Proxy Server Selective Routing for M2M and User Data in Mobile Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication networks require users to subscribe and pay additional fees for M2M service centers to route both M2M and user data, which is cumbersome and costly, especially when users already have accounts in the mobile communication network for data services.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication network architecture with dual gateway servers and a proxy server that categorizes data requests as M2M or user data, allowing flexible routing based on device affiliation with predetermined groups, enabling separate accounting and secure association with user accounts, even for devices without local subscriber IDs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all data traffic (both M2M and user data) is routed through dedicated M2M gateway servers and M2M service centers, then M2M data communication reliability is improved, but user data access complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveM2M data communication reliabilityVSAvoidUser data access complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data routing path by introducing a proxy server that separates M2M data traffic from user data traffic. The proxy server acts as an intermediary that routes M2M data through the dedicated M2M gateway server while allowing user data to bypass it, thus maintaining M2M reliability while simplifying user data access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The proxy server serves as an intermediary component between the mobile communication device and the M2M gateway server. It receives data packets, determines their type (M2M or user data), and selectively forwards them to appropriate destinations, thereby resolving the contradiction between dedicated M2M routing and simplified user access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users subscribe to M2M service center services to access data services, then data service availability is improved, but additional costs and subscription complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveData service availabilityVSAvoidSubscription complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The proxy server provides universal access to data services by handling both M2M data routing and user data routing through a single component. This multi-functional approach allows users to access data services without requiring separate M2M service center subscriptions, as the proxy server manages both types of traffic appropriately.

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

3Device complexity

If a single gateway server handles all data traffic, then device complexity is reduced, but routing flexibility and data security decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveGateway server structureVSAvoidRouting flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the gateway server functionality into two separate components: a proxy server for initial data packet processing and routing determination, and a dedicated M2M gateway server for M2M-specific data routing. This segmentation provides routing flexibility and security while keeping individual server components relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3588870B1Selective routing of data of an m2m-enabled device in a mobile communication network
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 VODAFONE GMBH
  • EP3588870B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3588870B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mobile communication network (1) for routing data of a mobile communication device (4) supporting data communication in at least two categories. The network (1) comprises a first gateway server (8) for routing data of a first category and a second gateway server (9) for routing data of a second category. Moreover, the network (1) comprises a proxy server (11) configured to receive from the mobile communication device (4) a request for establishing a data connection for transmitting data and to check whether the mobile communication device (4) belongs to a predetermined group of mobile communication devices. The proxy server (11) is further configured to determine whether the data comprises data of the first or second category and to forward the request to the first or second gateway server in accordance with the result of the determination, if the proxy server (11) has determined that the mobile communication device (4) belongs to the predetermined group of mobile communication devices.