CN118301606A

CN118301606A - Method and device for improving automatic independent non-public network selection

Info

Publication number: CN118301606A
Application number: CN202311843763.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赖家龄; 林元杰
Original assignee: MediaTek Inc
Current assignee: MediaTek Inc
Priority date: 2023-01-05
Filing date: 2023-12-28
Publication date: 2024-07-05

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for improving automatic independent non-public network selection for various solutions supporting localized services. The device may decide whether it supports access to a separate non-public network providing access to the localized service and whether the user has access to the localized service. In response to determining that the device supports access to an independent non-public network providing access to the localized service and that the user can access the localized service, the device may select an available independent non-public network having validity information and attempt to register on the selected independent non-public network, where both the device and the selected independent non-public network support access using credentials from the credential holder and the validity information is satisfied.

Description

Method and device for improving automatic independent non-public network selection

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mobile communication, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for improving automatic independent non-public network selection to support localized services.

Background

A public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) is a network established and operated by a manager or approved operations agency (recognized operating agency, ROA) for the specific purpose of providing land mobile services to the public. The PLMN provides communication possibilities for mobile subscribers. The PLMN may provide services in one frequency band or a combination of multiple frequency bands. Access to PLMN services is achieved through an air interface (interface) involving wireless communication between mobile telephones and base stations with integrated IP network services. One PLMN may include multiple radio access networks (radio access network, RAN) that utilize different radio access technologies (radio access technology, RATs) to access mobile services. The radio access network is part of a mobile communication system implementing radio access technology. Conceptually, a RAN resides between mobile devices and provides connectivity to its Core Network (CN). According to the standard (third generation partnership project (3rd Generation Partnership Project,3GPP)), mobile phones and other wireless connected devices are variously referred to as User Equipment (UE), terminal equipment (terminal equipment, TE), mobile Stations (MS), mobile terminals (mobile termination, MT), and the like. Examples of different RATs include the 2G global system for mobile communications (Global System for Mobile Communications, GSM), the 3G universal mobile telecommunications system (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, UMTS), 4G long term evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE), 5G New Radio (NR), and other non-3 GPP access RATs including Wi-Fi.

In contrast to PLMNs, non-public networks (NPN) are non-public networks that are not commonly used. The NPN is an independent Non-Public Network (SNPN), i.e., operated by the NPN operator, independent of the Network functions provided by the PLMN; or Public Network integrated NPN (Public Network INTEGRATED NPN, PNI-NPN), i.e., non-Public networks are deployed with PLMN support. The credential holders (CREDENTIAL HOLDER, CH) can authenticate and authorize access to SNPN separate from the credential holders. The combination of PLMN ID and network identifier (Network identifier, NID) identifies SNPN. The UE may be supported for SNPN.

A localized or localized service is a localized service (e.g., provided in a particular or limited area, and/or bounded in time). A localized service provider is an application provider or network operator that localizes its services and provides them to end users via a hosted network. The hosting network is a network that provides (access to) localized services, and may be SNPN or PNI-NPN, and the home network is a network that owns the current usage subscription or credentials of the UE. The end user may allow or prohibit access to the localized service. If the end user prohibits access to the localized service, the UE (i.e., MS) may not access the (S) NPN that provides access to the localized service.

In 3GPP release 18, it is agreed that the 5G NR standard will support localized services, but the details of how the 3GPP standard should be adapted for UE operation are not yet clear and are still under discussion. For example, the UE should be able to access SNPN a hosted network as a localized service (i.e., SNPN that provides access to localized services). However, current automatic SNPN selection in the 3GPP standard does not define how the UE accesses SNPN that provides access to localized services. Therefore, there is a need to provide an appropriate solution to this problem.

Disclosure of Invention

The following summary is provided to illustrate the invention, but is not limited thereto. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, emphasis, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques presented herein. The implementation is further described in the embodiments below. Accordingly, the following summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

The present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for improving the automatic independent non-public network selection to support localized services, so as to solve the above-mentioned problems.

The embodiment of the invention discloses a method, which comprises the following steps: a processor of a device determines whether the device supports access to a stand-alone non-public network (SNPN) that provides an access to localized services (localized service) and whether a user has access to the localized services; and in response to determining that the device supports access to the independent non-public network providing the access to the localized service and that the user has access to the localized service, the processor performs a plurality of operations including: selecting an available independent non-public network having validity information in case both the device and the available independent non-public network support an access using credentials from a credential holder (CREDENTIAL HOLDER, CH) and the validity information is satisfied; and attempting to register on the available independent non-public network.

