GB2510352B - Selection of optimum bearers for mobile services - Google Patents
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- GB2510352B GB2510352B GB1301686.0A GB201301686A GB2510352B GB 2510352 B GB2510352 B GB 2510352B GB 201301686 A GB201301686 A GB 201301686A GB 2510352 B GB2510352 B GB 2510352B
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W48/00—Access restriction; Network selection; Access point selection
- H04W48/18—Selecting a network or a communication service
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Description
Selection of Optimum Bearers for Mobile Services
Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the optimisation of the bearer to be used for voice or data communication via mobile terminals. In particular, the present invention enables data acquired on a network wide basis to be used for the optimisation of bearer choice.
Background to the Invention
Commonly, modern mobile devices are capable of accessing a multiplicity of different bearers. Accordingly, the voice or data client of such mobile devices must be operable to select a correct bearer from the multiplicity of available bearers and networks. This selection should ideally take into account the performance of the various available bearers along with the cost of the use of those bearers, and of course the anticipated or actual service requirement of the user.
As an example, for a modern smartphone or similar device, the multiplicity of available bearers may include: 2G macro from one or more operators; 3G macro from one or more operators; 4G macro from one or more operators; and one more local WiFi networks. Whilst a mobile device provides these many options, the particular benefits of each option are typically not explained or are difficult to present clearly to users. Additionally, users tend to use their mobile devices in extremely diverse ways reflecting the diversity of applications available. Accordingly, at any given time and location the bearer most suitable for one specific user may well be different from that suitable for another.
The choice of bearer to be used has traditionally followed a relatively simple algorithm. For voice services, if the native dialler is used then the embedded voice service provided by the network operator with whom the user has a service contract is selected. For data services the algorithm often used is equally as simple: if the phone can receive and log onto a WiFi point then this is used for all data transactions; otherwise data transactions are made via the contracted operators’ macro 2G/3G/4G networks, with a bias towards the fastest subscribed bearer.
As further developments are made in this filed, these simple algorithms become less effective. For instance, the emergence of adequate VoIP clients makes voice as a data service more attractive. Similarly, the increased availability of public WiFi with very limited spectral resources coupled with the emergence of high speed 4G may mean that a simple ‘use WiFi if available’ algorithm is only optimum in a subset of locations.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a more sophisticated method for optimum bearer selection which at least partially overcomes or alleviates the above problems.
Summary of the Invention
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of selecting an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction, the method comprising the steps of: detecting an indication that a voice or data transaction is required; determining the present time and location; querying a bearer confidence database for information on available bearers based on the time and location information; selecting an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the retrieved information; and enabling the voice or data transaction using the selected bearer, wherein the bearer confidence database is built from the results of a plurality of tests applied to a multiplicity of available bearers by mobile devices on a regular basis, the tests including the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile device operable to select an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction, the mobile device comprising: connection means for facilitating an incoming or outgoing voice or data transaction; and a bearer optimisation module operable to: detect an indication that a voice or data transaction is required; determine the present time and location; query a remote bearer confidence database for information on available bearers based on the time and location information; select an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the received information; and enable the connection means to facilitate the voice or data transaction using the selected bearer, wherein the bearer confidence database is built from the results of a plurality of tests applied to a multiplicity of available bearers by mobile devices on a regular basis, the tests including the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a bearer optimisation unit operable to enable the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction, the bearer optimisation unit comprising: a network connection; a bearer confidence database; and a query handing means operable to receive queries from remote mobile devices requesting information on available bearers based on the time and location of the requesting device; look up bearer information on the basis of the time and location; select an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the retrieved information; and transmit information relating to the optimum bearer to the requesting device via the network connection, wherein the bearer confidence database is built from the results of a plurality of tests applied to a multiplicity of available bearers by mobile devices on a regular basis, the tests including the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
The present invention thus provides for selection of an optimum bearer by maintaining a remote bearer confidence database containing information enabling bearer selection. This can ensure an optimum bearer is selected for the required transaction based on present time and location without requiring complex local processing.
The data in the bearer confidence database may be acquired on a network wide basis. The location data may include geographical or network location information. Network location information may include the identity of any network cells to which a mobile device is connected or could connect to.
