WO2016058648A1

WO2016058648A1 - Streaming service control

Info

Publication number: WO2016058648A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/072353
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bengt Lindoff; Per Persson
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2014-10-17
Filing date: 2014-10-17
Publication date: 2016-04-21

Abstract

A method of controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network. The method comprises acquiring location data of the wireless communication device and forming location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data. The location statistics comprise information defining one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device, each route being associated with a respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device. The method also comprises, during an ongoing session of the streaming service, acquiring a current location of the wireless communication device, predicting an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics, and causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network (comprising respective signal quality indications associated with one or more geographical locations). Corresponding computer program product, arrangement, wireless communication device and server are also disclosed.

Description

STREAMING SERVICE CONTROL

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of streaming services used in wireless communication systems. More particularly, it relates to control of such streaming services.

Background

When using streaming services (e.g. cloud-based services, music, video, etc.), in wireless communication systems, the user experience and the perceived stream quality is highly dependent on the quality (e.g. throughput and persistence) of the radio link. In a wireless communication scenario wherein the users are mobile, this may be even more pronounced.

Since the quality of the radio link typically varies over time in a mobility scenario, applications using streaming services typically buffer data to be able to cope with fluctuations of stream throughput and latency. In a typical approach, the size of the buffer may be determined based on a recent history of throughput and latency of the stream.

If the user moves into an area with bad coverage (typically leading to a low quality of the radio link), a freeze of the stream may be experienced due to that the buffer is emptied faster than it is filled.

One typical approach to attempt solving a freeze of the stream is to start using a larger buffer size.

US 2014/0086046 Al discloses a method in which, based in part of expected locations for a mobile device and network availability, predictions can be made regarding the future quality of service available for the mobile device. This prediction can allow actions to be taken to mitigate any change in the quality of service. Recent locations of a device can be used to develop a trajectory for the device, which can allow for prediction of where the device will be in the near future. However, if the device deviates from the trajectory, the prediction will be erroneous. Hence, a needed mitigation may be overlooked and/or mitigation may be wrongly applied.

Thus, there is a need for improved streaming service control.

Summary

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof.

Generally, when reference is made to reception, transmission, determination, etc. of a parameter (e.g. a current location, an upcoming location, location data, an upcoming signal quality, etc.) this is meant to also include reception, transmission, determination, etc. of information indicative of the parameter (e.g. an indication of the parameter).

Throughout this disclosure, signaling, transmission, reception, connection, and the like, between two nodes is meant to include situations where the signaling is not directly between those nodes but via one or more other nodes (e.g. in a communication network, in a cloud-base fashion, etc.).

It is an object of some embodiments to obviate at least some of the above disadvantages and to provide improved streaming service control.

According to a first aspect, this is achieved by a method of controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network.

The method comprises acquiring location data of the wireless communication device and forming location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data, wherein the location statistics comprise information defining one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device, each route being associated with a respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device.

The method also comprises (during an ongoing session of the streaming service) acquiring a current location of the wireless communication device, predicting an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics, and causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network, wherein the coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more

geographical locations.

Thus, the control of the streaming service is based on a travelling pattern of the wireless communication device, and not (only) on recent locations of a device and a general behavior of several wireless communication devices as in US 2014/0086046 Al . This has the advantage of a more reliable prediction (of the upcoming location and of an upcoming signal quality) and, consequently, a more adequate control of the streaming service.

The coverage information may, typically, be comprised in a coverage information database, that may, for example, reside in a server (operably connectable to the wireless communication device).

The method according to the first aspect may, according to some embodiments, be performed in the wireless communication device or in the server.

The location data may, typically, be collected by the wireless communication device (e.g. by use of any suitable known or future method, e.g. global positioning service - GPS).

If the method is performed by the wireless communication device, acquiring of location data may comprise collecting the location data.

If the method is performed by the server, acquiring of location data may comprise receiving the location data from the wireless communication device.

The travelling pattern associated with a route may, for example, comprise information regarding how often the route is travelled by the wireless communication device - a travelling frequency. This may, for example, be expressed as an average value (e.g. 2 times per day, 8 times per month, etc.). Alternatively or additionally, the travelling pattern may comprise information regarding when the route is (usually) travelled (e.g. a specific time interval of the day, only on week days, only on Sundays, only during summer, etc.). Of course, these types of information may be combined (e.g. 2 times per week day during summer, etc.).

The current location may, typically, be determined by the wireless

communication device (e.g. by use of any suitable known or future method, e.g. global positioning service - GPS).

If the method is performed by the wireless communication device, acquiring of the current location comprises determining the current location.

If the method is performed by the server, acquiring of the current location comprises receiving the current location from the wireless communication device.

In some embodiments, control of the streaming service may comprise mapping of the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and controlling the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

The signal quality may, for example, be expressed by a received signal strength, a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), a received signal code power (RSCP), a reference signal received power (RSRP).

The signal quality may be a signal quality of any of one or more radio access techniques (RAT) applicable for the wireless communication device.

For example, a first applicable RAT (e.g. GSM - Global System for Mobile communication) may have high signal strength (e.g. a high RSSI) in a particular upcoming location but the signal quality may still be defined as bad (low,

disadvantageous, unfavorable) for that upcoming location if a second applicable RAT (e.g. UMTS-LTE - Universal Mobile Telecommunication Standard, Long Term

Evolution) has low signal strength (e.g. a low RSRP).

