CN106171031B

CN106171031B - Group priority notification method, equipment and system in group communication

Info

Publication number: CN106171031B
Application number: CN201580002327.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 邓强; 夏海涛; 吴义壮
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2015-02-11
Filing date: 2015-02-11
Publication date: 2020-04-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-02-11
Also published as: CN111556449A; CN111556449B; WO2016127341A1; CN106171031A

Abstract

The invention discloses a method, equipment and a system for notifying group priorities in group communication, which relate to the technical field of wireless communication. The method provided by the invention comprises the following steps: the ProSe Function receives a first message sent by an application server; wherein the first message comprises: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group; the ProSe Function sends a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; wherein the notification message comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Description

Group priority notification method, equipment and system in group communication

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications technologies, and in particular, to a method, a device, and a system for notifying group priorities in group communications.

Background

Device-to-device (abbreviated as D2D) communication is a new technology that allows direct communication between user equipments through multiplexing cell resources under the control of the system; among them, one of the most important application scenarios is group communication (group communication). In group communication, a User Equipment (UE) may perform data transmission with a plurality of other UEs in the same group via one-to-many (one-to-many) D2D communication.

In practical applications, before the UE performs group communication in a group, a Base Station (BS) is required to allocate corresponding resources (such as time-frequency resources) for group communication to the UE in advance according to the group priority of the group. However, since the base station itself does not store the group priority of the group in advance, how to make the base station obtain the group priority of the group becomes a key issue in group communication.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, device, and system for notifying group priorities in group communication, so as to solve a problem how to notify a base station of group priorities.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the invention adopts the following technical scheme:

in a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notifying group priorities in group communication, which is applied to a ProSe Function, and the method includes:

the ProSe Function receives a first message sent by an application server; wherein the first message comprises: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group;

the ProSe Function sends a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; wherein the notification message comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

In a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, with reference to the first aspect, the sending, by the ProSe Function, the notification message to the base station includes:

the ProSe Function sends the notification message to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), the HSS sends the notification message to a Mobility Management Entity (MME), and the MME sends the notification message to the base station;

or, the ProSe Function sends the notification message to an MME, and the MME sends the notification message to the base station.

In a second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, with reference to the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, before the ProSe Function receives the first message sent by the application server, the method further includes:

the ProSe Function receives a second message sent by the user equipment; the second message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity;

the ProSe Function sends a third message to the application server according to the application identification,

the application server sends the first message to the ProSe Function after determining the group priority of the group; the third message comprises a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group.

In a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in combination with the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect,

the second message and the third message further comprise: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, with reference to any implementation manner of the first aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after the ProSe Function receives the first message sent by the application server, the method further includes:

and the ProSe Function allocates a second group of corresponding identifiers for the group according to the first group of identifiers, and establishes a corresponding relation between the second group of identifiers and the group priority of the group.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, with reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, after the ProSe Function allocates the second group identifier to the group, the method further includes:

the ProSe Function sends the second set of identifications for the group to the application server.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the first aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the first aspect to the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect,

after the ProSe Function receives the first message sent by the application server, the method further includes:

the ProSe Function sends a fourth message to the user equipment, the fourth message including the second group identity and the group priority of the group.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification method in group communication, which is applied to an application server, and the method includes:

the application server determines the group priority of a group where the user equipment is located;

the application server sends a first message to a proximity service Function entity (ProSe Function), wherein the first message comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

In a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in combination with the second aspect,

the determining, by the application server, the group priority of the group in which the user equipment is located includes:

and the application server determines the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, with reference to the second aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, before the determining, by the application server, the group priority of the group in which the user equipment is located, the method further includes:

and the application server receives a second message sent by the ProSe Function, wherein the second message comprises a first user identifier of the user equipment and a first group identifier of the group.

In a third possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in combination with the second possible implementation manner of the second aspect,

the second message further comprises: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the second to third possible implementation manners of the second aspect, the method further includes:

the application server sends a third message to the user equipment, wherein the third message comprises the second group identification of the group and the group priority of the group.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, with reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, before the sending, by the application server, the third message to the user equipment, the method further includes:

and the application server allocates the second group identification to the group according to the first group identification, and establishes the corresponding relation between the second group identification and the group priority of the group.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in combination with the fourth possible implementation manner of the second aspect,

when the EPC network device is a ProSe Function, before the application server sends a third message to the user equipment, the method further includes:

the application server receives a fourth message sent by the ProSe Function; wherein the fourth message includes a second set of identifications for the group.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the second aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the second aspect to the sixth possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes:

and the EPC network equipment sends the first message to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) or a policy and charging rule functional unit (PCRF).

In a third aspect, an example of the present invention provides a proximity services Function entity ProSe Function, where the ProSe Function includes:

the receiving unit is used for receiving a first message sent by the application server;

wherein the first message comprises: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group;

a sending unit, configured to send a notification message to a base station according to the first message received by the receiving unit; wherein the notification message comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

In a first possible implementation manner of the third aspect, with reference to the third aspect, the sending unit is specifically configured to:

and sending the notification message to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), wherein the HSS sends the notification message to a Mobility Management Entity (MME), and the MME sends the notification message to the base station.

Or sending the notification message to an MME, and sending the notification message to the base station by the MME.

In a second possible implementation manner of the third aspect, with reference to the third aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the third aspect,

the receiving unit is further configured to receive a second message sent by the user equipment before the receiving unit receives the first message sent by the application server; the second message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity;

the sending unit is further configured to send a third message to the application server, and the application server sends the first message to the ProSe Function after determining the group priority of the group; the third message comprises a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group.

In a third possible implementation manner of the third aspect, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the third aspect,

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner of the third aspect to the third aspect, the ProSe Function further includes:

and the distribution unit is used for distributing a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier after the receiving unit receives the first message sent by the application server, and establishing the corresponding relation between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, with reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the third aspect,

the sending unit is further configured to send the second group identifier of the group to the application server after the allocating unit allocates the second group identifier to the group.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the third aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the third aspect to the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect,

the sending unit is further configured to send a fourth message to the user equipment after the receiving unit receives the first message sent by the application server, where the fourth message includes the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an application server, including:

a determining unit, configured to determine a group priority of a group in which the user equipment is located;

a sending unit, configured to send a first message to a ProSe Function, where the first message includes: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group determined by the determining unit.

In a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, with reference to the fourth aspect, the determining unit is specifically configured to:

and determining the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, with reference to the fourth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the application server further includes:

a first receiving unit, configured to receive a second message sent by the ProSe Function before the determining unit determines the group priority of the group, where the second message includes a first subscriber identity of the ue and a first group identity of the group.

In a third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the second message further includes: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the fourth aspect to the third possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send a third message to the user equipment, where the third message includes the second group identifier of the group and the group priority of the group.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, with reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the application server further includes:

and the allocating unit is used for allocating a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier and establishing a corresponding relation between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group before the sending unit sends the third message to the user equipment.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, with reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the application server further includes:

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a fourth message sent by the ProSe Function before the sending unit sends the third message to the user equipment; wherein the third message comprises a second set of identifications for the group;

in a seventh possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, in combination with any implementation manner of the sixth possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send the first message to a home subscription server HSS or a policy and charging rule function unit PCRF.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification system in group communication, including a base station, a ProSe Function as described in any one of the sixth possible implementation manners of the third aspect to the third aspect, and an application server as described in any one of the seventh possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect to the fourth aspect.

