WO2017187260A1

WO2017187260A1 - Methods and apparatuses for controlling terminal communication

Info

Publication number: WO2017187260A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/000501
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zhi Wang; Yigang Cai; Dawei Liu; Xin Wang
Original assignee: Alcatel Lucent
Priority date: 2016-04-28
Filing date: 2017-04-10
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: CN107333221A; CN107333221B

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses for controlling terminal communication. A D2D configuration file is introduced into a HSS. When a terminal is attached to a network, a server determines whether the terminal has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode. If so, when detecting that a distance between the terminal and a D2D Relay device is within D2D communication range, the server triggers the terminal to access the network through the D2D Relay device. After two terminals establish a communication connection via the network, if a condition for triggering D2D communication is satisfied, the server triggers the two terminals to establish a D2D communication connection there between. Through the present invention, it is possible to not only avoid low efficiency of manual switching, but also sufficiently take advantages of D2D communication, reduce the core network load, and improve communication processing capability in case of unchanged capacity and performance of the core network.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR CONTROLLING

TERMINAL COMMUNICATION

FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication technologies and more particularly, to a D2D communication technology.

BACKGROUND

[0002] As a 5G-oriented key candidate technology, Device-to-Device (D2D) communication has potentials of boosted system performance, improved user experience, and expanded cellular communication application and thus has extensive attractions. Cellular network-based D2D communication, which is also called as Proximity Service (ProSe), means that user data can be transmitted directly between terminals without network transfer.

[0003] In many scenarios, UEs may be capable of communicating either via D2D communication or network. However, conventional wireless communication networks have higher requirements for communication infrastructures, and damages to a core network facility or access network device may cause failure to the communication systems. Introduction of D2D communication makes it possible for cellular communication terminals to establish an Ad Hoc network. When the wireless communication infrastructures are damaged or in a blind coverage area of wireless network, the terminal can employ end-to-end communication and even access to the cellular network by virtue of the D2D communication.

[0004] In the D2D communication mode, user data is directly transmitted between terminals, avoiding transmission of user data via network transfer in cellular communication and thereby achieving a link gain. In addition, resources between D2D users or between a D2D user and a cell are reusable, thereby achieving a resource multiplexing gain. According to the link gain and resource multiplexing gain, it is possible to improve efficiency of wireless spectrum resources and thereby increase a network throughput.

[0005] Further, based on the D2D communication, it is also feasible to introduce proximity data sharing, small-scope social and business activities, and specific services oriented to local specific users between users having proximity characteristics, thereby improving user experience in the above service mode.

[0006] A technology that can recognize scenarios where D2D communication is available and automatically employ D2D for communication is needed to better take advantages of the D2D communication. However, in the current standards, there is no corresponding specification in this regard.

SUMMARY

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide methods and apparatuses for automatically recognizing a scenario where D2D communication can be utilized and a D2D connection can be automatically established.

[0008] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network. The network includes a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon. The method comprises obtaining the D2D configuration file of the terminal from HSS when the terminal is attached to the network; determining, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal, whether the terminal has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode; if the terminal has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode, periodically collecting position information of the terminal and D2D Relay device allowed by the terminal; and if a distance between the terminal and the D2D Relay device is within a preset D2D communication range, sending to the terminal a D2D Relay communication trigger message including an identifier of the D2D Relay device.

[0009] Preferably, the method further comprises: if the D2D configuration file of the terminal includes indication information of communicating via D2D Relay only, after receiving the terminal-sent response of successfully connecting to the network through the D2D Relay device, triggering a detachment procedure of the terminal initiated by a network side, to enable the terminal to finally accesses the network only in the D2D Relay mode.

[0010] Preferably, the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information: whether the terminal has a D2D capability; a D2D technology supported by the terminal; a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal; allowed D2D communication duration; an allowed D2D communication site; or a D2D preferable option including at least one of the following information: a preferable D2D Relay mode, communicating via D2D Relay only, or a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals.

[0011] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network. The network includes a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon. The method comprises, in response to a call establishment request, obtaining D2D configuration files of a first terminal and a second terminal from the HSS, the call being established between the first and second terminals; if both the first and second terminals have D2D capabilities and are allowed D2D communication objects of each other, monitoring whether the first and second terminals satisfy a predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication when the first and second terminals establish non-D2D communication via the network; and if the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication is satisfied, sending to a call control device a D2D connection request including identifiers of the first and second terminals to trigger the first and second terminals to establish a D2D communication.

[0012] Preferably, the method further comprises: upon receiving an indication message indicating that the first and second terminals successfully establish the D2D communication, sending to the call control device a network connection release request including the identifiers of the first and second terminals to trigger a procedure of releasing a non-D2D communication connection established between the first and second terminals via the network.

[0013] Preferably, the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information: whether the terminal has a D2D capability; a D2D technology supported by the terminal; a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal; allowed D2D communication duration; an allowed D2D communication site; or a D2D preferable option including at least one of the following information: a preferable D2D Relay mode, only communicating through D2D Relay, or a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals.

[0014] Preferably, the condition for triggering the D2D communication includes at least one of the follow conditions: a distance between the two terminals being within a predefined D2D communication range; a size of a file transmitted between the two terminals being lower than a predefined certain threshold; or a radio access network (RAN) where the terminal is located being in a congested state.

[0015] In a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assisting in controlling terminal communication in a call control device. The method comprises: receiving from a network server a D2D connection request including identifiers of a first terminal and a second terminal for triggering a D2D connection between the first and second terminals; sending to the first terminal a request message including an identifier of the second terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection; and sending to the second terminal a request message including an identifier of the first terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection.

[0016] Preferably, the method comprises: receiving, from the network server, a network connection release request including identifiers of the first and second terminals for triggering a procedure of releasing a non-D2D communication connection established between the first and second terminals via the network.

[0017] In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network. The network includes a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon. The apparatus comprises: first obtaining means for obtaining the D2D configuration file of the terminal from the HSS when the terminal is attached to the network; determining means for determining, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal, whether the terminal has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode; collecting means for, if the terminal has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode, periodically collecting position information of the terminal and a D2D Relay device allowed by the terminal; and first transmitting means for, if a distance between the terminal and the D2D Relay device is within a predefined D2D communication range, sending to the terminal a D2D Relay communication trigger message including an identifier of the D2D Relay device.

[0018] Preferably, the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information: whether the terminal has a D2D capability; a D2D technology supported by the terminal; a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal; allowed D2D communication duration; an allowed D2D communication site; or a D2D preferable option including at least one of the following information: a preferable D2D Relay mode, communicating via D2D Relay only, or a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals.

[0019] In a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network. The network includes a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon. The apparatus comprises: second obtaining means for, in response to a call establishment request, obtaining D2D configuration files of a first terminal and a second terminal from the HSS, the call being established between the first and second terminals; monitoring means for, if both the first and second terminals have D2D capabilities and are allowed D2D communication objects of each other, monitoring whether the first and second terminals satisfy a predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication when the first and second terminals establish non-D2D communication via the network; and second transmitting means for, if the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication is satisfied, sending to a call control device a D2D connection request including identifiers of the first and second terminals to trigger the first and second terminals to establish the D2D communication.

[0020] Preferably, the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information: whether the terminal has a D2D capability; a D2D technology supported by the terminal; a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal; allowed D2D communication duration; an allowed D2D communication site; or a D2D preferable option including at least one of the following information: a preferable D2D Relay mode, only communicating through D2D Relay, or a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals.

[0021] Preferably, the condition for triggering the D2D communication includes at least one of the follow conditions: a distance between the two terminals being within a predefined D2D communication range; a size of a file transmitted between the two terminals being lower than a predefined certain threshold; or a radio access network (RAN) where the terminal is located being in a congested state.

[0022] In a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus of assisting in controlling terminal communication in a call control device. The apparatus comprises: first receiving means for receiving from a network server a D2D connection request including identifiers of a first terminal and a second terminal for triggering a D2D connection between the first and second terminals; third transmitting means for sending to the first terminal a request message including an identifier of the second terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection; and fourth transmitting means for sending to the second terminal a request message including an identifier of the first terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection.

[0023] As compared with the prior art, the present invention proposes a technology that enables recognizing of a scenario where D2D communication can be utilized and D2D communication can be automatically used. Through the technology of the present invention, it is possible to not only avoid a low efficiency of manual switching, but also sufficiently take advantages of D2D communication, reduce the load of the core network, and improve the communication processing capability in the case of the capacity and performance of the core network keep unchanged.

