Activity information for user devices for improved service delivery

Abstract

A data communication network (100, 200, 400) includes a data communication node (120), an imaging device (130), and an information handling system (110, 300, 440). A data communication node (120) establishes a data connection with a user equipment device (160). The imaging device (130) provides image information for a coverage area associated with the data communication node (120). An information handling system (110, 300, 440) is coupled to the data communication node (120) and the imaging device. The information handling system (110, 300, 440) receives the image information, synthesizes a 3D map of the coverage area based on the image information, receives first coverage information from the first data communication node (120), associates the first coverage information with the 3D map to generate a coverage map of the coverage area, and transmits the coverage map to the first data communication node (120). A first connection mode associated with a connection quality provided by the first data communication node (120) within the coverage area is generated, and a first location of the user equipment device (160) within the connection mode is determined based on the image information.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 194,432, filed March 31, 2023, entitled “ACTIVE INFORMATION FOR USER DEVICES FOR IMPROVED SERVICE DELIVERY,” which is assigned to the present applicant and which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 194,432 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 711,531, filed April 1, 2022, entitled “REAL-TIME 3D LOCATION SERVICE FOR DETERMINISTIC RF SIGNAL DELIVERY,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 711,577, filed April 1, 2022, entitled “REAL-TIME 3D TOPOLOGY MAPPING FOR DETERMINISTIC RF SIGNAL DELIVERY,” the disclosures of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0003] Related subject matter is contained in co-pending U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 194,475, filed March 31, 2023, entitled “PRECISE POSITIONING SYSTEM FOR INDOOR GPS AND RF COMPROMISED ENVIRONMENT MAPPING,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to providing active information for user devices for improved service delivery in a data communication network. BACKGROUND

[0005] As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and / or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements can vary between different applications, information handling systems can also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, the amount of information processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information can be processed, stored, or communicated. Variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, booking, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems can include a variety of hardware and software resources that can be configured to process, store, and communicate information and can include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. SUMMARY

[0006] A data communication network can include a data communication node, an imaging device, and an information handling system. The data communication node can establish a data connection with a user equipment device. The imaging device can provide image information for a coverage area associated with the data communication node. The information handling system can be coupled to the data communication node and the imaging device. The information handling system can receive the image information, synthesize a 3D map of the coverage area based on the image information, receive first coverage information from a first data communication node, associate the first coverage information with the 3D map to generate a coverage map of the coverage area, generate a first connection pattern associated with connection quality provided by the first data communication node within the coverage area, and determine a first location of a user equipment device within the connection pattern based on the image information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity, the illustrative drawing figures depict the elements using exaggerated or simplified representations for clarity. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to others. Implementations incorporating teachings of the present disclosure are shown and described with respect to the accompanying drawing figures in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a data communication network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating a cluster controller of the data communication network of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a generalized information handling system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 is a block diagram of a data communication network according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 5 A portion of a data communication network is shown. Figure 4

[0008] In the different drawings, like or similar elements are referred to with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] The following description in conjunction with the appended drawings is provided to assist in understanding the teachings disclosed herein. The following discussion will focus on certain implementations and embodiments of the teachings. This focus is provided to assist in understanding the teachings and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the teachings or their applicability. However, other implementations and embodiments of the teachings are also possible and contemplated. The teachings can also be used in other applications and with several different types of architectures, such as distributed computing architectures, client / server architectures, or middleware server architectures, and associated resources.

[0010] Figure 1 A data communication network 100 is shown that includes a cluster controller 110, one or more data communication nodes 120, and one or more imaging devices 130. The data communication network 100 represents a distributed communication network, such as a cellular network for communicating with a group of distributed user equipment (UE) 160. For example, the data communication network 100 can represent a fifth generation (5G) cellular network, a WiFi network, a wireless wide area network (WAN), another type of data communication network, etc. The UE 160 can represent a 5G-capable mobile cellular device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a machine-to-machine interconnect device, etc. In particular embodiments, the data communication nodes 120 represent cellular communication nodes and can operate, manage, and maintain in accordance with a particular cellular infrastructure standard, such as a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) standard, in which the data communication nodes include a radio equipment (RE) component configured to provide wireless data communication in accordance with a particular wireless data protocol and a radio equipment control (REC) component configured to control the RE and provide connectivity to a broader cellular data network infrastructure.

[0011] Details of data communication over data communication networks and, in particular, wireless communication over, for example, cellular data communication networks, are known in the art and will not be further described herein unless needed to illustrate the present embodiments. The UE 160 can represent any device configured to communicate within the data communication network 100 and, in particular, to communicate with the nodes 120. For example, the UE 160 can include a cell phone, a tablet device, a computer device such as a laptop or desktop computer, a mobile device such as a vehicle-based communication system, an IoT device, etc.

