Common channeling signaling network maintenance and testing

Claim 2

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for link load and load thresholding and of trapping predetermined link signals and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 3

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for predetermined conditions and of trapping predetermined link signals and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 4

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for predetermined conditions and of trapping predetermined link signals and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 5

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for conditions established by said first processor and capable of trapping link signals established by said first processor and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 6

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for conditions established by said first processor and capable of trapping link signals established by said first processor and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 7

A monitoring system according to claim 3 including an input device inputting control signals to at least one of said processors to establish the conditions monitored or the signals trapped by said monitors.

Claim 8

A monitoring system according to claim 3 including an input terminal receiving manual input determining at least in part said control signals to at least one of said processors to establish the conditions monitored.

Claim 9

A monitoring system according to claim 4 wherein said input device includes an input terminal receiving manual input.

Claim 10

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for conditions established by said first processor and of trapping fields of link signals established by said first processor and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 11

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for conditions established by said first processor and of trapping fields of link signals established by said first processor and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 12

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for conditions established by said first processor and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 13

In a communication system comprising a switched network controlled by a common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said switched network at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors coupled with selected links and comprising a link interface connecting said links and a first processor providing real time monitoring of the link signals and capable of monitoring for conditions established by said first processor and outputting signals indicative of monitored conditions in the links; and b) a second processor receiving and analyzing said output signals and providing a second set of output signals.

Claim 14

A monitoring system according to claim 8 including an input device inputting control signals to at least one of said processors to establish the conditions monitored or the signals trapped by said monitors.

Claim 15

A monitoring system according to claim 9 including an input terminal receiving manual input determining at least in part said control signals to at least one of said processors to establish the conditions monitored.

Claim 16

A monitoring system according to claim 9 wherein said input device includes an input terminal receiving manual input.

Claim 17

A monitor system for a switched communication network including program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) having a plurality of signal transfer points (STPs) connected to one another and to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between STPs and between SPs and STPs, comprising: a) a first plurality of link interfaces coupling to first links to one of said STPs and to a first processor means to provide real time monitoring of the link signals in said first plurality of links, and to provide a capability of trapping of predetermined link signals, monitoring for link signal load, and load thresholding, said first processor means providing output signals indicative of predetermined criteria determined from input derived from said first plurality of link interfaces; b) a second plurality of link interfaces coupling to second links to another of said STPs and to a second processor means to provide real time monitoring of the link signals in said second plurality of links, and to provide a capability of trapping of predetermined link signals, monitoring for link signal load, and load thresholding, said second processor means providing output signals indicative of predetermined criteria determined from input derived from said second plurality of link interfaces; c) third and fourth processor means connected respectively to said first and second processor means and generating additional output signals; said third and fourth processor means being connected to one another.

Claim 18

A monitor system for a switched communication network including program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) having a plurality of signal transfer points (STPs) connected to one another and to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between STPs and between SPs and STPs, comprising: a) a first plurality of link interfaces coupling to first links to one of said STPs and to a first processor means to provide real time monitoring of the link signals in said first plurality of links, and to provide a capability of trapping of predetermined link signals, monitoring for link signal load, and load thresholding, said first processor means providing output signals indicative of predetermined criteria determined from input derived from said first plurality of link interfaces; b) a second plurality of link interfaces coupling to second links to another of said STPs and to a second processor means to provide real time monitoring of the link signals in said second plurality of links, and to provide a capability of trapping of predetermined link signals, monitoring for link signal load, and load thresholding, said second processor means providing output signals indicative of predetermined criteria determined from input derived from said second plurality of link interfaces; c) third and fourth processor means connected respectively to said first and second processor means and generating additional output signals; said third and fourth processor means being connected to one another.

Claim 19

A monitor system for a switched communication network including program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) having a signal transfer point (STP) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between SPs and STPs, comprising: a) a plurality of link interfaces coupling to links to said STP and to a first processor means to provide real time monitoring of the link signals, and to provide a capability of trapping of predetermined link signals, monitoring for link signal load, and load thresholding, said first processor means providing output signals indicative of predetermined criteria determined from input derived from said plurality of link interfaces; and b) second processor means connected to said first processor means and generating additional output signals.

