Method and device for host-controlled packet data suppression

Abstract

Methods for managing network traffic, exhibiting the procedure: Receiving (1102) information during an active circuit-switched communication, wherein the information relates to an exchange of data (110) with a plurality of data types comprising packet-switched data (114) and circuit-switched data (116), wherein the packet-switched data (114) is produced by a plurality of applications in a network communication with a plurality of data rates; Identify (1104) in the received information a critical state of network communication, wherein the critical state (122) is a state associated with an increased risk of disconnection from active circuit-switched communication; responding to the identification of the critical state (122), adjusting (1106) a data rate (118) during active circuit-switched communication, the packet-switched data (114) by at least sending a message to a subset of applications of the majority of applications; and buffering the data (110) of the packet switched data (114) to form buffered data; where each application of the subset of applications adjusts its own data rate in response to the message, and the procedure is executed in a participant device.

Description

[0001] Various embodiments generally relate to network traffic. More specifically, one aspect of this disclosure relates to managing network signaling traffic under critical conditions or states.

[0002] The 3GPP standard for 3G / UMTS allows a feature called MRAB (Multi-Radio Access Bearer): the use of packet-switched (PS) data during voice calls; in contrast to, for example, a CDMA standard, where this is not possible. MRAB provides an advantage in the user experience by using voice and data services simultaneously, but also makes the system more vulnerable to voice call stability issues due to additional signaling and reconfiguration load or the distribution of limited transmission power across the various physical uplink channels. Having less voice call stability results in a higher call abandonment rate during MRAB (CS and PS traffic) compared to voice-only (CS traffic), where CS can be an abbreviation for "circuit-switched."

[0003] US 2011 / 0176423 A1 discloses a system and method for signaling congestion conditions. WO 2012 / 051044 A1 discloses adapting a transmission to improve QoS in a mobile wireless device. US 2008 / 0320526 A1 discloses video communication in mobile networks. US 7290064 B2 discloses an adaptive feedback technique in mobile IP networks.

[0004] Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method, a subscriber device, and a system that each address one or more of the points discussed above.

[0005] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. One aspect of this disclosure includes a method for managing network traffic. The method includes: Receiving information of an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; identifying a critical condition of the network communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjusting a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types.

[0006] Another aspect of this disclosure includes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a data control module. The data control module may be configured to receive information of an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; identify a critical condition of the network communication; and, responsive to identifying the critical condition, reduce a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types.

[0007] Yet another aspect of this disclosure includes a system for managing data traffic. The system includes a receiving device and a data control module. The receiving device may include a modem configured to exchange data having a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication. The data control module may be configured to receive information about the communication; identify a critical condition of the network communication; and, responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjust a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types to the modem.

[0008] In various embodiments, a method for managing network traffic is provided. The method may include: receiving information of an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; identifying a critical condition of the network communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjusting a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types.

[0009] In one embodiment, the method may further include: identifying whether packet-switched data is enabled in the network communication; and responsive to packet-switched data being active, identifying the critical state of the communication.

[0010] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate may include: terminating the exchange of the data of the at least one data type.

[0011] In one embodiment, data of the at least one data type may be produced by a plurality of applications, and adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data from at least one application of the plurality of applications.

[0012] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include: buffering the data of the at least one data type to form buffered data.

[0013] In one embodiment, the method may further include: discarding outdated data from the buffered data.

[0014] In one embodiment, the critical state may be that a user device is close to a maximum transmission energy.

[0015] In one embodiment, the critical state may be one of preparing and activating a compressed mode.

[0016] In one embodiment, the critical condition may be that an uplink capacity limit has been reached.

[0017] In one embodiment, data of the at least one data type may be exchanged on a cellular radio network, and adjusting the rate of the data of the at least one data type may include transmitting the data of the at least one data type over a wireless local area network.

[0018] In one embodiment, the method may further include: sending a message to the server of a data type of the at least one data type to withhold exchange of data of the at least one data type from the exchange of data.

[0019] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate of data may include prioritizing data having at least one data type.

[0020] In one embodiment, data of the at least one data type may be produced by a plurality of applications, and adjusting the rate of data from at least one application of the plurality of applications may include: Prioritize the data produced by each of the majority of applications.

[0021] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data of data exchanged between an application layer and a network layer.

[0022] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data of data exchanged between a transport layer and a network layer.

[0023] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data of data exchanged between a transport layer and a data link layer.

[0024] In one embodiment, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include: reducing the rate of data of data exchanged between a plurality of sublayers within a data link layer.

[0025] In various embodiments, a device is provided. The device may include: a data control module configured to receive information of an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; identifying a critical condition of the network communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjusting a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types.

[0026] In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include: a plurality of applications configured to produce data of the at least one data type, and the data controller may be further configured to adjust the rate of data from at least one application of the plurality of applications.

[0027] In one embodiment, the data controller configured to adjust the rate of data from the at least one application of the plurality of applications may include the data controller configured to notify the at least one application of the plurality of applications to adjust the rate of data.

[0028] In one embodiment, the apparatus may further include a buffer configured to buffer the data of the at least one data type to form buffered data.

[0029] In one embodiment, the buffer may be further configured to discard outdated data from the buffered data.

[0030] In various embodiments, a system for managing data traffic is provided. The system may include: an apparatus including: a modem configured to exchange data having a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; a data control module electrically coupled to the modem and configured to receive information about the network communication; identify a critical condition of the communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adapt a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types to the modem.

[0031] In one embodiment, the device may further include: a plurality of applications accessible by the data control module and configured to produce the at least one data type.

