Patent Grant
7142650
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to managing resources in a telecommunications network or computer system environment.
2. Related Art
Telecommunications network products are services provided by telephone companies that are carried on telecommunications networks. A widely known example is dial-1 long distance voice service which allows a customer to dial a 1 plus a ten digit number from his or her home telephone, talk to a party who answers the telephone on the line of the ten digit number dialed, and pay for the telephone call when billed at the end of the month.
Although dial-1 is popular, other calling and payment options, also referred to as enhanced services, are sometimes preferable. For example, debit calling allows an individual to make a call from a phone other than their home phone and charge the call to the debit account. With debit calling, also referred to as prepaid calling, a customer puts finds in an account and has those funds debited each time a telephone call is made. Another calling and payment option is collect calling in which the call is billed to the receiving party's account.
Enhanced services are not limited to other calling and payment options. Enhanced services can provide a customer with information such as access to news and weather. Another enhanced service is 1-800-MUSICNOW which gives a telephone caller the ability to select and listen to music and then order a recording of the music by entering selections in response to menu prompts using the keypad of the telephone.
Enhanced services are possible because intelligent services networks (ISNs) within telephone companies telecommunications networks have advanced capabilities needed to process the enhanced service calls. The ISNs are networks that comprise ISN components capable of performing enhanced service call processing functions. Exemplary ISN components include computer systems that store data and perform protocol conversion and exchanges, also referred to as switches that route calls. In addition, for processing enhanced service calls, information about customers, calls, and telecommunications services is needed.
The information and ISN components are resources. Within a telecommunications network, resources are sources of assistance in performing functions needed to process calls.
For example, information such as the destination number dialed by a caller provides assistance in call processing by providing the area code which can be translated to determine what telecommunications network circuits should be used by ISN components to route the call to the intended recipient.
Information about resources may be obtained in multiple ways. For example, reports may be available that provide printed information about the resources. In addition, information may be available on-line by a human operator entering commands. Also, alarms may be generated that alert a human system overseer that a particular resource or group of resources is unavailable, malfunctioning, and/or in use more often than recommended. In typical ISNs, information is stored in an automated call distributor (ACD), an intelligent service network application processor (ISNAP), and other ISN components. The ACD provides the call switching, queuing, and protocol conversion functions. The intelligent service network applications processor (ISNAP) provides group selection functionality for the ISN.
Information about the resources is typically stored in electronic format in one or more computer systems. Application programmer interfaces (APIs) may be used to communicate call processing information and information about telecommunications components within a computer program. The APIs are procedures for communication within a computer program that reside in main memory and are processed by a processor. The APIs are used by programmable switches, such as the Excel programmable switch, to perform call processing functions. The API used by the Excel programmable switch is described in a document entitled, “Excel API specification revision 5.0.” Additional APIs include the Tabman, Queman, Sysmem, and Shmman APIs that are described in more detail below.
Typically, information about resources is handled in a non-standard, de-centralized manner. Information about various components within a telecommunications network is accessible via the particular component. For example, central processing unit (CPU) availability of a switch is obtained from the switch. Information about the processing capability of computer systems that assist the switch is stored in memory of the computer systems. In addition, information is only accessible using commands or APIs that can be understood by the component storing the information. For example, to access information about the switch, commands that can be understood by the switch must be used to obtain the data about the switch that is stored within the switch. To access information about a computer system assisting the switch, commands understood by the assisting computer system must be used.
The present invention is a system and method for managing resources, more particularly ISN resources. Resource management is performed by a resource management routine within an application program that resides in the memory of a switch controller. The resource management routine manages internal switch controller resources and external resources such as programmable switches.
An ISN includes components which perform enhanced call handling functions, such as operator consoles and automated response units, and components that provide access to databases and other networks. Enhanced services, such as pre-paid service, calling card, operator service, 1-800-COLLECT, and 1-800-MUSIC-NOW are possible using the ISN. A switch controller is a telecommunications network component which controls the operation of one or more programmable switches and is capable of performing complex call processing to handle service specific features of enhanced telecommunications services. The switch controller provides an interface between the public switching telephone network (PSTN) and the intelligent service network (ISN).