The embodiment of the invention also discloses a device, which comprises: a transceiver for wirelessly communicating with one or more independent non-public networks (SNPN); and a processor, coupled to the transceiver, for performing the following operations: determining whether the device supports access to a separate non-public network providing access to the localized service (localized service) and whether a user can access the localized service; and in response to determining that the device supports access to the independent non-public network providing the access to the localized service and that the user has access to the localized service, performing the following: selecting an available independent non-public network having validity information in case both the device and the available independent non-public network support an access using credentials from a credential holder (CREDENTIAL HOLDER, CH) and the validity information is satisfied; and attempting to register on the available independent non-public network.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary scenario of a communication system providing access to localized services according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating two exemplary scenarios of a 5G system architecture for accessing SNPN G systems with credentials from a credential holder.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary scenario of SNPN subscription data/configuration with validity information according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another exemplary scenario of SNPN subscription data/configuration with validity information according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary scenario of a UE accessing localized services through SNPN providing access to the localized services according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of another exemplary scenario of a UE accessing localized services through SNPN providing access to the localized services according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of an exemplary process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference numerals:

100,210,220,300,400,500,600 scene

101,501,601:UE

102 PLMN/SNPN subscription

103 Validity information

110:PLMN

112,122 Serving base station

120:SNPN

123 Information

130,140:RAN

310,410,510,610 SNPN subscription data/configuration

502,602:NG-RAN

700 Communication system

710 Communication device

720 Network device

712,722 Processor

714,724 Memory

716,726 Hair extension device

800 Flow path

802,804 Block

Detailed Description

Detailed embodiments and implementations of the claims are disclosed herein. However, the examples and implementations disclosed are merely illustrative of the claims, which may be presented in various forms. This invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following description, well-known features and technical details are omitted to avoid obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.

Summary of the inventionsummary

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to various techniques, methods, schemes and/or solutions related to improvements in automatic SNPN selection for supporting localized services (localized service). According to the invention, a plurality of possible solutions can be implemented singly or in combination. That is, although these possible solutions may be described below separately, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one combination or another.

Fig. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary scenario 100 of a communication system providing access to localized services according to an embodiment of the present invention. The scenario 100 relates to a communication system comprising a User Equipment (UE) 101, a Public land mobile Network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) 110 and a separate Non-Public Network (SNPN) 120 providing access to localized services. The PLMN 110 may include control plane functions (control plane functionalities) (e.g., mobility management functions (mobility management function, AMF)), user plane functions (user plane functionalities) (e.g., user plane functions (user plane function, UPF)), and applications that provide various services by communicating with multiple UEs including the UE 101. A serving Base Station (BS) (e.g., gNB) 112 is part of a radio access network (radio access network, RAN) 130. RAN 130 provides radio access for the UE via radio access technology (radio access technology, RAT).

SNPN 120 include control plane functions (e.g., AMF), user plane functions (e.g., UPF), and applications that provide various services by communicating with multiple UEs including UE 101. The combined identity SNPN of the PLMN ID and NID. The serving base station (e.g., gNB) 122 is part of the RAN 140. The RAN 140 provides wireless access to the UE 101 via a RAT. The AMF in SNPN 120 communicates with gNB 122. SNPN 120 is operated by the NPN operator and does not rely on network functions provided by the public network. The Credential Holders (CH) may authenticate and authorize access to SNPN separate from the credential holders. The NG-RAN node providing access to SNPN broadcasts information 123, the information 123 comprising: (i) One or more PLMN IDs, and (ii) a NID list for each PLMN ID identifying a non-public network to which access is provided by the NG-RAN. The UE supporting SNPN is configured with PLMN ID and NID of subscribed SNPN (i.e. with SNPN ID = PLMN ID + NID) and the UE supporting SNPN access SNPN using credentials from the credential holder may be further configured with information for SNPN selection (SNPN selection information or configuration) and (in SNPN access mode) perform registration using PLMN/SNPN subscription 102 (e.g. stored in a global subscriber identity card (universal subscriber identity module, USIM)).

A localized or localized service is a service that is provided locally (e.g., provided at a particular/limited area and/or bounded in time (e.g., a particular time segment such as a particular date or a particular number of times in a date)). Services may be implemented through applications (e.g., live or on-demand audio/video streaming, electronic gaming, IP multimedia subsystem (IP multimedia subsystem, IMS), etc.) or connections (e.g., UE-to-UE, UE-to-data network, etc.). A localized service provider is an application provider or network operator that localizes its services and provides them to end users via a hosted network. The hosting network is a network that provides access to localized services, which may be SNPN or PNI-NPN, and the home network is a network that owns the current usage subscription or credentials of the UE. In scenario 100, SNPN is a hosted network that provides access to localized services to the UE 101.

The customer premise routing policy (UEroute selection policy, URSP) rules may include an association of the UE application with a data network name (Data Network Name, DNN) or network slice for a particular localized service. URSP rules may also include "route availability criteria" (time window and/or location criteria availability conditions) with time/location defined for a particular localized service. Local access data networks (Local ACCESS DATA networks, LADN) may also be used to enable UEs to access localized services.

In order for SNPN to provide access to localized services, SNPN operators may enable UEs to configure the network according to information for localized services that is determined in correspondence with localized service providers, such as validity information including: (i) Such as the identity of the individual localized services to be used in the URSP rules; (ii) Validity criteria/limits for each localized service, such as duration and/or (area of) location.

