1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a user interface to facilitate telephone circuit maintenance and testing. In particular, the present invention is directed to a user interface that integrates disparate maintenance and testing applications and systems into a single common control interface.
2. Acronyms
The written description provided herein contains acronyms which refer to various telecommunications services, components and techniques, as well as features relating to the present invention. Although some of these acronyms are known, use of these acronyms is not strictly standardized in the art. For purposes of the written description herein, acronyms will be defined as follows:
Advanced Interactive executive (AIX)
Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
Bellcore Client Company (BCC)
Circuit Access Code (CAC)
Circuit ID (CKT)
Circuit Layout Order Number (CLO)
Digital Data System (DDS)
Digital Speed Interpolation (DSI)
Electronic Bonding (EB)
High Level Language Application Programming Interface (HLLAPI)
Inter-Exchange Carrier (IEC)
ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI)
Line Record Display (OSSLR)
Local Area Network (LAN)
Maintenance and Analysis Plan for Special Services (MAPSS)
Manager Scratch Pad (MSP)
Network Monitoring and Analysis (NMA)
Network and Services Database (NSDB)
Online Query System (OQS)
Operational Support System (OSS)
Order Number (ORD)
Private Branch Exchange (PBX)
Tracking Key/Circuit Layout Order Number (TRK/CLO)
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Trouble Report (TR)
Work and Force Administration (WFA)
Work and Force Administration-Control (WFA/C)
3. Background Information
Conventionally, in order for service personnel to perform trouble-shooting, billing updates and testing of circuits, the service personnel must perform these tasks on separate systems, each of which have a different interface. The various user interfaces require the service personnel to access multiple terminals and to memorize multiple passwords for each system. Further, service personnel need to familiarize themselves with the differing interfaces and functional flows of the different systems. In addition to the above, the conventional systems are not universally provided with an interface to communicate and transfer information to other systems.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a user interface and system that integrates disparate maintenance and testing systems and applications into a single common control interface.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a single user interface and system that interacts with Work Force and Administration (WFA) systems, Operations Support Systems (OSS), Network Monitoring and Analysis (NMA) systems, and REACT 2001 systems.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an interface and system to perform a remote testing of analog services, digital data system (DDS) and digital speed interpolation (DSI) services, and ISDN Basic Rate service.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an interface and system to access ISDN switches to perform standard trouble isolation testing.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an interface and system to perform testing of ISDN switches in accordance with vendor-specific switch criteria.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an interface and system which substantially reduces the learning curve for service personnel performing remote testing.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface and system having point-and-click/cut-and-paste capabilities, such that users may quickly and easily process trouble reports from creation of the trouble report at a point of origin to the close-out stage, and such that users may quickly and easily process rebate information and billing information.
In accordance with the above-listed objects, there is provided a user interface and system which provides a single, user-friendly, common interface to login and perform testing, trouble-shooting and billing updates. The user interface and system are adapted to dynamically monitor work lists on a user-controlled basis with individual, terminal-specific customization.
In addition to providing an interface to Work Force and Administration (WFA), Operations Support Systems (OSS) and REACT 2001 systems, the system may selectively store customer trouble report data for retrieval during system outages to provide continuous access to customer data. The system may initiate a remote test session into the appropriate REACT 2001 host processor in an environment where multiple REACT 2001 host processors are connected to a wide area network. The system may also perform inward and outward dispatches for resolving network problems, control billing and rebate functions, and to perform trouble report restoration. The system may also be adapted to provide audio alerts in accordance with selected events, for example, receipt of a trouble report indicating problems in critical special services circuits. Such an audio alert may comprise, for example, a signal sent to an administrative personnel's pager. The system may also be provided with online help and tutorial references to quickly provide users with information. Further, the system may be adapted to interface with other conventional systems, such as, for example, OPSINE and TIRKS.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the user interface and system is adapted to interact with Network Monitoring and Analysis (NMA) systems and Operations Support Systems (OSSs) to test ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) lines via the serving digital (ISDN) switch. The system may access the serving ISDN switch via the NMA interface and perform standard trouble isolation testing oh the BRI lines. The ISDN switches may comprise, for example, Lucent 5ESS and Siemens EWSD switching platforms.
