Patent US6366380B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent EP0562477A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6785541B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Cellular/PCS management system and method
Assignee: Far North Patents LLC
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Filing: 2000-12-06
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Granted: 2004-08-31
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Expires: 2020-12-06
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for detecting failures in a wireless communications network. A computer is programmed to remotely access a platform, such as a network switch or database, that stores data indicative of the performance of the wireless communications network infrastructure. The computer downloads the data, parses the data to extract wireless communications network events such as dropped calls, noise or lack of audio, sorts the events, and passes the events through an event-to-failure mapping module to identify probable network component failures. Data is preferably analyzed over periods of less than 24 hours. The probable failures are preferably reported to network operations personnel who can then resolve the failures on a more timely basis.
Inventors
- 👤 Dannie E. Martin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 20:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W24/00; H04W24/08; A; A47; A47J; A47J36/00; A47J36/24; A47J36/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of detecting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: (a) accessing a platform that stores data indicative of the wireless communications network infrastructure, wherein the step of accessing is performed by a computer that neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network infrastructure; (b) downloading the data to the computer; (c) parsing the data to extract wireless communications network events; (d) sorting the events; and (e) subjecting the events in the computer to event-to-failure mapping to identify at least one probable failure.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of detecting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: (a) accessing a platform that stores data indicative of the wireless communications network infrastructure, wherein the step of accessing is performed by a computer that neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network infrastructure; (b) downloading the data to the computer; (c) parsing the data to extract wireless communications network events; (d) sorting the events; and (e) subjecting the events in the computer to event-to-failure mapping to identify at least one probable failure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises at least one of a dynamic RAM and a hard drive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of accessing comprises employing one of File Transfer Protocol and HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the data comprises at least one of billing data, blocking statistics, call processing data, call activity counters and alarm information.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein an event is at least one of a blocked call, dropped call, noise, lack of audio and one-way audio.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying and notifying personnel responsible for correcting the failure.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the personnel are notified by at least one of wire line telephone, email and wireless pager or telephone.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising investigating the failure and providing feedback to optimize the event-to-failure mapping.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 , comprising dispatching a technician to a cell site.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event-to-failure mapping associates a series of multiple short calls with a bad audio channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event-to-failure mapping associates blocking statistics with one way or no audio calls.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the event-to-failure mapping associates a combination of events to detect a call that ends abnormally or a call that changes in quality during the duration of the call.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of detecting failures in a cellular telephone network, comprising the steps of: (a) remotely accessing a cellular switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the cellular telephone network, wherein the step of remotely accessing is performed by a computer that neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the cellular telephone network; (b) downloading the data to the computer; (c) parsing the data to extract a predetermined set of events; (d) sorting the events; and (e) associating one of the events or a series of the events in the computer with a probable cellular network failure.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of detecting failures in a cellular telephone network, comprising the steps of: (a) remotely accessing a cellular switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the cellular telephone network, wherein the step of remotely accessing is performed by a computer that neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the cellular telephone network; (b) downloading the data to the computer; (c) parsing the data to extract a predetermined set of events; (d) sorting the events; and (e) associating one of the events or a series of the events in the computer with a probable cellular network failure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the events comprise at least one of a blocked call, a dropped call, noise, lack of audio and one-way audio.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising recommending that a cellular channel module be replaced in view of the probable cellular network failure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the data is downloaded using one of File Transfer Protocol and HyperText Transfer Protocol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the events are sorted by one of time of event, RF channel associated with the event, number of occurrences of the event and telephone or ID number.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 , further comprising reporting the probable cellular network failure to cellular operations personnel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 , wherein the cellular network operations personnel provide feedback to optimize step (e).
Claim 22
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of detecting or predicting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: (a) using a computer to remotely access a switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the wireless communications network, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network; (b) downloading the data to the computer; (c) parsing the data to extract predetermined events; (d) sorting the events; and (e) associating the events in the computer with a probable cellular network failure.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of detecting or predicting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising the steps of: (a) using a computer to remotely access a switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the wireless communications network, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network; (b) downloading the data to the computer; (c) parsing the data to extract predetermined events; (d) sorting the events; and (e) associating the events in the computer with a probable cellular network failure.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein step (e) is performed for events that occurred over a predetermined period of time.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the predetermined period of time is less than 24 hours.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein the predetermined period of time is about 4 hours.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein the data comprises at least one of billing information, blocking statistics, call process data, counters and alarms.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 20 , further comprising reporting the failure to network operations personnel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 25 , wherein the reporting step comprises sending an email message including an identification of a cell site and the events.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for detecting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising: (a) a computer in communication with a platform that stores data indicative of the wireless communications network infrastructure, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network; and (b) an event-to-failure mapping module, wherein the computer is operable to download the data to the computer, parse the data to extract wireless communications network events, and sort the events, and wherein the event-to-failure mapping module is operable to identify at least one probable failure based on the events.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
94 words
A system for detecting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising: (a) a computer in communication with a platform that stores data indicative of the wireless communications network infrastructure, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network; and (b) an event-to-failure mapping module, wherein the computer is operable to download the data to the computer, parse the data to extract wireless communications network events, and sort the events, and wherein the event-to-failure mapping module is operable to identify at least one probable failure based on the events.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the platform comprises at least one of a dynamic RAM and a hard drive.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the data comprises at least one of billing data, blocking statistics, call processing data, call activity counters and alarm information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein an event is at least one of a blocked call, dropped call, noise, lack of audio and one-way audio.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 27 , wherein the computer is further operable to notify personnel responsible for correcting the failure.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for detecting failures in a cellular telephone network, comprising: (a) a computer for remotely accessing a cellular switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the cellular telephone network, for downloading the data, for parsing the data to extract a predetermined set of events and for sorting the events, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the cellular telephone network; and (b) an event-to-failure mapping module, the module being operable to associate one of the events or a series of the events in the computer with a probable cellular network failure.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for detecting failures in a cellular telephone network, comprising: (a) a computer for remotely accessing a cellular switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the cellular telephone network, for downloading the data, for parsing the data to extract a predetermined set of events and for sorting the events, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the cellular telephone network; and (b) an event-to-failure mapping module, the module being operable to associate one of the events or a series of the events in the computer with a probable cellular network failure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the events comprise at least one of a blocked call, dropped call, noise, lack of audio and one-way audio.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the computer is operable to sort the events by one of time of event, RF channel associated with the event, number of occurrences of the event and telephone or ID number.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 32 , wherein the computer is further operable to report the probable cellular network failure to cellular operations personnel.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for detecting or predicting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising: a computer programmed to remotely access a switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the wireless communications network, to download the data, to parse the data to extract predetermined events, to sort the events in the computer and to associate the events with a probable cellular network failure, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network, and wherein the events that are associated with a probable cellular network failure occurred over a predetermined period of time that is less than 24 hours.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
106 words
A system for detecting or predicting failures in a wireless communications network, comprising: a computer programmed to remotely access a switch that stores data indicative of events that have occurred in the wireless communications network, to download the data, to parse the data to extract predetermined events, to sort the events in the computer and to associate the events with a probable cellular network failure, wherein the computer neither wirelessly interacts with nor is part of the wireless communications network, and wherein the events that are associated with a probable cellular network failure occurred over a predetermined period of time that is less than 24 hours.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the predetermined period of time is about one of 2, 4, 6 and 8 hours.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 36 , wherein the data comprises at least one of billing information, blocking statistics, call process data, counters and alarms.
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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) | 2007-08-31 | 2008-03-01 | 2008-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-08-31 | 2012-03-01 | 2012-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-08-31 | 2016-03-01 | 2016-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |