Multiplex communications – Communication over free space – Having a plurality of contiguous regions served by...
Patent
1997-01-22
2000-11-21
Jung, Min
Multiplex communications
Communication over free space
Having a plurality of contiguous regions served by...
455422, H04Q 724
Patent
active
061513091
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to service provision in communications networks and finds particular application where a communications user is mobile.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Communication networks are growing increasingly complex as the information technology (IT) industry produces new and varied services to be offered to customers. The rapid provision of these services is expected to be a key feature in distinguishing different network operators. Competitive advantages can be gained by communications network operators through the services that they offer, and the efficiency with which they manage those services. The customers (users) do not want to be aware of network complexity, such as the relationship between fixed and mobile networks. All they want is simple access to any service, and this applies whether they are connected to a fixed network or using mobile facilities.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide a service management system, which can be used in the provision of services to a mobile user by means of more than one network platform. In particular, embodiments of the present invention can be used to provide services by means of a combination of a fixed and a mobile communications network, in spite of the differing constraints such as the more limited bandwidth available in mobile networks.
It has been recognised, in making the present invention, that the use of "Cooperating Intelligent Software Agent" technology in a heterogeneous agent architecture can allow service management in a complex environment such as the above. The basis for this technology is described in general terms in the publication "Distributed Artificial Intelligence" by M Huhns, Volumes I and II, published by Pitman, Morgan and Kaufmann in 1987. Indeed, cooperating intelligent agents can be used to provide quality and flexibility of control sufficient to meet the demands of leading-edge IT services, in spite of problems presented by multiple network platforms with conflicting constraints.
Embodiments of the present invention can be described as having a distributed architecture based on specialised intelligent software systems, that is agents, which cooperate to provide a range of services, some of which may be novel, across a network platform provided by integration of, for instance, a mobile and a fixed network platform. Software agents for use in embodiments of the present invention can be designed to manage systems where there is a large amount of distributed information available and a large number of users with specific service requirements. Generally system management becomes more complex where users move between fixed and mobile networks while requiring/receiving services. This raises the problem of unifying the provisioning of services across various network platforms (mobile and fixed) and the effective management of the limited radio spectrum in contrast with the less constrained bandwidth in the fixed (broadband) networks.
A major problem foreseen with communications systems of the future is system complexity which is expected to limit the ability to exploit and reliably control communication networks. Intelligent agents used in embodiments of the present invention can achieve simplicity and robustness by spreading a control system over a plurality of specialised agents.
One type of agent provides the customer with an interface to manage the customer's interactions with the network, another cooperates to manage the network resources (cell bandwidth or capacity along the fixed network links) and a third type of agent facilitates specific services by linking network and customers together. As a result of agents interaction, intelligent services with special features that satisfy the customer and make better use of network resource, can be provided.
The agents accomplish their tasks by exploiting only local knowledge and using limited communications to inform each other of their actions and/or pass on knowledge. They negotiate with each other and by d
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Busuioc Marius-Nicolae
Titmuss Richard J.
Winter Christopher S.
British Telecommunications public limited company
Jung Min
LandOfFree
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