EP4740643A1

EP4740643A1 - Method and system for identifying a user-equipment location associated with an in-roamer user-equipment

Info

Publication number: EP4740643A1
Application number: EP24835599.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Sandeep Bisht; Aayush Bhatnagar; Pradeep Kumar Bhatnagar; Anurag Sinha; Ezaj Ansari; Ravindra Yadav; Prashant Pandey; Anuj Patel
Original assignee: Jio Platforms Ltd
Current assignee: Jio Platforms Ltd
Priority date: 2023-07-04
Filing date: 2024-06-11
Publication date: 2026-05-13
Also published as: WO2025008877A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and a system for identifying a User-Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE. The disclosure encompasses: identifying, by an identification unit [102], an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least an Unified Data Management (UDM); generating, by a generation unit [104], a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message; transmitting, by a transceiver unit [106] to at least one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) [312] unit in the first network, the transformed registration message; and identifying, by the identification unit [102] via at least one of the IIRR unit [314] and the UDR unit [312] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A USER-EQUIPMENT EOCATION ASSOCIATED WITH AN IN-ROAMER USER-EQUIPMENT

FIEED OF THE DISCEOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of wireless communication systems. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for determining a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE.

BACKGROUND

The following description of related art is intended to provide background information pertaining to the field of the disclosure. This section may include certain aspects of the art that may be related to various features of the present disclosure. However, it should be appreciated that this section be used only to enhance the understanding of the reader with respect to the present disclosure, and not as admissions of prior art.

Wireless communication technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, with each generation bringing significant improvements and advancements. The first generation of wireless communication technology was based on analog technology and offered only voice services. However, with the advent of the second-generation (2G) technology, digital communication and data services became possible, and text messaging was introduced. The third generation (3G) technology marked the introduction of high-speed internet access, mobile video calling, and location-based services. The fourth generation (4G) technology revolutionized wireless communication with faster data speeds, better network coverage, and improved security. Currently, the fifth generation (5G) technology is being deployed, promising even faster data speeds, low latency, and the ability to connect multiple devices simultaneously. With each generation, wireless communication technology has become more advanced, sophisticated, and capable of delivering more services to its users.

In existing 5G systems, the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) plays a role in extracting subscriber's precise location. This is done by accessing information such as the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) address or instance ID from the home Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) User Data Management (UDM). Further in the existing 5G deployment, an international in-roamer subscriber refers to users who are accessing a mobile network while traveling internationally. These subscribers are essentially roaming on a foreign network, typically outside of their home country's network coverage area. When they use their mobile devices abroad, they connect to a foreign/ visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) instead of their home PLMN. This roaming service allows subscribers to maintain connectivity and access to voice, text, and data services while traveling outside their home country.

There are strict rules from regulatory bodies about sharing location data for international travelers using mobile networks. Hence, the operators must only share this information when asked, which can be tricky. It is essential for the operators also to be careful about sharing sensitive location data due to security concerns.

Further, over the period of time various solutions have been developed to improve the performance of communication devices and determining a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE. However, there are certain challenges with existing solutions. Firstly, the current approach relies on the GMLC fetching the AMF address or instance ID from the home Public Land Mobile Network's (PLMN) User Data Management (UDM) system. This information is essential for accurately determining the location of the subscriber within the network. By accessing this data, the GMLC can effectively track and pinpoint the exact location of the subscriber, enabling various location-based services and functionalities within the 5G network. This process introduces latency and dependency on network connectivity, potentially leading to delays and inaccuracies in locating the subscriber. Secondly, for International In-Roamer subscribers, the requirement to provide location information on an ask basis poses a challenge. Existing systems lack a robust mechanism to efficiently retrieve and share location data for these subscribers without compromising security. Moreover, International Operators are understandably concerned about exposing location information services to other operators due to the inherent risks associated with privacy breaches and unauthorized access. These limitations emphasize the need for an improved system that overcomes these technical challenges while ensuring secure and efficient provision of location information for International In-Roamer subscribers in compliance with regulatory requirements.

Thus, there exists an imperative need in the art to optimise determining a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, which the present disclosure aims to address. OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment disclosed herein satisfies are listed herein below.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a system and a method for determining a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE.

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution that generates a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message.

It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a solution to determines the UE location associated with an in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

It is yet another object of the disclosure to enable the visited PLMN to determine location without depending to home PLMN to provide location service at their UDM.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

This section is provided to introduce certain aspects of the present disclosure in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify the key features or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

An aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a method for identifying a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE. The method comprises identifying, by an identification unit at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) server in the first network, an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least the Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the first network. The method further comprises generating, by a generation unit at the server, a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message . The method further comprises transmitting, by a transceiver unit at the SCP server to at least one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit in the first network, the transformed registration message. The method further comprises identifying, by the identification unit at the SCP server via at least one of the the IIRR unit and the UDR unit in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message. In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method also comprises storing the transformed registration message in a storage unit.

