{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853867","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9853867","title":"Method and apparatus to determine network quality","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2015-05-19T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04L","H04L","H04L","H04W","H04W"],"num_claims":16,"abstract":"Aspects of the invention may involve systems and methods. A system may score the experience of accessed services. The system may include a probe connected to a telecommunications network and configured to transmit metrics at regular intervals. The system may also include a network monitor configured to: receive data from the probe, transform the received data into key performance indicators, generate a set of key quality indicators based on the key performance indicators, categorize one or more subscribers, and calculate a Quality of Experience index based on the categorized subscribers."},"analysis":{"summary":"The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality patent presents a system designed to score the experience of users accessing telecommunications services. The core innovation lies in its ability to provide a granular, user-centric view of network quality, moving beyond traditional aggregate metrics. The system addresses the problem of inadequate network monitoring by employing probes connected to a telecommunications network that transmit metrics at regular intervals. These metrics are then processed by a network monitor, which transforms the data into key performance indicators (KPIs) and generates key quality indicators (KQIs). This system categorizes subscribers and calculates a Quality of Experience (QoE) index based on the categorized subscribers, offering a comprehensive assessment of network performance.\n\nThe technical approach involves a multi-faceted system architecture comprising probes, network monitors, and data analytics engines. The probes collect real-time network data, which is then analyzed to generate actionable insights. The subscriber categorization module allows for targeted optimization strategies, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively to improve the QoE for all users. The QoE index provides a single, easily understandable metric that can be used to track performance over time and identify areas for improvement. This technology offers significant business value by enabling telecommunications companies to proactively identify and address network issues, reduce churn, and improve customer satisfaction.\n\nThis innovation allows content providers to optimize their services to deliver the best possible experience to users. And network equipment manufacturers can use the data to improve the design and performance of their products. The market opportunity for this technology is substantial, as the demand for high-quality network experiences continues to grow. The system's ability to provide a granular, user-centric view of network quality makes it a valuable tool for telecommunications companies, content providers, and network equipment manufacturers alike. The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality represents a significant advancement in network quality management, offering a more accurate, efficient, and user-centric approach.","layman_explanation":"The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality patent focuses on improving how we measure and understand the quality of our internet and mobile connections. It's designed to solve the problem that current methods often don't accurately reflect the experience of individual users.\n\n**1. What Problem Does This Solve?**\nImagine you're watching a movie online, and it keeps stopping to load (buffering). Or you're on a video call, and the picture is blurry or the sound cuts out. These are examples of poor network quality. Current network measurement tools often give an average score for everyone in an area, but that doesn't tell you if *your* connection is good or bad. This patent aims to provide a more personalized and accurate way to measure your network experience. It's like having a doctor check your health specifically, instead of just giving everyone the same general advice.\n\n**2. How Does It Work?**\nInstead of just measuring the overall speed of the network, this system uses special 'probes' that act like tiny spies on the network. These probes collect data about how well different services are working for you, like video streaming, web browsing, or online games. The system then turns this data into easy-to-understand scores, like a 'Quality of Experience' (QoE) index. It also categorizes users based on how they use the network. Think of it like grouping people who watch a lot of videos together, so the system can better understand their specific needs. It's like having a personalized report card for your internet connection.\n\n**3. Why Does This Matter?**\nThis technology can help internet providers improve their service. By understanding how different users experience the network, they can fix problems more effectively and make sure everyone gets a good connection. For businesses, this means happier customers and less frustration. It also creates opportunities for new services and business models. For example, providers could offer premium plans that guarantee a certain level of QoE. The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality can help optimize network performance, reduce churn, and create new revenue streams.\n\n**4. What's Next?**\nAs our reliance on the internet grows, the need for accurate network measurement will become even more important. This technology could be used to optimize networks for new applications like virtual reality, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things. We can expect to see increasing adoption of systems like this, leading to better and more reliable internet connections for everyone. This innovation has the potential to revolutionize how networks are managed and optimized, leading to a better online experience for all.","technical_analysis":"The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality patent describes a system for comprehensively evaluating network performance from the user's perspective. The technical architecture comprises three main components: probes strategically placed within the network, a network monitor for data aggregation and processing, and an analytics engine for generating key performance indicators (KPIs) and quality of experience (QoE) metrics.\n\nThe probes are designed to capture real-time network data, including latency, packet loss, and bandwidth utilization. These probes transmit data at regular intervals to the network monitor, which is responsible for aggregating and processing the data. The network monitor transforms the raw data into KPIs, which provide a quantitative measure of network performance. The system then uses these KPIs to generate KQIs, which provide a more qualitative assessment of network quality. The subscriber categorization module is a key aspect of this system. By categorizing subscribers based on their usage patterns, the system can identify potential issues and optimize network resources accordingly. The QoE index provides a single, easily understandable metric that can be used to track performance over time and identify areas for improvement.\n\nImplementation details involve careful selection of probe locations to ensure representative data capture. The network monitor must be capable of handling high data volumes and processing data in real-time. The analytics engine employs algorithms to generate KPIs and KQIs, considering various factors such as network congestion, subscriber behavior, and service type. Integration patterns involve seamless integration with existing network management systems. The system can be integrated with existing network management systems using standard APIs. This allows network operators to leverage the data generated by the system to improve network performance and optimize resource allocation. The performance characteristics of this system are critical to its effectiveness. The system must be able to process data in real-time to provide timely insights into network performance. And it must be scalable to handle the increasing demands of modern telecommunications networks. Code-level implications include the need for efficient data processing algorithms and robust error handling mechanisms.","business_analysis":"The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality patent presents a significant business opportunity for telecommunications companies, content providers, and network equipment manufacturers. The core value proposition lies in its ability to provide a granular, user-centric view of network quality, enabling businesses to optimize their operations and improve customer satisfaction.\n\nThe market opportunity size is substantial, as the demand for high-quality network experiences continues to grow. Consumers are increasingly reliant on network services for communication, entertainment, and commerce. As a result, they are more sensitive to network performance issues and more likely to switch providers if they are not satisfied with their experience. The Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality provides businesses with the tools they need to meet these demands and gain a competitive advantage.\n\nCompetitive advantages include its ability to provide a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of network quality than traditional methods. The system's user-centric approach allows businesses to identify and address issues that are most important to their customers. This can lead to increased customer satisfaction, reduced churn, and improved revenue. Revenue potential is significant, as businesses can use the system to optimize their network resources and improve their service offerings. By reducing network congestion and improving QoE, businesses can attract and retain more customers. Business models include licensing the technology to telecommunications companies, offering it as a managed service, or integrating it into network equipment. Strategic positioning involves positioning the technology as a key enabler of high-quality network experiences. This can help businesses differentiate themselves from their competitors and attract customers who are willing to pay for superior performance. ROI projections are favorable, as the system can generate significant cost savings and revenue gains. By optimizing network resources and reducing churn, businesses can achieve a high return on their investment.","faqs":null,"topics":["network quality","QoE","telecommunications","KPI","network monitoring"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality - Patent US-9853867","description":"Discover how the Method and Apparatus to Determine Network Quality patent revolutionizes network monitoring. Full patent analysis, claims, and competitive landscape.","keywords":["network quality","QoE","telecommunications","KPI","network monitoring","patent","patent US-9853867"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853867","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853867","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Method and apparatus to determine network quality\" (US-9853867). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853867","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9853867","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9853867","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T13:00:22.807Z"}