FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates to quality of service (QoS) in a communication
network and, particularly, but not exclusively, to QoS modulation in a communication network.
BACKGROUN5 D
[0002] Users nowadays avail several services, such as mobile Television (TV), Ecommerce,
video calling, online gaming, and multimedia applications provided by a service
provider over a communication network. Such services are typically rendered to a user over an
end-to-end communication path, also known as a bearer, established between a user equipment
10 of the user and an entity of the communication network which is responsible for providing the
service. The bearer typically has one or more predetermined (quality of service) QoS parameters,
for example, a QoS class identifier, associated with it. The QoS parameters, in general, reflect
one or more properties of the bearer, for example, bit rates, packet loss, packet delay, bit error
rate, and scheduling policy based on which data packets are transported over the bearer.
15 [0003] Based on a type of service requested by the user, a bearer with specific QoS
parameters may be established for rendering the service to the user. For instance, a bearer with
support for high bit rate may be established for video calling service, whereas, a bearer with low
bit rate may be established for e-mail service. The bearer and the QoS parameters associated with
the bearer inadvertently affect the quality of the service experienced by the user.
20 SUMMARY
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to quality of service
(QoS) modulation. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed
subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
25 [0005] In one implementation, a method for QoS modulation in a communication
network is described. The method comprises obtaining an orientation velocity of a user
equipment (UE) from a sensor unit of the UE, where the orientation velocity indicates a speed of
displacement of the UE by the user from an initial position and a direction of the displacement of
the UE. The method further comprises ascertaining a scaling factor based on the orientation
3
velocity of the UE, where the scaling factor indicates a value, and where a current value of at
least one QoS parameter of a bearer existing between the UE and the communication network is
modulated based on the value. Further, a new value of the at least one QoS parameter
corresponding to the bearer is determined based on at least the scaling factor. Further, the new
value of the at least one QoS parameter is transmitted to a mobile management entity of th5 e
communication network for QoS modulation of the bearer.
[0006] In another implementation, a user equipment (UE) is described. The UE includes
a processor and an orientation assessment module coupled to the processor. In one
implementation, the orientation assessment module obtains an orientation velocity of a user
10 equipment (UE) from a sensor unit of the UE, where the orientation velocity indicates a speed of
displacement of the UE from an initial position and a direction of the displacement of the UE.
The orientation assessment module further ascertains a scaling factor based on the orientation
velocity of the UE, where the scaling factor indicates a value, and where a current value of at
least one QoS parameter of a bearer existing between the UE and the communication network is
15 modulated based on the value. The UE may further include a processing module coupled to the
processor. The processing module determines a new value of the at least one QoS parameter
corresponding to the bearer based on at least the scaling factor. The processing module further
transmits the new value of the at least one QoS parameter to a mobile management entity of the
communication network for QoS modulation of the bearer.
20 [0007] In accordance with another implementation of the present subject matter, a
computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing a
method of QoS modulation is described. The method comprises obtaining an orientation velocity
of a user equipment (UE) from a sensor unit of the UE, where the orientation velocity indicates a
speed of displacement of the UE from an initial position and a direction of the displacement of
25 the UE. The method further comprises ascertaining a scaling factor based on the orientation
velocity of the UE, where the scaling factor indicates a value and where a current value of at
least one QoS parameter of a bearer existing between the UE and the communication network is
modulated based on the value. Further, a new value of the at least one QoS parameter
corresponding to the bearer is determined based on at least the scaling factor. Further, the new
30 value of the at least one QoS parameter is transmitted to a mobile management entity of the
communication network for QoS modulation of the bearer.
4
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures.
In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the
reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference
like features and components. Some embodiments of system and/or methods in accordance wit5 h
embodiments of the present subject matter are now described, by way of example only, and with
reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
[0009] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network environment implementation for
Quality of Service (QoS) modulation, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter;
10 [0010] Figure 2 illustrates a method for QoS modulation, according to an embodiment of
the present subject matter; and
[0011] Figure 3 is an exemplary call flow diagram indicating procedures for QoS
modulation, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
15 [0012] The present subject matter relates to methods and systems for Quality of Service
(QoS) modulation in a communication network. The methods can be implemented in various
communication devices communicating through various communication networks. Examples of
the communication devices that can implement the described method(s) include, but are not
limited to, cellular phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptops, and the
20 like. Examples of the communication networks in which the described method(s) can be
implemented include, but are not limited to, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Global
System for Mobile Communication (GSM) network, Universal Mobile Telecommunications
System (UMTS) network, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wideband Code Division Multiple
Access (W-CDMA) network, and the like. Although the description herein is with reference to
25 the LTE based communication network, the methods and systems may be implemented in
communication networks based on other standards, albeit with a few variations, as will be
understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0013] Service providers, either on their own or via a third party service provider, offer
several services, such as e-mail, video calling, voice calling, online gaming, and multimedia
5
streaming to users over a communication network. Such services are generally classified as
either a real-time service or a best effort service. A real time service may be understood as a
service which requires transmission and delivery of data packets pertaining to the real time
service, within predetermined time limits. While, in best effort services delivery of data packets
to their destined address is not guaranteed. The services are generally classified as real time o5 r
best effort services based on one or more predetermined policies and standards adopted by the
service provider for management of the services rendered to the users.
