CN108886517A - Know the stream content of preference - Google Patents

Abstract

In some embodiments, a kind of telecommunication network may include：Core network device is communicatively coupled with user equipment (UE).Core network device can receive the instruction of the change to user preference associated with user equipment via network interface.Core network device can send the notification message including pseudonym identity symbol, and the notification message is based at least partially on the instruction of the change.UE can send content supplier for the information of account associated with UE via network interface.The information may include pseudonym identity symbol.Then, UE can be rendered from the received content of content supplier.Content supplier can receive pseudonym identity symbol and the request to content via network.Content supplier can determine quality settings associated with pseudonym identity symbol, and be based at least partially on quality settings to provide content.

Description

Know the stream content of preference

Cross reference to related applications

This application claims submitting, entitled " know the stream content (Preference- of preference on July 19th, 2016 Aware Content Streaming) " (file number TM2-0330US), Serial No. 15/214,033 United States Patent (USP) Shen Priority please.The patent application is the continuous application part of following application, and requires following priority application and equity：In " quality settings suggestion based on data plan and its using to manage content supplier submitting, entitled on November 9th, 2015 Service (Data-Plan-Based Quality Setting Suggestions and Use Thereof to Manage Content Provider Services) " (file number TM2-0293US), Serial No. 14/936,495 United States Patent (USP) Application.And it is the non-provisional application of following application, and requires following priority application and equity：On March 18th, 2016 " API (the API for Optimized Content Quality transmitted for optimized content quality submit, entitled Delivery) " (file number TM2-0330USP1), Serial No. 62/310,472 U.S. Provisional Patent Application.The patent The full content of application is incorporated herein by reference.

Background technique

Either transmit video or music, the application program for using, checking or listening to after being still downloaded for, view as a stream Frequency or song, the increased trend of content consumption on user equipment are still continuing.Exemplary user equipment may include smart phone, Tablet computer or laptop computer.After through cellular network transmission, this content is received frequently by user equipment, It is all gone short of to make to access radio frequency resource and core-network resources at network.In order to manage the need to these Internet resources It asks, the operator of cellular network includes usually content consumption limitation in user data in the works.These are limited in a period of time (example Such as, one month) DATA REASONING (for example, gigabytes) in be expressed.However, being difficult basis for many users These limitations are to measure or understand their content consumption.For example, user, which may not know about certain movie, will consume how many streams.With Family may also can not understand influence of the high video quality to low video quality for content consumption.Do not understand Floor layer Technology in depth User may be difficult to understand for these problems.Even the user for understanding the technology may not also know how content supplier selects Select service quality.Therefore, user is likely difficult to manage its content consumption.

In addition, third party content provider usually makes complication in the following manner：By defaulting it automatically It is transmitted be highest service quality, by being difficult to find that the control (or not providing service quality) to service quality, or By the way that the content from other third party content providers is embedded in the content that they are transmitted.In this case, usually User to user content consumption it is unique control be：Whether consume content actually.

Detailed description of the invention

It is described in detail with reference to attached drawing.In the accompanying drawings, leftmost one or more digital representations of reference label The figure that reference label first appears.Make to be denoted with the same reference numerals similar or identical entry or feature in different figures. To simplify the explanation, in the attached drawing of this paper, the arrow since diamond shape connects first assembly or the first operation (at diamond shape end) It is connected at least one second component or the second operation, at least one example, second component or the second operation are or can wrap It includes in first assembly or the first operation.

Fig. 1 shows general introduction and example context comprising user equipment, the equipment of telecommunication network and content supplier, The equipment of user equipment and telecommunication network manages content provider server based on the quality settings that user selects.

Fig. 2 shows the component level view of user equipment, which is configured as the content consumption of monitoring user, and And suggest the reduced quality settings for being directed to the content, to avoid being more than to be limited by the content consumption that the data plan of user is applied System.

Fig. 3 shows the component level view of accounting server, and whether which is configured as storage subscriber Selection participates in providing the label (indicia) of the plan of free data consumption, and is conditionally disappeared from content based on the label Content consumption is excluded in expense measurement.

Fig. 4 shows the component level view of "Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) node, is configured as receiving and regard The associated quality settings of the consumption of frequency content, and quality settings are based on, indicate that the equipment reduction of telecommunication network can be used for regarding The Internet resources of the consumption of frequency content.

Fig. 5 shows the label of the content consumption for retrieving user；According to the label, propose to change building for quality settings View；And provide can selected control so that quality settings change the instantiation procedure that comes into force.

Fig. 6 is shown for receiving quality settings associated with the consumption of the video content of the subscriber of telecommunication network, and The Internet resources that can be used for subscriber transmission video content are reduced, so that the third party content provider of video content is reduced The service quality for the video content that they transmit is with the instantiation procedure no more than quality settings.

Fig. 7 is shown for the plan based on the whether selected consumption for participating in providing free video content of subscriber, to have It limits service quality and provides video content as exchange to subscriber, and conditionally exclude content consumption from content consumption measurement Instantiation procedure.

Fig. 8 shows general introduction and example context comprising user equipment, the equipment of telecommunication network and content supplier, respectively Component shown in kind is configured as conveying the information about user preference.

Fig. 9 shows the instantiation procedure of the change for responding user preference.

Figure 10 shows the instantiation procedure for responding user preference or the change to user preference.

Figure 11 is shown for providing the instantiation procedure of the access to user preference.

Figure 12 is shown for providing the instantiation procedure of the content through fluidizing.

Figure 13 is shown for providing the instantiation procedure of the content through fluidizing.

Figure 14 shows the instantiation procedure for managing stream content.

Figure 15 shows the instantiation procedure for managing stream content.

Figure 16 shows the instantiation procedure for managing transmission bandwidth.

Specific embodiment

It summarizes

In some existing schemes, user, which does not have by reducing service quality, saves the ability of resource.Disclosure portion Describe a kind of network system with dividing：It allows user that content quality preference is communicated to content supplier.For example, and high-resolution (HD) video content is spent Instead, it is desirable to which the user for reducing content consumption can establish to the inclined of standard definition (SD) video content It is good.Then, content supplier can provide user content in a manner of corresponding with the preference of the user.Here some examples Allow to send to user preference content supplier (other than such as cellular network operator).Throughout this document, video flowing Change the example that the content provided by content supplier is provided.Various technologies described herein are additionally or alternatively used for other classes The content of type, such as music, static image, text or archives or other service conditions in addition to fluidisation, such as offline downloading Or interactive session.For example, if user has been set up the preference for reducing content consumption, it can be in not background image In the case of webpage is provided.

The disclosure also partially describes a kind of user equipment, provides it is recommended that changing with from one or more contents The associated quality settings of the consumption of the content of quotient.The Service Quality of the received content of data plan and user equipment based on user Amount is carried out suggestion and is changed.Then, the quality settings which selects are supplied to telecommunication network, which reduce can based on quality settings It is used for transmission the Internet resources of content.The Internet resources of this reduction make content supplier to be not higher than the service of quality settings Quality provides content.In addition, can be presented to user when being supplied to user with limited service quality or default choice is used for Provide free the option of the plan (program) of the consumption of video content.When user participates in, then conditionally from data meter The consumption of video content is excluded in the consumption measurement drawn.It determines or provides and limited clothes as it is used herein, " degradation " refers to The business associated content of quality.Limited service quality may include at least one of the following：The limitation of peak bandwidth consumption, The limitation of average bandwidth consumption, the total amount of data (for example, byte number) transmitted in the particular session or in given time period Limitation or the limitation of connection duration.

As it is used herein, " user equipment " or " terminal " is communication equipment, such as cellular phone or other users are set Standby (UE), be configured as executing technique described herein or with the system phase intercommunication that is configured to executes technique described herein Letter.Terminal may include such as wireless speech or data communications equipment.Terminal may include user interface (for example, smart phone Possessed), but this is not required.For example, exemplary terminal can be mobile hot spot, LTE is such as used to connect as upstream The WIFI access point connect.Such terminal can not include user interface.

In various embodiments, user equipment can be configured with one or more application programs and content consumption management Module.One or more application programs can be received from third party content provider (also referred to herein simply as " content supplier ") Content, and can be based on service quality come rendering content.This service quality can reflect received by telecommunication network institute The message transmission rate or content resolution of content.In response to the reception of one or more application programs or rendering content, content Consumption management module can be retrieved from telecommunication network about the label of service quality associated with content and about in user Hold the label of consumption plan.Based on those labels, content consumption management module can provide a user suggestion, with change and content The associated quality settings of consumption.For example, content consumption management module can be determined based on the label：User whether continue with Current service quality consumes content, and user will be more than that his or her content consumption plan limits in one hour.In response to The determination, content consumption management module can suggest that user selects such quality settings：Based on user equipment currently in use With the type of content, user will be made to consume content with acceptable service quality, with the longer duration.It can be following Middle offer is such to be suggested：User interface (such as overlapping user interface), and allow users to the change to quality settings What is come into force can selected control.Alternatively or additionally, can selected control can provide (such as setup module) by different modules, User be can permit before receiving any suggestion and carrying out the operation, try to be the first and select quality settings.Once quality settings have been selected, The equipment that the setting can be supplied to telecommunication network by user equipment, such as accounting server or "Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) node.

After from accounting server or directly receiving quality settings from user equipment, PCRF node be may determine whether The associated Internet resources of transmission with content should be reduced.When it is determined that reducing Internet resources, PCRF node can refer to Show the service of gateway general packet wireless electricity (GPRS) supporting node (GGSN) or grouped data network gateway (PGW) to reduce network Resource.The reduction of this Internet resources will cause third party content provider to reduce them to provide the Service Quality of content in turn Amount, to effectively make third party content provider that content transmission be made to adapt to specific quality settings.

In further embodiment, accounting server can receive user and consume the instruction of content, and make For response, it can determine whether user has been selected and participate in providing the plan of free content consumption, with limited service quality Content is provided as exchange to subscriber.If user is participating in the plan, accounting server can be conditionally from content Consumer video content is excluded in the content consumption measurement of consumption plan.

In some instances, at least one user preference can be communicated to content by the equipment of user equipment or telecommunication network Provider.For example, the equipment of telecommunication network for example via pulling or can push application programming interfaces (pull or push API) or other communicate to connect the server that user preference is passed to content supplier.In another example, content supplier It can carry out service content via the application program (or other software, and equally spread this document) run on a user device. At least one user preference for example can be communicated to content supplier via the connection for being also used to request content by the application program.

Exemplary components

Fig. 1 shows general introduction and example context 100 comprising user equipment, the equipment of telecommunication network and content provide The equipment of quotient, user equipment and telecommunication network manages content provider server based on the quality settings that user selects.As schemed Show, user equipment 102 may include by telecommunication network 108 from one of 106 reception content of third party content provider or more Multiple application programs 104.Third party content provider 106 can pass through GGSN/PGW 110 and internet 112 or other networks It is connected to telecommunication network 108.User equipment 102 also includes content consumption management module 114 and setup module 116.Content consumption Management module 114 can retrieval service quality and consumption plan use (at 118) label, and to the meter of telecommunication network 108 Take server 120 and user's quality settings of selection are provided.Then, accounting server 120 can utilize quality settings (at 122) The PCRF node 124 for updating telecommunication network 108 is measured with other users.At 126, then PCRF node 124 can indicate GGSN/PGW 110 reduces Internet resources, and at 128, is based on quality settings, GGSN/PGW 110, which can be reduced, can be used for The Internet resources of the content from third party content provider 106 are transmitted, this makes third party content provider 106 by service quality It is reduced to and is no more than quality settings.