Claim 20

A monitor system for a switched communication network including program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) having a signal transfer point (STP) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between SPs and STPs, comprising: a) a plurality of link interfaces coupling to links to said STP and to a first processor means to provide real time monitoring of the link signals, and to provide a capability of trapping of predetermined link signals, monitoring for link signal load, and load thresholding, said first processor means providing output signals indicative of predetermined criteria determined from input derived from said plurality of link interfaces; and b) second processor means connected to said first processor means and generating additional output signals.

Claim 21

A monitor system according to claim 13 wherein said predetermined criteria is predetermined by at least one of said first and second processor means.

Claim 22

A monitor system according to claim 13 including terminal means associated with at least one of said first and second processor means, said terminal means providing a visible output of at least certain of said criteria.

Claim 23

A monitor system according to claim 13 wherein said criteria include link signal load.

Claim 24

A monitor system according to claim 13 wherein said criteria include link signal load and load thresholding.

Claim 25

A monitor system according to claim 13 wherein said criteria include load thresholding.

Claim 26

A monitor system for a switched communication network including program controlled switches controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network having a pair of signal transfer points connected to one another in mated relationship such that call control signaling pertaining to a voice and data communication link connected to a first of said program controlled switches and carrying voice and data signals between a called and calling party will pass through one or both of said pair of signal transfer points via data links to said signal transfer points that are separate from a communication connection through said switched communication network over which said communication link is established, said monitoring system comprising: a) a first plurality of link interfaces coupling to the data links to one of said pair of signal transfer points and to first processor means to provide real time monitoring of the data link signals in said first plurality of data links and trapping of predetermined data link signals, said first processor means providing first output signals; b) a second plurality of link interfaces coupling to the data links to the other of said pair of signal transfer points and to second processor means to provide real time monitoring of the data link signals in said second plurality of data links and trapping of predetermined data link signals, said second processor means providing second output signals; c) third and fourth processor means coupled to said first and second processor means and generating additional output signals, said third and fourth processor means being connected to one another.

Claim 27

A monitor system for a switched communication network including program controlled switches controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network having a pair of signal transfer points connected to one another in mated relationship such that call control signaling pertaining to a voice and data communication link connected to a first of said program controlled switches and carrying voice and data signals between a called and calling party will pass through one or both of said pair of signal transfer points via data links to said signal transfer points that are separate from a communication connection through said switched communication network over which said communication link is established, said monitoring system comprising: a) a first plurality of link interfaces coupling to the data links to one of said pair of signal transfer points and to first processor means to provide real time monitoring of the data link signals in said first plurality of data links and trapping of predetermined data link signals, said first processor means providing first output signals; b) a second plurality of link interfaces coupling to the data links to the other of said pair of signal transfer points and to second processor means to provide real time monitoring of the data link signals in said second plurality of data links and trapping of predetermined data link signals, said second processor means providing second output signals; c) third and fourth processor means coupled to said first and second processor means and generating additional output signals, said third and fourth processor means being connected to one another.

Claim 28

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control system comprising: a) addressable monitors including first processors coupled with said links to provide real time monitoring of the link signals and provide first output signals indicative of predetermined link signals; b) a second processor connected to said monitors and receiving said first output signals, said second processor providing control signals to control the monitors, said second processor generating second output signals responsive to said first output signals; and c) a third processor connected to said second processor and to an SP connected to said STPs, said control processor providing third output signals controlling the action of at least one of said PCSs responsive to said second output signals and a predetermined program in said third processor.

Claim 29

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control system comprising: a) addressable monitors including first processors coupled with said links to provide real time monitoring of the link signals and provide first output signals indicative of predetermined link signals; b) a second processor connected to said monitors and receiving said first output signals, said second processor providing control signals to control the monitors, said second processor generating second output signals responsive to said first output signals; and c) a third processor connected to said second processor and to an SP connected to said STPs, said control processor providing third output signals controlling the action of at least one of said PCSs responsive to said second output signals and a predetermined program in said third processor.

Claim 30

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control method comprising the steps of: a) establishing in a first processor an event control program; b) monitoring through monitors coupled to links in the CCSN the signals therein; c) selecting from said signals predetermined signals predetermined by said event control program; d) controlling the action of one or more of said PCSs in accord with said event control program responsive to said selection of said predetermined signals.

Claim 31

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control method comprising the steps of: a) establishing in a first processor an event control program; b) monitoring through monitors coupled to links in the CCSN the signals therein; c) selecting from said signals predetermined signals predetermined by said event control program; d) controlling the action of one or more of said PCSs in accord with said event control program responsive to said selection of said predetermined signals.

