5G UE Registration Feedback to Release Unsupported Service Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Inefficient use of network resources occurs when user equipment (UE) attempts to register for services like SMS over Non-Access Stratum (NAS) in 5G networks that do not support the requested service, leading to prolonged connections and unnecessary power consumption.

Innovation Solution

UE assesses network capability to process pending uplink signals based on registration acceptance messages, releasing connections or initiating timers to manage resources efficiently, avoiding prolonged connected mode and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If UE transmits registration request with FOR bit set to indicate pending uplink signal, then network connection is established, but network resources are not released efficiently when network does not support the requested service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection establishmentVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the UE receives a registration acceptance message from the network containing network capability information. The UE processes this feedback to determine whether the network supports the requested service (e.g., SMS over NAS). Based on this feedback, the UE makes an informed decision to release the connection or initiate a timer, thereby avoiding prolonged connection maintenance when the network cannot provide the requested service. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient resource release while maintaining reliable connection establishment when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If UE maintains connection for pending uplink transmission, then uplink signal can be transmitted, but connection is not released when network does not support the service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission capabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE assess network capability during the registration process before actually needing to transmit pending uplink signals. The UE receives and processes the registration acceptance message that indicates network capability status in advance. This preliminary assessment allows the UE to pre-determine whether to maintain the connection or release it, rather than waiting until the uplink transmission is needed. This resolves the contradiction by enabling efficient network resource allocation while preserving uplink transmission capability when the network does support the service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If UE releases connection immediately after registration, then network resources are freed, but connection cannot maintain for pending uplink signal transmission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource release efficiencyVSAvoiduplink signal transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by making the connection state flexible and adaptive rather than fixed. The UE dynamically adjusts its behavior based on network capability information received in the registration acceptance message. When the network does not support the requested service, the UE releases the connection to free resources. When the network does support the service, the UE maintains the connection to enable uplink transmission. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by allowing immediate resource release when appropriate while maintaining connection reliability when needed, based on real-time network capability assessment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3886530B1System and methods to avail services of a network
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3886530B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3886530B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3886530B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) may ascertain an incapability of the network to process a pending uplink signal based on a registration acceptance message from the network. For instance, a registration acceptance message from the network, that may indicate the network is not capable of processing the pending uplink signal service. Accordingly, upon ascertaining the incapability of the network to process the pending uplink signal, the UE may release a connection (e.g., a N1 Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling connection) between the UE and the network, where the connection is based on camping of the UE at a cell corresponding to the radio access network (RAN) (e.g., the NG-RAN) of the network. Alternatively, the UE may initiate one of an implementation dependent timer and a release timer (e.g., a T3540 timer) to release the connection (e.g., to release the N1 NAS signaling connection).