MME Call Restriction for Mobile Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile communication systems lack effective control mechanisms to restrict incoming calls to specific services, compromising security when integrating wireless mobile networks with specialized services like remote monitoring systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that analyze the type of incoming call subscriber, determining if a call restriction is necessary and allowing only registered call-allowed numbers to initiate calls, using a Mobility Management Entity (MME) in conjunction with an Evolved Node B to manage and page subscribers within the mobile communication system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If any subscriber registered in the network can use the mobile network to transmit calls, then the accessibility and ease of operation are improved, but the security and service control are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering authorized outgoing call subscribers in the HSS database before actual call attempts. When a call is initiated, the MME checks whether the outgoing caller's number is pre-registered as authorized. This preliminary registration and verification mechanism ensures that only authorized subscribers can access the specific service, maintaining security while preserving ease of operation for legitimate users.
2Reliability
If call restriction control mechanisms are implemented to limit incoming calls to specific authorized subscribers, then the service security is improved, but the device complexity and call processing overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces the MME as an intermediary component that mediates between the outgoing call subscriber terminal and the incoming call subscriber terminal. The MME receives call requests, queries the HSS database to verify authorization, and controls call routing based on verification results. This intermediary approach centralizes the security control logic, preventing the need for complex control mechanisms in each terminal device while maintaining high service security.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the MME queries the HSS database to obtain authorization information about outgoing callers and uses this feedback to determine whether to permit or reject calls. The HSS database stores pre-registered authorized numbers and provides real-time verification feedback during call setup. This feedback-based control simplifies the overall system architecture by using centralized database queries rather than complex local decision-making logic.
3Reliability
If the MME analyzes the type of incoming call subscriber and checks registered call-allowed numbers, then the service integrity is improved, but the call processing time and network overhead are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-registering authorized outgoing call subscriber numbers in the HSS database before actual call attempts. This advance registration creates a ready-to-use authorization list that enables rapid verification during call setup. The MME simply needs to query the pre-prepared database for authorization status, significantly reducing processing time compared to performing complex analysis in real-time during each call attempt.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for controlling an incoming call to an incoming call subscriber terminal of a mobile communication system. A Mobility Management Entity (MME) receives the incoming call for the incoming call subscriber terminal from an outgoing call terminal, analyzes a type of the incoming call subscriber to determine whether a call restriction is required for incoming calls to the incoming call subscriber terminal, determines whether an outgoing call number of the outgoing call terminal is one of previously registered call-allowed numbers, if the call restriction is required; and pages the incoming call subscriber terminal, if the outgoing call number is one of the previously registered call-allowed numbers.