User Offline Routing During Subscriber Data Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for driving users offline during the migration of user data from an old user data management device to a new one in mobile communication networks are inefficient, leading to high failure rates and poor flexibility due to reliance on the old device and inability to accurately determine and drive various user types offline.

Innovation Solution

A user offline method and apparatus that involves a first user data management device determining a target user and sending specific information to a network element, such as an MME or AMF, to drive the user offline, utilizing existing protocols like UDR, UDA, RIR, RIA, and CLR messages, and optionally involving a DRA or SCP to facilitate the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the old user data management device is used to drive users offline during migration, then the process can be initiated, but the success rate is low and the system has high dependence on the old device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesuccess rate of user offline operationVSAvoiddependence on old device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using the old user data management device to drive users offline as in conventional methods, the patent inverts the approach by using the new user data management device to send offline requests directly to network elements. This eliminates dependence on the old device and improves the reliability of the user offline operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional offline driving methods are used, then the process can be executed, but the flexibility to handle different user types (4G, 5G) is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle different user typesVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by sending different types of offline requests to different network elements based on user type. For 4G users, a cancel location request is sent to the MME; for 5G users, a deregistration request is sent to the AMF. This targeted approach improves adaptability to different user types while maintaining ease of operation through automated routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the offline request based on the user type. Different request types (cancel location request vs. deregistration request) and different target network elements (MME vs. AMF) are selected according to whether the user is 4G or 5G, thereby improving versatility without compromising operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If manual intervention is used to determine and drive users offline, then accuracy can be maintained, but the productivity and automation level are low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation level of user offline processVSAvoidaccuracy in determining target users

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The new user data management device automatically determines target users and sends appropriate offline requests without requiring manual intervention. The system self-services by autonomously identifying 4G and 5G users and routing them to the correct network elements, thereby improving productivity while maintaining accuracy through automated decision-making logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the new user data management device receives responses from network elements (MME, AMF) to confirm successful user offline operations. This feedback loop ensures accurate tracking of user status changes while maintaining high automation levels, resolving the contradiction between productivity and precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4683361A1Subscriber go-offline method and subscriber go-offline apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.01.21 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

This application provides a user offline method and a user offline apparatus. The method may be applied to a first user data management device. The method may include: determining a target user, where user data of the target user is to be migrated from a second user data management device to the first user data management device; and sending first information to a first network element accessed by the target user, where the first information indicates the first network element to drive the target user to go offline. According to the method provided in this application, the first user data management device drives the user to go offline, to help drive the user to go offline.