The signal quality may, alternatively or additionally, be expressed by throughput.

For example, an applicable RAT (e.g. GSM) may have high signal strength in a particular upcoming location but the signal quality may still be defined as bad (low, disadvantageous, unfavorable) for that upcoming location if the applicable RAT does not support sufficient throughput for providing the streaming service (or at least not sufficient throughput for providing the streaming service at an acceptable quality). If the method is performed by the server, the server may map the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

If the method is performed by the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device may transmit the predicted upcoming location to the server and the server may map the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

If the method is performed by the wireless communication device, the wireless communication device may (alternatively) receive (at least part of) the coverage information from the server and map the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

The streaming service may, for example, be controlled by one or more of: altering a buffer size of the wireless communication device (e.g. increasing the buffer size if the upcoming signal quality is below a threshold and decreasing the buffer size if the upcoming signal quality is above a threshold), altering a bit rate of the content (e.g. decreasing the bit rate if the upcoming signal quality is below a threshold and increasing the bit rate if the upcoming signal quality is above a threshold) which may, for example be accomplished by altering a transcoding of the content, and altering the content (e.g. displaying preloaded content such as still images or video clips, e.g. commercials, if the upcoming signal quality is below a threshold).

Causing control of the streaming service may, for example, comprise actually performing the control or transmitting an instruction which induces the control.

If the method is performed by the wireless communication device and the upcoming signal quality is determined by the server, causing control of the streaming service may comprise transmitting the upcoming location to the server.

If the method is performed by the wireless communication device and the upcoming signal quality is determined by the wireless communication device, causing control of the streaming service may, for example, comprise one or more of: altering the buffer size of the wireless communication device, altering the content (e.g. displaying preloaded content), transmitting an indication to the server that alters the bit rate of the content.

If the method is performed by server, causing control of the streaming service may, for example, comprise one or more of: altering the bit rate of the content, and transmitting an instruction to the wireless communication device that induces altering of the buffer size and/or altering of the content (e.g. displaying preloaded content).

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise acquiring signal quality data of the wireless communication device and forming signal quality statistics of the wireless communication device. The signal quality statistics may comprise information defining perceived signal quality associated with the one or more routes, and mapping the predicted upcoming location to the upcoming signal quality may be further based on the signal quality statistics.

The perceived signal quality may, for example, be a signal quality associated with the wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the perceived signal quality may comprise a signal quality experienced by the wireless communication device.

According to some embodiments, control of the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality may comprise comparing the upcoming signal quality to a signal quality threshold and performing a control action if the upcoming signal quality falls below the signal quality threshold.

The control action may, according to some embodiments, comprise one or more of causing the wireless communication device to increase a size of a streaming service reception buffer, causing the wireless communication device to temporary display pre-stored content (e.g. one or more still images, one or more video clips, commercials), and causing a decrease in coding rate of the streaming service.

Predicting the upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics may, for example, comprise determining which route is most probably being travelled by the wireless communication device (based on the current location and the travelling patterns of the routes of the location statistics) and determine the upcoming location based on the route and the current location. In some embodiments, the method may further comprise acquiring one or more previous locations (and/or a travelling direction) of the wireless communication device during the ongoing session of the streaming service, and mapping the current location to the predicted upcoming location may be further based on the one or more previous locations.

Thus, predicting the upcoming location may, in such embodiments, comprise determining which route is most probably being travelled by the wireless

communication device (based on the current location, one or more previous locations (and/or a travelling direction) and the travelling patterns of the routes of the location statistics) and determine the upcoming location based on the route and the current location and the one or more previous locations (and/or a travelling direction).

Such an approach may further strengthen the accuracy of the prediction of the upcoming location.

In some embodiments, other parameters may (alternatively or additionally) be taken into account when predicting the upcoming location. For example, determining which route is most probably being travelled may be further based on a time indication

(time of the day, day, date, month, season, etc.).

According to some embodiments, the method may be performed by the wireless communication device, forming location statistics of the wireless

communication device may comprise storing the one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device and determining the respective associated travelling patterns, acquiring the current location of the wireless communication device may comprise reading the current location from a positioning service, and causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network, may comprise transmitting an indication of the predicted upcoming location to a server comprising a coverage information database.

A second aspect is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium, having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program is loadable into a data-processing unit and adapted to cause execution of the method according to the first aspect when the computer program is run by the data-processing unit.

A third aspect is an arrangement for controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network. The arrangement may, for example, be for the wireless communication device or for a server (operably connectable to the wireless

communication device) comprising a coverage information database. The arrangement of the third aspect comprises a processor adapted to perform (or at least cause performance of) method steps according to the first aspect.

A fourth aspect is an arrangement for controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network. The arrangement comprises a location acquirer, a statistical unit and a predictor.

The location acquirer is adapted to acquire location data of the wireless communication device .

The statistical unit is adapted to form location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data, wherein the location statistics comprise information defining one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device, each route being associated with a respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device.

The location acquirer is also adapted to acquire a current location of the wireless communication device during an ongoing session of the streaming service.

The predictor is adapted to, during the ongoing session of the streaming service, predict an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics.

The arrangement also comprises logic for causing (e.g. adapted to cause) control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network, wherein the coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more

geographical locations. The arrangement may, for example, be for the wireless communication device or for a server (operably connectable to the wireless communication device) comprising a coverage information database.

According to various embodiments, the logic for causing control of the streaming service may comprise hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software. The logic may comprise any suitable means for causing control of the streaming service, for example circuitry for causing control of the streaming service.

If the arrangement is for the wireless communication device, the location acquirer may comprise a positioning unit.

If the method is performed by the server, the location acquirer may comprise a receiver adapted to receive the location data and the current location from the wireless communication device.

The statistical unit may, for example, comprise one or more of a database, a storing unit (e.g. a location history storage), and a statistical calculator (e.g. a travelling pattern determiner).

The control of the streaming service may, according to some embodiments, comprise mapping of the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and controlling the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

In some embodiments (e.g. when the arrangement is for a server), the server may be adapted to map (e.g. in the predictor) the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and to control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality. Then, the logic for causing control of the streaming service may comprise one or more of: a controller adapted to alter the bit rate of the content, and a transmitter adapted to transmit an instruction to the wireless communication device for altering of the buffer size and/or altering of the content (e.g. displaying preloaded content). In some embodiments (e.g. when the arrangement is for the wireless communication device), the wireless communication device may be adapted to transmit the predicted upcoming location to the server and the server may be adapted to map the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality. Then, the logic for causing control of the streaming service may comprise a transmitter adapted to transmit the predicted upcoming location to the server.

In some embodiments (e.g. when the arrangement is for the wireless communication device), the wireless communication device may (alternatively) be adapted to receive (at least part of) the coverage information from the server, map (e.g. in the predictor) the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information, and control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality. Then, the logic for causing control of the streaming service may comprise one or more of: a transmitter adapted to transmit an indication to the server for altering the bit rate of the content and a controller adapted to alter a buffer size of the wireless communication device and/or alter a rendered content (e.g. display preloaded content).

In some embodiments, the statistical unit may be further adapted form signal quality statistics of the wireless communication device based on acquired signal quality data (the signal quality statistics comprising information defining perceived signal quality associated with the one or more routes) and mapping the predicted upcoming location to the upcoming signal quality may be further based on the signal quality statistics (e.g. the predictor may be adapted to map the predicted upcoming location to the upcoming signal quality based on the signal quality statistics).

According to some embodiments, the control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming signal quality may comprise comparing the upcoming signal quality to a signal quality threshold, and performing a control action if the upcoming signal quality falls below the signal quality threshold. The control action comprises one or more of: causing the wireless communication device to increase a size of a streaming service reception buffer, causing the wireless communication device to temporary display pre-stored content, and causing a decrease in coding rate of the streaming service.

In some embodiments, the location acquirer may be further adapted to acquiring one or more previous locations of the wireless communication device during the ongoing session of the streaming service and the predictor may be further adapted to map the current location to the probable upcoming location based on the one or more previous locations.

A fifth aspect is a wireless communication device comprising the arrangement of any of the third and fourth aspect. The wireless communication device may further comprise other units generally seen in wireless communication devices, such as user interface(s), radio frequency unit(s), antenna(s), memory(-ies), etc.

A sixth aspect is a server comprising the arrangement of any of the third and fourth aspect, wherein the coverage information acquirer comprises a coverage information database.

In some embodiments, the third, fourth, fifth and sixth aspects may additionally have features identical with or corresponding to any of the various features as explained above for the first aspect.

An advantage of some embodiments is that a reliable prediction of the upcoming location of the wireless communication device may be achieved.

Another advantage of some embodiments is that adequate control of the streaming service is provided for.

For example, mitigation of streaming problems relating to low signal quality should preferably be made if and only if the upcoming signal quality is actually low, which is typically highly dependent on reliable predictions.

A disadvantage with the typical approach of starting to use a larger buffer size is that, when coverage is bad, buffering more data than before will typically cause an even longer freeze of the stream. Some embodiments overcomes this disadvantage since the buffer size may be increased before the area of bad coverage is entered.

Yet an advantage of some embodiments is that adaptation of the streaming service application may be made such that the quality of service is optimized while varying radio link quality is taken into account. Benefits for the user may comprise a better user experience.

Benefits from a business point-of-view may comprise a possibility for network operators to deliver a better service on behalf of third parties (e.g. YouTube, Spotify, etc.).

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further objects, features and advantages will appear from the following detailed description of embodiments, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a combined flowchart and signaling diagram illustrating example method steps and signaling according to some embodiments;

Fig. 2 is a combined flowchart and signaling diagram illustrating example method steps and signaling according to some embodiments;

Fig. 3 is a combined flowchart and signaling diagram illustrating example method steps and signaling according to some embodiments;

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating a scenario where some embodiments may be applicable;

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example arrangement according to some embodiments;

Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example arrangement according to some embodiments;

Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example arrangement according to some embodiments; and

Fig. 8 is a schematic drawing illustrating a computer readable medium according to some embodiments.

Detailed Description

In the following, embodiments will be described where a streaming service is controlled based on a predicted upcoming location of the wireless communication device using the service and coverage information of the cellular communication network that the wireless communication device is associated with. The prediction of the upcoming location is based on location statistics, which is specific for the wireless communication device, which makes the prediction (and hence the streaming service control) more accurate. The coverage information may comprise information indicative of a signal quality corresponding to the predicted upcoming location, thus enabling a mapping from the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality, and the control of the streaming service may be based on the (predicted) upcoming signal quality.

Figure 1 illustrates example method steps and signaling according to some embodiments. The method steps are comprised in either of an example method 110 of a wireless communication device (UE) 100 and an example method 160 of a server

(SERV) 150, and the signaling comprises signaling between the wireless

communication device 100 and the server 150.

In step 111, the wireless communication device acquires location data and forms location statistics based there on. The location statistics comprise information defining one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device, and each route is associated with a respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device.

Forming location statistics based on the location data may be performed according to any suitable known or future method. Forming location statistics based on the location data may comprise forming new location statistics and/or update already existing location statistics.

For example, the location statistics may be formed by identifying a route that the location data is indicative of. The identified route may be a route already comprised in the information of existing location statistics or it may be a new route (in which case it is typically added to the information of the location statistics).

Furthermore, forming the location statistics based on the location data may comprise determining the respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device for each route. For example, the travelling pattern for a route may comprise an average (or otherwise filtered) value defining how often the route is travelled by the wireless communication device. Such a value may, for example, be calculated from time information of the location data and of already existing location statistics. Such a value may, typically, (and possibly together with other parts of the location statistics) be indicative of a probability that a particular route is travelled by the wireless

communication device. The travelling pattern may, in some embodiments, comprise more than one average values, attributed to different types of time periods (time of day, week days, seasons, etc.).

In some embodiments, step 111 may also comprise acquiring signal quality data and forming signal quality statistics. The signal quality statistics comprise, for one or more of the routes of the location statistics, information defining signal quality perceived (experienced) when the wireless communication device travels the route.

Thus, after performing step 111 (the timing of which may, for example, be iterated with some suitable time interval, user controlled, continuously ongoing, etc.) statistical data is available that describe one or more routes that have been travelled by the wireless communication device, and (for each route) a probability of the wireless communication device travelling it again (possibly depending on a time indication). The information (for each route) may be associated with a signal quality perceived

(experienced) by the wireless communication device at different locations along the route.

When a steaming session 190 is ongoing, the wireless communication device acquires (e.g. continuously, iteratively, etc.) its current location in step 112. Possibly, it also acquires a direction of travel and/or a current time indication in step 112.

Based on the statistics formed in step 111 and the information acquired in step 112 (possibly combined with one or more, recent, previous locations), an upcoming location is predicted in step 113. The upcoming location is predicted by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics.

Typically, the current location (and possibly recent, previous locations and/or a direction of travel) is compared with the routes of the location statistics and a most probable route is selected from the routes that comprise the current location. If there is more than one route comprising the current location, the one most frequently travelled may be selected. Alternatively or additionally, the selection may be based on the conditional probability that the route is travelled at the current time indication. Once the most probable route is selected, the upcoming location is extracted from the route. For example, the upcoming location may be a next location of the route. To determine in which direction the route is travelled (and, hence, which will be the next location) one or more of (recent) previous locations, a direction of travel, and a time indication may be taken into account. For example, a route between home and office may have a typical direction in the morning and an opposite direction in the afternoon.

If step 111 comprised forming signal quality statistics, step 113 may also comprise preliminarily predicting an upcoming signal quality, namely extracting the perceived signal quality associated with the predicted upcoming location.

In step 114, the wireless communication device 100 transmits the predicted upcoming location 194 to the server 150. This transmission causes control of the streaming service. The predicted upcoming location is received by the server in step 164. The signaling 194 may also comprise a preliminary prediction of upcoming signal quality (if step 111 comprised forming signal quality statistics).

In step 165, the server determines an upcoming signal quality based on the received predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network (typically comprised in a coverage information database of, or associated with, the server) wherein the coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more geographical locations.

Typically, step 165 may comprise extracting the signal quality of the coverage information at the predicted upcoming location. In some embodiments (when the signaling 194 comprised a preliminary prediction of upcoming signal quality), the upcoming signal quality may be based on a combination (e.g. an average, a worst case, etc.) of the preliminary prediction of upcoming signal quality and the signal quality of the coverage information at the predicted upcoming location.

In step 166, the server controls the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming signal quality. For example, controlling the streaming may comprise performing some control action (to mitigate negative effects of bad signal quality) if the signal quality falls below a signal quality threshold. Various possible control actions include causing the wireless communication device 100 to increase a size of a streaming service reception buffer (e.g. by

transmitting an instruction 196 to the wireless communication device), causing the wireless communication device 100 to temporarily display pre-stored content (e.g. by transmitting an instruction 196 to the wireless communication device), and causing a decrease in coding rate of the streaming service (e.g. by altering a transcoding algorithm applied to the content).

Figure 2 illustrates example method steps and signaling according to some embodiments. The method steps are comprised in an example method 210 of a wireless communication device (UE) 200, and the signaling comprises signaling between the wireless communication device 200 and a server (SERV) 250.

In step 211, the wireless communication device acquires location data and forms location statistics based there on (compare with step 111 of Figure 1). In some embodiments, step 211 may also comprise acquiring signal quality data and forming signal quality statistics.

