Abstract:
Example methods disclosed herein to monitor wireless system operation include processing a plurality of session records describing characteristics of wireless sessions in a coverage area of a wireless system to determine a first time interval for a first wireless device to propagate from a first access point in the coverage area to a second access point in the coverage area, determining a coverage area traversal rate for the first wireless device based on the first time interval, the coverage area traversal rate corresponding to a rate at which the first wireless device is traversing the coverage area, and providing a wireless service advisory for the coverage area to a second wireless device based on the coverage area traversal rate for the first wireless device.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This patent arises from a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/969,131, entitled “Computational Syndrome Detector” and filed on Jan. 3, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Devices that use wireless signaling are ubiquitous to contemporary life. Non-limiting examples of such devices include cellular telephones, text messaging units, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and laptop and palmtop computers. Respective such devices typically include one or more modes of operation such as, for example, unidirectional or bidirectional voice, video and/or data communications, Internet accessibility, remote control functionality, etc. 
     However, such devices are dependent upon access to wireless resources (i.e., networks or infrastructure) external to the device in order for corresponding wireless functions to operate. For example, a cellular telephone requires a period of continuous signal access to a cellular network in order to initiate and maintain a call. Such external resources are, as a matter of practicality, finite in their geographic coverage range and scope of operational modes. In short, worldwide coverage for all wireless devices, everywhere that a user might want or need signal access, is not a reality. 
     Various factors result in poor or failed wireless signal access in areas that are otherwise seemingly adequately provisioned. In one example, a user is denied wireless access while stuck in traffic because of unusually high wireless system usage. In another example, a user temporarily loses wireless signal access while traveling behind a large structure in a downtown area, resulting in a “dropped” cellular phone call. These and other scenarios cause frustration and loss of productivity for users of wireless technology. 
     SUMMARY 
     This summary is provided to introduce general concepts of wireless signal analysis and reporting methods and systems, which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In one aspect, a method is performed at least in part by a computer. The method includes analyzing a plurality of wireless signal session data records. The method also includes detecting a predefined relationship in accordance with the analysis, wherein the relationship involves one or more wireless signal performance metrics within a geographical area. The method further includes generating a report in accordance with the detecting. 
     In another aspect, at least one computer-readable storage media includes a program code. The program code is configured to cause one or more processors to analyze a plurality of wireless signal session data records. The program code is also configured to cause the one or more processors to detect a selectively definable pattern in accordance with the analysis. The pattern involves one or more wireless signal performance metrics within a geographical area. The program code is further configured to cause the one or more processors generate a report in accordance with the detecting. 
     In yet another aspect, at least one computer-readable storage media includes a program code. The program code is configured to cause one or more processors of a wireless system to analyze a plurality of wireless signal session data records corresponding to two or more distinct wireless service users. The program code is also configured to cause the one or more processors to detect a selectively definable pattern in accordance with the analysis. The pattern involves at least one wireless signal performance metric within a geographical area. The program code is further configured to cause the one or more processors to generate a report in accordance with the detecting, wherein the report is configured to be accessed by one or more resources of the wireless system. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view depicting an illustrative operating scenario. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan diagrammatic view depicting another illustrative operating scenario. 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting a method in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram depicting a method in accordance with another embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a listing depicting illustrative predefined relationships in accordance with yet another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview: 
     This disclosure is directed to providing analysis and detection of relationships and patterns within a plurality of wireless signal session data records. The analytical methods provided herein are also referred to as Syndrome Detection because the detected patterns and relationships are typically, but not necessarily, indicative of corresponding real-world circumstances (syndromes). Non-limiting examples of such relationship/syndrome correlations include non-propagating cellular phone traffic due to an automobile collision, sudden full-capacity loading of a wireless Internet access hub due to the arrival of an international flight at an airport, and so on. 
     Illustrative Operating Scenarios: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic view depicting an illustrative operating scenario  100 . In  FIG. 1 , a wireless device  102  is present and is presumed to be operated by a corresponding user (not shown). For purposes of ongoing example, it is assumed that the wireless device  102  is a cellular telephone. Other wireless devices  102  (e.g., laptop computers, PDAs, etc.) corresponding to other, similar operational scenarios are also contemplated within the scope of the present teachings. The wireless device  102  is portable in nature and is configured to operate in one or more modes as the user moves about within a wireless signal coverage area. 
