Map-Based Mobile Terminal Network Visualization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Troubleshooting network performance issues for mobile terminals is complex due to the variability in service caused by both internal terminal resources and external access network factors, making it challenging to quickly isolate the root cause of service problems.
Innovation Solution
A visualization system that displays mobile terminals and their corresponding access networks on a geographic map, using icons to represent communication link status, allowing troubleshooters to easily differentiate between terminal and network-related issues, with features like color-coding for performance and hover/click functionality for detailed metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional troubleshooting methods are used to analyze network performance issues, then detailed analysis can be performed, but troubleshooting time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments network performance data into distinct visual components: mobile terminal icons representing individual devices, coverage area icons representing network regions, and color-coded performance indicators. This segmentation allows troubleshooters to quickly identify specific terminals or areas with issues without analyzing entire networks, reducing troubleshooting time while maintaining analysis accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary visualization layer between raw network data and human analysis. The graphical user interface acts as a mediator that transforms complex network performance metrics into intuitive visual representations, allowing troubleshooters to quickly comprehend network status without manually analyzing raw data, thus reducing time loss while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple factors affecting network performance are monitored simultaneously, then root cause identification becomes more accurate, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different levels of visual detail for different network elements. Mobile terminals with performance issues display more detailed information (color-coded icons, performance metrics) while normal terminals show simplified representations. Coverage areas similarly vary in detail based on performance status. This allows accurate root cause identification through targeted detailed viewing while keeping the overall system visually simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to network performance data by mapping multiple performance factors (signal strength, data throughput, error rates) onto spatial and color dimensions in the graphical interface. Instead of presenting multiple complex numerical parameters, the system translates them into visual attributes like icon color, size, and position, reducing perceived system complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capability for accurate root cause identification.
3Loss of information
If detailed communication status metrics are displayed continuously, then troubleshooting information completeness improves, but information overload and ease of operation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The visualization system implements a nested information structure where summary performance indicators are displayed at the outer level (color-coded terminal icons on the map), and detailed communication status metrics are nested within expandable information panels or tooltips. Users can access complete troubleshooting information by interacting with the simplified outer interface, maintaining information completeness while preserving ease of operation through progressive disclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the amount of displayed information based on user interaction. Normal viewing shows simplified visual indicators for ease of operation, while hovering or clicking on specific terminals triggers dynamic display of detailed communication status metrics. This dynamic information presentation maintains completeness of troubleshooting data while avoiding information overload during normal operation, thus preserving interface usability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for visualization of mobile terminal communication link status are disclosed. In some aspects, one or more mobile terminal icons are provided for display on a map of a geographic area at map locations representing geographic locations of the mobile terminals. Coverage area icons of one or more network services are also displayed on the map. Features of the mobile terminal and coverage area icons indicate a network status of the respective terminals and coverage areas. In some aspects, prior location icons representing prior locations of the mobile terminal(s) are displayed on the map. In some of these aspects, clicking or hovering on the prior location icons provides for display, link performance data when the corresponding mobile terminal was at the geographic location represented by the prior location icon.