Patents by Inventor Zhi Cui

Zhi Cui has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20210266369
    Abstract: Techniques for instantiating and managing microservices for use in connection with devices associated with a core network are presented. A service management component (SMC) can determine a subgroup of services to be used for a group of one or more devices based on results of analysis of characteristics and service conditions associated with the group of devices, wherein a characteristic can relate to whether a device is stationary or mobile. At a desired time(s), which can be periodically, dynamically, or upon request, SMC can instantiate or facilitate instantiating the subgroup of services to facilitate communicating data associated with the device(s) using the subgroup of services. The services can comprise a connectionless service, connection-oriented service, charging service, authentication service, UPF services, or other services. SMC can employ the connectionless service when a device is stationary, but the connectionless service can be extended to devices when they are nomadic or mobile.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Smith, JR., Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Publication number: 20210266990
    Abstract: A mobile edge computing (MEC) architecture can facilitate utilization of virtual multi-point non-internet protocol (IP) connections in radio access networks (RAN). Thus, the same mobile device can be addressed with multiple radio access technologies (RATs). The MEC can provide service continuity in multi-access technologies using virtual session, and the MEC can terminate a main session between a core network and the MEC, for the mobile device, via a single IP address, Based on the services and the states of the access network in the multi-access environment, the MEC can dynamically select the RAT and access point as the target to deliver the service over the RAN.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Publication number: 20210266716
    Abstract: Peripheral devices such as wearables can link to mobile devices to access network elements. These peripheral devices can comprise a communication part and a processing part. Each of these parts, specially the processing part of the next item in a communication chain, can be multiple times larger and stronger than the previous linked item. For instance, the peripheral device can be connected to the mobile device which can be in line connected to an NodeB device. Because the processing power of mobile device can be several times stronger than the peripheral, a mobile edge computing platform and a multi-access application function facilitate sharing of processing power capabilities between the peripheral devices, mobile devices, and/or the NodeB devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Sangar Dowlatkhah, Zhi Cui, Paul Smith, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210266907
    Abstract: A framework for dynamic network resource allocation and energy saving based on the real-time environment, radio network information, and machine learning (ML) can be utilized via a radio access network (RAN) intelligent controller (RIC). Real-time and predicted network utilization can facilitate resource and energy savings by leveraging the RIC platform. For example, a network information base (NIB) in the RIC platform can collects RAN and user equipment (UE) resource related information in real time and provides the abstraction of the access network in the real time. ML can predict real-time information about the UEs at time t based on data analytics and real time radio resource needs. The RIC can then instruct the network to reduce or increase resources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah, Paul Smith, JR.
  • Patent number: 11102131
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a first service request via a network, transmitting a query to service layer equipment, and receiving, from the service layer equipment, first service requirements to fulfill the first service request. Responsive to receiving the first service requirements, a request for network resource capacity information is transmitted to instantiated software defined network (SDN) controllers. Network capacity information is received from the instantiated SDN controllers and an insufficiency thereof is determined according to the service requirements and the network capacity information. Another software defined network controller is instantiated into the network, responsive to the determined insufficiency, to fulfill the first service request. The first service requirements are met, in part, by the instantiated software defined network controllers that are instantiated and, in part, by the other software defined network controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Venson Shaw, Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Patent number: 11089641
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to session continuity between software-defined network (“SDN”) controlled and non-SDN controlled wireless networks. In one embodiment, an SDN controller can determine that a handover of a user equipment (“UE”) from a base station operating under control of the SDN-controlled network to a further base station operating under control of a non-SDN-controlled network has occurred. The SDN controller can establish over an interface between the SDN controller and a packet gateway (“P-GW”), a tunnel through which to exchange handover data associated with the handover and a session IP address for a session in which the UE is involved. The SDN controller can provide, over the interface and through the tunnel, the handover data and the session IP address to the P-GW.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Paul Edward Smith, Jr., Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Publication number: 20210243675
