METHOD AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR CONTROLLING A TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract: The inventive method allows to control wired to wireless, private or public telecommunication systems, such as private branch exchanges located on customer premises, local exchanges, mobile switching centers, cross-connect systems or complete private and public networks with interconnected managed objects which are visualised to users or maintenance personnel in at least one dimension (D1, D2, , Dn), in at least one view (V1, V2, ) and in at least one window (WW1, WW2, ) through a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of displaying the managed objects of the controlled telecommunication systems in a first view (VMM) as elements (D1-E1, , Dx-Ey) of a mind map which comprises a structure with branches for every distinct group of elements or distinct elements in hierarchical flow.

Description: METHOD AND GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE FOR CONTROLLING A TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEM The present invention relates to a method and a graphical interface for controlling a telecommunication system according to claim 1 and claim 10. The present invention relates in particular to a method and a graphical user interface for controlling, configuring and preferably also maintaining, wired or wireless, private or public telecommunication systems, such as private branch exchanges located on customer premises, local exchanges, mobile switching centers, cross-connect systems or complete private and public networks. More particularly the present invention relates to a method and a graphical user interface designed for implementation in the management plane of said equipment or networks. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years an increasing percentage of the previously used analog transmission and switching equipment in telecommunication networks has been replaced by digital systems primarily for economic reasons. In addition digital equipment provides numerous new services and functions. However, due to the complexity and multi-functionality of the equipment, handling of the resulting systems has become difficult. In the process of development of a new telecommunications system it is advisable to involve all concerned parties on the developer side, in general the personnel of R&D, and on the user side, particularly the actual users of the systems as well as maintenance personnel, in order to iteratively find the ideal model which can be realised (see [1], Martin Cierjacks, BESTATIGUNGSKOPIE Vorgangsmodellierung als Mittel zur Benutzerbeteiligung bei der objektorientierten Softwareentwicklung, Inaugural-Dissertation, Universitat Trier 1999, pages 25-28) . Means used by said parties for describing a model differ normally significantly. The developers will use formal logic and language while the users will describe their requirements in natural language by common sense. Due to differences in said communication means misunderstandings between the parties involved may therefore frequently occur. In complex systems, such as advanced telecommunication systems, the interfaces provided to the users often comprise formalistic views such as hierarchical tree structures comprising system elements. Such formalistic views often contain insufficient information or information which can not be interpreted by users due to incorporation of technical elements and language. Performing the configuration of customer premises equipment such as a private branch exchange based on a formalistic user interface is usually done by a trained specialist. For a less skilled user such formalistic graphical interfaces may create irresolvable problems. However, with rising complexity of the system even the expert may require extended training, more detailed technical manuals and/or a lot of valuable time on site to set-up and configure a complex system. In case that the installed and configured system does not perform up to expectation or simply does not deliver some of the services planned both the user and the trained expert may be helpless. It would therefore be desirable to provide an improved method and an improved graphical user interface by which a complex telecommunication system, can more easily be controlled. It would be desirable in particular to provide a method and a graphical user interface which facilitate configuration of a complex telecommunication system. It would further be desirable to provide , a method and a graphical user interface which facilitate maintenance of a complex telecommunication system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a method, and a graphical user interface according to claim 1 and claim 10 respectively. The inventive method and graphical user interface allow to control wired or wireless, private or public telecommunication systems, such as private branch exchanges located on customer premises, local exchanges, mobile switching centers, cross- connect systems or complete private and public networks with interconnected managed objects which are visualised to users or maintenance personnel in at least one dimension, in at least one view and in at least one window through the graphical user interface, comprising the steps of displaying the