephone number experiencing the problem with the communications system. The trouble ticket is tracked, from initial creation to final closure, using the assigned work item number.

Abstract: A method of validating connection data for a node of a telephone network involves processing a report file for terminal pairs at a network node. The records in the report file are divided into three categories in dependence on the nature of the information in each record. A network status database is then updated with the report data category by category. Circuit IDs in the network status database that are deleted by updating in respect of records belonging to other then the last processed category are recorded against a record in the network status database corresponding to a record in the last processed category. Circuit IDs in the network status database that are deleted by updating in respect of last-processed category records are logged to provide a list of circuit IDs for which further investigation is required.

Abstract: A method of managing proactive maintenance tasks for a communication system. The method includes storing proactive maintenance tasks and searching the tasks using at least one search criteria. Deletion of a proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has not been sent to a technician dispatch module which dispatches proactive maintenance tasks to technicians. Exclusion of proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has been sent to the technician dispatch module.

Abstract: Breaks in physical plant that occur in maintaining a public switched telephone network (PSTN) are tracked by receiving notices that correspond to incidences in which physical plant is broken in performing maintenance tasks on the PSTN for a defined time interval. Information specifying a total number of maintenance tasks performed on the PSTN during the defined time interval is also received. The information associated with the maintenance tasks in which the physical plant in the PSTN is broken and the information associated with the total number of maintenance tasks performed on the PSTN is stored in a searchable database.

Abstract: A secondary source of dispatch information is provided in the event of a failure of a primary source of dispatch information. The second source of dispatch information can be accessed electronically by service technicians in the field when the primary source of dispatch information fails so that service technicians do not have to contact operators in a central office to obtain the dispatch information. The secondary source of dispatch information can distribute the dispatch information in a number of ways including e-mail, web and other methods.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and method for tracking errors, the system residing on a user's desktop communicating with a central database over a network. The system comprises an error log including error recording tools for enabling the user to record an error; error resolution tools for enabling the user to resolve the error; and error follow-up tools for enabling a user to follow up on resolved errors; error reporting tools for enabling a user to generate error reports from the user's desktop; and communication tools for enabling the user to transmit logged errors to the central database and to receive reports generate from errors logged in the central database.

Abstract: A method for analyzing automatic line insulation testing data comprising receiving an electronic version of ALIT test results and parsing the ALIT test results to extract error data. The error data is inserted into an ALIT database. The ALIT database includes one record for each exception located in the error data and each record includes: a wire center attribute, an exception date attribute, a facility number attribute, a cable attribute, a pair attribute, a repair package attribute, a maintenance analyst name attribute, a trouble message attribute, a telephone number attribute, a tea attribute and a test result attribute. The number of exceptions per wire center occurring on a selected summary date is calculated in response to receiving a summary request from a user. The summary request includes the selected summary date and input to the calculating is the selected summary date and the ALIT database.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with pressure or flow sensors along fiber optic cables. Proactive maintenance of the fiber optic cables is predicted using the information associated with pressure or flow sensors. The embodiment may further include generating and dispatching work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. The embodiment may also include predicting proactive maintenance of telephone lines using information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and using information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes a system for predicting proactive maintenance of a telephone system local loop. This embodiment includes a Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module, a database stored in memory, and a processor.

Abstract: Automatic generation of loop make-up eliminates the need to match terminal names. A furthest feature from the origination of a particular pair range is determined. Using the determined furthest feature, one or more loop make-ups is generated by running the loop make-up for the circuit from the determined furthest feature to the origination of the pair range. Loop make-ups can be generated for a pair range as a whole or for individual complements in the pair range.

Abstract: A method and system for generating customer reports based on station message detail recording (SMDR) data includes a service control point (SCP) in a public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). The service control point samples calling data from multiple service switching points for calls originating from a private customer network, including centrex and PBX systems. The service control point interfaces with a front end processor and transmits the calling data. The front end processor formats the calling data into SMDR data, which is transmitted to a host central processing unit. The host generates reports regarding the SMDR calling data, the reports being accessible by a customer via a connection to a private customer network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining Digital Loop Carriers and a telephone system local loop. One embodiment for proactively maintaining a Digital Loop Carrier in a telephone system local loop includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring status information associated with the Digital Loop Carrier. Proactive maintenance is predicted based upon the status information. The status information may be weighted. The status information may also be combined with information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. The embodiment may also generate and dispatch work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. A further embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one of customer information associated with copper line pairs, service information associated with copper line pairs, and status information associated with a Digital Loop Carrier.

