WO2014084848A1

WO2014084848A1 - Dynamic access class assignment and secondary public safety users offload in public safety network

Info

Publication number: WO2014084848A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/067318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Curt Wong; Devaki Chandramouli
Original assignee: Nokia Siements Networks Oy
Priority date: 2012-11-30
Filing date: 2012-11-30
Publication date: 2014-06-05
Also published as: WO2014084848A8

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamic access class provisioning of devices and secondary public safety user offload are provided. One method includes receiving a trigger request and the IMSI of a UE that requires a higher priority AC from a PS application server. The trigger request may include an indication to update the AC of the UE to the higher priority AC. The method may then include initiating a MT-SMS with priority that is sent to the UE via serving nodes.

Description

DYNAMIC ACCESS CLASS ASSIGNMENT AND SECONDARY PUBLIC SAFETY USERS OFFLOAD IN PUBLIC SAFETY

NETWORK

BACKGROUND:

Field:

[0001] Embodiments of the invention generally relate to wireless communication systems, such as, but not limited to, the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), and/or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). Some embodiments relate to a Public Safety System using LTE technology.

Description of the Related Art:

[0002] Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) refers to a communications network including base stations, or Node Bs, and for example radio network controllers (RNC). UTRAN allows for connectivity between the user equipment (UE) and the core network. The RNC provides control functionalities for one or more Node Bs. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are called the Radio Network Subsystem (RNS). In case of E- UTRAN (enhanced UTRAN) no RNC exists and most of the RNC functionalities are contained in the eNodeB (evolved Node B, also called E-UTRAN Node B).

[0003] Long Term Evolution (LTE) or E-UTRAN refers to improvements of the UMTS through improved efficiency and services, lower costs, and use of new spectrum opportunities. In particular, LTE is a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard that provides for uplink peak rates of at least 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and downlink peak rates of at least 100 Mbps. LTE supports scalable carrier bandwidths from 20 MHz down to 1.4 MHz and supports both Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD). Advantages of LTE are, for example, high throughput, low latency, FDD and TDD support in the same platform, an improved end-user experience, and a simple architecture resulting in low operating costs.

[0004] Further releases of 3 GPP LTE (e.g., LTE Rel-11, LTE-Rel-12) are targeted towards future international mobile telecommunications advanced (IMT-A) systems, referred to herein for convenience simply as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A). LTE-A is directed toward extending and optimizing the 3GPP LTE radio access technologies. A goal of LTE-A is to provide significantly enhanced services by means of higher data rates and lower latency with reduced cost. LTE-A will be a more optimized radio system fulfilling the international telecommunication union-radio (ITU-R) requirements for IMT-Advanced while keeping the backward compatibility.

[0005] In addition, a Public Safety System with LTE is being developed in 3 GPP and in the United States with National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC). The aim of the project is to ensure that the public safety users (e.g., fire fighters, policemen, emergency personnel, and first responders) have access to a broadband network in crucial moments. This public safety system, also referred to as the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN), is envisioned to be a closed system where only public safety users are allowed to attach to the network and may possibly be roamed into a commercial 3 GPP network due to coverage reasons (based on roaming agreement), while commercial users are not expected to be allowed to roam into the Public Safety Network. SUMMARY:

[0006] One embodiment includes a method for dynamic access class provisioning. The method includes sending, from a user equipment (UE), a user-id and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) to an application server in a public safety network, and receiving a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority. The MT-SMS includes a trigger to update the user equipment to a new access class. In one embodiment, a server, such as an OTA GW/OM ADM, may indicate to a SMSC that the MT-SMS requires priority which in turn forwards the priority indication to the serving nodes, such as the MME/SGSN/MSC/IP- SM-GW. According to an embodiment, the serving nodes may then page the UE with priority and deliver the MT-SMS to the UE using a downlink non-access stratum (NAS) transport message or session initiation protocol (SIP), for example. The method may further include processing the trigger to provision a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the user equipment with the new access class.

