WO2012000367A1

WO2012000367A1 - Method for activating mtc features, and mobility management network element and mtc device

Info

Publication number: WO2012000367A1
Application number: PCT/CN2011/075182
Authority: WO
Inventors: 谢宝国; 李志军
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2010-06-29
Filing date: 2011-06-02
Publication date: 2012-01-05
Also published as: CN102316436B; CN102316436A

Abstract

A method for activating Machine Type Communication (MTC) features, and a mobility management network element and an MTC device are provided in the present invention. Wherein, the method includes: a user subscription server sends an MTC feature list subscribed by the MTC device to the mobility management network element (S1002); the mobility management network element obtains an activatable MTC feature list based on said subscribed MTC feature list, the MTC feature list supported by the MTC device and the MTC feature list supported by the network side (S1004); the mobility management network element activates the MTC features on the activatable MTC feature list (S1006). With the present invention, the realization of the services corresponding to the activated MTC features can be ensured.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mobile communication network or, in particular, to an activation method and a mobile device type communication (MTC) characteristic activation method, and a mobile device Sex management network elements and MTC devices. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Machine to Machine (M2M) communication (also referred to as Machine Type Communication (MTC)) services are gradually being applied, for example, in logistics systems, remote meter reading, smart homes. Etc. applications. Currently, the M2M service is mainly implemented by using an existing wireless network. For example, a general packet radio service (GPRS) network and an Evolved Packet System (EPS) network are used to carry out M2M. business.

The GPRS network is a second-generation mobile communication network based on packet switching. In the third generation mobile communication system, GPRS evolved into a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System Packet Switch (UMTS PS) domain. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture of an M2M communication service applied to a UMTS PS. As shown in FIG. 1 , an MTC terminal (UE) accesses a radio network system (Radio Network System, RNS for short) through an MTCu interface, where the RNS includes a NodeB. And the radio network controller (Radio Network Controller, RFC for short); the machine type communication (Machine Type Communication, MTC for short) is the M2M application server, which is used to provide the user with the M2M application, and is connected;

The MTC terminal (UE) transmits data information to the MTC server or other MTC UEs through the GPRS network transmission. The GPRS network establishes a tunnel between the RNC, the Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and the GGSN to establish a RNC-SGSN-GGSN for the transmission. The tunnel is based on the GPRS Tunneling Protocol (GPRS Tunneling Protocol, referred to as

