DE102022124174A1 - Computer program, device and method for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program, apparatus and method for controlling a data transmission rate of multiple participants in a communications network. Embodiments in particular create a method for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network. The method includes receiving a first message with information about several options for executing a first application of a first participant and receiving at least a second message with information about several options for executing a second application of a second participant of the communication network that uses the communication network. At least two of the options for executing the applications have different data transfer requirements. The method further includes obtaining information about an available data transmission rate from at least one of the participants. The method further includes controlling a data transfer rate of the first and/or second participant based on the information about the available data transfer rate and the information about the options for executing the applications.

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a computer program, a device and methods for controlling a data transmission rate of multiple participants in a communication network. In particular, but not exclusively, exemplary embodiments relate to a concept for determining and applying a needs-based allocation of an available total data transmission rate to several participants in a local wireless network.

Many communication applications allow multiple participants to join a communication network and use it for data-intensive applications. Multiple actors, i.e. multiple participants or applications (e.g. streaming applications, online gaming applications, backup applications, download applications, augmented reality applications, virtual reality applications or cloud computing applications), which, depending on the available bandwidth, can cause different network utilization through different performance levels (e.g. through quality adjustments ) and can therefore require different data transfer rates, may in their entirety require more than the available bandwidth/data transfer rate at the highest performance level. In practice, this results in one or more applications throttling their level so that the bandwidth used does not exceed the available bandwidth. This then leads, for example, to bandwidth becoming available again, whereupon one or more applications identify additional available bandwidth and regulate it to a higher performance level again. This can lead to a repeating optimization loop, which does not lead to a holistic optimum and can lead to unstable operation of the applications. This can be taken into account by centrally controlling the data transfer rate or the data transfer rate requirements of participants. In some applications, the data transfer rate of a subscriber can exceed the data transfer rate actually available, which can lead to overloading of the communication network and interruptions or terminations of applications that use the communication network.

There is therefore a need to provide an improved concept for controlling a data transmission rate of multiple subscribers in a communications network.

Embodiments of the appended independent and dependent claims take this need into account.

Embodiments are based on the knowledge that more stable control of communication resources for (data transmission rate) of several participants can be achieved if the control is carried out centrally and the participants do not, as usual, independently and self-referentially set and claim their own data transmission rate for themselves. A fundamental idea of the present disclosure is therefore that an instance is provided with (all) information about different data-intensive and differently timed options for executing applications and, based on this, a “global” allocation of communication resources or a respective data transfer rate is carried out by this instance. As explained in more detail later, the entity itself can be a participant, i.e. a client, in the communication network or a component of the communication network. Embodiments are further based on the knowledge that participants can detect an available data transfer rate, e.g. if the available data transfer rate is not sufficient to execute the application at the allocated data transfer rate and an error occurs in the application. One idea to solve such problems according to the present disclosure is to share appropriate information about the available data transfer rate with the controller for controlling the data transfer rate in order to avoid or stop interruptions or terminations of applications.

Embodiments provide a method for controlling a data transmission rate of multiple participants in a communications network. The method includes receiving a first message with information about several options for executing a first application from a first participant of the communication network that uses the communication network. At least two of the options for executing the first application have different data transfer requirements. Furthermore, the method provides for receiving at least a second message with information about several options for executing a second application of a second participant in the communication network, which uses the communication network. Here, at least two of the options for executing the second application have different data transfer requirements. The method further includes obtaining information about an available data transmission rate from at least one of the participants. The method also includes controlling a data transmission rate of the first and/or second participant based on the information about the available data transfer rate and the information about the options for running the applications. The information about the options for executing the first and second applications allows central control of the communication resources that can be used by the participants or the data transfer rate. The central control enables a “globally” favorable (or ideally optimal) distribution of communication resources, especially the data transfer rate. As a result, more stable operation of the applications can be achieved compared to decentralized control of the participants of communication resources. The information about the available data transmission rate from the first and/or second participant makes it possible to counteract or resolve aborts or interruptions of the applications.

