Intermediate Networking for Edge Traffic Policy and Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass market digital communications and content distribution are outpacing the capacity of existing access networks, leading to increased costs for service providers and degraded user experiences due to high bandwidth consumption, necessitating more efficient service management and billing solutions.
Innovation Solution
Implementing device-assisted service policy and billing systems that distribute service control and management from the core network to the end-user device, enabling flexible service plans, enhanced user privacy, and network neutrality while reducing infrastructure costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If wireless network capacity is increased through new higher capacity wireless radio access technologies, then network capacity is improved, but the capacity gains are less than what is required to meet growing digital networking demand
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate networking device that acts as a mediator between the wireless network and end-user devices. This device performs local traffic management, caching, and service delivery, effectively creating an intermediate layer that amplifies the utility of available network capacity without requiring proportional increases in core network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the network architecture by separating traffic management functions from the core network and placing them in intermediate devices closer to end users. This segmentation allows different parts of the network to be optimized independently, enabling capacity improvements at the edge without bottlenecking the core infrastructure.
2Quantity of substance
If wire line access networks provide higher average capacity per user, then user capacity is improved, but wire line user service consumption habits trend toward very high bandwidth applications that quickly consume available capacity and degrade overall network service experience
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate networking device implements feedback mechanisms that monitor network usage patterns, device capabilities, and service performance in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of traffic management policies, caching strategies, and resource allocation to maintain service quality even as bandwidth consumption increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic traffic management that adapts to changing network conditions and user behaviors. The system can dynamically adjust bandwidth allocation, activate caching for frequently accessed content, and modify service delivery strategies based on real-time monitoring, ensuring reliable service experience despite varying demand patterns.
3Quantity of substance
If service provider costs increase with increasing bandwidth, then network capacity is improved, but this trend negatively impacts service provider profits
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate networking device performs preliminary actions by caching content and pre-positioning data closer to end users before actual retrieval is needed. This reduces the need for high-bandwidth core network transmission, as cached content can be delivered locally through lower-capacity connections, thereby reducing bandwidth costs while maintaining service quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts traffic management and content delivery functions from the core high-bandwidth network and places them in intermediate devices with lower bandwidth requirements. This extraction reduces the bandwidth burden on the core network infrastructure, thereby reducing the association between network capacity and service provider costs.
4Device complexity
If service policy implementation is centralized in the core network, then network control is simplified, but this architecture requires extensive custom development for device-based transaction billing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments service policy implementation across multiple levels: centralized policy definition in the core network, intermediate policy enforcement and customization in the intermediate networking device, and local execution at end-user devices. This segmentation allows each layer to handle appropriate functions, simplifying both network control and deployment of device-specific billing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless communication device comprising: one or more network modems enabling the wireless communication device to communicate over a first wireless network; one or more network modems enabling the wireless communication device to communicate with two or more end-point devices over a second wireless network; one or more processors configured to execute one or more instructions; and memory coupled to the one or more processors and configured to provide the one or more processors with the one or more instructions. The one or more instructions, when executed by the processors, cause processors to: establish a first connection between the wireless communication device and a first end-point device; establish a second connection between the wireless communication device and a second end-point device; apply a first control to traffic transmitted by or to the first end-point device; and apply a second control to traffic transmitted by or to the second end-point device.