METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING AN OPTIMIZED WIRELESS INTERFACE INSTALLATION CONFIGURATION

• US 20160127185A1
• Filed: 11/05/2014
• Published: 05/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC (Charter Communications Incorporated)
• Inventors: McAllister, Bryan
• Granted Patent: US 9,935,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0823 characterised by the purposes of a change of settings, e.g. optimising configuration for enhancing reliability for optimising operational conditions of wireless networks H04W24/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for determining a desired or optimal installation configuration for one or more wireless interface devices within a premises. In one embodiment, a network entity collects information relating to the type of services required and generates a customer profile. The customer profile is then used to determine a number and type of wireless interface devices required. In one variant, a device chart is given which lists a plurality of combinations of categories of service and a respective plurality of device combinations needed to provide optimal service thereto. The device chart is consulted to arrive at an appropriate installation order, which is submitted for premises installation.

Claims

1. A method for determining a desired installation configuration for one or more client devices within a user'"'"'s premises, said method comprising:

receiving a request for services from said one or more client devices;

providing a plurality of questions to said one or more client devices;

receiving responses based on said plurality of questions;

determining an optimal configuration, based on said responses;

said optimal configuration including at least one or more identifying information; and

transmitting said one or more identifying information to an entity.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising querying one or more information sources based on said responses.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining said optimal configuration further comprises determining a subtotal score for said responses.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said determining said optimal configuration further comprises applying a weighting value to said subtotal score for determining a total score for said user'"'"'s premises.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said determining said optimal configuration further comprises comparing said total score to a device chart.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more identifying information comprises a number and type of wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said act of receiving said request further comprises said one or more client devices creating an account, said account including at least a user profile.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of questions comprises a modified plurality of question, said modified plurality of questions being less intrusive than said plurality of questions.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising extracting at least a user'"'"'s name and/or a user'"'"'s premises address from said responses to said modified plurality of questions.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising querying one or more information sources based on said user'"'"'s name and/or said user'"'"'s premises for obtaining information regarding said user'"'"'s premises.

11. An apparatus configured to determine a desired installation configuration within a user'"'"'s premises, said apparatus comprising:

a first interface configured to communicate with a network;

a storage apparatus; and

a processor configured to execute at least one computer program, said at least one computer program comprising a plurality of instructions which are configured to, when executed;

receive a request for services from at least one of a plurality of client devices;

provide said at least one of said plurality of client devices a plurality of questions;

receive a plurality of responses based on said plurality of questions;

evaluate said plurality of responses to determine an optimal configuration for said user'"'"'s premises; and

transmit said optimal configuration to an entity.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, register said at least one of said plurality of client devices.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said register said at least one of said plurality of client devices further comprises create a plurality of location profiles for each of said plurality of client devices within said user'"'"'s premises.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, determine a subtotal score for said responses.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said plurality of instructions are further configured to, when executed, apply a weighting value to said subtotal score to determine a total score for said user'"'"'s premises.

16. A method for determining a desired installation configuration within a user'"'"'s premises, said method comprising:

receiving a request for services from at least one of a plurality of client devices;

providing said at least one of said plurality of client devices a plurality of questions;

receiving a plurality of responses based on said plurality of questions;

calculating an installation score based on said plurality of responses;

evaluating said installation score to determine an optimal configuration for said user'"'"'s premises; and

transmitting said optimal configuration to an entity.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein said installation score comprises at least a raw score based at least on (i) characteristics of said user'"'"'s premises;

(ii) type of client devices;

and/or (iii) a usage within said premises.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising combining said installation score and a device category for creating an installation profile.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising pairing said installation profile to an installation category and a score pair listed on a device chart.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said pairing results in a device model being determined.