[0014] Typically, in order to render a service to a user, a bearer, i.e., a communication
path is established between a user equipment (UE) of the user and the communication network.
10 The bearer has a predetermined level of QoS associated with it based on which data packets are
transmitted over the bearer. For example, a bearer with a high level of QoS may support high bit
rate transmission of data packets, while a bearer with a low level of QoS may support low bit
rate transmission. The QoS level of the bearer may be based on one or more QoS parameters, for
example, a QoS class index (QCI) value, an allocation and retention policy (ARP), a guaranteed
15 bit rate (GBR), and a maximum bit rate (MBR). Based on a type of the service availed by the
user, a bearer with a specific predetermined level of QoS may be established for rendering the
service to the user. Typically, a bearer with high level of QoS is established for rendering the real
time services while a bearer with a moderate to low level of QoS may be established for
rendering the best effort services. For instance, in order to render a real-time service, such as a
20 video calling service, a bearer with high QoS level may be established between the UE and the
communication network. Thus, a bearer with a specific predetermined level of QoS is established
for a service availed by the user based on a classification of the service established by the service
provider.
[0015] However, establishment of bearers with the predetermined level of QoS may
25 result in under utilization of resources, for example, processor capabilities, pertaining to the UE
through which the service is availed. For instance, in case a bearer, which is to be established for
rendering video browsing services, has a medium level of QoS associated with it, a user seeking
to view the video may not be provided with the best probable video quality which the user's UE
is capable of supporting. Thus, the resources of the UE may not be optimally utilized. Whereas,
30 in another case, where a bearer with a high level of QoS is established for rendering the video
browsing service and the UE is not capable of supporting high quality video, the UE may not be
6
able to provide proper support for rendering the video browsing service to the user. Further, in
said case, a quality of the service as experienced by the user, also referred to as Quality of
Experience (QoE), may be of an unsatisfactory level. For example, in said case, the video
browsing service may appear as a burst and buffer service thereby affecting the user’s experience
of availing the service5 .
[0016] The present subject matter discloses systems and methods for QoS modulation in
a communication network. The QoS modulation, as used herein may be understood as altering,
i.e., upgrading or degrading, a QoS parameter associated with a bearer over which services may
be rendered to a user. According to an aspect of the present subject matter, a QoS parameter
10 pertaining to a bearer may be modified based on an orientation velocity of the UE of the user.
The orientation velocity, as used herein, indicates a speed with which the UE is displaced by the
user from an initial position. The orientation velocity further indicates a direction of the
displacement of the UE. Modification of the QoS parameter results in achieving a level of QoS
as desired by the user. For instance, the user may request for modulating the level of QoS
15 pertaining to a service, such as video streaming, for receiving the service with a high level of
QoS. As a result, the resources pertaining to the UE, for example, processing power and a quality
of display, of the UE are utilized in an optimized manner as desired by the user.
[0017] In an example, a quality of experience (QoE) pertaining to a service availed by a
user may not be satisfactory . In said example, the user may seek to alter a level of QoS
20 pertaining to the service in order to improve the QoE pertaining to the service. In an
implementation, in order to alter the level of QoS associated with a bearer over which the service
is availed by the user, the user may provide a trigger, for example, a touch input to the UE. In an
implementation, upon receiving the trigger, the UE may obtain an orientation velocity of the UE
from a sensor unit of the UE. Examples of the sensor unit include, but are not limited to, a
25 gyrometer and an accelerometer, integrated in the UE. In an example, the direction of the
displacement of the UE may be suitably predefined for increasing or decreasing the level of the
QoS. For example, a displacement of the UE in a vertical direction upward from a current
position of the UE may be predefined to be indicative of a request to upgrade the QoS. Similarly,
a displacement in a vertical direction downward from a current position of the UE may be
30 predefined to be indicative of a request to downgrade the QoS. For instance, upon displacement
of the UE in a vertical upward direction, the orientation velocity obtained from the sensor unit
7
may be +90 deg/sec, where '+' indicates that the level QoS is to be upgraded and 90 denotes the
angular velocity of the UE. Similarly, an orientation velocity with a negative, i.e., '-' sign
indicates that the QoS level is to be downgraded. As will be understood, the sensor unit may
record the movements of the UE, along a predetermined axis, in terms of voltage variations and
may suitable translate the recorded voltage variations to render the orientation velocity of th5 e
UE.
[0018] For example, a user availing a video feed through a mobile phone may seek to
increase a level of QoS pertaining to the video feed from a current level of QoS assigned to a
bearer over which the video feed is received by the mobile phone. In said example, the user may
10 provide a trigger, for example, a touch input to the mobile phone. Upon providing the touch, the
user may then displace the mobile phone in a clockwise motion from an initial position. The
mobile phone may then obtain the orientation velocity pertaining to the clockwise motion of the
mobile phone from a gyrometer of the mobile phone. In said example, the clockwise
displacement of the mobile phone may be suitably predefined as an indication to increase the
15 level of QoS. Similarly, an anti-clockwise movement of the mobile phone may be suitably
predefined as an indication to reduce the level of the QoS. As may be understood, several
movements of the UE may be suitably predefined for increasing or decreasing the level of the
QoS. Further, as mentioned above, a speed with which the mobile phone is moved is also
obtained from the gyrometer.
