CN102273247B

CN102273247B - Method and apparatus for detecting change of subscriber location

Info

Publication number: CN102273247B
Application number: CN201180000449.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 周汉
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Priority date: 2011-04-21
Filing date: 2011-04-21
Publication date: 2013-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-21
Also published as: WO2011107060A3; CN102273247A; WO2011107060A2

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for detecting change of subscriber location are provided in the embodiments of the present invention, which relates to the field of communications. The method includes the following steps: acquiring which Public Land Mobile-communication Network (PLMN) a User Equipment (UE) accessed to; according to the PLMN the UE accessed to, providing to a network a location area corresponding to the PLMN, to enable the network acquire, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, the location area corresponding to the PLMN the UE entered into or departed from. The aforementioned solution of the present invention enables said network to determine, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the location the UE stayed at, the corresponding location area corresponding to the PLMN the UE entered into or departed from.

Description

Method and device for detecting user position change

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for detecting a user location change.

Background

There is a need for location tracking of users in a communication system to facilitate the communication system to perform corresponding service management and control based on the user location.

In the prior art, an AS (Application Server) acquires a Location of a user from an HLR (Home Location Register)/HSS (Home Subscriber Server). Specifically, the AS sends a message for acquiring a Location of the user to the HLR/HSS, and the HLR/HSS returns an address of an SGSN (serving general packet radio service Support Node)/MME (Mobility Management Entity)/MSC (Mobile Switching Center)/VLR (Visitor Location Register) to which the user is attached, or an address of the Location where the user is located, such AS a routing area, a tracking area, a cell, and the like, to the AS.

The prior art can only know the current position of the user, but cannot detect the event that the user enters or leaves the position area.

Disclosure of Invention

In order to detect an event that a user enters or leaves a location area, embodiments of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for detecting a user location change. The technical scheme is as follows:

a method of detecting a change in a user's location, the method comprising:

acquiring a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) accessed by User Equipment (UE);

providing a location area corresponding to the PLMN to a network according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, so that the network can know that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE;

wherein, the network knows that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, including:

and comparing whether the current position of the UE is the same as or contained in the position area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determining that the UE enters the position area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, determining that the UE leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN.

A method of detecting a change in a user's location, the method comprising:

acquiring a position area corresponding to a public land mobile communication network PLMN accessed by user equipment UE;

acquiring that the UE enters or leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN according to the position area corresponding to the PLMN and the current position of the UE;

wherein the obtaining of the entry or exit of the UE into or from the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE includes:

acquiring the current position of the UE from an access network element;

An apparatus for detecting a change in a user's location, the apparatus comprising:

the position acquisition module is used for acquiring the PLMN accessed by the user equipment UE;

and a location providing module, configured to provide, according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, a location area corresponding to the PLMN to a network, so that the network knows that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and a current location of the UE.

the system comprises a position acquisition module, a position acquisition module and a position acquisition module, wherein the position acquisition module is used for acquiring a position area corresponding to a public land mobile communication network PLMN accessed by User Equipment (UE);

and the position determining module is used for acquiring that the UE enters or leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN according to the position area corresponding to the PLMN and the current position of the UE.

A method of detecting a change in a user's location, the method comprising:

user Equipment (UE) receives a position area which is sent by a network and corresponds to a PLMN accessed by the UE;

the UE compares whether the current position of the UE is the same as or contained in the position area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, the UE is determined to enter the position area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, the UE is determined to leave the position area corresponding to the PLMN;

the UE initiates an access flow to the network according to the determination result, so that the network obtains the current position of the UE from an access network element in the access flow, the network compares whether the current position of the UE is the same as or contained in the position area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, the UE is determined to enter the position area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, the UE is determined to leave the position area corresponding to the PLMN.

a receiving module, configured to receive a location area, sent by a network, corresponding to a PLMN to which the UE is accessed;

a determining module, configured to compare whether a current location of the UE is the same as or included in a location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determine that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, determine that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

and the access module is used for initiating an access flow to the network according to the determination result so that the network obtains the current position of the UE from an access network element in the access flow, the network compares whether the current position of the UE is the same as or contained in the position area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, the UE is determined to enter the position area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, the UE is determined to leave the position area corresponding to the PLMN.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the invention has the beneficial effects that:

and providing the location area corresponding to the PLMN for the network by acquiring the PLMN accessed by the UE, so that the network determines that the user enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a flowchart of a method for detecting a user location change according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for detecting a user location change according to embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an information interaction diagram of a method for detecting a user location change according to embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an information interaction diagram of a method for detecting a user location change according to embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for detecting a user position change according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for detecting a change in user location according to embodiment 6 of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of a device for detecting a user position change according to embodiment 7 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more apparent, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Example 1

Referring to fig. 1, the present embodiment provides a method for detecting a user location change, where the method may be performed by a subscription database or a third-party network element, and the method includes:

s11: a PLMN (Public land mobile Network) to which a UE (User Equipment) accesses is known.