In various embodiments, user equipment 102 can be any kind of mobile telecommunication apparatus.Such movement is set It is standby to can be or including cellular phone, smart phone, tablet computer, personal computer (PC), laptop computer, desk-top calculating Machine, work station, media player, accessory device or any other type one or more equipment.User equipment 102 can be with It is associated with specific telecommunication network (such as telecommunication network 108), because the user of user equipment 102 can order by telecommunication network The service that 108 operator provides.Exemplary user equipment 102 hereinafter with reference to the figure it is shown in fig. 2, and carry out detailed Description.

In various embodiments, third party content provider 106, GGSN/PGW 110, accounting server 120 and PCRF Each of node 124 can be or including one or more calculating equipment.Such calculating equipment can be individually or Including server or server zone, multiple distributed server groups, mainframe, work station, PC, laptop computer, plate meter One or more equipment of calculation machine, embedded system or any other type.In one embodiment, these calculate equipment In multiple calculating equipment for working in the communications of some expressions, the system for cloud computing of such as node.Example accounting server 120 It is shown in FIG. 3, and is described in detail referring to the figure.Example PCRF node 124 is shown in FIG. 4, and following It is described in detail referring to the figure.

Telecommunication network 108 can be any kind of telecommunication network, and may include core network and multiple access nets Network.Such core network may include multiple networking components, these networking components provide between the cell site of telecommunication network, Between the cell site of telecommunication network and the cell site of other telecommunication networks and the cell site of other networks and equipment it Between connection.Core network can support packet switching communication, circuit-switched communications or both.In addition, core network can be Solution Architecture evolution (SAE) core network or Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) core network or may include come From the networking component of the two.In addition, core network may include for supporting the Internet Protocol of packet switching communication (IP) more Media subsystem (IMS) layer.In addition, core network may include accounting server 120, PCRF node 124 and GGSN/ PGW110 and other equipment.

In some embodiments, each access network of telecommunication network 108 may include associated with geographic area Multiple base stations.These base stations can be realized on cellular tower, and each base station can be wirelessly electrically accessed with one or more Technology (RAT) is associated.Base station can be eNodeB for example associated with long term evolution (LTE) RAT, with forth generation (4G) or The third generation (3G) RAT (for example, UMTS or global mobile system (GSM) RAT) associated node B or other kinds of base station, Such as base station associated with the second generation (2G) RAT.

In various embodiments, user equipment 102 may include can receive it is one or more with rendering content Application program 104.Such a or more application program 104 may include capableing of the application program of streamed video content, Such as various video streaming services are (for example, Netflix^TM、Hulu^TM、YouTube^TMDeng) web browser and client application Program.Additionally or alternatively, one or more application programs 104 may include capableing of the application program or energy of streaming audio The application program of enough downloading and storage video or audio.It can be with clothes by the received content of one or more application programs 104 Quality of being engaged in is associated, such as the message transmission rate of content resolution or reception content.In addition, one or more application programs (it is different from the user discussed through the disclosure selection to each of 104 quality settings that can provide specific to supplier Quality settings), can influence with the application program 104 provide its content corresponding content supplier 106 Service Quality Amount.

As shown in Figure 1, user equipment 102 can be configured with content consumption management module 114.Content consumption management module 114 can monitor the execution activity on the user equipment 102 exposed by the operating system of user equipment 102, to determine application Program 104 when receives or rendering content.Determine application program 104 just in rendering content, content consumption management module 114 Information associated with the content consumption can be retrieved from telecommunication network 108 (at 118).For example, content consumption management module 114 can retrieve the label for the service quality by the received content of application program 104, with the user's of user equipment 102 The label of data plan (also referred to as " content consumption plan ") associated content consumption limitation and whithin a period of time The label of the content consumption measurement of the total amount of the content of consumption.In some embodiments, label can also include that user is described in detail Past content consumption behavior usage history.Content consumption management module 114 can be from PCRF node 124 or from billing of services 120 retrieval mark of device.This retrieval can rendering in response to application program 104 to content, or can be automatic and all Phase property.

In retrieval mark, content consumption management module 114 may determine whether to suggest to user：User changes quality and sets It sets.Quality settings can specify content and the service quality with both every other contents of content same type, but regardless of mentioning For service or application program.When making the determination, content consumption management module 114 can be checked answers with by one or more Content, the data plan measurement rendered with program 104 is related to the device type of limitation, usage history and user equipment 102 The current service quality of connection.The received rule set of operator from telecommunication network 108 can be used to analyze the information.It is such Rule set can be it is renewable, so that operator be allowed dynamically to manage its Internet resources.

For example, content consumption management module 114 can check current service quality, which be can be quite High message transmission rate, and in the limitation of the data plan in user and measurement, and determine that user will be in content consumption Another hour in be more than limitation.Content consumption management module 114 can be by suggesting user's selection for service to user The lower quality of quality is arranged to act to the determination, to obtain before being more than limitation for the additional of content consumption Time.Alternatively, content consumption management module 114 is it is also conceivable to device type and usage history.If current service matter Amount is lowest level needed for the good user experience of given device type, then content consumption management module 114 can be to avoid building Quality settings are discussed to change.In addition, if usage history shows the content that each planned time section of user is only consumed one hour, then it is interior The content consumption of single hour can only be predicted by holding consumption management module 114, and is not changed to quality settings and be may be It is necessary.Therefore, content consumption management module 114 can be to avoid making such a suggestion.

In some embodiments, content consumption management module 114 can via overlapping (overlay) user interface to Family, which provides, suggests to change quality settings.It can be provided in this way together with the user interface of one or more application programs 104 Overlapping user interface (for example, on edge of the user interface of one or more application programs 104).Overlapping user interface It may be comprising explaining the text suggested (for example, " by the rate of your current 6Mbps, we estimate that you will be more than in one hour You are ready to change your quality settings for your plan limitation --- with 1.5Mbps, we estimate that you will also remain 6 hours --- ?？"), and it is optional so that the change of quality settings come into force can selected control (for example, drop-down list etc.).In an example In, overlapping user interface can be provided with the option of the consumption content of certain service quality, so that meeting but disappearing no more than content Take limitation.In further example, overlapping user interface can provide a user the option for upgrading his or her plan, so that Content can for longer periods be enjoyed with identical service quality by obtaining.

In further embodiment, setup module 116 can with or alternatively provide can selected control, allow a user to Enough so that the change to quality settings comes into force.For example, setup module 116 can provide setting user interface, setting user circle Face allows users to be selected (for example, video content is high/medium/low) in multiple possible settings for content type.If Set user interface can also include can selected control for select the quality settings of other content type (for example, audio content). Setup module 116 and setting user interface can also allow users to selection and be added or exit for free or reduction expense number According to the plan of consumption.

In some instances, one or more nodes of setup module 116 or telecommunication network 108 can permit user's warp By various interfaces the change to quality settings or other users preference is come into force.Example interface may include short message service (SMS) interface (for example, text "ON" or "Off" are degraded to 24643 with activating or deactivating) or unstructured supplementary service data (USSD) interface is (for example, dial * 66# or #266#, " BON " degrades to activate, and dial * 633# or #263#, " BOF " to stop With degradation).In this example, interface can additionally or alternatively allow user to access saved user preference.For example, USSD Interface (for example, dialing #264#) can provide about degrade whether effective information.Further example interface may include answering With program 104, interactive voice response system or for example by the website of operator's offer of telecommunication network 108.Another example circle Face may include physical switch or other controls (for example, a part as user equipment 102 provides), or by user equipment 102 virtual switches or control realized, such as identification module, according to the received sliding on the touch screen of user equipment 102 Gesture updates quality settings or other users preference.

Once user changes quality settings, content consumption management module via overlapping user interface or setting user interface 114 or setup module 116 quality settings will be supplied to accounting server 120 or PCRF node 124 at 118, by telecommunications Network 108 executes.

In various embodiments, PCRF node 124 can by accounting server 120 directly from user equipment 102 or It is arranged indirectly from 102 quality of reception of user equipment.As described above, these quality settings can be selected by user, or can be with It is the default quality setting for user's selection.When indirect reception, accounting server 120 will utilize quality settings (at 122) And its associated user equipment 102 or user update PCRF node 124.It is arranged in response to the quality of reception, PCRF node 124 will It stores quality settings and simultaneously indicates that GGSN/PGW 110 distributes Internet resources according to quality settings (at 128) (at 126).It is this Distribution may relate to for example reduce Internet resources.Alternatively, PCRF node 124 can analyze quality metric to determine needs The Internet resources of how many reductions to be achieved, and in response, GGSN/PGW 110 can be indicated (128 (at 126) Place) reduce Internet resources.In some embodiments, PCRF node 124 can receive for user or user equipment 102 for more Multiple quality settings of kind content type, and the Internet resources of some content types in these content types can be reduced, Rather than other content type.For example, PCRF node 124 can not refer to if providing free a kind of content type to user Show that GGSN/PGW 110 reduces the Internet resources of the content type.

The effect of the Internet resources of reduction is the reduction for the service quality that content supplier 106 uses.Content supplier 106 Respective test network, to determine whether service degrades or whether there is less Internet resources, and in response to detecting drop Grade or less resource, they reduce its service quality rating.In this way, by selecting quality settings and making telecommunications network The quality settings that network 108 are based on reduce Internet resources, and user can make content supplier 106 substantially show as their bases Their service quality is limited in the quality settings.

In various embodiments, the operator of telecommunication network 108 can further seek by motivating its user to use Those of less Internet resources, to mitigate the burden to its Internet resources.For example, operator can provide such plan, The consumption for providing free content (for example, video content) provides a user content as exchange using limited service quality.Example Such as, when consumption user selects to participate in the plan, operator can be determined：With particular data transmission rate or it is less than specific data All video contents of the service quality consumption of transmission rate should be free.

When user participates in and accounting server 120 receives the notice of content consumption, accounting server 120, which determines, to be used The participation at family and from consumption measurement in conditionally exclude the consumption.For example, if user with particular data transmission rate or Lower than the video content of particular data transmission rate consumption 20MB, then accounting server 120 is not included in this 20MB and is included in It draws in the content consumption measurement of limitation.

However, in some embodiments, when being more than consumption limitation, the plan is participated in regardless of whether subscriber is selected, Accounting server 120 does not exclude the consumption of video content from consumption measurement.Therefore, if user is monthly limited to 20GB, and And user is 21GB when selecting participation program, then user will be included in his or her content consumption to the consumption of content and measure In, unless for example, customer upgrade it is his or her plan and obtain higher limitation.

In addition, user, which can repeat selection, is added and exits participation program.Initially, user can choose participation, and compared with The consumption of low service quality is not counted in content consumption measurement.Later, user can determine that he or she wishes with higher service speed Rate consumes program and selects to exit the plan.Now, content consumption is all included in for the consumption of expectation content and other consumption Measurement.Later, user may want to participate in the plan again, this limits his or she received service quality, and again, not have Consumption is included in content consumption measurement.

