LIPA Indicator for Visited Network Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in controlling device access to restricted group nodes in visited networks, particularly in determining whether to allow Local Internet Protocol (IP) access (LIPA) for devices, which can lead to unauthorized access and resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

The system communicates an indicator from the home network to the visited network to determine if a device is allowed to use LIPA, enabling the visited network to decide on LIPA access based on subscription information and operator policies, thereby controlling device access and resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If LIPA access is allowed for devices in visited networks, then device access to local resources is improved, but unauthorized access and resource utilization risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice access to local resourcesVSAvoidunauthorized access prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The home network performs preliminary action by evaluating subscription information and operator policies before the device reaches the visited network. The LIPA indicator is pre-determined and communicated to the visited network, allowing access control decisions to be made in advance rather than at the point of potential unauthorized access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The LIPA indicator acts as an intermediary mechanism between the home network and visited network. This indicator carries subscription information and policy decisions, enabling the visited network to enforce access control without requiring direct continuous communication with the home network for each access decision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If LIPA access control is implemented through home network evaluation, then access security is improved, but network complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidnetwork evaluation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the core access control decision logic from the complex network evaluation process and encapsulates it in a single LIPA indicator. This indicator contains the essential subscription information and policy determination, separating the complex home network evaluation function from the visited network access control function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The LIPA indicator serves multiple functions: it carries subscription information, encodes policy decisions, and provides access control instructions. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate network evaluations and communications into a single efficient mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2543203B1Method and apparatus to control local internet protocol access for devices

Publication Date: 2018.04.18 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

Methods and apparatuses are provided that facilitate controlling device local internet protocol (IP) access (LIPA) with one or more restricted groups of access points (104) in a visited network. An indicator can be provided by a home network that specifies whether a device registering with a visited network is allowed utilize LIPA in the visited networks (118). If so, one or more components of the visited network (504) can provide LIPA services to the device, which can include establishing IP flows for device access.