Automated test call generation and execution system

Claim 2

An automated test call system, coupled with a telecommunications network, comprising: a controller; a call generator coupled with said controller comprising: a first in-band test set, coupled between the telecommunications network and the controller, configured to function as a test call originator a second in-band test set, coupled between said test call originator and said controller, configured to monitor the signaling bits of said test call originator; a third in-band test set, coupled between the telecommunications network and said controller, configured to function as a test call terminator; and a fourth in-band test set, coupled between said call terminator and said controller, configured to monitor the signaling bits of said terminator; a database coupled to said controller; and a user interface coupled to said controller.

Claim 3

The automated test system of claim 1, wherein the input port of said first in-band test set is coupled with the output port of said second inband-test set, and the output port of said first in-band test set is coupled with said input port of said second in-band test set.

Claim 4

The automated test system of claim 1, wherein the input port of said third in-band test set is coupled with the output port of said fourth inband-test set, and the output port of said third in-band test set is coupled with said input port of said fourth in-band test set.

Claim 5

An automated test call system, coupled with a telecommunications network, comprising: a controller; a call generator coupled with said controller comprising: a first out-of-band protocol analyzer, coupled between the test network and said controller, configured to monitor test call signaling data and to originate test calls; a second out-of-band protocol analyzer, coupled between the test network and the controller, configured to monitor test call signaling data and to terminate test calls; a signal transfer point coupled to the test network, said first out-of-band protocol analyzer and second out-of-band protocol analyzer; a database coupled to said controller; and a user interface coupled to said controller.

Claim 6

An automated test call system, coupled with a telecommunications network, comprising: a controller; a call generator coupled with said controller comprising: a first out-of-band protocol analyzer, coupled between the test network and said controller, configured to monitor test call signaling data and to originate test calls; a second out-of-band protocol analyzer, coupled between the test network and the controller, configured to monitor test call signaling data and to terminate test calls; a signal transfer point coupled to the test network, said first out-of-band protocol analyzer and second out-of-band protocol analyzer; a database coupled to said controller; and a user interface coupled to said controller.

Claim 7

The automated test call system of claim 4, further comprising: an in-band test set, coupled between the telecommunications network and said controller and capable of functioning as either a test call originator or terminator.

Claim 8

The automated test call system of claim 4, further comprising a modem coupled between said controller and said first out-of-band protocol analyzer.

Claim 11

The method of claim 7, whereby step (1) (b) further comprises: (i) entering an identification for the test call script; (ii) identifying an originating trunk channel; and (iv) identifying a terminating trunk channel.

Claim 12

A computer program-product including a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for creating a test call script to be executed by a controller coupled with a call generator, wherein said call generator is driven by pre-defined commands sent by the controller, and comprises first and second in-band test sets for monitoring and originating test calls, and second and third in-band test sets for monitoring and terminating test calls, wherein said computer program logic comprises: presenting means for enabling the computer to present to a user, a test call generation screen, whereby the user is prompted to enter each test call parameter by either selecting a list item from a predefined list of test call parameters or by entering data into a test call parameter entry field; and translating means for enabling the computer to translate the test call parameters from said presenting means into a test case script comprising a list of pre-defined commands for the call generator.

Claim 13

A computer program-product including a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for creating a test call script to be executed by a controller coupled with a call generator, wherein said call generator is driven by pre-defined commands sent by the controller, and comprises first and second in-band test sets for monitoring and originating test calls, and second and third in-band test sets for monitoring and terminating test calls, wherein said computer program logic comprises: presenting means for enabling the computer to present to a user, a test call generation screen, whereby the user is prompted to enter each test call parameter by either selecting a list item from a predefined list of test call parameters or by entering data into a test call parameter entry field; and translating means for enabling the computer to translate the test call parameters from said presenting means into a test case script comprising a list of pre-defined commands for the call generator.

Claim 14

The computer program-product of claim 9, wherein said translating means comprises: reading means for enabling the computer to read a test call parameter from the list of test call parameters entered from said presenting means; and (b) converting means for enabling the computer to convert the test call parameter from said reading means into at least one pre-defined command for the test call generator.

Claim 15

A computer program-product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for enabling a computer to test signaling data for telephone calls connected to a telecommunications network, wherein said computer program logic comprises: (1) test call script creation means for enabling the computer to create a test call script, said test call script creation means including: (a) first execution means for enabling the computer to execute a test call generation program; (b) input means for enabling the computer to accept test call parameters from a user by presenting selectable predefined list items or data entry fields, so that the user can specify test call parameters including: an originating trunk; a terminating trunk; a called party telephone number; and a signaling template; and (c) first storage means for enabling the computer to save the test call script; (2) test call template creation means for enabling the computer to create a test call template, said test call template creation means including: (a) second execution means for enabling the computer to execute the test call script created by said test call script creation means; (b) first capture means for enabling the computer to capture signaling data from the test call executed by said second execution means; (c) second storage means for enabling the computer to save the signaling data from said first capture means; (3) means for enabling the computer to execute the test call script created by said test call script creation means to begin a test call; (4) second capture means for enabling the computer to capture signaling data from the test call; (5) compare means for enabling the computer to compare the signaling data from said second capture means with the signaling data from said first capture means; and (6) means for enabling the computer to report results from said compare means.

Claim 16

A computer program-product comprising a computer useable medium having computer program logic stored therein, said computer program logic for enabling a computer to test signaling data for telephone calls connected to a telecommunications network, wherein said computer program logic comprises: (1) test call script creation means for enabling the computer to create a test call script, said test call script creation means including: (a) first execution means for enabling the computer to execute a test call generation program; (b) input means for enabling the computer to accept test call parameters from a user by presenting selectable predefined list items or data entry fields, so that the user can specify test call parameters including: an originating trunk; a terminating trunk; a called party telephone number; and a signaling template; and (c) first storage means for enabling the computer to save the test call script; (2) test call template creation means for enabling the computer to create a test call template, said test call template creation means including: (a) second execution means for enabling the computer to execute the test call script created by said test call script creation means; (b) first capture means for enabling the computer to capture signaling data from the test call executed by said second execution means; (c) second storage means for enabling the computer to save the signaling data from said first capture means; (3) means for enabling the computer to execute the test call script created by said test call script creation means to begin a test call; (4) second capture means for enabling the computer to capture signaling data from the test call; (5) compare means for enabling the computer to compare the signaling data from said second capture means with the signaling data from said first capture means; and (6) means for enabling the computer to report results from said compare means.

Claim 17

The computer program-product of claim 11, wherein said input means further comprises: means for enabling the computer to accept input from a user to provide a name for the test call script; means for enabling the computer to accept input from a user to select an originating trunk channel; and means for enabling the computer to accept input from a user to select a terminating trunk channel.

Claim 20

The method of claim 13, wherein said translating step comprises the steps of: reading a test call parameter entered from said presenting step; and converting the test call parameter from said reading step into a pre-defined command for the test call generator.