Network device management

Abstract

A method for retrieving status information from a telecommunication device (110) via a wireless telecommunication network (100), the method comprising the steps of: detecting at the telecommunication device a change in discontinuous reception of the telecommunication device (210); the telecommunication device retrieving status information related to the telecommunication device (220); and in response to detecting the change in discontinuous reception, transmitting the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunication network (230).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for retrieving status information from a telecommunication device via a wireless telecommunication network and a telecommunication network thereof. Background Art

[0002] The “Internet of Things” is likely to introduce a large number of remote battery-powered devices that communicate wirelessly with telecommunications networks. Examples of such devices include smart meters, implantable (medical) devices, and smart thermostats.

[0003] Given that these types of devices may often be located in remote and / or relatively difficult to access locations and in potentially large numbers, it is desirable for these devices to report their status, and this is performed via wireless communications. However, by the same token, it is also desirable to maximize battery life to avoid frequent battery / device replacements. Therefore, there is a conflict between balancing battery life and obtaining accurate and sufficiently up-to-date status information from such devices.

[0004] It is an object of the present invention to alleviate at least some of the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for retrieving status information from a telecommunication device via a wireless telecommunication network, the method comprising the following steps: detecting, at the telecommunication device, a change in discontinuous reception of the telecommunication device; the telecommunication device retrieving status information related to the telecommunication device; and in response to detecting the change in discontinuous reception, transmitting the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunication network.

[0006] In this way, improved energy saving and an energy efficient manner of triggering and configuring the retrieval of state information may be achieved.In addition, the present invention may also help save network bandwidth, uptime and capacity, for example by reducing the number of active devices.

[0007] Preferably, the term "discontinuous reception" as used herein includes a state in which the telecommunications device utilizes scheduled periods of inactivity and activity of predefined lengths with respect to its interaction with the wireless telecommunications network to at least save power and / or reduce network signaling, and preferably includes discontinuous reception (DRX), extended discontinuous reception (eDRX), polling and power saving mode (PSM).

[0008] Optionally, the method further comprises the step of triggering, by the telecommunication device, a change in the discontinuous reception.Preferably, while the telecommunication device is in the discontinuous reception mode, the telecommunication device remains registered with the telecommunication network.

[0009] Preferably, the step of retrieving state information is performed in response to detecting said change in discontinuous reception. Optionally, the step of transmitting the retrieved state information is performed in response to retrieving state information. Preferably, the change in discontinuous reception is the start of discontinuous reception.

[0010] Preferably, the change of discontinuous reception is the cessation of discontinuous reception. Optionally, the change to or from the discontinuous reception mode is performed (or initiated) by the wireless telecommunications network. Preferably, the change of discontinuous reception is the completion of a predefined number of discontinuous reception cycles. Preferably, a "discontinuous reception cycle" as used herein is a repetitive unit of a scheduling period of inactivity and activity of a predefined length performed by a telecommunications device. Optionally, in discontinuous reception, the change is to exceed a predefined duration. Preferably, the change of discontinuous reception is a reconfiguration of discontinuous reception. Optionally, the reconfiguration of discontinuous reception is: a change in the duration of a discontinuous reception cycle; a change in the duration that the telecommunications device maintains discontinuous reception; and / or a change in the type of discontinuous reception.

[0011] Preferably, said changing of the discontinuous reception is performed according to a predefined frequency. Optionally, the frequency is predefined by the telecommunication device and / or the wireless telecommunication network.

[0012] Preferably, transmitting the retrieved state information is performed each time said change of non-continuous reception occurs. Preferably, retrieving state information is performed each time said change of non-continuous reception occurs. Optionally, retrieving state information and / or transmitting the retrieved state information is performed in a non-sequential occurrence of the change of non-continuous reception. Optionally, the steps of retrieving state information and / or transmitting the retrieved state information are repeated a predefined number of times and more preferably are independent of subsequent changes of the change of non-continuous reception occurring during the repetition of said steps.

[0013] Preferably, the state information is retrieved without interacting with a wireless telecommunication network and / or a telecommunication network. Preferably, as used herein, the "without interacting" means not sending or receiving telecommunication signals, in particular wireless telecommunication signals. Preferably, the state information is retrieved without interacting with a wireless telecommunication network (such as a cellular network). Optionally, the state information is retrieved only by means of wired communication. Optionally, the state information is retrieved while the telecommunication device is in discontinuous reception. Optionally, the telecommunication device comprises a transceiver for communicating with a wireless telecommunication network and / or a telecommunication network, and wherein the state information is retrieved while the transceiver is inactive.