The present invention is a system-wide approach to resource management. The resource management routine provides standard procedures used by processes to obtain information about resources. In addition, the resource management routine provides controlled access to information about resources. The resource management routine is essentially a protective layer for information about resources. Compared to a library housing books which are resources for people to gain information, the resource management routine is a librarian which controls in a standardized way how resources are accessed by various different processes.
The resource management routine comprises electronic libraries residing in memory of the switch controller that store information about resources and resource management application programmer interfaces (APIs) that are used to access the stored information. Resource management APIs are stored in the main memory and processed by the processor of a computer. In order to process the resource management API, the processor calls the resource management API procedure from main memory. The resource management API procedure executes commands using input data. Completion of the execution of the resource management API results in return data which is the data requested and/or data indicating whether the transaction was successful and an output which is an action requested by the initiating routine.
Resource management APIs are generic in that they are not affected by changes to other APIs or messaging techniques, such as APIs for internal switch controller processing, the Excel programmable switch APIs, or changes to ISN protocols. Having a generic resource management API provides various benefits, including flexibility and extensibility. Flexibility is possible because the resource management APIs are independent of the other messaging techniques. Therefore, resource management does not need to be upgraded with changes to other routines and computer systems. In addition, if a new resource is added, the resource management routine needs to be updated but the new resource has a minimal impact on other routines and computer systems. As a result, changes can be more readily made to the ISN.
In addition, extensibility is improved with generic resource management APIs because new services can be more easily implemented. New services can be more easily implemented because modifications are not needed to the resource management routine unless implementation of the new service involves adding a new resource or modifying a resource such that access to data about that resource is affected. If a new resource is added or an existing resource is modified, changes are needed to the APIs associated with that resource and are not needed system wide.
Furthermore, maintenance and debugging of resource management routines within the switch controller are simplified and more accurate. Maintenance and debugging are simplified and more accurate because resource management APIs are standardized for the various resources. In other words, resource management APIs follow similar procedures when possible although the information is being accessed about different resources. As a result, resolution of maintenance and debugging issues for one resource management API is applicable to other resource management APIs. Also, resource management APIs are grouped within the same resource management routine. Therefore, maintenance and debugging resource management code involves accessing one routine and not attempting to identify resource management functionality within various processes and routines. Furthermore, individual routines are not required to have unique procedures and code for accessing information about resources. In addition to providing standard procedures, the generic resource management routine, which is available to routines requiring information about resources, reduces the overall code required to access resources.
Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Tables 1-69 illustrate application programmer interfaces and data structures according to one embodiment of the present invention.
In the drawings like reference numbers generally indicate identical functionally similar and/or structurally similar components. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the left most digits in the corresponding reference number.
1.0 Overview
Resource management within a switch controller provides management of intelligent service network (ISN) resources. A resource management routine within an application program residing in the memory of the switch controller manages resources by providing a protective layer of standard procedures, referred to as resource management application programmer interfaces (APIs) that are used to access information about ISN resources. The information about the ISN resources is stored electronically in memory and is organized in table format. The electronically stored data is referred to as the resource manager tables.
The ISN resources are resources associated with an ISN. An ISN is a network of components that perform functions to provide enhanced services, such as pre-paid service, calling card, operator service, 1-800-COLLECT, and 1-800-MUSIC-NOW. The ISN resources are sources of assistance in performing functions to provide enhanced services. The ISN components, such as operator consoles and automated response units, provide capabilities needed to process enhanced service calls and are ISN resources. In addition, information related to call processing is also an ISN resource.
The resource management routine resides within the memory of a switch controller. A switch controller is a telecommunications network component which provides an interface between the public switching telephone network (PSTN) and an intelligent service network (ISN). The switch controller provides control over ISN components, including one or more programmable switches, manual operator consoles, and automated response units (ARUs). In addition, the switch controller is capable of performing complex call processing to handle service specific features of enhanced telecommunications services.
The resource management routine comprises electronic libraries referred to as resource manager tables residing in memory of the switch controller that store information about resources and resource management application programmer interfaces (APIs) that are used to access the stored information. Resource management APIs are stored in the main memory and processed by the processor of a computer. In order to process the resource management API, the processor calls the resource management API procedure from main memory. The resource management API procedure executes commands using input data. The resource management API returns a response message that includes requested information and/or indication of whether the transaction was successful. The resource management API also results in an action requested by the initiating routine.
