JP5791479B2 - Broadcast distribution method and system for group-based communication devices according to communication environment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for broadcasting a message to communication devices in units of groups. The communication device is a device that is a target of communication between machines, for example, and is a device that automatically starts communication via a network.

  As an application of machine-to-machine communication, for example, there is a technique in which a meter-reading meter device based on infrastructure equipment (electricity, gas, water, etc.) is used as a “communication device”. According to this technique, the meter-reading meter apparatus can automatically transmit meter-reading information to a management server via a network. Such communication does not always occur, and it is often sufficient to generate such communication periodically or at a predetermined (arbitrary) timing. For this reason, when the time zone in which communication is not required is reached, the meter-reading meter device can stand by with minimum power consumption without establishing a communication link (for example, a wireless link and an IP (Internet Protocol) link). At this time, when it is time for communication, the management server transmits communication trigger information that should prompt the start of communication for notifying meter reading information or the like to the meter reading meter device. In response, the meter-reading meter device can establish a communication link and transmit meter-reading information to the management server.

  Here, when a huge number of meter-reading meter devices are installed in a wide range, the management server can efficiently distribute communication trigger information using broadcast. On the other hand, a large number of meter-reading meter devices establish a communication link at a time and transmit meter-reading information to the management server. Such a communication state may cause congestion in a radio base station or the like, and a communication of a huge number of meter reading information temporarily places a high load on the mobile core network and the management server.

  Conventionally, according to cellular communication specified by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a technique for transmitting communication trigger information using “paging” only when communication is required in order to efficiently realize communication between machines. (See, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). According to cellular communication, even when the wireless link is not established, the wireless terminal monitors the paging channel used for paging and can receive communication trigger information triggered by paging.

  In addition, according to cellular communication defined by 3GPP, there is a cell broadcast service technology capable of broadcasting a message to a wireless terminal located in a designated area (for example, non-patent literature). 2). According to this technology, a cell can be distributed by broadcast to all wireless terminals located in the cell with a cell (wireless reach) under the base station as a destination.

  Furthermore, there is also a technique for broadcasting a message in a group unit to a large number of wireless terminals that are data distribution targets (see Patent Document 1, for example). According to this technique, the group identifier managed by the wireless terminal or the network equipment is not fixed, and a new group identifier is automatically assigned even if the serving cell changes due to movement of the wireless terminal. Thus, the latest group identifier can be managed by the wireless terminal or the network equipment device.

JP 2006-238379 A

3GPP TR 23.888, `` System Improvements for Machine-Type Communications '' 3GPP TS 23.041, "Technical realization of Cell Broadcast Service (CBS)"

  According to the technology described in Non-Patent Document 1, the network equipment device can notify the communication device of communication trigger information using paging. However, it is necessary to specify the destination communication device and execute the paging process for each terminal identifier using the terminal identifier of the communication device. That is, the network equipment device needs to repeat the paging process by the number of communication devices. Therefore, when paging processing is performed on a large number of communication devices, as a result, the signaling load consumes radio resources and mobile core network resources.

  Further, according to the technique described in Non-Patent Document 2, by using cell broadcast, communication trigger information can be simultaneously transmitted to a large number of communication devices located in the cell. However, when a large number (for example, several hundreds) of communication devices are located in one cell, all the communication devices receive communication trigger information, establish a communication link, and send information to the management server. Send. For this reason, for radio base stations and mobile core networks, a large amount of radio and network resources are used at once by signaling, and a large number of communication transactions occur simultaneously for the management server. .

  Furthermore, according to the technique described in Patent Document 1, since wireless terminals that deliver messages by broadcast can be managed in units of groups, the number of communication devices that communicate at a time can be suppressed. However, in order to prevent network congestion due to communication devices communicating at the same time, it is desirable to dynamically change the number of communication devices that simultaneously communicate dynamically, that is, the number of communication devices belonging to a group, according to the network congestion status. However, according to this technique, the number of communication devices cannot be changed dynamically. Further, regardless of necessity, the communication device must always manage the group identifier to which the communication device itself belongs, which may lead to a processing load on the communication device.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a broadcast distribution method capable of reducing the signaling load and network congestion according to the communication environment and reducing the processing load of the communication device when distributing the communication trigger information to the communication device in units of groups. And to provide a system.

