Network-to-Network Interface for Push-to-Talk Interoperability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The fragmentation of the PTT user community across different PTT systems, which use incompatible technologies and standards, hinders seamless communication and interoperability between various PTT systems.

Innovation Solution

A network-to-network interface (NNI) device and method that translates and mediates communications between PTT systems using different standards, enabling interoperability by emulating interfaces and managing user and group identities across multiple PTT systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PTT systems use different technologies and standards, then each system can operate independently with its own technology, but interoperability between systems deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem independenceVSAvoidinteroperability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a network-to-network interface (NNI) device as an intermediary component that connects different PTT systems. This NNI device acts as a mediator that translates between different PTT formats and standards, enabling interoperability while allowing each system to maintain its technological independence. The interface adapter within the NNI device specifically handles protocol conversion between incompatible systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by translating communications from one PTT format to another through the NNI device. The system modifies communication parameters such as message formats, signaling protocols, and data structures to enable compatibility between different PTT standards without changing the underlying systems themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If PTT systems use different communication and network management standards, then each system can be optimized for its specific technology, but communication and coordination between systems becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem optimizationVSAvoidcommunication coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The NNI device serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of communication coordination between different PTT systems. By centralizing the translation and protocol conversion functions in this interface device, individual systems can maintain their optimized characteristics while the NNI device manages the coordination challenges of inter-system communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a translation device is introduced to enable interoperability between PTT systems, then communication between different standards improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinteroperabilityVSAvoidinterface adapter complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the translation function into separate interface adapters that can be independently implemented for different PTT systems. Each adapter handles a specific protocol conversion task, allowing the overall complexity to be distributed across modular components rather than concentrated in a single complex device. This segmentation enables independent development and maintenance of each adapter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3254483B1Network-to-network interface for push-to-talk-over-cellular service and related method
Publication Date: 2020.05.13 KODIAK NETWORKS INC
  • EP3254483B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3254483B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3254483B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A network-to-network interface (NNI) device, including at least one push-to-talk (PTT) interface adapter, a processor connected to the at least one PTT interface adapter, and a non-transitory computer readable medium connected to the processor. The non-transitory computer readable medium has stored thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the NNI device to receive a first PTT communication in a first PTT format through the at least one PTT interface adapter from a first PTT system, translate the first PTT communication into a second PTT communication in one or more second PTT formats, and transmit the second PTT communication through the at least one PTT interface adapter to one or more second PTT systems