managed objects of the controlled telecommunication systems in a first view as elements of a mind map. Instead of using a formalistic technical view of the controlled telecommunication system the invention proposes to use a mind map to display the managed objects and their interconnections. A mind map allows to dissolve connections between managed objects which are layered in previously used views close to the final branch where the link to a managed object deviates from a highway of connections. When looking for an element, for example DECT terminal M4 , in a tree structure as shown for example in figure 4, a user will follow a connection highway, possibly over more than one page and several element groups, such as servers, gateways, routers, switches, workstations to the group of DECT-terminals, where the link to DECT terminal M4 deviates (see also [2], Ascotel ISDN Telekommunikationssysteme, Ascotel 2025/2045/2065, System- handbuch B, Version 5.0, Ascom Business Systems, Solothurn February 2001, menu-trees and configuration . parameters, pages 5.31-5.44) . Mind maps however comprise structures with branches for every distinct group of elements or distinct element in a hierarchical flow which allow a user to quickly and correctly visualise the controlled telecommunication system despite of its complexity. Planning, set-up and configuration of the controlled telecommunication system is therefore significantly facilitated, which allows to reduce project costs, including training and documentation expenditures considerably. In order to optimise visualisation and interaction with the controlled telecommunication system several predominantly static dimensions, for a private branch exchange preferably the topology of a controlled network, the geographical location of managed objects, the users of the managed objects and/or predominantly dynamic dimensions such as time variable interactions between managed objects are displayed through the graphical user interface. In a further dimension the graphical user interface displays preferably also applications implemented within the system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the graphical user interface provides two or more windows displaying identical or different dimensions of the controlled telecommunication system. A complex telecommunication system can therefore be viewed from different angles or dimensions which are most suitable to perform planned tasks. In [1] , page 26, it is suggested to iteratively achieve symmetry of the models proposed by users and designers. However, in many cases, partly due to the heterogeneous requirements and notions of different users or different designers, the optimum solution can not be found in a compromise. The inventive graphical user interface therefore provides in a preferred embodiment different views, such as said mind map view, a tree view and/or a table view for displaying said dimensions in corresponding windows. This allows a user or maintenance personnel to select the most suitable view for a planned task. Elements of a certain category can often be configured most easily in a table view, in which common settings can be entered once and then copied to all other elements. In order to set-up the systems elements can individually be configured and dragged and dropped within one or between two or more windows . In a further embodiment of the invention the branches of the mind map, used for mutually connecting elements contained in different levels of a dimension, provide access to or display static and/or dynamic states of the controlled telecommunications system such as present interactions between managed objects or current or accumulated traffic, costs or error data. The branches contained in a mind map are therefore important elements which are suitable to display predominantly dynamic states of the systems by means of linked pop-up menus or by means of differently formatting said branches. A branch carrying a high traffic load may for example be drawn broader while a branch on which a high number of errors had been accumulated could be highlighted red. Maintenance personnel could therefore detect problems or an overload of the system with a short look at the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is preferably adaptable to different users by means of a filter which provides for each user only access to the required parts of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Some of the objects and advantages of the present invention have been stated, others will appear when the following description is considered together with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a first display provided by the inventive graphical interface with mind maps of a telecommunication system shown in two separate windows; Figure 2 shows a second display provided by the inventive graphical interface with the mind map view of a network dimension of a telecommunication system, displaying a network and a sub-network thereof in a first and a second window; Figure 3 shows a third display provided by the inventive graphical interface with dynamic states of a network displayed by means of a mind map in a first window and locations of equipment displayed in two additional windows; Figure 4 shows a fourth display provided by the inventive graphical interface