When a steaming session 290 is ongoing, the wireless communication device acquires (e.g. continuously, iteratively, etc.) its current location in step 212 (compare with step 112 of Figure 1). Possibly, it also acquires a direction of travel and/or a current time indication in step 212.

Based on the statistics formed in step 211 and the information acquired in step

212 (possibly combined with one or more, recent, previous locations), an upcoming location is predicted in step 213 (compare with step 113 of Figure 1). The upcoming location is predicted by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics. If step 211 comprised forming signal quality statistics, step 213 may also comprise preliminarily predicting an upcoming signal quality, namely extracting the perceived signal quality associated with the predicted upcoming location.

In step 214, the wireless communication device 200 receives coverage information 294 of the cellular communication network from the server 250. The coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more geographical locations and is typically comprised in a coverage information database of (or associated with) the server 250. Signaling 294 may typically comprise relevant parts of the coverage information of the coverage information database. For example, the signaling 294 may be a response to a coverage information request from the wireless communication device 200 in relation to the predicted upcoming location.

In step 215, the wireless communication device determines an upcoming signal quality based on the predicted upcoming location and the received coverage information (compare with step 165 of Figure 1).

In step 216 (compare with step 166 of Figure 1), the wireless communication device controls the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming signal quality. For example, controlling the streaming may comprise performing some control action (to mitigate negative effects of bad signal quality) if the signal quality falls below a signal quality threshold.

Various possible control actions include increasing a size of a streaming service reception buffer, temporarily displaying pre-stored content, and causing a decrease in coding rate of the streaming service (e.g. by transmitting an instruction 296 to the server which may, in response thereto, alter a transcoding algorithm applied to the content).

Figure 3 illustrates example method steps and signaling according to some embodiments. The method steps are comprised in either of an example method 310 of a wireless communication device (UE) 300 and an example method 360 of a server (SERV) 350, and the signaling comprises signaling between the wireless

communication device 300 and the server 350.

In step 311, the wireless communication device acquires location data and transmits it 391 to the server 350 which acquires the location data and forms location statistics based there on in step 361 (compare with step 111 of Figure 1). In some embodiments, step 311 may also comprise acquiring and transmitting signal quality data and step 361 may comprise forming signal quality statistics.

When a steaming session 390 is ongoing, the wireless communication device acquires (e.g. continuously, iteratively, etc.) its current location in step 312 and transmits it 392 to the server 350 (compare with step 112 of Figure 1). Possibly, it also acquires and transmits a direction of travel and/or a current time indication in step 312. The server acquires the information 392 transmitted by the wireless communication device 300 in step 362.

Based on the statistics formed in step 361 and the information acquired in step 362 (possibly combined with one or more, recent, previous locations), an upcoming location is predicted in step 363 (compare with step 113 of Figure 1).

In step 365 (compare with step 165 of Figure 1), the server determines an upcoming signal quality based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network (typically comprised in a coverage information database of, or associated with, the server) wherein the coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more geographical locations. Signal quality statistics formed in step 361 may also be taken into account when determining the upcoming signal quality in step 365.

In step 366, the server controls the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming signal quality (compare with step 166 of Figure 1).

Figure 4 schematically illustrates an example scenario where embodiments may be applicable. In this example, a wireless communication device 400 travels along a route 430. The wireless communication device 400 is connected to a base station 410 of a cellular communication network (e.g. an operator radio access network, OP RAN) via a radio link 411, and uses a streaming service application (AP, e.g. Spotify, Youtube, etc. residing in a network which is typically different from the cellular communication network, e.g. the Internet) 460 supplied through the cellular

communication network.

According to embodiments, the streaming service application is supplied to the wireless communication device 400 via a server 450 and an operative connection 451 after having been requested by the wireless communication device 400 via the operative connection 461. The server (which is typically part of a network which is typically different from the cellular communication network, and possibly also different from the network in which the streaming service application resides) is associated with (e.g. comprises) a coverage information database which comprises coverage information of the cellular communication network and possibly also of other cellular communication networks. When the wireless communication device 400 approaches a geographical area 420 with bad signal quality, this is predicted (e.g. by either the wireless communication device 400 itself or by the server 450) according to any of the methods described herein. Thus, the route 430 is identified via location statistics which is specific to the wireless communication device 400, the upcoming location (within the area 420) is predicted and mapped to an upcoming signal quality based on coverage information of the cellular communication network. Since the geographical area 420 has bad signal quality, the upcoming signal quality typically falls below a signal quality threshold.

After prediction that the wireless communication device 400 is approaching and likely about to enter the geographical area 420, the streaming service is

correspondingly controlled (either by the server or by the wireless communication device). For example, a transcoding of the streaming service performed in (or in association with) the server may be altered (streaming quality reduced), a streaming buffer size of the wireless communication device may be altered (increased), and/or pre- stored content may be rendered.

Since the prediction of an upcoming location of the wireless communication device is based on location statistics which is specific to the wireless communication device, accuracy of the prediction is improved and hence, control of the streaming service may be more effective.