Controlling the data transmission rate includes, for example, allocating a data transmission rate to the first and/or second participant and the information about the available data transmission rate includes information about a discrepancy between a data transmission rate assigned to the first and/or second participant and actually available data transmission rate. In that case, controlling the data transfer rate may further include adjusting the allocated data transfer rate based on the information about the discrepancy. In exemplary embodiments, the allocated data transmission rate can, for example, be higher than the data transmission rate actually available to the first/second participant. Accordingly, the information about the discrepancy can indicate whether the actually available data transfer rate is lower than the allocated data transfer rate. This is the case, for example, if after the data transfer rate has been allocated, additional participants or applications use the communication network, which reduces the data transfer rate available to the first/second participant. The information about the discrepancy allows adjustments to be made in such a way that the available data transfer rate is sufficient.

In exemplary embodiments, the information about the options for executing the first and/or second application may contain information about a respective claimed data transfer rate of several available configurations of the first and/or second application, the configurations claiming or using different data transfer rates. Accordingly, controlling the data transfer rate can be done based on the information about the available configurations. In particular, controlling the data transfer rate can include selecting one of the configurations for the first and/or second application based on the information about the respective required data transfer rate of the available configurations.

In this case, controlling the data transfer rate may further include changing the configuration for the first and/or second participant based on the information about the available data transfer rate. As a result, the first and/or second participant can be assigned a configuration for which the available data transmission rate is sufficient.

In exemplary embodiments, the information about the data transmission rate is transmitted, for example, by the first participant and controlling the data transmission rate includes adjusting the data transmission rate of the second participant. This can prevent the execution of the first application from being adjusted and thus allows a more stable execution of the first application.

Optionally, the information about the data transmission rate can be transmitted by the first participant and controlling the data transmission rate can include adjusting the data transmission rate of the first participant. This can prevent the execution of the second application from being adjusted and thus allows a more stable execution of the second application.

In practice, the execution of the application may be flexible in terms of time. For example, for some applications, the execution of the first and/or second application may be delayed by a (planned or acceptable) waiting time. According to exemplary embodiments, the waiting time can therefore be taken into account when controlling the data transmission rate in favor of a better distribution of the data transmission rate. Accordingly, the information about the multiple options can contain information about an acceptable or planned waiting period until the first and/or second application is executed.

As the person skilled in the art who has knowledge of the present disclosure will appreciate, the present method can be particularly useful in any data-intensive applications, i.e. in applications that require a particularly large number of communication resources. The applications therefore include, for example, at least an audio streaming application, a video streaming application, an online gaming application, a backup application, a download application, an augmented reality application, a virtual Reality application and/or a cloud computing application.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the proposed method can be carried out by any appropriately trained authority or entity. In exemplary embodiments, the method is carried out by the first or second participant, for example, which means that a separate component or adjustments to network components can be dispensed with.

Otherwise, the method can be carried out by a coordinator separate from the first and second participants, which optionally includes a third participant or a component of the communication network, which means that corresponding technical adjustments by the participants can be dispensed with.

As those skilled in the art will understand, the method can be applied to any wired communications networks, wireless/wireless communications networks, or combinations thereof. In exemplary embodiments, the communication network includes, for example, a local wireless network (WLAN for short). In other exemplary embodiments, the communication network can also include a thread network, a cellular network, a local wired network (LAN for short), a Bluetooth network, a wide area network (WAN for short), a telecommunications network and/or the like.

The method can provide a so-called “explicit” control of the data transmission rate through appropriate instructions to at least one of the participants and/or an “implicit” control of the data transmission rate through appropriate instructions to the communication network. For this purpose, controlling the data transmission rate may include transmitting a message for controlling the data transmission rate to a control component of the communication network and/or to the first and/or second participant.

Other embodiments provide a method for a subscriber in a communications network and for controlling a data transmission rate of multiple subscribers in a communications network. The method includes obtaining information about several options for executing an application of the subscriber of the communication network that uses the communication network, at least two of the options for executing the first application having different data transmission requirements and obtaining information about an available data transmission rate. The method further includes sending the information about the available data transfer rate and a message with the information about the multiple options for controlling the data transfer rate of the subscribers based on the information by a recipient of the message and the information about the available data transfer rate.

The information about the available data transmission rate allows the receiver, for example, as described above, to better adjust the data transmission rate and, if necessary, readjust it.

The different data transfer requirements provide, for example, different data transfer rates and/or different time flexibility for executing the application. In use cases, one of the applications can, for example, be postponed for a certain period of time, while another application from another participant must be carried out immediately or at least more urgently.

According to the previous explanations, the information about the options for executing the application may include information about a claimed data transfer rate of several available configurations of the first or second application, the configurations claiming different data transfer rates.

Alternatively or additionally, the information about the multiple options may also contain information about an acceptable or planned waiting period until the application is executed.

Further embodiments provide a computer program comprising instructions that, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to carry out one of the methods suggested herein.

Still further exemplary embodiments create a device for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network. The device includes one or more interfaces for communication and a data processing circuit which is set up to carry out one of the methods proposed herein using the one or more interfaces.

• 1 ein Flussdiagramm zur schematischen Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens zum Steuern einer Datenübertragungsrate mehrerer Teilnehmer in einem Kommunikationsnetzwerk;
• 2 ein Flussdiagramm zur schematischen Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Verfahrens für einen Teilnehmer in einem Kommunikationsnetzwerk und zum Steuern einer Datenübertragungsrate mehrerer Teilnehmer in einem Kommunikationsnetzwerk;
• 3 schematisch einen beispielhaften Anwendungsfall der vorgeschlagenen Verfahren; und
• 4 ein Blockdiagramm zur schematischen Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Vorrichtung zum Steuern einer Datenübertragungsrate mehrerer Teilnehmer in einem Kommunikationsnetzwerk.

Exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

• 1 a flowchart for the schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment Method for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network;
• 2 a flowchart for schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a method for a participant in a communication network and for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network;
• 3 schematically an exemplary application of the proposed methods; and
• 4 a block diagram for the schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network.

Various embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some embodiments are shown. In the figures, the thickness dimensions of lines, layers and/or regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

The 1 schematically illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method 100 for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network.

Any network for exchanging information can be used as a communication network. In particular, the communication network can include a wireless but also a wired network. In exemplary embodiments, the communication network is or includes a wireless local area network (WLAN), to which the participants can connect wirelessly. The participants, which can also be understood as “clients” in the context of the present disclosure, can be or include any (“network-capable”) devices that can connect to the communication network.

As shown, the method 100 includes receiving 110 a first message with information about several options for executing a first application of a first participant of the communication network that uses the communication network. At least two of the options for executing the first application have different data transfer requirements.

Likewise, the method 100 sees receiving 120 at least a second message with information about several options for executing a second application of a second participant in the communication network, which uses the communication network. Here too, at least two of the options for executing the second application have different data transfer requirements. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the execution options can be understood as (various) execution options, i.e., ways in which a respective application can be executed. For example, the options each include a first option whose data transfer requirements require a higher data transfer rate than another second option. Alternatively or additionally, the data transmission requirements of the first and/or second option can, for example, allow a certain time delay during or until the execution of the respective application.

The applications can in particular be or include particularly data-intensive applications, such as an audio streaming application, a video streaming application, an online gaming application, a backup application, a download application, an augmented reality application, a virtual reality application and/or a cloud computing application. The information can in particular also include a current data transfer rate, an average data transfer rate, a data transfer rate required at least for execution, and/or one or more adjustment options for the data transfer rate.

Furthermore, the method 100 includes obtaining 130 information about an available data transmission rate from at least one of the participants. In exemplary embodiments, the information can be transmitted, for example, by the first participant or second participant. In some embodiments, the information can also be transmitted by several of the participants, for example by the first and second participants. In practice, the information may contain any information relating to the data transfer rate available to one or more participants in the communications network. In practice, the information about the available data transmission rate indicates, for example, a value of the data transmission rate that is available to the first participant or the second participant. Optionally, the information about the data transmission rate can also indicate a value of the data transmission rate, which is available to several or all participants, here the first and second participants. Additionally or alternatively, the information about the data transfer rate can indicate whether and/or which execution options the available data transfer rate satisfies. In exemplary embodiments it is also possible for the information about the data transfer rate indicates whether the available data transfer rate of a currently applied option is sufficient for execution.