with a tree view of the network shown in a first window and locations of equipment shown in two additional windows; Figure 5 shows a fifth display provided . by the inventive graphical interface with a mind map view of subscribers and with a tree view of configured routing functions and Figure 6 shows a sixth display provided by the inventive graphical interface with a category of network elements shown in tree view and the same "category of network elements shown in table view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The inventive method allows to control a telecommunication system by means of an improved graphical interface. To support communication across a telecommunication network such as the ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) three distinct but interacting protocol stacks are required, namely, the user-network signalling protocol on the D-channel, the interoffice signalling system CCS 7, and the user information protocol on the B-channel. Since the OSI-model alone is not sufficient to describe this communications, a specific ISDN protocol reference model has been defined (see [3], Jerry D. Gibson, THE COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS LLC, Boca Raton 1997, chapter 42, Erwin P. Rathgeb, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) and Broadband (B-ISDN) , pages 577-590). In order to separate user and signalling information the generic protocol block to model ISDN network elements is structured into three planes (see [3], pages 581-582): The control plane (C) representing protocols used for transfer of signalling information. The user plane (U) representing the blocks used for transfer of user information. The management plane (M) representing the functions needed to coordinate the activities in the U- and C-plane. U- and C-plane are usually layered stacks, whereas the M-plane is represented as a monolithic block, because its functions can not be described properly by using the OSI concepts. However, the M-plane functions can be structured into plane related functions and functions which are related to specific layers in other planes. As shown in [3], figure 42.4 a management plane is implemented in the entities located within a public telecommunications network such as local exchanges as well as in end systems or customer premises equipment such as private branch exchanges connected to the public network. In order to integrate entities into existing networks, to connect additional equipment to already installed systems or to adapt installed system to user requirements, the management plane comprises corresponding modules and functions which allow the set-up and configuration of the concerned systems. A modern private branch exchange is similar to a telephone company central office in that it is a digital switch complete with central control, program and call store, line and trunk interfaces and many further common features. The private branch exchange differs from central office switch primarily in its capacity to serve lines and process calls (see [3], chapter 33, pages 433-449) . Control of switching modules integrated in a central office switch or in a private branch exchange is performed by an administrative module which comprises processing-, communications- and storage modules as well as a terminal acting as man machine interface (see [4], Peter R. Gerke, Digitale Kommunikationsnetze, Springer-Verlag, Berlin 1991, page 150, figure 4.8). A graphical user interface implemented within the management plane provides a display of the controlled telecommunication system or entity for example on the display of the terminal contained in the above mentioned administrative module or in a telecommunication management system. Figure 1 shows a first display provided by the inventive graphical interface with mind maps of the controlled telecommunication system shown in two separate windows WWl, WW2, which are embedded in a main window which further comprises tool bars with drop-down menus and symbols for selecting window arrangements. The graphical user interface in this preferred embodiment of the invention allows to view the controlled telecommunication system in five dimensions Dl, ..., D5, in two different views VI, V2 and in a maximum of four windows WWl, ..., WW4 (see the symbols in the window selection tool bar) . In the first window WWl the system overview (button OV) has been selected as well as view VI, which displays the system with the available dimensions Dl, ..., D5 as a mind map. The system overview button OV is an option since the buttons for selection of a dimension Dl; ...; D5 may be self-explanatory. In the second window WW2 the second dimension D2 is displayed in mind map view VI as well, with system elements D2-E1, ..., D2- E224, which correspond to managed objects within the telecommunication system. In the first window WWl it is shown that some of the system dimension Dl, D2, D3 may completely or predominantly be static while other system dimensions D4, D5 may completely or predominantly be dynamic. The system elements D2-E1, ..., D2-E224 shown in window WW2 may be static or may change dynamically. A major advantage of the selected mind map view VI is the resolution of the branches which interconnect the system elements D2-E1, ..., D2-E224. Said branches may be static or