METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NETWORK RESOURCE ALLOCATION BASED ON A USAGE PATTERN

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern may comprise a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices. The management entity may be operable to receive a usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices. The management entity may be operable to determine resource allocation information for each of the one or more endpoint devices based on the received usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention relate to communications. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic communication networks are becoming an increasingly popular means of exchanging data of various types, sizes for a variety of applications and business and consumers alike want network access on more and more devices. Moreover, consumers and business continually want faster network access and/or greater bandwidth on all of their communication devices. Consequently, as more and more devices are being equipped to access communication networks, network administrators and service providers are presented with the challenge of effectively serving an increasing number of devices having and increasingly diverse set of capabilities utilizing an increasing diverse collection of protocols, software, and/or other networking and computing resources.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A system and/or method is provided for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern comprising a service provider and a content provider, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an exemplary endpoint device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram of an exemplary management entity, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary registry in a management entity, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for network resource allocation based on an updated usage pattern, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern. In various embodiments of the invention, a communication system may comprise a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices. The management entity may be operable to receive a usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices. The management entity may be operable to determine resource allocation information for each of the one or more endpoint devices based on the received usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, an updated usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices may be received by the management entity, wherein the management entity may be operable to utilize the updated usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices to determine new resource allocation information for the one or more endpoint devices. The determined new resource allocation information for the one or more endpoint devices may be communicated to the one or more endpoint devices.

The usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices may comprise one or more of a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of the one or more endpoint devices. The determined resource allocation information may comprise one or more of a time period for downloading one or more of the applications accessed by the one or more endpoint devices, set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, traffic load balancing, signal quality thresholds, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments.

A registry for the management entity may be updated based on the received usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices. The registry may comprise one or more of an identification number and the usage pattern for each of the one or more endpoint devices. The usage pattern may be received via one or both of a wireless and/or a wired connection. The resource allocation information may be communicated via one or both of a wireless and/or a wired connection. The management entity may be one or both of a content provider and/or a service provider.

FIG. 1A is a diagram illustrating a system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A, there is shown a communication system 100 comprising a sub-network 101, and a management entity 102. The exemplary sub-network 101 may comprise a plurality of endpoint devices. Exemplary endpoint devices may comprise media players, HD television systems, video and/or still cameras, game consoles, set-top boxes (STBs), cell phones, laptops, televisions sets, display devices and/or location determination enabled devices. For example, the sub-network 101 may comprise a plurality of STBs 110a and 110b, which are collectively referred to herein as STBs 110, a plurality of cell phones 112a and 112b, which are collectively referred to herein as cell phones 112, and a plurality of laptops 114a and 114b, which are collectively referred to herein as laptops 114. The STB 110a may be installed in one or more commercial properties 104, the STB 110b and laptop 114b may be installed in one or more residential properties 106, the laptop 114a and the cell phone 112b may be located in one or more multi-tenant properties 108, and/or the cell phone 112a may be located within the sub-network 101. Notwithstanding, the invention may not be so limited and the plurality of endpoint devices may be located and/or installed in any other location, for example, an office without departing from the scope of the invention.

The commercial properties 104 may comprise, for example, stores, restaurants, offices, and municipal buildings. The residential properties 106 may comprise, for example, single-family homes, home offices, and/or town-houses. Multi-tenant properties 108 may comprise residential and/or commercial tenants such as apartments, condos, hotels, and/or high rises.

The management entity 102 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code for managing operating parameters of one more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110b, the cell phone 112b, and/or the laptop 114b. The cell phones 112 and the laptops 114 may each comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to communicate wirelessly utilizing one or more wireless standards such as IS-95, CDMA, EVDO, GSM, TDMA, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS/WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, HSPA (HSUPA and/or HSDPA), WIMAX and/or LTE. The cell phones 112 and the laptops 114 may be operable to communicate based on Bluetooth, Zigbee and/or other suitable wireless technologies. The management entity 102 may be operable to provide access to the Internet and/or one or more private networks via one or more of optical, wired, and/or wireless connections. In various embodiments of the invention, the optical, wired, and/or wireless connections may comprise a broadband connection such as a digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, passive optical network (PON), a T1/E1 line, a cable television infrastructure, a satellite television infrastructure, and/or a satellite broadband Internet connection.

The STBs 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to connect to a display device, for example, a television set and an external source of signal from the management entity 102. The STBs 110 may be operable to convert the received signal from the management entity 102 to content, which may be displayed on a display device, for example, a television set. The STBs 110 may be operable to provide Internet connectivity, multimedia downloads and/or IP telephony sessions.