[0012] ​The nodes 120 are each connected to a cluster controller 110. Here, the cluster controller 110 operates to provide monitoring, management, and maintenance services to the nodes 120 as needed or desired. The cluster controller 110 can be understood to be disposed in close proximity to the nodes 120, or can be understood to be disposed at a central location of the data communication network 100, such as a data center associated with the data communication network, and the functions and features of the cluster controller can be performed by a single utility information handling system, or by one or more distributed information handling systems, as needed or desired. Monitoring, management, and maintenance of data communication networks are known in the art, and will not be further described herein unless needed to illustrate the current implementation.

[0013] The data communication network 100 is configured such that one or more of the nodes 120 include an integrated or standalone imaging device 130. The data communication network 100 is also configured to include one or more additional imaging devices 130 that are not directly associated with a particular node but rather operate in stand-alone capacity. Whether associated with a node or operating as a standalone device, the imaging devices 130 represent devices that are positioned and configured to provide still picture and video monitoring of the RF coverage area of the data communication network 100. The imaging devices 130 can include visible light detection devices, non-visible light detection devices such as infrared cameras, lidar systems, etc., radar imaging devices, etc., sound imaging devices, or other types of devices that can be used to generate topological information, as described below. In either case, the cluster controller 110 operates to provide monitoring, management, and maintenance services to the imaging devices 130 as needed or desired.

[0014] In particular implementations, the cluster controller 110 operates to receive image information from the fields of view of the imaging devices 130 and RF coverage information from the nodes 120. The cluster controller 110 utilizes the image information and the RF coverage information to synthesize a 3D map of the physical topology of the RF coverage area of the data communication network 100. The cluster controller 110 then correlates the nodes 120 with the connection status of various components of the UEs 160 connected to the data communication network 100 within the field of view of each of the imaging devices to the 3D map of the physical topology of the RF coverage area. In particular, the cluster controller 110 determines when a particular component of a UE 160 experiences a weakened or broken connection, and correlates the location at which the UE experiences the weakened or broken connection to the 3D map of the physical topology of the RF coverage area. In this way, the cluster controller 110 operates to identify features 150 within the 3D map of the physical topology of the RF coverage area that can impair or block connections between a particular node 120 and a UE 160.

[0015] For example, the cluster controller 110 can operate to determine that a particular node 120 is not currently connected with a UE 160, and to correlate image information provided by imaging devices 130 within the RF coverage area of that node, including any imaging devices associated with the node and any imaging devices that are independent imaging devices with fields of view that cover the RF coverage area of the node. In this way, the cluster controller 110 can integrate the 3D map of the RF coverage area of each of the nodes 120 into a 3D map of the features 150 within the RF coverage area of the data communication network 100.

[0016] When a particular component of a UE 160 connects to a particular node 120, that connection will be maintained by the node until such time as the connection is interrupted, for example because the UE moves out of range of the node or into a coverage blind spot of the node. However, the node 120 is generally unaware of when the connection is lost, and when a component of a UE 160 loses coverage, the UE will generally initiate some process to initiate other connection options with the first node 120, or to establish a new connection with another node 120. That is, from the perspective of the node, the connection of the UE 160 to the node 120 is generally reactive. However, from the perspective of the UE 160, this reactive approach can result in poor performance, as the link performance is poor between the detection of the loss of connection with the first node 120 and the establishment of a new connection with a second node 120.

[0017] In establishing and maintaining connections between the nodes 120 and components of the UEs 160, a typical node in a data communication network will utilize a multiple input / multiple output (MIMO) antenna array to provide communication signals to the UEs, and will attempt to provide the communication signals by beamforming the signals with the antenna array to maximize the signal strength received by the UEs, while also minimizing the power output of the communication signals by the node. The node can employ various algorithms, as well as feedback from the UEs, to shift the beamforming activity to maintain the best signal between the node and the UEs. The details of establishing, maintaining, and optimizing data communication connections between nodes of a data communication network and UEs within the data communication network are known in the art, and will not be further described herein unless needed to illustrate the current implementation.

[0018] In particular implementations, the cluster controller 110 operates to correlate image information from the imaging devices 130 with beamforming information from the nodes 120 to identify and manage connection targets between the nodes and various UEs 160 within the RF coverage area of the data communication network 100. The cluster controller 110 also utilizes motion information to predict future motion of the UEs 160 within the data communication network 100.

[0019] The cluster controller 110 operates to proactively direct nodes 120 associated with particular components of the UE 160 to provide beamforming parameters to improve the communication signals to the UE and increase the efficiency of the nodes delivering communication signals to the UE. Further, utilizing a 3D map of the RF coverage area of the nodes 120, the cluster controller 110 operates to predict when a component of the UE 160 will enter a dead zone or highly attenuated zone of a particular node and proactively switch communications with that UE to another node with a suitable RF path to the UE. In this manner, the degradation of the connection between the components of the UE 160 and the data communication network 100 can be improved and the user can not experience an interruption in coverage as the data communication network 100 will proactively manage the connection between the nodes 120 and the UE 160 by changing the beamforming parameters.