The data may enable selection of a single optimum bearer or may enable the selection of a ranked list of optimum bearers. In such cases, in the event of a failure to complete the transaction using the highest ranked bearer, the voice or data transaction may be facilitated or enabled using the next highest ranked bearer. The transaction may be automatically implemented using the selected optimum bearer or may be implemented using the optimum bearer in response to user selection. In the case of user selection, the rationale behind the optimum bearer selection may be offered as additional information to the user. In some cases, the mobile device may be operable to connect to a bearer that is adequate but not the optimum bearer. This selection may be made by reference to an additional metric applied by the specific mobile device. The additional metric may be implemented automatically or by user selection.
The optimum bearer may be selected on the basis of any suitable criteria. In particular, the selection criteria may include, but are not limited to: the nature of the transaction, the expected performance of available bearers, the identity of the available bearers, the accessibility of the bearer (which may be accessible from a subscription and/or authentication perspective), and the likely cost of the transaction on the available bearers. The expected performance may include but is not limited to factors such as: signal strength, available bandwidth, bearer congestion, bearer security, and power consumption. In particular, the expected performance may include a confidence level indicating the likelihood of a successful transaction.
Bearers may include 2G, 3G or 4G cellular telephone networks, WiFi or other wireless or wired network connections.
Detecting an indication that a voice or data transaction is required may be achieved by detecting user inputs requesting a data or voice transaction or by detecting user inputs indicative of an upcoming request for a data or voice transaction. In the latter case, this may include detecting the opening or switching to the foreground of a particular application or client on the mobile device. Advantageously, detecting user inputs indicative of an upcoming request for a data or voice transaction enables the optimum bearer selection to be undertaken in the background before a user actually requests the initiation of the voice or data transaction. This can therefore enable the optimum bearer selection to take place without noticeable delay to the user.
Preferably, the detection step further includes detecting the nature of the required transaction.
The bearer confidence database may be provided on a communication network accessed by the mobile device. The bearer confidence database may form part of a bearer optimisation unit provided on the network to which the mobile device is connected. Alternatively, the bearer confidence database may form part of a bearer optimisation unit connected to the network to which the mobile device is connected. The bearer confidence database may be provided by a third party entity related to the network, to a phone manufacturer or an independent entity.
Preferably, following the completion of a test, the results are reported to the bearer optimisation unit for storing in a first section of the bearer confidence database. The test results stored in the first section of the database for each test may include, but are not limited to: the time the test was undertaken, the cell identity, the bearer type, the bearer provider, the measurement parameters and the cost of the bearer. The measurement parameters may include, but are not limited to latency, throughput and predicted MOS (mean opinion score- a measure of perceived audio quality of a voice connection)
The test results may be extracted by a trending processor. The trending processor may subsequently be operable to: perform trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and store information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database. The trend analysis results may be used to generate an expected traffic profile for available bearers. The expected traffic profile may be generated based on an extrapolation of a measured daily or weekly cycle. The expected traffic profile may be generated cognisant of any special dates or time periods (e.g. public holidays, major events) within the upcoming cycle period. The expected traffic profile may be enhanced with any recent measurements that have been taken by the target mobile device or other mobile devices. This can enable short term performance of available bearers to be estimated against expected variations in congestion. For instance cells adjacent to a commuter route may have a considerably different traffic profile to cells adjacent to an entertainment area.
The second section of the database may also contain cost information for available bearers. The cost information may be extracted directly in response to a query. Alternatively, predetermined cost information may be attached to each retrieved query.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of building a bearer confidence database for use in the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction by a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of conducting a plurality of bearer tests; receiving and storing the test results in a first section of the bearer confidence database; extracting test results from the first section of the bearer confidence database, performing trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and storing information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database for retrieval in response to queries, wherein the tests include the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile device operable to provide information for building a bearer confidence database for use in the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction by a mobile device, the mobile device comprising: connection means for facilitating an incoming or outgoing voice or data transaction; and a bearer optimisation module operable to: initiate repeated tests of available bearers; determine the present time and location of each test; and communicate the test results to the bearer confidence database, wherein the tests include the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a bearer optimisation unit operable to enable the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction by a mobile device, the bearer optimisation unit comprising: a network connection; a bearer confidence database; a query handler operable to receive queries and extract information from the database in response thereto; a test result receiving engine operable to receive bearer test results from multiple mobile devices connected to the network and store said results in a first section of said bearer confidence database; and a trending processor operable to: extract test results from the first section of the bearer confidence database, perform trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and store information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database for retrieval in response to queries, wherein the tests include the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
The method, mobile device and remote bearer optimisation unit of the fourth, fifth and sixth aspects of the present invention may incorporate any or all features of the first, second and third aspects of the present invention, as desired or as appropriate.