2.0 Example Resource Management Environment
The ISN environment 102 includes telephone 104 used by a caller, a telecommunications switching network 108, and an ISN 126. The telephone 104 used by the caller is connected to telecommunications switching network 108. The telecommunications switching network 108 provides switching and connectivity to the ISN 126. The ISN components 122 provide enhanced service call processing and connectivity to external networks and resources. Enhanced services include manual operator service, prepaid calling, calling card, 1-800-COLLECT, and 1-800-MUSICNOW. External networks and resources include financial processors, information databases, and Internet facilities.
The ISN 126 includes a programmable switch 110, a switch controller 112, LANs, WANs, and routers 120, and ISN components 122. The programmable switch 110 is connected to the telecommunications switching network 108 to provide switching capabilities for access to the ISN 126. The switch controller 112 is interconnected to programmable switch 110 to provide commands to control the programmable switch 110. The LANs, WANs, and routers 120 are connected to switch controller 112 and the ISN components 122 to provide connectivity between the switch controller 112 and the ISN components 122. Exemplary ISN components 122 include manual operator consoles (MOCs), automated response units (ARUs), databases, and protocol converters. The MOCs and ARUs are personal computers (PCS) that interact with a caller to provide operator services, customer services, and other enhanced services. Databases contain stored information and may be a single database or multiple databases connected to and controlled by a server systems. Protocol converters are connected to external networks and resources and provide protocol conversion and other processing necessary for interface between the telecommunications switching network 108 and external networks and resources.
The exemplary embodiment of a resource management environment 102 can best be described referencing the processing of a typical call. The exemplary call will be for a service that requires human operator intervention. The call is placed by a caller using telephone 104. The call is received by telecommunications switching network 108. The telecommunications switching network 108 comprises multiple telecommunications networks including local exchange networks and interexchange networks. A local exchange network comprises switches and termination equipment within a localized area An example of a local exchange network is a local telephone operating company network, such as Bell Atlantic. An interexchange network comprises a plurality of switches, also referred to as exchanges, distributed throughout a geographic area large enough to process long distance telephone calls. For example, a national interexchange network comprises switches located throughout the nation. When the call is routed to either a local exchange network or an interexchange network, the call is routed to one or more switches within the network.
The telecommunications switching network 108 is interconnected to the programmable switch 110 within the ISN 126. The programmable switch 110 has a basic switching matrix that provides switching functionality for access to the ISN 126. An ISN 126 may include additional programmable switches (not shown) interconnected to switch controller 112 or to additional switch controllers (not shown). The programmable switch is a dumb switch that can connect ports and process calls based on external commands. Examples of programmable switches include those built by Excel and Summa Four. Excel programmable switches come in sizes ranging from 512 ports to 8,000 ports.
The ISN 126 has a sizable architecture because the number of programmable switches 110 and the configuration of the programmable switches 110 can vary depending on the desired port requirement of the ISN 126. Excel programmable switches can support various signaling systems such as Signaling System Number 7(SS7) and can be connected directly to the signaling network of a telecommunications switching network 108. If multiple programmable switches are interconnected to one or more switch controllers, connections between the programmable switches and the switch controllers are most likely via a LAN (not shown), such as an Ethernet LAN, using transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). Transmission control protocol/internet protocol is used by various data networks including many Internet servers. Each programmable switch 110 is connected to the telecommunications switching network 108 via voice telephony trunks, also referred to as lines. Typical telephony trunks are capable of carrying high speed digital data. The voice trunk connectivity between the programmable switch 110 and the telecommunications switching network 108 includes signaling, such as SS7 protocol. The current industry standard of SS7 protocol is published in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Signaling System Number 7(SS7) Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) NCT1.113(1995) document and the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Signaling System 7(SS7) Message Transfer Part (MTP) NCT 1.111(1992) document which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Signaling System 7 may be implemented using SS7 signaling rings (not shown) connected to a signal transfer point (not shown). Some ISN 126 architectures may use signaling gateways between the signaling transfer point and the programmable switch although this is not necessary if the programmable switch is capable of the signaling used by the telecommunications switching network 108.
Switch controller 112 is connected to programmable switch 110 to provide external commands to control call processing. The switch controller 112 provides the commands to the programmable switch 110 to perform call processing functions. When the programmable switch 110 receives a call from the network it sends a message to the switch controller 112. The switch controller 112 determines the call processing needed and returns commands to the programmable switch 110.
