Transmission rate management method and device

Abstract

A transmission rate management method is provided. The transmission rate management method is applied to a transmission rate management device. The transmission rate management method comprises the following steps: calculating a total available data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on a data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available data traffic corresponds to a time period; allocating an available data traffic corresponding to the time period to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the total available data traffic; and adjusting a transmission rate of the client device of the one or more client devices based on a remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of the client device. The present invention realizes the beneficial effect of more flexible transmission rate management.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates generally to transmission rate management techniques, and more specifically, to transmission rate management techniques in which data traffic can be allocated to each client device based on a data plan and the number of client devices. Background Technology

[0002] GSM / GPRS / EDGE technologies are also known as 2G cellular technologies; WCDMA / CDMA-2000 / TD-SCDMA technologies are also known as 3G cellular technologies; and LTE / LTE-A / TD-LTE technologies are also known as 4G cellular technologies. These cellular technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol enabling different wireless devices to communicate at the municipal, national, regional, and even global levels. An example of an emerging telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is an enhancement set of the LTE mobile standard released by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). It is designed to better support mobile broadband internet access by improving spectrum efficiency, reducing costs, and improving service.

[0003] In 5G-limited data plans, if users on client devices use the internet without restrictions, they may run out of data before the end of the metering period. This will result in a poor user experience during the remaining metering period. Therefore, users renting Mi-Fi (or mobile Wi-Fi) with 5G-limited data plans may worry about running out of data while traveling abroad.

[0004] One current solution to the above problem involves the data plan provider or application sending a notification when a user is about to run out of the data allowance provided by their plan. However, this solution is merely a passive notification and does not help users limit their transmission rate to prevent them from actively exhausting their data allowance.

[0005] In another current solution, the transmission rate can be limited by the router. Specifically, users can pre-set a fixed transmission rate and only use that fixed rate each day within the data plan's metering period. However, this solution is not flexible enough, and users may experience a poor internet browsing experience. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a method and apparatus for transmission rate management to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention provide a transmission rate management method. The transmission rate management method is applied to a transmission rate management device. The transmission rate management method includes the following steps: calculating the total available data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on a data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available data traffic corresponds to a time period; allocating an available data traffic corresponding to the time period to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the total available data traffic; and adjusting the transmission rate of the client device among the one or more client devices based on the remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of the client device.

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide a transmission rate management device. The transmission rate management device includes a data traffic distributor and a transmission rate controller. The data traffic distributor can calculate the total available data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on a data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available data traffic corresponds to a time period. Furthermore, the data traffic distributor can allocate an available data traffic corresponding to that time period to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device based on the total available data traffic. The transmission rate controller is coupled to the data traffic distributor. The transmission rate controller can adjust the transmission rate of one or more client devices based on the remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of the client devices.

[0009] The present invention provides a transmission rate management method and device, which achieves the beneficial effect of more flexible transmission rate management.

[0010] Other aspects and features of this application will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of specific embodiments of the method and apparatus for transmission rate management. Attached Figure Description

[0011] A more comprehensive understanding of this application can be obtained by referring to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description and examples, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a transmission rate management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a transmission rate management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of a transmission rate management system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the transmission rate management system 100 includes a transmission rate management device 110, a first client device 120, and a second client device 130. It is worth noting that, for the sake of clarity, [further details are needed]. Figure 1 A simplified block diagram is presented, showing only the elements relevant to the present invention. However, the present invention should not be limited to... Figure 1 The content shown is as described. The transmission rate management system 100 may also include more client devices.

[0015] In embodiments of the present invention, the transmission rate management device 110 can provide internet connectivity to client devices (e.g., first client device 120 and second client device 130). The transmission rate management device 110 can be a router or an electronic device with hotspot functionality (e.g., a mobile phone, tablet computer, or laptop computer, but the present invention is not limited thereto) to share internet access with other electronic devices. In embodiments of the present invention, the client devices (e.g., first client device 120 or second client device 130) can be mobile phones, tablet computers, or laptop computers, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0016] like Figure 1 As shown, the transmission rate management device 110 may include a communication circuit 111, a processor 112, a memory 113, and a transmission rate management module 114. It is worth noting that, for the purpose of clarifying the concept of the present invention, Figure 1 A simplified block diagram is presented, showing only the elements relevant to the present invention. However, the transmission rate management device 110 should not be limited to... Figure 1 The content shown.

