Automated External Identifier Provisioning in HSS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual provisioning of external identifiers for millions of Machine-Type-Communication devices is labor-intensive and costly, especially in remote areas, and lacks automation in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and devices, making it inefficient for low Average Revenue per User (ARPU) M2M business and unsustainable for Mobile Network Operators.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for automatically generating and provisioning unique external identifiers in the HSS and M2M applications, involving the interworking function and services capability server, which receives a request including a subscriber identifier, device identifier, and application identifier, generates external identifiers, maps them, and forwards them to the appropriate servers, ensuring each identifier is unique and provisioned automatically.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning of external identifiers is used for M2M devices, then each device can be assigned a unique identifier, but the process becomes labor-intensive and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service provisioning where the HSS automatically generates external identifiers for M2M devices without manual intervention. The network infrastructure itself performs the provisioning task, eliminating the need for manual assignment while ensuring uniqueness through systematic generation based on device identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical manual process of identifier assignment with an automated electronic system. The HSS uses algorithmic generation based on device identifiers (IMEI, IMSI) to create external identifiers, substituting human labor with automated network functions and electronic processing.
2Quantity of substance
If manual provisioning is performed for millions of devices, then identifiers can be assigned, but the associated cost and human errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automated system performs provisioning without human intervention, eliminating human errors associated with manual entry and assignment. The HSS systematically generates identifiers for large numbers of devices using automated processes that do not suffer from fatigue, distraction, or other human error sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes with automated electronic systems that can handle millions of devices. The electronic generation and assignment of identifiers eliminates the harmful factors of human error, reduces operational costs, and scales efficiently to large device populations.
3Ease of manufacture
If external identifiers are provisioned offline manually, then devices can be configured, but remote device deployment becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring external identifiers in the HSS before devices are deployed to remote locations. Devices can be activated immediately upon deployment without requiring manual configuration, as the identifier provisioning is already completed in advance by the automated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces offline manual configuration with automated online provisioning. The electronic system can provision identifiers remotely and instantly, eliminating the need for physical presence at remote device locations and dramatically reducing provisioning time while maintaining proper configuration.
4Productivity
If automated provisioning is implemented, then efficiency increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The HSS performs multiple functions including subscriber management, authentication, and external identifier generation. By making the HSS a universal platform that handles diverse provisioning tasks through a single system, the patent avoids creating additional complex dedicated systems while maintaining high provisioning speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The HSS acts as an intermediary between the M2M devices and the external identifier management system. It mediates the provisioning process by receiving device identifiers, generating external identifiers according to established rules, and assigning them automatically, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling efficient automated provisioning.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method, an apparatus and computer program product relating to provisioning external identifiers. The present invention includes receiving a request including an interworking function address, a subscriber identifier, a device identifier and at least one application identifier, generating, by the interworking function or by a home subscriber server, at least one external identifier based on the received subscriber identifier, device identifier and at least one application identifier.