Patents by Inventor Joey Chou

Joey Chou 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: 20220174521
    Abstract: In an example method, a management service (MnS) producer sends a first request to establish a connection for streaming performance data regarding a wireless communications network to a MnS consumer. The MnS producer receives a first response from the MnS consumer confirming establishment of the connection, and streams one or more units of performance data to the MnS consumer sequentially using the connection. The one or more units include one or more performance metrics regarding the wireless communications network. The MnS producer sends a second request to the MnS consumer to terminate the connection, and receives a second response from the MnS consumer confirming termination of the connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Yizhi YAO, Joey Chou
  • Publication number: 20220167229
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and techniques for self-organizing networks (SON) including automatic neighbor relation (ANR) management and physical cell identifier (PCI) configuration aspects are described. A described ANR technique includes enabling, by an ANR management function, a distributed ANR function at a node such as a gNB; receiving, by the ANR management function, a notification from the distributed ANR function indicating a change of a neighbor cell relation in a cell; and performing, by the ANR management function, an action based on the notification. Performing the action can include setting a blacklist of one or more neighbor cell relations, setting a whitelist of one or more neighbor cell relations, or changing one or more attributes of one or more neighbor cell relations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Yizhi Yao
  • Patent number: 11340994
    Abstract: Techniques for identifying and remedying performance issues of Virtualized Network Functions (VNFs) are discussed. An example system includes processor(s) configured to: process VNF Performance Measurement (PM) data received from a network Element Manager (EM) for a VNF; determine whether the VNF has a negative performance issue based on the VNF PM data; request that the EM create a Virtualization Resource (VR) PM job associated with a VR of the VNF when the VNF has the negative performance issue; process VR PM data received from the EM; determine whether to restart the VNF based on the VR PM data and the VNF PM data; and request a network function virtualization orchestrator (NFVO) to restart the VNF based on a determination to restart the VR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Stephen Gooch, Meghashree Dattatri Kedalagudde
  • Publication number: 20220158897
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for configuring a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO). In one aspect, a method can include actions of generating, by one or more computers, a message that includes data representing a request to upload a virtual network function (VNF) package, encoding, by the one or more computers, the generated message that includes the VNF package for transmission to a network functions virtualization orchestrator (NFVO), and transmitting, by the one or more computers, the encoded message to the NFVO.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Niall Power, Jianli Sun
  • Publication number: 20220159501
    Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for deploying User Plane Function (UPF) and edge computing virtualized network functions (VNF). For example, some embodiments are directed to a network management system. The network management system includes processor circuitry. The processor circuitry can be configured to transmit a request to an edge computing management system to instantiate an edge computing virtualized network function (VNF). The request can include an identifier of a Network Service (NS) where a User Plane Function (UPF) VNF supporting the edge computing VNF is located. The processor circuitry can be further configured to receive, from the edge computing management system, a response indicating that the edge computing VNF is instantiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey CHOU, Yizhi YAO
  • Publication number: 20220159525
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for load balancing and mobility robustness in cellular systems. A network entity such as a near-RT RIC may receive ranges of handover (HO) parameters and/or performance targets for a mobility robustness optimization (MRO) function and/or a load balancing optimization (LBO) function from a service management and orchestration framework (SMOFW) and receive and analyze HO related performance measurements and/or cell load measurements from an open RAN (O-RAN) distributed unit (O-DU) or centralized unit (O-CU). The near-RTI RIC, based on the analysis, may request the SMOFW to change virtualized resources, request the O-DU update HO parameters, and/or request the O-DU/O-CU update UE selection, cell selection and/or handover parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Yizhi Yao
  • Patent number: 11337053
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems for instantiating and terminating a MME VNF. The MME VNF is instantiated and/or terminated using an EM, a NM, a VNFM, a VIM, a NFVO and/or a catalog. Instantiating an MME VNF includes on-boarding the VNF package, creating a managed element, executing the enabled VNF package, instantiating the MME VNF instance, creating the MME function and modifying the MME pool to add the MME VNF instance. Terminating the MME VNF includes decommissioning the MME VNF services, modifying the MME pool to remove the MME VNF from the MME pool, and terminating the MME VNF instance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Joey Chou
