WO1994018784A1 - Telephone traffic and line monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

A permanently-installed customer-premises telephone traffic and line monitoring system is microprocessor driven to tabulate and sisplay a wide spectrum of traffic and line features. This monitoring system interfaces to the telephone network (customer lines) using a Line Interface Module (LIM) which is connected to the RJ21X network interface. The LIM measures voltage levels and timing intervals on the tip and ring conductors of each telephone line in order to record and accumulate traffic and line information. This information is viewed by the customer on any one of several display devices: a Data Display Unit (DDU), a smaller (and optional) Mini-Monitoring Unit (MMU), and/or the customer's personal computer (PC). Initial, operational, and desired performance parameters are entered into the LIM by the customer via the personal computer. Thus, the system can continually display information in real time, and produce reports specified by the customer's stated performance requirements.

Description

TELEPHONE TRAFFIC AND LINE MONITOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part (CIP) patent application of U.S. patent application serial no. 08/014,578, filed February 5, 1993.

REFERENCE TO DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT Disclosure Document No. 273,445, submitted February 7, 1991 under the Disclosure Document Program and referred to in the parent patent application serial no. 08/014,578 filed February 5, 1993, is incorporated herein by reference and is further made a part of this specification by virtue of its substantial inclusion in Appendix A.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to monitoring devices for telephone systems and the traffic carried within them. More specifically, the invention relates to telephone traffic and line monitoring devices in which comprehensive monitoring and real-time reporting functions are provided.

2. Related Art Various telephone system monitoring systems are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4,270,024 (Theis et al.) appears to be the most relevant to the present invention. The Theis et al. patent discloses a telephone traffic monitor which, being computer-based, can apparently be designed to measure a range of line traffic parameters. U.S. Patent No. 3,806,669 (Goldberg) discloses a telephone monitor which, being more specialized and less comprehensive than the Theis et al. system, can be used to monitor the number of rings which occur before an incoming call is answered. U.S. Patent Nos. 4,815,120 and 4,924,488 (both to Kosich) essentially disclose surveillance systems. These documents, as well as all documents cited in this specification, are incorporated herein by reference.

There are electronic devices being marketed as "Line Status Monitors" which check the status of the in-house telephone line (those running from the PBX to employees-' telephone stations) . Such systems address a limited function, as compared to the need fulfilled by the present invention. Known permanently-installed monitoring systems offer very limited functionality, particularly in those functional areas of greatest concern to the customer. These systems typically count the number of incoming and outgoing calls and indicate individual line status: idle, ringing or busy. Those monitors with higher functionality tend to be portable, expensive, and, consequently, marketed as field service monitors typically used only by telephone operating companies and interconnect companies. As a result, monitors have not enjoyed wide acceptance in the office community.

Thus, there is a requirement for telephone users having multiple telephone lines (trunks to the serving telephone company office) to be able to readily monitor the operating condition of these lines. More specifically, there is a need to know the amount of traffic on the lines and how efficiently the telephone system is being utilized.

The monitoring system according to the present invention improves customer and user service and lowers operating costs by enhancing the management and control of their telephone network.

Occasionally, one or more open or unusable telephone lines may be found at a business which has multiple (10-15) lines to the serving telephone company's central office.

Most telephone companies can provide only a "Telephone line or Trunk Busy" study. Even this limited information is provided for a specific time period (such as a month) , and is relatively costly. Thus, there is a need to analyze telephone traffic and to monitor telephone lines in a way that is timely, shows multiple operating status functions, and is cost-effective.

There is no known device that fulfills these known requirements. Experience and survey results indicate there is a long-felt need for a monitoring system that has functionality desired by the customer, especially one that is permanently available and therefore relatively inexpensive to purchase.

The monitoring system according to the present invention meets those customer requirements in a cost-effective system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a telephone traffic and line monitoring system that is ideally permanently installed at a customer site, and preferably customer-owned, and provides real-time telephone call statistics at a glance. It immediately displays and accumulates highly pertinent information, such as an open/unusable line, number of "all lines busy" occurrences, and other telephone traffic and statistical information. The highly visible monitoring system creates an imposed discipline that allows early problem detection and correction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is better understood by reading the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a basic system configuration of a first embodiment of the telephone traffic and line monitoring system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a preferred connection of the inventive monitoring system to an existing telephone system.

FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which FIGS. 3A and #B fit together.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are functional block diagrams of the inventive monitoring system.

FIG. 4 is a main menu that is displayed by software on a personal computer, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 displays the face of a Data Display Unit (DDU) according to the embodiment of FIG. 1, which display may also be emulated on the personal computer's monitor screen.

FIGS. 6-13 illustrate exemplary display screens accessed via the Main Menu of FIG. 4, for a hypothetical "B Industries, Inc."

FIG. 14 illustrates schematically the scrolling of a typical message on the Mini-Monitoring Unit (MMU) according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 illustrates a second embodiment of the telephone traffic and line monitor according to the present invention.

FIGS. 16A-16K show typical screens shown on the personal computer according to the embodiment of FIG 15. FIG. 17 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a line interface module (LIM) which may be used in the telephone traffic and line monitor according to the present invention. FIGS. 18-30 illustrate specific exemplary components of the LIM of FIG 17. In particular:

FIG. 18 illustrates an exemplary line status detector circuit forming part of line status detector 1702. FIG. 19 illustrates an exemplary hold status detector circuit forming a part of hold status detector 1706. FIG. 20 illustrates a music source circuit 1704. FIG. 21 illustrates a ring detector circuit constituting a portion of ring detector 1712. FIG. 22 illustrates a hold multiplexer circuit forming part of hold multiplexer 1720.

FIG. 23 illustrates a line multiplexer circuit forming part of line multiplexer 1710.

FIG. 24 illustrates the arrangement of FIGS. 24A and 24B, which show an exemplary microcontroller including a microprocessor with associated memory, decoder, latch, and real time clock.

FIG. 25 illustrates an exemplary RS-232 circuit 1732 by which the LIM may communicate with the personal computer (PC) .

FIG. 26 illustrates an exemplary RS-422 circuit by which the LIM may communicate with the data display unit (DDU) .

FIG. 27 illustrates an exemplary LED driver sink circuit 1736.

FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary voltage circuit 1740. FIG. 29 illustrates an exemplary battery back-up circuit 1742. FIG. 30 illustrates an exemplary power safeguard circuit 1750.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary data display unit (DDU) according to the present invention. FIG. 32 is a state diagram illustrating five exemplary states recognized by the present invention for each monitored line, along with transitions between states which occur based on recognized conditions or occurrences.

FIG 33 is a flow chart illustrating the functions occurring within the software or firmware within the personal computer or data display unit, for determining which messages need to be displayed on the PC display or

DDU message center.

FIG. 34 is a flow chart illustrating operations performed in order to display messages on the DDU or PC, after the operations in FIG. 33 have determined that a message should be displayed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In describing preferred embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. The present invention provides a system designed to fulfill what customers say are most important to them, with regard to functionality, operating parameters, and user-friendly operating characteristics. To achieve this design, numerous unique features are provided by this invention, as described herein. For example, the invention provides the ability to detect and display the condition of various lines. The conditions may include: 1. line open/unusable; 2 . line busy;

3. line ringing;

4. line not-in-use/OK (idle) ;

5. on extended hold; and

6. inactive. The preferred loop condition detector utilizes a very high impedance operational amplifier that interfaces with each individual line to detect line status with negligible interference with the electrical properties of the line. The detection of line status is not dependent upon loop current flow. Rather, the system senses various voltage levels, and using logic circuitry, indicates the status of the line.

Another feature of a certain embodiment of the present invention is the ability of its Line Interface Module (LIM) , at the time of installation, to sense existing line voltage, and then set the appropriate operational minimum and maximum threshold parameters for the loop condition detector circuit. This "auto learn and set" function is very important, as customer line voltages can vary, depending on the distance from the serving telephone company central office and the condition of the lines.

Also provided by the invention is programmability of the LIM via a personal computer, to allow it to store all telephone line numbers and parameters of service. For example, the customer can expedite "trouble calls" when a "line open" condition is reported by a specific seven-digit telephone number for that line. Customer-definable service parameters may include several or all of the following:

A. an acceptable number of "all line busy" occurrences;

B. acceptable number of calls answered above a "ring threshold"; C. acceptable number of calls abandoned above the "ring threshold";

D. acceptable number of calls abandoned on hold;

E. an acceptable number of minutes all lines are busy; and F. an acceptable number of calls on "extended hold".

The customer also has the ability to enter additional pertinent installation information and other operational parameters into the line interface module. The accompanying drawing figures illustrate exemplary personal computer screen samples showing the Customer Installation Information and Customer Operational and Performance Parameter screens. Both screens are input-capable, and are initially accessed and formatted by the installing craftsman and/or customer at the time of installation. At a later date, the customer typically revises data on these screens to change operational and performance parameters as required.

Another unique characteristic of the invention is provision of a Mini-Monitor Unit (MMU) . The MMU is preferably implemented as a small desktop unit that interfaces with the Line Interface Module (LIM) . The preferred MMU features (for example) a twenty character backlit LCD module which provides a textual description of status and alarm conditions, as well as identification of all telephone numbers associated with each line that may be inoperable. A Mini-Monitor messages sheet is also illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures. The MMU performs these functions by automatically polling the LIM. Like the larger Data Display Unit featured herein, it requires no operator intervention. The MMU is provided to achieve simplicity, low cost and the ability to continually keep the customer informed.

Another novel feature provided by the present invention is the Line Interface Module itself. The LIM is the centralized point of control, and serves to terminate the Monitors and/or the P.C. In addition to its basic hardware and software attributes outlined below, its multiplexing capability advantageously eliminates the need to pull bulky and expensive 25-pair cable to remote monitors. In many installations, three pair of conductors are already available from previously terminated cable, so that no additional conductors need to be installed.

