Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol Lawful Interception via Merged Network Elements

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lawful interception solutions for 3GPP network architectures do not cover cases involving mobility handled by IETF protocols like Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol v6 (PMIPv6) and non-3GPP access to 3GPP networks, leaving a gap in legal and regulatory compliance for data retention and interception.

Innovation Solution

Configuring Mobile Access Gateways and Local Mobility Anchors as Intercepting Control Elements within the Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol domain to enable lawful interception and data retention for target mobile nodes, using software programs that can be loaded onto these elements to manage interception and retention processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing lawful interception solutions for 3GPP network architectures are used, then lawful interception can be performed in traditional 3GPP networks, but lawful interception cannot cover non-3GPP terminals using PMIPv6 protocols or non-3GPP access to 3GPP networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of lawful interceptionVSAvoidnetwork architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling the Mobile Access Gateway and Local Mobility Anchor to function as Intercepting Control Elements, allowing these network elements to handle both traditional 3GPP mobility management and PMIPv6-based non-3GPP access while simultaneously supporting lawful interception. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate interception infrastructure for different access types.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary approach by configuring existing network elements (Mobile Access Gateway and Local Mobility Anchor) to act as Intercepting Control Elements. These elements serve as intermediaries between the PMIPv6 mobility management functions and the lawful interception requirements, bridging the gap between different protocol domains without requiring entirely new architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If PMIPv6 protocols are used for mobility management, then non-3GPP terminals can access 3GPP networks, but existing lawful interception architectures cannot intercept traffic from these terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterception capability for non-3GPP accessVSAvoidinterception data loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the Mobile Access Gateway and Local Mobility Anchor with interception capabilities before non-3GPP terminals connect. The network elements are prepared in advance to identify, capture, and forward traffic from PMIPv6-based accesses, ensuring no interception data is lost when these terminals communicate through the network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If traditional 3GPP lawful interception architecture is implemented, then interception requirements for 3GPP networks are met, but regulatory compliance requirements for non-3GPP access are not satisfied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidinterception system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the lawful interception functionality with existing PMIPv6 network elements by configuring the Mobile Access Gateway and Local Mobility Anchor as Intercepting Control Elements. This combination approach integrates interception capabilities into the mobility management infrastructure, simultaneously satisfying regulatory compliance for both 3GPP and non-3GPP accesses while avoiding the need for separate interception systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2332309B1Lawful interception for targets in a proxy mobile internet protocol network
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP2332309B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2332309B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2332309B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for providing Law Enforcement Agencies in a telecommunications network with interception and/or retention data related to a target mobile node (1) in a Proxy Mobile Internet Protocol domain (2) connected to the telecommunications network through a Mobile Access Gateway (3), comprises the steps of configuring at least one of said Mobile Access Gateway (3) and a Local Mobility Anchor (4) to operate as Intercepting Control Elements (11) or Data Retention sources.