  • Publication number: 20220150740
    Abstract: In an example computer-implemented method, a management module receives measurement data from one or more first network modules of a wireless communications network. The measurement data pertains to at least one of establishing one or more communications sessions on the wireless communications network by the one or more first network modules, or modifying one or more communications sessions on the wireless communications network by the one or more first network modules. The management module generates one or more performance metrics based on the measurement data, and transmits the one or more performance metrics to one or more second network modules of the wireless communications network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: May 12, 2022
    Inventors: Yizhi Yao, Joey Chou
  • Patent number: 11327787
    Abstract: Techniques for linking managed object (MO) operations and lifecycle operations associated with VNFs (Virtual Network Functions) are discussed. In various actions, MO operations can trigger associated lifecycle operations, or lifecycle operations can trigger associated MO operations. In some aspects, MO instance creation by an EM (Element Manager) can trigger associated VNF instantiation by a VNFM (VNF Manager), or vice versa. In the same or other aspects, MO instance deletion by an EM can trigger termination of an associated VNF by a VNFM, or vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Joey Chou
  • Publication number: 20220141751
    Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for identifying performance measurements for registration and handovers for user equipment (UE) and wireless network nodes. A service producer system may register a first wireless communication connection with a first UE using one or more access and mobility management functions (AMFs). The service producer system may monitor registration measurements corresponding to this registration, perform a handover for the first UE using the one or more AMFs, and monitor mobility measurements corresponding to the handover. The service producer system may select a node for a second wireless communication connection corresponding to a second UE based on the registration measurements and mobility measurements and transmit an indication of the selected node to the second UE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yizhi YAO, Joey CHOU
  • Publication number: 20220141738
    Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include apparatuses and methods for applying mobility robustness optimization (MRO) and automatic network slice creation in 5G Self-Organizing Networks (SON). A network system may identify user equipment (UE) performing a handover from a first node to a second node. The network system may apply a MRO function to identify a target parameter corresponding to the handover. The network system may monitor connection measurements and/or radio link failure reports to identify the handover as failing to meet the target parameter. The network system may then modify the target parameter to facilitate the handover to the second node. For the automatic creation of a network slice instance (NSI), a network system may receive network slice specifications and apply the specifications to an automatic NSI creation function. The network system may instantiate network functions according to the automatic NSI creation function to create an NSI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey CHOU, Yizhi YAO
  • Publication number: 20220131739
    Abstract: Embodiments of a Network Manager (NM), a (NFVO), and methods of communication are disclosed herein. The NM may transfer, to the NFVO, an update NS request message to update the NS instance based on the new NSD. The NM may encode the update NS request message to include: an nsInstanceID parameter that identifies the NS instance, and an updateType parameter that indicates a type of update for the NS instance. One value of “AssocPnfWithPnfProfile” for the updateType parameter may indicate a request to associate the PNF of the NS instance with a new or updated PNF profile indicated by the new NSD. Another value of “AssocVnfWithVnfProfile” for the updateType parameter may indicate a request to associate the VNF of the NS instance with a new or updated VNF profile indicated by the new NSD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2022
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Yizhi Yao
  • Patent number: 11303501
    Abstract: Embodiments of a Network Manager (NM), a (NFVO), and methods of communication are disclosed herein. The NM may transfer, to the NFVO, an update NS request message to update the NS instance based on the new NSD. The NM may encode the update NS request message to include: an nsInstanceID parameter that identifies the NS instance, and an updateType parameter that indicates a type of update for the NS instance. One value of “AssocPnfWithPnfProfile” for the updateType parameter may indicate a request to associate the PNF of the NS instance with a new or updated PNF profile indicated by the new NSD. Another value of “AssocVnfWithVnfProfile” for the updateType parameter may indicate a request to associate the VNF of the NS instance with a new or updated VNF profile indicated by the new NSD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Yizhi Yao
