Alarm collection apparatus of central maintenance operation center

An alarm collection apparatus for use in an exchange system has a plurality of local offices, a central maintenance office, a toll switch, and an alarm link. The local offices include an enhanced local office and a conventional local office, the enhanced local office having enhanced features with respect to the number of alarm collection points, a display function thereof, and a man-machine alarms interface. An alarm collection shelf collects alarm information from the conventional local office in the same manner as from the enhanced local office, by converting the data format used for the conventional office to one which corresponds to the data format used for the enhanced office. The alarm collection shelf also collects alarms from a radio base office.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to an alarm collection apparatus of a central 
maintenance operation center for use in exchange, and in particular to an 
alarm collection apparatus with flexibility to enhanced functional 
extensions of the exchange. 
2. Description of the Related Art 
FIG. 1A is a block diagram showing the construction of a conventional alarm 
signaling system which is used in an exchange, such as a FETEX-150 
provided by the assignee of the present invention. 
The conventional exchange system comprises a plurality of local offices (or 
stations) 910, a remote line concentrator (RLC) 930, a central maintenance 
operation center (CMOC) 940, and a toll switch (TS) 950. The CMOC 940 
supervises occurrences of alarms at the local offices 910. The TS 950 is a 
switching office and is disposed between the CMOC 940 and the local office 
910. The RLC 930 is a remote exchange which is a satellite of a local 
office and comprises a subscriber line circuit (SLC) 931 and a remote line 
concentrator (RLC) 932. 
The local office 910 comprises a subscriber line circuit (SLC) 911, a line 
concentrator (LC) 912, and a network (NW) 913 which are connected one 
after the other. The NW 913 is connected to a main processor and call 
processor (MPR/CPR) 914. The MPR/CPR 914 is connected to a visual display 
unit (VDU) 915 which comprises a display and a command entry key set. The 
NW 913 is connected to a system test console (STCNS) 916 through common 
channel signaling equipment (CSEI) 919 and a console interface (CN) 920 
which are network interfaces. The STCNS 916 collects alarms of the local 
office. In the RLC 930, the RLC 932 is connected to the SLC 931. The RLC 
932 is accommodated in the network NW 913 of the local office 910. 
The CMOC 940 comprises a digital link interface (DLI) 941, a master system 
test console (MSTCNS) 942, a system supervisory console (SSCNS) 943, a 
main processor (MPR) 944, and a visual display unit (VDU) 945. The DLI 941 
is a switch unit. The MSTCNS 942 is a console which collects alarms of the 
local office 910. The SSCNS 943 performs control processes such as setting 
a path for the DLI 941 and collecting and displaying alarms detected by 
the CMOC 940. The VDU 945 comprises a display and a dedicated key set. The 
DLI 941 has a controller (CNT) 954 which controls the switch unit. The 
SSCNS 943 is connected to an alarm indicator (ALIND) 946 and alarm display 
equipment (ALDE) 947. Under the control of the SSCNS 943, the ALDE 947 
displays the positions of local offices 910 and alarms thereof by using a 
map. 
The local office 910 and the CMOC 940 are connected through the TS 950 
which is a switching office. Alarm information is sent from the local 
office 910 to the CMOC 940 through an alarm collection link. The STCNS 916 
of the local office 910 communicates with the MSTCNS 942 of the CMOC 940 
through a common channel signaling equipment interface (CSEI) and a 
digital terminal (DT). An alarm link 960 is formed of the STCNS 916, the 
CSEI 919-1, the NW 913, the DT 921-1, the DT 951-1, the TS 950, the DT 
951-2, the DT 948-1, the DLI 941, the CSEI 949-1, and the MSTCNS 942. On 
the other hand, the MPR 914 of the local office 910 is linked to the MPR 
944 of the CMOC 940 in accordance with common channel signaling method No. 
7. A No. 7 link 965 is formed of the MPR/CPR 914, common channel signaling 
equipment (CSE) 922, the CSEI 919-2, the NW 913, the DT 921-2, the DT 
951-3, the DT 951-4, the DT 948-2, the DLI 941, the CSEI 949-2. the CSE 
953, and the MPR 944. 
An alarm detected (by hardware) in the local office 910 is sent to the 
MPR/CPR 914 through the NW 913. A relevant alarm message is displayed on 
both the VDU 915 and the STCNS 916. The alarm message is sent to the 
MSTCNS 942 from the STCNS 916 through the alarm link 960. The alarm 
message is displayed on the display of the MSTCNS 942. 
The STCNS 916 of the local office 910 has an alarm input terminal which 
directly receives an alarm. An alarm that the STCNS 916 has directly 
received is displayed on the STCNS 916. The alarm is also displayed on the 
MSTCNS 942 through the alarm link 960. 
Some alarms are detected by software. In other words, errors in software 
are recognized by the MPR/CPR 914. The MPR/CPR 914 sends a relevant 
message to the VDU 915. As well as a system status, a software alarm is 
displayed on the STCNS 916 and sent to the MSTCNS 942 through the alarm 
link 960. As examples of system statuses, there are duplex system 
active/inactive (inactive meaning standby) status, route status, busy 
status, call regulation status, CC occupying ratio, and CC overload. The 
MPR/CPR 914 sends to the MPR 944 of the CMOC 940 through the No. 7 link 
965 a software alarm message displayed on the VDU 915. Thus, the alarm 
message is also displayed on the VDU 945 of the CMOC 940. When a command 
is input from the dedicated key set of the VDU 915, this command is sent 
to the VDU 945 of the CMOC 940 through the NO. 7 link 965. 
As described above, between the local office 910 and the CMOC 940, two 
links, namely the alarm link 960 and the No. 7 link 965, are provided. In 
the conventional system, the alarm link 960 serves to send alarm 
information and status information, whereas the No. 7 link 965 serves to 
send messages. 
However, the above-described exchange system (FETEX-150) will be extended 
as technologies of hardware and software are advancing. Thus, problems 
with respect to alarm collection are arising. 
On the local office side, the conventional system has the following 
problems: 
(1) Cannot handle an increase of the number of alarm points . . . As the 
system advances, the number of alarm points to be supervised increases. 
However, the hardware and firmware of the STCNS in the conventional system 
restrict an increase of the number of alarm points accessible. 
(2) Cannot flexibly add or change new alarm points. . . . After the system 
has been installed and operated, the system will be enhanced on the user 
side. For example, units A and B which have been installed may be replaced 
with different units .alpha., .delta., and ***. Thus, after the system has 
been installed and operated, it is preferred to easily add or change alarm 
points. However, the STCNS cannot flexibly add or change new points. 
(3) Cannot provide an adequate man-machine interface. . . . In the 
conventional system, alarms and so forth are displayed on the display of 
the STCNS. Thus, the hardware and firmware of the console should perform 
the display process. In other words, the conventional system cannot 
provide the user with a flexible man-machine interface. 
