Application Access Control via Network Barring Rates

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current access control schemes in radio communication systems, such as ACB, SSAC, and Access Class for CSFB, cannot perform access control for each application installed in a user device, whereas ACDC can but lacks a method for identifying applications according to 3GPP standards, making it difficult to prioritize specific applications during disasters or network load management.

Innovation Solution

A user device that receives restriction information including a destination identifier and a barring rate from the network, allowing the controller to determine whether to allow or prevent communication based on this information, enabling specific application access control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If ACB, SSAC, or Access Class for CSFB is used for access control, then network load is reduced, but application-specific access control cannot be performed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork load reductionVSAvoidapplication-specific access control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the access control mechanism by introducing ACDC categories that classify applications into different groups (e.g., emergency applications, general applications). This segmentation allows the network to apply different barring rates to different application categories, enabling fine-grained control while maintaining overall network load management. The network can now restrict access for general applications while allowing emergency applications to communicate freely.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If ACDC is used for application-specific access control, then application-level control is enabled, but a method for identifying applications is not defined by 3GPP standards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-level access controlVSAvoidapplication identification mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses ACDC category identifiers as simple, standardized tags to classify applications. Instead of implementing complex application identification mechanisms, the system uses lightweight category labels (such as emergency application category vs. general application category) that can be easily transmitted and processed. This approach maintains simplicity while enabling effective application-level access control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Ease of operation

If all applications are allowed to communicate during a disaster, then user convenience is maintained, but network resources are insufficient for critical communications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidcritical communication reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different access control policies to different application categories based on their importance. Emergency applications (such as disaster alert applications and emergency calls) are granted high-priority access with minimal or no barring, while general applications are subject to stricter access control. This local differentiation ensures that critical communications remain reliable even when overall network capacity is limited during disasters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3280188B1User device and restriction method
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3280188B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3280188B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3280188B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5A

AI summary

A user device that communicates with a network apparatus and in which at least one application is installed. The user device includes a receiver that receives, from the network apparatus, restriction information including a destination identifier for identifying an external network connected to the network apparatus and a barring rate associated with the destination identifier, and a controller that when communication is to be started by the application, controls whether to allow or prevent the communication by the application based on the restriction information.