In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the method also comprises storing an instance identification (ID) associated with an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the first network at a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with the first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, identifying the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message further comprises receiving, by the transceiver unit at the SCP server in the first network from a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC), a location retrieve request associated with the in-roamer UE; transmitting, by the transceiver unit at the SCP server to the IIRR unit in the first network the location retrieve request; and receiving, by the transceiver unit at the SCP server from the IIRR unit in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE.

In an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE comprises at least the instance ID associated with the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) of the first network based on the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a system for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, the system is configured at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) server. The system further comprises an identification unit configured to identify an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least a Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the first network. The system further comprises a generation unit connected to at least the identification unit; the generation unit configured to generate a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message. The system further comprises a transceiver unit connected to at least the generation unit. The transceiver unit is configured to transmit, to at least one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit in the first network, the transformed registration message. Further the identification unit is further configured to identify, via at least one of the IIRR unit and the UDR unit in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

Another aspect of the present disclosure may relate to a non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instruction for identifying a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an inroamer UE. The storage medium comprising executable code which, when executed by one or more units, causes the one or more units to identify an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least an Unified Data Management (UDM) associated with the first network; generate a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message; transmit to at least one of an international inroamer register unit (IIRR unit) and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit in the first network, the transformed registration message; and identify the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein, and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the disclosed methods and systems in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings. Components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Some drawings may indicate the components using block diagrams and may not represent the internal circuitry of each component. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings includes disclosure of electrical components, electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary block diagram representation of 5th generation core (5GC) network architecture.

FIG. IB illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system for identifying a a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG.2 illustrates an exemplary method flow diagram indicating the process for identifying a a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary diagram of system architecture for identifying a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device upon which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented.

The foregoing shall be more apparent from the following more detailed description of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only some of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be frilly addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth. It should be noted that the terms "mobile device", "user equipment", "user device", “communication device,” “device” and similar terms are used interchangeably for the purpose of describing the disclosure. These terms are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure or imply any specific functionality or limitations on the described embodiments. The use of these terms is solely for convenience and clarity of description. The disclosure is not limited to any particular type of device or equipment, and it should be understood that other equivalent terms or variations thereof may be used interchangeably without departing from the scope of the disclosure as defined herein.

Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.

Also, it is noted that individual embodiments may be described as a process which is depicted as a flowchart, a flow diagram, a data flow diagram, a structure diagram, or a block diagram. Although a flowchart may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process is terminated when its operations are completed but could have additional steps not included in a figure.

In addition, each block may indicate some of modules, segments, or codes including one or more executable instructions for executing a specific logical fiinction(s). Further, functions mentioned in the blocks occur regardless of a sequence in some alternative embodiments. For example, two blocks that are contiguously illustrated may be simultaneously performed in fact or be performed in a reverse sequence depending on corresponding functions.

One or more modules, units, components used herein may be software modules configured via hardware modules/processor, or hardware processors, the processors being a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc.

Herein, the term "unit" indicates software or hardware components, such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) and an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). However, the meaning of the "unit" is not limited to software or hardware. For example, a "unit" may be configured to be in a storage medium that may be addressed and may also be configured to be reproduced one or more processor. Accordingly, a "unit" may include components such as software components, object-oriented software components, class components, and task components and processors, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuit, data, database, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables. The functions provided in the components and the "units" may be combined with a smaller number of components, and the "units" or may be further separated into additional components and "units". In addition, the components and the "units" may also be implemented to reproduce one or more central processing units (CPUs) within a device or a security multimedia card.

The word “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. For the avoidance of doubt, the subject matter disclosed herein is not limited by such examples. In addition, any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” and/or “demonstrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs, nor is it meant to preclude equivalent exemplary structures and techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms “includes,” “has,” “contains,” and other similar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive — in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as an open transition word — without precluding any additional or other elements.

As used herein, an “electronic device,” or “portable electronic device,” or “user device” or “communication device” or “user equipment” or “device” refers to any electrical, electronic, electromechanical, and computing device. The user device is capable of receiving and/or transmitting one or parameters, performing function/s, communicating with other user devices and/or systems, transmitting data to the other user devices/or systems. The user equipment may have a processor, a display, a memory, a battery and an input-means such as a hard keypad and/or a soft keypad. The user equipment may be capable of operating on any radio access technology including but not limited to IP-enabled communication, Zig Bee, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Near Field Communication, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi direct, etc. For instance, the user equipment may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, smartphone, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, laptop, a general-purpose computer, desktop, personal digital assistant, tablet computer, mainframe computer, or any other device as may be obvious to a person skilled in the art for implementation of the features of the present disclosure.