In addition, the switch controller 112 provides access to ISN components 122. The switch controller interfaces with ISN components 122 via LANs. WANs, routers (or any other connectivity) 114 using Network Information Distribution System (NIDS) Sequenced Packet Protocol (NSPP) on top of User Datagram Protocol/Internet Protocol (UDP/IP). Network Information Distribution System Sequenced Packet Protocol is a session oriented packet exchange protocol that is implemented over UDP/IP. It is designed to allow rapid information exchange between client applications and NIDS server processes. The use of TCP/IP between switch controller 112 and the programmable switch 110 and the use of NSPP/UDP/IP for communications via LANs, WANs, routers (or any other connectivity) 114 illustrate exemplary protocols but the ISN 126 is not limited to these protocols.
Stored within memory of the switch controller 112 is the switch controller application program 118 which is the computer program that performs the functionality associated with switch controller 112. The switch controller application program 118 is processed by a processor. The architecture of the switch controller 112 will be described in further detail with respect to FIG. 2.
The resource management routine 114 resides in memory of the switch controller 112 within the switch controller application program 118. In one embodiment of the present invention, the resource management routine is within a resource control function. The resource control function is a process within the switch controller application program 118 that both provides management of resources and monitors resources. Resources are managed by the resource management routine 114. Monitoring is performed by a system control process, also within the resource control process. The system control process monitors call states and service related resources.
Switch controller application program routines 116A, 116B, 116C, . . . 116n reside in memory of the switch controller 112 within the switch controller application program 118 and, when executed, perform enhanced service call processing and other functions needed to provide an interface between the telecommunications switching network 108 and the ISN components 122. Except as otherwise noted, when the switch controller application program routines 116 are referred to generally, they will be referred to with the number designation only and not a letter designation. The routines within the switch controller application program 118 include the resource control function (described above), the programmable switch support function, the call control function, the service control function, and the management interface function.
The programmable switch support function provides an interface between the switch controller 112 and the programmable switch 110. The programmable switch support function translates messages between a generic switch controller API message format and programmable switch API message format, manages message header/trailer requirements, and controls connectivity to the programmable switch 110.
The call control function provides service independent call processing. The call control function performs call processing by analyzing call processing information with respect to the current state as defined by the basic call state machine model. Each call has two states represented in the state machine for the originating and terminating call segments. The basic call state machine model is described further in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) specifications Q.1224. The call control function performs various functions including but not limited to: detecting an incoming call, creating an originating call model, collecting originating dial digits, requesting analysis of the digits, selecting trunk groups, creating a terminating call model, composing and sending messages to the terminating agent or party, detecting ISUP messages, detecting disconnect signals, and triggering enhanced services.
The call control function trigger features and services from the service control function. The service control function provides an interface to the ISN 126 and one or more service logic programs that provide enhanced service call processing. The service control function is made up of the switch service process, the group select process, call queuing process, and the prepaid service logic process. In order to provide an interface to the ISN 126, the switch service process connects between SCAPI used by the switch controller and NSPP used by ISN 126.
The management interface function includes two functional areas of monitoring control. The system monitoring functionality encompasses the generation of system alarms which allows a system management console to monitor the status and run-time operation of the switch controller software. The management interface function also includes the process manager, which is responsible for initial startup and health of individual processes which make up the switch controller 112.
The ISN components 122A, 122B, . . . 122n (122) include components that provide enhanced service functionality call and connectivity to external networks and resources. Except as otherwise noted, when the ISN components 122 are referred to generally, they will be referred to with the number designation only and not a letter designation. One example of an ISN component 122 is the MOC. The MOC is PC workstation that is operated by a live operator or call center agent to provide operator services, customer services, and other enhanced services requiring human operator intervention. Another example of an ISN component 122 is the ARU. The ARU is comprised of a network audio server (NAS) and an automated call processor (ACP). The ARU is used to provide automated operator services and interactive voice response services. The ACP is a high performance personal or midrange computer that performs intelligent application processing to determine which services to provide. The NAS is a specialized computer equipped with telephony ports which provides audio responses and collects caller input via dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals and voice recognition based on commands provided by the ACP. The ACPs communicate with the NASs via LANs, WANs, and routers 120. Each ARU/NAS and MOC is connected to one or more programmable switches via voice trunks (not shown). Both MOCs and ARUs are also referred to as agents.