In a sixth aspect, an example of the present invention provides a proximity services Function entity ProSe Function, where the ProSe Function includes:

the communication unit is used for receiving a first message sent by the application server; wherein the first message comprises: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group;

sending a notification message to a base station according to the first message received by the communication unit; wherein the notification message comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

In a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, with reference to the sixth aspect, the communication unit is specifically configured to:

In a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, with reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the communication unit is further configured to receive a second message sent by the user equipment before the communication unit receives the first message sent by the application server; the second message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity;

sending a third message to the application server, the application server sending the first message to the ProSe Function after determining the group priority of the group; the third message comprises a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group.

In a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the second message and the third message further include: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, with reference to any one of the third possible implementation manners of the sixth aspect to the sixth aspect, the ProSe Function further includes:

and the processor is used for distributing a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier after the communication unit receives a first message sent by an application server, and establishing a corresponding relation between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in combination with the fourth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect,

the communication unit is further configured to send the second group identifier of the group to the application server after the processor allocates the second group identifier to the group.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the sixth aspect to the fifth possible implementation manner of the first aspect,

the communication unit is further configured to send a fourth message to the user equipment after the communication unit receives the first message sent by the application server, where the fourth message includes the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides an application server, including:

a processor for determining a group priority of a group in which a user equipment is located;

a communication unit, configured to send a first message to a ProSe Function, where the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

In a first possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, with reference to the seventh aspect, the processor is specifically configured to: and determining the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In a second possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, with reference to the seventh aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the communication unit is further configured to receive a second message sent by the ProSe Function before the processor determines the group priority of the group, where the second message includes the first subscriber identity of the user equipment and the first group identity of the group.

In a third possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, with reference to the second possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect,

In a fourth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, with reference to any one implementation manner of the third possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect to the seventh aspect,

the communication unit is further configured to send a third message to the user equipment, where the third message includes the second group identifier of the group and the group priority of the group.

In a fifth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, in combination with the fourth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect,

the processor is further configured to, before the communication unit sends the third message to the user equipment, allocate a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

In a sixth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, with reference to the fourth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, when the EPC network device is a ProSe Function,

the communication unit is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the ProSe Function before the communication unit sends the third message to the user equipment; wherein the third message includes a second set of identifications for the group.

In a seventh possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, with reference to any implementation manner of the seventh aspect to the sixth possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the sending unit is further configured to send the first message to a home subscription server HSS or a policy and charging rule function unit PCRF.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification system in group communication, including a base station, a ProSe Function as described in any one of the sixth possible implementation manners of the sixth aspect to the sixth aspect, and an application server as described in any one of the seventh possible implementation manners of the seventh aspect to the seventh aspect.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notifying group priorities in group communication, where the prose function receives a notification sent by an application server, where the notification includes: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSe Function, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present invention, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained according to the drawings without creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 1A is a schematic diagram of a sub-application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 1B is a schematic diagram of a sub-application scenario provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 1C is a schematic diagram of a sub-application scenario provided in the embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a communication method for group priorities in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a flowchart of another communication method for group priority in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of another communication method for group priority in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of another communication method for group priority in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6A is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 7A is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 8A is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9 is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 9A is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 10A is a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in further group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11 is a block diagram of a ProSe function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 11A is a block diagram of a ProSe function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12 is a block diagram of an application server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12A is a structural diagram of an application server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12B is a structural diagram of an application server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 12C is a structural diagram of an application server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an HSS according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14 is a structural diagram of a PCRF according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 16 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 17 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 18 is a block diagram of a ProSe function according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 19 is a block diagram of an application server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of an HSS in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 21 is a structural diagram of a PCRF according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 22 is a block diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 23 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 24 is a block diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Fig. 1 illustrates an application scenario of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the application scenario may include: a plurality of communication groups, a base station, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network device, and an application server; in the application scenario, one base station may cover multiple communication groups, that is, one base station may simultaneously schedule communication resources for multiple groups; each communication group may contain a plurality of user equipments, UEs, which may be cellular phones, pagers, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, or other handheld, stationary or portable communication devices that support Push To Talk (PTT) communication; the EPC network device may be a proximity service function (ProSe function), a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF); the application server may be a device used within an industry or department for determining group priorities during group communication; preferably, the application server may be in a Mission Critical Push To Talk (MCPTT) system (e.g., police, fire department).

It should be noted that, after receiving the group priority of the group sent by the application server, the EPC network device in the application scenario shown in fig. 1 does not directly notify the base station of the group priority, but sends the group priority to the base station through some other devices (this part is not shown in fig. 1); for example, as shown in fig. 1A, when the EPC device is a ProSe function, the ProSe function passes through an HSS and a Mobility Management Entity (MME); or the UE informs the base station of the group priority; as shown in fig. 1B, when the EPC network device is an HSS, the HSS notifies the base station of the group priority through an MME; as shown in fig. 1C, when the EPC network device is a PCRF, the PCRF notifies the group priority to the base station through a packet data network gateway (PGW) and an MME.

The following describes a group priority notification method in group communication performed by each device according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, and the fourth embodiment.

Example one

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in group communication, which is applied to ProSe function, and the method may include:

201. the ProSe Function receives a first message sent by an application server; the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

The first user identifier is used to identify the user equipment, and may be: an external identifier defined by the third generation partnership project (3 GPP), such as: mobile Subscriber number (english: Mobile Subscriber International ISDN/PSTN number, abbreviation: MSISDN), ISDN is an integrated services digital network, which is an abbreviation for integrated service digital network, PSTN is a public switched telephone network, which is an abbreviation for public switched telephone network.

The group may be any one of a plurality of groups to which the user equipment signs a subscription; the user equipment may be an initiator of the group communication in the group; the first group identifier can be an application layer group identifier for identifying group names of the group in industries or departments; for example, a user in a fire department is simultaneously signed on group 1 (emergency team), group 2 (leader team), group 3 (service team), etc., and when the group is a service team, the first group is identified as fire department-group 3.

The group priority can be dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute and a preset priority level division relationship, and is used for representing the level of the group in a communication system so as to ensure that the determined group priority meets the requirement of group communication; in general, the group priority may be divided into three levels, high, medium, and low.

Wherein the current attribute comprises a static attribute and/or a dynamic attribute; the static attribute is an inherent attribute of the group and does not change with the change of the group, including but not limited to one or more of the type of the group, the running time of the group, and the default minimum priority of the group;

the dynamic attributes are attributes that vary with what is happening within a group, including but not limited to one or more of the type of event happening within the group, the severity of the event.

Preferably, the ProSe Function may receive the first message sent by the application server through the PC2 interface.

202. The ProSe Function sends a notification message to the base station according to the received first message; the notification message includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Wherein, the second ue is also used to identify the ue, and may be an internal identifier defined by the 3GPP system, such as: international mobile subscriber identity number (IMSI).

The second group identifier may be a network layer group address, such as: layer 2(Layer 2) address for identifying a destination address of the user equipment for group communication. Preferably, before step 202, the ProSe Function may select any one group address from the group addresses stored in the ProSe Function as the second group identifier of the group according to the first group identifier, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

For example, in this embodiment, the sending, by the ProSe Function, the notification message to the base station may include:

the ProSe Function sends the notification message to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) through a PC4a interface, the HSS sends the notification message to an MME through an S6a interface, and the MME sends the notification message to the base station through an S1 interface;

or, the ProSe Function sends the notification message to an MME through an PCx interface, and then the MME sends the notification message to the base station through an S1 interface.

It should be noted that, some other information besides the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group, and the group priority of the group may be added to the notification message forwarded by the HSS to the MME and the notification message forwarded by the MME to the base station.

