Core Network Mediation for Cross-Vendor Terminal Sensing

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional terminal devices require direct communication with the same manufacturer to enable non-direct communication with zero-power devices, leading to increased costs and network complexity due to the need for manufacturer-specific servers.

Innovation Solution

A first terminal device sends information about a second terminal device to a first core network element via a user plane message, allowing the network to gain awareness of the second terminal device without requiring a private interface, thus enabling unbinding and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a private interface is used to enable non-direct communication between terminal devices from different manufacturers, then device compatibility is improved, but device complexity increases due to manufacturer-specific server deployment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a core network element as an intermediary to enable non-direct communication between terminal devices from different manufacturers. Instead of requiring private interfaces between devices, the core network element mediates the communication by receiving information from the first terminal device and forwarding it to the second terminal device, thereby eliminating manufacturer-specific server deployment and reducing network architecture complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The core network element provides universal functionality to handle non-direct communication for terminal devices from any manufacturer. By implementing a standardized interface with the core network element, the system achieves multi-manufacturer compatibility without requiring device-specific customizations or private interfaces, thus improving adaptability while maintaining simple network architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manufacturer-specific servers are deployed to enable non-direct communication, then device compatibility is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoiddeployment cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The core network element provides universal functionality to handle non-direct communication for terminal devices from any manufacturer. By implementing a standardized interface with the core network element, the system achieves multi-manufacturer compatibility without requiring device-specific customizations or private interfaces, thus improving adaptability while maintaining simple network architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a private interface is used for non-direct communication, then communication functionality is achieved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidnetwork architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a core network element as an intermediary to enable non-direct communication between terminal devices from different manufacturers. Instead of requiring private interfaces between devices, the core network element mediates the communication by receiving information from the first terminal device and forwarding it to the second terminal device, thereby eliminating manufacturer-specific server deployment and reducing network architecture complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4723716A1Communication method, terminal device, and core network element

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD

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AI summary

Provided in the present application are a communication method, a terminal device, and a core network element. The method comprises: a first terminal device sending first information to a first core network element by means of a user plane message, wherein the first information is used for indicating information of a second terminal device. When the first core network element collects the information of the second terminal device, a network side can acquire the information of the second terminal device, so as to sense the second terminal device. In this case, the first terminal device may not need to acquire the information of the second terminal device by means of a private interface, thereby unbinding the first terminal device and the second terminal device. For a consumer, the consumer can purchase the first terminal device of any manufacturer, that is, the sensing of the information of the second terminal device by the network side can be realized. For manufacturers or suppliers of the second terminal device, the manufacturers or suppliers do not need to deploy servers by themselves, thereby reducing costs and network complexity.