Topology-based intelligent editing/generation of routing plans for telephonic switching equipment

The authors present GIPE, an interactive intelligent topology-based editor of routing plans for telephonic switching equipment, designed to ask as few questions as possible from its users. Its interface operates with pop-up menus, and requires no typing of information of any kind. Its database is attached to an internal representation of the topology, and, whenever the system cannot make an informed guess, it prompts the user with a window containing all valid alternatives. The system database is composed of a list of node descriptors, the topology, and a set of node and arc attributes, thus encompassing all information relevant for the expert´s knowledge and minimizing the number of prompts to the user