Abstract:
A programmable graphical user interface (GUI) for use in a communication test set which conducts line tests at different communication levels for both a primary signal and a secondary signal. The GUI includes four screens. The first screen displays test results for a first communication level. The second screen for displays test results for a second communication level. The third screen displays test results for a third communication level. And, the fourth screen displays test results for a fourth communication level. The GUI simultaneously displays the first screen, second screen, third screen and fourth screen to provide the user with a comprehensive view of the testing.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     A) Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a communication test set and more particularly to a communication test set with a graphical user interface which can simultaneously present and update test results of a communication signal at multiple levels. 
     B) Description of Related Art 
     FIG. 1 shows a typical communication network  10 . The communication network  10  employs a variety of communication links  12 - 22 . Each of the communication links  12 - 22  can vary in type and design. 
     As is known in the art, the various types of communications links  12 - 22  enable communication according to a standardized communication protocol which allows the communications to occur at various levels, rates and formats. The standardized communication protocol, as defined on the date of this filing, is summarized below in the following table. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Type of 
                 Communi- 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Communication 
                 cation 
                 Communication 
                 Communication 
               
               
                 Link 
                 Level 
                 Rate 
                 Format 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Twisted Pair 
                 DSO 
                 64 
                 kb/s 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Copper Cable 
               
               
                 Link 
               
               
                 T1 Link 
                 DS1 
                 1.544 
                 mb/s 
                 24 
                 DSO&#39;s 
               
               
                 T3 Link 
                 DS3 
                 44.736 
                 mb/s 
                 28 
                 DS1&#39;s 
               
               
                 Electrical or Fiber 
                 SONET 
                 Up to 9.984 
                 gb/s 
                 Up to 192 
                 DS3&#39;s 
               
               
                 Optic Link 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Referring to the table above and as is known in the art, each communication level groups a varying number of communications signals from the preceding level to increase the communication rate. For example, communications at the DS 1  level occurs by grouping 24 DS 1  signals into a standardized communication protocol to achieve transmission at higher communication rate. Similarly, communications at the DS 3  level occurs by grouping 28 DS 1  signals into a standardized communication protocol for transmission at even a higher communication rate. This procedure can repeat itself to ultimately allow for communications at the SONET level. 
     Whenever the communication network  10  is being installed, under maintenance or under repair, there exists a need to test the various communication links  12 - 22 . This testing process is typically conducted by field engineers with a device known as a communication test set. 
     FIG. 2 shows a conventional communication test set  30  which is used to test the communication links  12 - 22  contained within the communication network  10 . The communication test set  30  generally includes a set of transmit and receive ports  32 , a front panel of LED&#39;s  34 , and a touch screen graphical-user-interface (GUI)  36 . 
     The receive ports  32  are used to receive input signals from the communication links that will be tested. The receive ports  32  allow for the testing of two communication links simultaneously. The two signals received by the ports  32  from the two communication links are generally referred to as the primary signal and the secondary signal. 
     The front panel of LED&#39;s  34  provide immediate visual feedback on the status of a test. Green LED&#39;s indicate that the a signal is present and the communication test set is synchronized to a network. Red LED&#39;s indicate that errors and alarms have been detected by the communication test set  30 . The LED&#39;s also allow a user to monitor the progress of a test from a distance which in turn allows the engineer to perform other functions at the same time. 
     The touch screen GUI  36  contains a number of icons which, among other things, allow a user to view information related to the test results. FIG. 3 show a conventional GUI  36  which displays information relating to the test results of the primary signal. FIG. 4 shows a conventional GUI  36  which displays information relating to the test results of the secondary signal. 
     In the example shown in FIG. 3, the primary signal being tested is at the SONET level. Therefore, as described above, this signal will include groups of communications that are being processed at the lower levels (i.e., the DS 3 , DS 1  and DS 0  levels). 
     To allow the user to view the test results at both the SONET level and one of the lower levels, the conventional GUI  36  is split into two screens  40  and  42 . The first screen  40  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at the SONET level, whereas, the second screen  42  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at DS 3  communication level. 
     A similar test result occurs for the secondary signal being tested. In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the secondary signal being tested is also at the SONET level. Therefore, To allow the user to view test results at both the SONET level and one of the lower levels, the conventional GUI  36  is split into two screens  44  and  46 . The first screen  44  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at the SONET level, whereas, the second screen  46  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at DS 3  communication level. 
