Access Control for Connected User Devices in Cellular Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 3GPP LTE cellular networks face significant resource usage issues when handling additional service requests from connected user devices, particularly due to congestion, leading to inefficient use of signaling resources and admission control processing time.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an access control procedure that reads and stores network access control parameters, such as congestion levels, to bar new service requests when the network is congested, thereby preventing unnecessary connection setup attempts and optimizing resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If additional service requests are allowed from connected user devices, then service versatility is improved, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the user device read and store access control parameters from the network before submitting additional service requests. The device checks congestion levels and access control parameters in advance (at steps 102-106), storing them locally to avoid unnecessary request submissions when the network is congested. This pre-check mechanism prevents wasteful network resource consumption while maintaining service versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If access control procedures are performed for each additional service request, then network resource efficiency is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves this contradiction by performing the access control check in advance before the actual service request is submitted. The device reads access control parameters (step 102), evaluates congestion levels (step 104), and stores these parameters locally (step 106) before the network needs to process the request. This preliminary evaluation prevents unnecessary request submissions, improving network resource efficiency without adding processing time during the actual service delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If congestion levels are monitored and access control parameters are read, then network capacity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork capacityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the user device to autonomously monitor its own connection status, read access control parameters from the network, evaluate congestion levels, and make intelligent decisions about whether to submit additional service requests. The device stores these parameters locally and performs self-evaluation without requiring complex network-side intervention for each request, thereby improving network capacity while keeping device complexity manageable through autonomous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3183911B1Access control for connected network user devices
Publication Date: 2020.03.25 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3183911B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3183911B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3183911B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of operation of a wireless device connected to a radio access node in a cellular communications network, where the connection is established with respect to a first service, is provided. The method comprises receiving a new service request and performing an access control procedure for the service request. Performing the access control procedure comprises reading from the network one or more access control parameters associated with the status of the network and either allowing or barring a new connection for the new service depending on the status of the network. A wireless device operable to perform the method steps is also provided. A method to operate a radio access node, by sending paging messages indicating changes in access control parameters, and a radio access node operable according to this method are also provided.