Global Resource Server for EPS Timer Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In the Evolved Packet System (EPS) network, network elements and application servers lack synchronized timers, leading to inconsistent management of user equipment (UE) connections, resulting in potential disconnections based on local timers without real-time information sharing across the network.

Innovation Solution

A global resource information server is introduced to collect and distribute real-time connection status and timer information from various network elements, providing synchronized resource management and immediate notification of UE disconnections to application servers and network elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If network elements and application servers use independent local timers to manage UE connections, then each element can independently track connection status, but timer desynchronization occurs leading to inconsistent connection management across the network

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection management consistencyVSAvoidtimer synchronization information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network element that acts as an intermediary to collect timer information from multiple network elements and application servers, then distributes synchronized timer values back to them. This mediator resolves the timer desynchronization problem by centralizing timer management while allowing distributed connection tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal timer management mechanism that serves multiple network elements and application servers simultaneously. This single timer system provides synchronized timing information to all components, replacing the previous approach where each element maintained separate local timers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If network elements monitor connection information locally without real-time sharing, then each element can maintain its own connection state, but application servers lack real-time visibility of connection status and resource allocation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection status informationVSAvoidinformation propagation delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where network elements continuously report connection status and timer information to the central network element, which then distributes this information to application servers in real-time. This feedback loop ensures all components have current connection state without requiring constant polling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes continuous information sharing between network elements and application servers through the central mediator. Instead of periodic updates or event-driven notifications only, the system maintains continuous synchronization of connection status and timer information across all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If a global resource information server collects and distributes real-time connection status, then timer synchronization and resource allocation improve, but network infrastructure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource reallocation speedVSAvoidnetwork element count

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the central network element to perform multiple functions: collecting timer information from various network elements, synchronizing timers across the network, tracking connection status, and distributing information to application servers. This multi-functional approach avoids the need for separate dedicated components for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines timer management, connection monitoring, and information distribution functions into a single network element. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components needed compared to having independent timer servers, monitoring systems, and information distributors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS8880683B2Global real-time network resource and timer synchronization

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A device receives, from multiple network elements, status information for a user equipment (UE) connection associated with a wireless core network and updates, based on the status information received from the network elements, a database record for the UE connection. The device receives, from an application server, a request for information associated with the UE connection and constructs, based on the request and from the database record, a resource message that includes real-time information about the UE connection. The device sends the resource message to the application server. The device also provides a disconnect message to the application server and/or the network elements when the status information received from the network elements indicates that the UE has been disconnected from the wireless core network.