U.S. patent application number 12/061362 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for mobile content delivery system.
This patent application is currently assigned to NOKIA CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Ilkka Aartolahti, Kaj Haggman, Seppo Pyhalammi, Markku Rauhamaa.
Application Number | 20080182559 12/061362 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25481403 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080182559 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pyhalammi; Seppo ; et
al. |
July 31, 2008 |
MOBILE CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEM
Abstract
A mobile content delivery system that optimizes the delivery of
especially bandwidth-consuming content (or the flow of any
peak-hour data traffic) in a way that best utilizes the free
capacity in the radio network, thus enabling considerably more
efficient usage of the radio capacity. It also allows new services
and pricing structures to be used in the cellular network, that
otherwise would not be possible. The class of delivery of message
content can be selected by the user on a transaction basis, or
subscription-based and pre-defined in a user profile. By choosing a
scheduled delivery the user can receive the content at a fraction
of the price compared to instant delivery, since the content is
sent at a time when the network is least utilized.
Inventors: |
Pyhalammi; Seppo; (Helsinki,
FI) ; Haggman; Kaj; (Espoo, FI) ; Aartolahti;
Ilkka; (Espoo, FI) ; Rauhamaa; Markku;
(Helsinki, FI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORGAN & FINNEGAN, L.L.P.
3 WORLD FINANCIAL CENTER
NEW YORK
NY
10281-2101
US
|
Assignee: |
NOKIA CORPORATION
Espoo
FI
|
Family ID: |
25481403 |
Appl. No.: |
12/061362 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11285573 |
Nov 21, 2005 |
|
|
|
12061362 |
|
|
|
|
09944443 |
Aug 31, 2001 |
6996393 |
|
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11285573 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/412.1 ;
455/466 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 12/1485 20130101;
H04L 12/1489 20130101; H04L 67/325 20130101; H04W 8/18 20130101;
H04L 29/06 20130101; H04L 67/04 20130101; H04L 12/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/412.1 ;
455/466 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/20 20060101
H04Q007/20 |
Claims
1. A wireless terminal device capable of viewing, ordering, and
specifying a class of delivery of a message content, wherein the
content is ordered from said wireless terminal device, and wherein
the content is delivered to the wireless terminal device.
Description
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 11/285,573 filed on Nov. 21, 2005 which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 09/944,443 filed Aug. 31, 2001, now U.S.
Pat. No. 6,996,393 and entitled "Mobile Content Delivery System",
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to systems and methods for delivering
mobile content over a wireless communications network.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] Traditionally, the majority of data messages have been sent
across radio networks in real-time when the user requests them.
This common practice of "Deliver NOW" is utilized extensively in
the growing area of text-based message or voice services of
cellular networks. The delivery of data in real-time ignores the
fact that wireless network data traffic is unevenly distributed.
The maximum network capacity is dimensioned to match the network
load peaks, thus leaving a lot of unused capacity in the network.
Typically, in a twenty-four hour day cycle (except for a few
traffic peaks during office hours), more than half of the network
capacity is unused.
[0004] Typical message delivery systems on wireless networks have
sustained themselves due to strict adherence to a small file size
requirement. The cost of a wireless network delivering larger file
size content such as a video clip or an image file on demand would
be prohibitively expensive, as well as time-consuming, to the
end-user. Many current wireless network delivery systems have
addressed the problem by adding additional network base stations
and fine tuning coding techniques. These methods only lead to
additional capacity without reducing the cost to send the actual
data over the wireless network. If the sending device tries to send
a message and the recipient is not available (e.g. terminal is
turned off) the service center continues to send messages so long
it can reach the recipient device (the amount of time the service
center attempts to send the message can be limited to a
pre-determined time window).
[0005] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and method
whereby a user could specify, using his or her wireless terminal
device, whether a message is to be delivered in real-time which
will prevent the system from managing present network load
conditions while the message is being delivered, or to be time
delayed to suit the existing demands on the wireless network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention there is provided
a system and method whereby a user who has requested content
selects a class of delivery for the content from his or her
wireless terminal device, such as a cellular phone. The class of
delivery of message content can be selected by the user on a
transaction basis, or subscription-based and pre-defined in a user
profile. The content is delivered as a message, which is preferably
comprised of three parts: a message header (e.g. the source and
destination address, the identity and type of message, etc.); a
message body, which is essentially the content; and a delivery
class field, identifying the class the user selected to deliver the
message content. The user can preferably select from at least two
delivery classes: "deliver NOW" in real-time; or a specified "time
delay delivery". A "time delay delivery" is referring to a
pre-determined time window to deliver content, and can be further
divided into classes based on the defined delay. The "time delay
delivery" class allows the wireless network to send the content at
a time when the network is least utilized.
