Dynamic Survivability Gateway for Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current survivability services for communication devices are costly and limited in mobility, often resulting in reduced service quality during network outages due to the need for maintenance-intensive hardware and static circuit provisioning.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a survivability proxy device and gateway, which detects network failures and reroutes communication traffic through a secondary network, allowing seamless service continuity without the need for extensive hardware maintenance or static circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware elements such as SIP gateways or TDM gateways are deployed at survivability sites, then survivability service can be provided, but hardware maintenance costs and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical hardware gateways (SIP gateways, TDM gateways) with a software-based survivability service implemented on communication devices. The survivability gateway function is transformed from a mechanical hardware system to a software application that can run on mobile devices, eliminating the need for dedicated hardware infrastructure at survivability sites.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the gateway functionality through software rather than requiring physical hardware copies. The survivability gateway is implemented as a software application that replicates gateway functions on communication devices, allowing the service to be provided without duplicating expensive hardware infrastructure across multiple sites.
2Reliability
If statically provisioned circuits are provided for communications between terminal devices and survivability gateways, then survivability service is enabled, but capital installation costs and operating maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces static, pre-provisioned circuits with dynamic, on-demand communication paths. The survivability service uses existing network infrastructure and establishes communication routes dynamically when needed, rather than requiring permanent dedicated circuits to be installed and maintained. The service leverages available network resources flexibly based on actual survivability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables existing communication devices and network infrastructure to serve multiple functions - both normal communication and survivability service - eliminating the need for separate dedicated circuits. The same communication devices and network paths used for regular service are utilized for survivability communications, maximizing resource utilization and reducing redundant infrastructure costs.
3Reliability
If traditional survivability gateways are used, then network outage protection is provided, but transmission quality and transmission capacity are limited compared to typical network service
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables communication devices to provide their own survivability service through locally executed software applications, eliminating the need for external gateway infrastructure that limits transmission quality. Devices autonomously manage their own survivability communications using existing network resources, maintaining full transmission capabilities without being constrained by gateway processing limitations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the communication devices themselves as intermediaries for survivability communications rather than requiring separate gateway devices. The devices directly exchange survivability messages through available network paths, eliminating the intermediate gateway layer that typically degrades transmission quality and limits capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus dynamically pair a user's communication devices with a personal survivability gateway. The gateway can support the establishment of communication services in case of a network failure between a site where the user's communication devices are located and the site that provides the user's communication services. Preferably, the survivability gateway is configured so that if a network failure occurs, the user does not experience service degradation, or at least significant service degradation. For instance, the user's inbound and outbound communications during such an outage may be routed through his personal survivability gateway and a survivability proxy to limit, if not eliminate such service degradation.