Dynamic UE Usage Type Change in CIoT Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) technologies do not allow User Equipment (UE) to change its usage type after initial registration with the service network, limiting flexibility in core network selection and traffic management.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication device and Mobility Management Entity (MME) system that enables a UE to request a change in usage type by transmitting a request message and receiving a wait timer value, preventing further requests until the timer expires, allowing for dynamic core network selection even after initial registration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a UE sends its usage type to the service network only when not registered in the current area, then the network can make initial core network selection based on usage type, but the UE cannot request a change of usage type after registration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveusage type change capabilityVSAvoidregistration procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the UE usage type dynamic by allowing changes after initial registration. The UE can now modify its usage type through a tracking area update procedure by setting a specific indicator bit and including the requested usage type in the update message, enabling flexible adaptation to changing service requirements without re-registration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter state by introducing a wait timer value that controls when usage type changes can occur. The network responds with an accepted or rejected status and a wait timer, which the UE must respect before initiating another usage type change request, thus managing the dynamics of parameter changes systematically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE can request usage type change after registration, then flexibility in core network selection is improved, but unnecessary signaling may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecore network selection flexibilityVSAvoidsignaling message quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through the wait timer mechanism. After the network accepts a usage type change request, it provides a wait timer value that prevents the UE from sending another request until the timer expires. This periodic restriction controls signaling frequency and prevents excessive messages while still allowing necessary changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides feedback to the UE through the tracking area update response, indicating whether the usage type change is accepted or rejected and providing an appropriate wait timer value. This feedback mechanism guides the UE's subsequent actions and prevents unnecessary signaling by informing the UE when to wait before making another request.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3163949B1Apparatuses and methods for handling change of user equipment (UE) usage type
Publication Date: 2019.05.01 ACER INC
  • EP3163949B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3163949B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3163949B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mobile communication device configured for CIoT is provided. The mobile communication device includes a wireless transceiver and a controller. The wireless transceiver performs wireless transmission and reception to and from a service network. The controller transmits, via the wireless transceiver, a request message to the service network for changing a UE usage type, receives a response message comprising a wait timer value from the service network via the wireless transceiver, and does not transmit another request message to the service network for changing the UE usage type before the wait timer expires.