Dual CSG List Access Control for Wireless Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in managing access control for access terminals when they roam between networks with restricted access points, as conventional methods may lead to outdated or inaccurate lists of allowed access points, causing access issues and inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system where access terminals maintain dual CSG lists, one updateable by the operator and one by the user, and utilizing a local CSG subscription server to determine access permissions, ensuring current and accurate information for access control across networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single CSG list is maintained at the access terminal, then the device complexity is reduced, but the accuracy and reliability of access control information deteriorates when roaming between networks

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCSG list management structureVSAvoidAccess control information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the CSG list into two separate lists: an operator CSG list maintained by the network operator and a user CSG list maintained by the user. This segmentation allows each list to serve its specific purpose - the operator list for network-controlled access control and the user list for user-preferred access points - thereby maintaining high reliability of access control information while managing device complexity through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If CSG lists are updated only by the network operator, then the control and security are improved, but the adaptability to user preferences and real-time access needs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUnauthorized access riskVSAvoidUser access preference flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the access control authority between operator and user by maintaining separate CSG lists. The operator CSG list ensures security and controlled access through network-managed updates, while the user CSG list provides adaptability to user preferences and real-time access needs. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by assigning different update responsibilities to different entities based on their specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a CSG list manager as an intermediary component that coordinates between the operator CSG list and user CSG list. This mediator reconciles conflicts between operator-controlled access restrictions and user-preferred access points, allowing both operator security requirements and user adaptability needs to be satisfied through coordinated list management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Speed

If the access terminal maintains real-time CSG subscription information locally, then the access speed and responsiveness are improved, but the device memory requirements and information storage complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAccess decision response timeVSAvoidStored CSG information volume
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and stores only the essential CSG subscription information locally at the access terminal, specifically the CSG IDs and access permissions needed for rapid access decisions. By taking out only the critical access control data rather than storing complete CSG details, the system achieves fast local access decisions while minimizing the quantity of stored information and reducing memory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP2380369B1Maintaining closed subscriber group information for access control
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2380369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2380369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2380369B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Information is maintained to assist in determining whether an access terminal is allowed to establish communication with an access point associated with a closed subscriber group (CSG). For example, CSG subscription information for visiting access terminals may be maintained at a local server. In this way, a network may use the locally stored CSG subscription information for a given access terminal to determine whether to allow that access terminal to access an access point in the network. In addition, multiple CSG lists may be maintained at an access terminal. For example, an access terminal may maintain a first list that is updateable by an operator and a second list that is updateable by a user. Here, the updating of one list may be based on a change in the other list.