To solve such problems, the alarm collection system of the local office has 
been enhanced as follows. FIG. 1B is a block diagram showing the system 
construction of an enhanced local office. 
The STCNS 916 of the local office is substituted with an alarm shelf 
(ALMSH-B) 1016. Although the ALMSH-B 1016 collects alarms of the local 
office in the same manner as the STCNS 916 does, they differ in physical 
construction. The ALMSH-B 1016 is of a shelf type where many printed 
circuit boards can be inserted. In this construction, the number of 
printed circuit boards can be increased according to an increase of the 
number of alarm points. Thus, the number of alarm points can be increased 
from around 64 (in the STCNS 916) to around 1000 or more (in the ALMSH-B 
1016). The ALMSH-B 1016 forms an alarm link with the CMOC 940 through the 
CSEI 919, the NW 913, the DT 921, and the TS 950. The ALMSH-B 1016 is 
connected to an alarm indicator panel unit (ALIPU) 1018. 
In the conventional system, the MPR 914 which performs such processes as 
call-controlling and recognizing software alarms is connected to the VDU 
915 which displays alarm messages and inputs commands. However, in the 
enhanced system, the VDU 915 is substituted with a system control 
workstation (SCWS) 1015. Thus, the man-machine interface for input and 
output operations is improved. 
The MPR 914 is connected to the ALMSH-B 1016 through a packet link 
controller PLC 1017. The PLC 1017 communicates with the ALMSH-B 1016 
according to a communication protocol named LAPB. The MPR 914 forms a No. 
7 link 1065 through the CSE 922. 
As described above, although improvements of the local office side have 
been proposed, there are some problems on the CMOC side. 
(1) The consoles of the conventional MSTCNS 942 and SSCNS 943 cannot 
flexibly handle an increase of the number of local offices which collect 
alarms. 
(2) In the conventional system, the man-machine interface is accomplished 
by the displays and dedicated input key sets of the consoles of the MSTCNS 
942 and SSCNS 943. Thus, the man-machine interface is not satisfactorily 
flexible. 
(3) The enhanced local office 1010 (hereinafter referred to as the enhanced 
office) and the conventional local office 910 (hereinafter referred to as 
the conventional office) coexist. However, the conventional CMOC cannot 
equally collect alarms from both the enhanced office and the conventional 
local office. 
(4) Particularly, a moving telephone system such as a car telephone system 
or a portable telephone system whose usage has rapidly increased divides a 
pre-determined region up into smaller regions and provides a radio base 
office at most of the smaller regions, thereby performing a confirmation 
of the position of the moving telephone and relaying communications to the 
moving telephone. In such a radio base office, an abnormal temperature, a 
fire or a water leak may occur in a relay in the radio base office and it 
is necessary to supervise and manage the behavior of systems by 
incorporating the radio base office into the alarm system as one of the 
local stations. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide a central maintenance 
operation center which can flexibly handle an increase of the number of 
local offices under the control thereof, and equally collect alarms from 
an enhanced office and a conventional office, and provide a satisfactory 
man-machine interface. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide an alarm collection 
apparatus for collecting an alarm from a radio base office provided for a 
moving communication. 
A feature of the present invention resides in an alarm collection apparatus 
of a central maintenance operation center for use in an exchange system. 
The exchange system comprises a plurality of local offices, a central 
maintenance operation center, a toll switch, and an alarm link. The local 
offices include an enhanced local office and a conventional local office, 
the enhanced local office having enhanced features with respect to the 
number of alarm collection points, a display function thereof, and a 
man-machine interface. The enhanced local office and the conventional 
local office are connected to the central maintenance operation center 
through the toll switch, the toll switch being a switch office. Alarms 
collected from the enhanced local office and the conventional local office 
are sent through the alarm link, an alarm collection shelf for collecting 
alarm information from the enhanced local office and the conventional 
local office, and an MPU/workstation for performing an initial setting of 
the alarm collection shelf and editing/displaying collected alarm 
information. 
Another feature of the present invention resides in an alarm collection 
apparatus provided with an alarm collection shelf for collecting an alarm 
from a radio base office.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 2 shows a principle of the present invention. 
The present invention provides an alarm collection apparatus in a central 
maintenance operation center 4 for use in an exchange system. The exchange 
system includes a plurality of local offices, a central maintenance 
operation center 4, a toll switch 3, and an alarm link 5. The local 
offices include an enhanced local office 1 and a conventional local office 
2. The enhanced local office 1 has enhanced features with respect to the 
number of alarm collection points, a display function thereof, and a 
man-machine interface. The enhanced local office 1 and the conventional 
local office 2 are connected to the central maintenance operation center 4 
through the toll switch 3, the toll switch 3 being a switch office. Alarms 
collected from the enhanced local office 1 and the conventional local 
office 2 are sent through the alarm link 5. The alarm collection apparatus 
includes an alarm collection shelf 7 for collecting alarm information from 
the enhanced local office 1 and the conventional local office 2, and an 
MPU/workstation 8 for performing an initial setting of the alarm 
collection shelf 7 and editing/displaying collected alarm information. 
In the alarm collection apparatus of the present invention, the alarm 
collection shelf 7 is of a shelf construction type where many printed 
circuit boards are inserted to accommodate a large number of local offices 
according to an increase in a number of interface cards for communicating 
with the enhanced local office 1 and the conventional local office 2. 
The alarm collection shelf 7 is adapted to absorb differences in types and 
formats of information received from the enhanced local office 1 and the 
conventional local office 2 with respect to alarm information and system 
status information of local offices received from the alarm link 5. The 
alarm collection shelf 7 is also adapted to convert the format of the 
information received from the conventional local office 2 into the format 
of the information received from the enhanced local office 1, so as to 
control a plurality of local offices including the enhanced office 1 and 
the conventional local office 2. 
The MPU/workstation 8 is adapted to perform the initial setting process and 
alarm information edit/display process through a flexible man-machine 
interface. 
Further, the alarm collection shelf 7 also collects an alarm occurring in a 
radio base office 9, and alarm information is obtained from the radio base 
office 9 through an alarm link 11. The alarm collection shelf 7 comprises 
a shelf structure for accommodating a plurality of printed circuit boards 
inserted into the shelf structure. By increasing the number of a 
communication interface cards interfacing with the radio base office 9 by 
inserting communication interfaces into the shelf 7, many radio base 
offices are provided for and thus the system can deal with an increased 
number of radio base stations in a flexible manner. 
MPU/workstation 8 is provided in the central maintenance operation center 
4. The MPU/workstation 8 performs an initial setting of the alarm 
collection shelf 7 and editing and display of the collected alarm 
information through a flexible man-machine interface. 
