Network Apparatus Download Zone Definition for Mobile Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile devices experience interruptions and sluggish data transfer in areas with no or poor network coverage, known as 'black spot' zones, which affects the usability of applications that rely on continuous data availability, leading to user dissatisfaction and potential loss of business for service providers.

Innovation Solution

The method involves preemptively downloading data onto a mobile device when it enters a 'tracking zone' relative to a 'black spot zone', considering factors like time necessary for download, predicted interval, network load, and device speed, using network coding to optimize data transfer, ensuring continuous service in black spot zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data is downloaded in advance to mobile devices before they enter black spot zones, then service availability in black spot zones is improved, but network bandwidth consumption and device storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice availabilityVSAvoiddata volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting when a mobile device enters a tracking zone (pre-defined area surrounding a black spot zone) and automatically initiating data download before the device actually enters the black spot zone. This advance preparation ensures service continuity while optimizing network resource usage by downloading data during periods of available network connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the approach to black spot zones by creating a tracking zone that surrounds each black spot zone. This segmentation allows the system to prepare devices in advance as they approach problematic areas, rather than reacting after service interruption occurs. The tracking zone acts as a buffer area where predictive downloads can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the download zone is defined dynamically based on device speed and network conditions, then data download timing is optimized, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata download efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic adjustment of the download zone based on real-time device characteristics. The download zone radius is calculated as a function of device speed (faster devices require larger download zones) and network conditions (download speed, network load). This dynamic approach optimizes data transfer timing without requiring complex manual configuration, as the system automatically adapts to changing conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring device speed, network throughput, and download progress to adjust the download zone parameters in real-time. This feedback loop allows the system to optimize data transfer efficiency dynamically, ensuring that downloads complete before devices enter black spot zones while adapting to varying operational conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2832161B1Apparatuses and methods for downloading data
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2832161B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2832161B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2832161B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

A method and network apparatus for downloading data from the network apparatus to a mobile device in anticipation of the mobile device entering a black spot zone. The network apparatus determines that the mobile device has entered a predetermined tracking zone related to the black spot zone and gathers information for defining a download zone for the mobile device taking into consideration a time necessary for downloading the data to the mobile device, and a predicted time interval until the mobile device enters the black spot zone. The network apparatus then sends the data to the mobile device when the mobile device enters the download zone.