In-Traffic Channel Message for Network Capability Signaling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, mobile stations face inefficiencies when moving to new networks, as they may incorrectly assume support for specific concurrent service features like Quality of Service (QoS) parameters or position location determination, leading to unnecessary feature requests or omissions.

Innovation Solution

The transmission of an in-traffic channel message from the base station to the mobile station, including information on the network's support for concurrent services and specific features, allows the mobile station to adjust its behavior accordingly, such as sending or refraining from sending QoS parameters or position location requests based on the network's capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the mobile station assumes support for specific concurrent service features based solely on general concurrent service indication, then the operation is simpler, but the accuracy of feature request decision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile station operation simplicityVSAvoidfeature support detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the concurrent service capability indication into multiple levels: general concurrent service support indication and specific feature-level indications (such as QoS parameter support and position location determination support). This segmentation allows the mobile station to first check general support and then query specific feature support only when needed, maintaining operational simplicity while improving detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The network performs preliminary action by broadcasting both general concurrent service capability and specific feature capability indications in advance (during idle states or handoff). This allows the mobile station to make informed decisions about feature requests before initiating data sessions, improving accuracy without requiring complex real-time queries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the mobile station requests all possible concurrent service features, then the completeness of service utilization is improved, but the system capacity and network resources deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice feature utilization completenessVSAvoidsystem capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic feature request behavior where the mobile station adjusts its service requests based on real-time network capability indications. Instead of statically requesting all possible features, the mobile station dynamically queries and requests only the specific features that the current network supports, as indicated by the capability messages received during handoff or idle states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the network broadcasts its supported features in capability messages, and the mobile station uses this feedback information to adjust its service requests. This feedback loop ensures that only supported features are requested, preventing waste of network resources while maintaining complete service utilization where available.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the mobile station refrains from requesting features without confirmation, then the system capacity is improved, but the adaptability to network capabilities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidnetwork capability adaptation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary broadcasting of capability information during idle states and handoff procedures. This preliminary action provides the mobile station with advance knowledge of network capabilities before data sessions begin, enabling the mobile station to adapt its service requests appropriately without requiring continuous real-time queries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes feedback channels where the network continuously or periodically broadcasts capability indications to mobile stations. This feedback mechanism ensures that mobile stations are kept informed of network capabilities and can adapt their behavior accordingly, maintaining both system capacity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7796557B2Methods and apparatus for the communication of network capability information over a traffic channel

Publication Date: 2010.09.14 BLACKBERRY LTD

AI summary

In one illustrative example, when a mobile station operative for communications in a wireless communication network is engaged in a call, an in-traffic channel message is transmitted from a base station to the mobile station. The message includes information indicative of whether the wireless network supports a predetermined concurrent service or feature. The predetermined concurrent service or feature may be a mobile-requested Quality of Service (QoS) parameter usage feature or a mobile-initiated position location determination feature. The in-traffic channel message may be an in-traffic system parameter message, a general handoff direction message, or a universal handoff direction message, as examples. Preferably, the wireless network is a cdma2000-type network. Since the mobile station is made aware of such information, more efficient operation may be realized.