Patent Publication Number: US-2022217512-A1

Title: Apparatus for controlling sensor-based network access and method therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2020/013613, filed on Oct. 7, 2020, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0125255, filed on Oct. 10, 2019. The disclosures of the above-listed applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to a network access technology, and more particularly, to an apparatus for controlling network access of a terminal based on a sensor of the terminal, and a method therefor. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In 3GPP Rel. 17, discussions on enhancements for cyber-physical control applications in vertical domains (eCAV) are being actively conducted. CAV defines very strict requirements for consumer Internet of things (cIoT), massive devices used in vertical domain/smart factories, 5G B2B factories, and the like. For example, cIoT devices in a factory need to transmit and receive data in only a specific situation. A device is required to normally enter an inactive mode, an idle mode, or a power saving mode, and change to an active mode only when necessary so as to access a network and exchange data. However, the above devices are designed to transmit and receive data anytime, anywhere, so there arises a problem in that many resources are consumed inefficiently. 
     SUMMARY 
     An object of the present disclosure is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling a network access of a user equipment, based on a sensor value measured by a sensor of the user equipment so that the user equipment can access a network only when necessary. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, an apparatus for controlling network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an access and mobility management function module (AMF) providing, to a user equipment (UE), information about permissible sensors supporting a sensor-based network access from among sensors possessed by the UE, and a performance management module storing the permissible sensor information, wherein the AMF is configured to, upon receiving a list of the sensors possessed by the UE from the UE, extract, from the performance management module, the permissible sensor information including a list of the permissible sensors and a permissible condition for permitting network access through the permissible sensors. 
     The AMF may be further configured to, upon receiving a sensor value and identification information of at least one sensor through a request message from the UE, determine whether the sensor value and the identification information of the sensor satisfy the permissible condition, and to permit an access of the UE when determining that the permissible condition is satisfied. 
     The permissible condition may include a sensor value in which the network access through permissible sensor is permitted. 
     The permissible condition may include a measurement scheme in which the permissible sensor measures a sensor value. 
     The AMF may transmit, to the UE, an indicator that enables the UE to operate in an idle mode in accordance with the permissible sensor information. 
     The apparatus may further include an application function module (AF) that performs provisioning of the permissible sensor information to the performance management module directly or through a network exposure function module (NEF). 
     In order to accomplish the above object, a method for controlling network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes, at an access and mobility management function module (AMF), receiving a list of sensors possessed by a user equipment (UE) from the UE, at the AMF, extracting, from a performance management module, permissible sensor information that includes a list of permissible sensors supporting a sensor-based network access from among the sensors possessed by the UE and a permissible condition for permitting network access through the permissible sensors, and at the AMF, transmitting the permissible sensor information to the UE so that the sensors possessed by the UE are set in accordance with the permissible sensor information. 
     The method may further include, after transmitting the permissible sensor information to the UE, receiving a sensor value and identification information of at least one sensor through a request message from the UE, determining whether the sensor value and the identification information of the sensor satisfy the permissible condition, and at the AMF, permitting an access of the UE when determining that the permissible condition is satisfied. 
     The permissible condition may include a sensor value in which the network access through permissible sensor is permitted. 
     The permissible condition may include a measurement scheme in which the permissible sensor measures a sensor value. 
     Transmitting the permissible sensor information to the UE may include transmitting an indicator that enables the UE to operate in an idle mode in accordance with the permissible sensor information. 
     The method may further include, before receiving the list of sensors possessed by the UE, at an application function module (AF), performing provisioning of the permissible sensor information to the performance management module directly or through a network exposure function module (NEF). 
     According to the present disclosure, unnecessary resource use can be prevented by permitting the UE to access the network only when necessary through the sensor value. Moreover, a necessary service can be provided when absolutely necessary, thereby improving the reliability of the service. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a network system for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a user equipment for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  are flow diagrams illustrating a method for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a sensor registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the present disclosure. However, in the following description, well-known functions or configurations may not be described in detail to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure. The embodiments described and illustrated herein are not intended to limit the technology disclosed in specific forms and should be understood to include various modifications, equivalents, and/or alternatives to corresponding embodiments. 
