Network Access via Mobile Infrastructure for Remote Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In areas with insufficient optical fibers, existing terminal devices cannot effectively access networks, as they lack support for control plane protocols used in mobile networks, leading to inefficient network authorization and address allocation.

Innovation Solution

A network access method that utilizes an existing mobile network to perform authorization and address allocation for terminal devices, avoiding the need for dedicated network channels by using a resident node to process authorization requests and obtain authorization results through a gateway device, thereby enhancing mobile network utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If optical fibers are deployed to provide broadband access in remote areas, then network speed and bandwidth are improved, but construction costs and deployment complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork speedVSAvoidconstruction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables terminal devices to access networks using existing mobile network infrastructure through wireless connections, allowing the mobile network to serve dual purposes: mobile communication and fixed broadband access. This eliminates the need for separate fiber deployment in remote areas, reducing construction costs while maintaining network speed requirements

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

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs self-authorization by sending authorization requests and receiving results through the existing mobile network infrastructure, without requiring additional dedicated authorization systems. The device uses its own communication capabilities to complete the access process, reducing overall system complexity and deployment cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If dedicated network channels are deployed for terminal devices, then network access reliability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access reliabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an authorization request message as an intermediary that carries essential access information between the terminal device and the network. This message includes authorization identifiers and type information, enabling reliable authentication without requiring complex dedicated communication channels or infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The existing mobile network infrastructure is used to carry authorization requests and responses, serving multiple functions including data transmission, control signaling, and authentication. This multi-functional use of existing infrastructure maintains reliability while avoiding the complexity of dedicated channels

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

3Ease of operation

If traditional fixed network access modes are used for terminal devices, then authorization and address allocation are simplified, but adaptability to mobile network environments deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization simplicityVSAvoidmobile network adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the authorization message format by incorporating authorization type information that identifies whether the request comes from a terminal device or resident node. This parameter modification enables the same authorization mechanism to adapt to different network environments (fixed and mobile) while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The authorization system dynamically adapts to different device types and network environments by processing authorization requests according to their specific characteristics. The system can handle both terminal device requests and resident node authentication flexibly, maintaining simplicity while achieving broad adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3657834B1Method, device and system for accessing network
Publication Date: 2024.03.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3657834B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3657834B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3657834B1 patent drawingFigure 2B~2C

AI summary

This application discloses a method for accessing a network by a terminal device by using a wireless means in the field of communications technologies. The method includes: receiving, by a resident node in a communications network, a first message from a terminal device, where the first message includes an authorization request; sending, by the resident node, a second message, where the second message is processed by a network node into a third message, the third message is used by a gateway device to identify the authorization request and/or an authorization mode for the terminal device to access a network, and the authorization request and/or the authorization mode for the terminal device to access a network are/is used by the network to perform authorization on the terminal device; and receiving, by the resident node, authorization result information from the network, and sending the authorization result information to the terminal device. In technical solutions of this application, network access of the terminal device under the resident node may be completed by using a mobile network, to avoid laying of dedicated network channels, and improving mobile network utilization. Embodiments of this application further provide a corresponding device and system.