Core Network Traffic Routing for Relocated Application Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently relocating application services to geographically closer servers when user equipment moves away, leading to suboptimal data traffic routing and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing mechanisms in a mobile core network that involve communication session control nodes and application service nodes to trigger and manage the relocation of application services to new hosting servers, utilizing network addresses and relocation information to optimize data traffic routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If application service is relocated to geographically closer server when user equipment moves away, then data traffic routing efficiency is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traffic routing efficiencyVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The core network node proactively triggers application service relocation before the user equipment completely moves away from the original service area. By detecting movement indicators and initiating relocation procedures in advance, the system optimizes traffic routing efficiency while managing network complexity through timely intervention rather than reactive responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a core network node as an intermediary that mediates between the user equipment and the application service host. This intermediary node manages the relocation process by receiving movement information, triggering relocation events, and coordinating the transition of data traffic to the new application server, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If application service relocation is implemented to optimize traffic routing, then service efficiency is improved, but relocation management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice efficiencyVSAvoidrelocation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The application service node autonomously performs relocation operations based on triggers from the core network node. The node independently manages the relocation process by selecting new hosting servers, updating routing information, and establishing new connection paths, thereby improving service efficiency while minimizing the complexity burden on the core network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the core network node monitors user equipment movement and sends relocation trigger messages to the application service node. The application service node responds with relocation status information, creating a closed-loop feedback system that manages relocation complexity through coordinated communication and status tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Speed

If data traffic is offloaded to new application server, then latency is reduced, but routing control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidrouting control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic routing control where the core network node adjusts data traffic routing paths in real-time based on user equipment location and application service relocation status. By making routing decisions dynamic rather than static, the system reduces latency through optimized paths while managing routing control complexity through location-aware adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The routing control function is segmented between the core network node and the application service node. The core network node handles high-level routing decisions and traffic steering, while the application service node manages detailed connection establishment and data transmission. This segmentation reduces overall routing control complexity by distributing responsibilities across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4055981B1A method for influencing data traffic routing in a core network
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 ZTE CORP
  • EP4055981B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4055981B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4055981B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a method for effectuating data traffic routing influence for a relocated application service in a core network of a communication system. In an embodiment, the core network may include a communication session control node and an application service node. The method may include transmitting, by the communication session control node, a message to the application service node for notifying a relocation triggering event. The relocation triggering event triggers the application service node to relocate an application service provided to a user equipment in a pre-established communication session from a previous application hosting server to a new application hosting server outside of the mobile core network. The method may further include receiving, by the communication session control node, a relocation information from the application service node such that the communication session control node may reconfigure and modify the data traffic routing for the relocated application service.