Detailed Description of the Invention
In order that the invention may be more clearly understood an embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a communication network adapted to implement the present invention;
Figure la is a schematic illustration of a mobile device connected to the communications network and adapted to implement the present invention;
Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in creating or updating a bearer confidence database in the present invention;
Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in selecting an optimised bearer in the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a flow diagram illustrating the steps involved in creating or updating time or location based trends in the present invention.
In figure 1, a mobile device 10 may be operable to connect to a network 30 via one or more bearers 20 in order to fulfil a voice or data transaction. In the present example, mobile device comprises a smartphone and the bearers include one or more
WiFi networks 21 and one or more cellular telephone cells 22. Nevertheless the skilled man will appreciate that the present invention can also be implemented using other mobile devices (including but not limited to tablet, notebook or laptop computers, media players, PDAs or the like) or other potential wireless or fixed line bearers.
Provided on the network 30, or by a third party not associated with the network 30, is a bearer optimisation unit 40 comprising: a test result receiving engine 41; a query handler 42; a bearer confidence database 43; and a trending processor 44. Within the bearer optimisation unit 40, the test result receiving engine 41 is operable to receive bearer test results from multiple mobile devices 10 connected to the network 30 and to store said results in a first section of the bearer confidence database 43. The query handler 42 is operable to receive queries from mobile devices 10 connected to the network 30 and extract information from the bearer confidence database 43 in response thereto. The trending processor 44 is operable to: extract test results from the first section of the bearer confidence database 43, perform trend analysis on the extracted test results along with historical information on the performance of relevant bearers to date, to determine time and location based trends; and store information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database 43 for retrieval in response to queries.
By utilising multiple mobile devices 10 connected to network 30 to conduct multiple tests of the various bearers 20, a network wide database 43 of bearer performance can be built. Following the generation of this database 43, the test results can be further processed by the trending processor 44 to generate expected traffic profiles for the available bearers 20. Subsequently, mobile devices 10 may be able to submit queries to the query handler 42 and in response receive data enabling selection of an optimum available bearer for a voice or data transaction. These various steps will now be described in greater detail with respect to figures 2-4.
In order to implement this functionality, the mobile device 10 may be provided with a bearer optimisation module (and connection manager) 12 which works in conjunction with the connection means 11 provided for the mobile device 10 to access various available bearers 20. In particular, the bearer optimisation module 12 may be operable to enable the selection of an optimum available bearer in combination with the bearer optimisation unit 40 or to conduct tests and forward results of such tests to the bearer optimisation unit 40. In selection operation, the bearer optimisation module 12 is operable to detect an indication that a voice or data transaction is required; determine the present time and location; query the bearer confidence database 43 for information on available bearers 20 based on the time and location information; select an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the received information; and enable the connection means 11 to facilitate the voice or data transaction using the selected bearer. In testing operation, the bearer optimisation module 12 is operable to: initiate repeated tests of available bearers 20; determine the present time and location of each test; and communicate the test results (from the terminal perspective) to the bearer confidence database 43.
In figure 2, an example of the steps required to build up a database 43 of test results are shown. At a first step, 201 the mobile device 10 requests of the test result receiving engine 41 permission to initiate a test. If appropriate, the test result receiving engine 41 issues and acknowledgement to the mobile device 10 indicating that the test may be initiated at step 202. Subsequently, a test sequence, step 203, is initiated. Typically, the test sequence 203 comprises the exchange of small amounts of data with a profile designed to mimic particular target voice or data transactions. The exchanged data typically enable measurements to be made of latency, throughput and predicted MOS. Following completion of the test sequence 203 at step 204, the test results are transmitted to the test result receiving engine 41 along with data indicating the time at which the test took place, the bearer type, bearer provider and bearer identity (e.g. cell identity or WiFi network identity) at step 205. The received results are then combined with any data generated by the test result receiving engine 41 at step 206. The test results are then stored in the database 43 at step 207.
Turning now to figure 3, an example of the steps required to enable selection of an optimum available bearer 20 are shown. At step 301, a mobile device sends a bearer recommendation request to the query handler 42. This request may be sent upon detecting user inputs requesting a data or voice transaction or by detecting user inputs indicative of an upcoming request for a data or voice transaction such as opening or switching to the foreground a particular application or client on the mobile device 10. Advantageously, detecting user inputs indicative of an upcoming request for a data or voice transaction enables the optimum bearer selection to be undertaken in the background before a user actually requests the initiation of the voice or data transaction enabling the optimum bearer selection to take place without noticeable delay to the user.