The central maintenance operation center 4 registers local offices to be 
controlled. This process is performed through the man-machine interface of 
the MPU/workstation 8. In other words, the central maintenance operation 
center 4 registers a position of the alarm collection shelf 7 to place a 
communication interface card 7a for communicating with each local office 
to be controlled and whether or not each local office is an enhanced 
office. The central maintenance operation center 4 also registers the 
place at which the communication interface card 7b for communicating with 
the radio base office 9 should be provided in the alarm collection shelf 
7, and the distinction between the enhanced office and the conventional 
office. 
After the initial registration is conducted, the alarm collection shelf 7 
sequentially collects the alarm information from all the local offices 1, 
2, 9 under its management. Where the alarm information is collected from 
the conventional local office 2, the format of the information from the 
conventional local office 2 is converted to the same format as that from 
the enhanced local office 1. 
After performing the initial registration, the alarm collection shelf 7 
collects alarm information from the local offices (1 and 2) through the 
alarm link 5 and the No. 7 link 6. When the collected alarm information is 
received from the conventional local office 2, the alarm collection shelf 
7 converts the format of the information into that of the enhanced local 
office 1. 
The alarm collection shelf 7 collects alarm information and converts it 
into a unified format. The MPU/workstation 8 performs processes such as 
editing and displaying the information received from the alarm collection 
shelf 7. 
According to the present invention, with the ALMS INF, the number of local 
offices can be flexibly increased. With software on the MPR, information 
can be displayed on the SCWS workstation. Thus, an enhanced man-machine 
interface can be accomplished. The ALMS INF can equally handle both the 
conventional office 2 and enhanced office 1 and interface therebetween so 
as to absorb their differences. 
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the system construction of a preferred 
embodiment of the present invention. This system comprises a central 
maintenance operation center (CMOC) 200 and a plurality of local offices. 
The CMOC 200 collects alarms from the local offices under its control. The 
local offices can be categorized as an enhanced office 220 and a 
conventional office 230. The enhanced office 220 has enhanced functions 
with respect to man machine interface and alarm point extension. The CMOC 
200 controls both the enhanced office 220 and the conventional office 230. 
The local offices (220 and 230) and the CMOC 200 are connected via a toll 
switch (TS) 250. The TS 250 is a switch office. 
The system construction of the conventional office 230 is the same as the 
internal construction of the local office shown in FIG. 1A. (For 
simplicity, in FIG. 3, portions which are the same as those in FIG. 1A are 
denoted by the same reference numerals.) The system construction of the 
enhanced office 220 is the same as that of the enhanced local office shown 
in FIG. 1B. (For simplicity, in FIG. 3, portions which are the same as 
those in FIG. 1B are denoted by the same reference numerals.) In addition, 
portions of the conventional office 230 which have the same functions as 
those of the enhanced office 220 are denoted by the same reference 
numerals. 
In the CMOC 200, the master system test console (MSTCNS) of the 
conventional system is substituted with an alarm receiver shelf-A 
(ALRVSH-A) 201. In addition, the system supervisory console (SSCNS) is 
substituted with an alarm shelf-B (ALMSH-B) 202. The ALRVSH-A 201 collects 
alarms from all the local offices under the control thereof. On the other 
hand, the ALMSH-B 202 collects alarms from the CMOC 200. The ALMSH-B 202 
has functions similar to those of the alarm collection shelf ALMSH-B 1016 
of the enhanced local office 220. 
The local offices (220 and 230) and the CMOC 200 are connected via an alarm 
link 260. The alarm link 260 is connected to the ALRVSH-A 201 of the CMOC 
200 through a digital terminal (DT) 203, a digital line interface (DLI) 
204, and a common channel signaling equipment interface (CSEI) 205. The 
DLI 204 is a switching unit. The ALVSH-A 201 is connected to alarm display 
equipment (ALDE) 210 and a remote alarm indicator panel unit (RAIPU) 211. 
The ALDE 210 displays on a map the positions of the local offices under 
the control of the CMOC 200 and the alarm statuses thereof. The RAIPU 211 
displays alarms which occur in the local offices under the control of the 
CMOC 200. 
In addition, the local offices (220 and 230) and the CMOC 200 are connected 
via a No. 7 link 265. The No. 7 link 265 is connected to a main processor 
(MPR) 209 of the CMOC 200 through a digital terminal (DT) 206, the DLI 
204, a common channel signaling equipment interface (CSEI) 207, and common 
channel signaling equipment (CSE) 208. 
Moreover, the MPR 209 is connected to the ALRVSH-A 201 through a packet 
link controller (PLC) 212-1 which in a communication interface unit 
according to the LAPB protocol. The MPR 209 is connected to a system 
control workstation SCWS 213 which performs an input/output process and an 
alarm message output process for controlling the entire system. 
Furthermore, the ALMSH-B 202 which collects alarms from the CMOC 200 is 
connected to the MPR 209 through a PLC 212-2. The ALMSH-B 202 is connected 
to the MPR 209 through the PLC 212-2. The ALMSH-B 202 is connected to an 
alarm indicator panel unit (ALIPU) 214 which displays alarms which occur 
in the CMOC 200. 
Next, the basic operation of the alarm collection process will be 
described. 
Before collecting alarms, initial setting software of the MPR 209 performs 
setting processes such as setting local offices to be accommodated, 
setting the interface of the ALRVSH 201, and setting the DLI 204. The 
setting processes are performed through a man-machine interface of the 
SCWS 213. 
After executing the initial setting processes, the ALRVSH-A 201 starts 
collecting alarms from the local offices (220 and 230) under the control 
of the CMOC 200. The ALRVSH-A 201 independently and periodically collects 
the alarms through the alarm links and stores these data. At this point, 
the ALRVSH-A 201 collects alarm information from the enhanced office 220. 
In addition, the ALRVSH-A 201 collects status information as well as alarm 
information from the conventional office 230. The alarm and status 
information received from the enhanced office 220 has been edited thereby. 
On the other hand, since the conventional office 230 does not edit the 
alarm and status information, the ALRVSH-A 201 collects and edits this 
information. 
The ALRVSH-A 201 displays the collected alarm/status information on the 
ALDE 210 and the RAIPU 211. 
On the other hand, the MPR 209 periodically requests the ALRVSH-A 201 for 
alarm data stored therein independently from the ALRVSH-A 201 which 
collects alarms. The MPR 209 can analyze and edit the received alarm data 
and display the result on the SCWS 213. 
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the system construction of hardware 
of the ALRVSH-A 201. The ALRVSH-A 201 is of a shelf type where functional 
packages (cards) are inserted into a shelf. 
FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the shelf structure. Fifteen packages 
(cards) 271 can be inserted in a single shelf 270. The package 271 has 
various functions and, for example comprises ALMS INF 300 (FIG. 4) acting 
as an interface with CSEI 205 to perform communications with a local 
office, DLI INF 301-1 acting as an interface with the controller portion 
(CNT) 215 in the DLI 204 through JPTU-A 310, R-ALIPU INF 302 for 
transmitting alarm display information to the alarm indicator panel 
R-ALIPU 211 through JPTU-A 320, ALDE INF 303 for controlling the ALDE/ALDC 
210 for displaying the alarm on the map, and the PLC INF 304 acting as an 
interface with the PLC 212-1 which exists between the MPR 209 and ALRVSH-A 
201. In the package 271, the ALMS INF 300 manages sixteen local stations 
by using a single package 271 as will be described later. Thus, a 
plurality of ALMS INF's 300 are inserted in a single shelf 270 to perform 
maintenance and management of more than sixteen local stations. 
That is, the ALMS INF 300 is connected to the CSEI 205 equipped with analog 
trunk shelf (ATSH) 330. A single ALMS INF 300 can be connected to four 
CSEI apparatus packages at maximum, namely, 16 CSEIs. Therefore a single 
ALMS INF 300 can include 16 local stations at maximum. Respective 
apparatuses within ALRVSH-A201 are connected to a duplex bus and a LAN 
communication is performed over the duplex bus. Thus, two DLI INF 301 
cards for controlling the DLI 204 and two are PLC INF 304 cards connected 
to the processor MPR 209. When the package 271 is installed in the shelf 
270 as shown in FIG. 5A, respective contacts at the edge of the package 
271 are connected to the terminals of the shelf 270 which form the 
indirect connector on the rear surface. 
The shelf 270 with the above structure can be installed in a cabinet 272 as 
one unit as shown in FIG. 5B. Thus, mainly ALM INFs 300 (packages 271) can 
be installed in the cabinet 272 and, as described above, a single ALMS INF 
300 can cover 16 local stations. Accordingly, considering the entire unit, 
many local stations can be subject to maintenance and managed. 
As examples of functional cards, there are an ALMS INF 300, a DLI INF 
301-1, an R-ALIPU INF 302, an ALDE INF 303, and a PLC INF 304. The ALMS 
INF 300 interfaces with the CSEI 205 so as to communicate with a local 
office. The DLI INF 301-1 interfaces with a controller portion CNT 215 of 
the DLI 204 through a JPTU-A 310. The R-ALIPU INF 302 sends alarm 
indication information to an alarm indicator panel R-ALIPU 211 through the 
JPTU-A 320. The ALDE INF 303 controls the ALDE/ALDC 210 which displays 
alarms on a map. The PLC INF 304 interfaces with a PLC 212-1 disposed 
between the MPR 209 and the ALRVSH-A 201. 
Each card inserted into the ALRVSH-A 201 is connected to a duplex bus. 
Thus, LAN communication is performed on the duplex bus. 
The ALMS INF 300 is connected to the CSEI 205 inserted into an analog trunk 
shelf (ATSH) 330. The ATSH 330 can accommodate up to 15 cards, each of 
which can accommodate four CSEIs 205. One ALMS INF 300 can be connected to 
up to four cards (namely, 16 CSEIs 205). Thus, one ALMS INF 300-1 can 
accommodate up to 16 local offices. Realistically, another ALMS INF (for 
example, 300-2) accommodates the same local office as the ALMS INF 300-1 
so as to duplex the system. The CSEI 205 forms a link to the local offices 
(220 and 230) with the switching unit DLI 204 and the DT 203. According to 
the related art reference, the DLI 204 switches the local offices so as to 
collect alarms therefrom. In contrast, according to the present invention, 
a fixed path is formed on an office-by-office basis and alarms therefrom 
are collected. 
When the DLI INF 301 sets or changes a fixed path of the DLI 204 by using 
MPR 209 software, it sends relevant information to an MC53A 340 of the CNT 
215 of the DLI 204. Since the DLI INF 301 is duplexed, two DLI INFs (301-1 
and 301-2) communicate with up to two DLIs through system 0 and system 1, 
respectively. 
The R-ALIPU INF 302 comprises a main processor MPU and a communication 
interface. The R-ALIPU INF 302 is connected to up to four R-ALIPUs 211 
through the JPTU-A 320. The four R-ALIPUs 211 will be installed at 
different positions. The two or more R-ALIPU INFs 302 send the same alarm 
information so as to cause it to be displayed. 
In addition, the PLC INF 304 is duplexed. In other words, two PLC INFs 
304-2 and 304-1 of system 0 and system 1, respectively, are connected to a 
duplex bus 305. These PLC INFs 304-1 and 304-2 communicate with the MPR 
209 through the respective PLCs 212-1 according to the LAPB protocol. 
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the ALMS INF 300 accommodated in the ALRVSH-A 
201. 
The ALMS INF 300 comprises five portions which are a CSMA communication 
portion 410, a CSEI interface portion 450, an MPU portion 430, a register 
portion 420, and a 7-SEGMENT LED portion 440. The CSMA communication 
portion 410 is connected to the duplex bus 305 of the ALRVSH-A 201 through 
a rear indirect connector 360. The CSMA communication portion 410 performs 
LAN communication. The CSEI interface portion 450 communicates with the 
local offices (220 and 230) through up to four 4-CSEI cards 205 in LAPB 
transparent mode. The MPU portion 430 controls communications and 
processes. The MPU portion 430, the register portion 420, and the CSEI 
interface is portion 450 are connected to each other through an internal 
bus. 
The MPU portion 430 comprises a main processor MPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The 
ROM and RAM store software and data. 
The CSMA communication portion 410 has two CSMA interfaces, namely system 0 
(CSMA #0) and system 1 (CSMA #1) which are connected to the duplex bus 
305. The CSMA communication portion 410 is connected to the duplex bus 305 
through the rear indirect connector 360. In addition, the CSMA 
communication portion 410 is connected to the MPU portion 430. 
The register portion 420 is constructed of a plurality of registers. The 
register portion 420 is connected to the rear indirect connector 360 so as 
to send and receive a shelf ID and a card ID which identify a card of a 
shelf of the ALRVSH-A 201 with which communication is to be performed. In 
addition, the register portion 420 is connected to the 7-SEGMENT LED 
portion 440. 
The CSEI interface portion 450 comprises two sets of LAPB interfaces, 
drivers/receivers, and clock send/receive portions so as to construct a 
duplex system. 
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a duplex system of ALMS INF cards. 
Each local office is duplexed with two systems, namely system 0 and system 
1. Each system is connected to the relevant ALMS INF card 300 (.alpha. or 
.beta. in FIG. 7) to communicate therewith. 
As shown in FIG. 6, the CSEI interface portion 450 is connected to four 
4-CSEI cards 205 (that is, 16 local offices). The CSEI interface portion 
450 is broken down into system 0 and system 1. The system 0 of the CSEI 
interface portion 450 is connected to two 4-CSEI cards of system 0 
(namely, eight local offices of system 0). The system 1 of the CSEI 
interface portion 450 is connected to two 4-CSEI cards of system 1 
(namely, eight local offices of system 1). 
