Network Node Presence Inquiry for Cross-Border 5G Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a 5G system, when a user attempts to access an application server in a different country, the user's information is not available in the local network, preventing successful login and service access.
Innovation Solution
A network node apparatus that receives authentication requests, uses secret information to inquire about the presence of user information in other networks, and determines the transmission destination based on the response, enabling ID linkage and dynamic user information handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user information is stored only in local mobile network, then security and data privacy are improved, but user authentication in foreign networks fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (inquiry message system) between mobile networks that allows authentication requests to be routed to the correct network without exposing user information. The intermediary translates authentication requests into inquiry messages about user information presence, enabling cross-border authentication while maintaining data privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the authentication process into two independent parts: (1) an inquiry phase that checks user information presence without exposing data, and (2) an authentication phase that occurs only after successful inquiry. This segmentation allows networks to cooperate for authentication while maintaining data privacy boundaries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If user information is shared across multiple networks, then cross-border authentication succeeds, but data privacy and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary mechanism transforms direct user information sharing into indirect presence verification. Instead of networks exchanging user data, they exchange encrypted inquiry messages about data presence, enabling authentication cooperation without information leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy/representation of user information presence status without copying the actual user data. The inquiry message system transmits presence information (a copy of the status) rather than the original user information, enabling authentication while preserving privacy.
3Speed
If authentication request is sent to local network only, then processing speed is improved, but authentication fails when user is from foreign network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs a preliminary inquiry action before actual authentication. The inquiry message checks user information presence in advance, allowing the system to quickly route authentication requests to the correct network without trial-and-error delays, thus maintaining speed while improving success rate.
Solution Approach 2:
The inquiry message system provides feedback about user information presence to the authentication system. This feedback mechanism enables rapid decision-making about where to send authentication requests, improving both speed and reliability by avoiding failed authentication attempts.
Data Source
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AI summary
A network node apparatus includes: a reception unit configured to receive an authentication request from an application server that receives an access from a terminal; a transmission unit configured to transmit an inquiry about presence or absence of specific information to another network node apparatus by using secret information generated from the specific information included in the authentication request; and a control unit configured to determine a transmission destination of the authentication request based on a response to the inquiry.