Gateway Selection via DNS Inquiry for 5G Capability Matching

Solution Overview

Problem

In communication systems, there is no conventional technique to connect user equipment to an appropriate gateway based on its 5G capability or availability, leading to potential suboptimal data communication performance.

Innovation Solution

A communication control apparatus that determines the appropriate gateway for user equipment by considering capability information and service availability, transmitting an inquiry signal to a DNS with a parameter indicating the 5G function, and receiving a list of gateways with the specific function from the DNS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user equipment is connected to any gateway without capability matching, then connection is established, but data communication performance is suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication performanceVSAvoidgateway selection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining capability information from user equipment and service availability information from the subscriber information management apparatus before gateway selection. This advance preparation enables informed gateway selection that matches user equipment capabilities with appropriate gateway functions, ensuring optimal data communication performance from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by using DNS to query gateway availability based on capability parameters and receiving service availability information. This feedback loop allows the communication control apparatus to make accurate gateway selection decisions that match user equipment capabilities with suitable gateways, resolving the contradiction between performance optimization and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If gateway selection is made without considering 5G capability, then selection process is simple, but connection to appropriate 5G gateway is not ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection to appropriate gatewayVSAvoidgateway selection process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining capability information from user equipment and service availability information from the subscriber information management apparatus before gateway selection. This advance preparation enables informed gateway selection that matches user equipment capabilities with appropriate gateway functions, ensuring optimal data communication performance from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The DNS acts as an intermediary that receives capability information from the communication control apparatus and returns appropriate gateway addresses. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the selection process by automating the matching between user equipment capabilities and gateway functions, ensuring reliable connection to appropriate 5G gateways without significantly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If all gateways are made available to all user equipment, then gateway accessibility is maximized, but optimal matching of 5G capability with 5G gateway is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegateway capability matchingVSAvoidinformation management system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by obtaining capability information from user equipment and service availability information from the subscriber information management apparatus before gateway selection. This advance preparation enables informed gateway selection that matches user equipment capabilities with appropriate gateway functions, ensuring optimal data communication performance from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes parameter changes by incorporating capability parameters into DNS queries and using service availability information to dynamically adjust gateway selection. This parameter-based approach enables flexible and adaptive gateway matching that responds to changing user equipment capabilities and network conditions, achieving high adaptability without excessive system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11277787B2Communication control apparatus and communication control method

Publication Date: 2022.03.15 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A communication control apparatus including: a control unit that determine whether to select a gateway having a specific function for a user equipment based on capability information received from the user equipment and a service availability information of the user equipment received from a subscriber information management apparatus; a transmission unit that transmits an inquiry signal including a parameter indicating that the specific function can be used to a DNS when the control unit determines to select the gateway having the specific function for the user equipment; and a reception unit that receives a list of gateways having the specific function from the DNS.