TITLE:

Method to Initiate Priority Alarm in a Cellular Network

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION:

[0001] This application is related to and claims the priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/640,182, filed April 30, 2012, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND: Field:

[0002] Communication systems, such as an evolved packet system, may benefit from methods for providing priority alarms. In particular, certain communication systems in which machine type communication devices are deployed may benefit from a machine type communication feature for providing priority alarms.

Description of the Related Art:

[0003] The evolved packet system (EPS), the successor of general packet radio system (GPRS), provides radio interfaces and packet core network functions for broadband wireless data access. EPS core network functions include the mobility management entity (MME), the packet data network gateway (PDN-GW) and the Serving Gateway (S-GW). An example of an evolved packet core architecture is illustrated in Figure 1 and is described by third generation partnership project (3GPP) technical specification (TS) 23.401 , which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A common packet domain core network can be used for both radio access networks (RANs), the global system for mobile communication

(GSM) enhanced data rates for GSM evolution (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN) and the universal terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN).

[0004] For machine-type-communication (MTC) a functional entity called MTC interworking function (MTC-IWF) and several new interfaces, including S6m, Tsp, Tsms, T5a/b/c and T4, have been introduced to the 3GPP architecture. Figure 2 illustrates machine-type- communication additions to the 3GPP architecture, as well as the various interfaces identified. The MTC-IWF and the new interfaces in 3GPP Release 1 1 (Rel 1 1 ) can, for example, enable triggering of devices with or without a mobile subscriber integrated services digital network number (MSISDN) from an internal or external MTC server. The triggering of the devices may be, for example, in order to establish a packet data network (PDN) connection and/or packet data protocol (PDP) context. A 3GPP architecture for machine-type communication is discussed in 3GPP TS 23.682, which incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0005] Certain MTC devices, such as smart meters, may need to issue a priority alarm in the event of, for example, theft, vandalism, or other needs for immediate attention. Moreover, the MTC devices may need to be able to provide this alarm even when they cannot use normal services. Conventionally, however, there is no provision of a priority alarm that can be used by MTC devices under such circumstances.

SUMMARY:

[0006] According to certain embodiments, a method can include detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The method can also include notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0007] In certain embodiments, a method can include receiving a priority alarm from a user equipment. The method can also include determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The method can further include forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm can be received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0008] A method, according to certain embodiments, can include receiving a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node and determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The method can also include forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0009] An apparatus, in certain embodiments, includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code can be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to detect that a priority alarm is needed. The at least one memory and the computer program code can also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to notify a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane. [0010] According to certain embodiments, an apparatus can include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code can be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a priority alarm from a user equipment and determine an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The at least one memory and the computer program code can also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to forward the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm can be received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[001 1] In certain embodiments, an apparatus can include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code can be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node and determine a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The at least one memory and the computer program code can also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to forward the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0012] An apparatus, according to certain embodiments, can include detecting means for detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The apparatus can also include notifying means for notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non- access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0013] An apparatus, in certain embodiments, can include receiving means for receiving a priority alarm from a user equipment. The apparatus can also include determining means for determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The apparatus can further include forwarding means for forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function, wherein the priority alarm is received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0014] According to certain embodiments, an apparatus can include receiving means for receiving a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node. The apparatus can also include determining means for determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The apparatus can further include forwarding means for forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0015] In certain embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium can be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process. The process can include detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The process can also include notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0016] A non-transitory computer readable medium can, according to certain embodiments, be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process. The process can include receiving a priority alarm from a user equipment. The process can also include determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The process can further include forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm can be received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0017] A non-transitory computer readable medium can, in certain embodiments, be encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process. The process can include receiving a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node and determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The process can also include forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0018] For proper understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 illustrates an evolved packet core architecture.

[0020] Figure 2 illustrates machine-type-communication additions to a third generation partnership project architecture.

[0021] Figure 3 illustrates a method of notifying a network of an alarm using a special- purpose message according to certain embodiments.

[0022] Figure 4 illustrates a method of notifying a network of an alarm using an uplink transport message according to certain embodiments.

[0023] Figure 5 illustrates a method of notifying a network of an alarm using a user plane according to certain embodiments.

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates a method according to certain embodiments.

[0025] Figure 7 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0026] A priority alarm machine type communication (MTC) feature, according to certain embodiments, can be used with machine type communication devices that issue a priority alarm in the event of, for example, theft, vandalism, tampering, or other needs for immediate attention. The conditions that can cause the machine type communication device to generate a priority alarm do not have to be limited to these examples. For example, certain machine type communication devices may have sensors to detect fire or other emergency situations.

