WO2016032199A1

WO2016032199A1 - Method and apparatus for user equipment connection control

Info

Publication number: WO2016032199A1
Application number: PCT/KR2015/008860
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaowan KE; Lixiang Xu; Hong Wang
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2014-08-28
Filing date: 2015-08-25
Publication date: 2016-03-03
Also published as: CN105451365A

Abstract

The present disclosure provides multiple methods and apparatuses for user equipment (UE) connection control. A UE or an eNB informs a device in a core network that the UE has an ongoing proximity-based service (ProSe) service. The device in the core network further takes whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration when deciding whether to release a connection of the UE. The technical mechanism implements control over connections between UEs and the network, and can avoid interruption of a ProSe service of a UE resulted from erroneous release of a UE connection which causes release of ProSe resources of the UE.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USER EQUIPMENT CONNECTION CONTROL

The present disclosure relates to wireless communications, and particularly, to a method and an apparatus for user equipment (UE) connection control.

Mobile communications techniques are providing more and more diversified services. Currently, U.S.A. public security departments have deployed LTE networks as basic communications networks for their public security communication services. Proximity-based services (ProSe) among UEs form an indispensable part of public security communications services, and include proximity direct discovery among UEs and proximity direct communication among UEs. Proximity direct discovery among UEs is the basis of proximity direct communication among UEs. Proximity direct discovery among UEs can detect existence of UEs of friends, and prompt users to take further actions. When applied to public security, the proximity direct discovery among UEs can assist public security personnel in mission control and cooperation in specific outfield environment, and provide security through security measures. The proximity direct discovery among UEs is also suitable for use in the commercial field, and can facilitate quick formation of a social network in an area for purposes such as mutual detection of neighboring users having the same object of interest or pushing commercial ads to nearby users or the like.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional system for UE connection control.

As shown in Fig. 1, user equipment (UE) 101 is a ProSe-enabled terminal device, which is also referred to as a ProSe UE.

Evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-UTRAN) 102 is a wireless access network which includes eNodeBs. The eNodeBs provide UEs with interfaces for accessing the wireless network, and configure ProSe resources for UE 101.

Mobility management entity (MME) 103 manages mobility context, session context and security information of UEs.

Home subscriber server (HSS) 104 is a home sub system of UEs, is for storing user information including a current location, the address of a serving node, user security information, packet data context of a UE, and access service subscription information of users.

ProSe function 105 is a logic function responding to ProSe on the network side, and is for configuring necessary parameters for UEs using ProSe services and mapping identities of UEs using ProSe services.

During a ProSe service between a transmitting UE (i.e., a UE that transmits signals) and a monitoring UE (i.e., a UE that monitors signals), the monitoring UE monitors information transmitted by neighboring transmitting UEs to detect and identify information sent by neighboring UEs or users. When there is network coverage, radio resources of a ProSe UE is allocated by the network. The radio resources may be shared resources, i.e., common radio resources are allocated to all of UEs or a group of UEs which contend with each other to use of the common radio resources. The radio resources may also be dedicated resources, i.e., a UE is allocated with dedicated resources as the resources required by a ProSe service (the resources required by a ProSe service is also referred to as ProSe resources for short). A UE is required to be in a connected state when ProSe resources is allocated to the UE. When a connection between a UE and the network is released and the UE enters an idle state, the network needs to release the ProSe resources allocated to the UE. Dedicated resources for the proximity direct discovery service is also referred to as Type2B resources, and dedicated resources for the proximity direct communication service is referred to as Mode1 resources.

Conventional proximity direct discovery services and proximity direct communication services have not addressed the following issues.

Conventional networks support UE connection release initiated by an MME. There are various reasons for the release, e.g., due to termination of interactions between an evolved packet core (EPC) and a UE, load-balancing, Packet Data Network Gateway (PGW) re-selection for selecting another PGW that is in closer proximity to the UE, or re-attachment triggered in a Single Radio Voice Call Continuity (SRVCC) service, and the like.

