Abstract:
A method of handling data sessions between user devices in a network is disclosed. The method includes receiving at a first network element an indication of non-delivery of a short message service message directed to a user device. Next, an insert subscriber data request message is sent to a second network element, wherein the insert subscriber data request message includes a flag that informs the second network element of the non-delivery of the short message service message and requests that the second network element notify the first network element when the user device is reachable. The first network element receives an insert subscriber data request answer from the second network element.

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/212,307 filed on Apr. 9, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for User Equipment reachability subscription/notification to facilitate improved message delivery. 
     While the invention is particularly directed to the art of mobile telecommunications, and will be thus described with specific reference thereto, it will be appreciated that the invention may have usefulness in other fields and applications. 
     By way of background, LTE (Long Term Evolution) is a rapidly evolving 3GPP project that aims to improve the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) mobile phone standard to cope with future communication network demands. LTE will improve wireless network efficiency/bandwidth, lower costs and enhance services experience. Specifically, LTE will make use of new spectrum opportunities and offer better integration with other open standards. LTE is composed of LTE RAN (Radio Access Network) (also known as E-UTRAN) along with the EPS (Evolved Packet System, also called Evolved Packet Core). 
     SMS (or Short Message Service) is a method of communication that sends text between cell phones, or from a PC or handheld to a cell phone. The “short” part refers to the maximum size of the text messages: typically 160 characters (letters, numbers or symbols in the Latin alphabet). 
     In certain legacy systems there is a legacy CS (Circuit Switch) domain and PS (Packet Switch) domain. In CS and PS domains, the SMS) delivery is retried when the UE (User Equipment) is detected by any NAS (Non-Access-Stratum) procedure such as LAU/RAU (Location Area Update/Routing Area Update), etc. by the MSC/VLR (Mobile Switching Center/Visitor Location Register) or the SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node). For SMS over IP (Internet Protocol), it is detected via an IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) Register by the HSS (Home Subscriber Server), but also by the MSC/VLR or SGSN as the delivery of the SMS message is tried on several domains. 
     Currently in LTE networks/standards, however, there is no mechanism for the HSS to notify the MME (Mobility Management Entity) that an SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP and request the MME to notify the HSS when the applicable UE becomes reachable. There is also no mechanism for the MME to notify the HSS of the UE&#39;s reachability. 
     The present invention contemplates a new and improved method and apparatus that resolves the above-referenced difficulties and others. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method and apparatus for facilitating improved message delivery are provided. 
     In one aspect of the invention a method of handling data sessions between user devices in a network is provided. The method includes: receiving at a first network element an indication of non-delivery of a short message service message directed to a user device; sending an insert subscriber data request message to a second network element, wherein the insert subscriber data request message includes a flag that informs the second network element of the non-delivery of the short message service message and requests that the second network element notify the first network element when the user device is reachable; and receiving at the first network element an insert subscriber data request answer from the second network element. 
     In another aspect of the invention a method of handling data sessions between user devices in a network is provided. The method includes: receiving at a first network element an insert subscriber data request message from a second network element, wherein the insert subscriber data request message includes a flag that informs the first network element of the non-delivery of a short message service message to a user device and requests that the first network element notify the second network element when the user device is reachable; storing the insert subscriber data request message in a database operatively connected to the first network element; receiving an indication that the user device is now able to receive the short message service message; and sending a notify request message to the second network element, wherein the notify request message includes a flag indicating that the user device is now able to receive the short message service message. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention a computer program product is provided. The product includes computer-usable data carrier storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method including the steps of: receiving at a first network element an indication of non-delivery of a short message service message directed to a user device; sending an insert subscriber data request message to a second network element, wherein the insert subscriber data request message includes a flag that informs the second network element of the non-delivery of the short message service message and requests that the second network element notify the first network element when the user device is reachable; and receiving at the first network element an insert subscriber data request answer from the second network element. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention an apparatus for handling data sessions between user devices in a network is provided. The apparatus includes a database that stores the insert subscriber data request message in a database operatively connected to the first network element and a first network element. The first network element is operative to: receive an insert subscriber data request message from a second network element, wherein the insert subscriber data request message includes a flag that informs the first network element of the non-delivery of a short message service message to a user device and requests that the first network element notify the second network element when the user device is reachable; receive an indication that the user device is now able to receive the short message service message; and send a notify request message to the second network element, wherein the notify request message includes a flag indicating that the user device is now able to receive the short message service message. 
     Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided below. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention exists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the various parts of the device, and steps of the method, whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, specifically pointed out in the claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary mobile system into which the presently described embodiments may be incorporated; 
         FIG. 2  shows the LTE Diameter S 6   a  interface between the HSS and the MME; and 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary message flow in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating the exemplary embodiments only and not for purposes of limiting the claimed subject matter,  FIG. 1  provides a view of an exemplary mobile system into which the presently described embodiments may be incorporated. 
     The basic configuration of a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) supporting PS Domain (both GPRS and EPC) and the interconnection to the PSTN/ISDN and PDN is presented in  FIG. 1 . This configuration presents signaling and user traffic interfaces that can be found in a PLMN. Implementations may be different, that is, some particular functions may be gathered in the same equipment and then some interfaces may become internal interfaces. In the basic configuration presented in  FIG. 1 , all the functions are considered implemented in different equipment. Therefore, all the interfaces within PLMN are external. 
     As shown generally, the basic parts of the mobile system include: a Core Network (CN), an Access Network (AN: BSS, RNS), and at least one Mobile Station (MS)/User Equipment (UE). 
     The entities common to the PS and CS domain include the following: Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Home Location Register (HLR), Authentication Center (AuC), Visitor Location Register (VLR), Equipment Identity Register (EIR), SMSGateway MSC (SMS-GMSC), SMSInterworking MSC (SMS-IWMSC), Subscription Locator Function (SLF), Border Gateway (BG). 
     The entities of the CS domain include the following: Mobile-services Switching Center (MSC), MSC Server, Circuit Switched-Media Gateway Function (CS-MGW), Gateway MSC (GMSC), Gateway MSC Server (GMSCServer), Interworking Function (IWF). 
     The entities of the GPRSPS domain include the following: Serving GPRSSupport Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRSSupport Node (GGSN). 
     The entities of the EPCPS Domain include the following: MME, Gateways, Serving GW, PDNGW, SGSN, Trusted and UntrustedNon-3GPP, ePDG, 3GPP AAAServer, 3GPP AAAProxy. 
     The Access Network (AN) entities include the following: Base Station System (BSS), Base Station Controller (BSC), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), Radio Network System (RNS), Radio Network Controller (RNC), Node B, Access Network elements for E-UTRAN, E-UTRAN Node B (eNB), Evolved UTRAN, Mobile Station (MS), User Equipment (UE). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , the embodiments herein are focused on the LTE Diameter S 6   a  interface  10  between the HSS  12  and the MME  14 , along with several other network elements.  FIG. 2  also includes an SMSC (Short Message Service Center)  16 , E-UTRAN  18 , UE (or user device)  20 , and a pair of additional interfaces, namely, S 1 -MME  22  between the MME  14  and the E-UTRAN  18  and EUTRAN-Uu  24  between the E-UTRAN  18  and the UE  20 . 
     The S 6   a  interface  10  generally enables transfer of subscription and authentication data of authenticating/authorizing user access to the evolved system (AAA interface) between the MME  14  and the HSS  12 . 
     The HSS  12  typically functions as the master database for a given user. It is the entity containing the subscription-related information to support the network entities actually handling calls/sessions. A Home Network may contain one or several HSSs, depending on the number of mobile subscribers, on the capacity of the equipment and on the organization of the network. As an example, the HSS  12  may provide support to the call control servers in order to complete the routing/roaming procedures by solving authentication, authorization, naming/addressing resolution, location dependencies, etc. 