  • Publication number: 20220110155
    Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to Random Access Channel (RACH) optimization and Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) use cases and requirements for 5G networks. For example, embodiments disclosed herein automatically configure RACH parameters and neighbor relations for 5G networks that can generate biggest saving in resource utilization for mobile operators. The RACH optimization disclosed herein can automatically configure the RACH parameters in a cell to achieve the optimal RACH performance by reducing the network access and handoff time, and minimize the failures. The Automatic Neighbor Relation (ANR) management disclosed herein can automatically create and update the neighbor relations that can generate biggest saving in resource utilization for mobile operators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey CHOU, Yizhi YAO
  • Publication number: 20220104051
    Abstract: Some embodiments of this disclosure include systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for defining threshold monitoring service for performance management of 5G networks. For example, some embodiments are directed to an electronic device. The electronic device includes radio front end circuitry and processor circuitry coupled to the radio front end circuitry. The processor circuitry can be configured to receive, using the radio front end circuitry, a first request to generate a threshold monitoring service for a network function (NF). The processor circuitry can be further configured to generate the threshold monitoring service and transmit, using the radio front end circuitry, a second request to the NF to monitor a performance measurement based on a threshold defined by the threshold monitoring service. The processor circuitry can also be configured to receive, using the radio front end circuitry, the performance measurement from the NF.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yizhi YAO, Joey CHOU
  • Patent number: 11284303
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods and apparatuses for network resource modelling to support next generation node Bs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey Chou, Yizhi Yao
  • Publication number: 20220086669
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for carrying out performance measurement monitoring. Specifically, a consumer seeking performance measurement monitoring transmits a request to a management service producer that includes the parameters of the monitoring, such as the type of data to be monitored, a granularity period and one or more threshold values. In response, the management service producer communicates with a network function to carry out the monitoring. In particular, for each granularity period, a monitoring value is initialized. Then, either at the end of the granularity period or at intervals throughout the granularity period, the monitoring value is measured. If, at the time of measurement, the measurement value exceeds any one of the threshold values, a notification is transmitted to the consumer. Otherwise, monitoring continues for the remainder of the granularity period and/or is repeated for subsequent granularity periods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yizhi YAO, Joey CHOU
  • Publication number: 20220086072
    Abstract: A wireless communication management system is disclosed for use in a Third Generation Partnership Program (3GPP) wireless communication environment. The management system supports edge computing by assisting with the locating and/or deployment of a satisfactory user plane function near the requesting device. Specifically, the management system receives a request from an edge computing management system to provide information of a user plane function to which the edge computing related resources in a local data network can be connected. The management system then selects a satisfactory user plane function, or if none can be found, deploys a new user plane function. The management system then provides the information of the selected or deployed user plane function for use in edge computing to the edge computing management system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Joey CHOU, Yizhi YAO
  • Publication number: 20220086698
    Abstract: One or more computer-readable media (CRM) storing instructions for monitoring qualityof-service (QoS) flows in a wireless cellular network are disclosed. The instructions, upon execution by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to: obtain a signal in the wireless cellular network; determine, based on the signal, a QoS flow event for a session management function (SMF); determine performance measurements related to the QoS flow event; and modify at least one of the QoS flows in the wireless cellular network based on the performance measurements. Example QoS flow events include a request to create or modify a QoS flow, a successfully created or modified Qos flow, a QoS flow that failed to be created or modified, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Yizhi YAO, Joey CHOU
  • Publication number: 20220045924
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses provide for collecting end-to-end (e2e) one way latency measurements and solutions for performance data streaming. The e2e performance measurements and performance data streaming (real-time performance measurements) may be used for performance assurance of 5G networks including network slicing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Inventors: Yizhi YAO, Joey CHOU