In addition, an eNB may keep a UE in a connected state after configuring ProSe resources for the UE when there is network coverage even if the UE has no data communication with the network within a long time.

Since the ProSe resources is allocated by eNBs according to a conventional mechanism, and the MME does not have information of the resource allocation. An MME not knowing the allocation of the ProSe resources may initiate a UE connection release process. Once the connection of the UE is released, the ProSe resources allocated to the UE is also released or the eNB no longer allocates ProSe resources to the UE, which may cause termination of a ProSe service of the UE, and service experiences of users are affected.

Various examples provide a method for UE connection control. The method may include:

allocating, by an eNB, resources required by a ProSe service to a UE;

sending, by the eNB, a first indication to a device in a core network, the first indication indicating the eNB has allocated ProSe resources to the UE or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started.

In an example, the method may also include:

releasing, by the eNB, the resources required by the ProSe service allocated to the UE;

sending, by the eNB, a second indication to the device in the core network, the second indication indicating the eNB has released ProSe resources of the UE or the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has been terminated.

In an example, the resources required by the ProSe service is UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.

In an example, the first indication and the second indication includes a type of the ProSe service which may include one of: a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, and a UE-to-network relay service.

Corresponding to the above method, various examples also provide an apparatus which includes: a resource management module and a communication module;

the resource management module is configured for allocating resources required by a ProSe service to a UE; and

the communication module is configured for sending a first indication to a device in a core network, the first indication indicating the eNB has allocated ProSe resources to the UE or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started.

receiving, by a device in a core network, a first indication which indicates an eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to a UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started; and

deciding, by the device, whether to release a connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service if there is the first indication corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release a connection of the UE.

In an example, the method may also include:

receiving, by the device in the core network, a second indication which indicates the eNB has released the resources required by the ProSe service allocated to the UE, or the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has been terminated; and

deciding, by the device, whether to release a connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy if there is the second indication corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release a connection of the UE.

Corresponding to the above method, various examples also provide an apparatus which includes: a first communication module and a first connection control module;

the first communication module is configured for receiving from an eNB a first indication indicating the eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to a UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started;

the first connection control module is configured for judge whether there is the first indication corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release a connection of the UE, and deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service if there is the first indication corresponding to the UE.

sending, by a UE to a device in a core network, a ProSe indication which is used by the device in deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE.

In an example, the ProSe indication include one of: a first indication, a second indication, an APN supporting ProSe services;

the first indication indicating the eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to the UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started;

the second indication indicating the eNB has released resources required by a ProSe service allocated to the UE, or the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has been terminated.

In an example, the ProSe service is a proximity direct discovery service or a proximity direct communication service.

The first indication and the second indication includes a type of the ProSe service which is one of: a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, and a UE-to-network relay service.

Corresponding to the above method, various examples also provide an apparatus which includes: a indication module and a communication module;

the indication module is configured for generating a ProSe indication which is used by a device in a core network in deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE; and

the communication module is configured for sending the ProSe indication to the device in the core network.

receiving a ProSe indication from a UE; and

deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication.

In an example, the ProSe indication include one of: a first indication, a second indication, and an APN supporting ProSe services;

the deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication includes:

deciding to retain the connection of the UE if there is the first indication corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release the connection of the UE; deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy if there is no first indication corresponding to the UE;

deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy if there is the second indication corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release the connection of the UE; and

deciding to retain a UE bearer established based on the APN supporting the ProSe service if the ProSe indication includes the APN supporting the ProSe service.

Corresponding to the above method, various examples also provide an apparatus which includes: a second communication module and a second connection control module;

the second communication module is configured for receiving a ProSe indication from a UE;

the second connection control module is configured for deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication.

sending, by an MME, a connection release request to an eNB; and

receiving, by the MME, a connection release rejection from the eNB; wherein the connection release rejection includes a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by a ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.

In an example, the resources required by the ProSe service is UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service;

the ProSe service is a proximity direct discovery service or a proximity direct communication service.

Corresponding to the above method, various examples also provide an apparatus which includes: a first receiving module and a first sending module;

the first sending module is configured for sending a connection release request to an eNB; and

the first receiving module is configured for receiving a connection release rejection from the eNB; wherein the connection release rejection includes a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by a ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.

receiving, by an eNB, a connection release request from an MME; and

returning, by the eNB, a connection release rejection to the MME if the eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to a UE or if the UE is interested in the ProSe service; wherein the connection release rejection includes a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by the ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.

Corresponding to the above method, various examples also provide an apparatus which includes: a second receiving module and a second sending module;

the second receiving module is configured for receiving a connection release request from an MME; and

the second sending module is configured for returning a connection release rejection to the MME if the eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to a UE or if the UE is interested in the ProSe service; wherein the connection release rejection includes a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by the ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.

In view of the foregoing technical mechanisms, for a UE to which resources required by a ProSe service has been allocated, the UE or an eNB informs a device in a core network that the UE has an ongoing ProSe service. Thus, when the device in the core network is considering releasing a connection of a UE, the device may decide whether to release the connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication corresponding to the UE, thus can provide control over connections between the UE and the network and avoid interruption of a ProSe service of a UE due to release of resources required by the ProSe service of the UE resulted from erroneous release of a UE connection. The present disclosure provide flexible solutions which can satisfy requirements of ProSe services in public security fields and social networking fields.

To solve the above technical problem, various examples of the present disclosure provide several methods and apparatuses for UE connection control to avoid interruptions of ProSe services of UEs due to release of ProSe resources of UEs or due to an eNB no longer allocates ProSe resources to the UE resulted from mistaken release of UE connections.when the device in the core network is considering releasing a connection of a UE, the device may decide whether to release the connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, thus can provide control over connections between the UE and the network and avoid interruption of a ProSe service of a UE due to release of resources required by the ProSe service of the UE resulted from erroneous release of a UE connection. The present disclosure provide flexible solutions which can satisfy requirements of ProSe services in public security fields and social networking fields.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional system of UE connection control;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a third method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example one of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example two of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example three of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example four of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example five of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example six of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example seven of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example eight of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example nine of the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a first apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a second apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a third apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a fourth apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a fifth apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a sixth apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure.

The present invention is hereinafter further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings as well as embodiments so as to make the objective, technical solution and merits thereof more apparent.

In order to address the problem in the conventional art that a connection of a UE which has been allocated with resources required by a ProSe service is mistakenly released, examples of the present disclosure provide technical solutions respectively from the perspective of an eNB, a core network and a UE. A UE or an eNB informs a device in a core network that the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, and the device decides whether to release a connection of the UE according to the ongoing ProSe service of the UE when the device is to release a connection of the UE. Therefore, control over the connection between the UE and the network is implemented. These technical solutions are hereinafter described in detail with reference to the drawings respectively.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 201, an eNB sends a first indication to a core network.

After allocating resources required by a ProSe service to a UE, the eNB sends the first indication to the core network, indicating the eNB has allocated UE-specific resources required by a ProSe service to the UE or the eNB requires the UE to keep connected. The UE is required to be in a connected state.

The first indication may be in one of the following forms: an indication indicating the eNB has allocated resources required by the ProSe service to the UE, an indication indicating the UE is required to keep connected, an indication indicating the UE is interested in the ProSe service or an indication indicating the ProSe service has started.

The ProSe service may be a proximity direct discovery service or a proximity direct communication service.

The first indication may include a type of the ProSe service which includes: a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service.

At block 202, the core network decides whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the first indication.

When deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the core network needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE. If the core network has received the first indication corresponding to the UE from the eNB before making the decision, the core network may retain the connection of the UE.

The device in the core network that controls connection release may be an MME or a PGW. If the device in the core network that controls connection release is the PGW, the PGW may receive the first indication sent by the eNB via an MME and an SGW.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 301, an eNB sends a second indication to a core network.

