Terminals, network devices, wireless communication systems, and wireless communication methods

Abstract

This terminal comprises: a storage unit configured such that first subscriber information used in connecting to a first mobile object communication network can be written to the storage unit; a transmission unit that transmits, to a network device, an open request for requesting opening to the first mobile object communication network; and a reception unit that, in response to the open request, receives from the network device an open response indicating the completion of opening to the first mobile object communication network. The open request is accepted, conditional upon the execution of a specific operation of a terminal that stores second subscriber information used in connecting to a second mobile object communication network which is different from the first mobile object communication network.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal equipped with an eSIM, a network device that communicates with the terminal equipped with the eSIM, a wireless communication system including the terminal and the network device, and a wireless communication method between the terminal equipped with the eSIM and the network device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) in which subscriber information such as an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) necessary for communicating with a mobile communication network can be rewritten software-wise is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Such a SIM includes a UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) as a hardware configuration and an eSIM (Embedded SIM) as a software configuration.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the case of changing the model of a terminal equipped with an eSIM, it is often the case that after performing authentication using a carrier account, an application for changing the model is submitted.

[0005] However, if account information regarding the carrier account is illegally obtained by an attacker by means of fraud such as phishing or malware, there is a possibility that a line hijacking may occur in the procedure for connecting to the mobile communication network regarding the terminal equipped with the eSIM.

[0006] Therefore, this disclosure has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a terminal, network device, wireless communication system, and wireless communication method that can appropriately perform the activation procedure to a mobile communication network for a terminal equipped with an eSIM.

[0007] One aspect of the disclosure is a terminal comprising: a storage unit configured to be writable for first subscriber information used for connection to a first mobile communication network; a transmission unit that transmits an activation request to a network device requesting activation to the first mobile communication network; and a receiving unit that, in response to the activation request, receives an activation response from the network device indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network, wherein the activation request is accepted on the condition that an operation is performed to identify a terminal that stores second subscriber information used for connection to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network.

[0008] One aspect of the disclosure is a network device comprising: a receiving unit that receives an activation request from a first terminal having a storage unit configured to write first subscriber information used for connecting to a first mobile communication network, the receiving unit that requests activation to the first mobile communication network; a transmitting unit that, in response to the activation request, transmits an activation response to the first terminal indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network; and a control unit that accepts the activation request on the condition that a specific operation is performed on a second terminal that stores second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network.

[0009] One aspect of the disclosure is a wireless communication system comprising a first terminal and a network device, wherein the first terminal comprises a storage unit configured to be writable for first subscriber information used for connection to a first mobile communication network, a transmitting unit that transmits an activation request to the network device requesting activation to the first mobile communication network, and a receiving unit that receives an activation response from the network device indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network in response to the activation request, and the network device comprises a control unit that accepts the activation request on the condition that a specific operation is performed on a second terminal that stores second subscriber information used for connection to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network.

[0010] One aspect of the disclosure is a wireless communication method comprising: step A, a first terminal having a storage unit configured to be writable for first subscriber information used for connection to a first mobile communication network, transmits an activation request to a network device requesting activation to the first mobile communication network; and step B, the first terminal receives an activation response from the network device indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network in response to the activation request, wherein the activation request is accepted on the condition that a terminal storing second subscriber information used for connection to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network is identified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the wireless communication system 10. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a functional block diagram of the UE200. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the service server 30. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows example 1 of the operation. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows example 2 of the operation. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the service server 30 and UE200. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that identical or similar reference numerals are used to denote the same functions and components, and their descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] [Embodiment] (1) Overall outline of the wireless communication system The overall schematic configuration of the wireless communication system 10 will be described below. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the wireless communication system 10 according to the embodiment. The wireless communication system 10 includes a network 20, a service server 30, a management server 40, and terminals 200 (hereinafter referred to as UE (User Equipment) 200). The service server 30, the management server 40, and the UE 200 are configured to communicate with each other via the network 20.

[0014] In this embodiment, the case of changing from UE200A to UE200B will be mainly described. UE200A is an example of a terminal (second terminal) that stores second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network. UE200B is an example of a terminal (first terminal) having a storage unit configured to be writable for first subscriber information used for connecting to a first mobile communication network. UE200A may be referred to as the old terminal, and UE200B may be referred to as the new terminal.

[0015] The first mobile communication network and the second mobile communication network may include a RAN (Radio Access Network). The RAN may be a RAN that corresponds to a communication method called 4G, 5G, Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution, or 6G. For example, the RAN may be an NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network) or an eUTRAN (evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Network).

[0016] Here, the first mobile network is a different mobile network from the second mobile network. For example, the communication carrier of the first mobile network may be different from the communication carrier of the second mobile network. The communication method of the first mobile network (e.g., 4G) may be different from the communication method of the second mobile network (e.g., 5G).

[0017] The network 20 includes the Internet. The network 20 may include a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Without being particularly limited, the network 20 may include a first mobile communication network and may include a second mobile communication network.

[0018] The providing server 30 manages first subscriber information used for connection to the first mobile communication network and is a server that provides the first subscriber information. The providing server 30 may be referred to as an SM-DP (Subscription Manager Data Preparation) server. The providing server 30 may include a server (for example, an SM-SR (Subscription Manager Data Routing) server) that establishes a secure path in the first mobile communication network. In an embodiment, the providing server 30 is an example of a network device.

[0019] The management server 40 manages customer information regarding users who use the first mobile communication network. The customer information may include a carrier account managed by a communication carrier of the first mobile communication network. For example, the management server 40 receives an application to use the first subscriber information on the UE 200B.

[0020] (2) Functional block configuration of the wireless communication system Hereinafter, the functional block configuration of the wireless communication system 10 will be described.

[0021] First, the functional block configuration of the UE 200 will be described.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the UE 200 includes a communication unit 210, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) 220, an interface 230, and a control unit 240.

[0023] The communication unit 210 communicates with the providing server 30 and the management server 40 via the network 20.

[0024] If UE200 is UE200B, the communication unit 210 may have the following configuration. Specifically, the communication unit 210 constitutes a transmitting unit that sends an activation request to the service server 30 requesting activation to the first mobile communication network. The communication unit 210 constitutes a receiving unit that receives an activation response from the management server 40 indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network in response to the activation request. The communication unit 210 may also have a function to communicate with the first mobile communication network after the first subscriber information has been stored.

[0025] Here, the activation response is accepted on the condition that a specific operation is performed on the UE200A, which stores second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network, as will be described later. The specific operation may include an operation to input knowledge information to be notified to the providing server 30. The specific operation may also include an operation to delete second subscriber information.

[0026] If UE200 is UE200A, the communication unit 210 may have the following configuration. Specifically, the communication unit 210 may notify the management server 40 of knowledge information when an operation to input knowledge information is performed as a specific operation. The communication unit 210 may notify the management server 40 that the second subscriber information has been deleted when an operation to delete second subscriber information is performed as a specific operation. The communication unit 210 may also have a function to communicate with the second mobile communication network when second subscriber information is stored therein.

[0027] The SIM220 is a module configured to store subscriber information. This subscriber information may include the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) necessary for communicating with the mobile network.

[0028] If UE200 is UE200B, SIM220 may have the following configuration. SIM220 constitutes a storage unit configured to be writable for first subscriber information used for connection to the first mobile communication network. SIM220 is composed of a SIM card and may include a UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) as a hardware configuration and an eSIM (Embedded SIM) as a software configuration. The first subscriber information is provided from the service server 30 and stored in SIM220.

[0029] If UE200 is UE200A, SIM220 may have the following configuration. SIM220 stores second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile network. SIM220 may be a SIM card including an eSIM that allows the second subscriber information to be rewritten, or it may be a SIM card that stores the second subscriber information in a manner that does not allow rewriting.

[0030] Interface 230 includes input interfaces such as a touch panel.

