GB2476809A - Paging method and associated devices - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a targeted data download service in a telecommunications network including a broadcast capability, there is provided a method including the steps of: allocating at least one time slot to each of a plurality of data download events, each data download event intended to be received by one or more predefined receiving devices or groups of receiving devices; and broadcasting the plurality of data download events from at least one base station in the telecommunications network on a first channel such that each data download event is broadcast in its allocated time slot. Preferably paging control information, which may comprise identity data for one or more receiving devices, is broadcast on a second channel to define the at least one predefined time which a particular download event is to be broadcast. Mobile terminals may transit from a low power mode to an active mode at the predetermined time to receive the data download.

Description

INTELLECTUAL

. .... PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. GB 1000253.3 RTM Date:31 March 2010 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Vodafone

UMTS WiFi

Bluetooth Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk

PAGING METHOD AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a method and system for providing a data paging service over multicast or broadcast channels in a mobile telecommunications network.

Background

The term "paging" in the field of telecommunications has two distinct meanings. In relation to voice communications, paging is a process of delivering a call alert (i.e. a command for a ring signal) via a cellular communication system. A conventional cellular terminal, when it receives this call alert, produces a ringtone (or otherwise indicates that a voice call is incoming). In the other definition, "paging" refers to a different usage of an alert signal: the signal is broadcast and a numeric or alphanumeric message is transmitted for display on a dedicated electronic readout.

In the context of the following discussion the term "paging" refers to the latter meaning. Paging in this sense is associated with a small, portable radio receiver often called a "pager" which gives an indication (e.g. an audible beep, or vibration) when a radio signal containing a code identified with that device is received. Some pagers also display messages that may be included in the transmitted radio signal. In addition, pagers may also transmit a radio signal acknowledging that a message has been received -so called "two-way pagers".

Vodafone currently operates a UK only (text) paging network. The bandwidth available for this network is limited: adequate for little more than the transmission of text only messages of limited length (<240 characters).

Furthermore, the current network has large overlapping regions of base stations and this prevents broadcasting data based on location. Further, a roll out of a new infrastructure to new territories has been viewed as prohibitively expensive.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method for providing a targeted data download service in a telecommunications network including a broadcast capability, the method including: allocating at least one time slot to each of a plurality of data download events, each data download event intended to be received by one or more predefined receiving devices or groups of receiving devices; and broadcasting the plurality of data download events from the at least one base station in the telecommunications network on a first channel such that each data download event is broadcast in its allocated time slot.

Preferably the targeted data download service is a data paging service.

Preferably the receiving devices include mobile communication devices.

In this way, by dividing a transmission channel up into time slots, it becomes possible to transmit numerous discrete data download events, such as messages, on the same channel. These discrete data download events may be control messages or data paging messages.

Preferably the method further includes communicating paging control information to the one or more predefined receiving devices or groups of receiving devices, such that the paging control information defines the at least one pre-defined time at which a particular data download event is to be broadcast on the first channel.

Further by associating each discrete message with control information, defining the transmission slot and one or more receiving devices for which the message is intended to be received, it becomes possible to target specific intended recipients of the data download events. The intended recipients are then able to listen to the broadcast channel at the specified time, in order to receive their data download.

In this way, by broadcasting information regarding an impending data transmission, it becomes possible to define delivery windows, which enables delivery to be controlled, and accordingly Quality of Service (QoS) to be controlled.

The download data may comprise text, data and/or multimedia data, such as images, video and sound.

Preferably this aspect of the invention is provided in a mobile telecommunications network such as UMTS or GSM using, for example, MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service). In this regard, in a specific aspect of the invention, the receiving devices may comprise mobile communication terminals with a suitable paging application.

Advantageously, by utilising an existing network service like MBMS, being a service intended for high bandwidth services such as mobile television, it becomes possible to reintroduce paging services as a viable communication service without the need to roll out a new infrastructure, and with the added benefit of enhanced bandwidth availability.