[0017] In embodiments of the present invention, the communication circuit 111 may include different network interfaces, such as a wired network interface or a wireless network interface. The wired network interface may include an Internet interface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The wireless network interface may include a Wi-Fi interface or a Bluetooth interface, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The transmission rate management device 110 can be connected to the client device through the communication circuit 111. Figure 1 In this invention, the transmission rate management device 110 is connected to the first client device 120 via wireless communication technology (i.e., via a wireless network interface) and to the second client device 130 via wired communication technology (i.e., via a wired network interface), but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0018] In embodiments of the present invention, processor 112 can control the operation of communication circuit 111, memory 113, and transmission rate management module 114. According to embodiments of the present invention, processor 112 can also be arranged to execute program code of a software module. Program code accompanying specific data in a data structure can also be referred to as a processor logic unit or stack instance during execution. Therefore, processor 112 can be considered as consisting of multiple processor logic units, each processor logic unit being used to execute one or more specific functions or tasks of a corresponding software module.

[0019] In embodiments of the present invention, memory 113 may store software and firmware program code, system data, user data, etc. of the transmission rate management device 110. Memory 113 may be volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM); non-volatile memory, such as flash memory or read-only memory (ROM); hard disk; or a combination thereof.

[0020] In embodiments of the present invention, the transmission rate management module 114 may include a data traffic distributor 1141, a data traffic monitor 1142, and a transmission rate controller 1143. The transmission rate management module 114 may be implemented and configured via hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. When executed by the processor 112 (e.g., by executing program code stored in memory 113), the transmission rate management module 114 allows the transmission rate management device 110 to perform embodiments of the present invention.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate the total available data traffic corresponding to a period of time based on a data plan. Furthermore, the data traffic distributor 1141 can also calculate the total available backup data traffic corresponding to that period of time based on the data plan. The data plan can indicate how much data traffic can be used in the data plan and how long the data plan lasts (i.e., the metering period of the data plan). For example, the data plan can use 100GB of data traffic, and the data plan is valid for 30 days. The data plan can be preset in the transmission rate management device 110 by the administrator or user of the transmission rate management device 110. The "time period" of the present invention refers to the time base for the data traffic distributor 1141 to calculate the total available data traffic and the total available backup data traffic. For example, the time period can be 1 day, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The "time period" can be preset in the transmission rate management device 110, or selected by the user of the transmission rate management device 110 from the options shown by the transmission rate management device 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate the total available data traffic and the total available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period based on the data plan. For example, if a data plan allows 100GB of data traffic, the data plan is valid for 30 days, and the "time period" is 1 day, the data traffic allocator 1141 can be set to a total available data traffic of 3GB per day (90GB / 30 = 3GB), and a total available backup data traffic of 0.3GB per day (10GB / 30 = 0.3GB). That is, 90% of the data traffic is allocated to the total available data traffic, and 10% is allocated to the total available backup data traffic. However, this invention is not limited to this. For another example, if a data plan allows 100GB of data traffic, the data plan is valid for 30 days, and the "time period" is 3 days, the data traffic allocator 1141 can be set to a total available data traffic of 9GB every 3 days (90GB / 30 * 3 = 9GB), and a total available backup data traffic of 0.9GB every 3 days (10GB / 30 * 3 = 0.9GB). It should be noted that the unit of "time period" in this invention is not limited to one day or more. It can also be one or more hours or other time units. When the connection state of a client device changes during a time period, the total available data traffic and total available backup data traffic for that time period can be updated. Details will be discussed below.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data traffic distributor 1141 can allocate available data traffic and available backup data traffic corresponding to a time period to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device 110, based on the total available data traffic and total available backup data traffic corresponding to a time period. For example, assuming the total available data traffic is 3GB per day and the total available backup data traffic is 0.3GB per day. If only one client device, such as the first client device 120, is connected to the transmission rate management device 110, the data traffic distributor 1141 can allocate 3GB of available data traffic and 0.3GB of available backup data traffic to the first client device 120.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the data traffic allocator 1141 can allocate available data traffic based on the total available data traffic and the number of client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device 110. For example, assuming the total available data traffic is 3GB per day, if there are two client devices, such as a first client device 120 and a second client device 130, connected to the transmission rate management device 110, the data traffic allocator 1141 can allocate 1.5GB of available data traffic to the first client device 120 and the second client device 130 respectively. Similarly, the data traffic allocator 1141 can allocate available backup data traffic based on the total available backup data traffic and the number of client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device 110.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, when the data traffic allocator 1141 allocates available data traffic, it can also prioritize each client device connected to the transmission rate management device 110. Different priorities can correspond to different weights. For example, assuming the total available data traffic for a time period is 5GB per day, the priority of the first client device 120 is 60, and the priority of the second client device 130 is 40. Therefore, the data traffic allocator 1141 can allocate 3GB (5GB*60 / (60+40)) of available data traffic to the first client device 120, and allocate 2GB (5GB*40 / (60+40)) of available data traffic to the second client device 130. Similarly, when the data traffic allocator 1141 allocates available backup data traffic, it can further prioritize each client device connected to the transmission rate management device 110.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a client device exhausts its available data traffic corresponding to a time period, the data traffic distributor 1141 may further distribute available backup data traffic corresponding to that time period to the client device. In another embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 may simultaneously distribute both available data traffic and available backup data traffic corresponding to that time period to the client device. Furthermore, when both the total available data traffic and the total available backup data traffic have been exhausted during a time period, the data traffic distributor 1141 may not distribute any data traffic to any client device connected to the transmission rate management device 110 during that time period.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data traffic distributor 1141 can send available data traffic and available backup data traffic to the data traffic monitor 1142. The data traffic monitor 1142 can detect downlink and uplink traffic of client devices connected to the rate management device 110, and monitor connections to the rate management device 110 during that time period.

