Methods, network entity and user equipment for rejecting a non-3GPP device to access communication network

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. Disclosed is a performed by an access and mobility management function (AMF) associated with a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device, the method comprising: transmitting, to an user device, the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device; receiving, from the user device, a request message associated with a non-3GPP device information; and controlling the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers based on the request message.

Description

METHODS, NETWORK ENTITY AND USER EQUIPMENT FOR REJECTING A NON-3GPP DEVICE TO ACCESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of network management in communication networks and more particularly relates to methods, network entity and user equipment or residential gateway for rejecting a non-3GPP device to access a communication network.

[0002] 5G mobile communication technologies define broad frequency bands such that high transmission rates and new services are possible, and can be implemented not only in “Sub 6GHz” bands such as 3.5GHz, but also in “Above 6GHz” bands referred to as mmWave including 28GHz and 39GHz. In addition, it has been considered to implement 6G mobile communication technologies (referred to as Beyond 5G systems) in terahertz bands (for example, 95GHz to 3THz bands) in order to accomplish transmission rates fifty times faster than 5G mobile communication technologies and ultra-low latencies one-tenth of 5G mobile communication technologies.

[0003] At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technologies, in order to support services and to satisfy performance requirements in connection with enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), there has been ongoing standardization regarding beamforming and massive MIMO for mitigating radio-wave path loss and increasing radio-wave transmission distances in mmWave, supporting numerologies (for example, operating multiple subcarrier spacings) for efficiently utilizing mmWave resources and dynamic operation of slot formats, initial access technologies for supporting multi-beam transmission and broadbands, definition and operation of BWP (BandWidth Part), new channel coding methods such as a LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code for large amount of data transmission and a polar code for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 pre-processing, and network slicing for providing a dedicated network specialized to a specific service.

[0004] Currently, there are ongoing discussions regarding improvement and performance enhancement of initial 5G mobile communication technologies in view of services to be supported by 5G mobile communication technologies, and there has been physical layer standardization regarding technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) for aiding driving determination by autonomous vehicles based on information regarding positions and states of vehicles transmitted by the vehicles and for enhancing user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) aimed at system operations conforming to various regulation-related requirements in unlicensed bands, NR UE Power Saving, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) which is UE-satellite direct communication for providing coverage in an area in which communication with terrestrial networks is unavailable, and positioning.

[0005] Moreover, there has been ongoing standardization in air interface architecture / protocol regarding technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through interworking and convergence with other industries, IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) for providing a node for network service area expansion by supporting a wireless backhaul link and an access link in an integrated manner, mobility enhancement including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Protocol Stack) handover, and two-step random access for simplifying random access procedures (2-step RACH for NR). There also has been ongoing standardization in system architecture / service regarding a 5G baseline architecture (for example, service based architecture or service based interface) for combining Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE positions.

[0006] As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, connected devices that have been exponentially increasing will be connected to communication networks, and it is accordingly expected that enhanced functions and performances of 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operations of connected devices will be necessary. To this end, new research is scheduled in connection with eXtended Reality (XR) for efficiently supporting AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality) and the like, 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support, and drone communication.

[0007] Furthermore, such development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve as a basis for developing not only new waveforms for providing coverage in terahertz bands of 6G mobile communication technologies, multi-antenna transmission technologies such as Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas and large-scale antennas, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving coverage of terahertz band signals, high-dimensional space multiplexing technology using OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum), and RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), but also full-duplex technology for increasing frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technologies and improving system networks, AI-based communication technology for implementing system optimization by utilizing satellites and AI (Artificial Intelligence) from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and next-generation distributed computing technology for implementing services at levels of complexity exceeding the limit of UE operation capability by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources.

[0008] Generally, many developments are taking place in the 5th Generation (5G) communication system aimed at enhancing user experience and simplifying user interactions. Particularly, the 5G communication system is enhanced to allow for creation and utilization of user-specific identities. This enables network operators to provide enhanced user experience, optimized performance, and offer services to devices and users that are not part of the operator’s 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network. For example, network settings can be adapted, and services can be offered to users according to users’ requirements, different from a subscription identifier that is used by a user to establish the network connection.

[0009] Thus, the reason for utilizing operator user-specific identities in the 3GPP network is to allow the operator to charge and provide service differentiation based on the user identifier.