Abstract: A system for testing and monitoring the operation of telephone systems uses a call trace method for capturing messages associated with a phone call. The system can provide an indication as to the time a particular triggering signaling message (e.g., IAM or RLC message) was detected on a link. The present system assembles SS7 signaling messages in real-time. Time stamps are employed in triggers to identify past messages stored in a buffer that are related to the phone call.

Abstract: A method of managing proactive maintenance tasks for a communication system. The method includes storing proactive maintenance tasks and searching the tasks using at least one search criteria. Deletion of a proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has not been sent to a technician dispatch module which dispatches proactive maintenance tasks to technicians. Exclusion of proactive maintenance tasks is permitted if the proactive maintenance task has been sent to the technician dispatch module.

Abstract: A Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) administration system includes an Internet-based repair (eRepair) subsystem that is configured to accept customer trouble tickets related to the PSTN via the Internet and to provide customer trouble ticket status information to customers via the Internet. The administration system also includes a Work Force and Administration-Control (WFA/C) subsystem that is configured to manage repair services that are performed on the PSTN in response to the customer trouble tickets. A repair status update system, method and/or computer program product is configured to automatically push a status change message from the WFA/C subsystem to the eRepair subsystem upon occurrence of a change in a status of a customer trouble ticket in the WFA/C subsystem as a result of repair services that are performed on the PSTN. The customer trouble ticket status information is updated in response to receipt of the status change message.

Abstract: Systems of operating a telecommunications contracting company are described herein. The systems generally includes introducing a business structure to the telecommunications contracting company, introducing field operations to the telecommunications contracting company, introducing office administration to the telecommunications contracting company, introducing customer service to the telecommunications contracting company, introducing a centralized management structure comprising: research and development, setting standards, and measuring results in relation to the standards set and requiring implementation of the introduced concepts for the company.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes acquiring at least one type of information selected from information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer or information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one type of information selected from the group consisting of customer information associated with copper line pairs and service information associated with copper line pairs. Still another embodiment describes a system including software modules communicating with a communications network. Software modules include a Dynamic Network Analyzer module and a Loop Facilities and Control System module. A database interfaces with the Dynamic Network Analyzer module and with the Loop Facilities and Control System module. A processor is also included, and the processor is capable of processing information stored in the database and of generating proactive maintenance.

Abstract: The invention is a method and system conducting a completion test on a communications line. The system includes a testing device coupled to a remote device by a network. Line-test results are received from the testing device and made available to various client devices via the same or another network. Test data is automatically archived for analysis.

Abstract: Methods for rating installation technicians for telecommunications are described herein. The method generally includes defining performance criteria, making reports on each technician on a regular basis, assigning a rank to each technician on the regular basis, assigning between zero and five stars to each technician within the rank on a regular basis, creating reports on the technicians, comparing reports to the criteria and comparing the prior rank to the results of the reports.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for capturing call processing failures in a telecommunication system occurring at a telecommunication switch control processor as the failures occur. The system includes a computing system adapted for communicating with the telecommunication system. The computing system includes one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions; a memory associated with the computing system for storing the instructions; a storage device adapted for communicating with the computing system for storing data; and a communication device associated with the computing system for establishing a communication link between the computing system and the telecommunication system.

Abstract: An outage reporting method and system are disclosed for a telecommunications system. The outage reporting system includes a processor to record a data element value. The data element value indicates a type of outage that occurred in the telecommunications system, such as an administrative or network outage. The data element value can be sent to a network management system for use by the telecommunications provider, for example, to determine whether or not the telecommunications user should receive a refund.