The bearer recommendation request, typically includes information as to the time of the request, the available bearers, the location of the device (whether defined in relation to physical location or network cells) and the nature of the transaction (voice or data). In response to the request, the query handler submits a query to the database 43 at step 302 and retrieves corresponding information at step 303. The query handler 43 may process the extracted information to produce a ranked list of the available bearers and send this on to the mobile device 10. Alternatively, the query handler 43 may send the information on to the mobile device 10 for processing by the bearer optimisation module 12. In either event, the highest ranked bearer 20 can then be used to facilitate the requested transaction.
The information used to rank the available bearers 20 may be based on recent relevant test results (which may have been sourced from the population of terminals as a whole). Alternatively, it may be based on expected traffic profiles for the available bearers 20 generated by the trending processor 44, suitably updated with the most recent test results. An example of the steps required to generate said expected traffic profiles are shown in figure 4. At step 401, the trending processor 44 requests aggregate test data for a particular time period relating to a particular location (physical or network) or a particular bearer, for instance a particular network cell and the extracted data is supplied to the trending processor at step 402. Subsequently, the extracted data is analysed by the trending processor 44 to determine time and location based trends and thereby generate an expected traffic profile. The expected traffic profile is typically generated based on an extrapolation of a measured daily or weekly cycle enabling prediction ofthe performance of available bearers to be estimated against expected variation in congestion at step 403. The expected traffic profile is then stored in the database 43 at step 404. The expected traffic profile may then be extracted by the query handler at step 303 in when selecting an optimum bearer.
It is of course to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details of the above embodiment is/embodiments which are described by way of example only.
Claims (55)
1. A method of selecting an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction, the method comprising the steps of: detecting an indication that a voice or data transaction is required; determining the present time and location; querying a bearer confidence database for information on available bearers based on the time and location information; selecting an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the retrieved information; and enabling the voice or data transaction using the selected bearer, wherein the bearer confidence database is built from the results of a plurality of tests applied to a multiplicity of available bearers by mobile devices on a regular basis, the tests including the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the data in the bearer confidence database is acquired on a network wide basis.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the data in the bearer confidence database enables selection of a single optimum bearer.
4. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the data in the bearer confidence database enables the selection of a ranked list of optimum bearers.
5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein in the event of a failure to complete the transaction using the highest ranked bearer, the voice or data transaction is facilitated or enabled using the next highest ranked bearer.
6. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the transaction is automatically implemented using the selected optimum bearer.
7. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the optimum bearer is selected on the basis of selection criteria including: the nature of the transaction, the expected performance of available bearers, the identity of the available bearers, the accessibility of the bearer, and the likely cost of the transaction on the available bearers.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the expected performance criteria includes: signal strength, available bandwidth, bearer congestion, bearer security, power consumption, and a confidence level indicating the likelihood of a successful transaction.
9. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein detecting an indication that a voice or data transaction is required is achieved by detecting user inputs requesting a data or voice transaction or by detecting user inputs indicative of an upcoming request for a data or voice transaction.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the detection step further includes detecting the nature of the required transaction.
11. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the bearer confidence database forms part of a bearer optimisation unit.
12. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the test data exchange takes place invisibly to the user.
13. A method as claimed in any preceding claim wherein following the completion of a test, the results are reported to the bearer optimisation unit for storing in a first section of the bearer confidence database.
14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein the test results stored in the first section of the database for each test include: the time the test was undertaken, the cell identity, the bearer type, the bearer provider, the measurement parameters and the cost of the bearer.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14 wherein the measurement parameters include: latency, throughput and predicted MOS.
16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 15 wherein the test results are extracted by a trending processor operable to: perform trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and store information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database.
17. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the trend analysis results are used to generate an expected traffic profile for available bearers.
18. A method as claimed in claim 17 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated based on an extrapolation of a measured daily or weekly cycle.
19. A method as claimed in claim 18 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated cognisant of any special dates or time periods within the upcoming cycle period.
20. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19 wherein the expected traffic profile is enhanced with any recent measurements that have been taken by the target mobile device or other mobile devices.