A significant benefit of the preferred Line Interface Module architecture is that it is installed at the RJ21X interface. This particular installation choice makes it a stand-alone system that does not require connection to any existing customer telephone equipment. This architecture is possible because monitoring or sensing may be done only on the telephone line "tip" and "ring" conductors (also known as the voice pair) . Other monitors also monitor the A & Al leads on 1A2 telephone key equipment to determine, for example, the number of calls abandoned on hold. Hence, the monitoring system is able to gather all the required customer information without requiring a connection to 1A2 key equipment that was common in roughly the 1960-1980 time period.

The larger Data Display Unit (DDU) provided in a preferred embodiment features a full array of LEDs, LCDs, and has a twenty-character backlit LCD for message scrolling in the same manner as is used on the MMU. A multi-colored Telephone Traffic and Line Monitor front panel displays the features and functions of the Data Display Unit (DDU) . All of these features and functions are thus displayed the moment they occur, on the front panel of a single, permanently-installed unit. As described in greater detail below, the Data Display Unit, like the Mini-Monitor and the customer's personal computer, also interfaces with the Line Interface Module.

In a fully-equipped configuration of the first embodiment, a Line Interface Module (LIM) , a Mini-Monitoring Unit (MMU) and/or a Data Display Unit (DDU) , in conjunction with the customer's personal computer, is a novel, comprehensive monitoring system. Advantageously, the system provides the option to use either one of the monitors and the personal computer. The system according to the present invention also includes software for execution on the personal computer, used for monitoring and report generation. The system allows the customer to specify operational parameters. Moreover, the system may be constructed to allow remote placement of the monitor, using wire or modem. The system is simply installed by a telephone interconnect company or telephone operating company. Physical installation and screen parameter programming are estimated at only 2-3 hours for relatively untrained individuals, and less for a craftsman who has previously installed systems.

Moreover, the system not only allows continual display of information, but also allows remote display of information, such as via wire (preferably) , or by modem. Data may be displayed using LEDs, LCDs, computer monitor displays, printers, and the like. Relevant information may be accumulated for long periods of time for later display, analysis, or printing of management reports on demand. The system is "desk top friendly", having clear displays of two different sizes.

All these advantages are provided in a system economical enough for a customer to actually purchase a system for permanent use, rather than more expensive, portable systems that perform specialized functions that are of less interest to the customer.

More specifically, monitoring functions performed by the inventive system include the following. Bi-color LEDs indicate the condition of each line; idle, ringing, busy, or unusable (open or shorted) . Unusable line conditions are not usually immediately known with most PBX and key telephone systems.

LEDs indicate the current status of each individual line. For example:

Unlit = Not in Use/line OK; Yellow Flashing = Ringing; Green = Busy; Red = Open/Unusable Blinking green = Extended Hold; and

Blinking red = Inactive for more than a specific number of days. Advantageously, the system avoids unknown and extended line outages, and avoids paying for telephone lines that are not available. Further, the system avoids customer ringing on an open line, an example of a "no answer" situation. Also, normal traffic activity, (non-red) can be noted and recorded. LCD counters display the number of "All Line Busy" occurrences and the "Total Minutes All Lines Busy". In this manner, the correct number of lines can be maintained, and lines can be deleted or added based on actual counts experienced. The system ultimately minimizes customer calling busy signals. There is also a possible reduction in overall cost of the lines used.

LCD counters display the number of calls answered above the "ring number" threshold, the ring number threshold setting itself (1 to 9 or to 99, depending on the embodiment) , as well as the number of calls abandoned above the threshold setting. The system indicates if and when corrective action should be taken, for example, by alerting the receptionist or office manager with a message. Accordingly, use of the system results in improved customer service and business image, acts to reduce lost sales opportunities, and ultimately reduces the level of customer frustration. The system also constitutes a useful measurement tool for recording receptionist efficiency and improvement.

LCD counters display the number of "Incoming Calls Received" and the number of "Outgoing Calls Placed". A count of incoming calls is especially useful when compared to other indicator counts (for example, compared to the number of calls abandoned) . This measured call volume allows discernment of calling trends, a valuable business indicator. Also, the system is an accurate indicator of the burden being placed on the receptionist or telephone attendant.

All of the above functions are shown on a colored monitor face plate drawing. The physical size of the desk top monitor unit is approximately 10 1/2" L, 9 3/4" W and 4" H. All of the monitor features are consolidated in the single, stand alone display unit. This further allows the unit monitor to be placed within the office to the person responsible for managing telephone activities. Light Emitting Diodes display open or unusable telephone lines between the customer premise "Type 66 Block" and the serving central office due to the following conditions. This feature allows detection of cut or broken cable pairs, shorted cable pairs, and foreign voltages inadvertently placed on the cable pairs.

The circuitry and logic that comprises the loop condition detector is strategically designed. A very high impedance operational amplifier is used to interface with each telephone line and detect line status. The line status is not dependent upon loop current flow, but rather senses various voltage levels and in conjunction with logic circuitry, and indicates when a line is not in use/ok, busy, ringing, or open/unusable.

All of the information is dynamically displayed on LEDs and LCDs, and is immediate and accumulative. In contrast, much information in known systems is gathered, selected and then printed at a later time. An overview of the system having already been provided above, the following is provided as a detailed description of the component elements of the telephone traffic and line monitoring system. The discussion in outline form focuses on a "first" embodiment (FIG. 1) , with the understanding that unless otherwise noted the same description applies to a "second" embodiment (FIG. 15) .

The Line Interface Module (LIM) . The following constitutes a description of a preferred Line Interface Module (LIM) .

1 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE. This describes the primary functions and attributes of the Line Interface Module (LIM) portion of the present Line and Traffic Monitor System. Unless otherwise noted, the descriptions relate to all versions of the LIM, i.e. the LIM-6 (six-line), LIM-12 (twelve line) , and LIM-23 (twenty three line) models (relating to the FIG. 1 embodiment) or to LIM-8, LIM-16, LIM-24 (in the FIG. 15 embodiment) .

HARDWARE DESCRIPTION

2.1 MICROPROCESSOR. The LIM major control functions are implemented with NEC UPD78233GC 8-bit single chip microcomputer.

2.2 MEMORY 2.2.1 PROGRAM MEMORY (EPROM) . Firmware program and constant data resides in a single 27C256 32K x 8 (or 27C512 64K x 8, each being in sockets expandable to 128K x 8) Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) . This memory is socketed to allow for firmware updates.

2.2.2 DATA MEMORY (RAM) . Data resides in a single 32K x 8 Random Access Memory (RAM) . A lithium battery backup circuit provides for retention of appropriate counters and setup data in the absence of primary power. A battery backup circuit provides a nominal ten year retention of the non-volatile data. The lithium battery is socketed for field replacement in a certain embodiment.

2.3 REAL TIME CLOCK. The LIM contains a real time clock (RTC) integrated circuit to maintain time of day and date information. This function operates with a lithium battery in the absence of primary power.

2.4 LINE INTERFACE CIRCUITRY

2.4.1 LOOP CONDITION DETECTOR. The Loop Condition Detector is implemented as follows. Digital to analog converters (D/A) are used to establish comparator threshold values. A loop condition detector is provided for each input line, but only one set of D/A converters is required so that the threshold values cannot be adjusted on a line by line basis. (In an alternative embodiment, threshold values fixed in software may be used.) The LIM-6 model contains 6 such detectors, the LIM-12 contains 12, and the LIM-23 contains 23.

2.4.2 RING DETECTOR. The Ring Detection function is implemented as follows. In the second embodiment, a ring detector is provided for each set of eight input lines.

2.4.3 LOOP BUSY DETECTOR. The Loop Busy function is determined through use of a line status detector (describe with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18) . 2.4.4 LINE ON HOLD DETECTOR. The "Line on Hold" detection is implemented as follows. This circuit is duplicated for each line, and requires the presence of a Music on Hold source. Potentiometers provide balance adjustment of line and music signal levels to achieve the proper signal nulling. A single potentiometer serves to adjust the hold detector for all lines.

2.4.5 LOOP VOLTAGE MEASUREMENT. The line status detector circuit (FIGS. 17, 18) is provided to measure the tip and ring voltages for a microprocessor's 8-bit analog to digital (A/D) converter. This function is used in the installation process to establish the correct loop condition comparator threshold values.

2.5 COMMUNICATIONS INTERFACES

2.5.1 RS-232 ASYNCHRONOUS SERIAL INTERFACE. The LIM provides an RS-232 port for connection to a terminal or computer. Hardware handshaking lines are not supported in a preferred embodiment.

2.5.2 RS-422 DATA DISPLAY UNIT (DDU) SYNCHRONOUS INTERFACE. The LIM provides a synchronous clocked serial interface using RS-422 levels for connection to an external Data Display Unit (DDU) .

2.6 CONNECTORS

2.6.1 LINE INTERFACE CONNECTOR. Connections for the appropriate maximum number of telephone lines, earth ground (2 pins) , and (in the first embodiment) 24 VAC power, are through an Amphenol 57L series 50 position right angle connector.

2.6.2 RS-232 PORT CONNECTOR. Connections to the external RS-232 device are via a RJ-11 6-position modular connector. This connector provides the RS-232-level signals TXD (transmit data) , RXD (receive data) , and GND (signal common) . 2.6.3 DDU INTERFACE PORT CONNECTOR. Connections to the external Data Display Unit (DDU) are via a RJ-45 8-position modular connector. The differential signals SDO (serial data out) , SDI (serial data in) , SCK (serial clock) , and (in the first embodiment) 24 VAC power supply, and ground are provided on this connector.

