Network Apparatus Authentication for Radio Access Technology Compliance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in preventing illegal usage of user terminals operating with unauthenticated radio access technologies, as they may transmit data in countries where the necessary permissions have not been obtained, potentially leading to legal violations.

Innovation Solution

A network apparatus and user terminal configuration that includes a receiver and controller to determine and verify authentication-related information, ensuring that communication using a second radio access technology is only configured if the user terminal is legally authenticated in the respective country, thereby preventing illegal usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the user terminal is allowed to use multiple radio access technologies for communication, then the communication versatility and data transmission capability are improved, but the risk of illegal usage in unauthenticated countries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidillegal usage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The network apparatus performs preliminary authentication verification by receiving authentication related information from the user terminal before allowing configuration of the second radio access technology. This advance check prevents illegal usage while maintaining the capability to use multiple RATs when properly authenticated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the network apparatus receives authentication status information from the user terminal and uses this feedback to determine whether to allow configuration of specific radio access technologies. This closed-loop control ensures compliance with local regulations while enabling versatile communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the network apparatus configures the user terminal to use the second radio access technology without verification, then the ease of operation and communication setup are improved, but the compliance with local laws and regulations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication setup easeVSAvoidregulatory compliance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The user terminal autonomously provides authentication related information to the network apparatus, enabling the system to self-verify compliance status without manual intervention. This maintains ease of operation while ensuring regulatory compliance through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the network apparatus implements authentication verification before configuring the second radio access technology, then the regulatory compliance is improved, but the device complexity and verification process increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveregulatory complianceVSAvoidverification process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication verification process is extracted as a separate, dedicated function within the network apparatus. The receiver component specifically handles authentication related information while the controller focuses on determination and configuration decisions. This separation simplifies the overall system architecture despite the added verification step.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The network apparatus is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle both authentication verification and regular communication configuration through unified components. The receiver and controller serve multiple purposes: receiving various types of information and making different types of configuration decisions based on authentication status, thereby managing complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10349338B2Determining whether to configure a user terminal in a country based on authentication

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 KYOCERA CORP

AI summary

A network apparatus according to an embodiment performs communication with a user terminal comprising a first communication unit configured to perform communication using a first radio access technology and a second communication unit configured to perform communication using a second radio access technology, by using the first access technology. The network apparatus comprises: a receiver configured to receive, from the user terminal, authentication related information on a country where the user terminal is legally authenticated for transmission by the second communication unit; and a controller configured to determine, based on the authentication related information, whether or not communication by the second communication unit can be configured to the user terminal.