     Although not shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the conventional GUI  36  can be configured by a user to view any two levels of a communication. In particular, the GUI  36  shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can instead be configured to view the DS 3  and DS 1  levels simultaneously or, alternatively, the GUI  36  can be configured to view DS 1  and DS 0  simultaneously. 
     The conventional GUI  36  described above does, however, have significant drawbacks. In particular, the conventional GUI  36  only allows a user of the communication test set  10  to simultaneously view the test results of a signal at two levels. 
     This limitation is of particular significance when the communication is occurring at the SONET level and there are at least three lower levels of communication occurring that require testing. Thus, when a communication is occurring at the SONET level, the field test engineer has to reprogram the GUI  36  every time he or she wants to view more than two different levels of a communication. In view of this problem there currently exists a need for a communication test set with a GUI that will allow a user to simultaneously view the test results of a communication at multiple levels. 
     OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a communication test set that will allow a user to simultaneously view and update the test results of a communication at multiple levels. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a communication test set that will allow a user to select, store and transfer the specific test results of the he or she wants to view at these levels. 
     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a communication test set that will automatically configure the GUI to show the appropriate number of communication levels based on the number of communication levels contained within the input signal. 
     It is still another object of the invention to provide a communication test set that will use a GUI that color codes the those levels of a communication being tested to indicate that alarms and/or errors are occurring in the signal. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a programmable GUI is disclosed for use in a communication test set which conducts line tests at different communication levels for both a primary signal and a secondary signal. The GUI comprises: a first screen for displaying test results for a first communication level; a second screen for displaying test results for a second communication level; a third screen for displaying test results for a third communication level; and a fourth screen for displaying test results for a fourth communication level; wherein, the GUI simultaneously displays the first screen, second screen, third screen and fourth screen. 
     In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the first screen, second screen, third screen and fourth screen display test results for both the primary and secondary signal. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the test results presented in the first screen represent one group of test results that are selected from a plurality of groups of test results. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the test results presented in the second screen represent one group of test results that are selected from a plurality of groups of test results. 
     In accordance with even still another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the test results presented in the third screen represent one group of test results that are selected from a plurality of groups of test results. 
     In accordance with even yet another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the test results presented in the fourth screen represent one group of test results that are selected from a plurality of groups of test results. 
     In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the first communication level, second communication level, third communication level and fourth communication level can be selected from a group of communication levels. 
     In accordance with still another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, any one of the first, second third and fourth screens display certain colors when the screens contain tests results that have errors. 
     In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a communication test set is disclosed which conducts tests of a signal at different communication levels, the communication test comprises: a set of input ports to receive a primary and secondary signal for testing; a touch screen GUI which automatically configures itself to show each level of communication contained within the primary and secondary signal. 
     In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, when one of the primary and secondary signal contains four communication levels, the GUI comprises: a first screen for displaying test results for first a first communication level; a second screen for displaying test results for a second communication level; a third screen for displaying test results for a third communication level; and a fourth screen for displaying test results for a fourth communication level; where the first screen, second screen, third screen and fourth screen are displayed simultaneously by the GUI. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, any one of the first, second third and fourth screens display certain colors when the screens contain tests results that have errors. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, a programmable GUI for use in a communication test set is disclosed which conducts tests of a signal at different communication levels, the GUI comprises: a primary screen for simultaneously displaying tests of a first communication level, a second communication level, a third communication level, and a fourth communication level; and a plurality of secondary screens which allow a user of the communication test set to select test results that are displayed on the primary screen. 
     In accordance with another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, the primary screen further comprises: a first subscreen for displaying test results of the first communication level; a second subscreen for displaying test results of the second communication level; a third subscreen for displaying test results of the third communication level; and a fourth subscreen for displaying test results of the fourth communication level. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of this embodiment of the invention, one of the plurality of subscreens allows the user to select one group of test results from a plurality of groups of test results. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide an understanding of the invention and constitute a part of the specification. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional communication network; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional communication test set; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a conventional GUI used by the communication test set shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a conventional GUI used by the communication test set shown in FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention; 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention; 
     FIG. 7 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention; 
     FIG. 8 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention 
     FIG. 9 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention; 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention; and, 
     FIG. 11 illustrates a screen of a GUI developed in accordance with present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 5 shows a GUI  50  for a communication test set developed in accordance with the present invention. The GUI  50  is split into four screens  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90 . The four screens  60  through  90  allow the user to simultaneously view the test results at the SONET level, DS 3  level, DS 1  level and DS 0  level. Each screen  60  through  90  additionally presents the tests results for both the primary and secondary signals. Each of the screens  60  through  90  are described in detail below. 
