Dial Plan Finite State Machine for Fast Digit Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telephone systems, the validation of dialed digits becomes slower as the number of digits entered increases, especially in complex dial plans, leading to noticeable delays, particularly in systems with low processing power such as basic cellular telephones.
Innovation Solution
A dial plan finite state machine is created to efficiently validate dialed digits by analyzing each successive digit without re-examining the entire dial string, using regular expressions and nomenclature arrays to determine match status, allowing for efficient processing and reducing validation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the entire dial string is re-examined with each new digit entered, then validation accuracy is maintained, but validation speed deteriorates as the number of digits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the validation process into segments by maintaining a state machine that tracks the current position in the dial plan. Instead of re-examining the entire dial string, the system only processes the current digit against the current state, transitioning between predefined states as digits are entered. This segmentation maintains accuracy while dramatically improving speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The dial plan is pre-compiled into a finite state machine structure with all valid transition paths defined in advance. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly determine validity by following pre-calculated transition paths rather than performing complex pattern matching during validation, resolving the speed-accuracy contradiction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex dial plan rules are enforced to handle all telephone system scenarios, then dial plan coverage is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the dial plan from a complex set of regex patterns into a finite state machine with discrete states and transitions. By changing the representation parameters from pattern-matching rules to state transition tables, the system achieves both comprehensive dial plan coverage and efficient processing through O(1) state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a simplified copy of the dial plan in the form of a finite state machine that captures all essential validation logic. This copied structure maintains the adaptability and versatility of the original complex dial plan while enabling much faster processing through pre-computed transition paths.
3Speed
If more processing power is allocated to accelerate digit validation, then validation speed is improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a lightweight finite state machine implementation that requires minimal processing resources. Instead of allocating significant processing power for complex pattern matching, the system uses simple state transition logic that can be executed efficiently on low-power devices, achieving fast validation without increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary system and method are directed to processing dial strings. A dial plan may be parsed into a plurality of expressions, each including at least one expression element. A rule associated the at least one expression element may be identified and added to an array of a finite state machine. Upon receiving a digit input, a match result indicating whether the digit input matched a corresponding expression element of each expression is determined based on the applicable rule. Expressions may be removed from consideration based on the match result. Digit inputs may continue to be received and match results may be determined based on successive expressions until either a match is determined or no further expressions are available for consideration. The match status may be reported based on the match result.