Identity Event Function Selective Deletion in Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current lawful interception systems face complexity in managing associations between long-term and temporary subscription identifiers, particularly in distributing functionality between Identity Event Functions and Identity Caching Functions, which complicates the selective deletion of identifier associations.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where the Identity Event Function transmits records of changes in identifier associations to the Identity Caching Function, including an identifier associated with the specific Identity Event Function, allowing for selective deletion of cached associations on an Identity Event Function basis, enabling management and deletion of identifier associations detected by specific IEFs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the Identity Caching Function caches all identifier associations from multiple Identity Event Functions, then the completeness of identifier association data is improved, but the complexity of selectively deleting associations from specific IEFs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of identifier association dataVSAvoidcomplexity of selective deletion operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cached identifier associations by including an IEF identity field in each cached record. This allows the ICF to organize and manage associations from multiple IEFs separately, enabling selective deletion by filtering on the IEF identity field without affecting associations from other IEFs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the Identity Event Function transmits additional information identifying the specific IEF, then the ability to selectively manage and delete associations is improved, but the amount of data transmitted and cached increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to selectively manage associationsVSAvoidamount of data transmitted and cached

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The IEF identity field serves multiple functions: it identifies the source IEF for tracking purposes, enables selective deletion operations, and provides accountability for which IEF detected which identifier association. This single field addition provides multiple management capabilities without requiring separate data structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240373233A1Lawful Interception in a Wireless Communication Network

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A network device is configured to implement an Identity Event Function, IEF, (16) for lawful interception, LI, of communications in a wireless communication network (12). The network device detects an event that comprises a change in an association between a long-term subscription identifier and a temporary subscription identifier for a wireless communication device (14). Responsive to detecting the event, the network device generates a record (22) that indicates the long-term subscription identifier associated with the event and the temporary subscription identifier associated with the event. The network device transmits the record (22) to an Identity Caching Function, ICF, (18) configured to cache associations between long-term subscription identifiers and temporary subscription identifiers. The network device also transmits, to the ICF (18), information indicating that the record (22) is associated with the IEF (16).