US-20260129001-A1 - DYNAMIC ALLOCATION OF DEDICATED NETWORK BANDWIDTH FOR USER

US20260129001A1US 20260129001 A1US20260129001 A1US 20260129001A1US-20260129001-A1

Abstract

Systems and methods for dynamically allocating dedicating bandwidth to a user. A request for a timeframe of dedicated bandwidth in a cellular network is received from the user. In response to start of the timeframe: a total available bandwidth of the cellular network is determined, as is a remaining available bandwidth for network devices currently using network bandwidth. A determination is made whether the remaining available bandwidth is sufficient or insufficient for the network devices currenting using network bandwidth. And during the timeframe: for each corresponding network device of the identified network devices: an amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device is reduced or managed for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth if the remaining available bandwidth is insufficient. The dedicated bandwidth is then allocated for the request.

Inventors

Jeffrey Lang McSchooler

Assignees

Boost SubscriberCo L.L.C.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241105

Claims (20)

1 . A method, comprising: receiving a request for dedicated bandwidth in a cellular network; determining a timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth; in response to start of the timeframe: determining a total available bandwidth of the cellular network; determining remaining available bandwidth for network devices based on a comparison between the total available bandwidth and the dedicated bandwidth; identifying network devices currently using network bandwidth; and determining that the remaining available bandwidth is insufficient for the identified network devices; and during the timeframe: for each corresponding network device of the identified network devices: reducing or managing an amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth; and allocating the dedicated bandwidth for the request.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing or managing the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device comprises: determining a first voice codec currently being used by the corresponding network device; and selecting a second voice codec for the corresponding network device to use during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, wherein the second voice codec results in use of less bandwidth than the first voice codec.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing or managing the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device comprises: determining a first video codec currently being used to transmit video data to the corresponding network device; and selecting a second video codec for transmitting video data to the corresponding network device during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, wherein the second video codec results in use of less bandwidth than the first video codec.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing or managing the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device comprises: identifying a first service level agreement with a first network device; identifying a second service level agreement with a second network device; reducing, for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, the amount of bandwidth available to the first network device a first amount based on the first service level agreement; and reducing, for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, the amount of bandwidth available to the second network device a second amount based on the second service level agreement, wherein the second amount is less than the first amount.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing or managing the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device comprises: identifying a first network device that is a first distance away from a cellular tower; identifying a second network device that is a second distance away from the cellular tower; reducing the amount of bandwidth available to the first network device a first amount for the timeframe based on the first distance; and reducing the amount of bandwidth available to the second network device a second amount for the timeframe based on the second distance, wherein the second amount is less than the first amount.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing or managing the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device comprises: instructing the corresponding network device to employ a video codec or a voice codec that utilizes less bandwidth during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth compared to the video codec or the voice codec being used by the corresponding network device prior to the timeframe.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reducing or managing the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device comprises: instructing the corresponding network device of the reduced or managed amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein receiving the request for the dedicated bandwidth in the cellular network comprises: providing a graphical use interface to a user; and receiving input from the user indicating an amount of dedicated bandwidth and the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the user comprises at least one of a network device manufacturer, emergency services, a government entity, or a paying network client.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein allocating the dedicated bandwidth for the request comprises: identifying a plurality of network devices that are running an out-of-date version of software; and causing the plurality of network devices to download and install an up-to-date version of the software during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the network devices currently using network bandwidth comprises: identifying a plurality of network devices that are currently using network bandwidth; and selecting a subset of the plurality of network devices to reduce or manage bandwidth during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
12 . A computing system, comprising: a memory that stores computer instructions; and a processor system that executes the computer instructions to: receive a request for a timeframe for dedicated bandwidth in a wireless network; and during the timeframe: determine a total available bandwidth of the cellular network; determine remaining available bandwidth for network devices based on a comparison between the total available bandwidth and the dedicated bandwidth; determine that the remaining available bandwidth is insufficient for network devices currently using bandwidth of the wireless network; for each corresponding network device currently using bandwidth of the wireless network, reduce or manage an amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth; and allocate the dedicated bandwidth for the request.
13 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system reduces or manages the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device by further executing the computer instructions to: determine a first voice codec currently being used by the corresponding network device; and select a second voice codec for the corresponding network device to use during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, wherein the second voice codec results in use of less bandwidth or bandwidth management than the first voice codec.
14 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system reduces or manages the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device by further executing the computer instructions to: determine a first video codec currently being used to transmit video data to the corresponding network device; and select a second video codec for transmitting video data to the corresponding network device during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, wherein the second video codec results in use of less bandwidth or bandwidth management than the first video codec.
15 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system reduces or manages the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device by further executing the computer instructions to: identify a first service level agreement with a first network device; identify a second service level agreement with a second network device; reduce or manage, for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, the amount of bandwidth available to the first network device a first amount based on the first service level agreement; and reduce or manage, for the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth, the amount of bandwidth available to the second network device a second amount based on the second service level agreement, wherein the second amount is less than the first amount.
16 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system reduces or manages the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device by further executing the computer instructions to: instruct the corresponding network device to employ a video codec or a voice codec that utilizes less bandwidth during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth compared to the video codec or the voice codec being used by the corresponding network device prior to the timeframe.
17 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system reduces or manages the amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device by further executing the computer instructions to: instruct the corresponding network device of the reduced or managed amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
18 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system receives the request for the dedicated bandwidth in the cellular network by further executing the computer instructions to: provide a graphical use interface to a user; and receive input from the user indicating an amount of dedicated bandwidth and the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
19 . The computing system of claim 11 , wherein the processor system allocates the dedicated bandwidth for the request by further executing the computer instructions to: identify a plurality of network devices that are running an out-of-date version of software; and provide an up-to-date version of the software to the plurality of network devices during the timeframe for the dedicated bandwidth.
20 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform actions, the actions comprising: receiving a request for a time in which an amount of bandwidth is dedicated for a select user; for the time in which bandwidth is dedicated for the select user: for each corresponding network device currently using network bandwidth, reduce or manage an amount of bandwidth available to the corresponding network device; and allocate the amount of bandwidth dedicated for the select user.