Furthermore, the method 100 includes controlling 140 a data transmission rate of the first and/or second participant based on the information about the options for executing the first application and/or the information about the options for executing the second application. The central control that occurs here allows a more favorable and stable allocation of the data transfer rate than with a decentralized control. In particular, this makes it possible to avoid repetitive and/or permanent optimization loops, as can occur with decentralized control. When controlling 140 the data transmission rate, for example, one of the options for the respective application or the respective subscriber is selected and communicated to the respective subscriber. Optionally, the application or the participant can be granted and communicated a corresponding data transfer rate for executing the respective application according to the selected option. This allows a favorable or optimal distribution of the data transmission rate or a favorable temporal profile of the distribution to be determined for the participants.

As the person skilled in the art will appreciate, the control can take any criteria into account and be adapted to the application as desired. In practice, any metric can be used to determine a favorable or even optimal distribution or allocation of the data transmission rate.

When controlling the data transmission rate, a practical use of the applications can in particular be taken into account when allocating the data transmission rate. For this purpose, a ratio of the data transmission rate and the benefit achieved can be determined using any suitable metric and the data transmission rate can be allocated to the participants or applications in such a way that the desired or highest possible benefit results. For example, the allocation of additional data transmission rates for a barely or invisible improvement in the quality of the video streaming application can be dispensed with in favor of the execution of a more useful application by another participant. Furthermore, when controlling the data transmission rate, care can be taken to ensure that, as far as possible, the participants are given at least the minimum data transmission rate required for executing the respective application when controlling the data transmission rate. In some use cases, a “fair” distribution of the data transfer rate can also be provided, for example so that the applications offer an at least approximately equivalent user experience.

When controlling, the temporal flexibility of the applications can also be taken into account during or up to their execution and, based on this, a temporal profile of the distribution of the data transmission rate can be determined, which takes the temporal flexibility into account in favor of the greatest possible benefit. In exemplary embodiments, such a temporal profile of the division can, for example, provide for the execution of the backup application to be postponed (in time) in favor of a currently higher data transfer rate for the more urgent or currently preferred video streaming application.

In practice, when controlling the data transmission rate, predetermined (user-specific) prioritization factors can also be used, which are dimensioned such that one of the applications or one of the participants is granted a (generally) higher data transmission rate than one or more other participants.

To control the data transmission rate, a corresponding message for controlling the data transmission rate can be transmitted to a control component of the communication network and/or to the first and/or second participant.

The control component is, for example, equipped with a corresponding data processing circuit, which is designed to control or adapt the data transmission rate for the first and second participants on the network side, and the message to the control component can include an instruction to the control component, which indicates to the control component which data transmission rate the the message is granted to the participant receiving the message, i.e. it is made available for the first and second application. In practice, this implicitly encourages participants to use at most the data transfer rate granted to them or to use it as much as possible. The control through the message to the control component is therefore also to be understood as “implicit control”. An advantage of the implicit control is that, compared to the explicit control explained in more detail later, no additional communication with the participants is required by means of a corresponding message to the participants to control the data transmission rate and the participants do not have to be set up accordingly to process such a message.

Alternatively or additionally, explicit control can take place, in which, as already mentioned, a corresponding message for controlling the data transmission rate is transmitted to the first and/or second participant. For example, the message contains an instruction specifying which option to run the respective application. In some applications it can be provided that only the data transmission rate of a specific participant or a specific group of participants, for example only the data transmission rate of participants with particularly data-intensive applications, is controlled, whereas in other applications it can be provided that the data transmission rate of all participants is controlled , for example, to achieve the most precise optimization possible in the allocation of the data transfer rate.

In addition, the information about the options may indicate an (application-specific) time “margin” when executing the first and/or second application. In practice, the execution of the first and/or second application or their use of the communication network can be waited for a certain or predetermined period of time without causing unacceptable restrictions on the use of the first or second application. For example, for backup applications that are not particularly time-critical, it may be permissible to wait a certain acceptable amount of time before uploading a backup of data.

In this respect, the information may include information about the multiple options and information about an acceptable or planned waiting period until the execution of the first and/or second application. When controlling the data transfer rate, for example, this allows particularly data-intensive applications that need to be executed urgently to be temporarily granted the data transfer rate that would otherwise be used for the “waiting” or paused application during the waiting period, and thus better timing of the data transfer rate. This allows, for example, temporary “load peaks” from applications or participants to be managed.