Abstract: Upon providing a new service associated with a key telephone unit to an user system, a customer center periodically acquires communication log information of the key telephone unit, generates suggestion information of an inside comprise, which is optimal to the key telephone unit, on the basis of the communication log information, and automatically transmits that suggestion information to a maintenance personal computer via the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes acquiring at least one type of information selected from the group consisting of information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. This information is stored in memory, and the stored information is combined. This method may also include predicting proactive maintenance based upon the combined information. Another embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one type of information selected from the group consisting of customer information associated with copper line pairs and service information associated with copper line pairs. The acquired information is stored in memory and combined to predict proactive maintenance of the telephone system local loop. Still another embodiment describes a system including software modules communicating with a communications network.

Abstract: In accordance with another aspect of the invention defined by the claims, a monitoring system for a communication network having a plurality of network elements is provided. The monitoring system comprises a communication subsystem for receiving a first message from a first network element, a database for storing a plurality of data records relating to facilities provided by the communication network or equipment provisioned in the communication network, a message matching module, and a translation module. The message matching module is operative to cause the monitoring system to associate the received first message to one of the data records. The message matching module is also operative to cause the monitoring system to extract identification information from the first message and to use the identification information to select said one of the data records wherein the selected data record corresponds to the facility or the equipment in the communication network that relates to the received first message.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing proactive maintenance tasks for a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes predicting local loop proactive maintenance tasks, storing local loop proactive maintenance tasks, and searching the tasks using at least one search criteria. The at least one search criteria could include at least one of Proactive Maintenance Application number, Trouble Ticket Number, area code, status, Wire Center, district, manager, and supervisor. The at least one search criteria could also include at least one of technician, date, address, description, technician narrative, disposition code, priority, intermediate status code, work code, authorization, cable, and line pair. The embodiment also permits sorting and editing the local loop proactive maintenance tasks.

Abstract: A method for analyzing automatic line insulation testing data comprising receiving an electronic version of ALIT test results and parsing the ALIT test results to extract error data. The error data is inserted into an ALIT database. The ALIT database includes one record for each exception located in the error data and each record includes: a wire center attribute, an exception date attribute, a facility number attribute, a cable attribute, a pair attribute, a repair package attribute, a maintenance analyst name attribute, a trouble message attribute, a telephone number attribute, a tea attribute and a test result attribute. The number of exceptions per wire center occurring on a selected summary date is calculated in response to receiving a summary request from a user. The summary request includes the selected summary date and input to the calculating is the selected summary date and the ALIT database.

Abstract: A method and structure for discovering problem resolution in a helpdesk data set of problem tickets is based on using an enumerated set of phrases that have been identified as indicating diagnosis, instruction, or corrective action. A count of these phrases is then obtained and used along with any accompanying structured information to score each problem ticket. The tickets are then sorted so that the most useful problem tickets appear first.

Abstract: A system (102) for monitoring call processing failures in a radiotelephone network (100) includes a server (140) coupled with the radiotelephone network and configured to receive call processing failure data. The system further includes a plurality (142) of clients configured to be coupled to the server on a network (144) for display and analysis of the call processing failure data. The clients may include a portable client (152, 154) for remote or wireless access to call processing failure data at the server, permitting troubleshooting and failure analysis in the field. The client computers are preferably Windows-based and provides both analog (AMPS) and digital call processing failure counts.

Abstract: A method of generating a tree hierarchy display of error logs received from network devices and applications, each of the logs including a brief description of error cause and predetermined higher level ones of the logs being created in response to generation of predetermined combinations of lower level ones of the logs in accordance with user defined rule set criteria. The method comprises the steps of generating a user interface for entering explanations associated with predetermined ones of the error logs, storing the lower level ones of the logs used in meeting the rule set criteria, and displaying a tree hierarchy of the logs for any fully satisfied rule set criteria by attaching links between the logs in relation to the rule set criteria.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with defective line pairs. Proactive maintenance is predicted based upon the information. The information associated with defective line pairs may be weighted and combined with information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer or with information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Work orders describing the predicted proactive maintenance may be generated and dispatched.

Abstract: A system, method and apparatus is disclosed for capturing call processing failures in a telecommunication system occurring at a telecommunication digital cellular switch as the failures occur. The system includes a computing system adapted for communicating with the telecommunication system, the computing system including one or more computers having one or more processors for executing logic instructions; a memory associated with the computing system for storing the instructions; a storage device adapted for communicating with the computing system for storing data; and a communication device associated with the computing system for establishing a communication link between the computing system and the telecommunication system.