20 [0019] In a case where the obtained orientation velocity of the UE is greater than a
predetermined threshold orientation velocity, a scaling factor may be ascertained based on the
orientation velocity. The scaling factor indicates a value by which a current value of a QoS
parameter, pertaining to the bearer, may be modified to modulate the level of the QoS. In an
implementation, the scaling factor may be ascertained based on a predetermined mapping
25 between a plurality of orientation velocity ranges and a plurality of scaling factor values. In said
implementation, each of the plurality of orientation velocity ranges has a lower limit and an
upper limit of orientation velocity. Further, each orientation velocity range has a corresponding
scaling factor mapped to it. Thus, an orientation velocity range within which the obtained
orientation velocity lies is identified and subsequently a scaling factor value corresponding to the
30 identified orientation velocity range may be ascertained to be the scaling factor by which the
current value of the QoS parameter may be modified. In an example, the scaling factors may be
8
in percentage form and may indicate a percentage by which the current value of the QoS
parameter may be modified. As will be understood, the scaling factor may have a ‘+’ or a ‘-’
sign, similar to that of the orientation velocity.
[0020] Upon obtaining the scaling factor, a new value of the QoS parameter may be
determined based on the scaling factor and the current value of the QoS parameter. The ne5 w
value of the QoS parameter may then be transmitted to a mobile management entity (MME) of
the communication network for modulation of the QoS.
[0021] The MME, upon receiving the new value of the QoS parameter, may then
modulate the current value of the QoS parameter to the received new value depending upon the
10 available network resources and predetermined connection policies. For instance, the MME may
replace the current value of the QoS parameter associated with the bearer to the new value of the
QoS parameter. Upon modulation, i.e., either upgrading or downgrading the current value of the
QoS parameter, the level of the QoS may be of a level as desired by the user. Further, the
resources pertaining to the UE may be utilized in an optimized manner for efficient rendering of
15 the service to the user.
[0022] As will be understood from the foregoing description, a level of QoS associated
with a bearer over which a service is rendered to a user may be modulated to receive the service
with a level of QoS as desired by the user. The QoS modulation results in optimizing resources
pertaining to the UE over which services rendered by the service provider is availed. For
20 instance, in a case where the UE may not be able to support a service with high level of QoS, the
level of QoS can be downgraded for optimized utilization of the resources pertaining to the UE.
Further, Modulation of the level of QoS may result in an enhancement of the quality of service as
experienced by the user thereby improving the QoE pertaining to the service. As a result, the
QoE pertaining to the service may be of a satisfactory level to the user.
25 [0023] It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the principles
of the present subject matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to
devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the
principles of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Further, all
examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to
30 aid the reader in understanding the principles of the present subject matter and the concepts
9
contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without
limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Moreover, all statements herein
reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific
examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0024] The manner in which the systems and the methods for QoS modulation shall b5 e
implemented has been explained in details with respect to the Figures 1 and 2. While aspects of
described systems and methods for dynamic QoS modulation can be implemented in any number
of different computing systems, transmission environments, and/or configurations, the
embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system(s).
10 [0025] Figure 1 illustrates a network environment 100 for QoS modulation. The network
environment 100 includes one or more user equipments (UEs) 102-1, 102-2, 102-3, …., and 102-
N, hereinafter collectively referred to as the UEs 102 and individually referred to as the UE 102,
in communication with a mobile management entity (MME) 104, through a communication
network 106, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
15 [0026] The UEs 102 may be used by users to communicate with each other. Examples of
the UEs 102 include, without limitation, mobile phones, landline phones, desktop computers,
hand-held devices, laptops or other portable computers, network computers, and the like. Each of
the UEs 102 work on a communication protocol as defined by the communication network to
which the UE 102 is coupled. The MME 104, in general, may perform functions related to bearer
20 management and connection management between the UEs 102 and the communication network
106.
[0027] The communication network 106 may be a wireless network, or a combination of
wired and wireless networks. The communication network 106 can be a collection of individual
networks, interconnected with each other and functioning as a single large network (e.g., the
25 internet or an intranet). Examples of such individual networks include, but are not limited to, 3rd
Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and the like. Although the
description herein is with reference to the LTE based communication network, the methods and
systems may be implemented in communication networks based on other standards, albeit with a
few variations, as will be understood by a person skilled in the art. Further, depending on the
10
technology, the communication network 106 may include various network entities, such as
gateways, routers; however, such details have been omitted for ease of understanding.
[0028] In an implementation, the UE 102 includes one or more processor(s) 108, I/O
interface(s) 110, and a memory 112 coupled to the processor(s) 108. The processor(s) 108 may
be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digita5 l
signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices
that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the
processor(s) 108 are configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the
memory 112.
10 [0029] The functions of the various elements shown in the figures, including any
functional blocks labeled as “processor(s)”, may be provided through the use of dedicated
hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate
software. When provided by a processor, the functions may be provided by a single dedicated
processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which
15 may be shared. Moreover, explicit use of the term “processor” should not be construed to refer
exclusively to hardware capable of executing software, and may implicitly include, without
limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware, network processor, application specific
integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), read only memory (ROM) for
storing software, random access memory (RAM), and non volatile storage. Other hardware,
20 conventional and/or custom, may also be included.
[0030] The I/O interface(s) 110 may include a variety of software and hardware
interfaces, for example, interfaces for peripheral device(s), such as data input output devices,
referred to as I/O devices, storage devices, network devices, etc. The I/O device(s) may include
Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, Ethernet ports, host bus adaptors, etc., and their corresponding
25 device drivers. The I/O interface(s) 110 facilitate the communication of the UE 102 with various
networks, such as the network 106 and various communication and computing devices, such as
the MME 104.