After releasing ProSe resources allocated to a UE or stopping allocating ProSe resources to the UE or after the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, the eNB sends the second indication to the core network, indicating the eNB has released UE-specific resources required by a ProSe service allocated to the UE or the eNB no longer requires the UE to keep connected.

The second indication may be in one of the following forms: an indication indicating the eNB has released resources required by the ProSe service allocated to the UE, an indication indicating the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, an indication indicating the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, an indication indicating the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or an indication indicating the ProSe service has been terminated.

In an example, the resources required by the ProSe service may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.

The second indication may include a type of the ProSe service which may include: a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service.

At block 302, the core network decides whether to release a connection of the UE according to the second indication.

After receiving the second indication, the core network decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy when deciding whether to release the connection of the UE.

The device in the core network that controls connection release may be an MME or a PGW.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a third method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 401, a UE sends a ProSe indication to a core network.

The ProSe indication may be a first indication, a second indication or an Access Point Name (APN) supporting a ProSe service.

The UE may send the first indication to the core network indicating an eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to the UE or requires the UE to keep connected.

The UE may send the second indication to the core network indicating the eNB has released resources required by a ProSe service allocated to the UE, the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the UE is no longer required to keep connected.

The UE sends a service request to the core network by informing the core network of the APN supporting the ProSe service. The core network establishes a UE bearer for the UE according to the APN supporting the ProSe service.

The first indication may be in one of the following forms: an indication indicating the eNB has allocated resources required by the ProSe service to the UE, an indication indicating the UE is interested in the ProSe service, an indication indicating the UE is required to keep connected, or an indication indicating the ProSe service has started.

The first and/or the second indication may include a type of the ProSe service which may be a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service.

The resources required by the ProSe service may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.

At block 402, the core network decides whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication.

If the ProSe indication received is the first indication, when deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the core network needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE.

If the ProSe indication received is the second indication, when deciding whether to release the connection of the UE, the core network may decide whether to release or retain the connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy.

If the ProSe indication is an APN supporting the ProSe service, the core network may establish a bearer for the UE according to the APN supporting the ProSe service. In subsequent communication process, when deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the core network needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a fourth method for UE connection control in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 501, an MME sends a connection release request to an eNB requesting the eNB to release a connection of a UE.

At block 502, the eNB returns a connection release rejection to the MME. The connection release rejection may include a rejection reason indicating the UE has an ongoing ProSe service or the UE is required to keep connected.

After receiving the connection release request sent by the MME, if the eNB has allocated resources required by the ProSe service to the UE or has obtained information indicating the UE is interested in the ProSe service, the eNB may return a connection release rejection to the MME, and a reason for the rejection indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service or the UE has been allocated with ProSe resources and is required to keep connected.

The ProSe service is a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service.

The mechanism of the present disclosure is hereinafter described in detail with reference to several examples.

Example 1:

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example one of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 601, a UE sends a ProSe resources allocation request or information indicating the UE is interested in a ProSe service to an eNB. The UE may request resources or transmission resources for a ProSe direct discovery service or for a ProSe direct communication service.

At block 602, the eNB allocates ProSe resources to the UE, and returns a ProSe resources allocation response to the UE. The ProSe resources may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service. For example, the ProSe resources may be dedicated resources for a ProSe direct discovery service, i.e., Type2B resources, or dedicated resources for a ProSe direct communication service, i.e., mode1 resources.

At block 603, the eNB sends a first indication to an MME. The first indication may be a ProSe resource allocation indication, an indication indicating the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or an indication requesting a UE to keep connected, or an indication indicating a ProSe service has started. The first indication may also include a type of the ProSe service, which may be a ProSe direct discovery service, a ProSe direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service. The first indication sent to the MME may be an E-RAB modify request or a newly-defined S1 message. After receiving the first indication, the MME may store the first indication in UE context. When deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the MME needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE. For a UE that has entered in an inactive state or has completed a transation between the UE and the EPC, the network may not be going to trigger a process to release the connection with the UE in view of the ongoing ProSe service of the UE although the UE has had no data interaction with the network for a long time period.

Example 2:

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example two of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

Procedures in blocks 701 to 703 are the same with those in blocks 601 to 603, and will not be repeated herein.

At block 704, the MME sends a first indication to a Serving Gateway (SGW). The MME may send the indication to the SGW in a modify bearer request or a newly-defined message.

At block 705, the SGW sends the first indication to a PGW. The SGW may send the indication to the PGW in a modify bearer request or a newly-defined message. After receiving the first indication, the PGW may store the first indication in UE context. When deciding whether to release a PDN connection of the UE, the PGW needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE. In an example, for a UE that has entered in an inactive state or has completed a transaction between the UE and the EPC, the network may not be going to trigger a process to release the connection with the UE in view of the ongoing ProSe service of the UE although the UE has had no data interaction with the network for a long time period.

Example 3:

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example three of the present disclosure. A UE in an idle state requests ProSe resources from the network. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 801, a UE establishes an RRC connection with an eNB. The UE may send an RRC establishment request or a newly-defined RRC message to request allocation of resources required by a ProSe service. The ProSe resources may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service. The UE may request resources or transmission resources for a ProSe direct discovery service, for a ProSe direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service.

At block 802, the UE sends an attach request or a tracking area update (TAU) request or a service request to an MME, requesting establishment of a connection .

At block 803, the MME sends an initial context setup request to the eNB. The eNB authenticates the UE according to ProSe authorization information, and allocates ProSe resources to the UE. The ProSe resources may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.

At block 804, the eNB performs RRC reconfiguration for the UE. The eNB may inform the UE of the ProSe resources via an RRC reconfiguration message or a newly-defined RRC message.

At block 805, the eNB sends an initial context setup response to the MME. The eNB may send a first indication to the MME in an initial context setup response or a newly-defined S1 message. The first indication may be an indication indicating allocation of ProSe resources, an indication indicating the UE is interested in the ProSe service, an indication requesting a UE to keep connected, or an indication indicating a ProSe service has started. The first indication may also include a type of the ProSe service, which may be a ProSe direct discovery service, a ProSe direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service.

After receiving the first indication, the MME may store the first indication in UE context. When deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the MME needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE. For a UE that has entered in an inactive state or has completed a transation between the UE and the EPC, the network may not be going to trigger a process to release the connection with the UE in view of the ongoing ProSe service of the UE although the UE has had no data interaction with the network for a long time period.

Example 4:

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example four of the present disclosure. This example may adopt one of the following three manners.

Manner one involves an MME retaining a bearer established for a ProSe service of a UE.

Manner two involves a PGW retaining a bearer established for a ProSe service of a UE.

Manner three is a combination of manner one and manner two, i.e., both an MME and a PGW need to retain a bearer established for a ProSe service of a UE.

According to manner one, in block 901, the MME retains the bearer established for the ProSe service of the UE according to a ProSe APN. According to manner two, in block 903, the PGW retains the bearer established for the ProSe service of the UE according to a ProSe APN.

The method may include the following procedures.

At block 901, a UE sends an attach request or a TAU request or a service request to an MME, requesting establishment of a connection. The request includes a ProSe APN (i.e., the APN supporting the ProSe service mentioned above). After receiving the ProSe APN, the MME stores the ProSe APN into UE context, and retains a bearer established for the ProSe service of the UE. For a UE that has entered in an inactive state or has completed a transation between the UE and the EPC, the network may not be going to trigger a process to release the connection with the UE in view of the ongoing ProSe service of the UE although the UE has had no data interaction with the network for a long time period.

At block 902, the MME sends a create session request or a create bearer request to an SGW. The MME may load the ProSe APN into the request.

At block 903, the SGW sends a create session request or a create bearer request to a PGW. The SGW may load the ProSe APN into the request. After receiving the ProSe APN, the PGW may store the ProSe APN into UE context, and retain a bearer established for the ProSe service of the UE.

At block 904, the PGW sends a create session response or a create bearer response to the SGW.

At block 905, the SGW sends a create session response or a create bearer response to the MME.

At block 906, the MME sends an initial context setup request or an E-RAB setup request to the eNB.

At block 907, the eNB and the UE perform RRC connection reconfiguration.

At block 908, the eNB sends an initial context setup response or an E-RAB setup response to the MME.

Example 5:

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example five of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

Procedures in blocks 1001 to 1002 are the same with those in blocks 601 to 602, and will not be repeated herein.

At block 1003, the UE sends a first indication to an MME. After receiving the first indication, the MME may store the first indication in UE context. The first indication may be a indication indicating allocation of ProSe resources, an indication indicating the UE is interested in the ProSe service, an indication requesting a UE to keep connected, or an indication indicating a ProSe service has started. The first indication may also include a type of the ProSe service, which may be a ProSe direct discovery service, a ProSe direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service. When deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the MME needs to further take whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service into consideration and then decides whether to release or retain the connection of the UE.

At block 1004, the eNB releases the ProSe resources allocated to the UE.

At block 1005, the UE sends a second indication to the MME. After receiving the second indication, the MME may store the second indication in the UE context. When deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, the MME may directly release the connection of the UE.

Example 6:

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example six of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 1101, an MME sends a connection release request, e.g., a UE context release request or an E-RAB release request, to an eNB.

At block 1102, after receiving the connection release request sent by the MME, if the eNB has allocated dedicated ProSe resources to the UE, the eNB may return a UE context release rejected or an E-RAB release rejected to the MME, and a reason for the rejection is set to indicate the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the eNBhas allocated ProSe resources to the UE and the UE is required to keep connected.

Example 7:

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example seven of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 1201, an eNB releases resources required by the ProSe service allocated to a UE, or stops allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or detects the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service. The resources required by the ProSe service may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.

At block 1202, the eNB sends a second indication to an MME indicating the eNB has released the ProSe resources allocated to the UE or has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE or has detected the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service. The ProSe resources may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service. The second indication may be a ProSe resource release indication, an indication indicating the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, an indication indicating the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, an indication indicating the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or an indication indicating a ProSe service has been terminated. The second indication may also include a type of the ProSe service, which may be a ProSe direct discovery service, a ProSe direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service. The second indication may be sent in an E-RAB modification request or an E-RAB release indication. After receiving the second instruction, the core network no longer takes factors related with ProSe services into consideration when deciding whether to release or retain the connection of the UE.

Example 8:

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example eight of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

Procedures in blocks 1301 to 1302 are the same with those in blocks 1201 to 1202, and will not be repeated herein.

At block 1303, the MME sends a second indication to an SGW. The MME may use a modify bearer request or a delete bearer request to send the second indication to the SGW.

At block 1304, the SGW sends the second indication to a PGW. The SGW may use a modify bearer request or a delete bearer request to send the second indication to the PGW. After receiving the second instruction, the PGW no longer takes factors related with ProSe services into consideration when deciding whether to release or retain the connection of the UE.

Embodiment 9:

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method for UE connection control in accordance with example nine of the present disclosure. The method may include the following procedures.

At block 1401, an eNB releases resources required by the ProSe service allocated to a UE, or stops allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or detects the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service. The resources required by the ProSe service may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.

At block 1402, the UE sends a second indication to an MME indicating the ProSe resources allocated to the UE has been released or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE or the eNB has detected the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service. The ProSe resources may be UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service. The second indication may be a ProSe resource release indication, an indication indicating the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, an indication indicating the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, an indication indicating the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or an indication indicating a ProSe service has been terminated. The second indication may also include a type of the ProSe service, which may be a ProSe direct discovery service, a ProSe direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, or a UE-to-network relay service. After receiving the second instruction, the MME no longer takes factors related with ProSe services into consideration when deciding whether to release or retain the connection of the UE.

Various examples also provide apparatuses corresponding to the above methods, which are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a first apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus may include a resource management module and a communication module.

The resource management module is configured for allocating resources required by a ProSe service to a UE.

The communication module is configured for sending a first instruction to a device in a core network, the first instruction indicating the eNB has allocated ProSe resources to the UE or requires the UE to keep connected.

