CN113301630B

CN113301630B - Method and apparatus for user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication

Info

Publication number: CN113301630B
Application number: CN202110190141.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 马堤·摩伊沙嫩
Original assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte Ltd
Current assignee: MediaTek Singapore Pte Ltd
Priority date: 2020-02-21
Filing date: 2021-02-18
Publication date: 2024-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2041-02-18
Also published as: CN113301630A

Abstract

Methods and apparatus relating to User Equipment (UE) reachability following notification in mobile communications are described. An apparatus (e.g., a UE) receives an indication to initiate a notification procedure from a network through a non-third generation partnership project (non-3 GPP) access when 3GPP access with the network is unavailable. In response, the device sends a notification response message to the network. After 3GPP access to the network becomes available, the apparatus indicates to the network that the apparatus is reachable over the 3GPP access. According to the method and the device for the accessibility of the user equipment after the notification in the mobile communication, when the 3GPP access with the network is unavailable, the delay caused by the fact that the network cannot know the state of the user equipment can be reduced, and the signaling overhead can be saved.

Description

Method and apparatus for user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present invention is a priority of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/979,487 filed on 21-2/2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to mobile communications, and more particularly, to User Equipment (UE) reachability after notification in mobile communications.

Background

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims listed below and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

In wireless communications, including mobile communications according to the third generation partnership project (the 3rd Generation Partnership Project,3GPP) specifications and/or wireless local area networks according to the institute of electrical and electronics engineers (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, IEEE) 802.11 specifications, the network may initiate a notification procedure on non-3 GPP access when the UE is in a fifth generation (5th Generation,5G) mobility management (5G Mobility Management,5GMM) CONNECTED (5GMM connected,5GMM-CONNECTED) mode on non-3 GPP access and in a 5GMM IDLE (5 GMM-IDLE) mode on 3GPP access. The network may do so to instruct the UE to switch to the 5GMM-CONNECTED mode over the 3GPP access. The notification procedure may be initiated by a session management function (Session Management Function, SMF) of the network, for example, when there is Downlink (DL) data of a protocol data unit (protocol data unit, PDU) session associated with the 3GPP access to be transmitted over the 3GPP access. If the UE cannot initiate connection establishment over 3GPP access (e.g., due to being in an NO-CELL-AVAILABLE state or another state where establishment cannot be achieved), the UE will need to send a notification response (NOTIFICATION RESPONSE) message over non-3 GPP access to the access and mobility management function (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF) of the network to indicate such failure (e.g., according to 3GPP technical specification (Technical Specification, TS) 24.501 section 5.6.3). Upon receipt of the notification response message, the AMF will notify the SMF that the UE is not reachable, and when the UE is not reachable, the SMF will refrain from requesting DL data transmission from the AMF to the UE (e.g., according to 3gpp TS 23.502 section 4.2.3.3). Later, the AMF will indicate to the SMF when the UE becomes reachable (e.g., when the UE enters a connection management connection (connection management CONNECTED, CM-CONNECTED) mode over 3GPP access).

However, after the UE sends the notification response message, the state of when the UE enters CM-CONNECTED mode and returns to its reachable state but no non-access stratum (NAS) signaling connection is unknown and uncertain. For example, if the UE is in a state of a registered fifth generation mobility management unavailable CELL (5 GMM-registered no-CELL-AVAILABLE) with respect to a 3GPP access when the UE transmits a notification response message through the non-3 GPP access, and the UE camps on a CELL belonging to a TA included in a registered Tracking Area (TA) list, the UE will enter a registered fifth generation mobility management normal SERVICE (5 GMM-registered normal-SERVICE) state and will not initiate connection establishment. The AMF will not know that the UE is reachable again and will therefore not inform the SMF that the UE is reachable, so the SMF will still avoid initiating any DL data transmission. Disadvantageously, this will result in additional delay before the SMF retransmits the DL data.

Disclosure of Invention

The following summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. That is, the following summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, emphasis, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Selected implementations are further described in the detailed description below. Accordingly, the following summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

It is an object of the present invention to propose a solution, a concept, a design, a system, a method and an apparatus related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communication. It is believed that the foregoing problems may be avoided or otherwise alleviated by the practice of one or more of the proposed solutions described herein.

In one aspect, a method may include a processor of an apparatus receiving, from a network via a non-3 GPP access, an indication to initiate a notification procedure when the 3GPP access with the network is unavailable. The method may also include the processor sending a notification response message to the network in response to the receiving. The method may further include the processor indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access after the 3GPP access with the network becomes available.

In another aspect, a method may include a processor of an apparatus receiving, from a network via a non-3 GPP access, an indication to initiate a notification procedure when the 3GPP access with the network is unavailable. The method may also include the processor sending a notification response message to the network in response to the receiving. The method may further include the processor, after 3GPP access to the network becomes available, sending an indication message to the network over a non-3 GPP access indicating that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access.

In another aspect, a method may include a processor of an apparatus receiving, from a network, an indication to initiate a procedure over a first type of access when a second type of access is not available with the network. The method may also include the processor sending a response message to the network in response to the receiving. The method may further include the processor indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the second type of access after the second type of access with the network becomes available, regardless of whether signaling over the second type of access is required.

According to the method and the device for the accessibility of the user equipment after the notification in the mobile communication, when the 3GPP access with the network is unavailable, the delay caused by the fact that the network cannot know the state of the user equipment can be reduced, and the signaling overhead can be saved.

It is noted that although the present invention may be described in the context of certain Radio access technologies, networks and network topologies (e.g., 5G/New Radio (NR) mobile networking), the proposed concepts, schemes and any variants/derivatives may be implemented in other types of wireless and wireline communication technologies, networks and network topologies, for other types of wireless and wireline communication technologies, networks and network topologies, and over other types of wireless and wireline communication technologies, networks and network topologies, such as, but not limited to, ethernet, evolved packet system (Evolved Packet System, EPS), universal terrestrial Radio access network (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network, UTRAN)/Evolved UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN, E-UTRAN), global system for mobile communication (Global System for Mobile communications, GSM), universal packet Radio service (General Packet Radio Service, GPRS)/enhanced data rates for global Evolution (Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution, EDGE) Radio access network (GPRS/EDGE Radio Access Network, GERAN), long Term Evolution (Long Term Evolution, LTE), LTE-Advanced, LTE), enhanced LTE (Advanced), advanced-Pro-Internet of Things (Internet of Things), industry of Things (Internet of Things), internet of Things (Internet of Things), and any of Things (Internet of Things). Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited to the examples described herein.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It will be appreciated that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, since certain components may be shown out of scale in actual implementation in order to clearly illustrate the inventive concepts.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example network environment in which various solutions and schemes according to the invention may be implemented.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example process according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an example process according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an example process according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Detailed embodiments and implementations of the claimed subject matter are disclosed. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed examples and implementations are merely illustrative of the claimed subject matter, which may be embodied in various forms. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the following description, well-known features and technical details are omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.

Overview

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention relate to various techniques, methods, schemes and/or solutions related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communications. According to the invention, a plurality of possible solutions can be implemented individually or jointly. That is, although these possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one or another combination.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example network environment 100 in which various solutions and schemes according to the present invention may be implemented. Reference is made to the figures. As shown in fig. 1, network environment 100 may include a UE 110 and a wireless network 120 (which may include a 5G NR mobile network), which wireless network 120 may include one or more servers 128 on which AMFs may be executed or otherwise implemented. Depending on channel conditions, availability, and/or other factors, UE 110 may communicate wirelessly with wireless network 120 via either or both of 3GPP access and non-3 GPP access by network node 125. In the network environment 100, as described in the present invention, the UE 110 and the wireless network 120 may implement various schemes related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communication according to the present invention. Notably, the term "3GPP access" in the present disclosure refers to one or more accesses or wireless connections according to one or more 3GPP specifications, protocols, and/or standards (e.g., 5G/NR, LTE, LTE-Advanced and/or LTE-Advanced Pro), and the term "non-3 GPP access" refers herein to one or more accesses or wireless connections according to one or more non-3 GPP specifications, protocols, and/or standards (e.g., wi-Fiax/be, bluetooth, infrared, near Field Communication (NFC), zigBee, etc.) defined in IEEE 802.11.

Under the first proposed scheme according to the present invention, in case UE 110 has transmitted a notification response message to wireless network 120, UE 110 may perform certain operations. First, UE 110 may store (e.g., by storing related data or information in a memory or storage) that the notification process has been performed and UE 110 has sent a notification response message to wireless network 120. Second, when 3GPP access becomes available, UE 110 may initiate a connection establishment procedure over the 3GPP access the next time possible, regardless of whether a connection to wireless network 120 via the 3GPP access is required. That is, UE 110 may initiate a connection establishment procedure (e.g., by initiating a registration procedure or a service request procedure) even if there is no reason or need to do so. For example, under the first proposed scheme, when mobility or periodic registration update is not required and UE 110 has no Uplink (UL) signaling or data to send, UE 110 will still initiate a connection establishment procedure over the 3GPP access.

As an example of an implementation of the first proposed scheme, when UE 110 is in 5GMM-CONNECTED mode on a non-3 GPP access and in 5GMM-IDLE mode on a 3GPP access (e.g., due to the 3GPP access being unavailable or otherwise service disrupted), UE 110 may have sent a notification response message to wireless network 120 over the non-3 GPP access in response to a notification procedure initiated by wireless network 120 over the non-3 GPP access. Later, when UE 110 enters a state of 5 GMM-registered-SERVICE over 3GPP access, UE 110 may initiate a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates by sending a registration request message to AMF 128 of wireless network 120 via network node 125.

Under the second proposed scheme according to the present invention, UE 110 may perform certain operations in case UE 110 has sent a notification response message to wireless network 120. First, UE 110 may remember (e.g., by storing the relevant data in a data store or memory) that the notification process has been performed, and UE 110 has sent a notification response message. In addition, UE 110 may indicate that the 3GPP access is again reachable by sending a message over the non-3 GPP access. It is believed that this will save signalling when 3GPP access connection establishment and signalling is not performed. In particular, the original DL data will typically be discarded and DL signaling or data transmission may not require a 3GPP access/connection. Under the second proposed scheme, UE 110 may send a notification response message with a new or modified existing information element (information element, IE) indicating that 3GPP access has returned to its reachable state. Alternatively, UE 110 may send some other existing message that may be extended or otherwise modified for this purpose. Still alternatively, a new message type may be defined for this purpose.

Under the third proposal according to the present invention, the first proposal or the second proposal may be utilized as the case may be. For example, where the non-3 GPP access is in connected mode, UE 110 can utilize the second proposed scheme to indicate to wireless network 120 that UE 110 can be reachable over the 3GPP access even where NAS signaling is not required by UE 110. Furthermore, if the non-3 GPP access is in idle mode when the 3GPP access becomes available again, even when the UE 110 does not require NAS signaling, the UE 110 may indicate to the wireless network 120 that the UE 110 is reachable over the 3GPP access using the first proposed scheme. Under the third proposal, a mechanism (e.g., a timer) may be utilized to control the duration after sending the notification response message, for which UE 110 may store or otherwise store information about the situation, and prepare to use the first or second proposal. The duration of the timer may be fixed, dedicated to UE 110, dynamically defined by wireless network 120 (e.g., indicated to UE 110 by wireless network 120 in DL signaling), or pre-provided by wireless network 120 and saved to a universal integrated circuit card (universal integrated circuit card, UICC) or persistent memory of UE 110.

Illustrative embodiments

Fig. 2 illustrates an example communication system 200 having at least example apparatus 210 and example apparatus 220, according to an embodiment of the invention. Each of the apparatuses 210 and 220 may perform various functions to implement the aspects, techniques, procedures, and methods described herein, including the various aspects of the designs, concepts, aspects, systems, and methods described above with respect to various proposals, including the network environment 100 and the procedures described below, with respect to UE reachability after notification in mobile communications.

Each of the devices 210 and 220 may be part of an electronic device, which may be a network device or UE (e.g., UE 110), such as a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a vehicular apparatus or vehicle, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of the apparatuses 210 and 220 may be implemented in a smart phone, a smart watch, a personal digital assistant, an electronic control unit (electronic control unit, ECU) in a vehicle, a digital camera, or a computing device such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a notebook computer. Each of the devices 210 and 220 may also be part of a machine-type device, which may be an IoT device such as a stationary or fixed device, a home device, a roadside unit (RSU), a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, each of the devices 210 and 220 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. When implemented in or as a network device, the device 210 and/or 220 may be implemented in an eNodeB in an LTE, LTE-Advanced or LTE-Advanced Pro network or in a gNB or TRP in a 5G network, NR network, ioT network.