An additional example of an ISN component 122 is a NIDS server and database. A NIDS server and database stores data related to call processing such as customer accounts and routing translations. When an ISN component, such as an ARU or a MOC, receives a call, it may query a NIDS server for data stored in the NIDS database. The NIDS servers receive data from mainframe-based systems to be used during real time call processing. Order entry and data management functions are performed within mainframe based systems. Mainframe computers are used as the databases of record for call processing data. A data distribution system (DDS) distributes the call processing data stored in the mainframe computers over a token ring LAN to each NIDS server.
The ISN components also include protocol converters that convert between various telecommunications protocols. Protocol converters provide protocol conversion between different protocols such as TCP/IP, NSPP on top of UDP/IP, and packet switching protocols, such as X.25. Exemplary components that perform protocol conversion are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/967,339 filed Oct. 21, 1997 entitled, “Advanced Intelligent Network Gateway” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/956,220 filed Oct. 21, 1997 entitled, “Validation Gateway,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Additional ISN components 122 are described in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/956,232 filed Oct. 21, 1997 entitled, “A System and Method for Providing Operator and Customer Services for Intelligent Overlay Networks,” incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Additional ISN components 122 include standalone PC workstations for system management, force management and configuration provisioning.
Some ISN components 122, such as protocol converters, are connected to external networks and resources. Exemplary external networks and resources include financial processors with credit card information, the Internet, and other databases, such as those used in processing international calls.
3.0 Resource Management within the Switch Controller
The switch controller application program 118 of the present invention is preferably implemented using a computer system 202 as shown in block diagram form in FIG. 2. The computer system 202 includes one or more processors such as processor 206 connected to bus 204. Also connected to bus 204 is main memory 208 preferably random access memory (RAM) and secondary storage devices 210, secondary storage devices 210 include for example a hard drive 212 and a removable storage medium storage device 214 such as a disk drive.
The switch controller application program 118 is preferably a computer program that resides in main memory 208 while executing. Thus, the switch controller application program 118 represents the controller of the computer system 202 (and of the processor 206). Alternately, the switch controller application program 118 is predominantly or entirely a hardware device such as a hardware state machine.
In one embodiment, the present invention is a computer program product such as removable storage medium 216 representing a computer storage disk, compact disk etc., comprising a computer readable media having control logic recorded thereon. The control logic, when loaded into main memory 208 and executed by processor 206, enables the processor 206 to perform operations as described herein. The switch controller application program 118 includes commands which comprise the resource management routine 114 which, in one embodiment of the present invention, reside in main memory 208 and are processed by the processor 206.
The resource management routine 114 comprises the resource managers including resource manager (1) 304A, resource manager (2) 304B, resource manager (3 ) 304C, and resource manager n 304n.
Resources 310 include the equipment comprising the ISN 126 and enhanced service call processing information. Equipment comprising the ISN 126 includes the components comprising the programmable switch 110, components comprising the switch controller 112, and ISN components 122. Examples of components comprising the programmable switch 110 are ports, central processing unit (CPU) capacity, switch matrix, etc. Examples of components comprising the switch controller 112 are CPU capacity, shared memory capacity, etc. In addition, enhanced service call processing information is a resource 310. Enhanced service call processing information includes information about enhanced service calls, such as call identification numbers, leg identifiers, billing time points, etc.
Resource requesters 306 include the switch controller application program routines 116 (system control process, programmable switch support function, call control function, service control function, and management interface function). In addition, any routine in a computer program in a telecommunications network. component that can access the resource management routine 114 may be a resource requester 306.
Each resource manager 304 provides a protective interface for a particular corresponding resource 310. For example, resource manager (1) 304A provides a protective interface for resource (1) 310A. If a resource requester 306 wants information about a resource 310, the resource requester interfaces with the appropriate resource manager 304. For example,
Multiple resource requesters 306 may obtain information about a resource 310 by accessing the appropriate resource manager 304. For example, resource requester (1) 306A and resource requester (2) 306B request information from resource manager (2) 304B to gain information about resource (2) 310B. If the programmable switch support function and the management interface function need information about a component of the programmable switch 110, both routines access the resource manager 304 corresponding to the programmable switch component 110.
