M2M Proxy for Cellular Access Network Interworking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current M2M services architectures lack a clear definition for interworking between cellular access networks and M2M service providers, particularly in enabling access-agnostic services that can operate independently of specific access networks, and fail to address scenarios like roaming and service provisioning across different network architectures.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an M2M Proxy within the cellular access network allows for the deployment of M2M SC as both an M2M SC Server and Proxy, enabling interworking functions to facilitate communication between the access network and M2M service providers, regardless of their architecture, and allowing dynamic configuration of M2M Device/Gateway Identifiers and Quality of Service management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If M2M services architecture relies on tight coupling between transport and service layers, then service provisioning is simplified, but adaptability to different access networks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the M2M services architecture into two independent layers: transport layer (access network) and service layer (M2M services). This separation allows each layer to operate independently, enabling services to be provisioned without tight coupling while maintaining adaptability to different access networks through standardized interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an M2M service enablement layer as an intermediary between the transport layer and service layer. This intermediary provides standardized interfaces and protocols that facilitate communication between different access networks and M2M services, resolving the contradiction by enabling both simplified provisioning and access network independence.
2Ease of operation
If M2M SC is deployed only in M2M service provider network, then service provider control is improved, but network interworking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the M2M service enablement layer universal by designing it to work with multiple access network types and service provider architectures. This multi-functional layer can operate whether M2M SC is deployed in the service provider network, access network, or both, thereby maintaining service provider control while reducing interworking complexity through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities where the M2M service enablement layer can adapt its behavior based on where M2M SC is deployed. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain service provider control while automatically adjusting to different deployment scenarios, reducing interworking complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If access network provides full M2M service control, then service provisioning flexibility is improved, but service provider autonomy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of the architecture to have different levels of control. The access network can provide local service provisioning flexibility through the M2M service enablement layer, while the service provider maintains autonomy through centralized M2M SC deployment and standardized interfaces that preserve service provider policies and control mechanisms.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~6
Figure 3
AI summary
A Machine-to-Machine (M2M) services enablement architecture (95) for a cellular Access Network (AN) (84) that allows the cellular AN operator to not only deploy its M2M Services Capabilities (SC) as an M2M SC Server (141) within its network domain, but to also use its M2M. SC to work as an M2M SC Proxy (100) when communicating with an M2M Service Provider (SP) network (82) that also deploys an M2M SC Server (102). The M2M SC Proxy in the cellular AN relays all signaling plane communications between an M2M device's/gateway's SC (165) and the SP's M2M SC Server. The M2M SC Proxy provides the cellular AN with an access to all of the Across-Layers (Transport and Service Layers) information needed for the M2M services enablement in the cellular AN, This proxy-based solution allows the cellular AN to serve al! types of M2M SPs, and relieves the M2M SP from the need to support different cellular AN interworking interfaces.