[0020] In another embodiment, the cluster controller 110 operates to proactively allocate data bandwidth between the nodes 120 based on spatial insights from visual information. For example, if the RF coverage area of a particular node 120 appears to be sparsely populated with UEs 160 while another node appears to be densely populated with UEs, the cluster controller 110 can operate to allocate more data bandwidth to the densely populated node (if there is still a line of sight to direct RF beams to the UEs associated with the densely populated node). Further, based on historical information, future bandwidth can be prepared for other nodes 120 within the data communication network 100. For example, consider an event venue that is empty after an event. It should be appreciated that the UEs 160 associated with the event participants can be expected to move from the event venue to a nearby parking garage and onto adjacent roadways and the cluster controller 110 can operate to transfer backend data bandwidth to the core network between the associated nodes 120 near the venue, the parking garage, and the adjacent roadways to meet the expected usage patterns. In another embodiment, the cluster controller 110 operates to associate the user of a particular UE 160 with a service level agreement (SLA) associated therewith and allocate data bandwidth to the UE accordingly.

[0021] In particular embodiments, the cluster controller 110 utilizes artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) algorithms to analyze image information to monitor and maintain the 3D map. For example, while features 150 can generally be understood to represent fixed features, such as buildings or other fixed signal obstructions, with AI / ML algorithms, the cluster controller 110 can add real-time RF path obstructions to the 3D map of the RF coverage area of a node 120. Consider a large moving obstruction, such as a bus or large truck, moving through the RF coverage area of a particular node 120. The cluster controller 110 can operate to improve real-time maintenance of connectivity, such as blind spot detection, rapidly changing RF environments, and beamforming activities, to better account for moving obstructions of the RF path. It should be further understood that other real-time RF path obstructions can be identified, such as a human or animal within the 3D map. Moreover, with AI / ML algorithms, the cluster controller 110 can operate to predict processing needs for the RF coverage area of a node 120 and increase or decrease backend processing capacity to meet changing demand conditions.

[0022] As described herein, the functions and features of the cluster controller 110 can be instantiated in hardware, in software or code, or in a combination of hardware and code configured to perform the described functions and features. Moreover, the functions and features can be provided at a single location or by a single device, such as a certain information handling system, or can be provided by two or more devices, such as two or more information handling systems, at two or more locations. One or more of the functions and features as described herein can each be performed by a different information handling system, and any particular function or feature can be distributed across two or more information handling systems as needed or desired. Moreover, as described herein, the functions and features of the cluster controller 110 can be understood to be provided at any network level as needed or desired.

[0023] For example, if the data communication network 100 includes separate groups of nodes 120, where each group of nodes is routed through a common access switch, where data streams from separate groups of access switches are aggregated by a common aggregator, where processing needs of the group of aggregators are handled by a core data processing network, the functions and features of the cluster controller 110 can be provided by one or more of the access switches, aggregators, or core network as needed or desired. Thus, it can be considered desirable to perform map synthesis at the core network, where access times are generally longer but data processing capacity is generally greater, while it can be considered desirable to perform UE motion tracking and connectivity handoff at a processing level closer to the nodes, where access times are generally shorter.

[0024] Figure 2The cluster controller 110 is shown in greater detail. The cluster controller 110 is configured to receive imaging input 210 from the imaging devices 130. The cluster controller 110 operates to process the imaging input and control the operation of the nodes in the data communication network 100, including the nodes 120. The cluster controller 110 further operates to provide pre-configuration 230 to the nodes, resource tracking 232 of UEs within the data communication network 100, including the UEs 160, and RF power management 234 for the nodes.

[0025] The imaging input 210 represents output from the imaging devices 130 and can include any still or motion imaging format as can be known in the art, including proprietary still or motion imaging formats. In the case where the particular imaging device 130 is configured to capture still images (i.e., a camera device), the images will be understood to be received by the cluster controller based on various timestamps (to, ti, t2,...) associated with the actual time at which the still images are captured. The still image imaging devices 130 can be configured to capture images on a predetermined schedule, such as once every five seconds or once every ten seconds, or can be configured to capture images based on various inputs of the imaging device, such as based on motion sensors, etc. Video image imaging devices can be configured to provide a continuous stream of video images, or can be configured to provide video images based on various timestamps (to, ti, t2,...). The imaging devices 130 can be configured to capture images within the visible light spectrum, within the near visible light spectrum, or under other non-visible light spectrums as desired or as desired.

[0026] The cluster controller 110 includes a map synthesis module 220, a motion prediction module 222, a blind spot prediction module 224, an RF coverage map module 226, and an optimization / learning module 228. The map synthesis module 220 receives the imaging input 210 and synthesizes a 3D map of the RF coverage area of the data communication network 100 as described above. Here, it will be understood that input from two or more imaging devices 130 will be used to synthesize the 3D map of the RF coverage area of the data communication network 100, and the more imaging device input received by the cluster controller 110, the better and more accurate the 3D map synthesized by the map synthesis module 220 will be. The cluster controller 110 also receives coverage information from the nodes 120. For example, the cluster controller 110 can receive an RF signal strength map 226 of the RF coverage area associated with each node 120, including default beamforming settings, coverage angles, RF signal power settings, etc. Here, the blind spot prediction module 224 operates to correlate the synthesized 3D map with the received coverage information to generate a baseline RF coverage map that predicts the presence of a feature 150 that is understood to present an obstacle that attenuates RF signals between the nodes 120 and the UEs 160.