2.7 INDICATORS

2.7.1 POWER INDICATOR. A green LED indicates the presence of 24 VAC primary power in the first embodiment.

2.7.2 LOOP CONDITION INDICATORS. A bi-color loop condition status LED indicates the condition of each input line as provided by the loop condition detectors.

2.8 RING THRESHOLD ADJUST/RESET COUNTER SWITCH. A momentary contact push button switch is provided in the first embodiment to increment the ring threshold setting and to reset all counters to zero. This switch is depressed for a minimum of 1 second to increment the ring threshold, and 5 seconds to reset the counters. In the second embodiment the ring threshold can be changed via the PC user interface.

2.9 POWER REQUIREMENTS. The required input voltage for the first embodiment is 24 VAC (-15%, +10%), preferably supplied by an external transformer (9 VDC for the second embodiment) . Approximate current requirements are dependent on the particular model according to the following table:

Model Current

LIM-6 300 mA LIM-12 450 mA

LIM-23 725 mA

(360, 520, and 680 mA for the second embodiment's 8-, 16- and 24-line versions)

2.10 PHYSICAL SIZE. Approximate printed circuit board (PCB) areas are according to the following table:

Model Size

LIM-6 35 in²

LIM-12 50 in² LIM-23 80 in²

(61 square inches, for the second embodiment)

2.11 FCC APPROVAL. The LIM design is consistent with the requirements of Part 68 of the FCC Regulations for connection to the telephone network, and of Part 15 for emissions from a microprocessor-controlled device.

3 SOFTWARE DESCRIPTION

3.1 COUNTER ARRAYS

3.1.1 GENERAL. The primary function of the software is to calculate and maintain a series of data arrays representing the count of occurrences of various line conditions that the LIM monitors. These arrays contain the present day's total of the particular occurrence as well as the previous 180 days of count data in a first in/first out (FIFO) buffer. The arrays are shifted at 12:00:00 a.m. each day (or a customer-defined time) and the present day's total is zeroed. Each array element contains a 4 digit value, (or two-byte value, depending on the embodiment) , and is stored in the LIM's non-volatile memory.

3.1.2 ALL LINES BUSY COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the occurrences of "all lines busy".

3.1.3 TOTAL MINUTES BUSY COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the total duration, in minutes, of the incidence of all lines busy.

3.1.4 CALLS ABANDONED ABOVE THRESHOLD COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the occurrences of calls abandoned above a programmable threshold setting.

3.1.5 INCOMING CALLS COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the total number of incoming calls.

3.1.6 OUTGOING CALLS COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the total number of outgoing calls.

3.1.7 CALLS ABANDONED ON HOLD COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the total number of calls abandoned while on hold (for first embodiment; additional discussion is provided following this outline, regarding the second embodiment) .

3.1.8 NUMBER OF OPEN LINES COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the number of open lines.

3.1.9 NUMBER OF CALLS PLACED ON (EXTENDED) HOLD COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the number of calls placed on hold (extended hold in a certain embodiment) .

3.1.10 NUMBER OF HOURS ON HOLD COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the total duration, in hours, of calls on hold.

3.2 ANSWER THRESHOLD SETPOINT (first embodiment) or

RING THRESHOLD (second embodiment) . The software maintains in nonvolatile RAM, and provides a means for alteration of, a number representing the "number of rings" threshold. This threshold setting is used in the determination of the count of calls answered above threshold, and of the count of calls abandoned above threshold.

3.3 COMMUNICATION FUNCTIONS

3.3.1 RS-232 PORT

3.3.1.1 SERIAL PROTOCOL. The RS-232 serial protocol implements various baud rates to 9600 baud, no parity, 8 data bits, and 1 stop bit. Software handshaking using XON/XOFF is supported to facilitate interface to a computer program.

3.3.1.2 PROGRAM INTERFACE REQUEST/RESPONSE MODE. A Program Request/Response serial protocol is implemented for interface to a computer program on the display PC. This protocol provides for efficient transfer of status and counter information and for display and alteration of program parameters without any accompanying text. The protocol uses exclusively ASCII-printable characters.

3.3.1.3 TERMINAL INTERFACE REQUEST/RESPONSE MODE. A Terminal Request/Response protocol is implemented to provide a user-friendly display of status and counter data with accompanying text descriptions. This mode is primarily for debugging and testing of a LIM prior to development of a PC-resident user front-end.

3.3.2 DDU INTERFACE PORT. The LIM software provides read/write access to counter array data and parameters via the DDU synchronous serial interface port. This function operates independently from the RS-232 interface, to permit simultaneous connection and operation of both a terminal or computer and the DDU.

The Data Display Unit (DDU) . The following constitutes a description of a preferred Data Display Unit (DDU) .

1 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE. This describes the primary functions and attributes of the Data Display Unit (DDU) portion of a preferred embodiment of the present Line and Traffic Monitor System. The following describes a twelve line version (DDU-12) of the display (or DDU-16 for the second embodiment of the system as a whole) , and functions with either the LIM-6 or LIM-12 versions of the Line Interface Module (LIM) for the first embodiment (LIM-16 for the second embodiment of the system as a whole) .

2 DESCRIPTION

2.1 MICROPROCESSOR. The DDU major control functions are implemented with NEC UPD78233 8-bit single chip microcomputer.

2.2 MEMORY

2.2.1 PROGRAM MEMORY (EPROM). Firmware program and constant data resides in a single 32Kx8 Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) . This memory is socketed to allow for firmware updates.

2.2.2 DATA MEMORY (RAM) . Data resides in a single 8K x 8 Random Access Memory (RAM) . Battery backup of the RAM is not required.

2.3 CONNECTORS 2.3.1 SERIAL DATA CONNECTOR. A 8-position RJ-45 modular connector is provided for connection to the Line Interface Module.

2.3.2 POWER ENTRY CONNECTOR. An IEC power entry connector is provided for connection to a standard 115 VAC line cord.

2.4 INDICATORS AND DISPLAYS

2.4.1 ALPHANUMERIC MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY. A 1 line x 20 character, 0.3" character height alphanumeric STN backlit LCD module is included to provide a textual description of status and alarm conditions and for identifying the telephone number associated with each line. Messages that exceed 20 characters are scrolled across the display.

2.4.2 ALL LINES BUSY DISPLAY. A 2- or 4-digit (depending on the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the count of occurrences of all lines busy.

2.4.3 TOTAL MINUTES BUSY DISPLAY. A 3- or 4-digit (depending on the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the total duration, in minutes, of the incidence of all lines busy. 2.4.4 CALLS ANSWERED ABOVE THRESHOLD DISPLAY. A

3- or 4-digit (depending on the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the occurrences of calls answered above a programmable threshold setting. 2.4.5 CALLS ABANDONED ABOVE THRESHOLD DISPLAY. A 3- or 4-digit (depending on the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the occurrences of calls abandoned above a programmable threshold setting. 2.4.6 ANSWER THRESHOLD SETPOINT DISPLAY. A

1-digit 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the present ring threshold setting.

2.4.7 INCOMING CALLS COUNTER DISPLAY. A 4- or 5-digit (depending on the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the total number of incoming calls.

2.4.8 OUTGOING CALLS COUNTER DISPLAY. A 4- or 5-digit (depending n the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the total number of outgoing calls.

2.4.9 CALLS ABANDONED ON HOLD DISPLAY (or CALLS ON EXTENDED HOLD DISPLAY in an alternative embodiment) . A 2- or 4-digit (depending on the embodiment) 0.3" 7-segment LED display provides an indication of the occurrences of calls abandoned while on hold (or occurrences of calls on extended hold, in an alternative embodiment) .

2.4.10 LOOP CONDITION INDICATORS. A bi-color loop condition status LED indicates the condition of each input line. Twelve such LEDs are provided.

2.5 POWER REQUIREMENTS. The DDU preferably operates on 115 VAC (-15%, +10%), 60 Hz. Total power consumption is less than 40 watts. 2.6 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION. The first embodiment of the DDU is implemented as a two board set, with functions divided between a CPU Board and Display Board; the boards interconnect via a flexible ribbon-type cable. In the second embodiment, the two boards are a CPU board and power board. See the description after this outline for further description of the physical description of the second embodiment as it differs from the first embodiment

The first embodiment's Display Board, measuring approximately 8.00" x 2.00", contains the 7-segment LED displays, the 1 x 20 alphanumeric LCD module, and the individual line status bi-color LEDs. The board mounts vertically behind a panel that contains a label/overlay.

The first embodiment's CPU Board, measuring approximately 4.00" x 8.00", contains the microprocessor, memory, and associated components, the power supply circuits, and connectors for interface to the LIM and AC line cord. It is preferably mounted horizontally, at a right angle to the Display Board. The first embodiment's power transformer is chassis-mounted and is placed next to the CPU board.

The Mini-Monitoring Unit (MMU) . The following constitutes a description of a preferred Mini-Monitoring Unit (MMU) provided in the first embodiment (FIG. l) , although not provided in the second embodiment (FIG. 15) . 1 OVERVIEW AND SCOPE. This describes the primary functions and attributes of the Mini-Monitoring Unit (MMU) portion of the present Line and Traffic Monitor System. The MMU interfaces with the LIM-6 (6 line) , LIM-12 (12 line) or LIM-23 (23 line) Line Interface Monitor. The MMU is a desktop unit that uses a single 20 character alphanumeric display to annunciate the status of the lines and to scroll informational and alarm messages related to telephone line activity and performance. The MMU performs this function by automatically polling the LIM for such information. No operator intervention is required.

2 DESCRIPTION

2.1 MICROPROCESSOR. The MMU is based on a NEC

UPD78213 single chip microcomputer.

2.2 MEMORY

2.2.1 PROGRAM MEMORY (EPROM). Firmware program and constant data reside in a single 32Kx8 Erasable

Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM) . This memory is socketed to allow for firmware updates.