When localized services in a network are completed, all UEs registered with the network are expected to move to another network or other cells (cells) within the same network. The other network may be a Home PLMN (HPLMN), a visited PLMN (VISITED PLMN, VPLMN), or another SNPN. The UE may cease using network resources for local services for a number of reasons, such as: (i) completing a localized service in the network; (ii) the validity condition of the network selection information is no longer satisfied; (iii) The user decides to stop using the localized service before it is completed (e.g., the end user prohibits access to the localized service); (iv) The network takes policy decisions, the effect of which is that the UE is de-registered before the localized service is completed. Validity information 103 (otherwise referred to as validity limits, criteria or conditions) is provided or configured to the UE as part of the localized service information in the UE configuration and subscription information, which is used to limit the UE's access to SNPN that provides access to the localized service.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of two exemplary scenarios 210 and 220 of a 5G system architecture of the present invention for accessing SNPN G systems with credentials from a credential holder. Scenario 210 depicts a 5GS architecture with credential holders SNPN using an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server for primary authentication and authorization. The authentication server function (authentication server function, AUSF) and unified data management (unified DATA MANAGEMENT, UDM) in SNPN may use credentials from an AAA server in the credential holder to support primary authentication and authorization of the UE. SNPN in 210 may be subscribed SNPN for the UE (i.e., SNPN ID of SNPN subscribed by NG-RAN broadcast). As a deployment option SNPN in 210 may also be another SNPN to the UE outside of the subscribed SNPN (i.e., none of the NG-RAN broadcast SNPN ID matches SNPN ID (match) corresponding to subscribed SNPN). The network slice specific and SNPN authentication and authorization functions (network slice-SPECIFIC AND SNPN authentication and authorization function, NSSAAF) deployed in SNPN may use credentials from a credential holder using an AAA server (as depicted) to support primary authentication in SNPN and/or NSSAAF may support network slice specific authentication and authorization with a network slice specific AAA server (not depicted).

Scenario 220 depicts a 5GS system architecture with SNPN of the credential holder, which uses AUSF and UDM for primary authentication and authorization and network slicing. SNPN can support primary authentication and authorization of a UE that uses credentials from a credential holder using AUSF and UDM. The credential holder may be SNPN or a PLMN. The credential holder UDM provides SNPN subscription data.

SNPN as a hosted network providing access to localized services

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary scenario 300 of SNPN subscription data/configuration with validity information according to one embodiment of the present invention. Scenario 300 depicts an exemplary SNPN subscription data/configuration with which SNPN-enabled UEs may be configured with the SNPN subscription data/configuration for selecting and accessing SNPN providing access to localized services. When a UE uses subscription/credentials of its home network to access SNPN, only two cases are considered. If the home network (or credential holder) is a PLMN, the hosting network may be PNI-NPN or SNPN. If the home network (or credential holder) is SNPN, the hosting network may be SNPN only. If the UE accesses the hosted network using a subscription or credentials from the UE home network and the UE has multiple credentials or subscriptions, the UE needs to determine which credentials or subscriptions to use to access the hosted network. Validity information provided to the UE as part of the localized service information may be used to limit the UE's access to SNPN that provides access to the localized service. For example, the validity information includes: the (time and/or location) validity information ((time and/or location) duration, criteria or restrictions) associated with the SNPN (ID) or the network-selected group identifier (group identifier for network selection, GIN).

As shown at 310, the SNPN-enabled UEs are configured with the following UE configuration and subscription information for each subscribed SNPN: (i) PLMN IDs and NIDs (SNPN IDs) of SNPN (e.g., SNPN 1) subscribed to; and (ii) a subscription identifier (subscription PERMANENT IDENTIFIER, SUPI) and credentials for the subscribed SNPN. If the UE supports access to SNPN using credentials from the credential holder, the UE is further configured with: (iii) Prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN (e.g., SNPN 111, SNPN 112); (iv) Prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferences SNPN (e.g., SNPN 121, SNPN 122, SNPN 123); and (v) prioritized lists of GINs controlled by credential holders (e.g., GIN 131, GIN 132).

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary scenario 400 of SNPN subscription data/configuration with validity information according to one embodiment of the present invention. Scenario 400 depicts another exemplary SNPN subscription data/configuration with which SNPN enabled UEs may be configured for selecting and accessing SNPN to provide access to localized services. For automatic network selection, there may be associated (time (duration) and/or location (restriction)) validity information for SNPN or GIN in case SNPN provides access to localized services. In one example, as shown at 310, the prioritized list of existing credential holders controlled preferences SNPN (and GINs) may be extended with (time and/or location) validity information or condition information for each entry (entry) in the list. In another example, as shown at 410, there may be one (or more) new list types defined to provide entries with validity information for SNPN and GINs (i.e., a prioritized list of preferred SNPN/GINs defining new CH controls for accessing localized services in UE configuration and subscription information (with each entry including SNPN/GIN identification and validity information for accessing localized services)).

As shown in 310 or 410, SNPN 121 has an associated duration (duration) validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 2 days (duration (e.g., start and end times) that allows the UE to access SNPN 121)), SNPN123 has an associated time validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 3 days, and GIN 131 has an associated time (duration) validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 3 days. Such time (duration) validity information is provided to the UE as part of the localized service information to limit the UE's access to SNPN that provides access to localized services (e.g., SNPN123,123). In addition, the validity information may optionally also include location validity information, which may be in the form of a geographic location and/or tracking area identity (TRACKING AREA IDENTITY, TAI) or cell (of the serving network (serving PLMN/PNI-NPN or service SNPN)), which may be used to help the UE know where to start searching SNPN to provide access to localized services.