The cell phones 112 and/or laptops 114 may each comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces, and/or code that may be operable to communicate utilizing one or more cellular standards. The cell phones 112 and/or laptops 114 may be operable to receive, process, and present multimedia content and may additionally be enabled run a network browser or other applications for providing Internet services to a user of the cell phones 112 and/or laptops 114.

In operation, the management entity 102 may be operable to coordinate operation of one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STBs 110, the cell phones 112, and/or the laptops 114. The management entity 102 may be operable to receive a usage pattern corresponding to one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STBs 110, the cell phones 112, and/or the laptops 114. The management entity 102 may be operable to utilize the received usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STBs 110, the cell phones 112, and/or the laptops 114 to determine resource allocation information for the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STBs 110, the cell phones 112, and/or the laptops 114.

The determined resource allocation information may comprise one or more of a time period for downloading one or more of the applications accessed by the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STBs 110, the cell phones 112, and/or the laptops 114. For example, when an endpoint device, for example, the cell phone 112a is at a particular GNSS location, the cell phone 112a may be operable to download the applications accessed from the management entity 102 at a time period for accessing applications based on the received resource allocation information from the management entity 102. The determined resource allocation information may also comprise set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, traffic load balancing, signal quality thresholds, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments for the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STBs 110, the cell phones 112, and/or the laptops 114.

FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern comprising a service provider and a content provider, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1B, there is shown a communication system 150. The communication system 150 may comprise a content provider 152, a service provider 154, wired 158a and/or wireless connections 158b, and a plurality of endpoint devices, for example, a laptop 160a, a cell phone 160b, and a set-top box (STB) 160c. The content provider 152 may comprise a management entity 156a and the service provider 154 may comprise a management entity 156b. The management entities 156a and 156b, the laptop 160a, the cell phone 160b, and the STB 160c may be substantially similar to the corresponding blocks as described with respect to FIG. 1A.

The content provider 152 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to generate and/or provide a plurality of types of content, for example, audio data, video data and/or text data. The content provider 152 may be operable to communicate the received data to one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the laptop 160a and/or the cell phone 160b either directly or indirectly via the service provider 154, for example.

The service provider 154 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive data from the content provider 152. The service provider 154 may be operable to communicate the received data to one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the laptop 160a and/or the cell phone 160b. The service provider 154 may be operable to provide access to the Internet and/or one or more private networks via one or more of optical, wired 158a, and/or wireless connections 158b. In various embodiments of the invention, the optical, wired 158a, and/or wireless connections 158b may comprise a broadband connection such as a digital subscriber line (DSL), Ethernet, passive optical network (PON), a T1/E1 line, a cable television infrastructure, a satellite television infrastructure, and/or a satellite broadband Internet connection.

In operation, the management entity 156a and/or 156b may be operable to coordinate operation of one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a. The management entity 156a and/or 156b may be operable to receive a usage pattern corresponding to each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a. The management entity 156a and/or 156b may be operable to utilize the usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a to determine resource allocation information for the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a.

The management entity 156a and/or 156b may be operable to receive an updated usage pattern from each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a, wherein the management entity 156a and/or 156b may be operable to utilize the updated usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a to determine new resource allocation information for each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a.

The usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a may comprise one or more of a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 160c, the cell phone 160b, and/or the laptop 160a.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an exemplary endpoint device, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2A, there is shown an endpoint device 200. The endpoint device 200 may comprise a wireless Tx/Rx 202, a wired Tx/Rx 204, a GNSS receiver 206, a processor 208, a memory 210, and a DSP 212.

The wireless broadband Tx/Rx 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to transmit and/or receive data, in adherence with one or more broadband communication standards, to and/or from the service provider 154 and/or the content provider 152 via the wireless connection 158b. The wireless broadband Tx/Rx 202 may be operable to perform amplification, down-conversion, filtering, demodulation, and analog to digital conversion of received signals. In addition, the wireless broadband Tx/Rx 202 may be operable to perform amplification, up-conversion, filtering, modulation, and digital to analog conversion of transmitted signals.

