Push/Pull Hybrid Metering for Mobile Network Resource Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of mobile communication networks face challenges in obtaining real-time estimates of resource usage, such as data or voice usage, for billing purposes, as existing solutions do not provide efficient and user-friendly methods for monitoring these resources directly on mobile stations.
Innovation Solution
A resource meter client application is implemented on mobile stations, which receives push notifications from a push platform to update usage information, allowing users to view current resource allocations and alerts, and automatically retrieves updated usage data when necessary, ensuring real-time monitoring and alerts for data and voice communication resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If push notifications are used to provide real-time usage updates, then information timeliness is improved, but system complexity increases due to requiring both push and pull mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between push and pull mechanisms based on operational conditions. Push notifications are used when the mobile station is accessible and responsive, while pull requests are initiated when push notifications fail or are not acknowledged. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by optimizing information delivery timing without permanently increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The metering system is segmented into distinct functional components: a push platform for initiating notifications, a resource meter client for receiving and processing updates, and a fallback pull mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, improving overall efficiency while managing complexity through modular design.
2Loss of information
If push notifications are implemented for real-time updates, then user awareness of usage is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential delivery failures
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares for potential push notification failures by having a pull mechanism ready as a backup. When push notifications are sent, the system monitors for acknowledgments and, upon failure or timeout, automatically initiates a pull request to retrieve usage information. This beforehand cushioning ensures reliability by having a contingency plan in place before delivery failures occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback loops where the resource meter client monitors whether push notifications were successfully received and processed. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts its behavior by either confirming successful delivery or triggering a fallback pull mechanism. This feedback-driven approach maintains reliability by continuously verifying information delivery status.
3Measurement precision
If the system automatically retrieves usage data, then information accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases on mobile stations
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuously polling for usage data, the system employs periodic action through event-driven updates. The push platform sends notifications only when usage data changes, and the mobile station enters low-power states between notifications. This periodic approach maintains measurement precision by retrieving data only when necessary while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous polling.
Solution Approach 2:
The push platform proactively pushes usage information to mobile stations without requiring them to continuously request updates. The mobile station's resource meter client passively receives and processes these push notifications, eliminating the need for energy-intensive active polling. This self-service model improves energy efficiency while maintaining data accuracy through automated push-based delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A method including obtaining, via a first push notification received by a mobile station, a first usage amount of a mobile communication network resource allocation associated with the mobile station; storing, in the mobile station, the first usage amount; determining that the stored first usage amount is out of date; in response to the determination that the stored first usage amount is out of date, transmitting a request for a usage amount of the mobile communication network resource allocation; receiving a response to the request, the response indicating a second usage amount of the mobile communication network resource allocation; and displaying, on a display unit included in the mobile station, a graphical indication of an amount of the mobile communication network resource allocation that has been used or remains to be used, based on the second usage amount.