[0031] If UE200 is UE200A, interface 230 may have the following configuration. Interface 230 may be used for specific operations. For example, if an operation to input knowledge information is performed as a specific operation, interface 230 may be used for inputting knowledge information. If an operation to delete second subscriber information is performed as a specific operation, interface 230 may be used for deleting second subscriber information.

[0032] The control unit 240 controls the UE200. Although not limited thereto, the control unit 240 may perform various information transmission controls based on operations using the interface 230, or it may perform various display controls based on information received from the providing server 30 or the management server 40.

[0033] Secondly, the functional block configuration of the providing server 30 will be described.

[0034] As shown in Figure 3, the service server 30 includes a communication unit 31, a management unit 32, and a control unit 33.

[0035] The communication unit 31 communicates with the management server 40 and the UE200 via the network 20. In this embodiment, the communication unit 31 is configured as a receiving unit that receives an activation request from the UE200B requesting activation to the first mobile communication network. In response to the activation request, the communication unit 31 is configured as a transmitting unit that sends an activation response to the UE200B indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network.

[0036] The management unit 32 manages the first subscriber information used for connecting to the first mobile communication network. For example, the first subscriber information includes the IMSI used for connecting to the first mobile communication network.

[0037] The control unit 33 controls the service server 30. In this embodiment, the control unit 33 is configured to accept activation requests on the condition that a specific operation is performed on the UE200A, which stores second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network.

[0038] As described above, the specific operation may include an operation to input knowledge information to be notified to the providing server 30. The specific operation may also include an operation to delete the second subscriber information.

[0039] (3) Wireless communication method The following describes wireless communication methods. Below, two examples of operation are described, depending on the type of specific operation.

[0040] (3.1) Example of operation 1 Operation Example 1 is an example of an operation in which a specific operation is an operation to input knowledge information to be notified to the providing server 30. Here, the application terminal 300 is used as an example of a terminal that performs an application for the use of the first subscriber information. The application terminal 300 may be a different terminal from UE200, or it may be UE200.

[0041] As shown in Figure 4, in step S11, the application terminal 300 sends an application for the use of the first subscriber information to the management server 40. The application may be executed using a carrier account managed by the communication carrier of the first mobile network. For example, knowledge authentication using a carrier account (e.g., password authentication) may be performed in the application. The application may include first identification information that identifies UE200B. The first identification information may be an EID (Embedded Identity Document) that identifies the eSIM. The application may also include second identification information that identifies UE200A. If UE200A has an eSIM, the second identification information may be an EID that identifies the eSIM. Note that if the second identification information is managed by the management server 40, the application does not need to include the second identification information.

[0042] In step S12, the management server 40 sends an activation request to the first mobile network for UE200B to the service server 30. The activation request may include second identification information to stop the connection of UE200A to the second mobile network. The activation request may also include knowledge information used for authenticating UE200A. The knowledge information may be any information generated by the management server 40 and may be represented by a combination of numbers, letters, symbols, etc. As will be described later, the knowledge information is used for authenticating UE200B.

[0043] In step S21, the service server 30 prepares to open the UE200B to the first mobile communication network. That is, the service server 30 stops the connection of UE200A to the second mobile communication network. The service server 30 sends a message to the management server 40 indicating that the preparation is complete.

[0044] In step S22, the management server 40 sends an access request to the service server 30 to the UE200A. The access request may include a link to access the management server 40. The access request may also include knowledge information. The knowledge information is the knowledge information notified to the service server 30 in step S12.

[0045] It should be noted that the second mobile communication network cannot be used to access the service server. Access requests may be notified by SMS (Short Message Service) or by push notification to the application implemented on the UE200A.

[0046] In step S23, UE200A accesses the service server 30 based on the access request. Access may be performed over the network 20 (e.g., the Internet).

[0047] In step S24, the providing server 30 sends a request for input of knowledge information to the UE200A.

[0048] In step S25, UE200A sends knowledge information to the providing server 30 as an input response to the input request. The knowledge information is the knowledge information notified to UE200A in step S22. In other words, step S25 corresponds to a specific operation of UE200A to input the knowledge information to be notified to the providing server 30.

[0049] In step S26, the providing server 30 authenticates the UE200A. Specifically, the providing server 30 determines whether the knowledge information notified in step S25 matches the knowledge information notified in step S12. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that the knowledge information matches.

[0050] In step S27, the providing server 30 sends a procedure start notification to UE200A instructing it to begin the procedure for opening UE200B to the first mobile communication network. The procedure start notification can be thought of as a message requesting action from UE200A.

[0051] In step S31, the UE200B sends an activation request to the service server 30 requesting activation to the first mobile communication network. The activation request may include first identification information (e.g., EID) that identifies the UE200B.

[0052] In step S32, the providing server 30 sends a request for input of knowledge information to the UE200B.

[0053] In step S33, UE200B sends knowledge information to the providing server 30 as an input response to the input request. The knowledge information is the same knowledge information that was notified to UE200A in step S22.

[0054] In step S34, the providing server 30 authenticates the UE200B. Specifically, the providing server 30 determines whether the knowledge information notified in step S33 matches the knowledge information notified in step S12. Here, we will continue the explanation assuming that the knowledge information matches.

[0055] In step S35, the providing server 30 sends a message to the UE200B indicating that the activation to the first mobile communication network has been completed, as an activation response to the activation request.

[0056] While not particularly limited, if a certain period of time has elapsed since step S22 (access request) was executed, acceptance of step S23 (access) may be rejected. Also, if a certain period of time has elapsed since step S27 (procedure start notification) was executed, acceptance of step S31 (opening request) may be rejected.

[0057] (3.2) Example of operation 2 Operation Example 2 is an example of operation in a case where the specific operation is the operation to delete the second subscriber information. Here, the application terminal 300 is used as an example of the terminal that performs the application for the use of the first subscriber information. The application terminal 300 may be a different terminal from UE200, or it may be UE200.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, in step S41, the application terminal 300 sends an application for the use of the first subscriber information to the management server 40. The application may be executed using a carrier account managed by the communication carrier of the first mobile network. For example, knowledge authentication using a carrier account (e.g., password authentication) may be performed in the application. The application may include first identification information that identifies UE200B. The first identification information may be an EID that identifies the eSIM. The application may include second identification information that identifies UE200A. If UE200A has an eSIM, the second identification information may be an EID that identifies the eSIM. Note that if the second identification information is managed by the management server 40, the application does not need to include the second identification information.

[0059] In step S42, the management server 40 sends an activation request to the first mobile network for UE200B to the service server 30. The activation request may include a second identification information to stop the connection of UE200A to the second mobile network.

[0060] In step S43, the providing server 30 reserves access to the first mobile communication network for UE200B. This reservation can be considered as waiting for the deletion of the second subscriber information.

[0061] In step S51, the providing server 30 sends a message to the management server 40 indicating that the reservation for activation of the UE200B to the first mobile communication network has been completed.

[0062] In step S52, the management server 40 sends a deletion request to the UE200A requesting the deletion of the second subscriber information.

[0063] In step S53, UE200A deletes the second subscriber information. In other words, step S25 corresponds to the specific operation of UE200A to delete the second subscriber information.

[0064] In step S54, UE200A sends a message to the management server 40 stating that the second subscriber information has been deleted as a deletion response to the deletion request.

[0065] In step S55, the management server 40 sends a message to the service server 30 indicating that the second subscriber information has been deleted as a completion response to the reservation completion.

[0066] In step S56, the service server 30 prepares to open the UE200B to the first mobile communication network. That is, the service server 30 stops the UE200A's connection to the second mobile communication network.

[0067] In step S57, the providing server 30 sends a message to the management server 40 indicating that preparations for opening the UE200B to the first mobile communication network are complete.

[0068] In step S58, the management server 40 sends a procedure start notification to UE200A instructing it to begin the procedure for opening UE200B to the first mobile communication network. The procedure start notification can be thought of as a message requesting action from UE200A.

[0069] In step S61, the UE200B sends an activation request to the service server 30 requesting activation to the first mobile communication network. The activation request may include first identification information (e.g., EID) that identifies the UE200B.

[0070] In step S62, the providing server 30 sends a message to the UE200B indicating that the activation to the first mobile communication network has been completed, as an activation response to the activation request.

[0071] Although not limited thereto, if a certain period of time has elapsed since step S51 (Reservation Complete) was executed, acceptance of step S55 (Completion Response) may be rejected. Also, if a certain period of time has elapsed since step S57 (Ready) was executed, acceptance of step S61 (Activation Request) may be rejected.

[0072] (4) Action and Effects In this embodiment, an activation request by UE200B requesting activation to the first mobile communication network is accepted on the condition that a specific operation is performed on UE200A, which stores second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network. With this configuration, since a specific operation on UE200A (old terminal) is essential, even considering the possibility that account information related to carrier accounts may be illegally obtained by attackers through malicious means such as phishing or malware, it is possible to appropriately suppress the hijacking of the line by an attacker who does not possess UE200A (old terminal). In other words, the activation procedure to the mobile communication network for UE200B (new terminal) equipped with eSIM can be properly executed.

[0073] (5) Other embodiments Although the present invention has been described above in accordance with the embodiments, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0074] The disclosure described above illustrates the case where UE200A (old terminal) and UE200B (new terminal) are different terminals. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The old terminal and the new terminal may be physically the same terminal, as long as they are distinguished by subscriber information (IMSI).

[0075] In the disclosure described above, a SIM card including an eSIM was given as an example of a SIM220 with rewritable subscriber information. However, the disclosure is not limited to this. The SIM220 is composed of semiconductors and may be embedded in the UE200. Such a SIM220 may be called an iSIM (integrated SIM).

[0076] The block diagrams (Figures 2 and 3) used in the description of the embodiments above show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0077] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, judgment, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In any case, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0078] Furthermore, the aforementioned providing server 30 and UE200 (the device) may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of this disclosure. Figure 6 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the device. As shown in Figure 6, the device may be configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, and bus 1007.

[0079] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the device may include one or more of the devices shown in the diagram, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices.

[0080] Each functional block of the device (see Figure 2 or Figure 3) is implemented by any hardware element of the computer device, or a combination of such hardware elements.

[0081] Furthermore, each function in the device is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0082] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control units, arithmetic units, registers, and so on.

[0083] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc., from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. Moreover, the above-mentioned various processes may be executed by one processor 1001, or by two or more processors 1001 simultaneously or sequentially. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0084] Memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), etc. Memory 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. Memory 1002 can store a program (program code), software modules, etc., that can execute a method according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0085] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The recording medium described above may also be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0086] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc.

[0087] The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD).

[0088] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0089] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0090] Furthermore, the device may include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be implemented by such hardware. For example, processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0091] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments / models described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or combinations thereof. RRC signaling may also be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0092] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be applied to at least one of the following: Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), Future Radio Access (FRA), New Radio (NR), W-CDMA®, GSM®, CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi®), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX®), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth®, and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0093] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0094] The specific operations described in this disclosure as being performed by a base station may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal can be performed by the base station and at least one other network node (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node besides the base station, it may also be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0095] Information and signals (such as data) can be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). Input and output may occur via multiple network nodes.

[0096] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to other devices.

[0097] The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0098] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0099] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0100] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0101] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different technologies. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0102] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0103] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0104] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0105] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Since various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0106] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)," "wireless base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0107] A base station can house one or more (e.g., three) cells (also called sectors). When a base station houses multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which can also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (Remote Radio Head: RRH)).

[0108] The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to a portion or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base stations and base station subsystems that provide communication services in this coverage.

[0109] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0110] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0111] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a sensor.

[0112] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "mobile station" (user terminal, hereinafter the same). For example, each aspect / embodiment of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a mobile station is replaced with communication between multiple mobile stations (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the mobile station may have the functions that a base station has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc. may be interpreted as side channel.

[0113] Similarly, the term "mobile station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the functions that a mobile station has.

[0114] A wireless frame may consist of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of these frames in the time domain may be called a subframe.