Next, the operation of an alarm collection process will be described. 
Before collecting alarms, the software of the MPR 209 performs an 
initialize process such as setting the statuses of local offices 
accommodated in the ALMS INF 300. The MPR 209 performs a LAN communication 
with each card of the ALRVSH-A 201 through the PLC 212-1 and the PLC-INF 
304 on a card-by-card basis. This communication is performed in such a way 
that the MPR 209 sends an order to a card with which communication is to 
be performed and this card sends a response back to the MPR 209. 
The initialize process is performed when the MPR 209 is initialized or the 
power of the ALRVSH-A 201 is turned on. FIG. 8 is a time chart of the 
initialize process of the ALMS INF 300. The MPR 209 sends to each ALMS INF 
300 inserted in the ALRVSH-A 201 an order LCLID which requests from a 
respective ALMS INF 300 a local office to be accommodated. 
FIG. 9 shows an example of a data format of the LCLID order. The LCLID 
order comprises 40 bytes and includes a protocol identifier, source ID, 
destination ID, text number, data category, subcategory and ALMS numbers 
0-15. An identifier designating that the data format is an LCLID order is 
written as the protocol identifier, the ID number of the processor MPR 209 
forming a source terminal is written as the source ID and is, for example 
"86". The shelf and slot number of the ALMS INF 300 corresponding to the 
destination terminal are written as the destination ID. Based on the 
address data written in the ALMS numbers 0-15, the number and the position 
of the local office which is covered by the ALMS INF 300 are determined. 
The position of each local office is determined based on the address data 
written in the each of ALMS numbers 0-15 and the number of local stations 
can be obtained based on the number of areas in the ALMS numbers 0-15 in 
which "00" (don't care) is written. By examining the pre-determined bit of 
the data written in ALMS numbers 0-15, it is determined whether the local 
office is an enhanced office 220 or a conventional office 230. 
By outputting the above LCLID order to the ALRVSH-A201, the shelf and the 
slot position of the corresponding ALMS INF 300 is specified based on the 
destination ID and the name of the local office to be controlled by the 
INF 300 and the number of the local stations is determined and whether the 
local office is an enhanced office or not is also determined. 
The data category included in the above LCLID order represents the kind of 
order and the subcategory represents the detailed information within the 
category. The text number shows the numbering of the responses to the 
LCLID order. 
After the ALMS INF 300 receives the LCLID order, it sends a confirmation 
response CNF (FIG. 8) back to the MPR 209. FIG. 10 is an example of the 
data format for the confirmation response CNF. The confirmation response 
CNF comprises 8 bytes and also comprises a protocol identifier, source ID, 
destination ID, text number, data category and subcategory. An identifier 
indicating that the data is the confirmation response CNF is written or 
installed as the protocol identifier. The shelf number and slot number of 
the corresponding ALMS INF 300 are written as the source ID, and an ID 
code such as "88" for the processor MPR 200 is written or installed as the 
destination ID. Therefore, after the corresponding ALMS INF 300 receives 
the previously described LCLID order and confirms the position of the 
local office, the ALMS INF 300 outputs the confirmation response CNF to 
processor MPR 209 forming the destination terminal, and thus the processor 
MPR 209 determines that the order LCLID arrived at the ALMS INF 300 
corresponding to the shelf number and slot number written in the CNF 
response. The confirmation response CNF is outputted under the control of 
the MPU portion 430 in the ALMS INF 300. 
When the processor MPR 209 receives the above confirmation response CNF 
shown In FIG. 8, the MPR 209 outputs an ALMACT order to specify a 
switching operation of the system to the ALMS INF 300. The ALMACT order 
includes information as to whether 4 (four) CSEIs, namely 16 (sixteen) 
lines, are made to be in an active state or a standby state. FIG. 11 shows 
an example of the data format of the ALMACT order. The ALMACT order 
comprises 24 bytes and the shelf number and slot number of the 
corresponding ALMS INF 300 are written as the destination terminal. In 
this data format, the information as to whether the local office managed 
by the ALMS INF 300 is made to be in the standby or active state is 
written so that the line in the standby state corresponds to "00" and the 
line in the active state corresponds to "01", for example Accordingly, by 
inputting the order ALMACT to the ALRVSH-A 201, the line of the local 
office for making a connection with the ALMS INF 300 is set to the active 
state or standby state. 
The ALMACT contains information for causing the statuses of four 4-CSEI 
cards (namely, 16 lines) to become active or inactive (standby). As shown 
in FIG. 7, the alarm link is duplexed. Each local office has two systems 
which are system 0 and system 1, each of which is linked to a 
corresponding ALMS INF 300. When the system 0 of each local office is 
used, the MPR 209 causes the line of the ALMS INF 300 of the system 0 to 
become active and the line of the other ALMS INF 300 of the system 1 to 
become inactive (in the standby status). Each ALMS INF 300 receives this 
order and sends a response CNF back to the MPR 209. 
Under the above process, the MPR 209 executes the initialize process for 
the ALMS INF 300. After the initialize process is completed, the ALRVSH-A 
201 periodically collects alarm information from the local offices 
accommodated therein, thereby starting an alarm polling process and stores 
the collected data. The ALRVSH-A 201 independently performs this alarm 
polling process. 
FIG. 12 is a timing chart of the alarm polling process. 
The ALMS INF 300 sends to up to 16 (sixteen) active local offices 
accommodated therein an alarm collection order in an ascending sequence, 
starting with No. 0, so as to poll information therefrom. The output 
control of the polling order is carried out in accordance with a program 
stored in ROM by MPU unit 430 in the corresponding ALMS INF 300. The MPU 
unit 430 recognizes based on the LCLID order output from the processor MPR 
209 that up to 16 (sixteen) local offices subject to its maintenance are 
enhanced local offices 220 or conventional local offices 230. When a 
relevant local office is an enhanced office, the ALMS INF 300 sends to the 
office only an alarm information request polling order PLODO. The polling 
order PLODO is four bytes. When a relevant local office is a conventional 
office, the ALMS INF 300 sends to the office a status request order STRQO 
as well as the polling order PLODO. This is because an enhanced office 
sends edited data of alarm and status information back to the ALMS INF 
300, whereas a conventional office does not perform the edit process. 
Thus, the ALMS INF 300 must separately collect alarm information and 
status information from the conventional office. 
FIG. 13A is an example of a data format for the polling order PLODO when 
the above alarm polling is performed. The polling order PLODO comprises 4 
(four) bytes. The polling order PLODO designates the local office using 
the ID code and contains the code "80" designating a request for alarm 
information. FIG. 13B is an example of a data format for the status 
request order STRQO when the above alarm polling is performed. The status 
request order STRQO comprises 3 bytes. The STRQO order designates the 
local office using the ID code and contains the code "81" for requesting 
the status information. The alarm polling consists of sequentially 
performing a polling operation of the local stations, 16 (sixteen) at 
maximum, in the active state, beginning with the local office No. 0 and 
ending with the local office No. 15, thereafter repeating the polling 
operation. The waiting time for the response to the polling instruction is 
determined to be 300 ms, and when a response to three consecutive polling 
instructions is not obtained, it is deemed that a communication error has 
occurred during data transmission to the local office. 