Example apparatus

Fig. 2 shows the component level view of user equipment 200, user equipment 200 can indicate user equipment 102, be matched It is set to the content consumption of monitoring user, and suggests the reduction quality settings for being directed to the content, to avoid the data for being more than user The content consumption limitation that plan applies.As shown, user equipment 200 includes storing one or more application programs 204, interior Hold the system storage 202 of consumption management module 206, setup module 208 and operating system 210.In addition, user equipment 200 wraps One or more processors 212 are included, storage 214 can be removed, is non-removable storage 216, transceiver 218, one or more Output equipment 220 and one or more input equipments 222.

In various embodiments, system storage 202 be volatibility (such as RAM), it is non-volatile (such as ROM, Flash memory etc.) or both certain combination.One or more application programs 204 can be one or more application programs 104 Example, content consumption management module 206 can be the example of content consumption management module 114, and setup module 208 can be with It is the example of setup module 116.Operating system 210 can be any kind of operating system, and can make content consumption pipe Module 206 is managed it can be found that one or more application programs 204 whether are receiving or rendering content, such as above for Fig. 1 It is described.One or more algorithms realized as module 204,206 and 208 and operating system 210 are as shown in Fig. 5 Process illustrates.

In some embodiments, one or more processors 212 are central processing unit (CPU), graphics process list The processing unit of first (GPU) or both CPU and GPU or any other type.

User equipment 200 (can also can be removed and/or non-removable) including additional data storage device, such as disk, CD or tape.This additional memory devices are shown in Figure 2 for removable memory 214 and non-removable memory 216.

Non-transitory computer-readable medium may include information (such as computer-readable instruction, data for storage Structure, program module or other data) technology realize volatile and non-volatile, removable and nonremovable corporeal thing Manage medium.System storage 202, removable storage 214 and non-removable storage 216 are all non-transitory computer-readable mediums Example.Non-transitory computer-readable medium include but is not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storages, cassette, tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, Or any other tangible physical medium that can be used for storing desired information and can be accessed by user equipment 200.It is any Such non-transitory computer-readable medium can be a part of user equipment 200.

In some embodiments, transceiver 218 includes any kind of transceiver as known in the art.For example, receiving Sending out device 218 may include radio transceiver, execute the function that radio communication is sent and received via antenna.Furthermore it or substitutes Ground, transceiver 218 may include one or more radio modems, to assist calculating wirelessly connecting for equipment with other It connects.In addition, transceiver 218 may include the wire communication component for communicating with other networked devices, such as ethernet port.

In some instances, transceiver 218 and other transceivers described herein are included in network interface, the network Interface may include at least one transceiver 218.Network interface can be other assemblies, for example, cable or optical fiber connector, depositing Memory interface, processor interface or for one or more processors 212 and network (for example, telecommunication network 108 (with Dotted line frame is shown)) between transmit data other structures.

In some embodiments, output equipment 220 includes any kind of output equipment as known in the art, such as Display (for example, liquid crystal display), loudspeaker, vibrating mechanism or haptic feedback mechanism.Output equipment 220 further includes for one The port of a or more peripheral equipment (such as earphone, peripheral loudspeaker or peripheral display).

In various embodiments, input equipment 222 includes any kind of input equipment as known in the art.Example Such as, input equipment 222 may include camera, microphone, keyboard or touch-sensitive display.Keyboard can be by Button digital dial (such as on common telecommunication apparatus), multi-key keypad (such as traditional qwerty keyboard) or one kind Or more other kinds of key or button, and can also be the controller including similar control stick and/or specified navigation Button etc..

Fig. 3 shows the component level view of accounting server 300, and accounting server 300 can indicate accounting server 120, it is configured as whether storage subscriber has been selected the label for participating in the plan of offer free data consumption, and be based on the mark Note conditionally excludes content consumption from content consumption measurement.As shown, accounting server 300 includes the storage station message recording 304 and accounting module 306 system storage 302.In addition, accounting server 300 include one or more processors 308, Storage 310, non-removable storage 312, transceiver 314, one or more output equipments 316 and one or more can be removed Input equipment 318.

In various embodiments, system storage 302 be volatibility (such as RAM), it is non-volatile (such as ROM, Flash memory etc.) or both certain combination.Station message recording 304 may include the subscriber for telecommunication network, user equipment or subscriber With the combined record of user equipment.Such station message recording 304 may include such instruction：Whether subscriber or user participate in The plan of the free content consumption of limited service quality is provided.Station message recording 304 can also include it is any one of following or All：The plan limitation (for example, monthly 2GB) of data consumption, current content consumption measurement (for example, current month be 1GB), with And by user equipment customer consumption content service quality and user selection quality settings.Accounting module 306 can be with Determine whether user is participating in free content consumption plan, and conditionally from measurement exclude consumption, such as above for Described in Fig. 1.In addition, accounting module 306 or another module of accounting server 300 can from the station message recording 304 (for example, To PCRF node or user equipment) data are provided, and the station message recording 304 can be updated.One realized by accounting module 306 Or more algorithm illustrated by process shown in fig. 7.

In some embodiments, one or more processors 308 are central processing unit (CPU), graphics process list The processing unit of first (GPU) or both CPU and GPU or any other type.

Accounting server 300 can also include additional data storage device (can be removed and/or non-removable), such as magnetic Disk, CD or tape.This additional storage is shown in Figure 3 for that storage 310 and non-removable storage 312 can be removed.

Non-transitory computer-readable medium may include information (such as computer-readable instruction, data for storage Structure, program module or other data) technology realize volatile and non-volatile, removable and nonremovable corporeal thing Manage medium.System storage 302, removable storage 310 and non-removable storage 312 are all non-transitory computer-readable mediums Example.Non-transitory computer-readable medium include but is not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storages, cassette, tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage apparatus or Any other the tangible physical medium that can be used for storing desired information and can be accessed by accounting server 300.It is any such non- Temporary computer-readable medium can be a part of accounting server 300.

In some embodiments, transceiver 314 includes any kind of transceiver as known in the art.For example, receiving Hair device 314 may include the wire communication component for communicating with other networked devices, such as ethernet port.Furthermore it or substitutes Ground, transceiver 314 may include one or more radio modems, to assist calculating wirelessly connecting for equipment with other It connects.In addition, transceiver 314 may include radio transceiver, the function that radio communication is sent and received via antenna is executed.

In some embodiments, output equipment 316 includes any kind of output equipment as known in the art, such as Display (for example, liquid crystal display), loudspeaker, vibrating mechanism or haptic feedback mechanism.Output equipment 316 further includes for one The port of a or more peripheral equipment (such as earphone, peripheral loudspeaker or peripheral display).

In various embodiments, input equipment 318 includes any kind of input equipment as known in the art.Example Such as, input equipment 318 may include camera, microphone, keyboard or touch-sensitive display.Keyboard can be by Button digital dial (such as on common telecommunication apparatus), multi-key keypad (such as traditional qwerty keyboard) or one kind Or more other kinds of key or button, and can also be the controller including similar control stick and/or specified navigation Button etc..

Fig. 4 shows the component level view of "Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) node 400, and PCRF node 400 can be with It indicates PCRF node 124, is configured as receiving quality settings associated with the consumption of video content, and set based on quality It sets, the equipment for indicating telecommunication network reduces the Internet resources that can be used for the consumption of video content.As shown, PCRF node 400 System storage 402 including storing user data 404 and resource configuration module 406.In addition, PCRF node 400 includes one Or more processor 408, can be removed storage 410, it is non-removable storage 412, transceiver 414, it is one or more output set Standby 416 and one or more input equipments 418.

In various embodiments, system storage 402 be volatibility (such as RAM), it is non-volatile (such as ROM, Flash memory etc.) or both certain combination.User data 404 may include the subscriber for telecommunication network, user equipment or subscriber With the combined record of user equipment.Such user data 404 can also include any one of following or whole：Number According to the plan limitation (for example, monthly 2GB) of consumption, current content consumption measurement (for example, current month be 1GB) and by with The service quality of the content of the customer consumption of family equipment and the quality settings of user's selection.Resource configuration module 406 can connect Receive quality settings, and based on those settings reduce (or instruction GGSN/PGW reduce) can be used for transmitting it is associated with quality settings Content Internet resources, as above for described in Fig. 1.One or more calculations realized by resource configuration module 406 Method process as shown in Fig. 6 illustrates.

In some embodiments, one or more processors 408 are central processing unit (CPU), graphics process list The processing unit of first (GPU) or both CPU and GPU or any other type.

PCRF node 400 (can also can be removed and/or non-removable) including additional data storage device, such as disk, CD or tape.Such additional memory devices are shown in Figure 4 for that storage 410 and non-removable storage 412 can be removed.

Non-transitory computer-readable medium may include information (such as computer-readable instruction, data for storage Structure, program module or other data) technology realize volatile and non-volatile, removable and nonremovable corporeal thing Manage medium.System storage 402, removable storage 410 and non-removable storage 412 are all non-transitory computer-readable mediums Example.Non-transitory computer-readable medium include but is not limited to RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technologies, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical storages, cassette, tape, disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, Or any other tangible physical medium that can be used for storing desired information and can be accessed by PCRF node 400.It is any Such non-transitory computer-readable medium can be a part of PCRF node 400.

In some embodiments, transceiver 414 includes any kind of transceiver as known in the art.For example, receiving Hair device 414 may include the wire communication component for communicating with other networked devices, such as ethernet port.Furthermore it or substitutes Ground, transceiver 414 may include one or more radio modems, to assist calculating wirelessly connecting for equipment with other It connects.In addition, transceiver 414 may include radio transceiver, the function that radio communication is sent and received via antenna is executed.

In some embodiments, output equipment 416 includes any kind of output equipment as known in the art, such as Display (for example, liquid crystal display), loudspeaker, vibrating mechanism or haptic feedback mechanism.Output equipment 416 further includes for one The port of a or more peripheral equipment (such as earphone, peripheral loudspeaker or peripheral display).

In various embodiments, input equipment 418 includes any kind of input equipment as known in the art.Example Such as, input equipment 418 may include camera, microphone, keyboard or touch-sensitive display.Keyboard can be by Button digital dial (such as on common telecommunication apparatus), multi-key keypad (such as traditional qwerty keyboard) or one kind Or more other kinds of key or button, and can also be the controller including similar control stick and/or specified navigation Button etc..

Instantiation procedure

Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 shows instantiation procedure.These processes are illustrated as logical flow chart, each of which operation indicates to use The sequence of operations that hardware, software, or its combination is realized.In the context of software, operation indicates to be stored in one or more Computer executable instructions on computer readable storage medium, when executed by one or more processors, described in execution Operation.In general, computer executable instructions include execute specific function or realize the routine of particular abstract data type, program, Object, component, data structure etc..The sequence of description operation, which is not intended to, to be interpreted restrictive, and any amount of is retouched The operation stated can combine in any order and/or concurrently realize process.

Fig. 5 shows the label of the content consumption for retrieving user；According to the label, propose to change building for quality settings View；And provide can selected control so that quality settings change the instantiation procedure 500 that comes into force.The process includes：By user at 502 Equipment (such as user equipment 102 or 200) receives the content at the application program of user equipment.By telecommunication network from third party Content supplier's reception content.

At 504, application program is with service quality rendering content associated with the received content of institute.The Service Quality of content Amount can be one of the resolution ratio of content or the message transmission rate of content.