[0007] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to send a user-id and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) to an application server in a public safety network, and to receive a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority. The MT-SMS includes a trigger to update the user equipment to a new access class. In one embodiment, a server, such as an OTA GW/OM ADM, may indicate to a SMSC that the MT-SMS requires priority which in turn forwards the priority indication to the serving nodes, such as the MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW. The serving nodes may then page the apparatus (e.g., UE) with priority and deliver the MT-SMS using a downlink NAS transport message or SIP, for example. The apparatus may be further caused to process the trigger to provision a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the user equipment with the new access class.

[0008] Another embodiment is directed to a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium. The computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process. The process includes sending, from a user equipment, a user-id and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) to an application server in a public safety network, and receiving a mobile terminated short message service (MT- SMS) with priority. In one embodiment, a server, such as an OTA GW/OM ADM, may indicate to a SMSC that the MT-SMS requires priority which in turn forwards the priority indication to the serving nodes, such as the MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW. The serving nodes may then page the UE with priority and deliver the MT-SMS using a downlink NAS transport message or SIP, for example. The MT-SMS includes a trigger to update the user equipment to a new access class. The process may further include processing the trigger to provision a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the user equipment with the new access class.

[0009] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including means for sending, from a user equipment, a user-id and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) to an application server in a public safety network, and means for receiving a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority. The MT-SMS includes a trigger to update the user equipment to a new access class. In one embodiment, a server, such as an OTA GW/OM ADM, may indicate to a SMSC that the MT-SMS requires priority which in turn forwards the priority indication to the serving nodes, such as the MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW. The serving nodes may then page the UE with priority and deliver the MT-SMS using a downlink NAS transport message or SIP, for example. The apparatus may further include means for processing the trigger to provision a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the user equipment with the new access class.

[00010] Another embodiment is directed to a method for dynamic access class provisioning. The method includes receiving, by a server, a trigger request and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) of a user equipment (UE). The trigger request comprises an indication to update an access class of the UE to a higher priority access class. The method includes initiating a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority that is sent to the user equipment via serving nodes. In one embodiment, the serving nodes may page the UE with priority and deliver the MT-SMS using a downlink NAS transport message or SIP, for example.

[00011] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a trigger request and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) of a user equipment (UE). The trigger request comprises an indication to update an access class of the user equipment to a higher priority access class. The apparatus may be caused to initiate a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority that is sent to the UE via serving nodes. In one embodiment, the serving nodes may page the UE with priority and deliver the MT-SMS using a downlink NAS transport message or SIP, for example.

[00012] Another embodiment is directed to a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium. The computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process. The process includes receiving, by a server, a trigger request and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) of a user equipment (UE). The trigger request comprises an indication to update an access class of the UE to a higher priority access class. The process may include initiating a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority that is sent to the user equipment via serving nodes.

[00013] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including means for receiving, by a server, a trigger request and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) of a user equipment. The trigger request comprises an indication to update an access class of the UE to a higher priority access class. The apparatus may further include means for initiating a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority that is sent to the user equipment via serving nodes.

[00014] Another embodiment is directed to a method for secondary public safety user offloading. The method may include sending, from a user equipment, a request for registration to a network node, and receiving a message from the network node that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

[00015] Another embodiment is directed to a method for secondary public safety user offloading. The method may include receiving, at a network node, a request for registration from a user equipment, and sending a message to the user equipment that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

[00016] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to send a request for registration to a network node and receive a message from the network node that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

[00017] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including at least one processor, and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and computer program code, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a request for registration from a user equipment and send a message based, for instance, on network congestion / overload status or indication from external AS server (e.g., triggered by a commander to activate offloading) to the user equipment that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

[00018] Another embodiment is directed to a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium. The computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process. The process includes sending, from a user equipment, a request for registration to a network node, and receiving a message from the network node that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

[00019] Another embodiment is directed to a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium. The computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process. The process includes receiving, at a network node, a request for registration from a user equipment, and sending a message based, for instance, on network congestion / overload status or indication from external AS server (e.g. triggered by a commander to activate offloading) to the user equipment that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time. [00020] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including means for sending, from a user equipment, a request for registration to a network node, and means for receiving a message from the network node that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