     The scenario  100  also includes four cellular service towers  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110 , respectively. Each of the cellular towers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  includes an area of cellular (i.e., wireless) signal coverage  114 ,  116 ,  118  and  120 , respectively. It is further noted that some of the coverage areas (e.g.,  114  and  116 ;  116  and  118 ) exhibit some degree of overlap with each other. While the respective signal coverage areas  114 ,  116 ,  118 ,  120  are represented in  FIG. 1  as hexagonal in shape, one of ordinary skill in the related arts will appreciate that such representation is a simplification for ease of understanding. In any case, each cellular service tower  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  can provide signal coverage to a finite region about the respective tower. The cellular service tower  110  further includes a finite range of Wi-Fi® signal service as represented by coverage lobes  122 . Wi-Fi® is a registered trademark owned by Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance, Inc., Austin, Tex., USA. 
     The cellular towers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110  are coupled to a wireless system (i.e., infrastructure)  124  (such coupling is not depicted in  FIG. 1 ). The wireless system  124  includes a database  126 , a server  128  and computer-readable storage media  130 . Non-limiting examples of computer-readable storage media  130  include one or more optical disks, one or more magnetic storage media, one or more solid state memory devices, etc. The wireless system  124  can include any other resources (not shown) as needed to support one or more wireless services (e.g., cellular telephone, Internet access, etc.) for wireless devices (e.g.,  102 ). Non-limiting examples of such wireless system  124  resources include additional databases, additional servers and/or computer systems, wireless signal analysis instrumentation, network and/or Internet access bridges, public switched telephone network (PSTN) interface equipment, wireless signal receivers, transmitters and/or transceivers, etc. 
     In one illustrative operation, a user of the wireless device  102  traverses a path  132 . In doing so, the user leaves the signal coverage area  114  at point  134  (represented by a triangle) and eventually enters the signal coverage area  116  at a point  136  (represented by a circle). The user continues to move along the path  132  and leaves the signal coverage area  116  at a point  138  and later enters the signal coverage area  118  at a point  140 . Thus, the user experiences a loss of wireless signal (e.g., cellular) access between the points  134 ,  136  and between the points  138 ,  140 . One or more wireless operations are not possible along the path  132  between the points  134 ,  136  and the points  138 ,  140 , giving rise to two “blackout periods” in the context of this illustration. Such blackout periods are a primary cause of frustration and inefficiency for users of wireless devices. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic view depicting another illustrative operating scenario  200 . In  FIG. 2 , a divided highway  202  carries bidirectional automobile traffic. First and second cellular service towers  204  and  206 , respectively, are located within wireless service range of the highway  202 . Automobiles  208  traverse the highway  202  in a first direction  210 . 
     As also depicted, automobiles  212  are at a stop along highway  202  due to a blocking collision  214 . Thus, automobiles  212  are not able to proceed in their designated direction  216 . Any wireless devices (not shown) within the automobiles  212  are within service range (i.e., coverage area) of the second cellular tower  206 , and are not within service range of the first cellular tower  204 . In this way, any active such wireless devices (e.g., cellular telephones) within the automobiles  212  are in “stasis”, continuously accessing cellular services by way of the second cellular tower  206 . These same wireless devices are not propagating to the first cellular tower  204  as would be the case during normal traffic flow. 
     Heavy cellular call traffic is therefore occurring by way of the second cellular tower  206 . In the scenario  200 , such call traffic accumulates in accordance with the growing number of stopped automobiles  212 , giving rise to access saturation on the cellular tower  206 . The cellular tower  206  becomes loaded to capacity, and additional cellular calls (i.e., wireless signal services) cannot be handled within the corresponding coverage area. Detection of situations (i.e., syndromes) similar to the scenario  200  can be advantageously leveraged by commercial wireless service providers and the users that access their systems. 
     Illustrative Data Acquisition: 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram depicting a method  300  in accordance with one embodiment. The method  300  includes particular method steps and a particular order of execution. However, other embodiments can also be used that deviate in one or more respects from the method  300  without departing from the scope of the present teachings. For purposes of understanding, certain aspects of the method  300  will be described with reference to the operational scenario  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     At  302 , a wireless session is registered for a wireless device, such as the wireless device  102 , by the wireless system  124 . As used herein, “wireless session” refers to a period of time during which the wireless device  102  accesses the supporting wireless system  124 . A wireless session typically, but not necessarily, involves communication between the wireless device  102  and one or more other entities (wireless or otherwise), access and use of the Internet or another network resource, access and use of one or more databases, etc. “Registration” refers to establishing communication between the wireless device  102  and the wireless system  124  and, in one or more embodiments, initiating a record within the database  126  of the wireless session. Such an initial record can include, for example, device and/or user identification, time and date, one or more wireless signal protocol types, and the nature and/or identity of resources to be accessed. Other initial information can also be included in the database  126  record. 