[0032] In one embodiment, the system may further include: a plurality of servers coupled to the network and configured to exchange data of the at least one data type with the plurality of applications, and the data controller may be configured to send a message to at least one of the plurality of servers to withhold exchange of data of the at least one data type with at least one corresponding application of the plurality of applications.

[0033] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer to the same parts throughout the several views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. In the following description, aspects of this disclosure are described with reference to the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 shows an illustration of a protocol structure for a UMTS cellular modem according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device having a data control module that controls communications to all applications in the application domain with a single message, according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 4 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device having a data control module that controls communications to all applications in the application domain with individual messages, according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device having a data buffer for buffering communications to applications in the application domain according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 6 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device having a cellular modem according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a user equipment having a post-transport layer buffer according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with separate application sets and different Internet protocol streams according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with certified and non-certified applications according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 10 shows an illustration of a protocol structure for a user device according to one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 11 shows a flow diagram of a process for managing signal traffic according to one aspect of the present invention; and Fig. 12 shows a flow diagram of a process for managing signal traffic with certified and non-certified applications according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0034] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which, by way of illustration, show specific details and embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect or embodiment described herein as "exemplary" should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or embodiments.

[0035] It should be noted that in this description, references to various features (e.g., elements, structures, modules, components, steps, operations, characteristics, etc.) included in "one aspect," "example aspect," "another aspect," "some aspects," "various aspects," "other aspects," "alternative aspects," and the like are intended to mean that all such features are included in one or more aspects of the present disclosure, but that they may not, or may not necessarily, be combined in the same aspect.

[0036] It should be noted that in this description references to “a number of” may mean one or more.

[0037] For example, a number of objects can be one object, ten objects, fifty objects, or any other number of objects. It should also be noted that in this description, references to "at least one of" can mean any combination. For example, at least one of object A and object B can be object A, object B, or both objects A and B.

[0038] Although the specification is illustrated and described with respect to certain aspects, it is not intended to limit the description to the details shown. Modifications may be made within the scope and range of equivalence of the claims.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0040] In this example, the communication system 100 may include suitable interfaces for receiving, transmitting, and / or otherwise communicating data or information in a network environment. Such network interfaces may include a variety of wireless technologies, such as WiFi, WiMax, 3G, 4G, White Space, 802.11x, satellite, Bluetooth, near field communication, LTE, GSM / WCDMA / HSPA, CDMA1x / EVDO, DSRC, CAN, GPS, etc. Other interfaces may include physical ports, such as Ethernet, USB, HDMI, etc.

[0041] The communication system 100 may include a user equipment 102, base stations 104 and 106, and a wireless access point 108. In other aspects, the communication system 100 may include more or fewer base stations 104 and user equipment devices 102, depending on the application.

[0042] The subscriber device 102 may be referred to as a communications terminal or a mobile device. The subscriber device 102 may include network interfaces for receiving, transmitting, or otherwise communicating data or information. The subscriber device 102 may be a portable mobile phone, a computer equipped with a mobile broadband adapter, or any other device suitable for communicating with the base stations 104 and 106.

[0043] In one aspect of this disclosure, communication system 100 may be a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) mobile radio system. Each of base stations 104 and 106 may also be a NodeB as defined in UMTS.

[0044] The subscriber device 102 can exchange data 110 with each base station 104, 106. Data 110 can be in the form of various data types 112, including packet-switched data 114 and circuit-switched data 116.

[0045] Packet-switched data 114 is exchanged via a packet-switched communication method that groups all transmitted data—regardless of content, type, or structure—into blocks of appropriate size called packets. Packet switching allows delivery of variable-bit-rate data streams (sequences of packets) over a shared network. As they traverse network adapters, switches, routers, and other network nodes, packets may be buffered and queued, resulting in variable delay and throughput depending on the network traffic load. One use of packet-switched data 114 may be when subscriber device 102 accesses the Internet. Packet-switched data 114 may be exchanged with base stations 104, 106 at a data rate of 118.

[0046] Circuit-switched data 116 is exchanged via a circuit-switched communication method in which two network nodes establish a dedicated communication channel (a circuit) through the network before the nodes can communicate. The circuit guarantees the full bandwidth of the channel and remains connected for the duration of the communication session. The circuit functions as if the nodes were physically connected, such as with an electrical wire. One use of circuit-switched data 116 may be when the subscriber device 102 is used by a user to make video calls.

[0047] Additionally, the communication system 100 may include servers 120. Servers 120 may be connected to various programs or applications on the subscriber device 102. The servers 120 may exchange data with a subscriber device 102 regarding a corresponding application or program. For example, an email program on the subscriber device 102 may receive emails from a user's email account from an email server. The servers 120 may be connected to the subscriber device 102 via the Internet, which is connected to the wireless network of the base stations 104, 106 and WLAN (wireless local area network) 108.

[0048] Additionally, subscriber equipment 102 may include critical states 122. Critical states 122 may be states that increase the likelihood of a dropped call during circumstances where packet-switched and circuit-switched data are used. In various aspects, other data types may be used instead of or in conjunction with packet-switched and circuit-switched data types.

[0049] Critical states 122 may refer to states of the subscriber device 102, the base stations 104, 106 and / or the servers 120. However, for convenience, Fig. 1 only shown in the subscriber device 102.

[0050] In one aspect of the disclosure, critical conditions 122 may include approaching a maximum transmit power. As subscriber device 102 moves farther away from a base station with which subscriber device 102 is communicating, the transmit power of the subscriber device may increase. When the transmit power of subscriber device 102 reaches a maximum power, there is an increased chance that a call drop may occur.