[0027] In particular embodiments, the baseline RF coverage map is synthesized based on real-time information from the imaging devices 130. In particular, it should be appreciated that the particular RF coverage area of a particular node 120 can be continually populated with one or more UEs 160 as well as other objects within the field of view of the imaging devices 130, which can make generation of the baseline RF coverage map difficult. Here, however, the graph synthesis module 220 can utilize the optimization / learning module 228 to create the baseline RF coverage map based on learned responses from the RF coverage area assuming no UEs 160 and other objects in the RF coverage area. Further, the graph synthesis module 220 operates to periodically update the baseline RF coverage map based on changing conditions within the RF coverage area. For example, where the RF coverage area represents a loading dock, the presence of a moving truck in the loading dock can represent a temporary obstruction within the coverage area of the node 120 within line of sight of the loading dock. Or, where the RF coverage area represents an office space, reorganization of cubicles within the office space can have an impact on the updated coverage map of the office area.

[0028] The cluster controller 110 also utilizes artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) algorithms embodied in the optimization / learning module 228 to analyze the image information to monitor and maintain the baseline RF coverage map. For example, while the features 150 can generally be understood to represent fixed or semi-permanent features, such as buildings, parked vehicles, or other fixed signal obstructions, with the AI / ML algorithms, the cluster controller 110 can add real-time RF path obstructions to the baseline RF coverage map of the RF coverage area of a node 120. Consider a large moving obstruction, such as a bus or large truck, moving through the RF coverage area of a particular node 120. The cluster controller 110 can operate to improve real-time maintenance of the connection, such as blind spot detection, rapidly changing RF environments, and beamforming activities, to better account for the moving obstructions of the RF path. Further, with the AI / ML algorithms, the cluster controller 110 can operate to predict processing needs for the RF coverage area of the node 120 and increase or decrease backend processing capacity to meet changing demand conditions.

[0029] This baseline RF coverage map can be utilized in conjunction with motion of objects within the RF coverage area as determined by the motion prediction module 222. Thus, movement of vehicles, personnel, etc. through the RF coverage area can be predicted. The movement detection module 222 further operates to identify the speed and trajectory of the objects, and from this can distinguish between personnel and vehicles or other objects within the RF coverage area. The blind spot prediction module 224 then operates to predict the coverage blind spots for each of the nodes 120 based on the graph information from the graph synthesis module 220 and the object and motion information from the object detection module 222. The blind spots can be combined with information from the predetermined RF coverage map module 226 to predict real-time blind spots for each of the nodes 120.

[0030] Returning to the motion prediction module 222, the movement of the objects through the RF coverage area of the nodes 120 is combined with information relating to the beamforming state achieved with each node pair RF coverage area. The motion prediction module 222 further operates to identify objects within the RF coverage area of each node 120 that are associated with users of the UEs 160 and the speed and trajectory of the users. The blind spot prediction module 224 further operates to associate the movement of the UEs 160 with the identified blind spots to determine in advance when a particular UE is expected to lose connection with a particular node 120 and further operates to determine the next best node that will take over the UE. The optimization / learning module 228 utilizes various AI / ML algorithms to better predict the occurrence of signal blocking obstacles and the expected motion of the users of the connected UEs 160. As described above, the cluster controller 110 ultimately operates to direct the activities of the nodes 120 by implementing the pre-configuration 230 of the nodes, the UE resource tracking 232, and the RF power management to proactively maintain the best connection state for the UEs within the RF coverage area of the data communications network 100.

[0031] Figure 4 A data communications network 400 similar to the data communications network 100 is shown. The data communications network 400 provides RF coverage areas for a structure such as an office building, a shopping center, an apartment building, a residence or other dwelling, or other type of environment that can be characterized as occupying a 3D volume. Thus, the data communications network 400 provides RF coverage areas for a first floor 410, a second floor 420, and a third floor 430. The first floor 410 includes data communications nodes / imaging devices 412 and 414, the second floor 420 includes data communications nodes / imaging devices 422 and 424, and the third floor 430 includes data communications nodes / imaging devices 432 and 434. The data communications nodes / imaging devices 412, 414, 422, 424, 432, and 434 (hereinafter “nodes”) represent data communications and imaging devices that combine the functionality and features of the nodes 120 and the imaging devices 130, as described above. The nodes 412, 414, 422, 424, 432, and 434 are each connected to a cluster controller 440 similar to the cluster controller 110, as described above.

