JPH0254988B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Application of the Invention] The present invention relates to a maintenance method for communication home equipment,
In particular, the present invention relates to a maintenance method that allows for efficient maintenance and management of communication equipment only by operating from a test stand in a station.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, when maintaining communication equipment at home, such as general subscriber telephones, public telephones, or data terminals, when the user or maintenance inspector discovers a fault in the home equipment, the equipment or other equipment must be repaired. When the equipment reports a problem to the fault reception desk at the exchange, the person in charge of fault repair will, based on the report,
After confirming the failure by conducting simple tests such as measuring loop resistance through the line from the test stand, we dispatched to the site.
We carry out various work such as repairing, adjusting, or replacing malfunctioning home equipment. For this reason, even if there are an unspecified number of users, such as public telephones, other public telephones are sufficient for use, and faults are difficult to detect based on appearance alone.In this case, the detection of faults will inevitably be delayed. Equipment utilization rate decreases. Also,
If a method of frequent periodic inspection is used for early detection of failures, personnel costs will increase.

In addition, if the disability declaration is made by the employer,
Because it is difficult for the station to accurately grasp the nature of the problem, staff often go to the scene to confirm and understand the problem, and then are dispatched again to repair it, resulting in delays in recovery from the problem. Put it away.

In the end, it is desirable to use a method that performs maintenance diagnosis of in-house equipment by remote control from the station, but because the signals that can be sent and received are limited in the conventional subscriber line signaling system, the maintenance diagnosis method that can be realized is limited. Efficient maintenance management is not possible.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional remote maintenance diagnosis system.

Conventionally, a test stand system has been put into practical use that employs a test stand system based on storage program control and a subscriber information file system based on a D10 type automatic exchange (``Facilities'' Vol. 34, No. 1 (January 15, 1982) Publication) See pages 70 to 86).

As shown in Fig. 1, this test stand system consists of the LS switch 2, test equipment 3, and test control equipment 5 at the maintenance station, and the LS switch 2' and test equipment 3' at the unmanned station.
The test stand 6, CRT display 16, key set 17, and printer 18 are connected to the test control device 5 and the test control device 5, respectively. The test control device 5 contains the subscriber information file of the D10 type automatic exchange.
System 7 is connected. In FIG. 1, when a command is issued on the test stand 6, the test device 3 tests the subscriber line 8 and the home equipment 1 according to the test instruction information sent from the test control device 5 via the information line 11. , transfers the test results to the test control device 5 via the information line 11. The test control device 5 exists at the center of the system and receives and analyzes information between each device.
It performs editing, sending, etc., and controls the flow of information throughout the system. It is composed of a test stand line rack and a test stand control rack, and includes multiple test stands 6 and test equipment 3.
can be controlled. Further, in response to an instruction from the test stand 6, the subscriber information file system 7 is accessed and subscriber information is read out.

The test stand 6 is directly operated by the tester to accept failure reports, test for failures, etc., and the test results, subscriber information, etc. are displayed on the CRT display 16. Test instructions, subscriber information write instructions, etc. are input using the key set 17.

The subscriber information file system 7 stores subscriber information in place of a conventional subscriber card, and performs subscriber information retrieval and write/change processing based on instructions from the test stand 6. Performs various statistical processing based on information. In addition, 10
11 is a reception and test line for the call circuit monitor, reception test, etc., and 11 is an information line that sends test instruction information from the test control device 5 to the test device 3 and also sends test result information from the test device 3 to the control device 5. , 12
13 is an information line for transmitting fault information from the test control device 5 to the test bench 6, and 14 is for searching subscriber information. This is an information line for performing write change processing.

In such a conventional diagnostic system, the test stand 6
On a regular basis or at any time upon receipt of malfunction report information, maintenance station housing equipment 1 or unmanned station housing equipment 1' (1 and 1' include public telephones)
However, as mentioned above, it is slow to detect and confirm faults, and flexible maintenance management is impossible.

[Purpose of the invention]

The purpose of the present invention is to improve the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, quickly and accurately find and confirm faults only by operating from a test stand in a station, and efficiently maintain and manage in-house equipment. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a maintenance method for in-house communication equipment that enables the maintenance of communication equipment.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the maintenance method for communication home equipment according to the present invention includes: a communication home equipment, a test device connected to the home device via a switching center, and a test stand connected to the test device. In a home equipment testing system having When a failure is detected or periodically, the equipment automatically makes a call and sends maintenance diagnosis information to the exchange, records the information in the storage device, and accesses the storage device from the test stand at any time to perform maintenance. It is characterized by searching and rewriting diagnostic information.