Further, the user device may also comprise a “processor” or “processing unit” includes processing unit, wherein processor refers to any logic circuitry for processing instructions. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a special purpose processor, a conventional processor, a digital signal processor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, Application Specific Integrated Circuits, Field Programmable Gate Array circuits, any other type of integrated circuits, etc. The processor may perform signal coding data processing, input/output processing, and/or any other functionality that enables the working of the system according to the present disclosure. More specifically, the processor is a hardware processor.

As portable electronic devices and wireless technologies continue to improve and grow in popularity, the advancing wireless technologies for data transfer are also expected to evolve and replace the older generations of technologies. In the field of wireless data communications, the dynamic advancement of various generations of cellular technology are also seen. The development, in this respect, has been incremental in the order of second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and now fifth generation (5G), and more such generations are expected to continue in the forthcoming time.

Hereinafter, terms identifying an access node, terms indicating network entities, terms indicating messages, terms indicating an interface between network entities, and terms indicating various pieces of identification information, as used in the following description, are exemplified for convenience of explanation. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited to terms to be described below, and other terms indicating objects having equal technical meanings may be used.

Radio Access Technology (RAT) refers to the technology used by mobile devices/ user equipment (UE) to connect to a cellular network. It refers to the specific protocol and standards that govern the way devices communicate with base stations, which are responsible for providing the wireless connection. Further, each RAT has its own set of protocols and standards for communication, which define the frequency bands, modulation techniques, and other parameters used for transmitting and receiving data. Examples of RATs include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), UTE (Eong-Term Evolution), and 5G. The choice of RAT depends on a variety of factors, including the network infrastructure, the available spectrum, and the mobile device's/device's capabilities. Mobile devices often support multiple RATs, allowing them to connect to different types of networks and provide optimal performance based on the available network resources.

In the context of the present disclosure, an "In-roamer" refers to a subscriber of a telecommunications network who is currently roaming in a foreign or visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) while maintaining their home PLMN subscription. In other words, an In-roamer is a subscriber who is physically located outside their home PLMN's coverage area but is utilizing the services of a visited PLMN. The In-roamer may be an individual or an entity, such as a mobile device user or a connected loT (Internet of Things) device, respectively. The term "In-roamer" may specifically pertain to subscribers within the 5G system architecture and encompasses both domestic and international roaming scenarios.

A Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) refers to a wireless telecommunications network that provides mobile communication services to the public within a specific geographical area. PLMN encompasses various infrastructure components, including base stations, mobile switching centres, and other network elements, to facilitate voice and data communication services for mobile subscribers. These networks are typically operated by licensed telecommunication operators and may cover urban, suburban, and rural areas to ensure widespread coverage and connectivity for mobile users. PLMNs adhere to standardized protocols and specifications to enable interoperability between different network elements and ensure seamless communication for mobile subscribers, regardless of their location within the network coverage area.

As discussed in the background section, the current known solutions for determining a UE location associated with an in-roamer UE have several shortcomings such as the reliance on the Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC) to fetch the Access and Mobility Management function (AMF) [302] address or instance ID from the home Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) User Data Management (UDM) [308] to determine the subscriber's location. This dependency introduces latency and potential points of failure, hindering real-time and accurate location determination. Furthermore, the existing systems face challenges when it comes to International In-Roamer subscribers. The requirement to provide location information on an ask basis poses difficulties in efficiently retrieving and sharing the required data. Additionally, concerns about data security and privacy have led International Operators to hesitate in exposing location information services to other operators. These shortcomings highlight the need for an enhanced system that addresses these limitations, enabling efficient and secure provision of location information for In-roamer subscribers while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements.

The present disclosure aims to overcome the above-mentioned and other existing problems in this field of technology by introducing a novel solution that includes identification of an in-roamer UE associated with a network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least a Unified Data Management (UDM). Further, a transformed registration message is generated based on the UE registration message. Further the transformed registration message is transmitted to at least one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] and lastly, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message is identified based on the transformed registration message. This innovative solution enhances the accuracy and reliability of tracking UE locations, streamlines the registration process, and facilitates seamless connectivity for international roaming users.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1A, an exemplary block diagram representation of 5th generation core (5GC) network architecture is shown. As shown in FIG. 1A, the 5GC network architecture [101] includes a user equipment (UE) [101a], a radio access network (RAN) [101b], a 5G Core Network and a Data Network (DN) [10 Ip], The 5G Core Network includes an access and mobility management function (AMF) [101c], a Session Management Function (SMF) [10 Id], a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [10 le], an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [lOlf], a Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [101g], a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [lOlh], a Network Exposure Function (NEF) [lOli], a Network Repository Function (NRF) [lOlj], a Policy Control Function (PCF) [101k], a Unified Data Management (UDM) [1011], an application function (AF) [101m], and a User Plane Function (UPF) [101n],

The User Equipment (UE) [101a] interfaces with the network via the Radio Access Network (RAN) [101b]. The RAN [101b] in the 5G architecture is also called as New Radio or nG-RAN, and these terms may be interchangeably used herein. Radio Access Network (RAN) [101b] is the part of a mobile telecommunications system that connects user equipment (UE) [101a] to the core network (CN) and provides access to different types of networks (e.g., 5G, LTE). It consists of radio base stations and the radio access technologies that enable wireless communication.

The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [101c] manages connectivity and mobility. When a UE [101a] is active, i.e. it is interacting with the 5G network, e.g., by using data/ call functionalities, the AMF [101c] knows and maintains the location of the UE [101a] within the network. The AMF [101c] is configured to maintain the tracking area or registration area of the UE [101a], in case the UE is inactive. The AMF [ 10 lc]is configured to communicate with other network functions/ elements such as the Session Management Function (SMF) [lOld], etc. to ensure that the UE [101a] is allowed and is able to avail the services by the network.

Particularly, the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [101c] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing access and mobility aspects, such as UE registration, connection, and reachability etc. It also handles mobility management procedures like handovers and paging.

The Session Management Function (SMF) [10 Id] is a 5G core network function responsible for managing session-related aspects, such as establishing, modifying, and releasing sessions. It coordinates with the User Plane Function (UPF) for data forwarding and handles IP address allocation and QoS enforcement.

The Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [lOle] is a network function in the 5G core that facilitates communication between other network functions by providing a secure and efficient messaging service. It acts as a mediator for service-based interfaces.

The Authentication Server Function (AUSF) [lOlf] is a network function in the 5G core responsible for authenticating UEs during registration and providing security services. It generates and verifies authentication vectors and tokens.

The Network Slice Specific Authentication and Authorization Function (NSSAAF) [101g] is a network function that provides authentication and authorization services specific to network slices. It ensures that UEs can access only the slices for which they are authorized. The Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) [lOlh] is a network function responsible for selecting the appropriate network slice for a UE based on factors such as subscription, requested services, and network policies.

The Network Exposure Function (NEF) [lOli] is a network function that exposes capabilities and services of the 5G network to external applications, enabling integration with third-party services and applications.

The Network Repository Function (NRF) [10 Ij] is a network function that acts as a central repository for information about available network functions and services. It facilitates the discovery and dynamic registration of network functions.

The Policy Control Function (PCF) [101k] is a network function responsible for policy control decisions, such as QoS, charging, and access control, based on subscriber information and network policies.

The Unified Data Management (UDM) [1011] is a network function that centralizes the management of subscriber data, including authentication, authorization, and subscription information.

The Application Function (AF) [101m] is a network function that represents external applications interfacing with the 5G core network to access network capabilities and services.

The User Plane Function (UPF) [10 In] is a network function responsible for handling user data traffic, including packet routing, forwarding, and QoS enforcement.

The Data Network (DN) [10 Ip] represents external networks or services that users connect to through the mobile network, such as the internet or enterprise networks.

Referring to FIG. IB, an exemplary block diagram of a system [100] for identifying a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE is shown, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The system [100] for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE is configured at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304] server. The system [100] further comprises an identification unit [102], a generation unit [104], a transceiver unit [106], and a storage unit [108], Also, all of the components/ units of the system [100] are assumed to be connected to each other unless otherwise indicated below. Also, in FIG. IB only a few units are shown, however, the system [100] may comprise multiple such units or the system [100] may comprise any such numbers of said units, as required to implement the features of the present disclosure. The system [100] may be independent of but in communication with the user device (may also referred herein as a UE). In another implementation, the system [100] may reside in a server or a network entity. In yet another implementation, the system [100] may reside partly in the server/ network entity and partly in the user device. For ease of reference, FIG. IB depicts units/components of the system [100] by way of representation of blocks and FIG. IB does not represent the internal circuitry or connections of each component/unit of the system [100], It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that disclosure of such drawings/block diagrams includes disclosure of electrical components and connections between said electronic components, and electronic components or circuitry commonly used to implement such components.