[0007] In the preferred embodiment, a user's content request is
sent to a Content/Service Provider which creates a content delivery
message with the requested information including the content and
delivery class. The Content/Service Provider relays the message to
a Messaging Transport System (MTS) in charge of delivering the
message to the user, or directly to the Mobile Content Delivery
(MCD) system. The selected MCD System acts as the scheduled
delivery engine that calculates the pre-determined time window the
content delivery message is to be sent by notifying the Messaging
Transport System. The time window of delivery is calculated
preferably taking into account such information as the delivery
class, the wireless device location in the radio network, the
wireless network usage and relative capacity (actual and
historical), and the size of the content that can be delivered in
the pre-determined time window. A short period before the content
delivery message is to be delivered, the wireless device location
is determined, the actual network load condition at the wireless
device is determined and compared to the historical information
(the "load curve"). If conditions are right, the message is sent to
the end-user's wireless device via the cellular network.
[0008] The present invention will introduce a mechanism that allows
operators to provide new data services (especially high-volume
content) cheaper without sacrificing their high-margin business,
thus enabling more services, as well as attracting more users. The
present invention further allows data traffic on a wireless network
to be more evenly distributed over a twenty-four hour day cycle,
thus actually increasing the total network throughput, without
having to upgrade the wireless network components. The present
invention will provide users with new services at a reduced price,
directly to their wireless device.
[0009] Other and further aspects of the present invention will
become apparent during the course of the following description and
by reference to the attached drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a Mobile Content Delivery Wireless Network diagram
illustrating one embodiment of the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a Mobile Content Delivery Wireless Network diagram
illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a functional diagram illustrating the Mobile
Content Delivery system according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of the Mobile Content
Delivery process according to the exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a diagram of the Message Buffering and Scheduling
Engine according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a graph illustrating a generalized wireless
network air interface usage profile over a twenty-four hour
period.
[0016] FIG. 7 illustrates the relative cost to deliver various
services for each delivery class.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a wireless network of the
present invention whereby an individual may use a hand-held
wireless terminal 30 (e.g., a cellular phone) enabled with a
browser to view, select, and specify a delivery class for a
web-based content from a Content/Service Provider 13 via a data
network such as the internet. In another embodiment the delivery
class can automatically be selected for the user depending on the
destination address, the content type, the content provider, and
the sender agreement with the operator accompanied by billing
information collected by the MCD system for each user. In this
embodiment, the Content/Service Provider 13 creates a message with
both user selected content and delivery class, which it sends to a
Messaging Transport System (MTS) 12, which analyzes wireless
terminal capabilities and status, as well as is capable of
delivering content message to the wireless terminal device 30. The
MTS 12 acts as a gatekeeper of all content that is provided over
the wireless network and also could possibly select the delivery
class depending on the content or other network parameters in one
particular embodiment.
[0018] The MTS 12 transmits the message to a Mobile Content
Delivery (MCD) system 11 describing an embodiment of the present
invention. The MCD system 11 schedules a delivery time window of
the content by analyzing the delivery class, wireless device
location, existing network activity loading and the content size
while taking into account the agreed upon user maximum delivery
time. The MCD system 11 is provided with delivery time window
flexibility provided the end-user did not select "Deliver NOW" as
the delivery class. The MCD system 11 also preferably tracks
previous message deliveries in order to properly predict and
schedule future message deliveries at a more cost-effective network
activity time window without surpassing the agreed upon user
maximum delivery time. The Mobile Content Delivery system 11 will
be discussed in detail hereinafter in connection with FIG. 3.
[0019] Moments before the pre-determined time window of delivery,
MCD system 11 returns the message content to the MTS 12. The MTS 12
relays a "Wake-Up" message to the Short Message System (SMS) 10, or
an equivalent service center, which in-turn sends a "Wake-Up"
message to the wireless terminal device 30. The Short Message
System 10 generates a short message and attaches a Quality of
Service (QoS) parameter which adjusts the speed of delivery of
content through the network. The SMS 10, like the MTS 12, is a
well-known component of the wireless network. Once the scheduled
delivery time window has arrived, the content is delivered to the
end-user at the wireless terminal device 30. In traditional
cellular networks using less advanced terminal devices the content
is fetched by the terminal device 30 using information in the
"Wake-Up" message, in advanced networks the content is pushed to
the wireless terminal device from the network, in this embodiment
by the MTS 12. FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of the mobile
content delivery wireless network. Variants of FIG. 1 can include
transferring message content between multiple MCD systems 11 as
well as selecting delivery servers other than MTS 12 to deliver
content to the end-user. These variations can occur while being
transparent to both the end-user user at wireless terminal device
30 and the Content Service Provider 13. A detailed description of
these variations are described in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5.
