Service Control System for M2M State-Based Triggering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques for machine-to-machine (M2M) communication systems lack the ability to perform operations based on the state of user apparatuses, leading to potential useless triggering of devices in power-off or connected states.

Innovation Solution

A service control system that includes a state information obtaining unit in the user equipment (MTC-UE) to notify a service control apparatus (IN-CSE) of its state, allowing the IN-CSE to determine and perform operations accordingly, such as triggering or not, based on the received state information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SMS is utilized for incoming call from AS to MTC-UE, then communication can be established, but implementation becomes complicated and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication establishmentVSAvoidimplementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a service control apparatus as an intermediary between the application server and MTC-UE. This mediator handles the triggering process by obtaining state information from the MTC-UE and determining whether triggering is necessary, thereby simplifying the overall implementation while maintaining reliable communication establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the MTC-UE provides state information (such as power-off state, dormant state, or connected state) to the service control apparatus. This feedback loop enables the service control apparatus to make informed decisions about triggering, reducing implementation complexity while ensuring reliable communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If triggering is performed without state information, then operation can be executed, but useless operation occurs such as triggering to power-off or connected state devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation executionVSAvoidtriggering accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the MTC-UE provide state information to the service control apparatus before triggering operation. This advance preparation allows the service control apparatus to assess whether triggering is necessary, preventing useless operations on devices in power-off or connected states while maintaining operational productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The service control apparatus receives feedback about the MTC-UE's state (power-off, dormant, or connected) and uses this information to determine whether triggering should be performed. This feedback mechanism ensures triggering accuracy by preventing operations on unsuitable devices while maintaining productive operation execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If state information is obtained and stored, then operation can be performed based on state, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate-based operationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The service control apparatus performs multiple functions: it obtains state information, stores state information, determines whether triggering is necessary, and executes triggering operations. This multi-functionality approach enables state-based adaptive operations while managing system complexity by consolidating these functions in a single apparatus rather than distributing them across multiple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3104648B1Service control system, user device and service control method
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3104648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3104648B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3104648B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A service control system that is connected to a communication network to which a user apparatus for executing machine-to-machine communication is connectable, and that controls a service on the machine-to-machine communication, including: a reception unit configured to receive state information indicating a state of the user apparatus; and a communication control unit configured, when receiving a request for the user apparatus from an application server, to determine communication operation for the request based on the state information, and to execute determined communication operation.