[0031] The memory 112 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art
including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and
30 dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only
11
memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and
magnetic tapes.
[0032] The UE 102 may also include various module(s) 114. The module(s) 114,
amongst other things, include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc.,
which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The module(s) 115 4
may also be implemented as, signal processor(s), state machine(s), logic circuitries, and/or any
other device or component that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.
[0033] Further, the module(s) 114 can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed
by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof. The processing unit can comprise a computer,
10 a processor, such as the processor 108, a state machine, a logic array or any other suitable
devices capable of processing instructions. The processing unit can be a general-purpose
processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the
required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to perform the required functions.
[0034] In another aspect of the present subject matter, the module(s) 114 may be
15 machine-readable instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit,
perform any of the described functionalities. The machine-readable instructions may be stored on
an electronic memory device, hard disk, optical disk or other machine-readable storage medium
or non-transitory medium. In one implementation, the machine-readable instructions can be also
be downloaded to the storage medium via a network connection.
20 [0035] The module(s) 114 further includes an orientation assessment module 118, a
processing module 120, and other module(s) 122. The other module(s) 122 may include
programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the UE 102. The
UE 102 may further include data 116, which amongst other things, serves as a repository for
storing data processed, received, associated, and generated by one or more of the module(s) 114.
25 The data 114 includes, for example, orientation data 124, processing data 126, and other data
128. The other data 128 includes data generated as a result of the execution of one or more
modules in the other module(s) 122.
[0036] In an example, a user may seek to avail a service, for example, a video calling
service, rendered by a service provider through a corresponding user equipment, such as the UE
30 102 over a communication network, such as the communication network 106. As will be
12
understood, the service may be provided by the service provider or by a third party service
provider over the communication network 106. In said example, in order to avail the service, the
UE 102 may initially establish a default bearer with an entity, of the communication network
106, responsible for rendering the service. A bearer may be understood as a communication path
between the UE 102 and the communication network 106. For instance, in a case where th5 e
communication network 106 is the LTE network, the UE 102 may initiate a packet data network
(PDN) connectivity procedure to establish the default bearer. Upon establishment of the default
bearer, the UE 102 may initiate application level signaling to setup a session, for example, a
multimedia session for multimedia services, using the default bearer. Thereafter, the MME 104
10 may initiate a dedicated bearer context activation procedure for establishing a dedicated bearer
between the UE 102 and the entity of the communication network 106. As will be understood,
the dedicated bearer may have one or more predetermined quality of service (QoS) parameters
associated with it. Further, the dedicated bearer may be one of a guaranteed bit rate (GBR) bearer
and a non-GBR bearer depending upon a type of the service, i.e., a real time service or a best
15 effort service, availed by the user. The QoS parameters associated with the dedicated bearer
determines a level of QoS being rendered to the user. Upon completion of the dedicated bearer
context activation procedure, the UE 102 may start availing the service over the dedicated bearer.
[0037] In an example, the user may seek to alter the level of QoS pertaining to the
service being availed by the user. As will be understood, the level of QoS pertains to the
20 dedicated bearer over which the service is being rendered. In an example, the user may seek to
increase the level of QoS pertaining to a video transmission service for availing the video
transmission at high bit rate for averting buffering of the video transmission. For altering the
level of QoS, the user may provide a trigger to the UE 102 and may subsequently displace the
UE 102 from an initial position of the UE 102. For example, the user may displace the UE 102 in
25 a vertical direction. The displacement of the UE 102, as used herein, may be understood as a
movement of the UE 102 performed by the user after providing the trigger to the UE 102.
Examples of the movement includes, but is not limited to, tilt, rotate, swirl, anticlockwise
rotation, clockwise rotation, vertical displacement, and horizontal displacement.
[0038] In an implementation, upon receiving the trigger, the orientation assessment
30 module 118 may obtain an orientation velocity of the UE 102 from a sensor unit (not shown in
figure) of the UE 102. Examples of sensor unit may include, but are not limited to, a gyrometer
13
and an accelerometer (not shown in figure), integrated in the UE 102. The orientation velocity
indicates a speed and a direction of the displacement of the UE 102. As will be understood, the
sensor unit may record the displacement of the UE 102 in terms of a voltage variation and may
subsequently translate the voltage variation to render the orientation velocity. In an example, the
direction of the displacement facilitates in ascertaining whether the level of QoS is to b5 e
increased or decreased. For example, an upward motion may be suitably predefined as an
indication to increase the level of QoS. Similarly, a downward motion may be suitable
predefined as an indication to decrease the level of QoS. As will be understood, the direction of
displacement of the UE 102, along a predetermined axis, may be suitably predefined as an
10 indication for increasing/decreasing the level of QoS. Further, the speed of displacement
facilitates in ascertaining a scaling factor, based on which at least one QoS parameter pertaining
to the dedicated bearer may be modified. In an example, the scaling factor may be ascertained
only in a case where the orientation velocity of the UE 102 is greater than a predetermined
threshold orientation velocity (δ).