A further advantage of providing paging services through a mobile telecommunications network, particularly 2G, 3G and 4G networks, is that it becomes possible to extend the paging network to other regions/countries with compatible networks, so that the telecommunications network paging service need not be limited to the UK. The 2G/3G/4G and onward network also provides significantly greater bandwidth than the conventional paging network, so messages no longer need be limited to 240 characters and can be multimedia and not just plain text.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 illustrates a broadcast procedure according to the prior art; Figure 2 illustrates a paging channel divided into time slots according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 illustrates a message receiving flowchart according to an embodiment of the invention; and Figure 4 illustrates a data block receiving flowchart where the broadcast channel is used to schedule a large media broadcast according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

MBMS is an IP-based technology designed to deliver multimedia (video, audio, and text) content more efficiently over 3G radio and network resources.

It is described functionally in 3GPP TS 23.246.

Equivalent services for GSM based (i.e. 2G) networks could operate a service that would emulate the management functions afforded by MBMS, such as device cellular location.

A paging service makes it possible to transmit data on a cell by cell basis, and to share the transmitted data amongst numerous users in each cell. This can be achieved either by broadcast, where all users receive the service, or by multicast, where oniy a selected set of users receive the service. Multicast is typically used to target users that have explicitly subscribed to a service.

In order for a user terminal to be eligible to receive multicast services from an operator, the user terminal needs first to start a relationship with the operator by taking out a subscription. This subscription can be for a specific service, such as a news service, or football score updates or generally to be notified of any service as it becomes available. Then, when a terminal (hereafter referred to as a dveice or "user equipment" -with the abbreviation "UE") is active or idle in a network, typically the UE needs to register with the provider in order to receive notification of when an service becomes available.

For instance, in a UMTS network, when a Radio Network Controller (RNC) detects that it is hosting a UE interested in a multicast bearer service, the RNC sends a multicast Registration Request towards a BM-SC (Broadcast/Multicast Service Centre) in order to establish a multicast bearer context for the UE. The BM-SC will then either initiate a "Session Start" procedure, if the requested bearer service is active, otherwise it will add a node associated with UE to its list of downstream nodes for receiving session data when it becomes available.

The broadcast procedure is slightly different in that mobile terminals need not register with the network in order to receive the broadcast information. Instead, the network will broadcast a service announcement identifying where and when a broadcast is to commence. This procedure is illustrated in Figure 1. Mobile terminals may activate themselves for this service in response to the announcement. The mobile terminals need only initiate local service activation.

That is, the mobile terminals do not need to register with the BM-SC in order to receive the broadcast. Once a UE has initiated local service activation, it will receive whatever data is broadcast on that channel whilst the UE is activated.

Broadcast/multicast Mobile TV is implemented in the UMTS/3G standard using a broadcast capability MBMS.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the broadcast capability of the 2G/3G network is utilised to provide a targeted data download such as a data paging service. In this first embodiment of the invention, a paging protocol is streamed from a base station. This protocol is used as a basis from which to build broadcast and multicast paging services, and defines control and configuration data such as: a) when a data set/paging message is to be broadcast b) one or more intended targeted recipients of the paging broadcast; and c) configuration data for the channel designated for the broadcast.

The protocol information is created when a person or entity requests transmittal of a paging message, by sending the message content and the identities of one or more intended recipients to an appropriate network controller, such as the BM-SC. This request may also be accompanied by a regional designation defining the cells where the broadcast is to take place. Alternatively this may be determined by the network controller, for instance based upon subscription data for the person creating the paging message.

Upon receiving the paging request, the BM-SC will allocate a time slot of sufficient size to send the message. In this regard, the channel is sub-divided into a plurality of time slots of predetermined size. This is illustrated in Figure 2. Each incoming message is allocated one or more time slots, as required.