[Embodiments of the invention]

Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an in-house equipment maintenance system showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, in the same way as in FIG. Test control device 5
In the system connected to the system, a new maintenance diagnosis record storage device 4 is connected to both input and output terminals of the LS switch 2 via a maintenance diagnosis record information line 9,
It is also connected to the test control device 5 via the information line 15. Note that the test stand set 6' consists of the test stand 6 and the CRT display 1, as shown in Figure 1.
6, a key set 17 and a printer 18.

The maintenance/diagnosis record storage device 4 receives, via the information line 9, in-house equipment failure information sent from the in-house equipment 1 via the subscriber line 8, and records this. Note that the information line 15 is used by the test control device 5 to perform processing such as searching for, writing and changing in-house equipment maintenance information.

In addition, in the present invention, the home device 1 has a built-in CPU for communication control and home device control, various sensors and diagnostic programs for home device self-diagnosis, and the home device 1 is configured to run the diagnostic program constantly, intermittently, or just before using the home device. , etc. is run immediately after. At this time, when a sensor within the home equipment detects a fault, the home equipment 1 encodes the fault details according to pre-programmed classifications, and automatically transmits a code to the station. The procedure at this time is a digital subscriber line basic signal that has an information channel (64 Kb/s) for transmitting and receiving voice, etc., and a signal channel (4 Kb/s) for transmitting and receiving code signals and level signals for communication control. An example of a public telephone that follows this system is as follows.

For example, assuming that the handset cord of a public telephone is disconnected, the situation will be as follows. In-home equipment 1 (public telephone) runs a diagnostic program constantly or intermittently. At that time, in-home device 1
When the handset cord monitoring sensor inside the station detects a fault, the home equipment 1 closes an electronic switch equivalent to a switch, thereby making the office side recognize that the home equipment 1 is off-hook.
The subscriber line 8 between in-house equipment is looped on, and the level signal transmitted and received between the station and the in-home equipment is placed in a transmitting state and automatically transmitted. Next, home equipment 1
For example, the system automatically dials a telephone number (maintenance special number) assigned for maintenance diagnosis records and connects to the station equipment corresponding to the number. MF for sending home device identification number and failure information to home device 1
A transmitter is provided to insert fault information etc. into the channel channel, and an MF receiver etc. for receiving fault information etc. is provided in the station equipment corresponding to the maintenance special number mentioned above.
By connecting the MF receiving section and the storage device 4 for maintenance diagnosis, fault information and the like can be transferred to the storage device 4 using an inch channel (information channel). In addition, in the home equipment 1, a function is added to the transmitter/receiver unit for transmitting and receiving out-channel level signals and code signals used in normal communication procedures, and a function is added to the transmitter/receiver unit for transmitting the home equipment identification number and fault information as well. , subscriber line 8 of LS switch 2
A bypass line for importing fault information etc. from an out-channel signal transmitting/receiving section provided on the side into the storage device 4 for maintenance diagnosis and a switch for changing the connection thereof are provided. Then, when the home equipment 1 calls the maintenance special number and is connected, the station equipment is provided with the function of switching the switch etc., connecting to the bypass line, and importing fault information etc. into the storage device 4 for maintenance diagnosis. , fault information etc. can be transferred to the storage device 4 using an out channel (signal channel). At this time, the storage device 4 for maintenance diagnosis automatically stores the in-house equipment identification number and fault information.

FIG. 3 is a sequence chart for transmitting home equipment failure information using the out-channel of the digital basic subscriber line signaling system in FIG.

Shown are level signals (levels L0 and L1) and code signals (0, 1) transmitted and received between the public telephone and the exchange.

First, when a public telephone that has automatically detected a fault sets its level signals to "1" at both levels 1 and 0 and makes a call, the exchange sends back a code signal to notify that it has accepted the call. Next, when the public telephone transmits the terminal class using a code signal, the exchange returns a dial tone DT, and the public telephone transmits an ordial using the code signal. While connected to the maintenance/diagnosis storage device 4, a ring back tone RBT is sent back to the public telephone. When the reception preparation is completed in the storage device 4 on the exchange side, the level signal L0 is set to "1" to notify the arrival response.
A code signal is sent from the public telephone to indicate the failure, the details of the failure, and the end of monitoring. The public phone sets the level signal L1 to “1” and L0 to “0”
When a disconnection request is made by setting the level signal L1 to "1" and L0 to "0", the exchange accepts the disconnection, and returns the level signal L1 to "0" to issue a recovery instruction. Public telephone sets level signal L1 to “0”
and confirm recovery.

In this way, fault information for each in-house device is recorded in the maintenance/diagnosis storage device 4.

By operating the test stand set 6 at regular or occasional testing times, the information recorded in the storage device 4 can be output to the test stand set 6 through the information line 15, the test control device 5, and the information line 13. . The operator of the test bench set 6 may test the home equipment 1, record the fault information of the home equipment 1 in the subscriber information file system 7 through the information line 14, or notify the fault repair person of the fault as necessary. or some combination thereof.