[0024] Meanwhile, for a terminal user, the user D2D device may implement automatic access to the network through D2D Relay in the case that its D2D Relay device is available, achieving sharing of the network traffic, services, and bandwidth and obtaining unified management of user equipment.

[0025] Furthermore, by introducing the D2D configuration file in the HSS, network elements in the network all may obtain D2D-related information from the HSS and further use the information to implement more D2D services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the detailed description of non-exhaustive embodiments with reference to the following drawings:

[0027] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling terminal communication according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0029] Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of an application scenario according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a process for controlling terminal communication according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for controlling terminal communication in a server according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for controlling terminal communication in a server according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

[0033] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for assisting in controlling terminal communication in a call controlling device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The same or like reference numbers in the drawings represent the same or like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In the present invention, a D2D configuration file is introduced and used to describe data of the terminal related to D2D communication, which may include but is not limited to one or more of the following information:

- Whether the terminal has a D2D capability, which means whether the terminal supports D2D communication or not.

- A D2D technology supported by the terminal, which refers to a D2D communication technology supported by the terminal if the terminal supports the D2D communication, and may be, for example, LTE and WiFi. A terminal may support one or more D2D communication technologies.

- A D2D communication object allowed by the terminal, which means which object(s) is allowed by the terminal to establish D2D communication therewith. The communication object may be an ordinary D2D terminal or D2D relay device. A D2D relay device may include a GW (gateway) or a terminal.

- Allowed D2D communication duration, which refers to a period of time during which the terminal allows for the D2D communication.

- An allowed D2D communication site, which refers to a site where the terminal allows for the D2D communication.

- A D2D preferable option, which refers to some preferable configurations when the terminal performs D2D communication, and for example, may include at least one of the following information:

^• a preferably selecting D2D Relay mode, which means selecting a D2D Relay mode if there is an available D2D relay device, that is, connecting the terminal with the D2D Relay device. It further indicates a list of D2D Relay devices allowed by the terminal.

^• communicating via D2D Relay only, which means selecting a D2D Relay mode if there is an available D2D relay device (namely, connecting the terminal with the D2D Relay device) and communicating only in the D2D Relay mode (namely, detaching the terminal from the network after the terminal is connected with the D2D Relay device), and further indicates a list of D2D Relay devices allowed by the terminal.

^• a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals, which refers to an alert to the terminal when some specific terminals are within a near distance from the terminal.

[0036] A HSS (Home Subscriber Server) in the network is used to configure and store a D2D configuration file. Other network elements may download the D2D configuration file from the HSS to optimize communication or develop new services.

[0037] The present invention will be further descried in detail with reference to the figures.

[0038] Fig. 1 illustrates a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, UE 101 and UE 102 are connected to a core network 104 via an eNB 103. Both the UE 101 and UE 102 have D2D capabilities. A D2D configuration file of a terminal is stored in the HSS 106 in the core network 104, where the D2D configuration file of the UE 101 records that:

- the UE 101 has a D2D capability;

- the D2D preferable option of the UE 101 is: communicating via D2D Relay only, where the allowed D2D Relay device incudes the UE 102.

[0039] A server 105 in the core network 104 is a new function entity introduced in the present invention, and may serve as either an independent network device or an independent function module on a current network device (for example, a MME (Mobility Management Entity), a Prose (proximity service) Function, or the like).

[0040] Fig. 2 illustrates a flowchart of a method for controlling terminal communication in the server 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method is described in detail with reference to Fig. 1. The method starts at step S201.

[0041] The step S201 is triggered when the UE 101 is attached to the network 104.

[0042] At step S201, when the server 105 detects that the UE 101 is attached to the network, a D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101 is obtained from the HSS 106. The server 105 sends a Subscriber Information Request Message to the HSS 106, and then the HSS 106 sends to the server 105 a Subscriber Information Response Message which includes the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101.

[0043] Then, at step S202, the server 105 determines, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101, whether the terminal UE 101 has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode. In this embodiment, according to the D2D configuration file of the UE 101, the server 105 determines that the UE 101 has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode.

[0044] At step S203, if the terminal UE 101 has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode, the server 105 periodically collects position information of the terminal UE 101 and D2D Relay device(s) allowed by the terminal. The configuration file of the terminal UE 101 records the D2D Relay device(s) allowed by the terminal UE 101, according to which the server 105 may collect the position information.

[0045] At step S204, if the server 105 detects that a distance between the terminal UE 101 and one of the allowed D2D Relay devices is within a preset range, the server 105 triggers D2D Relay communication of the terminal UE 101, that is, the server 105 triggers the terminal UE 101 to access the network through the D2D Relay device. The triggering action is implemented in a way that the server 105 sends a D2D Relay communication trigger message to the terminal 101. The D2D Relay communication trigger message is a new message introduced in the present invention and includes an identifier of the D2D Relay device. [0046] In the embodiment, if the server 105 detects that a distance between the terminal UE 101 and terminal UE 102 is within a preset D2D communication range, the server 105 triggers the terminal UE 101 to access the network through the terminal UE 102 and sends to the UE

101 a D2D Relay communication trigger message including an identifier of the terminal UE 102.

[0047] After the terminal UE 101 receives the D2D Relay communication trigger message, the terminal UE 101 recognizes that it can implement D2D Relay through the terminal UE

102 and will trigger the D2D communication with the terminal UE 102.

[0048] Then, the terminal UE 101 and terminal UE 102 may perform a Target ProSe Discovery procedure as specified at Section 6. 1. 3 of 3GPP TR23. 703 and a UE-to-Network Relay procedure as specified at Section 5. 44 of 3GPP TS23. 303, which all belong to the prior art and will not be detailed in detail here.

[0049] After terminal UE 101 establishes the D2D Relay communication with the terminal UE 102 and successfully access the network via the terminal UE 102, the terminal UE 101 sends to the server 105 a response message to the D2D Relay communication trigger message, including an execution result of the above procedures.

[0050] In another embodiment, the method further includes step S205 (not shown in the drawing).

[0051] At step S205, if the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101 includes indication information of communicating via D2D Relay only, after the server 105 receives from the terminal UE 101 a response of successfully connecting to the network through the terminal UE 102, the server 105 will trigger a detachment procedure of the terminal UE 101 initiated by a network side, to enable the terminal UE 101 to finally accesses the network only in the D2D Relay mode. The detachment procedure of the terminal belongs to the prior art and is not described in detail here.

[0052] Through the method of the present invention, after a terminal is connected to the network through an access device, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal and network conditions, the server 105 may switch the terminal to access to the network in a D2D Relay mode, which will bring many advantages.

[0053] For a terminal user, accessing to the network in a D2D Relay mode may at least bring the following advantages: sharing traffic and charges of a D2D Relay device; sharing services (for example, a network optimization strategy) possessed by a D2D Relay device; and implementing unified management of other user equipment by a D2D Relay device of the user, for example, traffic control and safety control.

[0054] For an operator, accessing to the network in a D2D Relay mode may reduce the network overload caused by a large number of access devices and improve the network bearing capability. It is an important problem to optimize network access so as to avoid network overload, network service quality degradation, and income drop caused by access of a lot of Internet of things devices, especially under the environment of the Internet of things,.

[0055] Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of an application scenario according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a terminal UE 301 and a terminal UE 302 are connected to an IMS core network 304 through eNB 303. Both the UE 301 and UE 302 have D2D capabilities. A HSS 306 in the core network 304 stores a D2D configuration file of a terminal.

[0056] The D2D configuration file of the UE 301 records that

- the UE 301 has a D2D capability;

- an allowed D2D communication device by the UE 301 includes the UE 302.

[0057] The D2D configuration file of the UE 302 records that:

- the UE 302 has the D2D capability;

- an allowed D2D communication device by the UE 302 includes the UE 301.

[0058] A server 305 in the core network 304 is a new function entity introduced in the present invention and may serve as either an independent network device or an independent function module on a current network device (for example, a MME, a Prose Function, or the like).

[0059] In addition, the core network 304 further includes network elements such as a S-CSCF (Server-Call Session Control Function) 307, a P-CSCF (Proxy-Call Session Control Function) 308, and a proximity service function 309.

[0060] Fig. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a process for controlling terminal communication according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment, the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 first establish communication via a network. The process begins at step S401.

[0061] At step S401, in the process that the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 establish communication via the network, in response to a call establishment request of the terminal UE 301 or terminal UE 302, the server 305 obtains the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 from the HSS 306, the call being established between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302. As shown in the figure, the server sends the Subscriber Information Request message to the HSS 306, then the HSS 306 sends to the server 305 the Subscriber Information Response message including the D2D configuration files of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302.

[0062] Then, at step S402, if both the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 have the D2D capabilities and both are allowed D2D communication objects of each other according to the D2D configuration files, the server 305 monitors whether the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 satisfy a predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication when the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 establish non-D2D communication via the network.

[0063] In this embodiment, both the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 have the D2D capabilities. Moreover, the terminal UE 301 is a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal UE 302, and the terminal UE 302 is a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal UE 302. When the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 establish non-D2D communication via the network, the server performs real-time monitoring for a network state according to the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication.

[0064] In an embodiment, the condition for triggering the D2D communication includes but is not limited to one or more of the follow conditions:

- a distance between the two terminals being within a predefined D2D communication range;

- a size of a file transmitted between the two terminals being lower than a predefined certain threshold; or

- a radio access network (RAN) where the terminal is located being in a congested state.

[0065] These conditions may be predefined by an operator or may be amended in real time.

[0066] At step S403, if the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication is satisfied, the server 305 triggers establishment of the D2D communication between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302, that is, the server 305 sends to a call control device S-CSCF 307 a D2D connection request which includes identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302. The D2D connection request is a new message introduced in the present invention.

[0067] The S-CSCF 307 will trigger the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 to establish the D2D communication.

[0068] At step S404, the S-CSCF 307 sends to the P-CSCF308 an INFO message including the identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302.

[0069] At step S405, the P-CSCF308 sends to the UE 301 an INFO message including the identifier of the terminal UE 302.

[0070] At step S406, the P-CSCF308 sends to the UE 302 an INFO message including the identifier of the terminal UE 301.

[0071] After receiving the INFO message, the UE 301 knows that it will establish D2D communication with the UE 302. At step S407, the UE 301 sends a Discovery message to the proximity service function 309.

[0072] After receiving the INFO message, the UE 302 knows that it will establish D2D communication with the UE 301. At step S408, the UE 302 sends a Discovery message to the proximity service function 309.

[0073] At step S409, the proximity service function 309 performs D2D discovery and connection procedures. Reference is made to 3GPP TS23. 303 and 3GPP TR23. 703 for the detailed procedures. These procedures all belong to the prior art and will not be detailed here.

[0074] Then, when the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 successfully establish the D2D connection, at steps S410 and S411, the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 send a 200 OK message to the P-CSCF308, respectively; and then at step S412, the P-CSCF208 sends 200 OK to the S-CSCF 307, indicating that the D2D connection between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 has been established successfully.

[0075] At step S413, the S-CSCF 307 sends to the server 305 a D2D connection response, including identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and UE 302. This indicates that the D2D connection between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 has been established successfully. The D2D connection response is a new message introduced in the present invention.

[0076] In a further embodiment, the process further includes step S414 (not shown in the figure) after the step S413.

[0077] At step S414, when receiving the D2D connection response message indicating that the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 successfully establish the D2D communication, the server 305 sends to the S-CSCF 307 a network connection release request including identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302, to trigger a procedure of releasing the non-D2D communication connection established between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 via the network.

[0078] Through the method of the present invention, when two terminals already establish a communication connection via the network, in the case that a predefined condition is satisfied, the server 305 may trigger the two terminals to establish a D2D connection, so that the data is directly transmitted between the two terminals, not via the network, which thereby reduces the load of the core network and improves the communication processing capability in the case of unchanged capacity and performance of the core network.

[0079] Fig. 5 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for controlling terminal communication in the server 105 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 500 includes first obtaining means 501, determining means 502, collecting means 503, and first transmitting means 504.

[0080] The operation process of the apparatus 500 will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 1-2.

[0081] When the server 105 detects that the UE 101 is attached to the network 104, the first obtaining means 501 obtains a D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101 from the HSS 106. The first obtaining means 501 sends a Subscriber Information Request message to the HSS 106, and then HSS 106 sends to the first obtaining means 501 a Subscriber Information Response message including the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101.

[0082] The determining means 502 determines, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101, whether the terminal UE 101 has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode. In this embodiment, the determining means 502 determines that the UE 101 has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode according to the D2D configuration file of the UE 101.

[0083] If the UE 101 has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode, the collecting means 503 periodically collects position information of the terminal UE 101 and D2D Relay device(s) allowed by the terminal UE 101. The configuration file of the terminal UE 101 records the D2D Relay device(s) allowed by the terminal UE 101, according to which the collecting means 503 may collect the position information.

[0084] If the server 105 detects that a distance between the terminal UE 101 and one of the allowed D2D Relay device(s) is within a preset range, the server 105 triggers the D2D Relay communication of the terminal UE 101, that is, the server 105 triggers the terminal UE 101 to access the network through the D2D Relay device. The triggering action is implemented in a way that the first transmitting means 504 sends a D2D Relay communication trigger message to the terminal 101. The D2D Relay communication trigger message is a new message introduced in the present invention and includes an identifier of the D2D Relay device.

[0085] In the embodiment, the server 105 detects that a distance between the terminal UE 101 and terminal UE 102 is within a predefined D2D communication range, the first transmitting means 504 triggers the terminal UE 101 to access the network through the terminal UE 102 and sends to the terminal UE 101 a D2D Relay communication trigger message including an identifier of the terminal UE 102.

[0086] In another embodiment, the apparatus further includes detaching means 505 (not shown in Fig. 5).

[0087] If the D2D configuration file of the terminal UE 101 includes indication information of communicating via D2D Relay only, after the server 105 receives from the terminal UE 101 a response of successfully connecting to the network through the terminal UE 102, the detaching means 505 triggers a detachment procedure of the terminal UE 101 initiated by a network side, to enable the terminal UE 101 to finally accesses the network only in the D2D Relay mode.

[0088] Fig. 6 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for controlling terminal communication in the server 305 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 600 includes second obtaining means 601, monitoring means 602, and second transmitting means 603.

[0089] The operation process of the apparatus 600 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[0090] In the process that the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 establish communication via a network, in response to a call establishment request of the terminal UE 301 or terminal UE 302, the second obtaining means 601obtains D2D configuration files of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 from the HSS 306, where a call is established between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302. As shown in the figure, the second obtaining means 601 sends a Subscriber Information Request message to the HSS 306, and then the HSS 306 sends to the second obtaining means 601 a Subscriber Information Response message including the D2D configuration files of the terminal UE 301 and UE 302.

[0091] If both the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 have the D2D capabilities and both are allowed D2D communication objects of each other according to the D2D configuration file, the monitoring means 602 monitors whether the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 satisfy a predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication when the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 establish non-D2D communication via the network.

[0092] In this embodiment, both the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 have the D2D capabilities. Moreover, the terminal UE 301 is a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal UE 302, and the terminal UE 302 is a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal UE 302. When the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 establish non-D2D communication via the network, the monitoring means 602 performs real-time monitoring for a network state according to the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication.

[0093] In an embodiment, the condition for triggering the D2D communication includes but is not limited to one or more of the follow conditions:

- the distance between the two terminals being within a predefined D2D communication range;

- a size of a file transmitted between the two terminals is being than a predefined certain threshold; or

- a radio access network (RAN) where the terminal is located being in a congested state. [0094] These conditions may be predefined by an operator or may be amended in real time.

[0095] If the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication is satisfied, the server 305 triggers establishment of the D2D communication between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302, that is, the second transmitting means 603 sends to a call control device S-CSCF 307 a D2D connection request which includes identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302. The D2D connection request is a new message introduced in the present invention.

[0096] In a further embodiment, the apparatus 600 further includes connection release triggering means 604 (not shown in the figure).

[0097] When the server 305 receives the D2D connection response message indicating that the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 successfully establish the D2D communication, the connection release trigging means 604 sends to the S-CSCF 307 a network connection release request including the identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and UE 302, to trigger a procedure of releasing the non-D2D communication connection established between the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 via the network.

[0098] Fig. 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of an apparatus for assisting in controlling terminal communication in the S-CSCF 307 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 700 includes first receiving means 701, third transmitting means 702, and fourth transmitting means 703.