     In addition, when it is mentioned that a certain element is “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it means that the element may be logically, electrically or physically connected to or coupled to another element. Namely, the element may be directly connected or coupled to another element, or a new element may exist between both elements. 
     Also, in this disclosure, the terms are merely used for describing particular embodiments but do not limit such embodiments. Singular forms are intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further, terms such as “comprise” or “include” used herein are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof described herein, and do not preclude the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof. 
     Now, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for elements having similar functions and operations throughout the drawings, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. In addition, in order to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the present disclosure, well-known structures and devices may be omitted or shown in a block form centering on the core functions of each structure and device. 
     At the outset, the configuration of a network system for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.  FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a network system for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a user equipment for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a network system S 1  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure basically includes a user equipment (UE)  10 , a radio access device (RAN)  20 , a plurality of network function (NF) modules  110  to  200  and  400 , and a data network (DN)  300 . 
     The UE  10  includes at least one sensor, and as long as it is a device having a communication function, its type is not limited. The RAN  20  wirelessly connects the UE  10  and the network. 
     The NF modules  110  to  200  and  400  include an access and mobility management function module (AMF)  110 , a session management function module (SMF)  120 , an authentication server function module (AUSF)  130 , a network slice selection function module (NSSF)  140 , a network exposure function module (NEF)  150 , a network repository function module (NRF)  160 , a policy control function module (PCF)  170 , a unified data management module (UDM)  180 , an application function module (AF)  190 , a user plane function module (UPF)  200 , and a performance management module  400 . Each of the NFs  110  to  200  and  400  may be implemented in the form of independent modules distinguished by at least one of hardware and software. In the 5G, a network structure for supporting a user equipment, a base station (access), a core, and a server end-to-end is defined, and the function of control signaling and data transmission/reception, which were complexly performed by a single node (e.g., S-GW, P-GW, etc.) in the existing LTE (4G), is divided into a control signaling function (control plane) and a data transmission and reception function (user plane). Therefore, the NFs  110  to  200  and  400  may be classified according to a control plane and a user plane. 
     Network nodes of the control plane include the AMF  110 , the SMF  120 , the PCF  170 , the AUSF  130 , the NRF  160 , the NEF  150 , the NSSF  140 , the AF  190 , and the performance management module  400 . In addition, data nodes of the user plane include the UPF  200  that transmits/receives data between the UE  10  and a server on a data network (e.g., Internet) through a session with the UE  10  based on the control (interoperation) of the SMF  120 . 
     The AMF  110  performs an access control, mobility management, and network slice selection function. The SMF  120  performs a subscriber session setup and management function according to a network policy. The PCF  170  performs a policy control function corresponding to a network slice. The UPF  200  performs a function of transferring data traffic according to a service type in the user plane. The AUSF  130  performs a function of authenticating the UE  10  in a registration procedure of the UE  10 . The UDM  180  performs a function of storing and managing subscriber data and subscriber profiles. The NRF  160  provides a registration and search function for discovery and communication between a plurality of network functions (NF). The NEF  150  performs a network exposure function. The NSSF  140  provides a network slice selection function. The AF  190  provides an application management function. The DN  300  represents an external data network. 
     The present disclosure provides a sensor-based network access. The sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure means that the UE  10  having been in an idle state is activated to perform a network access when a sensor value measured by the sensor satisfies a predetermined condition. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sensor that supports the sensor-based network access will be referred to as a permissible sensor. 
     The performance management module  400  stores information about the permissible sensor that includes a list of permissible sensors supporting the sensor-based network access and a permissible condition for allowing network access through the permissible sensor. 
     The list of permissible sensors contains identification information of at least one permissible sensor. The sensor identification information includes at least one of an identifier and a name of the sensor, and may further include a model name, a version, and the like of the sensor. 
     The permissible condition includes a permissible measurement scheme and a permissible sensor value. The measurement scheme includes a measurement period for measuring a sensor value, an event for triggering a measurement operation of the sensor, and a sampling technique for acquiring a measurement target sample. The sensor value may include a minimum value, a maximum value, an average value, a threshold value, a conditional operation (&gt;, &lt;=&amp;, etc.), and priorities for a plurality of sensors. In addition, the sensor value may include not only numerical information, but also a cause such as “Cause=Critical, Major, Minor and OK, Not OK, Conditional OK”. 
