Spoken Language Interface for Satellite Network Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite communication systems are complex, making configuration and troubleshooting difficult for operators, who often require specialized knowledge to access and understand network data, leading to inefficiencies in managing and maintaining these systems.

Innovation Solution

A virtual network assistant (VNA) with a spoken language interface that uses machine learning to interpret voice queries, provide responses, and perform actions, enhancing operator interaction by offering contextual understanding and historical comparisons to improve network management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional network management interfaces are used, then operators can access network data, but the complexity of the system makes configuration and troubleshooting difficult requiring specialized knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of network managementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a natural language processing interface as an intermediary between the operator and the complex satellite communication system. This intermediary translates simple spoken or written commands into the complex internal operations of the network management system, shielding the user from the underlying complexity while maintaining full system access and control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or manual interaction methods (complex menus, technical commands, specialized interfaces) with a cognitive-based natural language processing system. This substitution allows operators to interact using everyday language rather than requiring knowledge of specialized technical procedures or system architecture.

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

2Productivity

If traditional management interfaces are used, then network operations can be configured, but operators require specialized knowledge leading to inefficiencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement efficiencyVSAvoidtime for configuration and troubleshooting
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The natural language processing system enables operators to independently perform configuration and troubleshooting tasks without requiring specialized training or assistance from experts. The system interprets plain language commands and automatically executes the appropriate network operations, allowing operators to self-service complex tasks that previously required specialized knowledge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-processes and interprets natural language commands into standardized internal operations before execution. This preliminary translation step converts diverse human language expressions into consistent system commands, eliminating the time required for operators to learn and recall specialized procedures while ensuring accurate execution of network management tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3888081B1Spoken language interface for network management
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 HUGHES NETWORK SYST
  • EP3888081B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3888081B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3888081B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and systems for spoken language interface for network management are disclosed. In some implementations, data indicating a transcription of a spoken request from a user of a voice-response interface is received. Status information for a communication system is received. The request is interpreted based on the transcription and the status information for the communication system. A response to the request is generated based on the status information for the communication system, and data for a synthesized speech utterance of the response is provided in response to the spoken request.