Specifically, in the embodiment of the present invention, the ProSe Function may passively and directly receive the first message sent by the application server, but as a more general implementation manner, before step 201, the ProSe Function may also send a message for instructing the application server to send a group priority to the ProSe Function, and then receive the first message sent by the application server, where the specific implementation manner is as follows:

the ProSe Function sends a third message to the application server according to the application identifier, and the application server sends the first message to the ProSe Function after determining the group priority of the group; the third message comprises a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group.

Wherein the application identifier is used for identifying the application server.

Preferably, in this embodiment of the present invention, the second message received by the ProSe Function and the third message sent to the application server may further include: the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute are convenient for an application server to determine the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

In addition, after the ProSe Function receives a second message sent by the user equipment, the method further includes: and authenticating the validity of the user equipment between the ProSe Function and the HSS, and performing authorization check on the group communication initiated by the user equipment.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the method may further include:

and the ProSe Function sends the second group identification of the group to the application server so that the application server establishes the corresponding relation between the second identification and the group priority of the group according to the second identification and directly sends the corresponding relation to the base station through the user equipment.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, as a more general method, besides sending a notification message including a group priority to a base station through a device such as an HSS or an MME, the ProSe Function may also send a message including a group priority to a base station through a user equipment, and the following is specifically implemented:

after receiving a first message sent by an application server, the ProSe Function sends a fourth message to the user equipment, and the user equipment sends a message containing a second identifier of the group and the group priority of the group to a base station; wherein the fourth message includes the second group identification and the group priority of the group.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notifying group priorities in group communication, where the prose function receives a notification sent by an application server, where the notification includes: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSe Function, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example two

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in group communication, which is applied to an application server, and the method may include:

301. the application server determines a group priority of a group in which the user equipment is located.

Wherein the set of priorities is used to represent the group's level in the communication system; can be divided into three stages of high, middle and low; in this embodiment of the present invention, before the application server sends the first message to the ProSe Function, the application server may determine the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute, and the preset priority level classification relationship.

Wherein the current attribute comprises a static attribute and/or a dynamic attribute; the static attribute is an inherent attribute of the group and does not change along with the change of events in the group, including but not limited to one or more of the type of the group, the running time of the group and the default minimum priority of the group; the dynamic attributes are attributes that vary with what is happening within a group, including but not limited to one or more of the type of event happening within the group, the severity of the event.

It should be noted that, in the actual group communication process, when the application server determines the priority of the group for the first time, the application server may determine the priority according to the static attribute of the group, and then may continuously update the priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, so that the group priority of the group coincides with the dynamic attribute of the group, and it is ensured that the base station allocates a reasonable communication resource to the group of the user equipment according to the current priority of the group.

For example, table 1 below stores the correspondence between each group, the group identifier of each group, and the static attribute of each group in the department where the application server is located; table 2 is a preset priority level classification relationship table, and it can be known that the group priority of group 1 is a medium priority; at this time, if the ue in group 1 receives a fire alarm and the event is a serious event, the application server updates the group priority of group 1 to the high priority.

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

Priority level	Run time	Group type
			Is low in	Greater than 30min.	Leader group
In	More than 5min and less than 30min	Conference group and fire-fighting group
			Height of	Less than 5min	Fire fighting group and public security group

302. The application server sends a first message to the short-distance service functional entity, wherein the first message comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

The first user identifier is used for identifying the user equipment, and may be: an external identifier defined by 3GPP, such as MSISDN; the first group identifier may be an application layer group identifier for identifying a group name of the group in an industry or department.

In this embodiment of the present invention, before sending the first message to the ProSe Function, the application server may obtain the first subscriber identity and the first group identity from another device in advance;

for example: a message containing a first user identification and a first group identification sent by the user equipment can be received; a second message sent by the ProSe Function may also be received through the PC1 interface, where the second message includes: the first subscriber identity, a first set of identities of the group.

Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention, the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute may be stored in the application server in advance; or the message can be sent to the application server in the message sent by the user equipment to the application server; the method can also include sending to an application server in a second message sent by the ProSe Function to the application server, so that the application server determines the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, in addition to sending the first message to the ProSe Function through step 302, so that the ProSe Function sends the notification message including the group priority to the base station, as a more general way, the message including the group priority may also be sent to the base station through the user equipment, which is specifically implemented as follows:

the application server sends a third message to the user equipment; wherein the third message includes a second group identification of the group and a group priority of the group.

Wherein, the second group identifier may be a network layer group address, such as: layer 2(Layer 2) address for identifying a destination address of the user equipment for group communication.

Preferably, the application server may select any one group address from the group addresses stored in the application server as the second group identifier of the group according to the first group identifier, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group;

a fourth message sent by the ProSe Function containing a second set of identities for the group may also be received.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the application server may further send the first message to the HSS or the PCRF, and the HSS or the PCRF sends a message including the group priority to the base station.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notifying group priorities in group communication, where sending, by an application server, a notification message to a ProSe Function includes: the first message of the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the group priority of the group enables the ProSe Function to inform the base station of the group priority of the group, so that the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

EXAMPLE III

Fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method of group priority in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, applied to an HSS, where the method may include:

401. the HSS receives a first message sent by an application server; the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

The first user identifier is used to identify the user equipment, and may be: an external identifier defined by 3GPP, such as: MSISDN.

The group priority may be determined by the application server according to a current attribute of the group, an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute, and a preset priority ranking relation, and is used to represent a level of the group in a communication system; in general, the group priority may be divided into three levels, high, medium, and low.

Preferably, the HSS may receive the first message sent by the application server through the Sh interface.

402. The HSS sends a notification message to the base station according to the received first message; the notification message includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Wherein, the second ue is also used to identify the ue, and may be an internal identifier defined by the 3GPP system, such as: IMSI)

The second group identifier may be a network layer group address, such as: layer 2(Layer 2) address for identifying a destination address of the user equipment for group communication.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the HSS may send the notification message to an MME through an S6a interface, and then the MME sends the notification message to the base station through an S1 interface.

It should be noted that, some other information besides the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group, and the group priority of the group may be added to the notification message forwarded by the MME to the base station.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notifying group priority in group communication, where the method includes, when an HSS receives a notification sent by an application server: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the HSS informs the group priority of the group to the base station, the problem of how to inform the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the group communication of the user equipment; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example four

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a communication method for group priority in group communication, which is applied to a PCRF, and the method includes:

501. the PCRF receives a first message sent by an application server; the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

The first user identifier is used to identify the user equipment, and may be: an external identity, such as an MSISDN, defined by 3 GPP.

Preferably, the PCRF may receive the first message sent by the application server through the Rx interface.

502. The PCRF sends a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; the notification message includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Wherein, the second ue is also used to identify the ue, and may be an internal identifier defined by the 3GPP system, such as: an IMSI.

Preferably, in this embodiment, the PCRF may send the notification message to a PGW, where the PGW sends the notification message to an MME, and then the MME sends the notification message to the base station through an S1 interface.

It should be noted that, some other information besides the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group, and the group priority of the group may be added to the notification message forwarded by the PGW to the MME and the notification message forwarded by the MME to the base station.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for notifying group priorities in group communication, where the method includes, when receiving, by a PCRF, a notification sent by an application server: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the PCRF notifies the group priority of the group to the base station, the problem of how to notify the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

The following takes the sub-application scenarios shown in fig. 1A, fig. 1B, and fig. 1C as examples, and specifically describes the group priority notification method in group communication according to the embodiment of the present invention:

EXAMPLE five

Fig. 6 is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the sub-application scenario shown in fig. 1A, and as shown in fig. 6, the method may include:

601. the user equipment sends the application server, which comprises: a first message of a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

602. And after registering the user equipment, the application server sends a response to the user equipment.

603. The user equipment sends the data to the ProSe Function, and the data comprises: a second message of a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity.

