Patent ID: 8300827
Filing Date: 2012-10-30
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for updating a key in an active state, comprising: initiating a key update procedure by a network side when a pre-defined condition is met; and updating, by an evolved NodeB (eNB) at the network side, air-interface keys based on a new key K wherein the new key K wherein the negotiating, by the eNB at the network side with the user equipment, the activation time of the air-interface keys comprises one or more of: sending, by the eNB at the network side, a message carrying the activation time of the air-interface keys to the user equipment; sending by the eNB at the network side an intra-cell handover command to the user equipment, to instruct the user equipment to use the updated key after an intra-cell handover to a current eNB cell; carrying a key identification along with data packets of the network side, to indicate the key for decryption by the user equipment; carrying the activation time of the air-interface keys in a key update response message sent from the eNB at the network side to the user equipment; negotiating, by the eNB at the network side with the user equipment, the activation time of the air-interface keys, via a Security Mode Command (SMC) procedure; negotiating, by the eNB at the network side with the user equipment, the activation time of the air-interface keys, via a safe mode modification procedure; and negotiating, by the eNB at the network side with the user equipment, the activation time of the air-interface keys via an intra-cell handover procedure.