Once a time slot has been allocated to a paging request, control information regarding the channel time slot and device identification (ID) code of one or more intended recipient is created according to the paging protocol. In this way, download channel timeslots can be effectively "booked" for use. Once a device has received a notification of a paging message intended for it, the device can be powered down to an idle mode and then activated just before the broadcast time in order to receive the information broadcast in the designated time slot. Importantly, the device needs to be synchronised with the network so that the correct time slot is received.

The paging message is preferably broadcast on a separate channel to that on which the paging control and message structure information is broadcast.

Preferably the paging message channel is capable of broadcasting large blocks of data, with the reception of that data effectively being marshalled by the data in the control channel. This is achieved by the high bandwidth message channel being time synchronised to the control channel. In this way, the loading of large blocks of data can be signalled to users through short messages in the paging protocol on the control channel.

With reference to Figure 3, once a device has been notified of a time slot in which a message intended for it will be broadcast, the device will ensure that it is operational at the appropriate time, and monitor the data channel, waiting for the allocated timeslot (31). When the time slot arrives, the device saves/caches the data, and decodes it where necessary (32). The device then checks the device/group ID in the retrieved data (33), and if it matches its own (or that of a group to which it belongs), then the message is valid (34), and the device will communicate the data/message to a user of the device. If the ID does not match, then the device will discard the message and continue monitoring the data channel for its next allocated timeslot (31). This technique may also be used in relation to the control channel.

Once the device has received the paging communication, the user can simply absorb the information, or respond to it. For instance the communication may be: "Emergency at work, call 07545858394 immediately". Since the paging messages need not be limited to text only, the paging content may be active.

For instance the phone number in the message could be used to start a voice or video call or SMS. Similarly, the paging message may include a URL, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) address or an email address that the software/hardware pager may present to an appropriate browser or mail application in the terminal. The software paging application may also be used to provide a push message for other services (i.e. encased WAP push messages).

As it is possible that a device may not receive the paging protocol information in time or at all, a broadcast message is preferably allocated a plurality of discrete time slots, so that the same message is broadcast more than once.

Where this occurs, the paging protocol message will include information on all the discrete time slots in which the paging message will be broadcast. In this regard, a resend schedule will typically be specified by the sender, where multiple broadcasts are required.

While devices must always retain their unique ID, and this cannot be removed, other device ID codes may be added or removed using messages sent in the paging control protocol. Indeed, multiple ID codes may be applied to a device, such that the device will receive messages broadcast using any of the codes.

For instance groups of users/devices may be created, and a group ID code applied to each member of the group so that each member can receive messages intended for the group.

The paging protocol control data may be of any suitable type and may also include supplementary information, including mapping information, software updates and media updates. For instance, the control data may enable and/or disable a recipient paging device, may include a battery-save configuration message (e.g. to power down only the paging application on a mobile terminal) or, where the paging device includes a SIM, may pass SIM messages onto the SIM.

Preferably this paging protocol control information is communicated to the intended recipient by being broadcast. Devices able to receive this broadcast data include discrete paging devices and existing capable devices running software applications (e.g. mobile phones, PDAs and other consumer devices having suitable equipment for communicating with cellular telecommunications networks).

To receive the paging of the control information/data, the devices are preferably configured continuously to monitor the channel upon which the control data is broadcast, looking out for messages that include one of their device IDs.

Alternatively, the devices may be configured to check the control channel intermittently. In a still further alternative, the control channel is divided into a number of slots, just like the data download channel, with each device's control data being scheduled in a pre-agreed time slot. The time slots can be shared amongst several devices. A UE may therefore check the allocated time slots, in order to receive targeting control information. This technique again avoids the need for the device to monitor the control channel constantly, and accordingly save power.

Whether control channels are checked continuously, intermittently, or upon a preagreed basis may conveniently be configured by the user and/or the network operator.

The data download/paging messages are preferably encrypted in order to ensure that they are not received by unauthorised parties. Typically this requires a device to register with a base station in order to obtain the cipher key for that cell. When the cell is lost, the pager may alert the user that a new cipher is needed. Advantageously, where the pager is a fixed device, it is possible for this cipher to be received by the pager only once using this technique.

