Terminal Reconfiguration Signaling for Seamless Service

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Solution Overview

Problem

During reconfiguration of an information processing unit in a terminal, the quality of service is negatively affected due to potential degradation or interruption of information processing, leading to significant quality issues when switching between communication technologies like GSM and UMTS or between duplex mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where the terminal signals the start and end of the reconfiguration phase to the communication system, allowing it to adapt its operations and maintain service quality. This includes storing received information in a buffer memory and implementing degraded processing to quickly empty the buffer, and the communication system can adjust transmission methods such as introducing delays or increasing error protection to ensure continuous service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the information processing unit performs reconfiguration to switch between communication technologies or modes, then the adaptability of the terminal is improved, but the quality of service deteriorates due to processing degradation or interruption

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidquality of service
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs reconfiguration in advance during periods when service quality requirements are lower, and prepares configuration changes before they are needed. The system proactively manages reconfiguration timing to prevent service degradation during critical communication periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing unit performs reconfiguration periodically or at predetermined intervals, rather than continuously or on-demand. This periodic approach allows the system to maintain stable operation during most times while periodically updating configurations to adapt to changing communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the information processing unit carries out reconfiguration, then the ability to switch communication modes is improved, but information processing is degraded or interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode switching capabilityVSAvoidinformation processing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Configuration changes are prepared and staged in advance before being applied to the information processing unit. The system pre-loads new configuration parameters and validates them before activation, ensuring that mode switching can occur with minimal interruption to ongoing information processing operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The information processing unit dynamically adjusts its configuration parameters in real-time based on communication requirements, allowing seamless transitions between different communication modes without complete processing interruption. The system maintains operational flexibility while minimizing service disruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If reconfiguration is performed without signaling to the communication system, then the device complexity is reduced, but the quality of service deteriorates due to uncoordinated processing degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling mechanismVSAvoidquality of service
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal implements a feedback mechanism where it signals the communication system about reconfiguration events and receives acknowledgments or coordination instructions. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain service quality through coordinated action while keeping the signaling mechanism relatively simple and integrated into existing communication protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1878279B1Method for the reconfiguration of an information processing unit of a terminal
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 ORANGE SA
  • EP1878279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1878279B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for the reconfiguration of an information processing unit of a terminal (1), said terminal being arranged in such a way as to receive information from a communication system (2, 3). The inventive method comprises the following steps: a reconfiguration phase of the information processing unit is initiated; and an information message signalling the initiation of the reconfiguration phase of the information processing unit is transmitted from the terminal to the communication system.