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AppleGranted patentNetworks & wirelessInterest 2/10

Apple patents 5G phone trick to reconnect when security is off

Apple describes a method for 5G phones to reconnect to a network if the connection drops before security is fully set up. The phone sends a specific request containing a shortened ID to help the network identify it without needing full security keys.

Why it mattersThis is a routine technical improvement that helps ensure 5G connections stay stable during the initial setup phase.

In the filing’s own words

Exemplary embodiments include a UE that determines that access stratum (AS) security has not been activated and mobility is handled by a 5G core network. The UE then encodes a radio resource control (RRC) connection re-establishment request for transmission based on the determination. The RRC connection re-establishment request may include an indicator of a UE identity or a single bit value to indicate a reestablishment cause. The UE may also determine a truncated ng-5G-S-TSMI of the UE, wherein the RRC connection re-establishment request includes the truncated ng-5G-S-TSMI.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions, when executed, cause a processor of a user equipment (UE) to perform operations, comprising: determining that access stratum (AS) security has not been activated and mobility is handled by a fifth generation (5G) core network; generating a 40-bit truncated 5G-S-temporary mobile station identifier (TMSI) based on a 6-bit access and mobility management function (AMF) pointer, a 10-bit AMF set ID, and a 32-bit 5G TMSI, wherein generating the 40-bit truncated 5G-S-TMSI includes masking a first 8 bits of the 32-bit 5G TMSI; and encoding a radio resource control (RRC) connection re-establishment request for transmission, wherein the RRC connection re-establishment request includes the 40-bit truncated 5G-S-TMSI based on determining that the AS security has not been activated.

Facts

Company
Apple (Apple Inc.)
Official title
Methods for 5G-NR RRC connection re-establishment when security is not activated
Patent number
US12733057B2
Application number
17593798
Filed
Jun 12, 2020
Granted
Sep 8, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
15

Classified under

H04W 76/19 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/25 Electricity & electronicsH04W 76/30 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.