[0051] In another aspect, critical conditions 122 may include preparing to enable or disable a compressed mode. In another aspect, critical conditions 122 may include any conditions that may lead to degraded uplink conditions, such as enabling HSDPA. Also, in another aspect, the critical conditions may include configuring HSUPA.

[0052] In further aspects, the critical conditions 122 may include when the uplink capacity is reached and / or there are deteriorating conditions. Deteriorating conditions may exist when there is a low signal level. For example, the received signal code power is below a threshold and / or the received signal strength indication is below a threshold. Deteriorating conditions may also exist when there is a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). For example, the signal-chip energy (Ec / No) is below a threshold, the dedicated physical channel signal-to-noise ratio and / or the HSDPA CQI is below a threshold. Additionally, deteriorating conditions may include some indirect indicators of a low signal level or a low SNR.For example, there may be a high block error rate, a low E-TFCI from HSUPA, a high / increased SNR target, and / or downlink / uplink power control (DLPC / ULPC) may often request an increase in power. Deteriorating conditions may also include high frequency offsets.

[0053] In another aspect of this disclosure, the critical conditions 122 may include the last or last out-of-sync indications observed in the UE, frequent updates of the serving cell (or the active set of serving cells), requests for a new cell are not answered by the network (longer waiting time than usual) and / or a high number of lost packets (sequence numbers of transmitted and actually acknowledged (ACKed; ACK stands for Acknowledgement) packets differ in the buffer).

[0054] In various aspects of this disclosure, critical conditions 122 may include other critical conditions not included in the above list.

[0055] The various aspects of this disclosure recognize and consider that cellular modem-internal information may be exposed to the application domain with value and timing precision that depends on the use case and information element requirements. This may need to be done either via existing, standardized, and necessary interfaces (e.g., AT Control Extension to 3GPP 27.070), or via some serial or parallel hardware interface in a proprietary format.

[0056] The application can then decide whether to allow data flow during an ongoing voice call (MRAB at the cellular modem level) or not (excluding CS at the modem level) by blocking any application data from entering or leaving the cellular modem. This will most likely result in all data RBs in the modem being released, or even all PDP contexts being disabled.

[0057] The various aspects of this disclosure recognize and consider that the sender should not overload the receiver when there is information already known to the receiver, when the receiver is in a tense or critical state (in other words, under a critical condition). Nor should the receiver request more data (e.g., at a higher layer, such as an application layer) than it can handle, for example, because it knows it is in trouble at the lower layer.

[0058] Fig. 2 shows an illustration of a protocol structure for a UMTS cellular modem according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0059] How Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the UMTS cellular modem 200 is logically divided into three protocol layers. The units (entities) that ensure and provide the functionality of the corresponding protocol layers described below are located both in the mobile radio terminal, such as a subscriber device 102, and in a UMTS base station, such as the base stations 104 and 106 as shown in Fig. 1 shown, implemented.

[0060] The lowest in Fig. The layer shown in Figure 2 is the physical layer 201, which represents the protocol layer 1 based on the OSI (Open System Interconnection) reference model defined by ISO (International Standardization Organization).

[0061] The protocol layer located above the physical layer 201 is the data link layer 202, protocol layer 2 based on the OSI reference model, which in turn has a plurality of sub-protocol layers, namely the medium access control protocol layer (MAC protocol layer) 207, the radio link control protocol layer (RLC protocol layer) 204, the packet data convergence protocol layer (PDCP protocol layer) 205, and also the broadcast / multicast control protocol layer (BMC protocol layer) 206.

[0062] The top layer of the UMTS cellular modem is the mobile network layer (protocol layer 3 based on the OSI reference model), which has the mobile resource control unit 203 (Radio Resource Control protocol layer, RRC protocol layer).

[0063] Each protocol layer 201, 202, 203 provides its services to the protocol layer above it via predefined, defined service access points.

[0064] Based on UMTS, the Fig. 2, the protocol structure is not only divided horizontally into the protocol layers and units of the respective protocol layers described above, but also vertically into a “control protocol plane (C plane), which contains parts of the physical layer 201, parts of the MAC protocol layer 207, parts of the RLC protocol layer 204 and also the RRC protocol layer 203, and the user protocol plane (U plane), which contains parts of the physical layer 201, parts of the MAC protocol layer 207, parts of the RLC protocol layer 204, PDCP protocol layer 205 and also the BMC protocol layer 206.

[0065] The units of the control protocol layer are used to transmit only control data, which is required for establishing, releasing and managing a communication connection, whereas the units of the user layer are used to transmit user data, for example data originating from a voice call.

[0066] Each protocol layer or each unit (entity) of a respective protocol layer has specific prescribed functions during a mobile communication. The sender end requires the tasks of the physical layer 201 or the units of the physical layer 201 to ensure the secure transmission of data coming from the MAC protocol layer 207. In this connection, data is mapped to physical channels (not shown in Fig. 2). The physical layer 201 provides its services to the MAC protocol layer 207 via transport channels 209, which are used to determine how and with what characteristics the data should be transmitted. The basic functions provided by the entities of the physical layer 201 include channel coding, modulation, and CDMA code spreading. Accordingly, the physical layer 201 or entities of the physical layer 201 at the receiver side perform CDMA code despreading, demodulation, and decoding of the received data and forward this data to the MAC protocol layer 207 for further processing.