     The MME (Mobility Management Entity)  14  is essentially a control-node for the LTE access-network. The MME  14  is responsible for idle mode UE (User Equipment) tracking and paging procedure including retransmissions. The MME  14  is involved in the bearer activation/deactivation process and is also responsible for choosing the SGW for a UE at the initial attach and at time of intra-LTE handover involving Core Network (CN) node relocation. The MME  14  is responsible for authenticating the user (by interacting with the HSS). The MME  14  is in charge of all the Control plane functions related to subscriber and session management. The MME  14  is linked through the S 6   a  interface to the HSS  12 , which supports the database containing all the user subscription information. The S 6   a  interface to the HSS  12  is based on the Diameter protocol. The base protocol defines the basic Diameter message format. Data is carried within a Diameter message as a collection of Attribute Value Pairs (AVP). An AVP consists of multiple fields: an AVP Code, a Length, Flags, and Data. Some AVPs are used by the Diameter base protocol, while other AVPs are intended for the Diameter application. 
     The SMSC  16  is a network element in the mobile telephone network which delivers SMS messages. Generally, when a user sends a text message (SMS message) to another user, the message gets stored in the SMSC, which delivers it to the destination user when they are available. It should be noted that the SMSC may also be replaced or combined with an IP-Short-Message-Gateway (IP-SM-GW). 
     The E-UTRAN (or eUTRAN)  18  is the air interface of 3GPP&#39;s Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. It is the abbreviation for evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network 
     The UE  20  is any device used directly by an end-user to communicate. It can be a hand-held telephone, a card in a laptop computer, or any other device. It connects to the base station (“Node B”, or 3G Base Transceiver Station). It roughly corresponds to the mobile station (MS) in GSM systems. The radio interface between the UE and the Node B is called Uu. 
     A new HSS notification mechanism with the Diameter S 6   a  IDR (Insert Subscriber Data Request) to notify the MME that an SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP is described herein. Insert Subscriber Data is a MAP subscriber management service utilized in GSM/UMTS networks, standardized by 3GPP. This service is used to provide specific subscriber data in the present environment by an HSS to update a MME via IWF (Interworking Function). This service is primarily used by the home subscriber management entity to update the serving subscriber management entity when there is either a change in a subscriber parameter, or upon a location updating of the subscriber 
     In certain embodiments, after the MME  14  receives an HSS request, the MME  14  will notify the HSS  12  when the UE  20  becomes reachable. The HSS  12  will then initiate an Alert service procedure to the appropriate SMSC  16  as needed. Upon receipt of the Alerting message, the SMSC  16  will re-attempt to send the stored SMS message to the UE  20 . 
     Embodiments are described herein to enhance and expand the Diameter S 6   a  message IDR (Insert Subscriber Data Request) for HSS to notify the MME  14  that an SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP. A new IDR-Flags AVP will be added to the S 6   a  IDR message to serve this purpose to request the MME  14  to notify the HSS  12  when the UE  20  becomes reachable. This new IDR-Flags AVP will expand the existing S 6   a  IDR message scope, which currently is only used to notify the MME/SGSN that the subscriber&#39;s service data has been changed. The new IDR-Flags AVP allows multiple request bits, and therefore enables future opportunities, making IDR message more powerful and versatile. In addition, embodiments are disclosed herein that enhance the Diameter S 6   a  message NOR (Notify-Request) for the MME  14  to notify the HSS  12  when the UE  20  becomes reachable. 
     HSS Notification to MME For SMS Over IP Non-Delivery 
       FIG. 3  shows an exemplary message flow in accordance with aspects of the present invention. It is noted that there is a Diameter Sh interface between the SMSC  16  and the HSS  12 . 
     Initially the SMSC  16  finds that an SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP to the UE  20 , i.e., the UE  20  is not reachable ( 301 ). 
     The HSS  12  may then detect such SMS message failure when the HSS  12  receives a Diameter Sh SNR (Subscribe-Notifications-Response) message from the SMSC  16  for the UE reachability subscription ( 302 ). The HSS  12  then sets up a UE Reachable Request Flag ( 303 ). If the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) has the MME ID stored, then the HSS  12  sends a Diameter S 6   a  IDR (Insert-Subscriber-Data-Request) message to the MME  14  with a new “IDR-Flags” AVP ( 304 ), which indicates to the MME  14  that a particular SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP for the UE  20 . Such an IDR message allows the HSS  12  to request the MME  14  to notify the HSS  12  when the UE  20  becomes reachable. In addition, the HSS  12  sends a Diameter Sh SNA (Subscribe-Notifications-Answer) message to the SMSC  16  ( 305 ). The MME  14  responds to the HSS  12  with a Diameter S 6   a  IDA (Insert-Subscriber-Data-Answer) message ( 306 ). 
     This new “IDR-Flags” AVP being added to the Diameter S 6   a  IDR expands the existing S 6   a  IDR message scope (currently the message is only used to notify MME/SGSN the subscriber&#39;s service data has been changed). In addition, this new IDR-Flags AVP allows multiple request bits, and therefore enables future opportunities, making the IDR message more powerful and versatile. 
     In one embodiment, the new IDR-Flags AVP is of type Unsigned32 and contains a bit mask. Unsigned32 specifies a value whose range includes only non-negative integers (0 to 4294967295). The meaning of the bit(s) may be as defined in the following table: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Bit 
                 Name 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 UE 
                 This bit, when set, shall indicate to the MME that 
               
               
                   
                 Reachability 
                 the HSS is awaiting a Notification of UE 
               
               
                   
                 Request 
                 Reachability. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Note: 
               
               
                 Bits not defined in this table shall be cleared by the sending HSS and discarded by the receiving MME or SGSN. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     MME Notification to HSS For UE Reachability 
     When the MME  14  receives the aforementioned IDR message from the HSS  12 , the MME  14  stores the HSS&#39;s request for UE reachability notification in a suitable database. In the event the MME  14  detects that the UE  20  has become reachable and according to the HSS request stored at the MME  14  ( 307 ), the MME  14  sends the HSS  12  a Diameter S 6   a  Notify-Request (NOR) message with a NOR-Flags AVP, indicating that the UE  20  is now reachable ( 308 ). 
     The UE reachable indication may be specified as bit 3 of NOR-Flags AVP, which may be of type Unsigned32 and may contain a bit mask as described in the following table: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Bit 
                 name 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 0 
                 Single- 
                 This bit, when set, shall indicate that the HSS 
               
               
                   
                 Registration- 
                 shall send a Cancel Location message to the 
               
               
                   
                 Indication 
                 current SGSN due to ISR. An SGSN shall not 
               
               
                   
                   
                 set this bit when sending NOR. 
               
               
                 1 
                 SGSN area 
                 This bit, when set, shall indicate that the 
               
               
                   
                 restricted 
                 complete SGSN area is restricted due to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 regional subscription. 
               
               
                 2 
                 Ready for SM 
                 This bit, when set, shall indicate that the UE is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 present or the UE has memory capacity 
               
               
                   
                   
                 available to receive one or more short 
               
               
                   
                   
                 messages. 
               
               
                 3 
                 UE Reachable 
                 This bit, when set, shall indicate that the UE has 
               
               
                   
                 for SMS 
                 become reachable again. 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Note: 
               
               
                 Bits not defined in this table shall be cleared by the sending MME or SGSN and discarded by the receiving HSS. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The bit 3 of NOR-Flags AVP is used to indicate the UE has become reachable. 
     The HSS  12  resets the UE Reachable Request flag ( 309 ). The HSS  12  then sends a Diameter S 6   a  NOA (Notify-Answer) message to the MME  14  ( 310 ) and a Diameter Sh PNR (Push-Notification-Response) message to the SMSC  16  ( 311 ). Finally, the SMSC  16  sends a Diameter Sh PNA (Push-Notification-Answer) to the HSS  12  ( 312 ). 
     Thus, to summarize, when the HSS detects an SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP, the HSS sends a Diameter S 6   a  message IDR to the MME with a new “IDR-Flags” AVP, which indicates to the MME  14  that an SMS message has failed to be delivered via SMS over IP for the UE  20 . This can also serve the purpose for the HSS  12  to request the MME  14  to notify the HSS  12  when the UE  20  becomes reachable. The new IDR-Flags AVP added to the S 6   a  IDR message can be used to expand the existing S 6   a  IDR message scope. The new IDR-Flags AVP may be of type Unsigned32 and contain a bit mask of multiple bits. When the MME  14  detects that the UE  20  has becomes reachable, and based on the HSS request stored at the MME  14 , the MME  14  will send the HSS  12  a Diameter S 6   a  NOR message with a NOR-Flags AVP indicating that the UE  20  is now reachable. 
     It is to be appreciated that suitably, the methods and systems described herein are embodied by a computer, or other digital processing device including a digital processor, such as a microprocessor, microcontroller, graphic processing unit (GPU), etc. and storage. In other embodiments, the systems and methods may be embodied by a server including a digital processor and including or having access to digital data storage, such server being suitably accessed via the Internet or a local area network, or by a personal data assistant (PDA) including a digital processor and digital data storage, or so forth. The computer or other digital processing device suitably includes or is operatively connected with one or more user input devices, such as a keyboard, for receiving user input, and further includes, or is operatively connected with, one or more display devices. In other embodiments, the input for controlling the methods and systems is received from another program running previously to or concurrently with the methods and systems on the computer, or from a network connection, or so forth. Similarly, in other embodiments the output may serve as input to another program running subsequent to or concurrently with methods and systems on the computer, or may be transmitted via a network connection, or so forth. 
     In some embodiments, the exemplary methods, discussed above, the system employing the same, and so forth, of the present application are embodied by a storage medium storing instructions executable (for example, by a digital processor) to implement the exemplary methods and/or systems. The storage medium may include, for example: a magnetic disk or other magnetic storage medium; an optical disk or other optical storage medium; a random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or other electronic memory device or chip or set of operatively interconnected chips; an Internet server from which the stored instructions may be retrieved via the Internet or a local area network; or so forth. 
     It is to further be appreciated that in connection with the particular exemplary embodiments presented herein certain structural and/or functional features are described as being incorporated in defined elements and/or components. However, it is contemplated that these features may, to the same or similar benefit, also likewise be incorporated in other elements and/or components where appropriate. It is also to be appreciated that different aspects of the exemplary embodiments may be selectively employed as appropriate to achieve other alternate embodiments suited for desired applications, the other alternate embodiments thereby realizing the respective advantages of the aspects incorporated therein. 
     It is also to be appreciated that particular elements or components described herein may have their functionality suitably implemented via hardware, software, firmware or a combination thereof. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that certain elements described herein as incorporated together may under suitable circumstances be stand-alone elements or otherwise divided. Similarly, a plurality of particular functions described as being carried out by one particular element may be carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting independently to carry out individual functions, or certain individual functions may be split-up and carried out by a plurality of distinct elements acting in concert. Alternately, some elements or components otherwise described and/or shown herein as distinct from one another may be physically or functionally combined where appropriate. 
     In short, the present specification has been set forth with reference to preferred embodiments. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the present specification. It is intended that the invention be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalent thereof. That is to say, it will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications, and also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are similarly intended to be encompassed by the following claims.