Mobile Terminal Application Control via System Information Blocks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile terminal users often forget to mute notifications in inappropriate settings, leading to annoying playback of communication signals and audio/video data, and there is a need for improved control mechanisms to automate this process.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling mobile terminals in cellular networks that involves extracting and decoding predeterminable information from System Information Blocks (SIBs) to automate the behavior of applications based on location, user preferences, and group settings, using a signaling channel for transmission between the mobile terminal and radio cells, ensuring that applications are activated or muted accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user manually controls the playback of communication information and audio/video data, then the user can control the volume and signal parameters, but the user has to remember to activate muting in appropriate situations and may forget this control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual control of playbackVSAvoiduser memory of muting activation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile terminal automatically controls its own playback behavior by extracting control information from SIBs received from the network. The terminal no longer relies on manual user intervention but autonomously activates muting or playback based on network-provided instructions, eliminating the need for the user to remember to activate muting in appropriate situations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides feedback information through System Information Blocks that contain control instructions for application playback. The terminal continuously monitors these SIBs and adjusts its behavior accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system where the network guides the terminal's playback behavior based on current network conditions and user preferences

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If the mobile terminal continuously monitors and processes system information blocks, then the terminal can automatically control applications based on location and network conditions, but the terminal must continuously receive and process signaling information from the network

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic application controlVSAvoidcontinuous signaling processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The existing System Information Block structure is extended to serve multiple functions: traditional network control information plus new application control instructions. This allows the terminal to handle both conventional network management and the new automatic application control through a unified processing mechanism, reducing the need for separate complex control systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The network pre-configures control information in SIBs before the terminal needs to execute applications. The control instructions are prepared in advance and transmitted through the signaling channel, allowing the terminal to automatically execute the appropriate playback or muting actions without real-time processing delays

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the user completely switches off the mobile terminal to avoid annoying playback, then all applications are stopped, but the user cannot use the terminal for network communication and other functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannoying playbackVSAvoidterminal usability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal dynamically adjusts its playback behavior based on real-time network conditions and received control information. Instead of a static on/off state, the terminal can transition between different playback modes (normal playback, muting, selective playback) depending on the SIB instructions, allowing it to adapt to different situations without requiring complete shutdown

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2380368B1Control of applications which can be carried out by mobile terminals that can be operated in a mobile radio network
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 VODAFONE HOLDING GMBH
  • EP2380368B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling applications which can be carried out by mobile terminals that can be operated in a mobile radio network having a cellular network structure composed of radio cells. The present invention furthermore relates to a mobile terminal for use in a mobile radio network having a cellular network structure composed of radio cells, in particular according to a UMTS and/or LTE radio network standard that is designed and/or equipped to carry out at least part of a method according to the invention. The object of the present invention is furthermore a transceiver station in a mobile radio network of said kind. In order to improve the control of applications which can be carried out by mobile terminals that can be operated in a mobile radio network of said kind, the present invention proposes an implementation method in a mobile terminal for a cellular mobile radio network, comprising the following steps: - receiving at least one system information block (SIB) via a signaling channel, - extracting at least one piece of information from the received system information block(s) (SIB) for controlling at least one application of the mobile terminal from the received system, - decoding the extracted information and – activating the at least one application according to the decoded information.