UE Direction Messaging for Clear Network Rejection Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

End-users face difficulties in understanding network rejection reasons due to unintelligible NAS cause codes, leading to frustration and complaints when their devices are continuously rejected from networks.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a Short Message Service Function (SMSF) to generate and transmit clear directions via SMS to user equipment (UE) for troubleshooting, facilitated by network functions like AMF and UDM, ensuring end-users can take appropriate actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If NAS cause codes are used to indicate network rejection reasons, then network communication efficiency is improved, but user understanding of rejection reasons deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork communication efficiencyVSAvoiduser understanding of rejection reasons
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation mechanism that converts encoded NAS cause codes into human-readable rejection reasons. The network device receives the encoded cause code, translates it into understandable language, and sends it to the terminal device. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining the efficiency of encoded communication while adding a translation layer that improves user comprehension without disrupting the underlying efficient communication protocol.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If encoded NAS cause codes are transmitted to terminals, then information transmission precision is improved, but user accessibility of the information deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission precisionVSAvoiduser accessibility of the information
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the information transmission process into two distinct parts: first, the precise encoded NAS cause code is transmitted for accurate technical identification, and second, a separate human-readable translation of the rejection reason is provided for user accessibility. This segmentation allows both precise information transmission and user-friendly presentation to coexist without compromising either aspect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3903515B1Method and apparatus for providing a user equipment with directions in a communication network
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3903515B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3903515B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3903515B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention generally relates to wireless communication technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for providing a user equipment (UE) with directions in a communication network. The present invention also relates to apparatus and computer program product adapted for the same purpose. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performed by a network function (NF) for access and mobility management for providing directions to a user equipment (UE) in a communication network, the method comprising: a) instructing a short message service function (SMSF) to generate a message including the directions; b) receiving from the SMSF the message including the directions; and c) forwarding the message including the directions to the UE.