Cloud-Hosted Content Processing in Mobile Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile telecommunications networks face challenges in managing increasing bandwidth demands due to rising data traffic, leading to costly operations and service degradation, with existing architectures being hierarchical, expensive to scale, and inefficient in utilizing capacity, and lacking intelligent local routing or processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a cloud-hosted content processing means within the mobile telecommunications network, allowing for cloud-based services that include content charging and lawful interception, and the use of a platform with soft nodes, network functions, and services to optimize data routing and caching, enabling intelligent management of data traffic and reducing reliance on traditional core network infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mobile networks carry increasing data traffic volume, then network capacity utilization improves, but operational costs increase and service degradation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into hierarchical levels (access network, core network, cloud services) with distributed intelligence. Base stations and access networks perform local processing and routing decisions, while the core network handles centralized functions. This segmentation allows traffic to be processed closer to the source, reducing backhaul costs and improving scalability without linearly increasing operational expenses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cloud-based services as a new dimension above the traditional network architecture. Content processing, storage, and delivery are moved to cloud platforms that can be scaled independently from the network infrastructure. This allows the network to handle increasing data volumes by leveraging external cloud resources rather than expanding costly proprietary core network capacity.
2Device complexity
If traditional hierarchical network architecture is used, then network control and management are simplified, but scaling costs increase and capacity utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by enabling base stations and access networks to perform intelligent local routing and processing decisions. Each network element can autonomously determine the optimal path for data traffic, selecting between core network routing and direct cloud service access based on local conditions. This distributed intelligence improves capacity utilization without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic routing capabilities that allow network paths to adapt in real-time based on traffic conditions, network load, and service requirements. The system can dynamically switch between core network routing and direct cloud access, and adjust resource allocation based on demand patterns. This dynamic behavior enables efficient capacity utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through automated decision-making.
3Ease of operation
If proprietary network elements are used, then network control and integration are easier, but adaptability to introduce new capabilities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adopts universal interfaces and standardized protocols at all network levels, enabling different vendors' equipment to interoperate seamlessly. The cloud-based service layer provides multi-functional capabilities that can serve multiple purposes (content delivery, storage, processing, analytics) without requiring proprietary network elements. This universality maintains ease of operation through standardization while dramatically improving adaptability to new capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cloud services as an intermediary layer between the network infrastructure and end users. This intermediary handles complex processing, storage, and service logic externally, allowing the network core to remain relatively simple while gaining access to advanced capabilities. The cloud layer mediates between network resources and service requirements, enabling rapid introduction of new capabilities without modifying proprietary network elements.
4Ease of operation
If flat rate unlimited data pricing is used, then customer satisfaction improves, but network operator revenue per bit decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the network automatically manages resource allocation, quality of service enforcement, and billing based on actual usage patterns. The system monitors and tracks data consumption, service quality metrics, and resource utilization in real-time, enabling differentiated pricing and resource management without manual intervention. This allows flat rate pricing to be offered while maintaining revenue through automated usage-based billing for services beyond the flat rate allowance.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile telecommunications network includes: a radio access network having radio means (2000) for wireless communication with a plurality of terminals (10) registered with the telecommunications network and control means (700) operable to provide services to the users of the terminals connected thereto; a core (2030) having content processing means (2200, 2250) operable to provide a core service relating to content; a cloud (2210) hosted content processing means (2220) operable to provide a cloud-based service relating to content corresponding to the core service; wherein the control means (700) is operable to transmit data to the cloud hosted content processing means (2220) for the performance of the cloud-based service thereon.