[0020] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a wireless network of the
present invention whereby an individual having an agreement with an
operator allowing scheduled delivery may use a hand-held wireless
terminal 30 (e.g., a cellular phone) enabled with a browser to view
and select web-based content from a Content/Service Provider 13 via
a data network such as the internet. The MCD system 11 is provided
with the capability of listening to all traffic, intercepting and
re-directing it, as well as being able to insert new data or modify
existing data streams, while being able to coordinate downloading
content from the content/service provider to the network. When the
user with a hand-held wireless terminal 30 selects some large
content from the Content/Service Provider 13, the MCD system 11
intercepts that traffic based on what has been specified for the
user in the operator profile. The Content/Service Provider 13
service continues sending the large content, but it is stored in
the MCD system 11 instead of being sent to the wireless terminal
device 30. At the same time, the MCD system 11 informs (e.g. with a
specific web page) the wireless terminal device 30 that the
delivery is being scheduled, disconnects the terminal session and
simultaneously downloads the most recent content from the
Content/Service Provider 13 to a Cellular Network 51. The MCD
system 11 schedules a delivery time window of the content using
methods described earlier, and once the scheduled delivery time
window has arrived, the content is delivered to the end-user at the
wireless terminal device 30 using an existing push mechanism in the
cellular network. In another possible variation the MCD system 11
could deliver just the content link address to wireless terminal
30, allowing for the actual content to be downloaded at a later
time to ensure the user receives the most current available
content.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows one implementation of the Mobile Content
Delivery System 11 of the present invention. Variants of FIG. 3 can
include different delay mechanisms (selected by the user, specified
by the Content Provider, or subscription-based), as well as various
transport mechanisms (through the MCD system, through another
system in the network, using pull or push depending on the wireless
device capabilities). These variations can occur while being
transparent to the end-user user at wireless terminal device 30.
The components in this implementation shown in FIG. 3 are: the MCD
systems 11; a Cellular Network 51; which could be comprised of a
Delivery Server 33, a Base Station System 32; and a Message
Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36. On a larger scale, FIG. 3 can
be part of a wide area network comprising many users and multiple
base stations to cover a large user region.
[0022] The end-user locates content he wishes to receive via a
browsing screen 31 on his wireless terminal device 30. On the
screen, the end-user selects the content and the desired class of
delivery. In this example implementation the user selects a
delivery class from three delivery classes: "Deliver Now", for time
critical data; "Specified Time Delay" delivery, for less critical
data; or, "Overnight Delivery", which is the least expensive
option. Alternatively, his delivery class may also be selected
automatically as described earlier. (Note: Three classes of time
delivery are shown for illustrative purposes only, the MCD system
allows for numerous delivery classes and corresponding prices, set
by the operator.) The user browsing session goes over the wireless
network via Base Station System 32, which in turn relays it to the
Content/Service Provider 13 through a Layer 7 Switch 35 connection
to a data network such as the Internet, Extranet, Intranet, LAN, or
alternate networks. The Layer 7 switch 35 monitors messages for
preset parameters to determine scheduled delivery.
[0023] The Content/Service Provider 13 creates a message based on
receipt from the wireless terminal of addressing information such
as: IP address or mobile phone number, default message server
address, content request ID, and the class of delivery, which it
then routes to the Message Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 of
the selected MCD system 11 via the Layer 7 switch 35. Depending on
network data activity, the Layer 7 switch 35 may re-direct the
message content to another MCD system 11 with a lighter network
server data activity load. Alternatively, if the chosen transport
mechanism (in this example implementation the MTS 12) supports
usage of delivery class parameters, the Layer 7 switch 35 may
re-direct the message content to a different MTS 12, which
communicates with the MCD system 11.