2.2.2 DATA MEMORY (RAM). Data resides in the UPD78213 microcomputer's internal RAM. External data memory is not required. 2.3 SERIAL DATA CONNECTOR. An 8-position RJ-45 modular connector is provided for connection to the Line Interface Module.

2.4 ALPHANUMERIC MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAY. A 1 line x

20 character, 0.3" character height alphanumeric STN backlit LCD module is included, to provide a textual description of status and alarm conditions and for identifying the telephone number associated with each line. Messages that exceed 20 characters are scrolled across the display.

2.5 POWER REQUIREMENTS. The MMU preferably operates on 24 VAC (-15%, +10%) derived from the LIM to which it is connected. An external power supply is not required.

2.6 PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION. The MMU may be housed in a PAC-TEC HP series plastic enclosure with sloped front and LCD bezel. Approximate dimensions of an exemplary embodiment are 3.60"W x 5.75"H x 1.61"H.

A description of further features of the present invention, described with reference to FIGS. 15-34, is now provided.

In this discussion, reference is made to the second embodiment (FIG. 15) which differs in some respects from the first embodiment (FIG. 1) which was the original focus of the foregoing outline. Most differences between the embodiments relate simply to the particular information which is displayed for the customer, and the number of remotely placed display elements (the second embodiment as describe herein does not include a mini-monitoring unit) . However, unless otherwise noted, much of the description of each embodiment applies to the other embodiment. Of course, the invention need not be limited to either individual embodiment, or even to the features which are common to both illustrated embodiments.

In the first embodiment, the service parameter, NUMBER OF CALLS ABANDONED ON HOLD, has been replaced in the second embodiment with a service parameter, ACCEPTABLE NUMBER OF CALLS ON EXTENDED HOLD. Of course, the invention need not be limited to systems in which either, or both, or neither, service parameter is provided.

Likewise, the second embodiment's omission of the mini-monitoring unit (MMU) demonstrates the flexibility of configuring the system. Further, according to either embodiment, the personal computer's display may include the visual representation of the face of a DDU, and/or of an MMU. Thus, the "hard" display features of the DDU or MMU can be modified and enhanced, if desired, through use of software in presenting the "soft" display on the PC's display.

In section 3.1.7, the CALLS ABANDONED ON HOLD COUNTER ARRAY is replaced by CALLS ON EXTENDED HOLD ARRAY. In the second embodiment, the software includes a counter array of the total number of calls detected to have been on hold longer than a customer-programmed number of seconds.

Sections 3.1.9 and 3.1.10 have been replaced by the

NUMBER OF CALLS ANSWERED ABOVE A THRESHOLD COUNTER ARRAY. The software maintains a counter array of the occurrences of calls answered above a customer-programmable threshold setting.

The description of the data display unit in the outline above for the DDU-12 in the first embodiment corresponds most closely with the DDU-16 in which sixteen lines are monitored. In section 2.4.9, the calls abandoned on hold display is replaced with the number of calls on extended hold. The section 2.6 physical description of the second embodiment, which is implemented as a CPU board and a power board connected by a ribbon cable. The CPU board in the second embodiment measures approximately 3" x 8" and the power board measures approximately 4" x 3". The power board converts 12-volt AC provided by the transformer 3132 (FIG. 31) to the 5-volt power supply. The power board also supports the RS-422 interface. The power transformer is placed next to the power board, in the second embodiment. The description of the mini-monitoring unit, of course, does not apply to the second embodiment. The various line conditions listed in Appendix A have been supplemented to include CALLS ON EXTENDED HOLD and INACTIVE.

FIGS. 16A-16K illustrate typical "pages" which can be displayed on the PC's display screen. These pages, along with the DDU displays and (optionally) MMU displays, constitute the customer interface which allows the customer to remotely monitor, in real time, the status of each line and certain accumulated statistics related to the lines. As described below, certain parameters displayed on the screen can be specified by the customer for modification, after which the PC software interrogates the customer for a different parameter value. After the new parameter value has been entered (such as through a keyboard or mouse) , the PC software causes the new value to be stored on disk and/or into RAM for use in comparing to actual measured values during operation.

FIG. 16A illustrates the software representation of the DDU front panel, as displayed on a personal computer display.

FIG. 16B illustrates a MAIN MENU, by which further functions may be accessed.

FIG. 16C illustrates a PERFORMANCE EVALUATION for a fictitious "ABC Company", the performance evaluation showing accumulated statistical values for various observed parameters.

FIG. 16D illustrates a TELEPHONE TRAFFIC DETAIL for various parameters, over a variety of time periods.

FIG. 16E illustrates a page showing TRAFFIC DETAIL BY HOUR.

FIG. 16F shows LINE PERFORMANCE DETAIL, focusing on the number of lines which are open and unavailable and lines having no activity, over given time periods. FIG. 16G shows a screen by which the operator may choose a communications port.

FIG. 16H shows a CUSTOMER INSTALLATION INFORMATION screen, by which the installer may specify which lines are monitored.

FIG. 161 illustrates a CUSTOMER OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS page, which parameters are central to the operation of the invention. By choosing these parameters, the different messages may be scrolled in accordance with the customer's wishes. These values are stored in non-volatile memory of the LIM and/or on the personal computer's hard disc, and can be modified by the user through use of a keyboard and/or mouse.

FIG. 16J is a LINE READINGS AND STATUS page for typical lines, including a numerical presentation of the values of the thresholds separating the different reading ranges.

FIG. 16K illustrates a page by which the customer may adjust MUSIC ON HOLD SOURCE INPUT. The manner in which the information is displayed, and the manner in which parameters may be modified and stored within the system are not central to the invention being claimed. The present hardware and software descriptions allow one skilled in the art to generate displays and program interfaces in accordance with principles well known to those skilled in the art. In any event, the particular screen displays, and the particular parameters, need not limit the invention except as referred to in the accompanying claims.

The following discussion refers to elements of FIG. 17 which are present in a particular embodiment of the Line Interface Module (LIM) . However, it is to be understood that the interconnection of the elements, their respective internal structures, and their operation, may vary while remaining within the scope of the present invention. Thus, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the described implementation need not limit the invention defined by the claims which follow.

Moreover, only those circuit elements whose function may be considered important to the respective drawing figure are discussed. Design of the arrangement and values of the components, where not specifically discussed, lies well within the ability of those skilled in the art, and need not be discussed herein.

Referring now to FIG. 18, a line status circuit constituting one part of line status detector 1702 helps to determines what "state" a line is in. In the illustrated embodiment, such "states" include IDLE, OFF-HOOK, and CUT are detected. The illustrated line status detector circuit accomplishes this by measuring the voltage difference between the tip "T" and the ring "R" conductors of each line to be monitored.

The line status detector circuit may include an LF347N differential amplifier. A 22 MΩ resistor is also connected between the TIP and RING, to allow the circuit to detect a condition in which the TIP is cut.

The differential amplifier's output is given by the formula: (1/10)*(TIP_VOLTAGE - RING_VOLTAGE) where "*" denotes simple multiplication. Accordingly, the outputs of this circuit under different tip and ring conditions are as follows:

Line Idle - 5 to 2.8 Volts TIP Cut - 2.8 to 1.2 Volts

Off-Hook - 1.2 to 0.215 Volts RING Cut - 0.215 to 0 Volts A line status detector circuit such as that shown in FIG. 18 is used for each line into the LIM, so that, in the embodiment described above for FIG. 17, twenty-four such circuits are present.

The hold status detector 1706, a typical exemplary component circuit of which is illustrated in FIG. 19, helps to determine when lines are on hold. The illustrated hold status detector circuit is a differential amplifier whose output is given as:

470*(MUSIC_SOURCE_VOLTAGE - LINE_DETECTOR_AC_VOLTAGE) The inputs to these circuits are the single output of the music source circuit 1704 and the respective twenty-four AC-coupled outputs of the line status detector 1702. Each of the signals from the line status detector circuits contains any voice signal which is on telephone line. The illustrated hold status detector circuit functions as follows. When a given line is on hold, the music source signal from circuit 1704 should be the only thing being heard on the telephone line. When what is heard on the telephone line is subtracted from the music source, the result should be zero if the line is on hold. Thus, the LM3-24A operational amplifier in this circuit subtracts what is heard on the telephone line from the music source, and amplifies the difference. The output of the operational amplifier drives a capacitor. This produces spikes each time the telephone line signal is different from the music source signal. Positive spikes charge an RC circuit.

The output of the hold status detector is as follows: Not on hold: 5 - 1.96 Volts

Line on hold: 1.96 - 0 Volts Within microcontroller 1725 (described below) , a line is determined to be on hold, only when two conditions are met:

1. the line status detector circuit 1702 indicates the line is OFF-HOOK; and

2. the hold status detector indicates the line is on HOLD.

A FIG. 19 hold status detector circuit is provided for each of the (for example, twenty-four) lines monitored by the LIM.

In the music source circuit 1704 of FIG. 1704, only one of which is provided for a LIM, an LM324A differential amplifier is provided whose output is expressed as: MUSIC_SOURCE_LINE_l - MUSIC_S0URCE_LINE_2 The two music source lines are connected to two screw terminals at the back of the LIM.

The output of this differential amplifier circuit is AC-coupled, and sent through an LM324A inverting amplifier where it is de-amplified to a voltage level equal to the voltage level of the music on the telephone line during hold. The degree of de-amplification is adjustable via a 50 KΩ potentiometer, preferably accessible at the back of the LIM to be properly set by the system installer.

The hold multiplexer 1720 includes (in the FIG. 17 example) three ADG508A eight-channel analog multiplexers as shown in FIG. 22. More generally, a FIG. 22 hold multiplexer circuit is provided for every eight lines on the LIM. In FIG. 22, the inputs to each multiplexer are the outputs of eight of the hold status detector circuits.

