Anti-Traffic Redirection System for Mobile Roaming Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling international roaming traffic redirection in mobile networks often lead to network errors and revenue loss for non-preferred Visiting Public Mobile Networks (VPMNs), as Home Public Mobile Networks (HPMNs) use techniques that deprive them of inbound roaming revenues and cause network overload.

Innovation Solution

An Anti-Traffic Redirection System (ATRS) that detects traffic redirection attempts by monitoring registration messages between HPMNs and VPMNs, thwarting these attempts by sending registration response messages to steer roaming traffic towards preferred networks, thereby reducing network errors and overload.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If HPMN uses traffic redirection techniques to control roamer distribution, then preferred VPMN gets high percentage of roaming traffic, but non-preferred VPMN operators lose inbound roaming revenues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroaming traffic distribution controlVSAvoidrevenue loss for non-preferred VPMN

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by monitoring registration messages between HPMN and VPMN, detecting traffic redirection attempts, and automatically responding with counter-registration messages to thwart the redirection, creating a closed-loop control system that balances traffic distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by proactively detecting traffic redirection attempts before they fully execute and immediately counteracting them with registration response messages, preventing the harmful redirection effect from completing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Productivity

If HPMN uses rejection error, timeout or abort techniques for traffic redirection, then roamer distribution is controlled, but network interface between HPMN and VPMN becomes overloaded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroamer distribution controlVSAvoidnetwork interface reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary detection and response mechanism that intercepts registration messages and automatically generates appropriate response messages, acting as a mediator between HPMN and VPMN to prevent direct conflict and overload on the network interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If competing VPMN networks deploy inbound traffic redirection to retain roamers, then their own revenues are protected, but other VPMN operators experience revenue decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverevenue protection for individual VPMNVSAvoidrevenue loss for other VPMN operators

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables VPMN operators to self-protect their revenues by autonomously detecting traffic redirection attempts from other networks and automatically counteracting them, allowing each operator to defend its own interests without requiring coordination or causing harm to others

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7684793B2Anti-traffic redirection system

Publication Date: 2010.03.23 MOBILEUM INC

AI summary

A system for controlling traffic between a Home Public Mobile Network (HPMN) and a Visiting Public Mobile Network (VPMN) of a roaming mobile station is provided. The system includes a TR probe for detecting a traffic redirection (TR) attempt for the roaming mobile station, by observing exchange of at least one registration message between the VPMN and the HPMN. The system further includes an anti-TR unit for thwarting the TR attempt by sending one or more registration response messages in response to the at least one registration message received from a switch.