Methods and Apparatuses for Automatic Provisioning of External Identifiers used for Machine Type Devices in a 3GPP Network

• US 20140066047A1
• Filed: 09/03/2013
• Published: 03/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Qiang, Zu
• Granted Patent: US 9,894,511 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/419
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities

Abstract

In one aspect, the teachings herein propose a procedure provided by an appropriately configured 3GPP Core Network (CN), which allows External Identifiers to be provisioned dynamically by the 3GPP operator or an MTC service provider, using the existing 3GPP M2M architecture. As such, these teachings can be understood as providing for automatic activation, modification, deactivation, etc., of MTC service subscriptions or services, using protocol-based signaling between the involved entities, e.g., between a 3GPP HSS and an MTC Server (a Services Capability Server or SCS) and/or an MTC Bootstrapping Server that provides for MTC subscription activations, modifications, cancellations, etc.

Claims

1. A method of automatically provisioning a Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) device in a 3GPP network, said method performed by a Home Subscriber Sever (HSS) that stores user subscriptions for the 3GPP network and comprising:

receiving a subscription update request from an MTC Server, said subscription update request including a root identifier and one or more external identifiers, or said subscription update request requesting the creation of one or more external identifiers, said one or more external identifiers representing MTC devices or applications that are associated with the root identifier;

identifying a user subscription that is associated with the root identifier, based on stored information indicating the association between the root identifier and the user subscription;

updating the identified user subscription; and

sending a subscription update confirmation to the MTC Server.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the stored information links the root identifier to an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and wherein identifying the user subscription that is associated with the root identifier comprises the HSS determining the IMSI that is linked to the root identifier, according to the stored information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said steps of receiving and sending comprise receiving the subscription update request from the MTC Server via an MTC Inter-Working Function (MTC-IWF), and sending the subscription update conformation to the MTC Server via the MTC-IWF.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in advance of receiving the subscription update request, receiving linking information identifying the association between the user subscription and the root identifier, and storing the linking information at the HSS as the stored information indicating the association between the root identifier and the user subscription.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving or otherwise determining the linking information based on a 3GPP attachment procedure involving a User Equipment (UE) that is associated with the user subscription.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving the linking information from another database server in or coupled to the 3GPP network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the identified user subscription includes one or more provisioned external identifiers corresponding to one or more MTC devices, and wherein updating the identified user subscription comprises updating the provisioned external identifiers in accordance with the external identifiers and any associated modification indications, as included in the subscription update request.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, for the case that the HSS generated the one or more external identifiers, said step of sending the subscription update confirmation to the MTC Server includes sending the one or more external identifiers, as generated by the HSS.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of updating the identified user subscription comprises updating the identified user subscription with the one or more external identifiers.

10. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) configured for use in a 3GPP network and configured to automatically provision a Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) device in the 3GPP network, said HSS comprising:

a communication interface for communicating with an MTC Server;

a processing circuit operatively associated with the communication interface and configured to;

receive a subscription update request from an MTC Server, said subscription update request including a root identifier and one or more external identifiers, or said subscription update request requesting the creation of one or more external identifiers, said one or more external identifiers representing MTC devices or applications that are associated with the root identifier;

identify a user subscription that is associated with the root identifier, based on stored information indicating the association between the root identifier and the user subscription;

update the identified user subscription; and

send a subscription update confirmation to the MTC Server.

11. The HSS of claim 10, wherein the stored information links the root identifier to an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI), and wherein the processing circuit is configured to identify the user subscription that is associated with the root identifier by identifying the IMSI that is linked to the root identifier, according to the stored information.

12. The HSS of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the subscription update request from the MTC Server and to send the subscription update confirmation to the MTC Server via an MTC Inter-Working Function (MTC-IWF).

13. The HSS of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is configured to, in advance of receiving the subscription update request, receive linking information identifying the association between the user subscription and the root identifier, and store the linking information at the HSS as the stored information indicating the association between the root identifier and the user subscription.

14. The HSS of claim 13, wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive or otherwise determine the linking information based on a 3GPP attachment procedure involving a User Equipment (UE) that is associated with the user subscription.

15. The HSS of claim 13, wherein the processing circuit is configured to receive the linking information from another database server in or coupled to the 3GPP network.

16. The HSS of claim 10, wherein the identified user subscription includes one or more provisioned external identifiers corresponding to one or more MTC devices, and wherein the processing circuit is configured to update the identified user subscription by updating the provisioned external identifiers in accordance with the external identifiers and any associated modification indications, as included in the subscription update request.

17. The HSS of claim 10, wherein, for the case that the processing circuit generated the one or more external identifiers, said processing circuit is configured to include the one or more external identifiers in the the subscription update confirmation sent to the MTC.

18. The HSS of claim 10, wherein the processing circuit is configured to update the identified user subscription by updating the identified user subscription with the one or more external identifiers.

19. A method of automatically provisioning a Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) device in a 3GPP network, said method performed by a Home Subscriber Sever (HSS) that stores user subscriptions for the 3GPP network and comprising:

receiving an MTC service subscription activation request from a User Equipment (UE);

determining a root identifier for the UE, either by receiving the root identifier in the MTC service subscription activation request, or by accessing the root identifier as previously stored in a user subscription for the 3GPP network corresponding to the UE, as stored in or accessible to the HSS;

sending the root identifier to an MTC Bootstrapping Server that is configured to activate MTC service subscriptions, and receiving an activation response in return from the MTC Bootstrapping Server, said activation response including one or more external identifiers representing MTC devices or applications that are associated with the root identifier;

updating a user subscription associated with the UE, with the one or more external identifiers, and sending a corresponding response to the UE, indicating the one or more external identifiers; and

sending an update notice to an MTC Server, indicating the root identifier and the one or more external identifiers, so that the MTC Server can associate the root identifier of the UE with the one or more external identifiers.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the root identifier is provided to the HSS by the UE, as part of the 3GPP attachment procedure.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the user subscription contains the root identifier, and wherein the HSS obtains the root identifier based on accessing the user subscription.

22. A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) configured for use in a 3GPP network and configured to automatically provision a Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) device in the 3GPP network, said HSS comprising:

a communication interface configured to communicate directly or indirectly with an MTC Service Bootstrapping Server; and

a processing circuit operatively associated with the communication interface and configured to;

receive an MTC service subscription activation request from a User Equipment (UE);

determine a root identifier for the UE, either by receiving the root identifier in the MTC service subscription activation request, or by accessing the root identifier as previously stored in a user subscription for the 3GPP network corresponding to the UE, as stored in or accessible to the HSS;

send the root identifier to an MTC Bootstrapping Server that is configured to activate MTC service subscriptions, and receiving an activation response in return from the MTC Bootstrapping Server, said activation response including one or more external identifiers representing MTC devices or applications that are associated with the root identifier;

update a user subscription associated with the UE, with the one or more external identifiers, and sending a corresponding response to the UE, indicating the one or more external identifiers; and

send an update notice to an MTC Server, indicating the root identifier and the one or more external identifiers, so that the MTC Server can associate the root identifier of the UE with the one or more external identifiers.

23. The HSS of claim 22, wherein the root identifier is provided to the HSS by the UE, as part of the 3GPP attachment procedure.

24. The HSS of claim 22, wherein the user subscription contains the root identifier, and wherein the processing circuit is configured to obtain the root identifier based on accessing the user subscription.

25. A method of automatically provisioning a Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) device in a 3GPP network, said method performed by an MTC Server communicatively coupled to the 3GPP network, and said method comprising:

receiving an MTC service subscription activation request from a User Equipment (UE) communicating with the MTC Server through the 3GPP network, said subscription activation request including a root identifier associated with the UE;

obtaining one or more external identifiers for the UE in response to the validation of the subscription activation request, each external identifier representing an MTC device or application to be associated with the root identifier, wherein the external identifiers may be requested from an MTC Service Bootstrapping Server, a 3GPP Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or other external identifiers server;

storing information indicating the association between the root identifier and the one or more external identifiers;

returning the one or more external identifiers in an activation request response sent to the UE;

sending a user subscription update request to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) of the 3GPP network, requesting that a user subscription associated with the UE in the 3GPP network be updated with the one or more external identifiers, and wherein the request includes the one or more external identifiers; and

receiving a confirmation from the HSS, upon successful updating by the HSS of the associated user subscription.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein obtaining the one or more external identifiers comprises communicating with an MTC Bootstrapping Server that generates the one or more external identifiers responsive to validating the MTC service subscription activation request.

27. A Machine-Type Communication (MTC) Server configured to support automatic provisioning of an MTC type device in a 3GPP network, said server comprising:

a communication interface configured to exchange signaling directly or indirectly with at least one of;

a UE that includes or otherwise couples the MTC type device to the 3GPP network, an MTC Service Bootstrapping Server configured to provide MTC services subscription activations, and a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in the 3GPP; and

a processing circuit operatively associated with the communication interface and configured to;

receive an MTC service subscription activation request from a User Equipment (UE) communicating with the MTC Server through the 3GPP network, said subscription activation request including a root identifier associated with the UE;

obtain one or more external identifiers for the UE in response to the validation of the subscription activation request, each external identifier representing an MTC device or application to be associated with the root identifier, wherein the external identifiers may be requested from an MTC Service Bootstrapping Server, a 3GPP Home Subscriber Server (HSS), or other external identifiers server;

store information indicating the association between the root identifier and the one or more external identifiers;

return the one or more external identifiers in an activation request response sent to the UE;

send a user subscription update request to a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) of the 3GPP network, requesting that a user subscription associated with the UE in the 3GPP network be updated with the one or more external identifiers, and wherein the request includes the one or more external identifiers; and

receive a confirmation from the HSS, upon successful updating by the HSS of the associated user subscription.

28. The MTC Server of claim 27, wherein the processing circuit is configured to obtain the one or more external identifiers by communicating with an MTC Bootstrapping Server that generates the one or more external identifiers responsive to validating the MTC service subscription activation request.

29. A method of automatically provisioning a Machine-Type-Communication (MTC) device in a 3GPP network, said method performed by an MTC Bootstrapping Server included in or communicatively coupled to the 3GPP network, and said method comprising:

receiving an MTC service subscription activation request for a User Equipment (UE), from a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in the 3GPP network, said subscription activation request including a root identifier associated with the UE;

generating one or more external identifiers for the UE in response to validating the subscription activation request, each external identifier representing an MTC device or application to be associated with the root identifier;

or obtaining one or more external identifiers for the UE from the HSS or other external identifiers server;

returning the one or more external identifiers in an activation request response sent to the HSS, for forwarding to the UE by the HSS; and

sending an external identifier update notice to an MTC Server that is external to the 3GPP network, which notice includes the root identifier and the one or more external identifiers to thereby enable the MTC Server to associate the root identifier with the one or more external identifiers.

30. A Machine-Type Communication (MTC) Service Bootstrapping Server configured to support automatic provisioning of an MTC type device in a 3GPP network, said server comprising:

a communication interface configured to exchange signaling directly or indirectly with at least one of;

an MTC Server associated with one or more MTC services to be configured or otherwise modified for the MTC type device; and

a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in a 3GPP network associated with the MTC type device; and

a processing circuit operatively associated with the communication interface and configured to;

receive an MTC service subscription activation request for a User Equipment (UE), from a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in the 3GPP network, said subscription activation request including a root identifier associated with the UE;

generate one or more external identifiers for the UE in response to validating the subscription activation request, each external identifier representing an MTC device or application to be associated with the root identifier;

or obtaining one or more external identifiers for the UE from the HSS or other external identifiers server;

return the one or more external identifiers in an activation request response sent to the HSS, for forwarding to the UE by the HSS; and

send an external identifier update notice to an MTC Server that is external to the 3GPP network, which notice includes the root identifier and the one or more external identifiers to thereby enable the MTC Server to associate the root identifier with the one or more external identifiers.

31. A method of supporting automatic provisioning of Machine-Type Communication (MTC) services for a UE that is configured to include or communicatively couple one or more MTC type devices to a wireless communication network, such as a 3GPP network, said method comprising:

storing in the UE a Root Identifier; and

sending the Root Identifier in at least one of the following scenarios;

sending the Root Identifier to the network as part of a network attachment procedure carried out in conjunction with the UE sending an MTC services subscription request to an MTC Server and/or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in the 3GPP network; and

receiving a subscription activation or update response from the MTC Server or the HSS, said response including one or more External Identifiers corresponding to MTC type devices represented by the UE; and

storing the External Identifiers for use in carrying out MTC services for the corresponding MTC type devices.

32. A User Equipment (UE) comprising:

a wireless communication transceiver comprising a RF transmitter and receiver configured for transmitting signals to a wireless communication network, such as a 3GPP network, and receiving signals from the wireless communication network; and

a processing circuit operatively associated with the wireless communication transceiver and configured to;

store in the UE a Root Identifier; and

send the Root Identifier in at least one of the following scenarios;

send the Root Identifier to the network as part of a network attachment procedure carried out in conjunction with the UE sending an MTC services subscription request to an MTC Server and/or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in the 3GPP network; and

receive a subscription activation or update response from the MTC Server or the HSS, said response including one or more External Identifiers corresponding to MTC type devices represented by the UE; and

store the External Identifiers for use in carrying out MTC services for the corresponding MTC type devices.

33. A method in a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) in a 3GPP network, comprising:

linking a root identifier to a user subscription in the 3GPP network, where the user subscription is used to authorize a User Equipment (UE) to connect to the 3GPP network and where the UE is identified in the 3GPP network by an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI);

receiving a message that includes the root identifier and includes an external identifier or requests generation of an external identifier, said external identifier used by a Machine Type Communication (MTC) Server to identify an MTC device that is configured to communicate with the MTC Server through the 3GPP network via the UE;

identifying the linked user subscription from the root identifier;

provisioning the user subscription with the external identifier;

subsequently receiving a triggering communication for the MTC device, as identified by the external identifier being included in the triggering communication;

identifying the IMSI of the UE based on determining the user subscription of the UE from the external identifier; and

initiating a triggering communication toward the UE using the IMSI.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising receiving a request to modify or deactivate an MTC subscription associated with a provisioned external identifier in the user subscription, identifying the user subscription from the root identifier as included in the request, and modifying or deleting the provisioned external identifier from the user subscription responsive to the request.