When controlling 140 the data transfer rate, a total available data transfer rate of the communication network or an access point of the communication network can be taken into account in order to avoid overloads. Following the division, it may happen that the data transfer rate available to the first and second participants drops, for example if another participant and/or another application uses/claims the communication network. In this case, the available data transfer rate may fall below a value required to execute the first/second application, which may result in overloading of the communication network and failures or interruptions of the first and/or second application. The information about the data transfer rate may indicate in the case that the data transfer rate is not sufficient to execute the first and/or second application (using the divided data transfer rate).

The different options result, for example, from different settings when running the applications. In practice, the applications can, for example, be executed in different configurations, which are different data intensive, i.e. require different data transfer rates. The different configurations provide, for example, different data-intensive quality settings and/or performance levels. For example, in the video streaming application, the different configurations provide for different video resolutions of a streamed video content. In the online gaming application, for example, the different configurations provide for a different “frame rate”.

Accordingly, the information about the options for executing the first and/or second application can contain information about a respective claimed data transfer rate of several available configurations of the first and/or second application. Controlling the data transfer rate may accordingly include selecting one of the configurations for the first and/or second application based on the information about the respective claimed data transfer rate of the available configurations. According to the selected configurations, a data transfer rate required to run the application in the selected configuration can then be assigned. The message to the participant can, for example, explicitly specify the selected configuration or the data transfer rate that is required for execution in the selected configuration.

In practice, the available data transfer rate can then drop to such an extent that the respective application can no longer be executed in the selected configuration. The available data transfer rate information may then indicate that the available data transfer rate is not sufficient to execute in the selected configuration(s). In practice, this decreases for the The data transfer rate available to the first participant decreases to such an extent that the first application can no longer be executed in the configuration selected for the first application.

In a system with a (controlling) entity/coordinator that serves to control the data transfer rate of several participants (in order to find a common optimum of the options of data usage/execution of the application(s) by selecting certain options of different applications/ determine), for example, if the data transfer rate/bandwidth is insufficient, an application/participant can report this insufficient data transfer rate/bandwidth to the control authority. Instead of (only) requesting and suggesting options, it can inform the control authority directly if the given data transfer rate/bandwidth is not sufficient. The controller can use this information to further adjust and, ideally, optimize the data transfer rate (e.g. by switching another application to use a less data-intensive option, as explained later).

In appropriate use cases, for example, during execution of the video streaming application, the first participant determines that the currently available data transfer rate is not sufficient to execute the video streaming application using the selected video quality settings (ideally before a preloaded, cached video content is played and playback of the video content is interrupted). ). The first participant may then provide information about the available data transfer rate indicating that and/or to what extent the currently available data transfer rate is insufficient for executing the video streaming application using the selected video quality settings. Based on this, the distribution of the data transmission rate can then be adjusted such that the available data transmission rate is sufficient to execute the video streaming application. This can be done in various ways, as explained below.

On the one hand, the available data transmission rate of the respective participant can be increased. Referring to the above-mentioned use cases, the information about the data transfer rate can, for example, be transmitted by the first participant and controlling the data transfer rate can provide for adjusting the data transfer rate of the second participant. For this purpose, for example, an option for executing the second application can be selected which is less data-intensive than a previously used/selected option, i.e. requires a lower data transfer rate. The distribution of the data transmission rate can be adjusted so that the data transmission rate available to the first participant is sufficient for the selected execution of the first application and therefore there is no need to adapt the execution of the first application. This allows, for example, a specific video quality setting of the video streaming application to be retained to ensure a desired user experience.

On the other hand, the distribution of the data transmission rate can be adjusted by adjusting the data transmission rate of the respective subscriber. The information about the data transmission rate can, for example, be transmitted by the first participant and controlling the data transmission rate can include adjusting the data transmission rate of the first participant. For this purpose, for example, an option for executing the first application can be selected which is less data-intensive than a previously used/selected option, i.e. requires a lower data transfer rate. The distribution of the data transfer rate can be adjusted so that the available data transfer rate is sufficient for the now selected version of the first application and the execution of other participants' applications can be dispensed with.