[00021] Another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including means for receiving, at a network node, a request for registration from a user equipment, and means for sending a message based, for instance, on network congestion / overload status or indication from external AS server (e.g. triggered by a commander to activate offloading) to the user equipment that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[00022] For proper understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[00023] Fig. 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment of the invention;

[00024] Fig. 2 illustrates a system according an embodiment;

[00025] Fig. 3a illustrates an apparatus according to an embodiment;

[00026] Fig. 3b illustrates an apparatus according to another embodiment;

[00027] Fig. 4a illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment;

[00028] Fig. 4b illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to another embodiment; and [00029] Fig. 5 illustrates a signaling diagram according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[00030] It will be readily understood that the components of the invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following detailed description of embodiments systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for dynamic access class provisioning of devices and secondary public safety user offload, as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.

[00031] If desired, the different functions discussed below may be performed in a different order and/or concurrently with each other. Furthermore, if desired, one or more of the described functions may be optional or may be combined. As such, the following description should be considered as merely illustrative of the principles, teachings and embodiments of this invention, and not in limitation thereof.

[00032] Embodiments of the present invention provide for Access Class (AC) assignment in a public safety (PS) network to be performed in a dynamic fashion (i.e., not be tied with the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI)) and allow for offloading of secondary users to other networks. A PS user's identity is not tied to the universal subscriber identity module (USIM) (i.e., IMSI) used in the UE. Additionally, AC is tied to the user and not to the USIM or IMSI. Embodiments of the invention are able to address these and other issues, as will be discussed below. [00033] Similar to other cellular networks, the public safety LTE network can also be subjected to an "overload condition". An overload condition in this context refers to when the access or the requested bandwidth for certain emergency personnel for a given situation being limited or restricted due to LTE system limitation(s). For example, a policeman at an armed robbery site may attempt to stream high quality video to the command center but the requested bandwidth cannot be provided due to too much ongoing data traffic from nearby public safety users. Another example could be that a group of medical responders are trying to save a life in a serious emergency but some of these responders cannot access the network (or require many retries) due to heavy utilization of the network by nearby policemen and fire fighters.

[00034] In other words, each incident is unique and, therefore, may require the prioritization of a certain group of emergency responders. In an extreme overload condition, it may be necessary to apply an Access Class barring feature in order to ensure a designated group of responders can access the public safety network with a higher success rate. In other situations, it may be necessary to offload the lower priority responders to a commercial network in order to allow more bandwidth for those critical responders.

[00035] While working with the NPSTC to define the Public Safety Broadband Requirements for LTE, 3 GPP identified at least two requirements that are somewhat unique. First, the responder identity is not tied to the universal subscriber identity module (USIM). For example, each of the responders in a group will receive an LTE UE at the scene and it is expected that each user will then log-in at the application level with their unique user-id and password. After successful login, the UE will then contain their customized applications with their appropriate priority level that is based on their user-id. This approach is fine for assigning quality of service (QoS) at the bearer level based on application assigned bearer (e.g., using PCC). However, prioritizing radio access using an Access Class Barring feature requires some new enhancements in order for this kind of user's ID and USIM's identity separation to work properly.

[00036] Second, the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) should be able to instruct national broadband network user (NBN-U) UEs within the NPSBN coverage area to roam to commercial networks in order to off-load user traffic from NPSBN. The NPSBN (i.e., public safety (PS) network) may only have LTE radio access technology (RAT) and, therefore, may not have other RAT (e.g, GSM/UMTS) for data offload. For non-greenfield commercial operators, it is a common practice to move the data traffic between their LTE/3G/2G RATs for data offload. In most cases, the PS broadband safety network will have their commercial partner network as overlay for roaming purpose when the PS broadband safety network is out of coverage. Public land mobile network (PLMN) selection is done by the UE and may be based on system broadcast ID and signal strength. Currently, it is not possible to direct a UE to the user roaming partner's network while the home PLMN (HPLMN) coverage is adequate.

[00037] The Access Class (AC) feature within a public cellular network allows the priority user (e.g., AC11 to 15 as defined in TS 22.011) to access the network during extreme radio overload conditions because it can block the majority of the users who are in AC 0 to 9 range. Also, the UE with AC 1 1 to 15 can use high priority radio resource control (RRC) establishment cause, which gives them a higher priority of accessing the radio network.

[00038] In a public safety network where all the users within this PLMN are a part of the emergency responders community, it is not practical or realistic to designate each USIM with an access class 11 to 15 during the initial subscription provisioning phase because the priority of each responder is determined per the nature of each incident and their user-id (i.e., not associated with the USIM). For example, in some cases, police may be more important than a fire fighter or rescuer, while in other cases, the rescuers are more important than policemen, and other cases could be that a few selected members of each group are more important than others. In other words, a command center with a commander who oversees a mission should be allowed to ensure that his selected team members will have the highest chance of accessing and utilizing the public safety network. Those selected members (identified by user-id and not IMSI) should be provisioned with an Access Class that would allow them to continue to access the system in the event that the Access Class Barring feature has to be invoked. These selected members are categorized here as critical users. The non-selected members are categorized as secondary PS users to allow distinction between the two groups of users according to embodiments of the invention.

[00039] One embodiment is directed to dynamic Access Class assignment and provides a solution to update the Access Class in the USIM during an incident phase in order to ensure those selected emergency responders will have a higher chance to utilize the network. Another embodiment is directed to secondary PS users offloading and provides a solution for offloading the secondary PS user to a roaming LTE network while HPLMN coverage and signal strength are adequate.

[00040] One embodiment of the invention introduces the ability to dynamically activate and deactivate AO 1-15 provisioning in the device, such as a public safety LTE UE, using a high priority provisioning procedure. [00041] Fig. 1 illustrates a system according to one embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 1 illustrates an example of an initial phase when PS users are assigned to a UE and the mapping of IMSI and user-id, according to one embodiment. In a first embodiment, devices in the public safety network are provisioned with ACO-9 at the time of subscription. As illustrated in the example of Fig. 1, each responder (PS user-A, PS user-B) receives a LTE UE 101, 102 at the scene, and logs in using their unique user- id to their PS application system. In this example, UE 101 is initially assigned AC 7 and UE 102 is initially assigned AC 3. The application in the UEs 101, 102 sends both the IMSI and user- id to the application server 100. This creates the user-id and IMSI relationship. According to one embodiment, application server 100 maintains a table of the user ID and IMSI relationships.

[00042] Fig. 2 illustrates a system according to an embodiment. The system of Fig. 2 illustrates an example of the upgrading of a PS user to a higher access class. In one embodiment, the command center determines a list of user-ids who require a higher AC, which is in the range of 11 to 15, and this information is fed to the application server 100. In the example of Fig. 2, the incident commander upgrades PS user-A with AC 13. The application server 100 initiates a trigger for updating the AC by invoking the over the air (OTA) gateway (GW) or the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) device management (DM) server 105 and includes trigger content to, for example, update the AC provisioning to 11-15. The application server 100 initiates a high priority trigger request to the devices to update the device provisioning, i.e., initiates mobile terminated short message service (MT- SMS) with priority (either as a group using group triggering or individually using individual triggering based on IMSI or MSISDN, if known). The OTA GW or OMA DM server 105 sends the MT-SMS with new Access Class provisioning short message (SM) payload to the short message service center (SMSC) 1 10.

[00043] The SMSC 110 builds the MT-SMS and sends it with a priority indicator to the mobile management entity (MME)/serving GPRS support node (SGSN)/mobile switching center (MSC)/IP-Short-Message-Gateway (IP-SM-GW) 120 (via E/Gd/SGd/Gd+SGs/ISC interfaces). If the UE 101 is idle, MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW 120 will page it with the priority indicator. When the UE 101 responds, MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW 120 may send an MT-SMS with the priority. According to an embodiment, the MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW 120 may page the UE with priority and deliver the MT-SMS to the UE using a downlink non-access stratum (NAS) transport message or session initiation protocol (SIP), for example. The UE 101 receives the SMS and processes the trigger and trigger content. The UE then provisions the USIM with new AC information.

