Roaming Fault Localization via Inter-Network Query Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Faults in communication connections of mobile terminal devices operating in a second mobile network cannot be detected by the first mobile network, leading to unresolved customer complaints and strained relationships between operators and users, as the first network lacks verifiability of issues caused by the second network.

Innovation Solution

The method involves sending availability and performance queries from the first mobile network to nodes in the second network, receiving and analyzing the responses to determine communication link information, enabling proactive fault localization and quality assessment, and facilitating appropriate capacity allocation and control measures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mobile terminal devices operate in a second mobile network while being subscribed to a first mobile network, then roaming capability and network flexibility are improved, but the ability of the first network to detect and verify faults in communication connections is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroaming capabilityVSAvoidfault detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary fault detection mechanism where the first mobile network can indirectly monitor communication connections in the second network through coordinated interaction. Network nodes in both networks exchange status information, allowing the first network to verify faults without directly controlling the second network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback loop where communication connection status information flows back from the second network to the first network. This enables the first network to receive updates about connection quality and faults, allowing verification and documentation of issues that occur during roaming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If fault detection mechanisms are implemented across roaming networks, then customer satisfaction and operator relationships are improved, but network complexity and inter-network coordination requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefault verification capabilityVSAvoidnetwork coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal fault detection protocols that can operate across different network operators and technologies. The communication connection status information structure is designed to be network-agnostic, allowing the same mechanism to work across multiple networks without requiring operator-specific customizations.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes preliminary agreements and standardized interfaces between network nodes before roaming operations begin. This pre-configuration of fault detection capabilities and information exchange protocols reduces the complexity that would otherwise arise during actual fault detection operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1868398B1Localisation of preturbations in communication connections
Publication Date: 2012.10.31 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP1868398B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The method involves operating a mobile terminal device (3) in mobile radio networks, where the device uses a mobile radio subscriber-identification-module (SIM) card for an access to the network. A home location register (HLR) of the SIM card, is placed in a primary mobile radio network (1). The device is operated in a secondary mobile radio network (2). Primary devices (6,7) are connected to secondary devices (8,9) for communication. An availability request and a capacity request are sent from primary to secondary devices, which manage the abidance of the device. An independent claim is also included for network nodes of a mobile radio network.