FWA Device Location and Content Access Authorization via Network Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) devices lack native GPS support, making it difficult for content providers to determine the location of users and enforce geographic-based access restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A Content Authorization Function (CAF) communicates with Network Functions (NFs) to determine the type and physical location of FWA devices using IP addresses, adjusting location granularity based on content provider requirements, and authorizing access accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If FWA devices are used for content delivery, then content access is enabled in areas without GPS coverage, but location determination capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of network function entities (such as AMF, SMF, UDM) that act as mediators between the FWA device and the content provider. These intermediaries collect, process, and transmit location information derived from network data (IP addresses, cell tower locations, subscription information) to enable location-based content authorization without requiring native GPS in the FWA device.
2Measurement precision
If native GPS is added to FWA devices, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network infrastructure provides location determination services to FWA devices without requiring the devices to have their own GPS hardware. The network entities self-serve by collecting location-relevant data from available sources (IP address geolocation, cell tower triangulation, subscription profile information) and presenting this processed location data to content providers, eliminating the need for GPS components in FWA devices.
3Measurement precision
If location data is collected from multiple network sources, then location information accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple location determination approaches by having network function entities collect and correlate data from various sources including IP address geolocation databases, cell tower location information, and subscriber profile data from UDM. These diverse data sources are combined and processed by intermediary network entities to produce a unified location determination that leverages the strengths of each source while managing system complexity through centralized processing.
Data Source
AI summary
In the various embodiments, systems and methods are disclosed for determining the location of User Equipment (UE) in a network and for authorizing access to content based on said location. An aspect of the present disclosure is a method including receiving, by a Content Authorization Function (CAF), a request to provide a UE type of a UE and a physical location associated with the UE, the request including a UE Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the UE; querying, by the CAF, a Network Function (NF), to provide the UE type and associated physical location, the query including the UE IP address; receiving, by the CAF from the NF, the UE type and associated physical location; and transmitting the UE type and associated physical location.