Patent ID: 7248868
Filing Date: 2007-07-24
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for monitoring communications of a communication network having a communication device operating in the communication network, said method comprising: monitoring a transaction occurring between the communication device and the communication network in accordance with a functional definition of a probe element of the communication device, wherein the functional definition of the probe element is operable to be dynamically and remotely configured by the communication network via a communication link between the communication device and the communication network; capturing the transaction in accordance with the functional definition of the probe element; and measuring a characteristic of the transaction to generate user interaction data in accordance with the functional definition of the probe element; wherein the communication device operates in any of: (i) a quasi-interactive mode of operation during which the transaction is monitored and captured, and the characteristic of the transaction is monitored by the probe element to generate the user interaction data, during which a network performance problem identified in the user interaction data can be reported to a network operator of the communication network, and during which a user of the communication device can decide when to report the network performance problem; (ii) a non-interactive mode of operation in which the user interaction data is generated in a manner that is transparent to the communication device; and (iii) a diagnostic mode of operation in accordance with a diagnostic criterion.