According to the present invention, in a broadcast distribution method for distributing communication trigger information by broadcast for a system having a large number of communication devices and a mobility management equipment apparatus that manages communication devices via a mobile communication network in which base stations are arranged. ,
The communication device is given a terminal identifier,
The mobility management equipment includes a location information database that stores location information in association with a terminal identifier of a communication device, and a policy information storage unit that defines the maximum number of communication devices allocated to a predetermined location range,
A first step in which the mobility management equipment device receives a broadcast distribution request including grouping information from another external device;
A second step in which the mobility management equipment device searches for a terminal identifier of a communication device belonging to the grouping information using the location information database;
A third step in which the mobility management equipment device divides the plurality of searched communication devices into subgroups according to the maximum number of allocation of the position range using the policy information storage unit;
A fourth step in which the mobility management equipment generates a subgroup identifier from terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the subgroup;
A fifth step in which the mobility management equipment apparatus broadcasts and distributes communication trigger information including a subgroup identifier to all communication devices;
The communication device compares the subgroup identifier included in the communication trigger information with the terminal identifier of the communication device to determine whether the communication trigger information is for the communication device. And the steps
The communication device has a seventh step of establishing a communication link to the base station when determined to be true for the sixth step;
And
The policy information storage unit further defines a connection reduction number according to the degree of congestion in units of cells (the number of existing devices with respect to the number of allowable devices),
Regarding the third step, the mobility management equipment device further subtracts the number of terminal identifiers of the subgroup by a connection reduction number corresponding to the degree of congestion using the policy information storage unit .

According to another embodiment of the broadcast distribution method of the present invention,
The mobility management equipment is composed of a mobility management device and a broadcast center.
The mobility management device has a location information database,
The broadcast center has a policy information storage unit,
For the first step, the broadcast center receives a broadcast distribution request from another external device, and transmits a location inquiry request including grouping information included in the broadcast distribution request to the mobility management device.
For the second step, the mobility management device searches for communication devices belonging to the grouping information using the location information database, and returns a location inquiry response including the terminal identifiers of the searched plurality of communication devices to the broadcast center. And
For the third step, the broadcast center uses the policy information storage unit to classify the retrieved plurality of communication devices into subgroups,
For the fourth step, the broadcast center generates a subgroup identifier, transmits communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to the mobility management device,
Regarding the fifth step, it is also preferable that the mobility management apparatus broadcasts the communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to all the communication devices.

According to another embodiment of the broadcast distribution method of the present invention,
For the fourth step, the mobility management equipment generates a subgroup identifier using a Bloom Filter,
About a 6th step, it is also preferable that a communication device determines the subgroup identifier of communication trigger information using Bloom Filter.

According to another embodiment of the broadcast distribution method of the present invention,
The policy information storage unit further defines the maximum number of communication devices allocated to the intermediate node device,
For the third step, the mobility management equipment device uses the policy information storage unit to further divide the terminal identifiers of the plurality of retrieved communication devices into subgroups according to the maximum allocation number for the intermediate node device. Is also preferable.

According to another embodiment of the broadcast distribution method of the present invention,
The policy information storage unit further defines the maximum number of connections of the service provider application server,
Regarding the third step, the mobility management equipment device may further classify the terminal identifiers of the plurality of retrieved communication devices into subgroups according to the maximum number of connections to the application server using the policy information storage unit. preferable.

According to another embodiment of the broadcast distribution method of the present invention,
Regarding the fifth step, it is also preferable that the mobility management equipment device broadcasts the communication trigger information for each subgroup identifier to all the communication devices with a predetermined delivery time interval.

According to the present invention, in a broadcast distribution system that has a large number of communication devices and a mobility management equipment apparatus that manages communication devices via a mobile communication network in which base stations are arranged, and that distributes communication trigger information by broadcast,
The communication device is given a terminal identifier,
The mobility management equipment is
A location information database in which location information is stored in association with the terminal identifier of the communication device;
A policy information storage unit that defines the maximum number of communication devices assigned to a predetermined position range;
Broadcast distribution request receiving means for receiving a broadcast distribution request including grouping information from another external device;
A communication device search means for searching for a terminal identifier of a communication device belonging to the grouping information using the position information database;
Sub-group generating means for classifying the plurality of searched communication devices into sub-groups according to the maximum number of allocation of the position range using the policy information storage unit;
Subgroup identifier generating means for generating a subgroup identifier from terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the subgroup;
Broadcast distribution means for distributing communication trigger information including a subgroup identifier to all communication devices by broadcast,
Communication device
A determination unit that determines whether the communication trigger information is for the communication device by comparing the subgroup identifier included in the communication trigger information with the terminal identifier of the communication device;
When it is determined that true for judging means, have a communication link establishing means for establishing a communication link to the base station,
The policy information storage unit further defines a connection reduction number according to the degree of congestion in units of cells (the number of existing devices with respect to the number of allowable devices),
As for the subgroup generation means, the mobility management equipment device further subtracts the number of terminal identifiers of the subgroup by a connection reduction number corresponding to the degree of congestion using the policy information storage unit .

  According to the broadcast distribution method and system of the present invention, when communication trigger information is distributed to a communication device in units of groups, the signaling load and network congestion are reduced according to the communication environment, and the processing load on the communication device is reduced. be able to.

It is a basic system configuration diagram in the present invention. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a general scale in the present invention. It is a sequence diagram in the present invention. It is a function block diagram of the movement management equipment apparatus and communication device in the system of this invention. It is a functional block diagram which isolate | separated the movement management equipment into the movement management apparatus and the broadcast center.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a basic system configuration diagram in the present invention.

  According to FIG. 1, a large number of communication devices 2 are present in a cell under the base station 3. A “cell” refers to one or more radio coverage areas under a base station. The base station 3 is connected to a mobile core network (mobile communication network) in which the mobility management equipment device 1 is installed. The communication device 2 registers the terminal identifier and its position information in the mobility management equipment device 1 via the base station 3 at the time of activation or movement.

  Moreover, according to FIG. 1, the application server 4 is further connected to the Internet interconnected with the mobile core network. The application server 4 is operated by a service provider that manages communication devices. For example, when the communication device is an electric meter-reading meter device, the application server 4 is operated by an electric power company.

  According to FIG. 1, the mobility management facility apparatus 1 is composed of a mobility management apparatus (movement management entity) 11 that manages position information of the communication device 2 and a broadcast center (broadcast center) 12 that distributes communication trigger information. ing. The broadcast center 12 receives the broadcast distribution request from the application server 4 and transmits the broadcast distribution request to the mobility management device 11. The mobility management device 11 broadcasts communication trigger information to the communication device 2 via the base station 3. Specifically, the communication trigger information is distributed by paging.

  On the other hand, the communication device 2 determines whether or not the paging of the received communication trigger information is for the communication device itself as a distribution target. If the communication trigger information is for itself, a communication link is established according to the content information, and predetermined information is transmitted to the application server 4.

  In the following description, it is assumed that the mobility management equipment device 1 is composed of the mobility management device 11 and the broadcast center 12.

  FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a general scale according to the present invention.

According to FIG. 2, the communication devices are arranged as follows.
Base station A-> cell A1-> communication devices 1-4
Base station B-> cell B1-> communication devices 5-8
Cell B2-> communication devices 9-12
According to FIG. 2, the mobility management apparatus 11 manages a plurality of base stations 3, and each base station 3 also manages a plurality of cells. Accordingly, the number of communication devices 2 to be managed by the mobility management apparatus 11 is enormous. In FIG. 2, for ease of explanation, it is described that there are at most four communication devices in one cell. However, in reality, it is assumed that there are hundreds to thousands of communication devices in one cell.

  FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram in the present invention.

(S30) As a preliminary operation, each communication device 2 receives position information of a cell ID and tracking ID (areas of a plurality of cells) from the base station 3 at the time of activation and periodically. Then, the communication device 2 registers the terminal identifier and the position information in the mobility management device 11 via the base station 3 when the position information is different from the start position or the past position information. The mobility management device 11 holds the terminal identifier and location information in the location information database.

  According to the present invention, the communication device 2 disconnects the communication link (wireless link or IP link) after the location registration process is completed. In general, for example, communication devices used for machine-to-machine communication often have limited power consumption. To that end, the excessive power consumption is reduced by disconnecting the communication link.

(S31) The broadcast center 12 receives a “broadcast distribution request” from another external device (application server 4). The broadcast distribution request is transmitted, for example, when the application server 4 activates many communication devices 2 and wants to receive information from the communication devices 2. Here, for example, the following grouping information is defined in the broadcast distribution request transmitted from the application server 4.

[Group identifier]
One group identifier is associated with a plurality of grouped terminal identifiers.

[Contents of communication trigger]
The operation content of the communication device 2 that has received the communication trigger information is defined. The operation content is, for example, what should be communicated with a specific server (for example, an application server). Specifically, it may be a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) or IP address of the destination server. It is also preferable that the contents specifying the application to be started by the communication device 2 are defined.

[Distribution area]
Information on a delivery area (for example, a geographical range designated by latitude and longitude) may be defined. For example, a distribution area based on a list including a plurality of cell IDs, a list including a plurality of tracking area IDs, or other geographical information determined by an operator may be defined. Thereby, a subgroup can be comprised according to a delivery area.

[Delivery Urgency]
The urgency level of the distribution information may be defined. For example, it may be based on the time until the processing based on the communication trigger information is completed. When the application server wants to immediately communicate with a desired communication device, for example, “30 seconds” is specified. On the other hand, when there is no urgency and immediate communication is not desired, for example, “10 minutes” or “1 hour” is specified. Thereby, a subgroup can be comprised according to a delivery urgent level.

[Number of communication devices that can communicate simultaneously]
The number of communication devices that can simultaneously communicate with the application server 4 may be defined. Since communication trigger information is distributed by broadcast to a large number of communication devices 2, communication may concentrate on the application server 4 at the same time. Therefore, a subgroup can be configured with the number of communication devices that can be connected simultaneously to the application server 4.

(S32) The broadcast center 12 transmits a location inquiry request to the mobility management device 11 based on the grouping information included in the broadcast distribution request. The position inquiry request may include “group identifier” and “distribution area” in the grouping information described above as they are. When there are a plurality of mobility management devices 11, it is preferable to first query an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) that manages contractor information, and then transmit a location query request to a predetermined mobility management device. Various embodiments are assumed as a method for searching for a terminal identifier based on grouping information, and it is also possible to inquire a plurality of mobility management devices 11 in parallel or sequentially.

The mobility management device 11 searches the terminal identifier of the communication device based on the grouping information of the location inquiry request using the location information database. The location information database stores location information in association with the terminal identifier of the communication device. Then, the mobility management apparatus 11 returns a location inquiry response including the terminal identifier of the searched communication device to the broadcast center 12. The location inquiry response includes a list of terminal identifiers of communication devices located for each cell ID.
According to the configuration of FIG. 1, the following terminal identifiers of communication devices are included in association with the cell ID.
Position inquiry response <-Cell A1: Communication devices 1, 2, 3, 4
Further, according to the configuration of FIG. 2, the following terminal identifiers of communication devices are included in association with the cell ID.
Position inquiry response <-Cell A1: Communication devices 1, 2, 3, 4
Cell B1: Communication devices 5, 6, 7, 8
Cell B2: communication devices 9, 10, 11, 12

  As another embodiment, the location inquiry response may include the degree of congestion for each cell ID (the number of existing devices with respect to the number of allowed devices). Further, the location inquiry response may include all the communication device numbers (including the number of communication devices other than the distribution target) for each cell ID. Accordingly, subgroups can be configured in consideration of the degree of congestion.

(S33) The broadcast center 12 has a policy information storage unit that defines the maximum number of communication devices assigned to position information. Using the policy information storage unit, the broadcast center 12 classifies terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices (that belong to a group) that have been searched for into subgroups. For example, the following policy can be set.

[Policy 1] The maximum number of communication devices to be allocated is defined for each cell. Specifically, it is assumed that a maximum of two communication devices can be allocated in cell units.
According to the configuration of FIG. 1, subgroups are configured as follows.
Subgroup 1-> Devices 1, 2
Subgroup 2-> devices 3 and 4
Further, according to the configuration of FIG. 2, subgroups are configured as follows.
Subgroup 1-> Devices 1, 2, 5, 6 9, 10
Subgroup 2-> devices 3, 4 7, 8 11, 12

[Policy 2] The maximum number of intermediate node devices (base stations and relay devices) in the network is defined. Specifically, it is assumed that a maximum of two communication devices can be allocated in units of cells and a maximum of two communication devices can be allocated in units of base stations.
According to the configuration of FIG. 2, subgroups are configured as follows.
Subgroup 1-> Devices 1, 2, 5, 6
Subgroup 2-> devices 3, 4 7, 8
Subgroup 3-> devices 9, 10
Subgroup 4-> devices 11 and 12

Specifically, it is assumed that a maximum of four communication devices can be allocated in units of cells and a maximum of four communication devices can be allocated in units of base stations.
According to the configuration of FIG. 2, subgroups are configured as follows.
Subgroup 1-> Devices 1, 2, 3, 4
Subgroup 2-> devices 5, 6 7, 8
Subgroup 3-> devices 9, 10 11, 12
The policy 2 is preferably defined in addition to the policy 1.

[Policy 3] Define the maximum number of connections of the service provider's application server.
Specifically, it is assumed that a maximum of four communication devices are allocated in cell units and a maximum of six communication devices connected to the application server can be connected.
According to the configuration of FIG. 2, subgroups are configured as follows.
Subgroup 1-> Devices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Subgroup 2-> devices 7, 8 9, 10 11, 12
The policy 3 is preferably defined in addition to the policy 1 or 2.

[Policy 4] In addition to Policy 1, the maximum allocation number corresponding to the degree of congestion is defined for each cell. For example, when the degree of congestion is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the maximum allocation number for each cell determined by policy 1 can be reduced. Specifically, when a maximum of two communication devices can be allocated per cell by policy 1, it can be reduced to a maximum of one by policy 4.

(S34) The mobility management device 11 generates a subgroup identifier from the terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the subgroup. Specifically, “Bloom Filter” is used to generate the subgroup identifier. Thereby, the communication device can determine whether or not the subgroup identifier is targeted for distribution using only the terminal identifier of the communication device.

  “Bloom Filter” is a data structure with high space efficiency, and is a bit matching method for determining whether a certain element belongs to a member of a group. According to this method, if it is included in the group, it can be determined (no false negative). In rare cases, an element that is not included in the group is determined to be included in the group (there is a possibility of false detection due to false positive). However, the amount of memory and the processing load can be sufficiently reduced, and errors due to determination errors can be sufficiently tolerated in order to suppress signaling load and network congestion.

  According to Bloom Filter, a bit array of a bits is prepared and b hash functions are defined. It is assumed that a terminal identifier, which is an input to which each hash function is given, is mapped to one of array positions consisting of a. Initially, an a-bit bit array of all “0” is prepared. When adding a terminal identifier as an element, it is input to b hash functions to create b array indexes. The bit strings at the positions indicated by them are all set to “1”. For terminal identifiers of communication devices belonging to the subgroup, these processes are repeated, and the created bit array of a bits may be used as the subgroup identifier.

As a specific example, a = 8 bits and b = 2 will be described. An 8-bit array 00000000 with 0 set to the initial value and a 2-bit checksum and 8-bit checksum are prepared as two hash functions. Then, for example, the subgroup identifier including the terminal identifiers 01 and 04 is calculated as follows.
Terminal ID = 01 (2-bit checksum) 00000001
(8-bit checksum) 00000001
Terminal ID = 04 (2-bit checksum) 00000001
(8-bit checksum) 00000100
--------
Logical 00000101 <-subgroup identifier

  Then, the broadcast center 12 transmits a broadcast distribution request to the mobility management device 11. This broadcast distribution request includes a subgroup identifier and content information of communication trigger information. When the broadcast center 12 has already recognized the base station 3 to be distributed, the broadcast center 12 may transmit communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier directly to the base station 3.

(S35) The mobility management apparatus 11 broadcasts communication trigger information including a subgroup identifier to all communication devices. The communication trigger information is transferred to one or more base stations 3 via the mobile core network. Each base station 3 broadcasts the communication trigger information to its subordinate cells. Specifically, the communication trigger information is preferably transmitted as paging.

  In addition, it is also preferable that the mobility management device 11 distributes the communication trigger information for each subgroup identifier with a predetermined distribution time interval. Thereby, signaling load and network congestion can be reduced. Here, the predetermined delivery time interval may be a time obtained by dividing the time of delivery urgency by the number of terminal identifiers of the subgroup.

  In addition, it is also preferable that the mobility management device 11 preferentially transmits the communication trigger information of the subgroup identifier having a high distribution urgency level. It is also preferable to preferentially transmit communication trigger information that shortens a value obtained by dividing the time based on the distribution urgency by the number of subgroups.

(S36) The communication device 2 receives the communication trigger information via the base station 3. Here, the communication device 2 can receive paging and position information transmitted from the base station even when the communication link is disconnected as a cellular communication function. The paging includes a subgroup identifier representing a distribution target. The communication device 2 determines whether or not the communication trigger information is destined for the communication device by comparing the subgroup identifier of the paging with the terminal identifier of the communication device.

  When determining whether or not the terminal identifier of the communication device 2 is included in the subgroup, the terminal identifier is input to b hash functions to obtain b array indexes. When all the bit groups having “1” in the obtained array index are also “1” in the subgroup identifier, it is determined that they are included in the subgroup. On the other hand, if even one is not “1”, it is determined that it is not included in the subgroup.

For example, for the communication devices having the terminal identifiers 01 and 04 described above, the subgroup identifier 00000101 is all 1 even in the subgroup identifier because all the bit sequences that are 1 in the bit array output by the hash function are sub It is determined to be included in the group.
Subgroup identifier-> OR 00000101
--------
Terminal ID = 01 (2-bit checksum) 00000001
(8-bit checksum) 00000001
Terminal ID = 01 is included in the subgroup identifier.

Subgroup identifier-> OR 00000101
--------
Terminal ID = 04 (2-bit checksum) 00000001
(8-bit checksum) 00000100
Terminal ID = 04 is included in the subgroup identifier.

Subgroup identifier-> OR 00000101
--------
Terminal ID = 03 (2-bit checksum) 00000011
(8-bit checksum) 00000011
Terminal ID = 03 is not included in the subgroup identifier.
In the case of the communication device having the terminal identifier 03, since the seventh bit string is different from the subgroup identifier, it is determined not to be included in the subgroup.

  According to such a subgroup identifier using the Bloom Filter, the amount of memory and the processing amount are extremely smaller than that of having a list of all terminal identifiers belonging to the group. Further, the communication device 2 does not need to hold a subgroup identifier in advance, and can easily determine whether or not the communication device 2 is included in the subgroup. This eliminates the need to distribute the subgroup identifier to the communication device in advance.

(S37) When the communication device 2 determines that S36 is true, the communication device 2 analyzes the processing content of the communication trigger information. Then, the communication device 2 recognizes that a communication trigger has occurred, and establishes a communication link (wireless link and IP link) to the base station 3. Thereby, the communication device 2 can recognize the communication trigger with less power consumption even in a state where the communication link is not established.

  Then, the communication device 2 operates in such a manner when information transmission to the application server 4 is described in the processing content of the communication trigger information. For example, when the communication device 2 is a meter-reading meter device, meter-reading information is automatically transmitted to the application server 4 of the electric power company.

  As another embodiment, it is also preferable that the processing content of the communication trigger information is optionally described so as to execute the location registration processing. Thereby, when receiving the communication trigger information, the communication device 2 executes a location registration sequence for the mobility management device 11 and transmits a terminal identifier (or subgroup identifier) to the mobility management device 11. Accordingly, the mobility management apparatus 11 can confirm that the communication trigger information transmitted to the communication device 2 has been received by the communication device 2. Finally, the mobility management apparatus 11 can send a broadcast distribution response back to the broadcast center 12 by receiving location registration from all communication devices 2 to be distributed.

  The broadcast center 12 preferably transmits a broadcast distribution request including the next subgroup identifier to the mobility management apparatus 11 by receiving a broadcast distribution response. Thus, the next broadcast distribution request is not transmitted until the processing related to one broadcast distribution request is completely completed. As a result, it is possible to distribute broadcasts with suppressed signaling load and network congestion.

  Finally, the process returns to S35 and is repeated until the communication trigger information of all the subgroup identifiers is transmitted.

  The broadcast center 12 preferably stores the subgroup identifier and the terminal identifier associated with the subgroup identifier temporarily for a predetermined period. When the broadcast center 12 receives a broadcast distribution request for distribution to the same communication device again, if the position information of the communication device is not changed, the broadcast distribution is immediately performed without inquiring the position information to the mobility management device 11. The request can be transmitted to the mobility management apparatus 11 (S35).

  The broadcast center 12 may also notify the effective period of the subgroup identifier when transmitting a broadcast distribution request including the subgroup identifier. The mobility management device 11 distributes the communication trigger information including the validity period. The communication device 2 can use the subgroup identifier as it is for the determination of the distribution target during the expiration date.

  FIG. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of the mobility management facility apparatus and the communication device in the system of the present invention.

  The mobility management equipment device 1 includes a location information database 101, a policy information storage unit 102, a broadcast distribution request reception unit 103, a communication device search unit 104, a subgroup generation unit 105, a subgroup identifier generation unit 106, And a broadcast distribution unit 107. These functional components can be realized by executing a program that causes a computer installed in the mobility management equipment device to function. Note that, according to FIG. 4, the functions of the mobility management device 11 and the broadcast center 12 are integrally represented as one mobility management facility device 1.

  The location information database 101 stores location information in association with the terminal identifier of the communication device.

  The policy information storage unit 102 defines the maximum number of communication devices allocated to a predetermined position range (see S33 based on FIG. 3 described above).

  The broadcast distribution request receiving unit 103 receives a broadcast distribution request including grouping information from another external device (similar to S31 in FIG. 3 described above). The grouping information is not limited to the group identifier and communication trigger content information, but preferably includes a distribution area, a distribution urgency level, and the number of communication devices capable of simultaneous communication. The grouping information is output to the communication device search unit 104.

  The communication device search unit 104 uses the location information database 101 to search for terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the grouping information (similar to S32 in FIG. 3 described above). The searched terminal identifier is output to the subgroup generation unit 105.

  The subgroup generation unit 105 uses the policy information storage unit 102 to classify the plurality of searched communication devices into subgroups according to the maximum allocation number of position ranges (similar to S33 of FIG. 3 described above). . The divided subgroup unit terminal identifiers are output to the subgroup identifier generation unit 106.

  The subgroup identifier generation unit 106 generates a subgroup identifier from the terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the subgroup (similar to S34 in FIG. 3 described above). Specifically, “Bloom Filter” is used. The generated subgroup identifier is output to the broadcast distribution unit 107.

  The broadcast distribution unit 107 distributes the communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to all communication devices by broadcasting (similar to S35 in FIG. 3 described above).

  The communication device 2 includes a paging reception unit 21, a determination unit 22, a communication link establishment unit 23, an information transmission unit 24, and a location registration unit 25. These functional components are realized by executing a program that causes a computer mounted on the communication device to function.

  The paging reception unit 21 receives paging of communication trigger information from the base station 3. The received paging subgroup identifier is output to determination section 22.

  The determination unit 22 determines whether the communication trigger information is for the communication device by comparing the subgroup identifier included in the communication trigger information with the terminal identifier of the communication device ( Same as S36 in FIG. 3).

  The communication link establishment unit 23 establishes a communication link (radio link and IP link) with the base station when the determination unit 22 determines true (similar to S37 in FIG. 3 described above). The fact that the communication link has been established is output to the information transmission unit 24.

  The information transmission unit 24 transmits information to a predetermined server according to the content information of the communication trigger information. For example, when the communication device 2 is a meter-reading meter device, meter-reading information is transmitted to the application server 4 operated by the electric power company.

  The location registration unit 25 executes a registration sequence of the terminal identifier and the location information with respect to the mobility management device 11.

  FIG. 5 is a functional configuration diagram in which the mobility management equipment device is separated into a mobility management device and a broadcast center.

  According to FIG. 5, the mobility management apparatus 11 has a location information database 101, and the broadcast center 12 has a policy information storage unit 102. The mobility management apparatus 11 includes a location inquiry request reception unit 111, a communication device search unit 104, a location inquiry response transmission unit 112, and a communication trigger information distribution unit 113. The broadcast center 12 also includes a broadcast distribution request receiving unit 103, a position inquiry request transmitting unit 121, a position inquiry response receiving unit 122, a subgroup generating unit 105, a subgroup identifier generating unit 106, and a broadcast distributing unit 107. And have.

  Here, only differences from FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The location inquiry request transmission unit 121 of the broadcast center 12 transmits a location inquiry request including grouping information to the mobility management apparatus 11. In response to this, the location query request reception unit 111 of the mobility management apparatus 11 receives the location query request, and the grouping information is output to the communication device search unit 104. Then, the location inquiry response transmission unit 112 of the mobility management device 11 transmits a location inquiry response including a list of terminal identifiers searched by the communication device search unit 104 to the broadcast center 12. In response to this, the position inquiry response reception unit 122 of the broadcast center 12 receives the position inquiry response and outputs a list of the terminal identifiers to the subgroup generation unit 105.

  As described above in detail, according to the broadcast distribution method and system of the present invention, when communication trigger information is distributed to communication devices in group units, the signaling load and network congestion are reduced according to the communication environment. The processing load on the communication device can be reduced.

  In particular, in consideration of the cell, the base station, and the intermediate node device, since the communication trigger information is transmitted to the communication device in units of subgroups, the signaling load and the network congestion are reduced. The number of communication devices for each subgroup is also changed according to the communication environment. Further, by distributing the communication trigger information for each subgroup with a time interval, signaling load and network congestion are further reduced. Further, since communication trigger information is distributed by paging to a communication device that has not established a communication link, power consumption of the communication device can be reduced. Furthermore, the communication device can determine whether or not it is a distribution target only by comparing the subgroup identifier of the communication trigger information with its own terminal identifier, thereby reducing the memory amount and the processing amount. it can.

  Various changes, modifications, and omissions of the above-described various embodiments of the present invention can be easily made by those skilled in the art. The above description is merely an example, and is not intended to be restrictive. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and the equivalents thereto.

  The present invention can be used for machine type communication whose standardization is being discussed in 3GPP. Specifically, assuming the metering of electricity, gas, water, etc., communication triggers are delivered to a large number of communication devices at once. At that time, by applying the present invention, a load is not applied to the network. In particular, in cellular wireless communication represented by WCDMA, CDMA2000, LTE, and the like, it is only necessary to arrange a communication device as compared with a wired network. In particular, the broadcast function unique to wireless communication and delivering messages to communication partners within a communication range at a time can be expected to realize control of a large number of communication devices at a time.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobility management equipment apparatus 11 Mobility management apparatus 12 Broadcast center 101 Position information database 102 Policy information memory | storage part 103 Broadcast delivery request | requirement part 104 Communication device search part 105 Subgroup production | generation part 106 Subgroup identifier production | generation part 107 Broadcast delivery part 111 Position inquiry Request receiving unit 112 Location inquiry response transmission unit 113 Communication trigger information distribution unit 121 Location inquiry request transmission unit 122 Location inquiry response reception unit 2 Communication device 21 Paging reception unit 22 Determination unit 23 Communication link establishment unit 24 Information transmission unit 25 Location registration unit 3 Base station 4 Application server

Claims (7)

In a broadcast distribution method for distributing communication trigger information by broadcast for a system having a large number of communication devices and a mobility management equipment apparatus that manages the communication devices via a mobile communication network in which base stations are arranged.
The communication device is given a terminal identifier,
The mobility management facility apparatus has a location information database that stores location information in association with a terminal identifier of the communication device, and a policy information storage unit that defines a maximum allocation number of communication devices for a predetermined location range,
A first step in which the mobility management equipment device receives a broadcast distribution request including grouping information from another external device;
A second step in which the mobility management equipment device searches for a terminal identifier of a communication device belonging to the grouping information using the location information database;
A third step in which the mobility management equipment device divides a plurality of searched communication devices into subgroups according to the maximum number of allocations of the position range using the policy information storage unit;
A fourth step in which the mobility management equipment generates a subgroup identifier from terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the subgroup;
A fifth step in which the mobility management equipment apparatus broadcasts communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to all communication devices;
Whether or not the communication trigger information is intended for the communication device by comparing the subgroup identifier included in the communication trigger information with the terminal identifier of the communication device. A sixth step of determining;
The communication device, when it is determined that true for the sixth step, possess a seventh step of establishing a communications link to the base station,
The policy information storage unit further defines a connection reduction number according to the degree of congestion in units of cells (the number of existing devices with respect to the number of allowable devices),
For the third step, the mobility management equipment device further subtracts the number of terminal identifiers of the subgroup by a connection reduction number corresponding to the degree of congestion using the policy information storage unit. Broadcast distribution method. The mobility management equipment device is composed of a mobility management device and a broadcast center,
The mobility management device has the location information database,
The broadcast center has the policy information storage unit,
For the first step, the broadcast center receives the broadcast distribution request from another external device, and transmits a location inquiry request including grouping information included in the broadcast distribution request to the mobility management device. ,
For the second step, the mobility management device searches for communication devices belonging to the grouping information using the location information database, and sends a location inquiry response including terminal identifiers of the searched plurality of communication devices. Reply to the broadcast center
For the third step, the broadcast center uses the policy information storage unit to classify the retrieved plurality of communication devices into subgroups,
For the fourth step, the broadcast center generates the subgroup identifier, and transmits communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to the mobility management device.
The broadcast distribution method according to claim 1, wherein the mobility management apparatus broadcasts the communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to all communication devices in the fifth step. For the fourth step, the mobility management equipment device generates the subgroup identifier using a Bloom Filter,
About the 6th step, the said communication device determines the said subgroup identifier of the said communication trigger information using Bloom Filter, The broadcast delivery method of Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The policy information storage unit further defines the maximum number of communication devices assigned to the intermediate node device,
For the third step, the mobility management equipment device uses the policy information storage unit to assign the searched terminal identifiers of the plurality of communication devices to subgroups according to the maximum number of allocations to the intermediate node device. The broadcast distribution method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the broadcast distribution method is classified. The policy information storage unit further defines the maximum number of connections of the service provider application server,
For the third step, the mobility management equipment uses the policy information storage unit to further divide the terminal identifiers of the plurality of communication devices searched into subgroups according to the maximum number of connections to the application server. The broadcast delivery method according to claim 1, wherein the broadcast delivery method is performed. The fifth step is characterized in that the mobility management equipment distributes the communication trigger information for each subgroup identifier to all communication devices by broadcasting at a predetermined distribution time interval. 6. The broadcast distribution method according to any one of items 1 to 5 . In a broadcast distribution system that has a large number of communication devices and a mobility management facility apparatus that manages the communication devices via a mobile communication network in which base stations are arranged, and that distributes communication trigger information by broadcast,
The communication device is given a terminal identifier,
The mobility management equipment is
A location information database that stores location information in association with a terminal identifier of the communication device;
A policy information storage unit that defines the maximum number of communication devices assigned to a predetermined position range;
Broadcast distribution request receiving means for receiving a broadcast distribution request including grouping information from another external device;
Communication device search means for searching for a terminal identifier of a communication device belonging to the grouping information using the location information database;
Subgroup generation means for dividing the plurality of communication devices searched using the policy information storage unit into subgroups according to the maximum allocation number of the position range;
Subgroup identifier generating means for generating a subgroup identifier from terminal identifiers of a plurality of communication devices belonging to the subgroup;
Broadcast distribution means for distributing communication trigger information including the subgroup identifier to all communication devices by broadcast,
The communication device is:
A determination unit that determines whether or not the communication trigger information is for the communication device by comparing the subgroup identifier included in the communication trigger information with a terminal identifier of the communication device; ,
Wherein when it is determined that true for judging means, have a communication link establishing means for establishing a communication link to the base station,
The policy information storage unit further defines a connection reduction number according to the degree of congestion in units of cells (the number of existing devices with respect to the number of allowable devices),
For the subgroup generation means, the mobility management equipment device further subtracts the number of terminal identifiers of the subgroup by a connection reduction number corresponding to the degree of congestion using the policy information storage unit. A broadcast distribution system featuring the features.

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