For example, if a specific wireless communication device (according to its location statistics) very often takes a certain exit when traveling on a particular highway and this exit leads to a geographical area with bad coverage, this situation may be predicted already when the wireless communication device is on the highway and appropriate streaming service control measures may be taken (even before the wireless communication device enters the bad coverage area). Contrarily, if location statistics for an ensemble of wireless communication devices were used, such a prediction might not have been made since the location statistics would typically lead to a prediction that the wireless communication device stays on the highway (if that is most probable for the ensemble). Thus, appropriate streaming service control measures may not be taken in this case. Furthermore, if a specific wireless communication device (according to its location statistics) very often takes a certain exit when traveling on a particular highway and this exit does not lead to a geographical area with bad coverage while the highway does lead to a geographical area with bad coverage, this situation may also be predicted already when the wireless communication device is on the highway. In this case, the accurate prediction would mean that no streaming service control measures (that would have been - unnecessarily - taken if location statistics for an ensemble of wireless communication devices were used and it was predicted that the wireless communication device stays on the highway) needs to be taken.Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of an example arrangement 500 for controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network. The arrangement may be comprised in the wireless communication device or in a server.

The arrangement 500 may, for example, be adapted to perform any of the methods 110, 210 and 360 described in connection to Figures 1, 2 and 3.

The arrangement comprises a location acquirer (LOC) 520, a statistical unit (STAT) 510, a predictor (PRED) 530 and logic (CNTR) 540 for causing control of the streaming service.

The location acquirer is adapted to acquire location data of the wireless communication device and to acquire a current location of the wireless communication device during an ongoing session of the streaming service (compare with steps 111, 112, 211, 212, 361, 362). The location acquirer may, in some embodiments, comprise a first location acquirer adapted to acquire the location data of the wireless

communication device (for forming of the location statistics) and a second location acquirer adapted to acquire the current location of the wireless communication device during an ongoing session of the streaming service. However, the location acquirer typically comprises a single location acquirer. Furthermore, the current location of the wireless communication device acquired during an ongoing session of the streaming service may also be used for forming of the location statistics. The statistical unit is adapted to form location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data (compare with steps 111, 211, 361).

The predictor is adapted to (during the ongoing session of the streaming service) predict an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics (compare with steps 113, 213, 363).

The logic 540 is adapted to causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular

communication network (compare with steps 114, 216, 366).

Figure 6 illustrates a more specific example arrangement 600 for controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network. The arrangement 600 may be comprised in the wireless communication device.

The arrangement 600 may, for example, be adapted to perform any of the methods 110 and 210 described in connection to Figures 1 and 2.

The arrangement comprises a location acquirer in the form of a positioning unit (GPS) 620, a statistical unit in the form of a location history storage (HIST) 630 and a statistical calculator (CALC) 640, a predictor (PRED) 650 and logic for causing control of the streaming service in the form of a controller (CNTR) 670. The example arrangement 600 also comprises a transceiver (RX/TX) 610 and a reception buffer (BUFF) 660.

The positioning unit 620 is adapted to acquire location data of the wireless communication device and to acquire a current location of the wireless communication device during an ongoing session of the streaming service (compare with steps 111, 112, 211, 212).

The location history storage 630 and the statistical calculator 640 are collectively adapted to form (and maintain) location statistics of the wireless

communication device based on the acquired location data (compare with steps 111, The predictor 650 is adapted to (during the ongoing session of the streaming service) predict an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics

(compare with steps 113, 213).

The controller 670 is adapted to causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular

communication network (compare with steps 114, 216).

In some embodiments, the controller 670 is adapted to cause transmission (by the transceiver 610) of the predicted upcoming location (compare with step 114) and thereby cause control of the streaming service. The transceiver 610 may be adapted to receive an instruction to alter the size of the buffer 660 to control the streaming service.

Alternatively or additionally, the transceiver may be adapted to receive an instruction to render pre-stored content.

In some embodiments, the predictor 650 is further adapted to determine an upcoming signal quality based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information received by the transceiver 610 (compare with steps 214, 215) and the controller 670 is adapted to control the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality. The controller 670 may be adapted to alter the size of the buffer 660.

Alternatively or additionally, the controller 670 may be adapted to cause transmission (by the transceiver 610) of and instruction to alter a bit rate of the streaming service. Yet alternatively or additionally, the controller 670 may be adapted to render pre-stored content.

As mentioned before, the wireless communication device may also be adapted to form signal quality statistics and use it in the prediction process.

Figure 7 also illustrates a more specific example arrangement 700 for controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network. The arrangement 700 may be comprised in a server.

The arrangement 700 may, for example, be adapted to perform the method 360 described in connection to Figure 3. The arrangement comprises a location acquirer in the form of a transceiver (RX/TX) 710, a statistical unit in the form of a database (DB) 720 and a statistical calculation unit (not shown), a predictor (PRED) 750 and logic for causing control of the streaming service in the form of a controller (CNTR) 730. The example arrangement 700 also comprises a transcoder (TRANSCOD) 740.

The transceiver is adapted to acquire location data of the wireless

communication device and to acquire a current location of the wireless communication device during an ongoing session of the streaming service (compare with steps 361, 362).

The statistical calculation unit is adapted to form location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data (compare with steps 311), and the database is adapted to store the location statistics.

The predictor 750 is adapted to (during the ongoing session of the streaming service) predict an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics (compare with step 363). The predictor 750 is also adapted to determine an upcoming signal quality based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information, which may be stored in the database 720 or in another database (compare with step 365).