21. A mobile device operable to select an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction, the mobile device comprising: connection means for facilitating an incoming or outgoing voice or data transaction; and a bearer optimisation module operable to: detect an indication that a voice or data transaction is required; determine the present time and location; query a remote bearer confidence database for information on available bearers based on the time and location information; select an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the received information; and enable the connection means to facilitate the voice or data transaction using the selected bearer, wherein the bearer confidence database is built from the results of a plurality of tests applied to a multiplicity of available bearers by mobile devices on a regular basis, the tests including the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
22. A mobile device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the data in the bearer confidence database enables selection of a single optimum bearer.
23. A mobile device as claimed in claim 21 or claim 22 wherein the data in the bearer confidence database enables the selection of a ranked list of optimum bearers.
24. A mobile device as claimed in claim 23 wherein in the event of a failure to complete the transaction using the highest ranked bearer, the voice or data transaction is facilitated or enabled using the next highest ranked bearer.
25. A mobile device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 24 wherein the mobile device is operable to connect to a bearer that is adequate but not the optimum bearer by reference to an additional metric applied by the specific mobile device.
26. A mobile device as claimed in any one of claims 21 to 25 wherein detecting an indication that a voice or data transaction is required is achieved by detecting user inputs requesting a data or voice transaction or by detecting user inputs indicative of an upcoming request for a data or voice transaction.
27. A mobile device as claimed in claim 26 wherein the detection step further includes detecting the nature of the required transaction.
28. A mobile device as claimed in any of the claims 21 to 27 wherein the tests take place invisibly to the user.
29. A bearer optimisation unit operable to enable the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction, the bearer optimisation unit comprising: a network connection; a bearer confidence database; and a query handing means operable to receive queries from remote mobile devices requesting information on available bearers based on the time and location of the requesting device; look up bearer information on the basis of the time and location; select an optimum bearer from the available bearers based on the retrieved information; and transmit information relating to the optimum bearer to the requesting device via the network connection, wherein the bearer confidence database is built from the results of a plurality of tests applied to a multiplicity of available bearers by mobile devices on a regular basis, the tests including the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
30. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 29 wherein the data in the bearer confidence database is acquired on a network wide basis.
31. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30 wherein following the completion of a test, the results are reported to the bearer optimisation unit for storing in a first section of the bearer confidence database.
32. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 31 wherein the test results stored in the first section of the database for each test include: the time the test was undertaken, the cell identity, the bearer type, the bearer provider, the measurement parameters and the cost of the bearer.
33. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 32 wherein the measurement parameters include: latency, throughput and predicted MOS.
34. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in any one of claims 29 to 33 wherein the test results are extracted by a trending processor operable to: perform trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and store information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database.
35. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 34 wherein the trend analysis results are used to generate an expected traffic profile for available bearers.
36. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 35 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated based on an extrapolation of a measured daily or weekly cycle.
37. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 35 or claim 36 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated cognisant of any special dates or time periods within the upcoming cycle period.
38. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 37 wherein the expected traffic profile is enhanced with any recent measurements that have been taken by the target mobile device or other mobile devices.
39. A method of building a bearer confidence database for use in the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction by a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of conducting a plurality of bearer tests; receiving and storing the test results in a first section of the bearer confidence database; extracting test results from the first section of the bearer confidence database, performing trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and storing information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database for retrieval in response to queries, wherein the tests include the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
40. A method as claimed in claim 39 wherein the test data exchange takes place invisibly to the user.
41. A method as claimed in claim 39 or claim 40 wherein the test results stored in the first section of the database for each test include: the time the test was undertaken, the cell identity, the bearer type, the bearer provider, the measurement parameters and the cost of the bearer.
42. A method as claimed in claim 41 wherein the measurement parameters include: latency, throughput and predicted MOS.
43. A method as claimed in any one of claims 39 to 42 wherein the trend analysis results are used to generate an expected traffic profile for available bearers.
44. A method as claimed in claim 43 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated based on an extrapolation of a measured daily or weekly cycle.
45. A method as claimed in claim 43 or claim 44 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated cognisant of any special dates or time periods within the upcoming cycle period.
46. A method as claimed in any one of claims 43 to 45 wherein the expected traffic profile is enhanced with any recent measurements that have been taken by the target mobile device or other mobile devices.