[00044] When the incident is over, the application server 100 will then reset the Access Class by randomly assigning a value between 0 and 9, and use the same update procedure to update the USIM. It should be noted that, if the application server 100 is outside the MNO domain, the MSISDN may be used the application server 100 to initiate the provisioning. The MSISDN may be derived from the user ID at the application server 100.

[00045] In another embodiment, devices in the public safety network are provisioned with a new configuration parameter which is valid only in the home network for differentiation (e.g., to indicate activate or deactivate AO 1-15). When the UE is in the home network and the parameter is activated, then the UE can access the network with AO 1-15. If the parameter is not activated, the UE can access the network with ACO-9. This may be done to facilitate differentiation of users in a network dedicated for public safety users. When the UE moves to a visited PLMN (VPLMN), this new configuration does not apply and AC 11-15 will automatically be activated.

[00046] According to this embodiment, UEs in the public safety network are provisioned with ACO-9 or AC11-15 at the time of subscription. Each responder receives a LTE UE 101, 102 at the scene and logs in using their unique user-id to their PS application system. The application in the UE 101 , 102 sends both the IMSI and user- id to the application server 100. This creates the user-id and IMSI relationship. The command center determines a list of user-ids who require higher AC that is in the range of 11 to 15 and this information is fed to the application server 100. The application server 100 initiates a trigger for updating the AC by invoking the OTA GW or OMA DM server 105 and includes trigger content. For example, the trigger content may include an indication to update the configuration to activate AC provisioning to 11-15.

[00047] According to an embodiment, the application server 100 then initiates a high priority trigger request to the devices to update the device provisioning. In one embodiment, the high priority trigger request initiates a MT-SMS with priority (either as a group using group triggering or individually using individual triggering based on IMSI or MSISDN if known). The OTA GW or OMA DM server 105 sends the MT-SMS with a new Access Class provisioning SM payload to the SMSC 110. The SMSC 1 10 builds the MT-SMS and sends it with priority indicator to the MME/SGSN/MSC/IP-SM-GW 120 (via E/Gd/SGd/Gd+SGs/ISC interfaces). If the UE 101 is idle, the MME/SGSN/MSC 120 will page it with priority indicator. When the UE 101 responds, the MME/SGSN/MSC 120 will send an MT-SMS with priority. The UE 101 receives the SMS and processes the trigger and trigger content. The UE 101 updates the configuration to activate AC 11-15 provisioning. [00048] A benefit according to this embodiment is that the UE can access with high priority whenever it moves to the VPLMN and retains backward compatibility since this is statically provisioned and the newly introduced configuration parameter applies only in the home network.

[00049] Fig. 3a illustrates an example of an apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. In one embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a UE. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatus 10 may include components or features not shown in Fig. 3a. Only those components or feature necessary for illustration of the invention are depicted in Fig. 3a.

[00050] As illustrated in Fig. 3a, apparatus 10 includes a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. While a single processor 22 is shown in Fig. 3a, multiple processors may be utilized according to other embodiments. In fact, processor 22 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples.

[00051] Apparatus 10 further includes a memory 14, which may be coupled to processor 22, for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 22. Memory 14 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and removable memory. For example, memory 14 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 22, enable the apparatus 10 to perform tasks as described herein.

[00052] Apparatus 10 may also include one or more antennas 25 for transmitting and receiving signals and/or data to and from apparatus 10. Apparatus 10 may further include a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. For instance, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna(s) 25 and demodulates information received via the antenna(s) 25 for further processing by other elements of apparatus 10. In other embodiments, transceiver 28 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly.

[00053] Processor 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatus 10 including, without limitation, precoding of antenna gain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatus 10, including processes related to management of communication resources.