In this way, the in-home equipment 1 is provided with a fault detection self-diagnosis function and a function of automatically transmitting the fault information.
In addition, a storage device 4 for maintenance diagnosis records is installed in the station equipment, and the station equipment configuration is such that fault information from the home equipment 1 can be recorded in the storage device 4 at any time. By adopting a station equipment configuration that allows information to be searched and edited at any time, an in-house equipment maintenance management system that allows for quick and accurate failure detection and flexible operation can be realized.

In addition, as shown in Figure 3, if the subscriber line signal system is digital and has a signal channel other than the main channel, or even if it is an analog system, it is possible to use out-of-band FS.
By using a signaling method such as using a signal, information transmission and reception between the communication home equipment and the station equipment can be realized more efficiently.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the test apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 2.

Trunk 21 of LS switch 2 is a toll-free trunk (FLT), trunk 22 is a fault reception trunk (CPT),
23 is a line test trunk (LTT), and 24 is a test output trunk (TSTOGT).

31 and 32 of the test equipment 3 are fault reception trunk addition units, 34 is a line test trunk attachment unit, 33 is a public telephone test trunk, 35 is a howler sound trunk, 36 is a test output trunk addition unit, 37 is a reception connector, and 38 is a test connector, 39 is a reception/output trunk, 40 is a test entry trunk, 41 is a main storage device, 42 is a central control unit, 4
3 is a console control device, 44 is a modem control device, 45 is a console, 46 is a modem, 47 is a signal distribution device, 48 is a measuring device, 49 is a relay driving device, and 50 is a scanning device.

The test device 3 performs subscriber line tests, home equipment tests, etc. in accordance with test instruction information sent from the test control device (TCE) 5 via the information line 10, and transfers the test results to the control device 5. It is a device. Functionally, the test device 3 includes line sections 31, 32,
37, 38, 39, 40, control section 41, 42, 4
9, 50, 47, 44, and test section 48, 3
It consists of 5,33.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the test control device 5 of FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 5, the test control device 5 includes a test stand line rack 51 and a test stand control rack 52.
The right side of the chain line is the test bench set 6, 16, 1 in the test room.
7, 19, and typewriters 19' in the machinery office and the railroad premises office. Test stand line rack 51-5
5 and 63 are incoming trunks, 56 and 62 are outgoing trunks, 57 is an acceptance incoming trunk, 58 is a test outgoing trunk, 59 is a PB test equipment, 60 is a telephone trunk,
88 is the exchange PB connection terminal, 61 is the trunk for connecting outside and outside the office, 87 is the direct connection telephone, 54 is the switch,
53 is a seat trunk for backup, 64 is a seat trunk, 65 is a holding transfer trunk, and 66 is a MF.
Outgoing sender trunk, 67 is PB outgoing sender trunk,
68 is a DP output sender trunk.

69 of the test stand control rack 52 is a scanning device, 70 is a path system drive device, 71 is a signal distribution device, 72 is a main storage device, 73 is a central processing device, 74 is an information transmission control device, and 75 is a processor bus channel device. ,7
6 is an information transmission switching device, 78 is a flexible disk control device, 79 is a flexible disk drive device, 81, 82, 86 is an asynchronous data control device, 83 is a typewriter control device, 77 is a console, 80 is a typewriter It is.

The test control equipment (TCE) 5 exists at the center of the system and receives, analyzes, edits, and receives information between each device.
control the flow of information throughout the system.

6 and 7 are a block diagram and a sequence chart showing an overview of the connection operation and test operation of the test device 3 and test control device 5.

As an example, we will explain the case of receiving the number 113 and calling the general exam.

In Figure 6, SUB(A) is the in-house equipment that will make the test declaration, SUB(B) is the in-home equipment that will be the device under test,
2 is the LS switch, 22 is the failure reception trunk, 31
23 is a line test trunk, 34 is a line test trunk addition unit, 3 is a test device, 39 is a reception trunk, 55 is a reception trunk, 56 is a test output trunk, and 40 is a test input trunk. A trunk, 42 and 73 are central control units, 5 is a test control unit, 64 is a seat trunk, 6 is a test stand, and 16 is a CRT display.

In FIG. 7, 101 and 103 are incoming lamps, 102 and 105 are push buttons, 104 is a call type display, 106 is a test lamp, 107 is a numeric key, 108 is a numeric display, 109 is a send push button, and 110 is a test lamp, 111 is a connection lamp,
112 is a flash. Further, the dotted line in FIG. 7 is the information line 11, and the solid line is the reception line 10. Also,
M/D is modem, RBT is ringback tone,
ST is the start signal, and MFOST is the MF output sender trunk.

