Access Point Voice Packet Insertion for Network Domain Notification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users are unsure whether they are currently located in an Access Point (AP) cell or macro coverage while using their UE, leading to uncertainty about the applicable network and charging policies.
Innovation Solution
An AP method that receives a service request message from a UE and inserts a preset voice data packet into the user plane during a conversation to notify the user of their current network domain, determining if the signaling connection is a Circuit Switched (CS) connection, allowing users to be aware of the charging policy without significant interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a short message is sent to notify the user of the network domain, then the user is informed of the AP cell coverage, but the user experience is degraded due to message interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the text-based short message notification system with a voice notification system. The voice notification is inserted into the user plane during the call setup process, substituting the traditional control plane short message mechanism. This allows network domain information to be conveyed through natural voice communication rather than interrupting text messages, thereby maintaining user experience while ensuring information delivery.
2Ease of operation
If voice notification is inserted into the user plane, then user experience is maintained during conversation, but the system complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a voice notification insertion point within the existing call setup流程. The notification is inserted at a specific stage (after call setup but before conversation begins) using existing protocol structures (user plane data packets). This intermediary approach allows voice notification functionality to be added without fundamentally redesigning the core system, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The voice notification mechanism is designed to work within the existing universal mobile telecommunication system framework, reusing existing protocols, message structures, and processing paths. The same user plane infrastructure used for voice calls is also used to carry the notification message, allowing the system to serve multiple functions (voice communication and network domain notification) through a unified mechanism, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Loss of information
If the AP sends a location notification message after LAU/RAU, then the user is notified of network type, but the notification may be missed or delayed during network switching
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by inserting the voice notification during the call setup process, before the actual conversation begins. The notification is delivered at a predetermined point in the call establishment sequence (after call setup completion but before user conversation), ensuring the user receives the network domain information at the earliest appropriate moment. This preliminary timing prevents the notification from being missed or delayed, as it is delivered proactively rather than reactively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by delivering the network domain information directly to the user through voice notification during call setup. This creates a feedback loop where the system actively informs the user of their current network domain (AP cell or macro coverage) and charging policy, allowing the user to be aware of the network context before the conversation begins. This immediate feedback ensures the user cannot miss the notification.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for notifying a network domain and an Access Point (AP) are disclosed to overcome the problem that User Equipment (UE) entering the AP cell is notified but a UE leaving the AP cell is not notified. The method includes: the AP receiving a service request message sent by UE; and inserting a preset voice data packet into a user plane before a conversation to indicate the user of the UE a network domain that covers the UE currently, if it is determined that a current signaling connection is a Circuit Switched (CS) connection according to the service request message.