Automated Roaming Connectivity Check via Mobile Terminal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Carriers face challenges in continuously and efficiently checking the normal-operation availability of international roaming services across multiple networks, requiring manual checks that are time-consuming and costly.

Innovation Solution

A communication normal-operation availability checking apparatus and method that automatically perform connection tests across multiple networks, including international relay and domestic carrier networks, using a monitoring unit to periodically check connectivity and transmit results, and autonomously handle issues such as restarts and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual checking is performed by a person in charge going abroad with a mobile terminal, then communication normality can be checked, but it requires time and costs and is difficult to continue checking at all times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication normality checkingVSAvoidchecking time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automatic checking by having the mobile terminal autonomously perform connection tests to predetermined URLs and automatically report results to the server, eliminating the need for manual intervention by personnel traveling abroad

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical manual checking process with an automated electronic system where the mobile terminal and server automatically perform connection tests, exchange data, and generate reports without human physical intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If manual checking is performed by a person in charge going abroad with a mobile terminal, then communication normality can be checked, but it is costly and difficult to continue checking at all times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication normality checkingVSAvoidchecking frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous checking by having the mobile terminal automatically and periodically perform connection tests to predetermined URLs and report results to the server, ensuring uninterrupted monitoring of communication normality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal autonomously executes the checking process by automatically connecting to networks, testing predetermined URLs, and reporting results without requiring human intervention, enabling continuous operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If automatic checking is implemented using mobile terminals and servers, then checking can be performed continuously and automatically, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechecking automationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal and server are designed to perform multiple functions including connection testing, data exchange, and report generation using standard communication protocols and interfaces, reducing the need for specialized complex components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3726824B1Communication normality confirmation device, communication normality confirmation method, and program
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 NTT COMM CORP
  • EP3726824B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3726824B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3726824B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication normal-operation availability checking apparatus is provided for checking normal-operation availability of communications that go through a first network, a second network and a third network. The communication normal-operation availability checking apparatus includes: a list generation unit configured to generate a list including one or more carriers that provide a detectable first network; and a checking unit configured to check the normal-operation availability of the communications by executing a test that goes through the first network based on the list.