WO2016112717A1

WO2016112717A1 - Method and network element for differentiating different mobile terminal attributes in prose discovery

Info

Publication number: WO2016112717A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/091568
Authority: WO
Inventors: 郭文洁
Original assignee: 中兴通讯股份有限公司
Priority date: 2015-01-14
Filing date: 2015-10-09
Publication date: 2016-07-21
Also published as: CN104683939A

Abstract

A method and network element for differentiating different mobile terminal attributes in a ProSe discovery, the method comprising: in the process of a ProSe discovery of an MT, a ProSe function entity acquires MT category information of the MT; and the ProSe function entity saves the MT category information of the MT.

Description

Method and network element for distinguishing different attributes of mobile terminal in proximity service discovery

Technical field

This document relates to, but is not limited to, the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and a network element for distinguishing different attributes of a mobile terminal in ProSe Discovery.

Background technique

The proximity of UEs (User Equipment, User Equipment) in the mobile communication network as a new social technology trend has become a research hotspot. For such services, public security UEs (Public Safety UEs) and non-public security UEs can be used for proximity service discovery (also referred to as proximity discovery). The proximity service discovery may be an independent service, and may also initiate ProSe Direct Communication. There are two types of ProSe Discovery: ProSe Direct Discovery and Evolved Packet Core (EPC Level Discovery).

Currently, the international standard 3GPP defines the mode A of the direct discovery process between adjacent UEs ("I am here"), in which UEs of two roles are defined: an announcer user equipment (Announcing UE) and a listener user. Device (Monitor UE). The Announcing UE can announce information that is of interest to the UEs with discovery capabilities; the Monitor UE listens to the information of the Announcing UEs they are interested in. The direct discovery process of mode A is shown in Figure 1, and includes the following steps:

Step 11: Perform a service authorization based on a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) that can use ProSe Direct Discovery;

If the UE is authorized as an announcer user equipment, steps 12a, 13a are performed.

Step 12a: The UE sends a discovery request for announcing (or called a broadcast) to a proximity service function (PF: ProSe Function, which may also be referred to as a proximity service function entity, or simply a proximity function);

Step 13a, if the request is successful and the ProSe Application Code is obtained, the UE starts to discover the announcement on the PC5 interface;

If the UE is authorized as a listener user equipment,

steps

12b, 13b, 14b are performed.

Step 12b, the UE sends a discovery request for monitoring to the PF;

Step 13b, if the request is successful and the discovery filter consisting of ProSe Application Code(s) or mask(s) is obtained, the UE starts to listen to the ProSe Application Code(s) on the PC5 interface;

Step 14b, when the UE detects that one or more ProSe Application Code(s) can match the discovery filter, it sends a Match report of these ProSe Application Code(s) to the PF.

The international standard 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) also defines the overall process of EPC level discovery as shown in Figure 2:

Step 1a, UE A and the PF A of the home PLMN perform UE registration;

Step 1b, UE B and the PF B of the home PLMN perform UE registration;

Step 2a, UE A and the PF A of the home PLMN perform application registration;

Step 2b, UE B and the PF B of the home PLMN perform application registration;

Step 3: UE A makes a proximity request to UE B (Proximity request);

Steps 4a and 4b, the location information reported by the UE A and the UE B to the PF of the respective home PLMN, respectively;

Step 5: When the PF A detects that the UE B is approaching, the UEA is notified that the UEB is close to the UEB. Optionally, the WLAN directly provides the help information for the UE A to communicate with the UE B. The PF A also informs the PF B of the neighboring information for the PF. B informs UE B.

Also included in FIG. 2 is a Service Location Protocol (SLP) entity that does not appear in the above description.

The inventors of the present application have found that all UEs including public safety UEs and non-public security UEs can participate in ProSe Discovery, and UEs can be classified into different categories according to functional priorities in social life: for example, public safety. Public utilities (transportation, water, electricity, gas, etc.) companies, nuclear power plants and general categories of non-specialized functions. Some UE category information due to its functions The feature may be different from the charging requirement of the ordinary UE. However, in the related art, the PF does not provide the information required for the differentiated charging for the charging unit (such as the UE category and the UE subscription information), which makes the demand for differentiated charging. can not achieve.

In addition to the above-mentioned UEs in mobile communication networks (including mobile phones, smart terminals, multimedia devices, streaming media devices, etc.), other mobile terminals such as mobile machine type communication devices (MTC, Machine-Type Communications) in the Internet of Things are in use. Similar problems exist in business discovery. In this document, all terminals that can use proximity service discovery are collectively referred to as a mobile terminal (MT: Mobile Terminal).

Summary of the invention

The following is an overview of the topics detailed in this document. This Summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

A method for distinguishing different attributes of a mobile terminal MT in proximity service discovery, including:

In the approaching service discovery process of the MT, the neighboring service function entity acquires the MT category information of the MT;

The neighboring service function entity saves MT category information of the MT.

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity acquires the MT category information of the MT, including:

In the service authorization process based on the public land mobile network PLMN, the proximity service function entity of the home PLMN of the MT receives the subscription data sent by the home subscriber server HSS of the MT, and obtains the MT from the MT. MT category information.

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity saves the MT category information of the MT, including:

Establishing a mapping relationship between the MT identifier information of the MT and the MT category information when the MT category information of the MT is saved;

After the neighboring service function entity saves the MT category information of the MT, the method further includes:

After receiving the message sent by the MT, the neighboring service function entity searches the mapping relationship according to the MT identifier information in the message to obtain the MT category information, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement, and is used for monitoring. Discover one or more of the request message and the match report message.