[0067] The MAC protocol layer 207 or the entities of the MAC protocol layer 207 provide its or their services to the RLC protocol layer 204 using logical channels 208 as service access points, and these are used to characterize the type of data to be transmitted over the air interface. The task of the MAC protocol layer 207 in the transmitter, i.e., during data transmission in the uplink direction in the mobile terminal 118, is, in particular, to transfer the data present on a logical channel 208 above the MAC protocol layer 208 to the transport channels 209 of the physical layer 201. The physical layer 201 provides discrete transmission rates to the transport channels 209 for this purpose.It is therefore a function of the MAC protocol layer 207 or the entities of the MAC protocol layer 207 in the mobile terminal to select, in the transmission situation, a suitable transport format (TF) for each configured transport channel based on the respective current data transmission rate and the respective data priority of the logical channels 208, which are mapped to the respective transport channel 209, as well as the available transmission energy of the mobile terminal (UE). A transport format contains, among other things, an agreement about how many MAC data packet units, called transport blocks, are transmitted, in other words, transferred, to the physical layer 201 over the transport channel 209 per transmission period TTI (Transmission Time Interval).The approved transport formats and also the approved combinations of transport formats for the various transport channels 209 are signaled to the mobile terminal by a mobile network control unit when a communication connection is established. In the receiver, the units of the MAC protocol layer 207 divide the transport blocks received on the transport channels 209 again across the logical channels 208.

[0068] The MAC protocol layer or units of the MAC protocol layer 207 typically have three logical units. The "MAC-d unit" (MAC dedicated unit) processes the user data and control data, which are mapped to the dedicated transport channels (DCH) via the corresponding dedicated logical channels (DTCH) and DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel).The MAC-c / sh unit (MAC control / shared unit) processes the user data and control data from the logical channels 208, which are mapped to the shared control channels 209, such as the shared transport channel RACH (Random Access Channel) in the uplink direction or the shared transport channel FACH (Forward Access Channel) in the downlink direction. The MAC-b unit (MAC broadcast unit) processes only the cell-specific system information, which is mapped to the BCH (Broadcast Channel) via the logical channel BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel) and broadcast to all mobile terminals in the respective cell.

[0069] Using the RLC protocol layer 204 or the entities of the RLC protocol layer 204, the RRC protocol layer 203 is provided with its services via signaling radio bearers (SRBs) 213 as service access points, and the PDCP protocol layer 205 and the BMC protocol layer 206 are provided with their services via radio bearers (RBs) 210 as radio access points. The signaling radio bearers and the radio bearers characterize the manner in which the RLC protocol layer 204 must handle the data packets. For example, the RRC protocol layer 203 determines the transmission mode for each configured signaling radio bearer or radio bearer. The following transmission modes are provided by UMTS: transparent mode (TM); unacknowledged mode (UM); or acknowledged mode (AB).

[0070] The RLC protocol layer 204 is modeled so that there is an independent RLC entity for each radio bearer or signaling radio bearer. Additionally, the task of the RLC protocol layer 204 in the transmission device is to segment or assemble the user data and control data from radio bearers or signaling radio bearers into data packets. The RLC protocol layer 204 transmits the resulting data packets after segmentation or assembly to the MAC protocol layer 207 for further transport or processing.

[0071] The PDCP protocol layer 205 or the units of the PDCP protocol layer 205 are configured to transmit or receive data from the packet-switched domain (PS domain). The main function of the PDCP protocol layer 205 is to compress or decompress the IP (Internet Protocol) header information.

[0072] The BMC protocol layer 206 or its entities is or are used to transmit or receive “cell broadcast messages” over the air interface.

[0073] The RRC protocol layer 203 or the entities of the RRC protocol layer 203 is or are responsible for the establishment, release, and reconfiguration of physical channels, transport channels 209, logical channels 208, signaling radio bearers 213, and radio bearers 210, and also for the configuration of the parameters of protocol layer 1, i.e., the physical layer 201 and the protocol layer 2. For this purpose, the RRC entities, i.e., the entities of the RRC protocol layer 203, in the mobile radio control unit 106, 107 and the respective mobile radio terminal exchange suitable RRC messages via the signaling radio bearers 213.

[0074] In Fig. 3 to Fig. 10, various aspects of the subscriber device are shown. It will be understood that various components of each of these aspects may be used in combination with other aspects. Additionally, all aspects of this disclosure are not limited to these aspects. However, it will be understood that similar components in each figure may still be different.

[0075] Fig. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with a data control module that controls communications to all applications in the application domain with a single message according to one aspect of the present invention. In one aspect, the subscriber device 300 is an example of the Fig. 1. The subscriber device 300 may also be referred to as a receiving device.

[0076] The subscriber device 300 may include an application domain 302 and a cellular modem 304. The application domain 302 may communicate with the cellular modem 304 to process data 301 exchanged between the subscriber device 300 and a base station.

[0077] The cellular modem 304 may be an illustrative aspect of the Fig. 2. In various aspects, cellular modem 304 may include different components than cellular modem 200, or it may not include components illustrated in cellular modem 200. Cellular modem 304 may be configured to send information about a communication of subscriber device 302 with a different network interface to data control module 314.

[0078] In one aspect, the cellular modem 304 includes a physical layer 306, a data link layer 307, and a radio resource control layer 308. The layers 306 to 308 may be examples of the Fig. 2 shown layers 201 to 203.

[0079] Application domain 302 may include applications 310-312. In one or more aspects, application domain 302 may include any number of applications. Applications 310-312 may be programs on user device 300 that generate and use packet-switched data. Applications 310-312 may be, for example, internet browsers, email programs, games, social networking services, or any other suitable application.

[0080] The application domain 302 may also include a data control module 314 and a transport layer 316.

[0081] The transport layer 316 provides end-to-end communication services for the applications 310 through 312 within the layered architecture of network components and protocols. The transport layer 316 can exchange data 301 with the run resource control layer 308 and the applications 310 through 312. The transport layer 316 can include a transmission control protocol (TCP) or the Internet Protocol (IP).

