Autonomous Function Mapping for Mobile Network Intent Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators face challenges in managing autonomous functions deployed in complex mobile communication networks, as they cannot determine which functions serve specific intents, when new functions are needed, or how to optimize existing ones to meet diverse service requirements.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for autonomous function management that allows operators to receive and manage information about deployed autonomous functions, enabling them to determine which functions serve specific intents, deploy or disable them, and suggest upgrades or additions to improve efficiency and rationality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If automation technologies are applied to mobile communication networks, then operation and maintenance efficiency is improved, but network complexity increases making management difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation and maintenance efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network management system receives execution results from autonomous functions and uses this information to adjust and optimize function deployment. The system tracks which autonomous functions serve which intents, monitors their effectiveness, and provides feedback for continuous improvement of network automation management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple autonomous functions are deployed to serve diverse service requirements, then service adaptability is improved, but difficulty in managing and tracking function-intent relationships increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice adaptabilityVSAvoidfunction-intent relationship tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the network management system into distinct functional modules: an intent management module that handles service requirements, an autonomous function management module that deploys functions, and a relationship tracking module that maintains mappings between intents and functions. This segmentation makes the complex management task manageable and traceable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary relationship database that stores and manages the mappings between autonomous functions and intents. This intermediary structure acts as a mediator that tracks which functions serve which intents, making the relationships detectable and measurable without adding complexity to the core autonomous functions themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of energy

If manual operations are reduced through automation, then operating expense is reduced, but ability to manage and control autonomous functions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating expenseVSAvoidfunction management capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service management system where the network management system automatically tracks, monitors, and manages autonomous functions without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously maintains function-intent relationships, detects execution results, and provides management capabilities through automated processes, thereby reducing operating expenses while maintaining full management control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4716279A1Autonomous function management method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4716279A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4716279A1 patent drawingFigure 1b~1c
  • EP4716279A1 patent drawingFigure 2~4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an autonomous function management method and an apparatus, allowing operators to manage an autonomous function. The method may be implemented by a first device. The first device is, for example, a vendor device. The method includes: receiving a first request from a second device, where the first request is used for requesting to manage a first intent, the first request carries first indication information, and the first indication information indicates to report information about an autonomous function for serving the first intent; obtaining information about at least one autonomous function for serving the first intent; and sending the information about the at least one autonomous function to the second device.