Mobile Device Tune-Away Throttling for Delay-Sensitive Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile devices operating on dual networks, such as 1xRTT and 1xEV, face disruptions in data services due to periodic tune aways to the 1xRTT network for CMAS alerts, which can cause delays and disruptions to delay-sensitive applications like PTT, VOIP, and Skype, violating quality of service guidelines.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method in mobile devices to selectively throttle tune aways to the 1xRTT network while handling delay-sensitive traffic over the 1xEV network, by checking for messages less frequently and only tuning away when a defined interval has elapsed or a message is imminent, thereby reducing disruptions to ongoing data transmissions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile devices periodically tune away to the 1xRTT network to check for CMAS alerts, then CMAS alert delivery is ensured, but data service disruptions and delays occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCMAS alert deliveryVSAvoiddata service disruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the tune away frequency adaptive rather than fixed. The mobile device dynamically adjusts the interval between tune aways based on current network conditions and traffic types. When delay-sensitive traffic is detected, the device increases the interval between tune aways to minimize disruptions, while still maintaining periodic checking for CMAS alerts. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing flexible optimization between alert delivery reliability and data service continuity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of tune away frequency based on traffic type detection. By identifying whether current traffic is delay-sensitive (such as voice or video) or non-delay-sensitive (such as file transfers), the system adjusts the monitoring interval accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to maintain shorter intervals when data service continuity is critical, while using longer intervals when alert delivery is the priority, thus resolving the time loss contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of time

If mobile devices frequently check the second network for messages, then message delivery timeliness is improved, but data traffic handling is disrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery timelinessVSAvoiddata traffic handling
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by treating different traffic types differently in terms of monitoring frequency. When delay-sensitive traffic is present, the system reduces monitoring frequency to protect data traffic productivity. When only non-delay-sensitive traffic is present, the system increases monitoring frequency to ensure timely message delivery. This localized differentiation of monitoring behavior based on traffic characteristics resolves the contradiction between message delivery timeliness and data traffic handling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the balance between message checking frequency and data traffic handling based on real-time traffic type detection. The mobile device continuously monitors the type of traffic being handled and adapts the tune away frequency accordingly. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize both message delivery timeliness and data productivity by matching the monitoring intensity to the current operational context.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If mobile devices throttle tune aways during data traffic handling, then data service quality is maintained, but message delivery may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata service qualityVSAvoidmessage delivery delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring traffic type and using this information to adjust tune away frequency. The mobile device detects whether current traffic is delay-sensitive or not, and uses this feedback to determine the appropriate monitoring interval. When delay-sensitive traffic is detected, the system reduces monitoring frequency to maintain data service quality. When non-delay-sensitive traffic is detected or no traffic is present, the system increases monitoring frequency to ensure timely message delivery. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by allowing dynamic optimization based on real-time conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of tune away frequency based on traffic type detection results. By identifying the nature of current traffic, the system adjusts the monitoring interval to balance data service quality with message delivery timeliness. This parameter change allows the system to maintain shorter intervals when data productivity is compromised, while using longer intervals when data service quality is prioritized, thus resolving the time loss contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2611236B1Method and Apparatus for Receiving Messages Under First and Second Network Coverage
Publication Date: 2016.03.09 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2611236B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2611236B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2611236B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided wherein a mobile device operates some of the time on a first network and some of the time on a second network, and wherein while handling traffic of a defined type over the first network, the mobile device selectively tunes away to the second network to see if there are any messages. The method and apparatus allow a mobile device with a single transceiver to receive CMAS alerts transmitted over a 1xRTT network while minimizing disruption to ongoing delay sensitive data applications operating on a 1xEV-DO network.