15 [0039] In an implementation, the orientation assessment module 118 may ascertain the
scaling factor based on the orientation velocity of the UE 102. The scaling factor indicates a
value based on which a current value of a QoS parameter, pertaining to the dedicated bearer, may
be modified for altering the level of QoS. In a case where the bearer is a GBR bearer, the QoS
parameter to be modified may be either a GBR or a maximum bit rate (MBR). In another case,
20 where the bearer is a non-GBR bearer, the QoS parameter to be modified is a QoS Class index
(QCI). In an example, the orientation assessment module 118 may ascertain the scaling factor
based on a predetermined mapping between a plurality of orientation velocity ranges and a
plurality of scaling factors. An example of the predetermined mapping between the orientation
velocity ranges and the scaling factors is provided below:
25 Example Predetermined Mapping
Orientation velocity ranges (in degrees/sec) Scaling factor (β)
(δ+0)-(δ+30) β 1
(δ+30)-(δ+60) β 2
(δ+60)-(δ+90) β 3
(δ+90)-(δ+120) β 4
14
(δ+120)-(δ+150) β 5
(δ+150)-(δ+180) β 6
(δ+180)-(δ+210) β 7
(δ+210)-(δ+240) β 8
more than (δ+240) β 9
where β is the scaling factor and δ is the predetermined threshold orientation velocity. As may be
understood, the scaling factors as cited in the example predetermined table above can be of
various forms, for example, percentage form, integers, and decimals, depending upon the
implementation. For example, the value of β may be an integer value within the range of one t5 o
nine, as will be described later in subsequent paragraphs. In an example, the predetermined
mapping may be provided to the UE 102 upon initial registration of the user by the service
provider. For ascertaining the scaling factor, the orientation assessment module 118 may access
the predetermined mapping stored in an internal memory (not shown in figure) of the UE 102.
10 Upon accessing the predetermined mapping, the orientation assessment module 118 may identify
an orientation velocity range within which the obtained orientation velocity lies. The orientation
assessment module 118 may then identify a scaling factor corresponding to the identified
orientation velocity range. The orientation assessment module 118 may then ascertain the
identified scaling factor to be the scaling factor based on which the QoS parameter may be
15 modified. In an example, the orientation assessment module 118 may ascertain the degree of
scaling to be applied on the QoS parameter to be modified. The orientation assessment module
118 may store the scaling factor in the orientation data 124.
[0040] In an implementation, upon ascertaining the scaling factor, the processing module
120 may determine a new value of the QoS parameter based on the scaling factor. Initially, the
20 processing module 120 may obtain the current value of the QoS parameter which is to be
modified. As may be understood, the processing module 120 may obtain the current value of the
QoS parameter from the internal memory, where the current QoS value is stored during the
establishment of the bearer. Thereafter, the processing module 120 may determine the new value
of the QoS parameter based on the scaling factor and the current value of the QoS parameter. In
25 an example, the processing module 120 may determine the new value of the QoS using an
15
equation based on the scaling factor and the current value of the QoS, as illustrated below using
equation 1:
Equation 1:
New value of QoS parameter = ( 1 (+/-) α (β) ) * (Current value of the QOS Parameter)
where α is a UE parameter indicating a value based on resources pertaining to the UE and β i5 s
the scaling factor. Examples of the resources pertaining to the UE may include, but are not
limited to, display resolution, display screen size, processing power, and network supporting
capabilities.
[0041] In an example where a user may seek to alter the QoS of a video feed, provided
10 over a GBR bearer at 128 Kbps, the user may displace the UE. In said example, say for an
obtained orientation velocity of +152 deg/sec, a UE parameter of 0.05, a predetermined threshold
orientation velocity of 60 deg/sec, a scaling factor of 4, and the current value of the GBR of 128
kbps, the processing module 120 may obtain a new value of GBR using the equation 1 as
illustrated below:
15 New value of QOS Parameter = ( 1 (+) (0.05)(4) ) * (128)
= 1.2 * (128) = 153.6 Kbps
In said example, the processing module 120 may round off the new value of the QoS parameter
to an integer value and obtain the new value as 154 kbps.
[0042] In another implementation, the processing module 120 may compute the new
20 value of QoS parameter using another equation based on the scaling factor and the current value
of QoS parameter. In said implementation, the equation may be independent of the UE parameter
as illustrated below using equation 2:
Equation 2:
New value of QoS parameter = ( 1 (+/-) (β) ) * (Current value of the QOS Parameter)
25 As mentioned above, the form of scaling factor may vary depending upon implementation. For
instance, in said implementation implementing the equation 2 for computation of new value of
QoS parameter, the scaling factors may be in decimal format. For example, the scaling factors
may range from 0.1 to 0.9.