S12: and providing a location area corresponding to the PLMN for the network according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, so that the network can know that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE.

The entity corresponding to the network may specifically be a mobility management network element, an MSC, or a VLR, and the mobility management network element is an SGSN or an MME.

The current location of the user may be a routing area, a tracking area list, or a cell.

In this embodiment, by knowing the PLMN accessed by the UE, the network is provided with the location area corresponding to the PLMN, so that the network determines, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, that the user enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

Example 2

Referring to fig. 2, this embodiment provides a method for detecting a change in a subscriber location, where the method may be performed by a mobility management element, an MSC, or a VLR, and the mobility management element is an SGSN or an MME, and the method includes:

s21: acquiring a position area corresponding to a public land mobile communication network PLMN accessed by user equipment UE;

s22: and acquiring that the UE enters or leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN according to the position area corresponding to the PLMN and the current position of the UE.

In this embodiment, by obtaining a location area corresponding to a PLMN to which the UE is accessed, it is determined that the user enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE.

Example 3

Referring to fig. 3, this embodiment provides a method for detecting a user location change, where a subscription database does not subscribe location areas corresponding to PLMNs accessible to all UEs, and needs to acquire a location area corresponding to a PLMN identifier from a third-party network element storing the location areas corresponding to the PLMNs accessible to all UEs, and the method specifically includes:

101: and the UE sends an access request message to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR.

The access Request message may be an Attach/TAU (tracking Area Update)/RAU (Route Area Update)/LAU (location Area Update) Request message. "/" indicates "or" means.

102: and the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR sends a Location Update Request message to the subscription database, wherein the message carries the PLMN identification of the UE accessed to the PLMN.

Wherein, the subscription database is HLR/HSS.

103: and after receiving the position updating request message, the subscription database sends a notification request message to a third-party network element, wherein the message carries the PLMN identification of the UE accessed to the PLMN.

104: and the third-party network element inquires and obtains the position area corresponding to the PLMN identification of the UE accessed PLMN according to the stored position areas corresponding to all PLMNs accessible to the UE.

105: and the third party network element sends a Notification acknowledgement ACK message to the subscription database, wherein the message carries the position area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE.

Specifically, the third-party network element notifies the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR through the subscription database. For example, the third-party network element may encapsulate the location area corresponding to the PLMN to which the UE accesses in a cell transparent to the subscription database, where the "cell transparent to the subscription database" means that the subscription database does not need to analyze the cell, and only needs to send the cell to the subsequent network element SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR. Wherein, the cell can be Transparent container transmitter.

Further, the third party network element may also indicate a reporting type to the subscription database in the message, where the reporting type includes, but is not limited to, a reporting user entering a location area, a reporting user leaving a location area, and a reporting user entering and leaving a location area.

106: and the subscription database sends an Update Location confirmation ACK message to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR, wherein the message carries the Location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE.

Further, the subscription database may also indicate the reporting type to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR in the message.

107: and the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR sends an access confirmation message to the UE, wherein the message carries the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE.

The access confirmation message may be an Attach/TAU/RAU/LAU Accept message. Further, the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR may also indicate the reporting type to the UE in the message.

It should be noted that, in this embodiment, the name of the message is not limited, and the message may be named in this embodiment, or may be a message with another name.

Through step 101 and step 107, the third-party network element learns the PLMN accessed by the UE, and provides the network (SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR) with the location area corresponding to the PLMN. Subsequently, the network determines, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN (not shown in fig. 2), which specifically includes:

1) when the UE is in the connected state or Ready state, the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR acquires the current location of the UE from the access network element, compares whether the current location of the UE is the same as or included in a location area corresponding to a PLMN accessed by the UE, determines that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN if the current location of the UE is the same as or included in the location area, and determines that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN if the current location of the UE is not the same as or included in the location area.