The proximity service function entity receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT from the MT.

Optionally, the MT category information of the MT is written in the MT.

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, including:

The neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN of the MT receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement, a discovery request message for monitoring, and matching. Report one or more of the messages.

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, and the method further includes:

The neighboring service function entity of the non-home PLMN of the MT receives the message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, where the message includes an announcement authorization message, a monitoring authorization message, and a matching report. One or more of the messages.

In the proximity service direct discovery process or the EPC level discovery process of the evolved packet core network, the proximity service function entity acquires the international mobile subscriber identity IMSI of the MT as the MT category information of the MT, and the different MT categories correspond to Different sections of IMSI.

Optionally, after the acquiring the MT category information of the MT, the neighboring service function entity further includes:

The neighboring service function entity parses the MT class of the MT according to the correspondence between the IMSI segment and the MT class; or the proximity service function entity transfers the IMSI to the accounting system BD, The BD parses the MT class of the MT according to the correspondence between the IMSI segment and the MT class.

The neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN of the MT is in the EPC level discovery process. After the MT initiates the MT registration, the MT interacts with the HSS of the MT to obtain the MT category information of the MT.

In the MT-initiated application registration process, the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN sends an adjacent service registration request to the application server, and carries the MT category information of the MT.

Optionally, the MT category information of the MT is attribute information added by the MT; or, after the extended attribute information of the MT is expanded, different MT categories correspond to the original attribute information. Different values.

Optionally, the MT category includes at least two of a general category of public safety, utilities, nuclear power plants, and non-specialized functions.

Optionally, the MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things.

A network element, where the network element has an adjacent service function, and the network element includes:

An information obtaining module is configured to acquire MT category information of the MT in a proximity service discovery process of the MT;

The information storage module is configured to save the MT category information of the MT.

Optionally, the acquiring, by the information acquiring module, the MT category information of the MT is:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home public land mobile network (PLMN) of the MT, the information acquisition module receives the home subscriber server HSS of the MT in a service authorization process based on the PLMN-based proximity service directly. The signed subscription data, from which the MT category information of the MT is obtained.

Optionally, the information storage module is further configured to: when the MT category information of the MT is saved, establish a mapping relationship between the MT identifier information of the MT and the MT category information;

The network element further includes: an information querying module, configured to receive the message sent by the MT, and search for the mapping information according to the MT identification information in the message to obtain the MT category information, where the message includes a discovery request for announcement One or more of a message, a discovery request message for monitoring, and a matching report message.

The information obtaining module receives the message sent by the MT in the process of direct discovery of the proximity service of the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT from the MT.

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home PLMN of the MT, the information obtaining module receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains MT category information of the MT, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement. One or more of a discovery request message and a matching report message for monitoring.

Optionally, the information acquiring module acquires the MT category information of the MT, and further includes:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the non-home PLMN of the MT, the information acquiring module receives a message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains MT category information of the MT, where the message includes Declare one or more of an authorization message, a listening authorization message, and a matching report message.

The information acquiring module acquires an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the MT in the proximity service direct discovery process or the EPC level discovery process of the evolved packet system, as the MT category information of the MT, and the different MT categories correspond to the IMSI. Different segments; and according to the correspondence between the MT category and the IMSI segment, parsing the IMSI to obtain the MT class of the MT.

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home PLMN of the MT, the information acquisition module performs an EPC level discovery process, and when the MT performs MT registration, interacts with the HSS of the MT to acquire the MT category of the MT. information.

Optionally, the network element further includes:

The information sending module is configured to send a proximity service registration request to the application server when the MT initiates application registration, and carry the MT category information of the MT.

Optionally, the MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things; the MT category information is attribute information added by the MT; or, the MT is extended. The original attribute information, after expansion, different MT categories correspond to the Different values of the original attribute information.

A method for distinguishing different attributes of a mobile device MT in a proximity service discovery, including:

The neighboring service function entity acquires the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT and saves the information;

The neighboring service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT;

The MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things.

Optionally, the charging information further includes service identification information.

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, including:

When the offline charging is performed, the neighboring service function entity sends a charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT; and/or

During online charging, the proximity service function entity sends a deduction/reservation unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT.

Optionally, the acquiring the MT category information of the MT by the neighboring service function entity includes:

The proximity service function entity acquires the MT category information of the MT and saves it by using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Optionally, the MT subscription information includes one or more of the following information:

Signing contract information directly related to the business;

Signing the contract information of the business discovery near the EPC level;

Signing contract information for WLAN direct discovery and communication supported by EPC;

Signing contract information for one-to-many direct communication with the business;

Signing information of the UE to the network relay;

The signing information of the signing one-to-many proximity service direct communication, and the signing information of the signing UE to the network relay are only applicable to the public safety UE.

A network element, where the network element has an adjacent service function; the network element includes:

The information acquiring module is configured to acquire the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT in the proximity service discovery process of the MT;

An information storage module, configured to save MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT;

The information providing module is configured to send the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT;

Optionally, the charging information sent by the information providing module further includes service identification information.

Optionally, the sending, by the information providing module, the charging information of the MT to the charging unit is:

The information providing module sends the charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT; and/or

The information providing module sends a debit/reservation unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT.