The controller 730 is adapted to causing control of the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality (compare with step 366).

In some embodiments, the controller 730 is adapted to cause transmission (by the transceiver 710) of an instruction to alter the size of a reception buffer of the wireless communication device to control the streaming service. Alternatively or additionally, the controller 730 may be adapted to cause transmission (by the transceiver 710) of an instruction to render pre-stored content. Yet alternatively or additionally, the controller 730 may be adapted to alter an encoding rate of the transcoder 740.

Some embodiments relate to streaming of cloud services and aim to improve quality-of-service (QoS) and user experience of such services in the context of mobile communication. Since the quality of the radio link typically varies over time in a mobility scenario, applications using streaming services typically buffer data to be able to cope with fluctuations in throughput and latency. In a typical prior art approach, the size of the buffer may be determined based on a recent history of throughput and latency.

Lacking predicting power, this approach will fail when the user moves into an area with bad coverage, resulting in a freeze of the stream and re-buffering into a larger buffer. Clearly, because of the bad coverage, buffering more data than before will take even longer time and the freeze persists longer than necessary.

If an accurate prediction of when a user (wireless communication device) is about to enter an area with bad coverage (signal quality), appropriate action(s) to mitigate the negative effects of the bad coverage may be taken before entering the area. Such a prediction may be made according to some embodiments based on coverage map information, a map service and behavior information of the particular user, all gathered in a (possibly distributed) data base. Examples of appropriate actions include transcoding (in a server handling the transcoding and the data base) the stream to a lower bit rate, providing (from the server) an instruction to the application to increase the buffering, etc.

Creation of the database may be performed as follows according to some embodiments. First, a database including a coverage map for a given operator is created. The coverage map may also include cell deployment (i.e. coverage for respective physical cells). The data base may also include a map database, in order to be able to detect whether a wireless communication device is moving in a car, on a road, etc. (e.g. detected based on position and velocity information). Together with the coverage map, the database may also include information about areas with bad coverage for certain applications (e.g. streaming services), where QoS problems have been detected. This information may be reported (together with positioning information) by wireless communication devices detecting such QoS problems. In some embodiments, information for specific users (e.g. associated with a respective identity) is also stored. Such information may be typical routes for the specific user (e.g. user A travels by car on road X between home and work every morning and vice versa in the evening). Such information (together with the coverage map, the map database, and earlier detected positions (or areas) with QoS problems) may be used by a context-aware QoS streaming service to optimize QoS for the application.

The database may be used to adapt streaming for optimized QoS functionality of an application as follows according to some embodiments (reference being made to Figure 4). A wireless communication device (WD) 400 (identified by some wireless device identity (WD ID), e.g. the SIM card, a certain app subscription determined by a credit card number, biometric indicator (finger print) of the current user, etc.) requests a streaming service (e.g. Youtube, Spotify) via 411, 410, 461. The request goes through the WD operator RAN via an Internet connection to the application service holder 460. The application service holder then feeds the application via the context-aware QoS steaming service residing in 450 that adapts the application for optimized QoS. The optimization uses information about the current position and - optionally - velocity (info received from the WD) together with information of the current operator's coverage map including stored information about earlier QoS problems to adapt the application for optimized QoS. The service may transcode the application, taking into account a predicted radio link performance for the wireless device, in order for the user to have as good QoS as possible. The streaming buffer may be increased if it is predicted that the user may come close to a bad coverage area. Alternatively or additionally, the streaming quality may be reduced in advance if the service detects that the device is about to go into a low radio link throughput area. Yet alternatively or additionally (e.g. if the service detects that it will not be possible to avoid a freeze), the service may configure the application to display preloaded content, e.g. still frame commercials or other info related to the application provider.

As elaborated on above, the service may take stored personalized route information into account in the prediction. For instance, the service (e.g. a control unit) may detect that a certain user, typically, turns off the highway at a certain junction in the morning, where it is known that the coverage is bad. Hence, only that specific user needs an adaptation of a streaming service at a certain position on the highway prior to the junction. For an average user in the same position, the probability to turn off at that junction may be very low and no adaptation may be applied if personalized route information was not applied. The described embodiments and their equivalents may be realized in software or hardware or a combination thereof. They may be performed by general-purpose circuits associated with or integral to a communication device, such as digital signal processors (DSP), central processing units (CPU), co-processor units, field- programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable hardware, or by specialized circuits such as for example application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC). All such forms are contemplated to be within the scope of this disclosure.

Embodiments may appear within an electronic apparatus (such as a wireless communication device or a server) comprising circuitry/logic or performing methods according to any of the embodiments.

According to some embodiments, a computer program product comprises a computer readable medium such as, for example, a diskette or a CD-ROM (as illustrated by 800 in Figure 8). The computer readable medium 800 may have stored thereon a computer program comprising program instructions. The computer program may be loadable into a data-processing unit (PROC) 820, which may, for example, be comprised in a wireless communication device or server 810. When loaded into the data-processing unit, the computer program may be stored in a memory (MEM) 830 associated with or integral to the data-processing unit. According to some embodiments, the computer program may, when loaded into and run by the data-processing unit, cause the data-processing unit to execute method steps according to, for example, the methods shown in any of the Figures 1, 2 and 3.

