IP Telephony Data Stream Segmentation via Multi-Channel Encryption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Internet service providers are struggling to handle the volume of data packet traffic, leading them to limit bit rates or drop data packets carrying IP telephony communications, which harms the quality of service for IP telephony systems. This is because they can identify and target data packets carrying media for IP telephony communications, slowing down or dropping them.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a secure communications unit that establishes secure communications channels using encryption and multi-channel communication units to break down data streams into sub-streams sent through separate channels, making it difficult for service providers to identify and target data packets as carrying telephony communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If Internet service providers limit bit rates or drop data packets to manage network traffic volume, then network congestion is reduced, but the quality of service for IP telephony communications deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork traffic volumeVSAvoidquality of service for IP telephony

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data stream carrying IP telephony communications into multiple separate sub-streams that are transmitted over different communications channels. This segmentation prevents service providers from easily identifying and targeting the telephony data, as the characteristic patterns are distributed across multiple channels rather than concentrated in a single identifiable stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces secure communications units and multi-channel communication units as intermediary devices that act as mediators between the IP telephony system and the service provider's network. These intermediaries encrypt the data and distribute it across multiple channels, masking the true nature of the communications from the service provider while still allowing delivery through their network infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If Internet service providers identify and target data packets carrying IP telephony media, then bandwidth management is improved, but data packet delivery reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth management efficiencyVSAvoiddata packet delivery

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the identifiable data stream into multiple unidentifiable sub-streams across different channels, making it impossible for service providers to apply bandwidth management policies to the telephony traffic without also affecting other traffic types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the transmission parameters by distributing data across multiple channels with varying characteristics, altering the observable patterns that service providers use to identify and manage telephony traffic. The encryption and multi-channel distribution transform the data into an unrecognizable form relative to traditional identification methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If encryption and multi-channel communication are implemented to mask transmission patterns, then service provider identification capability is reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission pattern identificationVSAvoidcommunication system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by dividing the data stream into multiple sub-streams that travel through different channels, requiring the receiving end to have corresponding segmentation capabilities to reassemble the original data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs secure communications units and multi-channel communication units that perform multiple functions: encryption, channel distribution, and packet management. These multi-functional units reduce the need for separate specialized components, thereby managing system complexity while achieving the desired masking effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9560085B2Systems and methods for communicating a stream of data packets via multiple communications channels

Publication Date: 2017.01.31 VONAGE BUSINESS INC

AI summary

Systems and methods of preventing an Internet service provider from identifying a stream of data packets as carrying a voice over Internet protocol telephony communication can make use of encryption techniques to prevent the Internet service provider from examining the content of the data packets. Also, multiple communications channels may be established between a telephony device and elements of an IP telephony system. A stream of data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication is then separated into sub-streams, and each sub-stream is sent through a different one of the communications channels. This prevents an Internet service provider from identifying a stream of data packets as bearing the media of an IP telephony communication based on a pattern in the data traffic.