Optionally, the information acquiring module and the information storage module are the information acquiring module and the information storage module according to any one of claims 15 to 24.

The information providing module sends the MT subscription information of the MT to the charging unit, where the MT subscription information includes one or more of the following information:

Signing contract information directly related to the business;

Signing the contract information of the business discovery near the EPC level;

Signing information of the UE to the network relay;

The signing information of the one-to-many proximity service direct communication, and the signing UE to the network relay The contract information is only applicable to public safety UEs.

Embodiments of the present invention may provide information required for differentiated charging for a billing unit.

Other aspects will be apparent upon reading and understanding the drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF abstract

1 is a general flow chart of a ProSe (proximity service) direct discovery process in the related art;

2 is a general flow chart of an EPC level ProSe Discovery in the related art;

3 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

4 is a schematic diagram of a module of a PF according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a signaling flowchart of PF offline charging according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG.

6 is a signaling flowchart of online charging of a PF according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

7 is a signaling flowchart of an implementation method for a PF to learn a UE Category (category information) in a direct ProSe discovery process according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

8 is a signaling flowchart of the service authorization process in FIG. 7;

9 is a signaling flowchart of another implementation method for a PF to learn a UE Category in a ProSe direct discovery process according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention;

10 is a signaling flow diagram of a non-roaming announcer UE obtaining an authorization as an announcer in FIG. 9;

11 is a signaling flow diagram of a roaming announcer UE obtaining an authorization as an announcer in FIG. 9;

12 is a signaling flowchart of a PF learning a UE Category in an EPC-level proximity service discovery process according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention;

13 is a signaling flowchart of the PF obtaining the UE Category after the UE initiates the UE registration in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a signaling flowchart of the application server obtaining the UE Category after the UE initiates application registration in FIG.

15 is a flowchart of a method according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic block diagram of a six network element according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the invention

It should be noted that, in the case of no conflict, the features in the embodiments and the embodiments in the present application may be arbitrarily combined with each other.

In the following embodiments, the MT is exemplified by the UE, but the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The MT may be any terminal that can use the proximity service, such as the UE in the mobile communication network (it needs to have the adjacent service function, and may be specific) The UE) can also be a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things.

Embodiment 1

This embodiment provides a method for distinguishing different attributes of a UE in a service discovery manner, as shown in FIG. 3, including:

Step 110: The neighboring service function entity acquires UE category information of the UE in the proximity service discovery process of the UE.

Optionally, the above UE categories include at least two of public safety, utilities (such as transportation, water, electricity, gas, etc.), nuclear power plants, and general categories (non-specialized functions), such as public safety and general categories.

Optionally, the UE category information is attribute information added by the UE, or is extended by the original attribute information of the UE, and different UE categories correspond to different values of the original attribute information, IMSI is one of the special cases.

Optionally, there are various exemplary implementation methods for this step, as follows:

The first way to achieve:

The proximity service function entity of the home PLMN of the UE receives the subscription data sent by the home subscriber server HSS of the UE, and acquires the UE from the UE. UE category information.

The neighboring service function entity of the non-home PLMN (such as the visited PLMN, the local PLMN) of the UE receives the message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains the UE category information of the UE, where the message may include the following One or more messages: Announce Auth Ack to Announce Authorization message; Monitor request message: Monitor response to Monitor Request message; and Match report message: Match Report Ack to Match Report message.

The second way to achieve:

The proximity service function entity receives the message sent by the UE, and obtains the UE category information of the UE from the UE. The UE class information of the UE may be written in the UE, such as in a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), or in a mobile device (ME, Mobile Equipment).

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN of the UE receives the message sent by the UE, and obtains UE category information of the UE, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement, and a discovery for monitoring. One or more of the request message and the match report message. The proximity service function entity of the non-home PLMN of the UE receives the message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains the UE category information of the UE, where the message includes an announcement authorization message, a monitoring authorization message, and a matching report. One or more of the messages.

The third way to achieve:

The proximity service function entity acquires the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the UE as the UE category information of the UE, and the different UE categories correspond to the proximity of the service direct discovery process or the evolved packet core network EPC level discovery process. Different sections of IMSI. The neighboring service function entity parses the UE class of the UE according to the correspondence between the IMSI segment and the UE class; or the proximity service function entity transmits the IMSI to the account system BD by And determining, by the BD, the UE class of the UE according to the correspondence between the IMSI segment and the UE class. The correspondence between the section of the IMSI and the UE category may follow a new internationally agreed convention, such as information reorganization or extension protocol.

The fourth way to achieve:

The neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN of the UE is in the EPC level discovery process. After the UE initiates the UE registration, the UE interacts with the HSS of the UE to obtain the UE category information of the UE. In the UE-initiated application registration process, the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN may send a proximity service registration request to the application server, and carry the UE category information of the UE, so that the application server may also obtain the UE category information to meet the application. Differentiated billing requirements.

Step 120: The neighboring service function entity saves UE category information of the UE.

Optionally, the neighboring service function entity saves the UE category information of the UE, and may save it as the attribute information of the UE, and establish a relationship between the UE category information and other various attribute information, such as identifier information (IMSI, etc.). Mapping relations. The neighboring service function entity receives the message sent by the UE, and searches for the mapping relationship according to the UE identity information in the message to obtain the UE category information, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement, and is used for monitoring. One or more of the discovery request message and the matching report message.