[0014] Preferably, the telecommunications device comprises a sensor, and wherein the status information is a reading from the sensor. Optionally, the sensor is (so the status information relates to readings from): a geographic, position, orientation and / or navigation sensor; a mechanical sensor, including a pressure, flow, strain and motion sensor; a thermal sensor; a chemical sensor; an optical sensor; a proximity and / or presence sensor; an electrical and / or magnetic sensor, including a battery charge sensor; and / or an acoustic sensor. Optionally, the status information is data from a memory in the telecommunications device, such as: a software version; hardware specifications; and / or operational information.

[0015] Preferably, the telecommunications device compares the retrieved status information with a predefined value and then transmits the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunications network based on the comparison of the retrieved status information with the value. Optionally, the telecommunications device transmits the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunications network based on the retrieved status being equal to, less than and / or greater than the value. Optionally, the value is a threshold value. Optionally, the value is stored in the telecommunications device. Optionally, the value can be reconfigured by means of the telecommunications device and / or by means of network communications from the wireless telecommunications network or a wireless telecommunications network. Optionally, the value is a battery charge.

[0016] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of preventing the telecommunication device from retrieving the status information and / or transmitting the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunication network if the status information has previously been transmitted by the telecommunication device to the wireless telecommunication network within a predefined time window. Optionally, the time window is predefined and can be reconfigured by the telecommunication device and / or the wireless telecommunication network.

[0017] Preferably, the retrieved state information is transmitted to the wireless telecommunications network while the telecommunications device is in discontinuous reception. Preferably, for changing the discontinuous reception, the retrieved state information is transmitted in a network communication between the telecommunications device and the wireless telecommunications network, and more preferably by means of a message compatible with a radio resource control protocol. Preferably, the retrieved state information is transmitted to the wireless telecommunications network as part of a field of the network communication that is not intended to transmit the retrieved state information, but between the telecommunications device and the wireless telecommunications network, the field is predefined (and redefined) - and is therefore clearly understandable - as transmitting state information (rather than the original meaning of the field). Optionally, the field is a gateway number.

[0018] Preferably, the retrieved status information is transmitted to the wireless telecommunications network at the same time as the telecommunications device stops discontinuous reception.Preferably, the telecommunications device exits from discontinuous reception (if it has not already done so) in response to transmitting the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunications network.

[0019] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of: if the retrieved status information is equal to, less than or greater than a predefined value, the telecommunication device performing an operation. Preferably, the operation is performed without interacting with the wireless telecommunication network or a wireless telecommunication network. Preferably, the operation is performed without the telecommunication device operating a transceiver for communicating with a wireless telecommunication network. Preferably, the operation is: shutting down the telecommunication device; performing a software update; reconfiguring the telecommunication device and / or changing operating parameters of the telecommunication device; retrieving further status information from the telecommunication device; and / or performing a mechanical and / or electrical operation.

[0020] Preferably, the method further comprises the step of transmitting data from the wireless telecommunications network and / or the telecommunications network to the telecommunications device in response to the wireless telecommunications network receiving the retrieved status information. Optionally, the data may be a software update or time (for synchronization).

[0021] Preferably, the data is an instruction. Preferably, in response to the retrieved status information being equal to, less than or greater than (or the foregoing) a predefined value, the instruction is transmitted to the telecommunications device. The instruction is executable by the telecommunications device to perform an operation.

[0022] Preferably, the instructions are: triggering another change of discontinuous reception; shutting down the telecommunication device; performing a software update; reconfiguring the telecommunication device and / or changing operating parameters of the telecommunication device; further retrieving status information from the telecommunication device; and / or performing a mechanical and / or electrical operation.

[0023] Preferably, the wireless telecommunications network comprises: a cellular wide area network; a long range wide area network (LoRWAN); a low power wide area network (LPWAN); a satellite network; and / or a wireless local area network.

