Communication Device Control Element for LPWA Transmission Restriction

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Solution Overview

Problem

LPWA and NB LoT communication devices face challenges in security and resource management due to limited hardware resources, leading to potential network disruptions from inefficient device behavior, which existing mechanisms struggle to address effectively.

Innovation Solution

A communication device with a security enclave and control element that can restrict transmissions based on received restriction requests, allowing receptions to continue while queuing or discarding data during restrictions, and a network management entity that monitors and generates these requests to manage resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If connection efficiency protection mechanisms are implemented at network level (SIM disablement, subscription monitoring), then network disruptions from inefficient devices are prevented, but device complexity and security requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork reliabilityVSAvoidsecurity mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A control element is introduced as an intermediary component within the communication device that mediates between the application processor and the communication interface. This control element receives restriction request signals from the network and enforces transmission restrictions locally, acting as a mediator that prevents network disruptions without requiring complex network-level security mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication device is equipped with a self-service capability through the control element that can autonomously enforce transmission restrictions based on received restriction request signals. The device monitors its own transmission behavior and self-regulates to prevent network disruptions, eliminating the need for external network-level intervention and complex security mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If transmission restrictions are enforced to protect network resources, then resource efficiency is improved, but device functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource efficiencyVSAvoiddevice functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control element dynamically adjusts transmission behavior based on received restriction request signals. Instead of static functionality limitation, the device can flexibly switch between unrestricted and restricted transmission modes depending on network conditions and received signals, maintaining ease of operation when needed while enforcing resource efficiency when required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Transmission restrictions are applied periodically or temporarily based on received restriction request signals rather than permanently. The control element can lift restrictions after certain conditions are met, allowing the device to alternate between restricted and unrestricted states, thereby maintaining functionality while protecting network resources during critical periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3432645B1A communication device for controlling transmissions over a communication network
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP3432645B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3432645B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3432645B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a communication device (100) for communicating over a communication network. The communication device (100) comprises a communication interface (101) configured to communicate over the communication network, an application processor (103) configured to execute an application program, wherein the application processor (103) is configured to communicate via the communication interface (101) over the communication network, and a control element (105) configured to control transmissions of the communication interface (101), wherein the control element (105) is configured to receive a restriction request signal indicating a restriction of the transmissions of the communication interface (101), and wherein the control element (105) is configured to restrict the transmissions of the communication interface (101) in response to the reception of the restriction request signal. The restriction request signal may be provided by a network management entity over the communication network.