Patent ID: 9220111
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for scheduling a network communication, the method comprising: receiving, at a communication scheduling apparatus, a network communication request in a downlink request from an operator or an application server; determining, by the communication scheduling apparatus, a scheduling priority based on the network communication request; assigning, by the communication scheduling apparatus, a communication time specifying when the network communication will be available for a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) device based on the scheduling priority and network resource utilization; and initiating a sleep operational mode to the M2M device if the assigned communication time has not yet occurred, wherein the network resource utilization is based on statistics on network traffic and/or network control signaling, wherein the communication time for the M2M device is specifically assigned to correspond to a future time in which the communication scheduling apparatus determines a network capacity is expected to be sufficient to satisfy the network communication request based on the statistics on network traffic and/or network control signaling, wherein the network communication is intended for the M2M device, and wherein the step of assigning the communication time comprises assigning the communication time for the M2M device using a bottom-up approach in which time slots corresponding to lower expected network traffic are assigned prior to time slots corresponding to higher expected network traffic.