At 506, the content consumption manager module of user equipment retrieves the Service Quality by the received content of application program The label that the label of amount, content consumption associated with the data plan of the user of user equipment limit, and in a period of time The label of the content consumption measurement of the content total amount of interior consumption.Observe application program just in response to content consumption manager module It, can be from telecommunication network (for example, from accounting server or PCRF node of telecommunication network) retrieval mark in rendering content.? At 508, retrieval may include retrieving the usage history of user.

At 510, content consumption manager module is based at least partially on label and provides the suggestion for changing quality settings, should Quality settings are provided by the service quality of the received content of application program.No matter offer service or application program, such matter Amount setting can specify that content and the service quality with both every other contents of content same type.At 512, provides and build View may include whether the content consumption based on usage history prediction user will be more than that content consumption limits before the period terminates System, and suggestion is provided based on the prediction.At 514, providing may include providing suggestion via overlapping user interface.516 Place, providing may include being based at least partially on the device type of user equipment to provide the suggestion of quality settings.

At 518, content consumption manager module provide can selected control so that the change to quality settings comes into force.? At 520, provide may include provide can selected control, with made based on the prediction at 512 change come into force.At 522, providing can To include providing with the option of certain service quality consumption content, limited so that meeting but being no more than content consumption.At 524, Offer may include via overlapping user interface or via setting user interface provide can selected control.At 526, providing be can wrap It includes and selection is provided is added or exits the option of data consumption plan, the data consumption plan is not at service quality threshold value or service Quality threshold content consumption charging below.

Fig. 6 is shown for receiving quality settings associated with subscriber's consumer video content of telecommunication network, and is subtracted It can be used for the Internet resources to subscriber transmission video content less, passed so that the third party content provider of video content reduces them The service quality of defeated video content is no more than the instantiation procedure 600 of quality settings.The process includes：By telecommunications network at 602 The equipment of network is received by the quality settings of the selected video content for subscriber's consumption of subscriber of telecommunication network.Quality settings It can be subscriber's selection, be also possible to the default quality setting selected for subscriber.At 604, reception can be by telecommunication network PCRF node execute, such as PCRF node 124 or 400.At 606, reception may include the billing of services from telecommunication network The setting of the device quality of reception, accounting server receive quality settings from user equipment.At 608, reception may include connecing Receive quality settings associated with the consumption of multiple corresponding content types.

At 610, the equipment (such as PCRF node 124 or 400) of telecommunication network stores quality settings.

At 612, equipment (such as PCRF node 124 or 400) reduction of telecommunication network can be used for transmitting video content To the Internet resources of subscriber.The video content that this reduction causes the third party content provider of video content to transmit them Service quality is reduced to no more than quality settings (for example, being restricted to be no more than 1mbps).Third party content provider is in response to surveying Examination telecommunication network simultaneously reduces service quality based on determining Internet resources reduction is tested.At 614, reduction may include instruction GGSN or PGW reduces the Internet resources that can be used for transmitted video content.At 616, reduction may include receiving multiple types When the quality settings of type content, Internet resources are reduced in response to some but being not all of quality settings.At 618, reduction can To include not provided to the associated quality settings of the consumption content of its charging without reducing network in response to receiving with telecommunication network Source.

Fig. 7 is shown for the plan based on the whether selected consumption for participating in providing free video content of subscriber, to have It limits service quality and provides video content as exchange to subscriber, and conditionally exclude content consumption from content consumption measurement Instantiation procedure 700.The process includes：At 702, the accounting server (such as accounting server 120 or 300) of telecommunication network The subscriber of data plan is received just in the instruction of consumer video content.

At 704, accounting server determines whether subscriber is selected and participates in providing the plan of free video content consumption, with Limited service quality provides video content as exchange to subscriber.

At 706, accounting server is based at least partially on subscriber's whether selected participation plan, and conditionally will The consumption of video content is excluded from the consumption measurement of data plan associated with consumption limitation.At 708, no matter subscriber is No selected participation plan does not exclude the consumption of video content when alreading exceed consumption limitation from consumption measurement.This Outside, exclusion of having ready conditions may include：It at 710, selects to participate in the plan based on subscriber, excludes video content from consumption measurement Consumption；At 712, selection is changed to be not involved in the plan based on subscriber, and further comprises in video in consumption measurement The consumption of appearance；And at 714, selection is changed to participate in the plan again based on subscriber, is further excluded from consumption measurement The consumption of video content.

Another example apparatus

Some examples (such as above with reference to those of Fig. 1 description example) reduce Internet resources (operation 128).For example, behaviour Making 128 may include that the handling capacity of video connection is reduced to 1.5Mbps.Such rate can be supported for example with such as H.264 the 480p video of codec, but the higher resolution using this codec is not supported.Therefore, starting It plays back to have and be higher than after the content item of the resource-constrained supported resolution ratio of connection, content supplier 106, which can detecte, have been subtracted Increased packet loss or buffering on few Internet resources.In response, content supplier can degrade content bandwidth, example Such as, 480p video is downgraded to from 1080p.Degradation may include such as at least one of the following：Change compression parameters, change pressure Contracting technology or space or the temporal resolution for changing content.In some instances, this processing of content supplier 106 may Delay between at the time of causing user's application quality to be arranged and at the time of content supplier's degradation content.

In some examples being described below, one or more content suppliers 106 can be from the fortune of telecommunication network 108 Quotient is sought to receive about quality settings or the information of other users preference.This can permit content supplier 106 and drops before transmitting Grade content bandwidth.This can reduce the bandwidth on the network link between content supplier 106 and telecommunication network 108.This It can also be improved by reducing delay or the Caton of the content stream that may occur during the degradation occurred after playback starts User experience.

Fig. 8 shows general introduction and example context 800, including user equipment, the equipment of telecommunication network and content supplier.? In some examples, the user preference of quality settings that content supplier is selected based on such as user etc provides to manage content Quotient's service.Identical label is used for the component described above with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 7.In some instances, user or other entities 802 can operate user equipment 804.In some instances, user equipment 804 can be via telecommunication network 108, GGSN/PGW 110 and internet 112 (intermediate link for clarity, is omitted in figure), (it can be with at least one content supplier 806 Represent content supplier 106) communication.In some instances, Liang Ge content supplier 106 is shown, user equipment 804 can be with The communication of at least one content supplier 106.

In some instances, user equipment 804 includes setup module 808, can indicate setup module 116.As above With reference to described in setup module 116, setup module 808 can indicate can selected control, allow the user to make quality settings Change or another user preference comes into force, or otherwise determines user preference or allow to determine user preference.In other examples In, entity 802 can be via unshowned interface (such as push-button telephone interface or web browser circle on desktop computer Face) determine user preference.In some instances, user equipment 804 may include at least one application program 810, can be with It indicates one or more application programs 104, is configured as through telecommunication network 108 from 106 reception content of content supplier.

In some instances, at 812, user equipment 804 can request pseudonym identity to accord with from preference server 814, partially Good server 814 can indicate such as accounting server 120.Preference server 814 may include or indicate such as home subscriber Server (HSS) or home location register (HLR), configuration server are configured to supply pseudonym identity symbol or maintenance user Another server or node of preference data.In some instances, preference server 814 can be via telecommunication network 108, PGW In 816 (being discussed below), GGSN/PGW 110 or internet 112 (some intermediate line links for clarity, are omitted in figure) At least one communicated at least one of user equipment 804 or content supplier 106.

For example, user equipment 804 can be for example via the GET or POST for arriving HTTP or HTTPS endpoint, to preference server 814 issue API Calls.It can be with the parameter or as a result, for example, application/x-www-form- of abstract API calling Urlencoded, multipart/form-data, extensible markup language (XML) or JavaScript object representation (JSON) format.In some instances, API can be declarative state transfer (REST), web service, remote procedure call (RPC) or other API.In the example shown, setup module 808 can issue API Calls.

In the example shown, the node (being illustrated as PGW 816 in a non-limiting example) of telecommunication network 108 can generation Reason otherwise transfers a request to preference server 814.PGW 816 can modify or annotate the request, with instruction or Including identity information, the identity information is associated with user equipment 804.For example, PGW 816 can be to request addition HTTP or meeting Talk about initiation protocol (SIP) header, including identification information, identification information for example or be based at least partially in following at least one It is a：Terminal identifier, such as International Mobile Station Equipment Identification (FMEI)；User identifier, such as international mobile user identity (IMSI)；Network identifier, such as mobile country code (MCC) and mobile network code, MNC (MNC)；Station address, such as E.164 International dialing scheme telephone number, mobile station international subscriber directory number code (MSISDN), SIP uniform resource identifier (URI)；Or Network address, such as the address Internet IP v4 or IPv6；Country code, for example, the country where instruction user equipment 804；It is small Area's identifier；Or internal identifier, such as IMS charging identifier (ICID).In some instances, PGW 816 or telecommunication network 108 Another component (for example, sip agent) can add P- access network information (P-Access-Network-Info), P- charging to Measure the asserted identity (P-Asserted-Identity) of (P-Charging-Vector), P- or including more than one or more Other headers of item.In node (for example, PGW 816) though at requests for comments can permit preference server 814 in user In the case where the failure or irregular operating of equipment 804, pseudonym identity symbol appropriate is also provided.

In some instances, at 818, user equipment 804 can retrieve pseudonym identity symbol 820 from preference server 814 ("ID").Pseudonym identity symbol may include such as globally unique identifier (GUID), universal unique identifier (UUID), Hash Value, such as by the output of Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA) -2 or the cryptographic Hash, Encryption Algorithm of the offer of SHA-3 standard, such as superencipherment Standard (AES), or all or part of combination of these any items.In some instances, preference server 814 can be at least It is based in part on above with reference at least one of value of identification information described of PGW 816 and determines that pseudonym identity accords with.For example, Preference server 814 pseudonym identity can be accorded with to the cryptographic Hash for being determined as MSISDN or MSISDN encrypts salt (plus Cryptographic salt) cryptographic Hash.In other examples, preference server 814 can be based on media access control (MAC) pseudonym identity symbol is determined as version -1GUID by address, or (such as is breathed out using SHA-1 as partially by hash Uncommon algorithm) pseudonym identity symbol is determined as version -5UUID by least partly identity information.

In some instances, user equipment 804 can request or preference server 814 can determine：Specific user sets Standby 804 single identifier or multiple identifiers of each user equipment 804.In some instances, it can be answered according to each With program 810, each session, (for example, after user equipment 804 restarts or lose network service, pseudonym identity symbol changes Become) or the connection of each content, to determine a pseudonym identity symbol.This can permit to content supplier 106 and provides user preference, Individual without sharing user (such as entity 802) can recognize information.It in some instances, can be in a repeatable fashion from body Part information determines that pseudonym identity accords with, so that preference server 814 need not store the mapping accorded with from identity information to pseudonym identity.No Storage mapping can obtain the chance of the unauthorized access to this mapping by eliminating, to provide the safety of enhancing.

In some instances, pseudonym identity symbol and the operator for being safeguarded by the operator of telecommunication network or being passed through telecommunication network The account of maintenance is associated.For example, account can be associated with specific MSISDN (telephone number), and with it is one or more Phone or other users equipment 804 are associated, are configured as the ring when issuing calling to the MSISDN.In some examples In, each account is associated with single user.In some instances, multiple users are associated with an account.In some examples In, account may include other accounts or associated with other accounts.In some instances, pseudonym identity symbol allows reliable area Divide account each other, without revealing account or the identity of account-holder to one or more content suppliers 106.For example, one A or multiple pseudonym identity symbols may map to single account, and single pseudonym identity symbol is not mapped to more than one account Family.

