Paging Remote UE via Relay Paths to Reduce Message Flooding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In scenarios where UEs are multiple hops away from a base station, existing paging mechanisms face issues such as paging message flooding due to relay UE broadcast, relay function enablement, remote UE selection, determination of remote UE POs, mobility management, and rapid path reestablishment for seamless paging reception.

Innovation Solution

Methods for relay UE election, paging path establishment, propagation, and maintenance are disclosed, including discovery-based and selection-based procedures to establish and maintain paging paths between a remote UE and a gNB, utilizing UE-to-UE and UE-to-Network relays to forward paging messages efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If relay UE broadcasts paging messages to ensure coverage, then remote UE can be reached, but paging message flooding occurs increasing network overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the paging message transmission by establishing dedicated paging paths through selected relay UEs rather than broadcast to all relays. Each relay UE on the paging path forwards the message unicast to the remote UE, dividing the transmission task into controlled segments that reduce redundant broadcasting and minimize network overhead while ensuring reliable delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a paging path establishment mechanism where relay UEs act as intermediaries that are selectively configured to forward paging messages. The network establishes controlled pathways through relay UEs that have been selected based on their capability and location, preventing uncontrolled broadcasting and reducing overall network overhead while maintaining delivery reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If relay function is enabled for all capable UEs, then coverage is improved, but device complexity increases due to relay selection and path management

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecoverageVSAvoidrelay selection and path management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and pre-establishing paging paths before actual paging occurs. The network identifies suitable relay UEs in advance and establishes dedicated paging paths, so that when paging is needed, the path is already in place and relay UEs know their forwarding roles, reducing real-time decision complexity and managing device complexity proactively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where relay UEs provide information about their capability and status to the network, and the network responds with paging path configuration instructions. This feedback loop allows the system to manage complexity dynamically by adjusting relay selection based on actual network conditions and relay capabilities rather than assuming all capable UEs should relay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If discovery-based paging path establishment is used, then path selection flexibility is improved, but path establishment time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath selection flexibilityVSAvoidpath establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines preliminary action with discovery-based approaches by pre-identifying and pre-configuring potential relay paths during network setup or previous communications. When paging is needed, the system can quickly select from pre-prepared path options rather than discovering paths in real-time, maintaining flexibility while reducing establishment time through advance preparation of multiple possible pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Reliability

If multiple paging paths are established, then connectivity resilience is improved, but device complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnectivity resilienceVSAvoidpath management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the paging path management by treating each relay UE independently and configuring them with specific forwarding instructions for particular remote UEs. Rather than managing complex multi-path routing protocols, the system divides the resilience function into simple per-relay configurations, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining connectivity resilience through redundant independent paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4079061B1Paging remote UE using a relay
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 INTERDIGITAL PATENT HOLDINGS INC
  • EP4079061B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4079061B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4079061B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices may address issues for sending a paging message to a remote UE that is more than one hop from a base station.