When an enhanced office is polled according to the alarm information 
request polling order PLODO, the enhanced office sends alarm answer data 
ALMDA (FIG. 12) of 60 bytes back to the ALMS INF 300. The alarm answer 
data ALMDA contains various alarm information and status information which 
have been edited. 
FIG. 14 shows an example of alarm answer data ALMDA output from an enhanced 
office 220. The alarm answer data ALMDA comprises 60 bytes. The alarm 
answer data ALMDA, which includes the ID number of the local office and 
alarm information or status Information in respective portions in the 
office is written after being edited. A 1-byte software alarm 1, a 1-byte 
hardware alarm 2 and a 1-byte software status information 3 are included 
in the edited information. The alarm answer data ALMDA output from the 
enhanced office 220 includes the software alarm 101, hardware alarm and 
software status information as the edited data as shown in FIG. 16A. 
When a conventional office is polled according to the alarm information 
request polling order PLODO, it sends alarm answer data ALMDA of 32 bytes 
back to the ALMS INF 300. After the ALMS INF 300 receives the alarm newer 
data ALMDA, it sends a status information request order STRQO of three 
bytes to the conventional office. After the conventional office receives 
the order STRQO, it sends status answer data STSDA of 309 bytes back to 
the ALMS INF 300. Thereafter, the MPU 430 of the ALMS INF 300 converts the 
format of the ALMDA data and the STSDA data to the format of the ALMDA 
data of 60 bytes received from the enhanced office. Since part of the 
alarm information of the ALMDA data received from the conventional office 
has not been edited, alarm points need to be set and edited by using the 
received data. 
FIG. 15 is an example of alarm answer data ALMDA format comprising 32 bytes 
transmitted from the conventional office. The alarm answer data ALMDA is 
non-edited alarm information in the case of the conventional office 230. 
The status request order STRQO is output to the conventional office 230 
and the conventional office 230 outputs the status answer data STSDA 
comprising the 309 bytes, for example. 
FIGS. 16 and 17 are examples of the status answer data STSDA format having 
a 309-byte structure, which is sent from the conventional office. 
The alarm answer data ALMDA output from the conventional office 230, as 
shown in FIG. 15, does not include the hardware alarm 2 and software 
status information 3, unlike the alarm answer data ALMDA outputted from 
the enhanced office 220, and only includes the software alarm 1. Therefore 
the ALMS INF 300 receiving the alarm answer data ALMDA and status answer 
data STSDA from the conventional office 230 edits both sets of data by 
using the MPU portion 430. The edited data must have the same form as the 
60-byte alarm answer data ALMDA transmitted from the enhanced office 220. 
FIGS. 18A through 18C explain a sequence for forming the same data as the 
data from the enhanced office 220 based on the alarm answer data ALMDA and 
the status answer data STSDA transmitted from the conventional office 230. 
MPU portion 430 prepares the edited information shown in FIG. 18A from the 
alarm information (alarm answer data ALMDA) and the status answer data 
STSDA. 
FIG. 18B shows the information transmitted from the conventional office 
230. The preparation of the edited information is performed by forming the 
hardware alarm 2 from the data (FIG. 14) of the alarm information ALMDA, 
and by forming the software status information 3 from the date of status 
answer data STSDA (FIGS. 16 and 17). The preparation of the edited data is 
executed based on a program written in the ROM in the MPU portion 430. 
As shown in FIG. 14, the software status information 3 comprises 8 bytes. 
The MSB bit b7 represents "TPE", bit b6 "PRST", bit b5 "OSF", bit b4 
"CCOL", bit b3 "CRT", bit b2 "LCO", bit b1 "RBY" and the LSB bit b0 "RTR". 
As shown in FIG. 19, "TPE" (MSB bit b7) is prepared by copying "TPE" (bit 
b3) at the address 122 of the data of the status answer data STSDA (FIGS. 
16 and 17). "PRST" (bit b6) is prepared by extracting "RST" (bit b0) at 
the same address 122 of the status answer data STSDA. 
"CCOU" (bit b4) is prepared by extracting "COVL" (bit b1) at the address 
122 of the status answer data STSDA (FIGS. 16 and 17). 
"CRT" (bit b3) is prepared by copying "CRT" (bit b2) at the address 122 of 
the status answer data STSDA. 
"LCO" (bit b2) is "1" when the "1" exists in "LCX" at at least one of 
addresses 157-188 of the status answer data STSDA and is "0" otherwise. 
Further, "RBY" (bit b1) is "1" when the "RBY" bit is "1" at at least one of 
addresses 190, 192, 194 . . . 308 in the status answer data STSDA and is 
"0" otherwise. 
Finally "RTR" (the LSB bit) is "1" if the "RTR" bit is "1" at at least one 
of addresses 189, 191, 193 . . . 307 of the status answer data STSDA and 
"0" otherwise. 
As shown in FIG. 20, "OSF" (bit b5) is "1" when the logical sum (OR) of the 
following conditions 1-3 is true and "0" when the logical sum is false. 
Condition 1 is true when the address of the data indicating "out of 
service" is one of the addresses 13-120 of the status answer data STSDA 
(FIGS. 16 and 17). Condition 2 is true when at least one of "LP", "SCLK", 
"RTTY" and "TTY" (bits b0-b3) of the addresses 121 of the status answer 
data STSDA (FIGS. 16 and 17) is "1". Condition 3 is true when the bit "1" 
exists at at least one of the addresses 125-156 in the status answer data 
STSDA. The blank portion is not considered. 
As shown in FIG. 18C, the edited information thus prepared has the same 
structure as the alarm information (alarm answer data ALMDA) of the 
enhanced office shown in FIG. 18A. 
The preparation of the hardware alarm 2 based on the alarm information will 
not be explained in detail but the hardware alarm 2 is prepared one bit at 
a time in the same way as described above. 
The alarm information of the conventional (local) office 230 can be edited 
as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C based on the hardware alarm 2, software 
status information 3 and software alarm 1 directly transmitted from the 
conventional office 230. 
In addition, after the MPR 209 performs the initialize process, it executes 
the following normal mods processes. The MPR 209 periodically performs a 
supervisory process for errors which occur in the ALRVSH-A 201 and alarms 
received from local offices, a system switch process for the ALMS INFs 300 
and the DLI INFs 301, and a status supervisory process for the ALDE 210 
and the R-ALIPU 211. These processes are performed in such a way that the 
MPR 209 sends an order to each card which then sends a response back to 
the MPR 209. Even while the MPR 209 is in normal mode, it can change the 
ID information and so forth of each local office and switch the current 
system of the ALMS INF to the other system in the same manner as the 
initialize process shown in FIG. 8. 