Fig. 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a second apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus may includes a first communication module and a first connection control module.

The first communication module is configured for receiving a first indication from an eNB.

The first connection control module is configured for judging whether there is the first instruction corresponding to the UE when deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, and deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service if there is the first instruction corresponding to the UE.

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a third apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus may include an indication module and a communication module.

The indication module is configured for generating a ProSe indication which is used by a device in a core network in deciding whether to retain a connection of a UE.

Fig. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a fourth apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus may includes a second communication module and a second connection control module.

The second communication module is configured for receiving a ProSe indication from a UE.

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a fifth apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus may includes a first receiving module and a first sending module.

The first sending module is configured for sending a connection release request to an eNB.

The first receiving module is configured for receiving a connection release rejection from the eNB. The connection release rejection includes a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by a ProSe service or is required to keep connected.

Fig. 20 is a schematic diagram illustrating modules of a sixth apparatus in accordance with an example of the present disclosure. The apparatus may includes a second receiving module and a second sending module.

The second receiving module is configured for receiving a connection release request from an MME.

The second sending module is configured for returning a connection release rejection to the MME if the eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to a UE. The connection release rejection may include a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by the ProSe service or is required to keep connected.

In view of the foregoing technical mechanisms, for a UE to which resources required by a ProSe service has been allocated, the UE or an eNB informs a device in a core network that the UE has an ongoing ProSe service. Thus, when the device in the core network is considering releasing a connection of a UE, the device may decide whether to release the connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, thus can provide control over connections between the UE and the network and avoid interruption of a ProSe service of a UE due to release of resources required by the ProSe service of the UE resulted from erroneous release of a UE connection. The present disclosure provide flexible solutions which can satisfy requirements of ProSe services in public security fields and social networking fields.

The foregoing are only preferred examples of the present disclosure and are not for use in limiting the protection scope thereof. All modifications, equivalent replacements or improvements in accordance with the spirit and principles of the present disclosure shall be included in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

A method for user equipment (UE) connection control, comprising:

allocating, by an eNB, resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service to a UE;

sending, by the eNB, a first instruction to a device in a core network, the first instruction indicating the eNB has allocated ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started.
The method of claim 1, further comprising:

releasing , by the eNB, the resources required by the ProSe service allocated to the UE; sending, by the eNB, a second instruction to the device in the core network, the second instruction indicating the eNB has released the ProSe resources of the UE, or the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has been terminated.
The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein

the resources required by the ProSe service is UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.
The method of claim 2, wherein

the first indication and the second indication includes a type of the ProSe service which is one of: a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, and a UE-to-network relay service.
An apparatus, comprising: a resource management module and a communication module, wherein

the resource management module is configured for allocating resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service to a user equipment (UE);

the communication module is configured for sending a first instruction to a device in a core network, the first instruction indicating the eNB has allocated ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service has started.
A method for user equipment (UE) connection control, comprising:

receiving, by a device in a core network, a first instruction which indicates an eNB has allocated resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service to a UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service has started; and

deciding, by the device, whether to release a connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service if there is the first instruction corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release a connection of the UE.
The method of claim 6, further comprising:

receiving, by the device in the core network, a second instruction which indicates the eNB has released the resources allocated to the UE for the ProSe service, or the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has been terminated; and

deciding, by the device, whether to release a connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy if there is the second instruction corresponding to the UE when making a decision as to whether to release the connection of the UE.
An apparatus, comprising a first communication module and a first connection control module, wherein

the first communication module is configured for receiving from an eNB a first instruction indicating the eNB has allocated resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service to a user equipment (UE), or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started; and

the first connection control module is configured for judging whether there is the first instruction corresponding to the UE when deciding whether to release a connection of the UE, and deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to whether the UE has an ongoing ProSe service if there is the first instruction corresponding to the UE.
A method for user equipment (UE) connection control, comprising:

sending, by a UE to a device in a core network, a proximity-based service (ProSe) indication which is used by the device in deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE.
The method of claim 9, wherein