Fig. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary scenario 500 of a UE accessing localized services through SNPN providing access to the localized services according to an embodiment of the present invention. Scenario 500 depicts a UE 501 supporting SNPN providing access to a localized service 502 for SNPN of an accepted duration. The UE 501 is configured with SNPN subscriptions 510, which include: (i) SNPN = SNPN 1 to which it is subscribed; and (ii) a prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferences SNPN (used to access localized services) that includes SNPN 121, SNPN 122, and SNPN 123. Specifically, SNPN 121 is associated with a time validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 2 days, and SNPN 123 is associated with a time validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 3 days. Through 5GC/AMF and NG-RAN 502, the managed network broadcasts its SNPN ID = 123, along with an indication that access using credentials from the credential holder is supported. Since UE 501 subscribes SNPN to SNPN 1 and SNPN 123 is included as a preference SNPN in the entry for the "subscriber data list" of SNPN 1, UE 1001 may attempt to access SNPN 123 using credentials from SNPN 1. That is, SNPN is a localized service provider and hosting network, and SNPN is a credential holder. Since the time validity condition is associated with SNPN 123, the UE 501 needs to determine whether this time validity condition is met before accessing SNPN 123. The UE 501 checks that the current time is 1 month 2 days, which is in the duration of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 3 days. As a result, the UE 501 can access SNPN 123 using credentials from the subscribed SNPN 1. Furthermore, if location availability information is available, in this example we optionally assume that location availability is satisfied in accordance with the location availability information.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary scenario 600 of a UE accessing localized services through SNPN providing access to the localized services, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Scenario 600 depicts access by a UE 601 supporting SNPN to SNPN 602 (as a managed network) for another duration that is not accepted (i.e., if the UE attempts access, the network will refuse). The UE 601 is configured with SNPN subscriptions 610, which include: (i) SNPN = SNPN 1 to which it is subscribed; and (ii) a prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferences SNPN, including SNPN 121, SNPN 122, and SNPN 123. Specifically, SNPN 121 is associated with a time validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 2 days, and SNPN 123 is associated with a time validity condition of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 3 days. Through 5GC/AMF and NG-RAN 602, hosting network SNPN 123 broadcasts that it SNPN ID +=123, along with an indication that access using credentials from the credential holder is supported. Since UE 601 subscribes to SNPN 1 and SNPN 123 is included as a preference SNPN in the entry for the "subscriber data list" of SNPN, UE 601 may select and attempt to access SNPN 123. Since the time validity condition is associated with SNPN 123,123, the UE 601 needs to determine whether this time validity condition is met before accessing SNPN 123,123. The UE 601 checks that the current time is 1 month 4 days, which is outside the duration of 1 month 1 day to 1 month 3 days. As a result, UE 601 cannot access SNPN 123 using the credentials from SNPN a 1.

Improving automatic SNPN selection to support localized services

The SNPN-enabled UE supports access SNPN (in SNPN access mode). When the UE is set to operate in SNPN access mode, the UE only selects and registers with SNPN. In addition, when the UE is set to operate in SNPN access mode, the UE does not perform normal PLMN selection procedure. There are two SNPN network selection procedures: an automatic SNPN network selection process and a manual SNPN network selection process.

According to the proposed solution of the present invention, the automatic SNPN selection is improved/adapted, wherein the order of selection is provided SNPN taking into account validity information (configured for localized services) and supported UE/NW capabilities with respect to access to credentials from the credential holder. Thus, by applying the scheme of the present invention, the UE can select and attempt to register on SNPN that provides access to the localized service.

For automatic SNPN network selection, if the UE supports access to SNPN that provides access to localized services and localized service access modes are available (i.e., end users can access localized services), the UE selects and attempts to register with the available SNPN in the following order: (a) If the UE supports access SNPN with credentials from the credential holder, the UE continues to select and attempt to register with available and allowed SNPN, the SNPN broadcasting an indication of access with credentials of the credential holder in the following order: (i) (if there is a SNPN stored and registered, which is the hosted network) the last registered by the UE as either SNPN (i.e., SNPN with validity information) of the hosted network (if the validity information is satisfied) or SNPN equivalent SNPN(s) (if available and the validity information of SNPN of the UE last registered is satisfied); (ii) If validity information is available and satisfied (if there is more than one SNPN available with satisfied validity information, which is satisfied by SNPNs, where SNPNs with validity information is included in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN), then SNPNs of the information with validity in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN (e.g., SNPNs in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN for accessing localized services) (in order of precedence); (iii) SNPNs if validity information is available and is in compliance (if more than one SNPN with validity information is available, the validity information is satisfied by SNPNs, wherein SNPNs additionally broadcasts GINs with validity information and included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder), and SNPNs additionally broadcasts GINs with validity information and included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder (e.g., GINs for accessing localized services included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder) (in order of priority); (b) (if stored and registered SNPN is present, it is the unmanaged network) SNPN (i.e., SNPN does not have validity information) or SNPN equivalent SNPN(s) if available, as the unmanaged network that the UE last registered; (c) Subscribed SNPN, PLMN ID and NID identification (if subscribed SNPN is available) with SUPI and credentials by the UE; (d) SNPNs, which broadcast an indication that access is supported using credentials from the credential holder in the following order: (i) SNPNs (in order of preference) in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN (if more than one SNPN is available in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN) (ii) (if more than one SNPN is available in the prioritized list of credential holder-controlled preferences SNPN) SNPNs (in order of preference) in the prioritized list of credential holder-controlled preferences SNPN; (iii) SNPNs (if more than one SNPN is available in SNPNs, wherein SNPNs additional broadcasts are included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder) the SNPNs additional broadcast GIN is included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder (in order of priority); (iv) SNPNs, (if more than one SNPN is available in SNPNs, with SNPNs extra broadcast SNPN allowing UEs to make registration attempts, the UEs are not explicitly configured to select SNPN) the SNPNs extra broadcast SNPN allowing UEs to make registration attempts, the UEs are not explicitly configured to select SNPN (i.e., the broadcast NID or GIN is not in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferred SNPN/GIN) nor in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferred SNPN/GIN used to access localized services.