In practice, both the available data transfer rate of a respective subscriber and the execution of an application for this subscriber can also be adjusted.

It should be noted that the proposed method can be used not only for one application per participant, but generally also for several applications per participant and in particular for particularly data-intensive participants and applications. In particular, the proposed method can also be used for any number of (different) participants.

In exemplary embodiments, the method 100 can be carried out by any entity that is suitable for carrying out the method 100. All entities that are designed to receive information about the available data transfer rate and information about the options for executing the first and second application and to influence the control of the data transfer rate are eligible for this. Embodiments provide, for example, that a trained participant in the communication network carries out the proposed method leads. This can be selected or determined for this purpose by a user or one or more other participants in the communication network. In some embodiments, the method 100 is carried out by the first or second participant, for example. In other exemplary embodiments, the method 100 can also be carried out by a coordinator separate from the first and second participants, for example a third participant. The third participant can in particular be a participant who is impartial or uninfluenced by the first and second participants when controlling the data transmission rate.

Alternatively, the coordinator can also include a network component. The method 100 can be carried out by the network component. This has the advantage that the implementation does not depend on the participation of a participant, as above, and is less susceptible to manipulation.

In practice, the method 100 may be as described below with reference to 2 explained in more detail, can be carried out with a related, complementary method for a participant in a communication network.

2 shows a flowchart for the schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a method 200 for a participant in a communication network and for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants in a communication network.

The method 200 includes obtaining 210 information about several options for executing an application of the subscriber to the communication network that uses the communication network. As already explained, the application is or includes, for example, a particularly data-intensive application, such as an audio streaming application, a video streaming application, an online gaming application, a backup application, a download application, an augmented reality application, a virtual reality application and/or a cloud computing application. The options for running the first application, for example running it in different configurations, may require different data transfer rates. Obtaining 210 information about multiple options includes, for example, determining multiple ways to execute the application and the respective data transfer rates for execution according to the multiple options. For this purpose, for example, it is determined in which configurations the application can be executed and at which data transfer rate. Specifically, for example, it is determined in which video quality levels the video streaming application can be executed and what data transfer rate the respective video quality levels require.

In addition, an acceptable or planned waiting period until the application is executed can be determined. For this purpose, for example, it is determined whether and, if so, for how long the execution of the application can be postponed.

One idea of the present disclosure is to then make the information about the execution options available to a designated instance for central control of the data transmission rate for the subscriber and possibly other subscribers in the communication network. The method also provides for informing the entity about an available data transmission rate in order to adjust the distribution of the data transmission rate, as already explained above.

The method 200 therefore provides for obtaining 220 information about an available data transmission rate. For this purpose, the participant determines, for example, the data transfer rate available to him. In practice, the subscriber can compare this with the data transfer rate for the selected execution of the application and check whether the available data transfer rate is sufficient for this. In embodiments, the participant can also check whether the available data transfer rate is sufficient for the selected execution, e.g. whether the video streaming application can be executed with the available data transfer rate in the selected video quality setting. Accordingly, the information about the data transfer rate indicates, for example, whether the available data transfer rate is sufficient for the selected execution option or not.

Further, the method 200 includes sending 230 the information about the available data transfer rate and a message with the information about the multiple options for controlling the data transfer rate of the subscribers based on the information by a recipient of the message and the information about the available data transfer rate. This enables the receiver to control and adjust the data transfer rate, as already described above, the distribution of the data transfer rate based on this in order to avoid or solve interruptions or terminations of applications.

For example, method 200 may be performed by one or both of the participants described herein with respect to method 100. Given the context of the above The proposed methods 100 and 200 will therefore be apparent to the person skilled in the art that explanations of aspects and features in the context of the method 100 can also apply to the method 200.

Those skilled in the art having knowledge of the present disclosure will appreciate that the proposed methods can be applied to various applications and can be arbitrarily adapted to a desired application.

Below is the concept proposed herein in relation to 3 explained in more detail using an exemplary application case, without restricting exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure to the exemplary application case explained.

3 shows schematically an exemplary application of the proposed methods 100 and 200.

As shown schematically, the exemplary use case provides that a first participant 321 for a first application (not shown) and a second participant 322 for a second application (not shown) connect or are connected to a communication network 310.

