Wireless Device SNPN Access with Location Validity Checks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems lack efficient mechanisms for wireless devices to selectively access standalone non-public networks (SNPNs) based on location validity conditions, leading to suboptimal network selection and potential security vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method where a wireless device sends a NAS message to an AMF indicating support for enhanced steering of roaming (SOR) to access a SNPN, receives location validity conditions, and sends a registration request upon meeting those conditions, enabling secure and location-based network access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If wireless devices can access any SNPN without location validity conditions, then network access flexibility is improved, but security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork access flexibilityVSAvoidsecurity vulnerabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies location validity conditions that are specific to each SNPN, allowing different access rights for different networks based on their geographical and operational characteristics. This enables flexible network selection while maintaining security through network-specific location constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent requires wireless devices to check location validity conditions before accessing an SNPN. The AMF verifies these conditions in advance (prior to actual network access) to prevent unauthorized access, thereby addressing security concerns before they can manifest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wireless devices check location validity conditions before accessing SNPN, then security is improved, but access procedure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidaccess procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) as an intermediary that handles the verification of location validity conditions. This shifts the complexity from the wireless device to the network side, where the AMF performs the verification and communicates the result to the device, simplifying the device's role while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If location validity conditions are enforced for SNPN access, then unauthorized access is prevented, but network selection efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess authorizationVSAvoidnetwork selection efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs location validity condition verification in advance, before the wireless device attempts to access the SNPN. The AMF checks these conditions during the registration or connection establishment phase, so that when access is granted, the device can proceed directly to network attachment without additional verification delays, thus maintaining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the AMF provides information about location validity to the wireless device. If the location is valid, the device receives authorization to proceed; if not, it is rejected. This clear feedback loop enables efficient decision-making by the device without requiring continuous verification during the access process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4342226B1Network access management
Publication Date: 2025.09.17 OFINNO LLC
  • EP4342226B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4342226B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4342226B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless device receives, from a first network, network access information comprising an identifier of a second network and one or more parameters indicating a condition for determining whether the wireless device is allowed to access the second network. The wireless device determines that the condition is met, and sends, to the second network and based on the determining, a second registration request message.