Invented by Clark; Shawn, DISH Wireless L.L.C.

Mobile phones are now a part of our everyday lives. We rely on them for everything, from calling family to working and even emergencies. But what happens when the connection drops? Usually, users are left in the dark, wondering what went wrong. Today, we will explore a new patent application that aims to solve this problem by keeping users informed about outages in mobile communication networks. This article will help you understand the problem, the science behind it, and the unique solution described in the patent.

Background and Market Context

Today, almost everyone uses a mobile device to connect to the world. We expect our phones to work all the time, no matter where we are or what we are doing. But, sometimes, the service stops working. It might be slower than usual, or it might disappear completely. This is called an outage. When this happens, users get frustrated. They might call customer support, send emails, or try to fix the problem themselves. Usually, they have no idea why the problem happened or how long it will last.

Mobile network operators know about outages, but they do not always tell users. Often, they only find out there was an outage after users complain. This leads to unhappy customers and more work for the support team. Over time, users may lose trust in their service provider and switch to another one. With the growing competition in the mobile market, keeping customers happy is more important than ever.

At the same time, networks are getting bigger and more complex. Today’s networks are made up of many parts: links, hubs, towers (called nodes), and millions of devices. Each part needs to work well. If one part fails, it can affect many users. As networks grow, the chance of something going wrong also grows. To keep up, companies need smarter ways to manage these networks.

One of the main gaps in the current system is how users are notified about problems. Most people only know there’s an issue when their phone stops working. There’s no warning, no explanation, and no advice on what to do next. This patent application addresses that gap. It describes a system that not only detects and responds to outages as they happen but can also predict future problems and warn users in advance.

This is a big step forward for both users and network providers. Users get more information and useful alerts. Providers get fewer angry calls and a better reputation. The invention fits into a growing need for smarter, more user-friendly mobile networks as we move into a future with even more devices and connections.

Scientific Rationale and Prior Art

To understand why this invention matters, let’s first look at how mobile networks work and what solutions already exist.

A mobile network is like a spiderweb with many threads. It has several main pieces:

Links are the paths that carry data between different places. These can be wires underground, fiber optics, or wireless beams.

Hubs are like big junctions where many links meet. From here, data is sent in different directions.

Nodes (often called towers) are the local spots that send signals to your phone or device.

User Mobile Devices (UMDs) are your phones, tablets, or anything else that connects to the network.

Network Operations Center (NOC) is the brain of the network. It watches over the whole system, collects data, and controls different parts when needed.

When something breaks, the failure can be in any of these parts. For example, a cable might get cut, a power outage might bring down a hub, or a tower might stop working. Each of these problems affects the quality of service (QoS) for users. QoS means how good or reliable your connection is.

In most networks, there are systems to detect when something goes wrong. These might send alerts to engineers or log the problem in a database. Some advanced systems even try to fix the problem automatically. However, these systems are usually focused on the network itself—not on the user’s experience. Users are rarely told about outages unless they happen to contact support.

There have been attempts to improve this. Some apps show network status on a map, and some websites let users report problems. These approaches still have gaps. They may not be up-to-date, and they often need users to check themselves. There are also some systems that can predict problems using patterns from past outages, but they don’t usually tell users directly or give advice on what to do next.

A few companies have tried sending text alerts to users during big outages, but this is not common or automatic. These systems do not usually tell users what is affected, how long it might last, or what alternatives are available. Most importantly, none of these solutions provide both real-time and predictive notifications at the level of detail and automation described in the new patent.

The scientific thinking behind this invention is based on two main ideas. First, the best way to help users is to give them timely, clear, and useful information about outages that affect them personally. Second, with enough data and smart computer programs, it is possible to predict problems before they happen. This lets users and network operators take action early.

The invention uses computer monitors, or “modules,” that watch over every part of the network. These monitors look for changes in the status of links, hubs, nodes, and devices. When a problem is detected, the system figures out which users are affected, how bad the problem is, and what can be done to help. It then notifies users quickly, sometimes even suggesting workarounds. The system also uses artificial intelligence (AI) and historic data to predict future outages and warn users in advance.

In summary, while prior art offers some pieces of the puzzle—such as network monitoring, outage logs, and basic notifications—this invention combines real-time detection, predictive alerts, and smart user notifications in a single, user-centric system. This approach stands out for its focus on the user’s experience and its use of new technology to keep users fully informed and empowered.