[0099] The operation process of the apparatus 700 will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

[00100] The first receiving means 701 receives from the server 305 the D2D connection request including the identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and UE 302. The D2D connection request is a new message introduced in the present invention, being used for triggering the terminal UE 301 and terminal UE 302 to establish the D2D communication.

[00101] The third transmitting means 702 sends to the UE 301 an INFO message including the identifier of the terminal UE 302. The INFO message is used to indicate that a D2D connection is to be established between the UE 301 and UE 302.

[00102] The fourth transmitting means 703 sends to the UE 302 an INFO message including the identifier of the terminal UE 301. The INFO message is used to indicate that a D2D connection is to be established between the UE 303 and UE 301.

[00103] In a further embodiment, the apparatus 700 further includes second receiving means 704 (not shown in the figure).

[00104] The second receiving means 704 receives from the server 305 a network connection release request including the identifiers of the terminal UE 301 and UE 302, to trigger a procedure of releasing the non-D2D communication connection established between the terminal UE 301 and UE 302 via the network. After receiving the network connection release request, the S-CSCF 307 activates a procedure of releasing the non-D2D communication connection established between the UE 301 and UE 302 via the network.

[00105] It should be noted that the present invention may be implemented in software and/or a combination of software and hardware, for example, implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a general purpose computer, or any other similar hardware devices. In one embodiment, the software program of the present invention may be executed by a processor to perform the above steps or functions. Likewise, the software program of the present invention (including the relevant data structure) may be stored in a computer-readable recording medium, e. g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical driver, soft floppy disk, or the like. In addition, some of the steps or functions of the present invention may be implemented using hardware, for example, as a circuit cooperating with the processor to perform various steps or functions.

[00106] In addition, a portion of the present invention may be implemented as a computer program product, for example, a computer program instruction. When executed by the computer, a method and/or technical solution according to the present invention may be invoked or provided through operations of the computer. The program instructions for invoking the method of the present invention may be stored in a stationary or movable recording medium, and/or transmitted via data streams in broadcast or other signal bearing media, and/or stored in an operating memory of a computer device running according to the program instructions. Here, an embodiment according to the present invention includes a device which includes a memory for storing computer program instructions and a processor for executing the program instructions, where when the computer program instruction is executed by the processor, the device is caused to run the method and/or technical solution in various embodiments according to the present invention.

[00107] It is obvious for those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the above example embodiments, but can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or basic features of the present invention. Therefore, in any way, the embodiments shall be regarded as exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is limited by the appended claims, instead of the above description. Thus, all variations which fall into the meaning and scope of equivalent elements of the claims shall be covered within the present invention. No reference signs in the claims shall be regarded as limiting the involved claims. Besides, it is obvious that the term "comprise" does not exclude other units or steps, and a singular form does not exclude a plural form. A plurality of units or apparatus set forth in a system claim may also be implemented by a single unit or means through software or hardware. Terms such as first, second, and the like are used to indicate the names, but do not indicate any particular sequence.

Claims

I/We Claim:

1. A method of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network, the network including a HSS having a D2D configuration file of a terminal stored thereon, the method comprising:

obtaining the D2D configuration file of the terminal from the HSS when the terminal is attached to the network;

determining, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal, whether the terminal has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode;

if the terminal has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode, periodically collecting position information of the terminal and a D2D Relay device allowed by the terminal; and

if a distance between the terminal and the D2D Relay device is within a preset D2D communication range, sending to the terminal a D2D Relay communication trigger message including an identifier of the D2D Relay device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

if the D2D configuration file of the terminal includes indication information of communicating via D2D Relay only, after receiving from the terminal a response of successfully connecting to the network through the D2D Relay device, triggering a detachment procedure of the terminal initiated by a network side, to enable the terminal to finally accesses the network only in the D2D Relay mode.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information:

whether the terminal has a D2D capability;

a D2D technology supported by the terminal;

a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal;

allowed D2D communication duration;

an allowed D2D communication site; or

a D2D preferable option including at least one of the following information: a preferable D2D Relay mode, communicating via D2D Relay only, or a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals.