     The first screen  60  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at the SONET level for both the primary and secondary communication signal being tested. In this example, the screen  60  displays two sets of test results for the primary and secondary signal. The first set of test results is shown under heading  61  and the second set of test results is shown under heading  64 . 
     The first set of test results shown under heading  61  relate to the path pointer justification of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  62 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  63 . 
     The second set of test results are shown under the heading  64  and relate to the path bit interleaved parity (BIP) errors of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  65 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  66 . 
     The GUI  50 , as will be described in greater detail below, can be configured to display numerous test results for a communication signal being tested at the SONET level. These test results can be viewed simply by touching the scroll down buttons contained within the first screen  60 . In this specific example, however, the user has configured the GUI  50  only to display the test results for the two tests described above. 
     The second screen  70  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at the DS 3  level for both the primary and secondary communication link being tested. In this example, the screen  70  displays two sets of test results for the primary and secondary signal. The first set of test results is shown under heading  71  and the second set of test results is shown under heading  74 . 
     The first set of test results shown under heading  71  relate to the received frequency of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  72 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  73 . 
     The second set of test results are shown under the heading  74  and relate to the frame errors of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  75 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  76 . 
     The GUI  50 , as will be described in greater detail below, can be configured to display numerous test results for a communication signal being tested at the DS 3  level. These test results can be viewed simply by touching the scroll down buttons contained within the second screen  70 . In this specific example, however, the user has configured the GUI  50  only to display the test results for the two tests described above. 
     The third screen  80  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at the DS 1  level for both the primary and secondary communication link being tested. In this example, the screen  80  displays two sets of test results for the primary and secondary signal. The first set of test results is shown under heading  81  and the second set of test results is shown under heading  84 . 
     The first set of test results shown under heading  81  relate to frame errors detected in the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  82 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  83 . 
     The second set of test results are shown under the heading  84  and relate to the frame error rate of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  85 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  86 . 
     The GUI  50 , as will be described in greater detail below, can be configured to display numerous test results for a communication signal being tested at the DS 1  level. These test results can be viewed simply by touching the scroll down buttons contained within the third screen  80 . In this specific example, however, the user has configured the GUI  50  only to display the test results for the two tests described above. 
     The fourth screen  90  displays the test results of the data communications occurring at the DS 0  level for both the primary and secondary communication link being tested. In this example, the screen  90  displays two sets of test results for the primary and secondary signal. The first set of test results is shown under heading  91  and the second set of test results is shown under heading  94 . 
     The first set of test results shown under heading  91  relate to the received bytes of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  92 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  93 . 
     The second set of test results are shown under the heading  94  and relate to the voice frequency level of the communication signal being tested. The results of this test for the primary signal are shown on the left-hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  95 . The results of this test for the secondary signal are shown on the right hand side of the screen and are denoted by reference numeral  96 . 
     The GUI  50 , as will be described in greater detail below, can be configured to display numerous test results for a communication signal being tested at the DS 0  level. These test results can be viewed simply by touching the scroll down buttons contained within the fourth screen  90 . In this specific example, however, the user has configured the GUI  50  only to display the test results for the two tests described above. 
     It is important to note that test results described above that are presented in the screens  60  through  90  are updated by the GUI  50  once every second. This ensures that the user of the test set will always be provided with timely and accurate information. 
     From the foregoing it is apparent that the GUI  50  developed in accordance with the present invention can simultaneously present and update the test results of a communication at multiple levels for both the primary and secondary signal. This feature provides a significant advantage over conventional GUI&#39;s—which only allowed for the simultaneous presentation of test results at two levels for one signal—given that a user can obtain a complete set of information about the communication without having to constantly reconfigure the GUI to see test results at different levels. 
