Mobile Device Uplink Transmission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

User equipment (UE) experiences significant power consumption during unsuccessful uplink transmission attempts, leading to frequent battery recharging, as it continuously tries to connect to the network without considering the likelihood of successful transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method implemented in mobile devices to monitor characteristics related to uplink transmission, such as switches between radio access technologies, transmission power levels, cell receive quality, and results of past transmissions, to limit uplink data transmission at the data service level when successful transmission is unlikely, thereby conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE continuously attempts uplink transmission to connect to the network, then the network connectivity is maintained, but the power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic uplink transmission control by continuously monitoring uplink transmission characteristics (such as transmission power, signal quality, and acknowledgment rates) and adjusting the transmission strategy accordingly. When monitoring indicates poor uplink conditions, the UE dynamically switches to limiting transmission attempts, thereby adapting the connectivity strategy to current network conditions and reducing power consumption during unsuccessful transmission scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors uplink transmission outcomes (acknowledgments, signal quality metrics) and uses this feedback to determine whether to continue or limit uplink transmissions. The system establishes feedback loops that inform the transmission decision-making process, allowing the UE to respond to network conditions and avoid persistent unsuccessful transmission attempts that would consume excessive power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Use of energy by moving object

If the UE limits uplink transmission attempts to save power, then power consumption is reduced, but network connectivity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidnetwork connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic uplink transmission control by continuously monitoring uplink transmission characteristics (such as transmission power, signal quality, and acknowledgment rates) and adjusting the transmission strategy accordingly. When monitoring indicates poor uplink conditions, the UE dynamically switches to limiting transmission attempts, thereby adapting the connectivity strategy to current network conditions and reducing power consumption during unsuccessful transmission scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors uplink transmission outcomes (acknowledgments, signal quality metrics) and uses this feedback to determine whether to continue or limit uplink transmissions. The system establishes feedback loops that inform the transmission decision-making process, allowing the UE to respond to network conditions and avoid persistent unsuccessful transmission attempts that would consume excessive power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the UE monitors multiple uplink transmission characteristics to make informed decisions, then transmission accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission decision accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink transmission monitoring function into distinct modular components, each responsible for monitoring specific characteristics (transmission power, signal quality, acknowledgment rates). This segmentation allows the system to independently manage and process different monitoring tasks, reducing overall complexity while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities. Each module can be implemented and configured separately, facilitating easier maintenance and optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary uplink transmission manager component that coordinates between the multiple monitoring functions and the transmission decision-making process. This intermediary layer consolidates information from various monitoring sources, processes it centrally, and generates transmission decisions, thereby simplifying the system architecture and reducing the complexity that would otherwise arise from direct interactions between multiple monitoring components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2712256B1Data service level uplink data flow control
Publication Date: 2018.04.04 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2712256B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2712256B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2712256B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and a mobile device for limiting uplink transmission for user data at the data service level are provided. At least one least one characteristic related to uplink transmission is monitored and uplink transmission for user data is limited at the data service level based at least in part on the at least one characteristic. Battery power can potentially be saved by limiting uplink transmission for user data at the data service level when uplink transmission is unlikely to be successful.