METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TREATING A MOBILE RADIO CONNECTION FAILURE IN A MOBILE RADIO NETWORK

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for treating a disruption in a mobile communication connection within a mobile network. The invention further relates to a telecommunications system comprising a mobile network for treating a disruption in a mobile communication connection.

[0002] Although today's telecommunications systems are generally very reliable, it can happen that a mobile connection, e.g. a telephone call, between two mobile devices, especially mobile phones, is prematurely terminated.

[0003] In a wireless telecommunications system, such as a mobile phone system, established telephone calls are somewhat more frequently dropped than in a wired system. One reason for dropped calls is that a wireless phone (i.e., a mobile phone) involved in the call has left the coverage area of ​​the mobile network. Mobile phone systems are divided into cells, in which a base station communicates with the mobile phones located within that cell. All cells together form the coverage area of ​​the cellular mobile phone system. If a mobile phone moves outside the coverage area, the wireless communication channel (i.e., the radio channel) between the mobile phone and the mobile network is lost, and the telephone call established or conducted over that communication channel is dropped.

[0004] Another reason why an established phone call might be dropped in a cellular mobile network is handover. When a mobile phone switches from one (current) cell to another (new) cell, the call is handed off from the base station serving the current cell to the base station serving the new cell. In some situations, the base station serving the new cell may not have any additional radio channels available for the mobile phone's call at the time of the handover. In such a case, the established phone call is dropped.

[0005] Another reason for dropped calls on a mobile network is network coverage gaps, meaning areas within the geographic coverage area that do not receive signals from the mobile network (also referred to as dead zones). Such coverage gaps can occur both indoors and outdoors. When a mobile phone moves into a dead zone where no signal can be received, the radio channel or connection to the respective base station is lost, and the call is dropped.

[0006] Unintentionally interrupted phone calls are very inconvenient for both parties. Resuming the call is left to them. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that neither party knows the reason for the interruption and therefore cannot react appropriately to resolve the problem. These interrupted calls often result in the parties not being able to fully communicate with each other.

[0007] US2011 / 28315A1 discloses a method for treating a disruption of a mobile communication connection in a mobile network between a mobile communication device and another communication device.

[0008] Against this background, the invention is based on the objective of providing an improved method and an improved telecommunications system for dealing with a disruption of a mobile communication connection in a mobile network.

[0009] This problem is solved by a method having the features of claim 1 and by a telecommunications system having the features of claim 10. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective dependent claims.

[0010] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically meaningful way (even across category boundaries, for example between method and apparatus) and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0011] It should also be noted that the conjunction "and / or" used herein, which stands between two features and links them together, is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the object according to the invention only the first feature may be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature may be present, and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature may be present.

[0012] The invention relates to a method for treating a disturbance of a mobile communication connection in a mobile network between a mobile communication device and another communication device.

[0013] The additional communication device does not necessarily have to be a mobile communication device. It could, for example, be a stationary communication device, such as an internet server or similar. However, the additional communication device could also be another mobile communication device. In such a case, all references to "the mobile communication device" mentioned herein apply equally to the additional mobile communication device(s).

[0014] The method according to the invention provides that a fault is detected, and after the fault has been detected, its cause is determined. A message containing the fault and its cause is then sent to the mobile communication device, and this message is displayed by the mobile communication device. In particular, the message is compiled and sent automatically without user intervention.

[0015] In other words, the fault is detected by a timely evaluation (preferably in real time) of data from network infrastructure systems regarding the connection quality and status of the mobile connection. The message can be displayed visually (e.g., via a display) and / or audibly (e.g., via voice output). The display preferably occurs automatically and without user intervention.

[0016] It should be understood that the mobile communication connection within the meaning of the invention is not necessarily limited to a mobile communication connection that already exists between the communication devices. A mobile communication connection within the meaning of the invention also includes a connection attempt that fails due to an existing interference, i.e., the intended mobile communication connection is not established between the communication devices.

