Connected UE Access Selection for Barred Non-Initial NAS Messages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current 5G wireless communication standards do not provide a clear mechanism for handling access attempts that are barred, particularly for non-initial NAS messages, leading to inefficiencies when user equipment is prohibited from using non-3GPP connections despite having concurrent 3GPP and non-3GPP capabilities.

Innovation Solution

User equipment selectively determines whether to transmit non-initial NAS messages over 3GPP or non-3GPP connections based on access barring status, allowing it to utilize available non-3GPP connections when 3GPP access is barred, and initiates transmission only when barring is alleviated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If access barring is applied to user equipment in connected mode, then network resource consumption is reduced, but user equipment cannot utilize non-3GPP connections even when available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource consumptionVSAvoidconnection selection flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different access control rules to different connection types (3GPP vs non-3GPP). When access barring is configured for 3GPP connections, the user equipment can still attempt to use non-3GPP connections for the same access category, allowing localized adaptation rather than global access denial.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between 3GPP and non-3GPP connections based on access barring status. When 3GPP access is barred, the user equipment transitions to using non-3GPP connections, and vice versa, creating a flexible and adaptive access mechanism that responds to network conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If user equipment attempts to use non-3GPP connections when 3GPP access is barred, then connection versatility is improved, but network congestion may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection availabilityVSAvoidnetwork traffic volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a threshold-based approach where access attempts are controlled based on whether the number of concurrent access attempts exceeds a configured threshold. This partial action principle allows some access attempts through while limiting excessive traffic that would cause congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from access barring configurations and threshold evaluations to control access attempts. When access barring is detected or thresholds are exceeded, the system adjusts access behavior accordingly, creating a feedback loop that prevents network overload while maintaining necessary connectivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If access barring configuration is enforced strictly, then network resource protection is improved, but access attempt success rate decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource protectionVSAvoidaccess attempt success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that checks access barring status and threshold conditions before allowing or blocking access attempts. This intermediary layer protects network resources by filtering excessive attempts while still permitting legitimate access requests to proceed, balancing protection with productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3818752B1Access control for user equipment in a connected mode
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP3818752B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3818752B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3818752B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment operating in a connected mode includes a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The first layer generates a request to send a non-initial non-access stratum (NAS) message over a first connection that operates according to a first radio access technology (RAT). The second layer determines whether access to the first connection is barred for the non-initial NAS message. The first layer selects a connection to deliver the non-initial NAS message between the first connection and a second connection that operates according to a second RAT in response to access to the first connection being barred. In some cases, the non-initial NAS message is a mobile originated short message service (SMS) message or an uplink NAS transport message. In some cases, the first layer is an NAS layer and the second layer is a radio resource control layer.