[0082] The data control module 314 may control the flow of data inbound to and from the applications 310 through 312. In one aspect, the data control module 314 may be directly or indirectly connected to the cellular modem 304. The cellular modem 304 may send information regarding a communication that the subscriber device 300 is currently having with another network interface. The information may be any information necessary for the data control module 314 to identify whether or not a critical condition exists.

[0083] A critical state is a state in which the subscriber device 302 is at risk of experiencing an unintentional termination of a voice call or circuit-switched communication due to network limitations. For example, when the subscriber device 302 is approaching a maximum transmit power, a critical state exists.

[0084] The data control module 314 may also be in communication with the applications 310 to 312. The data control module 314 may reduce the data rate of data 301 (or the rate of data) coming from the applications 310 to 312 and, if necessary, stop it. In one aspect, the data control module 314 may send a message to the applications 310 to 312 to reduce the data rate themselves. In another aspect, the data control module 314 may reduce the data rate between the application layer and the transport layer 316.

[0085] Fig. Figure 4 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device having a data control module that controls communications with individual applications in the application domain with individual messages according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, the subscriber device 400 is an example of the Fig. 1 shown subscriber device 102.

[0086] User device 400 is similar to user device 300. However, in this illustrative aspect, data control module 314 can individually send a message to each application to reduce the data rate. For example, data control module 314 can send a message to the application that exchanges the most data. In another aspect, data control module 314 can send a message to the most frequently used applications. Data control module 314 can also itself reduce the data rate between the application layer and the transport layer 316.

[0087] Additionally, in one aspect, applications 310-312 may provide information to data control module 314. The information may include data rates for each application 310-312. Data control module 314 may then determine which applications 310-312 should reduce the data rate based on the information.

[0088] Fig. 5 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device having a data buffer for buffering communications to applications in the application domain according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0089] User device 500 is similar to user device 300. However, in this illustrative aspect, a buffer 502 may be configured to buffer data 301 before it is sent to transport layer 316. Buffer 502 may buffer portions of data 301 coming from all or some of applications 310 through 312. Buffer 502 may also discard obsolete data in buffer 502.

[0090] For example, time-critical data may be stale if held in the buffer for too long. Additionally, buffer 502 may be positioned before or after transport layer 316. In another aspect, there is a buffer both before and after transport layer 316. In yet another aspect, buffer 502 may be positioned within cellular modem 304.

[0091] Fig. Figure 6 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with a cellular modem according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, subscriber device 600 is an example of subscriber device 102 as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0092] The subscriber device 600 is similar to the subscriber device 300. However, in this illustrative aspect, the data control module 314 may be located within the cellular modem 304. Although located within the cellular modem 304, the data control module 314 may reduce the data rate after the applications 310 through 312. In various aspects, a message is sent to different protocol layers.

[0093] Fig. Figure 7 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with a post-transport layer buffer according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, subscriber device 700 is an example of subscriber device 102 as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0094] User device 700 is similar to user device 300. However, in this illustrative aspect, data control module 314 may send a message to transport layer 316 to reduce the data rate. For example, the data rate may be reduced between transport layer 316 and radio resource control layer 308. Additionally, in one aspect, user device 700 may have a buffer 702 after transport layer 316. In this aspect, the data rate may be reduced after buffer 702.

[0095] Fig. Figure 8 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with separate application sets and different Internet protocol streams according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, subscriber device 800 is an example of subscriber device 102 as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0096] The subscriber device 800 is similar to the subscriber device 300. However, in this illustrative aspect, applications 310 through 313 are divided into two sets 802 and 804. Each set 802 and 804 may have different Internet protocol streams 806 and 808, for example, a first Internet protocol stream 806 and a second Internet protocol stream 808, that are exchanged with the radio resource protocol layer 308.

[0097] In this aspect, the data control module 314 may reduce the data rate after each separate Internet Protocol stream 806 and 808. For example, the data rate may be reduced after the first Internet Protocol stream 806, but not after the second Internet Protocol stream 808, or vice versa. Additionally, in one aspect, the user device 800 may have a buffer after the Internet Protocol stream 806. In another aspect, both Internet Protocol streams 806 and 808 may have a buffer, or only the second Internet Protocol stream 808. In this aspect, the data rate may be reduced after the buffer 810 or any other buffer.

[0098] Fig. Figure 9 shows a block diagram of a subscriber device with certified and non-certified applications according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In one aspect, subscriber device 900 is an example of subscriber device 102 as shown in Fig. 1 shown.

[0099] The subscriber device 900 is similar to the subscriber device 300. However, in this illustrative aspect, applications 310 to 313 are divided into two sets 902 and 904 (e.g., a first set 902 and a second set 904). The first set 902 may be certified applications, and the second set 904 may be non-certified applications. In another aspect, the first set 902 and the second set 904 may be separated for other reasons. A certified application may be an application that can reduce its own data rate. A non-certified application may not know how to reduce its own data rate.

[0100] In this aspect, a data control module 314 may reduce the data rate after the second set 904. However, for the first set 902, the data control module 314 may send a message to applications in the first set 902 to reduce their own data rate.

[0101] In one or more aspects, applications 308 through 313 may indicate to a data control module 314 whether they are certified or non-certified applications. In other aspects, the data control module 314 may already know which applications are certified or non-certified.

[0102] In various aspects, applications 310 through 313 may also inform corresponding servers and networks to reduce the data in the downlink. For example, a weather application may indicate to the weather server that it should reduce or stop the number of updates.

