# US 12,113,670 B2 · Network management > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,113,670 B2 - Document ID: US12113670B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/431,772 - Filed: 2020-01-30 - Published: 2022-05-12 - Granted: 2024-10-08 - Earliest claimed: 2019-02-22 - Assignees: British Telecommunications public limited company - Applicants: British Telecommunications Public Limited Company - Inventors: Ruth Brown; Jonathan Hart; Maria Cuevas Ramirez - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12113670B2 ## CPC - H04L 41/0816: the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events - H04L 45/123: {Evaluation of link metrics (techniques for monitoring network metrics H04L43/08)} - A63F 13/332: using wireless networks, e.g. cellular phone networks - A63F 13/358: Adapting the game course according to the network or server load, e.g. for reducing latency due to different connection speeds between clients - G07F 17/3272: {Games involving multiple players} - G07F 17/3276: {wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament} - H04L 45/124: {using a combination of metrics} - H04L 45/125: based on throughput or bandwidth - H04L 47/76: using dynamic resource allocation, e.g. in-call renegotiation requested by the user or requested by the network in response to changing network conditions - H04L 47/808: {User-type aware} - H04L 67/131: Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality - H04W 40/12: based on transmission quality or channel quality - H04W 40/125: {using a measured number of retransmissions as a link metric} - H04W 40/34: Modification of an existing route - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - A63F: CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) ## Abstract A method of managing a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network having a first user and a second user, the method comprising the step of: ascertaining a competitive characteristic associated with the first user and a competitive characteristic associated with the second user; comparing the ascertained competitive characteristics; identifying whether there is a disparity between the competitive characteristics that exceeds a threshold, thereby to identify a competitive advantage associated with the first or second user; and if it is identified that the disparity exceeds the threshold, adapting a network configuration of a network connection associated with the first user so as to offset the competitive advantage associated with the first or second user. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of managing a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network having a first user and a second user, the method comprising: ascertaining a competitive characteristic associated with the first user and a competitive characteristic associated with the second user, wherein each competitive characteristic comprises an indication of a level of skill of the associated user; comparing the ascertained levels of skill for the first and second users; identifying whether there is a disparity between the levels of skill that exceeds a threshold, thereby to identify a competitive advantage associated with the first or second user; and in response to identifying that the disparity between the levels of skill exceeds the threshold, adapting a network configuration of a network connection associated with the first user so as to increase a difference in network performance between the first user and the second user thereby to help offset the competitive advantage due to said disparity. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting the network configuration comprises reducing network performance of the network connection associated with the first user. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting the network configuration comprises improving network performance of the network connection associated with the first user. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting the network configuration comprises changing a path through the telecommunications network of a network communication from and/or to the first user. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting the network configuration comprises changing a location within the telecommunications network of a network resource that is to be accessed by the first user. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting the network configuration comprises corrupting a network communication from and/or to the first user. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein adapting the network configuration comprises allocating the first user to a network slice. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining an extent of the disparity, and adapting the network configuration in dependence upon the determined extent of disparity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising limiting the extent to which the network configuration is adapted. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the competitive characteristics further comprises an indication of hardware and/or software of the associated user, wherein the competitive advantage is further identified in dependence upon the said hardware and/or software. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one of the competitive characteristics which further comprises the indication of hardware and/or software comprises an indication of: computational processing, memory and/or network performance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one of the competitive characteristics which further comprises the indication of hardware and/or software comprises an indication of presence or absence of peripheral computer input and/or output devices. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein the at least one of the competitive characteristics which further comprises the indication of hardware and/or software comprises an indication of presence or absence of software for aiding or automating functions within a competitive activity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the competitive characteristics further comprises a plurality of values, and wherein the network configuration is adapted in dependence upon a weighting and/or ranking of the plurality of values. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying an activity in which the first and second users are, or are to be, engaged over the telecommunications network. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the extent to which the network performance is adapted is dependent upon the identified activity. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein a composition of further parameters for at least one of the competitive characteristics is selected in dependence upon the identified activity, and wherein the competitive advantage is further identified using said composition. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying that the first and second users are both competing in a competitive activity over the telecommunications network, and performing said method having identified that the first and second users are both competing in the competitive activity. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising reversing the adapting of the network configuration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor associated with a telecommunications network, causes the telecommunications network to perform the method according to claim 1. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the level of skill corresponds to (i) a ranking in a leader board, (ii) a win-to-loss ratio, and/or (iii) an award, certification and/or accreditation. ### Claim 22 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the level of skill corresponds to a total time undertaken in a competitive activity in which at least the first user and the second user compete. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the level of skill corresponds to (i) metrics regarding user motor skills and/or (ii) a measure of user knowledge and/or intelligence. ### Claim 24 A telecommunications network for facilitating interaction between a first user and a second user over the telecommunications network, comprising: a receiver for receiving a competitive characteristic associated with the first user and a competitive characteristic associated with the second user, wherein each competitive characteristic comprises an indication of a level of skill of the associated user; a processor configured to: compare the received levels of skill and to identify whether there is a disparity between said levels of skill that exceeds a threshold, thereby to identify a competitive advantage associated with the first or second user; and a controller configured, in response to identifying a disparity between the levels of skill that exceeds the threshold, to: adapt a network configuration of a network connection associated with the first user so as to increase a difference in network performance between the first user and the second user thereby to help offset the competitive advantage due to the disparity. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The telecommunications network according to claim 24, wherein the processor and/or the controller is/are provided: in a core of the telecommunications network; an edge of the telecommunications network; and/or User Equipment (UE) associated with the first user and/or the second user. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The telecommunications network according to claim 24, wherein the level of skill corresponds to (i) a ranking in a leader board, (ii) a win-to-loss ratio, and/or (iii) an award, certification and/or accreditation. ### Claim 27 (depends on 24) The telecommunications network according to claim 24, wherein the level of skill corresponds to a total time undertaken in a competitive activity in which at least the first user and the second user compete. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The telecommunications network according to claim 24, wherein the level of skill corresponds to (i) metrics regarding user motor skills and/or (ii) a measure of user knowledge and/or intelligence. ### Claim 29 (depends on 24) The telecommunications network according to claim 24, wherein at least one of the competitive characteristics further comprises an indication of hardware and/or software of the associated user, wherein the competitive advantage is further identified in dependence upon the hardware and/or software. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The telecommunications network according to claim 29, wherein the at least one of the competitive characteristics which further comprises the indication of hardware and/or software comprises an indication of: computational processing, memory and/or network performance. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The telecommunications network according to claim 29, wherein the at least one of the competitive characteristics which further comprises the indication of hardware and/or software comprises an indication of presence or absence of peripheral computer input and/or output devices. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The telecommunications network according to claim 29, wherein the at least one of the competitive characteristics which further comprises the indication of hardware and/or software comprises an indication of presence or absence of software for aiding or automating functions within a competitive activity.