IP Library Granted Patent US 10,231,248
Granted Patent B2
US 10,231,248 · App. 15/121,658 · Granted Mar 12, 2019

Methods and devices for managing connectivity for a service

Inventors: Erik Dahlman (Stockholm, SE); Magnus Frodigh (Sollentuna, SE); Mikael Höök (Sollentuna, SE); Harald Kallin (Sollentuna, SE); Gunnar Mildh (Sollentuna, SE); Joachim Sachs (Sollentuna, SE)
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ)
H04W72/085H04L41/5009H04L43/0811H04L43/10H04W4/50H04W24/02H04W28/0236H04W40/24H04W76/15H04W4/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,231,248
App. No.
15/121,658
Granted
Mar 12, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, a wireless device ( 110 ) and a network node ( 120 ) for managing connectivity are disclosed. The wireless device ( 110 ) and/or the network node ( 120 ) determines an estimated level of a connectivity for a service of the wireless device ( 110 ) towards a wireless network ( 100 ). The estimated level of the connectivity relates to likelihood of maintaining the connectivity towards the wireless network ( 100 ). The estimated level of the connectivity is determined based on conditions relating to at least one connection for the wireless device ( 110 ). The at least one connection is managed by the wireless network ( 100 ). Moreover, corresponding computer programs and computer program products are disclosed.

Claims (44)

1. A method, performed by a wireless device, for managing connectivity, wherein the method comprises:

determining an estimated level of a connectivity for a service of the wireless device towards a wireless network, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity relates to likelihood of maintaining the connectivity towards the wireless network, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity is determined based on conditions relating to at least one connection for the wireless device, and wherein the at least one connection is managed by the wireless network;

sending, to a network node, a message for enabling the network node to adapt a first operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the first operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the network node, wherein the message comprises the estimated level of the connectivity, and wherein the message indicates, in a binary manner, whether or not the estimated level of the connectivity exceeds a required level of the connectivity for the service; and

adapting a second operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the second operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the wireless device, wherein adapting the second operation of the wireless device comprises adjusting, by the wireless device, an amount of probe messages to be sent to the network node, based on the required level of the connectivity and the estimated level of the connectivity, and wherein the probe messages are sent by the wireless device to the network node for verifying the required level of the connectivity.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conditions relating to said at least one connection include at least one of:

a number of connections for the wireless device;

a quality of connections for the wireless device;

a variance of quality of connections for the wireless device;

a correlation between connections for the wireless device; and

network conditions impacting connections for the wireless device.

3. A method, performed by a network node, for managing connectivity, wherein the method comprises:

determining an estimated level of a connectivity for a service of a wireless device towards the network node, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity relates to likelihood of maintaining the connectivity towards the network node, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity is determined based on conditions relating to at least one connection for the wireless device, and wherein the at least one connection is managed by the network node;

adapting a first operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the first operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the network node; and

sending, to the wireless device, a message for enabling the wireless device to adapt a second operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the second operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the wireless device, wherein the message comprises the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the message indicates, in a binary manner, whether or not the estimated level of the connectivity exceeds a required level of the connectivity for the service, wherein adapting the first operation of the network node comprises reserving a sub-set of a first set of resources to increase the estimated level of the connectivity for the service, and wherein the estimated level of the connectivity is increased to meet the required level of the connectivity.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the conditions relating to said at least one connection include at least one of:

a number of connections for the wireless device;

a quality of connections for the wireless device;

a variance of quality of connections for the wireless device;

a correlation between connections for the wireless device; and

network conditions impacting connections for the wireless device.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein adapting the first operation of the network node further comprises reducing an amount of the first set of resources that is assigned to a further service in advance of or when the further service becomes active.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein adapting the first operation of the network node further comprises moving a further service, to which at least some of the first set of resources have been assigned, to a second set of resources in advance of or when the further service becomes active, and wherein the second set of resources is different from the first set of resources.

7. A wireless device configured to manage connectivity, wherein the wireless device is configured to:

determine an estimated level of a connectivity for a service of the wireless device towards a wireless network, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity relates to likelihood of maintaining the connectivity towards the wireless network, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity is determined based on conditions relating to at least one connection for the wireless device, and wherein the at least one connection is managed by the wireless network;

send, to a network node, a message for enabling the network node to adapt a first operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the first operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the network node, wherein the message comprises the estimated level of the connectivity, and wherein the message indicates, in a binary manner, whether or not the estimated level of the connectivity exceeds a required level of the connectivity for the service; and

adapt a second operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the second operation refers to an operation of the wireless device, wherein to adapt the second operation, the wireless device is further configured to adjust an amount of probe messages to be sent to the network node, based on the required level of the connectivity and the estimated level of the connectivity, and wherein the probe messages are sent by the wireless device to the network node for verification of the required level of the connectivity.

8. The wireless device of claim 7 , wherein the conditions relating to said at least one connection include at least one of:

a number of connections for the wireless device;

a quality of connections for the wireless device;

a variance of quality of connections for the wireless device;

a correlation between connections for the wireless device; and

network conditions impacting connections for the wireless device.

9. A network node configured to manage connectivity, wherein the network node is configured to:

determine an estimated level of a connectivity for a service of a wireless device towards the network node, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity relates to likelihood of maintaining the connectivity towards the network node, wherein the estimated level of the connectivity is determined based on conditions relating to at least one connection for the wireless device, and wherein the at least one connection is managed by the network node;

adapt a first operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the first operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the network node; and

send, to the wireless device, a message for enabling the wireless device to adapt a second operation based on the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the second operation to be adapted refers to an operation of the wireless device, wherein the message comprises the estimated level of the connectivity, wherein the message indicates, in a binary manner, whether or not the estimated level of the connectivity exceeds a required level of the connectivity for the service, wherein to adapt the first operation, the network node is further configured to reserve a sub-set of a first set of resources to increase the estimated level of the connectivity for the service, and wherein the estimated level of the connectivity is increased to meet the required level of the connectivity.

10. The network node of claim 9 , wherein the conditions relating to said at least one connection include at least one of:

a number of connections for the wireless device;

a quality of connections for the wireless device;

a variance of quality of connections for the wireless device;

a correlation between connections for the wireless device; and

network conditions impacting connections for the wireless device.

11. The network node of claim 9 , wherein to adapt the first operation, the network node is further configured to reduce an amount of the first set of resources that is assigned to a further service in advance of or when the further service becomes active.

12. The network node of claim 9 , wherein to adapt the first operation, the network node is further configured to move a further service, to which at least some of the first set of resources have been assigned, to a second set of resources in advance of or when the further service becomes active, and wherein the second set of resources is different from the first set of resources.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2019
From: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
To: GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.
Reel/Frame 049149/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 25, 2016
From: DAHLMAN, ERIK; FRODIGH, MAGNUS; HÖÖK, MIKAEL; KALLIN, HARALD; SACHS, JOACHIM; MILDH, GUNNAR
To: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
Reel/Frame 039543/0367 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160374101A1 · Dec 22, 2016