Automated Trunk Group Service Request Generation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The process of informing interconnected parties of trunk-group changes in a communications network is time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring significant manpower and time to create detailed reports for multiple trunk groups.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method for automatically generating Trunk Group Service Requests (TGSR) by receiving switch and vendor identifiers, populating data structures with trunk-group attributes, and presenting reports in a predefined format, thereby automating the service request notification process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual report generation is used for trunk-group changes, then detailed and accurate reports can be created, but the process becomes time-consuming and resource-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereport accuracyVSAvoidreport generation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically retrieving trunk-group information from the switch database and generating reports without requiring manual intervention. The automated script queries the database, processes the information, and generates reports independently, eliminating the need for manual data collection and report compilation while maintaining accuracy through systematic data retrieval and processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of creating reports with an automated computer-based system. Instead of manually looking up and extracting information from databases and creating reports using traditional office tools, the system uses automated scripts that query databases, process data, and generate reports electronically, substituting manual mechanical operations with automated computational processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If manual report generation is used for multiple trunk groups, then comprehensive information can be included, but significant manpower and resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidreport generation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple report generation operations into a single automated process. Instead of manually creating separate reports for each trunk group and then consolidating them, the automated system queries all relevant trunk-group information from the database in one operation, processes it collectively, and generates comprehensive reports that include all necessary information about multiple trunk groups simultaneously, thereby improving efficiency while maintaining completeness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The automated report generation system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it retrieves information from the database, processes and validates data, formats reports according to templates, and outputs results for multiple trunk groups. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate manual operations for each function, significantly improving productivity while ensuring comprehensive information inclusion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If automated report generation is implemented, then time and resources are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereport generation speedVSAvoidautomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of an automated script that acts as a mediator between the database and the report generation process. This intermediary script handles the complexity of data retrieval, processing, and formatting in a centralized manner, simplifying the overall system architecture. The script serves as a bridge that connects different system components without requiring direct complex interactions between them, thereby managing complexity while achieving automation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7336639B1Method and system for providing service request notifications related to a communications network
Publication Date: 2008.02.26 CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC
  • US7336639B1 patent drawing
  • US7336639B1 patent drawing
  • US7336639B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A trunk-group request tool automates the process of manually receiving and analyzing trunk-group circuits pertaining to switch circuits located within a switch facility of a communications network. An embodiment of the computer-implemented method includes receiving a switch or vendor identifier from a data structure, presenting records of information of one or more trunk groups associated with the identifier(s), receiving one or more trunk-group attributes from one or more entry fields, populating a data structure by aggregating one or more records of information of a data structure of the switch and vendor identifier with one or more trunk-group attributes, providing an input field for receiving additional data to supplement one or more records of information or one or more trunk-group attributes, and presenting a report adhering to a predefined format using the information of the data structure.