In the example shown, preference server 814 for example directly provides pseudonym identity symbol 820 to user equipment 804.One In a little examples, preference server 814 for example via PGW 816 or other intermediary network devices (for example, router, interchanger or Agency), pseudonym identity symbol 820 is provided to user equipment 804.

In some instances, at 822, setup module 808 can provide information to application program 810.For example, corresponding to Request from application program 810, according to the rule of the setup module 808 of storage, in response to receive operation 818 or The pseudonym identity symbol 820 that other moment provide, to execute operation 822.The information may include such as pseudonym identity symbol 820 or use At least one of family preference.

In some instances, application program 810 can be requested or be received and is false in the case where not being related to setup module 808 Name identifier 820.It is requested for example, application program 810 can be sent to PGW 816, for example, such as 812 institute of reference operation herein It discusses.In some instances, application program 810 can receive pseudonym identity symbol 820 from preference server 814, for example, such as this Reference operation 818 is discussed in text.In some instances, application program 810 can directly receive pseudonym identity symbol 820, so After can inquire setup module 808 obtain user preference.

In some instances, at 824, setup module 808 can provide the finger of user preference to preference server 814 Show.The instruction can be with the pseudonym identity symbol provided at operation 818.Operation 824 may include that the push of setup module 808 is used Family preference requests (pull-out) user preference to preference server 814 or preference server 814 from setup module 808.Show some In example, preference server 814 can store user preference information associated with the pseudonym identity symbol provided in operation 818.? In some examples, operation 824 can in response to user preference change and be repeated at least once more, for example, via setup module 808 The user interface of offer.For example, user equipment 804 can be by the preference information and assumed name of change when changing user preference Identifier is supplied to preference server 814.

In the example shown, preference server 814 provides pseudonym identity symbol (operation 818) and stores user preference information (operation 824).In other examples, the first node of telecommunication network 108 can provide pseudonym identity symbol, and telecommunication network 108 different second nodes can store user preference information.

In some instances, at 826, application program 810 provides pseudonym identity symbol to corresponding content supplier 106 820 instruction.For example, when video player application 810 is initialized and connected to content supplier 106, application program Pseudonym identity can be accorded with 820 by 810 is transferred to content supplier 106.In some instances, application program 810 can be to content Provider 106 sends one or more requests for being directed to content, one including corresponding one or more pseudonym identity symbols Individual one or more requests of a or more request.

In some instances, at 828, preference server 814 can provide user preference (example to content supplier 106 Such as, quality settings) instruction.In some instances, operation 828 may include providing pseudonym identity symbol 820 or inclined with user The good associated instruction of instruction.In some instances, operation 828 can operation 826 before, period, later, with operation 826 in parallel or sequentially, or to occur with 826 any time relationships of operation.For example, preference server 814 can be in response to operation 824 or according to the request of content supplier 106, user preference is provided to content supplier 106.

In some instances, content supplier 106 can receive pseudonym identity symbol (operation 826), then to preferred service Device 814 inquires user preference (operation 828).In further example, preference server 814 can be mentioned for example in response to content Request for quotient 106 or as the push being not explicitly requested by content supplier 106, provide with to content supplier 106 The instruction of the associated pseudonym identity symbol of the instruction of user preference.In other examples, preference server 814 can for example through By Secure Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTPS) or other agreements exposure API, and content supplier 106 can issue API tune With to retrieve the user preference for corresponding to the pseudonym identity symbol provided in operation 826.

In some instances, at 830, content supplier 106 can adjust operation in response to user preference.Shown Non-limiting example in, in response to the received quality settings at operation 828, content supplier 106 can degrade in video Hold, for example, as described above.

In some instances, operation 828 can be executed in response to operation 824.For example, no matter when establishing or changing use The instruction that preference and pseudonym identity accord with can be pushed at least one content supplier by family preference, preference server 814 106.For example, preference server 814 can store address or the other information of at least one content supplier 106, for example, multiple Content supplier 106.Preference and pseudonym identity symbol can be pushed at least one content supplier 106 by preference server 814, Without considering whether user equipment 804 is currently communicating with those content suppliers 106.This can be by eliminating telecommunication network 108 check that being grouped and determine that current which content supplier 106 connects is movable needs, to improve telecommunication network 108 Efficiency.

In some instances, can change only for the user preference for meeting preassigned to send sending out notice.For example, If changing user quality to be arranged to indicate that content should not be downgraded, preference server 814 can push the notice of the change. However, for example, preference server 814, which can be omitted, to be pushed away if user quality setting changes to indicate that content should be downgraded Send notice.

Sending out notice to content supplier 106 can further allow content supplier's adjustment operation (operation 830), example Such as, in response between sessions or change of the period (for example, video streaming session) to user preference.For example, viewing low resolution The user of video can determine the video for being switched to higher resolution during video, and can instruct as described above corresponding Preference change.Then, in some instances, the preference of change can be supplied to content supplier by preference server 814 106, content supplier 106 can upgrade video in the case where not interrupt playback, or with stop and restart to play back phase Than almost without interruptedly playing back.Similarly, the user preference played back that can will be used to select to degrade changes from preference server 814 are pushed to one or more content suppliers 106, to cause the degradation for example during playback or between playback.

In some instances, at 832 (for clarity, shown in dotted line), preference server 814 can be in user The application program 810 run in equipment 804 provides the instruction of one or more user preferences.For example, application program 810 can be with Such as preference server 814 is inquired by HTTPS REST API Calls or other API, and determine user preference.Inquiry can To include pseudonym identity symbol 820.In some instances, user preference information can be pushed to using journey by preference server 814 Sequence 810.

In some instances, operation 826, which may further include, sends following instruction by application program 810：In operation 832 What place received accords with 820 associated user preferences with pseudonym identity.For example, in content supplier 106 and preference server 814 Between network connectivity fai_lure in the case where, this can permit content supplier 106 directly via application program 810 receive user Preference information.

In some examples of operation 832, inquiry may include pseudonym identity symbol 820, and preference server 814 can be with Pseudonymity identifier 820 retrieves user preference.Additionally or alternatively, in some examples of operation 832, for example, such as Above with reference to described in operation 812, inquiry can pass through PGW 816 or another node inquired with identification information annotation.Preference clothes Identification information can be used to retrieve user preference in business device 814.In some instances, in operation 832, preference server 814 can Pseudonym identity symbol or both pseudonym identity symbol and preference information are supplied to application program 810.This can permit using journey Sequence 810 determines pseudonym identity symbol, without the communication between application program 810 and setup module 808.

In some instances, at 832, application program 810 can provide the inquiry without parameter, such as to predetermined unification The HTTP GET or POST request of Resource Locator (URL) have the part " inquiry " URL empty or being not present.Such URL Example include " https://example.com/endpoint " and " https://example.com/endpoint？".Electricity The PGW 816 or other nodes of communication network 108 can annotate inquiry with identity information.Preference server 814 can be based on body Part information determines that pseudonym identity accords with, and is inquired using pseudonym identity symbol response.In some instances, preference server 814 may be used also To respond inquiry using preference information.In some instances, preference server 814 can only include meeting the inclined of preassigned Good information (if any).For example, the content if user quality setting instruction should degrade, preference server 814 can be used Pseudonym identity accords with rather than quality settings are inquired to respond.If user quality setting instruction content should not be downgraded, at this In example, preference server 814 can be accorded with pseudonym identity and quality settings are inquired to respond.

In some instances, at 834, content supplier 106 can be provided to application program 810 about user preference More new information.For example, update (operation 828) in response to the preference that preference server 814 pushes, content supplier 106 can be to Application program 810 pushes the information that preference updates.For example, this is likely to occur in the stream to video or other kinds of content session During change.

In some instances, third party's video content provider or other content provider 106 can regarded by request User preference information (for example, being stored in subscriber profiles) from telco service provider when frequency Content supply session is arranged, To check that subscriber's (for example, entity 802) provides the state of preference to the service of telecommunications service.For this purpose, third party's video content mentions For quotient 106 can subscriber profiles system (preference server 814) to telco service provider carry out API Calls and (operating 828).In some instances, free consumption plan as described above, for example, with reference to Fig. 1, shown in Fig. 3 or Fig. 7, user is inclined It can indicate whether user is selected well and enable or disable free consumption plan.Third party's video content provider 106 can connect Receive the instruction and correspondingly adjust its fluidisation (for example, for the bandwidth freely consumed than for the non-bandwidth freely consumed more It is small).

In some instances, application program 810 or the application program of Fig. 1 104 can not be configured to provide for pseudonym identity symbol (operation 826).For example, the particular version of application program 810 can be configured as execution operation 826, but it is mounted in user and sets Older version on standby 804 can not be configured as executing operation 826.Additionally or alternatively, user may not yet establish use Family preference.In some instances, if for example user preference can not be obtained due to old application version or missing preference, Then content supplier 106 can use being mentioned by content for storage independently or by the agreement of the operator with telecommunication network 108 The default preferences established for quotient 106.For example, if quality settings it is unavailable or cannot for particular content stream retrieve, in Holding provider 106 can default degradations (operate 830), such as 480p video rather than 1080p video.In some instances, interior Holding provider 106 can store the internal database (not shown) that the user preference as keyword is accorded with by pseudonym identity.Content Pseudonym identity symbol can be used to inquire internal database in provider 106 or application program 810, for example, (the example to determine storage Such as, cache) user preference information.

In some instances, other than any other parameter described herein, to described herein one or more The request of API may need one or more Credential parameters.Credential parameters can for example customized head or URL inquiry or It is carried in segment portion.Credential parameters can be used for establishing the certification to the node for carrying out API Calls, or carry out the section of these calling Point authorization.For example, preference server 814 can refuse the API Calls from application program 810 or content supplier 106, unless Those call including ciphering signature, message authentication code or indicate that the side for carrying out API Calls is authorized for its of API Calls His voucher.

In some instances, it can be assigned from the operator of telecommunication network to each content supplier 106 corresponding unique Access key.Each unique access key may include for example corresponding shared secret.In some instances, voucher may include The hash of the data of API Calls and unique access key.In some instances, voucher may include being made using unique access key For key encryption or another shared secret (for example, using AES) encryption value, such as API Calls data copy.Preference clothes The stored copies of unique access key or shared secret can be used to verify API Calls in business device 814.In some instances, partially Good server 814 can limit the rate of incoming request, for example, reducing the fragility to Denial of Service attack.In some examples In, preference server 814 is in the interaction with one or more user equipmenies 804 or one or more content suppliers 106 In, the sequence number for each message, message authentication code, symmetrically or non-symmetrically encryption or other encryption technologies can be used, come The certification or encryption of the message sent or received to the network via such as telecommunication network 108 are provided.

In some instances, system as described herein includes at least one component shown in frame 836.In some examples In, system as described herein excludes component shown in frame 836, and at least one of with component shown in frame 836 Communicatedly connect.