The system [100] is configured for identifying a User Equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, with the help of the interconnection between the components/units of the system [100],

Further, in accordance with the present disclosure, it is to be acknowledged that the functionality described for the various the components/units can be implemented interchangeably. While specific embodiments may disclose a particular functionality of these units for clarity, it is recognized that various configurations and combinations thereof are within the scope of the disclosure. The functionality of specific units as disclosed in the disclosure should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Consequently, alternative arrangements and substitutions of units, provided they achieve the intended functionality described herein, are considered to be encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

The identification unit [102] of the system [100] is configured to identify, at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304] in the first network, an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least the Unified Data Management (UDM) [308] associated with the first network.

The present disclosure encompasses that the UE registration message include one or more request headers and a request data. Further, a path value and a 3gpp-sbi-Discovery-target-plmn header value are used to identify the in-Roamer UE registration message. Furthermore, in an implementation of the present disclosure, public land mobile network (PLMN) associated with the operator in the 3gpp-sbi-Discovery-target-plmn header and the 7{UEID}/registrations/amf-3gpp- access’ in a path header is utilised to identify In-Roamer UE registration at the Service Communication Proxy (SCP).

For example, a user is traveling to abroad and decides to use the UE such as smart phone upon which a registration message is send to a local network where the user is currently present. Now, if the user resides at location A and is traveling to location B, so in this scenario the identification unit [102] in the location B identifies the UE of the user as an “in-roamer” associated with a network of location A. Hence, the identification unit [102] helps a network of location B to recognize that the user is a visitor from another network.

Further, the generation unit [104] is connected to at least the identification unit [102] and the generation unit [104] configured to generate a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message identified by the identification unit [102], For example, when the user is traveling abroad a registration message is send to a network. This registration message may include basic information about the user’s device and network. The generation unit [104] transforms this registration message by adding one or more additional details or formatting specific to a visited network.

The present disclosure encompasses that the registration message is transformed by concatenating in-roamer UE registration message with the response received from the UDM associated with the other operator. Further, “request_” and “response_” is prefixed to the one or more header names of an original request message and a response message. The prefixed headers are added to a POST request sent to international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] . Request and Response message body are inserted into JSON body of the POST request message sent to an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314],

Further, the transceiver unit [ 106] is connected at least to the generation unit [104], The transceiver unit [106] is configured to transmit to one of the international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] in the first network, the transformed registration message. Further, the present disclosure encompasses that a subscriber information such as a UE location may be updated in the storage unit [108] based on the transformed registration message. Further, in accordance with the present disclosure as disclosed herein, the system [100] comprises a storage unit [108] configured to store the transformed registration message.

Furthermore, the identification unit [102] is further configured to identify, via one of the IIRR unit [314] and the UDR unit [312] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

The present disclosure encompasses that the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE comprises at least an instance ID associated with the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network based on the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

The present disclosure encompasses that to identify the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message, the transceiver unit [106] is further configured to receive, from a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) [310], a location retrieve request associated with the in-roamer UE. The transceiver unit [106] is further configured to transmit to the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the location retrieve request. The transceiver unit [106] is further configured to receive from the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE.

For example, the identification unit [102] determines the location of the User Equipment (UE) associated with the in-roamer based on the modified registration message. To achieve this, the transceiver unit [106] is additionally configured to receive a location retrieval request from the GMLC [310] pertaining to the in-roaming UE. Subsequently, the transceiver unit [106] transmits this location retrieval request to either the International In-Roaming Record (IIRR) unit [314] or the Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] within the first network. Upon receiving the request, the IIRR unit [314] (or UDR unit [312]) provides the transceiver unit [106] with the location of the UE associated with the in-roamer.

Referring to FIG. 2, an exemplary method flow diagram [200] for determining a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. In an implementation the method [200] is performed by the system [100], Further, in an implementation, the system [100] may be present in a server device to implement the features of the present disclosure. Also, as shown in FIG. 2, the method [200] starts at step [202] . At step [204], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises identifying, by an identification unit [102] at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304] in the first network, an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least the Unified Data Management (UDM) [308] associated with the first network. The present enclosure encompasses that the method further comprises storing an instance identification (ID) associated with an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network at a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with the first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

For example, a user is traveling to abroad and decides to use the UE such as smart phone upon which a registration message is send to a local network where the user is currently present. Now, if the user resides at location A and is traveling to location B, so in this scenario the identification unit [102] server in the location B identifies the UE of the user as an “in-roamer” associated with a network of location A. Hence, the identification unit [102] helps a network of location B to recognize that the user is a visitor from another network.