Invention Description and Key Innovations

Now let’s look at what makes this new system special. The patent describes a detailed and layered system that brings together many pieces to help users when network problems happen—or are about to happen.

At the heart of the system is the Network Operations Center (NOC). This is like the control tower for the whole mobile network. The NOC includes a powerful computer (processor) and a large, secure storage area for data (data store). Inside the NOC, special computer programs (called monitors or modules) are always running. Each monitor watches a different part of the network:

– The Network Link Status Monitor (NLSM) keeps an eye on the main links connecting hubs.
– The Hub Status Monitor (HSM) watches over the big junctions.
– The Node Status Monitor (NSM) checks on the towers that serve your phone.
– The User Mobile Device Status Monitor (UMDSM) looks at the health of user devices.
– The Outage Notification Monitor (ONM) is in charge of alerting users.

All these monitors get their information from a large, central “data lake.” Imagine this as a huge pool where every part of the network sends data about its status, performance, and any problems. The NOC gathers this data, checks for changes or failures, and figures out if users are going to be affected.

When a monitor detects a problem—like a broken link or a failing tower—it tells the ONM. The ONM then figures out which users are impacted. This is not as simple as it sounds, because users move around and connect to different towers all the time. The system uses something called a “dependency set.” This is a smart map that shows which users depend on which network parts at any given time.

If a user’s connection is about to be affected, the ONM sends a notification directly to their device. This can happen in real time (as soon as the problem is found) or even before it happens, thanks to the system’s prediction features.

The predictive part of the system is very smart. It collects data from the past—like signal strength, past outages, locations, and even weather reports—and uses AI to spot patterns that often lead to problems. For example, if a certain tower tends to go down during storms, or if a hub gets overloaded at certain times of day, the system can see this coming. It then warns the users who are likely to be affected, sometimes even suggesting ways to avoid trouble (like switching to another network or moving to a new area).

Another key feature is the system’s ability to suggest workarounds. If a problem is found, the ONM checks to see if there is another way to keep the user connected. This might mean switching them to a different tower, rerouting their data through a different hub, or recommending they move to a place with better signal. If a fix is found, the system reconfigures the network automatically and lets the user know what is happening.

Here’s an example to make it clearer. Imagine you are driving through a city and your phone is connected to a certain tower. That tower suddenly loses power. The system detects this in seconds. The ONM sees that your phone is connected to the failing tower and sends you a message: “We noticed a service problem nearby. We’re switching your connection to another tower to keep you online.” If no workaround is possible, it might say, “Service in your area will be down for 30 minutes due to a network issue. We’ll let you know when it’s fixed.”

The system can also warn you before you enter a problem area. If the AI predicts that a tower on your route is likely to go down soon, you might get a warning: “Possible service interruption ahead due to weather. Consider taking an alternate route or expect limited connectivity.”

What makes this invention stand out among prior solutions is its full coverage of both detection and prediction, its focus on the user’s experience, and its smart automation. The system does not just log problems or show generic alerts—it figures out exactly who is affected, how they are affected, and what can be done to help. It sends personalized, timely notifications and keeps users informed every step of the way.

From a technical point of view, the system’s design is flexible and scalable. It can handle many users, many devices, and a complex web of network parts. The use of a data lake allows it to collect and process huge amounts of information quickly. The modular design (with separate monitors for each part of the network) means it can be updated or expanded as networks grow and change.

For network operators, this means fewer complaints, happier customers, and a better reputation. For users, it means less confusion, fewer surprises, and better service. For both, it means a mobile network that is smarter, more reliable, and more responsive to real needs.

Conclusion

Mobile networks are only as good as the experience they deliver to users. Outages and service drops are a fact of life, but how we respond to them can make all the difference. The patent application explored here offers a powerful new way to keep users informed, empowered, and connected—even when things go wrong. By combining real-time monitoring, predictive AI, and clear user notifications, this invention fills a crucial gap in today’s mobile networks. It stands to make life easier for both users and network providers, setting a new standard for transparency and service in the wireless world. As mobile networks continue to grow in size and complexity, solutions like this will be key to making sure everyone stays connected and informed.

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