Packet Filter Installation Control in User Equipment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for controlling packet filter installation in user equipment are inefficient, particularly due to limitations in the number of precedence values for packet filters, leading to increased signaling overhead and resource allocation challenges in Policy and Charging Control (PCC) systems.

Innovation Solution

A method that detects data traffic indications and determines the need for new packet filters based on precondition signaling and service type, allowing for selective installation of packet filters in user equipment, reducing unnecessary signaling and resource allocation, and using IP 5 tuple packet filters to direct data packets to appropriate bearers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If packet filters are installed in user equipment to map data packets to bearers, then data traffic routing capability is improved, but the number of precedence values is limited and signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traffic routing capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary packet filters that need to be installed in the user equipment, rather than installing all possible filters. The network determines which filters are actually required based on the service type and precondition signaling, and only those specific filters are signaled to the UE, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining routing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by installing only a subset of packet filters that are necessary for the specific service scenario, rather than installing all possible filters. This selective approach reduces the number of filters in the user equipment and minimizes signaling overhead while still achieving the required data traffic routing functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Reliability

If packet filters are installed in user equipment to associate data packets with bearers, then QoS management is improved, but device complexity increases due to limited precedence values

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveQoS managementVSAvoidpacket filter management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential packet filters required for QoS management in the specific service scenario. By determining which filters are actually needed based on precondition signaling and service type, the system reduces the number of filters that must be managed in the user equipment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining QoS management reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different packet filters to different data flows based on their specific QoS requirements. Each filter is tailored to the local characteristics of the service type and traffic pattern, optimizing QoS management for each specific flow rather than using a uniform approach, which reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If all packet filters are signaled to user equipment, then complete traffic filtering capability is achieved, but signaling load increases and resource allocation becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic filtering capabilityVSAvoidsignaling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and signals only the necessary packet filters to the user equipment based on the specific service type and traffic requirements. Rather than signaling all possible filters, the network determines which filters are actually needed and signals only those, reducing signaling load and improving resource allocation efficiency while maintaining complete filtering capability for the required traffic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by signaling a subset of packet filters that are necessary for the specific service scenario rather than signaling all filters. This selective signaling approach reduces the signaling load on the network and improves resource allocation efficiency while still achieving complete traffic filtering capability for the required data flows.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2709338B1Controlling packet filter installation in a user equipment
Publication Date: 2017.11.22 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2709338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2709338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2709338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication system includes a user equipment (UE) 10 and a gateway 26.The UE (10) sends data packets on one or more bearers (52, 54) to the gateway 26. One or more packet filters (62, 64) are installed in the UE (10) for associating the data packets with the bearers (52, 54). A decision is performed if installation of a new packet filter (62, 64) in the UE (10) is required to map the data packets of indicated data traffic to a particular bearer (52, 54). The result of the decision may then be indicated from a policy controller (30) to a gateway (26) and/or from the gateway (26) to the UE (10). Depending on the result of the decision, the gateway may initiate signaling of the new packet filter (62, 64) to the UE (10) and/or the UE (10) may install the new packet filter (62, 64).