GTP), data information is reliably transmitted through the GTP tunnel. The purpose of System Architecture Evolution (SAE) is to enable Evolved Packet Core (EPC) to provide higher transmission rates, shorter transmission delays, optimized packetization, and support for evolution. Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), UTRAN, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and other non-3GPP access networks Mobility management between. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the network architecture of the M2M communication service applied to the SAE. As shown in Figure 2, the MTC server passes the MTCi interface and the packet data network gateway (Packet Data Network Gate Way, referred to as PDN GW, PGW or P-GW). ) connected. MTC Server is mainly responsible for information collection and data storage/processing of MTC devices, and necessary management of MTC devices. The MTC device (MTC UE) is connected to the E-UTRAN through the MTCu interface, and is responsible for collecting the information of the Millennium Collector and interacting with the MTC Server through the EPS network. In FIG. 2, the MTC UE needs to transmit data information to the MTC Server through the EPS network, and the EPS network is a GTP tunnel between the Serving GateWay (SGW or S-GW) and the PGW, and the data information passes the GTP. The tunnel achieves reliable transmission. Unlike human to human (human to human) communication, the communication object is machine-to-machine, which can be communication between people, machines, communication between machines and servers, and communication between different intelligent terminals. . Different application MTC devices have different MTC characteristics, for example, elevator equipment such as elevators have low mobility and PS only characteristics, while monitoring and alarm devices have low mobility, PS only, and also have data transmission and MTC monitoring. characteristic. The various types of MTC features listed above need to be in the user subscription server (ie, the Home Location Register (HLR) in Figure 1 or the Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in Figure 2). Different from the mobile terminal in the H2H communication, the MTC features of the subscription need to be activated after the network side and the MTC device are activated, and the network side and the MTC device need to determine whether to support the activation of these MTC characteristics according to their capabilities or policies. In the actual application, the MTC feature of the MTC device, the MTC device side and the MTC feature supported by the network side may be different. As a result, the MTC feature is not supported by the network side or the MTC device, which leads to the MTC feature. For example, if the network side supports the time control feature and the MTC device does not support it, after the network activates the time control feature, the MTC device does not support the feature. Time The inter-segment or the time period in which the network side configuration is allowed to access may not be set, so that the MTC device may access outside the allowed access time period configured on the network side, for example, frequently access during the busy period of the network, thereby increasing the network load burden. . Moreover, if the MTC device does not have access during the allowed time period, the MTC device and the MTC server cannot exchange data, thereby causing impact on specific industry applications. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for activating an MTC feature and a mobility management network element, so as to prevent the network side or the MTC device from being supported due to the activated MTC feature, thereby causing the service corresponding to the MTC feature to fail. The problem of implementation. According to an aspect of the present invention, a method for activating an MTC feature is provided, including: a user subscription server transmitting an MTC feature set subscribed by an MTC device to a mobility management network element; and the mobility management network element is based on the contracted MTC feature The set, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the MTC feature set supported by the network side obtain an activateable MTC feature set; the mobility management network element activates the MTC feature in the activatable MTC feature set. The mobility management network element obtains an activateable MTC feature set, where: the MTC device sends the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device to the mobility management network element; the mobility management network element receives and saves the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device; The sex management network element obtains the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the signed MTC feature set, to obtain an activatable MTC feature set. After the mobility management network element obtains the set of activatable MTC characteristics, the method further includes: the mobility management network element sends the set of activatable MTC characteristics to the MTC device; the MTC device receives the set of activatable MTC characteristics, and the activation is activatable The MTC characteristics of the MTC feature set. The mobility management network element deletes the MTC feature set supported by the saved MTC device when the MTC device is detached. The mobility management network element obtains an activateable MTC feature set, where the mobility management network element sends the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the subscribed MTC feature set to the MTC device; the MTC device obtains the received MTC feature set. The intersection of the MTC feature set running with the MTC device results in an activatable MTC feature set; the MTC device sends the activatable MTC feature set to the mobility management network element. After obtaining the activatable MTC feature set, the method further includes: the MTC device activating the MTC feature in the activatable MTC feature set. The user subscription server sends the subscribed MTC feature set to the mobility management network element. The mobility management network element requests the subscribed server to request the subscribed MTC feature set when receiving the attach request of the MTC device, and the user subscription server moves to the mobile device. The SME management network element returns the signed MTC feature set; or the MTC feature set signed by the user subscription server is changed, the user subscription server sends a notification to the mobility management network element, and sends the changed contracted MTC feature set to the mobility. Manage network elements. After the mobility management network element activates the MTC feature in the activatable MTC feature set, the method further includes: the mobility management network element notifying the MTC device, the MTC server, or the MTC feature of the MTC user mobility management network element activation. If the specific MTC feature set in the activated MTC feature set does not include the specific MTC feature set in the contracted MTC feature set, or the set of the activable MTC feature is empty, the method further includes: the mobility management network element is preset to the operator policy or the MTC device. The subscription attribute determines whether the MTC device is allowed to access. The MTC feature set supported by the network side is pre-configured in the mobility management network element or the mobility management network element is generated according to the network capability or a preset operator policy. The MTC feature set supported by the foregoing MTC device is pre-configured in the MTC device or the MTC device is generated according to the capability of the MTC device. According to another aspect of the present invention, a mobility management network element is provided, including: a receiving module, configured to receive an MTC feature set of an MTC device subscription from a user subscription server; and an obtaining module configured to set the MTC feature set based on the subscription The MTC feature set supported by the network side and the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device obtain an activateable MTC feature set; and the activation module is set to activate the MTC feature in the activatable MTC feature set. The receiving module is further configured to receive the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device reported by the MTC device; the mobility management network element further includes: a storage module, configured to save the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device; and the acquiring module obtains the MTC supported by the network side The feature set, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the intersection of the signed MTC feature sets, obtain an activatable MTC feature set. The mobility management network element further includes: a sending module, configured to send an intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the subscribed MTC feature set to the MTC device; and the receiving module is further configured to receive The set of activatable MTC features returned by the MTC device; the acquisition module obtains an activatable MTC feature set from the receiving module. The mobility management network element further includes: a notification module, configured to notify the MTC device, the MTC server, or the MTC feature activated by the MTC user activation module. According to still another aspect of the present invention, an MTC device is provided, including: an obtaining module, configured to obtain an activable MTC feature set, where the activatable MTC feature set is an MTC feature set and network that the MTC device subscribes to An intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the side and the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device; and an activation module configured to activate the MTC feature in the activateable MTC feature set. The foregoing MTC device further includes: a sending module, configured to report the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device to the mobility management network element on the network side; and the acquiring module receives the message carrying the activatable MTC feature set sent by the mobility management network element Get the set of activatable MTC