The method for acquiring the current location of the UE from the access network element by the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR includes: in a GERAN (GSM EDGE wireless Access Network ) system, a BSC (Base Station Controller) reports cell information where SGSN UE is currently located, in a UTRAN (UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network ) system, an RNC (Radio Network Controller) reports routing area information or cell information where SGSN UE is currently located, and in an E-UTRAN (Evolved UTRAN ) system, an eNodeB (Evolved Node B, Evolved Base Station) reports tracking area information or cell information where MME UE is currently located; or, the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR obtains the RA or TA of the current location of the UE according to the RA or TA (Trace Area) list allocated to the UE by itself.

2) When the UE is in an idle state or a Standby state, the UE compares whether the current location of the UE is the same as or included in a location area corresponding to a PLMN accessed by the UE, if so (i.e., the current location of the UE is the same as or included in the location area), determines that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not (i.e., the current location of the UE is different from or not included in the location area), determines that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN. The UE obtains the current location of the UE through location information (such as cell information, routing area information, or tracking area information) broadcast by an access network element.

After the UE knows that it enters or leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access procedure to notify the network that the UE enters or leaves the location area. The access procedure converts the UE from the idle state to the connected state, or from the Standby state to the Ready state, and then the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR may perform the same operations as those in 1), which is not described herein again. Examples of the access procedure may be RAU, TAU, LAU, Service Request, and the like.

After the UE learns that it enters or leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access procedure, which includes:

the first method comprises the following steps: if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, the UE initiates an access flow to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR when the UE enters or/and leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

When the UE enters or/and leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access procedure to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR, specifically: when UE enters a location area corresponding to PLMN, UE initiates an access flow to SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR; or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access flow to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR; or when the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN and leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access flow to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR.

The second method comprises the following steps: if the network indicates the reporting type to the UE, when the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type reports that the UE enters the location area, or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type reports that the UE leaves the location area, or when the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type reports that the UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR.

The third method comprises the following steps: the UE stores the position where the UE is located last time (the last position of the UE refers to the position where the network (SGSN/MME/MSC) indicates the UE to the UE in the mobility management process or the position of network broadcast monitored by the UE), if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that the access entering condition or/and the access leaving condition are met, the UE initiates an access process to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR; if the network indicates the reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is to report that the UE enters the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is to report that the UE leaves the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met or the access condition is left and the reporting type is to report that the UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR.

Wherein, the access condition is as follows: after the UE determines that the UE enters the location area (namely the current location of the UE is the same as or contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE), if the location of the UE which is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR so as to inform the network UE to enter the location area;

wherein, the leaving access condition is as follows: after the UE determines that the UE leaves the location area (that is, the current location of the UE is different from or not included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE), if the location where the UE was last located is the same as or included in the location area, the UE initiates an access procedure to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR to notify the network UE to leave the location area.

The third method can avoid the UE repeatedly initiating the access procedure, thereby avoiding repeatedly informing the network UE to enter or leave the location area. For example, when the UE moves within the location area, the location where the UE was last located and the location area are the same or included in the location area, and even if the UE knows that the location where the UE is currently located and the location area are the same or included in the location area, the UE will not initiate the access procedure. For another example, when the UE moves outside the location area, the UE stores that the location where the UE was located last time is different from the location area or is not included in the location area, and even if the UE knows that the location where the UE is located currently is different from the location area or is not included in the location area, the UE will not initiate the access procedure.

Further, after the network (SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR) determines that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, the network may report an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the application server (or other network elements except the application server), and the application server (or other network elements) may perform corresponding service management and control according to the event.

The network reports the event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the application server (or other network elements except the application server), including:

the first method comprises the following steps: if the network does not receive the reporting type, when the UE is determined to enter or/and leave the position area corresponding to the PLMN, the network reports an event that the UE enters or leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN;

the second method comprises the following steps: if the network receives the reporting type, when the UE is determined to enter the position area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters the position area, the network reports an event that the UE enters the position area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the position area, the network reports the event that the UE leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE is determined to enter or leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

the third method comprises the following steps: the network saves the position of the UE last time (the position of the UE last time saved by the network refers to the position of the UE stored in the context of the UE in the network (SGSN/MME/MSC)), if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition or/and leave the reporting condition, the network reports the event that the UE enters or leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN;

if the network indicates the reporting type to the UE, when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition and the reporting type is that the UE enters the location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the leaving reporting condition is met and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the location area, the network reports an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the entering reporting condition or the leaving reporting condition is met and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, the network reports the event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

