Network Gateway for Secure M2M Protocol Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current message data communication systems like SMS and GPRS face delays and inefficiencies, especially under high traffic conditions, and USSD as a bearer technology lacks secure and efficient mechanisms for machine-to-machine communications due to generic destination issues and the need for bespoke protocols.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a data communications device with a unique identifier that generates information elements conforming to a session-based message protocol, with a network subsystem to extract and forward these elements to specific entities, ensuring secure and efficient communication through a network gateway and application gateway, using protocols like USSD and SOAP or RESTful web services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If SMS is used for message data communication, then store and forward capability is provided, but time delays occur under high load conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that bridges the SMS messaging system and the target application system. This gateway receives SMS messages containing machine information, extracts the data, and forwards it to the appropriate application via standardized protocols (SOAP, REST, or custom protocols), thereby eliminating the need for direct SMS integration in each application and reducing delivery delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the SMS messaging layer, the gateway layer (with message reception, extraction, and forwarding functions), and the application layer. This segmentation allows each component to operate independently and optimally, with the gateway handling protocol conversion and routing, thus improving overall system efficiency and reducing bottlenecks.
2Quantity of substance
If GPRS is used for data transmission, then traffic channel resources are utilized, but time delays and congestion occur under high traffic load
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as an intermediary that receives data via multiple protocols (including GPRS) and forwards processed information to applications. This intermediary layer manages traffic flow, performs data extraction and filtering, and routes information efficiently, thereby reducing congestion and transmission delays in the underlying GPRS network.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the protocol parameters and data formats at the gateway layer, converting raw GPRS data streams into structured information suitable for application processing. This parameter transformation optimizes data transmission efficiency and reduces the burden on the GPRS network infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If GPRS is used for small data transmission, then traffic channels are consumed, but efficiency is reduced compared to signalling channels
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as an intermediary that can receive small data transmissions via signalling channels or other efficient protocols and forward them to applications. This intermediary approach allows the system to select the most efficient transmission path based on data size and type, rather than always using resource-intensive traffic channels.
4Quantity of substance
If USSD is used as bearer technology, then data transmission capability is provided, but secure control and coordination become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a centralized intermediary that manages all USSD message routing and coordination. Instead of each application requiring its own USSD protocol implementation and secure control mechanisms, the gateway handles protocol conversion, message formatting, and secure routing to multiple applications, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway provides universal functionality by supporting multiple message protocols (SMS, USSD, GPRS) and multiple output formats (SOAP, REST, custom protocols) in a single system. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate protocol implementations in each application, reducing complexity while maintaining data transmission capabilities.
5Quantity of substance
If USSD messaging with generic destination is used, then bearer technology is provided, but secure access to specific device data is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a secure intermediary that receives USSD messages with generic destination addresses, extracts the embedded machine information and device identifiers, and securely routes the data to the specific applications or systems that should access it. This intermediary layer implements access control policies and ensures that only authorized applications can access specific device data, thereby maintaining security despite the generic nature of USSD addressing.
6Adaptability or versatility
If bespoke protocols are designed for each machine to machine communication, then specific communication requirements are met, but setup and maintenance overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway provides universal protocol support by implementing a single system that can handle multiple input protocols (SMS, USSD, GPRS) and multiple output protocols (SOAP, REST, custom protocols). This eliminates the need for each application to design and implement its own bespoke communication protocol, thereby reducing setup and maintenance overheads while maintaining the ability to meet specific communication requirements through configurable protocol selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway acts as an intermediary protocol translator that converts between different messaging protocols and application-specific data formats. This centralized protocol translation approach allows applications to use standard, well-supported protocols while the gateway handles the complexity of protocol adaptation, significantly reducing the burden of protocol design and maintenance across the system.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a system for facilitating communications over a telecommunications network, the system comprising a data communications device having a unique identifier, the device adapted to generate information elements comprising machine information, the information elements conforming to a first message protocol, the first message protocol being a session-based message protocol. The system further comprises a network subsystem to provide an interface for communication with a plurality of entities. The network subsystem is adapted to receive the information elements and extract the machine information, generate an output message comprising the machine information, the message conforming to a second message protocol different from the first message protocol, and, forward the message to a specific entity of the plurality of entities in dependence on the unique identifier of the data communications device. The data communications device may be a cellular data communications device. An associated method is also provided.