features. The foregoing MTC device further includes: a receiving module, configured to receive an MTC feature set sent by the mobility management network element on the network side, where the MTC feature set is an intersection of the contracted MTC feature set and the MTC feature set supported by the network side; The module obtains an activatable MTC feature set by taking the intersection of the MTC feature set received by the receiving module and the MTC feature supported by the MTC device. With the present invention, the mobility management network element is activated by the MTC feature supported by both the network side and the MTC device side, thereby avoiding the possibility that the MTC feature that cannot be supported by the MTC device side or that cannot be supported by the network side is activated, thereby ensuring The service corresponding to the activated MTC feature can be implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are set to illustrate,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, 1 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of an M2M service application in a GPRS network in the related art; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a system architecture of an M2M service application in an EPS network in the related art; FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobility management network element; FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a preferred mobility management network element according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another preferred mobility management network element according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of still another preferred mobility management network element according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a preferred MTC device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another preferred MTC device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 11 is a signaling flowchart of an MTC feature activation according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a signaling flowchart of MTC feature activation according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; FIG. 13 is a signaling flowchart of MTC feature activation according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention; and FIG. 14 is a signaling flowchart of MTC feature activation according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments in the present application and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict. FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a mobility management network element 2 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The mobility management network element 2 includes: a receiving module 20, an obtaining module 22, and an activation module 24. The receiving module 20 is configured to receive the MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device from the user subscription server 6; the obtaining module 22 is configured to set the MTC feature set supported by the network side, the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and the MTC supported by the MTC device 4. The feature set obtains an activatable MTC feature set; the activation module 24 is configured to activate the MTC characteristics of the above activatable MTC feature set. In an actual application, if the M2M service is applied to the GPRS network as shown in FIG. 1, the mobility management network element 2 is the SGSN, and the user signing server 6 is the HLR; if the M2M service is applied in the figure In the EPS network shown in FIG. 2, the mobility management network element 2 is a Mobility Management Entity (abbreviated as ΜΜΕ), and the user subscription server 6 is an HSS therein. In the related art, when the network side activates the MTC feature, it does not consider whether the MTC feature is supported by the network side or the MTC device side, so that the service corresponding to the activated MTC feature cannot be implemented, and the foregoing is provided by the embodiment of the present invention. When the mobility management network element 2 needs to activate the MTC feature, the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device is used as an activable MTC feature set, and the The MTC feature in the MTC feature set ensures that the active MTC feature is supported on both the network side and the MTC device side, thereby ensuring that the service corresponding to the activated MTC feature can be implemented. As a preferred embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a preferred mobility management network element 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Compared with the mobility management network element 2 shown in FIG. 3, the preferred The mobility management network element 2 further includes: a storage module 26, and the receiving module 20 of the preferred mobility management network element is further configured to receive the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device reported by the MTC device 4, and the storage module 26 is configured to After the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 received by the receiving module 20 is saved, the obtaining module 22 obtains the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4, and the MTC feature set signed by the MTC device 4. Go to the above set of activatable MTC features. For example, the MTC device 4 may carry the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4, and after receiving the attach request, the receiving module 4 saves the MTC feature set carried by the receiving module 4 to the storage module 26, when the mobility management network element 2 needs When the MTC feature is activated, for example, the subscription information of the MTC device 4 delivered by the user subscription server 6 (including the contracted MTC feature set) is obtained. The obtaining module 22 takes the MTC feature set of the subscription, the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and the storage. The intersection of the MTC feature sets supported by the MTC device 4 held by the module 26 activates the MTC characteristics of the intersection. By the preferred mobility management network element 2, the time for the mobility management network element 2 to acquire the activatable MTC feature set can be reduced, and the efficiency of activating the MTC feature can be improved. As another preferred embodiment of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another preferred mobility management network element 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention, with respect to the mobility management network element 2 shown in FIG. The preferred mobility management network element 2 further includes: a sending module 28 configured to send an intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device 4 to the MTC device 4; and the receiving module 20 further sets To receive the above set of activatable MTC features returned by the MTC device, the acquisition module 22 obtains the set of activatable MTC features from the receiving module 20. In an actual application, after receiving the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the MTC feature set signed by the MTC device 4, the MTC device 4 receives the MTC feature set and the MTC feature set. The MTC feature set of the MTC device 4 is obtained by the MTC device 4, and the MTC feature set is reported to the mobility management network element 2, and the receiving module 20 receives the MTC feature set reported by the MTC device 4. The preferred mobility management network element 2 does not need to actively report the supported MTC characteristics to the MTC device 4, but the MTC device 4 determines that the MTC device 4 can be activated upon receiving the MTC feature set delivered by the mobility management network element 2. The set of MTC features, thus avoiding unnecessary reporting. FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of still another preferred mobility management network element 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The improvement of the mobility management network element 2 lies in the mobility management. The network element 2 further includes: a notification module 29, configured to notify the MTC device 4, the MTC server, or the MTC feature activated by the MTC user activation module 24. Therefore, the MTC device 4, the MTC server, or the MTC user can obtain the MTC feature activated on the current network side, and perform corresponding operations. For example, the MTC user may be the client of the MTC server or the user's mobile terminal, and the notification module 29 may send a short message notification to the user's mobile terminal, or the notification module 29 may also trigger the MTC server to the MTC. The client of the server sends a message, a message, etc. to notify. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, if the activating MTC feature set is empty, or some or some important MTC features subscribed by the MTC device are not activated, the network side needs to be according to an operator policy or The subscription attribute of the MTC device 4 determines whether or not the MTC device 4 is accepted to access the network. In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 may be pre-configured in the MTC device 4, or may be generated by the MTC device 4 according to its capability; and the MTC feature set supported by the network side may be Pre-configured in the mobility management network element 2, it may also be that the mobility management network element 2 is generated according to the operator policy or network capability. Embodiment 2 FIG. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an MTC device 4 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The MTC device 4 may include: an obtaining module 40 and an activation module 42. The obtaining module 40 is configured to obtain an activable MTC feature set, where the activatable MTC feature set is an MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device 4, an MTC feature set supported by the network side, and an MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 The intersection of the activation module 42 is set to activate the MTC feature in the set of activatable MTC features. With the above-mentioned MTC device of the embodiment of the present invention, the MTC device 4 acquires the MTC feature that is supported by the network side and the MTC device and is contracted by the MTC device, and the activation module 42 activates the MTC feature acquired by the acquisition module 40, thereby ensuring the MTC device. 