Optionally, the PF entity may be used as a single network element or may be combined with an existing network element. This embodiment is collectively referred to as a network element (also referred to as a network element device) having a PF function, or a network element having a PF function.

This embodiment further provides a network element, where the network element has a PF function; as shown in FIG. 4, the network element includes:

The information obtaining module 10 is configured to acquire UE category information of the UE in a proximity service discovery process of the UE.

The information storage module 20 is configured to save UE category information of the UE.

Optionally,

The acquiring, by the information acquiring module, the UE category information of the UE refers to:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home public land mobile network (PLMN) of the UE, the information acquisition module receives the home subscriber server HSS of the UE in a service authorization process based on the PLMN-based proximity service directly discovering the service. The signed subscription data, from which the UE category information of the UE is obtained.

Optionally,

The information storage module is further configured to establish a mapping relationship between the UE identity information of the UE and the UE category information when the UE class information of the UE is saved;

The network element further includes: an information querying module, configured to receive a message sent by the UE, and search for the mapping information according to the UE identification information in the message to obtain the UE category information, where the message includes a discovery request for announcement One or more of a message, a discovery request message for monitoring, and a matching report message.

Optionally,

The obtaining, by the information acquiring module, the UE category information of the UE, the information acquiring module receives the message sent by the UE in the process of direct discovery of the proximity of the UE, and obtains the UE category information of the UE.

Optionally,

When the information acquiring module acquires the UE category information of the UE, the information acquiring module receives the message sent by the UE, and obtains the UE from the UE when the network element has the proximity service function of the home PLMN of the UE. UE category information, the message including one or more of a discovery request message for announcement, a discovery request message for monitoring, and a matching report message.

Optionally,

The information acquiring module acquires the UE category information of the UE, and further includes:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the non-home PLMN of the UE, the information acquiring module receives a message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains UE category information of the UE, where the message includes Declare one or more of an authorization message, a listening authorization message, and a matching report message.

Optionally,

Obtaining, by the information acquiring module, the UE category information of the UE, the information acquiring module acquires the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the UE in the proximity service direct discovery process or the EPC level discovery process of the evolved packet system, The UE class information of the UE, the different UE class corresponds to different segments of the IMSI; and according to the correspondence between the UE class and the IMSI segment, the IMSI is parsed to obtain the UE class of the UE.

Optionally,

The information acquiring module acquires the UE category information of the UE, where the information acquisition module is used when the network element has the proximity service function of the home PLMN of the UE, and the UE performs the UE registration process when the UE performs the UE registration process. And interacting with the HSS of the UE, acquiring UE category information of the UE.

Optionally,

The network element further includes: an information sending module, configured to: when the UE initiates application registration, Sending a proximity service registration request to the application server, carrying the UE category information of the UE.

Embodiment 2

This embodiment provides a method for distinguishing different attributes of a UE in a service discovery manner, where the method includes:

The service function entity obtains the MT category information of the MT and saves it;

The neighboring service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes MT category information of the MT.

The foregoing service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, which may include:

When the offline charging is performed, the neighboring service function entity sends a charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT category information of the MT; and/or

When the online charging is performed, the neighboring service function entity sends a deduction/reservation unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT category information of the MT;

Optionally, after obtaining the UE category information corresponding to the UE, the PF may trigger the charging data request message to the charging data function CDF and carry the UE category information (or carry the UE) in the existing charging trigger point and offline charging. Class information and service identification information), the CDR (Call Detail Record) is generated by the CDF, as shown in FIG. 5; when the online charging is also performed, the deduction/reservation unit request message is triggered to the online charging system OCS. And carrying the UE category information (or carrying the UE category information and the service identifier information), and performing the debit/reserve operation by the OCS, as shown in FIG. 6 . The operator's accounting system (BD: Billing Domain) can be based on the carrier-defined charging policy based on data from the CDF and OCS (CDF and OCS can communicate with the BD using the private interface). Differentiated charging, for example, when the UE class is public security (that is, a public safety UE), the charging mode established for public security is adopted, and other charging modes are adopted for other types of UEs. Or, in the UE category for public safety When the implemented service is a public security service, the charging mode established for public security is adopted. When other types of UEs and/or implemented services are not related to public security, other charging methods are adopted. This embodiment focuses on the provision of information required for differentiated billing, and does not impose any limitations on specific specific policies.

Thereby meeting the differentiated billing requirements for proximity service discovery.

The foregoing proximity service function obtains the MT category information of the MT and saves it, and can be implemented by any of the other embodiments (such as the first, third, fourth, and fifth embodiments).

Correspondingly, the embodiment has a network element adjacent to the service function, including:

The information providing module is configured to send the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes MT category information of the MT.

Optionally,

The information providing module sending the charging information of the MT to the charging unit refers to:

In the offline charging, the charging data request message is sent to the charging data function CDF, carrying the MT category information of the MT; and/or

When the online charging is performed, the deduction/reservation unit request message is sent to the online charging system OCS, and the MT category information of the MT is carried;

Optionally,

The information obtaining module and the information storage module may adopt any of the information acquiring module and the information storage module described in the first embodiment.

In the implementation manner of the first embodiment, how the PF entity obtains the UE's UE category information corresponding to ProSe Direct Discovery and EPC level Discovery has different implementation processes and methods.

Embodiment 3

This embodiment relates to the ProSe Direct Discovery process. The PF entity can obtain and save the UE and UE category information in the existing service authorization step, and establish a mapping relationship between the UE ID (identification information) and the UE category information when saving.

As shown in Figure 7:

Step 71: Perform a service authorization based on the PLMN that can use the ProSe Direct Discovery, and obtain, by the PF entity, the UE category information corresponding to the UE by using the subscription data of the UE in the service authorization process;

If the UE is authorized as an announcer, steps 72a and 73a are performed.

In step 72a, the UE sends a discovery request for the announcement to the PF entity. After receiving the request message containing the UE ID, the PF entity obtains the UE category information of the UE by using the mapping relationship between the UE ID and the UE category information.

Step 73a, if the request is successful and the ProSe Application Code is obtained, the UE starts to discover the announcement on the PC5 interface;

If the UE is authorized as a listener, steps 72b, 73b, 74b are performed.

Step 72b: The UE sends a discovery request for monitoring to the PF entity. After receiving the request message containing the UE ID, the PF entity obtains the UE category information of the UE by using the mapping relationship between the UE ID and the UE category information.

Step 73b, if the request is successful and the discovery filter composed of ProSe Application Code(s) or mask(s) is obtained, the UE starts to perform discovery monitoring on the ProSe Application Code(s) on the PC5 interface;

Step 74b, when the UE detects that one or more ProSe Application Code(s) can match the discovery filter, it sends a matching report to the PF entity, carries the ProSe Application Code(s) and UE Identity, and the PF entity receives the UE ID. After the message, the UE category information of the UE is obtained by mapping the UE ID to the UE category information.

FIG. 8 is a further description of UE class information of the UE obtained by the PF in the service authorization process in step 71 of FIG. 7. As shown in the figure, including the pre-configuration steps and steps 81-85:

a pre-configuration step, the PF entity of the home PLMN pre-configures the UE and the corresponding PLMN list and UE category information supporting ProSe Direct Discovery and/or ProSe Direct Communication, If the relevant UE context is not found, the PF entity obtains its subscription data from the HSS of the UE, which contains the UE category information. In this way, the PF entity can obtain the UE category information of the UE.

Step 81: Store the configured PLMN list.

Step 82, the UE is attached to the serving PLMN;

Step 83: The UE requests authorization for ProSe Direct Discovery and/or ProSe Direct Communication at a visited PLMN (VPLMN) or some local PLMNs (LPLMNs, Local PLMNs);

Step 84: The PF entity of the home PLMN obtains authorization information from the VPLMN or the Local PLMN and merges with its own policy;

Step 85: The PF entity of the home PLMN provides the UE with the authorization information, and the UE stores the authorization information in a secure manner.

Embodiment 4

The embodiment relates to a ProSe Direct Discovery process, and the PF entity learns the UE category of the corresponding UE according to the received message including the UE category information from the UE.

As shown in Figure 9:

Step 91: Perform a PLMN-based service authorization that can use ProSe Direct Discovery;

If the UE is authorized to be an announcer, steps 92a, 93a are performed.

In step 92a, the UE sends a discovery request for the announcement to the PF entity. After receiving the request message containing the UE identity and the UE category information, the PF entity acquires the UE category information of the UE and saves the information.

Step 93a, if the request is successful and the ProSe Application Code is obtained, the UE starts broadcasting on the PC5 interface;

If the UE is authorized as a listener, steps 92b, 93b, 94b are performed.

Step 92b: The UE sends a discovery request for monitoring to the PF entity. After receiving the request message including the UE ID and the UE category information, the PF entity directly obtains the UE category information of the UE and saves the information.

Step 93b, if the request is successful and the discovery filter consisting of ProSe Application Code(s) or mask(s) is obtained, the UE starts to listen to the ProSe Application Code(s) on the PC5 interface;

Step 94b, when the UE detects that one or more ProSe Application Code(s) can match the discovery filter, it sends a matching report to the PF entity, carrying the ProSe Application Code(s), UE ID, and UE category information, and the PF entity. After receiving the matching report, the UE category information of the UE is directly obtained.

FIG. 10 is a more specific processing step of the foregoing step 92a. For the non-roaming announcer UE, as shown in FIG. 10, the steps 100 to 104 are included:

Step 100: The UE configures a data structure corresponding to the ProSe Application IDs and UE category information of the HPLMN, and the information may be configured in the UICC and/or the ME.

Step 101: If the UE is authorized to announce and trigger Announce in the home PLMN, it establishes a secure connection with the PF entity of the home PLMN and sends a discovery request message Discovery Request (ProSe Application ID, UE ID, for Announce). UE category, announce command, Application ID), that is, carrying UE category information;

Step 102: The PF entity obtains the UE category information of the UE and saves, and the PF entity checks the application authorization represented by the Application ID. If the relevant UE context is not found, the PF checks the discovery of the grant to the HSS and creates a new context containing the UE subscription parameters for the UE within the valid timer time;

Step 103, if the request is found to be authorized, the PF entity sends a discovery response message Discovery Response (ProSe Application Code, validity timer);

In step 104, the UE may begin to announce the HPLMN using the authorized and configured radio resources.

FIG. 11 is a more specific processing step of the foregoing step 92a. For the roaming announcer UE, as shown in FIG. 11, the steps 110 to 116 are included:

Step 110: The UE configures a data structure corresponding to the ProSe Application IDs and UE category information of the HPLMN, and the information may be configured in the UICC and/or the ME.

In step 111, if the UE is authorized to access Announce in the PLMN and triggers Announce, it establishes a secure connection with the PF entity of the home PLMN and sends a Discovery Request message for the Announce, carrying the proximity service application identifier. (ProSe Application ID), UE identification information (UE ID), UE category information (UE Category), announce command (announce command) and application identifier (Application ID);

Step 112: The PF entity obtains the UE category information of the UE and saves, and the Pf entity checks the application authorization represented by the Application ID. If the relevant UE context is not found, the PF entity checks the discovery authorization to the HSS, and creates a new context including the UE subscription parameters for the UE within the valid timer time; the HSS also provides the UE registered VPLMN ID;

Step 113: If the request is found to be authorized, the PF entity of the home PLMN notifies the PFLMN PF entity to announce an authorization message (Announce Authorisation), carrying the ProSe Application ID, the ProSe Application Code, the UE ID, and the UE category information.

Step 114: The PF entity of the VPLMN obtains the UE category information of the UE and saves, and authorizes the UE to perform an announcement of direct discovery (Annoucing);

Step 115, the PF entity of the HPLMN sends a discovery response message (Discovery Response) to the UE, carrying the ProSe Application Code and the validity timer;

In step 116, the UE may start to announce the VPLMN usage authorization and the configured radio resources.

Note that in the ProSe Direct process, in addition to the announcement (Annouce) and the non-roaming and roaming process of the monitor and the match, the above embodiment only uses the Announce as an example to illustrate the implementation manner, and the similar monitor and the like are not repeated here. The implementation of Match's non-roaming and roaming process.

Embodiment 5

This embodiment is directed to the EPC-level discovery process, in which the PF entity can obtain and maintain the mapping relationship between the UE identification information and the UE category information in the registration process of the UE; the App Server may be from a third-party service provider. The quotient can obtain and maintain the mapping relationship between the UE identification information and the UE category information in the application registration process.

As shown in Figure 12, including steps 121-125;

In step 121, the PF entity of the UE and the home PLMN performs UE registration, and the PF entity obtains the UE category information corresponding to the UE and saves it, and establishes an EPC proximity service user identifier (EPUID: EPC). Mapping relationship between ProSe User ID and UE category information;

Step 122: The PF entity of the UE and the home PLMN performs application registration, and the third-party App server obtains and maintains a mapping relationship between the application layer user ID (ALUID) of the UE and the UE category information.

Step 123, UE A and UE B make a proximity request (Proximity request);

Step 124: The location information that UE A and UE B intermittently report to the respective PF entities respectively;

Step 125: When the PF A detects that the UE is approaching, it notifies the UEA that the UEB is close, and optionally provides the WLAN direct discovery help information that the UEA communicates with the UEB. The PF A also notifies the PF B proximity information so that the PF B notifies the UE B. .

The UE registration process in the foregoing step 121 is as shown in FIG. 13, and includes:

Step 131, UE A sends a UE registration request message UE Registration Request (IMSI, [WLLID_A]) to PF A;

Step 132: If the PF A does not pre-store the authorization information of the UEA and the corresponding UE category information, the PF A will interact with the HSS to obtain;

Step 133: The PF A generates an EPC ProSe User ID (UEP_A) of the UE A, stores the EPUID_A and the corresponding IMSI and UE category information, and returns a UE registration response message UE Registration Response (EPUID_A).

The application registration process of the above step 122 is as shown in FIG. 14, and includes:

Step 141, UEA sends an Application Registration Request message (Application Registration Request) to the PF A to register an application, carrying EPUID_A, Application ID and ALUID_A;

Step 142, the PF A obtains the attribute information of the user again by using the EPUID_A, including the pre-stored corresponding UE category information, checks that the requested application is actually in the authorized application list, and sends a ProSe Registration Request message to the App Server. Carry ALUID_A, EPUID_A, UE Category A and PFID_A;

If the App Server accepts the request, it stores the application layer user identity (ALUID_A) of the UE A, the EPC proximity service user identity (EPUID_A), and the UE category information (UE Category). A) and PF identification information of PF A;

Step 143, the App Server sends a proximity service registration response message to the PF A to indicate the registration result.

In step 144, the PF A returns an Application Registration Response message.

Embodiment 6

This embodiment does not add one MT category information, or extends the attribute information of the existing MT to indicate the MT category information. This embodiment directly uses the existing MT subscription information as the information on which the differentiated charging is based. The MT subscription information includes but is not limited to:

- Signing up for business directly to discover subscription for ProSe Direct Discovery.

- Signing up for EPC-level business discovery subscription for EPC-level ProSe Discovery.

- Signing EPC-supported WLAN direct discovery and communication for EPC support WLAN direct discovery and communication.

- Sign up for one-to-one proximity service direct communication (only for public safety UEs) subscription for one-to-many ProSe Direct Communication,applicable only to ProSe-enabled Public Safety UEs.

- contracted UE to network relay (only for public safety UEs) subscription for ProSe UE-to-Network Relay,applicable only to ProSe-enabled Public Safety UEs

The PF entity can obtain the foregoing MT subscription information and save (including the cache) in the existing manner. However, in the prior art, the PF entity does not provide the MT subscription information to the charging unit, and thus cannot have differentiated charging. In this embodiment, the PF entity provides the MT subscription information to the charging unit, so that it is possible to charge for different categories (such as public security or non-public security).

