Mci Communications Corporation

Damon Curnell

John V McLain, Jr

A system, method and computer program product for processing multiple tasks using a single copy of a data object employs command control vectors (CCVs) for representing tasks. A CCV includes pointers to method objects that store instructions for processing tasks and pointers to data objects that store temporary data generated by execution of the method objects. A command response manager manages a queue of CCVs. A separate CCV is generated for each session thread. Multiple CCVs can point to the same method object so that only a single copy of a method object needs to be provided. In one embodiment, CCVs are used in a telecommunication network emulator, where each CCV points to a command response table method object that includes a variety of responses for a variety of inputs. When a CCV points to a script invocation within a command response table, the CCV includes a field for pointing to the invoked script, a field for pointing to a particular offset within the script and a field for pointing to a data object that stores data associated with execution of the script for the CCV. The temporary data object and the virtual instructions of the script form a virtual data object.

System and method for managing computer system resources using command control vectors

A system, method and computer program product for emulating a telecommunications network by simultaneously emulating multiple independent activities normally performed by multiple network devices in a telecommunications network includes a network interface for communicating with a control system, a user interface for accepting user input and for providing user output, a command response manager for reading control system commands and for formulating intelligent responses, a script interpreter for executing scripts, a script database containing data from actual network devices for use by the scripts, a database manager for performing database functions and a multi-tasking system manager for controlling these logical components and for interacting with an operating system of a host computer to provide for invoking and terminating various processes. The system provides both script and non-script responses to a control system in order to emulate digital matrix switches. Script responses preferably work in conjunction with databases that contain data from actual network devices and data provided by control systems to generate more realistic responses. Preferably, a hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking controller is employed for processing a number n of logical units of work for a task before interrupting. The system, method and computer program product can be implemented on a standard PC. The present invention emulates the communications protocol of TNDs via the network interface module. Preferably, the network interface module communicates with a control system via an X.25 interface. Preferably, the control system utilizes Message Transfer Protocol (MTP) over an X.25 network. Other communications protocols can be employed as well.

System and method for emulating telecommunications network devices

A system, method and computer program product for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system executes a number n of logical units of work before interrupting a task. A logical unit of work is defined as a set of one or more computer instructions, the completion of which is a logical stopping point with few or no temporary variable to store. A logical unit of work can be, for example, one or more instructions in a stream of instructions, where each instruction requires a number of individual computer code instructions to execute. In a preferred embodiment, the system is implemented as a controller application which operates under an existing operating system. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is implemented as an integral part of an operating system. In operation, the present invention performs a number n of logical units of work for a first task or process. At the completion of the logical unit of work, few, if any, temporary values need to be stored for later use when processing resumes. Instead, only a pointer to a current or next instruction needs to be maintained. The present invention then selects a second process for execution. A number m of logical units of work are then performed for the second process. At the completion of the number m of logical unit of work, few, if any, temporary values need to be stored for later use when processing resumes. Instead, only a pointer to a current or next instruction needs to be maintained. The number n can be equal to, greater than or less than the number m. In one embodiment, the numbers n and m are dynamically set according to the type of task being processed. In another embodiment, the numbers n and m are predetermined according to the type of tasks performed.

System and method for performing hybrid preemptive and cooperative multi-tasking in a computer system

A system, method and computer program product for quickly generating responses to vast numbers and types of inputs employs a command response table that includes instructions for generating simple responses and various levels of detailed logical responses. In a preferred embodiment, the command response table provides three levels of responses: a first level of response for unintelligently responding to certain inputs, a second level of response for intelligently responding to certain input using simple commands and a third level of response for providing detailed logical responses by invoking scripts. Preferably, detailed logical responses are provided via scripts that are invoked by a script invocation instruction stored in the command response table. The command response table can include thousands of responses indexed by thousands of input messages. When an input command is received, the command response table is searched for the input command. If the command is found, a response is generated from an associated instruction. In a preferred embodiment, the command response table is compiled to a loadable image and is run in conjunction with an operating system having a command response table interpreter. This way, the command response table can be ported to any system employing the operating system. Where a command response table includes script invocations, the scripts are preferably compiled to a loadable image and run in conjunction with an operation system having a script interpreter. This way, the compiled scripts can be ported to any system employing the operating system.

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Colorado Springs, CO, United States of America

Damon Curnell