Hybrid Network Client Device Measurement Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for hybrid network operation do not enable optimal resource management across multiple networks, leading to incorrect network management responses and user experience issues due to lack of coordination between networks, resulting in corrupted data, failed handovers, and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves modifying network management by allowing client devices to maintain context information during switching between networks, adjusting radio measurements based on duration of switched operation, and reporting adjusted measurements to prevent corrective actions from networks, thereby enabling seamless hybrid operation without disconnecting from existing networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If client devices operate simultaneously on multiple distinct networks without network coordination, then infrastructure cost is reduced and legacy devices are unaffected, but network resource management becomes suboptimal and produces incorrect management responses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinfrastructure costVSAvoidnetwork management response accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a hybrid operation indicator as an intermediary signal that the client device sends to the network. This indicator informs the network about the device's hybrid operation state, enabling the network to adjust its resource management decisions appropriately without requiring complex coordination infrastructure between networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the client device continuously reports its hybrid operation status and radio measurements to the network. This feedback loop allows the network to make informed resource management decisions based on actual device state, preventing incorrect management responses while maintaining simple infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If client devices perform standard radio measurements and reporting during hybrid operation, then measurement process remains simple, but network receives corrupted data and makes incorrect management decisions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement process complexityVSAvoidradio measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the radio measurement parameters by adjusting them based on the duration of switched operation. When the device switches between networks, it calculates the switch duration and uses this information to adjust measurement values, ensuring that the network receives accurate measurement data that reflects the actual radio conditions despite the switching activity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary correction to radio measurements before reporting them to the network. By pre-adjusting the measurement values based on known switch duration information, the device ensures that the reported measurements are already corrected for the effects of switching, preventing the network from making incorrect decisions based on corrupted data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If client devices switch between networks frequently, then network versatility and user flexibility improve, but resource allocation efficiency decreases and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork switching flexibilityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The hybrid operation indicator serves as a mediator that communicates the device's switching behavior to the network. This indicator enables the network to understand when the device is switching between networks and adjust resource allocation accordingly, maintaining flexibility while preventing inefficient resource allocation during switch transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically changes resource allocation parameters based on the duration of network switching. When switch duration exceeds certain thresholds, the network adjusts resource allocation to account for the transitional state, ensuring efficient resource utilization while allowing frequent switching for user flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2710857B1Apparatus and methods for client server interaction in hybrid network environments
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 APPLE INC
  • EP2710857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2710857B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2710857B1 patent drawingFigure 2a

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for modifying network management for hybrid operation. In one embodiment, the networks include an LTE network and a CDMA I X network, and a mobile device can place CDMA IX voice calls while registered with the LTE network. However, since the mobile device cannot simultaneously measure information for the LTE network while connected to the CDMA IX networks, the mobile device modifies measurements and behaviors reported to the LTE network. In one implementation, the mobile device accounts for the time switched away from the LTE network in one or more subsequent reports thereto.