dynamically indicating the performance of the controlled system. As described above mind maps comprise structures with branches for every distinct group of elements or distinct element in a hierarchical flow. This allows a user by means of the implemented mind maps to quickly and correctly visualise the controlled telecommunication system despite of its complexity. The branches of the shown mind maps, which in other views are layered, may in addition be used to display static or dynamic system data which allow a user not only to detect but also to locate the position of an incorrect system state, such as a malfunction, an increased error rate or an overload situation. For private branch exchanges located on customer premises the graphical interface preferably allows to display five system dimensions . Fig. 2 shows a second display provided by the inventive graphical user interface designed for controlling a private branch exchange comprising five selectable dimensions D NE , D L0 , s u r D R0 and D A p. The private branch exchange in this case is the core of the controlled telecommunication system. The first, predominantly static dimension D NE allows to display the system as a network which, as shown in the mind map view V MM of figure 2, can fully or partly be displayed in selected windows WWl, WW2. In a further static dimension D L o (see figure 3) the graphical user interface shows the physical location of the managed objects within the customer premises. In a third static dimension D so (see figure 5) the graphical user interface shows the subscribers connected to the system. In a fourth predominantly dynamic dimension D R0 the graphical user interface shows the established routing functions (see figure 5) . In the last dimension D AP , applications installed within the controlled telecommunications system are visualised. In the first window WWl shown in figure 2 the complete network of the controlled telecommunications system is displayed. The displayed network comprises two main branches, a sub-network for the marketing department and a sub-netwo k for the production department which may be partly or fully displayed in this or further windows WW. The elements of the network, the managed objects such as routers, switches, gateways, servers, workstations and terminals and their interconnections are shown in mind map view V MM . The second window WW2 shows the enlarged mind map view of the sub-network for the marketing department only. Fig. 3 shows a third display provided by the inventive graphical interface with dynamic states of the network displayed in mind map view V M in the first window WWl and locations of equipment installed in the customer premises displayed in two additional windows WW2, WW3. In the second window WW2 the locations of the marketing department including system connections are displayed. The third window WW3 shows the locations of the production department. The user of the inventive graphical user interface can therefore visualise the complete telecommunication system including the related environment. The display of different dimensions D NE , D L0 , including in particular the display of customer premises, facilitates significantly the planning and setup of the telecommunication system since the complete system and its related environment can be visualised before physically visiting customer premises. After the setup and configuration the branches of the mind map, used for mutually connecting elements contained in different levels of a dimension, preferably provide access to or display static and/or dynamic states of the controlled telecommunications system such as present interactions between managed objects or current or accumulated traffic, costs or error data. The traffic load in the displayed branches may preferably be represented by a corresponding format such as the' breadth or colour of the branches. As indicated in figure 3, window WWl the branch leading to switch Ml is displayed broader indicating occurrence of a relatively high traffic volume. Clicking a mouse button with the pointer on this branch may also open a pop-up window which contains, as shown in figure 3, related dynamic data such as traffic figures or error data. In [1] , page 26, it is suggested to iteratively achieve symmetry of the models proposed by users and designers. However, in many cases, partly due to the heterogeneous requirements and notions of different users or different designers, the optimum solution can not be found in a compromise on a common model. The inventive graphical user interface therefore provides in a preferred embodiment different views, such as said mind map view V MM , a tree view V TR and/or a table view V TB for displaying said dimensions D NE ; D L0 ; Dsu/ D R0 ; D AP in corresponding windows WWl, ..., WW4, ... WWn. Figure 4 shows a fourth display provided by the inventive graphical interface with a tree view V TR of the network dimension D NE shown in the first window WWl and locations of equipment shown in two additional windows WW2, WW3. In some cases a tree view V TR may be preferable to a user. For example in case that complexity of presented data is low, a simple formalistic view would be sufficient. Figure 5 shows a fifth display provided by the inventive graphical interface with a mind map view V M of subscribers