[0027] In certain embodiments, the priority alarm machine type communication feature can take precedence over any other machine type communication features. For example, in certain embodiments when a machine type communication device is subscribed to both priority alarm and group-based policing machine type communication features, the device can still send data even when the group based maximum bit rate has been exceeded. The machine type communication device, in certain embodiments, can issue a priority alarm even when the device cannot use normal services for some reasons, such as when the result would be location not allowed, access time not allowed, roaming not allowed, or the like, in the absence of the priority alarm.

[0028] Thus, certain embodiments provide the ability for a device to report detected events, such as suspicious activities, to the network immediately. At least three techniques can be used according to certain embodiments. First, the network can be notified with a priority alarm using a special-purpose non-access stratum (NAS) message, which may be designated "Notify Alarm." The non-access stratum can be considered a high layer stratum of the control plane between the user equipment and the mobility management entity at the radio interface. Second, the network can be notified with a priority alarm using an "Uplink Generic NAS transport" message. This message can include an application identifier that corresponds to the application server where the message should be routed. Third, the network can be notified of the priority alarm using the user plane.

[0029] In each of these alternative approaches, a user equipment (UE) can provide a priority level in the alarm message which can be stored in charging records. The priority level can be mapped to different allocation retention priority (ARP) values and can be used in overload situations to prefer high priority alarm messages over low priority ones.

[0030] Accordingly, according to one aspect, a user equipment (UE) can notify a network of a priority alarm using a special non-access stratum message designed for this purpose, as illustrated in Figure 3.

[0031] A special-purpose non-access stratum message for this purpose can be encoded, for example, in just two octets. For example, the non-access stratum message can include just the protocol discriminator in one half octet, a security header type in one half octet, and a message type in one octet. Additional information may be optional unless, there is something particular that the user equipment needs to include in the notification. Since the message can be used exclusively for this purpose, it need not carry an application identifier or additional content in the message. Thus, this approach can be considered a very optimized procedure from a performance perspective. This solution can be applied in general packet radio service (GPRS), universal mobile telecommunication service (UMTS), and evolved packet service (EPS).

[0032] More particularly, as shown in Figure 3, a user equipment can notify a network of a priority alarm using a special non-access stratum message, which may be referred to as "Notify Alarm." Thus, when the user equipment intends to report an alarm, it can initiate the establishment of a radio resource control (RRC) connection, if one does not exist already. The user equipment may use a cause code "high priority", for example "no delay tolerant" indication for the cause code, for the RRC connection request so that this connection is given the highest priority to ensure that it is not rejected with a wait timer or eWaitTimer due to congestion and/or overload in the network. If a non-access stratum (NAS) connection has not yet been established, the user equipment may initiate a service request with a "high priority", for example, "no low priority" indication, to ensure that the request is not rejected due to congestion, overload, roaming restriction, subscription restriction, closed subscriber group (CSG) subscriptions, or the like. Upon establishing an RRC connection and a non-access stratum signaling connection, the user equipment can initiate a "Notify Alarm" message, at 310.

[0033] The MME/SGSN may have a cached interworking function (IWF) identifier (ID), for example from a previous home subscriber server (HSS) query to retrieve subscription data, or may query the HSS at 320 to obtain the IWF ID in an HSS response. The IWF ID can identify where the "notify alarm" should be routed to. The HSS, therefore, may have a cached IWF ID.

[0034] After confirming that the user equipment is allowed to send alarm messages, the MME/SGSN can, at 330, forward the "notify alarm" indication to the corresponding machine type communication interworking function (MTC-IWF) along with the user's international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI).

[0035] The IWF may be preconfigured and have a cached IMSI to external identifier mapping or may query the HSS to obtain the external identifier. The external identifier (extID) can include, for example, network access identifier (NAI), uniform resource identifier

(URI), or fully qualified domain name (FQDN). IWF may also have a cached services capability server (SCS) ID where the "notify alarm" should be routed to, or may query the HSS to obtain the SCS ID. Alternatively user equipment can provide SCS ID in the alarm message directly. IWF, at 340, routes the alarm notification to the SCS along with the external identifier of the device. Finally, at 350, the SCS can notify the applications server for the priority alarm. [0036] Figure 4, by contrast, illustrates a method that includes notifying the network of the priority alarm using an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message. In this approach, it is not necessary to have a special-purpose message. Instead, the uplink generic non-access stratum transport message can be used for multiple purposes including this purpose. This message can carry generic content and the application identifier. Similarly, an existing non-access stratum message, for example, GPRS mobility management (GMM) information, can be used in GPRS or UMTS.

