Local EIR Database Gray-List Update for Network Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing systems for controlling access to communication networks, such as GSM and 3G networks, face challenges with large data volumes and resource consumption due to the synchronization of global blacklists across multiple network operators, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential gaps in preventing stolen devices from being used across different regions.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves a local device database and a shared device database, where devices are initially authorized based on the local database, and unknown identifiers are marked for status retrieval from the shared database, with periodic updates to maintain a gray-list, reducing the need for bulk data transfer by only updating gray-listed devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the global IMEI DB blacklist is downloaded regularly to synchronize device status across network operators, then the reliability of blocking stolen devices is improved, but the data transfer volume and resource consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary subset of blacklist data (gray-listed device identifiers) from the global IMEI DB and transfers only this specific portion to local EIRs, rather than downloading the entire global blacklist. This selective extraction reduces data transfer volume while maintaining the reliability of blocking stolen devices through periodic updates of the critical gray-listed identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device identifier database into three distinct lists: white-list (authorized devices), black-list (blocked devices), and gray-list (monitored devices requiring status updates). This segmentation allows the system to focus data transfer resources on updating only the gray-list portion, which contains identifiers that need verification, thereby reducing overall data transfer while maintaining blocking effectiveness.
2Reliability
If the entire global blacklist is downloaded to ensure complete coverage of blacklisted devices, then the reliability of access control is improved, but the update time and network resources are excessively consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the gray-listed device identifiers from the global blacklist for periodic updates, rather than downloading the entire global blacklist. This extraction approach maintains access control accuracy by focusing on devices that require status verification, while significantly reducing update time and network resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic updates of the local EIR with gray-listed device identifiers from the global IMEI DB, rather than continuous or frequent full synchronization. This periodic action maintains access control reliability by regularly updating critical information while minimizing update frequency to reduce time loss and resource consumption.
3Loss of information
If frequent synchronization with the global IMEI DB is performed, then the currency of blacklist information is improved, but the network bandwidth and processing resources are excessively utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary gray-listed device identifiers for periodic updates, rather than performing frequent full synchronization. This selective extraction maintains information currency by regularly updating critical blacklist information while significantly reducing network resource consumption compared to frequent complete downloads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by updating only the gray-list portion of the local EIR with data from the global IMEI DB, rather than performing complete synchronization. This partial update approach maintains sufficient information currency for access control purposes while avoiding the excessive network resource consumption associated with full frequent synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of present invention, there is provided a method of controlling access to a communication network. The method includes receiving a request from a communication device to connect to the communication network, the request including a substantially unique identifier of the device, and determining whether the identifier is contained in a local device database of the network. Where it is determined that the identifier is not contained in the local database, the method further includes authorizing the device to connect to the network, and at a subsequent update of the local device database, determining the status of the identifier from a shared device database, and updating the status of the determined identifier in the local device database with the determined status.