and with a tree view V TR of configured routing functions. In case that routing data concern only a few subscribers then the tree view V TR may be sufficient. In case that routing settings are more complex, then preferably the mind map view V MM is selected, which allows the user of the graphical interface to visualise the complete routing organisation. Figure 6 shows a sixth display provided by the inventive graphical interface with a category of network elements shown in tree view V TR and the same category of network elements shown in table view V TB . A user or maintenance personnel may require an overview of all servers installed. In order to configure the displayed servers the user could sequentially click on each server invoking the related configuration window as shown for example in figure 4, window WWl. Since at least part of the configuration data may be identical for most of the servers it may be easier to use the table view V TB for configuration purposes . Common data entered for a first server could in this view V TB easily be copied to the rows of the remaining servers. Table view V TR may however only be useful for maintenance personnel. A local administrator may prefer to use only mind map views V MM . Further the local administrator may require to display only part of the dimensions and part of the elements. The complete model of the telecommunication system is therefore preferably viewed to different users through a filter according to an access code assigned. Handling and configuring of a controlled telecommunication system is therefore significantly facilitated by means of the inventive graphical user interface. Elements Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey can easily be configured as well as be dragged and dropped within one or between two or more windows WWl, WW2, .... In figure 5 for example routing of a call incoming on number 437 3204 can easily be routed to subscriber Berger who is working in division 2 of the marketing department. The administrator simply drags the name or symbol related to the concerned subscriber from the first window WWl, in which the subscriber dimension D S u is displayed in mind map view V MM , to the concerned element in the second window WW2, in which the routing dimension D R0 is displayed in tree view V TR . In addition the routing format, top down or cyclic, can be displayed with icons, thus facilitating system apprehension. A subscriber (Taylor) can also be reallocated to a different department by means of dragging and dropping the concerned symbols accordingly within the first window WWl or to a different window in which the new location is displayed. A further advantage of the mind map view V MM can be recognised from the first window WWl displayed in figure 5 in which the status of the subscribers is indicated. Internal subscriber Siegfried has called external subscriber Hill. External subscriber Grand has called internal subscriber Johnson. Call connections are preferably visualised by differently formatting the concerned branches of the mind map. In case that a line is interrupted, for example due to a broken cable, then the fault can easily be located by setting up a test connection (Nunn >» Miller) which will only partially be established . Numerous advantages of the inventive graphical user interface have been described above for its implementation in conjunction with a private branch exchange. However, the discussed graphical interface can also advantageously be used for controlling further telecommunication systems, such as local exchanges, mobile switching centers, cross-connect systems or complete private and public networks. REFERENCES : [1] Martin Cierjacks, Vorgangsmodellierung als Mittel zur Benutzerbeteiligung bei der objektorientierten Software- entwicklung, Inaugural-Dissertation, Universitat Trier 1999 [2] Ascotel ISDN Telekommunikationssysteme, Ascotel 2025/2045/2065, Systemhandbuch B, Version 5.0, Ascom Business Systems, Solothurn February 2001 [3] Jerry D. Gibson, THE COMMUNICATIONS HANDBOOK, CRC PRESS LLC, Boca Raton 1997 [4] Peter R. Gerke, Digitale Kommunikationsnetze, Springer- Verlag, Berlin 1991

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Method for controlling wired or wireless, private or public telecommunication systems, such as private branch exchanges located on customer premises, local exchanges, mobile switching centers, cross-connect systems or complete private and public networks with interconnected managed objects which are visualised to users or maintenance personnel in at least one dimension (Dl, D2, ..., Dn) , in at least one view (VI, V2, ...) and in at least one window (WWl, WW2 , ...) through a graphical user interface, comprising the steps of displaying the managed objects of the controlled telecommunication systems in a first view (V MM ) as elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of a mind map which comprises a structure with branches for every distinct group of elements or distinct elements in a hierarchical flow. 2. Method according to claim 1, in which predominantly static dimensions (D NE D L0 , D S u) such as the topology of a controlled network (D NE ) , the geographical location of managed objects (Du)), the users (D su ) of the managed objects and/or predominantly dynamic dimensions (D R0 , D AP ) such as time variable interactions between managed objects are displayed through the graphical user interface. 