[0115] A subframe may further consist of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0116] Numerology may be communication parameters applied to at least one of the transmission and reception of a signal or channel. Numerology may include, for example, at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame configuration, specific filtering processes performed by the transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing processes performed by the transceiver in the time domain.

[0117] A slot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols or Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols). A slot may also be a time unit based on neurology.

[0118] A slot may include multiple minislots. Each minislot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain. Minislots may also be called subslots. Minislots may consist of fewer symbols than a slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0119] Wireless frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols all represent units of time when transmitting a signal. Different names may be used for each of these terms.

[0120] For example, one subframe may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. In other words, at least one of a subframe and a TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) in existing LTE, a period shorter than 1 ms (e.g., 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc., instead of a subframe.

[0121] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest unit of time for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, the base station schedules each user terminal to allocate wireless resources (such as the frequency bandwidth and transmission power available to each user terminal) in TTI units. However, the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0122] TTI may be a transmission time unit for channel-encoded data packets (transport blocks), code blocks, code words, etc., or it may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. Given a TTI, the actual time interval (e.g., number of symbols) to which the transport block, code block, code word, etc. are mapped may be shorter than the given TTI.

[0123] Furthermore, if one slot or one mini-slot is referred to as TTI, then one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more mini-slots) may constitute the minimum time unit of scheduling. In addition, the number of slots (number of mini-slots) that constitute the minimum time unit of scheduling may be controlled.

[0124] A TTI with a time length of 1ms may also be called a normal TTI, long TTI, normal subframe, long subframe, slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a normal TTI may also be called a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial or fractional TTI, shortened subframe, short subframe, mini slot, sub slot, slot, etc.

[0125] Furthermore, long TTIs (e.g., normal TTIs, subframes, etc.) may be interpreted as TTIs with a time length exceeding 1 ms, and short TTIs (e.g., shortened TTIs, etc.) may be interpreted as TTIs with a TTI length less than that of a long TTI but 1 ms or more.

[0126] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and frequency domain, and in the frequency domain, it may contain one or more consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers in an RB may be the same regardless of the neurology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers in an RB may be determined based on the neurology.

[0127] Furthermore, the time domain of the RB may contain one or more symbols and may be the length of one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI. Each TTI, subframe, etc., may consist of one or more resource blocks.

[0128] One or more RBs may also be called Physical RBs (PRBs), Sub-Carrier Groups (SCGs), Resource Element Groups (REGs), PRB pairs, RB pairs, etc.

[0129] Furthermore, a resource block may consist of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource area comprising one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0130] A Bandwidth Part (BWP), also known as a partial bandwidth, may represent a subset of consecutive common resource blocks (RBs) for a given neurology on a given carrier. Here, the common RBs may be identified by an index of the RBs relative to the carrier's common reference point. PRBs may be defined and numbered within a BWP.

[0131] A BWP may include BWPs for UL (UL BWP) and BWPs for DL ​​(DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be configured within a single carrier for a UE.

[0132] At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and the UE does not need to assume that it will send or receive a given signal / channel outside of the active BWP. In this disclosure, terms such as "cell" and "carrier" may be read as "BWP".

[0133] The structures described above, such as wireless frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols, are merely illustrative. For example, the number of subframes included in a wireless frame, the number of slots per subframe or wireless frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, and the number of symbols, symbol length, and cyclic prefix (CP) length within a TTI can be varied in various ways.

[0134] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0135] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as Reference Signal (RS), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0136] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0137] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0138] Any reference to elements using designations such as “First,” “Second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the First and Second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed therein, or that the First element must precede the Second element in any way.

[0139] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0140] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0141] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0142] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0143] Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 7, vehicle 2001 comprises a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, left and right front wheels 2007, left and right rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013.

[0144] The drive unit 2002 is composed of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor.

[0145] The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel performed by the user.