[0103] Fig. 10 shows an illustration of a protocol structure for a subscriber device according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0104] The subscriber device 1000 may have a physical layer 201, a data link layer 202, a network layer 203, and a non-access stratum 1001. Layers 201, 202, and 203 may be examples of an aspect as in Fig. 2 should be shown.

[0105] The protocol layer located above the physical layer 201 is the data link layer 202, protocol layer 2 based on the OSI reference model, which in turn has a plurality of sub-protocol layers, namely the medium access control protocol layer (MAC protocol layer) 207, the radio link control protocol layer (RLC protocol layer) 204, the packet data convergence protocol layer (PDCP protocol layer) 205, and also the broadcast / multicast control protocol layer (BMC protocol layer) 206.

[0106] The top layer of the UMTS cellular modem is the mobile network layer 203 (protocol layer 3 based on the OSI reference model), which has the mobile resource control unit 207 (Radio Resource Control protocol layer; RRC protocol layer).

[0107] The non-access stratum 1001 may be a network layer in a UMTS wireless protocol stack. In one aspect, the non-access stratum 1001 may establish and maintain Internet Protocol connectivity between a user device 1000 and a wireless network. In one aspect, a non-access stratum 1001 may include a circuit-switched mobility management unit (MM) 1002, a packet-switched session management unit (SM) 1004, an Internet Protocol relay unit (IP relay) 1006, a mobile network unit (MN) 1008, and a circuit-switched data unit (CSD) 1010.

[0108] In one aspect, a data control module may control a data rate of a data type at different locations. Fig. Figure 10 specifically lists six of these locations. However, other locations or more than one of these locations may be used in other aspects.

[0109] In Fig. 10, the locations where data can be reduced are marked as potential on / off switches. The on / off switches can be reduced variably. For example, the data doesn't have to be "on" or "off" at each switch; instead, the data can be reduced to a slower data rate.

[0110] Location 1 is an exchange of IP frames between the IP relay 1006 and the PDCP protocol layer 205. Location 2 is an exchange of packet-oriented data between the RLC protocol layer 204 and the PDCP protocol layer 205. Location 3 is an exchange of circuit-switched data between the MAC protocol layer 207 and the CSD unit 1010. Location 4 is an exchange of signaling radio bearer data between the RLC protocol layer 204 and the RRC protocol layer 203.

[0111] The MAC protocol layer or units of the MAC protocol layer 207 typically have three logical units. The "MAC-d unit" (MAC dedicated unit) processes the user data and control data, which are mapped to the dedicated transport channels DCH (Dedicated Channel) via the corresponding dedicated logical channels DTCH (Dedicated Traffic Channel) and DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel). This exchange between the MAC protocol layer 207 and the RLC protocol layer 204 is also location 5 where data 301 can be reduced.

[0112] Additionally, location 6 may be an exchange of voice data between a voice codec 1012 and the MAC protocol layer 207.

[0113] Furthermore, the MAC protocol layer 207 can also transmit data 301 with the RRC 203 on the BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel), FACH (Forward Access Channel) in the downlink direction, and paging information on the Paging Control Channel (PCCH). In addition, the MAC protocol layer 207 can also exchange cell broadcast service data (CBS) with the RLC protocol layer 204 on the Common Traffic Channel (CTCH).

[0114] The physical layer 201 may transmit system information with the RRC 203 on the broadcast channel (BCH) as well as measurement data of information used to determine whether a critical condition exists.

[0115] The MAC-b unit (MAC broadcast unit) only processes the cell-related system information, which is mapped to the transport channel BCH (broadcast channel) via the logical channel BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel) and broadcast to all mobile terminals in the respective cell.

[0116] Fig. Figure 11 shows a flowchart of a process for managing network traffic according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Process 1100 manages signaling traffic by reducing data rates of various data types under critical conditions.

[0117] Process 1100 begins by receiving information about an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication (step 1102). The data may be exchanged between a receiving device and a sending device. Each device may be an example of a network interface.

[0118] In one aspect, a receiving device may be a subscriber device, and the transmitting device may be a base station. The plurality of data types may include packet-switched data and circuit-switched data. In some aspects, process 1100 may be used during states (in other words: during or under conditions) where both packet-switched data and circuit-switched data are active. These data types are active when those data types are transmitted and received. Process 1100 may identify whether both types of data are active at any point during process 1100. Also, each step may be conditioned by and responsive to the result of whether both data types are active.

[0119] Packet-switched data has a data rate. The data rate can be the size and number of packets of data being transmitted or received by the receiving device.

[0120] Next, the process may identify a critical condition of the network communication (step 1104). The critical condition may be a condition that may degrade call quality. Additionally, the critical condition may result in an increased risk of a voice call (e.g., with circuit-switched data) being dropped. In some aspects, the critical condition may be improved if a data rate of packet-switched data is reduced.

[0121] Finally, responsive to identifying the critical condition, the process adjusts a data rate of at least one data type of the plurality of data types (step 1106). In some aspects, the data rate is reduced so much that data transmission is terminated. In one aspect, the data is transmitted over a wireless local area network to reduce the data rate. In another aspect, the data within the first data type is prioritized. For example, emails may be prioritized over weather updates.

[0122] In one aspect, the data rate is reduced on the transmitter side (in other words: at the end, e.g., the end of the communication). For example, a subscriber device can indicate to a base station or servers responsible for producing data sent to the subscriber device that the data rate should be reduced. In another aspect, the data rate is reduced at the receiver end.

[0123] Additionally, in various aspects, the data is produced by a plurality of applications on the subscriber device. When reducing the data rate in step 1106, the data rate may be reduced by any number of applications.