In some instances, application program 810 can be configured as in a manner of reducing bandwidth demand streamed video or with Other modes reception content.In some instances, as the substituted or supplemented of application program 810, one of user equipment 804 or More other assemblies (for example, its operating system or network stack) can match as described in following some examples It sets.

In some instances, application program 810, which can be used, is based at least partially on the read head that user preference determines Buffer sizes operate.For example, compared with non-degraded conditions, application program 810 can in response to the user preference that instruction degrades It is operated with using the read head buffer sizes of reduction.Read head buffer sizes for example for total quality (for example, It 1080p) can be 18MB, 4MB can be for limited quality (for example, 480p).Come in response to the user preference of limited quality The size for reducing read head buffer can reduce the data for the video that possibly can not be checked after the retrieval of user equipment 804 Consumption, meanwhile, enough buffer time is provided, still to accommodate common net lag and delay.

In some instances, when video playback or other content fluidisation start, read head will be filled as quickly as possible Buffer.This, which can reduce to play, starts the preceding required load time, to promote user experience.This can be for example, pass through Allow the part for the telecommunication network 108 for transmitting content to relax latency tolerance, to allow to be efficiently used network, still maintains simultaneously The smooth playback of user.Relaxing latency tolerance can in turn allow for more efficiently using the capacity of telecommunication network 108.

In some instances, application program 810 is configured as continuously fluidizing multiple content items.For example, music player Entire album can be fluidized to track one at a time.In some instances, to each content item in sequence or in special session Fluidisation can with low quality be arranged start, then, if there is following situations, be then upgraded to higher-quality setting：(1) user The higher-quality setting of preference instruction is desired；And higher-quality setting may be implemented in the instruction of (2) network performance.Phase Instead, in some existing schemes, each content item after first content item starts with from the highest of content item before Credit rating playback.If Network status has changed between a content item and the playback of next content item (for example, by In roaming cellular), this may cause packet loss or network congestion.

In some instances, configuration equipment 838 (for example, server or other equipment with network support) can be matched It is set to the change received to user preference.For example, configuration equipment 838 can be via user interface and entity 802 (for example, user) Interaction, and receive user instructions to change user preference.In some instances, configuration equipment 838 may include such as webpage Server, interactive voice response system, SMS gateway or USSD server.

In some instances, at 840, configuration equipment 838 can be provided to preference server 814 changes user preference Information.For example, configuration equipment 838 can send information via network 108.In some instances, in response to the change, preference clothes Business device 814 can execute at least one of operation 828 or 832.This can permit preference change and quickly comes into force.

In some instances, calculating equipment shown in fig. 8 is (for example, user equipment 804, preference server 814, PGW 816, equipment 838 or content supplier 106 are configured) it may include one or more processors, memory, input equipment, defeated Equipment or the other assemblies discussed above with reference to Fig. 2-4 out.

Further instantiation procedure

Fig. 9 shows the instantiation procedure 900 of the change for responding user preference.In some instances, process 900 can be with It is executed by the core network device (for example, preference server 814) for the telecommunication network that can be communicatedly connect with user equipment.? In some examples, process 900 can be executed by content supplier 106.

Illustrative functions as shown in Figure 9 and other flow charts herein and instantiation procedure can be in one or more calculating It realizes in equipment and/or is realized in a manner of one or more calculating equipment, for example, calculating equipment 804,814,816,106 Or 110；For example, using the software run in these one or more equipment.For purposes of illustration, below with reference to Fig. 1 The step of describing instantiation procedure 900 to Fig. 4 or component shown in fig. 8, can executing and/or participate in exemplary method.So And other one or more components (for example, one or more processing units) can execute described instantiation procedure (example Such as process 900) one or more steps, that is, one or more exemplary methods shown in Fig. 9 are not limited to by being identified Component execute.Similarly, one or more exemplary methods shown in Figure 10 to Figure 16 are also not necessarily limited to by any specific mark The component of knowledge executes.

The sequence for describing operation in each example flow diagram and/or in the process be not intended to be interpreted it is restrictive, and In any order and/or it can be combined in parallel any amount of described operation, to realize each process, unless otherwise saying It is bright, or in following specific non-limiting example, wherein the data generated in prior operation are for operation later.? In each flow chart, unless explicitly stated otherwise, otherwise it can execute all or fewer than described operation.In addition, Fig. 9 is into Figure 16 Operation in each can be realized with hardware, software and/or combination thereof.In the context of software, operation indicates to calculate Machine executable instruction, when executed by one or more processors, so that one or more processors execute the behaviour Make.In one or more contexts of firmware and/or hardware, operation indicates the logic function realized in circuit, such as Data path control and finite state machine ranking function.Therefore, the described function of execution is also described to the description of operation below This software, firmware and/or the hardware configuration of energy.It is retouched for example, the module of equipment shown in fig. 8 can execute reference flow sheet The function of stating.In addition, can be directed into Figure 16 with reference to the operation of single preference discussion in Fig. 8 each in multiple user preferences It is a to be executed separately, or replace single user's preference and executed for one group of user preference.

In some instances, at 902, it can receive the change to user preference associated with user equipment 804 Instruction.The instruction can for example via network interface (e.g., including at least one transceiver 218,314 or 414) receive.This refers to Show to may include the data for for example indicating the title of user preference and the value of user preference.In some instances, user preference can To include whether quality settings or user wish that participation is used for the instruction of the plan of data consumption that is free or reducing expense, For example, as described herein.Example for example is discussed with reference to preference server 814 or operation 824 or 840 above.

In some instances, to the instruction of change may include pseudonym identity symbol 820, for example, as described above, but this be not It is required.In some instances, the instruction of the change including pseudonym identity symbol 820 can be for example received by content supplier 106.

In some instances, it at 904, can send a notification message via network interface.Such as reference operation above 828,832 or 834 example is discussed.For example, content supplier 106 can be transmitted notification messages to.Notification message can wrap Pseudonym identity symbol 820 is included, for example, as described above.For example, notification message may include：Included in the instruction of change or with change The pseudonym identity symbol 820 of the instruction of change together.Notification message can be based at least partially on the instruction of change.For example, notice disappears Breath may include at least part of the instruction changed or the value that is determined by it.In some instances, frame 904 can include determining that Notification message including data corresponding with the instruction of change.

In some instances, frame 904 may include sending multiple notification messages to for example corresponding content supplier 106.Notification message may include respective pseudonym identity symbol 820.At least one of multiple notification messages (such as each) can To be based at least partially on the instruction to change.For example, preference server 814 can store the knowledge of multiple content suppliers 106 Other information.Preference server 814 can be at least one of multiple content suppliers 106 (such as each) notice user preference Change.This can be to reduce by the needs that the tracking of elimination telecommunication network 108 or preference server 814 store following information Complexity of uniting and resources consumption：The information is about which user equipment 804 at any given time and which content supplier 106 It is communicated.

Figure 10 shows the instantiation procedure 1000 for responding user preference or the change to user preference.In some examples In, frame 902 can be after frame 1002 or 1004, or after frame 1006, frame 1010 or decision box 1008.

In some instances, at 1002, the information of the change to user preference can be for example received via user interface. For example reference configuration equipment 838 discusses example above.For example, user interface may include based on text, figure or telephone key The interface of disk.

In some instances, at 1004, core network device can be sent by the instruction of change.Above for example with reference to Operation 840 discusses example.

In some instances, at 1006, for example, in response to the change to user preference received at frame 902, electricity The node (for example, GGSN/PGW 110) of communication network 108 can reduce the Internet resources that can be used for transferring content to user equipment. Example for example is discussed with reference to GGSN/PGW 110 or Fig. 6 above.For example, breaking down or being pacified in content supplier 106 In the case where full loophole, the negative effect to network 108 can be reduced by reducing Internet resources.

In some instances, at 1008, it can determine whether change meets preassigned.If it is, next frame It can be frame 904 (or frame 1010 discussed below), to send a notification message in response to the change for meeting the standard.If It is not that then next frame can be frame 902, and can wait another change.In some instances, decision box 1008 can be with Including for multiple standard testings change, and for example, if change by all standards, most standard or at least one Standard then for example sends notification message according to the reception strategy of storage.

In some instances, standard may include the conversion direction changed.For example, standard, which can be change, will be used to activate Feature, therefore the change for deactivating feature will be unsatisfactory for standard.In this example, conversion direction is disabling rate limit or lower quality Setting.In this example, conversion direction is arranged from low quality setting to high quality.In this example, conversion direction is from high quality It is arranged to low quality and is arranged.

In some instances, it at 1010, can be set by hashing or encrypting with user for example, by being based at least partially on At least one of standby 804 associated identity values are come the value that determines, to determine pseudonym identity symbol 820.For example, reference operation 812, PGW 816 or operation 818 discuss above content.For example, frame 1010 may include to the MSISDN of user equipment 804 into Row hash.It can be frame 904 after frame 1010.In some instances, frame 1010 can be followed by frame 1008, such as dashed graph It is shown.In some instances, frame can be held at least one of in the following order：902,1008,1010,904；902, 1010,1008,904；902,1008,904；Or 902,1010,904.

Figure 11 is shown for providing the instantiation procedure 1100 of the access to user preference.In some instances, process 1100 can be executed by preference server 814.

In some instances, at 1102, the request to user preference information can be for example received via network interface.It should It is associated that request can accord with 820 with pseudonym identity.For example, the request may include pseudonym identity symbol 820 or can from vacation The name associated network address of identifier 820 is sent.In some instances, which can be sent by content supplier 106.With On such as reference operation 828 discuss example.

In some instances, at 1104, the information of user preference can be for example sent via network interface.For example, can The response of 820 associated preference informations is accorded with to send instruction with pseudonym identity.For example reference operation 826 or 828 discusses above Example.Frame 1102 and 1104 can for example allow third party content provider to determine user preference information, use without accessing The personal information at family.

Figure 12 is shown for providing showing for content (for example, audio, video, photo or event through fluidizing) through fluidizing Example process 1200.Process 1200 can be executed for example by content supplier 106.

In some instances, at 1202, pseudonym identity symbol 820 for example can be received via telecommunication network 108 and to warp The request of the content of fluidisation.For example, the request may include HTTP request, such as " GET https://example.com/ Watch/video42 ", and pseudonym identity symbol 820 can carry in the head of request or URL parameter.

In some instances, at 1204, it can determine and accord with 820 associated quality settings with pseudonym identity.For example, false Name identifier 820 may be used as the keyword of the quality settings of the database of retrieval user preference.In some instances, frame 1204 It may include the information for sending pseudonym identity symbol 820 to such as preference server 814 and quality of reception setting.The above example As reference operation 828 discusses example.

In some instances, at 1206, quality settings can be based at least partially on to provide the content through fluidizing.Example Such as, compression video can be streamed to user equipment 804 by content supplier 106.

Figure 13 is shown for providing the instantiation procedure 1300 of the content through fluidizing.In some instances, process 1300 can To be executed by content supplier 106.In some instances, frame 1204 may include frame 1302, as shown in diamond shape arrow.Some In example, frame 1304 or 1306 can be after at least one of frame 1202,1204 or 1206.

In some instances, at 1302, pseudonym identity symbol 820 can be used to inquire preference server 814 to obtain Quality settings.For example reference operation 828 discusses example above.