FIG. 21 is a timing chart of an alarm supervisory process performed by the 
MPR 209. 
The MPR 209 sends an alarm information request order LCALM to each ALMS INF 
card. After the ALMS INF card receives the alarm information request order 
LCALM, it sends alarm information LCALMPR back to the MPR 209. 
FIG. 22 shows an example of the data format of the alarm information 
request order LCALM. The LCALM comprises 8 bytes, including a protocol 
identifier in which an identifier for requesting alarm information is 
written, and a destination ID in which is written a shelf number and slot 
number specifying an ALMS INF to which the order is to be sent. 
Accordingly, the ALMS INF 300 specified by this shelf number and slot 
number receives the LCALM order. 
The ALMS INF 300 which has received the LCALM order outputs the alarm 
information received from the local office to the main processor MPR 209. 
The output process is carried out under the control of the MPU portion 
430. In particular, one ALMS INF 300 receives the alarm information from 
four CSEIs 205 and thus, the alarm information LCALMPR returned by the 
ALMS INF is transmitted four times as the alarm information of each of the 
local stations is transmitted (LCALMPR-1-4). FIGS. 23 through 26 show the 
data format of the alarm information LCALPMPR 1-4 returned by the ALMS 
INF. The alarm information of the local stations number 0 through number 3 
is written in the format shown in FIG. 23; the alarm information of the 
local stations number 4 through number 7 is written in the data format 
shown in FIG. 24; the alarm information of local stations number 8 through 
number 11 is written in the data format shown in FIG. 25; and, the alarm 
information of local stations number 12 through number 15 is written in 
the data format shown in FIG. 26. The respective data formats comprise 253 
bytes, which includes 61 bytes of alarm information for each respective 
local office. Specifically, the 253 bytes includes 244 bytes for 4 
offices, or 61 bytes of alarm information per office, and 9 bytes of 
control signal data. The 9 bytes of control data include the source ID and 
destination ID. 
The alarm information of 61 bytes for each local office is obtained by 
copying the alarm answer data ALMDA of 60 bytes received from an enhanced 
office by the ALMS INF. Alternatively, this alarm information is obtained 
by copying the 60-byte alarm and status answer data which has been 
received from a conventional office and edited by the ALMS INF. 
MPR 209 further analyzes and edits the ALMS data LCALMPR and displays it on 
the SCWS 213. 
On the other hand, usually, MPR 209 forms display information or buzzer 
information of R/ALIPU 211 by using the received alarm data LCALMPR and 
sending the received alarm data LCALMPR to ALRVSH-A201, thereby 
controlling the display or buzzer in the R-ALIPU INF 302. When 
communication with MPR 209 is interrupted (which is called stand-alone 
mode), R-ALIPU INF 302 requests local office alarm information from the 
ALMS INF 300, and ALMS INF 300 returns this information and R-ALIPU INF 
302 controls the display and buzzer. Further, ALDE INF 210 periodically 
requests alarm information from the ALMS INF 300 to display the 
information of the local office on the map and performs the display 
process on the returned alarm information. By performing a process as 
described above, the alarm information obtained from enhanced office 220 
and alarm information obtained from the conventional office 230 can be 
outputted to SCWS 213 in the same format and further if the number of the 
local stations increases, the number of ALMS INF 300 to be inserted in 
shelf 270 can increase. 
FIG. 27 shows a block diagram of a system structure of an alarm collection 
apparatus in a concentration maintenance center according to a second 
embodiment of the present invention. The system of the second embodiment 
has a radio bass office 240 for notifying a moving communication control 
office of the position information of an automobile telephone or a 
portable telephone, for example, and transmits a call signal input from 
the moving communication control office to the local office of the first 
embodiment. In FIG. 27, a single radio base office 240 is shown but a 
plurality of radio base offices 240 are connected to central maintenance 
office CMOC 200 and the central maintenance office CMOC 200 controls a 
plurality of radio base offices 240. The radio base office 240 comprises 
supervision control unit (SV) 241 and an expanded multimedia multiplexer 
(EMPLX) 242. The system structure of the conventional office 230 is the 
same as that of the local office shown in FIG. 1A and the system structure 
of enhanced office 220 is the same as that of the enhanced local office 
shown in FIG. 1B. The connection between the radio base office 240 and 
central maintenance office CMOC 200 is performed via alarm link 261 and is 
connected to DLI 204 through DT 420 provided on the side of central 
maintenance office CMOC 200. 
SV 241 in radio base office 240 collects an alarm in radio base office 240 
and controls the display thereof. FIG. 28 shows a diagram of a system 
structure of SV 241 which comprises MPU (supervision control logic unit) 
243, input and output control unit 244, communication control logic unit 
247 and PC interface 248. MPU supervision control logic unit 243 is 
connected via a 64-bit bus 252 to input and output control unit 244, 
communication control logic unit 247, PC interface 248, and alarm unit 
249. The MPU 243 supervises the operation of these circuits and the 
information obtained from these circuits is sent to the alarm unit 249. 
Alarm unit 249 displays the information by means of LEDs. MPU 243 stores 
contact information (alarm information) input through input and output 
control unit 244 and outputs the contact alarm to the central maintenance 
office CMOC 200 through PC interface 248. Communication control logic unit 
247 converts the data request and control request from a parent machine, 
(for example, moving communication control office or radio line control 
office) to a suitable data format and notifies MPU 243 of the data request 
and control request in the case of the radio telephone. 
Input and output control unit 244 supervises the supervision input unit 245 
at a predetermined period, and receives contact information (alarm 
information), converted to the suitable data format by the observation 
input unit 245. PC interface 248 is connected to the central maintenance 
office CMOC 200 and converts data requests and control requests from the 
central maintenance office CMOC 200 into a suitable data format, thereby 
notifying the MPU 243 of data requests and control requests. 
Power source unit 250 comprises a DC-DC converter and converts DC current 
to a predetermined DC voltage and telephone 251 converts between a voice 
signal and an electric signal and accesses the line. Input and output 
control unit 244 provides an instantaneous output regarding the contact 
information to control output unit 246 during a 200 millisecond interval. 
Input and output control unit 244, supervision input unit 245, control 
output unit 246 are connected by an 8-bit bus 253. 
FIG. 29 shows a block diagram of a system structure within central 
maintenance office CMOC 200 wherein SV INF 400 is added to the package 271 
shown in FIG. 3, SV INF 400 corresponding to the radio base office. SV INF 
400 is connected to radio base office 240 such that alarm link 261 is 
connected to the radio base office DT on the side of central maintenance 
office CMOC 200 and further connected to DLI 204 and 4SVIPA 410. FIG. 29 
shows a single SV INF 400 but a plurality of SV INFs 400 may be used to 
perform alarm maintenance of more than 16 (sixteen) radio base offices 
240. SV INF 400 is inserted in the shelf 270 as a single package 271 as 
shown in FIG. 5A. Accordingly, as described above, when more than 16 
(sixteen) radio base offices 240 are to be subjected to maintenance, the 
required number of SV INF 400 (packages 271) are inserted into the shelf 
270. 
