Method and system for reducing service interruptions to mobile communication devices

• US 8,537,659 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Issued: 09/17/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Fitchett, Jeffrey William, Duxbury, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson, Felske, Kent
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US11/613,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20080151817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,463 Days
• Field of Search: 455423-425, 455450-4522, 455436-441, 370216-228, 370/241, 370/250, 370/252, 370/253
• US Class Current: 370/216
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/04 Arrangements for maintaining operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/20 Negotiating bandwidth

Abstract

A method and system for monitoring context information associated with a wireless communication entity for determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption for that wireless communication entity. Upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, causing an adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity. The adjustment is used to prevent or mitigate service disruptions.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

a) monitoring context information associated with a wireless communication entity for determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption;

b) upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, causing adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity for adjusting a rate at which content is transferred to a memory cache at the wireless communication entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein causing adjustment of bandwidth includes adjusting a network priority associated with the wireless communication entity.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising obtaining user confirmation that that an adjustment of bandwidth is desired, prior to causing the adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising performing a bandwidth arbitration procedure in order to cause increased bandwidth to be available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

6. A method as defined in claim 3, further comprising causing a memory cache at the wireless communication entity to increase the amount of content stored therein, when an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity is caused.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, wherein upon the occurrence of a network disruption, causing the wireless communication entity to use the content stored in the memory cache during at least a portion of a duration of the network disruption.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, comprising establishing a new network connection following the occurrence of the network disruption.

9. A method as defined in claim 8, comprising causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity upon establishment of a new network connection, so as to replenish the memory cache of the wireless communication entity.

10. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the new network connection is established with the same network.

11. A method as defined in claim 8, wherein the new network connection is established with a different network.

12. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the context information includes information selected from the set consisting of location information, velocity information, activity information and time information.

13. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is an anticipated switch between networks.

14. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is the anticipation of the wireless communication entity entering a no-coverage zone.

15. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the wireless communication entity is one of a cellular telephone, a PDA and a smartphone.

73. A method as defined in claim 3, further comprising causing the completion of a data transfer with a network entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption, when an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity is caused.

16. A predictive context entity comprising:

a) a first functional unit for receiving over a network a first signal indicative of context information associated with a wireless communication entity;

b) a second functional unit for processing the first signal indicative of context information associated with the wireless communication entity to determine the potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity;

c) a third functional unit for issuing a second signal, upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, for causing adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity, for adjusting a rate at which content is transferred to a memory cache at the wireless communication entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption.

17. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein causing adjustment of bandwidth includes adjusting a network priority associated with the wireless communication entity.

18. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein causing adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity includes causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

19. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein causing adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity includes causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer between the wireless communication entity and a content media server.

20. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein said context information includes information indicative of a location associated with the wireless communication entity.

21. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 20, wherein said second functional unit is operative for processing the information indicative of location for generating a velocity vector associated with the wireless communication entity.

22. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein said context information includes information indicative of a velocity vector associated with the wireless communication entity.

23. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein said second functional unit is operative to process said context information at least in part on the basis of topology information for determining the potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity.

24. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is an anticipated switch between networks.

25. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is the anticipation of the wireless communication entity entering a no-coverage zone.

26. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity, causing said wireless communication entity to confirm a desire for an adjustment in bandwidth for data transfer.

27. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity, verifying user preferences associated with said wireless communication entity for determining whether to cause an adjustment in bandwidth for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

28. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption said third functional unit is operative for causing an arbitration procedure to be performed, so as to cause increased bandwidth to be available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

29. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein following a network disruption, said third functional entity is operative for causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity and a new network connection, so as to replenish the memory cache of the wireless communication entity.

30. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein the wireless communication entity is one of a cellular telephone, a PDA and a smartphone.

31. A predictive context entity as defined in claim 16, wherein said predictive context entity is operative for receiving context information associated with multiple wireless communication entities.

32. A system comprising:

a) a wireless communication entity comprising;

i) a transceiver suitable for establishing a wireless communication link, said wireless communication link being suitable for permitting data transfer between a network and said wireless communication entity;

b) a predictive context engine comprising;

i) a first functional unit for receiving over a network a signal indicative of context information associated with said wireless communication entity;

ii) a second functional unit for processing the signal indicative of the context information associated with said wireless communication entity to determine the potential occurrence of a network disruption involving the wireless communication entity;

iii) a third functional unit for issuing a signal, upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, for causing adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity, for adjusting a rate at which content is transferred to a memory cache at the wireless communication entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption.

33. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein causing adjustment of bandwidth includes adjusting a network priority associated with said wireless communication entity.

34. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein said wireless communication entity is operative for issuing over a network a signal from which context information associated with said wireless communication entity can be derived.

35. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption said third functional unit is operative for causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

36. A system as defined in claim 35, wherein upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, said third functional unit is operative for causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer between the wireless communication entity and a content media server over said wireless communication link.

37. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption to said wireless communication entity, said third functional unit is operative for causing a confirmation signal to be issued to said wireless communication entity for prompting a user of said wireless communication entity to confirm a desire for an adjustment in bandwidth for data transfer.

38. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity, said third functional unit is operative for verifying user preferences associated with said wireless communication entity for determining whether to cause an adjustment in bandwidth for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

39. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity, said third functional unit being operative for causing an arbitration procedure to be performed, so as to cause increased bandwidth to be available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity.

40. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein said memory cache of said wireless communication entity increases the amount of content stored therein when an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity is caused.

41. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein upon the occurrence of a network disruption, said wireless communication entity being operative to use the content stored in said memory cache during at least a portion of a duration of the network disruption.

42. A system as defined in claim 41, wherein following a network disruption, said third functional entity is operative for causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity and a new network connection, so as to replenish the memory cache of the wireless communication entity.

43. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein the new network connection is established with the same network.

44. A system as defined in claim 42, wherein the new network connection is established with a different network.

45. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein said context information includes information indicative of a location associated with said wireless communication entity.

46. A system as defined in claim 45, wherein said second functional unit is operative for processing the information indicative of location for generating a velocity vector associated with said wireless communication entity.

47. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein said context information includes information indicative of a velocity vector associated with the wireless communication entity.

48. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein said second functional unit is operative to process said context information at least in part on the basis of topology information for determining the potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity.

49. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is an anticipated switch between networks.

50. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is the anticipation of the wireless communication entity entering a no-coverage zone.

51. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein the wireless communication entity is one of a cellular telephone, a PDA and a smartphone.

52. A system as defined in claim 32, wherein said predictive context entity is operative for receiving context information associated with multiple wireless communication entities.

53. A wireless communication entity comprising:

a) means for establishing a wireless communication link, said wireless communication link being suitable for permitting data transfer between a network and said wireless communication entity;

b) means for issuing over a network, a signal from which context information associated with said wireless communication entity can be derived;

c) upon a determination from the context information of a potential occurrence of a network disruption to said wireless communication entity, means for receiving an adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer with the network for adjusting a rate at which content is transferred to a memory cache at the wireless communication entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption.

54. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein receiving an adjustment of bandwidth includes receiving a change in priority.

55. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein said signal from which context information associated with said wireless communication entity can be derived includes information indicative of a unique identifier associated with said wireless communication entity.

56. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein said means for receiving an adjustment of bandwidth receive an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer with the network upon a determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption.

57. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein the network is the internet.

58. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein said wireless communication link is operative for permitting data transfer between the wireless communication entity and a content media server.

59. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein upon determination of a potential occurrence of a network disruption said wireless communication entity further comprises means for confirming a desire for an adjustment in bandwidth for data transfer.

60. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein said memory cache of said wireless communication entity increases the amount of content stored therein when an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity is caused.

61. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 60, wherein upon the occurrence of a network disruption, said wireless communication entity being operative to use the content stored in said memory cache during at least a portion of a duration of the network disruption.

62. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein following a network disruption, said means for establishing a wireless communication link are operative for establishing a second wireless communication link.

63. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 62, wherein the second wireless communication link is established with the same network.

64. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 62, wherein the second wireless communication link is established with a different network.

65. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 62, wherein upon establishment of the second communication link, said means for receiving an adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer is operative for receiving an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer, so as to replenish the memory cache of the wireless communication entity.

66. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein the context information derived includes information selected from the set consisting of location information, velocity information, activity information and time information.

67. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein the context information derived, is processed at least in part on the basis of topology information for determining the potential occurrence of a network disruption to the wireless communication entity.

68. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is an anticipated switch between networks.

69. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein the potential occurrence of a network disruption is the anticipation of the wireless communication entity entering a no-coverage zone.

70. A wireless communication entity as defined in claim 53, wherein said wireless communication entity is one of a cellular telephone, a PDA and a smartphone.

71. A nontransitory computer-readable storage medium comprising a program element for execution by a predictive context entity, the predictive context entity, when executing said program element, being operative for:

a) receiving over a network a signal indicative of context information associated with said wireless communication entity;

b) processing the signal indicative of the context information associated with said wireless communication entity to determine the potential occurrence of a network disruption involving the wireless communication entity;

c) upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption, issuing a signal for causing adjustment of bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity for adjusting a rate at which content is transferred to a memory cache at the wireless communication entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption.

72. A method, comprising:

a) monitoring context information associated with a wireless communication entity for determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption;

b) upon determining a potential occurrence of a network disruption;

i) predicting future data that may be desired by the wireless communication entity;

ii) causing an increase in the bandwidth available for data transfer involving the wireless communication entity such that the predicted future data desired by the wireless communication entity is pre-emptively transferred to the wireless communication entity in preparation of the potential occurrence of the network disruption.