Claim 32

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control method comprising the steps of: a) establishing in a first processor an event control program; b) monitoring through monitors coupled to links in the CCSN the signals to and from at least one STP; c) selecting from signals detected in said monitoring signals designated by said event control program; d) controlling the action of one or more of said PCSs in accord with said event control program responsive to said selection of said signals.

Claim 33

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control method comprising the steps of: a) establishing in a first processor an event control program; b) monitoring through monitors coupled to links in the CCSN the signals to and from at least one STP; c) selecting from signals detected in said monitoring signals designated by said event control program; d) controlling the action of one or more of said PCSs in accord with said event control program responsive to said selection of said signals.

Claim 34

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control method comprising the steps of: a) establishing in a first processor an event control program; b) monitoring through addressable monitors coupled to links in the CCSN the signals to and from at least one STP; c) programming addressable monitors identified by said first processor to detect signals identified by said first processor; d) detecting said signals responsive to said programming; e) controlling the action of one or more of said PCSs pursuant to said event control program responsive to detection of said signals.

Claim 35

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, an event control method comprising the steps of: a) establishing in a first processor an event control program; b) monitoring through addressable monitors coupled to links in the CCSN the signals to and from at least one STP; c) programming addressable monitors identified by said first processor to detect signals identified by said first processor; d) detecting said signals responsive to said programming; e) controlling the action of one or more of said PCSs pursuant to said event control program responsive to detection of said signals.

Claim 36

A method according to claim 23 wherein the monitors programmed include monitors in links identified by the event control program.

Claim 37

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors including first processors coupled to said links to provide real time monitoring of the link signals and provide first output signals corresponding to predetermined link signals; b) a second processor connected to said monitors and receiving and processing said first output signals, said second processors generating second output signals responsive to said first output signals; and c) a third processor connected to said second processor and to an SP connected to said STPs, said third processor providing third output signals controlling the action of at least one of said PCSs responsive to said second output signals and a predetermined program in said third processor.

Claim 38

In a communication system comprising a switched network connected by program controlled switches (PCSs) controlled by a data switched common channel signaling network (CCSN) including signal transfer points (STPs) connected to said PCSs at signaling points (SPs) via links between said SPs and STPs, a monitoring system comprising: a) monitors including first processors coupled to said links to provide real time monitoring of the link signals and provide first output signals corresponding to predetermined link signals; b) a second processor connected to said monitors and receiving and processing said first output signals, said second processors generating second output signals responsive to said first output signals; and c) a third processor connected to said second processor and to an SP connected to said STPs, said third processor providing third output signals controlling the action of at least one of said PCSs responsive to said second output signals and a predetermined program in said third processor.

Claim 39

A monitoring system for use in a telephone system having a voice and data communication network having signaling points and a separate control network including at least one pair of control switches operating in mated relationship to one another such that control information pertaining to a communication session over a communication link carrying voice and data signals between a first signaling point and a second signaling point in said communication network will always pass through one or both of said pair of control switches, wherein said pair of control switches are separate from said communication network over which said communication link is established, said monitoring system comprising: a pair of processors each associated with a particular one of said pair of control switches, each said processor operable for receiving and temporarily storing therein selected control information as said control information passes through said associated control switch, said stored control information identifiable for a particular one of said signaling points and for a particular event session associated with said control information, wherein each said processor comprises means for storing said selected control information for a particular event session in a time stamped list; and means for combining information in said lists for a particular event session in one or the other of said processors.

Claim 40

A monitoring system for use in a telephone system having a voice and data communication network having signaling points and a separate control network including at least one pair of control switches operating in mated relationship to one another such that control information pertaining to a communication session over a communication link carrying voice and data signals between a first signaling point and a second signaling point in said communication network will always pass through one or both of said pair of control switches, wherein said pair of control switches are separate from said communication network over which said communication link is established, said monitoring system comprising: a pair of processors each associated with a particular one of said pair of control switches, each said processor operable for receiving and temporarily storing therein selected control information as said control information passes through said associated control switch, said stored control information identifiable for a particular one of said signaling points and for a particular event session associated with said control information, wherein each said processor comprises means for storing said selected control information for a particular event session in a time stamped list; and means for combining information in said lists for a particular event session in one or the other of said processors.