Dedicated Core Network Selection From User Service Information

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile communication systems face inefficiencies in core network selection due to incorrect initial attachments and re-routing, leading to increased attachment time and resource wastage, as they lack direct methods to select appropriate core networks based on user-subscribed services.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable the base station or terminal device to directly select a dedicated core network using user-subscribed service information, such as slice type information, without re-routing, by accessing a service information database or pre-configured service information, thereby improving accuracy and scalability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conventional method uses a base station to first attach a terminal to a preset default core network and then re-direct the terminal to another core network, then the terminal can eventually connect to a suitable core network, but this results in two attempted attachments which increases attachment time and overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore network selection accuracyVSAvoidattachment time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary actions by storing service information (usage type) before network attachment. This pre-stored information enables the base station to directly select the appropriate core network during the initial attachment attempt, eliminating the need for subsequent re-direction and reducing attachment time while maintaining selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the conventional method uses a base station to first attach a terminal to a preset default core network and then re-direct the terminal device to another core network, then the terminal can eventually connect to a suitable core network, but this results in increased message overhead due to two attempted attachments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecore network selection accuracyVSAvoidmessage overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If only one service type is permitted for a single user in the conventional method, then the system operation is simplified, but this prohibits efficient use of resources and impedes improvement of user's QoS

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem operation complexityVSAvoidservice type support

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the service information into multiple usage types (e.g., MTC, IoT, FMC, MBB) that can be stored and managed individually in the terminal device. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple service types for a single user while maintaining clear classification and management, enabling efficient resource allocation and QoS improvement without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adapts to different service types by allowing the terminal device to store and indicate multiple usage types. The base station can then select the appropriate core network based on the current service requirements, enabling flexible and efficient resource allocation while maintaining manageable system operation through standardized procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If the MME determines to select the core network in the conventional method, then the process follows standard procedures, but this results in incorrect initial attachments and requires re-routing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestandard procedure adherenceVSAvoidcore network selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces service information (usage type) as an intermediary element that bridges the terminal device and the core network selection process. This intermediary information enables the base station to make accurate core network selections while following standardized procedures, eliminating incorrect attachments and re-routing requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4030796B1Method and apparatus for selecting core network in mobile communication system

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 SK TELECOM CO LTD

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a base station apparatus (20) for selecting a core network (30) in a mobile communication system, the base station apparatus (20) comprising: a service information acquisition unit (22) configured to obtain a service information to which a user subscribed from a terminal device (10), and a dedicated core network selection unit (26) configured to select a dedicated core network (30) for use in providing a type of service to which the user subscribed by using the service information obtained by the service information acquisition unit (22). The service information includes a dedicated core network identifier. The terminal device (10) acquires, when a location registration of the terminal device (10) is successful, the service information of a service to which a user subscribed for a specific type of service from a node (30, 60) of a dedicated core network (30) dedicated to a specific service, and transmits the service information to the base station apparatus (20).