[00054] In an embodiment, memory 14 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatus 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatus 10. The components of apparatus 10 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[00055] As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a UE. In an embodiment, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 22 to send a user- id and IMSI to a PS application server in a PS network in order to create a user-id and IMSI relationship. Apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 22 to receive a page with priority from a serving node and to receive a MT-SMS with priority that includes a trigger to upgrade the UE to a new AC. According to one embodiment, the new AC is a higher priority AC which may be in the range of 11 to 15. Apparatus 10 may then be controlled by memory 14 and processor 22 to process the trigger received in the MT-SMS to provision the USIM with the new AC information. In this manner, the AC of apparatus 10 is upgraded to a higher priority AC.

[00056] According to an embodiment, apparatus 10 may be provided with a new configuration parameter. When the UE is in the home network and the new configuration parameter is activated, the UE accesses the PS network with a higher priority AC, for example between 1 1 and 15. When the new configuration parameter is not activated, the UE accesses the PS network with a lower priority AC, for example between 0 and 9.

[00057] Fig. 3b illustrates an example of an apparatus 20 according to another embodiment. In an embodiment, apparatus 20 may be a network element, such as a server. In one embodiment, the server may be an OTA GW and/or OMA DM server. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatus 20 may include components or features not shown in Fig. 3b. Only those components or feature necessary for illustration of the invention are depicted in Fig. 3b.

[00058] As illustrated in Fig. 3b, apparatus 20 includes a processor 32 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 32 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. While a single processor 32 is shown in Fig. 3b, multiple processors may be utilized according to other embodiments. In fact, processor 32 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), field- programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples.

[00059] Apparatus 20 further includes a memory 34, which may be coupled to processor 32, for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processor 32. Memory 34 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and removable memory. For example, memory 34 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memory 34 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 32, enable the apparatus 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

[00060] Apparatus 20 may also include one or more antennas 35 for transmitting and receiving signals and/or data to and from apparatus 20. Apparatus 20 may further include a transceiver 38 configured to transmit and receive information. For instance, transceiver 38 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna(s) 35 and demodulates information received via the antenna(s) 35 for further processing by other elements of apparatus 20. In other embodiments, transceiver 38 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly.

[00061] Processor 32 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatus 20 including, without limitation, precoding of antenna gain/phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatus 20, including processes related to management of communication resources.

[00062] In an embodiment, memory 34 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 32. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatus 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatus 20. The components of apparatus 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[00063] As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, apparatus 20 may be a server, such as an OTA GW and/or OMA DM server. In this embodiment, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 34 and processor 32 to receive a trigger request including trigger content and to receive the IMSI of a UE that requires a higher priority AC. The trigger content may include an indication to update the AC of the UE to the higher priority AC. Upon receiving the trigger request, apparatus 20 may then be controlled by memory 34 and processor 32 to initiate a MT-SMS with priority that is sent to the UE via serving nodes (e.g., MSC/SGSN/MME/IP-SM-GW). The MT-SMS may include a new AC provisioning SM payload that causes the UE to update its USIM with the higher priority AC.

[00064] Fig. 4a illustrates a flow diagram of a method for dynamic access class provisioning of devices in PS network, according to an embodiment. The method includes, at 400, the UE sending a user-id and IMSI to a PS application server. The method then includes, at 410, receiving a page with priority and receiving a MT-SMS with priority that includes a new AC provisioning SM payload. At 420, the method includes processing, by the UE, the MT-SMS to provision the USIM with the new AC information.

[00065] Fig. 4b illustrates a flow diagram of a method for dynamic access class provisioning of devices in PS network, according to another embodiment. The method includes, at 450, receiving a trigger request and the IMSI of a UE that requires a higher priority AC from a PS application server. The trigger request may include an indication to update the AC of the UE to the higher priority AC. The method may then include, at 460, initiating a MT-SMS with priority that is sent to the UE via serving nodes. The MT-SMS may include a new AC provisioning SM payload that causes the UE to update its USIM with the higher priority AC.

[00066] In some embodiments, the functionality of any of the methods described herein, such as those of Figs. 4a and 4b, may be implemented by software and/or computer program code stored in memory or other computer readable or tangible media, and executed by a processor. In other embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware, for example through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software.

