LI reporting of updated location information for EPS

• US 8,274,932 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2010
• Issued: 09/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Iovieno, Maurizio, Villani, Elvira
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, CLEMENCE S
• Application Number:
  US12/714,690
• Publication Number:
  US 20110096669A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/306 intercepting packet switched data communications, e.g. Web, Internet or IMS communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/308 retaining data, e.g. retaining successful, unsuccessful communication attempts, internet access, or e-mail, internet telephony, intercept related information or call content
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/80 Arrangements enabling lawful interception [LI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/04 using triggered events
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/02 Processing of mobility data, e.g. registration information at HLR [Home Location Register] or VLR [Visitor Location Register]; Transfer of mobility data, e.g. between HLR, VLR or external networks

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method to enhance resolution of location information of a mobile user in an Evolved Packet communication System. The system comprises a Mobility Management Entity that provides the user with at least one tracking area in which the user is able to move without location information being reported, The method comprises the following steps:

• • receiving to the Mobility Management Entity, a location activation message valid for the user.
  • receiving to the Mobility Management Entity, a service request related to the user;
  • detecting in the Mobility Management Entity, user location information with higher resolution than the at least one tracking area level resolution;
  • sending from the Mobility Management Entity, a monitoring message comprising high resolution information of the user'"'"'s location within the at least one tracking area.

Claims

1. A method to enhance resolution of location information of a mobile user in an Evolved Packet Communication System comprising a Mobility Management Entity that provides the mobile user with at least one tracking area in which the mobile user is able to move without location information being reported, which method comprises:

receiving at the Mobility Management Entity, a location activation message valid for the mobile user;

receiving at the Mobility Management Entity, a service request related to the mobile user;

detecting in the Mobility Management Entity, user location information with higher resolution than at least one tracking area level resolution; and

sending from the Mobility Management Entity, a monitoring message comprising high resolution information of the user'"'"'s location within the at least one tracking area.

2. The method according to claim 1, which the service request is a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message.

3. The method according to claim 1, which the service request is triggered by the mobile user.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a Serving Gateway in the Evolved Packet Communication System interconnects the Mobility Management Entity with a Packet Data Network Gateway, whereby the service request is triggered by the Packet Data Network Gateway.

5. The method according to claim 1, which the monitoring message is an Interception Related Information (IRI) Report.

6. The method according to claim 1, whereby a tracking area list comprising the at least one tracking area is received by the Mobility Management Entity.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the Evolved Packet Communication System further comprises a monitoring system that is attached to the Mobility Management Entity via at least one first interface and at least one second interface, wherein the location activation message is received from the monitoring system via the at least one first interface and the monitoring message is sent to the monitoring system via the at least one second interface.

8. The method according to claim 7, which the monitoring system is part of a Lawful Interception System.

9. The method according to claim 8, which the at least one second interface comprises an X2 transport interface and a Handover Interface 2 (HI2) over which an event type and location information or alternatively a failed reason is sent in case of failure is sent.

10. The method according to claim 7, which the monitoring system is part of a Data Retention System.

11. A node for enhancing resolution of location information of a mobile user in an Evolved Packet Communication System, which node provides the mobile user with at least one tracking area in which the mobile user is able to move without location information being reported, which node comprises:

means to receive at the node, a location activation message valid for the mobile user;

means to receive at the node, a service request related to the mobile user;

means to detect in the node, user location information with higher resolution than at least one tracking area level resolution; and

means to send from the node, a monitoring message comprising high resolution information of the user'"'"'s location within the at least one tracking area.

12. The node according to claim 11, which the service request is a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message.

13. The node according to claim 11, wherein the Evolved Packet Communication System further comprises a monitoring system that is attached to the node via at least one first interface and at least one second interface.

14. The node according to claim 13, which the monitoring system is part of a Lawful Interception System and which the at least one second interface comprises an X2 transport interface and a Handover Interface 2 (HI2).

15. A node for enhancing resolution of location information of a mobile user in an Evolved Packet Communication System, the node providing the mobile user with at least one tracking area in which the mobile user is able to move without location information being reported, the node, comprising:

a processor; and

memory including computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the node to perform at least the following;

receive a location activation message valid for the mobile user;

receive a service request related to the mobile user;

detect user location information with higher resolution than at least one tracking area level resolution; and

provide a monitoring message comprising high resolution information of the user'"'"'s location within the at least one tracking area.

16. The node according to claim 15, wherein the service request is a Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message.

17. The node according to claim 15, wherein the monitoring message is an Interception Related Information (IRI) Report.

18. The node according to claim 15, wherein the Evolved Packet Communication System further comprises a monitoring system that is attached to the node via at least one first interface and at least one second interface.

19. The node according to claim 18, wherein the location activation message is received from the monitoring system via the at least one first interface and the monitoring message is sent to the monitoring system via the at least one second interface.

20. The node according to claim 15, wherein the memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the node to receive a tracking area list including the at least one tracking area.