    Abstract: A software defined network controller receives from a radio access network access point an attach request generated by a user equipment that includes a user equipment identification and an IP address for the radio access network access point. The controller assigns a temporary identification to the user equipment and sends a modified attach request including the temporary identification, and application server identification and an application server IP address to the radio access network access point. The controller configures a forwarding table associated with the radio access network access point so that the access point forwarding table matches the user equipment identification, the application server identification and the application server IP address.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Publication date: August 5, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Jiansong Wang, Thomas Anschutz
  • Patent number: 11083032
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, connecting a user equipment to a first node of a first network to provide a service requested by the user equipment to the user equipment, obtaining a first measurement associated with the first node and a second measurement associated with a second node, responsive to the obtaining, detecting that the first measurement is less than a first threshold and the second measurement is greater than a second threshold, responsive to the detecting, identifying an application executed by the user equipment in obtaining the service, and responsive to determining that the application requires dual connectivity based on the identifying, commanding the user equipment to establish connectivity with the second node or a third node to provide at least a portion of the service. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Hongyan Lei
  • Publication number: 20210227407
    Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein that facilitate a dynamic self-backhaul reconnection using a radio resource control messaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2021
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Hongyan Lei
  • Publication number: 20210218691
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to application-based multiple radio access technologies (“RAT”) and platform control using software-defined networking (“SDN”). According to one aspect of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, an SDN controller can configure a radio access network (“RAN”) for connectionless services and for connection-oriented services. The RAN can support multiple RATs each capable of providing radio access to a device, such as a UE or an IoT device. The SDN controller can determine a user plane path configuration for an application flow through at least part of the RAN. The SDN controller can provide the user plane configuration to an SDN agent that is stored on and is executable by the device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Jiansong Wang, Thomas A. Anschutz
  • Patent number: 11064420
    Abstract: A software defined network controller receives from a radio access network access point an attach request generated by a user equipment that includes a user equipment identification and an IP address for the radio access network access point. The controller assigns a temporary identification to the user equipment and sends a modified attach request including the temporary identification, and application server identification and an application server IP address to the radio access network access point. The controller configures a forwarding table associated with the radio access network access point so that the access point forwarding table matches the user equipment identification, the application server identification and the application server IP address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Jiansong Wang, Thomas Anschutz
  • Patent number: 11064425
    Abstract: A radio access network (RAN) intelligent control (RIC) platform can support various RAN control functions ranging from basic RAN control functions to enhanced RAN control functions. The RIC can support microservices that can be centralized at an edge cloud or distributed such that service aware and mobility state aware dual connectivity (DC) can be utilized. This service aware and mobility state aware DC can allow a mobile device to take advantage of DC features for the services requiring high bandwidth, while reducing the signaling and reducing power consumption of the mobile device. The service aware and mobility state aware DC microservices can also be hosted at central location to generate processing efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignees: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P., AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Hongyan Lei, Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Publication number: 20210211978
    Abstract: The disclosed technology is generally directed towards communicating whether a small deployed (e.g., millimeter wave 5G) cell is capable of operating as a self-backhaul device and can thereby operate as a relay node for another network device's backhaul (e.g., integrated access and backhaul) traffic. Data communicated between network devices, such as an attribute in in the CellAccessRelatedInfo information element of the system information block (e.g., a SIB type 1) message, can be used to convey the self-backhaul capability information. The network device that is searching for a self-backhaul cell evaluates the self-backhaul data of another cell, along with other selection criteria, to determine if the other cell can serve as a backhaul link; if the criteria is met, that other cell is selected, otherwise another cell is searched for such a capability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Hongyan Lei
  • Publication number: 20210209824
