Mobile IP Home Link Discovery via Address Prefix Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for a mobile IP user equipment (UE) to discover a home link are inflexible and complex, requiring pre-configuration of information and subscriber participation, which affects service continuity and user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method where the UE compares the address assigned by the access network with its home address to determine if it is on the home link, using an address assignment table shared between the access network and home agent, allowing automatic identification without pre-configuration or subscriber involvement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If pre-configuration of home link information is performed in the UE, then the UE can identify the home link, but the system flexibility is reduced and configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehome link identification accuracyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE autonomously determines whether it is on the home link by comparing the prefix of its home address with the prefix of the access link, without requiring pre-configuration or external assistance. This self-service mechanism eliminates configuration complexity while maintaining accurate home link identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of pre-configuring home link information in the UE and matching it against current access information, the invention inverts the approach by having the UE obtain home address prefix information from the home agent and compare it with the current access link prefix dynamically. This inversion eliminates the need for pre-configuration and subscriber participation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If subscriber participation is required for home link discovery, then accurate identification can be achieved, but service continuity is affected and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehome link discovery accuracyVSAvoidservice continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE automatically performs home link discovery by comparing prefixes without requiring subscriber intervention. The UE obtains its home address from the home agent, extracts the home network prefix, and compares it with the current access link prefix to determine home link status, ensuring continuous service without user involvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The home agent pre-provides the home network prefix information to the UE during the address assignment process. This preliminary provision of information enables the UE to perform automatic comparison and determination without requiring real-time subscriber participation or additional configuration steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual configuration of home link information is performed, then the UE can determine home link status, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehome link determination capabilityVSAvoiddetermination time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE automatically obtains home network prefix information from the home agent and performs the comparison with the current access link prefix without manual configuration. This self-service process eliminates the time-consuming manual setup while maintaining the capability to accurately determine home link status.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The home network prefix is provided to the UE in advance during the IP address assignment process from the home agent. This preliminary provision of comparison data enables immediate and automatic home link determination without requiring manual configuration or additional time for setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2237585B1A method and an apparatus for discovering home link in mip
Publication Date: 2016.05.25 ZTE CORP
  • EP2237585B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2237585B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2237585B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for discovering a home link in mobile IP, wherein the method includes: an access network assign an address for a UE when the UE is attached to the network; the UE acquires a home address from the network; the UE compares the address assigned by the access network with the home address, and confirms that the UE is attached to the home link in the case that the address assigned by the access network and the home address are the same. Therefore, with the present invention, it is not necessary to configure the UE in advance, and the participation of the user is also not required. Thus improved application flexibility is provided.