Application Context Relocation via Edge Enabler Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-access edge computing architectures, relocating an application context when a user equipment moves outside a service area involves significant signaling exchange and latency, affecting the continuity of application services.

Innovation Solution

Delegating the relocation of the application context to an edge enabler function entity, such as an EEC/EES, to determine and manage the relocation process, reducing signaling exchange and latency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the EEC or EES determines the target EAS and notifies the current EAS for application context relocation, then the application context can be relocated to maintain service continuity, but a large amount of signaling exchange occurs and latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidrelocation latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the target EAS pre-allocate resources and prepare for receiving the application context before the actual relocation is triggered. When the UE moves, the context can be quickly transferred to the already-prepared target EAS, reducing relocation latency while maintaining service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mobility management entity as an intermediary that coordinates the relocation process. This intermediary manages the signaling between source EAS, target EAS, and the UE, optimizing the relocation workflow and reducing unnecessary signaling exchange while ensuring reliable service continuity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the current EAS is notified to relocate the application context, then the application context can be transferred to a target EAS, but the signaling exchange amount increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication context relocationVSAvoidsignaling exchange

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the relocation decision-making function from the EAS and concentrates it in the mobility management entity. This extraction allows the EAS to simply execute relocation commands without engaging in complex negotiation signaling, reducing overall signaling exchange while ensuring reliable context relocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating a target EAS instance in advance that mirrors the capabilities of the source EAS. This pre-configured copy can immediately assume the application context without requiring extensive verification signaling, thereby reducing signaling complexity while maintaining relocation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12538115B2Application context relocation method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

An application context relocation method and apparatus are provided. One example method includes: receiving first information from an application function entity, where the first information is for indicating to relocate an application context associated with the application function entity; and when an event that triggers relocation of the application context occurs, determining, based on the first information, to relocate the application context.