IP Verse

Device-assisted services for protecting network capacity

Patent No. US9609544 (titled "Device-assisted services for protecting network capacity") on Nov 15, 2013. The application was issued on Mar 28, 2017.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical Landscape

In the early 2010s when ’544 was filed, mobile data consumption was transitioning from specialized, carrier-certified devices to general-purpose internet devices that utilized standard protocols like HTTP rather than bandwidth-optimized protocols like WAP. This era was characterized by a technical landscape where network capacity was typically managed through centralized core network planning, at a time when systems commonly relied on infrastructure-side throttling rather than device-side intelligence to mitigate congestion. Engineering constraints made the management of signaling traffic non-trivial, as the rise of always-on applications created frequent network access requests and power-state transitions that could overwhelm media access control (MAC) and session management resources even when aggregate data throughput remained low.

Prosecution Position

The disclosed invention addresses the technical problem of network resource exhaustion caused by inefficient signaling and background data transfers from unoptimized mobile applications. The architectural solution involves an integration of a device-based service processor that monitors and classifies network service usage activities—such as background syncs, software updates, and persistent signaling—to implement differential access control policies directly at the source of demand. This represents a significant technical advancement by shifting capacity management from a purely reactive centralized model to a proactive, device-assisted framework. The technical effect achieved is the reduction of unnecessary radio access bearer (RAB) and PPP session transactions, thereby preserving network availability and improving overall system efficiency without requiring specialized certification for every third-party application.

Claims

This patent contains a total of 23 claims, with claim 1 being the sole independent claim. The independent claim focuses on a wireless end-user device configured to manage network service usage by dynamically applying control policies based on whether an application is in the foreground of user interaction and the current power control state of the device. The dependent claims serve to further define the criteria for foreground interaction, specify various power control states, detail the implementation of traffic control filters and network capacity management, and describe methods for queuing or throttling data activities based on network conditions and user input.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Application state
(Claim 1)		The categorization facilitates identification of a snapshot of service class use at a given time. Classification rules can include examining if the user has interacted with the service usage activity or if the UI content is in the foreground. This state helps determine if a particular service usage activity fits a set of classification rules, such as defining it as a background service usage activity.A dynamic status indicator for a software application that identifies whether it is active in the foreground or running in the background.
Foreground of user interaction
(Claim 1)		Classification rules can include examining if the user has interacted with the device or the service usage activity within a specified period of time. It also includes whether the service usage activity UI content is in the foreground of the device UI. Conversely, an activity may be classified as a background service when the device has been inactive or the user has not interacted with it for a period of time.A state where a specific application or service activity is currently being interacted with by the user or its user interface content is prominently displayed on the device screen.
Network service usage activities
(Claim 1)		Examples of a network service usage activity include a voice connection, a device application or widget connection, a device OS function connection, an email text connection, an email download connection, a file download connection, a streaming media connection, and various other types of connections via wireless network communication. These activities can be generated by an application, an operating system (OS), and/or other device function. They may include persistent signaling to update widgets, synchronize user data, or check email feeds.Data communication events initiated by applications, operating system functions, or other device software, including voice connections, file downloads, streaming media, and background synchronization processes.
Network service usage activity
(Claim 1)		A network service usage activity is any activity by the device that includes wireless network communication. Examples include a voice connection, a device application or widget connection, an email text connection, a software update, a device backup connection, an RSS feed connection, a website connection, or a user data synchronization service. It can also include general network services such as establishing a PPP session, authenticating to the network, obtaining an IP address, or DNS services.Any data communication or connection event initiated by a device application, operating system function, or modem process, including voice, messaging, background synchronization, or software updates.
Network service usage control policy
(Claim 1)		A service usage control policy is used for assisting in network access control of network service usage activities, such as deferring some or all of the network capacity demand. Implementation of a policy can include block/allow, or traffic control techniques such as throttle, delay, priority queue, time window, suspend, or quarantine. These policies can be based on the type of service activity, the network busy state, or the service plan associated with the device.A set of rules that dictates how network traffic for a specific activity is handled, including blocking, throttling, delaying, or prioritizing data based on various criteria.
Power control state
(Claim 1)		Modem power state changes on the device can cause excess network capacity demand. Network service usage activity control policies can limit the ability of applications to change the modem power control state or network connection state. For example, a service usage activity may be prevented from awakening the modem or changing its power state until a given time window is reached or until multiple activities are aggregated.The operational mode of the device or its modem regarding energy consumption, such as an active state, sleep mode, or a power save state.

Patent Summary

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
4:25-cv-09558Nov 5, 2025Google LLC v. Headwater Research LLC
5:25-cv-07453Sep 3, 2025Google LLC v. Headwater Research LLC

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US9609544

Application Number
US14082040A
Filing Date
Nov 15, 2013
Publication Date
Mar 28, 2017
External Links
Slate, USPTO , Google Patents