VoIP Network Problem Tagging via DTMF Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Converged networks face challenges in providing high-quality voice and video services due to issues like network congestion, packet loss, and intermittent outages, making it difficult to diagnose and correct problems in real-time, especially in VoIP and VoWLAN environments, which affects user satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using DTMF tones entered via an IP telephone's keypad to tag and mark quality issues, allowing network administrators to collect and analyze real-time network parameters, thereby identifying the source of problems and facilitating timely corrections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If packet sniffing systems capture all traffic to diagnose network problems, then network problems can be detected, but significant effort is required to locate relevant network reports and determine root cause
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary network parameters (Jitter, Latency, Packet Loss, Buffer Status, Signal Strength, CPU Utilization, Call Load) from the vast amount of network traffic data. By selectively capturing and analyzing only these specific QoS parameters rather than all traffic, the system reduces the time and effort required to locate and analyze network reports while maintaining effective problem detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically collecting and pre-processing network parameters in real-time before problems occur or are reported. Network tools continuously monitor and store QoS data, so when a problem is detected through user feedback, the relevant network reports are already prepared and readily available for analysis, eliminating the need for post-problem search and analysis.
2Reliability
If diagnostic tools monitor voice traffic in real-time to detect network problems, then network quality can be monitored, but significant bandwidth is required which increases operating cost
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of monitoring all voice traffic continuously (excessive action), the system implements partial monitoring by only collecting and analyzing specific QoS parameters when network problems are detected through user feedback. This selective monitoring approach maintains reliable network quality monitoring capability while significantly reducing bandwidth consumption compared to continuous comprehensive monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing network resources and user feedback mechanisms to trigger diagnostic monitoring. When users report quality issues, the system automatically activates relevant network tools to collect and analyze QoS parameters for that specific call, rather than requiring continuous dedicated monitoring bandwidth. The network infrastructure serves itself by utilizing existing data collection capabilities only when needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If web-based tools require users to open trouble tickets and define problems to diagnose network issues, then problem reporting is structured, but participation rate is low and delay between problem occurrence and report makes diagnosis difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where users can easily report network quality issues through simple interfaces (such as pressing keys on their telephones), and the system automatically responds by collecting relevant network parameters and initiating diagnostic procedures. This feedback loop eliminates the need for complex manual trouble ticketing while maintaining structured problem reporting, significantly improving user participation and reducing diagnosis delay.
Data Source
AI summary
A convergent network with voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) and voice over wireless local area networks (VoWLAN) telephones provides users a way for notifying a network administrator of a quality problem in real time together with an indication of the nature of the quality problem. Upon receipt of the notification, the system takes a snap shot of the current network parameters that are associated with the quality problem and provides network statistics for subsequent analysis and troubleshooting. Other callers participating in a call are also notified of the source of the quality problem. In addition, when streaming video or audio users detect a network quality problem, the problem is marked and tagged to indicate the time and the type of quality problem as it is occurring.