4. A method of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network, the network including a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon, the method comprising:

in response to a call establishment request, obtaining D2D configuration files of a first terminal and a second terminal from the HSS, the call being established between the first and second terminals;

if both the first and second terminals have D2D capabilities and are allowed D2D communication objects of each other, monitoring whether the first and second terminals satisfy a predefined condition for triggering D2D communication when the first and second terminals establish non-D2D communication via the network; and

if the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication is satisfied, sending to a call control device a D2D connection request including identifiers of the first and second terminals to trigger the first and second terminals to establish the D2D communication.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising

upon receiving an indication message indicating that the first and second terminals successfully establish the D2D communication, sending to the call control device a network connection release request including the identifiers of the first and second terminals to trigger a procedure of releasing a non-D2D communication connection established between the first and second terminals via the network.

6. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information:

whether the terminal has a D2D capability;

a D2D technology supported by the terminal;

a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal;

allowed D2D communication duration;

an allowed D2D communication site; or

7. The method of claim 4 or 5, wherein the condition for triggering the D2D communication includes at least one of the follow conditions: a distance between the two terminals being within a predefined D2D communication range;

a size of a file transmitted between the two terminals being lower than a predefined certain threshold; or

a radio access network (RAN) where the terminal is located being in a congested state.

8. A method of assisting in controlling terminal communication in a call control device, the method comprising:

receiving from a network server a D2D connection request including identifiers of a first terminal and a second terminal for triggering a D2D connection between the first and second terminals;

sending to the first terminal a request message including the identifier of the second terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection; and

sending to the second terminal a request message including the identifier of the first terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

receiving, from the network server, a network connection release request including identifiers of the first and second terminals for triggering a procedure of releasing a non-D2D communication connection established between the first and second terminals via the network.

10. An apparatus of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network, the network including a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon, the apparatus comprising:

first obtaining means for obtaining the D2D configuration file of the terminal from the HSS when the terminal is attached to the network;

determining means for determining, according to the D2D configuration file of the terminal, whether the terminal has a D2D capability and preferably selects a D2D Relay mode;

collecting means for, if the terminal has the D2D capability and preferably selects the D2D Relay mode, periodically collecting position information of the terminal and a D2D Relay device allowed by the terminal; and

first transmitting means for, if a distance between the terminal and the D2D Relay device is within a preset D2D communication range, sending to the terminal a D2D Relay communication trigger message including an identifier of the D2D Relay device.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information:

whether the terminal has a D2D capability;

a D2D technology supported by the terminal;

a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal;

allowed D2D communication duration;

an allowed D2D communication site; or

12. An apparatus of controlling terminal communication in a server of a network, the network including a HSS having a D2D configuration file of the terminal stored thereon, the apparatus comprising:

second obtaining means for, in response to a call establishment request, obtaining D2D configuration files of a first terminal and a second terminal from the HSS, the call being established between the first and second terminals;

monitoring means for, if both the first and second terminals have D2D capabilities and are allowed D2D communication objects of each other, monitoring whether the first and second terminals satisfy a predefined condition for triggering D2D communication when the first and second terminals establish non-D2D communication via the network; and

second transmitting means for, if the predefined condition for triggering the D2D communication is satisfied, sending to a call control device a D2D connection request including identifiers of the first and second terminals to trigger the first and second terminals to establish the D2D communication.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the D2D configuration file includes at least one of the following information:

whether the terminal has a D2D capability;

a D2D technology supported by the terminal;

a D2D communication object allowed by the terminal; allowed D2D communication duration;

an allowed D2D communication site; or

a D2D preferable option including at least one of the following information: a preferable D2D Relay mode, only communicating through D2D Relay, or a proximity alert for a certain or some terminals.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 or 13, wherein the condition for triggering the D2D communication includes at least one of the follow conditions:

a distance between the two terminals being within a predefined D2D communication range;

15. An apparatus of assisting in controlling terminal communication in a call control device, the apparatus comprising:

first receiving means for receiving from a network server a D2D connection request including identifiers of a first terminal and a second terminal for triggering a D2D connection between the first and second terminals;

third transmitting means for sending to the first terminal a request message including an identifier of the second terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection; and

fourth transmitting means for sending to the second terminal a request message including an identifier of the first terminal to indicate the first and second terminals to establish the D2D connection.