[0024] Preferably, the telecommunication device is a battery powered device. The telecommunication device may be powered only by a battery. Preferably, the telecommunication device is integrated as part of: a smart meter and / or sensor; a vehicle; a weather station; a chemical and / or physical sensor; a security device; and / or a household appliance.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, a telecommunication device is provided, the telecommunication device comprising: a transceiver for communicating with a wireless telecommunication network; a sensor; a controller, the processor being configured to: detect a change in discontinuous reception of the telecommunication device; retrieve status information from the sensor; and in response to detecting a change in discontinuous reception, transmit the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunication network by means of the transceiver.

[0026] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for retrieving status information related to a telecommunication device, the system comprising: a wireless telecommunication network; and the telecommunication device as described above.

[0027] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium containing instructions, which, when executed by a processor associated with a telecommunication device, causes the telecommunication device to perform the method as described above.

[0028] The present invention extends to any novel aspect or feature described and / or illustrated herein. The present invention extends to methods and / or apparatus substantially as described herein and / or illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention also provides a computer program and computer program product for performing any method described herein and / or for embodying any apparatus feature described herein, and a computer readable medium storing a program for performing any method described herein and / or for embodying any apparatus feature described herein.

[0029] The present invention also provides a signal containing a computer program for executing any method described herein and / or for embodying any device feature described herein, a method of transmitting such a signal, and a computer product with an operating system, wherein the operating system supports the computer program for executing any method described herein and / or for embodying any device feature described herein.

[0030] Any device features as described herein may also be provided as method features, or any method features as described herein may also be provided as device features. As used herein, means-plus-function features may alternatively be expressed in terms of their corresponding structures, such as a suitably programmed processor and associated memory.

[0031] Any feature in one aspect of the present invention may be applied to other aspects of the present invention in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to device aspects, or device aspects may be applied to method aspects. In addition, any, some and / or all features in one aspect may be applied to any, some and / or all features in any other aspect in any appropriate combination. It should also be understood that specific combinations of various features described and defined in any aspect of the present invention may be independently implemented and / or provided and / or used.

[0032] In this specification, unless otherwise stated, the word "or" may be interpreted in an exclusive or inclusive sense. In addition, features implemented in hardware may generally be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any references herein to software and hardware features should be interpreted accordingly.

[0033] The invention extends to methods, telecommunications devices and systems for retrieving state information as described herein and / or substantially as illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0035] Figure 1 An example of a wireless telecommunications network is shown;

[0036] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A method of retrieving status information via a wireless telecommunications network is shown; and

[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a trigger for retrieving state information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless telecommunications network 100 is shown. The network 100 is a mobile cellular network comprising a plurality of telecommunication devices (or "user equipment") 110.

[0039] The telecommunication devices 110 are battery powered devices that are configured to communicate wirelessly with the network 100 and include so-called “Internet of Things” devices, such as telecommunication devices incorporated as part of: security and / or surveillance equipment 110-1; network-enabled vehicles (particularly semi-autonomous or fully autonomous vehicles) 110-2; residences and / or household appliances 110-3; public spaces and / or infrastructure 110-4; industrial processes and / or manufacturing plants 110-5; and / or energy production plants and / or equipment 110-6.

[0040] The network 100 includes a radio access network (RAN) 115 provided by a RAN access point 120 (e.g., in the form of a macrocell site, a microcell site, a picocell site, or a femtocell site), which is connected to a core network 125 of the network 100. The telecommunication device 110 may be used to communicate with the network 100 by accessing the RAN 115.

[0041] The core network 125 further includes the following functional components:

[0042] Access and mobility management function (AMF) 130;

[0043] Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF) 135;

[0044] Device management system (DMS) 140;

[0045] Authentication Server Function (AUSF) 145;

[0046] Unified Data Management (UDM) 150;

[0047] Session Management Function (SMF) 155;

[0048] Policy Control Function (PCF) 160;

[0049] User Plane Function (UPF) 165; and

[0050] Data network (DN) 170.

[0051] The telecommunication device 110 is configured to enter a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode in which the telecommunication device is sent to an idle mode in terms of its interaction with the network 100; this helps save battery power of the device and helps reduce network signaling. The DRX mode is described in the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification 36.331, Version 15.3.0, Section 4.2, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0052] The DRX mode provides periods of time when the telecommunication device receives network communications (e.g., monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the network 100) or is in an "active state", and also provides periods of time when the telecommunication device does not receive network communications (e.g., the telecommunication device does not monitor the PDCCH) or is in an "inactive state"; these active state periods and inactive state periods form a DRX cycle.

[0053] The RAN access point 120 (eg in the form of a gNodeB or eNodeB) instructs the telecommunication device 110 to enter the DRX mode, for example by issuing a message according to the Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol.

[0054] Figure 2 An overview of a method 200 of retrieving state information from a telecommunication device 110 via a network 100 is shown.

[0055] In a first step 210, a change of the DRX mode of the telecommunication device 110-1 (eg entering or exiting the DRX mode) is triggered by the network 100 (particularly the RAN access point 120 serving the telecommunication device 110-1), and the telecommunication device 110-1 thus implements an appropriate change to its DRX mode.

[0056] In response to the change of the DRX mode of the telecommunication device 110-1, in a next step 220, the telecommunication device 110-1 triggers the retrieval of information about its state (herein "state information"). The state information is retrieved from the telecommunication device 110-1 and does not require interaction with the network 100.

[0057] For example, status information includes: battery charge readings; readings from sensors associated with the telecommunications device (eg, temperature, state of electronic switches, fluid pressure, etc.); and / or data stored in memory associated with the telecommunications device.

[0058] Once telecommunication device 110 - 1 retrieves the status information, telecommunication device 110 - 1 then transmits the status information to network 100 at step 230 .

[0059] The transmission of the status information from the telecommunication device 110-1 at stage 230 may be performed as follows:

[0060] If the telecommunication device 110-1 is not in DRX mode, transmitting status information to the network 100 according to how the telecommunication device would communicate with the network 100 when not in DRX mode; or

[0061] If the telecommunication device is in DRX mode, the status information is transmitted to the network 100 in the following manner:

[0062] o As part of signalling facilitating configuration of the DRX mode between the telecommunication device 110-1 and its serving RAN access point 120, such as an RRC protocol compatible message, and in particular via:

[0063] ■ using a field of an RRC protocol compatible message contrary to its intended purpose, but agreeing on an adapted meaning of the field between telecommunication device 110-1 and the rest of network 100 (or portions thereof). For example, using the gateway number field to convey battery level. In this way, this overcomes the limitation that the RRC protocol is not otherwise configured to convey status information;

[0064] ■ Create a new field in the RRC protocol to convey status information; or

[0065] o Once the telecommunication device has exited from the DRX mode, the status information is transmitted as described above with respect to the case where the telecommunication device 110-1 is not in the DRX mode, in which case:

[0066] • The telecommunication device may initiate an exit from the DRX mode or wait for an exit from the DRX mode, and the telecommunication device may re-enter the DRX mode after transmitting the status information.

[0067] The RAN access point 120 receives the status information from the telecommunication device 110-1 and then forwards it to the core network 125 and ultimately to at least the DMS 140. The DMS 140 stores and processes the incoming status information to aggregate data and / or manage the telecommunication device 110 (e.g., perform remote operations and upgrades, and predict and trigger on-site visits to the telecommunication device).

[0068] Advantageously, by incorporating DMS 140 into core network 125 , battery consumption and network bandwidth usage may be reduced when compared to locating the DMS as part of a server remote from core network 125 .

[0069] Once the state information has been transmitted to the network 100 (regardless of the manner in which this transmission is performed), the process 200 is repeated (reiterate) by either:

[0070] When the DRX mode of the telecommunication device 110 - 1 is further changed according to step 210 , repeating step 210 ; or

[0071] • After a DRX mode change in the form of a predefined number of DRX cycles 240 has been completed (while the telecommunication device 110-1 is in DRX mode), step 220 is repeated.

[0072] The parameters of the DRX mode may be configured by the network 100, and in particular the duration of the active and inactive states of the DRX cycle; this is performed by RRC protocol compatible messages such as: RRC Connection Setup; RRC Connection Reconfiguration; and RRC Connection Reestablishment messages.

[0073] In this way, the frequency with which the telecommunication device 110 retrieves and / or transmits its status information may be effectively configured by the network 100. Correspondingly, the power consumption of the telecommunication device due to retrieving and transmitting status information may thus also be centrally configured by the network 100.

[0074] For example, where the status information is in the form of battery charge for telecommunication device 110-1, it may be desirable to increase the frequency of transmitting the status information to network 100 near the end of the expected life of the telecommunication device and / or during winter months in order to more accurately predict the remaining battery and thereby better predict repair or replacement.