The wired Tx/Rx 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to transmit and/or receive data to and/or from the service provider 154 and/or the content provider 152 via the wired connection 158a. For example, the wired Tx/Rx 204 may transmit and/or receive data via a T1/E1 line, PON, DSL, cable television infrastructure, satellite broadband internet connection and/or satellite television infrastructure for example. In various embodiments of the invention, the wired Tx/Rx 204 may be operable to perform exemplary operations and/or functions comprising amplification, down-conversion, filtering, demodulation, and analog to digital conversion of received signals. In addition, the wired Tx/Rx 204 may be operable to perform exemplary operations and/or functions comprising amplification, up-conversion, filtering, modulation, and digital to analog conversion of transmitted signals.

The GNSS receiver 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive signals from one or more GNSS satellites, for example, GLONASS, GALILEO and/or GPS satellites. The received signals may comprise timing, ephemeris, long term orbit information, and/or almanac information that enable the GNSS receiver 206 to determine its location and/or time.

The processor 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to process data and/or control operations of the endpoint device 200. In this regard, the processor 208 may be operable to provide control signals to the various other blocks within the endpoint device 200. The processor 208 may also control data transfers between various portions of the endpoint device 200. Additionally, the processor 208 may enable execution of applications programs and/or code. In various embodiments of the invention, the applications, programs, and/or code may enable, for example, parsing, transcoding and/or otherwise processing of data. The data may comprise multimedia data comprising voice, video, text, still images, and/or moving images. The processor 208 may be operable to communicate a usage pattern to the management entity 156a and/or 156b. The processor 208 may be operable to receive the resource allocation information from the service provider 154 and/or the content provider 154. The usage pattern may comprise one or more of a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of the endpoint device 200.

In various embodiments of the invention, the applications, programs, and/or code may be operable to, for example, configure and/or control operation of the wireless Tx/Rx 202 and/or wired Tx/Rx 204 and/or the GNSS receiver 206, the memory 210, and/or the DSP 212.

The memory 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may enable storage or programming of information that comprises, for example, parameters and/or code that may effectuate the operation of the endpoint device 200. Exemplary parameters may comprise configuration data and exemplary code may comprise operational code such as software and/or firmware, but the information need not be limited in this regard. Additionally, the memory 210 may buffer or otherwise store received data and/or data to be transmitted. The memory 210 may be operable to store the resource allocation information from the service provider 154 and/or the content provider 154.

The DSP 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to perform computationally intensive processing of data. The DSP 212 may be operable to handle exemplary operations comprising encoding, decoding, modulating, demodulating, encryption, decryption, scrambling, descrambling, and/or otherwise processing of data.

In operation, the processor 208 may be operable to communicate a usage pattern corresponding to the endpoint device 200 to the management entity 102. The management entity 102 may be operable to utilize the one or more parameters associated with the endpoint device 200 and the usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200 to determine resource allocation information for the endpoint device 200.

The processor 208 may be operable to configure the endpoint device 200 based on receiving from the management entity 102, the determined resource allocation information for the endpoint device 200. The processor 208 may be operable to communicate an updated usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200 to the management entity 102. The processor 208 may be operable to configure and/or reconfigure the endpoint device 200 based on receiving existing, default, and/or new resource allocation information from the management entity 102.

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating an exemplary management entity, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2B, there is shown a management entity 250. The management entity 250 may comprise a wireless Tx/Rx 252, a wired Tx/Rx 254, a processor 256, a memory 258, and a registry 260. The wireless Tx/Rx 252 and the wired Tx/Rx 254 may be substantially similar to the corresponding blocks as described with respect to FIG. 2A.

The processor 256 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to receive a usage pattern from the endpoint device 200. The processor 256 may be operable to dynamically update a registry 260 based on the received usage pattern from the endpoint device 200. The processor 256 may be operable to process data and/or control operations of the management entity 250. In this regard, the processor 256 may be operable to provide control signals to the various other blocks within the management entity 250. The processor 256 may also control data transfers between various portions of the management entity 250. Additionally, the processor 256 may enable execution of applications programs and/or code. In various embodiments of the invention, the applications, programs, and/or code may enable, for example, parsing, transcoding and/or otherwise processing data. The processor 256 may be operable to determine resource allocation information based on the received usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200. The processor 256 may be operable to communicate the resource allocation information to the endpoint device 200.

In various embodiments of the invention, the applications, programs, and/or code may be operable to, for example, configure and/or control operation of the wireless Tx/Rx 252 and/or wired Tx/Rx 254, the memory 258, and/or the registry 260.

The memory 260 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to store or program information that includes, for example, parameters and/or code that may effectuate the operation of the management entity 250. Exemplary parameters may comprise configuration data and exemplary code may comprise operational code such as software and/or firmware, but the information need not be limited in this regard. Additionally, the memory 260 may buffer or otherwise store received data and/or data to be transmitted.

