Subscriber Device Self-Test for Real-World Network Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face challenges in identifying and resolving issues within point-to-multipoint communication systems, particularly in geographical areas, due to disruptions in communication networks and subscriber device utilization, which are not effectively addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A service provider system that commandeers unused or under-utilized subscriber devices to perform tasks such as problem identification, data gathering, and system maintenance by remotely harnessing their capabilities, aggregating results, and analyzing subscriber experiences across disparate regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If service providers use traditional monitoring methods in beta or staging environments, then system reliability can be tested, but the results do not reflect actual subscriber experiences in real-world conditions
Solution Approach 1:
Subscriber devices automatically perform self-diagnostics and self-testing without requiring manual intervention from subscribers or service providers. The devices autonomously execute test routines, collect performance data, and report results to the service provider system, enabling real-world reliability monitoring without adding operational burden to users.
Solution Approach 2:
A service provider system acts as an intermediary between subscriber devices and the monitoring infrastructure. The system receives test results from multiple subscriber devices, aggregates the data, and performs centralized analysis to identify service issues affecting specific geographical areas or regions, translating raw device data into actionable intelligence.
2Loss of information
If service providers deploy monitoring infrastructure in real-world environments, then actual subscriber experiences can be analyzed, but the complexity and cost of deployment increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Subscriber devices perform multiple functions: they continue to provide primary service functions (receiving and displaying content) while simultaneously acting as monitoring nodes that execute self-diagnostics and report performance data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated monitoring infrastructure, reducing deployment complexity while enabling real-world data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring capability is embedded within the subscriber devices themselves, which autonomously perform self-testing and self-diagnosis. The devices automatically detect service quality issues, collect performance metrics, and report findings without requiring external monitoring equipment or manual configuration, significantly simplifying the deployment architecture.
3Reliability
If subscriber devices are continuously monitored and tested, then service issues can be detected early, but subscriber device resources and energy are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Self-test routines are executed periodically at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The service provider system can configure the frequency and timing of tests, allowing subscriber devices to balance monitoring activities with energy conservation, performing diagnostics at low-usage periods while maintaining effective service quality detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs targeted self-tests focusing on specific service quality parameters rather than exhaustive continuous monitoring of all device functions. This selective approach detects service issues effectively while minimizing resource consumption by testing only the parameters most relevant to service quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a service provider system within a point-to-multipoint communication system that commandeers unused or under-utilized subscriber devices within the point-to-multipoint communication system to perform various tasks within the point-to-multipoint communication system. By harnessing these otherwise unused or under-utilized subscriber devices, the service provider system identities, locates, and/or resolves problems, gathers data/analytics, and/or performs system maintenance in a real-world environment, as opposed to a beta, testing, or staging environment. Thus, the service provider system can be used to analyze, investigate, and scrutinize actual experiences of subscribers to the service across disparate geographical regions, settings, and testing scenarios.