Network Slicing for Mobile Game Data Transmission

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Best-effort communication in network connections can lead to data loss or delay, making smooth gameplay impossible in mobile gaming applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of network slicing technology, which creates logically independent networks with varying communication priorities, allowing for flexible resource allocation and efficient communication service provision, using virtual machines and virtual network technologies like OpenFlow, to manage different types of communications within a single physical network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If best-effort communication is used in mobile network connection, then network resource allocation is simple and flexible, but data transmission reliability deteriorates causing data loss or delay

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing a single physical network into multiple logical networks called slices. Each slice is independently managed with its own QoS parameters, allowing critical gaming data to be transmitted through dedicated slices with guaranteed reliability while non-critical traffic uses other slices. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple overall network structure while creating reliable transmission paths for specific applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic resource allocation where network resources are dynamically assigned to different slices based on application requirements. Gaming applications can dynamically obtain guaranteed bandwidth and low latency through slice-specific resource management, while the overall network maintains flexibility. This allows reliability to be improved for gaming without permanently complicating the network structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If network slicing is implemented to ensure reliable data transmission, then data loss and delay are reduced, but network management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegameplay smoothnessVSAvoidnetwork management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating a multi-functional network slicing management system that handles multiple tasks through a unified framework. The same slicing infrastructure manages QoS enforcement, resource allocation, and traffic routing for different applications simultaneously. This reduces management complexity compared to implementing separate specialized systems for each function, making the overall system easier to operate despite the added capability of reliable gaming transmission.

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

3Speed

If critical information is prioritized in data transmission, then gameplay experience is enhanced, but other non-critical data transmission may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecritical data transmission speedVSAvoidnon-critical data delay
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments traffic into different slices based on priority and application type. Critical gaming data (visual feedback, tactile feedback, real-time controls) is assigned to high-priority slices with guaranteed transmission speed, while non-critical data (updates, advertisements, background sync) uses lower-priority slices. This segmentation allows critical data to be transmitted quickly without permanently delaying non-critical data, as each has its own transmission path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different QoS characteristics to different slices rather than uniform treatment. High-priority slices receive optimized transmission parameters (lower latency, higher bandwidth guarantee) specifically where needed for gaming, while other slices use standard parameters. This localized optimization enhances critical data speed without unnecessarily prioritizing non-critical data, reducing overall transmission delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4120639B1Information processing device and information processing system
Publication Date: 2024.02.14 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP4120639B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4120639B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4120639B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

[Object] To provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing system that make it possible to play a game smoothly while using a mobile communication system. [Solving Means] An information processing apparatus according to the present technology includes a control section and a transmission section. The control section maps information included in content to a plurality of slices on the basis of a region that is specified by a terminal in a virtual space, and assigns, to the information, an identifier that indicates the slice used for communication. The communication section transmits the information to the terminal through a communication network.