Multi-service box self-diagnosis via alternative network paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for diagnosing ineffective connections to broadband networks, such as ADSL, require subscriber involvement and often necessitate lengthy remote diagnostics, which can be complex and costly due to the need for subscriber intervention and potential technician visits.

Innovation Solution

A method for automatic transmission of a self-diagnosis request from a multiservice box to a server, utilizing an algorithm to generate a configuration state and detect neighboring radio networks, allowing for real-time reporting of connection issues and enabling peer-to-peer network diagnostics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If automatic self-diagnosis is implemented, then diagnostic time is reduced and subscriber involvement is minimized, but system complexity increases due to the need for alternative communication paths and peer-to-peer networking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-diagnosis where the multiservice box autonomously detects connection failures, generates diagnostic requests, and transmits them through alternative communication paths without requiring subscriber intervention or technician visits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Neighbor multiservice boxes act as intermediaries to relay diagnostic requests when the primary broadband connection is unavailable, using wireless networks as a mediator to establish alternative communication paths to the server

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If remote diagnosis is performed without automatic transmission, then system complexity remains low, but diagnostic precision and reliability decrease due to subscriber errors and incomplete information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvediagnostic precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiservice box automatically generates and transmits configuration state information and diagnostic data without requiring subscriber participation, ensuring complete and accurate information is provided to the server for precise fault identification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If traditional customer service contact is used, then ease of operation is maintained for subscribers, but productivity decreases due to lengthy diagnostic procedures and potential technician visits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddiagnostic efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs automatic self-diagnosis and self-reporting of connection failures, eliminating the need for subscribers to contact customer service and enabling immediate diagnostic processing without human intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively detects connection failures and automatically initiates diagnostic procedures before the subscriber even becomes aware of the issue, transmitting diagnostic data to the server in advance of any customer service interaction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2234335B1Method for transmitting a self-diagnosis request from a multi-service box to a server of a high-speed network
Publication Date: 2012.02.15 SOC FR DU RADIOTELEPHONE SFR
  • EP2234335B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2234335B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2234335B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves detecting a synchronization defect of a multi-service box (10) with a high speed signal, and sending an availability send request from high-speed networks (12, 17) to a radio network. A signpost request is elaborated, where the signpost request has information relative to capacity and resources of the radio network and the high-speed networks. One of the high-speed networks is selected via predefined discrimination criteria from the received signpost request. An emergency request of a connection defect is transmitted to a network server via the selected network.