MBMS Broadcast Entity for Application Data Updates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing MBMS mechanisms are inefficient in delivering content to a large number of users interested in the same data, leading to resource depletion and potential denial of service, especially when users are geographically spread out, and lack secure and efficient methods for broadcasting firmware or software updates.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a Content Manager receives notifications from devices interested in specific data, determines the best delivery method, and uses a broadcast mechanism via MBMS to efficiently deliver content when a sufficient number of users are in a geographical area, incorporating secure encryption and location-based delivery optimization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unicast delivery is used to send content to each user individually, then each user can receive updates reliably, but network resources are depleted and service efficiency deteriorates when serving large numbers of users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveupdate delivery reliabilityVSAvoidservice efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple unicast delivery operations into a single multicast delivery operation. When multiple users request the same content, the system combines these individual requests into one group delivery session, where a single data stream is transmitted to multiple users simultaneously, thereby improving service efficiency while maintaining delivery reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the delivery mode parameter from unicast to multicast based on the number of users requesting content. When a threshold number of users request the same content, the system switches from individual unicast deliveries to a single multicast delivery, optimizing resource utilization while ensuring reliable delivery to all users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multicast delivery is used to serve multiple users simultaneously, then service efficiency improves, but coverage is limited when users are geographically spread out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice efficiencyVSAvoidgeographical coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the user base into different geographical regions or cells. Users in the same geographical area are grouped together for multicast delivery, while users in different areas receive content through appropriate delivery mechanisms. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high service efficiency within regions while providing comprehensive geographical coverage across multiple regions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a location management intermediary that coordinates between users and the content delivery system. This intermediary tracks user locations and determines the optimal delivery method based on geographical distribution, enabling the system to switch between multicast for concentrated users and unicast or other mechanisms for dispersed users, thereby extending coverage while maintaining efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If traditional delivery mechanisms are used, then implementation is simple, but security is insufficient for firmware and software updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation complexityVSAvoidupdate security
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary actions by pre-configuring security parameters, authentication mechanisms, and encryption settings before the actual content delivery process. The system prepares security policies, validates user credentials, and establishes secure communication channels in advance, ensuring that firmware and software updates are delivered securely without adding significant complexity to the implementation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3635539B1Providing data file updates using multimedia broadcast multicast services
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP3635539B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3635539B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3635539B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method is provided for providing application data. The method includes a network node receiving at least one application identifier (App-ID) associated with at least a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE; the network node requesting to receive notifications of updates to application data associated with the at least one App-ID; the network node configuring a broadcast entity to transmit application data associated with the at least one App-ID; and the network node sending configuration data to the first and second UEs for receiving application data from the broadcast entity.