the ProSe indication comprises one of: a first indication, a second indication, an APN supporting ProSe services;

the first indication indicating the eNB has allocated resources required by a ProSe service to the UE, or the UE is required to keep connected, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has started; and

the second indication indicating the eNB has released resources required by a ProSe service allocated to the UE, or the UE is no longer required to keep connected, or the eNB has stopped allocating ProSe resources to the UE, or the UE is no longer interested in the ProSe service, or the ProSe service of the UE has been terminated.
The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein

the resources required by the ProSe service is UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service.
The method of claim 9 or 10, wherein

the ProSe service is a proximity direct discovery service or a proximity direct communication service; and

the first indication and the second indication includes a type of the ProSe service which comprises one of: a proximity direct discovery service, a proximity direct communication service, a UE-to-UE relay service, and a UE-to-network relay service.
An apparatus, comprising: an indication module and a communication module, wherein

the indication module is configured for generating a proximity-based service (ProSe) indication which is used by a device in a core network in deciding whether to retain a connection of a user equipment (UE); and

the communication module is configured for sending the ProSe indication to the device in the core network.
A method for user equipment (UE) connection control, comprising:

receiving a proximity-based service (ProSe) indication from a user equipment (UE); and

deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication.
The method of claim 14, wherein

the ProSe indication comprises one of: a first indication, a second indication, an APN supporting ProSe services;

the deciding whether to retain the connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication comprises:

deciding to retain the connection of the UE if there is the first indication corresponding to the UE when judging whether to release the connection of the UE; deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy if there is no first indication corresponding to the UE;

deciding whether to release the connection of the UE according to a pre-defined policy if there is the second instruction corresponding to the UE when judging whether to release the connection of the UE; and

deciding to retain a UE bearer established based on the APN supporting the ProSe service if the ProSe indication includes an APN supporting the ProSe service.
An apparatus, comprising a second communication module and a second connection control module, wherein

the second communication module is configured for receiving a proximity-based service (ProSe) indication from a user equipment (UE); and

the second connection control module is configured for deciding whether to retain a connection of the UE according to the ProSe indication.
A method for user equipment (UE) connection control, comprising:

sending, by a mobility management entity (MME), a connection release request to an eNB; and

receiving, by the MME, a connection release rejection from the eNB; wherein the connection release rejection comprises a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service or the UE has been allocated with resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.
The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein

the resources required by the ProSe service is UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service; and

the ProSe service is a proximity direct discovery service or a proximity direct communication service.
An apparatus, comprising a first receiving module and a first sending module, wherein

the first sending module is configured for sending a connection release request to an eNB; and

the first receiving module is configured for receiving a connection release rejection from the eNB, wherein the connection release rejection comprises a rejection reason which indicates a user equipment (UE) has an ongoing proximity-based service (ProSe) service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by a ProSe service or is required to keep connected.
A method for user equipment (UE) connection control, comprising:

receiving, by an eNB, a connection release request from a mobility management entity (MME); and

returning, by the eNB, a connection release rejection to the MME if the eNB has allocated resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service to a user equipment (UE) or if the UE is interested in the ProSe service; wherein the connection release rejection comprises a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by the ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.
The method of claim 20, wherein

the resources required by the ProSe service is UE-specific resources required by the ProSe service or UE-specific resources required by signal transmission of the ProSe service; and

the ProSe service is a proximity direct discovery service or a proximity direct communication service.
An apparatus, comprising a second receiving module and a second sending module, wherein

the second receiving module is configured for receiving a connection release request from a mobility management entity (MME); and

the second sending module is configured for returning a connection release rejection to the MME if the eNB has allocated resources required by a proximity-based service (ProSe) service to a UE or if the UE is interested in the ProSe service; wherein the connection release rejection comprises a rejection reason which indicates the UE has an ongoing ProSe service, or the UE is interested in the ProSe service, or the UE has been allocated with resources required by the ProSe service, or the UE is required to keep connected.