Workflow Server Aggregating Network Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile communications networks are hindered by the complexity and cost of integrating multiple diverse elements, requiring specialized skills and leading to limited speed and difficulty in creating new services due to the numerous elements and diverse expertise needed.
Innovation Solution
A workflow server in the mobile communications network that includes a network processor, a deep packet inspection module, and selectable communication function modules, enabling automated processing and orchestration of services across network elements, simplifying service creation and delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate network elements are used to provide different communication functions, then service functionality and versatility are improved, but device complexity and the number of elements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate network elements (firewall, authentication gateway, service gateway, charging gateway, HTTP proxy, video cache) into a single integrated network element. This consolidation maintains all the individual functions while reducing the total number of elements, directly resolving the contradiction between service versatility and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated network element is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can act as a firewall, authentication gateway, service gateway, charging gateway, HTTP proxy, and video cache all in one device. This multi-functionality approach allows a single element to replace multiple specialized elements, resolving the contradiction by maintaining service versatility while reducing element count.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diverse network elements are deployed, then service capabilities are improved, but ease of operation and maintenance deteriorate due to element-specific skills required
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple diverse network elements into a single integrated element, the patent reduces the variety of specialized skills needed for operation and maintenance. Network operators only need to master the operations of one unified system rather than multiple different elements, directly improving ease of operation while preserving service capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal network element performs all communication functions within a single platform with unified management interfaces and procedures. This eliminates the need for element-specific operational skills, as operators work with a single standardized system that handles firewall, authentication, service delivery, charging, proxy, and caching functions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate elements are used, then service functionality is improved, but processing speed deteriorates due to processing at each element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent consolidates processing functions into a single network element, eliminating the need for packets to be processed sequentially at multiple separate elements. This reduces processing latency and improves overall speed while maintaining all necessary service functionalities within the integrated element.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diverse elements are deployed, then service versatility is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to difficulty in creating new services
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating all communication functions into a single platform, the patent enables centralized service creation and deployment. New services can be implemented by configuring the integrated element rather than coordinating across multiple separate elements, dramatically improving productivity in service creation while maintaining service versatility.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for aggregating multiple functions into a single platform. A communications system includes at least one processor, at least one computer readable storage medium storing computer executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, implement components including a workflow module comprising sets of workflow instructions for processing different types of information packets, and selectable communication function modules, the workflow module coordinating processing of a received packet using selected ones of the selectable communication function modules.