[0124] In one aspect, a method is provided for managing network traffic, the method comprising: receiving, through communication with a receiving device, information of an exchange of data having a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates; identifying a critical condition of the communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjusting a rate of data of a first data type of the plurality of data types.

[0125] Fig. Figure 12 shows a flowchart of a process for managing network traffic according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Process 1200 manages signaling traffic by reducing data rates of various data types under critical conditions.

[0126] Process 1200 begins by receiving information about an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication (step 1202). The data may be exchanged between a receiving device and a sending device. Each device may be an example of a network interface.

[0127] In one aspect, a receiving device may be a subscriber device, and the transmitting device may be a base station. The plurality of data types may include packet-switched data and circuit-switched data. In some aspects, process 1200 may be used during states (in other words: during or under conditions) where both packet-switched data and circuit-switched data are active. These data types are active when those data types are transmitted and received. Process 1200 may identify whether both types of data are active at any point during process 1200. Also, each step may be conditioned by and responsive to the result of whether both data types are active.

[0128] Packet-switched data has a data rate. The data rate can be the size and number of packets of data being transmitted or received by the receiving device.

[0129] The process may then receive information from a plurality of applications of the subscriber device (step 1204).

[0130] This information can indicate whether each application is a certified application or a non-certified application. A certified application can be an application that can reduce its own data rate. A non-certified application cannot reduce its own data rate.

[0131] Next, the process may identify a critical condition of the network communication (step 1206). The critical condition may be a condition that may degrade call quality. Additionally, the critical condition may result in an increased risk of a voice call (e.g., with circuit-switched data) being dropped. In some aspects, the critical condition may be improved if a data rate of packet-switched data is reduced.

[0132] Finally, responsive to identifying the critical condition, the process adjusts a rate of data of at least one data type for at least one of the non-certified applications and sends a message to at least one of the certified applications to adjust the rate of data of the at least one data type (step 1208). In some aspects, the data rate is reduced so much that data transmission is terminated. In one aspect, the data is transmitted over a wireless local area network to reduce the data rate. In another aspect, the data within the first data type is prioritized. For example, emails may be prioritized over weather updates. In one aspect, the data control module may send messages only to the certified applications while not reducing the data rate for any of the non-certified applications.In another aspect, the data control module may only reduce the data rate coming from the non-certified applications and not send any messages to any of the certified applications. In yet another aspect, the data control module may perform a combination of the above.

[0133] In one aspect, the data rate is reduced on the transmitter side (in other words: at the end, e.g., the end of the communication). For example, a subscriber device can indicate to a base station or servers responsible for producing data sent to the subscriber device that the data rate should be reduced. In another aspect, the data rate is reduced at the receiver end.

[0134] In one aspect, a method for managing network traffic is provided. The method may include: receiving information of an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; identifying a critical condition of the network communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjusting a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types.

[0135] In an example aspect, the method may further include: identifying whether packet-switched data is enabled in the network communication; and responsive to packet-switched data being active, identifying the critical state of the communication.

[0136] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate may include: stopping the exchange of the data of the at least one data type.

[0137] In an example aspect, data of the at least one data type may be produced by a plurality of applications, and adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data from at least one application of the plurality of applications.

[0138] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include: buffering the data of the at least one data type to form buffered data.

[0139] In an example aspect, the method may further include: discarding stale data from the buffered data.

[0140] In an exemplary aspect, the critical condition may be that a user device is near a maximum transmission energy.

[0141] In an example aspect, the critical state may be one of preparing and activating a compressed mode.

[0142] In an example aspect, the critical condition may be that an uplink capacity limit is reached.

[0143] In an example aspect, data of the at least one data type may be exchanged on a cellular radio network, and adjusting the rate of the data of the at least one data type may include transmitting the data of the at least one data type over a wireless local area network.

[0144] In an example aspect, the method may further include: sending a message to the server of a data type of the at least one data type to withhold exchange of data of the at least one data type from the exchange of data.

[0145] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate of data may include prioritizing data having at least one data type.

[0146] In an example aspect, data of the at least one data type may be produced by a plurality of applications, and adjusting the rate of data from at least one application of the plurality of applications may include prioritizing the data produced by each of the plurality of applications.

[0147] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data of data exchanged between an application layer and a network layer.

[0148] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data of data exchanged between a transport layer and a network layer.

[0149] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include adjusting the rate of data of data exchanged between a transport layer and a data link layer.

[0150] In an example aspect, adjusting the rate of data of the at least one data type may include: reducing the rate of data of data exchanged between a plurality of sublayers within a data link layer.

[0151] In one exemplary aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include: a data control module configured to receive information of an exchange of data with a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication; identify a critical condition of the network communication; and, responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjust a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types.

[0152] In an example aspect, the apparatus may further include: a plurality of applications configured to produce data of the at least one data type, and the data controller may be further configured to adjust the rate of data from at least one application of the plurality of applications.

[0153] In an example aspect, the data controller configured to adjust the rate of data from the at least one application of the plurality of applications may include the data controller configured to notify the at least one application of the plurality of applications to adjust the rate of data.

[0154] In an exemplary aspect, the apparatus may further include a buffer configured to buffer the data of the at least one data type to form buffered data.

[0155] In an example aspect, the buffer may be further configured to discard stale data from the buffered data.

[0156] In one example aspect, a system for managing data traffic is provided. The system may include: an apparatus including: a modem configured to exchange data having a plurality of data types having a plurality of data rates in a network communication. The system may further include: a data control module electrically coupled to the modem and configured to receive information about the network communication; identify a critical condition of the communication; and responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjust a rate of data of at least one data type of the plurality of data types to the modem.

