US-12621681-B2 - Identifying telecommunications network performance on roadways

US12621681B2US 12621681 B2US12621681 B2US 12621681B2US-12621681-B2

Abstract

Systems and methods to identify network performance on paths (e.g., roads, highways, hiking routes, etc.) to enhance a customer's experience with a telecommunications service provider during travel are disclosed. The method includes receiving, such as from a user at a mobile device, a request to generate a user-optimal path having at least a threshold level of network performance indicator (e.g., network coverage strength) from a first to second location. The method includes identifying paths between the locations, wherein each path includes reference points with associated network performance indicators and generating a recommendation for optimal paths selected from the paths based on user preferences, network performance indicators at reference points, a mode of transportation, and a telecommunications service provider associated with the user equipment. A user can then use the generated path to better plan their trip to ensure network performance that conforms to their needs.

Inventors

Bill G. McCracken
Karen Chantal Castelain

Assignees

T-MOBILE USA, INC.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230726

Claims (20)

1 . A computer-implemented method for identifying network strength on paths to enhance a customer's experience with a telecommunications service provider, the method comprising: receiving, from a user at a mobile device, a request to generate a user-optimal path having at least a threshold level of network coverage strength between a first location and a second location; identifying, based on historic network coverage strength data from a network performance database, a plurality of paths between the first location and the second location, wherein each path of the plurality of paths comprises one or more reference points with associated network coverage strength; generating a recommendation for one or more optimal paths selected from the plurality of paths based on: (1) a plurality of user preferences, (2) network coverage strength at reference points of each path, (3) a mode of transportation for traversing each path, and (4) a telecommunications service provider associated with the mobile device; determining, based on data from one or more telecommunications network sites, a location of the mobile device on a selected path of the one or more optimal paths; receiving, from the mobile device via the one or more telecommunications network sites, one or more metrics indicating network coverage strength of the mobile device at a reference point on the selected path when the mobile device is at the reference point; and updating, based on the one or more metrics, the historic network coverage strength data by transmitting the network coverage strength of the one or more reference points and one or more paths comprising the one or more reference points for inclusion into the network performance database.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises: transmitting, to the mobile device, the recommendation for display at a user interface of the mobile device; and receiving, via the user interface of the mobile device, an indication of a user selection of a first path of the one or more recommended optimal paths.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the one or more metrics indicating network coverage strength comprises receiving a set of records associated with the mobile device, wherein the set of records includes: RF signals, distance between the mobile device and at least one telecommunications network site, strength of signal received by the mobile device, quantity of data used by the mobile device, type of mobile device, or any combination thereof.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the associated network coverage strength is based on historic network coverage data specific to: a time of day, a day of week, special events, weather-related events, or any combination thereof.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user preferences comprises preferences for paths with shortest distance, fastest travel time, for avoiding traffic and/or tolls, and/or paths that minimizes fuel consumption or reduces carbon emissions, or any combination thereof.
6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: determining one or more user preferences of the plurality of user preferences based on attributes of previous path selections by the user, wherein generating the recommendation for one or more optimal paths selected from the plurality of paths comprises selecting paths having attributes similar to attributes of the previous path selections.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user preferences comprises a type of network coverage required during traversal of a path.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user preferences are determined based on user input via the mobile device.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of user preferences are obtained from a user profile associated with the mobile device stored at a database.
10 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media containing instructions which when executed by a processor, perform a method for identifying network performance on paths, the method comprising: receiving, from a user at a user equipment, a request to generate a user-optimal path having at least a threshold level of network performance from a first location to a second location; identifying, based on historic network performance indicator data from a network performance database, a plurality of paths from the first location to the second location, wherein each path of the plurality of paths comprises one or more reference points with associated network performance indicators; generating a recommendation for one or more optimal paths selected from the plurality of paths based on (1) a plurality of user preferences, (2) network performance indicators at reference points of each path, (3) a mode of transportation for traversing each path, and (4) a telecommunications service provider associated with the user equipment; receiving, from the user equipment via one or more telecommunications network sites, one or more metrics indicating network performance of the user equipment at a reference point on a selected path when the user equipment is at the reference point; and updating, based on the one or more metrics, the historic network performance indicator data by transmitting the network performance of the user equipment at the reference point on the selected path for inclusion into the network performance database.
11 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises: determining, based on data from the one or more telecommunications network sites, a location of the user equipment on the selected path of the one or more optimal paths.
12 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein the method further comprises: transmitting, to the user equipment, the recommendation for display on a user interface of the user equipment; and receiving, from the user equipment, an indication of a user selection of a first path of the one or more optimal paths.
13 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein receiving one or more metrics indicating network performance indicator comprises receiving a set of records associated with the user equipment, wherein the set of records includes: RF signals, distance between the user equipment and at least one telecommunications network site, strength of signal received by the user equipment, quantity of data used by the user equipment, type of user equipment, or any combination thereof.
14 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein the associated network performance indicator is based on historic network coverage data specific to time of day, day of week, special events, weather-related events, or any combination thereof.
