Subscriber Identity Pattern for M2M Group Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cellular networks are inefficient in managing large groups of Machine-Type Communications (MTC) devices, as they are designed for human voice and data communications, assuming long-duration connections with unique subscriptions and fixed addresses, which is not suitable for MTC devices that connect intermittently and in large numbers.
Innovation Solution
A subscriber data server system that allows a single subscription record to control a group of devices by using a subscriber identity pattern, such as a wildcard IMSI, to manage connections and data sharing, enabling efficient provisioning and billing for M2M devices, even in existing GSM, 3GPP, or LTE standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing cellular networks use unique subscriptions for each device, then each device can be individually identified and managed, but the network becomes inefficient when managing large groups of MTC devices that connect intermittently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple device identities under a single group subscription record. Instead of maintaining separate subscriptions for each MTC device, the system combines them into one subscription that can manage multiple devices simultaneously, thereby improving network efficiency while reducing subscription management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The group subscription record is designed to serve multiple functions: it can identify multiple devices, manage their intermittent connections, and handle billing for the entire group. This universal subscription structure eliminates the need for device-specific subscription management for MTC groups
2Quantity of substance
If the network supports large numbers of intermittent MTC connections, then more devices can be accommodated, but resource management becomes less efficient compared to traditional long-duration connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to handle periodic, intermittent connections typical of MTC devices. The group subscription record enables efficient management of these periodic connection patterns by maintaining a single active connection context that can serve multiple devices at different times, improving resource efficiency compared to establishing separate connections for each device
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple intermittent device connections are merged into a single group connection managed by one subscription record. This consolidation allows the network to efficiently allocate resources to the group as a whole rather than managing each device separately, thereby supporting more devices while maintaining resource efficiency
Data Source
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AI summary
A attach request for a device may be received. The request may include a subscriber identity for the device. The subscriber identity may be matched to a subscriber identity pattern. The subscriber identity pattern may be used to retrieve a subscriber record. Subscriber data from the subscriber record may be returned in response to the attach request.