Dynamic Call-Processing Node Pool for Mobile Redundancy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems face inefficiencies in redundancy, reliability, and flexibility due to fixed pairings of active and standby call-processing nodes, leading to economic inefficiencies and difficulties in scaling out during malfunctions or disasters, as well as uneven user distribution and long scale-out times.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication system with a call-processing node configuration that includes a call processing management database, multiple call-processing servers, and a control node capable of recognizing node states and dynamically assigning call-processing tasks, allowing any server to handle requests without fixed act/sby pairings, and utilizing virtualization for efficient resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If fixed act/sby pairings are used for redundancy, then reliability is improved through dedicated backup, but economic efficiency deteriorates due to double amount of facilities being held

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveredundancyVSAvoidfacilities
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a pool of call-processing nodes that can dynamically serve multiple active nodes rather than being dedicated to a single standby pairing. Any node in the pool can take over for any active node, making the backup resources universal and multi-functional, thereby reducing the total number of facilities needed while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static act/sby pairings to dynamic node assignment where the control node dynamically selects which call-processing node handles which user group based on real-time status. This dynamic allocation allows efficient utilization of resources and eliminates the need for fixed dedicated backup pairs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fixed act/sby pairings are used, then redundancy is established, but flexibility deteriorates because the sby-based device cannot be shared among multiple act-based devices

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveredundancyVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The call-processing nodes are designed with universal functionality where any node can serve any active node's user group. The control node manages this universality by dynamically assigning user groups to available nodes, enabling the system to adapt to various failure scenarios and scaling requirements without being constrained by fixed pairings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If users are moved to a new server through position registration process during scale-out, then load balancing is achieved, but productivity deteriorates due to long scale-out time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescale-out speedVSAvoidscale-out time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the pool of call-processing nodes with necessary software and capabilities before they are needed. When scaling out, new nodes can be quickly integrated into the pool without requiring time-consuming position registration processes, as the control node can immediately assign user groups to the new available capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2816789B1Communication system, call-processing node and corresponding methods
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP2816789B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2816789B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2816789B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Redundancy of a call-processing node having excellent reliability, economic efficiency and flexibility can be realized. A mobile communication system 1 includes a plurality of call-processing servers 20, a call processing management database 10 that holds data necessary for call processing, and a network manager 40. The network manager 40 comprises a node state recognition unit 41 that recognizes states of the call-processing servers 20, and a control unit 42 that determines and controls the call-processing node that processes a call processing request based on the states. The call-processing server 20 comprises a call processing request accepting unit 21 that accepts a call processing request, an acquisition unit 22 that acquires information of a mobile communication terminal 50 related to the call processing request from the call processing management database 10, a call processing unit 23 that performs call processing using the acquired information; and a call processing result storage unit 24 that stores information of a result of the call processing in the call processing management database 10.