3GPP Selection Node Service Request Handling via SCP Status Feedback

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing network systems face inefficiencies in handling service requests due to inadequate supervision of Network Function (NF) producer node health status, leading to failed requests when unavailable nodes are selected, especially in indirect communication scenarios where the selection node lacks real-time status information.

Innovation Solution

A selection node is introduced that initiates a status request to NF nodes via a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) and determines whether to send a service request based on the received status, allowing for real-time selection and re-selection of available NF nodes, thereby reducing procedure failures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If indirect communication via SCP node is used, then service request routing flexibility is improved, but real-time supervision of NF node status is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice request routing flexibilityVSAvoidreal-time supervision of NF node status

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the selecting node continuously monitors the status of NF producer nodes and uses this feedback information to make informed routing decisions. The status monitoring function provides real-time updates about NF node availability, enabling the selecting node to adapt its service request routing based on current network conditions, thus resolving the contradiction between routing flexibility and status supervision reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary status monitoring function that acts as a mediator between the selecting node and NF producer nodes. This intermediary component collects status information from NF nodes and provides it to the selecting node, enabling indirect communication to maintain both routing flexibility through SCP nodes and real-time status supervision through the intermediary monitoring mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If NF node selection is performed without real-time status information, then service request processing speed is improved, but procedure failure rate increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice request processing speedVSAvoidprocedure failure rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the selecting node proactively monitor and assess the status of NF producer nodes before routing service requests. The status monitoring function continuously evaluates NF node availability in advance, so when a service request needs to be routed, the selecting node already has current status information and can immediately direct requests to available nodes without delay, thus maintaining both processing speed and reducing failure rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback mechanism provides real-time status information about NF node availability to the selecting node, enabling informed routing decisions. This feedback loop ensures that service requests are only directed to currently available NF nodes, significantly reducing procedure failure rates while the automated nature of the feedback process maintains fast processing speeds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If direct communication between NF nodes is used, then supervision of NF producer status is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupervision of NF producer statusVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the selecting node universal by enabling it to perform both status monitoring and service request routing functions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated supervision channels, allowing direct communication benefits for status supervision while avoiding the complexity of additional network components. The selecting node adapts its communication mode based on whether direct or indirect communication is more appropriate for the specific NF nodes involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4189865B1Service request handling by a selection node of a 3GPP system

Publication Date: 2025.01.08 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2A
Figure 2B

AI summary

There is provided a method for handling a service request. The method is performed by a selection node. The method comprises initiating transmission (202) of a first message towards at least a first Network Function (NF) node via a first Service Communication Proxy (SCP) node, wherein the first message is a status request. The method further comprises receiving (204), from the first SCP node, a second message indicating the status of the first NF node. The method also comprises determining (206) whether or not to initiate transmission of a first request, for the provision of a first service, via the first SCP node to the first NF node, the determination of whether or not to initiate transmission of the first request to the first NF node being made based on the status of the first NF node indicated by the second message.