16
[0043] In an implementation, upon obtaining the new value of the QoS parameter, the
processing module 120 may normalize the new value of the QoS based on predetermined
standards and policies pertaining to QoS management as adopted by the MME 104. The
normalization of the new value of QoS parameter may be performed in order to convert the new
value of QoS parameter to a value acceptable by the MME 104. As may be understood, the valu5 e
acceptable by the MME 104 may be an integer value in compliance with an encoding scheme of
the standards adopted by the MME 104. In an implementation, the processing module 120 may
normalize the new value of QoS parameter. For instance, in the above example where the new
value of the QoS was determined to be 154 kbps, the processing module 120 may normalize the
10 new value of QoS parameter to 160 kbps based on an encoding scheme. The processing module
120 may then subsequently transmit the new value of the QoS parameter to the MME 104 for
modulating the level of the QoS pertaining to the service. For instance, the processing module
120 may transmit a bearer modification message including the new value of the QoS parameter
to the MME 104. In an example, where the communication network 106 is the LTE network, the
15 processing module 120 may initiate a bearer resource allocation procedure for modulating the
level of the QoS. In the bearer resource allocation procedure, the processing module 120 may
transmit a bearer resource allocation request to the MME 104. In said example, the bearer
resource allocation request may be of a format as illustrated below:
Bearer resource allocation request
Information Element Length
Protocol discriminator 1/2
EPS bearer identity 1/2
Procedure transaction
identity
1
Bearer resource
modification request
message identity
1
EPS bearer identity for
packet filter
1/2
Spare half octet 1/2
Traffic flow aggregate 2-256
Required traffic flow QoS 3-15
ESM cause 2
17
Protocol configuration
options
3-253
Device properties 1
[0044] As illustrated above, the bearer resource allocation request message transmitted
by the processing module 120 includes a 'required traffic flow QoS' field. In an example, the
processing module 120 may provide the new value of the QoS parameter in the required traffic
flow QoS field of the bearer resource allocation request message. In an example, the require5 d
traffic flow QoS field may be of a format as illustrated below:
Required traffic flow QoS
8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
EPS quality of service IEI octet 1
Length of EPS quality of service contents octet 2
QCI octet 3
Maximum bit rate for uplink octet 4*
Maximum bit rate for downlink octet 5*
Guaranteed bit rate for uplink octet 6*
Guaranteed bit rate for downlink octet 7*
Maximum bit rate for uplink (extended) octet 8*
Maximum bit rate for downlink (extended) octet 9*
Guaranteed bit rate for uplink (extended) octet 10*
Guaranteed bit rate for downlink (extended) octet 11*
Maximum bit rate for uplink (extended-2) octet 12*
Maximum bit rate for downlink (extended-2) octet 13*
Guaranteed bit rate for uplink (extended-2) octet 14*
Guaranteed bit rate for downlink (extended-2) octet 15*
10 [0045] As illustrated above, the required traffic flow QoS includes 15 octets
corresponding to one or more QoS parameters of the dedicated bearer. As will be understood, in
an example, the processing module 120 may provide the new value of the QoS parameter in a
relevant octet corresponding to the QoS parameter in a bit format based on a predetermined
Guaranteed bit rate for uplink (extended-2) octet 14*
Guaranteed bit rate for downlink (extended-2) octet 15*
18
encoding scheme. For instance, the processing module 120 may use a sample encoding scheme
as illustrated below for converting the new value of the QoS in the bit format for transmitting the
new value of the QoS to the MME 104.
Sample Encoding scheme
Bit Range Bit range definition
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
to
0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1
The bit rate is binary coded in 8 bits, using a
granularity of 1 kbps to giving a range of
values from 1 kbps to 63 kbps in 1 kbps
increments.
0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
to
0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
The bit rate is 64 kbps + ((the binary coded
value in 8 bits – 01000000) * 8 kbps)
to giving a range of values from 64 kbps to 568
kbps in 8 kbps increments.
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
to
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0
The bit rate is 576 kbps + ((the binary coded
value in 8 bits – 10000000) * 64 kbps)
to giving a range of values from 576 kbps to
8640 kbps in 64 kbps increments.
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 Kbps
5
[0046] Upon obtaining the bearer resource allocation request, the MME 104 may
ascertain whether or not to modulate the QoS value to a level as desired by the user of the UE
102. In an example, the MME 104 may perform the ascertaining based on a subscription plan of
the user and network policies implemented using policy charging and rules function (PCRF)
10 node. In a case where the MME 104 ascertains that the service can be rendered to the user with
the new level of QoS parameter, the MME 104 may transmit an update bearer information
message to the UE 102. In an example, the update bearer information message may include an
identity of the dedicated bearer and the new value of QoS parameter. For instance, in an example
where the communication network 106 is the LTE network, the MME 104 may transmit a
15 modify EPS bearer context request message to the UE 102. In an implementation, the processing
19
module 120 may receive the update bearer information message. Thereafter, the processing
module 120, may transmit an update bearer information acknowledgement message, such as the
modify bearer context accept message as sent in the LTE network. Upon receiving the update
bearer information acknowledgement message from the processing module 120, the MME 104
may modulate the current value of the QoS parameter pertaining to the dedicated bearer to th5 e
new value of the QoS parameter. Thereafter, the service may be rendered to the UE 102 with the
altered level of QoS as desired by the user.
[0047] In another implementation, where the MME 104 ascertains not to render the
service with the new value of QoS parameter based on the subscription plan and network
10 policies, the MME 104 may offer to provide the service with an optimum value of QoS
parameter. The optimum value may be understood as a value of QoS parameter pertaining to the
dedicated bearer with which the MME 104 may render the service to the UE 102. In an example,
the MME 104 may determine the optimum value of QoS parameter based on the subscription
plan and the network policies. In said implementation, the update bearer information message
15 may include the optimum value of QoS parameter along with the bearer identity and the services
may be rendered, thereafter, in a manner as described above.
[0048] Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 for quality of service (QoS) modulation, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The order in which the method
200 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described
20 method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 200, or an alternative
method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method without departing from
the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method can be
implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof.