[0032] Nodes 412 and 414 primarily provide network connectivity and imaging data for UEs of floor 410, nodes 422 and 424 primarily provide network connectivity and imaging data for UEs of floor 420, and nodes 432 and 434 primarily provide network connectivity and imaging data for UEs of floor 430. Thus, while not strictly excluded, network connectivity provided to UEs outside the boundaries of the respective floor is incidental to the teachings of the present disclosure and, therefore, will not be discussed further unless otherwise needed to illustrate the current implementation. In addition to nodes 412 and 414, floor 410 can also include one or more additional nodes, one or more additional standalone data communication devices, and one or more additional standalone imaging devices, as needed or desired. Similarly, floors 420 and 430 can include one or more additional nodes, one or more additional standalone data communication devices, and one or more additional standalone imaging devices, as needed or desired. Unless otherwise described herein, the teachings of the present disclosure as described above can be incorporated into data communication network 400, and the teachings related to data communication network 400 can be incorporated into data communication network 100, as needed or desired. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The teachings of the present disclosure as described above can be incorporated into data communication network 400, and the teachings related to data communication network 400 can be incorporated into data communication network 100, as needed or desired.

[0033] The inventors of the present disclosure have appreciated that wireless communication technology is rapidly being incorporated into businesses, residences, retail spaces, event venues, and the like. Further, to provide a richer user environment, the demand for location information for UEs within such locations is increasing. However, such locations can often be characterized as GPS impaired, or otherwise lack precise positioning capabilities. It has also been appreciated that precise positioning in an indoor or other GPS impaired environment often requires the use of separate beacons added to the environment, or the use of military grade GPS devices, both of which add excessive deployment costs to the data communication network.

[0034] Data communication network 400 utilizes cluster controller 440 to receive image data from nodes 412, 414, 422, 424, 432, and 434, as well as RF coverage maps from the nodes to provide an accurate 3D map of the physical topology of the RF coverage area of the data communication network. Due to the separate nature of the image information from floor 410, floor 420, and floor 430, the 3D map can readily distinguish between UEs of floor 1 (UE1), UEs of floor 2 (UE2), and UEs of floor 3 (UE3).

[0035] Data communication network 400 is shown oriented with respect to a 3D coordinate system 450. In this regard, UE1 can be positioned at a location 451 in the coordinate system 450 by nodes 412 and 414, UE2 can be positioned at a location 452 in the coordinate system by nodes 422 and 424, and UE3 can be positioned at a location 453 in the coordinate system by nodes 432 and 434. In this manner, precise location information, including height information, can be provided for UEs within the RF coverage area as desired or desired. In particular, the use of multiple nodes, and in particular the imaging device portions of the nodes, permits the imaging information to provide a 3D map, including precise location information and height information.

[0036] As Figure 4 depicted, data communication network 400 provides RF coverage areas within a confined space, such as within a building, although this is not necessarily the case. In particular, for other types of locations, the teachings of the present disclosure are readily adapted to provide precise location information for UEs within the RF coverage areas. For example, a shopping mall can have one or more large open spaces such that the imaging devices provide image information for more than one floor. A 3D map of the coverage areas can still be utilized to provide precise location information, including height information, as desired or desired. In another example, a stadium environment without explicit "floors" in the seating areas can still provide precise location information for UEs within the stadium based on a 3D map of the stadium, as desired or desired.

[0037] With precise location information, more precise location services can be provided to the UEs. For example, where the RF coverage areas represent a multi-story building, such as a shopping mall, a user can query for a particular location within the shopping mall (e.g., a store, a food court, a parking lot, etc.), and based on the 3D map of the shopping mall, step-by-step directions to the desired location, including floor changes, can be provided to the user as desired or desired.

[0038] As access points and wireless routers are increasingly provided with integrated video imaging devices, the current implementation can provide precise location services without the need for specialized UEs to receive high-precision GPS, etc., and without the need for specialized nodes. Moreover, as the operating frequencies of modern wireless communications increase, the number of deployed nodes is also increasing, permitting more detailed 3D mapping to be provided as desired or desired utilizing the image information.

[0039] Figure 5 A portion of data communication network 400 is shown. In particular, Figure 5A third floor 430 is shown with nodes 432 and 434 and UE3. The X-Y surface of the third floor 430 is shown with connection patterns for connection quality provided in various areas of the third floor. In particular, the third floor 430 is shown with a first "good connection" area near node 432, a "fair connection" area farther from node 432, a "poor connection" area between node 432 and node 434, another "fair connection" area closer to node 434, and another "good connection" area near node 434. The connection areas are analogous to "bar" indications of signal strength on a particular UE device. However, the cluster controller 440 operates to correlate the "bar" indications from multiple UEs with a 3D map of the RF coverage area of the data communication network 400 to determine precise boundaries of the connection areas. The number of different connection levels of the connection areas can differ from the three levels (i.e., good, fair, and poor) shown here, as desired or as appropriate. Indications of signal quality can include received signal strength indications (RSSIs) or other indications, as can be known in the art.

[0040] The inventors of the present disclosure have appreciated that the typical options for a user to find better signal coverage are limited to wandering around, looking at the user's UE to see when the "bar" indicator increases, and stopping where the bars are the most.