As shown in FIG. 15, the method in this embodiment includes steps 210-220:

Step 210: The neighboring service function entity acquires the MT subscription information of the MT and saves the information.

Step 220: The neighboring service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes the MT subscription information of the MT.

In this step, the charging information sent by the neighboring service function entity may further include service identifier information.

In this step, the neighboring service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, which may include:

When the offline charging is performed, the neighboring service function entity sends a charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT subscription information of the MT; and/or

During online charging, the neighboring service function entity sends a debit/request unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT subscription information of the MT.

After the foregoing information is provided, when the charging is performed, whether the subscription information applicable only to the public safety UE and/or the public security service implemented by the MT are determined according to whether the MT subscription information includes the public security service is determined to be adopted for public security. Billing method. The specific charging policy does not impose any limitation on this embodiment.

Correspondingly, the embodiment further provides a network element with a service function, as shown in FIG. 16, including:

The information obtaining module 50 is configured to acquire the MT subscription information of the MT in the proximity service discovery process of the MT.

The information storage module 60 is configured to save the MT subscription information of the MT.

The information providing module 70 is configured to send the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes the MT subscription information of the MT;

Optionally,

The charging information sent by the information providing module further includes service identification information.

Optionally,

When the offline charging is performed, the information providing module sends a charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT subscription information of the MT; and/or

When the online charging is performed, the information providing module sends a deduction/reservation unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT subscription information of the MT.

Optionally,

The information providing module sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, including: sending the MT subscription information of the MT to the charging unit, where the MT subscription information includes one of the following information or Multiple:

- Signing up for immediate business discovery

- Signing the EPC level near business discovery

- Signing EPC-supported WLAN direct discovery and communication

- Sign up for one-to-many direct service direct communication, only for public safety UEs;

- Signing the UE to the network relay, only for public safety UEs.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that all or a portion of the steps described above can be accomplished by a program that instructs the associated hardware, such as a read-only memory, a magnetic or optical disk, and the like. Optionally, all or part of the steps of the foregoing embodiments may also be implemented by using one or more integrated circuits. Accordingly, each module/unit in the foregoing embodiment may be implemented in the form of hardware, or may be implemented by using a software function module. Formal realization. The invention is not limited to any specific form of combination of hardware and software.

Industrial applicability

Claims

A method for distinguishing different attributes of a mobile terminal MT in proximity service discovery, including:

In the approaching service discovery process of the MT, the neighboring service function entity acquires the MT category information of the MT;

The neighboring service function entity saves MT category information of the MT.
The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiring the MT category information of the MT by the proximity service function entity comprises:

In the service authorization process based on the public land mobile network PLMN, the proximity service function entity of the home PLMN of the MT receives the subscription data sent by the home subscriber server HSS of the MT, and obtains the MT from the MT. MT category information.
The method of claim 2, wherein the proximity service function entity saves the MT category information of the MT, including:

Establishing a mapping relationship between the MT identifier information of the MT and the MT category information when the MT category information of the MT is saved;

After the neighboring service function entity saves the MT category information of the MT, the method further includes:

After receiving the message sent by the MT, the neighboring service function entity searches the mapping relationship according to the MT identifier information in the message to obtain the MT category information, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement, and is used for monitoring. Discover one or more of the request message and the match report message.
The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiring the MT category information of the MT by the proximity service function entity comprises:

The proximity service function entity receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT from the MT.
The method of claim 4 wherein:

The MT category information of the MT is written in the MT.
The method of claim 4, wherein the proximity service function entity receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, including:

The neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN of the MT receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains MT category information of the MT, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement, One or more of a discovery request message and a matching report message for monitoring.
The method of claim 2, 3 or 6, wherein the proximity service function entity receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, and further includes:

The neighboring service function entity of the non-home PLMN of the MT receives the message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains the MT category information of the MT, where the message includes an announcement authorization message, a monitoring authorization message, and a matching report. One or more of the messages.
The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiring the MT category information of the MT by the proximity service function entity comprises:

In the proximity service direct discovery process or the EPC level discovery process of the evolved packet core network, the proximity service function entity acquires the international mobile subscriber identity IMSI of the MT as the MT category information of the MT, and the different MT categories correspond to Different sections of IMSI.
The method of claim 8, wherein the acquiring the MT category information of the MT after the proximity service function entity further comprises:

The neighboring service function entity parses the MT class of the MT according to the correspondence between the IMSI segment and the MT class; or the proximity service function entity transfers the IMSI to the accounting system BD, The BD parses the MT class of the MT according to the correspondence between the IMSI segment and the MT class.
The method of claim 1, wherein the acquiring the MT category information of the MT by the proximity service function entity comprises:

The neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN of the MT is in the EPC level discovery process. After the MT initiates the MT registration, the MT interacts with the HSS of the MT to obtain the MT category information of the MT.
The method of claim 10, wherein after the acquiring the MT category information of the MT, the neighboring service function entity further includes:

In the MT-initiated application registration process, the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN sends an adjacent service registration request to the application server, and carries the MT category information of the MT.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, 10 to 11, wherein:

The MT category information of the MT is attribute information added by the MT; or, the MT is After the extended original attribute information is expanded, different MT categories correspond to different values of the original attribute information.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, 8 to 11, wherein:

The MT category includes at least two of the general categories of public safety, utilities, nuclear power plants, and non-specialized functions.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, 8 to 11, wherein:

The MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things.
A network element, where the network element has an adjacent service function, and the network element includes:

An information obtaining module is configured to acquire MT category information of the MT in a proximity service discovery process of the MT;

The information storage module is configured to save the MT category information of the MT.
The network element according to claim 15, wherein the information acquiring module acquiring the MT category information of the MT refers to:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home public land mobile network (PLMN) of the MT, the information acquisition module receives the home subscriber server HSS of the MT in a service authorization process based on the PLMN-based proximity service directly. The signed subscription data, from which the MT category information of the MT is obtained.
The network element of claim 16 wherein:

The information storage module is further configured to establish a mapping relationship between the MT identifier information of the MT and the MT category information when the MT category information of the MT is saved;

The network element further includes: an information querying module, configured to receive the message sent by the MT, and search for the mapping information according to the MT identification information in the message to obtain the MT category information, where the message includes a discovery request for announcement One or more of a message, a discovery request message for monitoring, and a matching report message.
The network element according to claim 15, wherein the information acquiring module acquiring the MT category information of the MT refers to:

The information obtaining module receives the MT sending in the proximity service direct discovery process of the MT The message from which the MT category information of the MT is obtained.
The network element of claim 18, wherein the obtaining, by the information acquiring module, the MT category information of the MT refers to:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home PLMN of the MT, the information obtaining module receives the message sent by the MT, and obtains MT category information of the MT, where the message includes a discovery request message for announcement. One or more of a discovery request message and a matching report message for monitoring.
The network element according to claim 16, 17 or 19, wherein the information obtaining module acquires the MT category information of the MT, and further includes:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the non-home PLMN of the MT, the information acquiring module receives a message sent by the neighboring service function entity of the home PLMN, and obtains MT category information of the MT, where the message includes Declare one or more of an authorization message, a listening authorization message, and a matching report message.
The network element according to claim 15, wherein the information acquiring module acquiring the MT category information of the MT refers to:

The information acquiring module acquires an international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI) of the MT in the proximity service direct discovery process or the EPC level discovery process of the evolved packet system, as the MT category information of the MT, and the different MT categories correspond to the IMSI. Different segments; and according to the correspondence between the MT category and the IMSI segment, parsing the IMSI to obtain the MT class of the MT.
The network element according to claim 15, wherein the information acquiring module acquiring the MT category information of the MT refers to:

When the network element has the proximity service function of the home PLMN of the MT, the information acquisition module performs an EPC level discovery process, and when the MT performs MT registration, interacts with the HSS of the MT to acquire the MT category of the MT. information.
The network element of claim 22, further comprising:

The information sending module is configured to send a proximity service registration request to the application server to carry the MT category information of the MT when the MT initiates application registration.
A network element as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19, 22, 23, wherein:

The MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category in the Internet of Things The MTC device; the MT category information is attribute information added by the MT; or, after the extended original attribute information of the MT, the different MT categories correspond to different original attribute information. Value.
A method for distinguishing different attributes of a mobile device MT in a proximity service discovery, including:

The neighboring service function entity acquires the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT and saves the information;

The neighboring service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT;

The MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things.
The method of claim 25 wherein:

The charging information further includes service identification information.
The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the proximity service function entity sends the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, including:

When the offline charging is performed, the neighboring service function entity sends a charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT; and/or

During online charging, the proximity service function entity sends a deduction/reservation unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT.
The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the acquiring the MT category information of the MT by the service function entity comprises:

The proximity service function entity acquires the MT category information of the MT and saves it by using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 14.
The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein the MT subscription information comprises one or more of the following information:

Signing contract information directly related to the business;

Signing the contract information of the business discovery near the EPC level;

Signing contract information for WLAN direct discovery and communication supported by EPC;

Signing contract information for one-to-many direct communication with the business;

Signing information of the UE to the network relay;

The signing information of the signing one-to-many proximity service direct communication, and the signing information of the signing UE to the network relay are only applicable to the public safety UE.
A network element, where the network element has an adjacent service function; the network element includes:

The information acquiring module is configured to acquire the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT in the proximity service discovery process of the MT;

An information storage module, configured to save MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT;

The information providing module is configured to send the charging information of the MT to the charging unit, where the charging information includes MT category information and/or MT subscription information of the MT;

The MT is a user equipment UE in a mobile communication network or a machine category communication MTC device in the Internet of Things.
The network element of claim 30 wherein:

The charging information sent by the information providing module further includes service identification information.
The network element according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the information providing module transmitting the charging information of the MT to the charging unit means:

The information providing module sends the charging data request message to the charging data function CDF, and carries the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT; and/or

The information providing module sends a debit/reservation unit request message to the online charging system OCS, and carries the MT category information and/or the MT subscription information of the MT.
A network element according to claim 30 or 31, wherein:

The information acquisition module and the information storage module are the information acquisition module and the information storage module according to any one of claims 15 to 24.
The network element according to claim 30 or 31, wherein the information providing module transmitting the charging information of the MT to the charging unit means:

The information providing module sends the MT subscription information of the MT to the charging unit, where the MT subscription information includes one or more of the following information:

Signing contract information directly related to the business;

Signing the contract information of the business discovery near the EPC level;

Signing contract information for WLAN direct discovery and communication supported by EPC;

Signing contract information for one-to-many direct communication with the business;

Signing information of the UE to the network relay;

The signing information of the signing one-to-many proximity service direct communication, and the signing information of the signing UE to the network relay are only applicable to the public safety UE.