The user interface and system of the present invention may utilize point-and-click functionality to speed the testing process and provide an easy, straightforward interface. The user interface and system also provides channel switch access to NMA, which provides for a secure connection to NMA, thus eliminating remote login security concerns. The user interface and system may be provided with a queuing function to queue requests to the ISDN switches, thus providing for efficient utilization of the limited numbers of switch access ports. In addition to the above, the system may automatically determine the type (i.e., vendor) of the ISDN switch undergoing testing once the BRI directory number is submitted. Once the type is determined, the system may automatically initiate the appropriate testing commands based on input provided by the user. Further, the system and interface includes ISDN BRI tests, which may be accessed by pull-down menus. In addition, other ISDN BRI tests may be added as necessary. The user may use the system and user interface to transfer data (e.g., test results) from the ISDN switch to WFA for auditing and tracking.
The above-listed and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully set forth hereinafter.
According to an object of the present invention, an apparatus is provided for integrating a plurality of disparate systems. The apparatus has a common control interface, an inputting device for entering data required by the plurality of disparate systems into the common interface, and means for transferring the data from the common control interface to at least one system of the plurality of disparate systems. The apparatus further comprises a user login system that logs a user onto the common control interface and permits usage of the plurality of disparate systems.
According to a feature of the present invention, the plurality of disparate systems comprise maintenance and testing systems. The testing systems perform remote testing of analog services and/or ISDN switches.
According to an advantage of the instant invention, the common control interface comprises a user interface having point-and-click/cut-and-paste capabilities.
According to another object of the present invention, an apparatus is disclosed for telephone circuit maintenance and testing, comprising a control interface in which a user enters data, a telephone circuit maintenance and testing interface that receives data from the control interface, and a tester, that is controlled by the telephone circuit maintenance and testing interface, that tests predetermined telephone parameters. The tester performs a remote testing of analog services and/or ISDN switches. In this regard, the testing of ISDN switches is performed in accordance with vendor-specific switch criteria. The control interface comprises a first window for logging on and logging off the control interface, and a second window for bringing up screens necessary for performing proper maintenance analysis.
According to an advantage of the instant invention, a GUI interface is provided that facilitates the entry of the data.
According to another feature of the invention, the GUI interface provides point-and-click and cut-and-paste capabilities to the user.
Another advantage of the present invention is that the control interface automates the sending and receiving of data between the control interface and the telephone circuit maintenance and testing interface.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a user interface for use with a telephone circuit maintenance and testing system, that comprises a menu bar, which contains a plurality of menus required by a user to log on the system, log off the system, and handle routine setup parameters, and a toolbar from which a plurality of screens can be called to input data required for a trouble ticket. The data is used for proper maintenance analysis by an automated test tool that performs an automated test on at least one parameter of a telephone system. Further, a data transporter is provided that transfers the data input via the toolbar to a WFA/C interface, in which the WFA/C interface controls the automated test tool. The automated test tool performs digital testing and/or analog testing.
a still further advantage of the present invention is that a converter is provided that converts the data input via the toolbar to a form usable by a WFA/C interface that facilitates telephone circuit maintenance. The converted data is exchanged between the user interface and the WFA/C interface.
The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in provisional application No. 60/042,448, filed on Mar. 31, 1997, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings which are presented as non-limiting examples, in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views, and wherein:
The present invention will now be described below. For the convenience of the reader, additional components and information will be hereinafter described with reference to the terminology and references utilized in the above-noted documents.
1. Hardware Detail and Components
As shown in
a connection between GRETA and the WFA Host may be provided via a TCP/IP socket (see
Although shown in
As denoted by the double arrows in
2. Software Detail and Functional Flow
As noted above, the user interface provides a mechanism to transfer data among the various applications and platforms connected to GRETA, such that data may be quickly and easily accessed to speed the process by which customer trouble reports are resolved.
GRETA, which was written using a High Level Language Application Programming Interface (HLLAPI) and TCP/IP, automates the sending and receiving of data from the WFA/C interface. GRETA connects to a plurality of servers and uses its GUI interface to communicate with WFA/C. GRETA's scheme allows users to eliminate the need to perform redundant and tedious actions within WFA/C by clicking a button, clicking a menu option, or hitting the “ENTER” (“RETURN”) key on a keyboard. Information is laid out in a list and scrolling window form.