First, when subscriber ASUB (A) picks up the handset and dials number 113, the reception trunk addition unit 31 of the test device 3 is activated via the failure reception trunk 22. The test device 3 detects the activation of the additional unit 31 by SCN (scanning), activates the reception trunk 55 of the test control device 5 via the reception output trunk 39, and immediately starts the reception trunk 2.
Sends a pseudo response to 2 and rings back tone
Stop RBT. Next, the test control device 5 detects activation of the reception trunk 55 using SCN (scanning) information, and sends the call type 60 of the incoming call via the information line 11.
111, 113, etc. are requested from the test device 3. The test device 3 is the reception trunk addition unit 3 that received the call.
The exchange unit number and call type (in this case, number 113) are identified from the accommodation position of No. 1, and are returned to the test control device 5 as response information. After receiving the exchange unit number and call type, the control device 5 sends a ringback tone RBT from the reception trunk 55.
is sent to the subscriber SUB(A), and the reception telephone key "113" of the test stand set is sent via the seat trunk 64.
ignite the lamp 101. The tester is "113"
When the telephone key 102 is pressed, the control device 5 detects a response based on the SCN (scanning) information of the seat trunk 64, connects the reception trunk 55 and the examination table 6 with the switch, and sends the response to the reception trunk 39. Send it back. In addition, on the test stand 6, the lamp 101 of the reception telephone key is extinguished, and the CRT 104 is turned off.
The call type, exchange unit number (calling station identification), and response time are displayed on the screen, and the call status is established (thick line arrow).

The tester presses the "general" (NOK) key 105 to make a call in order to test subscriber BSUB (B) depending on the nature of the failure. As a result, the control device 5 lights the lamp 106 of the "general" key. Next, the tester dials the number of the home appliance under test SUB(B) 107. The dialed number is CRT10
4 will be displayed. By pressing the “transmit” telephone key 109,
The "general" lamp 106 goes out, and the MF output sender activates the test input trunk 40 of the test device 3 via the test output trunk 56. The test device 3 detects activation of the test trunk 40 based on the SCN information,
Connection information (call type, NOK,
BCO, SP, called exchange unit number) is requested from the control device 5.

The control device 5 selects the outgoing call type (here, NOK),
Then, the exchange unit number identified by the dialed number is sent to the test equipment 3 as response information.
The test equipment 3 connects the test trunk 40 and the line test trunk addition unit 34 of the exchange unit 2, and performs NOR-LTT (Nine Test Trunk).
Trunk 23) Activate the response. On the exchange side,
Connect the resistor IR to the LTT and connect the control device 5.
After transmitting OFF, KP, and ON signals with the MF originating sender trunk (MFOST),
Sends the called subscriber number from MFOST. The exchange 2 captures the called subscriber's line, thereby completing the connection from the test stand 6 to the home equipment SUB(B).
The status of the called party is line test trunk 2.
3 to the additional unit 34, and the test equipment 3
detects this and sends the control device 5 via the information line 11.
to notify. The control device 5 receives the status of the called party, and lights the "call" lamp 111 of the <connection> block of the KB if it is on-hook, and lights the same lamp 111' if it is off-hook. The tester is notified of the subscriber line status by flashing.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly and accurately discover and confirm faults simply by operating a test stand in the station, and in combination with a subscriber information file system, efficiently Able to maintain and manage equipment. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decline in equipment operating rate, reduce maintenance labor costs,
This makes it possible to reduce the spare parts rate, and is particularly advantageous for maintenance of public telephones installed outdoors.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a system diagram of a conventional remote maintenance diagnosis system, Fig. 2 is a system diagram of an in-house equipment maintenance system showing an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the fault information sending procedure of Fig. 2. Figure 4 is a block diagram of the test equipment shown in Figure 2, Figure 5 is a block diagram of the test control equipment shown in Figure 2, and Figures 6 and 7 are block diagrams showing test connections and an overview of operations. and a sequence chart. 1: In-house equipment, 2: LS exchange, 3: Test equipment,
4: Storage device for recording failure information, 5: Test control device, 6: Test stand, 7: Subscriber information file system.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a home equipment testing system that includes communication home equipment, a test device connected to the home equipment via an exchange, and a test stand connected to the test equipment, the above exchange is responsible for maintenance of the home equipment. A storage device for diagnostic records is provided, and each in-house device is equipped with fault self-detection means and automatic calling means,
The in-house equipment automatically makes a call when a fault is detected or periodically, sends maintenance diagnosis information to the exchange, records the information in the storage device, and accesses the storage device from the test stand at any time. A maintenance method for communication home equipment characterized by searching and rewriting maintenance diagnosis information.