The participants 321 and 322 are or each include, for example, a television set, a cell phone or the like. For example, the first and second applications each include a video streaming application. The communication network 310 is, for example, a local wireless network to which the participants are connected wirelessly.

According to a concept for decentralized control of the data transfer rates required by the applications, the participants 321 and 322 would each separately claim the data transfer rate for the best and/or fastest possible execution of their application, taking into account a data transfer rate available to the participants overall. As already explained in more detail, when data transfer rates become available and/or fluctuations in the required data transfer rate, undesirable iterative optimization loops can occur, which lead to unstable execution of the applications.

According to the present disclosure, central control of the data transmission rate is therefore proposed. Referring to the exemplary application described here, the data transmission rate is centrally controlled, for example, by the local wireless network 310 or a component thereof. For this purpose, the participants 321 and 322 can, as described above, provide the component with corresponding information about control options for the data transmission rate for the participants 321 and 322 through information about various options for executing the video streaming applications. In practice, this is done, for example, via an (already) existing connection between the participants 321 and 322 and the wireless network 310.

For this purpose, for example, the participants each send a message with information about different possible video quality settings or levels (e.g. frame rate, image resolution) of the video content to be downloaded and/or the different data transfer rates required for this. As a rule, the video streaming application, for example, provides video quality settings or levels that require an increasing data transfer rate as the video quality increases.

Various video quality settings of the applications/video streaming applications provide, for example, according to a first option (“Option 1”) to download and play the video content in a resolution of 720p (e.g. 1280×720 pixels) at a data transfer rate of 1 MBit/s or according to a second option ( “Option 2”) to download and play in a resolution of 1080p (e.g. 1920×1080 pixels) at a data transfer rate of 3 MBit/s. In practice, the application execution options may differ. For example, the second application/video streaming application may further provide a third option (“Option 3”), according to which the video content is downloaded and played in 4K resolution at 8 Mbit/s. Due to a limited data transmission rate in the sense of the central control of the data transmission rate proposed herein, the control entity/component of the wireless network instructs the first participant or the first application, as described above, to use option 1 and the second application to use option 2. For example, there is a loading error during the first application because the data transfer rate available to the first participant is insufficient. The first participant therefore sends information about the insufficient available data transmission rate to the component/controller, which then recalculates the global optimum and then instructs the second participant to apply option 1.

Those skilled in the art having knowledge of the present disclosure will understand that the wireless network 310 and the subscribers 321 and 322 can be technically set up accordingly to implement the present disclosure. In practice, the wireless network 310 and the participants are, for example, equipped with suitable hardware (e.g. data processing circuit, interface) and/or software.

It should be noted that the use case explained is just one example among a large number of conceivable use cases and the present disclosure is in no way limited to just the use case explained.

Those skilled in the art will also understand that the present disclosure can also be embodied in a computer program and/or as hereinafter referred to 4 explained in more detail, can be implemented in a device.

4 shows a block diagram for the schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device 400 for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants. The device 400 includes one or more interfaces 410 for communication and a data processing circuit 420 which is set up to carry out the method proposed herein using the one or more interfaces.

The one or more interfaces 410 may, for example, correspond to one or more inputs and/or one or more outputs for receiving and/or transmitting information, such as digital bit values, based on a code, within a module, between modules, or between modules of different types Entities. These are designed, for example, to communicate with other network components via a (radio) network or a local connection network.

In embodiments, data processing circuit 420 may correspond to any controller or processor or programmable hardware component. For example, the data processing circuit 420 can also be implemented as software that is programmed for a corresponding hardware component. In this respect, the data processing circuit 420 can be implemented as programmable hardware with appropriately adapted software. Any processors, such as digital signal processors (DSPs), can be used. Embodiments are not limited to a specific type of processor. Any processor or even multiple processors are conceivable for implementing the data processing circuit 420.

The device 400 may be implemented, for example, as a component in a communication network or a subscriber in a communication network.

In general, embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a program, firmware, computer program or computer program product with a program code or as data, the program code or data being effective to perform one of the methods when the program is on a processor or a programmable hardware component. The program code or the data can also be stored, for example, on a machine-readable carrier or data carrier. The program code or data may be in the form of, among other things, source code, machine code or byte code, as well as other intermediate code.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It will be understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will occur to others skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented from the description and explanation of the exemplary embodiments herein.