[0027] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the data traffic monitor 1142 detects that a client device connected to the transmission rate management device 110 has exhausted its available data traffic corresponding to that time period, the data traffic monitor 1142 may send a first monitoring result to the data traffic distributor 1141. Then, in one embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 may instruct the transmission rate controller 1143 to limit the transmission rate of the client device based on a first threshold, wherein the transmission rate of the client device may be regarded as the network speed or Internet speed when the client device uses the data traffic provided by the transmission rate management device 110. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first threshold may be a non-zero value. For example, the transmission rate of the client device may be limited to 1 Mbps. Then, when the data traffic monitor 1142 detects that a client device connected to the transmission rate management device 110 has also exhausted its available backup data traffic corresponding to that time period, the data traffic monitor 1142 may send a second monitoring result to the data traffic distributor 1141. Then, the data traffic distributor 1141 may instruct the transmission rate controller 1143 to limit the transmission rate of the client device based on a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is lower than the first threshold. For example, the transmission rate of a client device can be limited to 0 Mbps.

[0028] In another embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 distributes only available data traffic to the client service without distributing available backup data traffic, and the data traffic distributor 1141 may instruct the transmission rate controller 1143 to limit the transmission rate of the client device directly to 0 Mbps based on a first monitoring result indicating that the client device has exhausted the available data traffic corresponding to that time period.