Two main windows are displayed when GRETA is executed. The first window is the menu bar, which contains a series of menus that the user will need to handle routine setup, logging on and off the system, choosing colors, displaying already selected windows, and bring up on-line documentation. The second window is the toolbar. The toolbar is a row of buttons that can bring up the screens necessary for proper maintenance analysis on a given trouble ticket, bring up windows to specify circuits and ticket numbers, and call a pick-up command. From the toolbar, the user can also start up Hilda, which is an automated ISDN test tool, REACT 2001 GUI and a semi-automatic testing window. Both the menu and the taskbar are always open and can only be closed when GRETA is terminated.
The ticket window in GRETA is opened from the toolbar and gives the user the ability to view multiple trouble tickets within different centers, function level codes, and color. Unlike WFA/C, GRETA automatically updates the ticket display window, so the user does not have to worry if the most current ticket list is being viewed. The ticket window also allows the user to sort the ticket according to the ticket status, bring up a trouble report screen, and print the ticket list, all with the click of a mouse button.
Another significant screen is the trouble report screen. The user can point-and-click to the screens that will allow quick and accurate handling of the trouble ticket, including the adding of remarks, checking the status, etc.
As shown in
Each activity routine will now be described in detail below.
Printer Setup
The printer setup activity routine of the present invention is illustrated in
When the printer setup routine is executed, step S102 is performed to display a list of printers on an associated monitor. Meanwhile, a determination is made as to whether the user selected a close (exit) button on the display (step S104). If the close button was selected, processing proceeds to exit the printer setup routine (step S106).
On the other hand, if the close button was not selected, processing proceeds to step S108 to determine whether a printer has been selected. As long as a printer has not been selected, the list of available printers to select from is displayed on the monitor (steps S102 to S108 is continuously repeated). However, once a printer is selected from the displayed list, step S110 is executed to confirm the selected printer, and a user printer file of the selected printer is created at step S112.
Thereafter, processing returns to step S102 to display the list of available printers and determine whether the close (exit) button has selected.
Employee Activity
The employee activity routine is illustrated in
When the employee activity routine is selected (step S200), a determination is made as to whether a user is logged into the system (step S202). If the user is logged in, processing proceeds to obtain WFA Employee Activity (OSSEA) information and determine whether, the OSSEA is successfully obtained (steps S204 and S206).
If the OSSEA is not successful, an error message is produced and the user is permitted to edit the user input (steps S208 and S210). However, if the OSSEA was successful, step S208 is skipped, and thus, the error message is not produced.
The WFA request is then processed step S212) and a determination is made as to whether the “EXIT” button has been selected (step S214). When the “EXIT” button is not selected, a determination is made to determine if the time sheet activity should be executed. If the determination is affirmative, the employee activity routine is terminated and the time sheet activity is executed (steps S214, S216, S218 and S300). On the other hand, if the determination at step S216 (e.g., whether to execute the time sheet routine) is negative, processing loops back to step S210 to permit editing of the user input.
However, if it is determined that the “EXIT” button has been selected, processing terminates (step S220) without executing the time sheet routine. Similarly, if it was determined at step S202 that a user is not logged in, processing exits.
Time Sheet
If it was determined that the WFA VOS1SIGN information is invalid, an error message (step S307) is produced prior to allowing the user to edit the input.
After the information is processed, it is determined, at step S312, whether the “EXIT” button has been selected. When the “EXIT” button is selected, processing proceeds to step S314 to exit the time sheet routine. Otherwise, processing loops back to S308 to allow the user to edit the input data.
GRETA Size
GRETA Colors
The GRETA color setting activity routine, which enables the user to select desired screen display colors, is illustrated in
If the user indicates that the colors have been selected (e.g., step S504 is “OK”), processing proceeds to step S506 to set the selected colors. Thereafter, the displayed menus, toolbar, ticket window, etc. are redrawn using the desired colors selected by the user, and this routine exits (steps S508 and S510).
On the other hand, if it is determined at step S504 that the user does not wish to change (select) display colors, processing skips steps S506 and S508, and exits without changing the display colors.
GRETA Bell
GRETA Default E-Mail
GRETA Exit
This activity routine, illustrated in
WFA Backup
When the OSSTR, OSSLOG, or OWDDOC activity is backed up, the selected ticket is backed up, and then the respective TR file, LOG file, or DOC file is read, and the respective OSSTR window, OSSLOG window, or OWDDOC window is brought up in a view only mode.