The alarm collection operation of radio base office 240 will be explained 
below. 
Before SV INF 400 performs the alarm collection process for radio base 
office 240, an initial process for setting the state of the radio base 
office 240 which is subject to the maintenance of SV INF 400 is performed 
through software by MPR 209. The process is the same as that performed for 
ALMS INF 300 and is executed in accordance with the flowchart shown in 
FIG. 30. The processor MPR 209 outputs the SVADR order for initializing 
the radio bass office 244 which is in charge of the SV INY 400 inserted in 
ALRVSH-A 201. FIG. 31 shows an example of the data format of this SVADR 
order comprising 440 bytes and a protocol identifier source ID, 
destination ID, text number data category, subcategory and SV (radio base 
office 240) No. 0 to No. 15 in a manner similar to the above described 
LCLID order. The identifier designating that the data format comprises a 
SVADR order is supplied as the protocol identifier and the shelf number 
and slot number of the SV INF 400 of the corresponding destination 
terminal are supplied as the destination ID. 
Based on the SV (radio base office 240) No. 0 to No. 15, the number and the 
position of the radio base office 240 which is subject to the maintenance 
by SV INF 400 are determined. Therefore, SV INF 400 can determine the 
number and position of the radio base offices in its charge in a manner 
similar to the above-described ALMS INF 300. 
On the other hand, the SV INF 400 which receives an SV ADR order returns a 
confirmation response CNF indicating the receipt of the SV ADR order to 
MPR 209. The data format of the confirmation response CNF is the same as 
that shown in FIG. 10. The shelf number and the slot number of the 
corresponding SV INF 400 are output as the source ID. 
Next, when processor MPR 209 receives confirmation response CNF, it outputs 
a SVIFAT order to perform a switching of the SV INF system 400 as shown in 
FIG. 32. The shelf number and slot number of the corresponding SV INF 400 
are written in the destination ID in the SVIFAT order and S, thereby 
setting the radio base office 240 controlled by SV INF 400 to a standby 
state or an active state. When SV INF 400 receives the order, it returns 
the response CNF to processor MPR 209. Processor MPR 209 can recognize, 
based on the input of the confirmation response CNF, that the process of 
setting an active state or standby state of the line communicating with 
the radio base office 240 is completed. 
When the initialization process of SV INF 400 is completed by the above 
stated process which is performed by processor MPR 209, ALRVSH-A 201 
periodically collects alarm information from the radio bass office which 
is subject to a maintenance and supervision by MPR and performs an alarm 
polling process to store the collected data. 
FIG. 33 is a timing chart of the alarm polling process. In the case of 
radio base office 240, there is no distinction between the enhanced office 
and conventional office unlike the previous embodiment and the apparatus 
SV INF 400 for collecting alarm information outputs only a POPLO order for 
collecting the alarm to the corresponding radio base office, thereby 
repeating the sequential polling. The output control of the POPLO order is 
performed by MPU in the corresponding SV INF 400. This alarm polling is 
performed by sending the POPLO order to 16 (sixteen) active radio base 
offices at maximum which are subject to the maintenance starting with the 
radio base office No. 0, thereby repeating the polling operation. The 
response waiting period for the polling instruction is set to 300 ms and 
when the response is not obtained for 3 consecutive polling instructions, 
an error in communication with radio base office 240 is deemed to have 
occurred. 
The alarm answer data SVRL is output from a radio base office 240 having an 
alarm based on the above POPLO order, and NO DATA is output from a radio 
bass office 240 which does not have any alarms. The alarm answer data 
SVRLT output from the radio bass office 240 does not include any 
difference between the enhanced office and the conventional office unlike 
in the previous embodiment, and the SV INF 400 need not perform the 
editing process as described above. 
Thereafter MPR 209 outputs an order requesting the alarm information from 
respective SV INFs 400 which have received the request and these return 
the alarm information LCALMPR. The format and time chart of this order is 
the same as that shown in FIG. 21. The shelf number and slot number in 
which the SV INF 400 for sending the order is installed is outputted as 
the destination ID and the alarm information is received from the 
corresponding SV INF 400. More particularly, the alarm information is 
received from a single SV INF 400 with regard to four radio base offices 
in such a manner that the alarm information is divided into four. 
FIG. 34A explains the meaning of the order code POLO which requests alarm 
information from SV. FIG. 34B shows the data format of the POLO order 
which includes a source address, a destination address, data length and 
the data itself. 
FIG. 35A explains the meaning of the SVRLT response representing the result 
of the observation received from the SV. FIG. 35B shows the data format of 
the SVRLT response which indicates a communication identifier, source 
address, destination address, data length and the data itself. FIG. 35C 
shows the result of the supervision comprising the items 1 to 127. The 
examples of the items such as water leak (item 1), door open (item 2), 
working (item 3) and operation/stop (item 4) are shown in FIG. 36. The 
supervision result will be returned to SV INF from the SV as the response 
date so that the SV INF can collect the alarm information from the radio 
base office. 
The MPR 209 can further analyze and edit the alarm data LCALMPR being 
received so as to display the resultant data on the SCWS 213. 
Normally, the MPR 209 displays the received alarm data LCALMPR on the 
R-ALIPU 211 and creates buzzer information. Thereafter, the MPR 209 sends 
the created information to the ALRVSH-A 201. Thus, the ALRVSH-A 201 
displays the information on the R-ALIPU INF 302 and performs a buzzer 
control process. 
By performing the process as described above the central maintenance office 
CMOC 200 can also perform maintenance and management to collect the alarm 
from the radio base office 240. Thus, the present embodiment can handle 
the increase in the number of the radio base offices 240 likely to occur 
in the near future. 
The number of alarm information collection cards ALMS INF 300 which are 
accommodated in the ALRVSH-A 201 can be increased. Thus, the apparatus can 
flexibly handle an increase of the number of local offices from which 
alarms are collected. 
Further, the software of the MPR can display the errors on the screen of 
the workstation SCW, thereby achieving an advanced man-machine interface. 
Further the function of ALMS INF can deal with both the conventional 
office and the enhanced office and absorb the difference between the two 
offices. 
By performing maintenance and management of the alarms by treating the 
radio base office as one of the local offices the present invention can 
flexibly deal with radio base offices the number of which is expected to 
increase, for example, automobile telephone and portable telephones. 
Although the present invention has been shown and described with respect to 
a best mode embodiment thereof, it should be understood by those skilled 
in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions, and 
additions in the form and detail thereof may be made therein without 
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.