Integrated proxy interface for web based data management reports

Abstract

An Intranet/Internet/Web-based data management tool that provides a common GUI enabling the requesting, customizing, scheduling and viewing of various types of unpriced call detail data reports pertaining to a customer's telecommunications network traffic. The Intranet/Internet/Web-based reporting system tool comprises a novel Web-based, client-server application that enables customers to access their own relevant data information timely, rapidly and accurately through a client GUI. A traffic view server is provided that enables periodic acquisition of data from the customer's telecommunications network at a user-specified frequency and configured to meet real-time traffic reporting requirements. The system infrastructure provided enables secure initiation, acquisition, and presentation of unpriced call detail and statistical data reports to customers.

1 .- 19 . (canceled)  
     
     
         20 . A reporting system comprising: 
 a report manager configured to communicate with a browser over a secure session and to maintain a reporting item associated with a customer, the reporting item comprising a report data type or a report customization feature for a report to be generated; and    a data retrieval device configured to retrieve customer specific data from a network of the customer,    wherein the report manager is further configured to receive a request message comprising a metadata description of the reporting item, the metadata description of the reporting item being verified and forwarded to the data retrieval device for retrieval of the customer specific data,    wherein the report manager is further configured to use the customer specific data and the metadata description to dynamically generate the report.    
     
     
         21 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the secure session is managed by a secure server, the secure server supporting a secure socket connection enabling encrypted communication with the browser.  
     
     
         22 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the report is further determined based on a customization option and a user option.  
     
     
         23 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the request message is generated by a requestor application and is verified to ensure valid formatting.  
     
     
         24 . A system according to  claim 23 , wherein the requestor application provides presentation of a report request menu comprising a user selectable reporting option for the report in accordance with a predetermined customer entitlement.  
     
     
         25 . A system according to  claim 23 , wherein the requestor application provides user selection of a specific reporting option for a desired report, and in response to the selection, generates the request message.  
     
     
         26 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the data retrieval device is further configured to retrieve call detail information generated from an element of the network.  
     
     
         27 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein a requestor applet enables customer scheduling of report request metadata descriptions to be communicated from the report manager to the retrieval device.  
     
     
         28 . A system according to  claim 27 , wherein a web server is configured to communicate with the browser and to provide a report requester applet capable of presenting the reporting item to the customer.  
     
     
         29 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the customer specific data information relates to usage of the network.  
     
     
         30 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the customer specific data information relates to unpriced traffic call detail data.  
     
     
         31 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the retrieval device is further configured to generate statistical data based on retrieved customer-specific call detail data.  
     
     
         32 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein the retrieval device communicates call detail data in real-time to the browser.  
     
     
         33 . A system according to  claim 20 , wherein a workstation is configured to run the browser and to interface a report viewing device for receiving the metadata description of a requested report type and corresponding retrieved customer specific data.  
     
     
         34 . A method for providing reporting, the method comprising: 
 maintaining a reporting item associated with a customer, the reporting item comprising a report data type or a report customization feature for a report to be generated;    retrieving customer specific data from a network of the customer;    receiving a request message comprising a metadata description of the reporting item;    verifying the metadata description of the reporting item for retrieval of the customer specific data;    dynamically generating the report based on the customer specific data and the metadata description; and    communicating with a browser over a secure session to present the report.    
     
     
         35 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the secure session is managed by a secure server, the secure server supporting a secure socket connection enabling encrypted communication with the browser.  
     
     
         36 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the report is further generated based on a customization option and a user option.  
     
     
         37 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the request message is generated by a requestor application and is verified to ensure valid formatting.  
     
     
         38 . A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the requestor application provides presentation of a report request menu comprising a user selectable reporting option for the report in accordance with a predetermined customer entitlement.  
     
     
         39 . A method according to  claim 37 , wherein the requestor application provides user selection of a specific reporting option for a desired report, and in response to the selection, generates the request message.  
     
     
         40 . A method according to  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 retrieving call detail information generated from an element of the network.    
     
     
         41 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein a requester applet enables customer scheduling of report request metadata descriptions to be communicated from the report manager to the retrieval device.  
     
     
         42 . A method according to  claim 41 , wherein a web server is configured to communicate with the browser and to provide a report requestor applet capable of presenting the reporting item to the customer.  
     
     
         43 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the customer specific data information relates to usage of the network.  
     
     
         44 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the customer specific data information relates to unpriced traffic call detail data.  
     
     
         45 . A method according to  claim 34 , further comprising: 
 generating statistical data based on retrieved customer-specific call detail data.    
     
     
         46 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein the retrieval device communicates call detail data in real-time to the browser.  
     
     
         47 . A method according to  claim 34 , wherein a workstation is configured to run the browser and to interface a report viewing device for receiving the metadata description of a requested report type and corresponding retrieved customer specific data.  
     
     
         48 . A reporting system comprising: 
 means for maintaining a reporting item associated with a customer, the reporting item comprising a report data type or a report customization feature for a report to be generated;    means for retrieving customer specific data from a network of the customer;    means for receiving a request message comprising a metadata description of the reporting item;    means for verifying the metadata description of the reporting item for retrieval of the customer specific data;    means for dynamically generating the report based on the customer specific data and the metadata description; and    means for communicating with a browser over a secure session to present the report.    
     
     
         49 . A system according to  claim 48 , wherein the metadata description includes a report description object for specifying presentation of the report and data export and reporting printing services.