It is not, however, essential that the paging messages be enciypted. For example, where "receive-only" devices are included in the network, the paging system needs to be at least partially unencrypted. This is because devices that operate in a receive only mode, are not involved in key exchange or device authorisation, and so need data to be unencrypted in order to be capable of operating in the network. To allow these devices to operate in the paging system, where MBMS is configured with a symmetrical encoding scheme, a paging manager, receiving the paging data stream to be broadcast, encodes the data stream with the inverse of the MBMS encoding. This inversely encoded data is then transmitted to the BM-SC, which encodes the message with the MBMS encoding using the same key. This effectively removes the original encoding, so that the message transmitted by the BM-SC for broadcast is unencoded.

Alternatively, selective encryption of the channels may be implemented. This may be implemented on a per channel basis at the base station, for instance with the encryption keys being broadcast with the control data. In this way, by allowing ciphering to be turned on per slot on the base station, a mixture of free to air and controlled broadcast services can be provided.

Alternatively, encryption keys may be communicated to the "receive only" devices, preferably via an out of band method of communication, such as the SIM control channel. This would allow an encrypted paging stream to be received and interpreted by a "receive only" device.

A particular advantage of this embodiment of the invention is that battery life of the recipient devices can be extended significantly due to the timed nature of the broadcasts.

The embodiments of the invention effectively utilise the existing GSM1'UMTS/3G/LTE network infrastructure in order to extend the life and utility of conventional paging networks. As such the benefits of the GSM!UMTS/3G/LTE network may be accessed: in particular the availability of much more bandwidth and the pre-existing multimedia capability of such networks. If desired, the cell-based nature of the GSM/UMTS/3G/LTE network can allow the broadcast of certain signals to be restricted to certain geographic (or organizational) zones. Further the paging service of these embodiments of the invention, implemented in a GSM/UMTS/3G/LTE infrastructure can readily be extended to other regions. For instance, a UK wide paging service may readily be extended into other European countries without new physical infrastructure being required.

These embodiments also address customer demand for bit trickle' devices that provide both broadcast and multicast services: allowing data broadcast customers to upgrade and modernise their applications.

By allowing delivery of large data packages, the embodiments of the invention can also be used to reduce network traffic; for instance in software distribution to a predetermined group of devices. The embodiments are also better for emergency situations, as they avoids network congestion.

A further benefit of using the GSM/UMTS/3G/LTE network to deliver paging messages is the ease of adapting the paging services to be "location aware".

Each device when it is turned on registers with the network then location based multicast services may be applied to individual cells.

The timing information in the control data advantageously allows recipient devices to operate in low power mode, in that it allows the devices to "sleep" and wake up only for the reception of data in the pre-determined or pre-agreed timeslot. This will reduce battery power usage in the receiving devices.

Two way paging will allow responses to messages to be returned via an out of band channel. This return channel may include SMS or another data channel from the device, such as GPRS, WiFi or Bluetooth. The destination of the response may be based on the source of the message, or fixed by the application. In this way, where the present invention is implemented on a mobile communication terminal, true two-way paging may be achieved.

In this regard, a pager application may be provisioned on existing GSMi'UMTS/3G/LTE mobile terminals -thus providing a "software pager" in a conventional terminal. Where previously, a user might have had to carry a hardware pager to receive broadcast calls then use a phone to respond, the two functions may be performed in a single conventional device.

Where the discrete paging devices are "receive only" devices, these need not be authorised on the network. Where such devices are not authorised on the network, authorisation to receive a paging message may be provided by local security, e.g. a SIM. That is, the device ID code that is included with the control data may be a device's unique SIM ID.

A suitable GSM/UMTS/3G/LTE pager may include a display for image reproduction and a sound generator for audio playback. In many applications, it will be preferred that the device is provided with a limited number of control buttons and is suitably rugged. Clearly, a pager will be required to incorporate receiver components, but transmit capability is not essential.