At step [206], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises generating, by generation unit [104], a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message. For example, when the user is traveling abroad a registration message is send to a network. This registration message may include basic information about the user’s device and network. The generation unit [104] transform this registration message by adding one or more additional details or formatting specific to a visited network.

At step [208], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises transmitting, by a transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server to one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] in the first network, the transformed registration message. The present disclosure encompasses that storing the transformed registration message in a storage unit [108],

At step [210], the method [200] as disclosed by the present disclosure comprises identifying, by the identification unit [102] at the SCP [304] server via one of the IIRR unit [314] and the UDR unit [312] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message. The present invention encompasses that for identifying the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message, the method further comprises, receiving, by the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server in the first network from a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) [310], a location retrieve request associated with the in-roamer UE. The method further comprises transmitting, by the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server to the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the location retrieve request; and receiving, by the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server from the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE.

The present invention encompasses that the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE comprises at least the instance ID associated with the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network based on the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

For example, the location of the User Equipment (UE) associated with the in-roamer is identified via the identification unit [102] based on the modified registration message. To achieve this, the transceiver unit [106] receives a location retrieval request from the GMLC [310] pertaining to the in-roaming UE. Subsequently, the transceiver unit [106] transmits this location retrieval request to either the International In-Roaming Record (IIRR) unit [314] or the Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] within the first network. Upon receiving the request, the IIRR unit [314] (or UDR unit [312]) provides the transceiver unit [106] with the location of the UE associated with the in-roamer.

Thereafter, the method terminates at step (212).

Referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary 5G network architecture diagram [200] with implementation of system and method for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE is shown, in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The 5G network architecture comprise of a one Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302], a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304], a Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP) [306], a Unified Data Management (UDM) [308], a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) [310], a Unified Data Repository (UDR) [312], an International In-Roamer Register (IIRR) [314] and a Common Application Programming Interface Framework (CAPIF) [316],

The AMF [302] is responsible for managing access to the 5G network, including authentication, mobility management, and session management for user devices. The SCP [304] acts as an intermediary for communication between different network functions, facilitating service delivery and ensuring efficient communication within the network.

The SEPP [306] is a security function responsible for protecting the edge of the network from various security threats, including unauthorized access, data breaches, and malware attacks.

The UDM [308] is a centralized database responsible for storing and managing user-related data, including subscriber profiles, authentication information, and service subscriptions.

The GMLC [310] is a network entity responsible for providing location-based services, including tracking the geographic location of mobile devices within the network for various applications such as emergency services and asset tracking.

The UDR [312] is a centralized repository for storing and managing network-related data, including policy rules, charging information, and subscriber profiles, to support various network functions and services.

The IIRR [314] is a database or register that stores information related to international in-roaming subscribers, facilitating seamless connectivity and service delivery for subscribers roaming between different networks.

The CAPIF [316] is an interface function that facilitates the separation of control and user plane functionalities within the network architecture, enabling greater flexibility, scalability, and efficiency in network management and service delivery.

As shown in FIG. 3, an initial registration process comprises sending registration-related information from AMF [302] to the SCP [304], The SCP [304] communicates with the UDM [308] of the user home operator through the SEPP [306] and provide relevant location information. Simultaneously, the SCP [304] updates subscriber information in the International In-Roamer Register (IIRR) [314] and/or the UDR [312] by sending a transformed message to the IIRR [314] and/or the UDR [312], The SCP [304] communicates with the SEPP [306] within the local network to facilitate message routing and ensure security. The SEPP [306] in the local network establishes communication with the SEPP [306] in the foreign network. The SEPP [306] in the foreign network communicates with the UDM [308] to complete the registration process and grant access to network services for the international in-roamer subscriber.

Further, an on-demand location query process involves one or more regulatory officials that initiate an on-demand location query by communicating via the CAPIF [316] with the GMLC [310] for receiving a location information for a specific subscriber. The CAPIF [316] facilitates communication with relevant network components to retrieve the requested location information. The GMLC [310] receives the location information from the network components and provides it to the regulatory officials, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

The solution provided by the present disclosure is performed at the SCP [304] which is used for selection and routing of messages. The SCP [304] filters the intended packet (registration request to other Operator UDM) and transform the request message in such a way that it can be directly used as response for retrieving the location request which is transmitted by the GMLC [310], As the SCP [304] have request one or more messages coming for various other subscriber (such as local subscriber, national roaming subscriber) along with different procedures, filtering is required at SCP [304] to forward only a desired packet to IIRR [314],