[0075] In another example, telecommunication device 110-3 is a smart home gas meter and the status information includes a measure of gas usage. To achieve greater accuracy (and minimize the extent of overcharging or undercharging at a given point in the gas supply), it may be desirable to report gas usage more frequently in winter months (when higher gas usage is expected to be justified) than in summer months. Correspondingly, the frequency with which telecommunication device 110-3 retrieves and transmits status information is increased by reconfiguring the parameters of the DRX mode to reduce the DRX cycle period length, thereby triggering status information retrieval and transmission more frequently.

[0076] Advantageously, by using a network function (i.e., DRX mode), a centralized network-implemented process for managing the retrieval and transmission of state information from the telecommunication device 110 is provided. Furthermore, by using existing network functions that are complementary to the purpose of saving battery power (i.e., DRX mode), the retrieval and transmission of state information can be achieved in a more power-efficient manner (at least, from the telecommunication device's perspective) than by incorporating other new functions (such as triggers based on dedicated timers that (continuously) run on the telecommunication device). Timer-based triggers may also result in outdated state information being reported when the device is out of network coverage for a long period of time.

[0077] When the telecommunication device 110 is not within the network coverage, a timer-based trigger may continuously poll the network to attach; this would drain battery power. Correspondingly, a network-based trigger (i.e., DRX mode) allows the telecommunication device to retrieve and / or transmit state information only when it is within the network coverage, in this way, the retrieved state information will therefore be up-to-date and polling the network coverage in order to transmit the retrieved state information can be avoided.

[0078] Figure 3 An exemplary process 300 for retrieving and transmitting status information from a telecommunications device is shown in greater detail.

[0079] exist Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 1 , the telecommunication device 110 - 4 is a battery-powered parking space availability sensor. The status information includes the battery power of the telecommunication device 110 - 4 and the time to retrieve the battery power.

[0080] In a first step 310 , the telecommunication device 110 - 4 enters DRX mode and the device then starts a DRX cycle 315 .

[0081] The telecommunication device 110-4 is configured to retrieve the status information 320 after a predefined number of DRX cycles have been completed since the telecommunication device last entered DRX mode (ie since step 310); the total number of these DRX cycles is counted by a counter incorporated as part of the telecommunication device 110-4.

[0082] In one example, the telecommunication device 110 is configured to transmit the status information to the network 100 only if the status information is a predefined value or if the status information exceeds a predefined threshold. In this way, power saving can be improved, and this may be important over the life cycle of a telecommunication device if the device has to exit DRX mode to report its status information. Figure 3In the example of , the telecommunication device 110-4 is configured to transmit the retrieved battery level to the network if it is determined according to step 325 that the retrieved battery level is less than 10%. In this case, the network 100 triggers the telecommunication device to exit from the DRX mode (e.g., by issuing an RRC connection message) 330. Correspondingly, the telecommunication device 110-4 reestablishes the bearer with the network 100 at step 335, and then reports the battery level (and the retrieval time) to the network; the battery level (and the retrieval time) is then stored in the DMS 140 at step 340, and the process 300 repeats from step 310.

[0083] In another example, if such reporting has been performed within a predefined time period and / or a predefined number of DRX cycles, the telecommunications device 110 is configured to override the state information transmitted to the network 100; this helps prevent such communications from occurring at too high a frequency. Figure 3 In the example of FIG. 3 , if the battery level of telecommunication device 110-4 is equal to or greater than 10% (as determined in step 325), then in step 345 the device then queries whether the retrieved battery level has been reported to network 100 within the last 24 hours. If so, telecommunication device 110-4 stores the most recently retrieved battery level until another iteration (or multiple iterations) of process 300 starting at step 320 permits reporting according to step 330.

[0084] However, if the battery level has not been reported to the network within the last 24 hours (and the most recently retrieved battery level is greater than or equal to 10%), then process 300 continues from step 330 .

[0085] In this way, the frequency of reporting status information to the network may be limited (in this example, to a maximum of once every 24 hours) when the value of the retrieved status information does not justify any higher reporting frequency (in this example, when the battery charge is greater than or equal to 10%).