47. A mobile device operable to provide information for building a bearer confidence database for use in the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction by a mobile device, the mobile device comprising: connection means for facilitating an incoming or outgoing voice or data transaction; and a bearer optimisation module operable to: initiate repeated tests of available bearers; determine the present time and location of each test; and communicate the test results to the bearer confidence database, wherein the tests include the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
48. A mobile device as claimed in claim 47 wherein the tests take place invisibly to the user.
49. A bearer optimisation unit operable to enable the selection of an optimum bearer for a voice or data transaction by a mobile device, the bearer optimisation unit comprising: a network connection; a bearer confidence database; a query handler operable to receive queries and extract information from the database in response thereto; a test result receiving engine operable to receive bearer test results from multiple mobile devices connected to the network and store said results in a first section of said bearer confidence database; and a trending processor operable to: extract test results from the first section of the bearer confidence database, perform trend analysis on the extracted test results to determine time and location based trends; and store information relating to the trend analysis in a second section of the bearer confidence database for retrieval in response to queries, wherein the tests include the steps of transmitting a small amount of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction to the bearer optimisation unit, and the receipt of a return stream of data with a profile designed to mimic a target transaction from the bearer optimisation unit.
50. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 49 wherein the test results stored in the first section of the database for each test include: the time the test was undertaken, the cell identity, the bearer type, the bearer provider, the measurement parameters and the cost of the bearer.
51. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 50 wherein the measurement parameters include: latency, throughput and predicted MOS.
52. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 51 wherein the trend analysis results are used to generate an expected traffic profile for available bearers.
53. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 52 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated based on an extrapolation of a measured daily or weekly cycle.
54. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in claim 52 or claim 53 wherein the expected traffic profile is generated cognisant of any special dates or time periods within the upcoming cycle period.
55. A bearer optimisation unit as claimed in any one of claims 52 to 54 wherein the expected traffic profile is enhanced with any recent measurements that have been taken by the target mobile device or other mobile devices.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1301686.0A GB2510352B (en) | 2013-01-31 | 2013-01-31 | Selection of optimum bearers for mobile services |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1301686.0A GB2510352B (en) | 2013-01-31 | 2013-01-31 | Selection of optimum bearers for mobile services |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201301686D0 GB201301686D0 (en) | 2013-03-20 |
| GB2510352A GB2510352A (en) | 2014-08-06 |
| GB2510352B true GB2510352B (en) | 2019-06-26 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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| GB1301686.0A Active GB2510352B (en) | 2013-01-31 | 2013-01-31 | Selection of optimum bearers for mobile services |
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| Country | Link |
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| GB (1) | GB2510352B (en) |
Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2001054435A1 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2001-07-26 | Telecommunication Systems, Inc. | Intelligent roaming database (irdb) updating |
| US20070230420A1 (en) * | 2006-04-03 | 2007-10-04 | Research In Motion Limited | System and method for facilitating determination of mode and configuration of a wireless user equipment (UE) device |
| WO2010019452A2 (en) * | 2008-08-12 | 2010-02-18 | Taproot Systems, Inc. | Embedded mobile analytics in a mobile device |
| WO2010144479A2 (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2010-12-16 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Virtual sim card for mobile devices |
| WO2011003445A1 (en) * | 2009-07-08 | 2011-01-13 | Nokia Siemens Networks Oy | Network access control |
| US20110286437A1 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2011-11-24 | At&T Mobility Ii Llc | Wi-Fi Intelligent Selection Engine |
-
2013
- 2013-01-31 GB GB1301686.0A patent/GB2510352B/en active Active
Patent Citations (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2001054435A1 (en) * | 2000-01-21 | 2001-07-26 | Telecommunication Systems, Inc. | Intelligent roaming database (irdb) updating |
| US20070230420A1 (en) * | 2006-04-03 | 2007-10-04 | Research In Motion Limited | System and method for facilitating determination of mode and configuration of a wireless user equipment (UE) device |
| WO2010019452A2 (en) * | 2008-08-12 | 2010-02-18 | Taproot Systems, Inc. | Embedded mobile analytics in a mobile device |
| WO2010144479A2 (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2010-12-16 | Qualcomm Incorporated | Virtual sim card for mobile devices |
| WO2011003445A1 (en) * | 2009-07-08 | 2011-01-13 | Nokia Siemens Networks Oy | Network access control |
| US20110286437A1 (en) * | 2010-05-20 | 2011-11-24 | At&T Mobility Ii Llc | Wi-Fi Intelligent Selection Engine |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB201301686D0 (en) | 2013-03-20 |
| GB2510352A (en) | 2014-08-06 |
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