The backup activity routine writes all trouble report screens, OSSLOG screens, or OWDDOC screens that are viewed during the WFA/C up time to a file on a server before the mainframe is shut down. The trouble report, log and word document screens can then be viewed using a view-only window to review certain circuit or trouble ticket activities.
WFA Screens By Circuit
When the user selects the Bellcore Work Force and Administration—Control, the user is present with a series of activities to chose from. These options include, for example, OWDDOC; OSSCN; OSSCHI; OSSMG; OSSIMG; OSSHMD; OSSFF; OSSLR; OSSOSSTRE; and OSSOI. These activities are described in detail in “Work and Force Administration/Control (WFA/C) User Manual”, published by Bellcore Practice, BR 190-513-323, Issue 8, May 1996, WFA/C 1.7, the subject matter of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety herein, and thus, is not described in detail herein.
a. OWDDOC
The OWDDOC activity window is a word document window with text search capabilities. When this activity window is selected from the WFA/C Screens By Circuit, shown in
In this activity, a WORD document is retrieved (step S100202), and a test is performed (step S100204) to determine whether the retrieval was successful. If an error occurred during the retrieval of the WORD document, an error message is produced (step S100206), and the OWDDOC window is closed (step S100208).
If the document was successfully retrieved at step S100204, a document similar to that shown at page 4-3 of the aforementioned “Work and Force Administration/Control (WFA/C) User Manual” is brought up (step S100210). At this point, the user can enter data into the document. Thereafter, the user can select a Load To React activity routine (step S100214, to be discussed below with respect to
The Load To React activity routine, illustrated in
On the other hand, if it was detected, at step S102214, that the document is a ticket, the WFA Process is called at step S106214, to get a circuit ID, prior to testing whether the circuit is an ISDN line. Similarly, if it was determined at step S101214 that the user is not logged in, an error message is produced (step S107214) and processing opens a WFA/C Trouble Report/Activity (OSSTR) window (illustrated in
The Test activity routine (S100216) is shown in
b. OSSCN
When the Circuit Notes (OSCCCN) activity window (option) is selected, a window, similar to the window illustrated on page 8-7 of the aforementioned “Work and Force Administration/Control (WFA/C) User Manual” is pulled up to allow the user to enter and update necessary circuit information in a free-text format. The flowchart for this activity is shown in
In addition, the user is given the option of printing the data to a local printer, refreshing the display screen, updating the data displayed on the OSSCN screen (window), copying the data to another location, or exiting the OSSCN window.
c. OSSCHI
When the Circuit History (OSSCHI) activity window (see
d. OSSML
The WFA/C Multipoint Circuit List (OSSML) activity window (used to select circuit identifications), the flowchart of which is shown in
e. OSSIMG/OSSHMD
The flowchart for the OSSIMG and OSSHMD activities is shown in
The History Measurement Data (OSSHMD) activity (step S1010) is used to display and update (input) Circuit History information, Maintenance and Analysis Plan for Special Services (MAPSS) inventory data, and work unit data after orders are completed in the Circuit History database. a sample of this window is shown at page 8-2 of the aforementioned “Work and Force Administration/Control (WFA/C) User Manual”.
In both windows, after the user has input the appropriate data, the user is presented with the option of outputting the data to a printer, or exiting the window and returning to the WFA/C Screens by Circuit activity window.
f. OSSFF
The OSSFF activity window, the flowchart of which is illustrated in
g. OSSLR
The Line Record Display (OSSLR) activity window is a “find only” screen that shows the entire line record for a given Circuit ID (CKT), Circuit Access Code (CAC), Order Number (ORD), or Tracking Key/Circuit Layout Order Number (TRK/CLO). Since this window is a “find only” screen, retrieved information may not be over typed and updated by the user. The flowchart for-this activity window is illustrated in
h. WFA/C Trouble Report Entry (OSSTRE)
The flowchart for the OSSTRE activity window (step S1016), shown in
i. OSSOI
The WFA/C Order Information (OSSOI) activity window is a two page screen that shows administrative, tracking and customer/premise order information. In addition, the user can also issue an auto-test request from this screen. The flowchart for this activity is illustrated in
When the OSSOI window is opened, the user can select to go to the WFA/C Work Log (OSSLOG) window to display a detailed account of activities on an order or trouble report. This screen, which is a display-only screen, shows activities in date/time sequence with the most recent activity at the top.