[0037] As shown in Figure 4, the user equipment, when intending to report an alarm, can initiate the establishment of an RRC connection and non-access stratum connection, if such connections do not exist already, as described above in reference to Figure 3. Upon establishing RRC connection and non-access stratum signaling connection, the user equipment can initiate an "Uplink Generic NAS Transport" message with the container set to "priority alarm" and container type set to "alarm application," at 410. The MME/SGSN and remainder of the network may then handle the process as described above with reference to Figure 3. See the discussion above for the remaining steps illustrated in Figure 4.

[0038] Figure 5 illustrates notification of a priority alarm using a user plane according to certain embodiments. Thus, in this case, notification of the priority alarm can be performed using an established user plane. If the user equipment has a user plane established with the target application server, namely the application server (AS) for the priority alarm, then the user equipment can deliver the alarm notification using the user plane. This option may be beneficial because it can reduce additional signaling messages when a user plane is already established with the application server. This approach can be applied in GPRS, UMTS and EPS.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, at 510, an application layer registration can occur over a user plane through a first packet data network (PDN). Subsequently, at 520, a user equipment

(UE) can detect a suspicious event, namely an event that may trigger priority alarm notification.

[0040] Then, at 530, when the user equipment intends to report an alarm, it can check to see whether a suitable bearer is already established. If the user equipment has a bearer established, then the user equipment can, at 530, notify the alarm directly to the entity responsible for this request, for example, the application server to which this notification is relevant.

[0041] When the user equipment is establishing a bearer with an access point name (APN) that connects to the application server targeted for priority alarm, the user equipment may be allowed to use a higher priority for the bearer. The bearer may be allocated a special quality of service (QoS) class identifier (QCI) / allocation and retention priority (ARP) so that the bearer is not preempted. The bearer used for priority alarms can also be specially marked, for example by providing a priority level in the bearer establishment message.

[0042] Certain embodiments, therefore, can provide the ability for the user equipment registered with 3GPP networks to dynamically report alarms when suspicious activity, such as theft or vandalism, is detected. The approaches illustrated in Figures 3-5 can address many different use case scenarios, in which the device can either report to the network over a user plane using a priority bearer established for this purpose or using control plane, either using an existing non-access stratum message or a new non-access stratum message. This reporting or notification can be done in an efficient manner to avoid additional signaling messages and reduce the size of the signaling messages when possible.

[0043] Figure 6 illustrates a method according to certain embodiments. As shown in Figure 6, a method can include, at 610, detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The method can also include, at 612, notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non- access stratum transport message, or the user plane. The uplink generic non-access stratum transport message can include an application identifier that corresponds to the application server where the message should be routed. The method can further include, at 61 1 , incorporating a priority level in the alarm message.

[0044] The method can additionally include, at 620, receiving the priority alarm from the user equipment. The method can also include, at 622, determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The method can further include, at 624, forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm can be received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0045] The method can also include, at 630, receiving a priority alarm of the user equipment from a serving node. The method can further include, at 632, determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The method can additionally include, at 634, forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0046] The method can also include, at 633, translating an international mobile subscriber identity of the user equipment to an external identifier and including the external identifier when forwarding the priority alarm.

[0047] Figure 7 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments of the invention. In one embodiment, a system may include multiple devices, such as, for example, user equipment 710, network element 720, and interworking function 730. The network element can be a serving node, such as an MME or SGSN. Each of these devices may include at least one processor, respectively indicated as 714, 724, and 734. At least one memory is provided in each device, and indicated as 715, 725, and 735, respectively. The memory may include computer program instructions or computer code contained therein. Transceivers 716, 726, and 736 are provided, and each device may also include an antenna, respectively illustrated as 717, 727, and 737. Other configurations of these devices, for example, may be provided. For example, user equipment 710, network element 720, and interworking function 730 may be configured for wired communication, rather than wireless communication, and in such a case antennas 717, 727, and 737 would illustrate any form of communication hardware, without requiring a conventional antenna.

[0048] Transceivers 716, 726, and 736 can each, independently, be a transmitter, a receiver, or both a transmitter and a receiver, or a unit or device that is configured both for transmission and reception.

