John M Mclain

US Patent:

59745320, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Dec 9, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/987850

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO
Damon Curnell - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 900

US Classification:

712208

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

58128263, Sep 22, 1998

Filed:

Jun 27, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/672141

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 9455
G06F 1130
G06F 15173

US Classification:

395500

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for emulating a change-of-state (COS) report network fully tests a monitor and/or control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a COS report network are emulated for selected report network configurations, events, and/or COS indications. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated report network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current status of the report network of state monitoring devices. In response to MCS polling, an emulator message generator generates intelligent responses based on the configuration data which emulate communications from a report network of state monitoring devices to the MCS in response to such MCS polling. Simulated multi-tasking and dynamic user-interface control options are included.

US Patent:

58549307, Dec 29, 1998

Filed:

Dec 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/774651

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO
Dale W. Harris - Richardson TX

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporations - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 944

US Classification:

395705

Abstract:

A system, method, and computer program product is provided for script processing. A new script language and script processing is used to significantly reduce the number of lines required for a script. A script includes a global script segment associated with a script data segment. The global script segment includes global directives (automatic directives and script repeating directives). The script data segment includes command records. Automatic directives are interpreted and repeatedly executed until script processing is complete. Automatic directives can be selectively activated and de-activated by a user. Script repeating directives repeat processing of the script data segment until the script repeating directive is satisfied. A command record includes an operation name field identifying a particular command and one or more operand fields. The operand fields can include single values, a range of values, or substitution codes.

US Patent:

58092862, Sep 15, 1998

Filed:

May 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/641458

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO
James D. Dellinger - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 944

US Classification:

395500

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network, such as a DXC 1/0 network, fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network at the channel level are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. Configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. Topology data traces logical trunks or channels through adjacent DXC nodes. The topology data further includes port provision data identifying the allocation of channels for cross-connected ports at DXC nodes. Additional DXC nodes and/or trunks can be added or deleted from the topology data during pre-processing or emulator operation to test different postulated network designs.

US Patent:

59434953, Aug 24, 1999

Filed:

May 11, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/439101

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

MCI Communication Corp. - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 1730

US Classification:

395608

Abstract:

A copy utility for non-stop database applications allows users to continuously access a database which is undergoing back-up operations. The system includes a lock manager which controls the access of requesters to the files of the database. The back-up storage device is treated in the same manner as other requesters.

US Patent:

58505369, Dec 15, 1998

Filed:

May 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/641460

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 1326

US Classification:

395500

Abstract:

A computer-implemented method and apparatus for servicing multiple external interfaces in a pseudo-parallel fashion which simulates multi-tasking. An application program is programmed to switch control during the servicing of multiple external units and/or time-consuming CPU steps to optimize overall application execution time. An application services each of these external interface units through calls to respective program modules. Relatively long program modules contain calls to transfer system control to shorter program modules which await servicing. These calls are strategically inserted in a long program module after one or more partial logic of units of work have been completed. At the time of each call, a check is first made to determine whether servicing of another external interface unit with a short program module is required. If servicing is required, then control is transferred to execute the short program module.

US Patent:

58676899, Feb 2, 1999

Filed:

May 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/641461

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G06F 944

US Classification:

395500

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for emulating a digital cross-connect switching (DXC) network fully tests a telecommunication network monitoring and control system (MCS). The communication and behavior of a DXC network are emulated in the presence and absence of selected network node and trunk configurations, failures, and/or normalizations. A communication module communicates with the MCS through emulator control links using a communications protocol substantially identical to a communications protocol used in the emulated digital cross-connect network. A configuration database stores configuration data representing the current behavior of the DXC nodes. A topology database stores flexible topology data identifying trunks through adjacent DXC nodes. Changes to trunk connections can be made without knowledge of intermediate site and equipment topology details to test many network scenarios. An emulator message generator generates messages emulating communications from DXC nodes to the MCS.

US Patent:

59548290, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Dec 30, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/774650

Inventors:

John V. McLain - Colorado Springs CO
Dale W. Harris - Richardson TX

Assignee:

MCI Communications Corporation - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01R 3128

US Classification:

714712

Abstract:

A computer testing system, method, and computer program product is provided for testing one or more digital cross connect devices (DXCs) with one or more test and monitoring units (TMUs). A DXC test tool is coupled to each DXC and to each TMU. The DXC test tool sends a logical command or query to a DXC. A TMU tests the physical presence of the logical command directed to the DXC. The TMU sends a response to the DXC test tool indicating the state of the physical component. In this way, the DXC test tool tests each DXC in physical and logical dimensions. The DXC test tool can communicate over a plurality of communication links including fast channel links, human readable links, and remote control links. Routers are used to expand capacity. A single message display option for selecting between sending ASCII messages and sending binary messages.