[0024] The Message Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 fetches
wireless network activity updates and current cell user location
from Cellular Network 51 which it uses to schedule a time window to
send the message to the wireless terminal device 30 based on the
specified class of delivery, the user handset location, network
capacity usage, and file size of the content. Once the
pre-determined delivery time window has arrived, the selected
Message Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 sends the re-directed
message content to MTS 12 (reference FIG. 1). The MTS notifies the
SMS 10 (reference FIG. 1) to send a Wake-Up message to the wireless
terminal device 30 via the Cellular Network 51. The MTS 12 acts a
Delivery Server 33 and delivers the requested content to the
wireless terminal device 30 via the Cellular Network 51. In one
embodiment, the MCD 11 can be the Delivery Server 33, in another
some other transport mechanism is used as Delivery Server by the
MCD. The present invention allows the selection and re-direction of
message content amongst various MCD systems 11 to be transparent to
both the Content Service Provider 13 and the wireless terminal
device 30 allowing for just one destination address, as well as the
option for wireless terminal device 30 having the capability of
being the source of the content to be sent to the network with the
permission of the MCD system. In a preferred embodiment the user
receives message content to the terminal device 30 at a reduced
price, without having to wait for it to arrive over an active
wireless terminal session, making the experience a pleasant
one.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the functional logic flow of mobile content
delivery in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. In step 40, the user browses content via the wireless
terminal device 30. In steps 41 and 42, the user orders content and
can preferably choose from User-selected and Auto-Selected classes
of delivery. User-selected, allows the user to select the class of
delivery, "Deliver Now", or time delayed delivery as described
earlier. Auto-Selected, is where a predetermined delivery class
type is already established due to an existing agreement between
the operator or Content/Service Provider 13 and the user in order
to avoid high delivery cost, for instance; or, where the delivery
class can possibly be linked to the content type automatically.
(Note--The network operator and the content service provider may or
may not be the same entity.) In step 43, a Content/Service Provider
13 creates a content delivery message which includes the delivery
class information in the message header. In step 44, Content
Provider 13 sends the message to the Message Buffering and
Scheduling Engine 36 of the selected MCD system 11 over Layer 7
switch 35. The Layer 7 switch 35, monitors network data traffic and
may re-direct message content 50 to other MCD systems 11 under
lighter network loads, or to other systems supporting MCD
functionality, in step 45. In step 46, the Message Buffering and
Scheduling Engine 36 schedules the content delivery time window for
the user and forwards the message content 50 to the Messaging
Transport System (MTS) 12. As the delivery time window approaches,
the MTS 12 notifies the Short Message System (SMS) 10 to send a
"Wake-up" message to the wireless terminal device 30 in step 47. In
Step 48, the SMS 10 sends the "Wake-up" message to wireless
terminal device 30 via the Cellular Network 51. In Step 49, the MTS
12 forwards the message content 50 to the Delivery Server 33 via
the Cellular Network 51. In Step 50, the ordered message content 50
is delivered to the wireless terminal device 30 via Delivery Server
33.
[0026] FIG. 5 shows details of a preferred embodiment of the
Message Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 within the MCD system
11. It demonstrates the method by which the Mobile Content Delivery
System 11 schedules the delivery of content based on a number of
wireless network parameters. In particular, the details of the
interaction between the Message Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36
and other wireless network elements are shown. The L7 switch 35
receives the content delivery message 50 coming into the mobile
network, consisting of necessary parameters to trigger the
scheduled delivery, such as the address of the service where the
content was viewed and ordered, the destination address of the
wireless terminal device 30 (or possibly a mobile phone number) to
which the content is to be delivered, the delivery class, and the
body of the message, which contains the content to be delivered.
The Layer 7 switch 35 monitors messages and other network traffic
and forwards those message content requests that have a delayed
class of delivery. Once an MCD system 11 is selected, the Layer 7
switch 35 forwards the message content the message to the Message
Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 of the selected Mobile Content
Delivery System 11. The Layer 7 switch 35 may re-direct the message
content to another MCD (compatible) system 11 as mentioned earlier.
Based on the delivery class, the Message Buffering and Scheduling
Engine 36 records the earliest allowed time for delivery, as well
as an expiration date in Block 52, that is used by the queue logic
for the specific message. Block 54 determines the priority of the
message in a Content Queue 55 based on the delivery time window
remaining.
[0027] In parallel with the content queuing activity, the Message
Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 queries Cellular Network 51 in
real time for the cell ID corresponding to the cell in which the
wireless terminal device 30 is currently located at Block 56. Cell
activity records are maintained in server database 57. The Message
Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 uses these records as well as
on-line queries in determining the cell's capacity and usage in
block 58. Off-line file transfer regarding cell activity records
can be gathered to server database 57 from the cellular network 51.
On-line queries regarding cell activity can be done from the
cellular network 51 at block 58. At decision block 60, the Message
Buffering and Scheduling Engine 36 assesses past and present cell
capacity, current user location, content file size, and time
remaining to deliver content. If the decision block 60 determines
that this is not an appropriate time window to deliver the message
content, the queue priority of the message is adjusted based on the
absolute time remaining to deliver the message content while taking
into account the time lapsed to reach the "NO SEND" decision.