4 The activated MTC feature can be supported by the network side and the MTC device, and the service corresponding to the activated MTC feature can be implemented. FIG. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a preferred MTC device 4 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The preferred MTC device 4 is different from the MTC device 4 shown in FIG. 7. The preferred MTC device 4 further includes: a sending module 44, configured to report the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 to the mobility management network element 2 on the network side, where the obtaining module 40 receives the mobility management network element The sent message carrying the above set of activatable MTC features acquires the set of activatable MTC features. In an actual application, after the sending module 44 reports the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 to the mobility management network element 2, the mobility management network element 2 acquires and saves the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4, and needs to be activated. The MTC feature obtains an intersection of the MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device 4, the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4, activates the MTC feature set in the intersection, and sends the intersection to the MTC device. 4. The preferred MTC device 4 can report the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 to the mobility management network element 2 in advance, so that the time for the mobility management network element 2 to acquire the activatable MTC feature set can be reduced, and the activated MTC feature can be improved. effectiveness. FIG. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another preferred MTC device 4 according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The preferred MTC device 4 is the same as the MTC device 4 shown in FIG. 7. The difference is that the preferred MTC device 4 further includes: a receiving module 46, configured to receive an MTC feature set sent by the mobility management network element 2 on the network side, where the MTC feature set is an MTC feature signed by the MTC device 4 The aggregation module sets the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side; the obtaining module 40 obtains the above-mentioned activatable MTC feature set by taking the intersection of the MTC feature set received by the receiving module 46 and the MTC feature supported by the MTC device 4. The preferred MTC device 4 determines the set of MTC features that can be activated only when the MTC feature set delivered by the mobility management network element 2 is received, thereby avoiding unnecessary reporting. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, if the activating MTC feature set is empty, or some or some important MTC features subscribed by the MTC device are not activated, the network side needs to be according to an operator policy or The subscription attribute of the MTC device 4 determines whether or not to accept the access of the MTC device 4 to the network - In addition, in the embodiment of the present invention, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 may be pre-configured in the MTC device 4, or may be generated by the MTC device 4 according to its capability; and the MTC feature set supported by the network side may be Pre-configured in the mobility management network element 2, it may also be that the mobility management network element 2 is generated according to the operator policy or network capability. Embodiment 3 FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method for activating an MTC feature according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The method mainly includes the following steps: Step S 1002: The MTC feature set that the user subscription server 6 subscribes to the MTC device 4 Sending to the mobility management network element 2; for example, when receiving the attach request of the MTC device 4, the mobility management network element 2 requests the user subscription server 6 for the subscription information of the MTC device 4, and the user subscription server 6 sends the subscription information to the mobility management network. The element 2 returns the subscription information of the MTC device 4, where the MTC feature set signed by the MTC device 4 is included. Alternatively, when the MTC feature set signed by the MTC device 4 is changed, the user subscription server 6 actively transmits the MTC feature set subscribed by the changed MTC device 4 to the mobility management network element 2. Step S1004: The mobility management network element 2 obtains an activatable MTC feature set based on the subscribed MTC feature set, the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4; for example, the MTC device 4 may be attached. The MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 is obtained and saved by the mobility management network element 2, and the mobility management network element 2 takes the signed MTC feature set and the network side support in step S1004. The intersection of the MTC feature set and the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 results in the above set of activatable MTC features. It should be noted that, in this case, when the MTC device 4 is detached, the mobility management network element 2 can delete the saved MTC feature set. Alternatively, in step S1004, the mobility management network element 2 may also take the intersection of the signed MTC feature set and the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and send the intersection to the MTC device 4, and the MTC device 4 acquires the intersection and the intersection. The intersection of the MTC feature sets supported by the MTC device 4 obtains the above set of activatable MTC characteristics, and then sets the MTC feature set to the mobility management network element 2. For example, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device 4 may be pre-configured in the MTC device 4, or may be generated by the MTC device 4 according to its capabilities; for example, the MTC feature set supported by the network side may be pre-configured in mobility management. In the network element 2, the mobility management network element 2 may be generated according to the operator policy or the network capability. In step S1006, the mobility management network element 2 activates the MTC feature in the activateable MTC feature set. For example, after the MTC feature is activated, the mobility management network element 2 may notify the MTC device 4, the MTC Server, or the MTC User of the activated MTC feature information; so that the MTC device 4, the MTC Server, or the MTC User performs the corresponding operations. For example, the MTC user may be the client of the MTC server or the mobile terminal of the user, and the mobility management network element 2 may send a short message notification to the mobile terminal of the user, or the mobility management network element 2 may also trigger the MTC server to The client of the MTC server sends a message, a message, etc. to notify. It should be noted that if the MTC features subscribed by the MTC device 4 are all inactive (that is, the above-mentioned activatable MTC feature set is empty) or some important MTC characteristics of the subscription cannot be activated, the mobility management network element 2 is based on The operator policy or the subscription attribute of the MTC device 4 determines whether to allow or allow the MTC device 4 to access. In the above method provided by the embodiment of the present invention, after the MTC feature subscribed by the MTC device 4 is sent to the mobility management network element 2, the mobile device moves. The sex management network element 2 uses the MTC feature supported by the network side, the MTC feature supported by the MTC device side, and the MTC feature subscribed by the MTC device 4 to share the MTC feature as an activatable MTC feature, and activates the MTC feature. The MTC feature is activated. If the MTC characteristics of the subscription cannot be activated or the specific MTC characteristics of the subscription cannot be activated, then whether the MTC device 4 is allowed to access according to the operator policy or the subscription. Therefore, the possibility that the MTC device 4 cannot be supported or the MTC feature that cannot be supported by the network side is activated may be avoided, thereby avoiding the problem that the service corresponding to the MTC feature cannot be implemented. In addition, the MTC device 4 cannot be accessed due to the inability of the partial MTC feature to be activated, so that subsequent functions such as monitoring, management, and remote wake-up of the MTC device 4 cannot be implemented. Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when the MTC UE (ie, the MTC device 4) initiates an attach request to the PS network (the GPRS network or the EPS network), the MTC feature supported by the terminal side is carried in the attach request; After the network (that is, the mobility management network element 2) downloads the subscription data of the user from the user subscription server 6 (HLR/HSS), the MTC feature supported by the network side, the MTC feature supported by the terminal side, and the signed MTC feature are used. The intersection, generate an activatable MTC feature to activate, and notify the remote MTC Server or MTC User. 11 is a signaling flowchart of MTC feature activation in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which mainly includes the following steps: Step S1101: The MTC UE initiates a network attach request to the SGSN/MME of the core network through a radio access network (RNS), where The attach request carries information such as an International Mobile Subscriber Identification Number (IMSI), a network access capability of the MTC UE, an MTC Feature List (MTC Feature listl) supported by the MTC UE, and an attachment type. The MTC feature set contains a set of all MTC features supported by the terminal side according to its own capabilities. The MTC feature set supported by the terminal side may be configured in advance in the MTC UE, or may be generated by the MTC UE according to the capability thereof;

The RNS selects one of the MTC UEs as the core network element SGSN/MME, and sends an attach request to the corresponding SGSN/MME. Step S1102: After receiving the attach request, the SGSN/MME extracts the terminal side support The MTC feature set is saved. Then, the HLR/HSS is requested to download the authentication data to complete the authentication of the MTC UE. If the MTC UE is legal, the SGSN/MME sends a location update request to the HLR/HSS of the home network, carrying the identifier of the MTC UE (IMSI), requesting the terminal. The contract data is sent to the MME according to the identifier of the MTC UE, and the subscription user data includes the MTC feature set (ie, MTC Feature list2) signed by the MTC UE; SGSN/ The MME receives the subscriber data, checks whether the MTC UE is allowed to access the network, and returns an owed user response to the HLR/HSS. Step S1104: The SGSN/MME matches the network capability and the terminal capability to determine an activatable MTC feature set.

The SGSN/MME may acquire the MTC feature set supported by the network side according to the configuration in the SGSN/MME in advance, or generate the MTC feature set supported by the network side according to the operator policy or the network capability.

The SGSN/MME generates an MTC feature set that can be activated by the network and the terminal according to the MTC feature set supported by the terminal side, the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and the contracted MTC feature set. The SGSN/MME activates the MTC characteristics of the MTC feature set on the network side according to the above-mentioned activatable MTC feature set. The SGSN/MME needs to determine whether to allow the MTC UE to access according to the subscription attribute or the operator policy of the MTC UE, for example, in the subscription attribute or operation, if the MTC feature is set to be in the MTC feature set by the MTC UE, or the specific MTC feature is not activated. If the MTC feature is not activated, the SGSN/MME needs to reject the access of the MTC UE and clear the MTC special 'I' information supported by the MTC UE side; Step S 1105 , SGSN The MME port media plane network element establishes a user plane, and then the SGSN/MME sends an attach accept message to the MTC UE through the radio access network (RNS), allowing the MTC UE to access the network; the attach accept message carries the network and After the MTC UE receives the MTC feature set, the MTC UE activates all the MTC characteristics in the activatable MTC feature set. In step S 1106, the MTC UE returns an attach complete message to the SGSN/MME, in the message. The relevant information about the successful activation of the terminal is notified, and the network is notified that the corresponding MTC feature is activated. Step S1107, optionally, the SGSN/MME notifies the HLR/HSS of the activated MTC feature.

The HSS saves the activated MTC feature information for other network elements to query. Step S 1108: After the MTC feature is activated, the SGSN/MME needs to further notify the remote MTC server or MTC user: Which of the subscribed MTC features The MTC feature has been activated, and the MTC server or MTC user can adjust the relevant M2M service application. Embodiment 5 In Embodiment 5 of the present invention, an MTC UE initiates an attach request to a PS network (GPRS network or EPS network). After the network downloads the subscription data of the MTC UE from the HLR/HSS, the intersection of the MTC feature supported by the network side and the signed MTC feature is sent to the MTC UE as the network-activating MTC feature, and the MTC UE uses the terminal. The intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the side and the received MTC feature set is generated, and the MTC feature that is activated by the network and the terminal is returned to the network, and the network activates all MTC characteristics in the MTC feature, and notifies the remote MTC Server or MTC User. FIG. 12 is a signaling flowchart of activation of an MTC feature set in Embodiment 5 of the present invention, which mainly includes the following steps: Step S1201: The MTC UE initiates a network attach request to the core network SGSN/MME through the radio access network (RNS), and carries information such as the network access capability and the attachment type of the IMSI and the MTC UE.