Each resource manager 304 includes one or more resource manager application programmer interfaces (APIs) 404 and one or more resource manager tables 406, referred to interchangeably as electronic libraries. For example, resource manager (1) 304A includes resource manager API(s) (1) 404A and resource manager table(s) (1) 406a; resource manager (2) 304B includes resource manager API(s) (2) 404B and resource manager table(s) (2) 406B; and resource manager n 304n includes resource manager API(s) n 404n and resource manager table(s) n 406n. Except as otherwise noted, when the resource manager APIs 404 and resource manager tables 406 are referred to generally, they will be referred to with the number designation only and not a letter designation.
The resource manager tables 406 reside in memory of the switch controller and store information about resources 310. The resource management APIs 404 are procedures that are used to access the stored information. Resource management APIs 404 are commands that are stored in the main memory and processed by the processor of a computer. In order to process a resource management API 404, the processor calls the resource management API 404 from main memory. The resource management API 404 processes by executing commands using input data. Completion of the execution of the resource management API 404 results in return data which is the data requested and/or data indicating whether the transaction was successful and an output which is an action requested by the initiating routine.
Switch controller application program routines 116 send queries to well known IPC queues. The queries contain a reference pointer to shared memory. The shared memory is dynamically allocated and contains data needed to perform the resource manager API 404 request. The processor 206 (shown in
For example, if the resource requester 306 is the call control function, an exemplary communication is the call control function writing call information to the call data block. In the example, the call information is the resource (2) 310B. The call control function will send a query using the call data block resource manager API 404 to set information in the call data block. The call data block is the resource manager table 406.
In step 508 data is retrieved or updated in the appropriate resource managers table 406. In order to retrieve data from or update a resource manager table 406, the resource manager 304 retrieves the reference pointer contained in the query that was sent in step 506, accesses the shared memory pointed to by the reference pointer, and retrieves data from shared memory needed to retrieve data from or update the resource manager table 406. In the example illustrated in
After retrieving the data from shared memory, the resource manager 304 performs the requested resource manager API 404 procedure which involves retrieving information from or updating the resource manager table 406. In the example illustrated in
For an exemplary request by the call control function to write information to the call data block, the call data block resource manager will retrieve the reference pointer from the query sent by the call control function (which is the resource requester 306). The call data block resource manager will access shared memory pointed to by the reference pointer and retrieve the data from shared memory to retrieve data from or update the call data block, which is the call data block resource manager table. Exemplary data includes a call identifier that can be used to access the call data block information for a particular call. The call data block resource manager will write the data to the call data block. The call data block resource manager API and call data block table will be described in further detail with respect to FIG. 6.
To ensure that multiple resource requesters 306 do not access the same information within a resource manager table 406, a semaphore variable is set if a resource requester 306 is accessing information. A semaphore variable is a variable that has two possible values, one value indicating that data may be accessed and another value indicating that data may not be accessed. Semaphore variables may control access of a table or of just one data element within a table. Semaphore variables are resources as they are needed for enhanced service call processing. Procedures for retrieving information about or updating semaphore variables are defined by the semaphore variable APIs. Information about semaphore variables, such as the value of the variable, is stored in a semaphore variable table.
In step 510 the resource manager 304 responds using the resource manager API 404. Completion of the execution of the resource manager API 404 results in return data which is the data requested and/or data indicating whether the transaction was successful. Also, the completion of the execution of the resource manager API 404 may result in an output, which is an action requested by the initiating routine. Neither return data nor output is necessary for successful processing by the resource management API 404 but may be useful in providing data and/or ensuring a transaction completed successfully.
Exemplary Resource Management Embodiment
A. Overview
C. Description of Exemplary Resource Manager
The call data block resource manager 618 is described with respect to Table 9 to provide an exemplary illustration of the information contained in the tables. The call data block resource manager 618 comprises call data block APIs and call data block resource manager tables. Call data block APIs are described in Table 9. Call data block APIs provide procedures for managing call data block information. Call data block information includes call related data obtained in processing a call and used to identify the call, elements of the call, such as the call legs, and provide information for billing the call, such as billing time points. The call data block resource manager tables are illustrated in Tables 33-36.
Exemplary cdb_GetCDBData API provides procedures for retrieving call data block information from the call data block table. Table 9 provides information about the call data block APIs. The first column provides the API name. In the exemplary API shown in the eighth row of Table 9, the first column indicates the name of the API is cdb_GetCDBData. The second column of Table 9 indicates the function. With respect the exemplary API cdb_GetCDBData, the function is to get a CDB's detailed data. The third column of Table 9 provides input parameters. For the exemplary API, cdb_GetCDBData, the inputs required are the 1 Cid, which is the call identifier, and the pstCDBData, which is the address of where the CDB data should be saved. The fourth column of Table 9 provides the output of the API. For the exemplary cdb_GetCDBData API, the output is saving the CDB data at the pstCDBData address. The fifth column provides the return of the API. For the exemplary cdb_GetCDBData API, the possible returns are: CDB_SUCCESS, CDB_SHM_NOT_ATTACH, CDB_KEY_INVALID, CDB_INPUT_ADDR_INVALID. CDB_LOCK_REC_ERR, and CDB_UNLOCK_REC_ERROR.
D. Description of Other Resource Managers
Additional resource managers are described in the tables. The semaphore resource manager 612 comprises semaphore APIs and semaphore resource manager tables. In Table 1, semaphore APIs are described. Semaphore APIs provide procedures for managing semaphore variables. Semaphore variables are UNIX constructs that lock and unlock memory segments. The semaphore variables within the switch controller 112 provide controlled access to data related to ISN resources. A set of semaphore variables is created for each table for access to the resource data stored in the table. Semaphore variables act as gatekeepers for memory by preventing multiple processes from accessing a particular memory segment simultaneously. The number of processes that may access a memory segment may be adjusted by modifying a configurable variable. The value of the configurable variable establishes the threshold value of the number of processes allowed access. Two locking schemes for semaphore variables are locking of an entire table and locking of one entry within a table. The semaphore resource manager tables may be any semaphore table such as those traditionally used with UNIX platforms.
The switch controller resource manager 614 comprises switch controller APIs and switch controller resource manager tables. The switch controller resource manager APIs and switch controller resource manager tables include (1) switch controller common library APIs, (2) operational measurements area APIs and tables, and (3) heartbeat APIs and tables.
In Table 2, switch controller common library APIs are described. The switch controller common library APIs affect the switch controller common library memory segment. The switch controller common library memory segment supports shared memory used to store heartbeat information and provides an operational measurements area where processes can deposit statistical data. Switch controller common library APIs are used to create and delete the switch controller common library memory segment. In addition, switch controller common library APIs are used by routines to attach and detach from the switch controller common library memory segment.
In Table 3, operational measurements area APIs are described. Operational measurements area APIs provide procedures for managing operational measurements data. Operational measurements data includes statistics of the components of the switch controller, such as disks, central processing unit (CPU) available memory, ports, and other similar data. Tables 12-18 provide additional information describing the tables used to store operational measurements data.
In Table 4, heartbeat table APIs are described. Heartbeat table APIs provide procedures for managing heartbeat data. Heartbeat functionality is used to monitor the health of the processes within the switch controller 112. A process manager routine within the management interface function is responsible for sending heartbeat requests to other switch controller application program routines 116 within certain intervals. The recipient switch controller application program routines 116 are responsible for responding to the heartbeat requests within established intervals. Process management determines when and what action should be taken when a process is not responding in a proper manner.
Heartbeat requests and responses are conveyed by setting request and response flags through shared memory. Heartbeating through shared memory is more efficient than heartbeating by sending messages through message queues because heartbeating through shared memory reduces the message volume within the switch controller.
Use of shared memory for heartbeating is described. The shared memory segment used to perform heartbeating is referred to as the heartbeat area. In one embodiment, one of the switch controller application program routines 116 is a process manager. A process manager oversees the heartbeating function and uses a resource management API to create the heartbeat shared memory segment. Within the shared memory segment, an entry is created for each switch controller application program routine 116. The entry contains heartbeat information, such as the switch controller application program routine identifier, heartbeat interval, heartbeat state (eg. register, request, or respond), request time stamp, and unresponded time and count. Heartbeat intervals can be set to different values for different switch controller application program routines 116. Table 18 provides an exemplary table used to store heartbeat data. Table 17 illustrates an exemplary control table used to control the heartbeat table.