[0029] In one embodiment, when the data traffic monitor 1142 sends a first monitoring result to the data traffic distributor 1141 indicating that a client device connected to the transmission rate management device 110 has exhausted its available data traffic corresponding to that time period, the data traffic distributor 1141 may send a notification displayed on the client device to inquire whether the user of the client device agrees to the transmission rate management device 110 limiting its transmission rate. If the user agrees to limit its transmission rate, the data traffic distributor 1141 may instruct the transmission rate controller 1143 to limit the transmission rate of the client device, but the invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 may directly instruct the transmission rate controller 1143 to limit the transmission rate of the client device without sending a notification to the user of the client device.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, when a time period ends, the data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate another total available data traffic and another total available backup data traffic for the next time period. In one embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate another total available data traffic for the next time period based on the data plan of the transmission rate management device 110 and the sum of the remaining available data traffic corresponding to that time period. Similarly, the data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate another total available backup data traffic for the next time period based on the data plan of the transmission rate management device 110 and the sum of the remaining available backup data traffic corresponding to that time period. For example, the original total available data traffic corresponding to the time period is 3GB per day, and the original total available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period is 0.3GB per day. When a day ends, if a client device is connected to the transmission rate management device 110, the remaining 0.2GB of available data traffic and 0.1GB of available backup data traffic are used for that client device, that is, for that client device, the remaining available data traffic corresponding to that day is 0.2GB, and the remaining available backup data traffic corresponding to that day is 0.1GB. Data traffic allocator 1141 calculates another total available data traffic of 3.2GB for the next day by adding the sum of the original total available data traffic of 3GB and the remaining available data traffic of 0.2GB for the day, and calculates another total available backup data traffic of 0.4GB for the next day by adding the sum of the original total available backup data traffic of 0.3GB and the remaining available backup data traffic of 0.1GB for the day. Data traffic allocator 1141 can then allocate the other total available data traffic and the other total available backup data traffic as described above.

[0031] In embodiments of the present invention, the initial time of each time period can be preset in the transmission rate management device 110 or set by the user of the transmission rate management device 110, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, the start time of the time period can be 12:00 PM or 12:00 AM, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In another embodiment, the initial time of the time period can be 8:00 PM or 8:00 AM. In another embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate another total available data traffic for the next time period of the transmission rate management device 110 based on the data plan rather than based on the sum of the remaining available data traffic corresponding to the time period. Similarly, in another embodiment, the data traffic distributor 1141 can calculate another total available backup data traffic for the next time period of the transmission rate management device 110 based on the data plan rather than based on the sum of the remaining available backup data traffic corresponding to that time period.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the data traffic monitor 1142 can monitor whether the connection status of client devices changes, for example, a new client device connects to the transmission rate management device 110, or a client device originally connected to the transmission rate management device 110 disconnects from the transmission rate management device 110. If the data traffic monitor 1142 detects a change in the connection status of a client device, it can send a third monitoring result to the data traffic allocator 1141. Based on the third monitoring result, the data traffic allocator 1141 can recalculate the updated total available data corresponding to a time period based on the sum of the remaining data traffic of one or more client devices initially connected to the transmission rate management device 110. Then, as described above, the data traffic allocator 1141 can reallocate the updated available data traffic corresponding to that time period to the client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device 110 based on the updated total available data traffic. For example, the total available data traffic corresponding to a time period is 3GB per day, the first client device 120 is connected to the transmission rate management device 110 and the first client device 120 has consumed 1GB of available data traffic (i.e., the sum of the remaining available data traffic is 2GB). Therefore, when the second client device 130 is connected to the transmission rate management device 110, the data traffic distributor 1141 can recalculate the updated total available data traffic (i.e., 2GB), and then the data traffic distributor 1141 can reallocate 1GB of the updated total available data traffic to the first client device 120 and 1GB of the updated total available data traffic to the second client device 130.

[0033] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the data traffic monitor 1142 can monitor whether the connection status of client devices changes, for example, a new client device connects to the transmission rate management device 110, or a client device originally connected to the transmission rate management device 110 disconnects from the transmission rate management device 110. If the data traffic monitor 1142 detects a change in the connection status of a client device, it can send a third monitoring result to the data traffic distributor 1141. Based on the third monitoring result, the data traffic distributor 1141 can recalculate the updated total available backup data traffic corresponding to a time period based on the sum of the remaining backup data traffic of one or more client devices originally connected to the transmission rate management device 110. Then, the data traffic distributor 1141 can reallocate an updated available backup data traffic corresponding to a time period to the client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device 110 based on the updated total available backup data traffic. For example, a first client device 120 is connected to a transmission rate management device 110, and when a second client device 130 is newly connected to the transmission rate management device 110, the first client device 120 has not used any backup data traffic (i.e., the total remaining available backup data traffic is 0.3GB). The data traffic distributor 1141 can recalculate the updated total available backup data traffic to 0.3GB based on the total remaining available backup data traffic (i.e., 0.3GB), and then the data traffic distributor 1141 can redistribute 0.15GB of updated available backup data traffic to the first client device 120 and redistribute 0.15GB of updated available backup data traffic to the second client device 130 based on the updated total available backup data traffic of 0.3GB. As another example, the first client device 120 is connected to the transmission rate management device 110, and when the second client device 130 is newly connected to the transmission rate management device 110, it has exhausted the available data traffic and available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period. Since the sum of the remaining available data traffic and the sum of the remaining available backup data traffic are both zero, the data traffic distributor 1141 may not distribute any data traffic to any client device.

[0034] It should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0035] Figure 2 This is a flowchart of a transmission rate management method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The transmission rate management method can be applied to the transmission rate management device 110 in a transmission rate management system 100. For example... Figure 2As shown, in step S210, the data traffic distributor of the transmission rate management device 110 can calculate the total available data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on the data plan used for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available data traffic corresponds to a time period.

[0036] In step S220, the data traffic distributor can allocate one available data traffic corresponding to the time period to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device 110, based on the total available data traffic.

[0037] In step S230, the transmission rate controller of the transmission rate management device 110 can adjust the transmission rate of one or more client devices based on the remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of the client device.

[0038] In some embodiments of the present invention, in step S220, the data traffic allocator of the transmission rate management device 110 may allocate an available data traffic to each of the one or more client devices based on the total available data traffic and the number of one or more client devices.

[0039] In some embodiments of the present invention, in step S220, the data traffic allocator of the transmission rate management device 110 may allocate an available data traffic to each of one or more client devices based on the total available data traffic and the priority of one or more client devices.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, in step S230, the data traffic monitor of the transmission rate management device 110 can monitor whether the client device has exhausted its available data traffic, and based on a first monitoring result indicating that the client device has exhausted its available data traffic, the transmission rate management device can limit the transmission rate of the client device according to a first threshold. In some embodiments of the present invention, the first threshold is not zero.

[0041] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the transmission rate management method, the data traffic allocator of the transmission rate management device 110 can further calculate the total available backup data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on the data plan of the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available backup data traffic corresponds to a time period, and an available backup data traffic corresponding to that time period is allocated to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the total available backup data traffic. Based on a first monitoring result indicating that a client device has exhausted its available data traffic, the transmission rate controller of the transmission rate management device 110 can adjust the transmission rate of the client device based on the remaining backup data traffic of the client device's available backup data. In some embodiments of the present invention, based on the first monitoring result indicating that a client device has exhausted its available data traffic, the data traffic monitor of the transmission rate management device 110 can monitor whether the client device has exhausted its available backup data traffic. Based on a second monitoring result indicating that a client device has exhausted its available backup data traffic, the transmission rate controller of the transmission rate management device 110 can limit the transmission rate of the client device according to a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is lower than the first threshold.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the transmission rate management method, the data traffic monitor of the transmission rate management device 110 can monitor whether the connection state of one or more client devices changes during a time period. Based on a third monitoring result indicating a change in the connection state of one or more client devices, the data traffic allocator of the transmission rate management device 110 can recalculate the updated total available data traffic corresponding to the time period of the transmission rate management device, based on the sum of the remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of one or more client devices, and reallocate an updated available data traffic to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device based on the updated total available data traffic.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the transmission rate management method, the data traffic monitor of the transmission rate management device 110 can monitor whether the connection state of one or more client devices changes during a time period. Based on a third monitoring result indicating a change in the connection state of one or more client devices, the data traffic allocator of the transmission rate management device 110 can recalculate the updated total available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period of the transmission rate management device, based on the sum of the remaining backup data traffic of the available backup data traffic of one or more client devices, and reallocate an updated available backup data traffic to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device based on the updated total available backup data traffic.

[0044] In some embodiments of the present invention, in the transmission rate management method, the data traffic allocator of the transmission rate management device 110 can calculate another total available data traffic corresponding to the next time period of the transmission rate management device based on the data plan for the transmission rate management device 110 and the sum of the remaining data traffic of one or more client devices within a time period.

