Context Servers for High Reliability Telecommunication Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Call signaling-based telecommunication networks face challenges in reliably handling multiple call signals during a telephone call, especially when different network components use varying signal formats or lack consistent identifiers, leading to inefficient resource utilization and potential failures in backup control elements.

Innovation Solution

Implementing context servers that provide context information to network control elements, allowing them to tie and process multiple call signals associated with a call, even without explicit identifiers, through requests and responses for call context data, enabling concurrent processing and load balancing across control elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple network control elements are used to process call signals with varying formats and inconsistent identifiers, then service functionality and capabilities are enhanced, but reliability of processing these call signals deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice functionalityVSAvoidcall signal processing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (signaling system with standardized routing capabilities) that mediates between diverse network control elements and the call signals. This intermediary standardizes the interaction by providing a common interface and routing mechanism, allowing control elements to process various call signal formats reliably without direct exposure to the diversity of signal formats and identifiers

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies homogeneity by standardizing the call signal format and identifier structure within the signaling system. By converting diverse call signals from different network components into a standardized format with consistent identifiers, the system enables reliable routing and processing across multiple control elements while maintaining the ability to handle various service functionalities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

2Reliability

If backup control elements are designated for failure scenarios, then service reliability is improved, but resource utilization efficiency deteriorates due to idle backup elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice continuityVSAvoidresource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic load balancing and failover mechanisms that allow control elements to transition between active and backup roles based on real-time system conditions. Instead of static backup assignments, the system dynamically adjusts which control elements are active and which are on standby, optimizing resource utilization while maintaining reliability through automated failover capabilities when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If call signals are routed based on explicit identifiers in signal headers, then routing precision is improved, but adaptability to signals without consistent identifiers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverouting precisionVSAvoidsignal format compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the routing approach by changing the parameters used for identification and routing. Instead of relying solely on explicit identifiers in signal headers, the system introduces additional routing parameters such as signal type classification, source/destination information, and standardized format indicators. This allows the system to maintain high routing precision for signals with identifiers while also adapting to signals that lack consistent identifiers by using alternative routing parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2060128B1System and method for providing high reliability network
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 VERISIGN INC
  • EP2060128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2060128B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2060128B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for providing a high reliability network. Context servers store information about calls in a telecommunications system. Network control elements can obtain call information from the context servers to help make call control and reporting decisions.