15 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 10 , wherein the plurality of user preferences comprises preferences for paths with shortest distance, fastest travel time, for avoiding traffic and/or tolls, and/or paths that minimizes fuel consumption or reduces carbon emissions, or any combination thereof.
16 . A system for identifying network strength on paths to enhance a customer's experience with a telecommunications service provider, the system comprising: one or more processors; and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause operations comprising: receiving, from a user at a user equipment, a request to generate a user-optimal path having at least a threshold level of network performance from a first location to a second location; identifying, based on historic network performance indicator data from a network performance database, a plurality of paths from the first location to the second location, wherein each path of the plurality of paths comprises one or more reference points with associated network performance indicators; generating a recommendation for one or more optimal paths selected from the plurality of paths based on (1) a plurality of user preferences, (2) network performance indicators at reference points of each path, (3) a mode of transportation for traversing each path, and (4) a telecommunications service provider associated with the user equipment; receiving, from the user equipment via one or more telecommunications network sites, one or more metrics indicating network performance of the user equipment at a reference point on the selected path when the user equipment is at the reference point; and updating, based on the one or more metrics, the historic network data by transmitting the network performance of the user equipment at the reference points for inclusion into the network performance database.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media further cause operations comprising: transmitting, to the user equipment, the recommendation for display on a user interface of the user equipment; and receiving, from the user equipment, an indication of a user selection of a first path of the one or more optimal paths.
18 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media further cause operations comprising: determining, based on data from one or more telecommunications network sites, a location of the user equipment on a selected path of the one or more optimal paths.
19 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the associated network performance indicator is based on historic network coverage data specific to time of day, day of week, special events, weather-related events, or any combination thereof.
20 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of user preferences comprises preferences for paths with shortest distance, fastest travel time, for avoiding traffic and/or tolls, and/or paths that minimizes fuel consumption or reduces carbon emissions, or any combination thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND A telecommunications network is established via a complex arrangement and configuration of many cell sites that are deployed across a geographical area. For example, there can be different types of cell sites (e.g., macro cells, microcells, and so on) positioned in a specific geographical location, such as a city, neighborhood, and so on). These cell sites strive to provide adequate, reliable coverage for mobile devices (e.g., smart phones, tablets, and so on) via different frequency bands and radio networks such as a Global System for Mobile (GSM) mobile communications network, a code/time division multiple access (CDMA/TDMA) mobile communications network, a 3rd or 4th generation (3G/4G) mobile communications network (e.g., General Packet Radio Service (GPRS/EGPRS)), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network), 5G mobile communications network, IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), or other communications networks. The devices can seek access to the telecommunications network for various services provided by the network, such as services that facilitate the transmission of data over the network and/or provide content to the devices. As remote device usage continues to rise at an impressive rate, there are often many people using applications requiring network connectivity enroute or in remote locations, such as in places where the wireless edge of the telecommunications network has limited or no capacity. As a result, most end consumers have to contend with issues of travelling with little-to-no network coverage and telecommunications networks have to contend with issues of providing network connectivity over a wide area of land where end consumers are likely to travel. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Detailed descriptions of implementations of the present invention will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates a wireless communications system that can implement aspects of the present technology. FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates 5G core network functions (NFs) that can implement aspects of the present technology. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a suitable computing environment within which to identify telecommunications network performance on roadways. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the components of an exemplary user-optimal path recommendation generation system. FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of identifying network performance on paths to enhance a customer's experience with a telecommunications service provider. FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a computer system in which at least some operations described herein can be implemented. The technologies described herein will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from studying the Detailed Description in conjunction with the drawings. Embodiments or implementations describing aspects of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and the same references can indicate similar elements. While the drawings depict various implementations for the purpose of illustration, those skilled in the art will recognize that alternative implementations can be employed without departing from the principles of the present technologies. Accordingly, while specific implementations are shown in the drawings, the technology is amenable to various modifications. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Reliable and uninterrupted connectivity during travel to and from different locations is critical for consumers in many contexts. Consumers often require continual access to a network in order to be able to perform time-critical actions. For example, disaster response teams and emergency responders require reliable and consistent connectivity in order to coordinate efforts, communicate with hospitals, police forces, fire stations, or other emergency service providers in real time, and to be able to receive instructions from supervisors. Transportation operators such as drivers, pilots, and ship captains also need to have connectivity for navigation purposes as well as to receive real-time updates regarding weather or traffic conditions in order to keep passengers safe. Such transportation operators also require connectivity to be able to report progress, route changes, and provide delivery documentation. Similarly, average consumers also often need access to information online to navigate unfamiliar roads among other tasks. While reliable and consistent connectivity in the course of travel is important for many consumers, there are many challenges to planning travel in order to meet one's connectivity needs. For example, consumers lack information from service providers regarding current and historic network coverage along specific paths and potential limitations users may encounter along the way. For many service providers, ensuring reliable and uninterrupted conn