However, if decision block 60 determines that this an appropriate
time window to deliver message content based on the aforementioned
factors, the Layer 7 switch 35 will designate a Delivery Server 33
selecting from a group of servers available to deliver the message
content at Block 61. At Block 62, Deliver Server 33 delivers
message content 50 to the wireless terminal device 30. Many
plausible variations of FIG. 5 exist based on chosen service and
delivery mechanism, all parameterized in the MCD and transparent to
wireless terminal device 30 and the Content Service Provider
13.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows a generalized usage profile for a wireless
network air interface over a 24 hour day cycle within one
territory. Actual usage profiles can vary greatly from this
illustration. The embodiment of the present invention delivers
content via the wireless network taking into account such usage
profiles. Reference to the FIG. 6 shows that in the morning between
the hours of approximately 7 AM and 10 AM and the afternoon between
the hours of approximately 3 PM and 6 PM the wireless network
experiences the heaviest usage traffic. It would thus be most
costly to deliver content during these time periods, and should be
avoided unless the message is time critical. Between the
approximate hours of 10 AM and 3 PM the data traffic falls off to
approximately 50-55% capacity, down from a peak of approximately
80% capacity. Finally, the ideal time to deliver message content is
either during the early morning hours between midnight and 6 AM or
the late evening hours between 9 PM and midnight. During these time
periods will likely present the most cost-effective time windows
for scheduling delivery of content due to minimal network activity,
which results in preserving the most network bandwidth. Again, FIG.
6 is a generalized illustration. Realistically, there can be many
peaks and nulls in usage throughout the twenty-four day cycle
creating many cost-effective time windows of opportunity for mobile
operators to deliver content, e.g., 2:00 PM-2:15 PM, without
harming real-time wireless network traffic.
[0029] FIG. 7 illustrates some of the advantages provided to the
service operator due to the embodiments of the present invention.
The curved line represents a possible array of commercial services
available on the market today, spanning from voice and text-based
messaging to real-time video. The small content file size usually
found in messaging, voice or equivalent services at a relative cost
factor of 1 to 100 units per megabyte (MB) allows service operators
to deliver this type of content essentially in real-time without
suffering from cost spikes due to bandwidth limitations. Without
the present invention, however, delivering content having large
file sizes such as image files and MP3 music audio files, in real
time, would be difficult to manage due to the wireless network
bandwidth constraints, especially during peak traffic hours. In
addition, the low retail cost per MB that the user could reasonably
be charged for such large transfers would make it almost
economically unfeasible for service operators. The present
invention introduces the option for the Time Delayed Delivery
region where the relative cost factor "X" is reduced to a fraction
of X. In this region, content with the file size of image and MP3
files now can be delivered at a time when the wireless network has
less demands for bandwidth which reduces the overall cost of
content delivery to the user. The invention also makes it possible
to lower the current traffic peaks by distributing the traffic over
a longer time period. This time delayed delivery makes it
economically feasible for service operators to deliver content in
this spectrum of file size.
[0030] Finally, the third spectrum of content which demands the
most network bandwidth, is graphics-rich browsing and real-time
video files. In the absence of the present invention, the service
operator could only charge a fraction per MB relative to what it
could charge for messaging/voice services. Delivering this type of
large file size message content in the "Deliver NOW" region would
be cost prohibitive. The present invention allows large file
content messages to be time-delay delivered at a pre-determined
time window, taking advantage of low-load "time windows" in the
network traffic loading profiles. The Overnight Delivery (e.g.,
selecting a time window within 24 hours) option could result in a
cost factor reduction to 2.5% of X relative to the "Deliver Now"
region. The significant reduction in cost to deliver high bandwidth
content to the end-user will make delivering mobile services such
as graphics-rich browsing and real-time video economically
feasible. The three time delivery regions shown in FIG. 7 are for
illustrative purposes only, and can be defined by the operator or
Content/Service Provider. A variation of FIG. 7 could include users
tapping into other data network access mechanisms (e.g. WLAN,
DVB-T, Bluetooth etc.) through the MCD system allowing system
operators to bill the user in the same manner, according to content
delivery timing requirements.
RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE
[0031] Although the description above contains many specifics,
these are merely provided to illustrate the invention and should
not be construed as limitations of the invention's scope. Thus, it
will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the system and
processes of the present invention without departing from the
spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that
the present invention cover its modifications and variations
provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents. In this context, "equivalents" means each and
every implementation for carrying out the functions in the claims,
even if not explicitly described herein.
* * * * *