WO2016191951A1

WO2016191951A1 - Method, device and system for switching communication path of proximity service

Info

Publication number: WO2016191951A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/080321
Authority: WO
Inventors: 舒林; 周润泽; 朱奋勤
Original assignee: 华为技术有限公司
Priority date: 2015-05-29
Filing date: 2015-05-29
Publication date: 2016-12-08
Also published as: CN107615817A; CN107615817B

Abstract

Provided in an embodiment of the present invention are a method, device and system for switching a communication path of a proximity service (ProSe). The method for switching the communication path of the ProSe comprises: determining that two user equipment (UE) performing a ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being initiated in a first communication path by a ProSe application of any one of the two UE; respectively transmitting a communication path switching instruction to each UE of the two UE, the communication path switching instruction comprising an identifier of the ProSe application and an identifier of an application layer of a peer UE performing the ProSe communication with the UE receiving the communication path switching instruction; transmitting a communication path switching request to a policy and charging rule function (PCRF) device, the communication path switching request comprising the identifier of the ProSe application and the identifier of the application layer of the two UE. The embodiment of the present invention can improve a resource utilization rate and address a problem of resource waste.

Description

Communication path switching method, device and system for short-distance service

Technical field

The embodiments of the present invention relate to communication technologies, and in particular, to a communication path switching method, apparatus, and system for short-distance services.

Background technique

With the wide application of social applications, close-range services are becoming more and more important, including close-range discovery and close-range communication. Among them, close-range discovery can make people's life and work more convenient, and close-range communication can make users Communication is established directly through short-range communication technology. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) defines an enhanced Evolved Packet System (EPS) to provide near-user equipment (User Equipment, UE for short). The ProSeimity Service (ProSe) is introduced on the network side to introduce ProSe Function network elements to handle the related actions and processes required by ProSe.

In the EPS system architecture defined by 3GPP, a direct communication interface PC5 is defined between the UE and the UE. After the UE finds other UEs in the adjacent location, the PC5 interface direct communication path with other UEs can be established through the short-range communication technology to implement short-range direct communication between the two UEs. In addition to direct communication through the PC5 interface, two close-range UEs can also perform short-range communication through an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) path, and each UE participating in the communication establishes a ProSe packet data network ( A Packet Data Network (PDN) connection is used to implement communication between the UE and the ProSe application server, and the data between the two UEs is forwarded through the ProSe application server. Based on the requirements of 3GPP for ProSe communication, the PC5 interface direct communication path should be better than the EPC path, that is, when the location distance between two UEs is within the short-range communication range, the PC5 interface direct communication path should be used as much as possible. ProSe communication.

In the prior art, when two UEs can perform ProSe communication through the PC5 interface direct communication path, the direct communication path from the EPC path to the PC5 interface is initiated by the UE. For example, when UE A finds that UE B is within the short-range communication range by performing the short-range direct discovery process, UE A initiates a direct communication request to UE B on the PC5 interface, and UE B replies directly on the PC5 interface. The packet filter for transmitting the communication response to the UE A, the UE A and the UE B respectively generating the PC5 interface direct communication path is used to filter the subsequent ProSe communication service to the PC5 interface, so that the UE A and the UE B can continue the direct communication path through the PC5 interface. ProSe communication.

However, in the process of switching the communication path of the ProSe communication, after the ProSe communication is switched from the EPC path to the PC5 interface direct communication path, the network resources allocated by the network side for the EPC path established by the ProSe communication cannot be repeatedly used by the PC5 interface direct communication path. , resulting in waste of resources.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a method, a device and a system for switching a communication path of a short-distance service, so as to improve resource utilization and solve the problem of resource waste.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe, including:

Determining that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in a first communication path;

Transmitting a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a peer that performs the ProSe communication with a UE that receives the communication path switching indication An application layer identifier of the UE, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

Sending a communication path switching request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, the communication path switching request including an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device update is allocated to the The bearer resource of the first communication path.

In conjunction with the first aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the first communication path is an Evolved Packet Core Network EPC path, and the second communication path is a PC5 interface direct communication path.

With reference to the first aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the first aspect, in the second possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the determining that the two UEs performing the ProSe communication are in the preset ProSe communication range ,Also includes:

Receiving a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is that the ProSe function network element sends after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

Determining that two UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, including:

Determining, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are within the preset ProSe communication range.

With reference to the first aspect, any one of the first to the second possible implementation manners of the first aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the sending, by the UE, a communication path switching indication ,include:

Transmitting the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path switching indication to the UE; or

The communication path switching indication is directly sent to the UE by an application layer message.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a communication path switching method for a ProSe, including:

The user equipment UE receives a communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server when determining that the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE or the The ProSe application on the peer UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE;

Determining, by the UE, a radio resource for requesting the second communication path of the ProSe communication from the serving base station according to the communication path switching indication;

The UE establishes the second communication path with the peer UE by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path.

With reference to the second aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the UE receiving the ProSe application server determines that the UE and the peer UE that performs ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range. Communication path switching indication sent internally, including:

Receiving, by the UE, the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element; or

The UE receives the communication path switching indication directly sent by the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.

With reference to the second aspect, or the first possible implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes:

The UE receives a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and updates the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe, including:

Receiving a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipments UE performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being applied by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs Initiating on the first communication path, the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

Updating a policy and a charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request;

And transmitting the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy.

A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe, including:

Determining, by the first user equipment UE, that the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in the first communication path;

Determining, by the first UE, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication from a serving base station;

The first UE establishes the second communication path with the second UE by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

The first UE sends a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the ProSe application server Sending a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the sending, by the ProSe application server, the first handover request of the communication path includes:

Transmitting, by the first UE, the first handover request of the communication path to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the first handover request of the communication path to the ProSe application server; or

The first UE directly sends the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.

With reference to the fourth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, after the switching the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path, the method further includes:

Determining, by the first UE, whether the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path;

If it is determined that the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communication path, the first UE sends a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device to release the allocation to the first communication path. The bearer resource of the second UE;

If it is determined that the ProSe communication is not performed with the third UE on the first communication path, the first UE sends a ProSe packet data network PDN connection deactivation request to the core network device, to release the allocation to the All bearer resources of the first communication path.

A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe, including:

Receiving, by the first user equipment UE, a communication path first handover request sent when the second UE that performs ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the first UE or the second UE The ProSe application is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE;

Transmitting, according to the communication path first handover request, a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, where the second handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application, and the application layer of the first UE And identifying an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifth aspect, the receiving, by the first UE, the first communication path that is sent when the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in the preset ProSe communication range Switching requests, including:

Receiving, by the first UE, the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by using a ProSe function network element; or

Receiving, by the first UE, the communication path first handover request directly sent by the application layer message.

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

a determining module, configured to determine that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are preset Within the ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in the first communication path;

a sending module, configured to separately send a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a UE that receives the communication path switching indication An application layer identifier of the peer UE of the ProSe communication, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path; and send a communication path to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device And a handover request, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device updates a bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the first communication path is an EPC path of an evolved packet core network, and the second communication path is a direct communication path of a PC5 interface.

With reference to the sixth aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the method further includes:

a receiving module, configured to receive a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is sent by the ProSe function network element after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, where The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

The determining module is specifically configured to determine, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range.

With reference to the sixth aspect, the first implementation of the first to the second aspect of the sixth aspect, in a third possible implementation manner of the sixth aspect, the sending module is specifically used for the ProSe function. The network element sends the communication path switching indication, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path switching indication to the UE; or sends the communication path switching indication directly to the UE by using an application layer message.

