Mobile Operator Identifier Retrieval via Shared IP Address
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile network operators face challenges in efficiently obtaining the operator or billing identifier for mobile devices, particularly when device manufacturers restrict access to this information, leading to operational inefficiencies and resource constraints, such as relying on user interaction or dedicated IP addresses, which can be scarce and lead to reduced user experience and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a network-based method where a client application initiates data communications using two different destination addresses: a dedicated address for obtaining the operator identifier and a shared address for subsequent communications, allowing the network to assign unique or shared source addresses as needed, enabling efficient retrieval and storage of the operator identifier without exhausting network resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated IP address is assigned to each mobile device for obtaining operator identifier, then the operator identifier can be reliably obtained, but network resources are exhausted and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the source IP address universal by allowing it to be shared among multiple mobile devices for the identifier retrieval function. Instead of assigning dedicated IP addresses to each device, the network assigns a single source IP address that can be reused by multiple devices when they communicate with the application server for obtaining operator identifiers. This eliminates the need for exhausting dedicated IP address resources while maintaining the ability to reliably obtain identifiers through the IP address to operator identifier mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the communication process into two distinct phases: (1) an initial phase where mobile devices obtain operator identifiers using a source IP address assigned by the network, and (2) a subsequent phase where devices communicate using their own private IP addresses. This segmentation allows the system to use shared IP addresses only when necessary for identifier retrieval, while avoiding the need for dedicated IP addresses for all communications.
2Measurement precision
If user interaction is required to obtain operator identifier, then accuracy can be maintained, but user experience deteriorates and operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the mobile device automatically obtains its operator identifier without requiring any user interaction. The device's communication module automatically communicates with the application server using the assigned source IP address, and the server automatically provides the operator identifier. This eliminates the need for users to manually input information while maintaining accuracy through the automated IP address to operator identifier mapping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-assigning a source IP address to the mobile device by the network before the device needs to obtain its operator identifier. This pre-configuration allows the device to automatically retrieve its identifier without user intervention, as the IP address is already in place to enable the automated communication with the server for identifier retrieval.
3Reliability
If operator identifier is obtained through manual configuration, then reliability can be ensured, but device complexity and configuration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the mobile device to automatically obtain its operator identifier through self-service communication with the application server, eliminating the need for manual configuration by users or system administrators. The device uses its assigned source IP address to communicate with the server, which automatically provides the reliable operator identifier through the IP address mapping, thereby ensuring reliability without adding configuration complexity.
4Reliability
If network assigns unique source address to each device, then identifier retrieval is reliable, but network performance deteriorates due to operationally intensive processes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the source IP address universal by allowing it to be shared among multiple mobile devices for the identifier retrieval function. Instead of assigning unique IP addresses to each device, a single source IP address is reused by multiple devices when they communicate with the application server for obtaining operator identifiers. This significantly reduces the operational burden on the network while maintaining reliable identifier retrieval through the IP address to operator identifier mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identifier retrieval communications from multiple devices into a single shared IP address space. By combining the communications of multiple devices under one source IP address for the purpose of obtaining operator identifiers, the network reduces the number of unique address assignments and mappings required, thereby improving network performance while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Efficient network based techniques can be implemented in the equipment of an operator of a mobile communication network to automatically obtain an operator or billing identifier associated with a mobile device of a user or subscriber associated with the network. Such techniques can be utilized even when a client application program on the device is restricted by the device manufacturer from providing the operator's billing identifier in communications through the mobile network with an associated application server. The operator identifier associated with the user's mobile device can be obtained without significantly impacting system resources, performance, or user experience.