IP Flow Switching via Synchronized Address Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies cannot switch an existing Internet Protocol (IP) flow from an infrastructure communication path to a direct communication path due to the disjoint nature of these paths, resulting in packet loss during transition and incomplete re-routing.
Innovation Solution
Mobile terminals exchange direct path availability information using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) messages to simultaneously change destination and source IP addresses, allowing seamless re-routing of IP flows from infrastructure to direct communication paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If IP flow switching from infrastructure path to direct path is implemented, then network load is reduced and communication efficiency is improved, but packet loss occurs during transition due to disjoint network paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing a direct communication path between devices before switching IP flows from the infrastructure path. The system performs path discovery and direct path establishment in advance, so that when the switch occurs, both paths are available and packet loss is prevented. This is evident in the flowcharts showing path discovery (blocks 210-220) and direct path establishment (blocks 230-240) occurring before the actual IP flow switching (blocks 250-260).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by maintaining the infrastructure communication path as a backup during the transition period. The system allows IP flows to be routed through the infrastructure path while simultaneously establishing the direct path, ensuring continuous communication. This intermediary state is shown in the flowcharts where both paths coexist temporarily during the switching process.
2Loss of energy
If direct communication path is established between devices, then infrastructure network load is reduced, but complexity of managing multiple communication paths increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing communication into separate manageable components: infrastructure path communication and direct path communication. The system handles each path independently with dedicated protocols and mechanisms, making the overall complex system manageable through modular separation. This is reflected in the flowcharts where path discovery, establishment, and maintenance are separated into distinct operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms to monitor the state of both infrastructure and direct communication paths, and to automatically adjust routing decisions. The system continuously assesses path availability, quality, and device proximity, using this feedback to determine when to switch between paths. This is evident in the flowcharts showing continuous monitoring and conditional switching based on path status.
3Ease of operation
If sequential IP address changing is used during path switching, then implementation is simpler, but packet loss occurs due to non-synchronized address changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the IP address change operations for both source and destination addresses into a single synchronized action. Instead of changing addresses sequentially, the system performs both address changes simultaneously during the path switching process. This is clearly shown in the flowcharts where blocks 255-260 depict coordinated IP address updates for both devices at the same time, ensuring no packet loss during the transition.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for switching internet protocol (IP) flows from a first communication path to a second communication path are disclosed herein. A user equipment (UE) may include an exchange component, a session component, and a communication component. The exchange component exchanges second communication path availability information between the UE and another UE by sending and receiving session initiation protocol (SIP) messages that include second communication path availability information over the first communication path. The session component changes the communication session by re-routing traffic flows to the second communication path based on the exchanged second path availability information. The communication component sends to and receives from the other UE data corresponding to an IP flow over the second communication path.