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

a receiving module, configured to receive a communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server when determining that the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE Or the ProSe application on the peer UE is initiated in a first communication path, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and the peer UE Application layer identifier;

a resource requesting module, configured to request, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing the second communication path of the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication;

And a path switching module, configured to establish, by using the radio resource, the second communication path with the peer UE, and switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path.

With reference to the seventh aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the receiving module is configured to receive the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element, or receive The communication path switching indication directly sent by the ProSe application server through an application layer message.

With reference to the seventh aspect, or the first possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the receiving module is further configured to receive a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDNGW And updating the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication.

The eighth aspect of the present invention provides a PCRF device, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipments UE performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by any one of the two UEs The ProSe application on the UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

a policy update module, configured to update a policy and a charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request;

a sending module, configured to send the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy .

A ninth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a UE, including:

a determining module, configured to determine that the second UE that is in communication with the ProSe is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in a first communication path;

a resource requesting module, configured to request, from the serving base station, a second pass for performing the ProSe communication Wireless resources of the path;

a path switching module, configured to establish, by using the radio resource, the second communication path with the second UE, and switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

a sending module, configured to send a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the ProSe application server Sending a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

With reference to the ninth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, the sending module is configured to send the first switching request of the communication path to a ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element Forwarding the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server; or transmitting the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.

With reference to the ninth aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the ninth aspect, the determining module is further configured to determine whether the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communications path;

The sending module is configured to: when the determining module determines to perform the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path, send a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the allocation to the first a bearer resource of the communication path with the second UE; when the determining module determines that the ProSe communication with the third UE is not performed on the first communication path, sending a ProSe packet data network to the core network device The PDN connects the deactivation request to release all bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.

The tenth aspect of the present invention provides a ProSe application server, including:

a receiving module, configured to receive, by the first user equipment, a first handover request that is sent when the second UE that performs ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the first UE or The ProSe application on the second UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE.

a sending module, configured to perform a policy and charging rule function according to the first switching request of the communication path The PCRF device sends a communication path second handover request, where the communication path second handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, an application layer identifier of the first UE, and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the The PCRF device updates the bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.

With reference to the tenth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the tenth aspect, the receiving module is configured to receive the first switching request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element; or And receiving, by the first UE, the communication path first handover request that is directly sent by using an application layer message.

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

a processor, configured to determine that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in a first communication path;

a transmitter, configured to separately send a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a UE that receives the communication path switching indication An application layer identifier of the peer UE of the ProSe communication, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path; and send a communication path to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device And a handover request, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device updates a bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the first communication path is an evolved packet core network EPC path, and the second communication path is a PC5 interface direct communication path.

With reference to the eleventh aspect or the first possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, in a second possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the method further includes:

a receiver, configured to receive a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is sent by the ProSe function network element after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, where The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

The processor is specifically configured to determine, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range.

Combining the possible implementations of any one of the first to the second aspects of the eleventh aspect and the eleventh aspect The third possible implementation manner of the eleventh aspect, the transmitter is specifically configured to send the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element is sent to the UE Forwarding the communication path switching indication; or transmitting the communication path switching indication directly to the UE by using an application layer message.

According to a twelfth aspect, an embodiment of the present invention provides a UE, including:

a receiver, configured to receive, by the ProSe application server, a communication path switching indication sent when the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE Or the ProSe application on the peer UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE;

a processor, configured to request, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication; establishing, by using the radio resource, the first between the peer UE and the peer UE And a communication path, and switching the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path.

With reference to the twelfth aspect, in a first possible implementation of the twelfth aspect, the receiver is configured to receive the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element; or Receiving, by the ProSe application server, the communication path switching indication directly sent by the application layer message.

In conjunction with the twelfth aspect, in a second possible implementation of the twelfth aspect, the receiver is further configured to receive a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and update the location according to the bearer modification indication Carrying resources on the first communication path.

In a thirteenth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a PCRF device, including:

a receiver, configured to receive a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by any one of the two UEs The ProSe application on the UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

a processor, configured to update a policy and a charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request;

a transmitter, configured to send the updated PCC policy to a packet data network gateway PDN a GW, so that the PDN GW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy.

In a fourteenth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a UE, including:

a processor, configured to determine that the second UE that is in communication with the ProSe is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in a first communication path; Requesting, from a serving base station, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication; establishing, by the radio resource, the second communication path with the second UE, and using the ProSe communication from the Translating the first communication path to the second communication path;

a transmitter, configured to send a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the ProSe application server Sending a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

In conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, in a first possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect, the transmitter is configured to send the first switching request of the communication path to a ProSe function network element, to enable the ProSe function. The network element forwards the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server; or sends the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.

In conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, in a second possible implementation of the fourteenth aspect, the processor is further configured to determine whether the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communication path;

The transmitter, configured to: when the processor determines to perform the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path, send a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the allocation to the first a bearer resource of the communication path with the second UE; when the processor determines that the ProSe communication with the third UE is not performed on the first communication path, sending a ProSe packet data network to the core network device The PDN connects the deactivation request to release all bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.

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

a receiver, configured to receive, by the first user equipment, a first handover request, when the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe The communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in a first communication path, where the first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE;

a transmitter, configured to send a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device according to the communication path first handover request, where the communication path second handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, where An application layer identifier of the UE and an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

With reference to the fifteenth aspect, in a first possible implementation manner of the fifteenth aspect, the receiver is configured to receive the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element. Or receiving the communication path first handover request directly sent by the first UE by using an application layer message.

In a sixteenth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a communication system, including: a ProSe application server, a user equipment UE, a policy and charging rule function PCRF device, and a core network device; wherein the ProSe application server adopts a The ProSe application server according to any one of the first, the third aspect, the tenth aspect, and the first aspect of the first aspect of the tenth aspect; a UE according to any one of the first to the second, the ninth aspect, and the first to the second aspect of the ninth aspect; the PCRF device adopting the possible implementation of the eighth aspect The PCRF device described in the manner.

In a seventeenth aspect, the embodiment of the present invention provides a communication system, including: a ProSe application server, a user equipment UE, a policy and charging rule function PCRF device, and a core network device; wherein the ProSe application server adopts a The ProSe application server according to any one of the first to third, the fifteenth aspect, and the fifteenth aspect of the first aspect, wherein the UE adopts the first The UE of the twelfth aspect, the first to the second aspect of the twelfth aspect, the fourteenth aspect, the first to the second aspect of the fourteenth aspect, the possible implementation manner, the PCRF The device employs the PCRF device described in a possible implementation of the thirteenth aspect.

The communication path switching method, device and system for the short-distance service according to the embodiment of the present invention, when the two UEs performing the ProSe communication are determined to be in the preset ProSe communication range, instruct the UE to switch the current first communication path to the UE. a second communication path that can be directly communicated, and updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path, and is implemented by the network side without requiring UE participation Initiating the handover of the communication path between the UEs, and releasing the bearer resources allocated for the first communication path on the 3GPP network side, while ensuring the continuity of the ProSe communication, improving the utilization of resources and solving the problem of resource waste.

DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief description of the drawings used in the embodiments or the prior art description will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description It is a certain embodiment of the present invention, and other drawings can be obtained from those skilled in the art without any inventive labor.

1 is a communication system architecture in a non-roaming scenario;

2 is a communication system architecture in a non-roaming cross-network scenario;

3 is a communication system architecture in a roaming scenario;

4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

6 is a flowchart of still another embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

7 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

8 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

9 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of a communication path switching method of ProSe according to the present invention;

10 is a flowchart of a seventh embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

11 is a flowchart of an eighth embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

12 is a flowchart of a ninth embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention; FIG.

14 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention;

15 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a UE according to the present invention;

16 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a PCRF device according to the present invention;

17 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a UE according to the present invention;

18 is a schematic structural diagram of still another embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention;

19 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention;

20 is a schematic structural diagram of a fifth embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention;

21 is a schematic structural diagram of still another embodiment of a UE according to the present invention;

22 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a PCRF device according to the present invention;

23 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a UE according to the present invention;

24 is a schematic structural diagram of a sixth embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention;

Figure 25 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a communication system of the present invention.

detailed description

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is a partial embodiment of the invention, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts are within the scope of the present invention.

The UE mentioned in the embodiment of the present invention may be a Human to Human (H2H) UE, and may also be a Machine to Machine (M2M) UE, or another type of UE. The M2M UE can be called a Machine Type Communications Device (MTC Device). For convenience of description, two UEs performing ProSe communication in the embodiments of the present invention are respectively referred to as UE A and UE B.

The home network and the visited network, the non-roaming state and the roaming state mentioned in the embodiments of the present invention are relative to the UE. The home network of the UE is identified by the public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN) identity (Identity, ID: ID) included in the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) of the UE. The network is in a non-roaming state if the UE is in its home network. If the UE is not in its home network, the UE is in a roaming state. The visited network of the UE is a network that is accessed when the UE is in a roaming state.

The EPC path of the ProSe communication mentioned in the embodiment of the present invention means that the ProSe application on any one of the two UEs performing the ProSe communication initiates the ProSe communication, and the two UEs establish the ProSe PDN in the currently registered 3GPP system. The connection is implemented to implement communication between the UE and the ProSe application server, and then the ProSe application server is used to implement ProSe communication between the two UEs. The direct communication path of the PC5 interface of the ProSe communication mentioned in the embodiment of the present invention means that two UEs performing ProSe communication realize direct ProSe communication between two UEs by establishing a PC5 interface connection, and the communication path does not need to go through any core network. Device, ProSe function network element and ProSe application server, The communication path is usually established when two UEs performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, and the PC5 interface direct communication path is also called ProSe-evolved universal mobile communication system (Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System). Territorial Radio Access Network (E-UTRA) communication path.

The communication path switching method of the ProSe of the present invention can be applied to three typical scenarios, and different scenarios correspond to different communication system architectures. FIG. 1 is a communication system architecture in a non-roaming scenario, and FIG. 2 is a non-roaming cross-network scenario. Communication system architecture, Figure 3 is the communication system architecture in the roaming scenario.

As shown in FIG. 1 , in a non-roaming scenario, UE A and UE B performing ProSe communication reside in the same home network, including E-UTRAN and core network devices (for example, Mobility Management Entity (referred to as Mobility Management Entity). : MME), Serving Gateway (S-GW), PDN-GW, ProSe Application Server, ProSe Function Network Element, Home Subscriber Server (HSS), and Service Location Protocol (Service) Location Protocol, referred to as SLP) server. UE A and UE B can directly communicate with the ProSe functional network element of the home network through the PC3 interface. It should be noted that the PC3 interface is a peer interface between the UE and the ProSe function network element, and the communication on the PC3 interface is implemented through the user plane of the EPS. The Evolved Node B (eNodeB) in the EPS is omitted in FIG. 1, and the same omission is also made in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 below.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a non-roaming cross-network scenario, UEs performing ProSe communication reside in their respective home networks, and ProSe functional network elements in different networks are referred to as local ProSe functional network elements, for example, The ProSe function network element in PLMN B is a local ProSe function network element for UE A. In this scenario, the UE needs to communicate with the local ProSe function network element to obtain authorization for ProSe communication, which is implemented by the home ProSe function network element in the home network where the UE is located, for example, UE A first and PLMN A The home ProSe function network element performs direct communication, and then the local ProSe function network element in the PLMN A communicates with the local ProSe function network element in the PLMN B. The communication interface between the ProSe function network element in PLMN A and the ProSe function network element in PLMN B is PC6.

As shown in FIG. 3, in a roaming scenario, a UE performing ProSe communication resides in a visited network of a roaming place, and a ProSe function network element in the visited network is called a Visited ProSe function network element, for example, UE A roaming. In PLMN C, the ProSe functional network element in PLMN C is for UE A. Said to visit the ProSe function network element. The UE A needs to communicate with the visited ProSe function network element in the PLMN C to obtain the authorization for the ProSe communication, which is implemented by the home ProSe function network element in the home network where the UE is located, for example, the UE A first and the PLMN A The home ProSe function network element performs direct communication, and then the communication between the UE A and the PL Pro C access ProSe function network element is implemented by the home ProSe function network element in the PLMN A. The communication interface between the home ProSe function network element in PLMN A and the visited ProSe function network element in PLMN C is PC7.

4 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 101: Determine that two UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in a first communication path.

In this embodiment, the first communication path may be an EPC path, and the second communication path may be a PC5 interface direct communication path, and the PC5 interface direct communication path may be an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Interface specified in the 802 series protocol. The execution body of this embodiment may be a ProSe application server in a communication system, and implement application layer management and service functions for ProSe communication. Two UEs performing ProSe communication, such as UE A and UE B. When UE A and UE B are not in the preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication initiated by the ProSe application on UE A or UE B can only pass the first The communication path is implemented. After the ProSe application initiates the ProSe communication, the UE A and the UE B respectively establish a ProSe PDN connection with the 3GPP core network device to implement ProSe communication on the first communication path. The ProSe application here may be an application (Application, abbreviated as APP) installed on UE A and UE B, or may be a function of UE A and UE B, and ProSe communication between UE A and UE B. It can be initiated by the ProSe application. The preset ProSe communication range may be pre-configured by the network side device, such as an area similar to a cell. When two UEs are in the area at the same time, the condition of the communication path switching of the present invention is met. In this embodiment, the ProSe application server may determine that two UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range according to the existing location location technology or through the ProSe function network element, and the ProSe function network element performs the discovery based on the EPC network. The process is to find out whether UE A and UE B are within a preset ProSe communication range.

Step 102: Send a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the receiving of the communication path switch Determining, by the UE, an application layer identifier of the peer UE of the ProSe communication, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

After determining that UE A and UE B are in the preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe application server indicates that the two UEs satisfy the condition for realizing direct communication through the second communication path, and therefore respectively send communication path switching to UE A and UE B respectively. The indication that the communication path switching indication sent to the UE A includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the UE B, and the communication path switching indication sent to the UE B includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the UE A. The application layer identifier of the UE is an identity identifier allocated by the ProSe application server to the UE, and is used to uniquely identify the UE at the application layer. Both UE A and UE B can switch ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path according to the communication path switching indication.

Step 103: Send a communication path switching request to the PCRF device, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device update is allocated to the first communication. The bearer resource of the path.

The ProSe application server may send a communication path switching request to the Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF) device, so that the PCRF device updates the service flow identified by the identifier of the ProSe application based on the feature of the ProSe communication. Policy and Charging Control (PCC) policy (Policy).

In this embodiment, when determining that two UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, instructing the UE to switch the current first communication path to a second communication path that can be directly communicated between the UEs, and update the allocation to The bearer resource of the first communication path, when the UE does not need to participate, implements the handover of the inter-UE communication path initiated by the network side, and releases the bearer resource allocated for the first communication path on the 3GPP network side, and guarantees the ProSe. At the same time of communication continuity, the utilization of resources is improved, and the problem of resource waste is solved.

Further, the foregoing step 101 may further include: receiving a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is that the ProSe function network element determines that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range. And the intra-location indication includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the two UEs. The specific implementation method of step 101 may be: determining, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are Within the preset ProSe communication range.