The output of each multiplexer is fed through an operational amplifier buffer and a current limiting resistor. The buffered signal is converted for processing by an A/D converter on board a microprocessor within microcontroller 1725.

The address lines of the multiplexer are responsive to control signals from the microprocessor, to allow the microprocessor to select one of the eight hold status values for a corresponding line. In this manner, the microprocessor can select and take a reading to determine if a select line is on hold. Referring now to FIG. 23, a line multiplexer circuit, which is repeated for each eight lines entering the LIM, includes an ADG508A eight-channel analog multiplexer. The inputs to the line multiplexer 1710 are the outputs of eight of the line status detector circuits within line status detector 1702.

The output of the line multiplexer is fed through an active rectifier (to prevent negative values) and then through a current limiting resistor. Then, the signal goes to an A/D converter on board the microprocessor in microcontroller 1725.

The address lines of the multiplexer are responsive to the microprocessor to allow it to select one of the eight line status values for a status reading. The output of the line multiplexer 1712 is also input to the ring detector 1712.

The ring detector 1712 receives its inputs from the analog multiplexers of the line multiplexer 1710. A ring detector circuit is provided for each output of the line multiplexer, so that in the FIG. 17 example, three ring detector circuits, one for each eight telephone lines to be monitored, are provided.

The input into each ring detector circuit is connected to an LM324A inverting active rectifier. The output of the inverting active rectifier drives a 74HC14 Schmitt trigger NOT gate. The output of the NOT gate drives a 2-bit counter implemented with 74HC73 J-K flip-flops. The J-K flip- flops' digital outputs are connected to the microcontroller's microprocessor so they may be read. The

"clear" inputs of the J-K flip-flops are controlled by the microprocessor.

On a non-ringing line, the output of the analog multiplexer is always positive. This causes the output of the inverting active rectifier circuit to always be zero.

Since this is the clock to the J-K flip-flop counter, the counter does not count.

In contrast, on a ringing line, the output of the analog multiplexer goes negative because the ringing signal is a sine wave. The output of the inverting active rectifier now has positive pulses when the analog multiplexer's output, containing the line status detector circuit signal, goes negative. The Schmitt trigger NOT gate inverts the pulses and sharpens their edges. Since there are pulses at the clock input of the J-K flip-flop counter, it begins to count.

In operation, to detect ringing on a given telephone line, the microprocessor outputs to the line multiplexer the proper address corresponding to the telephone line, thus selecting the appropriate line from the line status detector circuit. The microprocessor then clears the J-K flip-flop counter.

The microprocessor then waits long enough so that a ringing line would pulse the J-K flip-flop counter one time. If, at the end of this time period, the J-K flip-flop counter has counted to 1, the line is considered to be ringing. This ring detector circuit is unique because it does not use capacitors and is thus not subject to RC delays. Therefore, this ring detector circuit can be shared among many lines, thus reducing hardware costs. In the illustrated embodiment, the LIM microcontroller

1725 includes an NEC 78233 eight-bit microprocessor, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B (hereinafter collectively referred to as FIG. 24) .

The microprocessor is connected to an AM27C512, 64K x 8 ROM (read only memory) . A socket for the ROM allows expansion to 128K x 8 ROM (such as an AM27C010) as needed.

The microprocessor is also connected to a 32K x 8 RAM

(random access memory) . A socket for the RAM allows expansion to 128K x 8 as needed. A PEEL18CV8 decoder chip is programmed to provide needed address decoding. A 74HC373 D-type latch allows the

NEC 78233 to share the eight-bit data bus with the lower eight bits of the address bus in the particular illustrated embodiment. An RTC-72421A real time clock (RTC) is also connected to the microprocessor via the address and data bus, and is memory-mapped in the microprocessor and is address-decoded in the PEEL18CV8. A 12 MHz crystal and two

10-pF capacitors form an oscillator circuit.

The NEC 78233 is equipped with eight on-board A/D converters, of which six are used in the illustrated embodiment. Various 470 pF capacitors are placed between the A/D input pins and ground, to reduce noise on the processor's analog input lines. A 470 pF capacitor is also placed between the A/D reference voltage and ground.

Operation of the microprocessor using microcode within the ROM to achieve various functions of the LIM, is described in greater detail below.

The illustrated embodiment incudes means for the microcontroller 1725 to communicate with other system components, such as the personal computer and the data display unit. An RS-232 circuit detailed in FIG. 25 is provided to communicate with the personal computer. The circuit uses an MAX232 driver/receiver chip to allow the microprocessor to interface with an external personal computer. The MAX232 connects to the RXD (Receive Data) and TXD (Transmit Data) pins on the LIM microprocessor. The MAX232 chip also connects to a 6-position RJ-11 jack on the back of the LIM, which terminates a cable connected to the personal computer.

Advantageously, this arrangement allows the customer to program the LIM microprocessor parameters (which may be stored within the microcontroller's RAM or on the PC's disk) , as well as retrieve traffic reports collected by the

LIM.

An RS-422 circuit detailed in FIG. 26 includes a DS8922 driver/receiver chip (packaged as a DS8922N) to allow the LIM microprocessor to interface with the data display unit (DDU) . This circuit allows real-time display of line status and a number of daily traffic peg counts. The DS8922 chip is connected to the SI (Serial IN) , SO (Serial Out) , and SCLK pins of the LIM microprocessor. The DS8922 chip is also connected to an 8-position RJ-45 jack which terminates the cable connected to the Digital Display Unit on the back of the LIM. 120-ohm resistors provide proper load balancing for the differential signals between the LIM and the DDU.

An LED driver sink circuit, detailed in FIG. 27, is provided to turn on and off LEDs to display line status. The LEDs in question are provided on the outside of the LIM, and should be distinguished from the LEDs on the front panel of the data display unit (DDU) . The LIM LED driver sink circuit uses a UDN2981 driver (which may be packaged as a UDN2981A) and a ULN2003 sink circuit. The eight outputs of the UDN2981 driver chip are connected the anodes of bi-color LEDs, in which two driver pins control the two colors for a single LED.

LED values are displayed in six banks of four. That is, only four LEDs are actually displayed at a particular instant. The microprocessor switches between banks of LEDs so fast that they all appear to be displayed. The microprocessor accomplishes this switching in the following manner.

The microprocessor writes a byte of data representing a group of four LEDs to the UDN2981 driver chip. The microprocessor then turns on the sink pin for that group of four LEDs. One millisecond later, the sink pin is turned off and a new byte of data is written to the driver. The next sink pin, representing the next four LEDs, is turned on. This process repeats, whenever the microprocessor is up and running.

Various circuits are provided to safely power the remainder of the LIM.

Referring to FIG. 28, a voltage circuit 1740 receives as its input, unregulated +9 volts provided by the phone jack connector, and provides a +9 volt diode protected output (+VA) . The voltage circuit uses an ICL7662 chip to provide -9 volts unregulated (-VA) . The voltage circuit also includes an LP2951 voltage regulator to make a +5 volt regulated source (VCC) from the +9 volt unregulated source.

Finally, the voltage circuit also provides a "Reset

CPU" signal to the microprocessor. This signal, being normally high, ensures proper microprocessor reset on power-up.

Operating with the voltage circuit is a battery backup circuit 1742, which is detailed in FIG. 29. The battery backup circuit receives the +5 volt (VCC) , and provides a battery-protected output signal, here labelled "CMOS". As long VCC as remains at a proper level (around 5 volts) , the CMOS output matches the VCC input. However, if VCC drops (such as due to an external power failure) , the CMOS output becomes the voltage provided by a back-up battery. Within the microcontroller, the battery protected output CMOS powers the external RAM and real time clock, which both contain data which must be saved during an external power failure. When providing a battery backup for the RAM, it is important that the RAM chip select and RAM write pins are not activated while external power is going down. The power fail safeguard circuit 1750, detailed in FIG. 30, provides this function.

The power fail safeguard circuit inputs the /RAM signal (RAM select provided by PEEL18CV8) and /WR (Write) provided by the microprocessor. The power fail safeguard circuit provides "protected" signals /PRM (Protected RAM Select) and /PWR (Protected Write) signals, based on whether or not a RESET signal provided by the voltage circuit 1740 is high or low.

During normal operation, the RESET signal from the voltage circuit is high, so that /PRM is the same as /RAM and /PWR is the same as /WR (that is, the "protected" signals are the same as the "unprotected" signals) . However, if there is an external power failure, RESET goes low, and /PRM and /PWR both automatically go high so as to disable selection or writing to the RAM. The /PWR signal i& also used to protect the real time clock during a power failure.

Referring now to FIG. 31, a block diagram of an exemplary data display unit (DDU) is shown.

A microcontroller 3100 substantially governs operation of the DDU. The microcontroller 3100 communicates with the

LIM (FIG. 17) through an RS-422 circuit 3102. Based on information communicated from the LIM, the microcontroller

3100 provides information to display elements on a front panel display 3110. Examples of front panel display 3110 are shown in FIGS. 5 and 16A.

Within an exemplary front panel display, seven-segment displays 3112, round LED displays 3114, and LCD display module 3116 are provided. The LCD display module 3116 corresponds to the "message center" in FIGS. 5 and 16A. Elements 3114 and 3112 correspond to the middle row of circular LEDs and the numeric counters near the bottom of FIG. 16A, respectively. In a particular embodiment, to be described in detail immediately below, LED data is provided on a LED data bus to both elements 3112, 3114, along with suitable clocks to clock in the LED data into flip-flops. Further, LCD data is provided to LCD data module 3116 under control of an LCD control bus. To power the data display unit, 115-volt alternating current power is provided to a line filter 3130. The line filter provides filtered AC electricity to a suitable transformer 3132. Transformer 3132 provides 12.6 volt alternating current to a regulator 3134. Regulator 3134 provides +5-volt direct current power to the other elements displayed in FIG. 31. Finally, a reset circuit 3140 is provided to ensure proper operation of the microcontroller at power-up.

