Dynamic In-Flight Data Service Plan Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers on commercial transit vehicles, particularly in the airline industry, face frustration due to interruptions in data delivery services caused by communication system problems, such as poor network coverage leading to degraded network performance during flights.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic, time-based data delivery service system that includes a ground-based communication system capable of detecting network degradation events, categorizing them as time delay events, and modifying subscriber plans to extend access time or provide credits, thereby notifying subscribers of the changes to ensure continuous service.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If data delivery services are provided to onboard devices using wireless communication links (ATG or satellite), then customers can access data during transit, but network performance degrades when the vehicle travels through areas with poor coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic service plan modification based on real-time network conditions. When network degradation is detected, the system automatically adjusts service parameters (such as extending access time or providing credits) to maintain service quality despite varying network coverage conditions during transit.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors network performance metrics and uses this feedback to detect degradation events. Based on the feedback from network condition monitoring, the system automatically modifies service plans to compensate for poor coverage areas, ensuring reliable data delivery despite environmental variations.
2Reliability
If the vehicle travels through areas with poor communication coverage, then network connectivity is maintained as much as possible, but data delivery service performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system proactively detects network degradation events and automatically modifies service plans before customers experience significant service disruption. By taking preliminary action to extend access time or provide credits when degradation is detected, the system maintains data delivery performance even when traveling through poor coverage areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes service plan parameters (access time, credits) dynamically based on network conditions. When network connectivity is maintained but performance degrades due to poor coverage, the system adjusts these parameters to compensate and maintain overall service productivity.
3Device complexity
If service plans provide fixed data access time, then service structure is simple, but customers experience frustration when network degradation interrupts service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms fixed service plans into dynamic ones that automatically adjust based on network conditions. When network degradation is detected, the system extends access time or provides credits without requiring complex customer intervention, maintaining simplicity while improving reliability and customer satisfaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects network degradation and modifies service plans without requiring customer action. This self-service approach maintains service simplicity from the customer perspective while internally adjusting parameters to ensure continuous, satisfactory service despite network issues.
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method alters the data delivery service plan of a subscriber in response to a network degradation event that negatively affects the subscriber's plan during transportation (e.g. in flight). In response to the subscriber's request, the system and method grants the subscriber access to the in-flight network and/or data during the flight. Additionally, the system and method monitors and detects network degradation events during the flight. If an event occurs that negatively affects the subscribers plan during the flight, the system and method determines a time extension for the subscriber to access the network and/or data based on the duration of the network degradation event. The system and method also modifies the subscriber's plan based on the determined time extension and notifies the subscriber about the network degradation event and plan modification. The plan modification may credit the subscriber additional time, data, and/or services.