The registry 260 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, interfaces and/or code that may be operable to store one or more of a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of each of the one or more endpoint devices 200.

In operation, the processor 256 may be operable to utilize the usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200 to determine resource allocation information for the endpoint device 200. The processor 256 may be operable to communicate the determined resource allocation information to the endpoint device 200. The processor 256 may be operable to receive an updated usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200 and update the registry 260. The processor 256 may be operable to determine new resource allocation information for the endpoint device 200 based on the received updated usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200. The processor 256 may be operable to communicate the determined new resource allocation information to the endpoint device 200.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary registry in a management entity, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the registry 300 comprises a plurality of endpoint device entries 302a, 302b, and 302c, collectively referred to herein as entries 302. Although only three entries 302 are depicted, the invention may not be so limited and any number of entries may be displayed and/or viewable in the registry 300. Each entry 302 may correspond to a particular user and/or endpoint device 200 usage pattern, for example. Each entry 302 may comprise a name/description field 304, a service class 206, a GNSS coordinates field 308, a bandwidth usage field 310, an applications accessed field 312, a time period at which applications were accessed field 314, a device capabilities field 316, a received signal strength field 318, interference levels field 320, a signal to noise ratio field 322, a power consumption field 324, and a radio resource availability field 326 corresponding to an endpoint device 200.

The name/description field 304 may provide information to uniquely describe an endpoint device 200. The service class field 306 may comprise information regarding the designated service class for each endpoint device 200. The GNSS coordinates field 308 may indicate the current GNSS coordinates of an endpoint device 200. The bandwidth usage field 310 may indicate the amount of bandwidth used by the endpoint device 200. The applications accessed field 312 may indicate the various applications accessed by the endpoint device 200. The applications accessed field 312 may also indicate the applications that were downloaded by the endpoint device 200. The time period at which applications were accessed field 314 may indicate a time period at which one or more of the applications were accessed. The device capabilities field 316 may indicate the device capabilities of the endpoint device, for example, the processor CPU speed, the amount of memory available, and one or more network connections available at the endpoint device 200. The received signal strength field 318 may indicate the signal strength of the endpoint device 200. The interference levels field 320 may indicate the current interference levels experienced by the endpoint device 200. The signal to noise ratio field 322 may indicate the signal to noise ratio of the channels associated with the endpoint device 200. The power consumption field 324 may indicate the power consumed by the endpoint device 200. The radio resource availability field 326 may indicate the availability of radio or bandwidth resources associated with the endpoint device 200.

In operation, the plurality of parameters in the registry 300 may be dynamically updated based on receiving the usage pattern from the endpoint devices 200. The usage pattern may be received by the registry 300 and the processor 256 may be operable to determine the resource allocation information based on the received usage pattern. The management entity 250 may be operable to determine the resource allocation information based on the received usage pattern associated with the corresponding endpoint device 200. The resource allocation information may be utilized by the endpoint device 200 to download one or more applications accessed at a designated time and/or at a designated location based on the availability of bandwidth, the service class, and the device capabilities, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability of the endpoint device 200.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, exemplary steps may begin at step 402. In step 404, a management entity 250 may receive a usage pattern from the endpoint device 200. In step 406, a registry 300 may be dynamically updated based on the received usage pattern. In step 408, the management entity 250 may be operable to determine the resource allocation information based on the received usage pattern corresponding to the endpoint device 200. In step 410, the management entity 250 may be operable to communicate the determined resource allocation information to the endpoint device 200. Control then returns to step 404.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for network resource allocation based on an updated usage pattern, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, exemplary steps may begin at step 502. In step 504, a usage pattern may be received from the endpoint device 200. In step 506, the management entity 250 may be operable to utilize the received usage pattern associated with the endpoint device 200 to determine resource allocation information for the endpoint device 200. In step 508, the management entity 250 may be operable to communicate the determined resource allocation information to the endpoint device 200.

In step 510, it may be determined whether there are any updates to the usage pattern received from the endpoint device 200. In instances where there are no updates to the usage pattern, control returns to step 510. In instances where there are updates to the usage pattern, control passes to step 512. In step 512, the management entity 250 may be operable to receive the updated usage pattern from the endpoint device 200. In step 514, the management entity may be operable to determine new resource allocation information for the endpoint device 200 based on receiving the updated usage pattern corresponding to the endpoint device 200. In step 516, the management entity 250 may be operable to communicate the new resource allocation information to the endpoint device 200. Control then returns to step 510.

