Terminal Connectivity Management for Cellular Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cellular communication networks face inefficiencies due to the need for a large number of machine terminals to remain permanently connected, exceeding the capacity of individual cells and leading to increased costs for operators, as existing solutions rely on centralized management that is asymmetrical and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a software application on each terminal to manage connectivity locally, allowing for autonomous connection and disconnection based on data transmission needs, using configuration parameters to determine optimal connection times and durations, thereby reducing unnecessary connections and optimizing network resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If machine terminals remain permanently connected to accommodate a large number of terminals, then the network can handle inter-machine communication needs, but the cell capacity is exceeded and network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinter-machine communication capacityVSAvoidnumber of connected terminals
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic connectivity management where machine terminals transition between connected and disconnected states based on real-time data transmission needs. The system dynamically adjusts the number of active connections, allowing terminals to connect only when data needs to be transmitted and disconnect when idle, thereby adapting network capacity to actual demand rather than maintaining static permanent connections for all terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Quantity of substance

If cell capacity is increased to accommodate more machine terminals, then more terminals can be connected simultaneously, but the low data rates of inter-machine applications make this economically unviable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell capacityVSAvoideconomic viability
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic connectivity where machine terminals establish connections at specific intervals or triggers (when data becomes available for transmission) rather than maintaining continuous connections. This periodic action pattern allows the network to handle inter-machine communication effectively while keeping the number of simultaneously connected terminals low, maintaining economic viability despite the need to support many terminals overall.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If centralized management is used to disconnect terminals, then network control is maintained, but the management system becomes asymmetrical and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork controlVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service connectivity management where machine terminals autonomously determine when to connect and disconnect based on their own data transmission needs. Each terminal monitors its own communication requirements and independently manages its connection state, eliminating the need for complex centralized disconnection management while maintaining appropriate network control through standardized protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2792176B1Managing the connectivity of a terminal
Publication Date: 2018.02.28 THALES DIS FRANCE SA
  • EP2792176B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2792176B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention proposes in particular a method of managing the connectivity of a terminal (1) connectable to a cellular communication network (3) characterized in that it comprises the following steps carried out in the terminal: if the terminal is already connected to the network (3): . on completion of the dispatching of messages or after a predetermined duration following the dispatching of messages, determining whether conditions of configurations required in order to maintain a connection of the terminal to the network (3) are all satisfied, . maintaining the connection of the terminal to the network (3) and authorizing the dispatching of the messages only if the conditions of configurations required to establish a connection of the terminal to the network (3) are all satisfied, otherwise interrupting the connection of the terminal to the network (3), . receiving from a management module (7) remote from the terminal (1) a signalling message ordering a disconnection of the terminal (1). Furthermore, the invention also pertains to a computer program product able to execute the method of managing connectivity.