Claims:CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A method for eliminating signal strength loss in a telecommunication network, said method comprising:
fetching at least one parameter specific to a User Equipment (UE), as input, by an eNodeB;
identifying possible occurrence of a blockage event, by said eNodeB; and
initiating at least one counter action, upon identifying said possible occurrence of said blockage event, by said eNodeB.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said parameter specific to said UE is at least one of location of said UE, Doppler shift, speed at which said UE is moving, and direction in which said UE is moving.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein identifying possible occurrence of said blockage event further comprises:

generating a motion pattern pertaining to said UE, based on said fetched input, by said eNodeB;
comparing said motion pattern with a zone map database, by said eNodeB;
checking if said UE is moving towards a low zone, by said eNodeB, wherein said low zone represents a blockage zone; and
calculating time within which said UE will reach said low zone, by said eNodeB.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said zone map comprises data pertaining to low zones and high zones in a selected geographical area.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said zone map is dynamically updated.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one counter action is initiated before said UE entering said low zone, by said eNodeB.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one counter action is initiated while said UE is in said low zone, by said eNodeB.
8. A system for eliminating signal strength loss in a telecommunication network, said system comprising:
a hardware processor;
a non-volatile memory comprising instructions, said instructions configured to cause said hardware processor to:
fetch at least one parameter specific to a User Equipment (UE), as input, by an eNodeB;
identify possible occurrence of a blockage event, by said eNodeB; and
initiate at least one counter action, upon identifying said possible occurrence of said blockage event, by said eNodeB.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to collect at least one of location of said UE, Doppler shift, speed at which said UE is moving, and direction in which said UE is moving, as parameter specific to said UE.
10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to identify possible occurrence of said blockage event by:

generating a motion pattern pertaining to said UE, based on said fetched input, by a blockage prediction module;
comparing said motion pattern with a zone map database, by said blockage prediction module;
checking if said UE is moving towards a low zone, by said blockage prediction module, wherein said low zone represents a blockage zone; and
calculating time within which said UE will reach said low zone, by said blockage prediction module.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said eNodeB is configured to update said zone map database dynamically.
12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to initiate said at least one counter action before said UE entering said low zone.
13. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to initiate said at least one counter action while said UE is in said low zone.

Dated this 18th August 2015

Signature:
Name: Kalyan Chakravarthy
, Description:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“Automated blockage prediction and service continuity in a telecommunication network”

APPLICANTS:
Name Nationality Address
SAMSUNG R&D Institute India - Bangalore Private Limited India # 2870, Orion Building, Bagmane Constellation Business Park, Outer Ring Road, Doddanekundi Circle, Marathahalli Post,Bangalore-560 037, India

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein relate to telecommunication networks and, more particularly, to blockage prediction based system for providing services to User Equipments (UE) in the telecommunication network.

BACKGROUND
[002] Telecommunication domain witnessed a steep growth in terms of technologies, gadgets, and number of users/customers, over last few decades. Number of mobile phone users is growing at exponential rate, and the competition between service providers also increases in turn.
[003] Users often experience certain network related issues such as network failure, lower signal strength and so on. As a part of improving the customer experience, the service providers have developed certain technologies for solving some of the aforementioned issues. However, certain issues still exist. One such issue is signal loss caused by obstructions. Obstruction is caused by static, semi-static, or dynamic objects which temporarily block signals to area surrounding them, and the users in these locations experience signal loss, which in turn affects service quality, and temporary disconnection of services. For example, when a mobile user is travelling, obstruction is caused by bigger vehicles, and buildings, which affects the signal strength or completely blocks the signal.
[004] The existing systems used for ensuring continuous service to customers identify signal issues caused by obstructions, as and when it happens, and tries to initiate certain preventive measures. However, the existing systems are not proactive in nature, hence, the customer always experiences adverse effects of signal loss.

SUMMARY
[005] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method for eliminating signal strength loss in a telecommunication network. In this method, at least one parameter specific to a User Equipment (UE) is fetched as input, by an eNodeB. Further, a possible occurrence of a blockage event is identified based on the fetched parameter. Further, upon detecting possible occurrence of the blockage event, at least one counter action is initiated by the eNodeB.
[006] Embodiments further disclose a system for eliminating signal strength loss in a telecommunication network. The system comprising a hardware processor; and a non-volatile memory comprising instructions. The instructions are configured to cause said hardware processor to fetch at least one parameter specific to a User Equipment (UE), as input, by an eNodeB. The eNodeB further identifies possible occurrence of a blockage event, based on the fetched parameter. The eNodeB further initiates at least one counter action, upon identifying the possible occurrence of said blockage event.
[007] These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[008] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[009] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which shows components of a eNodeB in the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram which shows components of a service continuity module, as disclosed in the embodiments herein;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram which depicts steps involved in the process of predicting blockage and triggering preventive action, using the proactive blockage prediction an rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram which depicts steps involved in the process of predicting blockage using the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0015] The embodiments herein disclose a mechanism for ensuring service continuity under blockage conditions by predicting blockage events and taking preventive actions. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 comprises of a network 101 and at least one User equipment 103. The network 101 further comprises of a plurality of eNodeBs 102. The terms eNodeB and eNB are used interchangeably throughout the specification. The UE 101 can be any device such as but not limited to mobile phone, tablet, and any such device that can support communication over a telecommunication network.
[0017] The network 101 is preferably a telecommunication network which can help at least two UEs 102 connect to communicate each other. At least one of the two eNodeBs 102 depicted in the figure can be configured to provide signal for the UE 103 to establish connection with the network 101. The UE 103 can be configured to measure and transmit at least one parameter such as but not limited to location, direction in which the UE 103 is moving, and Doppler shift, to the particular eNB 102 which is serving the UE 103 at that instance of time. The eNB 102 can be configured to predict, by processing the UE specific parameters, possible occurrence of a blockage event. The eNB 102 can be further configured to trigger at least one preventive action to ensure service continuity to the UE 103, during the blockage event. In a preferred embodiment, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 can be used with any network, irrespective of the type and frequency of waves used by the network 101, by adopting suitable channel quality measurement techniques. For example, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 can be used with a millimeter wave communication system.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a block diagram which shows components of an eNodeB (eNB) in the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The eNB 102 further comprises of a service continuity module 201. The service continuity module 201 can be configured to collect parameters specific to the UE 103, process the collected data, and identify possible occurrence of a blockage event. The service continuity module 201 can be further configured to identify at least one preventive action to ensure that the UE 103 receives services even during the blockage event. In various embodiments, the service continuity module 201 can be configured to trigger the preventive action prior to occurrence or during occurrence of the blockage event.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a block diagram which shows components of a service continuity module, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. The service continuity module 201 further comprises of an Input/Output (I/O) interface 301, a memory module 302, a blockage prediction module 303, a decision making module 304, and an action triggering module 305.
[0020] The I/O interface 301 can be configured to communicate with the UE 103 and collect at least one parameter required for the blockage prediction. The I/O interface 302 can be further configured to send any instruction pertaining to any action that needs to be triggered by the UE 103 so as to manage the blockage condition.
[0021] The memory module 302 can be configured to store various data that is required for the purpose of blockage prediction, and for triggering appropriate preventive measures. The memory module 302 can be configured to store a zone database which possesses zone-wise information pertaining to a location. The memory module 302 can be further configured to dynamically update the zone database. The memory module 302 can be further configured to store information pertaining to blockage predictions generated for each UE 103 being monitored, and use all information pertaining to the a detected event as history information, which can act as a reference data during detection of a blockage event at a later point of time.
[0022] The blockage prediction module 303 can be configured to generate a motion pattern by processing inputs collected from the UE 101, wherein the motion pattern can represent characteristics of movement of the UE 103. The blockage prediction module 303 can be further configured to identify, based on the motion pattern and a zone database, possible occurrence of a blockage event for the UE 103. The blockage prediction module 303 can be further configured to communicate information pertaining to the blockage to the decision making module 304, which in turn identifies/selects at least one preventive action that needs to be executed so as to counter the blockage condition. In various embodiments, the preventive action can be at least one of beam forming, forming cooperative set of eNBs 102, and/or rerouting energy to serve other UEs 103, or any such action. The decision making module 304 can be further configured to communicate information pertaining to the preventive action to be triggered, to the action triggering module 305. The action triggering module 305 can be configured to execute the selected preventive action. In an embodiment, executing the preventive action may include controlling functionality of at least one network element to perform the selected action.
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram which depicts steps involved in the process of predicting blockage and triggering preventive action, using the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. Initially, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 collects (402) at least one parameter pertaining to the UE 103. Further, by processing the collected inputs, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 predicts (404) an event, wherein the event indicates whether or not a blockage event will occur for the UE 103.
[0024] If no possible occurrence of the blockage event is predicted (406), the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 continues monitoring the UE 103. If any possible occurrence of a blockage event is detected, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system triggers (408) at least one preventive action to counter effects of the blockage event. For example, the preventive action triggered can be beam forming. The proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 can use any suitable beam forming technology so as to form the beam in the direction the UE 103 is located, and thereby provide necessary services.
[0025] Another effective preventive action can be cell coordination. In this case, upon identifying that the eNB 102 that is currently providing service to the UE 103 cannot provide the service when the UE 103 enters the low zone, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 checks if any other eNB 102 in that location can provide services to the UE 103 even during the blockage. If so, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 initiates a coordination between the eNBs (say 102.a and 102.b), so as to efficiently serve the UE 103 during the blockage event.
[0026] In another embodiment, if the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 identifies that no technique can help serve the UE 103 effectively during the blockage, the energy used to serve the UE 103 can be used to serve other UEs 103 during the blockage, thereby preventing energy wastage.
[0027] The various actions in method 400 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 4 may be omitted.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram which depicts steps involved in the process of predicting blockage using the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system, as disclosed in the embodiments herein. In the process of predicting the blockage event, the service continuity module 201 in the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 generates (502) a motion pattern pertaining to the UE 103, wherein the motion pattern represents parameters such as but not limited to direction in which the UE 103 is moving, speed in which the UE 103 is moving, and Doppler shift. The service continuity module 201 can also receive a zone number which represents current position/location of the UE 103. The service continuity module 201 compares (504) the motion pattern with the zone database, and checks (506) for presence of low zones around the area where the UE 103 is located. A low zone may indicate a zone which has below threshold values in terms of Channel Quality, and Channel health (as indicated by a channel State Information (CSI)), which means that any UE 103 that enters coverage area of the low zone may receive low quality or no service. If at least one low zone is identified in that location, the service continuity module 201 checks (508) whether the UE 103 is moving towards any of the identified low zone. If the UE 103 is moving towards a low zone at that instance of time, the service continuity module 201 identifies (510) the event as a possible occurrence of cell blockage. In a preferred embodiment, the service continuity module 201 calculates time left for the blockage event to happen, based on parameters such as distance between the UE's current location and the low zone, speed at which the UE 103 is moving, Doppler shift and so on.
[0029] For example, consider the zone map given below:

[0030] In this zone map, the zones Z-3 and Z-6 are marked as low zones. Assume that, at time instance’t’, the UE 103 is located in zone Z-2. Assume that the UE 103 moves towards Z-6, which is a low zone. In that case, the service continuity module 201 may deem that there is a possible occurrence of blockage event, and further calculates the time instance (t+T) at which the blockage event is supposed to happen.
[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the zone map gets updated dynamically, based on the channel quality information (CQI) and other related data sent by the UE 103 continuously or at regular intervals of time. The UE 103 can use any suitable mechanism for the purpose of identifying channel quality information as well as location information. In another preferred embodiment, the service continuity module 201 can measure using at least one suitable technology, a CQI distribution for a zone being considered. Further, based on the CQI distribution at each time instance, and based on a pre-configured threshold value of CQI, low zones in the area identified. The service continuity module 201 can also consider signal-interference ratio of zones to identify low zones. For example, in the zone map given above, the zones Z-3 and Z-6 are identified to have CQI less than the threshold value set.
[0032] The blockage and associated signal strength degradation in the low zone can happen due to various reasons. A few examples are given below:
? Blockage of a single beam from an eNB
? Blockage of a single beam from multiple eNBs
[0033] In any such scenario, the proactive blockage prediction and rectification system 100 can predict possible occurrence of blockage event, and accordingly trigger at least one selected preventive action.
[0034] The various actions in method 500 may be performed in the order presented, in a different order or simultaneously. Further, in some embodiments, some actions listed in FIG. 5 may be omitted.
[0035] The embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented through at least one software program running on at least one hardware device and performing network management functions to control the network elements. The network elements shown in Fig. 1 include blocks which can be at least one of a hardware device, or a combination of hardware device and software module.
[0036] The embodiments disclosed herein specify a system for blockage prediction based service continuity in telecommunication networks. The mechanism allows prediction of possible occurrence of blockage, and triggering of preventive actions, providing a system thereof. Therefore, it is understood that the scope of protection is extended to such a system and by extension, to a computer readable means having a message therein, said computer readable means containing a program code for implementation of one or more steps of the method, when the program runs on a server or mobile device or any suitable programmable device. The method is implemented in a preferred embodiment using the system together with a software program written in, for ex. Very high speed integrated circuit Hardware Description Language (VHDL), another programming language, or implemented by one or more VHDL or several software modules being executed on at least one hardware device. The hardware device can be any kind of device which can be programmed including, for ex. any kind of a computer like a server or a personal computer, or the like, or any combination thereof, for ex. one processor and two FPGAs. The device may also include means which could be for ex. hardware means like an ASIC or a combination of hardware and software means, an ASIC and an FPGA, or at least one microprocessor and at least one memory with software modules located therein. Thus, the means are at least one hardware means or at least one hardware-cum-software means. The method embodiments described herein could be implemented in pure hardware or partly in hardware and partly in software. Alternatively, the embodiment may be implemented on different hardware devices, for ex. using a plurality of CPUs.
[0037] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims as described herein.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A method for eliminating signal strength loss in a telecommunication network, said method comprising:
fetching at least one parameter specific to a User Equipment (UE), as input, by an eNodeB;
identifying possible occurrence of a blockage event, by said eNodeB; and
initiating at least one counter action, upon identifying said possible occurrence of said blockage event, by said eNodeB.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said parameter specific to said UE is at least one of location of said UE, Doppler shift, speed at which said UE is moving, and direction in which said UE is moving.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein identifying possible occurrence of said blockage event further comprises:

generating a motion pattern pertaining to said UE, based on said fetched input, by said eNodeB;
comparing said motion pattern with a zone map database, by said eNodeB;
checking if said UE is moving towards a low zone, by said eNodeB, wherein said low zone represents a blockage zone; and
calculating time within which said UE will reach said low zone, by said eNodeB.
4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said zone map comprises data pertaining to low zones and high zones in a selected geographical area.
5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said zone map is dynamically updated.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one counter action is initiated before said UE entering said low zone, by said eNodeB.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one counter action is initiated while said UE is in said low zone, by said eNodeB.
8. A system for eliminating signal strength loss in a telecommunication network, said system comprising:
a hardware processor;
a non-volatile memory comprising instructions, said instructions configured to cause said hardware processor to:
fetch at least one parameter specific to a User Equipment (UE), as input, by an eNodeB;
identify possible occurrence of a blockage event, by said eNodeB; and
initiate at least one counter action, upon identifying said possible occurrence of said blockage event, by said eNodeB.
9. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to collect at least one of location of said UE, Doppler shift, speed at which said UE is moving, and direction in which said UE is moving, as parameter specific to said UE.
10. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to identify possible occurrence of said blockage event by:

generating a motion pattern pertaining to said UE, based on said fetched input, by a blockage prediction module;
comparing said motion pattern with a zone map database, by said blockage prediction module;
checking if said UE is moving towards a low zone, by said blockage prediction module, wherein said low zone represents a blockage zone; and
calculating time within which said UE will reach said low zone, by said blockage prediction module.
11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein said eNodeB is configured to update said zone map database dynamically.
12. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to initiate said at least one counter action before said UE entering said low zone.
13. The system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said eNodeB is configured to initiate said at least one counter action while said UE is in said low zone.

Dated this 18th August 2015

Signature:
Name: Kalyan Chakravarthy

ABSTRACT
A method and a system for providing services to User Equipments (UE) in a telecommunication network, based on blockage prediction. The system collects at least one parameter specific to the UE being monitored, as input. Further, by processing the input collected, the system generates a motion pattern for the UE. Further, by comparing the motion pattern with a zone map database, the system checks for possible occurrence of a blockage event that will affect signal strength, which in turn may result in the UE not receiving services temporarily. Upon detecting possible occurrence of such an event, the system triggers at least one preventive action.

FIG. 3