Gateway IP Address Localization for Content Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for determining the source IP address in large coverage distribution networks, such as satellite broadband communications, fail to accurately provide localized content and enforce content access rules for subscribers serviced by gateways located in different geographic areas, leading to potential non-compliance with governing laws and content provider restrictions.
Innovation Solution
A context-aware gateway system that assigns geographic area-specific IP addresses to subscribers based on their location, using a subscriber management module to enforce content access restrictions and determine the appropriate source IP address for localization features, while also considering the context of the request to optimize routing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single gateway services subscribers from different geographic areas, then network coverage and service capability are improved, but localization accuracy and content access control deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IP address allocation by geographic area, assigning different IP address pools to different geographic regions. The gateway maintains multiple IP address ranges corresponding to different geographic areas, and selects the appropriate IP address based on the subscriber's location. This segmentation allows a single gateway to serve multiple geographic areas while maintaining localization accuracy for each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different properties (IP address ranges) to different geographic areas. Each geographic area has its own designated IP address pool, and the gateway selects the appropriate IP address range based on the subscriber's geographic location. This ensures that content localization and access control rules specific to each geographic area are properly enforced.
2Device complexity
If gateway IP address is used for localization, then device complexity is reduced, but content access control compliance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic IP address selection based on the subscriber's geographic location and the content's localization requirements. Rather than using a static gateway IP address, the system dynamically selects from multiple available IP address ranges to match the appropriate geographic area. This dynamic approach maintains compliance with local laws and content access control rules while managing complexity through automated selection logic.
3Measurement precision
If geographic area-specific IP addresses are assigned, then localization accuracy and access control compliance are improved, but device complexity and routing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple IP address ranges in the gateway, each associated with a specific geographic area. The gateway maintains a mapping between geographic areas and their corresponding IP address pools before actual content requests occur. This pre-preparation allows for rapid and accurate IP address selection when content requests are made, reducing the complexity of real-time decision-making while maintaining high localization accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for providing sourcing Internet access requests from ISP subscribers serviced by a gateway not physically located near the subscribers. As the localization needs of all subscribers are not necessarily the same, the gateway determines an appropriate source IP address to use to ensure that the IP protocol localization features work efficiently. In addition, the gateway can help enforce rules related to the governing law of the geographic area of the subscriber and/or rules based on the content providers licensing. Through determination of the context of a request, the gateway may also determine whether localized sourcing of a request is necessary based on the type of content being requested.