Mediator System for External Application Network Resource Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current network systems do not allow external content providers to directly access the resource control of a target network, making it difficult for them to determine if they can deliver content of guaranteed quality, as they lack the necessary information about available network bandwidth, especially when using complex IMS architecture for signaling.
Innovation Solution
A mediator system connects external applications to a network resource controller, enabling authorization checks and transformation of signaling messages to facilitate access to network resources, allowing for simpler and more efficient resource requests without relying on complex IMS procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If external content providers directly access the resource control of a target network, then they can obtain information about available network bandwidth and determine if they can deliver content of guaranteed quality, but current network systems do not allow such direct access due to security and architectural constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component that facilitates communication between external application functions and the resource control centre. This intermediary translates and forwards resource requests from external providers to the target network's resource control, enabling access without direct connection. The intermediary handles protocol conversion and routing, solving the contradiction by providing information access while maintaining architectural security constraints.
2Reliability
If IMS architecture is used for signaling between external content providers and target network resource control, then security functions are provided, but the system becomes too complex and time-consuming for practical use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential security and resource control functions from the complex IMS architecture and implements them through a simplified intermediary mechanism. Instead of requiring full IMS signaling stacks, the solution isolates and implements only the necessary resource request handling and security verification components, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary acts as a simplified mediator that provides security functions without requiring the full IMS architecture. It handles authentication, authorization, and resource allocation requests between external providers and the target network, eliminating the need for complex SIP-based signaling while maintaining security requirements.
3Device complexity
If a simplified direct connection is implemented between external applications and resource control, then complexity and time are reduced, but security functions and authorized access control are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary maintains security by implementing authorized access control mechanisms while providing a simplified connection interface. It verifies credentials, checks authorization levels, and manages resource allocation permissions before forwarding requests to the resource control centre, ensuring that security functions are preserved despite the simplified architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization checks through the intermediary before allowing resource requests to proceed. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized external applications can access network resources, maintaining security while enabling direct simplified connections.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves requesting whether bandwidth required for a home network is provided in sufficient quality to mediators to transmit digital contents. Positive responses are transmitted via a network resource- and authorization controller to the mediators and via the mediators to an application function, and information are transmitted to the network when the bandwidth is provided. Negative responses are transmitted to the mediators via the controller and via the mediators to the function, and information of the function are transmitted to the network when the bandwidth is not provided. An independent claim is also included for a mediator system for controlling access to a network resource- and authorization controller, comprising an interface for the controller.