The elements of a particular embodiment of the data display unit of FIG. 31 are now described in greater detail, with the understanding that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments so described. The microcontroller includes a microprocessor which is an NEC 78233 eight-bit microprocessor. The microprocessor is connected to a 32K x 8 bit read only memory, which may be a 27C256 ROM. By having the ROM in a socket, firmware changes may be easily made.

The microprocessor may also be connected to an 8K x 8 RAM (Random Access Memory) , such as a 6264 RAM. Similar to the LIM microcontroller described above, a 74HC373D-type latch allows the microprocessor to share the eight-bit data bus with the lower eight bits of the address bus. A 12 MHZ crystal and two 10-picofarad capacitors form an oscillator circuit.

The reset circuit 3140 includes an MC34064 integrated circuit chip to provide a reset single to start the microprocessor on power up.

The RS422 circuit includes a DS8922 chip to allow the microprocessor in the DDU to interface with the LIM. Thiε communication allows effective real-time display of line status and number of daily traffic peg counts. In particular, the DS8922 chip connects to the serial in, serial out, and serial clock SCK pins of the DDU microprocessor. The DS8922 chip also connects to an eight-position RJ45 jack which terminates the cable connected to the LIM, the jack being located on the back of the DDU. Several 120-ohm resistors provide proper load balancing for the differential signals between the LIM and the DDU. The line filter circuit 3130 may be implemented as any suitable commercially available module. The module includes a fused filter which isolates the 115-volt AC wall current from noise created by the voltage regulator 3134. The transformer converts the output of the line filter circuit to a 12.6-volt, 2-ampere signal, the secondary winding of the transformer being connected to the input of the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator may include an LM2576 regulator chip which provides the +5-volt output which is used by DDU circuit elements.

The particular display elements 3112, 3114, and 3116 may be implemented as follows. Elements 3112 and 3114 include LEDs, of either the 7-segment type or circular bi-color diodes, elements 3112 and 3114 may be logically combined. The combined circuit includes twenty-two seven-segment displays arranged in a four row by six column array. The array displays numerical traffic measurement counts.

A fifth row in the display array includes a given number (8, 16, or 24) of bi-color LEDs with 4 bi-color LEDs per column. These displays show status values, as shown in the row of circular display elements in the middle of FIGS. 5 and 16A.

Within the circuitry driving the LEDs, each row in the display array may be connected a UDN2585 driver chip with each column in the row being connected to a different output of a ULN2003 sink chip. In operation, the microprocessor controls the display of data by updating one column in the display array every millisecond. Data which is to be displayed, is passed out of a serial port from the microprocessor. Each UDN2528 chip is connected to a 74HC373 D-type latch which receives the data from the microcontroller. Each latch is clocked only when data for its corresponding UDN2585 driver is provided on the data bus.

In a similar manner, the ULN2003 sink chips accept data only when the microprocessor updates entire columns of the display at a time. Each of the five ULN2003 sink chips always has the same data on it. Therefore, only one D-type latch is required to control the sink chips. Thus, as the microprocessor writes data on its data bus and latches it into a proper D-type latch, the microprocessor controls the entire display of LEDs 3112, 3114.

In the illustrated embodiment, LCD module 3116 is provided substantially separate from modules 3112, 3114. A commercially available LCD module is connected to the microprocessor via the LCD data bus and control bus.

In the above-described, non-limiting embodiment, the elements may include HDSP-7303 seven-segment displays, and UDN2585 and ULN2003 chips, with 74HC373 latches. The bi-colored LEDs may be implemented using MT6224HRG LEDs. The LCD module may be model No. MDLS-20188-GREEN-LV-LED4G from VL Electronics, Inc.

The particular interconnection of chips described above lies well within the ability of those skilled in the art, given the present description. Therefore, detailed circuit diagrams showing the connection of each pin need not be provided to those skilled in the art, as they are readily capable of implementing a suitable display unit without undue experimentation.

Within the microcontroller, firmware within ROM (read only memory) governs operation of the data display unit. The LIM sends data to update the displays on the DDU twice per second. The DDU firmware causes the microcontroller to read the data sent by the LIM, and updates other information in RAM memory locations, based on the information received from the LIM.

The software also ensures that the DDU is in synchronism with the LIM. Preferably, a block-oriented protocol is used, ensuring that any transmission having a greater or fewer number of bytes than the block is easily detected as being an erroneous block. By re-synchronizing transmission, subsequent data transmissions are ensured to be more accurate. Every millisecond, the data display unit updates an entire column of the display array. Each column includes four 7-segment displays, with one in each row, and four bi-colored LEDs in row five. Values which are provided to the displays are read from the DDU memory and sent to the displays by the microprocessor. Of course, when updated information is received from the LIM, the updated values are sent to the displays soon thereafter. The firmware in the data display unit also examines messages from the LIM to determine if a message should be scrolled on the LCD module 3116. If no message is to be scrolled, than the present time is displayed. However, if a message is to be scrolled, the microcontroller's firmware formats the message and controls the LCD module 3116 so that a message is scrolled on it.

The operation of the firmware within the LIM is now described in greater detail. Briefly, the LIM firmware allows the LIM to monitor telephone lines and to peg traffic measurements by applying signals received for each line from the line status detector 1702, hold status detector 1706, and ring detector 1712. A LIM determines each line to be in a respective state, the states including HOLD, OFF-HOOK, CUT, RINGING, and IDLE. The relationship of the states, and the manner in which the LIM firmware determines which state a line is in and decides when the state is changed, is represented by a state diagram shown in FIG. 32. The following discussion assumes a "present state", determines a "reading", and performs an "action" in response to a present state/reading instance. The following chart illustrates the relationship of the present states and readings. The following chart should be read in conjunction with FIG. 32, with the understanding that the "present state" represents the state at the "beginning" of an arrowed line, the "reading" is the legend which accompanies the arrowed line itself, and the state which lies at the arrow head and of the arrowed line being the state which results from the "action" taken in the chart.

Present State Reading Action

Idle Idle Display Idle status on lines LED. Idle Cut Display Cut status on lines LED. Increment # Open Lines Counter. Increment # Busy Lines Counter. Change Lines State to "Cut".

Idle Off -Hook Display Off -Hook status on lines LED

Increment # Outgoing Calls Counter . Increment # Busy Lines Counter . Zero Lines Hold Timer (times hew long call i on hold) .

Clear lines Extended Hold Pegged Flag (say whether or not a line has been pegged fo extended hold) . Change Lines State to Off -Hook.

Idle Ringing Display Ringing status no line ' s LED

Clear lines Idle Saw Flag (says if we are i between rings or not) . Set Lines Ring Counter to 1 (counts number o rings seen) .

Increment # Busy Lines Counter . Increment # Incoming Calls Counter. Change Lines State to Ringing.

Cut Idle Display Idle Status on lines LED. Decrement # Busy Lines Counter. Change Lines State to Idle.

Cut Cut, Display Cut Status on Lines LED.

Off-Hook, or Ringing Off-Hook Cut Display Cut Status on lines LED. Increment # Open Lines Counter. Change Lines State to Cut.

Off-Hook Idle Display Idle Status on lines LED. Decrement # Busy Lines Counter. Change Lines State of Idle.

Off-Hook Off-Hook, Display Off-Hook Status on lines LE Ringing

Off-Hook Hold Change Lines State of Hold.

Ringing Ringing Display Ringing Status to lines LED If the Idle Saw Flag Is Set.

{

Clear Lines Idle Saw Flag. Increment Lines Ring Counter.

}

Ringing Idle Display Idle Status to lines LED. If Length of Idle Signal is long enough to b a gap in between rings

{

Set lines Idle Saw Flag . If Length of Idle Signal is longer tha the gap in between rings and the numbe of rings en the line is greater than th ring threshold.

{

Deerauε-πt # αf Busy lines αouπbe Change Lines State to Idle Incraneπt # C&lls Abandcned Abov Threshold Counter.

{

Ringing Cut Display Cut Status on lines LED . Increment # Incoming Calls Counter . Change Lines State to Cut.

Ringing Off-Hook Display Off-Hook Status on lines LED If number of rings on line is greater th the Ring Threshold.

{

Increment # Calls Answered Abo Threshold Counter. Hold Idle Display Idle Status on lines LED .

Decrement # Busy Lines Counter . Change Lines State to Idle .

Increment lines Hold Timer .

If lines Hold Timer > Extended Hold Thresho and Hold Peg Flag not Set .

{

Display Extended Hold Status on lin

LED.

Increment # Calls on Extended Hol

Counter.

Set lines Hold Peg Flag.

}

Display Off-Hook Status to lines LED Change Lines State to Off-Hook.

Display Cut Status to lines LED. Increment # Open Lines Counter. Change Lines State to Cut.

The foregoing chart and FIG. 32 may be best understood with reference to a situation to which the present invention may be applied. The LIM firmware can determine the number of calls that are answered or abandoned after a predetermined number of rings.

In this example, when a line moves from the idle state to the ringing state, the LIM firmware sets a ring counter to "1". While in the ringing state (shown in FIG. 32 as a circle with "RINGING" within it) , the LIM firmware counts the number of rings by looking for idle gaps between actual rings. These idle gaps are timed to ensure that the gap iε truly an idle gap, and not a call abandoned by the originator.

The firmware useε an "idle saw" flag. The LIM firmware useε the idle saw flag in the ringing state, to determine whether when gaps between rings have been seen. If a ringing signal is detected, the ring counter is incremented only if the idle saw flag is set. This implies that a new ring is being experienced, and not part of a previous ring. The idle saw flag is set only when it is determined that a gap has been experienced between rings.

