Patent US6421529B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6421529B1
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US
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Method and apparatus for the detection of a reduction in capacity of a CDMA system
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1999-06-15
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Granted: 2002-07-16
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Expires: 2019-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A computer implemented method and apparatus for determining if a wireless telecommunication system is operating at a reduced capacity is provided. The method and apparatus utilize call processing information associated with every sector/carrier within a CDMA base station to determine if any sector/carrier is operating at a reduced capacity while also being limited by power control (i.e., power control is blocking new users from gaining access to the sector/carrier even though the sector/carrier is operating at a reduced capacity). Thus, the method and apparatus detect blocking faults affecting the capacity of the CDMA system.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Wing
- 👤 James J. Madon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:17
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B17/00; H04W; H04W24/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of detecting a reduction in capacity of a telecommunications system, the system comprising at least one sector, each sector comprising at least one carrier, said method comprises: determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the system during a predetermined interval for each sector; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval for each sector; comparing the number of calls being blocked for each sector to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked for each sector to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold for a sector, providing an indication that the sector is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
157 words
A method of detecting a reduction in capacity of a telecommunications system, the system comprising at least one sector, each sector comprising at least one carrier, said method comprises: determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the system during a predetermined interval for each sector; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval for each sector; comparing the number of calls being blocked for each sector to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked for each sector to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold for a sector, providing an indication that the sector is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of detecting a reduction in capacity of a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the system during a predetermined interval; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval; comparing the number of calls being blocked to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold, providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of detecting a reduction in capacity of a telecommunications system, comprising the steps of: determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the system during a predetermined interval; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval; comparing the number of calls being blocked to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold, providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold comprises: taking the difference between the second threshold and the minimum number of channel elements; and comparing the difference to a third threshold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 2 wherein a report is printed if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is more than the second threshold, but within a predetermined amount of the second threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the printed report is used to adjust at least one of the thresholds.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity comprises activating a visible indicator.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity comprises displaying information to a user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of storing a first indicator in a computer readable medium if the system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising the steps of: determining a second number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the system during a second predetermined interval; determining a second minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the second predetermined interval; determining from information stored in the computer readable medium if there is a first indicator; if there is a first indicator, determining from the second number of calls and the second minimum number of channels elements if the first indicator can be cleared; and if the first indicator can be cleared, providing a second indication that the system is no longer operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of storing a second indicator in the computer readable medium if the system is no longer operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 9 wherein if the first indicator cannot be cleared, providing a third indication that the system is in an intermediate state.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of storing a third indicator in the computer readable medium if the system is in an intermediate state.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity comprises activating an audible alarm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said step of providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity comprises printing a report.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 14 wherein information in the report is used to adjust at least one of the thresholds.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the process of the system is a power control process.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said step of determining a number of calls that have been blocked comprises inputting the number of calls that have been blocked from the power control process.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said step of determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls comprises inputting the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls from the power control process.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
144 words
A test system, comprising: a test apparatus; and a base station connected to said test apparatus, said base station having a programmed processor for determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of a telecommunications system during a predetermined interval; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval; comparing the number of calls being blocked to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold, for providing an indication to the test apparatus that the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
144 words
A test system, comprising: a test apparatus; and a base station connected to said test apparatus, said base station having a programmed processor for determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of a telecommunications system during a predetermined interval; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval; comparing the number of calls being blocked to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold, for providing an indication to the test apparatus that the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein said processor compares the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold by: taking the difference between the second threshold and the minimum number of channel elements; and comparing the difference to a third threshold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
62 words
The system of claim 19 wherein said base station is coupled to a printer and a report is printed by the processor if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is more than the second threshold, but within a predetermined amount of the second threshold.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 21 wherein the printed report is used by an operator of the test system to adjust at least one of the thresholds.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The test system of claim 19 further comprising a computer readable medium, wherein said processor stores a first indicator in said computer readable medium if the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
125 words