Alternatively, the user can select to go to the WORD Access (OWDDOC) activity screen, discussed above, or exit the OSSOI window.
GRETA Security
The Greta Security flowchart is illustrated in
The Sign On option executes the flowchart illustrated in
The Sign Off option executes the flowchart illustrated in
The Automatic Sign On option executes the flowchart illustrated in
The Create Security File option executes the flowchart illustrated in
The Update Password File And Sign On option executes the flowchart shown in
Window Cascade
The Window Cascade activity option is illustrated in
GRETA Help/Tutorial
The Greta Help/Tutorial option is illustrated in
Window Select
The flowchart for the Window Select activity option is illustrated in
Save Placement
The Save Placement window (routine), illustrated in
GRETA About
The Greta About Window routine is illustrated in
Maintenance Ticket Window
The flowchart for the Maintenance Ticket Window is illustrated in
Thereafter, in the disclosed embodiment, the user is able to select from the following options:
Based upon the above, the user can select to update either all available tickets, all tickets or only those tickets that are in progress (steps S17014, S17016, or S17018). Thereafter, the Greta Ticket Manager connection is dropped (step S17020), the connection is re-established (step S17022), and processing loops back to step S17010.
When the Activate Set List activity window is selected, the program illustrated in
When the list set option is selected, the center and specific work group file selected at step S170242 is stored to the memory before processing proceeds to step S170246. When the default option is selected, the user's center and specific work group selected at step S170242 is read into the memory before proceeding to step S170246. If the save option is selected, the information selected at step S170242 is saved to the user's center and specific work group file before processing proceeds to step S170246. If the user elects to exit from this window, processing returns to step S17022 in
At step S170246, the center and specific work group (FLC) list is provided to the Greta ticket manager, after which the Activate Set Limit Window is closed (step S170248, and processing returns to step S17022 in
When the Print option is selected, the program illustrated in
When the Refresh activity option is selected, the program illustrated in
When the Ticket Colors activity option is selected, the program illustrated in
When the Click On Ticket option is selected, the flowchart illustrated in
When the Double Click On Ticket option is selected, processing proceeds in accordance with the flowchart shown in
The user may also decide to close the Maintenance Ticket Window. When this option is selected, the flowchart shown in
Greta Ticket Manager
The Greta Ticket Manager (see
Next, another determination is made as to whether the Greta user is connected via the TCP/IP sockets. If the determination is positive, the,subscribers are updated (steps S170628 and S170029) and processing returns to step S170024. However, if the Greta user is not connected, step S170029 is skipped, and thus, processing returns to step S170024 without updating the subscribers.
It is noted that if a center/FLC list was requested at step S170024, step S170030 is executed to send the list of available centers and FLCs via the TCP/IP sockets, before executing step S170026.
Similarly, if it is a new Greta user,at step S170026, step S170031 is executed to send all data for the center/FLC requested via the TCP/IP sockets before executing step S170027.
a sample OSSPND screen is shown at page 6-195 of the aforementioned “Work and Force Administration/Control (WFA/C) User Manual”.
Specify Ticket
The specify ticket activity routine is illustrated in
On the other hand, if the OSSTR window is brought up (i.e., no for step S180010) (or the “OK” button was selected by the user), the presently displayed ticket is made active for all ticket actions, and then the Specify ticket window closes (steps S180002 to S180010, S180020 and S180022.
It is noted that if the user decides to select the “Exit” button processing jumps to step S180022, to close this window.
Specify Circuit Window
The Specify Circuit Window activity flowchart is illustrated in
If the user elected to find a circuit id, and the user is logged into the region, a WFA process is initiated to find the circuit id. When the circuit id is found, an appropriate message is produced, and processing loops back to display the current specified circuit (steps S190004 to S190008).