[00067] Another embodiment of the invention provides solutions that allow for the offloading of users from the home network to a roaming network when the HPLMN coverage is adequate. This can enable the controller to offload some users from the home network to a roaming network when the PS network is congested. This may be an important requirement because the PS network is assumed to be a green field deployment with no other RAT to offload.

[00068] Fig. 5 illustrates a signaling diagram depicting the signaling that may occur between a UE 101 and MME/SGSN 120, according to one embodiment. According to this embodiment, a UE 101 requests registration with the network 120. In one example, the registration request may be an attach request, service request, or TAU/RAU. According to an embodiment, the network 120 rejects the UE 101 and provides a cause code to the UE 101. For example, in one embodiment, the network 120 rejects the UE 101 in an attach reject, service reject, or TAU reject message. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the network 120 provides the cause code to the UE in a detach request to force PLMN redirection.

[00069] The cause code causes the HPLMN and PLMN(s) in the EHPLMN list to be marked as "not available" for a certain duration X. This duration X can either be provided by the network dynamically or be pre-configured in the UE for use with this cause code. If the UE is in HPLMN or EHPLMN are not available, it will trigger PLMN selection automatically. In one embodiment, the PLMN that is considered the highest priority VPLMN may be selected and this may be the highest priority one in the operator preferred PLMN list (e.g., commercial network PLMN) according to the PLMN selection algorithm specified, for example, in TS 23.122. In another embodiment, the PLMN that is considered highest priority equivalent PLMN or VPLMN will be selected according to the PLMN selection algorithm specified, for example, in TS 23.122.

[00070] Another embodiment introduces a new USIM command to mark HPLMN and EHPLMN(s) or selected/registered PLMN as "not available," and this will automatically trigger PLMN selection and the UE 101 will move to the highest priority PLMN in the operator preferred PLMN list.

[00071] In another embodiment, it is assumed that the most critical users have been assigned a designated ID (e.g., could be a group ID, or certain Access Class value such as in the range of 1 1 to 15, etc.), while the secondary users have different designed ID (e.g, Access Class in the range of 0 to 9, or secondary group ID). According to this embodiment, a new system broadcast information is defined and indicates which offload ID (e.g., could be multiple group ID or AC such as 0,2,4,5, etc.) which should be moved to other non HPLMN networks. A timer index or probability factor value can also be broadcast along with the offload ID. A UE with a USIM that matches the broadcast offload ID will behave as if it received the cause code described above in connection with Fig. 5. The UE may periodically monitor the HPLMN system broadcast information to see if the "offload" is still in effect. When the broadcast offload ID no longer matches the UEs USIM, the UE uses the timer index or probability factor value to determine when to switch back to the HPLMN. The timer index or factor value can be used to avoid a flood of UEs coming back to the HPLMN at the same time.

[00072] The offload mechanisms described above can also be beneficial for the operation between two commercial networks that have Service Level agreements (SLA) for offload purposes. For example, operator-A (OP-A) may want to push those users who have already reached a certain PS data quota to operator-B (OP-B) network whenever it is possible. For example, when a UE is in the coverage area of OP-B, even though OP-A's coverage is adequate, this UE may be pushed by OP-A to use OP-B's network. One reason for the offloading of the UE in this situation may be that OP-A wants to reserve its own spectrum for high paying users, while OP-B is offering a discounted rate for OP-A's lower paying users. [00073] Certain embodiments of the invention provide several advantages. For example, some embodiments can dynamically prioritize users depending on the type of event and the event they are currently involved in. Embodiments retain backward compatibility for users with AC 11-15 provisioning. In addition, embodiments are capable of dynamically offloading users from the public safety network to a commercial network. The offloading solution according to certain embodiments can also be employed for offloading users from commercial networks to other networks, for example, when they have an agreement for offloading purposes.

[00074] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:

1. A method, comprising:

sending, from a user equipment, a user-id and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) to an application server in a public safety network;

receiving a page with priority from a serving node;

receiving a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority, the MT-SMS comprising a trigger to update the user equipment to a new access class; and

processing the trigger to provision universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the user equipment with the new access class.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the new access class comprises a higher priority access class.