The RNS selects one of the MTC UEs as the core network element SGSN/MME, and sends an attach request to the corresponding SGSN/MME. Step S1202, after receiving the attach request, the SGSN/MME requests to download from the HLR/HSS. Authenticating data, performing authentication on the MTC UE; if the MTC UE is legal, the SGSN/MME sends a location update request to the HLR/HSS of the home network, carrying the identifier of the MTC UE (IMSI), requesting the subscription user data of the MTC UE; S1203. The HLR/HSS sends the subscription user data according to the identifier of the MTC UE.

The MME, the subscription subscriber data includes the MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC UE; the SGSN/MME receives the subscription subscriber data, checks whether the MTC UE is allowed to access the network, and returns a 4 owed user response to the HLR/HSS; Step S1204, The SGSN/MME matches the network capability, and determines the MTC feature set that can be activated on the network side. The SGSN/MME obtains the MTC feature set that can be activated on the network side according to the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the contracted MTC feature set. Step S1205: The SGSN/MME port media plane network element establishes a user plane load, and then the SGSN/MME sends an attach accept message to the MTC UE through the radio access network (RNS), allowing the MTC UE to access the network, and the attach accept message The MTC feature set that can be activated by the network side is carried in the network. In step S 1206, the MTC UE obtains the MTC feature set that can be activated on the network side from the attach accept message, and obtains the MTC feature supported by the terminal side according to the pre-configuration or according to the MTC UE capability. Set

The MTC UE generates the MTC feature set that the network and the terminal can activate based on the MTC feature set that can be activated on the network side and the MTC feature set supported by the terminal side. The MTC UE activates all the MTC characteristics in the set of the activateable MTC feature on the terminal side. In step S 1207, the MTC UE returns an attach complete message to the SGSN/MME, where the message carries the MTC feature set that can be activated by the network and the terminal, and the terminal is successfully activated. Relevant information, notifying the network that the corresponding MTC feature has been activated; The SGSN/MME obtains the MTC feature set that can be activated by the network and the terminal from the attach complete message, and activates the MTC feature on the network side according to the activatable MTC feature set. If all the MTC features or the specific MTC features are not activated in the MTC UE subscription, the network needs to determine whether to allow the MTC UE to access according to the subscription attribute or the operator policy. For example, setting the MTC in the subscription attribute or the operator policy of the MTC UE. If the feature is not activated, the network cannot access the network. In this case, the network needs to reject the access of the MTC UE. Step S 1208, optionally, the SGSN/MME notifies the HLR/HSS of the activated MTC feature, and the HLR/HSS save is activated. The MTC feature information is queried by other network elements. Step S1209: After the MTC feature is activated, the SGSN/MME needs to further notify the remote MTC server or the MTC user, and inform the MTC features of the subscribed MTC features that the MTC feature is activated. Information, MTC server or MTC users can adjust the relevant M2M service applications based on this information. Embodiment 6 In the sixth embodiment of the present invention, when the MTC UE initiates an attach request or a location update (TAU) request to the PS network (the GPRS network or the EPS network), the request message carries the MTC feature supported by the terminal side, and the MTC UE Successfully attached to the network. When an MTC feature needs to be activated, the HLR/HSS notifies the network of the modified subscription data, and downloads the updated contracted MTC feature to the network. The network uses the MTC feature supported by the network side, the MTC feature supported by the terminal side, and the modified contracted MTC feature to generate an MTC feature that can be activated by the network and the terminal to activate, and notify the remote MTC Server or MTC User. FIG. 13 is a signaling flowchart of MTC feature activation in Embodiment 6 of the present invention, which mainly includes the following steps: Step S1301: An MTC UE attaches to a PS network, and uses an MTC feature supported by an MTC UE in an attach request or a TAU request message. The set is sent to the SGSN/MME, and the SGSN/MME is saved. The MTC feature set includes the set of all MTC features supported by the terminal side according to its own capabilities. The MTC feature set supported by the terminal side is obtained according to the configuration in advance in the MTC UE, or the MTC UE is generated according to its capability; Step S1302, when the network operator needs to activate a certain MTC feature according to the requirements of the MTC user At the time, the HLR/HSS tampering with the MTC feature subscribed to the MTC UE, and then the HLR/HSS pass The SGSN/MME has changed the subscription user data of the MTC UE, and the modified subscription user data is sent to the network, and the subscription user data includes the MTC feature set of the modified MTC UE subscription. Step S1303: The SGSN/MME matches the MTC feature support capability of the network and the terminal, and determines an activateable MTC feature set. First, the SGSN/MME obtains, or generates network side support according to the operator policy or network capability according to the pre-network configuration. The set of MTC features. Then, the SGSN/MME generates the MTC feature set that the network and the terminal can activate based on the MTC feature set supported by the terminal side, the MTC feature set supported by the network side, and the contracted MTC feature set. The SGSN/MME activates the MTC feature in the MTC feature set on the network side according to the set of activatable MTC characteristics. If the specific MTC feature of the MTC feature set in the MTC UE is not activated, the network needs to determine whether to reject the access of the MTC UE according to the subscription attribute or the operator policy. For example, setting the MTC feature in the subscription attribute or the operator policy is not activated. The network does not need to access the network. In this case, the network needs to reject the access of the JT匕MTC UE and clear the MTC feature information supported by the MTC UE side. In step S1304, the SGSN/MME sends the TAU accept to the MTC UE in the TAU process. The message allows the MTC UE to perform the location update; the TAU accept message carries the MTC feature set that the network and the terminal can activate, and the MTC UE side activates all the MTC features in the activatable MTC feature set; the MTC UE can return the TAU to the SGSN/MME. The message may carry relevant information about successful terminal activation in the message, and notify the network that the corresponding MTC feature has been activated. Step S1305, optionally, the SGSN/MME notifies the HLR/HSS of the activated MTC feature, and the HLR/HSS saves the activated MTC feature information for other network elements to query; Step S1306, after the MTC feature is activated, the SGSN The /MME needs to further notify the remote MTC server or MTC user to inform the MTC UE of which MTC features are activated. The MTC server or MTC user can adjust according to this information. Related M2M business applications. Embodiment 7 In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the MTC UE is attached to the PS network (GPRS network or EPS network). When an MTC feature of the MTC UE needs to be activated, the HLR/HSS notifies the network of the modified subscription data, and The MTC feature of the updated subscription is downloaded to the network. The intersection of the MTC feature supported by the network side and the subscribed MTC feature of the network is sent to the MTC terminal as the network-activating MTC feature, and the MTC terminal is used. The MTC feature set supported by the terminal side and the received MTC feature set are generated, and the generated MTC feature that is activated by the network and the terminal is returned to the network, and the network activates all MTC characteristics in the activating MTC feature, and notifies the remote MTC. Figure 14 is a signaling flow chart of MTC feature activation in the seventh embodiment of the present invention, which mainly includes the following steps: Step S 1401: The MTC UE is attached to the PS network, and the terminal has generated the MTC feature set supported by the terminal side.

