Communication Network Component Using Smart Contracts for Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing number of communication devices connecting to mobile radio communication networks leads to cumbersome management and scalability issues, as well as security concerns due to the use of static unique identifiers, which can be intercepted or deceived.

Innovation Solution

A communication network component that utilizes smart contracts to manage access to communication services by verifying the communication service key of a first communication device, ensuring it originates from a second communication device, thereby enhancing security and scalability through decentralized key management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static unique identifiers are used for device identification, then device management is simplified, but security is compromised due to interception and deception risks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice management simplicityVSAvoidsecurity against interception and deception
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameter of identification from static unique identifiers to dynamic communication service keys. These keys are generated dynamically based on subscription information and are bound to specific communication devices, making them不可预测 and resistant to interception and deception while maintaining manageable identification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Extent of automation

If centralized systems store identification data for all communication devices, then subscriber management is centralized, but scalability and performance deteriorate due to increasing data volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized subscriber managementVSAvoidnetwork scalability and performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification management function by introducing communication service keys that are specific to each communication device and subscription. Instead of a single centralized database storing all device identification data, the system distributes identification information through device-specific keys, reducing the data volume burden on centralized systems while maintaining automated management capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the number of communication devices connecting to the network increases, then network coverage is expanded, but management complexity increases due to rapid increase in unique identifiers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork coverage expansionVSAvoidmanagement complexity of unique identifiers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the identification parameter from traditional unique identifiers to communication service keys that are dynamically generated and bound to subscription information. This transformation simplifies management complexity as keys are automatically managed through the subscription system rather than requiring manual tracking of individual device identifiers, enabling scalable network coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3968590B1Communication network component and method
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

Various embodiments provide a communication network component (601) which comprises a receiver (602) and one or more processors (603). The receiver (602) is configured to receive information from a first communication device and the one or more processors (603) are configured to determine whether the first communication device is allowed to access to a communication service and to allow the first communication device to use the communication service, in case the first communication device is allowed by using smart contracts.