Otherwise, if the UE does not support access to SNPN as a hosted network (i.e., the UE does not support access to SNPN that provides access to localized services) or the localized service access mode is not enabled (i.e., the end user cannot access localized services), the UE selects and attempts to register SNPNs available and allowed in the following order: (1) (if there is a SNPN stored and registered, which is an unmanaged network), SNPN (i.e., SNPN with no validity information) or SNPN equivalent SNPN(s) if available, which is the last registered of an unmanaged network for the UE (if SNPN with no validity information is available); (2) Subscription SNPN, which has SUPI and PLMN ID and NID identification of the credential (if subscribed SNPN is available) by the UE (3) if the UE supports access SNPN with the credential from the credential holder, the UE continues to select and attempt to register on available and allowed SNPN, which SNPN broadcasts an indication of support of access with the credential holder's credential in the following order: (i) SNPNs (in order of preference) in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN (if more than one SNPN is available in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN); (ii) SNPNs (in order of priority) in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN (without validity information) (if more than one SNPN is available in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN); (iii) SNPNs (if more than one SNPN is available in SNPNs, with SNPNs additional GINs being included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder) the SNPNs additional GINs (without validity information) being included in the prioritized list of preferred GINs controlled by the credential holder (in order of priority); (iv) SNPNs, (if more than one SNPN is available in SNPNs, with SNPNs additionally broadcasting SNPN an indication that allows UEs to make registration attempts, UEs are not explicitly configured to select SNPN) (i.e., the broadcasted NID or GIN is not in the prioritized list of preferred SNPN/GINs controlled by the UE's credential holder)

Exemplary embodiments of the invention

Fig. 7 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system 700 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Communication system 700 includes a communication device 710 and a network device 720. Each of the communication device 710 and the network device 720 may perform a variety of functions to implement the schemes, techniques, flows, and methods described herein in connection with improvements of SNPN selections for supporting localized services, including the scenarios/schemes described above and the flows 800 described below.

The communication device 710 may be part of an electronic device. The electronic device may be a UE, such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, the communication device 710 may be implemented in a smart phone, a smart watch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing apparatus (e.g., a tablet, laptop, or notebook). The communication device 710 may be part of a machine type device (MACHINE TYPE applications). The machine type device may be an internet of things (Internet of Things, ioT), a narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), or an Industrial IoT (IIoT) device, such as a non-mobile or stationary device, a home device, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, the communication device 710 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. Or the communication device 710 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced-instruction-set-computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors. The communication device 710 may include at least some of the components shown in fig. 7, such as the processor 712. The communication device 710 may further include one or more other components (e.g., an internal power supply, a display device, and/or a user interface device) not related to the proposed solution of the present invention. For simplicity and brevity, one or more other components not related to the foregoing are not depicted in fig. 7, nor described below.

The network device 720 may be part of an electronic device. The electronic device may be a network node, such as a base station, minicell, router, or gateway. For example, network device 720 may be implemented in an eNodeB in an LTE, LTE-Advanced, or LTE-Advanced Pro network, or a gNB in a 5G, NR, ioT, NB-IoT or IIoT network. In particular, network device 720 may be implemented in the form of one or more IC chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more RISC or CISC processors. Network device 720 may include at least some of the components shown in fig. 7, such as processor 722. The network device 720 may further include one or more other components (e.g., an internal power supply, a display device, and/or a user interface device) not related to the proposed solution of the present invention. For simplicity and brevity, one or more other components not related to the foregoing are not depicted in fig. 7, nor described below.

In an aspect, each of processor 712 and processor 722 may be implemented in the form of one or more single core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, although the singular term "processor" is used herein to refer to the processor 712 and the processor 722, each of the processor 712 and the processor 722 may include multiple processors in some embodiments, and may include a single processor in other embodiments, in accordance with the present invention. In another aspect, each of the processors 712 and 722 may be implemented in the form of hardware (and firmware) having electronic components. Electronic components include, for example, but are not limited to, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memory resistors, and/or one or more varactors, configured and arranged to achieve a particular purpose of the present invention. In other words, in at least some implementations, each of processor 712 and processor 722 is a special purpose machine specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks including improvements to automatic SNPN selection to support localized services in devices (e.g., represented by communication device 710) and networks (e.g., represented by network device 720), according to various embodiments of the invention.