604. The ProSe Function sends to the application server a message comprising: a third message of the first subscriber identity of the user equipment and the first group identity of the group.

605. And the application server determines the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and a preset priority level classification relation.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the static attributes of the group may be stored in the application server in advance; the static attribute of the group may also be included in the message of step 601 and sent by the user equipment to the application server; the static attribute of the group may also be included in the third message and the fourth message of steps 603 and 604, and sent to the ProSe Function by the ue, and then sent to the application server by the ProSe Function.

606. The application server sending to the ProSe Function includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a fourth message of a group priority of the group.

607. And the ProSe Function allocates a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier.

608. The ProSe Function sends to the user equipment a message including: a second group identification of the group and a fifth message of a group priority of the group.

609. And the user equipment sends the fifth message to the base station.

610. The ProSe Function sending to the HSS includes: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

611. The HSS sends the notification message to the MME;

612. and the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

613. The ProSe Function sends the information to the MME, and the information comprises: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

614. And the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 607, the step 608-609 may be executed; step 610 and 612 may also be performed; step 613-; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the contents sent by the ProSe Function, including: after determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute, and the preset priority level classification relationship, the third message of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group sends a message containing: the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the group priority information of the group are notified to the base station by the ProSe Function through other equipment. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSe Function, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

However, in group communication, it is also necessary to consider the dynamic attribute of a group, and update the group priority of the group in real time according to the dynamic attribute of the group, for example, if the group priority initially created by a certain fire-fighting group according to the static attribute is a medium priority, when the fire-fighting group receives a major fire alarm, the group priority may be updated to a high priority according to the dynamic change of the communication group, so that the base station allocates a suitable communication resource for group communication in time according to the updated group priority, which is specifically as follows:

fig. 6A is a flowchart illustrating a method for notifying group priority in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, where as shown in fig. 6A, the method may include:

601A, the user equipment sends to the application server a request including: a first message of a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

602A, after registering the user equipment, the application server sends a response to the user equipment.

603A, the sending, by the ue, to the ProSe Function includes: a second message of a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity.

604A, the ProSe Function sends to the application server a message including: a third message of the first subscriber identity of the user equipment and the first group identity of the group.

605A, the application server updates the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute, and the preset priority level classification relationship.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the dynamic attribute of the group may be obtained by the application server itself through periodic detection; the dynamic attribute of the group may also be included in the message of step 601A and sent to the application server by the user equipment; the dynamic attribute of the group may also be included in the third message and the fourth message of steps 603A and 604A, and sent to the ProSe Function by the ue, and then sent to the application server by the ProSe Function.

606A, the application server sends to the ProSe Function a message comprising: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located, and a fourth message of the updated group priority of the group.

607A, ProSe Function reallocates a corresponding second set of identifiers for the group according to the first set of identifiers.

608A, ProSe Function sends to the user equipment includes: a second group identification of the group and an updated fifth message of the group priority of the group.

609A, the user equipment sends the fifth message to the base station.

610A, ProSe Function sends to HSS includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

611A, HSS sending the notification message to the MME;

612A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

613A, ProSe Function sends to MME the following information: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

614A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 607A, steps 608A to 609A may be executed; steps 610A-612A may also be performed; steps 613A-614A may also be performed to notify the base station of a message containing the group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the contents sent by the ProSe Function, including: the third message of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group updates the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level dividing relationship, and then sends a message containing: the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the updated group priority information of the group are notified to the base station by the ProSe Function through other equipment, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priority.

EXAMPLE six

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the sub-application scenario shown in fig. 1A, and as shown in fig. 7, the method may include:

701. the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, and comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

702. And after the application server registers the user equipment, determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and a preset priority level dividing relation.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the static attributes of the group may be stored in the application server in advance; the static properties of the group may also be included in the message of step 701 sent by the user equipment to the application server.

703. The application server sending to the ProSe Function includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a second message of a group priority of the group.

704. And the ProSe Function allocates a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier.

705. The ProSe Function sends a second set of identifications for the group to an application server.

706. The application server sends the user equipment, including: a second group identification of the group and a third message of a group priority of the group.

707. And the user equipment sends the third message to the base station.

708. The ProSe Function sending to the HSS includes: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

709. The HSS sends the notification message to the MME;

710. and the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

711. The ProSe Function sends the information to the MME, and the information comprises: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

712. And the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 704, the steps 705 and 707 may be executed; step 708 and 710 may also be performed; step 711 and 712 can also be executed to notify the base station of the message containing the group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, which comprises: after determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and the preset priority level classification relationship, the message of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group sends a message containing: a message of a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority of the group, wherein the message containing the group priority of the group is notified to a base station by a ProSe Function through other equipment; or sending a third message containing the second group identification of the group and the group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSe Function or the user equipment, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

fig. 7A is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 7A, the method may include:

701A, an application server receives a message sent by user equipment, and the message comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

702A, after registering the user equipment, the application server updates the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level classification relation.

It should be noted that, in this implementation, the group dynamic attribute may be obtained by the application server itself through periodic detection; the dynamic properties of the group may also be included in the message of step 701 and sent by the user equipment to the application server.

703A, the application server sends to the ProSe Function a message including: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located, and a second message of the updated group priority of the group.

704A, the ProSe Function allocates a second set of identifiers to the group according to the first set of identifiers.

705A, the ProSe Function sends the second set of identities of the group to the application server.

706A, the application server sends to the user equipment a message including: a second group identification of the group and a third message of the updated group priority of the group.

707A, the user equipment sends the third message to the base station.

708A, the ProSe Function sending to the HSS includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

709A, HSS sending the notification message to MME;

710A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

711A, ProSe Function sends to MME a message including: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

712A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 704A, steps 705A to 707A may be executed; steps 708A-710A may also be performed; steps 711A-712A may also be performed to notify the base station of a message containing the updated group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, which comprises: the messages of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group are sent to the ProSe Function after the group priority of the group is updated according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level dividing relationship, and the messages comprise: a first user identifier of user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and an updated message of group priority of the group, wherein the message containing the group priority of the group is notified to a base station by a ProSe Function through other equipment; or sending a third message containing the second group identifier of the group and the updated group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the updated group priority by the user equipment, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirement of the group to the group according to the group priority.

EXAMPLE seven

Fig. 8 is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the sub-application scenario shown in fig. 1A, and as shown in fig. 8, the method may include:

801. the user equipment sends the data to the ProSe Function, and the data comprises: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and an application identity.

802. The ProSe Function sends the information to the application server according to the application identifier, wherein the information comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

803. And after the application server registers the user equipment, determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and a preset priority level dividing relation.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the static attributes of the group may be stored in the application server in advance; the static attribute of the group may also be included in the message of step 801 and sent by the ue to the ProSe Function, and then sent by the ProSe Function to the application server.

804. The application server sending to the ProSe Function includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

805. The ProSe Function stores a correspondence of a first group identification of a group and a group priority of the group.

806. The ProSe Function sends a response message to the user equipment.

807. The ProSe Function receives the message sent by the user equipment, and comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first message of a first group identity of the group.

808. And the ProSe Function allocates a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier.

809. The ProSe Function sends to the user equipment a message including: a second message of a second group identification of the group and a group priority of the group.