[0045] In the transmission rate management method of the present invention, the transmission rate management device can allocate daily data traffic to client devices based on the data traffic plan and the number of client devices. Furthermore, the transmission rate management device can adjust the transmission rate of each client device according to the remaining daily data traffic. Therefore, the transmission rate management method can provide a more flexible solution for allocating data traffic and transmission rates.

[0046] The use of ordinal terms such as "first," "second," and "third" in this invention and the claims is descriptive. It does not in itself imply any order or relationship.

[0047] The steps of the methods described in conjunction with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of both. The software module (e.g., including executable instructions and associated data) and other data can reside in data storage, such as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of computer-readable storage medium known in the art. Example storage media can be coupled to a machine, such as a computer or processor (which may be referred to herein as a "processor" for convenience), such that the processor can read information from and write information to the storage medium. Example storage media can be integrated into a processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user equipment. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user equipment. Furthermore, in some aspects, any suitable computer program product may include a computer-readable medium comprising code relating to one or more aspects of the invention. In some aspects, the computer software product may include packaging material.

[0048] It should be noted that, although not explicitly stated, one or more steps of the methods described herein may include steps for storage, display, and / or output as needed for a particular application. In other words, any data, records, fields, and / or intermediate results discussed in the methods may be stored, displayed, and / or output to another device as needed for a particular application. Although the foregoing describes embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from its basic scope. The various embodiments or portions thereof presented herein may be combined to produce further embodiments. The above description is the best contemplated mode for carrying out the invention. The above description is for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the appended claims.

[0049] The preceding paragraphs describe many aspects. It is evident that the teachings of this invention can be implemented in various ways, and any specific configuration or function in the disclosed embodiments presents only representative conditions. Those skilled in the art will understand that all aspects disclosed in this invention can be applied independently or in combination.

[0050] While the invention has been described by way of example and preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be defined and protected by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A method of transmission rate management, the method applied to a transmission rate management device, the method comprising: calculating a total available data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on a data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available data traffic corresponds to a time period; allocating to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device an available data traffic corresponding to the time period according to the total available data traffic; adjusting a transmission rate of a client device of the one or more client devices based on a remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of the client device; monitoring whether a connection status of the one or more client devices changes during the time period; recomputing an updated total available data traffic corresponding to the time period of the transmission rate management device according to a sum of remaining data traffic of available data traffic of the one or more client devices based on a third monitoring result indicating the connection status of the one or more client devices changes; and re-allocating to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device an updated available data traffic according to the updated total available data traffic. The step of allocating to each of the one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device an available data traffic corresponding to the time period according to the total available data traffic further comprises:

2. The transmission rate management method of claim 1, wherein allocating to each of the one or more client devices an available data traffic according to the total available data traffic and a number of the one or more client devices. The step of allocating to each of the one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device an available data traffic corresponding to the time period according to the total available data traffic further comprises:

3. The transmission rate management method of claim 1, wherein allocating to each of the one or more client devices an available data traffic according to the total available data traffic and a priority of the one or more client devices. The step of adjusting the transmission rate of the client device of the one or more client devices based on the remaining data traffic of the available data traffic of the client device further comprises:

4. The transmission rate management method of claim 1, wherein monitoring whether the client device exhausts the available data traffic of the client device, and limiting the transmission rate of the client device according to a first threshold based on a first monitoring result indicating the client device exhausts the available data traffic of the client device. The first threshold is not zero.

5. The transmission rate management method of claim 4, wherein The method further comprises:

6. The transmission rate management method of claim 5, wherein, calculating a total available backup data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on the data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available backup data traffic corresponds to the time period; allocating to each of the one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device an available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period according to the total available backup data traffic; and ​ based on the first monitoring result indicating that the client device is running out of the available data traffic of the client device, adjusting the transmission rate of the client device based on a remaining backup data traffic of available backup data of the client device.

