Core Network Relay Mode Configuration for Consistent UE Connections

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Solution Overview

Problem

The determination of connection modes in relay communication systems involving UEs with ProSe capabilities is not adequately addressed, leading to potential mismatches and failures in establishing relay connections.

Innovation Solution

A method where a core network device configures relay modes for UEs with ProSe capabilities, ensuring consistent relay modes across UEs to facilitate proper communication, using configuration information that includes relay modes and corresponding Service Codes (RSCs) to align communication modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If relay communication is implemented without centralized configuration, then UE autonomy and flexibility are improved, but connection mode mismatches and communication failures increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE autonomy in selecting relay modesVSAvoidconnection establishment success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The core network device acts as an intermediary between UEs, receiving relay mode selection requests from UEs and providing configured relay modes back to them. This mediator ensures that relay mode selection is both autonomous (UE-initiated) and reliable (network-configured), resolving the contradiction between UE autonomy and connection success rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The core network device performs preliminary configuration of relay modes before actual relay communication occurs. By pre-configuring the relay modes and providing them to UEs in advance, the system ensures that when relay communication is established, the modes are already aligned, preventing mismatches and ensuring reliable connection establishment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If each UE independently determines relay modes, then system complexity is reduced, but mode consistency across multiple UEs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay mode determination complexityVSAvoidrelay mode consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the relay mode determination function from individual UE-level decisions to a centralized core network device. By combining the mode selection logic at the network level, the system maintains low complexity at the UE level while achieving consistent relay mode composition across all UEs through centralized coordination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If relay mode configuration is added to the core network device, then relay communication reliability is improved, but network device functionality and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelay communication reliabilityVSAvoidcore network device functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The core network device already performs multiple functions including authentication, authorization, and session management. Adding relay mode configuration to these existing functions leverages the device's multi-functionality, avoiding the need for separate dedicated components while enhancing relay communication reliability through integrated control.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4236468B1Relay mode configuration
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP LTD
  • EP4236468B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4236468B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4236468B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a relay mode configuration method and apparatus, a relay communication method, and a device. The method comprises: a core network device sends a terminal device first configuration information, the first configuration information comprising at least one relay mode configured by the core network device for a terminal device. In embodiments of the present application, the core network device configures a relay mode for a terminal device having a Prose capability, such that the terminal device is clear about a connection mode of relay communication, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can implement relay communication.