Mobile Data Throttling for Voice Call Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multiple radio access bearer (mRAB) calls, where mobile devices use both voice and data channels simultaneously, increase the probability of dropped calls due to concurrent data access during voice calls.

Innovation Solution

A method and system on a mobile device that determines voice call status and suppresses data access by applications when certain conditions are met, such as inactive display and no higher priority tasks, to reduce the likelihood of dropped calls by throttling data transmission through the data throttling module, which operates at various layers to manage radio access bearers and maintain or release IP connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple radio access bearers are used for simultaneous voice and data access, then data communication capability is improved, but call reliability deteriorates due to higher probability of dropped calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata communication capabilityVSAvoidcall reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts data access behavior based on voice call status. When a voice call is active, the system automatically suppresses data access requests from applications, and when no call is active, data access is permitted. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by adapting system behavior to current operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system periodically monitors voice call status and alternates between two operational modes: data access suppression mode during active calls and data access permission mode during idle periods. This periodic switching between states allows the system to maintain both data communication capability and call reliability by ensuring data access is only permitted when it won't interfere with voice calls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If data access is suppressed during voice calls, then call reliability is improved, but data access continuity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall reliabilityVSAvoiddata access continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively suppressing data access requests before they can interfere with active voice calls. The voice call status monitoring mechanism detects call initiation and immediately triggers data access suppression, preventing potential conflicts before they occur. This resolves the contradiction by prioritizing call reliability while minimizing data access interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through continuous monitoring of voice call status and automatic adjustment of data access permissions. When the monitoring mechanism detects a voice call is active, it triggers suppression of data access; when the call ends, data access is restored. This feedback loop ensures call reliability is maintained while data access continuity is preserved during non-call periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If data throttling is implemented to reduce dropped calls, then call stability is improved, but data transmission efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall stabilityVSAvoiddata transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and isolates data access control functionality into a separate mechanism that operates independently based on voice call status. Rather than continuously throttling data transmission, the system completely suppresses data access during calls and fully permits it during idle periods. This extraction approach resolves the contradiction by eliminating data transmission interference during calls while restoring full efficiency when calls are not active.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the data access parameter from a continuous throttling approach to a binary state approach (suppressed or permitted) based on voice call status. When a call is active, the data access parameter switches to suppressed state; when idle, it switches to permitted state. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by ensuring call stability through complete suppression during calls while maintaining data transmission efficiency through full permission during idle periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2560455B1Systems and methods for multiple radio access bearer traffic throttling
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 HTC CORP
  • EP2560455B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2560455B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2560455B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Various embodiments for data throttling are disclosed. One embodiment is a method performed by a mobile device for managing a voice call. The method comprises determining a voice call status. Based on the voice call status, a determination is made on whether at least one application executing on the mobile device is concurrently accessing data via the mobile device during an active call. In response to the occurrence of an active call and concurrent data access by the mobile device, the data access mode used by the mobile device for accessing the data is determined. Based on the determined data mode, data access by the at least one application is suppressed.