How Cellular Networks Reconfigure Without Dropping Your Call
This patent describes a method for cellular networks to intelligently reconfigure parts of their system by temporarily moving users to a different connection, aiming to minimize disruption and improve service during updates or changes.
Original patent title: “Cellular telecommunications network”
This patent describes a method for cellular networks to intelligently reconfigure parts of their system by temporarily moving users to a different connection, aiming to minimize disruption and improve service during updates or changes. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a method for a cellular telecommunications network to reconfigure one of its transceivers while keeping users connected. The network includes a first transceiver operating in a first spectrum range and a second transceiver in a second spectrum range. When a trigger condition for reconfiguring the second transceiver is met, the system evaluates several ways to make this change. Each option involves moving users from the second spectrum range to the first access connection before the second transceiver is reconfigured. This evaluation considers the potential impact on users. Based on this assessment, the system selects the best option, then transfers users as planned, and finally reconfigures the second transceiver. For example, if a 5G tower needs an update, the system might temporarily shift all users on that tower's specific frequency band to an available 4G band or another 5G band on a different part of the tower, perform the update, and then move them back.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover reconfiguring a transceiver without first transferring users to a different access connection.
- Does not cover reconfiguring a transceiver without evaluating multiple candidate transition options beforehand.
- Does not cover network reconfigurations that do not involve at least two distinct transceivers and spectrum ranges.
- Does not cover reconfigurations where the transfer of users is not specifically from the second spectrum range to the first access connection.
- Does not cover reconfigurations where the evaluation of transition options does not consider user impact.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is the system's ability to intelligently evaluate multiple ways to reconfigure a network component, specifically by considering how each option would affect users, and then choosing the least disruptive path by temporarily moving users to another connection.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
5G network upgrades and maintenance
Dynamic spectrum sharing adjustments
Cellular tower hardware updates
Network load balancing operations
Software updates for base station transceivers
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Cellular networks are constantly evolving, requiring updates, maintenance, and dynamic adjustments to optimize performance. This method allows network operators to perform these crucial reconfigurations with minimal interruption to user experience, preventing dropped calls or slow data speeds. It helps ensure that network upgrades and maintenance can happen seamlessly in the background, which is vital for maintaining high service quality and customer satisfaction.
Filed
May 11, 2021
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major telecommunications equipment providers such as Ericsson, Nokia, Huawei, and Samsung are continuously developing and implementing advanced network management solutions. These companies focus on creating systems that can dynamically adapt and reconfigure cellular infrastructure to optimize performance and support new technologies like 5G and future wireless standards. Their ongoing work includes intelligent automation for network operations, which aligns with the principles described in this patent.
Market impact
This type of technology allows network operators to maintain high service quality while performing necessary network upgrades and maintenance. It reduces downtime and improves customer satisfaction by preventing service interruptions. The market benefits from more reliable and efficient cellular networks, enabling faster deployment of new technologies and more flexible use of spectrum resources, which is critical for supporting the ever-growing demand for mobile data and connectivity.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a method for a cellular telecommunications network to reconfigure one of its transceivers while keeping users connected. The network includes a first transceiver operating in a first spectrum range and a second transceiver in a second spectrum range. When a trigger condition for reconfiguring the second transceiver is met, the system evaluates several ways to make this change. Each option involves moving users from the second spectrum range to the first access connection before the second transceiver is reconfigured. This evaluation considers the potential impact on users. Based on this assessment, the system selects the best option, then transfers users as planned, and finally reconfigures the second transceiver. For example, if a 5G tower needs an update, the system might temporarily shift all users on that tower's specific frequency band to an available 4G band or another 5G band on a different part of the tower, perform the update, and then move them back.
The clever bit
The clever part is the system's ability to intelligently evaluate multiple ways to reconfigure a network component, specifically by considering how each option would affect users, and then choosing the least disruptive path by temporarily moving users to another connection.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover reconfiguring a transceiver without first transferring users to a different access connection.
- Does not cover reconfiguring a transceiver without evaluating multiple candidate transition options beforehand.
- Does not cover network reconfigurations that do not involve at least two distinct transceivers and spectrum ranges.
- Does not cover reconfigurations where the transfer of users is not specifically from the second spectrum range to the first access connection.
- Does not cover reconfigurations where the evaluation of transition options does not consider user impact.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$17K – $54K
Midpoint $34K · 14.6 yr remaining · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How Cellular Networks Reconfigure Without Dropping Your Call (U.S. Patent No. 12,739,717). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12739717/cellular-telecommunications-network
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Cellular Networks Reconfigure Without Dropping Your Call cover?
This patent describes a method for cellular networks to intelligently reconfigure parts of their system by temporarily moving users to a different connection, aiming to minimize disruption and improve service during updates or changes.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
Cellular networks are constantly evolving, requiring updates, maintenance, and dynamic adjustments to optimize performance. This method allows network operators to perform these crucial reconfigurations with minimal interruption to user experience, preventing dropped calls or slow data speeds. It helps ensure that network upgrades and maintenance can happen seamlessly in the background, which is vital for maintaining high service quality and customer satisfaction.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover reconfiguring a transceiver without first transferring users to a different access connection.
Patent monitoring