In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a method and system for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern may comprise a communication system 100 (FIG. 1A). The communication system 100 may comprise a management entity 102 (FIG. 1A) that may be operable to coordinate operation of one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a (FIG. 1A), the cell phone 112a (FIG. 1A), and/or the laptop 114a (FIG. 1A). One or more processors, for example, processor 256 (FIG. 2B) and/or circuits for use in the management entity 250 (FIG. 2B) may be operable to receive a usage pattern from each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. The processor 256 in the management entity 250 may be operable to utilize the received usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a to determine resource allocation information for the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a.

The usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a may comprise one or more of a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. The determined resource allocation information may comprise one or more of a time period for downloading one or more of the applications accessed by the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a, set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, traffic load balancing, signal quality thresholds, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments for the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a.

One or more processors, for example, processor 256 and/or circuits for use in the management entity 250 may be operable to communicate the determined resource allocation information to the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. One or more processors, for example, processor 256 and/or circuits for use in the management entity 250 may be operable to receive an updated usage pattern from each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. The management entity 250 may be operable to utilize the updated usage pattern associated with each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a to determine new resource allocation information for the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. One or more processors, for example, processor 256 and/or circuits for use in the management entity 250 may be operable to communicate the determined new resource allocation information to the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a.

The registry 300 (FIG. 3) for the management entity 102 may be updated based on the received usage pattern associated with the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. The registry 300 may comprise one or more of an identification number and the usage pattern for each of the one or more endpoint devices, for example, the STB 110a, the cell phone 112a, and/or the laptop 114a. One or more processors, for example, processor 256 and/or circuits for use in the management entity 250 may be operable to receive the usage pattern and communicate the resource allocation information via one or both of a wireless 158b and/or a wired connection 158a. The management entity 106 may be one or both of a content provider 152 and/or a service provider 154.

Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine and/or computer readable storage and/or medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, thereby causing the machine and/or computer to perform the steps as described herein for network resource allocation based on a usage pattern.

Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.

While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for network management, the method comprising: in a communication system comprising a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices: receiving at said management entity, a usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices; anddetermining resource allocation information for each of said one or more endpoint devices based on said received usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices.

2. The method according to claim 1, comprising communicating said determined resource allocation information to said one or more endpoint devices.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices comprises one or more of: a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of said one or more endpoint devices.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said determined resource allocation information comprises one or more of: a time period for downloading one or more of said applications accessed by said one or more endpoint devices, set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, traffic load balancing, signal quality thresholds, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments.

5. The method according to claim 1, comprising updating a registry for said management entity based on said received usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said registry comprises one or more of: an identification number and said usage pattern for each of said one or more endpoint devices.

7. The method according to claim 1, comprising determining new resource allocation information for each of said one or more endpoint devices based on receiving an updated usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices.

8. The method according to claim 7, comprising communicating said determined new resource allocation information to said one or more endpoint devices.

9. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving said usage pattern and communicating said determined resource allocation information via one or both of: a wireless and/or a wired connection.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said management entity is one or both of: a content provider and/or a service provider.

11. A system for network management, the system comprising: in a communication system comprising a management entity that coordinates operation of one or more endpoint devices, one or more processors and/or circuits for use in said management entity, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to: receive a usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices; anddetermine resource allocation information for each of said one or more endpoint devices based on said received usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to communicate said determined resource allocation information to said one or more endpoint devices.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein said usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices comprises one or more of: a bandwidth usage, applications accessed, a service class, device capabilities, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location, received signal strength, interference levels, signal to noise ratio, power consumption, radio resource availability and/or a time period of accessing applications of said one or more endpoint devices.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein said determined resource allocation information comprises one or more of: a time period for downloading one or more of said applications accessed by said one or more endpoint devices, set-up instructions, handoff instructions, transmit power, neighbor list information, traffic load balancing, signal quality thresholds, bandwidth requirements, frequency assignments, transmission time, code assignments and/or antenna pattern assignments.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to update a registry for said management entity based on said received usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said registry comprises one or more of: an identification number and said usage pattern for each of said one or more endpoint devices.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to determine new resource allocation information for each of said one or more endpoint devices based on receiving an updated usage pattern associated with each of said one or more endpoint devices.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to communicate said determined new resource allocation information to said one or more endpoint devices.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein said one or more processors and/or circuits are operable to receive said usage pattern and communicate said determined resource allocation information via one or both of: a wireless and/or a wired connection.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein said management entity is one or both of: a content provider and/or a service provider.