Policy-Based Device Capabilities Synchronization for Secure Service Provisioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device capabilities management systems face challenges in efficiently accumulating and presenting device capabilities information, particularly in next-generation networks, where methods for obtaining capabilities vary widely and often conflict, and there is a need to control the extent of information revealed to service providers.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that apply policies to govern the release of device capabilities information to service providers, using a policy management system to determine the appropriate amount of information to share based on identification information, allowing for the modification of device capabilities and storage of policies associated with service providers, ensuring secure and controlled disclosure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device capabilities information is fully revealed to service providers, then service provisioning quality is improved, but information security and privacy protection deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating information disclosure based on the specific service provider and service type. Different levels of device capabilities information are revealed to different service providers according to pre-configured policies, rather than uniformly disclosing all information to all providers. This resolves the contradiction by providing high-quality service provisioning where needed while maintaining information security where not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of information disclosure extent by introducing policy-based control mechanisms. The system dynamically adjusts what device capabilities information is revealed based on service provider trust levels, service types, and user preferences. This parameter change allows the system to optimize both service quality and information security by revealing only the necessary amount of information for each specific interaction.
2Loss of information
If multiple methods are used to obtain device capabilities from various sources, then information completeness is improved, but system complexity and conflict resolution difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges device capabilities information from multiple sources (local device reports, home server databases, connectivity gateway records) into a unified capability profile. The system consolidates these diverse information sources and applies policy-based rules to resolve conflicts, presenting a single coherent view of device capabilities to service providers. This reduces system complexity by unifying the information gathering process while maintaining completeness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces policy management systems and intermediary components that mediate between multiple capability information sources and service providers. These intermediaries standardize the format and content of capability information, resolve conflicts between different sources, and apply disclosure policies uniformly. This mediator layer simplifies the overall system architecture while ensuring complete and consistent information aggregation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If detailed device capabilities are disclosed to service providers, then service customization and optimization are improved, but user privacy and data protection worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively disclosing device capabilities information based on user-defined policies and service provider credentials. Sensitive personal information is protected while essential service-related capabilities are disclosed. This allows service customization where appropriate while maintaining privacy protection for sensitive data, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments device capabilities information into different categories (essential service capabilities, optional enhancement capabilities, sensitive personal information) and applies different disclosure policies to each segment. This segmentation enables service providers to receive the specific level of detail needed for service customization while protecting user privacy by withholding sensitive segments. The segmented approach resolves the contradiction by providing tailored information disclosure.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system allow applying policies to service requests for information or a session, which are created by communications devices and are intended to be sent to service providers over a network. The policies govern the extent to which details about the communications devices sending the requests are released or revealed to that service provider. After amount of capabilities corresponding to the extent allowed by the polity is determined and provided in the service request, the service request is sent over the network to the service provider. Policy based disclosure of communications device capabilities information may be applied in local network embodiments, such as a home or small office network including local sever and residential gateway functions.