Wherein, the reporting conditions are as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area (namely the current location of the UE is the same as or contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE), if the last time location of the UE is different from or not contained in the location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

wherein the leaving reporting condition is as follows: after determining that the UE leaves the location area (that is, the current location of the UE is different from or not included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE), if the location where the UE was last located is the same as or included in the location area, the network reports an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

The third method can avoid the network repeatedly reporting the event that the UE enters or leaves the location area. For example, when the UE moves in the location area, the location where the UE was last located and the location area are the same or included in the location area, which is stored in the network, and even if the network knows that the location where the UE is currently located and the location area are the same or included in the location area, the network will not initiate the reporting procedure. For another example, when the UE moves outside the location area, the location where the UE was last located and the location area are different or not included in the location area, which is stored in the network, and even if the network knows that the location where the UE is currently located and the location area are different or not included in the location area, the network will not initiate the reporting procedure.

In this embodiment, by knowing the PLMN accessed by the UE, the network is provided with the location area corresponding to the PLMN, so that the network determines, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, that the user enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN. Meanwhile, only the third-party network element is required to store the location areas corresponding to all PLMNs accessible by the UE, the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR does not need to store the location areas, redundant information existing in the network is reduced, and when the UE roams among a plurality of PLMNs, the location areas corresponding to the PLMNs of other operators are not required to be signed in a subscription database of a home PLMN operator of the UE, so that the operation and maintenance cost of the network is reduced.

Example 4

Referring to fig. 4, this embodiment provides a method for detecting a user location change, where in the method, a subscription database subscribes location areas corresponding to PLMNs accessible to all UEs, and the method specifically includes:

201: and the UE sends an access request message to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR.

The access Request message may be an Attach/TAU/RAU/LAU Request message. "/" indicates "or" means.

202: and the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR sends a Location Update Request message to the subscription database, wherein the message carries the PLMN identification of the UE accessed to the PLMN.

Wherein, the subscription database is HLR/HSS.

203: and after receiving the position updating request message, the subscription database inquires and obtains a position area corresponding to the PLMN identification of the UE access PLMN according to the position areas corresponding to all signed PLMNs which the UE can access.

204: and the subscription database sends an Update Location confirmation ACK message to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR, wherein the message carries the Location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE.

Further, the subscription database may also indicate a reporting type to the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR in the message, where the reporting type includes, but is not limited to, reporting user entry into a location area, reporting user exit from a location area, and reporting user entry and exit from a location area.

205: and the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR sends an access confirmation message to the UE of the user, wherein the message carries the location area corresponding to the PLMN accessed by the UE.

Through step 201 and step 205, the subscription database learns the PLMN accessed by the UE and provides the network (SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR) with the location area corresponding to the PLMN. Subsequently, the network knows that the UE enters or leaves a location area (not shown in fig. 3) corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, which may specifically refer to implementation 2.

Further, after the network (SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR) learns that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the location of the UE, the network may report an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the application server (or other network elements except the application server), specifically refer to implementation 2, and the application server (or other network elements) may perform corresponding service management and control according to the event.

In this embodiment, by knowing the PLMN accessed by the UE, the network is provided with the location area corresponding to the PLMN, so that the network determines, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN. Meanwhile, only the subscription database is needed to store the location areas corresponding to the PLMNs which can be accessed by all the UE, and the SGSN/MME/MSC/VLR does not need to store, so that redundant information in the network is reduced, and the operation and maintenance cost of the network is reduced.

Example 5

Referring to fig. 5, this embodiment provides an apparatus for detecting a user location change, where the apparatus may be a subscription database or a third-party network element, and the apparatus includes:

a location obtaining module 501, configured to obtain a public land mobile network PLMN accessed by a UE;

the location providing module 502 is configured to provide a location area corresponding to a PLMN to a network according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, so that the network knows that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and a current location of the UE.

When the device is a subscription database, the subscription database subscribes to a location area corresponding to a PLMN accessible to all UEs before executing the location providing module 502;

alternatively, when the apparatus is a third-party network element, the third-party network element stores location areas corresponding to PLMNs accessible by all UEs before executing the location providing module 502.