Further, as disclosed by the present disclosure, the SCP [304] to filter the intended packet (registration request to other Operator UDM) and transform the request message, the present disclosure encompasses filtering one or more request headers and a request data from the UE registration message, a path value and a 3gpp-sbi-Discovery-target-plmn header value to identify the in-Roamer UE registration message. Furthermore, in an implementation of the present disclosure, public land mobile network (PLMN) associated with the operator in the 3gpp-sbi- Discovery-target-plmn header and the 7{UEID}/registrations/amf-3gpp-access’ in the path header may also be utilised to identify In-Roamer UE registration at the Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304],

Post message identification & transformation, the SCP [304] forwards that message to IIRR [314] or UDR [312], Further, the Post message identification & Transformation, the SCP [304] forwards that request message to one of an International In-Roamer Register (IIRR) [314] or UDR [312] on receiving the request and stores the required details in the storage unit [108], The SCP [304] thus, forwards the location retrieve request received from GMLC [310] for international In-Roamer subscriber towards International In-Roamer Register instead of SEPP [306] (To further route to other PLMN UDM). The International In-Roamer Register [314] or UDR [312] responds to the SCP [304] with location details containing AMF [302] Instance ID in a same way the UDM have done.

For example, a user traveling from location A, arrives in location B. The smart phone of the user automatically sends the registration message to the UDM [308] of home network in location B. Further the identification unit [102] at the SCP [304] server in location B identifies user’s smartphone as an in-roamer UE associated with the location A’s network based on this registration message. Thereafter, the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server sends the transformed registration message to both the International In-Roamer Register (IIRR) unit [314] and the Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] in location B. Further by utilizing the transformed registration message, the identification unit [102] at the SCP [304] server accesses information from the IIRR unit [314] or the UDR unit [312] to determine smartphone's location within location B. The identification unit [102] successfully identifies location of the smart phone in location B, thereby ensuring seamless network connectivity and service provision during her international travels. In this scenario, the method [200] and system [100] of present disclosure effectively identifies user’s location in location B, enabling the user to access network services without interruption while roaming internationally.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a computing device [1000] upon which an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented. In an implementation, the computing device [1000] implements the method [200] for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE using the system [100], In another implementation, the computing device [1000] itself implements the method [200] for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE using one or more units configured within the computing device [1000], wherein said one or more units are capable of implementing the features as disclosed in the present disclosure.

The computing device [1000] may include a bus [1002] or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a hardware processor [1004] coupled with bus [1002] for processing information. The hardware processor [1004] may be, for example, a general -purpose microprocessor. The computer system [1000] may also include a main memory [1006], such as a random-access memory (RAM), or other dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus [1002] for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor [1004], The main memory [1006] also may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of the instructions to be executed by the processor [1004], Such instructions, when stored in non-transitory storage media accessible to the processor [1004], render the computer system [1000] into a special -purpose machine that is customized to perform the operations specified in the instructions. The computer system [1000] further includes a read only memory (ROM) [1008] or other static storage device coupled to the bus [1002] for storing static information and instructions for the processor [1004],

A storage device [1010], such as a magnetic disk, optical disk, or solid-state drive is provided and coupled to the bus [1002] for storing information and instructions. The computer system [1000] may be coupled via the bus [1002] to a display [1012], such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), for displaying information to a computer user. An input device [1014], including alphanumeric and other keys, may be coupled to the bus [1002] for communicating information and command selections to the processor [1004], Another type of user input device may be a cursor control [1016], such as a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor [1004], and for controlling cursor movement on the display [1012], This input device typically has two degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second axis (e.g., y), that allow the device to specify positions in a plane.

The computer system [1000] may implement the techniques described herein using customized hard-wired logic, one or more ASICs or FPGAs, firmware and/or program logic which in combination with the computer system [1000] causes or programs the computer system [1000] to be a special -purpose machine. According to one embodiment, the techniques herein are performed by the computer system [1000] in response to the processor [1004] executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in the main memory [1006], Such instructions may be read into the main memory [1006] from another storage medium, such as the storage device [1010], Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory [1006] causes the processor [1004] to perform the process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions.

The computer system [1000] also may include a communication interface [1018] coupled to the bus [1002], The communication interface [1018] provides a two-way data communication coupling to a network link [1020] that is connected to a local network [1022], Also, the local network [1022] is further connected to a host [1024], The host [1024] is a computer or a similar device which is connected to the local network [1022] and works as a server for delivering one or more information resources, one or more services and one or more application to one or more user in the network. For example, the communication interface [1018] may be an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, cable modem, satellite modem, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. As another example, the communication interface [1018] may be a local area network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN. Wireless links may also be implemented. In any such implementation, the communication interface [1018] sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams representing various types of information.