[0086] In another example, once the network 100 has received status information from the telecommunication device 110, the network is configured to respond to the telecommunication device 110 resulting from the status information. The issuance of the response and the nature of the response depend on the status information retrieved.

[0087] Such responses from network 100 include:

[0088] An acknowledgement of valid receipt, the absence of which triggers retransmission of the state information (or another state information);

[0089] Data, such as for updating software running on telecommunications equipment 110;

[0090] Commands that instruct telecommunications equipment to:

[0091] ○Power-off operation or entering low power consumption mode;

[0092] o Network operations, such as instructing a change in DRX mode or switching to a LPWAN connection;

[0093] ○ further retrieval and / or transmission of status information;

[0094] ○ Software updates or revisions (i.e., performed “over the air”);

[0095] o Processing operations, such as retrieving or modifying data from storage on telecommunications equipment;

[0096] ○ Restart or reset; and / or

[0097] o Mechanical and / or electrical operations, such as the operation of an actuator or powering an electrical component (e.g., a pump, light, or fan).

[0098] In this manner, updates and changes to telecommunication devices 110 may be centrally managed via network 100 .

[0099] In an alternative example, the telecommunication device 110 can be configured to automatically execute the above command without a response from the network, but only in response to evaluating (at the telecommunication device) whether the retrieved state information is equal to a predefined value or exceeds a predefined threshold. According to this example, if the telecommunication device determines that the retrieved battery power is less than 5%, the telecommunication device enters a low power consumption mode without a command from the network 100.

[0100] FIG. 4 shows a timeline of DRX mode activity, and in particular the triggers for retrieving state information from the telecommunication device 110 and transmitting the state information to the network 100 due to changes in such DRX mode activity.

[0101] exist Figures 4a to 4d 4, each block 410, 420, 425 represents an active state of the DRX mode of a given telecommunication device 110, and no such block indicates an inactive state. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates:

[0102] Blocks 410 and 425, which represent a continuous active state (of unspecified duration), and therefore represent a period during which the telecommunication device is not in DRX mode;

[0103] o The termination of block 410 indicates the start of DRX mode; and

[0104] o The start of block 425 represents the exit from DRX mode.

[0105] The inactive state 415 is followed by an active state 420 of a predefined duration, the pairing of the inactive state 415 and the active state 420 forming a DRX cycle, and in particular:

[0106] o A short inactive state 415-1 and an active state 420 of a predefined duration form a short DRX cycle 430-1; and

[0107] o The long inactivity state 415-2 (ie, longer than the short inactivity state 415-1) and the activity state 420 of the predefined duration form a long DRX cycle 430-2.

[0108] Reference numeral 435 represents a trigger for a telecommunication device to retrieve and / or transmit state information to the network 100 .

[0109] FIG4 shows the same sequence of changes in DRX mode activity for a given telecommunication device, and the various figures differ with respect to the triggers used to retrieve and / or report status information. In particular, the different triggers include when the telecommunication device 110:

[0110] When entering DRX mode (e.g., by entering the first-short-DRX cycle 430-1), according to the trigger 435-1 and as follows Figure 4a As shown;

[0111] When exiting from DRX mode (e.g., by entering the continuous activity state 425), according to trigger 435-2 and as follows Figure 4b As shown;

[0112] When reconfiguring the DRX mode from the short DRX cycle 430-1 to the long DRX cycle 430-2, according to the trigger 435-3 and as follows Figure 4c As shown, or when reconfiguration of the DRX mode from the long DRX cycle 430-2 to the short DRX cycle 430-1 is performed; and

[0113] When a predefined number of DRX cycles (e.g., the third short DRX cycle 430-1) is completed, according to the trigger 435-4 and as follows Figure 4d shown.

[0114] Any of the aforementioned triggers 435 may be used to be combined, for example to enable retrieval of status information when entering and exiting DRX mode.

[0115] In one example, the telecommunication device 110 communicates with the network 100 to update status information and / or retrieve status information from the network; such operations of the telecommunication device 110 may be used for queuing (in a network server and / or on the telecommunication device 110) for the duration that the telecommunication device is connected to the network; Open Mobile Alliance standards (such as Lightweight M2M) are applicable in this regard.

