METHODS AND APPARAUS FOR REQUESTING WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE PERFORMANCE DATA AND PROVIDING THE DATA IN OPTIMAL FILE SIZE

• US 20080132257A1
• Filed: 04/30/2007
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Yip, Eric Chi Chung, Fok, Kenny
• Granted Patent: US 8,176,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/106 using time related information in packets, e.g. by adding timestamps
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/166 IP fragmentation; TCP segmentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 Service support devices; Network management devices

Abstract

Methods, systems, devices and computer program products are presented for requesting wireless device performance data and providing an optimal file size for the performance data. Present aspects provide for estimating the size of requested performance data, at the time of the request, and assessing other factors, such as requesting party preferences, to determine optimal performance data file size. In this regard, the performance data service provider is able to prepare and make accessible optimally sized performance data files, as the data becomes available as opposed to creating one comprehensive performance data file when all of the requested data is available. Additionally, some present aspects may provide for performance data requesting parties to implement Extensible Markup Language (XML) as the communication tool between the requesting device and the performance data-supplying network entity.

Claims

1. A method for providing wireless communication device performance data of optimal file size, the method comprising:

receiving a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

determining an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data by estimating the overall size of the requested performance data based on a time span for the requested performance data;

generating files of optimal size as segments of the requested performance data become available;

storing the generated files in memory; and

providing a requester access to each generated file as the files become available.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a readjusted optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data based on network characteristics.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining a readjusted optimal file size further comprises determining a readjusted optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data based on network characteristics determined at a time prior to a requester being provided access to each generated file.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein estimating an overall size of the requested performance data further comprises estimating the overall size of the requested performance data based on performance data configuration of the one or more wireless communication devices.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an optimal file size further comprises determining a requester preference related to optimal file size.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein determining a requester preference related to optimal file size further comprises determining at least one requester preference chosen from the group consisting of file size and time between accesses to generated files.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining an optimal file size further comprises determining network characteristics.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein determining an optimal file size further comprises determining e available network bandwidth.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices further comprises receiving an Extensible Markup Language (XML) protocol formatted request for performance data.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices further comprises receiving performance data configuration for the one or more wireless communication devices.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices further comprises receiving one or more requester preferences for determining optimal file size.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the generated files in memory further comprises storing the generated files in memory at a network site, wherein each generated file has a corresponding Uniform Resource Locator (URL).

13. The method of claim 11, wherein providing a requester access to each generated file as the files become available further comprises providing a requester the URL corresponding to a generated file for accessing the generated file as the file becomes available.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein providing a requester access to each generated file as the files become available further comprises communicating each generated file to the requester as the files become available.

15. At least one processor configured for providing wireless communication device performance data of optimal file size, comprising:

a first module for receiving a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

a second module for determining an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data by estimating the overall size of the requested performance data based on a time span for the requested performance data;

a third module for generating files of optimal size as segments of the requested performance data become available;

a fourth module for storing the generated files in memory; and

a fifth module for providing a requester access to each generated file as the files become available.

16. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to receive a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to determine an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data by estimating the overall size of the requested performance data based on a time span for the requested performance data;

a third set of codes for causing a computer to generate files of optimal size as segments of the requested performance data become available;

a fourth set of codes for storing the generated files in memory; and

a fifth set of codes for causing the computer to provide a requester access to each generated file as the files become available.

17. A wireless communication device, comprising:

means for receiving a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

means for determining an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data by estimating the overall size of the requested performance data based on a time span for the requested performance data;

means for generating files of optimal size as segments of the requested performance data become available;

means for storing the generated files in memory; and

means for providing a requester access to each generated file as the files become available.

19. The network device of claim 17, wherein the optimal file size determiner module is further operable to readjust the optimal file size for segments of the requested data based on network characteristics.

20. The network device of claim 19, wherein the optimal file size determiner module is further operable to readjust the optimal file size for segments of the requested data based on network characteristics determined at a time prior to a requester being granted access to each generated file.

18. A network device, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory;

a communications module in communication with the processor and operable to receive a request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

an optimal file size determiner module stored in the memory, executable by the processor and operable to determine an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data by estimating the overall size of the requested performance data based on a time span for the requested performance data;

a file generator logic stored in the memory, executable by the processor and operable to generate files of optimal size as segments of the requested performance data become available; and

a file access logic stored in the memory, executable by the processor and operable to provide a requester access to each generated file as the file becomes available.

21. The network device of claim 18, wherein the optimal file size determiner module is further operable to estimate the overall size of the requested performance data based on performance data configuration of the one or more wireless communication devices.

22. The network device of claim 18, wherein the optimal file size determiner module is further operable to determine an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data based on a requester preference.

23. The network device of claim 18, wherein optimal file size determiner module operable to determine an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data based on a requester preference further defines the requester preference as chosen from the group consisting of file size and time between access to generated files.

24. The network device of claim 18, wherein the optimal file size determiner module is further operable to determine an optimal file size for segments of the requested performance data based on available network bandwidth.

25. The network device of claim 18, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive an Extensible Markup Language (XML) formatted request for performance data.

26. The network device of claim 18, wherein the communications module is further operable receive performance data configuration for the one or more wireless communication devices.

27. The network device of claim 18, wherein the communications module is further operable to receive one or more requester preferences for determining optimal file size.

28. The network device of claim 18, wherein the file access logic is further operable to provide a requester a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with a file for accessing a generated file as the file becomes available.

