Method and apparatus for improving performance of a wireless communication network

• US 20040128191A1
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kotzin, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/334,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128191A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0207 Discounts or incentives, e.g. coupons or rebates
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

A method and apparatus for improving performance of a wireless communication network (11) obtains air interface resource capability data (26), from a wireless device (12) or other source, and determines if the obtained air interface resource capability data (26) of the wireless device (12) warrants a reward by the wireless communication network (11). If the air interface resource capability data (26) of the wireless device (12) warrants a reward, the system operator, through a network element (16) or other suitable device provides a reward associated with the wireless device. This may include, for example, a financial reward, such as a reduction in cost for air time, billing credit or a performance improvement such as a reduction in frame error rate that is used when the wireless device (12) is in communication with the wireless communication network (11).

Claims

1. A method for improving performance of a wireless communication network comprising:

obtaining air interface resource capability data associated with a wireless device that is capable of communicating with the wireless communication network;

determining if the obtained air interface resource capability data of the wireless device warrants a reward; and

providing a reward associated with the wireless device, in response to the obtained air interface resource capability data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of obtaining the air interface resource capability data associated with the wireless device includes at least one of:

receiving the air interface resource capability data while the wireless device is in communication with the wireless communication network based on initiation by the wireless device;

receiving the air interface resource capability data in response to a query sent by the wireless communication network;

accessing, by the wireless communication network, a database containing stored air interface resource capability data associated with the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of providing a reward associated with the wireless device includes at least one of:

providing a financial reward associated with the wireless device and providing a wireless device performance reward.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of determining if the obtained air interface resource capability data warrants a reward includes comparing the obtained air interface resource capability data with reward criteria data indicating whether the wireless device has air interface resource capabilities that would improve performance of the wireless communication network.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the air interface resource capability data includes data representing at least whether the wireless device:

has diversity reception capability;

has higher transmission power capability than other wireless devices;

has enhanced receiver signal processing capabilities;

has additional frequency band access capabilities; and

has additional modulation mode capabilities.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein providing the financial reward includes updating a billing record associated with the wireless device to indicate at least one of:

a discount on air time used; and

an increase in air time allowed,

and wherein providing the wireless device with a performance reward includes at least one of;

adjusting a downlink frame error rate to a lower value for the wireless device,

allowing an increase in a data rate in an uplink communication;

providing improved access priority to the wireless communication network.

7. The method of claim 1 including:

obtaining a call record for the wireless device;

determining a cost for a call conducted using the wireless device;

determining a reward amount if using the wireless device warranted a reward; and

updating a billing record associated with the wireless device based on the reward amount.

8. An apparatus operatively couplable to a wireless communication network comprising:

processing circuitry operative to;

obtain air interface resource capability data associated with a wireless device that is capable of communicating with the wireless communication network;

determine if the obtained air interface resource capability data of the wireless device warrants a reward; and

provide a reward associated with the wireless device, in response to the obtained air interface resource capability data.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the processing circuitry obtains the air interface resource capability data associated with the wireless device by at least one of:

receiving the air interface resource capability data while the wireless device is in communication with the wireless communication network based on initiation by the wireless device;

receiving the air interface resource capability data in response to a query sent by the wireless communication network; and

accessing, by the wireless communication network, a database containing stored air interface resource capability data associated with the wireless device.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein processing circuitry provides the reward associated with the wireless device by at least one of:

providing a financial reward associated with the wireless device and providing a wireless device performance reward.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the processing circuitry determines if the obtained air interface resource capability data warrants the reward by comparing the obtained air interface resource capability data with reward criteria data indicating whether the wireless device has air interface resource capabilities that would improve performance of the wireless communication network.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the air interface resource capability data includes data representing at least whether the wireless device:

has diversity reception capability; and

has higher transmission power capability that other wireless devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the processing circuitry provides the financial reward by updating a billing record associated with the wireless device to indicate at least one of:

a discount on air time used; and

an increase in air time allowed,

and wherein providing the wireless device with a performance reward includes at least one of;

adjusting a downlink frame error rate to a lower value for the wireless device,

allowing an increase in a data rate in an uplink communication;

providing improved access priority to the wireless communication network.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the processing circuitry:

obtains a call record for the wireless device;

determines a cost for a call conducted using the wireless device;

determines a reward amount if using the wireless device warranted a reward; and

updates a billing record associated with the wireless device based on the reward amount.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 including a database operatively coupled to the processing circuitry containing air interface resource capability data for a plurality of wireless devices.