Network Function Identification via User Data Context

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Solution Overview

Problem

Application developers face challenges in identifying appropriate backend services for user-oriented applications, as they need to anticipate various user-provided contents and programming interfaces, leading to complex and large applications that delay development and delivery.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a function lookup service and a function-concept-context data structure to identify network functions based on user content and context, allowing for dynamic selection of backend services through a unified API, reducing the need for explicit support of each backend service.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If application developers explicitly support each backend service with programming interfaces, then comprehensive service coverage is achieved, but application complexity and development time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice coverageVSAvoidapplication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a backend service discovery system that acts as an intermediary between applications and backend services. This system automatically matches application requirements with available backend services using a service registry and matching algorithm, eliminating the need for developers to explicitly code support for each service. The intermediary layer handles service identification, selection, and invocation automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables applications to automatically discover and select appropriate backend services through self-service mechanisms. The application declares its service requirements, and the system autonomously queries the service registry, evaluates matching criteria, and invokes the most suitable backend service without human intervention or complex developer configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If application developers anticipate various user-provided contents and program accordingly, then service accuracy is improved, but development time and delivery are delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice accuracyVSAvoiddevelopment speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic service matching system that adapts to different user-provided contents in real-time. Instead of requiring developers to anticipate all possible content variations, the system dynamically evaluates actual user content against service criteria and selects the most appropriate backend service. This dynamic approach maintains high service accuracy while reducing development time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary service registration and criteria setup in advance, creating a service registry with pre-defined matching rules. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly and accurately match user content with appropriate services during runtime without requiring developers to program every possible scenario, thereby improving both accuracy and development speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If a unified API system is implemented for service selection, then ease of operation is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice access simplicityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal API that can handle multiple types of service requests through a single interface. The unified API accepts generic service queries and automatically routes them to the appropriate backend services using the service registry and matching algorithms. This multi-functional approach simplifies operation for developers while the underlying complexity is managed by the automated matching system.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2577944B1Method and apparatus for identifying network functions based on user data
Publication Date: 2019.03.27 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2577944B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2577944B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP2577944B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

Techniques for identifying network functions include determining first data that indicates a concept represented in content provided by a device. A function provided by a network service is determined based on the first data. In some embodiments, techniques include forming a data structure that associates each function of a plurality of functions provided by a plurality of network services with at least one identifier for a concept.