The process manager brings up each of the other switch controller application program routines 116. The switch controller application program routines 116 attach to the heartbeat segment. To initiate processing with a particular switch controller application program routine 116, the process manager uses a resource management API to register each switch controller application program routine's 116 heartbeat entry and establishes its heartbeating interval. The interval may be modified using another resource management API.
The process manager informs each of the switch controller application program routines 116 of the need for heartbeating by sending a message with the switch controller application program routine's 116 heartbeat handle. The process manager calls a heartbeat request API to indicate a heartbeat request. When the routine 116 receives an initial heartbeat setup message, it immediately calls a respond heartbeat API. Each time a process calls a respond API, it will get a time which tells the process when it should next call the respond API. The routines 116 can get the current set heartbeat interval time using this API as well. When switch controller application program routines 116 exit, they detach from the memory segment. During switch controller 112 shutdown, a delete heartbeat segment is called to remove the segment from the system.
Additional resource managers are described in the tables. The agent resource manager 616 comprises agent APIs and agent resource manager tables. Agent APIs include APIs to manage agent, group, and agent assignment tables. Agent table, group table, and assignment tables are stored in one shared memory segment and share the same shared memory identifier. In Table 5, agent memory segment APIs are described. Agent memory segment APIs provide procedures for managing the agent memory segment. Agent memory segment APIs are used to create and delete the agent memory segment. In addition, agent memory segment APIs are used by routines to attach and detach from the agent memory segment.
In Table 6, agent table APIs are described. Agent table APIs provide procedures for managing agent tables. Agent tables include information about agents, such as terminal identifiers, agent logon identifiers, and associated groups. After an agent establishes a connection with the switch controller and logs on, its operating state in an agent table will be updated as capable of processing calls. In addition, after the agent logs off, its operating state will be changed to unable to handle calls. An agent API is provided to find an agent within a particular group. In addition, APIs to dynamically add and delete an agent entry are also provided. Tables 20-23 illustrate tables used to store information about agents. In addition, Tables 30-32 provide tables used to store general information about agents.
In Table 7, group table APIs are described. Group table APIs provide proccdures for managing the group tables. Agents are grouped together according to their call processing functionalities. Agent group information includes information about the groups, agents assigned to the group and the number of calls queued to the group. Tables 24-26 illustrate tables used to store agent group information.
In Table 8, assignment table APIs are described. Assignment table APIs provide procedures for managing the assignment table. An agent group can have any number of agents assigned to it and an agent can be assigned to multiple groups. In order to describe the cross referencing between the agent table and group table, a separate agent assignment table is created. Tables 27-29 illustrate tables used to store agent assignment information.
The service logic program resource manager 612 comprises service logic program APIs and service logic program resource manager tables. In Table 10, service logic program APIs are described. Service logic program APIs provide procedures for managing the service logic program table. The service logic program table contains call identifier, call feature, call state and event information. The service logic program table is separate from the call data block. The service logic program table is organized on the service level. If a service logic program terminates abnormally, the service logic program can attach to this table and have access to most of the information needed about the calls in progress. Table 37 illustrates the table used to store service logic program data.
The switch resource resource manager 622 comprises switch APIs and switch resource manager tables. In Table 11, switch APIs are described. Switch APIs provide procedures for managing switch data.
Switch data includes switch matrix, card, node, span, trunk group, and other information related to the programmable switch 110 controlled by the switch controller 112. A switch matrix performs the switching functionality of interconnecting two channels, a channel from the caller and a channel to the receiver, in order to switch a call to a final destination. A card is a microprocessor chip board that is programmed to perform a specialized functionality. Cards within the programmable switch 110 are programmed with different software to perform various functions. Nodes are points of interconnection in a telecommunications network. Spans are telecommunications cables, typically fiber optic, however any medium capable of transmitting signals may used, that interconnect two components in a telecommunications network. Channels are bandwidth allocations that may be assigned to a particular call. Trunk groups are designations within software that are used for traffic routing purposes. Channels are assigned to trunk groups and a particular trunk group routes traffic between the destinations interconnected by the channels assigned. When a call is received, the destination number is used to select an appropriate trunk group and route the call via a channel assigned to the trunk group to the destination. Tables 38-59 provide additional information describing the tables used to store switch data.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only not limitation. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be remitted by any of the above described exemplary embodiments but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.
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