[0041] In particular embodiments, the UE interacts with the data communication network 400 to receive near real-time indications of where better signal strength can be found based on the 3D map of the RF coverage area, and associated connection patterns for connection quality provided in various areas of the RF coverage area. Thus, for example, UE3, finding itself in a "poor connection" area, receives a guidance indication to move toward one of the "good connection" areas associated with nodes 432 and 434. In a simple space, such as a room, the guidance indication can include a compass needle type indication pointing toward the "good connection" area. In a more complex space, such as a floor of office cubicles, the guidance indication can include turn-by-turn directions to the "good connection" area.

[0042] The present embodiments are illustrated in relation to a particular floor in a building, but not necessarily so. In particular, guidance indications can be provided for indoor spaces, outdoor spaces, or mixed spaces, as desired or as appropriate. In a particular example, the RF coverage area can include a park and various nearby businesses, including access points associated with the data communication network. The park area can have poor connection, but nearby businesses with access points can provide improved connection. In this case, a UE can be provided with an indication such as "go to business X for improved connection." Further, the guidance indication can be a visual indication, an audio indication, a haptic indication, etc.

[0043] In particular embodiments, the data communication network 400 incorporates bandwidth utilization information in determining steering indications. For example, the third floor 430 is shown as having a greater number of UEs proximate to the node 434. While both node 432 and node 434 are associated with their own “good connection” zones, the cluster controller 440 operates to determine that the available bandwidth on node 432 is greater than the available bandwidth on node 434. In this case, the cluster controller 440 operates to steer UE3 to the “good connection” zone associated with node 432.

[0044] The inventors of the present disclosure have also appreciated that, due to dynamic interactions with the surrounding environment, bandwidth usage between other UEs and nodes within the RF coverage area, and other factors, the indications received by UEs within the RF coverage area can vary over time. Accordingly, in particular embodiments, UEs within the RF coverage area operate to provide a current state of their signal strength indications. In this case, the cluster controller 440 operates to modify the associated connection patterns for connection quality provided in various zones of the RF coverage area based on the received signal strength indications to provide more real-time indications about where to find better signal strength.

[0045] As described in various embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of rendering a 3D map of a physical topology can include correlating the plurality of imaging inputs 210 with a Neural Radiance Field (NeRF) algorithm, Structure from Motion (SfM) algorithm, or the like.

[0046] Figure 3A generalized implementation of an information handling system 300 is shown. For the purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system can include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, convert, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system 300 can be a personal computer, a laptop computer, a smartphone, a tablet device or other consumer electronic device, a network server, a network storage device, an exchange router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and can vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price, depending on intended use. Additionally, an information handling system 300 can include a processing resource for executing machine executable code, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a programmable logic array (PLA), an embedded device such as a system on a chip (SoC), or other control logic hardware. An information handling system 300 can also include one or more computer readable media for storing machine executable code, such as software or data. Additional components of an information handling system 300 can include one or more storage devices that can store machine executable code, one or more communication ports for communicating with external devices, and various input and output (I / O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. An information handling system 300 can also include one or more buses operable to transmit information between various hardware components.

[0047] The information handling system 300 can include devices or modules embodying one or more of the devices or modules described below and operative to perform one or more of the methods described below. The information handling system 300 includes processors 302 and 304, an input / output (I / O) interface 310, memory 320 and 325, a graphics interface 330, a basic input and output system / universal extensible firmware interface (BIOS / UEFI) module 340, a disk controller 350, a hard disk drive (HDD) 354, an optical disk drive (ODD) 356, a disk emulator 360 connected to an external solid state drive (SSD) 364, an I / O bridge 370, one or more expansion resources 374, a trusted platform module (TPM) 376, a network interface 380, a management device 390, and a power supply 395. The processors 302 and 304, the I / O interface 310, the memory 320 and 325, the graphics interface 330, the BIOS / UEFI module 340, the disk controller 350, the HDD 354, the ODD 356, the disk emulator 360, the SSD 364, the I / O bridge 370, the expansion resources 374, the TPM 376, and the network interface 380 together operate to provide a host environment of the information handling system 300 that operates to provide data processing functionality of the information handling system. The host environment operates to execute machine executable code, including platform BIOS / UEFI code, device firmware, operating system code, applications, programs, and the like, to perform data processing tasks associated with the information handling system 300.

[0048] In the host environment, the processor 302 is connected to the I / O interface 310 via a processor interface 306, while the processor 304 is connected to the I / O interface via a processor interface 308. The memory 320 is connected to the processor 302 via a memory interface 322. The memory 325 is connected to the processor 304 via a memory interface 327. The graphics interface 330 is connected to the I / O interface 310 via a graphics interface 332 and provides a video display output 335 to a video display 334. In particular embodiments, the information handling system 300 includes separate memory dedicated to each of the processors 302 and 304 via separate memory interfaces. Examples of the memory 320 and 325 include random access memory (RAM) (such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), non-volatile RAM (NV-RAM), and the like), read only memory (ROM), another type of memory, or a combination thereof.

