Ambient IoT Capability Signaling for Energy-Aware Network Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing IoT devices powered by ambient energy face challenges in communicating their capabilities to the network, leading to potential energy waste and operational inefficiencies due to unknown network support for ambient IoT operations.

Innovation Solution

A communication method and device that enable IoT devices to send first information to an access and mobility management function network element, allowing the network to determine support for ambient IoT operations, ensuring efficient energy harvesting and network compatibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If IoT devices send capability information to the network, then network compatibility is improved, but communication overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential capability information (ambient operation support) that IoT devices need to communicate to the network, rather than transmitting complete device profiles. This selective information transmission reduces communication overhead and energy consumption while maintaining network compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The capability information is transmitted during the initial registration or connection establishment phase, before actual data communication begins. This preliminary action ensures network compatibility is established upfront, avoiding the need for repeated capability negotiations during operation and reducing overall energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If IoT devices operate without confirming network support, then communication simplicity is maintained, but energy waste occurs due to incompatible operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication simplicityVSAvoidenergy waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network element responds to the device's capability indication with acceptance or rejection information. This minimal feedback loop allows devices to confirm network support for ambient operations without complex negotiation, maintaining communication simplicity while preventing energy waste from incompatible operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The capability confirmation is performed in advance during the connection establishment phase, before the device begins energy-intensive ambient operations. This preliminary verification ensures that devices only proceed with operations when network support is confirmed, preventing energy waste while maintaining simple operation procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If ambient IoT operation support is indicated during registration, then network compatibility is confirmed, but registration process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork compatibility confirmationVSAvoidregistration process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the capability indication into the existing registration or connection establishment message, rather than creating a separate signaling procedure. By combining multiple functions (registration and capability indication) into a single message exchange, the patent confirms network compatibility without increasing the apparent complexity of the registration process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The registration message is designed to serve multiple purposes: establishing connectivity, authenticating the device, and indicating ambient operation capability. This multi-functional approach allows network compatibility confirmation to be achieved through the existing registration framework, avoiding the need for additional complex procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4723691A1Communication method, device and system, terminal device, core network device, and medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4723691A1 patent drawingFigure 1a~2e
  • EP4723691A1 patent drawingFigure 2f~2i
  • EP4723691A1 patent drawingFigure 2j~2l

AI summary

A communication method, device and system, a terminal device, a core network device, and a medium. The method comprises: sending first information to an access and mobility management function network element, the first information being used for determining that a terminal device supports an ambient Internet-of-things operation. According to the present application, a terminal device can send first information to an access and mobility management function network element, so as to report to a network that the terminal device supports an ambient Internet-of-things operation.