Time-Windowed Device Provisioning for Low-Power Network Onboarding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The unpredictability of the time period required for provisioning messages in wireless communication systems leads to resource wastage and inefficiency, particularly in the onboarding process of USIM-less devices, as they need to remain in connected mode for an indefinite period, consuming network and device resources.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a time window negotiation mechanism between the device and the network entities to determine a scheduled time for receiving provisioning messages, allowing the device to transition to an inactive state outside this window, thereby optimizing resource usage and power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If devices remain in connected mode for provisioning, then provisioning can be completed, but network resources and device power are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprovisioning completionVSAvoiddevice power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically transitions between connected and inactive states based on the provisioning time window. During the window, the device is connected to receive provisioning messages; outside the window, it transitions to inactive state to conserve power, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring provisioning completion and reducing power consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic connectivity where the device connects only during scheduled provisioning time windows and remains inactive otherwise. This periodic action ensures provisioning is completed during active windows while minimizing power consumption during inactive periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If devices remain in connected mode for provisioning, then provisioning can be completed, but network resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprovisioning completionVSAvoidnetwork resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The network dynamically manages device connectivity by allowing connections only during provisioning time windows. This dynamic resource allocation ensures network resources are utilized only when necessary for provisioning, preventing resource wastage while ensuring provisioning completion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The network implements periodic provisioning opportunities through time windows. Devices are granted network access periodically during these windows to receive provisioning messages, optimizing network resource utilization by limiting connectivity to essential periods only

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Reliability

If devices stay connected indefinitely, then provisioning reliability is maintained, but scalability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprovisioning reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork scalability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides periodic provisioning opportunities through time windows rather than requiring indefinite connectivity. This approach maintains provisioning reliability by ensuring devices can receive messages during their active windows while improving scalability by limiting the duration and scope of network resource commitments

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the time parameter of connectivity from indefinite to window-based. By transforming the connectivity model from continuous to time-limited periods, the system maintains provisioning reliability through guaranteed access during windows while enhancing scalability by reducing overall network resource demands

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4072174B1Apparatus, methods, and computer programs
Publication Date: 2025.09.10 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4072174B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4072174B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4072174B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

According to the disclosure there is provided an apparatus (100). The apparatus (100) comprises means for performing: receiving, from a network entity (110), information of a time window for the apparatus (100) to receive one or more messages for provisioning the apparatus (100) in a network (108); configuring the apparatus (100) in an idle or inactive state outside of the time window; and configuring the apparatus (100) in a connected state during the time window for receiving the one or more messages for provisioning the apparatus.