     An example of the permissible sensor information is shown in Table 1 below. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Sensor 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Sensor 
                   
                   
                   
                 threshold 
                 Sensor 
                 Sensor 
               
               
                 identifier 
                 Sensor name 
                 Sensor type 
                 Model/version 
                 (min, max) 
                 priority 
                 cause/message 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                 {8} 
                 Pressure meter 
                 Location 
                 ‘AXY’, v0.9 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 OK, NOK, COK 
               
               
                 {7} 
                 Accelerometer 
                 Acceleration 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                 {5} 
                 Light meter 
                 Light 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
                 . . . 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The AF  190  may perform provisioning of permissible sensor information to the performance management module  400  through the NEF  150  or directly. The performance management module  400  is preferably, but limited to, a performance management function (PMF) and an application function (AF). That is, the performance management module  400  may be any node as long as it stores a mapping relation between a service and the permissible sensor information and, if necessary, provides it for search. All the components  10 ,  20 , and  100  to  1100  of the network system S 1  as described above may be interconnected through a plurality of interfaces to transmit/receive information. Particularly, in case of processing control signaling for the UE  10 , a lot of signaling may be exchanged between respective NFs in order for each NF to perform a control function and process signaling. Meanwhile, referring to  FIG. 2 , the UE  10  includes a communication unit  11 , a sensor unit  12 , a storage  13 , and a controller  14 . 
     The communication unit  11  is a component for communication. The communication unit  11  is configured to transmit or receive data by accessing a network through the RAN  20 . The communication unit  11  may include a radio frequency (RF) transmitter (Tx) for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of a signal to be transmitted, and an RF receiver (Rx) for low-noise amplifying a received signal and down-converting the frequency. In addition, the communication unit  11  may include a modem that modulates the signal to be transmitted and demodulates the received signal. 
     The sensor unit  12  includes at least one sensor. The sensor included in the sensor unit  12  may include a sensor that measures information about a specific object  1 . An accelerometer for measuring acceleration ((x, y, z), m/s 2 ), a gyroscope for measuring angular velocity ((x, y, z) rad/s), and other sensors for measuring geomagnetic field ((x, y, z) uT), pressure (hPa), light (Lx), proximity, gravity ((x, y, z), m/s 2 ), linear acceleration (m/s 2 ), orientation (pitch, roll, azimuth), compass, temperature, and humidity may also be included. In addition, sensors for measuring information about the UE  10  itself may be included. These sensors measure battery level (mV), location information (e.g., GPS (latitude, longitude) information), I/O information (e.g., audio input, video input), motion detection information (e.g., vibration, radio frequency, infrared), and the like. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one sensor of the sensor unit  12  is set in accordance with the permissible sensor information provided by the AMF  110 . Therefore, a permissible sensor among the sensors included in the sensor unit  12  performs measurement in accordance with a measurement scheme of a permissible condition in the permissible sensor information and, when a sensor value of the permissible condition is satisfied, transfers the sensor value to the controller  14 . 
     The storage  13  stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the UE  10 . In particular, the storage  13  may store a list of sensors possessed by the UE and the permissible sensor information. The list of sensors possessed by the UE  10  is a list of sensors included in the sensor unit  12  and includes identification information for identifying each sensor. The permissible sensor information stored in the storage  13  is information indicating a list of permissible sensors supporting sensor-based network access among the sensors possessed by the UE and a permissible condition for allowing network access through the permissible sensor. Various data stored in the storage  160  may be deleted, changed, or added in response to a user&#39;s manipulation. 
     The controller  14  may control the overall operation of the UE  10  and a signal flow between internal blocks of the UE  10  and may perform a data processing function. In addition, the controller  14  basically controls various functions of the UE  10 . The controller  14  may be a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like. The operation of the controller  14  will be described in detail below. 
     Now, a method for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.  FIGS. 3 and 4  are flow diagrams illustrating a method for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     First, referring to  FIG. 3 , the performance management module  400  stores a plurality of services (slices) and permissible sensor information corresponding to the plurality of services at step S 100 . The permissible sensor information includes a list of permissible sensors supporting sensor-based network access and a permissible condition indicating a condition for allowing network access through the permissible sensor. Here, the AF  190  may access the performance management module  400  directly or through the NEF  150  and perform provisioning of the permissible sensor information to the performance management module  400 . 
     At step S 110 , the UE  10  transmits a request message including a list of at least one sensor included in the sensor unit  120  of the UE  10  and UE information. Upon receiving the request message, the AMF  100  registers the UE information at step S 120 . At this step, in order to register the UE information, authentication may be performed using a UE identifier through the AUSF  130 . 
     Meanwhile, at step S 130 , the AMF  100  transmits the UE information including the UE&#39;s sensor list to the performance management module  400 . At step S 140 , the performance management module  400  receiving the UE information extracts, from the permissible sensor information provisioned earlier (step S 100 ), permissible sensor information corresponding to the sensor list transmitted by the AMF  100 . That is, the performance management module  400  extracts permissible sensor information including the list of permissible sensors supporting sensor-based network access among the sensors of the UE and a permissible condition for allowing network access through the permissible sensor. 
     Then, at step S 150 , the performance management module  400  transmits the extracted permissible sensor information to the AMF  110 . 
     At step S 160 , the AMF  110  stores the permissible sensor information received from the performance management module  400  by mapping it to the UE information received from the UE  10 . Then, at step S 170 , the AMF  110  transmits the permissible sensor information to the UE  10  so that the permissible sensor among the sensors of the UE  10  is set in accordance with the permissible sensor information. At this step, the AMF  110  may transmit, together with the permissible sensor information, an indicator that enables the UE  10  to operate only in an idle mode in accordance with the permissible sensor information. 
     Upon receiving the permissible sensor information, the controller  14  of the UE  10  performs setting in accordance with the permissible sensor information at step S 180 . Accordingly, the plurality of sensors of the sensor unit  12  operate in accordance with the permissible sensor information. That is, the permissible sensor among the plurality of sensors in the sensor unit  120  of the UE  10  performs measurement in accordance with a measurement scheme of the permissible sensor information, and only when a measured sensor value matches the sensor value of the permissible sensor information, the controller  14  of the UE  10  is activated to access the network or request a service. Also, in case of receiving the indicator, the UE  10  may operate in accordance with the permissible sensor information in the idle state. 
     Next, referring to  FIG. 4 , after the setting is performed in accordance with the permissible sensor information as described above, if the sensor value measured in accordance with the measurement scheme of the permissible sensor information by the permissible sensor among the plurality of sensors of the sensor unit  120  satisfies the sensor value of the permissible sensor information, the controller  14  of the UE  10  is activated at step S 200  and transmits a request message including identification information of the corresponding sensor and the sensor value at step S 210 . Here, the request message includes NAS messages, that is, all N1/N2 messages corresponding to 5GMM (Mobility Management) and 5GSM (Session Management). 
     Then, the AMF  110  checks whether the identification information of the sensor and the sensor value satisfy the permissible condition through comparison with the permissible sensor information previously registered (step S 160 ). At this step, it is assumed that the sensor value satisfies the permissible condition. Then, the AMF  110  permits the access of the UE  10 . In addition, the AMF  110  provides a necessary service to the UE  10  in accordance with the request message. 
     For example, if the request message is a session (PDU session) connection, the AMF  110  transmits the request message to the SMF  120  at step S 230 . Then, the SMF  120  may transmit the request message to the UPF  200 . In response to this, the UPF  200  transmits a response message at step S 250 , and this response message may be provided to the UE  10  through the SMF  120  and the AMF  110  at steps S 260  and S 270 . Accordingly, the controller  14  of the UE  10  performs a session connection through the UPF  200  at step S 280 . 
     Next, a sensor registration procedure as described above will be described in detail.  FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a sensor registration procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , at step S 310 , the AMF  110  may receive a list of at least one sensor included in the sensor unit  12  of the UE  10  and UE information through a request message from the UE  10 . 
