Distribution Access Management for Cross-Network Channel Failures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Communication channels between devices can experience failures or impairments, leading to undesirable interruptions in data traffic, especially for critical or high-priority data, and inefficient use of network resources.

Innovation Solution

A Distribution Access Management Component (DAMC) monitors communication conditions across multiple networks and reroutes data traffic based on defined policies to mitigate channel problems, ensuring efficient and cost-effective data communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If data traffic is routed through a single communication channel, then the communication path is simple and direct, but the system reliability deteriorates when channel failures occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork routing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing alternate communication channels and configuring routing policies before failures occur. The DAMC component is pre-configured with multiple communication channels and policies that define when and how to switch channels, enabling rapid response to failures without complex real-time decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The DAMC (Distribution Access Management Component) acts as an intermediary between the data source/destination and the communication channels. It monitors channel conditions, detects failures, and automatically switches traffic to alternate channels based on predefined policies, shielding users from the complexity of multi-channel management while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple alternate communication channels are maintained ready, then the system reliability improves for failure mitigation, but the network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication channel reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by maintaining only the necessary number of alternate channels based on policy definitions and failure probabilities. Rather than maintaining all possible alternate paths simultaneously, the DAMC activates specific alternate channels only when policies dictate they are needed, optimizing the balance between reliability and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes parameters such as channel activation status, traffic routing proportions, and monitoring intensity based on current network conditions and policy requirements. This allows the system to maintain high reliability when needed while conserving resources during normal operation by adjusting the state of alternate channels rather than keeping them all fully active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automatic channel switching is implemented, then the data traffic continuity is improved, but the control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata traffic continuityVSAvoidchannel management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The DAMC implements self-service by automatically monitoring communication channel conditions, detecting failures, and switching to alternate channels without human intervention. The system uses predefined policies to make switching decisions autonomously, ensuring data traffic continuity while eliminating the need for complex manual control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback mechanisms where the DAMC continuously monitors channel status, detects failures, and uses this information to trigger automatic switching actions. The feedback loop includes monitoring channel health, comparing against policy thresholds, and activating alternate channels when conditions warrant, simplifying control through rule-based automated responses rather than complex algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250317385A1Managing distribution access among and across multiple communication networks

Publication Date: 2025.10.09 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Distribution access channels among and across multiple communication networks can be managed. A distribution access management component (DAMC) can monitor communication conditions of communication channels across multiple communication networks employing respective communication technologies. During a data session between a data source device and communication device via a first communication channel associated with a first communication network, and in response to determining a failure of the first communication channel, DAMC can determine whether data traffic of the data session is to be re-routed from the first communication channel to a second communication channel associated with a second communication network based on a policy. If the policy indicates re-routing can be performed, DAMC can facilitate establishing the second communication channel, and data traffic of the data session can be re-routed via the second communication channel until the failure of the first communication channel is remedied.