810. And the user equipment sends the second message to the base station.

811. The ProSe Function sending to the HSS includes: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

812. The HSS sends the notification message to the MME;

813. and the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

814. The ProSe Function sends the information to the MME, and the information comprises: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

815. And the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 808, the step 809 and 810 may be executed; step 811-813 may also be performed; step 814, 815 may also send a notification message containing the group priority to the base station; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the contents sent by the ProSe Function, including: after determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and the preset priority level classification relationship, the message of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group sends a message containing: the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the group priority information of the group are notified to the base station by the ProSe Function through other equipment. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSe Function, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

fig. 8A is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 8A, the method may include:

801A, sending, by a user equipment to a ProSe Function, a request message comprising: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and an application identity.

802A, ProSe Function sends the application server with the following identifier: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

803A, after registering the user equipment, the application server updates the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level classification relationship.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the dynamic attribute of the group may be detected by the application server itself; the dynamic attribute of the group may also be included in the message of step 801A and sent to the ProSe Function by the ue, and then sent to the application server by the ProSe Function.

804A, the application server sends to the ProSe Function the information comprising: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and an updated group priority of the group.

805A, the ProSe Function stores a correspondence of a first group identification of a group and an updated group priority of the group.

806A, ProSe Function sends a response message to the user equipment.

807A, the ProSe Function receives the information sent by the user equipment, and the information comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first message of a first group identity of the group.

808A and the ProSe Function allocates a second group of corresponding identifiers for the group according to the first group of identifiers.

809A, the ProSe Function sends to the user equipment, the method includes: a second message of a second group identification of the group and an updated group priority of the group.

810A, the user equipment sends the second message to the base station.

811A, ProSe Function sends to HSS a message comprising: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

812A, HSS sending the notification message to an MME;

813A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

814A, the ProSe Function sends the message to MME, including: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

815A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 808A, steps 809A to 810A may be executed; steps 811A-813A may also be performed; a notification message containing the updated group priority may also be sent to the base station in steps 814A-815A; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the contents sent by the ProSe Function, including: the messages of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group are sent to the ProSe Function after the group priority of the group is updated according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level dividing relationship, and the messages comprise: the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the updated group priority information of the group are notified to the base station by the ProSe Function through other equipment, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priority.

Example eight

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the sub-application scenario shown in fig. 1B, and as shown in fig. 9, the method may include:

901. the user equipment sends the application server, which comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

902. After the application server registers the user equipment, determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and the preset priority level dividing relation, and distributing a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the static attributes of the group may be stored in the application server in advance; the static properties of the group may also be included in the message of step 901 and sent by the user equipment to the application server.

903. The application server sends the user equipment, including: a second group identification of the group and a first message of a group priority of the group.

904. And the user equipment sends the first message to the base station through RRC signaling.

905. The application server sends the information to HSS, which comprises: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a second message of a group priority of the group.

906. The HSS sends the information to the MME, wherein the information comprises: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

907. And the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 902, the step 903-904 may be executed; step 905 and 907 may also be performed to notify the base station of the message containing the group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, which comprises: the messages of the first user identification of the user equipment and the first group identification of the group determine the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and the preset priority level dividing relation, and after distributing the second group identification to the group, the messages comprise: a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority message of the group, and the HSS informs the message containing the group priority of the group to a base station through other equipment; or sending a message containing the second group identification of the group and the group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment. Therefore, the HSS or the user equipment informs the base station of the group priority of the group, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

fig. 9A is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 9A, the method may include:

901A, sending, by a user equipment to an application server, a request including: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

902A, after registering the user equipment, the application server updates the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level classification relationship, and allocates a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the dynamic attribute of the group may be obtained by the application server itself through periodic detection; the dynamic properties of the group may also be included in the message of step 901A and sent by the user equipment to the application server.

903A, the application server sends the information to the user equipment, wherein the information comprises: a second group identification of the group and a first message of a group priority of the group.

904A, the user equipment sends the first message to the base station through RRC signaling.

905A, the application server sends to HSS the information including: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located, and a second message of the updated group priority of the group.

906A, HSS sending a message to the MME including: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

907A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 902A, steps 903A to 904A may be executed; steps 905A-907A may also be performed to notify the base station of a message containing the updated group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, which comprises: the messages of the first user identification of the user equipment and the first group identification of the group update the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level dividing relationship, and after distributing the second group identification to the group, the messages comprise: a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and an updated group priority message of the group are notified to a base station by an HSS through other equipment, wherein the updated group priority message of the group is contained in the HSS; or sending a message containing the second group identifier of the group and the updated group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirement of the group to the group according to the group priority.

Example nine

Fig. 10 is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is applied to the sub-application scenario shown in fig. 1C, and as shown in fig. 10, the method may include:

1001. the user equipment sends the application server, which comprises: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

1002. After the application server registers the user equipment, determining the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and the preset priority level dividing relation, and distributing a corresponding second group identifier for the group according to the first group identifier.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the static attributes of the group may be stored in the application server in advance; the static properties of the group may also be included in the message of step 1001 sent by the user equipment to the application server.

1003. The application server sends the user equipment, including: a second group identification of the group and a first message of a group priority of the group.

1004. And the user equipment sends the first message to the base station through RRC signaling.

1005. The application server sends the information to PCRF, including: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a second message of a group priority of the group.

1006. The PCRF sends the information to the PGW, wherein the information comprises: a notification message of a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group and a group priority of the group.

1007. The PGW sends the notification message to MME

1008. And the MME sends the notification message to a base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 1002, the steps 1003 and 1004 may be executed; step 1005 and 1008 may also be executed to notify the base station of the message containing the group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, which comprises: the messages of the first user identification of the user equipment and the first group identification of the group determine the group priority of the group according to the static attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the static attribute and the preset priority level dividing relation, and after distributing the second group identification to the group, the messages comprise: a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority message of the group, and the PCRF informs a base station of the group priority message through other equipment; or sending a message containing the second group identification of the group and the group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment. Therefore, the PCRF or the user equipment notifies the group priority of the group to the base station, the problem of how to notify the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

fig. 10A is a flowchart of a group priority notification method in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 10A, the method may include:

1001A, a user equipment sends to an application server a response including: a first subscriber identity of the user equipment and a first set of identities of a group in which the user equipment is located.

1002A, after registering the user equipment, the application server determines a group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute, and a preset priority level classification relationship, and allocates a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier.

It should be noted that in this implementation, the dynamic attribute of the group may be obtained by the application server itself through periodic detection; the dynamic properties of the group may also be included in the message of step 1001A and sent by the user equipment to the application server.

1003A, the application server sends the information to the user equipment, including: a second group identification of the group and an updated first message of a group priority of the group.

1004A, the user equipment sends the first message to the base station through RRC signaling.

1005A, the application server sends to PCRF the message including: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located, and a second message of the updated group priority of the group.

1006A, PCRF sending a message to the PGW including: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and an updated notification message of the group priority of the group.

1007A, PGW sending the notification message to MME

1008A, MME sends the notification message to the base station.

It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the step 1002A, steps 1003A to 1004A may be executed; steps 1005A-1008A may also be performed to notify the base station of a message containing the updated group priority; which steps are specifically performed, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited by the comparison.

Thus, the application server receives the message sent by the user equipment, which comprises: the messages of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group update the group priority of the group according to the dynamic attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the dynamic attribute and the preset priority level dividing relationship, and after distributing the second group identifier to the group, the messages comprise: a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and an updated message of group priority of the group are notified to a base station by a PCRF through other equipment, wherein the updated message of group priority of the group contains the first user identification of the user equipment; or sending a message containing the second group identifier of the group and the updated group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirement of the group to the group according to the group priority.