[0017] The invention improves the utilization rate of mobile network services because, in the event of a disruption to the mobile connection, a user of the mobile communication device is now at least aware of the cause of the disruption. The user is thus able to take appropriate measures to address the disruption and subsequently resume the mobile connection between the communication devices, thereby enabling complete communication between the communication partners. If the disruption cannot be resolved by the user alone, the communicated cause may allow them to estimate the timeframe until the mobile connection can be re-established, so that even in this case, communication between the communication partners can be resumed and completed as soon as possible.

[0018] The invention provides users with clarity and transparency, and empowers them to resolve the issue themselves if necessary. It also increases the availability of mobile connections within the mobile network.

[0019] A mobile connection can be a voice connection (e.g., a telephone call) or a data connection (e.g., an internet connection). A voice connection can be between a mobile communication device (e.g., a mobile phone) and a stationary communication device (e.g., a landline telephone) or another mobile communication device (e.g., a mobile phone). A data connection can be between a mobile communication device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.) and a stationary communication device (e.g., a server) or also with another mobile communication device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc.).

[0020] The disruption can be caused by a failure to establish a mobile communication connection between the communication devices, an interruption of an existing mobile communication connection between the communication devices, and / or by a signal quality issue within the mobile communication connection between the communication devices or between the respective communication devices and a corresponding cell involved in the mobile communication connection, where the signal quality falls below a predetermined threshold. For example, poor signal quality manifests itself in voice connections as poor intelligibility between the communication partners, and in data connections as a low data rate and / or a high error rate during data transmission. A low data rate can be caused, for example, by a mobile connection with poor signal quality due to the current location of the mobile communication device and / or by high data traffic in the current cell.The fault is detected by identifying the failure of the desired mobile connection, the interruption of the existing mobile connection and / or the signal quality of the mobile connection being below the predetermined limit.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the message is sent in the form of an SMS (Short Message Service). This message format ensures secure and robust transmission of the message even under mobile network conditions where the mobile connection is already subject to some impairment, e.g., due to weak signal strength. The SMS service also features a transmission protocol with low overhead, so that the data transmission, i.e., the sending or transmission of the SMS, is completed very quickly due to the small amount of data. A further advantage is that no separate software needs to be installed on the mobile communication device, since the SMS service is usually already available on communication devices using the mobile network.

[0022] In further advantageous embodiments, a way to remedy the fault is identified and additionally communicated in the message. This enables the user of the mobile communication device to better resolve the fault themselves in order to restore the mobile connection as quickly as possible.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the location of the mobile communication device causing the interference is determined, and the possibility of remedying the interference is identified based on this location. For example, the mobile communication device can be located within a cell of the mobile network using the so-called "Enhanced Observed Time Difference" (EOTD) method. If the determined location is, for example, in an area of ​​insufficient signal quality, the user of the mobile communication device can be informed in a message that a higher signal quality can be achieved at a certain distance from the current location in order to eliminate the interference with the mobile connection. In the case of a data connection, the current location can be used, for example, to determine that a cell with a higher data transmission capacity (e.g.,LTE) is reachable at a certain distance to eliminate the immediate disruption to the mobile connection (e.g. low data transmission rate).

[0024] In a further embodiment, the expected duration of the disruption is determined and additionally communicated in the message. If the disruption cannot be resolved by the user of the mobile communication device, they will thus be informed when the mobile connection is expected to be restored without disruption, so that communication between the devices can be resumed as soon as possible.

[0025] For example, if the mobile communication device is located at a point of interference (e.g., due to a dead zone), its speed can be determined, from which the expected duration of the interference (e.g., until the device leaves the dead zone) can be calculated. In a mobile communication connection between two devices, the expected duration of interference caused by one device (e.g., entering a dead zone) can be communicated to the other device. The speed can be determined from the device's movement data, obtained, for example, using Enhanced Observed Time Difference (EOTD) before entering the dead zone. In such a case, the expected time to leave the dead zone can be predicted based on the speed.

[0026] In further embodiments, the cause of the interference is determined based on at least one piece of information from a radio cell involved in the mobile communication connection. This information includes the instantaneous signal quality of the mobile communication connection between the radio cell and the mobile communication device, the instantaneous data load of the radio cell, a power characteristic of the radio cell, the instantaneous location of the mobile communication device, and / or a handover process of the mobile communication device. The current location of the mobile communication device may, for example, be at the edge of the coverage area or outside the coverage area of ​​the mobile network. A high data load on the radio cell can lead to an overload, which in turn can result in a termination of the mobile communication connection or a significantly reduced data transmission rate.A performance characteristic of a cell tower can, for example, relate to a mobile communication standard (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE, etc.) that defines a maximum possible data transmission rate for a data connection. A planned handover, that is, a planned transfer of the mobile connection to the next cell tower when a mobile communication device switches from one cell tower to another, can, for example, lead to the problem that the other cell tower intended to take over the mobile connection does not currently have sufficient communication channels and therefore the planned handover cannot be carried out, forcing the mobile connection to be terminated.

[0027] According to another embodiment, the interference is handled by a control unit assigned to the backbone of the mobile network. In other words, interference handling is provided automatically as a service in the backbone of the mobile network without user intervention. No additional provision or installation of special application software on the communication devices is required. Furthermore, the information required for the interference handling according to the invention is centrally available and easily accessible in the backbone. The backbone of the mobile network can be understood as the central network connection of the entire mobile network. The control unit can, for example, be a server that centrally manages the network connections of the mobile network.

[0028] Furthermore, the invention relates to a telecommunications system comprising a mobile network, a mobile communication device, another communication device, and a control unit, wherein the control unit is configured to execute a method according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein, namely to detect at least one disturbance of a mobile communication connection between the communication devices, to determine a cause of the disturbance, and to send a message to at least one of the at least two communication devices, in which the disturbance and the cause of the disturbance are communicated.

[0029] It is understood that, with regard to system-related definitions of terms as well as the effects and advantages of system-related features, full reference can be made to the disclosure of analogous definitions, effects, and advantages of the method according to the invention, and vice versa. A repetition of explanations of analogous features, their effects, and advantages can therefore be omitted in favor of a more concise description, without such omissions being to be interpreted as a limitation of any of the disclosed subject matter of the invention.

[0030] In one embodiment, the control unit is assigned to a backbone of the mobile network. This means that the fault is handled automatically by the mobile network without user intervention. The backbone allows centralized access to all information necessary for handling the fault.

[0031] In further embodiments, the additional communication device is another mobile communication device. In this case, the mobile communication connection refers to a mobile communication connection between at least two different mobile communication devices.

[0032] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a non-restrictive embodiment of the invention, which will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

[0033] In this drawing, the single figure 1 schematically shows a telecommunications system 10 according to one embodiment of the invention. This illustration also explains a method for dealing with interference in a mobile communication connection in a mobile network according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0034] Figure 1 shows two mobile communication devices A and B (in this case, two mobile phones or smartphones), each assigned to a user of communication devices A and B, respectively (not shown). However, the invention is not necessarily limited to two mobile communication devices. One of the communication devices can be a mobile communication device, while the other can be a stationary communication device (not shown).

[0035] Communication device A is connected to a mobile phone mast C of a first cell in the mobile network. Communication device B is connected to a mobile phone mast D of a second cell in the mobile network. The first and second cells can be different cells in the mobile network, as shown here. The first mobile phone mast C serves the first cell, and the second mobile phone mast D serves the second cell. However, the invention is not necessarily limited to two different cells, so the communication devices that have a mobile connection can also be located in the same cell.

[0036] In the example presented here, the user of communication device A calls the user of communication device B. A mobile communication connection E.1 between communication devices A and B is therefore, in this example, a voice connection, but is not necessarily limited to voice connections. The mobile communication connection E.1 could equally be a data connection between communication devices A and B.

[0037] A backbone E of the mobile network establishes the mobile connection E.1 between the two mobile masts C and D or the two communication devices A and B, so that the users of the respective communication devices A and B can make phone calls to each other.

[0038] For example, the signal quality or mobile connection of communication device B with its assigned cell deteriorates or is briefly interrupted. A disruption of the mobile connection E.1 between communication devices A and B occurs, which is detected, for example, by the deteriorating signal quality falling below a predetermined threshold and / or by the interruption of the mobile connection. This can have various causes, such as an overload of the assigned cell or communication device B being located at the edge of the mobile network coverage area or the currently assigned cell.

[0039] A control unit F is assigned to the backbone E of the mobile network. This control unit is configured to execute a method according to one of the embodiments disclosed herein. The control unit F provides an internal network service for handling a disruption in the mobile communication connection E.1 in the mobile network between the mobile communication device A and the other mobile communication device B. This service is executed on the backbone E of the mobile network. In the backbone E, the poor mobile communication connection E.1 is detected in real time, for example, using the EOTD (Enhanced Observed Time Difference) method. Based on available cell information, such as the signal quality between the mobile communication device B and the assigned second cell, the data load of the second cell, the location of the mobile communication device B relative to the mobile communication mast D, and the handover of the communication device B to or from the second cell, the cause of the disruption is determined.

[0040] The users of the respective communication devices A and B are informed by means of a message F.1 (in this case, an SMS) which at least communicates the fault and its cause, during the active mobile connection E.1. In the event of a complete termination of the mobile connection E.1, only mobile communication device A can be informed that the cause of the connection problem (i.e., the disruption of the mobile connection) lies with communication device B.

[0041] In any case, the communication device A or both communication devices A and B display the message F.1 received from the control unit F, preferably automatically, to the respective user, e.g. optically via a display and / or acoustically via an audio output, e.g. a loudspeaker. REFERENCE MARK LIST:

[0042] 10 Telecommunications system A Mobile communication device B Mobile communication device C Mobile phone mast D Mobile phone mast E Backbone E.1 Mobile phone connection F Control unit F.1 Message

Claims

1. A method for handling a disturbance of a mobile radio connection (E. 1) in a mobile radio network between a mobile communication device (A) and a further communication device (B), wherein in the method the disturbance is detected and after the detection of the disturbance, a cause of the disturbance is determined and a message (F.1) in which the disturbance and the cause of the disturbance are communicated is sent to the mobile communication device (A, B) and this message (F.1) is displayed by the mobile communication device (A, B), characterized in that an option for remedying the disruption is determined, which option is additionally communicated in the message (F.1).

2. The method according to claim 1, in which the message (F.1) is sent in the form of an SMS.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the mobile radio connection (E.1) is a voice connection or a data connection.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which a location of the mobile communication device (A, B), which location is the cause of the disturbance, is determined and the option for remedying the disturbance is determined based on the determined location.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, in which an expected duration of the disturbance is determined, which duration is additionally communicated in the message (F.1).

6. The method according to claim 5, in which a speed of the mobile communication device (A, B) whose location is the cause of the disturbance is determined and the expected duration of the disturbance is determined based on the determined speed.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the disturbance is a non-establishment of the mobile radio connection (E.1), an interruption of an existing mobile radio connection (E.1) and / or a signal quality of the mobile radio connection (E.1), which signal quality is below a predeterminable limit value.

8. The method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cause of the disturbance is determined based on at least one piece of information from a radio cell participating in the mobile radio connection (E.1), wherein the information comprises an instantaneous signal quality of the mobile radio connection (E.1) between the radio cell and the mobile communication device (A, B), an instantaneous data load of the radio cell, a power characteristic of the radio cell, an instantaneous location of the mobile communication device (A, B) and / or a handover operation of the mobile communication device (A, B).

9. The method according to any of the preceding claims, in which the disturbance is handled by a control unit (F) assigned to a backbone (E) of the mobile radio network.

10. A telecommunication system (10) comprising a mobile radio network, a mobile communication device (A) and a further communication device (B) and a control unit (F), wherein the control unit (F) is configured to detect at least one disturbance of a mobile radio connection (E.1) between the communication devices (A, B), to determine a cause of the disturbance and to send a message (F.1) to at least one of the at least two communication devices (A, B), in which the disturbance and the cause of the disturbance are communicated, characterized in that the control unit (F) is further configured to determine an option for remedying the disturbance, which option is additionally communicated in the message (F.1).

11. The telecommunication system according to claim 10, in which the control unit (F) is assigned to a backbone (E) of the mobile radio network.

12. The telecommunication system according to claim 10 or 11, in which the further communication device (B) is a further mobile communication device.