3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, in which two or more windows (WWl, WW2, ...) are provided displaying identical or different dimensions (D NE ; O L0 ; D su ; D RO ; D AP ) of the controlled telecommunication system. 4. Method according to claim 3, in which different views (VI, V2, ...) , such as said mind map view (V MM ) a tree view (V TR ) and/or a table view (V TB ) , are selected for displaying said dimensions (D NE ; D L0 ; D su ; D R0 ; D AP ) in corresponding windows (WWl, WW2, ...) . 5. Method according to one of the claims 1-4, in which elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) can be dragged and dropped within one or between two or more windows (WWl, WW2, ...) . 6. Method according to one of the claims 1-5, in which the branches of the mind map, used for connecting elements (Dl- El, ..., Dx-Ey) of a dimension (Dl; D2; ...) , provide access to or display static and/or dynamic states of the controlled telecommunications system such as present interactions between managed objects or current or accumulated traffic, costs or error data. 7. Method according to one of the claims 1-6, in which elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of the controlled telecommunication system are displayed in hierarchical order or by category. 8. Method according to one of the claims 1-7, in which elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of the controlled telecommunication system are configured individually or, preferably by means of a table, by category. 9. Method according to one of the claims 1-8, in which elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) or branches are filtered according to an access code assigned to users or maintenance personnel of the graphical user interface. 10. Graphical user interface for controlling wired or wireless, private or public telecommunication systems, such as private branch exchanges located on customer premises, local exchanges, mobile switching centers, cross-connect systems or complete private and public networks with interconnected managed objects which are visualised to users or maintenance personnel in at least one dimension (Dl, D2, ..., Dn) , in at least one view (VI, V2, ...) and in at least one window (WWl, WW2, ...) , characterised in, that managed objects of the controlled telecommunication systems can be displayed in a first view (V M ) as elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of a mind map which comprises a structure with branches for every distinct group of elements or distinct elements in a hierarchical flow. 11. Graphical user interface according to claim 10, in which predominantly static dimensions (D NE , D L o > D su ) such as the topology of a controlled network (D NE ) , the geographical location of managed objects (D L0 ) , the users (D su ) of the managed objects and/or predominantly dynamic dimensions (D R0 , D AP ) such as time variable interactions between managed objects can be displayed through the graphical user interface. 12. Graphical user interface according to claim 10 or 11, in which two or more windows (WWl, WW2, ...) are selectable displaying identical or different dimensions (D NE ; D L0 ; D sα ; D R o; D AP ) of the controlled telecommunication system. 13. Graphical user interface according to claim 10, 11, or 12, in which different views (VI, V2, ...) , such as said mind map view (V MM ) , a tree view (V TR ) and/or a table view (V TB ) , are selectable for displaying said dimensions (D NE ; D L0 ; D S u; D Ro ; D AP ) in corresponding windows (WWl, WW2, ...) . 14. Graphical user interface according to one of the claims 10- 13, designed in such a way that elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) can be dragged and dropped within one or between two or more windows (WWl, WW2, ...) . 15. Graphical user interface according to one of the claims 10- 14, in which the branches of the mind map, used for connecting elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of a dimension (Dl; D2; ...) , are designed to provide access to or to display static and/or dynamic states of the controlled telecommunications system such as present interactions between managed objects or current or accumulated traffic, costs or error data. 16. Graphical user interface according to one of the claims 10- 15 designed in such a way that elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of the controlled telecommunication system can be displayed in hierarchical order or by category. 17. Graphical user interface according to one of the claims 10- 16, in which elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) of the controlled telecommunication system can be configured individually or, preferably by means of a table, by category. 18. Graphical user interface according to one of the claims 10- 17, comprising a filter designed to filter elements (Dl-El, ..., Dx-Ey) or branches according to an access code assigned to users or maintenance personnel of the graphical user interface.

Inventors: GUENTHER MARKUS, MASON PHILIP, GUENTHER, MARKUS, MASON, PHILIP
Applicants: ASCOM AG, GUENTHER MARKUS, MASON PHILIP, GUENTHER, MARKUS, MASON, PHILIP
Application year: 2001
Main classification: H04L12
IPC codes: H04L12