The test system of claim 23 wherein said processor is further programmed to: determine a second number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the telecommunications system during a second predetermined interval; determine a second minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the second predetermined interval; determine from information stored in said computer readable medium if there is a first indicator; if there is a first indicator, determine from the second number of calls and the second minimum number of channels elements if the first indicator can be cleared; and if the first indicator can be cleared, provide a second indication that the telecommunications system is no longer operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The test system of claim 24 wherein said processor stores a second indicator in said computer readable medium if the telecommunications system is no longer operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
27 words
The test system of claim 25 wherein said processor stores a third indicator in said computer readable medium if the telecommunications system is in an intermediate state.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The test system of claim 24 wherein if the first indicator cannot be cleared, said processor provides a third indication that the telecommunications system is in an intermediate state.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein said apparatus includes a visible indicator and said processor provides an indication that the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity by activating said visible indicator.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein said apparatus includes a display and said processor provides an indication that the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity by displaying information on said display.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
34 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein said apparatus includes an audible alarm and said processor provides an indication that the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity by activating said audible alarm.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein said apparatus includes a printer and said processor provides an indication that the telecommunications system is operating at a reduced capacity by printing a report on said printer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
26 words
The test system of claim 31 wherein the printed report is used by an operator of the apparatus to adjust at least one of the thresholds.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein the process of the telecommunications system is a power control process.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The test system of claim 33 wherein said processor determines a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls by inputting the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls from the power control process.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The test system of claim 33 wherein said processor determines a number of calls that have been blocked by inputting the number of calls that have been blocked from the power control process.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
14 words
The test system of claim 19 wherein the telecommunications system is a CDMA system.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
123 words
A wireless telecommunications apparatus, comprising: a programmed processor for determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of a system during a predetermined interval; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval; comparing the number of calls being blocked to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold, for providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
123 words
A wireless telecommunications apparatus, comprising: a programmed processor for determining a number of calls that have been blocked by a process of a system during a predetermined interval; determining a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the predetermined interval; comparing the number of calls being blocked to a first threshold; comparing the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold; and if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is less than the second threshold, for providing an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein said apparatus is coupled to a printer and a report is printed by the processor if the number of calls being blocked exceeds the first threshold and the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked is more than the second threshold, but within a predetermined amount of the second threshold.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 38 wherein the printed report is used by an operator of the apparatus to adjust at least one of the thresholds.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the process of the system is a power control process.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said processor compares the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked to a second threshold by: taking the difference between the second threshold and the minimum number of channel elements; and comparing the difference to a third threshold.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said apparatus is coupled to a visible indicator and said processor provides an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity by activating said visible indicator.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said apparatus is coupled to a display and said processor provides an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity by displaying information on said display.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 40 further comprising a computer readable medium, wherein said processor stores a first indicator in said computer readable medium if the system is operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
122 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said processor is further programmed to: determine a second number of calls that have been blocked by a process of the system during a second predetermined interval; determine a second minimum number of channel elements carrying calls when calls are being blocked by the process during the second predetermined interval; determine from information stored in said computer readable medium if there is a first indicator; if there is a first indicator, determine from the second number of calls and the second minimum number of channels elements if the first indicator can be cleared; and if the first indicator can be cleared, provide a second indication that the system is no longer operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein if the first indicator cannot be cleared, said processor provides a third indication that the system is in an intermediate state.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said processor stores a third indicator in said computer readable medium if the system is in an intermediate state.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 45 wherein said processor stores a second indicator in said computer readable medium if the system is no longer operating at a reduced capacity.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said apparatus is coupled to an audible alarm and said processor provides an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity by activating said audible alarm.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said apparatus is coupled to a printer and said processor provides an indication that the system is operating at a reduced capacity by printing a report on said printer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 50 wherein the printed report is used by an operator of the apparatus to adjust at least one of the thresholds.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said processor determines a number of calls that have been blocked by inputting the number of calls that have been blocked from the power control process.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 52 wherein said processor determines a minimum number of channel elements carrying calls by inputting the minimum number of channel elements carrying calls from the power control process.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 37 wherein the system is a CDMA system.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-07-15 | 2006-01-14 | 2006-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-07-15 | 2010-01-14 | 2010-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-07-15 | 2014-01-14 | 2014-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |