# US 2024/0205702 A1 · Event based network downtime determination > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2024/0205702 A1 - Document ID: US20240205702A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/069,094 - Filed: 2022-12-20 - Published: 2024-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2022-12-20 - Assignees: DISH Wireless L.L.C. - Applicants: DISH Wireless L.L.C. - Inventors: Jeremy Conyers - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20240205702A1 ## CPC - H04W 24/08: Testing, {supervising or monitoring} using real traffic - H04L 43/0805: by checking availability - H04W 24/04: Arrangements for maintaining operational condition - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract Network downtime determination and reporting technologies are disclosed. An example method for determining downtime associated with a communications network includes detecting an event that triggers update of a downtime accumulation estimate associated with the communications network, and determining real-time status of a subset of cell sites that is potentially affected by the event. The example method also includes updating the downtime accumulation estimate based on the real-time status of the subset, and comparing the updated downtime accumulation estimate with one or more criteria for reporting the same. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A computer-implemented method for determining downtime associated with a communications network including a plurality of cell sites, the method comprising: detecting an event that triggers update of a downtime accumulation estimate associated with the communications network; determining real-time status of a subset of the plurality of cell sites that is potentially affected by the event; updating the downtime accumulation estimate based, at least in part, on the real-time status of the subset; comparing the updated downtime accumulation estimate with one or more reporting criteria; and responsive to a positive result from the comparing, transmitting the updated downtime accumulation estimate to a remote system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the event comprises obtaining at least one of cell site malfunction messages or user device malfunction messages from the communications network. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein detecting the event further comprises determining that a quantity of the at least one of cell site malfunction messages or user device malfunction messages exceeds a threshold. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the threshold is based on at least one of a geographic concentration, network topology-based concentration, or communication market division of the communications network. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the quantity is determined in real-time based, at least in part, on a period of time up to the current moment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the event is based, at least in part, on data obtained external to the communications network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, wherein the data obtained external to the communications network includes at least one of power outage alert, fire alert, severe weather alert, or natural disaster alert. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising identifying the subset of the plurality of cell sites based, at least in part, on a measure of proximity to the event. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein the proximity is based on at least one of a spatial distance or network distance. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining the real-time status of the subset of the plurality of cell sites comprises causing active probing of at least one cell site of the subset. ### Claim 11 A network downtime determination system, comprising: at least one memory that stores computer executable instructions; and at least one processor that executes the computer executable instructions to cause actions to be performed, the actions including: detecting an event that triggers update of a downtime accumulation estimate associated with a communications network including a plurality of cell sites; determining real-time status of a subset of the plurality of cell sites that is potentially affected by the event; updating the downtime accumulation estimate based, at least in part, on the real-time status of the subset; comparing the updated downtime accumulation estimate with one or more reporting criteria; and responsive to a positive result from the comparing, transmitting the updated downtime accumulation estimate to a remote system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein the actions further comprise determining real-time status of all of the plurality of cell sites. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the determining of real-time status of all of the plurality of cell sites is performed independently from the determining of real-time status of the subset of cell sites. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the actions further comprise consolidating the real-time status of all of the plurality of cell sites with the downtime accumulation estimate to determine updated downtime accumulation. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein the actions further comprise comparing the updated downtime accumulation with the one or more reporting criteria. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the actions further comprise responsive to a positive result from the comparing of the updated downtime accumulation with the one or more criteria, transmitting the updated downtime accumulation to the remote system. ### Claim 17 A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing contents that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform actions comprising: detecting an event that triggers update of a downtime accumulation estimate associated with a communications network including a plurality of cell sites; determining real-time status of a subset of the plurality of cell sites that is potentially affected by the event; updating the downtime accumulation estimate based, at least in part, on the real-time status of the subset; comparing the updated downtime accumulation estimate with one or more reporting criteria; and responsive to a positive result from the comparing, causing transmitting of the updated downtime accumulation estimate to a remote system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein detecting the event is based on at least one of a geographic concentration, network topology-based concentration, or communication market division of the communications network. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein detecting the event is based, at least in part, on a period of time up to the current moment. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the actions further comprise: determining real-time status of all of the plurality of cell sites independently from the determining of real-time status of the subset of cell sites; consolidating the real-time status of all of the plurality of cell sites with the downtime accumulation estimate to determine updated downtime accumulation; comparing the updated downtime accumulation with the one or more reporting criteria; and responsive to a positive result from the comparing of the updated downtime accumulation with the one or more criteria, causing transmitting of the updated downtime accumulation to the remote system.