     As indicated above, each of the screens  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90  can be configured by the user to present only those test results that are of interest to user. For example, the user can customize each of the screens  60  through  90  by touching the setup button  51 . Once the setup button  51  is depressed, a custom results screen can be selected. FIG. 6 shows an example of the custom results screen  53  produced by the GUI  50  when the setup button  51  is depressed. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, for each of the screens  60  through  90 , a category feature is provided by scroll bars  55 ,  56 ,  57  and  58  respectively. In particular, by depressing scroll bars  55  through  58 , the user is permitted to select a category-of-results for each of the four screens  60  through  90 . The details of this category-of-results feature is described below. 
     Referring to FIG. 6, the category-of-results feature of the GUI  50  developed in accordance with the present invention has different category-of-result options depending on the rate of the communication signal being tested. In particular, for the SONET rate which is displayed in screen  60 , the category-of-results feature provides the user with ten options. The ten options include an “ALL” category-of-results, a “SIGNAL” category-of-results, a “LOGIC” category-of-results, a “SECTION” category-of-results, a “LINE” category-of-results, a “PATH” category-of-results, a “PATH TRACE” category-of-results, a “VT” category-of-results, a “TIME” category-of-results, and a “CUSTOM” category-of-results. 
     In the example shown in FIG. 6, the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category of results for the SONET level. When this category is selected and the user depresses the setup button  100  to the right of the scroll bar  55 , a screen appears which allows the user to select specific tests results for viewing. 
     FIG. 7 shows an example of a screen  68  produced by the GUI  50  when the setup button  100  is depressed after the user has selected he “CUSTOM” category-of-results for window  1 . The user can select all of the tests results, none of the tests results, or a select group of the tests results depending on the needs and desire of the user. This selection process takes place simply by touching the screen. In this case, the screen  68  provides the user the option of selecting test results shown as Path Ptr Just, Path BIP Errors, Line BIP Errors and Sect BIP Errors. 
     As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, screens similar to screen  68  appear when the setup button  100  is depressed after one of the remaining ten category-of-results are selected for window  1 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 6, for the DS 3  rate which is displayed in screen  70 , the category-of-results features provides the user with eight options. Again, these eight options are presented to the user by depressing the scroll bar  56 . The eight options include an “ALL” category-of-results, a “SIGNAL” category-of-results, “LOGIC” category-of-results, a “BPV” category-of-results, “FRAME” category-of-results, a “PARITY” category-of-results, a “TIME” category-of-results, and a “CUSTOM”: category-of-results. 
     In the example shown in FIG. 6, the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category-of-results for the DS 3  level. When this category is selected and the user depresses the setup button  101  to the right of the scroll bar  56 , a screen appears which allows the user to select specific tests results for viewing. 
     FIG. 8 shows an example of a screen  78  produced by the GUI  50  when the setup button  101  is depressed after the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category-of-results for window  2 . The user can select all of the tests results, none of the tests results, or a select group of the tests results depending on the needs and desire of the user. This selection process takes place simply by touching the screen. In this case, the screen  78  provides the user has the option of selecting test results shown as Level dBdsx, Level dBm, RX Frequency, BPV Errors, BPV Rate, BPV Err Secs, Frame Errors, Frame Error Rate, Parity Errors, Parity Error Rate, CBit Errors, CBit Error Rate, FEBEs, FEBE Rate, DS 2  Frame Errors and DS 2  Frm Err Rate. 
     As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, screens similar to screen  78  appear when the setup button  101  is depressed after one of the remaining seven category-of-results are selected for window  2 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 6, for the DS 1  rate which is displayed in screen  80 , the category-of-results features provides the user with seven options. These seven options are presented to the user by depressing scroll bar  57 . The seven options include an “ALL” category-of-results, a “SIGNAL” category-of-results, a “LOGIC” category-of-results, a “BPV” category-of-results, a “FRAME” category-of-results, a “TIME” category-of-results, and a “CUSTOM” category-of-results. 
     In the example shown in FIG. 6, the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category of results for the DS 1  level. When this category is selected and the user depresses the setup button  102  to the right of the scroll bar  57 , a screen appears which allows the user to select specific tests results for viewing. 