     At  304 , the instantaneous geographic location and signal metrics for the present wireless session are determined by resources of the system  124 . The geographic location of the wireless device  102  can be determined in any suitable way including, as non-limiting examples, global position system (GPS) signals received by the wireless device  102  and communicated to the wireless system  124 , triangulation on the wireless device  102  by way of fixed wireless access points (e.g., cellular towers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 ). Other methods of determining geographic location of the device  102 , with some acceptable measure of precision, can also be used. Wireless signal metrics can include any quantified or classified wireless signal parameter of the wireless session including, for example, overall signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), failed versus successful wireless signal session status, etc. Other quantified and/or classified wireless signal parameters can also be defined as wireless signal metrics. 
     At  306 , the signal integrity of the wireless session is evaluated using one or more of the signal metrics determined at  304  above. If the signal integrity is evaluated as inadequate in comparison to one or more predetermined criteria—or if wireless communication with the wireless device  102  has failed altogether—then the method  300  proceeds to  310  as described below. If the signal integrity is determined to be acceptable, then the method  300  proceeds to  308  below. 
     At  308 , the geographic location and signal metrics for the wireless session determined at  304  above are written to the database  126  as initiated at  302  above. The method  300  then proceeds to  312  below. 
     At  310 , the last known good geographic location and signal metrics for the wireless session (as acquired on a previous iteration of steps  304 ,  306 ,  308 ) are marked or tagged as such within the database  126 . The method  300  then terminates. 
     At  312 , it is determined if the present wireless session has been ended (terminated) by the user of the wireless device  102 . Such determination can be based upon, for example, communication of an “END CALL” data signal from the wireless device  102  to the system  124 . The wireless session can be ended in other known ways, as well. If the wireless session has been ended, then such an indication is written to the database  126  and the method  300  then terminates. If the wireless session has not been ended by the user, the method  300  returns to  304  above. 
     The method  300  represents one suitable embodiment for acquiring data pertaining to wireless sessions and storing that data (typically, but not necessarily) as discrete records (one record per wireless session) into a database, such as the database  126 . In this way, a growing deposit of information, representative of one or more wireless signal service users, can be accumulated over time and analyzed for meaningful correlations. As one example, correlations between poor signal strength or “call dropping”, and a particular geographic location, can indicate localities where additional wireless system  124  resources are needed. Furthermore, such information can be used to advise users of wireless devices about areas prone to, or presently experiencing, wireless access trouble. 
     The method  300  of  FIG. 3  is illustrative of numerous wireless session data acquisition schemes in accordance with the present teachings. Other methods including some or all of the steps  302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ,  312  described above, or other steps, and/or other sequences of execution can also be used and are within the scope of the present teachings. The method  300  can be implemented by way of any suitable construct such as, for example, one or more processors under software (e.g., media  130 ) control, one or more dedicated-purpose apparatus, etc. Furthermore, multiple instances of the method  300  can be performed simultaneously, each instance corresponding to a respective wireless session and associated user. 
     Illustrative Syndrome Detection: 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram depicting an illustrative method  400  of syndrome detection in accordance with another embodiment. The method  400  includes particular method steps and a particular order of execution. However, other embodiments can also be used that deviate in one or more respects from the method  400  without departing from the scope of the present teachings. For purposes of illustration, the method  400  will be described with reference to the operational scenario  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
     At  402 , one or more resources of a wireless system, such as the wireless system  124 , are used to selectively define a relationship (or pattern) to be detected (i.e., sought) within a plurality of wireless signal session data records. Such a relationship involves one or more wireless signal performance metrics within a geographic area. Non-limiting examples of such relationships are described in further detail hereinafter. The relationship can be defined at the time of the execution of method  400 , or previously defined and retrieved from the database  126  or another resource of the wireless system  124 . In any case, the relationship is selectively definable in accordance with user (e.g., system administrator) input and can involve correlation of any suitable number of variables and/or parameters. 
     At  404 , one or more resources of the wireless system  124  access the database  126 , which includes a plurality of wireless signal session data records. The database  126  can include, for example, data records written thereto in accordance with the method  300  of  FIG. 3 . 
     At  406 , the plurality of wireless signal session data records are analyzed to detect, or attempt to detect, the relationship defined at  402  above. Such analysis can include, for example, regression analysis, probabilistic analysis, or any other suitable analytical, comparative and/or correlative technique. In one example, all of the data records are analyzed in order to detect the relationship. In another example, the data records are first suitably filtered prior to further analysis. Such filtering can, for example, be performed on the basis of a particular geographic area, wherein data records outside the geographic area are not with the analytical set. Other suitable data preparation and handling techniques can also be used. 
     At  408 , a report is generated in accordance with the detection (or lack thereof) at  406  above. The report is typically, but not necessarily, stored within the database  126  or another resource of the wireless system  124  for immediate and/or later use. The report can, for example, be configured for access and use by other resources (e.g., the server  128 , etc.) of the wireless system  124 . In one or more embodiments, the report is configured (i.e., formatted) to be disseminated to a wireless device, such as the wireless device  102 . In this way, a user of the wireless system  124  can make use of the information within the report. 