[0049] The BIOS / UEFI module 340, disk controller 350, and I / O bridge 370 are connected to the I / O interface 310 via I / O channels 312. Examples of the I / O channels 312 include a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) interface, an extended PCI (PCI-X) interface, a high-speed PCI-Express (PCIe) interface, another industry standard or proprietary communication interface, or a combination thereof. The I / O interface 310 can also include one or more other I / O interfaces, including an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) interface, a Small Computer Serial Interface (SCSI) interface, an Inter-Integrated 2 C) interface, a System Packet Interface (SPI), a Universal Serial Bus (USB), another interface, or a combination thereof. The BIOS / UEFI module 340 includes BIOS / UEFI code that is operable to detect resources within the information handling system 300, provide drivers for the resources, initialize the resources, and access the resources. The BIOS / UEFI module 340 includes code that operates to detect resources within the information handling system 300, provide drivers for the resources, initialize the resources, and access the resources.

[0050] The disk controller 350 includes a disk interface 352 that connects the disk controller to the HDD 354, ODD 356, and disk emulator 360. Examples of the disk interface 352 include an Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE) interface, an Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) such as a Parallel ATA (PATA) interface or a Serial ATA (SATA) interface, a SCSI interface, a USB interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof. The disk emulator 360 allows the SSD 364 to be connected to the information handling system 300 via an external interface 362. Examples of the external interface 362 include a USB interface, an IEEE 1394 (Firewire) interface, a proprietary interface, or a combination thereof. Alternatively, the solid state drive 364 can be disposed within the information handling system 300.

[0051] I / O bridge 370 includes peripheral interfaces 372 that connect the I / O bridge to expansion resources 374, TPM 376, and network interface 380. Peripheral interfaces 372 can be the same type of interface as I / O channels 312, or can be a different type of interface. Thus, when peripheral interfaces 372 and I / O channels 312 are the same type, I / O bridge 370 extends the capabilities of the I / O channels, and when they are different types, I / O bridge converts information from a format suitable for the I / O channels to a format suitable for the peripheral channels 372. Expansion resources 374 can include a data storage system, an additional graphics interface, a network interface card (NIC), a sound / video processing card, another expansion resource, or a combination thereof. Expansion resources 374 can be located on the main circuit board, on a separate circuit board or expansion card disposed within information handling system 300, on a device external to the information handling system, or a combination thereof.

[0052] Network interface 380 represents a NIC disposed within information handling system 300, located on the main circuit board of the information handling system, integrated into another component such as I / O interface 310, located in another suitable location, or a combination thereof. Network interface device 380 includes network channels 382 and 384 that provide an interface to devices external to information handling system 300. In a particular embodiment, network channels 382 and 384 are a different type than peripheral channels 372, and network interface 380 converts information from a format suitable for the peripheral channels to a format suitable for the external devices. Examples of network channels 382 and 384 include InfiniBand channels, Fibre Channel type channels, Gigabit Ethernet channels, a proprietary channel architecture, or a combination thereof. Network channels 382 and 384 can be connected to external network resources (not shown). The network resources can include another information handling system, a data storage system, another network, a grid management system, another suitable resource, or a combination thereof.

[0053] Management device 390 represents one or more processing devices operating together to provide a management environment for information handling system 300, such as a dedicated baseboard management controller (BMC) system on a chip (SoC) device, one or more associated memory devices, one or more network interface devices, a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), and the like. In particular, management device 390 connects to various components of the host environment via various internal communication interfaces, such as a low pin count (LPC) interface, an inter-integrated circuit (I2C) interface, a PCIe interface, and the like, to provide out-of-band (OOB) mechanisms to retrieve information related to the operation of the host environment, provide BIOS / UEFI or system firmware updates, manage non-processing components of information handling system 300, such as system cooling fans and power supplies. Management device 390 can include network connectivity to an external management system, and the management device can communicate with the management system to report status information of information handling system 300, receive BIOS / UEFI or system firmware updates, or perform other tasks for managing and controlling the operation of information handling system 300. Management device 390 can operate on a separate power plane from the components of the host environment, such that the management device receives power to manage information handling system 300 when the information handling system is otherwise powered off. Examples of management device 390 include a commercially available BMC product or other device operating according to the Intelligent Platform Management Interface (IPMI) specification, a Web Services Management (WSMan) interface, a Redfish Application Programming Interface (API), another Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) or other management standard, and can include an integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC), an Embedded Controller (EC), and the like. Management device 390 can also include associated memory devices, logic devices, security devices, and the like, as needed or desired.