[0049] Processors 714, 724, and 734 can be embodied by any computational or data processing device, such as a central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or comparable device. The processors can be implemented as a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or processors.

[0050] Memories 715, 725, and 735 can independently be any suitable storage device, such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium. A hard disk drive (HDD), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, or other suitable memory can be used. The memories can be combined on a single integrated circuit as the processor, or may be separate therefrom. Furthermore, the computer program instructions stored in the memory and which may be processed by the processors can be any suitable form of computer program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted computer program written in any suitable programming language.

[0051] The memory and the computer program instructions can be configured, with the processor for the particular device, to cause a hardware apparatus such as user equipment 710, network element 720, and interworking function 730, to perform any of the processes described above (see, for example, Figures 3-6). Therefore, in certain embodiments, a non- transitory computer-readable medium can be encoded with computer instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process such as one of the processes described herein.

Alternatively, certain embodiments of the invention can be performed entirely in hardware.

[0052] Furthermore, although Figure 7 illustrates a system including a user equipment, network element, and interworking function, embodiments of the invention may be applicable to other configurations, and configurations involving additional elements, as illustrated herein.

[0053] A method, according to certain embodiments, includes detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The method also includes notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink non- access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0054] The uplink non-access stratum transport message can include an application identifier that corresponds to the application server where the message should be routed.

[0055] The method can further include incorporating a priority level in the alarm message.

[0056] A method, in certain embodiments, includes receiving a priority alarm from a user equipment. The method also includes determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The method further includes forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm is received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0057] A method, according to certain embodiments, includes receiving a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node. The method also includes determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The method further includes forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0058] The method can also include translating an international mobile subscriber identity of the user equipment to an external identifier and including the external identifier when forwarding the priority alarm.

[0059] An apparatus, in certain embodiments, includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to detect that a priority alarm is needed. The at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to notify a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0060] The uplink generic non-access stratum transport message can include an application identifier that corresponds to the application server where the message should be routed.

[0061 ] The at least one memory and the computer program code can be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to incorporate a priority level in the alarm message.

[0062] According to certain embodiments, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a priority alarm from a user equipment. The at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to forward the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm is received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0063] In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node. The at least one memory and the computer program code are also configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to forward the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0064] The at least one memory and the computer program code can also be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to translating an international mobile subscriber identity of the user equipment to an external identifier and to include the external identifier when forwarding the priority alarm.

[0065] An apparatus, according to certain embodiments, includes detecting means for detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The apparatus also includes notifying means for notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non- access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0066] The uplink non-access stratum transport message can include an application identifier that corresponds to the application server where the message should be routed.

[0067] The apparatus can further include incorporating means for incorporating a priority level in the alarm message.

[0068] An apparatus, in certain embodiments, includes receiving means for receiving a priority alarm from a user equipment. The apparatus also includes determining means for determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The apparatus further includes forwarding means for forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm is received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0069] According to certain embodiments, an apparatus includes receiving means for receiving a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node. The apparatus also includes determining means for determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The apparatus further includes forwarding means for forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0070] The apparatus can also include translating means for translating an international mobile subscriber identity of the user equipment to an external identifier and incorporating means for including the external identifier when forwarding the priority alarm.

[0071 ] In certain embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium is encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process. The process includes detecting that a priority alarm is needed. The process also includes notifying a network element of a priority alarm using at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0072] The uplink generic non-access stratum transport message can include an application identifier that corresponds to the application server where the message should be routed.

[0073] The process further includes incorporating a priority level in the alarm message.

[0074] A non-transitory computer readable medium is, according to certain embodiments, encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process. The process includes receiving a priority alarm from a user equipment. The process also includes determining an interworking function corresponding to the priority alarm. The process further includes forwarding the priority alarm to the interworking function. The priority alarm is received in at least one of a special-purpose non-access stratum message, an uplink generic non-access stratum transport message, or the user plane.

[0075] A non-transitory computer readable medium is, in certain embodiments, encoded with instructions that, when executed in hardware, perform a process. The process includes receiving a priority alarm of a user equipment from a serving node. The process also includes determining a services capability server or application server corresponding to the priority alarm. The process further includes forwarding the priority alarm to the services capability server or the application server.

[0076] The non-transitory computer readable medium can also include translating an international mobile subscriber identity of the user equipment to an external identifier and including the external identifier when forwarding the priority alarm.

One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.