Reference symbol list

100

Method for controlling a data transmission rate for multiple participants

110

Receiving an initial message

120

Receiving at least a second message

130

Obtaining information about an available data transfer rate

140

Controlling a data transfer rate

200

Method for a participant in a communication network

210

Obtaining information

220

Obtaining information about an available data transfer rate

230

Sending the information and a message

310

Communication network/wireless network

321

first participant

322

second participant

400

contraption

410

one or more interfaces

420

Data processing circuit

Claims (15)

A method (100) for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants (321, 322) in a communication network (310), the method (100) comprising: Receiving (110) a first message with information about several options for executing a first application of a first participant (321) of the communication network (310), which uses the communication network (310), wherein at least two of the options for executing the first application have different data transmission requirements ; Receiving (120) at least one second message with information about several options for executing a second application of a second participant (322) of the communication network (310) which uses the communication network (310), wherein at least two of the options for executing the second application have different data transmission requirements have; Obtaining (130) information about an available data transmission rate from at least one of the participants (321, 322); and Controlling (140) a data transmission rate of the first and/or second participant (321, 322) based on the information about the available data transmission rate and the information about the options for executing the applications. The method (100) according to Claim 1 , wherein controlling (140) the data transmission rate includes allocating a data transmission rate to the first and / or second participant (321, 322), wherein the information about the available data transmission rate includes information about a discrepancy between one of the first and / or second participants (321 , 322) allocated and actually available data transfer rate; and wherein controlling (140) the data transfer rate further comprises adjusting the allocated data transfer rate based on the information about the discrepancy. The method (100) according to Claim 2 , where the information about the discrepancy indicates whether the actually available data transfer rate is lower than the allocated data transfer rate. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information about the options for executing the first and/or second application contains information about a respective claimed data transfer rate of several available configurations of the first and/or second application, the configurations claiming different data transfer rates, and wherein controlling (140) the data transfer rate includes selecting one of the configurations for the first and/or second application based on the information about the respective claimed data transfer rate of the available configurations. The method (100) according to Claim 4 , wherein controlling (140) the data transmission rate further comprises changing the configuration for the first and / or second participant (321, 322) based on the information about the available data transmission rate. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the applications comprises an audio streaming application, a video streaming application, an online gaming application, a backup application, a download application, an augmented reality application, a virtual reality application and/or a cloud computing application. The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method (100) is carried out by the first or second participant (321, 322). The method (100) according to one of Claims 1 until 6 , wherein the method (100) is carried out by a coordinator separate from the first and second participants (321, 322), the separate coordinator comprising a third participant or a component of the communication network (310). The method (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the communications network (310) comprises a local wireless network. The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information about the data transmission rate is transmitted by the first participant (321) and controlling (140) the data transmission rate comprises adjusting the data transmission rate of the second participant (322). The method (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the information about the data transmission rate is transmitted by the first participant (321) and controlling (140) the data transmission rate comprises adjusting the data transmission rate of the first participant (321). A method (200) for a participant (321, 322) in a communication network (310) and for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants (321, 322) in a communication network, (310) the method (200) comprising: obtaining (210) from Information about several options for executing an application of the subscriber (321, 322) of the communication network (310) which uses the communication network (310), at least two of the options for executing the first application having different data transmission requirements; Obtaining (220) information about an available data transfer rate; Sending (230) the information about the available data transfer rate and a message with the information about the multiple options for controlling the data transfer rate of the subscribers (321, 322) based on the information by a recipient of the message and the information about the available data transfer rate. The procedure (200) according to Claim 12 , wherein the information about the options for executing the application includes information about a claimed data transfer rate of several available configurations of the first or second application, the configurations claiming different data transfer rates. Computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause it to carry out at least one of the methods (100, 200) according to one of the preceding claims. A device (400) for controlling a data transmission rate of several participants (321, 322) in a communication network (310), the device (400) comprising: one or more interfaces (410) for communication; and a data processing circuit (420) which is set up to use one or more interfaces (410) of one of the methods (100, 200) according to one of Claims 1 until 13 to carry out.

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