Abstract: In order to provide in-region, interLATA service, a bell operating company (BOC) must provide telecommunications service to competitive local exchange carriers (CLEC) in a non-discriminatory manner. To demonstrate that the BOC service to the CLEC is non-discriminatory, the BOC provides a series of performance measures to regulatory agencies and to the CLEC. A system and method is described for ensuring the quality of those performance measurements. The system and method provide for identifying sub-processes within a performance measurement process (PMP), identifying critical audit points within each sub-process, and implementing control measures corresponding to each critical audit point. The system and method help to eliminate the need for time-consuming and expensive third-party audits of the PMP.

Abstract: Processes and systems are disclosed for creating a maintenance report for a communications system. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring a telephone line record. The telephone line record include at least one of i) customer information from a Customer Record Information System, ii) facility information from a Loop Facility Assignment Control System, and iii) equipment information from a switch system analyzing telephone switches. The maintenance report is generated using the acquired telephone line record. The process creates the maintenance report using fresh data.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting detected errors in a computer system. The computer system includes a processor, communication device, and subsystems. The communication device preferably includes a preprogrammed reporting address associated with a technical support center. When an error is detected within the system, an error specific message is generated. The communication device then sends the error message to the preprogrammed address. The technical support center, resident at the preprogrammed address receives the error message and is able to more effectively respond to the detected error message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring information associated with pressure or flow sensors along fiber optic cables. Proactive maintenance of the fiber optic cables is predicted using the information associated with pressure or flow sensors. The embodiment may further include generating and dispatching work order information describing the predicted proactive maintenance. The embodiment may also include predicting proactive maintenance of telephone lines using information from a Dynamic Network Analyzer and using information from a Loop Facilities and Control System. Another embodiment includes a system for predicting proactive maintenance of a telephone system local loop. This embodiment includes a Pressure Alarms and Reports System Module, a database stored in memory, and a processor.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automating the dispatching of maintenance services from a telephone cable air pressure monitoring system. If air pressure maintained in a telephone cable conduit drops below a required level, an alarm may be generated at an air pressure alarm and report system (APARS). If the APARS determines that an unacceptable air pressure exists, data associated with the cable conduit is sent to a proactive maintenance application (PMA). The PMA checks other data associated with the conduit in question to determine if an acceptable condition exists that is responsible for the drop in air pressure or air flow. If the PMA does not determine that the change in air pressure or air flow is acceptable, the PMA generates a work order or work ticket for ordering a repair of the conduit. The work order is transmitted to a dispatch system. At the dispatch system, an operator verifies the status of the conduit in question.

Abstract: A failure response method is provided. The method includes preparing a bridge having an address of a telecommunication system for common access by a predetermined group of resources, sending an alpha communication communicating the telecommunication system address to the predetermined group of resources, coordinating the resources through the bridge to correct the failure, and sending a final message to the predetermined group of resources by the telecommunication system when the failure has been corrected. A failure response system is also provided. The failure response system includes a storage device containing contact data for a predetermined group of resources to be utilized when responding to a failure and an address of a telecommunication system for common access by the predetermined group of resources.

Abstract: A distributed computing system used for controlling a telecommunications network includes a number of computers interconnected by a data communications network each computer storing a plurality of data records. The computers are programmed to access records held on other computers and are programmed to move the record to another computer. Each computer is further arranged to store a table of data indicating the computer on which that record may currently be stored, and to update that table when the record is moved. Each computer is further programmed to store a log of the identities of the other computers which have accessed the record, and the computers are further programmed so that after moving the record, the computer sends a location updating message to at least one further computer determined in accordance with the log.