Example ten

Fig. 11 shows a structure diagram of ProSe function 11 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where the ProSe function 11 is configured to perform the method described in the first embodiment, and as shown in fig. 11, the ProSe function 11 may include:

a receiving unit 110, configured to receive a first message sent by an application server; wherein the first message comprises: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

The first user identifier is used to identify the user equipment, and may be: an external identifier defined by 3GPP, such as: MSISDN; the group may be any one of a plurality of groups to which the user equipment signs a subscription; the user equipment may be an initiator of the group communication in the group; the first group identifier can be an application layer group identifier for identifying group names of the group in industries or departments; for example, a user in a fire department is simultaneously signed on group 1 (emergency team), group 2 (leader team), group 3 (service team), etc., and when the group is a service team, the first group is identified as fire department-group 3.

A sending unit 111, configured to send a notification message to a base station according to the first message received by the receiving unit; wherein the notification message comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Further, the receiving unit 110 may specifically be configured to:

a first message sent by an application server is received through a PC2 interface.

Further, the sending unit 111 may be specifically configured to:

firstly, sending the notification message to HSS through PC4a interface, sending the notification message to MME through S6a interface by HSS, and then sending the notification message to the base station through S1 interface by MME;

or, the notification message is sent to the MME through the PCx interface, and then sent to the base station through the S1 interface by the MME.

Further, in this embodiment of the present invention, the receiving unit 110 may passively and directly receive the first message sent by the application server, but as a more general implementation manner, before the receiving unit 110 receives the first message, the sending unit 111 may also send a message for instructing the application server to send the group priority to the ProSe Function to the application server, and then the receiving unit 110 receives the first message sent by the application server, which is specifically implemented as follows:

the receiving unit 110 is further configured to receive a second message sent by the user equipment before the receiving unit 110 receives the first message sent by the application server; the second message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity;

the sending unit 111 is further configured to send a third message to the application server, where the application server sends the first message to the ProSe Function after determining the group priority of the group; the third message comprises a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group.

Wherein the current attribute comprises a static attribute and/or a dynamic attribute; the static attribute is an inherent attribute of the group and does not change with the change of the group, including but not limited to one or more of the type of the group, the running time of the group, and the default minimum priority of the group; the dynamic attributes are attributes that vary with what is happening within a group, including but not limited to one or more of the type of event happening within the group, the severity of the event.

Further, as shown in fig. 11A, the ProSe Function may further include:

the allocating unit 112 is configured to, after the receiving unit 110 receives the first message sent by the application server, allocate a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

Preferably, the allocating unit 112 may select any one group address from the group addresses stored inside the ProSe Function as the second group identifier of the group.

Further, the sending unit 111 is further configured to send a second group identifier of the group to the application server, so that the application server establishes a correspondence between the second identifier and the group priority of the group according to the second identifier, and directly sends the correspondence to the base station through the user equipment.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, besides sending the notification message including the group priority to the base station through the HSS, the MME, and the like, as a more general method, the sending unit 111 may also send the message including the group priority to the base station through the user equipment, and the specific implementation is as follows:

the sending unit 111 is further configured to send a fourth message to the user equipment after the receiving unit 110 receives the first message sent by the application server, where the user equipment sends a message including the second identifier of the group and the group priority of the group to the base station; wherein the fourth message includes the second group identification and the group priority of the group.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a ProSe Function, where the ProSe Function receives a message sent by an application server, where the ProSe Function includes: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSe Function, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

EXAMPLE eleven

Fig. 12 shows a structural diagram of an application server 12 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the application server 12 is configured to execute the method according to the second embodiment, and as shown in fig. 12, the application server 12 may include:

a determining unit 120, configured to determine a group priority of a group in which the user equipment is located.

A sending unit 121, configured to send a first message to a ProSe Function, where the first message includes: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group determined by the determining unit.

The first user identifier is used to identify the user equipment, and may be: an external identifier defined by 3GPP, such as MSISDN; the first group identifier may be an application layer group identifier for identifying a group name of the group in an industry or department.

In this embodiment of the present invention, before sending the first message to the ProSe Function, the application server may obtain the first subscriber identity and the first group identity from another device in advance; for example: a message containing a first user identification and a first group identification sent by the user equipment can be received; a second message sent by prose function may also be received through the PC1 interface, where the second message includes: the first subscriber identity, a first set of identities of the group.

The set of priorities is used to represent the level of the group in the communication system; can be divided into three stages of high, middle and low;

in an implementation manner, in the embodiment of the present invention, the determining unit 121 is specifically configured to:

Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention, the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute may be stored in the application server in advance; or the message can be sent to the application server in the message sent by the user equipment to the application server; it may also be included in a second message sent by the ProSe Function to the application server (described below), so that the application server determines the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group and the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

Further, as shown in fig. 12A, the application server may further include:

a first receiving unit 122, configured to receive a second message sent by the ProSe Function before the determining unit 120 determines the group priority of the group, where the second message includes a first subscriber identity of the ue and a first group identity of the group.

Wherein the second message may further include: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

Further, in this embodiment of the present invention, in addition to sending the first message to the ProSe Function, so that the ProSe Function sends the notification message including the group priority to the base station, as a more general way, the sending unit 121 may also send the message including the group priority to the base station through the user equipment, which is specifically implemented as follows:

the sending unit 121 is further configured to send a third message to the ue, where the third message includes the second group identifier of the group and the group priority of the group.

The second group identifier of the group may be determined by the allocation unit 123 of the application server itself or received by the second receiving unit 124 in the application server, where the second group identifier is sent by the ProSe Function, and specifically the following:

as shown in fig. 12B, the application server may further include:

an allocating unit 123, configured to allocate, according to the first group identifier, a corresponding second group identifier to the group before the sending unit sends the third message to the user equipment, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

As shown in fig. 12C, the application server may further include:

a second receiving unit 124, configured to receive a fourth message sent by the ProSe Function before the sending unit sends the third message to the user equipment; wherein the third message includes a second set of identifications for the group.

Further, in this embodiment of the present invention, the sending unit 121 is further configured to send the first message to an HSS or a PCRF, and the HSS or the PCRF sends a message including the group priority to the base station.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides an application server, where the ProSe Function sends a request message including: the first message of the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the group priority of the group enables the EPC equipment to inform the base station of the group priority of the group, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example twelve

Fig. 13 shows a structure diagram of an HSS13 according to an embodiment of the present invention, where the HSS13 is configured to perform the method according to the third embodiment, and as shown in fig. 13, the HSS13 may include:

a receiving unit 130, configured to receive a first message sent by an application server; the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

A sending unit 131, configured to send a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; the notification message includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Further, the receiving unit 130 may specifically be configured to:

and receiving a first message sent by the application server through an Sh interface.

Further, the sending unit 131 may specifically be configured to:

the notification message is sent to the MME through the S6a interface, and then sent to the base station through the S1 interface.

As can be seen from the above, the embodiment of the present invention provides an HSS, wherein when receiving a request sent by an application server, the HSS includes: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the HSS informs the group priority of the group to the base station, the problem of how to inform the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the group communication of the user equipment; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

EXAMPLE thirteen

Fig. 14 shows a structural diagram of a PCRF14 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, where the PCRF14 is configured to execute the method described in the fourth embodiment, and as shown in fig. 14, the PCRF14 may include:

a receiving unit 140, configured to receive a first message sent by an application server; the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

A sending unit 141, configured to send a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; the notification message includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Further, the receiving unit 140 may specifically be configured to:

and receiving a first message sent by the application server through the Rx interface.