When a line moves from the ring εtate to the off-hook state, as indicated by the arrowed line leading from "RINGING" to "OFF-HOOK" in FIG. 32 (indicating someone has answered the call) , the particular line's ring counter is compared to a predetermined ring threshold. If the value line'ε ring counter iε greater than the value of the ring threεhold, than a counter indicating the number of calls answered above the ring threshold iε incremented. Similarly, when a line moves from the ringing state to the idle state (indicating the caller haε hung up without hiε call being answered) , indicated by the arrowed line leading from "RINGING" to "IDLE", the line's ring counter is compared to the ring threεhold. If the value of the line'ε ring counter iε greater than the ring threεhold, the firmware increments a counter which showε the number of calls abandoned above the ring threshold. Given the foregoing chart and the state diagram of

FIG. 32, those skilled in the art are readily capable of implementing the software described herein, without undue experimentation. Therefore, further examples of the operation of the LIM firmware need not be discuεsed.

The details of the LIM hardware and εtate diagrams having been described above, the sequential operation of the system, governed by software in the LIM's microprocesεor and/or ROM, iε now deεcribed. The firmware in the microcontroller accompliεheε the following taεkε.

Every milliεecond, LED valueε are updated using microprocesεor portε zero and one. LEDs are displayed four at a time. That is, at any inεtant only four LEDε are displayed at a time. However, the switching between which LEDs happens so fast that, to the human eye, it looks like all the LEDs are constantly displayed.

Every second, the real time clock is queried by the microprocesεor. The current hours and minutes are read, and εtored in microprocessor memory. The current time iε then checked againεt the "time to clear" value; the "time to clear" value iε a programmable value, and arkε the end of a day. If the current time and the "time to clear" are the εame, daily traffic meaεurementε are εaved in 180-day εtorage area, and all daily traffic meaεurementε are cleared εo a new day of traffic countε may begin.

Every half-εecond, all data needed by data diεplay unit for diεplay purpoεeε, iε εent to the DDU via the serial interface. When a character is received on the RS-232 interface, it is saved in an input command buffer. When a carriage return is received, the input buffer iε checked to see if there is a valid command in it. If there iε a valid command, the command is procesεed, and a reεponse to the command is sent out through the RS-232 interface. If there is not a valid command, the input buffer iε cleared and a "bad command" error meεεage iε εent out through the RS-232 interface. A εignificant number of valid commandε may be εent to the LIM. Theεe commandε allow for εetting variouε parameterε and reading variouε traffic meaεurementε. Commandε and reεponεes are sent via a protocol which containε error detection, to ensure reliable data transmiεεion. LIM commandε and reεponεeε occur in a manner tranεparent to the end uεer, according to εoftware in the perεonal computer.

For telephone line monitoring, 54.5 milliεecondε repreεentε a what iε hereinafter referred to aε a "cycle". During a cycle, a number of taεkε are accompliεhed, including the following.

Sequential line εtatuε and hold εtatuε readingε are taken through the microproceεεor'ε analog-to-digital converterε, to determine the lineε' current state. During any given cycle, three digital readings are taken for one line: one from the line 1 to line 8 group, one from the 9 to 16 group, and one from the 17 to 24 group. After the digital readings are taken, they are stored in the microprocesεor'ε memory.

At the end of a cycle the output of the ring detector circuitε are read in by the microproceεεor and stored in memory.

At the same time digital readings from the ADCs for this cycle are collected, readings collected during the laεt cycle are proceεεed. During any given cycle, readingε are proceεεed for one line from the line 1 to line 8 group, one line from the 9 to 16 group, and one line from the 17 to 24 group.

Proceεεing involveε taking A/D lineε εtatuε readingε, hold status readingε, and ring detector readingε and converting them into line εtate signals, including (in the illustrated embodiment) IDLE, CUT, HOLD, or RINGING signalε. Baεed on a line'ε current εtate and the number of ti eε in a row that a particular εignal haε been received, a new εtate for the line iε calculated. Aε a line moveε from εtate to εtate (or stays in the same εtate) , various traffic measurementε are pegged, and variouε counterε are incremented.

Software iε alεo provided in the personal computer, remote from the LIM. The purpose of the PC software is to provide a user-friendly interface to the LIM. The personal computer may be any perεonal computer εuitable for the application, and may be advantageouεly be choεen to be, for example, a conventional IBM®-compatible computer with εoftware programmed in accordance with the principleε deεcribed in this specification.

The PC software in the illuεtrated embodiment runε under DOS (Diεk Operating Syεtem) , and provideε the end uεer with a page-baεed graphical interface to diεplay traffic variouε traffic reportε aε well aε entering all needed parameterε. When a "page" (εcreen diεplay of information) iε activated (εuch aε when the uεer chooεeε a particular page through a menu εelection) , the PC εoftware querieε the LIM for all data required to complete the page. After the LIM provideε the information through the εerial interface between the LIM and PC, the PC εoftware then formatε and diεplayε the required data in report form, as a completed page. In pages in which parameter data is entered by the user, current valueε of the parameterε are automatically read from the LIM or from diεk (depending on which parameter it is) for display. When parameters are changed by the user (for example, through the PC's keyboard) , the new parameter values are automatically saved in the LIM or on disk.

The overall structure and operation of the εyεtem having been described above, more specific εequential functionε of the telephone traffic and line monitoring system are now provided, with special reference to the accompanying flow chartε. Referring to FIGS. 33 and 34, the manner in which the DDU and/or PC scroll messageε on their respective message centers is illustrated in flow chart form.

FIG. 33 illustrateε how deciεionε are made, aε to which meεεages should be scrolled. After it is decided which mesεageε εhould be εcrolled, FIG. 34 illuεtrateε how thoεe meεεageε are scrolled.

A first taεk of determining which meεεageε should be scrolled, iε accompliεhed by the LIM aε it examineε the εtatus of each telephone line. Further, the DDU and/or PC control current daily traffic measurementε εent from the LIM with the uεer-programmed traffic thresholds (which are also sent from the LIM) . If a particular mesεage needε to be printed, baεed on thiε information, a meεεage indicator flag iε εet in a memory, the message indicator flag corresponding to the mesεage which needε to be printed.

The εecond taεk, actually εcrolling the meεsages which εhould be εcrolled, iε performed within the DDU and within the personal computer. According to the illustrated embodiment, meεεageε are εcrolled every ten minuteε, keyed to the real time clock εo that meεεageε are εcrolled at the hour, ten minuteε thereafter, 20 minuteε thereafter, and εo forth, through 50 minuteε thereafter.

Briefly, if it iε time to print meεεageε, the proper meεsage indicator flags are referred to by the software or firmware. If a meεεage indicator flag εayε that a particular meεεage needε to be printed, the meεsage corresponding to the meεεage indicator flag iε formatted and stored in a print buffer. A software or firmware function is called to εcroll the meεsage from the print buffer. After a given meεεage haε been scrolled, a next mesεage indicator iε checked by εoftware or firmware to determine if still further mesεageε εhould be εcrolled. After all meεεage indicator flags have been checked and all mesεageε εcrolled, the current time iε diεplayed on the meεεage center of the DDU or PC diεplay.

The particular details by which these two processes are implemented are illustrated in FIGS. 33 and 34, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 33, control begins at block 3200 and pasεeε to block 3202. At block 3202, the line εtatus, daily traffic, message thresholds, and other data, are collected from the LIM. At block 3204, information from the firεt telephone line monitored by the LIM is examined. Thereafter, control enters a loop 3210 which is repeati once for each active line monitored by the LIM.

Within loop 3210, decision block 3212 first determines if the line status is "CUT" or "INACTIVE". If the line status is CUT or INACTIVE, block 3214 indicates the setting of a meεεage indicator flag for that particular line, to indicate a proper meεεage εtate (CUT or INACTIVE) . If the line status is not CUT or INACTIVE, aε determined in deciεion block 3212, control paεεeε immediately to decision block 3220.

Decision block 3220 determineε whether all active lineε have been examined. If there are other active lineε which have not been examined, block 3222 examines the data corresponding to the next line, and loop 3210 is repeated. After all active lineε have been examined, control paεεeε to block 3248. Block 3248 indicateε the examination of the firεt daily traffic meaεurement. According to a particular embodiment, the daily traffic meaεurementε include:

1. All lines busy.

2. Minutes all lineε have been buεy. 3. Number of callε answered above a given ring threshold.

4. Number of calls abandoned above a given ring threεhold.

5. Callε on extended hold. In any event, after the firεt daily traffic meaεurement iε examined, traffic control paεεeε to a loop 3250 which iε repeated once for each daily traffic meaεurement.

Within loop 3250, deciεion block 3252 determineε whether a daily traffic meaεurement iε greater than or equal to itε respective threshold value.

If the meaεured value iε not greater than or equal to itε threshold value, control pasεeε immediately to block 3260. However, if the daily traffic meaεurement iε greater to or equal to itε threεhold, control paεεeε to block 3254. Block 3254 indicateε how the εoftware or firmware sets a message indicator flag to its active state so that it can be εcrolled. Thereafter control paεses to block 3260. Decision block 3260 determines whether all daily traffic measurementε have been examined. If there are εtill other daily traffic meaεurementε to examine, control paεεeε to block 3262 which indicateε examination of the next daily traffic meaεurement. Thereafter, control paεεeε to deciεion block 3252 which beginε loop 3250 again. After all daily traffic meaεurementε have been examined, control paεεeε to block 3202, beginning the entire proceεε of FIG. 33 again. In the illuεtrated embodiment, the εoftware executeε the taεk of FIG. 33 twice per εecond. Thiε choice of timing allowε the lineε to be monitored εubεtantially in real time, without unduly occupying the proceεεorε within the LIM, DDU, or perεonal computer. Referring to FIG. 34, the εoftware functionε involved in the εcrolling meεεages are illustrated in flow chart form.