[0049] The method(s) may be described in the general context of computer executable
25 instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects,
components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, etc., that perform particular
functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method may also be practiced in a
distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices
that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment,
20
computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage
media, including memory storage devices.
[0050] A person skilled in the art will readily recognize that steps of the method can be
performed by programmed computers. Herein, some embodiments are also intended to cover
program storage devices, for example, digital data storage media, which are machine o5 r
computer readable and encode machine-executable or computer-executable programs of
instructions, wherein said instructions perform some or all of the steps of the described method.
The program storage devices may be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media,
such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data
10 storage media. The embodiments are also intended to cover all the communication networks and
communication devices configured to perform said steps of the exemplary method.
[0051] At block 202, an orientation velocity of a user equipment (UE) is obtained from a
sensor unit of the UE. In an example, a user availing a service rendered by a service provider
may seek to modulate a level of QoS pertaining to the service. In an implementation, the level of
15 the QoS may be modulated based on the orientation velocity of the UE. The orientation velocity,
as used herein, may indicate a speed and a direction of displacement of the UE. In an example,
the direction of displacement of the UE may be suitable predefined to indicate a request to
increase or decrease the level of QoS. In an example, the orientation assessment module 118 may
obtain the orientation velocity from the sensor unit of the UE. Example of the sensor unit may
20 include, but are not limited to, a gyrometer and an accelerometer integrated in the UE.
[0052] At block 204, a scaling factor is ascertained based at least on the orientation
velocity for modulating at least one QoS parameter. The services availed using the UE are
typically rendered by the service provider over a bearer existing between the UE and a
communication network deployed by the service provider. Further, the bearer has one or more
25 predetermined QoS parameters associated with it. In an example, the scaling factor indicates a
value based on which a current value of the QoS parameter is modulated. In said example, the
scaling factor may be ascertained based on a predetermined mapping between a plurality of
orientation velocity ranges and a plurality of scaling factors. In an implementation, the
orientation assessment module 118 may ascertain the scaling factor.
21
[0053] At block 206, a new value of the at least one QoS parameter may be determined
based at least on the scaling factor. In an example, the new value of the at least one QoS
parameter may be determined based on the scaling factor and the current value of the at least one
QoS parameter using equation 1 as illustrated in Figure 1. In an implementation, the processing
module 120 may determine the new value of the at least one QoS parameter. In an example, th5 e
new value of the at least one QoS parameter may be rounded off to an integer value and may be
normalized. The rounding off and normalization of the new value of the at least one QoS
parameter is done to ensure that the value is of an acceptable format as defined by standards and
policies pertaining to QoS management adopted by the MME 104. For instance, the value may
10 be normalized based on an encoding scheme, such as the example encoding scheme illustrated
above in Figure 1 description.
[0054] At block 208, the new value of the at least one QoS parameter is transmitted to a
mobile management entity (MME) for QoS modulation. In an implementation, the processing
module 120 may transmit the new value of the at least one QoS parameter to the MME 104 of
15 the communication network 106. The MME may then, based on a subscription plan of the user
and network policies, may modulate the QoS parameter. For instance, the MME may replace the
current value of the at least one QoS parameter with the new value of the at least one QoS
parameter. The service may then be rendered to the user with the level of QoS as desired by the
user.
20 [0055] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary call flow diagram 300 for QoS modulation in a
Long Term Evolution (LTE) network environment, according to an embodiment of the present
subject matter. The various arrow indicators used in the call-flow diagram 300 depict the transfer
of data between the user equipments 102 and the mobile management entity 104. Although the
description of Figure 3 has been made in considerable detail with respect to an LTE
25 communication network, it will be understood that the aspects of the present subject matter for
QoS modulation may be suitably implemented in other networks, for example, CDMA,
WCDMA, and GSM network, albeit with few alterations. Further, conventional messages used
for communication between entities and nodes present in the LTE communication network have
been used in the description of Figure 3 for implementation of the present subject matter.
30 [0056] In one implementation, the user of the UE 102-1 may avail a service rendered by
a service provider over the communication network 106. The service may be rendered to the user
22
over a bearer, such as a dedicated bearer, established between the UE 102-1 and an entity,
responsible for rendering the service, present in the communication network 106. In said
implementation, the QoE pertaining to the service may be of an unsatisfactory level to the user.
The user may then seek to alter the level of QoS pertaining to the service. In an implementation,
the level of QoS may be modulated based on an orientation velocity of the UE 102-1. In sai5 d
implementation, a scaling factor may be determined based on the orientation velocity of the UE
102-1. The scaling factor may be understood as a value by which a current value of a QoS
parameter, associated with the bearer over which the services are rendered, may be altered.
Based on the scaling factor, a new value of QoS parameter is ascertained and normalized in a
10 manner as described in Figure 1 description. In an implementation, the UE 102-1 may then
transmit the new value of QoS parameter to the MME 104 for modulation of the QoS. For
instance, the UE 102-1 may transmit a bearer resource allocation request message comprising the
new value of QoS parameter to the MME 104 of the communication network 106 as indicated in
step 302.