The MTC feature set contains a collection of all MTC features supported by the terminal side according to its own capabilities. Step S1402: When the network operator needs to activate a certain MTC feature according to the requirements of the MTC user, the HLR/HSS tampers with the MTC feature subscribed by the MTC UE; then the HLR/HSS notifies the SGSN/MME of the MTC UE. The subscription user data has been modified, and the modified subscription user data is sent to the network. The subscription user data includes a set of MTC features signed by the modified MTC UE. Step S1403: The SGSN/MME matches the MTC feature support capability of the network, and determines the MTC feature set that can be activated on the network side. First, the SGSN/MME obtains the MTC feature set supported by the network side according to the network configuration or according to the operator policy or network capability. Then, the SGSN/MME generates an MTC feature set that can be activated on the network side according to the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the modified subscription MTC feature set. Step S1404: The SGSN/MME sends an MTC feature activation request message to the MTC UE by using a certain NAS message, where the request message carries the MTC feature set that can be activated by the network side. Step S1405, the MTC UE obtains the activation request message. The MTC feature that can be activated on the network side, and then the MTC UE obtains the MTC feature set that can be activated by the intersection of the MTC feature set and the MTC feature set supported by the terminal side. Step S1406: The MTC UE returns an MTC feature activation response message to the SGSN/MME by using the NAS message, where the response message carries the information about the MTC feature set that the network and the terminal can activate and the information about the successful activation of the terminal, and notifies the network that the corresponding MTC has been activated. characteristic;

The SGSN/MME obtains the MTC feature set that can be activated by the network and the terminal from the MTC feature activation response, and activates the MTC feature in the MTC feature set on the network side according to the activatable MTC feature set. If the specific MTC feature of the MTC UE is not activated, the network needs to determine whether to reject the MTC UE access according to the subscription attribute or the operator policy of the MTC UE. For example, if the MTC feature is not activated in the subscription attribute or the operator policy, The network does not need to access the network. In this case, the network needs to reject the access of the MTC UE. Step S 1407, optionally, the SGSN/MME notifies the HLR/HSS of the activated MTC feature, and the HLR/HSS saves the activated MTC feature information. For other network elements to query; Step S 1408, after the MTC feature is activated, the SGSN/MME needs to further notify the remote MTC server or MTC user, and inform the MTC features of the signed MTC characteristics that the MTC features have been activated. The MTC server or MTC user can adjust the relevant M2M service application based on this information. From the above description, it can be seen that, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the MTC feature subscribed by the MTC device 4 is sent to the mobility management network element 2, the mobility management network element 2 uses the MTC feature supported by the network side. The MTC feature shared by the MTC device side and the MTC feature signed by the MTC device 4 are used as an activatable MTC feature, and the activatable MTC feature is activated. If the MTC feature of the subscription cannot be activated or the specific MTC feature of the subscription cannot be activated, it is determined whether to allow the MTC device 4 to access according to the operator policy or the subscription. Therefore, the possibility that the MTC device 4 cannot be supported or the MTC feature that cannot be supported by the network side is activated may be avoided, thereby avoiding the problem that the service corresponding to the MTC feature cannot be implemented. In addition, the MTC device 4 cannot be accessed due to the inability of the partial MTC feature to be activated, so that subsequent functions such as monitoring, management, and remote wake-up of the MTC device 4 cannot be implemented. Obviously, those skilled in the art should understand that the above modules or steps of the present invention can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which can be concentrated on a single computing device or distributed over a network composed of multiple computing devices. Alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by the computing device, such that they may be stored in the storage device by the computing device and, in some cases, may be different from the order herein. Perform the steps shown or described, or separate them It is implemented by making individual integrated circuit modules, or by making a plurality of modules or steps of them into a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software. The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

Claim

1. A machine type communication method for activating an MTC feature, including:

The user subscription server sends the MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device to the mobility management network element;

The mobility management network element obtains an activatable MTC feature set based on the subscribed MTC feature set, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the MTC feature set supported by the network side;

The mobility management network element activates an MTC characteristic of the activatable MTC feature set.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the mobility management network element obtains the set of the activateable MTC features includes:

Sending, by the MTC device, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device to the mobility management network element;

The mobility management network element receives and saves an MTC feature set supported by the MTC device;

And the mobility management network element obtains the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the signed MTC feature set, to obtain the activateable MTC feature set.

The method according to claim 2, wherein, after the mobility management network element obtains the set of the activateable MTC, the method further includes:

Transmitting, by the mobility management network element, the set of activatable MTC characteristics to the MTC device;

The MTC device receives the set of activatable MTC features and activates MTC characteristics in the set of activatable MTCs.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises: deleting, by the mobility management network element, the saved MTC feature set supported by the MTC device when the MTC device is detached.

The method according to claim 1, wherein the obtaining, by the mobility management network element, the set of activable MTC characteristics comprises:

Transmitting, by the mobility management network element, the intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the signed MTC feature set to the MTC device;

Obtaining, by the MTC device, an intersection of the received MTC feature set and the MTC feature set of the MTC device to obtain the activatable MTC feature set;

The MTC device sends the set of activatable MTC characteristics to the mobility management network element.

The method according to claim 5, wherein, after the MTC device obtains the set of activatable MTC characteristics, the method further comprises: the MTC device activating an MTC of the activatable MTC feature set characteristic.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the sending, by the user subscription server, the signed MTC feature set to the mobility management network element comprises:

When receiving the attach request of the MTC device, the mobility management network element requests the subscribed MTC feature set from the user subscription server, and the user subscription server returns the foregoing to the mobility management network element. Signed MTC feature set; or

The subscribed MTC feature set is changed in the user subscription server, and the user subscription server sends a notification to the mobility management network element, and sends the changed MTC feature set to the mobility. Manage network elements.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein after the mobility management network element activates the MTC characteristic of the activatable MTC feature set, the method further comprises: the moving The mobility management network element notifies the MTC device, the MTC server, or the MTC user of the MTC feature activated by the mobility management network element.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the activatable MTC feature set does not include a specific MTC characteristic in the contracted MTC feature set, or the activatable MTC feature set is Empty, the method further includes:

The mobility management network element determines whether to allow the MTC device to access according to a preset operator policy or a subscription attribute of the MTC device.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the MTC feature set supported by the network side is pre-configured in the mobility management network element, or the mobility management network The element is generated based on network capabilities or pre-set operator policies.

The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device is pre-configured in the MTC device, or the MTC device is according to the MTC device The ability to generate.

12. A mobility management network element, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive an MTC feature set signed by the MTC device from the user subscription server;

An obtaining module, configured to obtain an activatable MTC feature set based on the subscribed MTC feature set, a network side supported MTC feature set, and an MTC feature set supported by the MTC device; and an activation module configured to activate the activatable MTC characteristics in the MTC feature set.

13. The mobility management network element according to claim 12, wherein

The receiving module is further configured to receive an MTC feature set supported by the MTC device reported by the MTC device;

The mobility management network element further includes: a storage module, configured to save an MTC feature set supported by the MTC device;

The obtaining module obtains the set of activatable MTC characteristics by taking the MTC feature set supported by the network side, the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device, and the intersection of the subscribed MTC feature set.

The mobility management network element according to claim 12, wherein the mobility management network element further comprises:

a sending module, configured to send, to the MTC device, an intersection of the MTC feature set supported by the network side and the subscribed MTC feature set;

The receiving module is further configured to receive the set of the activatable MTCs returned by the MTC device;

The obtaining module acquires the set of activatable MTC characteristics from the receiving module.

The mobility management network element according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the mobility management network element further comprises:

The notification module is configured to notify the MTC device, the MTC server, or the MTC user that the activation module activates the MTC feature.

16. An MTC device, including:

An acquiring module, configured to obtain an activable MTC feature set, where the activatable MTC feature set is an MTC feature set subscribed by the MTC device, an MTC feature set supported by the network side, and an MTC feature supported by the MTC device Intersection of sets;

The activation module is set to activate the MTC feature in the activatable MTC feature set.

The MTC device according to claim 16, wherein the MTC device further includes: a sending module, configured to report the MTC feature set supported by the MTC device to a mobility management network element on the network side;

The acquiring module acquires the activatable MTC feature set by receiving a message that is sent by the mobility management network element and that carries the activateable MTC feature set.

The MTC device according to claim 16, wherein the MTC device further includes: a receiving module, configured to receive an MTC feature set sent by a mobility management network element on a network side, where the MTC feature set is An intersection of the contracted MTC feature set and the MTC feature set supported by the network side;

The acquiring module acquires the set of activatable MTC characteristics by taking the intersection of the MTC feature set received by the receiving module and the MTC feature supported by the MTC device.