     Then, at step S 320 , the AMF  110  determines whether registration of permissible sensor information corresponding to the UE is required. At this step, the AMF  110  provides UE information including the list of sensors possessed by the UE  10  to the performance management module  400  and, upon receiving permissible sensor information corresponding to the list of sensors possessed by the UE  10  from the performance management module  400 , determines that registration of the permissible sensor information is required. On the other hand, if there is no permissible sensor information corresponding to the list of sensors possessed by the UE  10 , the performance management module  400  determines that registration of the permissible sensor information is necessary. 
     If it is determined at the step S 320  that registration of the permissible sensor information is required, the AMF  110  registers the permissible sensor information together with the UE information at step S 330 . That is, the UE information and the permissible sensor information are mapped to each other and stored. Subsequently, at step S 340 , the AMF  110  provides the permissible sensor information to the UE  10  through a response message so that the UE  10  is set in accordance with the registered permissible sensor information. On the other hand, if it is determined at the step S 320  that registration of the permissible sensor information is not required, the AMF  110  registers only the UE information at step S 350  and then transmits a response message to the UE  10 . 
     Upon receiving the permissible sensor information through the communication unit  11 , the controller  14  of the UE  10  sets the sensor unit  12  to operate in accordance with the received permissible sensor information. 
     Now, a method for controlling sensor-based network access after registering the permissible sensor information as described above will be described.  FIG. 6  is a flow diagram illustrating a method for controlling a sensor-based network access according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a permissible sensor among a plurality of sensors in the sensor unit  12  of the UE  10  performs measurement in accordance with a measurement scheme of permissible sensor information. The measurement scheme includes a measurement period for measuring a sensor value, an event for triggering a measurement operation of the sensor, and a sampling technique for acquiring a measurement target sample. As a result of this measurement, if a measured value of the corresponding sensor satisfies a sensor value of the permissible sensor information, the controller  14  transmits a request message including identification information of the sensor and the sensor value through the communication unit  11 . This request message is transmitted to the AMF  110  through the RAN  20 . Therefore, at step S 410 , the AMF  110  may receive the sensor identification information and the sensor value from the UE  10  through the request message. For example, the request message may be a session connection request message. 
     At step S 420 , the AMF  110  compares the sensor identification information and the sensor value with previously registered permissible sensor information and thereby determines whether a permissible condition is satisfied. 
     If it is determined at the step S 420  that the permissible condition is satisfied, the AMF  110  permits the access of the UE  10  at step S 430 . Then, at step S 440 , the AMF  110  provides a service corresponding to the request message. For example, when the request message is a session connection request message, a session connection procedure may be performed through message exchange with other NFs  120  to  200 . Also, in response to the session connection request message, a session connection response message including information on the UPF  200  required for session connection may be transmitted to the UE  10 . 
     On the other hand, if it is determined at the step S 420  that the permissible condition is not satisfied, the AMF  110  does not permit the access of the UE  10  at step S 440 . 
     The sensor-based network access control method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium suitable for storing computer program instructions and data. The computer-readable recording medium may include program instructions, data files, data structures, etc. alone or in combination, and includes all kinds of recording devices in which data that can be read by a computer system is stored. The computer-readable recording medium includes a hardware device specially configured to store and execute program instructions, including magnetic media such as a hard disk, a floppy disk, and a magnetic tape, optical media such as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM) and a digital versatile disc (DVD), magneto-optical media such as a floptical disk, and semiconductor memories such as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a flash memory. Further, the computer-readable recording medium may be distributed over networked computer systems so that computer-readable code can be stored and executed in a distributed fashion. In addition, functional programs, associated codes, and code segments for implementing the present disclosure may be easily deduced or altered by programmers in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. 
     Although embodiments to illustrate the technical subject matter of the present disclosure are described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration and operation of such embodiments, and various changes and modifications to the present disclosure can be made as well understood by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical subject matter. Accordingly, all such appropriate changes and modifications and their equivalents should be considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     According to the present disclosure, network access of the UE is permitted only when necessary by using the permissible sensor information for setting the access permissible condition based on the sensor value of at least one sensor possessed by the UE. This can prevent unnecessary resource use. The present disclosure has a good possibility of sales on the market or business and therefore has industrial applicability suitable for practical and apparent implementation.