In some embodiments, the communication device 710 may also include a transceiver 716 coupled to the processor 712, the transceiver 716 being capable of wirelessly transmitting and wirelessly receiving data. In some embodiments, the communication device 710 may further include a memory 714 coupled to the processor 712, the memory 714 being capable of being accessed by the processor 712 and storing data (e.g., an ID of SNPN last registered, an equivalent SNPN, a prioritized list of preferred SNPN (used to access localized service) controlled by the credential holder, and/or a prioritized list of preferred GINs (used to access localized service) controlled by the credential holder). In some embodiments, the network device 720 may also include a transceiver 726 coupled to the processor 722, the transceiver 726 being capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some embodiments, the network device 720 may further include a memory 724 coupled to the processor 722, the memory 724 being accessible to and capable of storing data by the processor 712. Thus, communication device 710 and network device 720 may communicate wirelessly with each other via transceiver 716 and transceiver 726, respectively. To facilitate a better understanding, the following description provides the operation, functionality, and capabilities of each of the communication device 710 and the network device 720 in the context of a mobile communication environment. In a mobile communication environment, the communication device 710 is implemented in or as a communication device or UE, and the network device 720 is implemented in or as a network node of a communication network.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, processor 712 may determine whether communication device 710 supports access SNPN providing access to localized services and whether the user has access to localized services. Next, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access to SNPN that provides access to the localized service and that the user has access to the localized service, the processor 712 may perform operations comprising: in the event that both the communication device 710 and the selection SNPN support access using credentials from the credential holder and the validity information is satisfied, selecting an available SNPN with validity information (e.g., UE configuration and subscription messages provided from the home network (e.g., subscribed SNPN, PLMN, or credential holder); and attempting to register with the selected SNPN via the transceiver 716.

In some embodiments, the available SNPN with validity information may be selected in the following order: (i) Selecting an available equivalent SNPN having the satisfied validity information and last registered SNPN or last registered SNPN; (ii) Selecting SNPN having satisfied validity information from available SNPNs (e.g., from UE configuration and subscription information) having validity information included in the list of preferences SNPN based on the priority order of the list of preferences SNPN; or (iii) select SNPN from available SNPNs (e.g., from UE configuration and subscription information) based on the priority order of the list of preferred GINs with satisfied validity information, wherein each SNPN of SNPNs broadcasts GINs with validity information and are included in the list of preferred GINs.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service and that the user has access to the localized service, the processor 712 may further perform operations comprising: in the event that selection of available SNPN with validity information fails, the available last registered SNPN or available equivalent SNPN without validity information is selected.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service and that the user has access to the localized service, the processor 712 may further perform operations comprising: in the event that the selection of the last registered SNPN available or the equivalent SNPN available that does not have validity information fails, an available subscription SNPN is selected that is identified by the device with the PLMN ID and NID of the SUPI and credentials.

In some embodiments, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service and that the user has access to the localized service, the processor 712 may further perform operations comprising: in the event that the selection of an available subscription SNPN fails, an available subscription SNPN is selected, which SNPN broadcasts an indication that access is supported using credentials from the credential holder. SNPN are selected in the following order: (i) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN; (ii) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN; (iii) Each SNPN of the available SNPNs in SNPNs broadcasts GINs in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs; (iv) SNPN available, which broadcast SNPN an indication that UEs are allowed to make registration attempts, the UEs are not configured to select SNPN.

In some embodiments, in response to determining SNPN that the communication device 710 does not support access to provide access to the localized service or that the user cannot access the localized service, the processor 712 may further perform operations comprising: selecting SNPN available without validity information; and attempting, via transceiver 716, to register with the selected SNPN.

In some embodiments, selecting SNPN available without validity information may be performed in the following order: (i) Select SNPN available or equivalent SNPN available that was last registered and that does not have validity information; or (ii) select an available subscription SNPN identified by the device with the PLMN ID and NID of the SUPI and credentials.

In some embodiments, in the event that the selection of the last registered available SNPN without validity information, the available equivalent SNPN, or the available subscription SNPN fails and both the communication device 710 and the selected SNPN support access using credentials from the credential holder, SNPN may be selected in the following order: (i) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN; (ii) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN; (iii) Each SNPN of the available SNPNs in SNPNs broadcasts GINs in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs; (iv) SNPN available, which broadcast SNPN an indication that UEs are allowed to make registration attempts, the UEs are not configured to select SNPN.

In some embodiments, the validity information may be satisfied when the validity information includes one of time validity information and location validity information, wherein the time validity information may include at least one duration that matches a current time of the communication device 710, and the location validity information may include at least one geographic location or at least one tracking area (of a list of tracking area identifiers (TRACKING AREA IDENTIFIERS, TAIs) of the serving network) that matches a current location of the communication device 710. For example, time validity information may be mandatory, and location validity information may be optional. The time validity information may be checked first to see if at least one of the one or more durations of the time validity information matches the current time of the communication device 710, and if so, the location validity information is checked to see if at least one of the one or more geographic locations or the one or more tracking areas of the location validity information matches the current location of the communication device 710.