Further, the specific implementation method of the foregoing step 102 may be: sending a ProSe function network element And sending the communication path switching indication, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path switching indication to the UE; or directly sending the communication path switching indication to the UE by using an application layer message.

Specifically, the ProSe application server sends the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, and carries the identifier of the ProSe application, the application layer identifier of the UE A and the UE B, and the ProSe function network element learns after receiving the communication path switching indication. The ProSe communication between the UE A and the UE B needs to be switched from the first communication path to the second communication path, and then the communication path switching indication is sent to the UE A, and the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the UE B are carried. The ProSe function network element sends a communication path switching indication to the UE A, and can reuse an existing ProSe signaling message, such as a Proximity Alert message, and add a new indication information to the UE to indicate the UE. For the switching of the ProSe communication path, a new ProSe signaling message may also be defined, which is not limited by the present invention. Optionally, the ProSe application server may also directly send the communication path switching indication to the UE A through the application layer message. Similarly, the ProSe application server may also send a communication path switching indication to the UE B through the foregoing process, and details are not described herein again.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of another embodiment of a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 201: The UE receives a communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server when determining that the UE and the peer UE that performs ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE or The ProSe application on the peer UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE;

In this embodiment, the first communication path may be an EPC path, and the second communication path may be a PC5 interface direct communication path. The execution subject of this embodiment may be one of two UEs of the two UEs performing ProSe communication in the communication system, such as UE A. Here, UE A is taken as an example for description. As an embodiment on the UE side, it is also possible to perform on another UE of two UEs performing ProSe communication, for example, UE B. The embodiment corresponds to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and the UE A receives the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server. At this time, the ProSe application server has determined that both the UE A and the UE B are in the preset ProSe communication range. The communication path switching indication sent to UE A includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of UE B.

Step 202: The UE requests, from the serving base station, for performing according to the communication path switching indication. a radio resource of the second communication path of the ProSe communication;

After receiving the communication path switching indication, the UE A requests the camped serving base station for the radio resource for the second communication path, where the radio resource includes the air interface frequency band resource. According to the request of the UE A, the serving base station allocates the radio resources required for establishing the second communication path to the UE A according to the resource configuration policy.

Step 203: The UE establishes the second communication path with the UE of the communication peer by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path. .

The UE A uses the radio resource of the second communication path allocated by the serving base station to establish a second communication path with the UE B, and the UE A and the UE B can directly perform ProSe communication through the second communication path, and the two can continue to be used in the first The Internet Protocol (IP) address obtained from the 3GPP network side in the communication path performs direct communication of the second communication path, and may also perform IP address negotiation again, and use the new IP address to perform direct communication of the second communication path. .

Further, the specific implementation method of the foregoing step 201 may be: receiving the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element; or receiving the foregoing that the ProSe application server directly sends the message through the application layer message. Communication path switching indication.

Further, the method in this embodiment may further include: receiving a bearer modification indication sent by the PDN GW, and updating the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication, including updating the quality of service of the EPS bearer (Quality of Service) , referred to as: QoS) parameters and resources such as bearer packet filters to release the bearer resources required for the EPC path established for the ProSe communication on the 3GPP network side.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of still another embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 301: The receiving ProSe application server determines that two UEs performing ProSe communication are in a communication path switching request transmitted within a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs, the communication path switching request including the An identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

In this embodiment, the first communication path may be an EPC path, and the second communication path may be a PC5 interface direct communication path. The execution body of this embodiment may be a PCRF device in a communication system, and this embodiment corresponds to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The PCRF device receives a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server.

Step 302: Update a PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request.

The PCRF device updates the PCC policy corresponding to the service flow identified by the identifier of the ProSe application on the first communication path based on the feature of the ProSe communication.

Step 303: Send the updated PCC policy to the PDN GW, so that the PDNGW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy.

The PCRF device sends an updated PCC policy to the PDN GW by initiating an IP connection access network (IP-Access) network session modification process. The PDNGW initiates an EPS bearer modification process according to the PCC policy, including updating the EPS bearer. The QoS parameters and resources such as the bearer packet filter are used to update the bearer resources allocated for the first communication path on the 3GPP network side.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a fourth embodiment of a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 401: UE A and UE B establish a ProSe PDN connection with the core network device to perform ProSe communication on the EPC path, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on UE A or UE B.

UE A and UE B respectively establish a ProSe PDN connection with the 3GPP core network device to implement ProSe communication through the EPC path. Since the current UE A and UE B are not within the preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication initiated by the ProSe application can only be implemented through the EPC path. Since the ProSe communication is implemented by the EPS user plane defined by the 3GPP, the UE A and the UE B need to respectively initiate a setup procedure of the ProSe PDN connection to establish a ProSe PDN connection, and the ProSe PDN connection is used to transfer between the UE A and the UE B. The business flow of ProSe communication. In the establishment process of the ProSe PDN connection, the PDN GW allocates a corresponding IP address to UE A and UE B.

Step 402: The ProSe function network element determines that UE A and UE B are in a preset ProSe communication range by performing an EPC network discovery process.

The ProSe function network element discovers whether UE A and UE B are within a preset ProSe communication range by performing an EPC network discovery procedure. This step is a prior art, and specific implementation details are not described herein again.

Step 403: The ProSe function network element sends a proximity indication to the ProSe application server, where the proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application, an application layer identifier of the UE A and the UE B.

The ProSe function network element sends a close proximity indication to the ProSe application server, and can reuse the existing ProSe signaling message, such as a Proximity Alert message, and add a new indication information to the UE A and the UE. B is in the preset ProSe communication range, and a new ProSe signaling message may also be defined, which is not limited by the present invention. It should be noted that the ProSe application server knows in advance which UEs are currently performing ProSe communication.

Step 404: The ProSe application server determines, according to the proximity indication, that UE A and UE B are in the preset ProSe communication range.

This step is similar to step 101 above and will not be described here.

Step 405, the ProSe application server sends a communication path switching indication to the UE A through the ProSe function network element, where the communication path switching indication includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the UE B.

Step 405b: The ProSe application server directly sends a communication path switching indication to the UE A by using an application layer message, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the UE B.

Step 405a and step 405b may be two-for-one, or both may be performed. If both are executed, the UE side only needs to respond to either one.

Step 406: The UE A requests, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing a direct communication path of the PC5 interface of the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication.

This step is similar to the above step 202, and details are not described herein again.

Step 407: The UE A establishes the PC5 interface direct communication path with the UE B by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the EPC path to the PC5 interface direct communication path.

This step is similar to step 203 above, and details are not described herein again.

Step 408: The ProSe application server sends a communication path switching request to the PCRF device, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, an application layer identifier of the UE A and the UE B.

This step is similar to step 103 above and will not be described here.

Step 409: The PCRF device updates the PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the EPC path according to the communication path switching request.

This step is similar to the above step 302, and details are not described herein again.

Step 410: The PCRF device sends the updated PCC policy to the PDN GW.

Step 411: The PDN GW modifies the EPS bearer and the QoS parameter according to the updated PCC policy, so as to update the bearer resource allocated to the EPC path.

Steps 410 to 411 are similar to the above step 303, and are not described herein again.

Steps 405 to 411 also need to be executed in UE B in parallel, which is not shown in the figure. If the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B are different from the services for the UE A, the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B perform the similar steps described above. In addition, the execution order of steps 405 to 407 and steps 408 to 411 is performed in parallel, and may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a fifth embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 501: UE A and UE B establish a ProSe PDN connection with the core network device to perform ProSe communication on the EPC path, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the UE A or the UE B.

Step 502: The ProSe application server determines, according to the location locating technology, that UE A and UE B are in a preset ProSe communication range.

The location location technology may be, for example, a cell-based positioning technology, a Global Position System (GPS)-based positioning technology, or the like.

Step 503: The ProSe application server sends a communication path switching indication to the UE A through the ProSe function network element, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the UE B.

Step 503b: The ProSe application server directly sends a communication path switching indication to the UE A by using an application layer message, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the UE B.

Step 503a and step 503b may be two-for-one, or both may be performed. If both are executed, the UE side only needs to respond to either one.

Step 504: The UE A requests, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing a direct communication path of the PC5 interface of the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication.

Step 505: The UE A establishes the PC5 interface direct communication path with the UE B by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the EPC path to the PC5 interface direct communication path.

Step 506: The ProSe application server sends a communication path switching request to the PCRF device, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, and an application layer identifier of the UE A and the UE B.

This step is similar to step 103 above and will not be described here.

Step 507: The PCRF device updates the PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the EPC path according to the communication path switching request.

Step 508: The PCRF device sends the updated PCC policy to the PDN GW.

Step 509: The PDN GW modifies the EPS bearer and the QoS parameter according to the updated PCC policy, so as to update the bearer resource allocated to the EPC path.

Steps 508 to 509 are similar to the above step 303, and are not described herein again.

Steps 503 to 509 also need to be executed in UE B in parallel, which is not shown in the figure. If the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B are different from those for the UE A, The ProSe functional network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B perform the similar steps described above. In addition, the order of execution of steps 503 to 505 and steps 506 to 509 is performed in parallel, and may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a sixth embodiment of a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 601: The first UE determines that the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in the first communication path. ;

In this embodiment, the first communication path may be an EPC path, and the second communication path may be a PC5 interface direct communication path. The execution subject of this embodiment may be one of two UEs of the two UEs performing ProSe communication in the communication system, such as UE A. The UE A finds that the UE B is within the preset ProSe communication range by performing a Direct Discovery process, and the direct discovery process is a prior art, and is not described herein.

Step 602: The first UE requests, from a serving base station, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication.

The radio resource includes an air interface frequency band resource. According to the request of the UE A, the serving base station allocates the radio resources required for establishing the second communication path to the UE A according to the resource configuration policy.

Step 603: The first UE establishes the second communication path with the second UE by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication. path;

Step 604: The first UE sends a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the The ProSe application server sends a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

In this embodiment, when one of the two UEs performing ProSe communication determines that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, the current first communication path is switched to the second communication that can be directly communicated between the UEs. The path, and the first communication request to send the communication path triggers the ProSe application server to request the PCRF device to initiate the bearer resource update, so as to initiate the inter-UE communication path by the UE. Switching, while releasing the bearer resources allocated for the first communication path on the 3GPP network side, while ensuring the continuity of the ProSe communication, improving the utilization of resources and solving the problem of resource waste.

Further, the specific implementation of the foregoing step 602 may be: sending the first handover request of the communication path to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the first handover of the communication path to the ProSe application server. Requesting; or transmitting, by the application layer message, the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server.

Further, after the foregoing step 603, the method may further include: determining whether the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communication path; and determining to perform the foregoing with the third UE on the first communication path. ProSe communication, sending a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the bearer resource allocated to the first UE with the second communication path; if it is determined that there is no other third on the first communication path The UE performs the ProSe communication, and sends a ProSe packet data network PDN connection deactivation request to the core network device to release all the bearer resources allocated to the first communication path, where it is required that the third UE is involved in addition to Any one of all UEs other than the two UEs of the ProSe communication (ie, UE A and UE B).

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a seventh embodiment of a communication path switching method of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 701: Receive a first handover request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE when determining that the second UE that performs ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the first UE or the second The ProSe application on the UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE.

In this embodiment, the first communication path may be an EPC path, and the second communication path may be a PC5 interface direct communication path. The execution subject of this embodiment may be a ProSe application server in a communication system. This embodiment corresponds to the method embodiment shown in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the first UE determines that the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in the preset ProSe communication range, and the first UE initiates the ProSe application server. The communication path first switching request.

Step 702: Send a second handover request of the communication path to the PCRF device according to the first handover request of the communication path, where the second handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application, and the application layer identifier and location of the first UE Determining an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

In this embodiment, the first UE of the two UEs performing ProSe communication is determining the two UEs. When the preset ProSe communication range is within, the current first communication path is switched to a second communication path that can be directly communicated between the UEs, and the first handover request is sent by the sending communication path to trigger the ProSe application server to request the PCRF device to initiate the bearer resource update. The UE initiates the handover of the communication path between the UEs, and releases the bearer resources allocated for the first communication path on the 3GPP network side. When the continuity of the ProSe communication is ensured, the resource utilization is improved and the problem of resource waste is solved.

Further, the specific implementation method of the foregoing step 701 may be: receiving the first handover request of the communication path sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element; or receiving the first UE directly sent by using an application layer message. The communication path is a first handover request.

11 is a flowchart of an eighth embodiment of a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 801: UE A and UE B establish a ProSe PDN connection with the core network device to perform ProSe communication on the EPC path, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on UE A or UE B.

This step is similar to the above step 401, and details are not described herein again.

Step 802: The UE A determines that the UE B is in the preset ProSe communication range.

This step is similar to step 601 above, and details are not described herein again.

Step 803: The UE A requests, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing a direct communication path of the PC5 interface of the ProSe communication.

This step is similar to the above step 602, and details are not described herein again.

Step 804: The UE A establishes the PC5 interface direct communication path with the UE B by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the EPC path to the PC5 interface direct communication path.

This step is similar to the above step 603, and details are not described herein again.

Step 805a: The UE A sends a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server by using the ProSe function network element, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the UEB.

Step 805b: The UE A directly sends a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the UEB.

Step 805a and step 805b may be one of two, or both may be performed, if both All are executed, then the ProSe application server only needs to respond to either. After determining that the UE B is in the preset ProSe communication range, the UE-A determines to initiate a handover request of the ProSe communication path, that is, requests the network side to switch the ProSe communication between the current UE A and the UE B, and switches from the EPC path to the PC5 interface. Direct communication path. UE A can send the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server in two ways. The UE A can re-use the existing ProSe signaling message, and add a new indication information to the network to request the network side to initiate the handover of the ProSe communication path, or define a new ProSe signaling message. Make a limit.

Step 806: The ProSe application server sends a second handover request of the communication path to the PCRF device according to the first handover request of the communication path, where the second handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application, the application layer identifier of the UE A, and the UE. B application layer identifier;

Step 807: The PCRF device updates the PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the EPC path according to the second handover request of the communication path.

Step 808: The PCRF device sends the updated PCC policy to the PDN GW.

Step 809: The PDN GW modifies the EPS bearer and the QoS parameter according to the updated PCC policy, so as to update the bearer resource allocated to the EPC path.

Steps 808 to 809 are similar to the above step 303, and are not described herein again.

Steps 803 to 809 also need to be executed in UE B in parallel, which is not shown in the figure. If the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B are different from the services for the UE A, the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B perform the similar steps described above. In addition, the execution order of steps 803 to 804 and steps 805 to 809 is performed in parallel, and may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a ninth embodiment of a method for switching a communication path of a ProSe according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12, the method in this embodiment may include:

Step 901: The UE and the UE B establish a ProSe PDN connection with the core network device to perform ProSe communication on the EPC path, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the UE A or the UE B.

Step 902: UE A determines that UE B is in a preset ProSe communication range.

Step 903: The UE A requests, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing a direct communication path of the PC5 interface of the ProSe communication.

Step 904: The UE A establishes the PC5 interface direct communication path with the UE B by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the EPC path to the PC5 interface direct communication path.

Step 905: The UE A determines whether the ProSe communication is performed with the UE C on the EPC path.

Step 906: If the UE A determines to perform the ProSe communication with the UE C on the EPC path, send a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the bearer resource allocated to the EPC path and the UE B.

If the current UE A is performing ProSe communication with the UE C through the EPC path, the UE A initiates a ProSe bearer modification procedure, including updating the QoS parameters of the EPS bearer and the resources such as the bearer packet filter to release the UE A and the UE B on the 3GPP network side. The bearer resource required for the EPC path established by the ProSe communication, and the bearer resource is the bearer resource of the service flow identified by the identifier of the ProSe application.

Step 907: If the UE A determines that the ProSe communication is not performed with the UE C on the EPC path, the ProSe PDN connection deactivation request is sent to the core network device to release all the bearer resources allocated to the EPC path.

If the current UE A does not perform ProSe communication with the UE C through the EPC path, that is, the UE B is the last UE that performs ProSe communication with the UE A through the EPC path, the UE A initiates a ProSe PDN connection deactivation procedure. The ProSe PDN connection is the PDN connection established for the ProSe communication in the s901. The deletion of the entire ProSe PDN connection can release the bearer resources allocated by the 3GPP side for the EPC path to the greatest extent.

Steps 906 and 907 are optional steps. Steps 903 to 907 also need to be performed in UE B in parallel, which is not shown in the figure. If the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B are different from the services for the UE A, the ProSe function network element, the PCRF device, and the PDN GW serving the UE B perform the similar steps described above.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. As shown, the apparatus of this embodiment may include: a determining module 11 and a sending module 12, wherein the determining module is configured to determine that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is performed by The ProSe application on any one of the two UEs is initiated on the first communication path;

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and the implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

Further, the first communication path is an EPC path of an evolved packet core network, and the second communication path is a direct communication path of a PC5 interface.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 14, the apparatus of this embodiment is further configured to include: a receiving module 13 according to the apparatus structure shown in FIG. The receiving module 13 is configured to receive a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is that the ProSe function network element sends after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs; the determining module 11 is specifically configured to determine, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are in the preset Within the ProSe communication range.

Further, the sending module 12 is specifically configured to send the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path switching indication to the UE; or, through an application layer The message directly sends the communication path switching indication to the UE.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a UE according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 15, the apparatus in this embodiment may include: a receiving module 21, a resource requesting module 22, and a path switching module 23, where the receiving module 21 is configured to Receiving a ProSe application server in determining the UE and the UE a communication path switching indication sent when the peer UE performing ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the UE and the opposite UE in a first communication path, The communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE, and a resource requesting module 22, configured to request, from the serving base station, a second for performing the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication. a radio resource of the communication path; the path switching module 23, configured to establish the second communication path with the peer UE by using the radio resource, and switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to The second communication path.

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

Further, the receiving module 21 is specifically configured to receive the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element, or receive the communication directly sent by the ProSe application server by using an application layer message. Path switching indication.

Further, the receiving module 21 is further configured to receive a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and update the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a PCRF device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 16, the device in this embodiment may include: a receiving module 31, a policy updating module 32, and a sending module 33, where the receiving module 31 is configured to Receiving a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipments UE performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being applied by the ProSe on the two UEs in the first communication path Initiating, the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, and a policy update module 32, configured to update, according to the communication path switching request, the location on the first communication path a policy and charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication; the sending module 33, configured to send the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW is updated according to the The PCC policy updates the bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6. The implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

FIG. 17 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a UE according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17, the apparatus in this embodiment may include: a determining module 41, a resource requesting module 42, and a path switching module 43. And a sending module 44, wherein the determining module 41 is configured to determine that the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the first UE and the second UE The application is initiated by the first communication path, and the resource requesting module 42 is configured to request, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing the second communication path of the ProSe communication, and the path switching module 43 is configured to establish and use the radio resource. Determining the second communication path between the second UEs, and switching the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path; and sending module 44, configured to send a communication path to the ProSe application server a handover request, the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the ProSe application server to send a communication path to a policy and charging rule function PCRF device And a second handover request, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 9. The implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

Further, the sending module 44 is specifically configured to send the first switching request of the communication path to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the first switching request of the communication path to the ProSe application server. Or transmitting the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server through an application layer message.

Further, the determining module 41 is further configured to determine whether the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communication path, where the sending module 44 is configured to determine, when the determining module 41 is Performing the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path, and sending a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the bearer resource allocated to the first UE and the second UE; The determining module 41 determines that the ProSe communication with the third UE is not performed on the first communication path, and sends a ProSe packet data network PDN connection deactivation request to the core network device to release the allocation to the first communication. All bearer resources of the path.

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural diagram of still another embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 18, the apparatus in this embodiment may include: a receiving module 51 and a sending module 52, where the receiving module 51 is configured to receive the first a communication path first handover request sent by the user equipment UE when determining that the second UE performing ProSe communication is within a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication by the first UE and the ProSe on the second UE The application is initiated by the first communication path, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and the application layer identifier of the second UE, and the sending module 52 is configured to: according to the first handover request of the communication path Policy and charging rules The function PCRF device sends a communication path second handover request, where the communication path second handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, an application layer identifier of the first UE, and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable The PCRF device updates the bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 10, and the implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and details are not described herein again.

Further, the receiving module 51 is specifically configured to receive the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element, or receive the first UE directly sent by using an application layer message. The communication path first handover request.

FIG. 19 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 19, the device in this embodiment may include: a processor 61 and a transmitter 62, where the processor 61 is configured to determine The two user equipment UEs of the ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in the first communication path; the transmitter 62 is configured to Each of the two UEs respectively sends a communication path switching indication, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a peer UE that performs the ProSe communication with a UE that receives the communication path switching indication Application layer identification, so that the two UEs switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path; and send a communication path switching request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, the communication path The handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, and details are not described herein again.

FIG. 20 is a schematic structural diagram of a fifth embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 20, the device in this embodiment is further configured to include: a receiver 63. The receiver 63 is configured to receive a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is sent by the ProSe function network element after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range. The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, where the processor 61 is configured to determine, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are in the preset Within the scope of ProSe communication.

Further, the transmitter 62 is specifically configured to send the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path switching indication to the UE; or, through an application layer The message directly sends the communication path switching indication to the UE.

FIG. 21 is a schematic structural diagram of still another embodiment of a UE according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 21, the device in this embodiment may include: a receiver 71 and a processor 72, where the receiver 71 is configured to receive the ProSe application server. Determining a communication path switching indication sent when the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE and the ProSe application on the opposite UE Initiating at the first communication path, the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE, and a processor 72, configured to request, from the serving base station, according to the communication path switching indication Performing a radio resource of the second communication path of the ProSe communication; establishing the second communication path with the peer UE by using the radio resource, and switching the ProSe communication from the first communication path To the second communication path.

The device in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, and details are not described herein again.

Further, the receiver 71 is specifically configured to receive the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element, or receive the communication directly sent by the ProSe application server by using an application layer message. Path switching indication.

Further, the receiver 71 is further configured to receive a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and update the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication.

FIG. 22 is a schematic structural diagram of another embodiment of a PCRF device according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 22, the device in this embodiment may include: a receiver 81, a processor 82, and a transmitter 83, where the receiver 81 is configured to Receiving a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipments UE performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being applied by the ProSe on the two UEs in the first communication path Initiating, the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, and a processor 82, configured to update the foregoing on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request ProSe communication a policy and charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow; the transmitter 83 is configured to send the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW is configured according to the updated The PCC policy updates the bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.

FIG. 23 is a schematic structural diagram of a fourth embodiment of a UE according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 23, the device in this embodiment may include: a processor 91 and a transmitter 92, where the processor 91 is configured to determine and perform ProSe. The second UE of communication is in a preset ProSe communication range initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE and the second UE in a first communication path; requesting from the serving base station to perform the a radio resource of a second communication path of the ProSe communication; establishing the second communication path with the second UE using the radio resource, and switching the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the a second communication path; a transmitter 92, configured to send a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, And causing the ProSe application server to send a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.

Further, the transmitter 92 is specifically configured to send the communication path first handover request to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server. Or transmitting the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server through an application layer message.

Further, the processor 91 is further configured to determine whether the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communication path, and the transmitter 92 is configured to, when the processor 91 determines Performing the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path, and sending a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the bearer resource allocated to the first UE and the second UE; The processor 91 determines that the ProSe communication is not performed with the third UE on the first communication path, and sends a ProSe packet data network PDN connection deactivation request to the core network device to release the allocation to the first communication. All bearer resources of the path.

24 is a schematic structural diagram of a sixth embodiment of a ProSe application server according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. As shown, the device of this embodiment may include: a receiver 1001 and a transmitter 1002, where the receiver 1001 is configured to receive, by the first user equipment, the UE in determining that the ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range. a communication path first handover request, the ProSe communication being initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE and the second UE in a first communication path, the communication path first handover request including the ProSe An identifier of the application and an application layer identifier of the second UE; the sender 1002 is configured to send, according to the first handover request of the communication path, a second handover request of the communication path to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, where the communication path is The second handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, an application layer identifier of the first UE, and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the PCRF device to update a bearer resource allocated to the first communication path. .

Further, the receiver 1001 is specifically configured to receive the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element, or receive the first UE directly sent by using an application layer message. The communication path first handover request.

25 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 25, the system in this embodiment includes: a ProSe application server 1101, a UE 1102, a PCRF device 1103, and a core network device 1104. The server 1101 can adopt the structure of any of the device embodiments of FIG. 13 to FIG. 14 and FIG. 18 to FIG. 20, and correspondingly, the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 10 or FIG. 10 can be executed, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar. The configuration of the device embodiment of FIG. 5, FIG. 17, FIG. 21, and FIG. 23 may be performed, and the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 9 may be performed correspondingly. The implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, and are not described herein again. The PCRF device 1103 can adopt the structure of the device embodiment shown in FIG. 16 or FIG. 22, and correspondingly, the technical solution of the method embodiment shown in FIG. 6 can be executed. The implementation principle and technical effect are similar, and will not be described here.

It can be understood that the receiver and the transmitter described in the embodiments of the present invention may be replaced by one transceiver, and the transceiver may perform various types of information transmission; or may be replaced by one or more communication interfaces, by one or more Communication carries out the transmission of corresponding information.

In the several embodiments provided by the present invention, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division, and may be implemented in actual implementation. Additional ways of dividing, such as multiple units or components, may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted or not performed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as the unit may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. . Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of hardware plus software functional units.

The above-described integrated unit implemented in the form of a software functional unit can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The above software functional unit is stored in a storage medium and includes instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor to perform the methods of the various embodiments of the present invention. Part of the steps. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, and the like, which can store program codes. .

A person skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of the description, only the division of each functional module described above is exemplified. In practical applications, the above function assignment can be completed by different functional modules as needed, that is, the device is installed. The internal structure is divided into different functional modules to perform all or part of the functions described above. For the specific working process of the device described above, refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that The technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or substitutions do not deviate from the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. range.

Claims

A communication path switching method for a ProSe service, comprising:

Determining that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in a first communication path;

Transmitting a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a peer that performs the ProSe communication with a UE that receives the communication path switching indication An application layer identifier of the UE, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

Sending a communication path switching request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, the communication path switching request including an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device update is allocated to the The bearer resource of the first communication path.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication path is an Evolved Packet Core Network EPC path and the second communication path is a PC5 interface direct communication path.
The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein before the determining that the two UEs performing the ProSe communication are in the preset ProSe communication range, the method further includes:

Receiving a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is that the ProSe function network element is sent after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, where the proximity indication includes An identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

Determining that two UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, including:

Determining, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are within the preset ProSe communication range.
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sending a communication path switching indication to the UE comprises:

Transmitting the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the communication path switching indication to the UE; or

The communication path switching indication is directly sent to the UE by an application layer message.
A communication path switching method for a ProSe service, comprising:

Receiving, by the user equipment UE, the ProSe application server, determining the UE and performing the UE a communication path switching indication sent when the peer UE of the ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, and the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the UE or the opposite UE in a first communication path, the communication The path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE;

Determining, by the UE, a radio resource for requesting the second communication path of the ProSe communication from the serving base station according to the communication path switching indication;

The UE establishes the second communication path with the peer UE by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path.
The method according to claim 5, wherein the UE receives a communication path sent by the ProSe application server when determining that the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range. Switching instructions, including:

Receiving, by the UE, the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element; or

The UE receives the communication path switching indication directly sent by the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.
The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the method further comprises:

The UE receives a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and updates the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication.
A communication path switching method for a ProSe service, comprising:

Receiving a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipments UE performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being applied by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs Initiating on the first communication path, the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

Updating a policy and a charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request;

And transmitting the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy.
A communication path switching method for a ProSe service, comprising:

The first user equipment UE determines that the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in the preset ProSe communication. Within the range of the message, the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in a first communication path;

Determining, by the first UE, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication from a serving base station;

The first UE establishes the second communication path with the second UE by using the radio resource, and switches the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

The first UE sends a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the ProSe application server Sending a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The method according to claim 9, wherein the sending the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server comprises:

Transmitting, by the first UE, the first handover request of the communication path to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element forwards the first handover request of the communication path to the ProSe application server; or

The first UE directly sends the communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.
The method according to claim 9, wherein after the switching of the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path, the method further comprises:

Determining, by the first UE, whether the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path;

If it is determined that the ProSe communication is performed with the third UE on the first communication path, the first UE sends a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device to release the allocation to the first communication path. The bearer resource of the second UE;

If it is determined that the ProSe communication is not performed with the third UE on the first communication path, the first UE sends a ProSe packet data network PDN connection deactivation request to the core network device, to release the allocation to the All bearer resources of the first communication path.
A communication path switching method for a ProSe service, comprising:

Receiving, by the first user equipment, the UE that is determined to perform ProSe communication is preset a first handover request of a communication path transmitted within a ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication being initiated by a ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE, the first handover request of the communication path includes An identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE;

Transmitting, according to the communication path first handover request, a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, where the second handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application, and the application layer of the first UE And identifying an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The method according to claim 12, wherein the receiving, by the first UE, the first handover request of the communication path that is sent when the second UE that performs the ProSe communication is in the preset ProSe communication range includes:

Receiving, by the first UE, the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by using a ProSe function network element; or

Receiving, by the first UE, the communication path first handover request directly sent by the application layer message.
A proximity service ProSe application server, comprising:

a determining module, configured to determine that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in a first communication path;

a sending module, configured to separately send a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a UE that receives the communication path switching indication An application layer identifier of the peer UE of the ProSe communication, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path; and send a communication path to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device And a handover request, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device updates a bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The ProSe application server according to claim 14, wherein the first communication path is an Evolved Packet Core Network EPC path, and the second communication path is a PC5 interface direct communication path.
The ProSe application server according to claim 14 or 15, further comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is sent by the ProSe function network element after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, where The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

The determining module is specifically configured to determine, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range.
The ProSe application server according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the sending module is configured to send the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element Forwarding the communication path switching indication to the UE; or directly transmitting the communication path switching indication to the UE by using an application layer message.
A user equipment (UE), comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server when determining that the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE Or the ProSe application on the peer UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE;

a resource requesting module, configured to request, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing the second communication path of the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication;

And a path switching module, configured to establish, by using the radio resource, the second communication path with the peer UE, and switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path.
The UE according to claim 18, wherein the receiving module is configured to receive the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element; or receive the ProSe application server to pass The communication path switching indication sent directly by the application layer message.
The UE according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the receiving module is further configured to receive a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and update the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication. Hosting resources.
A policy and charging rule function PCRF device, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive two applications of the ProSe application server for determining ProSe communication a communication path switching request sent when the user equipment UE is in a preset ProSe communication range, the ProSe communication initiated by the ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in the first communication path, the communication path switching The request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

a policy update module, configured to update a policy and a charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request;

a sending module, configured to send the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy .
A user equipment (UE), comprising:

a determining module, configured to determine that the second UE that is in communication with the ProSe is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in a first communication path;

a resource requesting module, configured to request, from a serving base station, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication;

a path switching module, configured to establish, by using the radio resource, the second communication path with the second UE, and switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path;

a sending module, configured to send a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the ProSe application server Sending a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The UE according to claim 22, wherein the sending module is specifically configured to send the communication path first handover request to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element sends the ProSe application server Forwarding the communication path first handover request; or transmitting the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.
The UE according to claim 22, wherein the determining module is further configured to determine whether the ProSe communication is performed with a third UE on the first communication path;

The sending module, configured to: when the determining module determines, on the first communication path The third UE performs the ProSe communication, and sends a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device to release the bearer resource allocated to the first UE with the second communication path; when the determining module determines that the The ProSe communication with the third UE is not performed on a communication path, and a ProSe packet data network PDN connection deactivation request is sent to the core network device to release all bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.
A proximity service ProSe application server, comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive, by the first user equipment, a first handover request that is sent when the second UE that performs ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the first UE or The ProSe application on the second UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE.

a sending module, configured to send a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device according to the communication path first handover request, where the second handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application, where An application layer identifier of the UE and an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The ProSe application server according to claim 25, wherein the receiving module is configured to receive the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element; or The first handover request of the communication path directly sent by the first UE by using an application layer message.
A proximity service ProSe application server, comprising:

a processor, configured to determine that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by a ProSe application on any one of the two UEs in a first communication path;

a transmitter, configured to separately send a communication path switching indication to each of the two UEs, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and a UE that receives the communication path switching indication An application layer identifier of the peer UE of the ProSe communication, so that the two UEs respectively switch the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path; and send a communication path to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device And a handover request, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs, so that the PCRF device updates a bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The ProSe application server according to claim 27, wherein the first communication path is an Evolved Packet Core Network EPC path, and the second communication path is a PC5 interface direct communication path.
The ProSe application server according to claim 27 or 28, further comprising:

a receiver, configured to receive a short-range indication sent by the ProSe function network element, where the proximity indication is sent by the ProSe function network element after determining that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range, where The proximity indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

The processor is specifically configured to determine, according to the proximity indication, that the two UEs are in the preset ProSe communication range.
The ProSe application server according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the transmitter is specifically configured to send the communication path switching indication to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element Forwarding the communication path switching indication to the UE; or directly transmitting the communication path switching indication to the UE by using an application layer message.
A user equipment (UE), comprising:

a receiver, configured to receive, by the ProSe application server, a communication path switching indication sent when the UE and the peer UE performing ProSe communication with the UE are in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the UE Or the ProSe application on the peer UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching indication includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the peer UE;

a processor, configured to request, from the serving base station, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication according to the communication path switching indication; establishing, by using the radio resource, the first between the peer UE and the peer UE And a communication path, and switching the ProSe communication from the first communication path to the second communication path.
The UE according to claim 31, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the communication path switching indication sent by the ProSe application server by using a ProSe function network element; or receive the ProSe application server to pass The communication path switching indication sent directly by the application layer message.
The UE according to claim 31 or 32, wherein the receiver is further used Receiving a bearer modification indication sent by the packet data network gateway PDN GW, and updating the bearer resource on the first communication path according to the bearer modification indication.
A policy and charging rule function PCRF device, comprising:

a receiver, configured to receive a communication path switching request sent by the ProSe application server when determining that two user equipment UEs performing ProSe communication are within a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by any one of the two UEs The ProSe application on the UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the communication path switching request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the two UEs;

a processor, configured to update a policy and a charging control PCC policy corresponding to the service flow of the ProSe communication on the first communication path according to the communication path switching request;

a transmitter, configured to send the updated PCC policy to the packet data network gateway PDN GW, so that the PDN GW updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path according to the updated PCC policy .
A user equipment (UE), comprising:

a processor, configured to determine that the second UE that is in communication with the ProSe is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is initiated by the ProSe application on the first UE or the second UE in a first communication path; Requesting, from a serving base station, a radio resource for performing a second communication path of the ProSe communication; establishing, by the radio resource, the second communication path with the second UE, and using the ProSe communication from the Translating the first communication path to the second communication path;

a transmitter, configured to send a communication path first handover request to the ProSe application server, where the communication path first handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE, to enable the ProSe application server Sending a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The UE according to claim 35, wherein the transmitter is specifically configured to send the communication path first handover request to the ProSe function network element, so that the ProSe function network element sends the ProSe application server Forwarding the communication path first handover request; or transmitting the communication path first handover request directly to the ProSe application server by using an application layer message.
The UE according to claim 35, wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the ProSe communication is performed with a third UE on the first communication path;

The transmitter, configured to: when the processor determines to perform the ProSe communication with the third UE on the first communication path, send a ProSe bearer modification request to the core network device, to release the allocation to the first a bearer resource of the communication path with the second UE; when the processor determines that the ProSe communication with the third UE is not performed on the first communication path, sending a ProSe packet data network to the core network device The PDN connects the deactivation request to release all bearer resources allocated to the first communication path.
A proximity service ProSe application server, comprising:

a receiver, configured to receive, by the first user equipment, a communication path first handover request that is sent when the second UE that performs ProSe communication is in a preset ProSe communication range, where the ProSe communication is performed by the first UE or The ProSe application on the second UE is initiated on the first communication path, where the first handover request includes the identifier of the ProSe application and an application layer identifier of the second UE.

a transmitter, configured to send a communication path second handover request to the policy and charging rule function PCRF device according to the communication path first handover request, where the communication path second handover request includes an identifier of the ProSe application, where An application layer identifier of the UE and an application layer identifier of the second UE, so that the PCRF device updates the bearer resource allocated to the first communication path.
The ProSe application server according to claim 38, wherein the receiver is configured to receive the first handover request of the communication path that is sent by the first UE by using a ProSe function network element; or The first handover request of the communication path directly sent by the first UE by using an application layer message.
A communication system, comprising: a proximity service ProSe application server, a user equipment UE, a policy and charging rule function PCRF device, and a core network device; wherein the ProSe application server adopts claims 14-17 or rights The ProSe application server according to any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the UE is the UE according to any one of claims 18 to 20 or 22 to 24; PCRF device.
A communication system, comprising: a proximity service ProSe application server, a user equipment UE, a policy and charging rule function PCRF device, and a core network device; wherein the ProSe application server adopts rights 27 to 30 or rights The ProSe application server according to any one of claims 38 to 39, wherein the UE is the UE according to any one of claims 31 to 33 or 35 to 37; PCRF device.