Media AF Exposure Levels for Privacy-Controlled 5G Log Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3GPP specifications lack a framework to define the level of access to collected data in 5G networks, compromising user privacy and service-specific details, as there is no mechanism for application providers to control the data accessed by other entities.
Innovation Solution
Implement methods and devices for media application function (AF) exposure functionality, enabling application providers to define event types, parameters, exposure levels, and aggregation rules to control access to service or application logs, preserving user and service privacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If access to collected data is enabled without restrictions, then data availability for service providers and network functions is improved, but user privacy and service-specific details are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments data access by defining multiple exposure levels (e.g., level 1, level 2, level 3) where each level provides progressively more detailed access to service data. Application providers can subscribe to specific exposure levels, allowing network functions to receive aggregated data at lower levels while authorized providers can access detailed data at higher levels, thus balancing data availability with privacy protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different entities to receive data with different levels of detail and aggregation based on their authorization. For example, network functions may receive highly aggregated data for general analytics, while authorized application providers receive less aggregated data for service-specific purposes, ensuring each entity receives appropriate data quality for its needs without compromising overall privacy.
2Reliability
If comprehensive data access is provided to all entities, then service monitoring and analytics capabilities are improved, but control over service-specific details is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by requiring application providers to pre-configure subscription information including desired exposure levels and aggregation rules before data collection begins. The network function stores these subscription details and automatically applies the appropriate aggregation and filtering rules when collecting data, eliminating the need for real-time access control decisions and simplifying the overall mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing application providers to autonomously configure their own data subscription preferences, exposure levels, and aggregation rules. The system automatically manages data collection and distribution based on these pre-configured parameters without requiring manual intervention or complex centralized authorization processes for each data request.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If data aggregation rules are applied at multiple exposure levels, then user privacy is preserved through anonymization, but data access complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting data aggregation parameters based on the exposure level. At lower exposure levels, data is highly aggregated (e.g., counting only the number of users experiencing a service event). At higher exposure levels, aggregation is reduced or eliminated, allowing access to more detailed information. This systematic parameter adjustment across different exposure levels provides a structured approach to balancing privacy and data utility.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods and devices for media application function (AF) exposure functionality. Various aspects may include receiving an access configuration message for a service or application provider, the access configuration message including an indication of one or more event types and parameters, one or more exposure levels, and aggregation rules. Various embodiments may include an AF server subscribing other computing devices to event types and parameters for the service or application based on the exposure level of the other computing device.