15 [0057] Upon obtaining the new value of QoS parameters, the MME 104 may ascertain
whether to provide the service with the new value of QoS parameters. In an example, the MME
104 may perform the ascertaining based on a subscription plan and network policies adopted by
the service provider. In a case where it is ascertained that the service may be rendered with the
new value of QoS, the MME 104 may initiate an EPS bearer context modification procedure. As
20 a part of the procedure, the MME 104 may transmit a modify EPS bearer context request
message to the UE 102-1 as indicated in step 304. The EPS bearer context request message may
include a bearer identity of the bearer and the new value of QoS parameter. Upon receiving the
EPS bearer context request message, the UE 102-1 may transmit an acknowledgment message,
for example, an EPS bearer context accept message as indicated in step 306 to the MME 104.
25 The MME 104 upon receiving the EPS bearer context accept message may then alter the QoS of
the service and may subsequently render the service to the UE 102-1 with the new value of QoS
parameter.
[0058] Although implementations for QoS modulation have been described in a language
specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are
30 not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features
and methods are disclosed as exemplary implementations for QoS modulation.

I/We claim:
1. A method for quality of service (QoS) modulation in a communication network (106), the
method comprising:
obtaining an orientation velocity of a user equipment (UE) (102) from a sensor uni5 t
of the UE (102), wherein the orientation velocity indicates a speed of displacement of the
UE (102) from an initial position and a direction of the displacement of the UE (102);
ascertaining a scaling factor based on the orientation velocity of the UE (102),
wherein the scaling factor indicates a value, and wherein a current value of at least one
10 QoS parameter of a bearer existing between the UE (102) and the communication
network (106) is modulated based on the value;
determining a new value of the at least one QoS parameter corresponding to the
bearer based on at least the scaling factor; and
transmitting the new value of the at least one QoS parameter to a mobile
15 management entity of the communication network (106) for QoS modulation of the
bearer.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ascertaining further comprises:
obtaining a pre-determined mapping between a plurality of orientation velocity
ranges and a plurality of scaling factor values; and
20 identifying an orientation velocity range from amongst the plurality of orientation
velocity ranges pertaining to the orientation velocity.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1further comprising normalizing the new value of the at
least one QoS parameter based on predetermined standards pertaining to a mobile
management entity (MME) (104).
25 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the transmitting further comprises:
providing a bearer modification message comprising the new value of the at least
one QoS parameter to the MME (104);
receiving an update bearer information message comprising a bearer identity of the
bearer and the new value of the at least one QoS parameter; and
24
transmit an update bearer information acknowledgement message to the MME
(104) for modulating the at least one QoS parameter based on the new value of the at
least one QoS parameter.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the new value of the at least one QoS
parameter is further based on the current value of the at least one QoS parameter5 .
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearer is at least one of a guaranteed bit
rate (GBR) bearer and a non-GBR bearer.
7. The method as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one QoS
parameter is one of a GBR, a maximum bit rate (MBR), and a QoS class identifier (QCI)
10 value.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising receiving a trigger from the user of
the user device for obtaining the orientation velocity from the sensor unit of the user
device.
9. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising comparing the orientation velocity
15 with a predetermined threshold orientation velocity.
10. A user equipment (UE) (102) comprising:
a processor (108);
an orientation assessment module (118) coupled to the processor (108) to,
obtain an orientation velocity of the UE (102) from a sensor unit of the UE
20 (102), wherein the orientation velocity indicates a speed of displacement of the UE
(102) from an initial position and a direction of the displacement of the UE (102);
and
ascertain a scaling factor based on the orientation velocity of the UE (102),
wherein the scaling factor indicates a value, and wherein a current value of at least
25 one QoS parameter of a bearer existing between the UE (102) and a
communication network (106) is modulated based on the value; and
a processing module (120) coupled to the processor (108) to,
determine a new value of the at least one QoS parameter corresponding to
the bearer based on at least the scaling factor; and
25
transmit the new value of the at least one QoS parameter to a mobile
management entity (104) of the communication network (106) for QoS modulation
of the bearer.
11. The UE (102) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the orientation assessment module (118)
further5 ,
obtains a pre-determined mapping between a plurality of orientation velocity
ranges and a plurality of scaling factor values; and
identifies an orientation velocity range from amongst the plurality of orientation
velocity ranges pertaining to the orientation velocity.
10 12. The UE (102) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the processing module (120) further
normalizes the new value of the at least one QoS parameter based on predetermined
standards pertaining to a mobile management entity (MME) (104).
13. The UE (102) as claimed in claim 12, wherein the processing module (120) further,
transmits a bearer modification message comprising the new value of the at least
15 one QoS parameter to the MME (104);
receives an update bearer information message comprising a bearer identity of the
bearer and the new value of the at least one QoS parameter from the mobile management
entity (MME) (104) of the communication network (106); and
transmits an update bearer information acknowledgement message to the MME
20 (104) for modulating the at least one QoS parameter based on the new value of the at
least one QoS parameter.
14. A computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for QoS
modulation in a communication network, the method comprising:
obtaining an orientation velocity of a user equipment (UE) from a sensor unit of
25 the UE, wherein the orientation velocity indicates a speed of displacement the UE is
displaced from an initial position and a direction of the displacement of the UE;
ascertaining a scaling factor based on the orientation velocity of the UE, wherein
the scaling factor indicates a value, wherein a current value of at least one QoS parameter
of a bearer existing between the UE and the communication network is modulated based
30 on the value;
26
determining a new value of the at least one QoS parameter corresponding to the
bearer based on at least the scaling factor; and
transmitting the new value of the at least one QoS parameter to a mobile
management entity of the communication network for QoS modulation of the bearer.