In some embodiments, the selection of the available SNPN with validity information may be performed for automatic network selection.

Illustrative flow

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of an example process 800 according to an embodiment of the invention. The flow 800 may be an embodiment of the above-described scenario/scenario (whether partially or fully) regarding an improvement of the automatic SNPN selection for supporting localized services. The flow 800 may represent one aspect of the implementation of features of the communication device 710. Process 800 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks 810 and 820. Although shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of flowchart 800 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired embodiment. In addition, the blocks of flow 800 may be performed in the order shown in FIG. 8, or in a different order. The process 800 may be implemented by the communication device 710 or any suitable UE or machine type device. For illustrative purposes only and not limitation, the flow 800 is performed by the communication device 710. The flow 800 may begin at block 810.

At 810, the process 800 may involve the processor 712 determining whether the communication device 710 supports access SNPN providing access to the localized service(s) and whether the user can access the localized service(s). Flow 800 may proceed from 810 to 820.

At 820, the process 800 may involve the processor 712 performing operations in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service(s) and that the user can access the localized service(s), the operations comprising: in the event that both the communication device 710 and the selected SNPN (available SNPN) support access using credential(s) from the credential holder and the validity information is satisfied, selecting an available SNPN with validity information (e.g., UE configuration and subscription messages provided from the home network (e.g., subscribed SNPN, PLMN, or credential holder); and attempting to register on the selected SNPN (available SNPN) via the transceiver 716.

In some embodiments, the process 800 may further involve, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service(s) and that the user can access the localized service(s), performing operations by the processor 712 including: in the event that selection of available SNPN with validity information fails, the available last registered SNPN or available equivalent SNPN without validity information is selected.

In some embodiments, the process 800 may further involve, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service(s) and that the user can access the localized service(s), performing operations by the processor 712 including: in the event that selection of the last registered SNPN available or the equivalent available SNPN that does not have validity information fails, an available subscription SNPN identified by the PLMN ID and NID of the device with SUPI and credential(s) is selected from the UE configuration subscription information.

In some embodiments, the process 800 may further involve, in response to determining that the communication device 710 supports access SNPN to provide access to the localized service(s) and that the user can access the localized service(s), performing operations by the processor 712 including: in the event that the selection of an available subscription SNPN fails, an available subscription SNPN is selected, which SNPN broadcasts an indication that access is supported using credential(s) from the credential holder. SNPN are selected in the following order: (i) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN; (ii) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN; (iii) Each SNPN of the available SNPNs in SNPNs broadcasts GINs in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs; or (iv) SNPN available, which broadcasts SNPN an indication that UEs are allowed to make registration attempts, the UEs not being configured to select SNPN.

In some embodiments, the process 800 may further involve, in response to determining that the communication device 710 does not support access to SNPN providing access to the localized service(s) or that the user cannot access the localized service(s), performing operations by the processor 712 comprising: selecting SNPN available without validity information; and attempting, via transceiver 716, to register on the selected SNPN (available SNPN).

In some embodiments, selecting SNPN available without validity information may be performed in the following order: (i) Select SNPN or available equivalents SNPN of the available last registrations without validity information; or (ii) select an available subscription SNPN identified by the PLMN ID and NID of the device with SUPI and credential(s).

In some embodiments, in the event that the selection of the last registered SNPN available, equivalent SNPN available, or subscription SNPN available that does not have validity information fails and both the communication device 710 and the selected SNPN support access using credential(s) from the credential holder, SNPN may be selected in the following order: (i) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of user-controlled preferences SNPN; (ii) Available SNPN in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferences SNPN; (iii) Each SNPN of the available SNPNs in SNPNs broadcasts GINs in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs, wherein the selection is based on the order of priority in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred GINs; or (iv) SNPN available, which broadcasts SNPN an indication that UEs are allowed to make registration attempts, the UEs not being configured to select SNPN.

In some embodiments, the validity information may be satisfied when the validity information includes one of time validity information and location validity information, wherein the time validity information may include at least one duration that matches a current time of the communication device 710 and the location validity information may include at least one geographic location (of the listing of TAIs of the serving network) or at least one tracking area that matches a current location of the communication device 710. For example, time validity information may be mandatory, and location validity information may be optional. The time validity information may be checked first to see if at least one of the one or more durations of the time validity information matches the current time of the communication device 710, and if so, the location validity information is checked to see if at least one of the one or more geographic locations or the one or more tracking areas of the location validity information matches the current location of the communication device 710.

Remarks

The description herein includes different components within or connected to different other components. The architecture described is exemplary only, and may be implemented with many other architectures that achieve the same functionality. Any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Thus, any two component combination that achieves a specified functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably coupled," couplable to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably coupled include, but are not limited to, physically mateable and/or physically interacting components and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting components and/or logically interacting components.

Furthermore, for the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural depending on the context and/or application. For clarity, various singular/plural permutations may be explicitly described herein.

