Router Analyzer for Individualized Network Usage Data Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular data service providers face challenges in collecting individualized usage patterns from multiple users sharing a single data plan due to limited bandwidth and the impracticality of inspecting data packets as an intermediary node, making it difficult to efficiently allocate resources.
Innovation Solution
A router device equipped with an analyzer and data manager capable of monitoring and collecting individualized usage information from clients, which is then communicated to a server for resource allocation optimization, allowing for the aggregation of data from multiple users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the service provider inspects data packets as an intermediary node to learn individual usage patterns, then information about customer usage is obtained, but data transmission speed and efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary identification information (source IP address, destination IP address, and port numbers) from data packets for monitoring purposes, while leaving the bulk data transmission uninterrupted. This selective extraction allows the provider to obtain usage pattern information without inspecting or blocking data flow, thus maintaining transmission speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network address translator (NAT) device as an intermediary that automatically collects usage information from packets passing through it. The NAT device mediates between the need for information collection and the need for fast data transmission by performing automated monitoring without requiring manual packet inspection, thus resolving the contradiction between information gathering and transmission efficiency.
2Productivity
If the service provider collects detailed usage information from multiple customers, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a system where the NAT device automatically performs data collection, aggregation, and reporting functions without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by automatically extracting usage information from packets, storing it in databases, and generating reports, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining efficient resource allocation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the data collection system into distinct functional modules: packet information extraction, data storage, data analysis, and report generation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, reducing overall system complexity while enabling comprehensive resource allocation optimization through aggregated usage data.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for collecting individualized network usage data includes routing Internet communications between a plurality of local clients and a plurality of remote servers over a common data link between a router device and the Internet. For each of the plurality of clients, characteristics of that client's communications routed over the data link are monitored at the router device. A collection of statistics reflecting the monitored characteristics are maintained. From the router device, the collection of statistics are periodically communicated over the data link to an interested server.