3. The method according to claims 1 or 2, further comprising receiving a configuration parameter.

4. The method according to any of claims 1-3,

wherein, when the user equipment is in a home network and the configuration parameter is activated, the user equipment accesses the public safety network with the higher priority access class, and

wherein, when the parameter is not activated, the user equipment accesses the public safety network with a lower priority access class.

5. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to

send a user-id and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) to an application server in a public safety network;

receive a page with priority from a serving node;

receive a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority, the MT-SMS comprising a trigger to update the apparatus to a new access class; and

process the trigger to provision universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the apparatus with the new access class.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the new access class comprises a higher priority access class.

7. The apparatus according to claims 5 or 6, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to receive a configuration parameter.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 5-7,

wherein, when the apparatus is in a home network and the configuration parameter is activated, the apparatus is configured to access the public safety network with the higher priority access class, and

wherein, when the parameter is not activated, the apparatus is configured to access the public safety network with a lower priority access class.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 5-8, wherein the apparatus comprises a user equipment.

10. A computer program, embodied on a computer readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process, comprising:

11. A method, comprising:

receiving, by a server, a trigger request and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) of a user equipment, wherein the trigger request comprises an indication to update an access class of the UE to a higher priority access class; and

upon receiving the trigger request, initiating a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority that is sent to the user equipment via serving nodes.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the MT-SMS comprises a new access class provisioning short message payload that causes the user equipment to update its universal subscriber identity module (USIM) with the higher priority access class.

13. The method according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising providing the user equipment with a configuration parameter,

14. The method according to any of claims 11-13, wherein the higher priority access class comprises an access class in the range of 11 to 15.

15. An apparatus, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code,

receive a trigger request and international mobile subscriber identification (IMSI) of a user equipment, wherein the trigger request comprises an indication to update an access class of the user equipment to a higher priority access class; and

upon receiving the trigger request, initiate a mobile terminated short message service (MT-SMS) with priority that is sent to the user equipment via serving nodes.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the MT-SMS comprises a new access class provisioning short message payload that causes the user equipment to update its universal subscriber identity module (USIM) with the higher priority access class.

17. The apparatus according to claims 15 or 16, further comprising providing the user equipment with a configuration parameter,

wherein, when the user equipment is in a home network and the configuration parameter is activated, the user equipment is configured to access the public safety network with the higher priority access class, and wherein, when the parameter is not activated, the user equipment is configured to access the public safety network with a lower priority access class.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 15-17, wherein the higher priority access class comprises an access class in the range of 11 to 15.

19. The apparatus according to any of claims 15-18, wherein the apparatus comprises an over the air (OTA) gateway (GW) or Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) device management (DM) server.

20. A computer program, embodied on a computer readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process, comprising:

21. A method, comprising:

sending, from a user equipment, a request for registration to a network node; and

receiving a message from the network node that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

22. A method, comprising:

receiving, at a network node, a request for registration from a user equipment; and sending a message to the user equipment that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

23. The method according to any of claims 21 or 22, wherein the message comprises one of:

a reject message comprising a cause code that causes the home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time,

a detach request comprising the cause code,

a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) command, or a broadcast offload id.

24. The method according to any of claims 21-23, wherein the certain duration of time is provided by the network node dynamically or pre-configured in the user equipment for use with the cause code.

25. The method according to any of claims 21-24, wherein when a universal subscriber identity module (USIM) of the user equipment matches the broadcast offload id, the user equipment behaves as if it received the cause code.

26. The method according to any of claims 21-25, wherein a timer index or probability factor value is broadcast with the broadcast offload id, and, when the USIM of the user equipment no longer matches the broadcast offload id, the user equipment uses the timer index or the probability factor value to determine when to switch back to the home network.

27. A user equipment, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus at least to

send a request for registration to a network node; and

receive a message from the network node that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

28. A network node, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code,

receive a request for registration from a user equipment; and

send a message to the user equipment that causes a home network of the user equipment to be marked as not available for a certain duration of time.

29. A computer program, embodied on a computer readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process, comprising:

30. A computer program, embodied on a computer readable medium, wherein the computer program is configured to control a processor to perform a process, comprising: