Method For Managing Transmissions of Data From a Plurality of Machine-To-Machine Devices

• US 20160105889A1
• Filed: 05/29/2013
• Published: 04/14/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: JAMAL-SYED, Shaheer, LJUNGGREN, Andreas
• Granted Patent: US 10,123,325 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 based on load

Abstract

A method executable in a network node, capable of managing transmission of data transmitted over a unicast channel in a communication network from a plurality of M2M devices located in a broadcast service area is provided. Upon receiving a request to transmit collected data over the communication network via a unicast channel from a M2M device located in the first broadcast service area, the network node determines when to allow transmission of the collected data for M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, on the basis of the network load of the communication network. The result is transmitted to the M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, instructing at least one of these M2M devices when to transmit collected data over the unicast channel.

Claims

1. A method executed in a network node capable of managing transmission of data transmitted over a unicast channel in a communication network from a plurality of M2M devices located in at least one broadcast service area, the method comprising:

receiving, from a first of said plurality of M2M devices located in a first broadcast service area, a request to transmit collected data over the communication network via a unicast channel;

determining, on the basis of the network load of the communication network, when to allow transmission of the collected data for M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area;

transmitting, via broadcast transmission, at least a first message addressed to M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area instructing at least one of said M2M devices when to transmit collected data over the unicast channel; and

receiving collected data transmitted over the unicast channel.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to transmitting the first message, transmitting, via broadcast transmission, a second message, addressed to M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, instructing said M2M devices not to transmit any collected data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first message comprises information instructing M2M devices of the first broadcast service area to provide, to the network node, M2M device specific data, the method comprising the further steps of:

receiving, in response to the first message, a response message comprising the requested M2M specific data;

scheduling at least one of the M2M devices for which the requested information has been provided;

providing, in the second message, a time stamp and a queue number for each of said scheduled M2M devices; and

receiving, collected data from the scheduled M2M devices according to the time stamps and queue numbers.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the M2M device specific data comprises information on amount of data requested to be sent via the unicast channel.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the M2M device specific data comprises an indication of the present status of at least one M2M device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each M2M device is identified by the network node by a unique identifier.

7. A method executed in a M2M device located in a broadcast service area and capable of transmitting data over a unicast channel to a network node of a communication network, the method comprising:

obtaining collected data;

transmitting, to the network node, a request to transmit the collected data over the communication network via a unicast channel;

receiving, via broadcast transmission, a first message indicating a time at which the M2M device should transmit said collected data over the unicast channel, and

transmitting said collected data over the unicast channel.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

prior to receiving the first message, receiving, via broadcast transmission, a response to said request, said response instructing said M2M device not to transmit any collected data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein

the response message comprises information instructing the M2M device to provide to the network node M2M device specific data,

the method further comprises transmitting, in response to the response message, a message comprising the requested M2M specific data,

the first message comprises a time stamp indicating said time at which the M2M device should transmit said collected data, and

the step of transmitting said collected data over the unicast channel comprises transmitting said collected data to based at least on the time stamp.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the M2M device specific data comprises information on amount of data needed to be sent from the M2M device via the unicast channel.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the M2M device specific data comprises an indication of the present status of at least said M2M device.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein each transmission to the network node comprises identifying the respective M2M device from which data is provided by a unique identifier.

13. A network node capable of managing transmission of data transmitted over a unicast channel in a communication network by a plurality of M2M devices located in at least one broadcast service area, said plurality of M2M devices comprising a first M2M device, the network node comprising;

at least one processor; and

a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the network node to;

as a result of receiving from said first M2M device a request to send collected data, determine, on the basis of the network load of the communication network, whether to allow, at the present time, the first M2M device to transmit the collected data;

transmit, via broadcast transmission, a first message, addressed to M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, instructing at least one of said M2M devices when to transmit data over a unicast channel, and

receive data transmitted over the unicast channel.

14. The network node of claim 13 further capable of storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the network node to:

transmit, via broadcast transmission, at least a first message, addressed to M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, instructing said M2M devices not to transmit any collected data, and

transmit, via broadcast transmission, a second message, addressed to at least one of the M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, including said first M2M device, indicating to said at least one addressed M2M device when it is allowed to initiate transmission of collected data.

15. The network node of claim 13, further capable storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor-causes the network node to:

receive, in response to the first message, a response message comprising the requested M2M specific data;

schedule at least one of the M2M devices for which the requested information has been provided;

provide, in the second message, a time stamp and a queue number for each of said scheduled M2M devices, and

receive, collected data from the scheduled M2M devices according to the time stamps and queue numbers.

16. The network node of claim 15 wherein the M2M device specific data comprises information on amount of data needed to be sent by said M2M device via the unicast channel.

17. The network node of claim 15, wherein the M2M device specific data comprises an indication of the present status of at least said M2M device.

18. The network node of claim 13, wherein each M2M device is identifiable by the network node by a unique identifier.

19. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program for managing transmission of data transmitted over a unicast channel in a communication network by a plurality of M2M devices located in at least one broadcast service area, the computer program comprising computer readable code units which, when run on a computer causes the computer to:

as a result of the computer receiving, from a first of said plurality of M2M devices located in a first broadcast service are, a request to send collected data over the communication network via a unicast channel determine, on the basis of the network load of the communication network, when to allow transmission of the collected data for M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area;

transmit, via broadcast transmission, at least a first message, addressed to M2M devices located in the first broadcast service area, instructing at least one of said M2M devices when to transmit data over the unicast channel, and

receive data transmitted over the unicast channel.

20. (canceled)

21. An M2M device capable of transmitting data over a unicast channel to a network node of a communication network when located in a broadcast service area, the M2M device comprising at least one processor, and a memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the M2M device to:

transmit, to the network node, a request to transmit collected data over the communication network via a unicast channel;

receive, via broadcast transmission, at least a first message, instructing at least said M2M device when to transmit the collected data over the unicast channel, and

transmit the collected data over the unicast channel.

22. The M2M device according to claim 21 further capable of storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the M2M device to:

receive, via broadcast transmission, at least a first message, addressed to the M2M device, instructing said M2M device not to transmit any collected data, and

receive, via broadcast transmission, a second message, addressed to said M2M device, indicating to said M2M device when it is allowed to initiate transmission of collected data.

23. The M2M device of claim 21 further capable of storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the M2M device to:

transmit, in response to the first message, a response message comprising the requested M2M specific data;

receive, in the second message, at least a time stamp and a queue number for the M2M device, and

transmit, collected data to the network node, according to the time stamp and queue number.

24. The M2M device of claim 22, further capable of storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the M2M device to provide information on amount of collected data needed to be sent via the unicast channel, in case such M2M specific data is requested by the network node.

25. The M2M device of claim 22, further capable of storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor-causes the M2M device to provide an indication of the present status of the M2M device, in case such M2M device specific data is requested by the network node.

26. The M2M device of claim 21, further capable of storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor causes the M2M device to insert, to each request or message transmitted via unicast to the network node, a unique identifier, identifying the M2M device.

27. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer program for transmitting data over a unicast channel to a network node of a communication network, the computer program comprising computer readable code units which, when run on a computer causes the computer to:

transmit, to the network node, a request to transmit collected data over the communication network via a unicast channel;

receive, via broadcast transmission, at least a first message, instructing at least said M2M device when to transmit collected data over the unicast channel, and

transmit collected data over the unicast channel.

28. (canceled)