     The methods  300  and  400 , and any respective variations thereon, can be implemented in any number of suitable ways. Non-limiting examples of such implementations can include one or more processors under software (program code) control, one or more dedicated purpose apparatus, suitably configured resources within a wireless system (e.g.,  124 ), etc. 
       FIG. 5  includes a listing  500  of illustrative predefined relationships that can be sought and detected within a set of wireless signal session data records. The listing  500  is non limiting in nature and various other relationships can be selectively defined and used within the scope of the present teachings. 
     The listing  500  includes a first relationship  502 . The first relationship  502  is directed to detecting failed wireless signal sessions with a particular geographic region over a certain time period. According to exemplary embodiments, the first relationship  502  includes a region variable R 1 , a time period variable (or range) T 1 , and a threshold variable X 1 . The respective variables R 1 , T 1  and X 1  can correspond to any suitable scalars and units (i.e., vectors) such as, for example: R 1 =cellular service zone  44 ; T 1 =14:00-22:00 on 10 Jan. 2006; and X 1 =40 failures. Other variables and units can also be defined and used. The first relationship  502 , as depicted, is ambivalent to the particular identity of the users/wireless devices involved in the detection, but is concerned with a particular cellular service zone and time/date period. Thus, the first relationship  502  is generally directed to detecting a “dropped calls” syndrome. 
     The listing  500  also includes a second relationship  504 . According to exemplary embodiments, the second relationship  504  is directed to detecting the number of wireless devices, in excess of some threshold, that are continuously accessing a common wireless system resource over a period of time. Such a relationship, for example, can be directed to detecting stopped or “backed up” traffic along a particular section of roadway with the service range of a wireless service resource (e.g., operating scenario  200  of  FIG. 2 ). The second relationship  504  may include a resource variable RSI, a time period variable TI and a threshold variable X 1 . Illustrative scalars and units can be defined, for example, as: RSI=cellular tower 123XYZ; TI=11:00-11:05 continuously on 12 Jun. 2007; and X 1 =40 distinct wireless devices. Other variables and units can also be defined and used. The second relationship  504 , as depicted, involves respective identities of the users/wireless devices so as to detect continuous access over the time period under consideration. Thus, the second relationship  504  is generally directed to detecting a syndrome involving a lack of propagation of a wireless signal sessions along a wireless service corridor. 
     The listing  500  also includes a third relationship  506 . According to exemplary embodiments, the third relationship  506  is directed to detecting if the total number of wireless signal sessions within a particular region, of a particular protocol type, that experienced a signal to-noise ratio over a certain value exceeds a defined count. The relationship  506 , for example, can be directed to detecting a syndrome involving inadequate service quality of a particular protocol type within a coverage area. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the third relationship  506  includes a protocol variable PI, a region variable RI, a signal-to-noise ratio variable SNRI, and a threshold variable X 1 . Illustrative scalars and units of the relationship  506  can be defined, for example, as: PI=Wi-Fi®; region=hub  17 ; SNR=4.0 dB; and X 1 =90 wireless sessions total. Other suitable variables and units can also be defined and used. 
     The listing  500  also includes a fourth relationship  508 . According to exemplary embodiments, the fourth relationship  508  is directed to detecting the time period over which a particular wireless device propagates (i.e., is passed along) between first and second wireless resources. Thus, the relationship  508  is directed to determining the rate at which the particular wireless device is traversing through a wireless signal coverage area. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the fourth relationship  508  includes a wireless device identification variable ID 1 , a resource variable RS 1  and a resource variable RS 2 , and a time period variable T 1  that is to be detected or determined. Thus, the relationship  508  includes three input variable and one output variable when considered in the context of a function. Illustrative vectors of the relationship  508  can be defined, for example, as: IDI=serial number 123456789; RSI=cellular tower  25 ; RS 2 =cellular tower  26 ; and T 1  (to be determined)=seconds between respective, consecutive accesses. Other suitable variables and units can also be defined and used. 
     The listing  500  of the relationships  502 ,  504 ,  506 ,  508  is illustrative and non limiting. Any number of various, suitable relationships that can be defined and detected (i.e., searched for) within a plurality of wireless signal session data records within the scope of the present teachings. Reports resulting from respective relationship detections can be put to immediate or future use. Reports can be leveraged for improving wireless signal services within a region or throughout a system, for providing wireless service advisories to users, etc. 
     The methods  300  and  400 , and any respective variations thereon, can be implemented in any number of suitable ways. Non-limiting examples of such implementations can include one or more processors under software (program code) control, one or more dedicated purpose apparatus, suitably configured resources within a wireless system (e.g.,  124 ), etc. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although the disclosure has been made in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosed concepts are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary implementations.