7. The transmission rate management method of claim 6, wherein based on the first monitoring result indicating that the client device is running out of the available data traffic of the client device, the step of adjusting the transmission rate of the client device based on the remaining backup data traffic of the available backup data of the client device comprises: based on the first monitoring result indicating that the client device is running out of the available data traffic of the client device, monitoring whether the client device is running out of the available backup data traffic of the client device; and based on a second monitoring result indicating that the client device is running out of the available backup data traffic of the client device, limiting the transmission rate of the client device according to a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is lower than the first threshold.

8. The transmission rate management method of claim 6, wherein, further comprising: based on the third monitoring result indicating the connection state transition of the one or more client devices, recalculating an updated total available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period of the transmission rate management device according to a sum of remaining backup data traffic of available backup data traffic of the one or more client devices; and redistributing an updated available backup data traffic to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the updated total available backup data traffic.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein further comprising: based on the data plan for the transmission rate management device and a sum of remaining data traffic of data traffic of the one or more client devices within the time period, calculating another total available data traffic corresponding to a next time period of the transmission rate management device.

10. A transmission rate management device, comprising: a data traffic distributor configured to calculate a total available data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on a data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available data traffic corresponds to a time period; and distribute an available data traffic corresponding to the time period to each of one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the total available data traffic; and a transmission rate controller coupled to the data traffic distributor and configured to adjust a transmission rate of a client device of the one or more client devices based on a remaining data traffic of available data traffic of the client device; and a data traffic monitor coupled to the data traffic distributor, wherein the data traffic monitor is configured to monitor whether a connection state of the one or more client devices is transitioned during the time period; wherein the data traffic distributor is further configured to: ​ based on the third monitoring result indicative of the connection state transition of the one or more client devices, recalculating an updated total available data traffic corresponding to the time period of the transmission rate management device according to a sum of remaining data traffic of available data traffic of the one or more client devices, and reallocating an updated available data traffic to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the updated total available data traffic.

11. The transmission rate management device of claim 10, wherein, The data traffic distributor allocates an available data traffic to each of the one or more client devices according to the total available data traffic and a number of the one or more client devices.

12. The transmission rate management device of claim 10, wherein, The data traffic distributor allocates an available data traffic to each of the one or more client devices according to the total available data traffic and a priority of the one or more client devices.

13. The transmission rate management device of claim 10, wherein, Further comprising: a data traffic monitor coupled to the data traffic distributor, wherein the data traffic monitor monitors whether the client device exhausts the available data traffic of the client device, and based on a first monitoring result indicative of the client device exhausting the available data traffic of the client device, the transmission rate controller limits the transmission rate of the client device according to a first threshold.

14. The transmission rate management device of claim 13, wherein, The first threshold is not zero.

15. The transmission rate management device of claim 14, wherein, The data traffic distributor calculates a total available backup data traffic of the transmission rate management device based on the data plan for the transmission rate management device, wherein the total available backup data traffic corresponds to the time period; and allocates an available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period to each of the one or more client devices currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the total available backup data traffic; and based on the first monitoring result indicative of the client device exhausting the available data traffic of the client device, the transmission rate controller adjusts the transmission rate of the client device based on a remaining backup data traffic of available backup data of the client device.

16. The transmission rate management device of claim 15, wherein, The data traffic monitor monitors whether the client device exhausts the available backup data traffic of the client device based on the first monitoring result indicative of the client device exhausting the available data traffic of the client device; and based on a second monitoring result indicative of the client device exhausting the available backup data traffic of the client device, the transmission rate controller limits the transmission rate of the client device according to a second threshold, wherein the second threshold is lower than the first threshold.

17. The transmission rate management device of claim 15, wherein, based on the third monitoring result indicative of the connection state transition of the one or more client devices, the data traffic distributor recalculates an updated total available backup data traffic corresponding to the time period of the transmission rate management device according to a sum of remaining backup data traffic of available backup data traffic of the one or more client devices; and reallocates an updated available backup data traffic to each client device currently connected to the transmission rate management device according to the updated total available backup data traffic.

18. The rate management device of claim 10, wherein, The data flow distributor calculates another total available data flow corresponding to a next time period of the transmission rate management device based on the data plan for the transmission rate management device and a sum of the remaining data flow of the data flow of the one or more client devices within the time period.

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