The embodiments of the invention that have been described have particular utility for dynamic messaging groups using the OTA configuration. For instance, so-called smart meters are one such application. Currently, smart meters must call the host system on a schedule, or be polled, in order to receive individual messages, such as tariff information which needs to be changed frequently.

According to the present embodiment of the invention, however, a paging message is provided to a group of smart meters in the vicinity of a particular cell. The same paging message may be sent at three different time slots, in order to maximise the changes of all the meters receiving the update information.

For instance, consider the example of a tariff information message being delivered to one million smart meters. Under the current arrangement for such meters, an individual SMS would need to be sent to each meter, or it would be necessary to wait until all of those devices "called in" in order to communicate the update. Using the present invention, however, upon being notified of the impending paging broadcast, at least 80% of those one million meters would be likely to receive the first broadcast instance. If 80% of the remainder receive the subsequent broadcast, and then 80% again of the remainder receive the final broadcast, it is likely that only about 8000 of the 1,000,000 did not receive the broadcast. To ensure that even these 8000 meters receive the update information, the meters may be programmed to "call in" to request the data after a predetermined period if they have not received any paging protocol messages or have not received the paging messages without errors. These repeat broadcasts are possible since data may be sent very economically.

Advantageously, no network connection is needed to deliver the messages, which dramatically reduces the load on the network. A further advantage is that, for existing meters, no new hardware is needed to implement the paging service -only software in the meter's modem needs to be upgraded.

In another example implementation, a normal pager message may be sent out to a "Juke Box" group, which identifies the time in which a media download broadcast is scheduled to take place. The target device in this case may be a specialised device such as an eBook reader or a portable media player or it may be a more static device such as a TV set-top box or even a public juke box.

The media download (the day's electronic newspaper or the previously embargoed multimedia content) would then be streamed on the download channel, which can then be received by all the juke boxes that are members of the Juke Box group by those members tuning in to the download channel at the scheduled time. This is a cost efficient and bandwidth efficient way of downloading content.

In another embodiment of the invention, the paging technique may be zone-based, so that localised information services are made available to users. For instance, a user living in a particular town or region may register to receive location information pages when new information becomes available. The paging service may be in regard to any suitable information including traffic conditions, public transport updates, weather and/or local events. Also, the embodiments of the invention may be used to distribute new media to users based on paged notifications.

Other applications include software upgrades to phones, active billboard updates, navigational map updates and navigational traffic broadcast systems.

In the embodiments of the invention described above, the paging protocol is communicated to mobile devices via a broadcast. Whilst this approach is preferred, particularly in view of its cost effectiveness in notifying large numbers of mobile devices of an impending communication, other approaches are possible. For instance, the mobile devices may be notified of the impending communication via an SMS message, an MMS message or an email.

Claims (5)

1. CLAIMS1. A method for providing a targeted data download service in a telecommunications network including a broadcast capability, the method including: allocating at least one time slot to each of a plurality of data download events, each data download event intended to be received by one or more predefined receiving devices or groups of receiving devices; and broadcasting the plurality of data download events from the at least one base station in the telecommunications network on a first channel such that each data download event is broadcast in its allocated time slot.
2. 2. The method of claim 1 further including broadcasting paging control information, such that the paging control information defines the at least one pre-defined time at which a particular data download event is to be broadcast on the first channel.
3. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the broadcast paging control information further includes identity data for one or more receiving devices or groups of receiving devices for whom the particular data download event is intended.
4. 4. In a mobile telecommunications network including a broadcast capability, a mobile terminal configured to receive a data paging service, the mobile terminal including: a receiver configured to monitor a first channel for control information regarding a data download to be broadcast; a processing engine configured to determine at least one predefined time at which the data download is scheduled to be broadcast on a second channe1 and monitoring the second channel at a predefined time in order to receive the data download.
5. 5. The mobile terminal of claim 4 further configured to transit from a low power mode to an active mode at the predetermined time in order to receive the data download.