29. The network device of claim 18, wherein the file access logic is further operable to communicate each generated file to the requester as the files become available.

30. A method for requesting and accessing performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices, the method comprising:

generating an Extensible Markup Language (XML) formatted request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

communicating the request to a network device; and

receiving an XML formatted response that provides access to performance data files that include segments of the requested performance data as the files become available.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein generating an XML formatted request further comprises generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to at least one of a “

Get Mobile List”

, “

File Generation”

, “

Register Mobiles”

, “

Unregister Mobiles”

, and “

Command Mobiles”

.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein generating an XML formatted request further comprises generating an XML formatted request including a priority identifier that indicates a priority for the request.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier further comprises generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

File Generation”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices from which performance data is to be monitored, a start time for monitoring performance data, and a stop time for monitoring performance data.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier further comprises generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Register Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are to be registered for performance data monitoring.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier further comprises generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Unregister Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are to be unregistered for performance data monitoring.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier further comprises generating an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Command Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices associated with the command request and at least one XML-based command identifier corresponding to at least one of a “

Logging Behavior”

, “

Upload Logs”

, “

Response Mode Settings” and

“

Configuration Settings”

.

37. A method of claim 30, wherein generating an XML formatted request for performance data further comprises generating the XML formatted request that includes a requester preference for performance data files.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein generating the XML formatted request that includes a requester preference for performance data files further defines the requester preference as chosen from the group consisting of file size and time between access to generated files.

39. The method of claim 30, wherein receiving an XML response further comprises receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to at least one of a “

Get Mobile List”

, “

File Generation”

, “

Register Mobiles”

, “

Unregister Mobiles”

, and “

Command Mobiles”

.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier further comprises receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Get Mobile List”

that includes at least one of one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices being monitored, name associated with each wireless communication device, carrier associated with each wireless communication device, manufacturer, model and electronic serial number of each wireless communication device, monitoring software revision associated with each wireless communication device and register status of each wireless communication device.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier further comprises receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

File Generation”

that includes one or more Universal Resource Locators (URLs) associated with performance data files, a status for performance file generation, a file size, a start time for monitoring performance data, and a stop time for monitoring performance data.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier further comprises receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Register Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are registered for performance data monitoring, a registration status and a performance monitoring status.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier further comprises receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Unregister Mobiles”

that that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are unregistered for performance data monitoring, a registration status and a performance monitoring status.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier further comprises receiving an XML formatted response including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Command Mobiles”

that includes that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are being commanded, a registration status and a performance monitoring status.

45. The method of claim 30, wherein receiving an XML response that provides access to performance data files further comprises receiving an XML response that includes a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with a performance data file for accessing the performance data file as the file becomes available.

46. The method of claim 30, further comprising receiving a communication including the performance data file as the file becomes available.

47. At least one processor configured for requesting and accessing performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices, comprising:

a first module for generating an Extensible Markup Language (XML) formatted request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

a second module for communicating the request to a network device; and

a third module for receiving an XML formatted response that provides access to performance data files that include segments of the requested performance data as the files become available.

48. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising;

a first set of codes for causing a computer to generate an Extensible Markup Language (XML) formatted request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

a second set of codes for causing a computer to communicating the request to a network device; and

a third set of codes for causing a computer to receive receiving an XML formatted response that provides access to performance data files that include segments of the requested performance data as the files become available.

49. A wireless communication device, comprising:

means for generating an Extensible Markup Language (XML) formatted request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices;

means for communicating the request to a network device; and

means for receiving an XML formatted response that provides access to performance data files that include segments of the requested performance data as the files become available.

50. A communications device, comprising:

a computer platform including a processor and a memory;

a performance data interface module stored in the memory, in communication with the processor and operable to generate an XML formatted request for performance data monitored by one or more wireless communication devices; and

a communications module stored in the memory, in communication with the processor and operable to communicate the XML formatted request to a network device and receive XML responses from the network device; and

a network access module stored in the memory, in communications with the processor and operable to provide access to performance data files that include segments of the requested performance data as the files become available.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to at least one of a “

Get Mobile List”

, “

File Generation”

, “

Register Mobiles”

, “

Unregister Mobiles”

, and “

Command Mobiles”

.

52. The device of claim 50, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate an XML formatted request including a priority identifier that indicates a priority for the request.

53. The device of claim 51, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

File Generation”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices from which performance data is to be monitored, a start time for monitoring performance data, and a stop time for monitoring performance data.

54. The device of claim 51, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Register Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are to be registered for performance data monitoring.

55. The device of claim 51, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Unregister Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices that are to be unregistered for performance data monitoring.

56. The device of claim 51, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate an XML formatted request including an XML-based command identifier corresponding to “

Command Mobiles”

that includes one or more telephone numbers of wireless communication devices associated with the command request and at least one XML-based command identifier corresponding to at least one of a “

Logging Behavior”

, “

Upload Logs”

, “

Response Mode Settings” and

“

Configuration Settings”

.

57. The device of claim 50, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate the XML formatted request that includes a requester preference for performance data files.

58. The device of claim 50, wherein the performance data interface module is further operable to generate the XML formatted request that includes a requester preference for performance data files request further defines the requester preference as chosen from the group consisting of file size and time between accesses to generated files.

59. The device of claim 50, wherein the XML formatter module is further operable to generate the XML formatted request that includes performance data configuration for the one or more wireless communication devices.

60. The device of claim 50, wherein the network access module is further operable to access a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with a performance data file as the file becomes available.