When the device is a subscription database, the location providing module 502 is configured to send a location area corresponding to a PLMN to a mobility management network element, a mobile switching center MSC, or a visitor location register VLR according to the PLMN accessed by the UE;

or, when the apparatus is a third-party network element, the location providing module 502 is configured to send, according to a PLMN accessed by the UE, a location area corresponding to the PLMN to the subscription database, and the subscription database sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the mobility management network element, the mobile switching center MSC, or the visitor location register VLR.

The location providing module 502 is particularly useful when the apparatus is a third party network element

According to the PLMN accessed by the UE, the location area corresponding to the PLMN is packaged in a cell transparent to a subscription database, the cell is sent to the subscription database, and the cell is sent to a mobility management network element, a mobile switching center MSC or a visitor location register VLR by the subscription database.

Example 6

Referring to fig. 6, this embodiment provides an apparatus for detecting a user location change, where the apparatus may be a mobility management element, a mobile switching center MSC, or a visitor location register VLR, and the apparatus includes:

a location obtaining module 601, configured to obtain a location area corresponding to a public land mobile network PLMN accessed by a user equipment UE;

a location determining module 602, configured to obtain, according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

A location determination module 602, comprising:

a location obtaining unit 602a, configured to obtain a current location of the UE from an access network element;

and a location determining unit 602b, configured to compare whether the current location of the UE is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determine that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, determine that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

The position obtaining unit 602a is specifically configured to:

sending the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the UE, enabling the UE to compare whether the current position of the UE is the same as or contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determining that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if not, determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and initiating an access process by the UE according to the determination result; and acquiring the position of the UE from the network element of the access network in the access process.

The UE initiates an access process according to the determination result, and the access process comprises the following steps:

if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, the UE initiates an access flow when the UE enters or/and leaves a position area corresponding to the PLMN;

if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, when the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow;

the UE saves the position where the UE is located last time, if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, when the UE determines that the entering access condition or/and the leaving access condition is met, the UE initiates an access flow; if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met or the access condition is left and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access process; wherein, the access condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein, the leaving access condition is as follows: after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the location where the UE was located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

The device also includes: an event reporting module 603, configured to report, after the location determining module 602, an event that the UE enters or/and leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the application server or another network element except the application server.

In particular, the method comprises the following steps of,

if the reporting type is not received, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves a location area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to enter or/and leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

if the reporting type is received, reporting an event that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters the location area; or when the UE leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the position area, reporting an event that the UE leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE is determined to enter or leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

storing the position where the UE is located last time, if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves a position area corresponding to a PLMN when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition; if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, reporting an event that the UE enters a position area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition and the reporting type is that the UE enters the position area; or when the UE determines that the leaving reporting condition is met and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the reporting condition is met or the reporting condition is not met and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein, the reporting conditions are as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving reporting condition is as follows: after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the location where the UE was located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

Example 7

Referring to fig. 7, the present embodiment provides an apparatus for detecting a user location change, where the apparatus may specifically be a user equipment UE, and the apparatus includes:

a receiving module 701, configured to receive a location area, sent by a network, corresponding to a PLMN to which the UE accesses;

a determining module 702, configured to compare whether a current location of the UE is the same as or included in a location area corresponding to a PLMN, if so, determine that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, determine that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

an access module 703 is configured to initiate an access procedure to the network according to the determination result, so that the network obtains the current location of the UE from an access network element in the access procedure, and the network compares whether the current location of the UE is the same as or included in a location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determines that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, determines that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

Wherein the access module 703 is specifically configured for

If the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, the UE initiates an access flow to the network when the UE enters or/and leaves a position area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

if the network indicates the reporting type to the UE, when the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the network;

or,

the UE saves the position of the UE last time, if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that the entering access condition or/and the leaving access condition are met, the UE initiates an access flow to the network; if the network indicates the reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met or the access condition is left and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the network;

wherein, the access condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access flow to the network;

wherein, the leaving access condition is as follows: after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access procedure to the network.

In this embodiment, by comparing whether the current location of the UE is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, it is determined that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, it is determined that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, an access procedure is initiated to the network according to the determination result, so that the network obtains the current location of the UE from an access network element in the access procedure, and it is determined that the user enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE.

The embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by software, and the corresponding software program may be stored in a readable storage medium, for example, a hard disk, a cache, or an optical disk of a computer.

The above description is only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting the invention, and any modifications, equivalents, improvements and the like that fall within the spirit and principle of the present invention are intended to be included therein.

Claims

1. A method for detecting a change in a user's location, the method comprising:

acquiring a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) accessed by User Equipment (UE);

2. The method of claim 1, wherein before providing the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a network according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, the method comprises:

a subscription database subscribes a position area corresponding to a PLMN to which all UE can access, wherein the subscription database is a Home Location Register (HLR) or a home UE server (HSS);

or, the third-party network element stores the location areas corresponding to the PLMNs accessible by all the UEs.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing, according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a network comprises:

the subscription database sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a mobility management network element, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) or a Visitor Location Register (VLR) according to the PLMN accessed by the UE;

or the third-party network element sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a subscription database according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, and the subscription database sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a mobility management network element, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) or a Visitor Location Register (VLR).

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the third-party network element sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a subscription database according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, and the subscription database sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a mobility management network element, a mobile switching center MSC, or a visitor location register VLR, including:

and the third-party network element encapsulates the position area corresponding to the PLMN in a cell transparent to the subscription database according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, and sends the cell to the subscription database, and the subscription database sends the cell to a mobility management network element, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) or a Visitor Location Register (VLR).

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the obtaining, by the mobility management network element, the current location of the UE from an access network element, the mobile switching center MSC, or the visitor location register VLR, comprises:

the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the UE, so that the UE compares whether the current location of the UE is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determines that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if not, determines that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and the UE initiates an access procedure to the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR according to the determination result;

and the mobility management network element, the MSC or the VLR acquires the current position of the UE from the access network element in the access process.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the UE initiates an access procedure to the mobility management element, the MSC, or the VLR according to the determination result, including:

if the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE enters or/and leaves a location area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access flow to the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR;

or,

if the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR indicates a reporting type to the UE, when the UE enters a location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is reporting that the UE enters the location area, or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is reporting that the UE leaves the location area, or when the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is reporting that the UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access procedure to the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR;

or,

the UE stores the last position of the UE, if the mobility management network element, the MSC or the VLR does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that the access condition is met or/and the access condition is not met, the UE initiates an access flow to the mobility management network element, the MSC or the VLR; if the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR indicates a reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that an access entering condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters a location area, or when the UE determines that an access leaving condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE determines that the access entering condition or the access leaving condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the mobility management network element, the MSC, or the VLR; wherein the access entering condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving access condition is: and after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the current location of the UE is known by the UE from location information broadcast by the network element of the access network.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein after the network learns that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, the method comprises:

and the network reports the event that the UE enters or/and leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN to an application server or other network elements except the application server.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the network reports the event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN to an application server or other network elements except the application server, comprising:

if the network does not receive the reporting type, when the UE is determined to enter or/and leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN, the network reports an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

if the network receives the reporting type, when the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters the location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when it is determined that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is reporting that the UE leaves the location area, the network reports an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE is determined to enter or leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

the network saves the position where the UE is located last time, if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition entering or/and the reporting condition leaving, the network reports the event that the UE enters or leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN; if the network indicates the reporting type to the UE, when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition and the reporting type is that the UE enters a location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the leaving reporting condition is met and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the location area, the network reports an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the reporting condition is met or the reporting condition is not met and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, the network reports an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the reporting condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving reporting condition is as follows: and after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

10. A method for detecting a change in a user's location, the method comprising:

acquiring the current position of the UE from an access network element;

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the obtaining the current location of the UE from an access network element comprises:

sending the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the UE, enabling the UE to compare whether the current location of the UE is the same as or contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determining that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if not, determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and initiating an access process by the UE according to the determination result;

and acquiring the position of the UE from the network element of the access network in the access process.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the UE initiates an access procedure according to the determination result, comprising:

if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, when the UE enters or/and leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access flow;

or,

if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, when the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access process;

or,

the UE saves the last position of the UE, if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, when the UE determines that the entering access condition or/and the leaving access condition is met, the UE initiates an access process; if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE determines that the access condition is met or the access condition is left and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access process; wherein the access entering condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving access condition is: and after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein after knowing that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN according to the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the current location of the UE, the method comprises:

and reporting the event that the UE enters or/and leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN to an application server or other network elements except the application server.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein reporting the event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN to an application server or another network element other than the application server comprises:

if the reporting type is not received, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves a location area corresponding to a PLMN when the UE is determined to enter or/and leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

if the reporting type is received, reporting an event that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters the location area; or when it is determined that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is reporting that the UE leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE is determined to enter or leave the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN;

or,

saving the last position of the UE, if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves a position area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to meet the reporting entering condition or/and the reporting leaving condition; if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, reporting an event that the UE enters a location area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area; or when the UE determines that the leaving reporting condition is met and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the reporting condition is met or the reporting condition is not met and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the reporting condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving reporting condition is as follows: and after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

15. An apparatus for detecting a change in a user's position, the apparatus comprising:

16. The apparatus of claim 15,

before executing the location providing module, a subscription database is used for signing location areas corresponding to PLMNs which can be accessed by all UE, and the subscription database is a Home Location Register (HLR) or a home UE server (HSS);

or, before executing the location providing module, the third-party network element stores the location areas corresponding to the PLMNs accessible by all the UEs.

17. The apparatus of claim 15,

when the device is a subscription database, the location providing module is configured to send a location area corresponding to a PLMN to a mobility management network element, a mobile switching center MSC, or a visitor location register VLR according to the PLMN accessed by the UE;

or, when the apparatus is a third-party network element, the location providing module is configured to send, according to a PLMN accessed by the UE, a location area corresponding to the PLMN to a subscription database, where the subscription database sends the location area corresponding to the PLMN to a mobility management network element, a mobile switching center MSC, or a visitor location register VLR.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the location providing module is specifically configured to provide the location information when the apparatus is a third party network element

And according to the PLMN accessed by the UE, packaging the position area corresponding to the PLMN in a cell transparent to the subscription database, and sending the cell to the subscription database, wherein the subscription database sends the cell to a mobility management network element, a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) or a Visitor Location Register (VLR).

19. An apparatus for detecting a change in a user's position, the apparatus comprising:

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the position determining module comprises:

a location obtaining unit, configured to obtain, from an access network element, a current location of the UE;

a location determining unit, configured to compare whether a current location of the UE is the same as or included in a location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determine that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and if not, determine that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the position obtaining unit is specifically configured to:

sending the location area corresponding to the PLMN to the UE, enabling the UE to compare whether the current location of the UE is the same as or contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if so, determining that the UE enters the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if not, determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, and initiating an access process by the UE according to the determination result; and acquiring the position of the UE from the network element of the access network in the access process.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

and the event reporting module is used for reporting the event that the UE enters or/and leaves the position area corresponding to the PLMN to an application server or other network elements except the application server after the position determining module is executed.

23. The apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the event reporting module, specifically configured to perform the location determination module,

or,

saving the last position of the UE, if the reporting type is not indicated to the UE, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves a position area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to meet the reporting entering condition or/and the reporting leaving condition; if the reporting type is indicated to the UE, reporting an event that the UE enters a location area corresponding to the PLMN when the UE is determined to meet the reporting condition and the reporting type is that the UE enters the location area; or when the UE determines that the leaving reporting condition is met and the reporting type is that the UE leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; or when the UE determines that the reporting condition is met or the reporting condition is not met and the reporting type is that the UE enters or leaves the location area, reporting an event that the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the reporting condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving reporting condition is as follows: and after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

24. A method for detecting a change in a user's location, the method comprising:

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the UE initiates an access procedure to the network according to the determination result, comprising:

if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE enters or/and leaves a position area corresponding to the PLMN, the UE initiates an access process to the network;

or,

if the network indicates a reporting type to the UE, when the UE enters a location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters the location area, or when the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE enters or leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the network;

or,

the UE saves the last position of the UE, if the network does not indicate the reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that the entering access condition or/and the leaving access condition is met, the UE initiates an access process to the network; if the network indicates a reporting type to the UE, when the UE determines that an access entering condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters a location area, or when the UE determines that an access leaving condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE leaves the location area, or when the UE determines that the access entering condition or the access leaving condition is met and the reporting type is that the reporting UE enters and leaves the location area, the UE initiates an access flow to the network; wherein the access entering condition is as follows: after the UE is determined to enter the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is different from or not contained in the location area corresponding to the PLMN; wherein the leaving access condition is: and after determining that the UE leaves the location area corresponding to the PLMN, if the position where the UE is located last time is the same as or included in the location area corresponding to the PLMN.

26. An apparatus for detecting a change in a user's position, the apparatus comprising:

the receiving module is used for receiving a position area which is sent by a network and corresponds to a PLMN accessed by the UE;

27. Device according to claim 26, characterized by an access module, in particular for

or,