Description

BACKGROUND Mobile phones and devices are consistently being using more everyday by more people. As the use of mobile phones and devices increases, so has the desire of bad actors to exploit security vulnerabilities in the software of those mobile phones and devices. As a result, the software on mobile phones needs to be kept up to date and continually monitored. Updating a mobile phone or device often includes using the network to download a software update or patch. Unfortunately, updating very large numbers of mobile phones can use up tremendous amounts of the network’s bandwidth and cause slowdowns or latency issues for more than just the mobile phone or device that is upgrading. It is with respect to these and other considerations that the embodiments described herein have been made. BRIEF SUMMARY Embodiments are directed towards systems and methods for dynamically allocating dedicated network bandwidth for a user at a dedicated timeframe. Briefly, a user or provider request indicates that a user would like dedicated bandwidth within a network, e.g., a cellular network, for a timeframe. During the timeframe, the dedicated bandwidth is allocated user by user, while managing the bandwidth to other network devices connected to the network. In this way, the user or provider can schedule a time period in which it has a dedicated amount of bandwidth of a network, independent of the current bandwidth being used by other network devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified. For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings: FIG. 1 illustrates a context diagram of an environment for dynamically allocating dedicated network bandwidth for a user in accordance with embodiments described herein; FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate a logical flow diagram showing one embodiment of a process for dynamically allocating dedicated network bandwidth for a user in accordance with embodiments described herein; and FIG. 3 shows a system diagram that describe various implementations of computing systems for implementing embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The following description, along with the accompanying drawings, sets forth certain specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosed embodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosed embodiments may be practiced in various combinations, without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, devices, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures or components that are associated with the environment of the present disclosure, including but not limited to the communication systems and networks, have not been shown or described in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the embodiments. Additionally, the various embodiments may be methods, systems, media, or devices. Accordingly, the various embodiments may be entirely hardware embodiments, entirely software embodiments, or embodiments combining software and hardware aspects. Throughout the specification, claims, and drawings, the following terms take the meaning explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “herein” refers to the specification, claims, and drawings associated with the current application. The phrases “in one embodiment,” “in another embodiment,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” and other variations thereof refer to one or more features, structures, functions, limitations, or characteristics of the present disclosure, and are not limited to the same or different embodiments unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the term “or” is an inclusive “or” operator, and is equivalent to the phrases “A or B, or both” or “A or B or C, or any combination thereof,” and lists with additional elements are similarly treated. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional features, functions, aspects, or limitations not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, throughout the specification, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include singular and plural references. FIG. 1 illustrates a context diagram of an environment for dynamically allocating dedicated network bandwidth for a user in accordance with embodiments described herein. Environment 100 includes a plurality of cells 112a-112c, a plurality of network devices 124a-124c, a dedicated-network-bandwidth scheduling computing system 102, and a communication network 110. The network devices 124a-124c are computing devices that receive and transmit co