Enhanced Application Server Service Session Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for identifying and managing traffic associated with specific applications in wireless networks are inefficient and costly, particularly when differentiating service delivery for Over The Top (OTT) services, as they require multiple APNs, extensive connections to PCRFs, or inaccurate deep packet inspection.
Innovation Solution
An enhanced application residing on user equipment monitors application initiation and communicates with an enhanced application server to identify and manage traffic using 5-tuple information, enabling accurate and differentiated service delivery by treating identified traffic within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple APNs are used to differentiate service delivery for OTT services, then service differentiation capability is improved, but network complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the service differentiation function from the network infrastructure (APNs and PCRF connections) and relocates it to the user equipment through local application monitoring and identification. By taking out the complex network components and replacing them with lightweight local agents in user devices, the system achieves service differentiation without requiring multiple APNs or extensive PCRF connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (application monitor/identifier) that operates locally in user equipment to bridge the gap between application traffic and service differentiation policies. This intermediary identifies applications and their traffic locally, eliminating the need for complex network-side intermediaries like multiple PCRF connections, while still enabling differentiated service delivery.
2Measurement precision
If deep packet inspection is used to identify application traffic, then traffic identification accuracy is improved, but processing overhead and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by having applications or their agents pre-register identification information (such as 5-tuple characteristics, application names, or signatures) with the local monitor in user equipment. This preliminary registration enables the monitor to quickly identify traffic using simple pattern matching rather than performing computationally intensive deep packet inspection in real-time, thereby reducing processing overhead while maintaining high identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, resource-intensive deep packet inspection with cheap, lightweight identification methods such as matching pre-registered 5-tuple patterns or application signatures. These lightweight identification mechanisms consume minimal processing resources and energy, making them suitable for implementation in resource-constrained user equipment while still achieving accurate traffic identification.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extensive connections to PCRFs are established for service management, then service control capability is improved, but network complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the service control functionality from multiple distributed PCRF connections into a single unified local policy enforcement point in user equipment. By combining application monitoring, identification, and policy enforcement into one local component, the system eliminates the need for multiple connections to different PCRF instances, reducing network complexity and connection overhead while maintaining comprehensive service control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing user equipment to autonomously perform application identification and service policy enforcement locally without requiring continuous external PCRF connections. The local monitor in user equipment independently monitors applications, identifies their traffic, and enforces service policies based on pre-configured or dynamically downloaded policy rules, eliminating the need for extensive network-side PCRF infrastructure.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example embodiments are presented herein service session management based on service specific data and a user subscription. Some example embodiments may comprise a user equipment, and corresponding method therein, for monitoring an internet or network access by an identified application. Upon detection, the user equipment may be configured to send service specific data associated with the identified application to an enhanced application server. The enhanced application server may manage a service session based on the service specific data and the user subscription. The management of the service session may allow for a differentiated delivery of service for certain applications.