[0054] While only a few example embodiments have been described in detail, it will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the example embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the disclosure disclosed. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims. In the claims, all transitional expression such as “comprising,” “containing,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,” “containing,” “holding,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional expressions “consisting of’ and “consisting essentially of’ are to be construed as closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0055] The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover any and all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments that fall within the scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximum extent possible, the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited to the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

1. A data communication network (100, 200, 400), comprising: a first data communication node (120) configured to establish a first data connection with a user equipment device (160) within a coverage area of the data communication network (100, 200, 400); a plurality of imaging devices (130) configured to provide image information for the coverage area; and an information handling system (110, 300, 440) coupled to the first data communication node (120) and the imaging devices (130), wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is configured to receive the image information, synthesize a three-dimensional (3D) map of the coverage area based on the image information, receive first coverage information from the first data communication node (120), correlate the first coverage information with the 3D map to generate a coverage map of the coverage area, generate a first connection pattern associated with a quality of connection provided by the first data communication node (120) within the coverage area, and determine a first location of the user equipment device (160) within the first connection pattern based on the image information.

2. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 1, wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to determine that the first location is associated with a first level of quality of connection.

3. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 2, wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to determine that the first connection pattern includes a second location associated with a second level of quality of connection, the second level of quality being greater than the first level of quality.

4. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 3, wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to provide guidance to the user equipment device (160) to the second location.

5. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 3, further comprising: a second data communication node (120); wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to generate a second connection pattern associated with a quality of connection provided by the second data communication node (120) within the coverage area.

6. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 5, wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to determine that the second connection pattern includes a third location associated with a third level of quality of connection, the third level of quality being greater than the first level of quality. ​ 7. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 6, wherein the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to provide guidance to the user equipment device (160) to the third location and to guide the second data communication node (120) to establish a second data connection with the user equipment device (160) at the third location.

8. The data communication network (100, 200, 400) of claim 7, wherein: the quality of the second level is greater than the quality of the third level; and the information handling system (110, 300, 440) is further configured to determine that a first bandwidth utilization of the first data communication node (120) is greater than a second bandwidth utilization of the second data communication node (120), wherein the guidance to the user equipment device (160) to the third location is provided in response to determining that the first bandwidth utilization is greater than the second bandwidth utilization.

9. A method comprising: providing a first data communication node (120) in a data communication network (100, 200, 400), the first data communication node configured to establish a first data connection with a user equipment device (160) within a coverage area of the data communication network (100, 200, 400); providing a plurality of imaging devices (130) in the data communication network (100, 200, 400), the plurality of imaging devices configured to provide image information for the coverage area; and providing an information handling system (110, 300, 440) in the data communication network (100, 200, 400), the information handling system coupled to the first data communication node (120) and the imaging devices (130); receiving, by the information handling system (110, 300, 440), the image information; synthesizing a three-dimensional (3D) map of the coverage area based on the image information; receiving first coverage information from the first data communication node (120); associating the first coverage information with the 3D map to generate a coverage map of the coverage area; and generating a first connection pattern associated with connection quality provided by the first data communication node (120) within the coverage area; determining a first location of the user equipment device (160) within the connection pattern based on the image information.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining that the first location is associated with a first level of connection quality.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising: determining that the first connection pattern includes a second location associated with a second level of connection quality, the quality of the second level being greater than the quality of the first level.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing guidance to the user equipment device (160) to the second location.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a second data communication node (120) in the data communication network (100, 200, 400); and generating a second connection pattern associated with connection quality within the coverage area provided by the second data communication node (120).

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising: determining that the second connection pattern includes a third location associated with a third level of connection quality, the third level of quality being greater than the first level of quality.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: providing guidance to the user equipment device (160) to the third location; and guiding the second data communication node (120) to establish a second data connection with the user equipment device (160) at the third location.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the second level of quality is greater than the third level of quality; and the method further comprises determining that a first bandwidth utilization of the first data communication node (120) is greater than a second bandwidth utilization of the second data communication node (120), wherein providing guidance to the user equipment device (160) to the third location is in response to determining that first bandwidth utilization is greater than the second bandwidth utilization.

17. An information handling system (110, 300, 440), comprising: a memory device to store code; and a processor configured to execute the code to: receive image information from a plurality of imaging devices (130) of a data communication network (100, 200, 400); synthesize a three-dimensional (3D) map of a coverage area of the data communication network (100, 200, 400) based on the image information; receive first coverage information of a first coverage area of the data communication network (100, 200, 400) from a first data communication node (120) of the data communication network (100, 200, 400); associate the first coverage information with the 3D map to generate a coverage map of the coverage area; generate a first connection pattern associated with connection quality within the coverage area provided by the first data communication node (120); and determine a first location of a first user equipment device (160) within the connection pattern based on the image information.

18. The information handling system (110, 300, 440) of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to execute code to determine that the first location is associated with a first level of connection quality.

19. The information handling system (110, 300, 440) of claim 18, wherein the processor is further configured to execute code to determine that the first connection pattern includes a second location associated with a second level of connection quality, the second level of quality being greater than the first level of quality. ​ 20. The information handling system (110, 300, 440) of claim 19, wherein the processor is further configured to execute code to provide directions to the user device apparatus (160) to the second location.

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