In some implementations, each of the devices 210 and 220 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips, such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors, or one or more reduced-instruction-set computing (RISC) processors. In the various aspects described above, each of the apparatus 210 and 220 may be implemented in or as a network apparatus or UE. Each of the devices 210 and 220 may include at least some of those components shown in fig. 2 (e.g., processor 212 and processor 222), respectively. Each of the apparatus 210 and 220 may further include one or more other components (e.g., an internal power source, a display device, and/or a user interface device) not relevant to the proposed solution of the present invention, and thus, these components of the apparatus 210 and 220 are not shown in fig. 2 for simplicity and brevity.

In an aspect, each of processor 212 and processor 222 may be implemented in the form of one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC or RISC processors. That is, even though the singular term "processor" is used in the present disclosure to refer to the processor 212 and the processor 222, each of the processor 212 and the processor 222 may include multiple processors in some embodiments and may include a single processor in other embodiments according to the present disclosure. In another aspect, each of the processors 212 and 222 may be implemented in hardware (and optionally firmware) having electronic components including, for example, but not limited to, one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and/or one or more varactors, configured and arranged to achieve a particular objective in accordance with the present invention. In other words, in at least some embodiments, each of processor 212 and processor 222 is a special purpose machine specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform specific tasks, including those related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communications in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

In some implementations, the apparatus 210 may further include a transceiver 216 coupled to the processor 212. The transceiver 216 may be capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, the transceiver 216 is capable of wireless communication with different types of wireless networks of different radio access technologies (radio access technology, RATs). In some implementations, the transceiver 216 may be equipped with multiple antenna ports (not shown), e.g., four antenna ports. That is, the transceiver 216 may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication. In some implementations, the apparatus 220 may further include a transceiver 226 coupled to the processor 222. The transceiver 226 may include a transceiver capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, the transceiver 226 is capable of wireless communication with wireless networks of different RATs/different types of UEs. In some implementations, the transceiver 226 may be equipped with multiple antenna ports (not shown), e.g., four antenna ports. That is, the transceiver 226 may be equipped with a plurality of transmit antennas and a plurality of receive antennas for MIMO wireless communication.

In some implementations, the apparatus 210 may further include a memory 214 coupled to the processor 212 and capable of being accessed by the processor 212 and storing data therein. In some implementations, the apparatus 220 may further include a memory 224 coupled to the processor 222 and capable of being accessed by the processor 222 and storing data therein. Each of the memory 214 and the memory 224 may include a random-access memory (RAM) such as Dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM) and/or zero-capacitor RAM (Z-RAM), alternatively or additionally, each of the memory 214 and the memory 224 may include a type of read-only memory (ROM), such as mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (erasable programmable ROM) and/or electrically erasable programmable ROM (electrically erasable programmable ROM, EEPROM), alternatively or additionally, each of the memory 214 and the memory 224 may include a type of non-volatile random-access memory (NVRAM) such as solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (flash RAM), ferroelectric RAM (flash memory) and/or additionally, each of the memory 214 and the memory 224 may include a type of magnetoresistive memory (MRAM).

Each of the devices 210 and 220 may be communication entities capable of communicating with each other using various proposed schemes according to the present invention. For illustrative purposes and not limitation, as shown below, the capabilities of apparatus 210 as a UE (e.g., UE 110) and apparatus 220 as a network node (e.g., network node 125) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 120) are described.

In an aspect of UE reachability after notification in mobile communication in accordance with the present invention, when 3GPP access with the network is not available, processor 212 of apparatus 210, either in UE 110 or implemented as UE 110, may receive an indication from the network (e.g., through apparatus 220 as network node 125) via transceiver 216 over non-3 GPP access to initiate a notification procedure. In addition, in response to the receipt, the processor 212 may send a notification response message to the network (e.g., via the device 220) via the transceiver 216. Further, after 3GPP access to the network becomes available, processor 212 may indicate to the network (e.g., via device 220) via transceiver 216 that device 210 is reachable over the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, the processor 212 may perform certain operations when the network is indicated to the device 210 as being reachable over 3GPP access. For example, processor 212 may enter the 5GMM-REGISTERED. NORMAL-SERVICE state over a 3GPP access. Further, the processor 212 may initiate the connection establishment procedure through the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, in initiating the connection establishment procedure, the processor 212 may initiate a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates by sending a registration request message to the network over the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, the processor 212 may send a service request message to the network over the 3GPP access in initiating the connection establishment procedure.

In some implementations, the processor 212 can also store information in the memory 214 indicating that the notification process has been performed and that a notification response has been sent. In some implementations, when storing information, the processor 212 may store the information for a fixed duration, as determined by the device, as defined by the network in DL signaling, or as previously provided by the network and stored in the memory 214.

In another aspect of UE reachability after notification in mobile communication in accordance with the present invention, when 3GPP access to the network is not available, processor 212 of apparatus 210 in UE 110 or implemented as UE 110 may receive an indication to initiate a notification procedure from the network (e.g., through apparatus 220 as network node 125) over non-3 GPP access via transceiver 216. In addition, in response to the receipt, the processor 212 may send a notification response message to the network (e.g., via the device 220) via the transceiver 216. Further, after 3GPP access to the network becomes available, the processor 212 may indicate to the network (e.g., via the device 220) through the non-3 GPP access that the device 210 is reachable over the 3GPP access via the transceiver 216.

In some implementations, the indication message may include any of the following: (1) A notification response message with a new IE or a modified existing IE indicating that 3GPP access has returned to the device 210 reachable state; (2) A pre-existing type of message that is extended or modified for the purpose of indicating that 3GPP access has returned to a state reachable by device 210; or (3) a new type of message, defined for the purpose of indicating that 3GPP access has returned to a state reachable by device 210.

In yet another aspect of UE reachability after notification in mobile communication in accordance with the present invention, when the second type of access to the network is not available, the processor 212 of the apparatus 210, either in the UE 110 or implemented as the UE 110, may receive an indication of initiation procedure from the network (e.g., via the apparatus 220 as the network node 125) via the transceiver 216 via the first access type. Process 500 may proceed from 510 to 520. Further, the processor 212 may send a response message to the network (e.g., via the device 220) via the transceiver 216 in response to the receiving. Further, after a second type of access to the network becomes available, the processor 212 may indicate to the network (e.g., via the device 220) via the transceiver 216 that the device 210 is reachable over the second type of access, regardless of whether a signal needs to be sent over the second type of access.

In some embodiments, the first type of access may comprise a non-3 GPP access and the second type of access may comprise a 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, in receiving an indication to initiate the procedure, the processor 212 may receive an indication to initiate the notification procedure when the apparatus 210 is in a 5GMM-CONNECTED mode on a non-3 GPP access and in a 5GMM-IDLE mode on a 3GPP access. Further, the processor 212 may transmit a notification response message when transmitting the response message.

In some embodiments, the processor 212 may perform certain operations in indicating to the network that the device 210 is reachable over 3GPP access. For example, processor 212 may enter the 5GMM-REGISTERED. NORMAL-SERVICE state over a 3GPP access. Further, the processor 212 may initiate a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates by sending a registration request message to the network over the 3GPP access.

In some implementations, in receiving an indication to initiate the process, the processor 212 may receive an indication to initiate a notification process. Further, in sending the response message, the processor 212 may send a notification response message.

In some embodiments, when the network indicating device 210 is reachable over 3GPP access, the processor 212 may indicate to the network indicating device 210 that it is reachable over 3GPP access without NAS signaling over 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, when the network indicating means 210 is reachable over 3GPP access, the processor 212 may indicate by using the first procedure or the second procedure based at least on the status of the non-3 GPP access.

In some embodiments, non-3 GPP access may be in idle mode when 3GPP access becomes available. Thus, in indicating through use of the first procedure, the processor 212 may initiate a connection establishment procedure over the 3GPP access. In some embodiments, the processor 212 may send a registration request message or a service request message to the network over the 3GPP access in initiating the connection establishment procedure over the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, the non-3 GPP access may be in connected mode. Thus, in indicating through use of the second procedure, the processor 212 may indicate to the network indicating device 210 that it is reachable by sending a message over the non-3 GPP access.

Illustrative Process

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 according to an embodiment of the invention. Process 300 may represent aspects, whether partial or complete, of a design, concept, scheme, system, and method implementing the various proposals described above, including those described above. More specifically, process 300 may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and aspects related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communications. Process 300 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions illustrated by one or more of blocks 310, 320, and 330. While shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 300 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Further, the blocks/sub-blocks of process 300 may be performed in the order shown in fig. 3 or alternatively in other orders. Further, one or more blocks/sub-blocks of process 300 may be performed iteratively. Process 300 may be implemented by or in apparatus 210 and apparatus 220, or any variation thereof. For purposes of illustration only and not to limit the scope, process 300 is described below in the context of apparatus 210 as a UE (e.g., UE 110) and apparatus 220 as a communication entity (e.g., network node or base station (e.g., network node 125)) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 120). Process 300 may begin at block 310.

At 310, process 300 may include processor 212 of apparatus 210 implemented in UE 110 or as UE 110 receiving an indication from the network (e.g., through apparatus 220 as network node 125) via transceiver 216 over a non-3 GPP access to initiate a notification procedure when 3GPP access with the network is not available. Process 300 may proceed from 310 to 320.

At 320, process 300 may include processor 212 sending, in response to receipt, a notification response message to the network (e.g., via device 220) via transceiver 216. Process 300 may proceed from 320 to 330.

At 330, after 3GPP access to the network becomes available, process 300 may include processor 212 indicating to the network (e.g., via device 220) via transceiver 216 that device 210 is reachable over the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, the process 300 may include the processor 212 performing certain operations when the network indicates to the device 210 that it is reachable over 3GPP access. For example, process 300 may include processor 212 entering a 5 GMM-registered-SERVICE state over a 3GPP access. Further, the process 300 may include the processor 212 initiating a connection establishment procedure over a 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, in initiating the connection establishment procedure, process 300 may include processor 212 initiating a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates by sending a registration request message to the network over the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, in initiating the connection establishment procedure, the process 300 may include the processor 212 sending a service request message to the network over the 3GPP access.

In some implementations, the process 300 can further include the processor 212 storing information in the memory 214 indicating that the notification process has been performed and that a notification response has been sent. In some implementations, in storing the information, the process 300 can include the processor 212 storing the information for a fixed duration, as determined by the device, as defined by the network in DL signaling, or as previously provided by the network and stored in the memory 214.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example process 400 according to an embodiment of the invention. Process 400 may represent aspects, whether partial or complete, including those described above, of a design, concept, scheme, system, and method implementing the various proposals described above. More specifically, process 400 may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and aspects related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communications. Process 400 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions illustrated by one or more of blocks 410, 420, and 430. While shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 400 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Further, the blocks/sub-blocks of process 400 may be performed in the order shown in fig. 4 or alternatively in other orders. Further, one or more blocks/sub-blocks of process 400 may be performed iteratively. Process 400 may be implemented by or in apparatus 210 and apparatus 220, or any variation thereof. For purposes of illustration only and not to limit the scope, process 400 is described below in the context of apparatus 210 as a UE (e.g., UE 110) and apparatus 220 as a communication entity (e.g., network node or base station (e.g., network node 125)) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 120).

At 410, process 400 may include processor 212 of apparatus 210, either in UE 110 or implemented as UE 110, receiving an indication from the network (e.g., through apparatus 220 as network node 125) via transceiver 216 over a non-3 GPP access to initiate a notification procedure when 3GPP access with the network is unavailable. Process 400 may proceed from 410 to 420.

At 420, process 400 may include processor 212 sending, via transceiver 216, a notification response message to the network (e.g., via device 220) in response to the receiving. Process 400 may proceed from 420 to 430.

At 430, after 3GPP access to the network becomes available, process 400 may include processor 212 sending an indication message to the network (e.g., via device 220) over the non-3 GPP access via transceiver 216 indicating that device 210 is reachable over the 3GPP access.

In some implementations, the process 400 can further include the processor 212 storing information in the memory 214 indicating that the notification process has been performed and that a notification response has been sent. In some implementations, in storing the information, the process 400 may include the processor 212 storing the information for a fixed duration, as determined by the device, as defined by the network in DL signaling, or as previously provided by the network and stored in the memory 214.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example process 500 according to an embodiment of the invention. Process 500 may represent aspects, whether partial or complete, of a design, concept, scheme, system, and method implementing the various proposals described above, including those described above. More specifically, process 500 may represent an aspect of the proposed concepts and aspects related to UE reachability after notification in mobile communications. Process 500 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions illustrated by one or more of blocks 510, 520, and 530. While shown as discrete blocks, the various blocks of process 500 may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Further, the blocks/sub-blocks of process 500 may be performed in the order shown in FIG. 5 or alternatively in other orders. Further, one or more blocks/sub-blocks of process 500 may be performed iteratively. Process 500 may be implemented by or in apparatus 210 and apparatus 220, or any variation thereof. For purposes of illustration only and not to limit the scope, process 500 is described below in the context of apparatus 210 as a UE (e.g., UE 110) and apparatus 220 as a communication entity (e.g., network node or base station (e.g., network node 125)) of a wireless network (e.g., wireless network 120). Process 500 may begin at block 510.

At 510, process 500 may include processor 212 of apparatus 210, either in UE 110 or implemented as UE 110, receiving an indication of an initiation procedure from the network (e.g., via apparatus 220 as network node 125) via transceiver 216 through the first access type when a second type of access with the network is not available. Process 500 may proceed from 510 to 520.

At 520, process 500 may include processor 212 sending a response message to the network (e.g., via device 220) via transceiver 216 in response to the receiving. Process 500 may proceed from 520 to 530.

At 530, process 500 may include, after a second type of access to the network becomes available, processor 212 indicating to the network (e.g., via device 220) via transceiver 216 that device 210 is reachable over the second type of access, regardless of whether signaling over the second type of access is required.

In some implementations, in receiving an indication to initiate the procedure, when the apparatus 210 is in 5GMM-CONNECTED mode on a non-3 GPP access and in 5GMM-IDLE mode on a 3GPP access, the process 500 may include the processor 212 receiving the indication to initiate the notification procedure. Further, in sending the response message, process 500 can include processor 212 sending a notification response message.

In some implementations, the process 500 may include the processor 212 performing certain operations in indicating to the network that the device 210 is reachable over 3GPP access. For example, process 500 may include processor 212 entering a 5 GMM-registered-SERVICE state over a 3GPP access. Further, process 500 can include processor 212 initiating a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates by sending a registration request message to the network over 3GPP access.

In some implementations, upon receiving an indication to initiate a process, process 500 may include processor 212 receiving an indication to initiate a notification process. Further, in sending the response message, process 500 may include processor 212 sending a notification response message.

In some implementations, when the network indicating device 210 is reachable over 3GPP access, the process 500 can include the processor 212 indicating to the network that the device 210 is reachable over 3GPP access without NAS signaling over 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, when the network indicating means 210 is reachable over 3GPP access, the process 500 may include the processor 212 indicating by using the first process or the second process based at least on the status of the non-3 GPP access.

In some implementations, non-3 GPP access may be in idle mode when 3GPP access becomes available. Thus, in indicating through use of the first procedure, procedure 500 may include processor 212 initiating a connection establishment procedure over 3GPP access. In some implementations, in initiating a connection establishment procedure over a 3GPP access, process 500 may include processor 212 sending a registration request message or a service request message to the network over the 3GPP access.

In some embodiments, the non-3 GPP access may be in connected mode. Thus, in using the second process indication, process 500 may include processor 212 indicating to network device 210 that it is reachable by sending a message over a non-3 GPP access.

Supplementary description

The subject matter described in this specification sometimes illustrates different components contained within, or connected to, different other components. It is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely examples, and that in fact many other architectures can be implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired functionality is achieved. Thus, any two components of the invention combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as "associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components. Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as being "operably connected," or "operably coupled," to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably couplable," to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operably couplable include, but are not limited to: physically matable and/or physically interactive components and/or wirelessly interactable components and/or logically interactable components.

Further, with respect to the numerous uses of any plural and/or singular terms of the present invention, those of skill in the art may translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. For clarity, the invention may explicitly set forth various singular/plural reciprocity.

Moreover, those skilled in the art will understand that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "comprising" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," etc.). Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that: the introduction of one claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those cases where a convention analogous to "A, B and at least one of C, etc." is used, in general such an explanation will be understood by one skilled in the art that this sentence meaning means, for example: the "system with at least one of A, B and C" shall include, but not be limited to, systems with a alone, B alone, C alone, a and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B and C together, etc. In those cases where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B or C, etc." is used, in general such an explanation will be understood by one skilled in the art that this sentence meaning means, for example: "a system having at least one of A, B or C" would include, but is not limited to, a system having a alone, B alone, C alone, a and B together, a and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B together, C together, etc. Those skilled in the art will also understand that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternatives, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the items, either of the items, or both of the items. For example, the phrase "a or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "a" or "B" or "a and B".

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the various embodiments of the disclosed invention are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method for user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication, comprising:

when third generation partnership project (3 GPP) access with the network is unavailable, the processor of the apparatus receives an indication to initiate a notification procedure from the network over a non-third generation partnership project (non-3 GPP) access;

responsive to the receiving, the processor sends a notification response message to the network; and

after the 3GPP access to the network becomes available, indicating, by the processor, to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access, wherein indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access comprises: indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access without requiring non-access stratum signaling over the 3 GPP.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access comprises:

Entering a registered fifth generation mobility management normal service state through the 3GPP access; and

a connection establishment procedure is initiated over the 3GPP access.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein initiating the connection establishment procedure comprises: a registration request message is sent to the network over the 3GPP access to initiate a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein initiating the connection establishment procedure comprises: and sending a service request message to the network through the 3GPP access.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

information is stored by the processor in a general purpose integrated circuit card or memory indicating that the notification process has been performed and that the notification response has been sent.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the storing the information comprises storing the information for a fixed duration, the duration being determined by the apparatus, defined by the network in downlink signaling, or previously provided by the network and stored in the universal integrated circuit card or the memory of the apparatus.

7. A method for user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication, comprising:

after 3GPP access to the network becomes available, sending, by the processor, an indication message to the network over the non-3GPP access indicating that the apparatus is reachable over the 3GPP access, wherein sending an indication message to the network over the non-3GPP access indicating that the apparatus is reachable over the 3GPP access comprises: indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access without requiring non-access stratum signaling over the 3 GPP.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the indication message comprises any one of:

a notification response message with the new information element or the modified existing information element, the notification response message indicating that the 3GPP access has returned to a state reachable by the apparatus;

a pre-existing type of message that is extended or modified for the purpose of indicating that the 3GPP access has returned to a state reachable by the device; or alternatively

A new type of message is defined for the purpose of indicating that the 3GPP access has returned to a state reachable by the device.

9. The method as recited in claim 7, further comprising:

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the storing the information comprises storing the information for a fixed duration, the duration being determined by the apparatus, defined by the network in downlink signaling, or previously provided by the network and stored in the universal integrated circuit card or the memory of the apparatus.

11. A method for user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication, comprising:

when a second type of access is not available with the network, the processor of the apparatus receives an indication of initiation of a procedure from the network over the first type of access;

responsive to the receiving, the processor sends a response message to the network; and

after the second type of access becomes available with the network, indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the second type of access, whether signaling over the second type of access is required or not, wherein indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the second type of access comprises: indicating to the network that the device is reachable over a third generation partnership project (3 GPP) access without requiring non-access stratum signaling over the 3 GPP.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first type of access comprises a non-third generation partnership project (non-3 GPP) access, and wherein the second type of access comprises the 3GPP access.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the receiving the indication to initiate the process comprises: when the apparatus is in a fifth generation mobility management connected mode on a non-3GPP access and enters and exits a fifth generation mobility management idle mode on a 3GPP access, an indication is received to initiate a notification procedure, and wherein the sending the response message includes sending a notification response message.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the 3GPP access comprises:

a registration procedure for mobility and periodic registration updates is initiated by sending a registration request message to the network over the 3GPP access.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving the indication to initiate the process comprises: an indication to initiate a notification process is received, and wherein transmitting the response message includes transmitting a notification response message.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein indicating to the network that the device is reachable over the second type of access comprises: the indication is made by using the first procedure or the second procedure based at least on the state of the non-3 GPP access.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the non-3 GPP access is in idle mode when the 3GPP access becomes available, and wherein the indicating by using the first procedure comprises: a connection establishment procedure is initiated over the 3GPP access.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein initiating the connection establishment procedure over the 3GPP access comprises: a registration request message or a service request message is sent to the network over the 3GPP access.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the non-3 GPP access is in connected mode, and wherein the indicating by using the second procedure comprises: the device is indicated to the network as reachable by sending a message on the non-3 GPP access.

20. An apparatus for determining user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication, comprising:

a processor coupled to the memory and the transceiver, the memory having stored therein program instructions and data which, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform the operations comprised in any of claims 1, 7, 11.

21. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing program instructions and data which, when executed by a processor of an apparatus for determining user equipment reachability after notification in mobile communication, cause the apparatus to perform the operations comprised in any of claims 1, 7, 11.