[0116] Alternatives and Modifications

[0117] In the above, the network 100 is generally shown and described as a cellular wide area network according to 5G technology. However, in an alternative approach, the network 100 is any type of wireless telecommunication network, including a cellular wide area network based on: 5G technology; a long-range wide area network (LoRWAN); a low-power wide area network (LPWAN); a satellite-enabled telecommunication network; a wireless local area network; or a combination of any wireless networks.

[0118] In one example, different changes in the DRX mode of the telecommunication device 110 trigger the retrieval and / or transmission of different status information from the same telecommunication device, such as providing different triggers for retrieving and transmitting battery level versus reading battery level from a sensor.

[0119] In the above, reference is always made to the DRX mode. However, alternative forms of discontinuous reception modes may be used within the spirit of the present invention, such as: polling (in the case of wireless local area networks); power saving mode (e.g., as described in 3GPP Technical Specification 24.301, Version 15.5.0, Section 5.3.11, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference); and extended DRX (eDRX). In addition, the above examples may also operate according to a publish-subscribe messaging mode and push notifications.

[0120] In one example, RRC protocol compatible messages are used to synchronize time between telecommunication device 110 and the rest of network 100, thus achieving synchronization in an energy efficient and centralized manner.

Claims

1. A method of retrieving status information from a telecommunications device via a wireless telecommunications network, the telecommunications device comprising a sensor, the method comprising the following steps: detecting, at the telecommunication device, a change in discontinuous reception of the telecommunication device; The telecommunications device retrieves status information, wherein the status information is a reading from the sensor; and responsive to detecting the change in discontinuous reception, transmitting the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunications network, Therein, the status information is retrieved without interacting with the wireless telecommunication network and / or the telecommunication network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The step of retrieving state information is performed in response to detecting said change in discontinuous reception.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The change of discontinuous reception is the start of discontinuous reception.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The change of the discontinuous reception is the stopping of the discontinuous reception.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The change in discontinuous reception is the completion of a predefined number of discontinuous reception cycles.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The change of the discontinuous reception is a reconfiguration of the discontinuous reception.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The changing of the discontinuous reception is performed at a predefined frequency.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Transmitting the retrieved state information is performed each time said change of discontinuous reception occurs.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein: Based on a comparison of the retrieved status information with a predefined value, the retrieved status information is transmitted to the wireless telecommunications network.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: The telecommunication device is prevented from retrieving the status information and / or transmitting the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunication network if status information has previously been transmitted by the telecommunication device to the wireless telecommunication network within a predefined time window.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The retrieved status information is transmitted to the wireless telecommunication network while the telecommunication device is in discontinuous reception.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein: The retrieved status information is transmitted to the wireless telecommunication network while the telecommunication device stops discontinuous reception.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: If the retrieved status information is equal to, less than, or greater than a predefined value, the telecommunication device performs an operation.

14. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: Data is transmitted from the wireless telecommunications network and / or the telecommunications network to the telecommunications device in response to the wireless telecommunications network receiving the retrieved status information.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The data are instructions.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein: The instructions are: triggering another change of discontinuous reception; shutting down the telecommunication device; performing a software update; reconfiguring the telecommunication device and / or changing an operating parameter of the telecommunication device; performing further retrieval of status information from the telecommunication device; and / or performing a mechanical and / or electrical operation.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The wireless telecommunications network includes: a cellular wide area network; a long range wide area network (LoRWAN); a low power wide area network (LPWAN); a satellite network; and / or a wireless local area network.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The telecommunication device is a battery powered device.

19. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The telecommunications equipment is integrated as part of: a smart meter and / or sensor; a vehicle; a weather station; a chemical and / or physical sensor; a security device; and / or a home appliance.

20. A telecommunication device, comprising: a transceiver for communicating with a wireless telecommunications network; sensor; A controller, the controller being configured to: detecting a change in discontinuous reception of the telecommunication device; retrieving status information from the sensor, wherein the status information is a reading from the sensor; and in response to detecting the change in discontinuous reception, transmitting, by means of the transceiver, the retrieved status information to the wireless telecommunications network, Therein, the status information is retrieved without interacting with the wireless telecommunication network and / or the telecommunication network.

21. A system for retrieving status information related to a telecommunications device, the system comprising: wireless telecommunications networks; The telecommunications device of claim 20.

22. A computer readable storage medium containing instructions which, when executed by a processor associated with a telecommunications device, cause the telecommunications device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 19.

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