Further, the sending unit 141 may be specifically configured to:

the notification message is sent to a PGW, the PGW sends the notification message to an MME, and then the MME sends the notification message to the base station through an S1 interface.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a PCRF, where the PCRF receives a packet sent by an application server, where the packet includes: after a first user identifier of a user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located and a first message of group priority of the group, according to the received first message, sending a message to a base station, wherein the message comprises: and the second user identifier of the user equipment, the second group identifier of the group and the notification message of the group priority of the group, so that the base station allocates corresponding communication resources for group communication according to the group priority. Therefore, the PCRF notifies the group priority of the group to the base station, the problem of how to notify the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example fourteen

Fig. 15 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 15, the system may include: user equipment, base station, ProSe function 11, and application server 12;

wherein the ProSe function 11 is the same as the ProSe function described in example ten; the application server 12 has the same functions as those of the application server described in the eleventh embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification system in group communication, where an application server receives a notification sent by a ProSe Function, where the notification includes: after determining the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute, and a preset priority level classification relationship, the third message of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group sends a message containing: the method comprises the steps that a message containing a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority of the group is notified to a base station through other equipment by a ProSefunction. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSefunction, so that the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example fifteen

Fig. 16 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 16, the system may include: user equipment, base station, HSS13 and application server 12;

wherein, the function of the HSS13 is the same as that of the HSS in the twelfth embodiment; the application server 12 has the same functions as those of the application server described in the eleventh embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification system in group communication, where an application server receives a notification sent by a user equipment, where the notification includes: the messages of the first user identification of the user equipment and the first group identification of the group determine the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute and the preset priority level dividing relationship, and after distributing the second group identification to the group, the messages comprise: a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority message of the group, and the HSS informs the message containing the group priority of the group to a base station through other equipment; or sending a message containing the second group identification of the group and the group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment. Therefore, the HSS or the user equipment informs the group priority of the group to the base station, the problem of how to inform the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example sixteen

Fig. 17 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 17, the system may include: user equipment, base station, PCRF14 and application server 12;

wherein, the PCRF14 has the same function as the PCRF in embodiment thirteen; the application server 12 has the same functions as those of the application server described in the eleventh embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted here.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification system in group communication, where an application server receives a notification sent by a user equipment, where the notification includes: the messages of the first user identification of the user equipment and the first group identification of the group determine the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute and the preset priority level division relationship, and after distributing the second group identification to the group, the messages comprise: a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority message of the group, and the PCRF informs a base station of the group priority message through other equipment; or sending a message containing the second group identification of the group and the group priority of the group to the user equipment, and informing the base station of the message containing the group priority by the user equipment. Therefore, the group priority of the group is notified to the base station through the PCRF or the user equipment, the problem of how to notify the group priority of the group to the base station in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example seventeen

Referring to fig. 18, for a ProSe function 180 provided in an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 18, the ProSe function 180 may include: a communication unit 1801, a processor 1802, a memory 1803, at least one communication bus 1104 for enabling connection and intercommunication among these devices;

a communication unit 1801, configured to perform data transmission with an external network element.

The processor 1802 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU);

a memory 1803, which may be a volatile memory (RAM), such as a random-access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory (english: non-volatile memory), such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory (flash memory), a hard disk (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the above types of memories, and provides instructions and data to the processor 1802;

a communication unit 1801, configured to receive a first message sent by an application server; wherein the first message comprises: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

A communication unit 1801, configured to send a notification message to a base station according to the first message received by the receiving unit; wherein the notification message comprises: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Further, the communication unit 1801 may be specifically configured to:

Further, in this embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit 1801 may passively and directly receive the first message sent by the application server, but as a more general implementation manner, before the communication unit 1801 receives the first message, the communication unit 1801 may also send a message for instructing the application server to send the group priority to the ProSe Function to the application server, and then the communication unit 1801 receives the first message sent by the application server, specifically implemented as follows:

the communication unit 1801 is further configured to receive a second message sent by the user equipment before the communication unit 1801 receives the first message sent by the application server; the second message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group and an application identity;

the communication unit 1801 is further configured to send a third message to the application server, where the application server sends the first message to the ProSe Function after determining the group priority of the group; the third message comprises a first subscriber identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of the group.

Further, the processor 1802 is configured to, after the communication unit 1801 receives the first message sent by the application server, allocate a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

Preferably, the processor 1802 can select any one of the group addresses from the group addresses stored internally in the ProSe Function as the second group identification of the group.

Further, the communication unit 1801 is further configured to send a second group identifier of the group to the application server, so that the application server establishes a correspondence between the second identifier and the group priority of the group according to the second identifier, and directly sends the correspondence to the base station through the user equipment.

Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, besides sending the notification message including the group priority to the base station through the HSS, the MME, and the like, as a more general method, the communication unit 1801 may also send the message including the group priority to the base station through the user equipment, and the specific implementation is as follows:

the communication unit 1801 is further configured to send, after the communication unit 1801 receives the first message sent by the application server, a fourth message to the user equipment, where the user equipment sends, to the base station, a message including the second identifier of the group and the group priority of the group; wherein the fourth message includes the second group identification and the group priority of the group.

EXAMPLE eighteen

Referring to fig. 19, for an application server 190 provided in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 19, the application server 190 may include: a communication unit 1901, a processor 1902, a memory 1903, at least one communication bus 1104 for enabling connection and intercommunication among these devices;

a communication unit 1901, configured to perform data transmission with an external network element.

The processor 1902 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU);

the memory 1903 may be a volatile memory (RAM), such as a random-access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory (english: non-volatile memory), such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory (flash memory), a hard disk (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the above types of memories and provides instructions and data to the processor 1902.

A processor 1902 is configured to determine a group priority of a group in which the ue is located.

A communication unit 1901, configured to send a first message to a ProSe Function, where the first message includes: a first subscriber identity of a user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group.

in an implementation manner of the embodiment of the present invention, the processor 1902 is specifically configured to:

Further, the communication unit 1901 is further configured to receive a second message sent by the ProSe Function before the processor 1902 determines the group priority of the group, where the second message includes the first subscriber identity of the user equipment and the first group identity of the group.

Further, in this embodiment of the present invention, in addition to sending the first message to the ProSe Function, so that the ProSe Function sends the notification message including the group priority to the base station, as a more general manner, the communication unit 1901 may also send the message including the group priority to the base station through the user equipment, where the specific implementation is as follows:

the communication unit 1901 is further configured to send a third message to the ue, where the third message includes the second group identifier of the group and the group priority of the group.

The second group identifier of the group may be determined by the processor 1902 of the application server itself or received by the communication unit 1901 in the application server, specifically as follows:

the processor 1902 is configured to, before the sending unit sends the third message to the ue, allocate a corresponding second group identifier to the group according to the first group identifier, and establish a correspondence between the second group identifier and the group priority of the group.

Or, the communication unit 1901 is further configured to receive a fourth message sent by the ProSe Function before the sending unit sends the third message to the user equipment; wherein the third message includes a second set of identifications for the group.

Further, in this embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit is further configured to send the first message to the HSS or the PCRF, and the HSS or the PCRF sends a message including the group priority to the base station.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides an application server, where sending, by the application server, to a ProSe Function includes: the first message of the first user identification of the user equipment, the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located and the group priority of the group enables the EPC equipment to inform the base station of the group priority of the group, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out group communication; and the group of priorities is dynamically determined by the application server according to the current attributes of the group, so that the base station can allocate communication resources capable of meeting the current communication requirements of the group to the group according to the group priorities.