Abstract: A cable network repair control system including a server communicating with multiple call-handling clients in a trouble call center. The databases are used to automatically determine an associated network device for the customer who makes a trouble call. When a second call is received for a particular network device, an inferencing engine automatically operates to identify potential repairs crews and to control communication with them to ensure that optimum use of the repair crew time and quick repair. Various tables are generated dynamically and are used to update management status tables for reviewing of network repair status.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transaction support system for processing information from an information terminal unit provided together with a telephone. In the transaction support system, an information storing part stores terminal information concerning a process performed in the information terminal unit, the terminal information corresponding to telephone information identifying the telephone. Then, a displaying part displays the terminal information corresponding to the telephone information when a call from the telephone is received.

Abstract: Methods and systems for proactively maintaining a telephone system local loop. One embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring status information associated with telephone lines. Proactive maintenance is predicted using upon the status information. Work orders describing the predicted proactive maintenance may be generated and dispatched. Another embodiment includes communicating with a communications network and acquiring at least one customer information associated with copper line pairs, service information associated with copper line pairs, and status information associated with telephone lines. The acquired information is stored in a database. The database is updated with the status information associated with telephone lines. Proactive maintenance is predicted using the stored information.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated testing of a telecommunications system. In operation, the automated test system may be used to test the functionality of telephony applications residing on telecommunications equipment and to validate the data contained within related databases. In an exemplary embodiment, the automated test system is used to test the functionality of an automated messaging system and the accuracy of associated call detail records (CDR) located within a CDR database. A capture/playback tool is preferably used to emulate the interaction of a test person on a workstation of the test system to thereby automate the testing process.

Abstract: A Service Level Management system is provided. A notification of a service level problem within a combination packet-switching and circuit-switching hybrid network is received by the system. The service level agreement is retrieved and the problem is checked against the agreement to determine if the agreement has been met. The notification of the problem is prioritized with a second notification of a second service level problem based on a number of times the agreement has not been met. Next, a resolution for the service level problem within the hybrid network is determined. The resolution may include a status report, resolution notification, problem reports, service reconfiguration, trouble notification, service level agreement violations, and/or outage notification. The progress of the implementation of the resolution is tracked. Finally, the hybrid network is managed based on the future predicted behavior of the network.

Abstract: A method and system for use in a central office (CO) having network elements for communicating information between a central office technician (COT) stationed within the CO and network element monitoring personnel or monitoring center stationed remote from the CO. A local area network (LAN) having a hub stationed remote from the CO and a fiber communication line connected to the hub is provided. The fiber communication line has one end extending to the hub and the other end extending within the central office. The hub is operable for communicating with network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO. A node transceiver is coupled to the other end of the fiber communication line within the central office. A wireless transceiver is operable with the node transceiver for providing a communication link between a COT stationed within the CO and the network element monitoring personnel stationed remote from the CO via the local area network.

Abstract: A method and system for correcting a text service order from a customer is provided. The method includes converting the service order into a linked data structure, and applying a plurality of rules to the linked data structure. The linked data structure is modified, as demanded, based on the plurality of rules. The method further includes converting the linked data structure into a corrected service order when the linked data structure has been modified based on the plurality of rules.

Abstract: The present invention system automates the process of testing the integrity of the components residing at each node of a data network. After automatically dial connecting to a site of the network by selecting a telephone number from a retrieved list of telephone numbers each representing a site of the network, the instant invention sends a query directed to a particular component at the site. And depending on the response/non-response received, the instant invention can readily determine whether there is a problem with the being queried component. If there is a fault detected, this fault is reported either as a HTML file or a text file to either a web site or a data store, so that a technician can readily retrieve that information when needed. After all components at a site are tested, a report of the operational effectiveness of each of the components could be generated and provided either to the web site or dumped into the data store.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining whether the immediate state of a telecommunications switch (110) is adequate for a software upgrade or retrofit. A report stream of text messages relating to the state of, and events occurring on, the telecommunications switch is received (200) by a server (102). Predetermined messages are detected in the report stream, including messages indicating hardware errors, alarms and other errors (202). The predetermined messages have a numerical value associated therewith (204). The numerical value reflects a probability of failure of a retrofit if the message is detected. As the predetermined messages are detected, their numerical values are accumulated into an accumulated value (206). If the accumulated value exceeds a threshold, the switch is not fit for the retrofit (210, 211). The time spent receiving the report stream is determined and compared against an expected time (216).