In some instances, at 1304, the notice of the quality settings changed can be for example received via network 108.It is logical Know to may include pseudonym identity symbol 820.For example reference operation 826 or 828 discusses example above.It can be frame after frame 1304 1306。

In some instances, at 1306, the quality settings of change can be based at least partially on (for example, rather than former Beginning quality settings) content through fluidizing is provided.For example, when user changes user preference (for example, taking with free or reduction is participated in The plan of data consumption is related) when, preference server 814 can be notified at least one content supplier 106 with it is corresponding Pseudonym identity accord with 820 associated changes.For example, if it is living for according with 820 associated sessions with the pseudonym identity being previously mentioned Jump, then particular content provider 106 can notify application program 810 or otherwise adjustment fluidisation.

Figure 14 shows the instantiation procedure 1400 for managing stream content.Process 1400 can be for example by user equipment 804 execute.User equipment 804 may include processor；The network interface that can be communicated to connect with telecommunication network 108；And application Program 810.Application program 810 can be with the operation of implementation procedure 1400 when being operated by processor.

In some instances, at 1402, content can be sent by the information of account associated with user equipment and mentioned For quotient 106, for example, third party content provider 106.Can information for example be sent via network interface.For example, the information can be with Including pseudonym identity symbol 820 or user preference.In some instances, frame 1402 may include the information for sending account, the information Instruction including the related user preference of rendering with content.

In some instances, it at frame 1404, can render received interior from content supplier 106 via network interface Hold.For example, content can be associated with the information of transmission, for example, by having pressure corresponding with the quality settings in information Compression levels.

Figure 15 shows the instantiation procedure 1500 for managing stream content.Process 1400 can be for example by user equipment 804 execute.In some instances, frame 1402 can be able to be frame before frame 1502,1504 or 1506 or after frame 1404 1508 or 1510.

In some instances, at 1502, the request to pseudonym identity symbol 820 can be for example sent via network interface. For example reference operation 812 discusses example above.

In some instances, at 1504, pseudonym identity symbol 820 for example can be received via network interface.Above for example Reference operation 818 discusses example.It can be frame 1402 after frame 1504, wherein can send including pseudonym identity symbol 820 The information of account.It additionally or alternatively can be frame 1506 after frame 1504.

In some instances, at 1506, associated with pseudonym identity symbol 820, the rendering that can receive with content is related User preference instruction.For example, user preference can indicate whether content should be downgraded, as described herein.Frame 1506 it After can be frame 1402, wherein can with pseudonym identity accord with 820 in association send user preference instructions.

In some instances, at 1508, user related with the rendering of content for example can be received via network interface The instruction of the change of preference.For example reference operation 832 or 834 discusses example above.It can be frame 1510 after frame 1508.

It in some instances, can be according to the change to user preference come rendering content at 1510.For example, using journey The scaling of the adjustable video content of sequence 810, to fill screen under the resolution ratio of the user preference instruction by changing.

In some instances, whether it is first in session come with certain mass etc. that frame 1510 may include according to playback Grade is rendered.It in some instances, can initially will be with relatively low credit rating (for example, 480p) request or rendering The first content stream played in session.This can permit application program 810 and measures Network status, and determine relatively high quality Whether grade can be used.In some instances, one or more subsequent playbacks in session can be in the type (for example, audio Or video) the best quality grade previously played back at start.In some instances, one or more subsequent times in session Putting can also be started with relatively low credit rating.This can be reduced due to playout-delay caused by buffering again.

Figure 16 shows the instantiation procedure 1600 for managing transmission bandwidth.Process 1600 can be for example by user equipment 804 execute.For example, user equipment 804 may include consumption management module 114 as described above.Additionally or alternatively, it is arranged Module 808 can be at least some functions of implementation procedure 1600.In some instances, the operation of process 1400 or 1500 can be with The operation of process 1600 is used together.In some instances, it can be frame 1206,1306 or 1404 before frame 1602.

In some instances, it at 1602, retrieves from telecommunication network by the service quality of the received content of application program The label and disappear whithin a period of time that label, content consumption associated with the data plan of the user of user equipment limit The label of the content consumption measurement for the content total amount taken.In some instances, for example, as described above, the service quality of content is One of resolution ratio or the message transmission rate of content of content.

In some instances, at 1604, it is based at least partially on label, the suggestion for changing quality settings, the matter are provided The specified service quality by the received content of application program of amount setting.In some instances, can via overlapping user interface to User provides suggestion, for example, as discussed herein with reference to Fig. 1 or 5.

In some instances, at 1606, provide can selected control so that the change to quality settings comes into force.Show some In example, can selected control or suggest and can both selected controls, user is supplied to via overlapping user interface, for example, such as ginseng herein Examine what Fig. 1 or Fig. 5 was discussed.In some instances, it can be frame 902,1304 or 1508 after frame 1606.Example clause

A：A kind of user equipment, including：Processor；Application program, when it is operated by processor, rendering passes through telecommunications network Network is from the received content of third party content provider；And content consumption management module executes behaviour when it is operated by processor Work includes：It retrieves from telecommunication network by the label of the service quality of the received content of application program, with the user's of user equipment The label of data plan associated content consumption limitation, and the content consumption degree of content total amount consumed whithin a period of time The label of amount；It is based at least partially on label, the suggestion for changing quality settings is provided, the quality settings are specified to be connect by application program The service quality of the content of receipts；And provide can selected control so that the change of quality settings comes into force.

B：The user equipment of paragraph A, wherein the service quality of content is the resolution ratio of content or the data transmission speed of content One of rate.

C：The user equipment of paragraph A or B, wherein operation further includes：The usage history of user is retrieved, usage history is based on Predict user content consumption whether will before the period terminates be more than content consumption limit, and provide can selected control, with base Make to change in prediction and come into force.

D：The user equipment of paragraph C, wherein described provide includes providing with the option of certain service quality consumption content, It is limited so that meeting but being no more than content consumption.

E：The user equipment of any one in paragraph A-D, wherein it is recommended that and can selected control via overlapping user interface provide To user.

F：The user equipment of any one in paragraph A-E, wherein suggestion is provided a user via overlapping user interface, and And it can selected control via setting user interface offer.

G：The user equipment of any one in paragraph A-F, wherein the suggestion for changing quality settings includes at least partly ground In the suggestion of the quality settings of the device type of user equipment.

H：The user equipment of any one in paragraph A-G, wherein quality settings specify content and and mutually similar with content The service quality of both every other contents of type, but regardless of offer service or application program.

I：The user equipment of any one in paragraph A-H, wherein in response to determining that application program is just being held in rendering content Row retrieval.

J：The user equipment of any one in paragraph A-I, wherein provide can selected control include provide selection be added or exit The option of data consumption plan, the data consumption plan is not at service quality threshold value or service quality threshold value content below disappears Take charging.

K：A method of computer implementation, the method includes：It is received by telecommunication network and is selected by the subscriber of telecommunication network It is selecting, for the quality settings by subscriber's consumer video content；And it can be used for from telecommunication network reduction to subscriber transmission video The Internet resources of content, so that the service quality for the video content that them are transmitted in the third party content provider of video content drops As low as no more than quality settings.

L：The computer implemented method of paragraph K, wherein saved by the "Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) of telecommunication network Point executes reception, and this method further includes the storage quality settings at PCRF node.

M：The computer implemented method of paragraph L, wherein reception includes the accounting server quality of reception from telecommunication network Setting, accounting server are arranged from the user equipment quality of reception.

N：The computer implemented method of either segment in paragraph K-M, wherein quality settings are selected either by subscriber For the default quality setting of subscriber's selection.

O：The computer implemented method of either segment in paragraph K-N, wherein described reduce includes instruction gateway general grouping Wireless radio service (GPRS) supporting node (GGSN) or grouped data network gateway (PGW) are used for transmission video content to reduce Available Internet resources.

P：The computer implemented method of paragraph O, wherein what the third party content provider of video content sent them The service quality of video content is reduced to the quality settings being no more than in response to testing telecommunication network, and based on test, determines Reduce Internet resources.

Q：The computer implemented method of any one in paragraph K-P, wherein receiving includes receiving and multiple respective types Content the associated quality settings of consumption, and telecommunication network reduces Internet resources in response to some quality settings, but In response to other quality settings without reducing Internet resources.

R：The computer implemented method of paragraph Q, wherein telecommunication network is in response to receiving with telecommunication network not to its charging Content the associated quality settings of consumption, without reduce Internet resources.

S：A method of computer implementation, including：The subscriber of data plan is received just in the instruction of consumer video content； It determines the whether selected plan for participating in providing free video content consumption of subscriber, provides video to subscriber with limited service quality Content is as exchange；And it is based at least partially on subscriber's whether selected participation plan, is conditionally limited from consumption The consumption of video content is excluded in the consumption measurement of associated data plan.

T：The computer implemented method of paragraph S, wherein the plan is participated in regardless of whether subscriber is selected, when having surpassed When crossing consumption limitation, the consumption of video content is not excluded from consumption measurement.

U：The computer implemented method of paragraph S or T further includes：It selects to participate in the plan based on subscriber, be measured from consumption The middle consumption for excluding video content；Change selection based on subscriber to be not involved in the plan, and further comprises in consumption measurement The consumption of video content；And selection is changed to participate in the plan again based on subscriber, view is further excluded from consumption measurement The consumption of frequency content.

V：A kind of telecommunication network, including：The core network device for the telecommunication network communicably being connect with user equipment, core The heart network equipment is configured as：Via network interface, the instruction of the change to the user preference with user device association is received；And And via network interface, the notification message including pseudonym identity symbol is sent, which is based at least partially on the change Instruction.

W：The telecommunication network as described in paragraph V, wherein core network device is additionally configured to include in an announcement message Including data corresponding with the instruction of change.

X：The telecommunication network as described in paragraph V or W, wherein core network device is additionally configured to by hashing or adding At least one of close identity value associated with user equipment, to determine that pseudonym identity accords with.

Y：The telecommunication network as described in paragraph X, wherein core network device is additionally configured to the instruction for receiving with changing Associated identity value.

Z：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-Y, wherein core network device is additionally configured to determine change Meet preassigned；Also, it in response, sends a notification message.

AA：The telecommunication network as described in paragraph Z, wherein preassigned includes the conversion direction changed.

AB：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-AA, wherein core network device is additionally configured to：Via Network interface receives the request to user preference information, and the request is associated with pseudonym identity symbol, and is sent by network interface The information of user preference.

AC：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-AB, wherein core network device is additionally configured to receive packet Include the instruction of the change of pseudonym identity symbol.

AD：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-AC, wherein core network device is additionally configured to：Via Network interface receives the request to preference information, which includes pseudonym identity symbol；And via network interface send instruction with Pseudonym identity accords with the response of associated preference information.

AE：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-AD further includes configuration equipment, is configured as：Via with Family interface receives the information of the change to user preference；And core network device is sent by the instruction of change.

AF：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-AE further includes：Node, node are configured to respond to pair The change of user preference reduces the Internet resources that can be used for user device transmissions content.

AG：Telecommunication network as described in either segment in paragraph V-AF further includes：Sending includes corresponding pseudonym identity symbol Multiple notification messages, each of the multiple notification message notification message are based at least partially on the instruction of the change.

AH：A method of computer implementation, including：Via telecommunication network, pseudonym identity symbol is received and to being fluidized The request of content；Determine quality settings associated with pseudonym identity symbol；And quality settings are based at least partially on to provide Content through fluidizing.

