SIM User Handover Continuity via Forbidden Network Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication technologies cause service interruption for SIM users when they move between networks, as they do not support Authentication and Key Agreement (AKA) in eUTRAN, leading to disconnection from the network.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method and system that prohibit SIM users from accessing forbidden networks during handover and select an alternative accessible network, using a judging unit to determine user type and handling unit to manage network access, ensuring seamless handover and maintaining service continuity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If SIM users are allowed to access eUTRAN network during handover, then network coverage and access flexibility are improved, but service continuity is lost because SIM users cannot complete AKA authentication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork access flexibilityVSAvoidservice continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of SIM users before handover to eUTRAN is executed. By detecting the SIM user status in advance (through checking authentication capability or receiving indication from network), the system can prevent handover to forbidden networks before the disconnection occurs, thereby maintaining service continuity while preserving access flexibility for legitimate users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If SIM users are completely blocked from accessing eUTRAN, then service continuity is maintained, but network adaptability and access flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoidnetwork access flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different access policies to different user types rather than a blanket restriction. SIM users are identified and specifically restricted from eUTRAN access, while other user types (such as USIM users with AKA capability) maintain full access flexibility. This localized differentiation preserves service continuity for SIM users without reducing overall network adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Speed

If normal handover process is used for SIM users to eUTRAN, then access speed is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates due to AKA authentication failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandover speedVSAvoidconnection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system executes preliminary identification of SIM user status before the handover process begins. By detecting whether the UE is a SIM user (lacking AKA capability) in advance, the system can redirect such users to alternative networks before they attempt handover to eUTRAN, ensuring both rapid connection maintenance and avoidance of authentication failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10448305B2Method, system and device for maintaining user service continuity

Publication Date: 2019.10.15 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

A method, a system and a device for maintaining user service continuity are provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes prohibiting a UE from accessing a forbidden network before handover is complete when the UE needs to perform network handover if the UE adopts a SIM access technology, thus avoiding service interruption of a SIM user due to access to an incorrect network. A system and a device for maintaining user service continuity are provided in an embodiment of the present invention.