UE Route Selection Policy Updates for 4G Network Slicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

User equipment (UE) in fourth-generation (4G) or non-standalone (NSA) coverage cannot access network slicing services due to the absence of a mechanism to deliver updated User Route Selection Policies (URSPs) from the 4G core network, leading to poor user experience and resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

The UE stores a default URSP and receives a default protocol configuration option (PCO) value for a default network slice, updates the URSP with new URSPs when requested, and uses operator-defined PCO values to enable or disable network slices, leveraging a SIM Over-The-Air (OTA) system for updates in 4G coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE is in 4G or NSA coverage, then the UE can maintain network connectivity, but the UE cannot access network slicing services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork connectivityVSAvoidnetwork slicing access

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a PCO value as an intermediary mechanism that enables URSP information delivery in 4G/NSA networks. The PCO value acts as a carrier that transports URSP policy information from the network to the UE, allowing network slicing functionality to be achieved indirectly through 4G infrastructure without requiring direct 5G SA connectivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the PCO value multi-functional by using it both for its traditional configuration purposes and as a vehicle for delivering URSP information. This universal approach allows the same mechanism to serve multiple functions: maintaining 4G connectivity while simultaneously enabling network slicing capabilities through URSP delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the UE stores default URSP information, then the UE can provide QoS in 4G coverage, but the URSP information cannot be updated when the UE is in 4G core network

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveQoS provisionVSAvoidURSP update capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the network can push updated URSP information to the UE through PCO values. When URSP information changes in the network, the updated information is delivered to the UE via PCO, ensuring the UE always has current policy information for proper network slice selection and QoS provision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent pre-configures the UE with default URSP information and PCO values before the UE enters 4G coverage. This preliminary action ensures that the UE can immediately provide QoS upon entering 4G network, and subsequent updates can be applied without interruption to service.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Duration of action of stationary object

If the UE uses stored URSP information in 4G coverage, then the UE can maintain service continuity, but the user experience deteriorates when network slicing provisioning changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice continuityVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback mechanism ensures that when network slicing provisioning changes occur, the updated URSP information is automatically delivered to the UE through PCO values. This maintains service continuity while ensuring the user experience is not degraded, as the UE receives real-time updates about available network slices and their configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Device complexity

If no URSP update mechanism exists in 4G coverage, then the system remains simple, but computing and networking resources are wasted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidresource wastage

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

By using PCO values as an intermediary, the patent enables efficient URSP information delivery without requiring complex dedicated update mechanisms. The existing PCO infrastructure is leveraged to carry URSP information, avoiding the need for separate complex update protocols while preventing resource wastage through targeted, on-demand information delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20260006532A1Systems and methods for updating a policy of a user equipment in fourth-generation network coverage

Publication Date: 2026.01.01 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) may store a default user equipment route selection policy (URSP) and may receive, from a fourth-generation (4G) core network, a default protocol configuration option (PCO) value for a default network slice of the 4G core network. The UE may utilize the default network slice based on the default URSP and the default PCO value and may receive a request to update the default URSP with a new URSP associated with a new network slice of the 4G core network. The UE may update the default URSP with the new URSP to generate an updated URSP and may receive, from the 4G core network, a new PCO value for the new network slice of the 4G core network. The UE may utilize the default network slice and the new network slice based on the updated URSP, the default PCO value, and the new PCO value.