Multi-Connectivity Reachability via Access-Specific Service Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multi-connectivity networks fail to provide access to services specific to individual networks due to the loss of access-specific information, such as authentication and tariff-based information, when switching between access paths.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables a multi-connectivity termination point to send access-specific information on behalf of the user equipment (UE) to a service provider, allowing seamless access to services across different access networks by maintaining and imitating the characteristics of individual access networks, and facilitating the exchange of access-specific information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multi-connectivity networks combine multiple access paths, then reliability and capacity are improved, but access-specific services become unreachable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a multi-connectivity termination point as an intermediary entity that mediates between the UE and service providers. This termination point maintains access-specific information and enables services to be reached over alternative access paths by translating requests and responses, thus resolving the contradiction between network reliability through multi-connectivity and service accessibility across different networks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access-specific information is maintained for service reachability, then service accessibility is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts access-specific information management from the UE and service provider interaction, centralizing it in the multi-connectivity termination point. This extraction allows the termination point to handle access-specific information independently, enabling service accessibility without requiring complex modifications to the UE or service provider systems, thus managing system complexity effectively.
3Stability of the object's composition
If seamless access across networks is enabled, then service continuity is improved, but information exchange requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the multi-connectivity termination point obtain and store access-specific information in advance, before service requests are made. This preliminary preparation ensures that when service requests need to be routed over alternative access paths, the necessary information is already available, enabling seamless service continuity without requiring extensive information exchange at the moment of service access.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a user equipment (UE), a multi-connectivity (MC) termination point, and a service provider. The UE is connectable to the MC termination point through a first MC path and a second MC path. The first MC path comprises a first access network and the second MC path comprises a second access network. The MC termination point is configured to send, to the service provider, access specific information on behalf of the UE and/or the first MC path. The service provider is configured to send, to the MC termination point, service information associated with the first access network.