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MetaGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 3/10

Meta patents network method to drop less important data during congestion

Meta describes a system where a sending device assigns a priority level to groups of data packets based on their type. If the network is busy, the device automatically deletes the lowest-priority groups before sending the rest to the receiver.

Why it mattersThis technique helps manage data flow during network congestion, ensuring that critical information reaches its destination even when bandwidth is limited.

In the filing’s own words

Systems and methods for protocol data unit (PDU) set discard may include a transmitter device which determines, for each of a plurality of PDU sets, a discard level, from an ordered set of a plurality of discard levels, assigned to the PDU set, the discard level assigned to the PDU set based on one or more characteristics of traffic corresponding to the PDU set. The transmitter device may determine a congestion status of a network which is to be used to transmit the PDU sets to a receiver device. The transmitter device may discard a first subset of the plurality of PDU sets, according to a first discard level assigned to the first subset. The transmitter device may transmit, via the network to the receiver device, a second subset of the plurality of PDU sets having a second discard level.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method, comprising: determining, by a transmitter device, for each of a plurality of protocol data unit (PDU) sets, a discard level, from an ordered set of a plurality of discard levels, assigned to the PDU set, the discard level assigned to the PDU set based on one or more characteristics of traffic corresponding to the PDU set, the one or more characteristics comprising a traffic type of the PDU set; determining, by the transmitter device, a congestion status of a network which is to be used to transmit the PDU sets to a receiver device; discarding, by the transmitter device, a first subset of the plurality of PDU sets, according to a first discard level assigned to the first subset; and transmitting, by the transmitter device, via the network to the receiver device, a second subset of the plurality of PDU sets having a second discard level.

Facts

Company
Meta (Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC)
Official title
Systems and methods for protocol data unit (PDU) set discard
Patent number
US12771647B2
Application number
18767574
Filed
Jul 9, 2024
Granted
Oct 20, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H04L 47/32 Electricity & electronicsH04L 47/11 Electricity & electronicsH04L 47/265 Electricity & electronicsH04W 28/0278 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
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