Mobile device equipped with mobile network congestion recognition to make intelligent decisions regarding connecting to an operator network for optimized user experience

Abstract

The disclosed technology includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for optimizing network traffic management in a mobile network. One method includes determining, by a network optimization client of a mobile device, a packet call quality (PCQ) associated with transmission of packets between the mobile device and a mobile communications network. The PCQ includes a numerical indication of call quality. A congestion recognition (CR) module of the mobile device determines a measure of user congestion based on the PCQ that indicates a total delay experienced by a user of the mobile device during the transmission of packets.

1 . A method comprising:
 at a mobile device:
 determining, by a network optimization client, a packet call quality (PCQ) associated with transmission of packets between the mobile device and a mobile communications network, including a numerical indication of call quality; and 
 determining, by a congestion recognition (CR) module, a measure of congestion based on the PCQ that indicates a total delay experienced by a user of the mobile device during the transmission of packets. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising applying, by the network optimization client, at least one of: a pre-determined blocking policy to minimize packets transmitted from the mobile device, delaying transmission of packets from the mobile device, responding to client requests from a local cache instead of from a remote source, and lowering the speed of client communications. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the PCQ and the measure of congestion are performed independent of other mobile devices and without communicating with a server-side network optimization component. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the PCQ includes measuring the delay caused only by poor packet access provided by a network operator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the PCQ includes determining a PCQ breakdown for individual connections and each delay cause. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the PCQ includes determining a maximum, a minimum, and an average number of seconds the user has waited to get packet access while the mobile device's screen is on. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein determining the PCQ includes determining a maximum, a minimum, and an average number of seconds the background service has waited to get packet access while the mobile device's screen is off. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a daily graph showing hourly PCQ. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adjusting the PCQ for connections and attempts to be made to mobile networks are made with the mobile device depending on whether it is static or in motion, and also based on the rate with which the mobile device is in motion. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising reducing the congestion of the mobile device based on one or more of the following factors: the geographical location of cellular towers, the number or density of cellular towers, the congestion of towers relative to a rate with which the mobile device is moving, and the cell tower the mobile device is connected to.