AI：The computer implemented method of paragraph AH, wherein the determination includes pseudonymity identifier to preferred service Device inquires quality settings.

AJ：The computer implemented method of paragraph AI further includes：Receive the notice of the quality settings changed, the notice packet Include pseudonym identity symbol；And the quality settings of change are based at least partially on, to provide the content through fluidizing.

AK：A kind of computer-readable medium, such as computer storage medium have computer executable instructions, institute thereon Stating computer executable instructions is when being executed the operation executed as described in any one in paragraph AH-AJ by allocation of computer.

AL：A kind of equipment comprising：Processor；And computer-readable medium, such as computer storage medium, have thereon There are computer executable instructions, when computer executable instructions are executed by processor, by device configuration at execution such as paragraph AH-AJ Operation described in middle any one.

AM：A kind of system, system include：Device for processing；With the executable finger of computer for being stored thereon The device of order, the computer executable instructions include by system configuration into the side executed as described in any one in paragraph AH-AJ The device of method.

AN：A kind of user equipment comprising：Processor；The network interface being communicatively coupled with telecommunication network；And it answers Operation is executed when it is operated by processor with program, which includes following：It will be with user equipment phase via network interface The information of associated account is sent to content supplier；And it renders via network interface from the received content of content supplier.

AO：The user equipment of paragraph AN, the operation further include：The request accorded with to pseudonym identity is sent via network interface； Pseudonym identity symbol is received via network interface；The information of the account including pseudonym identity symbol is sent via network interface.

AP：The user equipment of paragraph AO, the operation further include：The rendering with content is received in association with pseudonym identity symbol The instruction of related user preference；And send the instruction of user preference in association with pseudonym identity symbol.

AQ：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AN-AP, the operation further include via network interface transmission include with it is interior The information of the account of the instruction of the related user preference of rendering of appearance.

AR：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AN-AQ, the operation further include：Via network interface reception and content The related user preference of rendering change instruction；And according to the change rendering content to user preference.

AS：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AN-AR further includes content consumption management module, when it is by processor When operation, the operation including following operation is executed：The service quality of the content received from telecommunication network retrieval by application program Label, content consumption associated with the data plan of the user of user equipment limitation label and whithin a period of time The label of the content consumption measurement of the content total amount of consumption；It is based at least partially on label, the suggestion for changing quality settings is provided, The specified service quality by the received content of application program of the quality settings；And provide can selected control so that quality settings change It comes into force.

AT：The user equipment of paragraph AS, wherein the service quality of content is the data transmission of the resolution ratio or content of content One of rate.

AU：The user equipment of paragraph AS or AT, wherein it is recommended that and can selected control via overlapping user interface be supplied to use Family.

AV：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AS-AU, wherein described provide includes providing with certain service quality The option of content is consumed, is limited so that meeting but being no more than content consumption.

AW：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AS-AV, wherein suggestion is provided a user via overlapping user interface, And providing via setting user interface can selected control.

AX：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AS-AW, wherein the suggestion for changing quality settings includes at least partly The suggestion of the quality settings of device type of the ground based on user equipment.

AY：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AS-AX, wherein quality settings specify content and identical as content The service quality of both every other contents of type, but regardless of being to provide service or application program.

AZ：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AS-AY, wherein in response to determining application program just in rendering content And execute retrieval.

BA：The user equipment of any one in paragraph AS-AZ, wherein provide can selected control include provide selection be added or The option of data consumption plan is exited, the data consumption plan is not at service quality threshold value or lower than in service quality threshold value Hold consumption charging.

Conclusion

According to some examples, the network equipment (for example, preference server 814) can keep and distribute about user preference Information.According to some examples, user equipment 804 can request pseudonym identity symbol 820 and pseudonym identity symbol 820 is supplied to content Provider 106.According to some examples, content supplier 106, which can retrieve or otherwise receive, accords with 820 phases with pseudonym identity Associated user preference information.According to some examples, content supplier 106 can mention according to the guidance of user preference or instruction For content.According to some examples, the operator of telecommunication network 108 can provide one or more API, for example, passing through HTTPS Endpoint exposure allows user equipment 804 to retrieve pseudonym identity and accords with 820 or content supplier 106 is allowed to retrieve user preference.Root According to some examples, the operator of telecommunication network 108, which can update user preference, is pushed to one or more content suppliers 106。

According to some examples, user equipment suggestion described herein changes and from one or more content supplier The associated quality settings of the consumption of content.The service quality of the received content of data plan and user equipment based on user come It is recommended that changing.Then, the quality settings which selects are supplied to telecommunication network, this is reduced based on quality settings and be can be used for The Internet resources of transferring content.The Internet resources of this reduction make content supplier to be not higher than the service quality of quality settings Content is provided.In addition, can be presented to user when being supplied to user with limited service quality or default choice is for free The option of the plan of the consumption of video content is provided.When user participates in, then conditionally measured from the consumption of data plan The middle consumption for excluding video content.

Although describing some examples about the content through fluidizing, technique described herein can additionally or substitution Ground is used to control or manage the transmission of the non-content through fluidizing, for example, to the discrete requests of webpage.

Although with this theme of the language description specific to the movement in structure feature and/or methodology, it should be appreciated that institute Theme defined in attached claims is not necessarily limited to described specific feature or action.But disclose specific features and It acts as the exemplary forms for realizing claim.

Unless expressly stated otherwise, otherwise such as " can (can) ", " can (could) ", " may (might) " or " can Etc (may) " conditional statement is understood to mean certain examples within a context, including (and other examples do not include) is certain Function, element or step.Therefore, such conditional statement is generally not intended to imply：Anyway, certain features, element or step Suddenly it needs include for being with or without user's input for one or more examples or one or more examples Or in the case where prompt, determine whether include or execute certain features, element or step in any particular example.Unless another Outer special instruction, otherwise word "or" and phrase "and/or" herein with comprising meaning use.Therefore, in conjunction with language, example Such as, but not limited to, phrase " X, Y or Z ", " at least X, Y or Z ", at least one of " at least one of X, Y or Z " and substitution "or" has any of those of "and/or" phrase, unless otherwise indicated, it is thus understood that indicates that project, term etc. can To be the combination (for example, combination of XY, XZ, YZ and/or XYZ) of X, Y or Z or its any element.As used herein, unless Expressly stated otherwise, otherwise the language of such as " one or more X " should be considered as synonymous with " at least one X ".It is any to " one The record of a or more X " indicates that described step, operation, structure or other features can be wrapped for example in the various examples It includes, or is executed relative to what a proper X or more X, and regardless of the quantity of existing X, described theme is all It works.

The description of any routine, element or frame in the flow chart described in described herein or attached drawing should be understood as diving Representation module, segment or code section on ground comprising for realizing one of specific logical function or element in routine or More executable instructions.Replacement embodiment is included in the range of example described herein, and wherein element or function can be with It is deleted or is executed from the sequence that shows or discusses, including being substantially synchronized or opposite sequence, this will be depending on will such as pass through Function involved in understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.It is emphasized that can to above-mentioned example carry out it is many variation and Modification, element therein should be construed as other acceptable examples.All such modifications and variations are intended to be included in this hair It is protected in bright range and by claims appended below.In addition, in the claims, unless stated otherwise, otherwise Any refer to of the one group of project provided to preceding claims clause is reference at least some of project team project.

Claims (20)

1. a kind of telecommunication network, including：

The core network device of the telecommunication network, is communicatively coupled with user equipment, and the core network device is matched It is set to：

The instruction of the change to user preference associated with the user equipment is received via network interface；And

The notification message including pseudonym identity symbol is sent via the network interface, the notification message is based at least partially on institute State the instruction of change.

2. telecommunication network according to claim 1, wherein the core network device is additionally configured to disappear in the notice It include the corresponding data of the instruction with the change in breath.

3. telecommunication network according to claim 1, wherein the core network device is additionally configured to by hashing or adding At least one of close identity value associated with the user equipment, to determine the pseudonym identity symbol.

4. telecommunication network according to claim 1, wherein the core network device is additionally configured to determine the change Meet preassigned；Also, in response, send the notification message.

5. telecommunication network according to claim 1, wherein the core network device is additionally configured to：

The request to user preference information is received via the network interface, the request is associated with pseudonym identity symbol； And

Via the information of user preference described in the network interface transfers.

6. telecommunication network according to claim 1, wherein the core network device is additionally configured to：Receiving includes institute State the instruction of the change of pseudonym identity symbol.

7. telecommunication network according to claim 1, wherein the core network device is additionally configured to：

The request to preference information is received via the network interface, the request includes that pseudonym identity accords with；And

The response for indicating that associated preference information is accorded with the pseudonym identity is sent via the network interface.

8. telecommunication network according to claim 1 further includes configuration equipment, is configured as：

The information of the change to the user preference is received via user interface；And

The core network device is sent by the instruction of the change.

9. telecommunication network according to claim 1, further includes：Node is configured to respond to the user preference The change, reduce and can be used for Internet resources to the user device transmissions content.

10. a method of computer implementation, the method includes：

Via telecommunication network reception pseudonym identity symbol and the request to the content through fluidizing；

Determine quality settings associated with pseudonym identity symbol；And

The quality settings are based at least partially on to provide the content through fluidizing.

11. computer implemented method according to claim 10, wherein the determination includes using the pseudonym identity It accords with to preference server and inquires the quality settings.

12. computer implemented method according to claim 11, further includes：

The notice of the quality settings changed is received, the notice includes that the pseudonym identity accords with；And

The quality settings of the change are based at least partially on to provide the content through fluidizing.

13. a kind of user equipment, including：

Processor；

The network interface being communicatively coupled with telecommunication network；And

Application program executes the operation including following operation when it is operated by the processor：

Content supplier is sent by the information of account associated with the user equipment via the network interface；And

It renders via the network interface from the received content of the content supplier.

14. user equipment according to claim 13, the operation further include：

The request accorded with to pseudonym identity is sent via the network interface；

The pseudonym identity symbol is received via the network interface；

The information of the account including pseudonym identity symbol is sent via the network interface.

15. user equipment according to claim 14, the operation further include：

Receive the instruction of user preference related with the rendering of the content in association with pseudonym identity symbol；And

Send the instruction of the user preference in association with pseudonym identity symbol.

16. user equipment according to claim 13, the operation further include：The account is sent via the network interface The information at family, the information of the account include the instruction of the related user preference of the rendering with the content.

17. user equipment according to claim 13, the operation further include：

The instruction of the change of user preference related with the rendering of the content is received via the network interface；And

The content is rendered according to the change of the user preference.

18. user equipment according to claim 13 further includes content consumption management module, when it is grasped by the processor When making, the operation including following operation is executed：

It retrieves from the telecommunication network by the label of the service quality of the received content of the application program, with the user equipment User data plan associated content consumption limitation label, and the content total amount consumed whithin a period of time is interior Hold the label of consumption measurement；

It is based at least partially on the label, the suggestion for changing quality settings is provided, the quality settings are specified by the application The service quality of the received content of program；And

There is provided can selected control so that the change of the quality settings comes into force.

19. user equipment according to claim 18, wherein the service quality of the content is point of the content One of resolution or the message transmission rate of the content.

20. user equipment according to claim 18, wherein it is described suggestion and it is described can selected control via overlapping user circle Face is supplied to the user.