CountingResponse Message Security Activation in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, the lack of specified timing for sending a CountingResponse message leads to incorrect counting procedures and inefficient radio resource utilization due to malicious UEs and incorrect handling during RRC procedures, particularly when security is not activated and during handovers between eNBs.

Innovation Solution

A method where a UE activates security with the network before transmitting a CountingResponse message and only sends it after completing RRC procedures, and the network ignores unauthenticated messages, ensuring accurate counting and efficient resource allocation by authenticating responses and handling handovers correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a UE sends a CountingResponse message before security activation, then the response can be transmitted early, but malicious UEs can send unauthenticated messages to confuse the network and waste radio resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime delay in sending CountingResponseVSAvoidauthenticity of CountingResponse message
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring security activation to be completed before the UE sends the CountingResponse message. This ensures that authentication and encryption are established in advance, preventing malicious UEs from sending unauthenticated messages while still allowing timely response transmission once security is ready.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the network broadcasts MBMS service to all UEs, then all UEs can receive the service, but radio resources are wasted when fewer UEs actually need the service

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery to UEsVSAvoidradio resource utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback through the CountingResponse message mechanism, where UEs indicate their interest in MBMS services. The network collects these responses to determine the actual number of interested UEs, then decides whether to broadcast or unicast the service accordingly. This feedback loop enables dynamic resource allocation that matches actual demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the network performs counting procedure without security protection, then the procedure can be completed quickly, but the counting results can be manipulated by malicious UEs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecounting procedure speedVSAvoidaccuracy of UE count
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing security protection through security activation before the counting procedure begins. This ensures that CountingResponse messages are authenticated and encrypted, preventing manipulation by malicious UEs while maintaining counting procedure efficiency through pre-established security contexts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of time

If a UE sends CountingResponse during RRC procedure, then the response can be sent promptly, but the network cannot properly handle the message without knowing the UE's RRC status

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponse time during RRC procedureVSAvoidnetwork handling complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by requiring the UE to complete the RRC procedure before sending the CountingResponse message. This ensures that the network has full knowledge of the UE's RRC status and can properly handle the message without ambiguity, while still allowing timely response once the RRC procedure is complete.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2442591B1Methods and apparatuses of transmitting and handling countingresponse message and related communication device
Publication Date: 2018.05.30 HTC CORP
  • EP2442591B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2442591B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2442591B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of transmitting CountingResponse message for a mobile device in a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method comprises steps of receiving a CountingRequest message from a network; activating security between the mobile device and a network in the wireless communication system; and transmitting a CountingResponse message to the network.