Control starts at block 3300, and pasεeε to 3312 at which the current time iε acceεεed from a real time clock. Deciεion block 3314 determineε whether it iε time to εcroll messages. In a particular embodiment, block 3314 determines whether it is 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, or 50 minutes past the hour. If it is εuch a time, εuch a control paεεeε to block 3320. If, however, it iε not time to scroll mesεageε, control paεεeε to block 3316 which cauεeε the current time to continue to be diεplayed on the meεsage center. Thereafter, control returns to block 3312 to form a loop 3310, which is executed between the times when messages are scrolled.

Block 3320 illustrateε that the εoftware or firmware sets a pointer to the mesεage indicator flagε to a proper εtart value. Then, control passeε to a loop 3350. Loop 3350 iε repeated for each "meεεage indicator flag". Briefly, a meεsage indicator flag indicates whether or not a given message should be diεplayed, for a given telephone line. Loop 3350 beginε with block 3352 which involveε examination of a meεεage indicator flag pointed to the pointer that was initiated in block 3320. Thereafter, control pasεeε to block 3354 which determineε whether the meεεage indicator flag εayε that a message should be printed. If no mesεage iε to be printed, control paεεeε immediately to deciεion block 3360.

However, if a message should be printed, control pasεeε to block 3356. Block 3356 indicateε the εoftware or firmware'ε formatting of the meεεage correεponding to the indicator, and εaving it in a print buffer. Then, block 3358 εhowε how the meεεage iε diεplayed on the meεεage center by being εcrolled. Control then paεεes to decision block 3360.

Block 3360 determineε whether the laεt meεεage indicator flag haε been proceεεed. If further meεεage indicator flags remain, indicating that more messages should be scrolled, control pasεes to block 3362. Block 3362 representε the software or firmware's incrementing of the pointer to a next meεεage indicator flag. Thereafter, control returnε to the beginning of loop 3350, at which block 3352 lookε at a next meεεage indicator flag which iε addreεεed by the pointer. After the last mesεage indicator flag haε been proceεεed, control returnε to the beginning of the FIG. 34 proceεε, awaiting the next time that meεεageε should be εcrolled.

FIGS. 33 and 34 εhould not be interpreted as limiting the customer'ε ability to interrogate the εyεtem through the PC interface, to determine at any time the εtatuε of the telephoneε lineε or of any εtatistics related to the monitored lineε. Rather, the flow chartε indicate a preferred manner in which important meεεageε, generally related to exceptional circumεtanceε, are automatically scrolled, so aε to regularly draw the cuεtomer'ε attention to unusual conditions.

APPENDIX A

From Diεclosure Document 273,445

Filed February 7, 1991

There is a requirement for telephone userε having multiple lineε (trunkε to the εerving telephone company office) to be able to readily monitor the operating condition of theεe lineε. Further, there iε a need to know the amount of traffic on the lineε and how efficiently the telephone εyεtem iε being utilized. The monitor according to the preεent invention will improve cuεtomer and user service and poεεibly lower operating coεts by enhancing the management and control of the telephone network.

The monitor would consiεt of tri-colored light emitting diodeε (LEDε) and liquid cryεtal display (LCD) counters houεed in a εtand-alone diεplay unit. The monitor would typically reεide on the deεk with the telephone receptioniεt or the office manager. The monitor would be attached to the on-pre iεe "66 Block" or telephone company interface with a twiεted pair cable. The monitor iε a paεεive device and gatherε the information noted below by εenεing line voltage variationε. It iε not connected to and iε not a part of the premiεe PBX or key εyεtem.

Specific functionε performed by the εyεtem include the following.

Variouε colored LEDε would indicate the condition of each line; idle, ringing, buεy, or unuεable (open or εhorted) . Unusable line conditions are not usually immediately known with most existing PBX telephone syεtemε. LCD counterε would diεplay the number of All Line Buεy Occurrenceε and the Total Minuteε Buεy. LCD counters would display the number of Calls

Exceeded The Ring Number Threshold, i.e. 8 ringε, the actual Ring Number Threεhold Setting and the number of Callε Abandoned - That Exceeded The Threεhold Setting.

LCD counterε would diεplay the number of Inbound Calls Answered and the number of Outbound Callε Placed.

Modificationε and variations of the above-described e bodimentε of the preεent invention are poεεible, aε appreciated by those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. For example, the particular syεtem configuration choεen, the particular parameters which may be monitored, the particular implementation and interconnection of hardware elements, the particular software implementation of system process, and so forth, εhould be interpreted aε illuεtrative and not limiting. It iε therefore to be underεtood that, within the εcope of the appended claimε and their equivalentε, the invention may be practiced otherwiεe than as specifically described.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A telephone traffic and line monitoring syεtem for monitoring telephone lines, the syεtem compriεing: a line interface module (LIM) , connected to the telephone lineε to determine status of voltageε on the lineε while not interfering with normal operation of the customer's telephone system; a data display unit (DDU) , reεponsive to the LIM, the DDU having a number of predetermined display devices for continually displaying in real time, statuε of the telephone lineε connected to the telephone εystem, and for displaying mesεageε and εtatiεticε related thereto; and a computer, reεponεive to the LIM, the computer having εoftware for controllably displaying in real time on the computer's monitor screen, statuε of the lineε in the εystem and mesεages and εtatiεticε related thereto.

2. A telephone traffic and line monitoring εyεtem for monitoring εtatuε of and traffic on telephone lineε, the εyεtem compriεing: a line interface module (LIM) , the LIM including means for monitoring a statuε of each telephone line being monitored; and at least one remote reporting device, located remotely from the LIM but in communication therewith, including meanε for diεplaying in real time, the εtatuε of each line.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the remote reporting device further includes: means for displaying a statuε from among a group of possible statuseε including at leaεt two of the group including: line open/unuεable, line buεy, line ringing, line idle, line on extended hold, and line inactive for a given number of dayε.

4. The εystem of claim 2, further including: meanε for accumulating information regarding the status and of the telephone lines, to form a statuε hiεtory; meanε for comparing (1) the information regarding the status and status history of the telephone lines to (2) reεpective previouεly-defined threεhold valueε, to arrive at an array of compariεon valueε; and meanε for tranεferring the array of compariεon valueε to the at leaεt one remote reporting device, εo that reεultε of comparison of the monitored lines' statuε to the threεhold valueε can be diεplayed to the cuεtomer in real time.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the comparing means includes: microproceεεor inεtruction codes for comparing a measured number of rings to a threshold number of ringε, and for εetting a flag constituting one of the comparison values when the measured number of rings meetε or exceedε the threεhold number of ringε.

6. The εystem of claim 2, wherein the LIM includeε: a line εtatuε detector, including meanε for detecting a line εtatuε of each telephone line being monitored; a hold εtatuε detector for determining if a line iε on hold; a ring detector for determining if a telephone line haε a ringing εignal; and a microcontroller, reεponεive to the line status detector, hold status detector, and ring detector, for procesεing line εtatuε information to accumulate statisticε and to compare the εtatistics to previouεly-defined parameter threεholdε.

7. The system of claim 2, wherein the display means includeε: a data diεplay unit (DDU) having a front panel with a phyεically predetermined diεplay configuration.

8. The εystem of claim 2, wherein a display meanε includeε: a diεplay device having a diεplay which may be changed by εoftware or firmware.

9. The system of claim 3, wherein a display means includes: a data display unit (DDU) having a front panel with a physically predetermined display configuration; and a display device having a diεplay which may be changed by εoftware or firmware.

10. A telephone traffic and line monitoring εyεtem, compriεing: meanε for detecting unfavorable line conditions on each telephone line; a proceεεor including coded inεtructionε for analyzing line εtatuε information εo aε to accumulate traffic information regarding telephone traffic on the monitored telephone lineε; and diεplay meanε, reεponsive to the proceεεor and located remotely from the detecting meanε, for diεplaying, in real time, indications of the detected unfavorable line conditions and indications of a whether the accumulated traffic information to predetermined acceptable traffic threεholdε.

11. The εyεtem of claim 10, wherein the meanε for detecting unfavorable line conditionε includeε: meanε for detecting whether or not a line iε cut.

12. The εystem of claim 10, wherein the meanε for detecting unfavorable line conditionε includeε: meanε for detecting when no activity haε occurred on a given line for a given number of dayε.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein: the display includes an alpha-numeric display on which messages may be scrolled.

14. A telephone and traffic line monitoring syεtem, compriεing: meanε for monitoring a εtatuε of each monitored telephone line, including meanε for counting a respective number of succeεεive ringε occurring on a telephone line; meanε for comparing (1) the counted number of successive rings with (2) a predetermined threshold number of rings; and diεplay meanε, remote from the monitoring meanε, for displaying a message when the counted number of rings meets or exceeds the predetermined threshold number of rings.

15. The syεtem of claim 14, further compriεing: meanε, reεponεive to the comparing meanε, for determining whether or not a call cauεing the counted number of rings was not anεwered at any time after the predetermined threεhold number of ringε, and for arriving at a CALL ABANDONED ABOVE THRESHOLD decision.

16. The system of claim 15, further comprising: means for accumulating, over a given time period, a number of instanceε in which the CALL ABANDONED ABOVE THRESHOLD decision indicates calls were abandoned after the threshold number of rings, so that the accumulated number can be displayed as a mesεage on the diεplay meanε.

17. The εyεtem of claim 16, further compriεing: meanε for accumulating the particular timeε of occurrence of the instances in which the CALL ABANDONED ABOVE THRESHOLD decision indicateε callε were abandoned after the threεhold number of ringε, εo that the particular timeε of occurrence can be diεplayed aε a meεεage on the diεplay meanε.