Mobile Device IP Session Management via Network Capacity Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices in UMTS networks are unable to effectively manage IP sessions due to limited knowledge of the number of PDP contexts supported in their routing area, leading to unsuccessful requests and poor service quality when exceeding network capacity.

Innovation Solution

The wireless network determines and transmits to the mobile device the number of IP sessions it can support, allowing the device to manage sessions accordingly and optimize resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile device requests a new PDP context without knowing the maximum number of IP sessions supported, then the device can attempt to establish additional services, but the PDP context establishment fails when the network capacity is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice establishment capabilityVSAvoidPDP context establishment success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary action by determining and transmitting the maximum number of supported IP sessions to the mobile device before the device attempts to establish PDP contexts. This advance information allows the device to plan its service establishment requests within network capacity limits, preventing failed establishment attempts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the mobile device assumes only one PDP context is supported, then the device can conservatively manage its sessions, but it cannot take advantage of networks that support multiple PDP contexts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession management reliabilityVSAvoidservice utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides feedback to the mobile device about the actual maximum number of IP sessions supported in the routing area. This feedback mechanism replaces the device's conservative assumption with accurate network capability information, allowing the device to optimize its service utilization while maintaining reliable session management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1912386B1System and method for managing IP sessions based on how many IP sessions are supported
Publication Date: 2013.07.31 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP1912386B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP1912386B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP1912386B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

Systems and Method are provided for managing IP sessions based on how many IP sessions are supported. According to an embodiment of the application, the wireless network determines how many IP sessions can be supported for the mobile device residing in a given area such as a routing area, and to transmit to the mobile device an identification of how many IP sessions can be supported. According to another embodiment of the application, the mobile device receives the identification of how many IP sessions can be established, and manages IP sessions based on the identification. Since the mobile device is privy to how many IP sessions can be established, the mobile device is able to properly manage IP sessions.