CONTROLLING DATA RATE AT A RELAY UE (UE-R) FOR RELAYING TRAFFIC TO AND FROM A RELAYED UE

• US 20170006503A1
• Filed: 03/05/2015
• Published: 01/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: D'Ennequin, Christophe Le Thierry, Panaitopol, Dorin, Lecroart, Benoit
• Granted Patent: US 9,980,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/22 Negotiating communication rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/04 adapted for relaying to or from another terminal or user
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/18 between terminal devices

Abstract

A communication system (1) is disclosed in which a relaying user device (UE-R) (3-2) obtains bit rate information (e.g. aggregate maximum bit rate, AMBR) for relaying data for another (relayed) user device (UE) (3-1, 3-3). The obtention of said bit rate information may by receiving a message from the another (relayed) device, UE1, for registering the UE1 to an application server, AS (PSCC). The registration message may comprise UE1 identity, UE-R identity and information identifying a bit rate required by the UE1 whilst communicating via the UE-R (e.g. an AMBR parameter such as Relay-APN-AMBR). The UE-R sends the registration message received from the UE1 to a core network (7) node (e.g. a gateway device like a P-GW or S-GW, an MME, or a PCRF) comprising the information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the UE (3-1, 3-3) to which the bit rate information relates. The UE-R (3-2) relays data received from the UE (3-1, 3-3) to a base station (5), and relays data for the UE (3-1, 3-3), received from the base station (5), to the UE (3-1, 3-3).

Claims

1. A relaying user communication device for relaying communication data for other user communication devices in a cellular communication network, the relaying user communication device comprising:

a unit for communicating with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, the communicating unit being operable;

to communicate via a first communication interface with at least one other user communication device; and

to communicate via a second communication interface with a base station;

a unit for controlling said communicating unit to relay communication data received from each other user communication device via said first interface, to said base station via said second interface, and to relay communication data received from the base station via said second interface for each other user communication device, to that other user communication device, via said first interface; and

a unit for obtaining information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device,

wherein said controlling unit is operable to control said communicating unit to send, to at least one core network node via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates.

2. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said obtaining unit is operable to obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device by receiving the information identifying a bit rate from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates.

3. The relaying user communication device according to claim 2, wherein said obtaining unit is operable to obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device during a process to register said at least one other user communication device with an application server (AS).

4. The relaying user communication device according to claim 2, wherein said obtaining unit is operable to obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device during a process to establish a relaying connection.

5. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said obtaining unit is operable to obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device:

by receiving an identifier associated with said bit rate from the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates; and

by obtaining said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates based on said received identifier.

6. The relaying user communication device according to claim 5, wherein said obtaining unit is operable to obtain said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device during a process to establish a relaying connection.

7. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said controlling unit is operable to control said communicating unit to send, to a core network device via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate in association with information identifying said relaying user communication device.

8. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said controlling unit is operable to control said communicating unit to send, to a core network device via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate in association with information identifying said at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates.

9. The relaying user communication device according to claim 7, wherein said information identifying said relaying user communication device and/or said information identifying at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates comprises at least one of:

an International mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) associated with that user device;

an IP address associated with that user device;

a public safety identifier associated with that user device;

a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN) associated with that user device;

a proximity services identifier (ProSe ID) associated with that user device;

a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identifier (TMSI) associated with that user device; and

a Globally Unique Temporary Identifier (GUTI) associated with that user device.

10. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR).

11. The relaying user communication device according to claim 10, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) for a specific access point (APN_AMBR).

12. The relaying user communication device according to claim 10, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) associated with a particular service (e.g. a particular public service).

13. The relaying user communication device according to claim 12, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) associated with a particular public safety service (e.g. a particular public service).

14. The relaying user communication device according to claim 10, wherein said information identifying a bit rate comprises an aggregate maximum bit rate (AMBR) associated with a particular user or user communication device identifier (user ID or user communication device ID).

15. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one core network node comprises at least one of:

a gateway device (e.g. packet data network gateway “

PDN-GW”

or “

P-GW”

, or serving gateway (S-GW));

a mobility management entity (MME); and

a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF).

16. The relaying user communication device according to claim 1, wherein said controlling unit is operable to control said communicating unit to send, to at least one core network node via said base station, and said at least one core network node to an application server (for example, a Public Safety Control Center (PSCC) and/or a Group Communication System Enablers (GCSE) AS).

33. A system comprising:

a relaying user communication device according to claim 1;

a user communication device for communicating data to a relaying user communication device for relaying by the relaying user communication device in a cellular communication network, the user communication device comprising;

a unit for communicating with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, the communicating unit being operable to communicate, via a communication interface with the relaying user communication device, information from which a bit rate can be determined for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device;

a core network node comprising;

a unit for receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

a unit for generating, based on said information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate;

a parameter for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device; and

a unit for sending, to said relaying user communication device, said parameter for controlling data throughput,

wherein said receiving unit is operable to receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via another core network node;

a core network node comprising;

a unit for receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

a unit for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device, when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, based on said bit rate requested via said relaying user communication device; and

a communication node comprising;

a unit for receiving, via a relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

a unit for sending, to another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with said information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided.

17. A user communication device for communicating data to a relaying user communication device for relaying by the relaying user communication device in a cellular communication network, the user communication device comprising:

a unit for communicating with other communication devices in the cellular communication network, the communicating unit being operable to communicate, via a communication interface with the relaying user communication device, information from which a bit rate can be determined for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device.

18. The user communication device according to claim 17, wherein said communicating unit is operable to communicate information from which can be determined a bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device comprising information identifying the bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device.

19. The user communication device according to claim 17, wherein said communicating unit is operable to communicate information from which can be determined a bit rate for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device comprising an identifier associated with said bit rate.

20. A core network node comprising:

a unit for receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

a unit for generating, based on said information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate;

a parameter for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device; and

a unit for sending, to said relaying user communication device, said parameter for controlling data throughput,

wherein said receiving unit is operable to receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via another core network node.

21. The core network node according to claim 20, wherein said receiving unit is operable to receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via a base station without involving a core network gateway.

22. The core network node according to claim 20, wherein said receiving unit is operable to receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via a core network gateway.

23. The core network node according to claim 20, wherein said receiving unit is operable to receive said information identifying a bit rate in association with information identifying said relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided.

24. The core network node according to claim 20, wherein said core network node comprises a mobility management entity (MME).

25. A core network node comprising:

a unit for receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

a unit for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device, when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, based on said bit rate requested via said relaying user communication device.

26. The core network node according to claim 25, wherein said core network node comprises a gateway device (e.g. packet data network gateway “

PDN-GW”

or “

P-GW”

, or serving gateway (S-GW)).

27. A communication node comprising:

a unit for receiving, via a relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

a unit for sending, to another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with said information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided.

28. The communication node according to claim 27, wherein said communication node comprises a gateway device (e.g. packet data network gateway “

PDN-GW”

or “

P-GW”

, or serving gateway (S-GW)).

29. The communication node according to claim 27 wherein said communication node comprises an application server (for example, a Public Safety Control Center (PSCC) and/or a Group Communication System Enablers (GCSE) AS).

30. The communication node according to claim 27, further comprising:

a unit for verifying whether a bit rate represented by said information identifying a bit rate is in conformity with at least one operator policy,

wherein said sending unit is operable to send, to said another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate when said information identifying a bit rate is in conformity with at least one operator policy, and

wherein said sending unit is operable not to send, to said another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate when said information identifying a bit rate is not in conformity with at least one operator policy.

31. The communication node according to claim 30,

wherein said verifying unit is operable to adjust a value of said bit rate when said information identifying a bit rate is not in conformity with at least one operator policy, and

wherein said sending unit is operable to send, to said another core network node, information identifying said adjusted bit rate, when said information identifying a bit rate is not in conformity with at least one operator policy.

32. The communication node according to claim 30, wherein said core network node comprises a Policy and Charging Rules Function (PCRF).

34. A method performed by a relaying user communication device for relaying communication data for other user communication devices in a cellular communication network, the relaying user communication device comprising a communicating unit operable to communicate via a first communication interface with at least one other user communication device and to communicate via a second communication interface with a base station, the method comprising:

obtaining information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

controlling said communicating unit to send, to at least one core network node via said base station, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for the at least one other user communication device to which the bit rate relates; and

controlling said communicating unit to relay communication data received from each other user communication device via said first interface, to said base station via said second interface, and to relay communication data received from the base station via said second interface for each other user communication device, to that other user communication device, via said first interface.

39. A non-transitory computer readable media that stores a computer program including instructions for causing a computer-programmable device to perform a method according to claim 34.

35. A method performed by a user communication device for communicating data to a relaying user communication device for relaying by the relaying user communication device in a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

communicating, via a communication interface with the relaying user communication device, information from which a bit rate can be determined for relaying communication data on behalf of said user communication device.

36. A method performed by a core network node, the method comprising:

receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device;

generating, based on said information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate;

a parameter for controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device; and

sending, to said relaying user communication device, said parameter for controlling data throughput,

wherein said receiving is operable to receive said information identifying a bit rate, from the relaying user communication device, via another core network node.

37. A method performed by a core network node, the method comprising:

receiving information, provided via a relaying user communication device, identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

controlling data throughput for communications with said relaying user communication device, when said relaying user communication device has a relaying connection with said at least one other user communication device, based on said bit rate requested via said relaying user communication device.

38. A method performed by a communication node, the method comprising:

receiving, via a relaying user communication device, information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided; and

sending, to another core network node, said information identifying a bit rate for relaying communication data for at least one other user communication device in association with said information identifying the relaying user communication device via which the information identifying a bit rate was provided.