Reference has been made herein to various embodiments. However, a person skilled in the art would recognize numerous variations to the described embodiments that would still fall within the scope of the claims. For example, the method

embodiments described herein describes example methods through method steps being performed in a certain order. However, it is recognized that these sequences of events may take place in another order without departing from the scope of the claims.

Furthermore, some method steps may be performed in parallel even though they have been described as being performed in sequence.

In the same manner, it should be noted that in the description of embodiments, the partition of functional blocks into particular units is by no means limiting. Contrarily, these partitions are merely examples. Functional blocks described herein as one unit may be split into two or more units. In the same manner, functional blocks that are described herein as being implemented as two or more units may be implemented as a single unit without departing from the scope of the claims.

Hence, it should be understood that the details of the described embodiments are merely for illustrative purpose and by no means limiting. Instead, all variations that fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a streaming service used by a wireless

communication device (100, 200, 300) adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

acquiring (111, 211, 361) location data of the wireless communication device; forming (111, 211, 361) location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data, wherein the location statistics comprise information defining one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device, each route being associated with a respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device; and

during an ongoing session (190, 290, 390) of the streaming service:

acquiring (112, 212, 362) a current location of the wireless communication device;

predicting (113, 213, 363) an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics; and

causing control (114, 216, 366) of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network, wherein the coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more geographical locations.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein control of the streaming service comprises mapping (165, 215, 365) of the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and controlling the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising acquiring signal quality data of the wireless communication device and forming signal quality statistics of the wireless communication device, the signal quality statistics comprising information defining perceived signal quality associated with the one or more routes, and wherein mapping the predicted upcoming location to the upcoming signal quality is further based on the signal quality statistics.

4. The method of any of claims 2 through 3 wherein control of the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality comprises:

comparing the upcoming signal quality to a signal quality threshold; and performing a control action if the upcoming signal quality falls below the signal quality threshold.

5. The method of claim 5 wherein the control action comprises one or more of: causing the wireless communication device to increase a size of a streaming service reception buffer;

causing the wireless communication device to temporary display pre-stored content; and

causing a decrease in coding rate of the streaming service.

6. The method of any of claims 1 through 5 further comprising acquiring one or more previous locations of the wireless communication device during the ongoing session of the streaming service, and wherein mapping the current location to the predicted upcoming location is further based on the one or more previous locations.

7. The method of any of claims 1 though 6 performed by the wireless communication device, wherein:

forming location statistics of the wireless communication device comprises storing the one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device and determining the respective associated travelling patterns;

acquiring the current location of the wireless communication device comprises reading the current location from a positioning service; and

causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network, comprises transmitting an indication of the predicted upcoming location to a server comprising a coverage information database.

8. A computer program product comprising a computer readable medium (800), having thereon a computer program comprising program instructions, the computer program being loadable into a data-processing unit and adapted to cause execution of the method according to any of claims 1 through 7 when the computer program is run by the data-processing unit.

9. An arrangement for controlling a streaming service used by a wireless communication device adapted to operate in association with a cellular communication network, the arrangement comprising:

a location acquirer (520, 620, 710) adapted to acquire location data of the wireless communication device and to acquire a current location of the wireless communication device during an ongoing session of the streaming service;

a statistical unit (510, 630, 640, 710, 720) adapted to form location statistics of the wireless communication device based on the acquired location data, wherein the location statistics comprise information defining one or more routes travelled by the wireless communication device, each route being associated with a respective travelling pattern of the wireless communication device;

a predictor (530, 650, 750) adapted to, during the ongoing session of the streaming service, predict an upcoming location of the wireless communication device by mapping the current location to the upcoming location based on the location statistics; and

logic (540, 610, 650, 670, 710, 730) for causing control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming location and coverage information of the cellular communication network, wherein the coverage information comprises respective signal quality indications associated with one or more geographical locations.

10. The arrangement of claim 9 wherein control of the streaming service comprises mapping of the predicted upcoming location to an upcoming signal quality based on the coverage information and controlling the streaming service based on the upcoming signal quality.

11. The arrangement of claim 10 wherein:

the statistical unit is further adapted to form signal quality statistics of the wireless communication device based on acquired signal quality data of the wireless communication device, the signal quality statistics comprising information defining perceived signal quality associated with the one or more routes; and

mapping the predicted upcoming location to the upcoming signal quality is further based on the signal quality statistics.

12. The arrangement of any of claims 10 through 11 wherein the control of the streaming service based on the predicted upcoming signal quality comprises:

13. The arrangement of claim 12 wherein the control action comprises one or more of:

causing the wireless communication device to increase a size of a streaming service reception buffer (660);

causing a decrease in coding rate of the streaming service.

14. The arrangement of any of claims 9 through 13 wherein:

the location acquirer is further adapted to acquiring one or more previous locations of the wireless communication device during the ongoing session of the streaming service; and

the predictor is further adapted to map the current location to the probable upcoming location based on the one or more previous locations.

15. The arrangement of any of claims 9 though 14 adapted for the wireless communication device, wherein the statistical unit comprises a positioning unit (620), a storing unit (630) and a travelling pattern determiner (640).

16. A wireless communication device comprising the arrangement of any of claims 9 through 15.

17. A server comprising the arrangement of any of claims 9 through 14, wherein the coverage information acquirer comprises a coverage information database.