[0157] In an example aspect, the receiving device may further include: a plurality of applications configured to produce the at least one data type.

[0158] In an example aspect, the system may further include: a plurality of servers coupled to the network and configured to exchange data of the at least one data type with the plurality of applications, and the data controller may be configured to send a message to at least one of the plurality of servers to withhold exchange of data of the at least one data type with at least one corresponding application of the plurality of applications.

[0159] Although the invention has been shown and described primarily with reference to specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that numerous changes in design and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The scope of the invention is thus determined by the appended claims, and it is therefore intended to embrace all changes that come within the literal meaning or range of equivalence of the claims.

Claims

[1] A method for managing network traffic, the method comprising: Receiving (1102) information during an active circuit-switched communication, wherein the information relates to an exchange of data (110) having a plurality of data types including packet-switched data (114) and circuit-switched data (116), wherein the packet-switched data (114) is produced by a plurality of applications in a network communication having a plurality of data rates; identifying (1104), in the received information, a critical state of the network communication, the critical state (122) being a state associated with an increased risk of disconnection from the active circuit-switched communication; responsive to identifying the critical condition (122), adjusting (1106) a data rate (118), during the active circuit-switched communication, of the packet-switched data (114) by at least sending a message to a subset of applications of the plurality of applications; and buffering the data (110) of the packet switched data (114) to form buffered data; where each application of the subset of applications adjusts its own data rate in response to the message, and wherein the method is carried out in a subscriber device. [2] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Identifying whether packet-switched data (114) is enabled in the network communication; and responsive to packet-switched data (114) being active, identifying the critical state of the communication. [3] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) comprises: Terminating the exchange of data (110) of the packet-switched data (114). [4] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Adjusting the data rate (118) of data (110) from at least one application of the plurality of applications. [5] The method of claim 1, wherein the critical condition (122) is a user device near a maximum transmission energy. [6] The method of claim 1, wherein the critical state (122) is one of preparing and activating a compressed mode. [7] The method of claim 1, wherein the critical condition (122) is that an uplink capacity limit is reached. [8] The method of claim 1, wherein data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) is exchanged on a cellular radio network, and wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of the data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Transmitting the data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) over a wireless local area network. [9] The method of claim 1, further comprising: Sending a message to the packet-switched data server (120) to withhold an exchange of data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) from the exchange of data (110). [10] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Prioritizing the data (110) having packet-switched data (114). [11] The method of claim 4, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Prioritizing the data produced by each of the majority of applications (110). [12] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Adjusting the data rate (118) of data (110) exchanged between an application layer and a network layer. [13] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Adjusting the data rate (118) of data (110) exchanged between a transport layer (316) and a network layer. [14] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Adapting the data rate (118) of data (110) exchanged between a transport layer (316) and a data link layer. [15] The method of claim 1, wherein adjusting the data rate (118) of the packet-switched data (114) comprises: Reducing the data rate (118) of data (110) exchanged between a plurality of sublayers within a data link layer. [16] Subscriber device comprising: a data control module (314) operatively coupled to a cellular modem (200, 304) configured to: Receiving (1102) information during an active circuit-switched communication, wherein the information relates to an exchange of data (110) having a plurality of data types including packet-switched data (114) and circuit-switched data (116), wherein the packet-switched data (114) is produced by a plurality of applications in a network communication having a plurality of data rates; Identifying (1104), in the received information, a critical state of the network communication, wherein the critical state (122) is a state (122) associated with an increased risk of disconnection from the active circuit-switched communication; responsive to identifying the critical condition, adjusting (1106) a data rate (118), during the active circuit-switched communication, of the packet-switched data (114) by at least sending a message to a subset of applications of the plurality of applications; and a buffer (502, 702, 810) configured to buffer the data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) to form buffered data, wherein each application of the subset of applications adjusts its own data rate (118) in response to the message. [17] A subscriber device according to claim 16, wherein the data controller is further configured to: Adjusting the data rate (118) of at least one application of the plurality of applications. [18] User equipment according to claim 17, wherein the data controller is arranged to adapt the data rate (118) of data (110) from the at least one application of the plurality of applications, the data controller being arranged to: Notifying the at least one application of the plurality of applications to adjust the data rate (118). [19] A system for managing data traffic, comprising: a subscriber device comprising: a modem (200, 304) configured to exchange data (110) with packet-switched data (114) and circuit-switched data (116); a data control module (314) electrically coupled to the modem (200, 304) and configured to: Receiving (1102) information during an active circuit-switched communication, wherein the information relates to an exchange of data (110) having a plurality of data types including packet-switched data (114) and circuit-switched data (116), wherein the packet-switched data (114) is produced by a plurality of applications in the network communication at a plurality of data rates; Identifying (1104), in the received information, a critical state (122) of the communication, wherein the critical state (122) is a state associated with an increased responsive to identifying the critical condition, adapting (1106) a data rate (118), during the active circuit-switched communication, of the packet-switched data (114) to the modem (200, 304) by at least sending a message to a subset of applications of the plurality of applications; and a buffer (502, 702, 810) configured to buffer the data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) to form buffered data; wherein each application of the subset of applications adjusts its own data rate (118) in response to the message. [20] The system of claim 19, further comprising: a plurality of servers coupled to the network and configured to exchange data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) with the plurality of applications, and wherein the data controller is configured to send a message to at least one of the plurality of servers to withhold the exchange of data (110) of the packet-switched data (114) with at least one corresponding application of the plurality of applications.

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