[0146] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2027 installed in the vehicle are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0147] Signals from various sensors 2021-2028 include current signals from the current sensor 2021 that senses motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals obtained by the rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals obtained by the air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by the acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals obtained by the accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals obtained by the brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by the shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by the object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0148] The Information Services Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Services Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of Vehicle 1.

[0149] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also sends and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0150] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 1 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via its communication port 2033 between the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, left and right front wheels 2007, left and right rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 2028 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0151] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information to and from external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0152] The communication module 2013 transmits current signals from current sensors input to the electronic control unit 2010 to an external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 also transmits, via wireless communication, other signals input to the electronic control unit 2010, including front and rear wheel rotation speed signals obtained by the rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals obtained by the air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by the acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals obtained by the accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals obtained by the brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by the shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by the object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0153] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, distance information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on the information service unit 2012 installed in the vehicle. The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from external devices in memory 2032, which is available to the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, left and right front wheels 2007, left and right rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2028, etc., installed in the vehicle 2001.

[0154] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0155] 10 Wireless communication systems 20 Networks 30 Provided Servers 31 Communications Department 32 Management Department 33 Control Unit 40 Management Server 200 UE 210 Communications Department 220 SIM 230 Interfaces 240 Control Unit 300 Application terminals 1001 Processor 1002 memory 1003 Storage 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 1007 Bus 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive Unit 2003 Steering Department 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift Lever 2007 Left and right front wheels 2008 Left and right rear wheels 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic Control Unit 2012 Information Services Department 2013 Communication Module 2021 Current Sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Pneumatic Sensor 2024 Vehicle Speed ​​Sensor 2025 Accelerometer 2026 Brake Pedal Sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object Detection Sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver Support Systems Department 2031 Microprocessor 2032 memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication Port

Claims

1. A network device that can communicate via a network including the Internet to a first terminal having a storage unit configured to write first subscriber information used for connecting to a first mobile communication network, and a second terminal storing second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network, A receiving unit that receives first knowledge information from a management server, receives second knowledge information transmitted from the management server to the second terminal, receives an access request from the first terminal requesting access to the first mobile communication network, and third knowledge information identical to the second knowledge information, A control unit that accepts the activation request, conditional on the authentication of the second terminal when the first knowledge information matches the second knowledge information, and the authentication of the first terminal when the first knowledge information matches the third knowledge information, Upon receiving the aforementioned activation request, the transmitting unit transmits an activation response to the first terminal indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network. A network device equipped with the following features.

2. A wireless communication system comprising: a first terminal having a storage unit configured to write first subscriber information used for connecting to a first mobile communication network; a second terminal storing second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network; and a network device capable of communicating with the first terminal and the second terminal via a network including the Internet, The aforementioned network device is A receiving unit that receives first knowledge information from a management server, receives second knowledge information transmitted from the management server to the second terminal, receives an access request from the first terminal requesting access to the first mobile communication network, and third knowledge information identical to the second knowledge information, A control unit that accepts the activation request, conditional on the authentication of the second terminal when the first knowledge information matches the second knowledge information, and the authentication of the first terminal when the first knowledge information matches the third knowledge information, Upon receiving the aforementioned activation request, the transmitting unit transmits an activation response to the first terminal indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network. Equipped with, Wireless communication system.

3. A wireless communication method performed by a network device that can communicate via a network including the Internet to a first terminal having a storage unit configured to write first subscriber information used for connecting to a first mobile communication network, and a second terminal storing second subscriber information used for connecting to a second mobile communication network different from the first mobile communication network, wherein the network device communicates via a network including the Internet. The first knowledge information is received from the management server, the second knowledge information transmitted from the management server to the second terminal is received from the second terminal, an access request is received from the first terminal requesting access to the first mobile communication network, and the third knowledge information is the same as the second knowledge information. The activation request is accepted, subject to the authentication of the second terminal when the first knowledge information matches the second knowledge information, and the authentication of the first terminal when the first knowledge information matches the third knowledge information. Upon receiving the aforementioned activation request, an activation response indicating the completion of activation to the first mobile communication network is transmitted to the first terminal. Wireless communication method.

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