Wireless Network Event Visualization for Troubleshooting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular network operators face challenges in efficiently troubleshooting wireless network issues due to extensive event listings and the need to navigate through vast amounts of data, often resulting in partial data loss and loss of continuity, making it difficult to quickly identify problem areas of interest.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a network monitoring system to summarize data packets into time-ordered events, categorize them, and generate interactive graphical representations with uniform event density, allowing for efficient analysis and diagnosis of network performance issues, enabling users to define user-defined categories and highlight areas of interest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If network operators navigate through extensive event listings to troubleshoot network issues, then they can access detailed event information, but the process becomes time-consuming and results in loss of continuity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloss of continuity of informationVSAvoidtime to reach problem area of interest
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the extensive event listings into meaningful groups or categories based on troubleshooting criteria. Instead of presenting a continuous stream of events, the system divides events into manageable segments that can be quickly scanned and analyzed, reducing both time loss and information discontinuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and organizing event data into structured formats before presentation. Event listings are pre-grouped, filtered, and annotated with metadata that enables quick navigation to problem areas, eliminating the need for operators to manually sift through raw event streams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If filtering methods are applied to search data and reach areas of interest, then navigation becomes more efficient, but partial data loss occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed to reach problem areaVSAvoidpartial data loss due to filtering
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial filtering actions that are sufficient to highlight problem areas without completely excluding relevant data. Instead of aggressive filtering that loses data, the system uses selective highlighting and annotation techniques that maintain data completeness while improving navigation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between raw event data and the operator interface. This intermediary processing layer preserves all original data while adding contextual information, markers, and structured organization that enables efficient search without data loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If event listings are presented in chronological order, then continuity of information is maintained, but operators cannot quickly reach specific problem areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechronological continuityVSAvoidability to reach problem area of interest
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds another dimension to the chronological event listing by incorporating hierarchical organization and categorical grouping. Events are arranged chronologically within categories, allowing operators to navigate both by time sequence and by problem type, thus maintaining continuity while improving access to specific areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical scrolling through chronological lists with intelligent navigation mechanisms. The system automatically highlights problem areas, provides jump links to relevant sections, and uses visual indicators to guide operators to areas of interest while preserving the chronological context.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3416453B1Method of troubleshooting using customizable troubleshooting indicators over buckets of variable time
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 NETSCOUT SYSTEMS INC
  • EP3416453B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3416453B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3416453B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for facilitating diagnosis of problems experienced in a wireless network includes receiving a plurality of time-ordered events occurring in the wireless network. Each of the plurality of events is associated with at least one subscriber and has one or more attributes. The received time-ordered events are grouped into a plurality of categories based on time and based on the event attributes. A plurality of records associated with the plurality of categories is generated. Each record uniquely characterizes a corresponding category and has a uniform event density. An interactive graphical representation of the plurality of records is rendered to a user via a graphical user interface (GUI).