     FIG. 9 shows an example of a screen  88  produced by the GUI  50  when the setup button  102  is depressed after the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category-of-results for window  3 . The user can select all of the tests results, none of the tests results, or a select group of the tests results depending on the needs and desire of the user. This selection process takes place simply by touching the screen. In this case, the screen  88  provides the user the option of selecting test results shown as RX Level dBdsx, RX Level Vpp, RX Frequency, Timing Slips, Bit Errors, Bit Error Rate, Error Secs, BVPs, BPV Rate, BPV Err Secs, Frame Errors, Frame Error Rate and Frame Loss Secs. 
     As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, screens similar to screen  88  appear when the setup button  102  is depressed after one of the remaining six category-of-results are selected for window  3 . 
     Referring again to FIG. 6, for the DS 0  rate which is displayed in screen  90 , the category-of-results features provides the user with five options. These five options are presented to the user by depressing the scroll bar  58 . The five options include an “ALL” category-of-results, a “CHANNEL” category-of-results, a “SIGNALING” category-of-results, a “DDS” category-of-results, and a “CUSTOM” category-of-results. 
     In the example shown in FIG. 6, the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category of results for the DS 0  level. When this category is selected and the user depresses the setup button  103  to the right of the scroll bar  58 , a screen appears which allows the user to select specific tests results for viewing. 
     FIG. 10 shows an example of a screen  98  produced by the GUI  50  when the setup button  103  is depressed after the user has selected the “CUSTOM” category-of-results for window  4 . The user can select all of the tests results, none of the tests results, or a select group of the tests results depending on the needs and desire of the user. This selection process takes place simply by touching the screen. In this case, The screen  98  provides the user the option of selecting test results shown as Received Byte, VF Level, VF Frequency Hz and DDS Control Byte. 
     As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, screens similar to screen  98  appear when the setup button  103  is depressed after one of the remaining four category-of-results are selected for window  4 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, it is important to point out that once a user configure the GUI  50  to display the information that is of interest to the user, this configuration can be saved to a setup file to prevent the user from having to reperform the configuration procedure again in the future. To create a setup file, the user simply pushes the save button  104  and then defines a file name. This file can later be restored, renamed or deleted by using buttons  105 ,  106  or  107  respectively. The setup file can also be imported to other test set devices. 
     It is important to point out that the test results shown on screens  60  through  90  that are discussed above are different from the alarms and errors shown as flashing LED&#39;s in FIG.  2 . In particular, the flashing LED&#39;s simply provide status information about a signal being tested and do not provide detailed quantitative data such as the types made available on screens  60  through  90 . Moreover, as discussed above, the quantitative data provided on screens  60  through  90  is updated by the GUI  50  once per second to provide the user of the test set with complete and accurate tests results on a continual basis. 
     Referring to FIG. 11, each of the screens  60 ,  70 ,  80  and  90  respectively contain rate buttons  69 ,  79 ,  89  and  99 . Once these rate buttons are depressed by the user, the communication level of interest to the user will be displayed in the screen. For example, if the rate button  79  is depressed the user will have the option of selecting the SONET level, the DS 3  level, the DS 1  level or DS 0  level. In this example, if the SONET level were selected, then both screens  60  and  70  would display test results related to this communications. From this example is apparent that the GUI  50  developed in accordance with the present invention can be configured to show test results in using any possible combination of the four communication levels discussed herein. 
     The GUI  50  developed in accordance with the present invention also has an auto configure mode. When this mode is selected, the GUI  50  will automatically configure the screen in a manner that coincides with the type of communication signal being tested. 
     For example, if the communication signal being tested is operating at the DS 3  level, the auto configure feature of the GUI  50  would detect this fact and automatically configure the screen to show the DS 3  level, the DS 1  level and the DS 0  level (i.e., all levels of the communication). Similarly, if the communication signal being tested was operating at the SONET level, as was the case described above with reference to FIG. 5, the auto configure feature would automatically configure the screen to show the SONET level, the DS 3  level, the DS 1  level and the DS 0  level. 
     The GUI  50  developed in accordance with the present invention also has an alarm feature. This feature, again referring to FIG. 5, color codes those screens which have test results that have errors. This feature is particularly useful given that it allows a user to monitor the progress of a test from a distance simply by looking for colors on the screen of a communication test set. 
     The present invention is not to be considered limited in scope by the preferred embodiments described in the specification. Additional advantages and modifications, which will readily occur to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the following claims.