    Abstract: Global position system tagging the movement of an object and extrapolating its direction and speed can be used for various services including emergency-based services. Location data can be computed using edge computing nodes. The extrapolation system can account for feedback from responding user devices and utilize the user device's location at the time of reporting to facilitate determining the direction, location, and/or speed of a moving object. This data can then be utilized to generate augmented reality displays for mobile devices and/or vehicles that utilize the system. The ability to calculate directional information with edge computing nodes can comprise an ability to add enriched data by predicting an object's whereabouts, route, and/or final destination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Sangar Dowlatkhah, Zhi Cui
  • Publication number: 20210209952
    Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to intelligent drone traffic management via a radio access network (“RAN”). As disclosed herein, a RAN node, such as an eNodeB, can receive, from a drone, a flight configuration. The flight configuration can include a drone ID and a drone route. The RAN node can determine whether capacity is available in an airspace associated with the RAN node. In response to determining that capacity is available in the airspace associated with the RAN node, the RAN node can add the drone ID to a queue of drones awaiting use of the airspace associated with the RAN node. When the drone ID is next in the queue of drones awaiting use of the airspace associated with the RAN node, the RAN node can instruct the drone to fly through at least a portion of the airspace in accordance with the drone route.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Venson Shaw, Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah
  • Publication number: 20210204271
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transmitting a first message to a first network node, wherein the first message identifies a total count of resources available to a processing system across a plurality of carriers, transmitting a second message to a second network node that causes the second network node to obtain the total count of resources from the first network node, connecting the processing system to the first network node to receive first services in accordance with a first portion of the total count of resources, and connecting the processing system to the second network node to receive second services in accordance with a second portion of the total count of resources. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Hongyan Lei, Zhi Cui, Yupeng Jia, Yonghui Tong
  • Patent number: 11051226
    Abstract: Facilitating enablement of intelligent service aware access utilizing multiaccess edge computing advanced networks (e.g., 5G, 6G, and beyond) is provided herein. Operations of a method can comprise determining a network service being utilized by a first user equipment device has not been instantiated at a distributed network device and based on the first user equipment device approaching a service range of the distributed network device. The method also can comprise deploying the network service, as a microservice, at the distributed network device prior to the first user equipment device entering the service range of the distributed network device. Further, the method can comprise removing the network service from being deployed at the distributed network device based on a determination that the first user equipment device is no longer within the service range of the distributed network device and a second user equipment device is not utilizing the network service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P., AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Sangar Dowlatkhah, Zhi Cui, Brian Keller
  • Patent number: 11050845
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, partitioning content of a plurality of media streams into media segments to generate a plurality of media segments associated with a media event, determining a first set of media segments from the plurality of media segments according to social media information associated with a social media group, transmitting the first set of media segments to first user equipment of a first member of the social media group, detecting a change in membership of the social media group, updating the first set of media segments according to the change in membership of the social media group to generate a modified set of media segments, and transmitting the modified set of media segments to the first user equipment for presentation at the first user equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Venson Shaw, Sangar Dowlatkhah, Zhi Cui
  • Patent number: 11044240
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a request for access to a wireless network via an access point. Responsive to a first determination that the identifier corresponds to an entry in the list, access is facilitated to the wireless network via the access point without the equipment of the requesting user providing credentials to the wireless network. The list includes a first set of entries corresponding to a first set of users having unrestricted access and a second set of entries corresponding to a second set of users having restricted access. Responsive to a second determination that the identifier does not correspond to any of the entries, a message is transmitted to equipment of the host regarding the request, and responsive to receiving approval, the list is updated to include the identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Sangar Dowlatkhah, Zhi Cui, Venson Shaw
  • Patent number: 11043133
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling access to restricted sectors in airspace is disclosed. The method includes creating a multi-dimensional map of airspace, overlaying a sector having boundaries onto the map, wherein the sector contains a restricted flight zone and a buffer zone monitoring the flight of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), sending a command to the UAV if the UAV enters the buffer zone; and generating a response if the UAV does not leave the sector based on the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.
    Inventors: Zhi Cui, Sangar Dowlatkhah, Venson Shaw