Real-time media tagging for mobile network error reporting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile telecommunications networks lack efficient mechanisms for customers to report media resource issues, leading to laborious and costly problem-solving processes for both customers and operators, with symptoms often experienced by customers but requiring manual reporting and inefficient troubleshooting.

Innovation Solution

A system allowing customers to tag bad media resources in real-time using their mobile devices, which sends a preliminary report through the cellular network to an Application Server for analysis, enabling automated diagnostic routines and improved troubleshooting efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If customers manually report media resource issues to mobile operators, then operators can receive error reports, but the process becomes laborious and time-consuming for customers with additional costs and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror reporting capabilityVSAvoidcustomer reporting process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables customers to automatically tag and report bad media resources without manual intervention. The mobile device autonomously detects problematic media, generates tags, and transmits them to the application server through the cellular network, eliminating the need for customers to manually call or fill out forms to report issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical reporting processes (customers calling operators, filling out forms) with an automated electronic system. The mobile device uses its processor and communication capabilities to automatically detect, tag, and transmit error information, substituting the mechanical manual reporting process with an automated digital system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If operators implement special equipment and staff to monitor media resources 24/7, then problem detection improves, but costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia resource monitoringVSAvoidoperator infrastructure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback mechanism where customers automatically report bad media resources to operators through the tagging system. This feedback loop enables real-time problem detection without requiring operators to continuously monitor all media resources, as customers actively notify operators when issues occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by having customers automatically detect and tag bad media resources before operators need to investigate. The mobile device prepares and transmits error reports proactively, allowing operators to receive advance notice of problems without requiring continuous active monitoring infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If customers provide detailed error information manually, then troubleshooting accuracy improves, but the process becomes more time-consuming and complex for customers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveerror information accuracyVSAvoidcustomer reporting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual customer input processes with automated electronic data collection. The mobile device automatically gathers error information, generates structured tags containing detailed error details, and transmits them to the application server, eliminating the time customers would spend manually providing detailed error information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of error information automatically. The mobile device captures error details and generates a structured tag that replicates the essential error information in a standardized digital format, which is then transmitted to the application server for processing, eliminating the need for customers to manually re-enter or provide detailed error information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Extent of automation

If operators use IVR systems for customer complaints, then automated response is achieved, but customer satisfaction decreases due to frustration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomer service automationVSAvoidcustomer interaction quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables customers to serve themselves by automatically tagging and reporting bad media resources without interacting with IVR systems. The mobile device autonomously detects errors, generates tags, and transmits them to the application server, eliminating the need for customers to navigate frustrating IVR menus while still achieving automated problem reporting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7953405B2Automated tagging of targeted media resources

Publication Date: 2011.05.31 AT&T MOBILITY II LLC

AI summary

The present disclosure provides systems and methods for tagging or identifying bad, faulty or objectionable media resource files in real time, as the media is playing, by users who are exposed to the media. The tagging is simple to use and easy to remember, allowing for increased use of the tagging process to identify, correct and replace bad, faulty or objectionable media.