Example nineteen

Referring to fig. 20, in an embodiment of the present invention, an HSS200 is provided, as shown in fig. 20, the HSS200 may include: a communication unit 2001, a processor 2002, a memory 2003, at least one communication bus 2004 for enabling connection and intercommunication among these devices;

a communication unit 2001, configured to perform data transmission with an external network element.

The processor 2002 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU);

the memory 2003 may be a volatile memory (RAM), such as a random-access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory (english: non-volatile memory), such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory (flash memory), a hard disk (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the above types of memories, and provides instructions and data to the processor 1001;

a communication unit 2001 for receiving a first message transmitted by an application server; the first message includes: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group;

sending a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; the notification message includes: a second subscriber identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group.

Further, the communication unit 2001 may be specifically configured to:

Example twenty

Referring to fig. 21, for a PCRF210 provided in the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 21, the PCRF210 may include: a communication unit 2101, a processor 2102, a memory 2103, at least one communication bus 2104 for enabling connection and intercommunication between these devices;

a communication unit 2101 is configured to perform data transmission with an external network element.

The processor 2102 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU);

the memory 2103 may be a volatile memory (RAM), such as a random-access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory (english: non-volatile memory), such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory (flash memory), a hard disk (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the above types of memories, and provides instructions and data to the processor 2102;

a communication unit 2101, configured to receive a first message sent by an application server; the first message includes: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group;

Further, the communication unit 2101 may be specifically configured to:

Example twenty one

Fig. 22 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 22, the system may include: user equipment, a base station, a ProSe function 180 and an application server 190;

wherein the ProSe function 180 is the same as the ProSe function described in example seventeen; the function of the application server 190 is the same as that of the application server described in the eighteenth embodiment, and is not described herein again.

As can be seen from the above, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group priority notification system in group communication, where an application server receives a notification sent by a ProSe Function, where the notification includes: after determining the group priority of the group according to the current attribute of the group, the attribute value corresponding to the current attribute, and a preset priority level classification relationship, the third message of the first user identifier of the user equipment and the first group identifier of the group sends a message containing: the method comprises the steps that a message containing a first user identification of user equipment, a first group identification of a group where the user equipment is located and a group priority of the group is notified to a base station through other equipment by a ProSefunction. Therefore, the base station is informed of the group priority of the group through the ProSeFunction, the problem of how to inform the base station of the group priority of the group in group communication is solved, and a foundation is laid for the user equipment to carry out the group communication.

Example twenty two

Fig. 23 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 23, the system may include: user equipment, base station, HSS200, and application server 190;

the HSS200 has the same function as the HSS described in the nineteenth embodiment; the function of the application server 190 is the same as that of the application server described in the eighteenth embodiment, and is not described herein again.

Example twenty three

Fig. 24 is a structural diagram of a group priority notification system in group communication according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 24, the system may include: user equipment, base station, PCRF210, and application server 190;

the PCRF210 has the same function as the PCRF in the twenty embodiment; the function of the application server 190 is the same as that of the application server described in the eighteenth embodiment, and is not described herein again.

It is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the above-described units and systems may refer to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the units is only one logical functional division, and other divisions may be realized in practice, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may be physically included alone, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, or in a form of hardware plus a software functional unit.

The integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The software functional unit is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device) to execute some steps of the methods according to the embodiments of the present invention. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing program codes, such as a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the steps in the methods of the above embodiments may be implemented by a program to instruct associated hardware (e.g., a processor), the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the storage medium may include: read-only memory, random access memory, magnetic or optical disk, and the like.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above examples are only intended to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, but not to limit it; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some technical features may be equivalently replaced; and such modifications or substitutions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the corresponding technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A group priority notification method in group communication is applied to a ProSefunction entity, and the method comprises the following steps:

the ProSe Function sends a notification message to a base station according to the received first message; wherein the notification message comprises: a second user identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group;

wherein, the first group identifier of the group where the user equipment is located is an application layer identifier, and the second group identifier of the group is a network layer group address allocated to the group by the ProSe Function according to the first group identifier.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the ProSe Function sending a notification message to a base station comprises:

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein before the ProSe Function receives the first message sent by the application server, the method further comprises:

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second message and the third message further comprise: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the ProSe Function, after receiving a first message sent by an application server, the method further comprises:

6. The method of claim 5, wherein after the ProSe Function assigns a second set of identities to the group, the method further comprises:

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the ProSe Function, after receiving a first message sent by an application server, the method further comprises:

8. A group priority notification method in group communication, applied to an application server, the method comprising:

the application server sends a first message to a proximity service Function (ProSe) Function so that the ProSe Function sends a notification message to a base station according to the first message;

wherein the first message comprises: a first user identity of the user equipment, a first group identity of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group; the notification message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group;

a first group identifier of a group in which the ue is located is an application layer identifier, where the first group identifier is used for allocating a second group identifier to the group by the prose function, and the second group identifier is a network layer address of the group.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determining, by the application server, the group priority of the group in which the user equipment is located comprises:

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the application server, prior to determining the group priority of the group in which the user equipment is located, further comprises:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second message further comprises: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

13. The method of claim 12, wherein before the application server sends the third message to the user equipment, the method further comprises:

14. The method of claim 12, wherein when EPC network device is a ProSe Function, before the application server sends a third message to the user equipment, the method further comprises:

15. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

16. A proximity services Function, ProSe Function, comprising:

the receiving unit is used for receiving a first message sent by the application server; wherein the first message comprises: a first user identification of a user equipment, a first group identification of a group in which the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group;

a sending unit, configured to send a notification message to a base station according to the first message received by the receiving unit; wherein the notification message comprises: a second user identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group;

17. The ProSe Function of claim 16, wherein the sending unit is specifically configured to:

sending the notification message to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS), wherein the HSS sends the notification message to a Mobility Management Entity (MME), and the MME sends the notification message to the base station;

18. The ProSe Function of claim 16 or 17,

19. The ProSe Function of claim 18,

20. The ProSe Function of claim 16, further comprising:

21. The ProSe Function of claim 20,

22. The ProSe Function of claim 16,

23. An application server, comprising:

a sending unit, configured to send a first message to Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network equipment, so that the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network equipment sends a notification message to a base station according to the first message;

wherein the first message comprises: a first user identifier of the user equipment, a first group identifier of a group where the user equipment is located, and a group priority of the group determined by the determining unit; the notification message includes: a second user identity of the user equipment, a second group identity of the group, and a group priority of the group;

the first group identification of the group where the user equipment is located is application layer identification, the first group identification is used for the EPC network equipment to distribute a second group identification for the group, and the second group identification is a network layer group address of the group.

24. The application server of claim 23, wherein the determining unit is specifically configured to:

25. The application server according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the application server further comprises:

26. The application server of claim 25, wherein the second message further comprises: a current attribute of the group and an attribute value corresponding to the current attribute.

27. The application server of claim 23,

the sending unit is further configured to send a third message to the ue, where the third message includes the second group identifier of the group and the group priority of the group.

28. The application server of claim 27, further comprising:

29. The application server of claim 27, wherein the application server further comprises:

a second receiving unit, configured to receive a fourth message sent by the prose function before the sending unit sends the third message to the user equipment; wherein the third message includes a second set of identifications for the group.

30. The application server of claim 23,

the sending unit is further configured to send the first message to a home subscriber server HSS or a policy and charging rule function unit PCRF.

31. Group priority notification system in group communication, comprising a base station, a ProSe Function according to any of the claims 16-22, and an application server according to any of the claims 23-30.