Pickup Ticket
The flowchart for executing the pickup ticket is shown in
OSSTR Window
The program for performing the WFA/C Trouble Report/Activity (OSSTR) activity window is shown in
In operation, when a ticket has been specified, the OSSTR activity window is initiated using the specified ticket, and the OSSTR window is displayed. From the OSSTR window, the user (technician) selects a process from among the following:
It is noted that if the user grabs the ticket (step S210018), the OSSTR screen is refreshed. Further, if the user (technician) selects the display commands option, the user is presented with three choices:
The Semi-Automatic Test activity routine (step S210032 in
If the user submits a ticket and he/she is logged in, the ticket and CLO (circuit -layout order number) is submitted, a confirmation message is produced, and this window closes (steps S2100343 to S2100346)
The add remark activity routine (step S210022 in
The dispatch activity routine (step S210024 in
The status activity routine (step S210026 in
The close but activity routine (step S210028 in
WFA/C Screens By Ticket
The WFA/C Screens By Ticket activity window is illustrated in
Several of these options were previously discussed with respect to the WFA/C Screens By Circuit window (see
The WFAIC Authorization (OSSAUTH) window, step S2402, (the flowchart of which is illustrated in
The NSDB Multipoint Circuit Index Format (VJMPI) activity routine (step S2404), illustrated in
The WFA/C Trouble Report Electronic Bonding (OSSTREB) activity window, the flowchart of which is illustrated in
The flowchart of the WFA/C Work Log (OSSLOG) activity routine is illustrated in
The flowchart for the Customer Credit Allowance (OSSCCA) activity window and the Customer Service Charge (OSSCSC) activity window is shown in
Based upon the above discussion with respect to
When GRETA calls HILDA to perform tests on ISDN switches, HILDA interfaces with Network Monitoring and Analysis System (NMA). NMA is a product of Bellcore, Murray Hill, N.J. The ISDN switch testing procedures (shown in
When GRETA calls the REACT 2001 Host to perform remote testing of digital and analog services (e.g., private lines), GRETA provides an appropriate user interface to populate data to be formatted and transferred (if necessary) to the REACT 2001 Host to run the remote testing procedure. Once the REACT 2001 Host has completed the remote testing procedure, data returned to GRETA is formatted and displayed (if necessary) on the appropriate interface.
Other procedures shown in
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it is understood that the words which have been used herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words of limitations. Changes may be made, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its aspects. Although the invention has been described herein with reference to particular hardware, software, means, materials and embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention extends to all functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses.
For example, hardware platforms other than the IBM RS6000 and 3270 may be used. In addition, other software applications may be used to implement the user interface of the present invention than the exemplary applications provided above. Further, other communications protocols may be utilized to transport data from one system to another. In addition, the present invention is not limited to interfacing with HILDA, WFA and REACT 2001 Hosts, as the present invention may communication with other Hosts utilizing the interface techniques of the present invention to format and transfer data. Still further, the system of the present invention may notify administrative personnel of errors via other processes than paging, for example, the system may notify administrative personnel via E-mail and voicemail.
This is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/050,871, filed on Mar. 31, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,687,335, issued Feb. 3, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/042,448, filed Mar. 31, 1997, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4464543 | Kline et al. | Aug 1984 | A |
5027343 | Chan et al. | Jun 1991 | A |
5208846 | Hammond et al. | May 1993 | A |
5416833 | Harper et al. | May 1995 | A |
5528660 | Heins et al. | Jun 1996 | A |
5633909 | Fitch | May 1997 | A |
5687212 | Kinser, Jr. et al. | Nov 1997 | A |
5712896 | Lee et al. | Jan 1998 | A |
5721753 | Ehler et al. | Feb 1998 | A |
5734696 | Day | Mar 1998 | A |
5737517 | Kite et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5740233 | Cave et al. | Apr 1998 | A |
5761272 | Williams et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5764726 | Selig et al. | Jun 1998 | A |
5787147 | Gundersen | Jul 1998 | A |
5796953 | Zey | Aug 1998 | A |
5835566 | Cowgill | Nov 1998 | A |
5850426 | Watkins et al. | Dec 1998 | A |
5875242 | Glaser et al. | Feb 1999 | A |
5915012 | Miloslavsky | Jun 1999 | A |
5920608 | Minegishi | Jul 1999 | A |
5920846 | Storch et al. | Jul 1999 | A |
5923729 | Dezonno | Jul 1999 | A |
5956385 | Soto et al. | Sep 1999 | A |
6061729 | Nightingale | May 2000 | A |
6145001 | Scholl et al. | Nov 2000 | A |
6279124 | Brouwer et al. | Aug 2001 | B1 |
6687335 | Jones et al. | Feb 2004 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040062359 A1 | Apr 2004 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60042448 | Mar 1997 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 09050871 | Mar 1998 | US |
Child | 10689077 | US |