[0010] non-3GPP devices are devices that are not directly connected to the 3GPP network (e.g., Long Term Evolution or 5G). However, such devices are able to access services through an intermediary entity, such as a User Equipment (UE) or a 5G-Residential Gateway (RG). The non-3GPP devices might be connected through alternative technologies like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other non-3GPP access networks. For example, a mobile hotspot scenario where multiple non-3GPP devices (such as laptops, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or tablets) are connected to the UE or the 5G-RG for internet access over 4th Generation or 5G.When multiple non-3GPP devices are connected behind the UE or the 5G-RG, the non-3GPP devices may place significant demand on the mobile network such as network congestion, reduced bandwidth availability, and degraded Quality of Service (QoS). The increased traffic from the non-3GPP devices may overwhelm available resources, causing slower speeds, higher latency, and instability, which negatively impacts both the non-3GPP devices and other network users. Additionally, managing a large number of connected devices may strain the UE or 5G-RG's processing capacity, further exacerbating performance issues and compromising the overall network efficiency.

[0011] Therefore, there lies a need for an improved solution that can address the above-mentioned issues and the limitations of the existing systems and methods.

[0012] In one embodiment, a method performed at a network entity for rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network is disclosed. The method comprises retrieving, from a Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the communication network, a maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The active user identifiers are associated with non-3GPP devices. The method comprises receiving a request, associated with the non-3GPP device, for accessing the communication network. In response to receipt of the request, the method comprises determining whether a current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The method further comprises transmitting a message indicating rejection of the request based on a determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0013] In another embodiment, a method performed at one of a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device for rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The method comprises receiving, from a non-3GPP device, a request for accessing the communication network. In response to receipt of the request, the method comprises determining whether a current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. Further, the method comprises transmitting a message indicating rejection of the request based on a determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0014] In another embodiment, a network entity for rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network is disclosed. The network entity comprises one or more processors and a memory coupled with the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to retrieve, from a Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the communication network, a maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network, the active user identifiers being associated with non-3GPP devices. The one or more processors are configured to receive a request, associated with the non-3GPP device, for accessing the communication network. In response to receipt of the request, the one or more processors are configured to determine whether a current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a message indicating rejection of the request based on a determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0015] In another embodiment, a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device for rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network. The UE comprises one or more processors and a memory coupled with the one or more processors. The one or more processors are configured to receive a maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The one or more processors are configured to receive, from a non-3GPP device, a request for accessing the communication network. In response to receipt of the request, the one or more processors are configured to determine whether a current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The one or more processors are configured to transmit a message indicating rejection of the request based on a determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0016] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a signal flow diagram depicting an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a signal flow diagram depicting a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device rejecting the non-3GPP device to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates an exemplary diagram of a network entity rejecting the non-3GPP device to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a user equipment (UE) or an RG device rejecting the non-3GPP device to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 5 illustrates a process flow of a method performed at a network entity for rejecting the non-3GPP device to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0023] Figure 6 illustrates a process flow of a method performed at a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device for rejecting the non-3GPP to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help improve understanding of aspects of the present invention. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0025] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the various embodiments and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0026] The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”

[0027] The terminology and structure employed herein are for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and do not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0028] More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do NOT specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do NOT exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must NOT be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “MUST comprise” or “NEEDS TO include.”

[0029] Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and / or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.

[0030] Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and / or elements presented in the attached claims. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and / or elements of the attached claims fulfill the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

[0031] Use of the phrases and / or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “a further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do NOT necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and / or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments.

[0032] Although one or more features and / or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and / or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any feature and / or element described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

[0033] Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should NOT be necessarily taken as limiting factors to the attached claims. The attached claims and their legal equivalents can be realized in the context of embodiments other than the ones used as illustrative examples in the description below.

[0034] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate those elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the flow charts illustrate the method in terms of the most prominent steps involved to help improve understanding of aspects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

[0035] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] The present disclosure describes methods, a network entity, and a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device for rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network (interchangeably referred to herein as network).

[0037] The present disclosure utilizes user identifiers to accept or reject a service request of non-3GPP devices connected to the UE or the RG.

[0038] The present disclosure facilitates identifying individual non-3GPP devices connecting behind the UE or the RG (such as 5G-RG) by 5th Generation Core (5GC). For instance, to charge the individual non-3GPP devices connected behind the UE or RG. Further, the 5G Core (5GC) consists of several functions like an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), a User Plane Function (UPF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), and more, which work together to ensure smooth operation of the network.

[0039] The present disclosure provides a solution that may act as a policy control for traffic of individual non-3GPP devices connecting behind the UE or the RG. The present disclosure provides a solution to trigger policy control for the traffic of individual non-3GPP devices via Policy Control Function (PCF) and Network Exposure Function (NEF) Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), including support for concurrent services with differing Quality of Service (QoS) requirements launched by the different non-3GPP devices.

[0040] The present disclosure restricts the number of simultaneously active User Identifiers per UE or the RG. The User Identifiers correspond to identifiers of the devices behind gateway UE or RG.

[0041] Further, the non-3GPP devices are unable to authenticate directly with the 5G Core (5GC) using 5G Authentication and Key Agreement (5G-AKA) and do not establish their own individual Non-Access Stratum (NAS) connections to the 5GC. Instead, the non-3GPP devices are assumed to rely on a shared connection or a gateway device (like a 5G Residential Gateway) to interact with the 5GC, which handles the necessary authentication and network communication for them. This is different from devices like AUN3 devices, which may have the ability to make direct connections. The AUN3 devices are non-3GPP devices that are capable of making direct connections to a 5G or LTE network, often bypassing the need for a traditional User Equipment (UE) or Residential Gateway (RG).

[0042] Figure 1 illustrates a signal flow diagram 100 depicting the AMF rejecting the non-3GPP device to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 further depicts an exchange of signals among a non-3GPP device 102, a UE / RG 104, an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 106, and a Unified Data Management (UDM) 108.

[0043] Examples of the non-3GPP device 102 may include, but are not limited to, IoT devices, Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones, and laptops connected via Wi-Fi / Ethernet. Example of the UE / RG 104 may include, but is not limited to, a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or IoT device. The AMF 106 is a network function responsible for managing mobility and access. The UDM 108 handles subscriber data, user profiles, and authentication, implemented by the core network.

[0044] In a scenario, when multiple non-3GPP devices are connected to UE / 5G-RG to access services from a network, an operator may optionally restrict a number of active user identifiers, which may simultaneously access the network.

[0045] At step 112, the UDM 108 is provisioned to receive a user profile and linked to UE subscription information. One of the attributes of the user profile is “maximum number of active user identifiers (such as non-3GPP devices)” which restricts the number of simultaneously active user identifiers (such as non-3GPP devices).

[0046] At Step 114, the UE / RG 104 may register with the network. During UE subscription information retrieval from the UDM 108, the AMF 106 also retrieves the user profile which may contain the maximum number of the active user identifiers that may connect simultaneously with the network. Further, the AMF 106 maintains a counter for the current number of the active user identifiers. For instance, the AMF 106 stores the maximum number of the non-3GPP devices in the UE's context in the AMF 106 and maintains the counter for the current number of the active non-3GPP devices.

[0047] At step 116, the UE / RG 104 may receive a request associated with the non-3GPP device 102 for accessing the communication network. For instance, a non-3gpp device X with non-3GPP device identity connected to the UE / RG 104, triggers the request for a service.

[0048] At step 118, the UE / RG 104 may send a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message to the AMF 106. For instance, when the UE triggers a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) Session Establishment or Release procedure if a new PDU Session is required or released or the PDU Session Modification procedure if an existing PDU Session is to be modified, the UE includes the 'non-3GPP device-x identity' and 'non-3GPP device connection status' parameters in the NAS message to the AMF to indicate for a new non-3GPP device connection or disconnection.

[0049] The AMF 106 controls the number of simultaneously active non-3GPP devices indicated with their non-3GPP device identities by the UE / RG 104, i.e., the legacy non-3GPP devices are not controlled for backward compatibility.

[0050] At step 120, the AMF 106 may increase the number of simultaneously active user identifiers (such as non-3GPP devices) when a new non-3GPP device is connecting for service and the AMF 106 decreases the number of the simultaneously active non-3GPP devices when a non-3GPP device is disconnecting. When increasing the number of the simultaneously active non-3GPP devices the AMF 106 checks whether the maximum number of the non-3GPP devices defined in the user profile which was received during registration procedure from the UDM 108 is exceeded. If the maximum number of the non-3GPP devices defined in the user profile exceeds, the AMF 106 may reject the request for service from the UE.

[0051] At step 122, the AMF 106 may return NAS Message reject in which the AMF 106 may include a reject cause (e.g., max number of the active non-3gpp devices reached).

[0052] In an alternate embodiment, a Session Management Function (SMF) or a Policy Control Function (PCF) may also reject the request when the SMF or PCF finds that the allowed number of simultaneously active user identifiers is exceeded.

[0053] Figure 2 illustrates the signal flow diagram depicting a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 2 further depicts an exchange of signals among the non-3GPP device 102, the UE / 5G-RG 104, the AMF 106, the UDM 108, and a Session Management Function (SMF) 110.

[0055] In a scenario, when multiple non-3GPP devices are connected to UE / 5G-RG 104 to access services from a network, an operator may optionally restrict the number of active user identifiers, which may simultaneously access the network.

[0056] The AMF 106 provides the received max number of allowed active users to the UE / 5G-RG 104 and then the UE / 5G-RG 104 enforces by rejecting the request when the number is exceeded.

[0057] At step 202, the UDM 108 is provisioned with the maximum number of allowed simultaneously active user identifiers per UE / 5G-RG. In an example embodiment, the operator may configure the maximum number of allowed simultaneously active user identifiers in the UDM 108 for non-3GPP subscription, which is provided to the AMF 106 during registration and UE Configuration Update procedure.

[0058] At step 204, the UE / 5G-RG 104 may send the request for service with a capability indication of supporting User Identifier.

[0059] At step 206, the AMF 106 may get subscriber data from the UDM 108 along with the associated user identifier details. The AMF 106 also receives the maximum number of allowed simultaneously active user identifiers per the UE / 5G-RG 104.

[0060] At step 208, the AMF 106 may accept the request and also may send the maximum number of allowed simultaneously active user identifiers per the UE / 5G-RG 104.

[0061] In another embodiment, the maximum number of active user identifiers that are allowed to simultaneously access the network may be configured in Access and Mobility - Policy Control Function (AM-PCF) / Session Management - Policy Control Function (SM-PCF) or Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM) or any other network function (NF) which may be provided to the UE or RG during a registration procedure. In addition, the AM-PCF / SM-PCF, the OAM, or any other NF also maintains a counter for the current number of the active user identifiers which may also be communicated to the UE or the RG.

[0062] At step 210, the UE / RG 104 may store the received maximum number of allowed simultaneously active user identifiers.

[0063] At step 212, the UE may update the number of the user identifiers using the non-3GPP devices 102 connected to the UE / 5G-RG 104 which are availing the services from the network. For instance, the UE may increase the number of simultaneously active user identifiers (such as non-3GPP devices) when a new non-3GPP device is connecting to the network for service and may decrease the number of the simultaneously active non-3GPP devices when a non-3GPP device is disconnecting from the network. In case, the maximum number of simultaneously active user identifiers is not exceeded, the UE / 5G-RG 104 may allow a request for service from another non-3GPP device.

[0064] At step 214, the UE / 5G-RG 104 may receive a request for accessing the network from a new user identified by a user identifier.

[0065] At step 216, the UE / 5G-RG 104 may identify that the request is from a new user identifier that exceeds the maximum number of allowed simultaneously active user identifiers and thus, may reject the request.

[0066] In an example, an operator or Application Function (AF) may provision a maximum number of non-3GPP device identifiers per UE / RG that simultaneously access to the network, to UDM. The AMF may receive the maximum number of non-3GPP device identifiers per UE / RG that simultaneously access to the network from the UDM. During registration procedure and UE configuration update with the network, the maximum number of non-3GPP device identifiers that simultaneously access the network may be provided to UE / RG. In one scenario as explained in Figure 1, the AMF may start counting the number of non-3GPP devices after a successful Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session establishment and once the number exceeds, then AMF may reject the request from UE / 5G-RG (of a service request of a new non-3GPP device) with a suitable cause.

[0067] In another scenario as explained in Figure 2, the UE / 5G-RG may start counting the number of non-3GPP devices connected or accessing the network. When the number may exceed, then UE may not allow any more non-3GPP devices to be connected to the network.

[0068] Further, the UE / RG or AMF may increase the number of simultaneously active non-3GPP devices when a new non-3GPP device is connecting to the network for service. The UE / RG or the AMF may decrease the number of simultaneously active non-3GPP devices when a non-3GPP device is disconnecting.

[0069] Figure 3 illustrates the exemplary diagram of the network entity 300, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network entity 300 may correspond to the AMF as discussed throughout this disclosure. In an alternate embodiment, the network entity 300 may correspond to a Session Management Function (SMF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), and an Operations, Administration, and Maintenance (OAM). The network entity 300 may include at least one processor 302, a memory unit 304 (e.g., storage), and a communication unit 306 (e.g., communicator or communication interface).

[0070] The communication unit 306 may perform one or more functions for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless channel.

[0071] As an example, the processor 302 may be a single processing unit or a number of units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor 302 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and / or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 302 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory. The processor 302 may include one or a plurality of processors. At this time, one or a plurality of processors 302 may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or the like, a graphics-only processing unit such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a visual processing unit (VPU), and / or an AI-dedicated processor such as a neural processing unit (NPU). The one or a plurality of processors 302 may control the processing of the input data in accordance with a predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence (AI) model stored in the non-volatile memory and the volatile memory, i.e., memory unit 304. The predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence model is provided through training or learning.

[0072] The memory 304 may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

[0073] In an embodiment, the processor 302 in the network entity 300 may retrieve, from the Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the communication network, the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The active user identifiers are associated with non-3GPP devices. The processor 302 in the network entity 300 may receive the request, associated with the non-3GPP device, for accessing the communication network. The request for accessing the communication network is received from one of the User Equipment (UE) or the Residential Gateway (RG) device.

[0074] In response to receipt of the request, the processor 302 in the network entity 300 may determine whether the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The processor 302 in the network entity 300 may transmit the message indicating rejection of the request based on a determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0075] In an embodiment, the processor 302 in the network entity 300 may transmit, to one of a User Equipment (UE) or a Residential Gateway (RG) device, the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network for rejection of the non-3GPP device to access the communication network. The processor 302 in the network entity 300 may perform the transmission of the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network during registration and the UE configuration update procedure of one of the UE or the RG device.

[0076] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of UE or RG device 400 rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The configuration of Figure 4 may be understood as a part of the configuration of the UE 400. Hereinafter, it is understood that terms including “unit” or “entity” at the end may refer to the unit for processing at least one function or operation and may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.

[0077] Referring to Figure 4, the UE or the RG 400 may include at least one processor 402, a communication unit 404 (e.g., communicator or communication interface), and a storage unit 406 (e.g., storage).

[0078] By way of example, the UE 400 may be a cellular phone or other device that communicates over a plurality of cellular networks (such as a 3G, 4G, a 5G or pre-5G, 6G network, or any future wireless communication network). Further, the RG is a network device that acts as a gateway between a network and the user's local home or business network, providing high-speed internet connectivity by leveraging the mobile network. The RG device functions as a gateway and router, offering Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity to multiple devices.

[0079] The communication unit 404 may perform functions for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless channel.

[0080] As an example, the processor 402 may be a single processing unit or a number of units, all of which could include multiple computing units. The processor 402 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and / or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the processor 402 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions and data stored in the memory. The processor 402 may include one or a plurality of processors. At this time, one or a plurality of processors 402 may be a general-purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), an application processor (AP), or the like, a graphics-only processing unit such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), a visual processing unit (VPU), and / or an AI-dedicated processor such as a neural processing unit (NPU). The one or a plurality of processors 402 may control the processing of the input data in accordance with a predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence (AI) model stored in the non-volatile memory and the volatile memory, i.e., memory unit 404. The predefined operating rule or artificial intelligence model is provided through training or learning.

[0081] The memory 404 may include any non-transitory computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and / or non-volatile memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes.

[0082] In an embodiment, the processor 402 in the UE or the RG 400 may receive the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The maximum number of active user identifiers are received from an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0083] The processor 402 in the UE or the RG 400 may receive, from the non-3GPP device, the request for accessing the communication network. In response to receipt of the request, the processor 402 in the UE or the RG 400 may determine whether the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The processor 402 in the UE or the RG 400 may transmit the message indicating rejection of the request based on the determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0084] In an embodiment, the processor 402 in the UE or the RG 400 may send, to the AMF, the indication in UE 5th Generation Mobile Management Network Capability of supporting the feature of allowing the maximum number of active user identifiers to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0085] Figure 5 illustrates the process flow of the method 500 performed at the network entity 300 for rejecting the non-3GPP device to access the communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The network entity is the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0086] At step 502, the method 500 may include retrieving, from the Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the communication network, the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The active user identifiers are associated with non-3GPP devices.

[0087] At step 504, the method 500 may include receiving a request, associated with the non-3GPP device, for accessing the communication network.

[0088] In response to receipt of the request, at step 506, the method 500 may include determining whether the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0089] At step 508, the method 500 may include transmitting the message indicating rejection of the request based on the determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The request for accessing the communication network is received from one of the UE or the RG device.

[0090] In an embodiment, the method 500 may include transmitting, to one of the User Equipment (UE) or the Residential Gateway (RG) device, the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network for rejection of the non-3GPP device to access the communication network.

[0091] In an embodiment, the method 500 may include transmitting, to one of the UE or the RG device, the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network is performed during registration and UE configuration update procedure of one of the UE or the RG device.

[0092] Figure 6 illustrates the process flow of the method 600 performed at the UE or the Residential Gateway (RG) device for rejecting a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device to access a communication network, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] At step 602, the method 600 may include receiving a maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network. The maximum number of active user identifiers are received from the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF).

[0094] At step 604, the method 600 may include receiving, from the non-3GPP device, the request for accessing the communication network.

[0095] In response to receipt of the request, at step 606, the method 600 may include determining whether the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0096] At step 608, the method 600 may include transmitting a message indicating rejection of the request based on the determination that the current number of active non-3GPP devices exceeds the maximum number of active user identifiers allowed to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0097] In an embodiment, the method 600 may include sending, to the AMF, the indication in UE 5th Generation Mobile Management Network Capability of supporting a feature of allowing the maximum number of active user identifiers to simultaneously access the communication network.

[0098] The methods, network entity and user equipment or residential gateway of the present disclose have the following advantages:

[0099] The present disclosure ensures the network is not overloaded and that resources are distributed.

[0100] The present disclosure helps avoid bottlenecks and network slowdowns that may affect all users.

[0101] The present disclosure ensures that the service quality for connected devices remains stable and reliable.

[0102] The present disclosure limits exposure to security risks from excessively connected devices.

[0103] The present disclosure prevents overuse of tethering features and abuse of the mobile network.

[0104] The present disclosure optimizes the performance of the UE / RG and overall network infrastructure.

[0105] As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0106] The drawings and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not necessarily limited to the manner described herein.

[0107] Moreover, the actions of any signal flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts.

Claims

1.A method performed by an access and mobility management function (AMF) associated with a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device, the method comprising:transmitting, to an user device, the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device;receiving, from the user device, a request message associated with a non-3GPP device information; andcontrolling the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers based on the request message.2.The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:receiving, from the UDM, a maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device.3.The method of claim 1, wherein the user device is a user equipment (UE) or a residential gateway (RG) device.4.The method of claim 1, wherein the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device is transmitted to the user device during registration procedure of one of the user device.5.The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting, to the user device, a reject message including information associated with max maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device.6.A method performed by an user device associated with a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device, the method comprising:receiving, from an access and mobility management function (AMF), the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device;transmitting, to the AMF, a request message associated with a non-3GPP device information; andcontrolling a number of allowed active user identifiers by rejecting the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers in cast that the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers is exceeded.7.The method of claim 6, the method further comprising:transmitting, to the AMF, a registration request message including a capability indication of supporting a feature of allowing the maximum number of active user identifiers to access the communication network.8.An access and mobility management function (AMF) associated with a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device, comprising:at least one of processors;a memory coupled with the at least one of processors ,wherein the at least one of processors are configured to:transmit, to an user device, the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device;receive, from the user device, a request message associated with a non-3GPP device information; andcontrol the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers based on the request message.9.The method of claim 8, the at least one of processors is further configured to:receive, from the UDM, a maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device.10.The method of claim 8, wherein the user device is a user equipment (UE) or a residential gateway (RG) device.11.The method of claim 8, the wherein the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device is transmitted to the user device during registration procedure of one of the user device.12.An user device associated with a non-3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) device, comprising:at least one of processors;a memory coupled with the at least one of processors ,wherein the at least one of processors are configured to:receive, from an access and mobility management function (AMF), the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers for the non-3GPP device;transmit, to the AMF, a request message associated with a non-3GPP device information; andcontrol a number of allowed active user identifiers by rejecting the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers in cast that the maximum number of allowed active user identifiers is exceeded.13.The method of claim 12, the at least one of processors is further configured to:transmit, to the AMF, a registration request message including a capability indication of supporting a feature of allowing the maximum number of active user identifiers to access the communication network.

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