The computer system [1000] can send messages and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link [1020] and the communication interface 1018. In the Internet example, a server [1030] might transmit a requested code for an application program through the Internet [1028], the ISP [1026], the Host [1024], the local network [1022] and the communication interface [1018], The received code may be executed by the processor [1004] as it is received, and/or stored in the storage device 1010, or other non-volatile storage for later execution.

As is evident from the above, the present disclosure provides a technically advanced solution by enabling visited Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) to independently determine the location of a roaming user equipment (UE) without relying on the home PLMN to provide location services through their Unified Data Management (UDM) [308], By generating a transformed registration message within the SCP [304], the present solution eliminates the need for constant communication with the home PLMN for location information. This not only reduces the dependency on external entities but also improves the efficiency and responsiveness of the visited PLMN. The technical advantage lies in the ability to perform location determination autonomously within the network, thereby streamlining the process, reducing latency, and enhancing the overall user experience for international roaming users. Additionally, this solution ensures seamless connectivity and uninterrupted services by eliminating potential delays and limitations associated with relying on the home PLMN for location services.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the disclosed embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. These and other changes in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, whereby it is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive matter to be implemented is illustrative and non-limiting.

Claims

I/We Claim:

1. A method for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, the method comprising: identifying, by an identification unit [102] at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304] server in a first network, the in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least a Unified Data Management (UDM) [308] associated with the first network;

- generating, by a generation unit [104] at the SCP [304] server, a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message;

- transmitting, by a transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server, to one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] in the first network, the transformed registration message; and identifying, by the identification unit [ 102] at the SCP [304] server via one of the IIRR unit [314] and the UDR unit [312] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

2. The method as claimed 1, wherein the method further comprises storing the transformed registration message in a storage unit [108],

3. The method as claimed 1, wherein the method further comprises storing an instance identification (ID) associated with an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network at a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with the first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

4. The method as claimed 1, wherein the identifying the UE location associated with the inroamer UE based on the transformed registration message, further comprises: receiving, by the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server in the first network from a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) [310], a location retrieve request associated with the in-roamer UE;

- transmitting, by the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] serverto the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the location retrieve request; and receiving, by the transceiver unit [106] at the SCP [304] server from the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE.

5. The method as claimed 4, wherein the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE comprises at least the instance ID associated with the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network based on the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

6. A system [100] for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, the system is configured at a Service Communication Proxy (SCP) [304] server, the system [100] further comprising: an identification unit [102] configured to identify an in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least a Unified Data Management (UDM) [308] associated with the first network; a generation unit [ 104] connected to at least the identification unit [102], the generation unit [104] configured to generate a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message; and a transceiver unit [106] connected to at least the generation unit [104], wherein the transceiver unit [106] is configured to: transmit, to one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] in the first network, the transformed registration message; and wherein the identification unit [102] is further configured to identify, one of the IIRR unit [314] and the UDR unit [312] in the first network, the UE location associated with the inroamer UE based on the transformed registration message.

7. The system [100] as claimed 6, wherein the system [100] comprises a storage unit [108] configured to store the transformed registration message.

8. The system [100] as claimed 6, wherein the storing unit is further configured to store an instance identification (ID) associated with an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network at a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with the first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

9. The system [100] as claimed 6, wherein to identify the UE location associated with the inroamer UE based on the transformed registration message, the transceiver unit [106] is further configured to: receive, from a Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) [310], a location retrieve request associated with the in-roamer UE,

- transmit, to the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the location retrieve request, and receive, from the IIRR unit [314] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE.

10. The system [100] as claimed 9, wherein the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE comprises at least the instance ID associated with the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) [302] of the first network based on the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) associated with first network accessed by the in-roamer UE.

11. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing instructions for identifying a user equipment (UE) location associated with an in-roamer UE, the instructions including executable code, the executable code when executed, may cause: an identification unit [102] to identify, the in-roamer UE associated with a second network based on a UE registration message from the in-roamer UE to at least a Unified Data Management (UDM) [308] associated with the first network; a generation unit [104] to generate, a transformed registration message based on the UE registration message; a transceiver unit [ 106] to transmit to one of an international in-roamer register unit (IIRR unit) [314] and a Unified Data Repository (UDR) unit [312] in the first network, the transformed registration message; and the identification unit [102] to identify, via one of the IIRR unit [314] and the UDR unit [312] in the first network, the UE location associated with the in-roamer UE based on the transformed registration message.