Edge Enabler Client for NAT Interworking and Temporary UE IDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in assigning a UE identifier (ID) to external servers in mobile communication systems, particularly when network address translation (NAT) is used, making it difficult to track user information and provide seamless edge computing services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an edge enabler layer in a UE, which includes an edge enabler client (EEC), facilitates interworking between external edge computing servers and the core network, allowing for the assignment of temporary UE IDs and managing configuration information to ensure continuous service provision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a UE identifier (ID) is assigned to external servers in mobile communication systems, then interworking between edge computing servers and core network is enabled, but user privacy protection deteriorates due to tracking of personal information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an edge enabler client (EEC) as an intermediary component in the UE that manages communication between external edge computing servers and the core network. The EEC handles identifier assignment and management, acting as a mediator that enables interworking while protecting user privacy by controlling how identifiers are exposed and managed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temporary identifier copies instead of exposing fixed UE IDs to external servers. The EEC generates and manages temporary identifier copies that allow external servers to communicate with the UE without revealing the actual permanent subscriber identity, thus enabling interworking while protecting user privacy.
2Device complexity
If network address translation (NAT) is used in mobile communication systems, then network address management is simplified, but UE identifiability deteriorates making it difficult to track user information
Solution Approach 1:
The EEC acts as an intermediary that maintains UE identifiability despite NAT usage. It manages the mapping between temporary identifiers used in NAT and the actual UE identity, allowing the network to track user information when necessary while maintaining simplified address management through NAT.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary identifier assignment and management through the EEC before NAT is applied. The EEC establishes identifier mappings and manages temporary IDs in advance, ensuring that UE identifiability is maintained throughout the NAT process without complicating network address management.
3Ease of operation
If fixed UE IDs are exposed to external edge computing servers, then service provisioning is simplified, but user privacy protection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates and uses temporary identifier copies instead of exposing fixed UE IDs to external servers. The EEC generates these identifier copies that enable service provisioning while preventing direct exposure of personal information, thus maintaining ease of operation without compromising privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The EEC serves as an intermediary that manages identifier exposure to external servers. It controls which identifiers are shared and under what conditions, enabling service provisioning while filtering out sensitive personal information from exposure to external edge computing servers.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method performed by an edge enabler client (EEC) of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system supporting edge computing is provided. The communication method includes receiving, from an application client (AC) executed in the UE, an AC registration request message including an AC profile, an edge configuration server (ECS) address, and user consent on whether to allow external exposure of the AC profile, selecting an ECS for performing service provisioning, based on the AC registration request message, performing a service provisioning procedure for the selected ECS, performing EEC registration and edge application server (EAS) discovery for an edge enabler server (EES) obtained through the service provisioning procedure, and transmitting EAS information obtained from the EES through the EAS discovery to the AC.