In addition, in general, those skilled in the art will understand that terms used herein, and particularly those terms used in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims), are typically "open" terms, such as the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," and so forth. It will be understood by those with skill in the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an", e.g., "a" and/or "an" are also to be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"; the same holds true for the use of the definite article "the" in introducing a claim recitation. Furthermore, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number, such as the bare recitation of "two" and not other modifiers, as "at least two" or "two or more". Further, in general, where the term "at least one of A, B and C, etc." is used similarly, such term is intended to be understood by one skilled in the art, such as "a system having at least one of A, B and C" would include, but not be limited to, a alone a, B alone, C, A and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc. In general, where the term "at least one of A, B or C, etc." is used similarly, such term is intended to be understood by one skilled in the art, such as "a system having at least one of A, B or C" would include, but not be limited to, a alone a, B alone, C, A and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in the art that virtually any alternative word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one, either or both. For example, the phrase "a or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "a" or "B" or "a and B".

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. The various embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered in a limiting sense, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for improving automatic independent non-public network selection, comprising:

A processor of an apparatus determining whether the apparatus has access to a separate non-public network providing access to a plurality of localized services, and whether a user has access to the plurality of localized services; and

In response to determining that the device has access to the independent non-public network providing the access to the plurality of localized services, and that the user has access to the plurality of localized services, the processor performs a plurality of operations comprising:

selecting an available independent non-public network having validity information if the validity information is satisfied, wherein the device and the available independent non-public network are both provided with an access using a plurality of credentials from a credential holder; and

Attempting to register on the available independent non-public network.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor selects the available independent non-public network with the validity information in the following order:

selecting an available equivalent independent non-public network having the validity information satisfied and a last registered independent non-public network or the last registered independent non-public network;

Selecting an independent non-public network having the validity information satisfied from a plurality of available independent non-public networks having the validity information included in a list of preferred independent non-public networks based on a priority order of the list of preferred independent non-public networks; or alternatively

Selecting an independent non-public network having the validity information satisfied from the plurality of available independent non-public networks based on a priority order of a list of preferred network selected group identifiers, wherein each of the plurality of available independent non-public networks broadcasts a network selected group identifier having the validity information and included in the list of preferred network selected group identifiers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the operations further comprise:

In the event that the selection of the independent non-public network with the validity information fails, an available last registered independent non-public network or an available equivalent independent non-public network without the validity information is selected.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the operations further comprise:

In the event of failure to select the available last registered independent non-public network or the available equivalent independent non-public network without the validity information, an available subscription independent non-public network identified by a public land mobile network identifier and a network identifier of the device with a subscription identifier and a plurality of credentials is selected.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the operations further comprise:

In the event that the selection of the available subscription independent non-public network fails, selecting an available independent non-public network broadcast with an indication of access using the plurality of credentials from the credential holder;

Wherein the available independent non-public networks are selected in the following order:

The available independent non-public networks in a prioritized list of user-controlled, preferably independent non-public networks, wherein the selection is based on a priority order in the prioritized list of user-controlled, preferably independent non-public networks;

The available independent non-public networks in a prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred independent non-public networks, wherein selection is based on a priority order in the prioritized list of credential holders controlled preferred independent non-public networks;

The available independent non-public networks in a plurality of independent non-public networks, each independent non-public network in the plurality of independent non-public networks broadcasting a network selected group identifier in a prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferred network selected group identifiers, wherein selection is based on a priority order in the prioritized list of credential holder controlled preferred network selected group identifiers; or alternatively

The available independent non-public network broadcasts an indication that the independent non-public network allows registration attempts to be made by a plurality of clients that are not configured to select the independent non-public network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

In response to determining that the device does not have access to the independent non-public network providing the access to the plurality of localized services or that the user cannot access the plurality of localized services, the processor selects an available independent non-public network that does not have the validity information; and attempting to register on the selected independent non-public network.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein selecting the available independent non-public network without the validity information is performed in the following order:

selecting an available last registered independent non-public network or an available equivalent independent non-public network that does not have the validity information; or alternatively

An available subscription independent non-public network identified by a public land mobile network identifier and a network identifier of the device having a subscription identifier and a plurality of credentials is selected.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein in the event that the selection of the available last registered independent non-public network without the validity information, the available equivalent independent non-public network, or the available subscription independent non-public network fails and the device and the selected independent non-public network are both provided with the access using the plurality of credentials from the credential holder, the available independent non-public network is selected in the following order:

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the validity information is satisfied when the validity information includes one of time validity information and location validity information, the time validity information includes at least one duration that matches a current time of the device, and the location validity information includes at least one geographic location or at least one tracking area that matches a current location of the device.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of the available independent non-public network with the availability information is performed for an automatic network selection.

11. An apparatus for improving automatic independent non-public network selection, comprising:

a transceiver for wireless communication with one or more independent non-public networks; and

A processor, coupled to the transceiver, for performing the following operations:

Determining whether the device has access to an independent non-public network providing access to a plurality of localized services, and whether a user has access to the plurality of localized services; and

In response to determining that the device has access to the independent non-public network providing the access to the plurality of localized services and that the user has access to the plurality of localized services, performing a plurality of operations comprising:

Selecting an available independent non-public network having validity information if both the device and the available independent non-public network have an access using a plurality of credentials from a credential holder and the validity information is satisfied; and

Attempting to register on the available independent non-public network.