Method and system for emergency positioning of 3GPP cellular network

Abstract

The invention provides a 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning method and system, and the method comprises the steps: A1, a network side sends broadcast information to target user equipment, and the broadcast information carries an emergency positioning expression; a2, the target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies an emergency positioning request of a network side from the broadcast information and then initiates an emergency registration request; step A3, the target user equipment and the network side execute an emergency registration process; and step A4, after the emergency registration process is completed, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process to the target user equipment. When the user equipment is not in the emergency call process, the network can actively position the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the fields of public safety, electronic communication and positioning technology, and in particular to a method and system for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network. Background Art

[0002] In modern mobile communication systems, user terminals (such as smartphones, tablets, etc.) usually rely on inserted SIM cards to establish connections with cellular networks to obtain various communication services. However, in some special cases, such as when the user terminal is in a cardless state or limited service mode, even if the device itself can still be turned on and search for signals, the network side cannot normally identify and manage the terminal due to the lack of valid authentication information (such as IMSI). This leads to obstacles when location requests or other service requests are initiated on the network side. Taking into account the requirements of privacy protection and data security, especially for user terminals that are not in the process of emergency calls, if it does not have a valid SIM card inserted and does not support other forms of identity authentication, the network will not be able to actively locate such terminals through conventional cellular network mechanisms. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Based on the above problems, the present invention provides a method and system for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network, aiming to solve the technical problem in the prior art that the network side is difficult to actively locate when the user terminal is in a card-free state or a restricted service mode.

[0004] A 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning method, comprising:

[0005] Step A1: The network sends a broadcast message to the target user equipment, and the broadcast message carries an emergency location indication;

[0006] Step A2: The target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies the network-side emergency positioning request from the broadcast information, and initiates an emergency registration request;

[0007] Step A3: The target user equipment and the network side perform an emergency registration process;

[0008] Step A4: After the emergency registration process is completed, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process for the target user equipment.

[0009] Furthermore, in step A1, when the network side has acquired the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment, the broadcast information also carries the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment.

[0010] Furthermore, in step A1, when the network side wants to locate all user devices in a predetermined area, all user devices in the predetermined area are used as target user devices, and the broadcast information also carries the area identifier of the predetermined area, which indicates that all user devices in the predetermined area are to be located.

[0011] Furthermore, in step A1, the broadcast information also carries positioning capability information;

[0012] When the positioning capability information indicates that the emergency positioning process is performed on the data plane and the target user equipment is currently in a 5G network, in step A3, after the target user equipment and the network side complete the emergency registration process, the target user equipment also establishes an emergency PDU session with the network side.

[0013] Furthermore, after step A4, the following steps are further included:

[0014] Step A5: After the emergency positioning process is completed, the target user equipment remains in the emergency registration state.

[0015] Furthermore, after step A5, the following steps are further included:

[0016] Step A6: The target user equipment periodically reports location information to the network.

[0017] A 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning system, used to execute the aforementioned 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning method, comprising a network side and a target user equipment;

[0018] The network sends a broadcast message to the target user equipment, and the broadcast message carries an emergency location indication;

[0019] The target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies the network side's emergency positioning request from the broadcast information, and initiates an emergency registration request and performs the emergency registration process with the network side;

[0020] After completing the emergency registration process, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process for the target user equipment.

[0021] Furthermore, when the network side has acquired the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment, the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment.

[0022] Furthermore, when the network side wants to locate all user devices in a predetermined area, all user devices in the predetermined area are used as target user devices, and the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries the area identifier of the predetermined area, which indicates that all user devices in the predetermined area are located.

[0023] Furthermore, the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries positioning capability information;

[0024] When the positioning capability information indicates that the emergency positioning process is performed on the data plane and the target user equipment is currently in a 5G network, after the target user equipment and the network side complete the emergency registration process, the target user equipment also establishes an emergency PDU session with the network side.

[0025] The beneficial technical effect of the present invention is that when the user equipment is not in the process of an emergency call, the network can actively locate the terminal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1-3 The present invention is a flowchart of the steps of a method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network.

[0027] Figure 4 The present invention provides a flow chart of interaction between the network side and user equipment of a method and system for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present invention and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0030] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but they are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0031] See also Figure 1 The present invention provides a method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network, comprising:

[0032] Step A1: The network sends a broadcast message to the target user equipment, and the broadcast message carries an emergency location indication;

[0033] Step A2: The target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies the network-side emergency positioning request from the broadcast information, and initiates an emergency registration request;

[0034] Step A3: The target user equipment and the network side perform an emergency registration process;

[0035] Step A4: After the emergency registration process is completed, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process for the target user equipment.

[0036] Specifically, the broadcast information is such as a broadcast text message. When the user device is not in the process of an emergency call, the network can actively locate the terminal. When a disaster occurs, the rescue center needs to urgently locate the personnel or equipment in the disaster area. The rescue center can use the cellular network to send broadcast information (such as a broadcast text message) to the user device. After the target user device receives the broadcast information and recognizes the network's emergency positioning request, it uses the IMEI, IMSI or other user device identifiers to initiate an emergency registration request. When the user device is in a cardless or restricted service, it must first perform emergency registration with the network side before subsequent positioning services can be performed.

[0037] IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) is an identification code used in mobile communications. It consists of 15 digits and uniquely identifies a subscriber on a mobile network. The IMSI is used to identify the subscriber and grant them network access, enabling management of their services.

[0038] IMEI stands for the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a 15-digit number. It's a unique identifier for a phone, closely tied to its manufacturer and model. The IMEI number uniquely identifies a mobile device and can be used for things like locking, tracking, and warranty claims.

[0039] Furthermore, in step A1, when the network side has acquired the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment, the broadcast information also carries the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment.

[0040] The user equipment identifier of the target user equipment is, for example, IMEI, IMSI or other user equipment identifiers.

[0041] Furthermore, in step A1, when the network side wants to locate all user devices in a predetermined area, all user devices in the predetermined area are used as target user devices, and the broadcast information also carries the area identifier of the predetermined area, which indicates that all user devices in the predetermined area are to be located.

[0042] The area identifier of the predetermined area is the emergency positioning area list (such as the TAI list). The emergency positioning area list (such as the TAI list) is used in the mobile communication network to identify a group of geographical areas so that the approximate location of the user equipment (UE) can be quickly determined when an emergency call or location request is initiated on the network side. The emergency positioning area list is usually represented in the form of a tracking area identity (TAI). Each TAI consists of an MCC (Mobile Country Code), an MNC (Mobile Network Code) and a TAC (Tracking Area Code), and is used to identify a specific geographical area.

[0043] Whether the broadcast information carries the user equipment identifier or the area identifier depends on the situation. If the network side needs to locate all user equipment UEs in a certain area, it carries the area identifier (such as a TAI list) to indicate the location of all user equipment UEs in this area. If the network has obtained the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment UE and needs to locate a certain target user equipment UE separately, it carries the user equipment identifier of the target UE (such as IMEI, IMSI or other user equipment identifier). For example, when a disaster occurs, the rescue center can first perform a preliminary positioning of all user equipment UEs in the disaster area, that is, the broadcast information carries the area identifier. After obtaining the user equipment identifier, it can be selected to continue to locate a specific user equipment separately according to the rescue situation, that is, the broadcast information carries the user equipment identifier. The target user equipment receives the broadcast information from the network side, and identifies the emergency positioning request from the network side based on the user equipment identifier or area identifier carried by the broadcast information, and then uses the IMEI, IMSI or other user equipment identifier to initiate an emergency registration request.

[0044] Furthermore, in step A1, the broadcast information also carries positioning capability information;

[0045] When the positioning capability information indicates that the emergency positioning process is performed on the data plane and the target user equipment is currently in a 5G network, in step A3, after the target user equipment and the network side complete the emergency registration process, the target user equipment also establishes an emergency PDU session with the network side.

[0046] The positioning capability information indicates whether the emergency positioning process is performed on the control plane or the data plane. According to the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) standard, positioning can be performed on the control plane (CP) or the user plane / data plane (UP / DP). The emergency positioning process can be performed through the data plane or the control plane. The control plane only needs to perform emergency registration and then perform the emergency positioning process through NAS signaling. The data plane needs to perform the emergency positioning process through IP data, so an emergency PDU session must also be established. In the 5G network, if the positioning process uses the data plane (UPL) and the user device has completed emergency registration, a special emergency PDU session (PDU Session) needs to be established to perform positioning through IP data transmission.

[0047] Control Plane Location (CP) is a traditional positioning method in which location requests and responses are transmitted through the signaling path of the core network. Once the location is determined, the relevant information will be fed back to the party that originally made the request through the signaling path. User Plane Location (UP / DP), with the development of 5G networks, user plane / data plane positioning has gradually become a new trend. It allows positioning information to be transmitted directly on the path carrying user data. Emergency PDU Session is a special type of PDU session designed specifically for emergency services in 5G networks. It allows user equipment (UE) to quickly access the network and conduct necessary communications in an emergency.

[0048] In step A4, the network initiates a NI-LR or MT-LR process for the target UE to locate the target UE. MT-LR stands for Mobile Terminated Location Request, while NI-LR stands for Network Initiated Location Request.

[0049] See also Figure 2 , further, after step A4, the following steps are further included:

[0050] Step A5: After the emergency positioning process is completed, the target user equipment remains in the emergency registration state.

[0051] As a preferred embodiment, after the emergency positioning process is completed, the UE can continue to remain in the emergency registration state without performing deregistration. The network side can initiate the NI-LR or MT-LR process again to locate the UE. After the UE completes the emergency registration and successfully establishes the emergency PDU session, it can remain in this special registration state for a period of time. This means that even if the emergency call ends, the UE is still considered to be registered in the network, but only for emergency services. By maintaining the emergency registration state, the UE can quickly respond to subsequent emergency requests or location update requirements without repeating the complete registration process each time. This is particularly useful for continuous emergency situations, such as multiple requests for help at a disaster site or the need to track moving rescuers.

[0052] See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 Furthermore, after step A5, the following steps are further included:

[0053] Step A6: The target user equipment periodically reports location information to the network.

[0054] As a preferred implementation, the target user device supports a periodic positioning strategy and can periodically report its location information to the network side. The periodic positioning strategy can be negotiated and decided based on the emergency positioning process in step 4 or use the local strategy of the target user device. The target user device gives priority to the periodic positioning strategy negotiated with the network side in step 4 (usually configured to the target user device by the network side). If the network side requires the target user device to periodically report location information in step 4, but does not configure a periodic positioning strategy for the target user device, the target user device can use a locally pre-configured strategy to periodically report location information, for example, reporting the location to the network once every 30 seconds.

[0055] The present invention also provides a 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning system, which is used to execute the aforementioned 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning method, including a network side and a target user equipment;

[0056] The network sends a broadcast message to the target user equipment, and the broadcast message carries an emergency location indication;

[0057] The target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies the network side's emergency positioning request from the broadcast information, and initiates an emergency registration request and performs the emergency registration process with the network side;

[0058] After completing the emergency registration process, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process for the target user equipment.

[0059] Specifically, broadcast information includes text messages. When a disaster occurs and the rescue center needs to urgently locate personnel or equipment in the disaster area, the rescue center can use the cellular network to send broadcast information (such as text messages) to user devices. After receiving the broadcast information, the target user device recognizes the network's emergency positioning request and uses the IMEI, IMSI, or other user device identifier to initiate an emergency registration request. When the user device is in a cardless or restricted service state, it must first perform emergency registration with the network before performing subsequent positioning services.

[0060] Furthermore, when the network side has acquired the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment, the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment.

[0061] The user equipment identifier of the target user equipment is, for example, IMEI, IMSI or other user equipment identifiers.

[0062] Furthermore, when the network side wants to locate all user devices in a predetermined area, all user devices in the predetermined area are used as target user devices, and the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries the area identifier of the predetermined area, which indicates that all user devices in the predetermined area are located.

[0063] The area identifier of the predetermined area is the emergency location area list (such as the TAI list). The emergency location area list (such as the TAI list) is used in mobile communication networks to identify a group of geographical areas so that the approximate location of the user equipment (UE) can be quickly determined when an emergency call or location request is initiated on the network side.

[0064] Whether the broadcast information carries a user equipment identifier (UE) or an area identifier depends on the situation. If the network needs to locate all UEs within a certain area, it carries an area identifier (such as a TAI list) to indicate that all UEs within the area should be located. If the network has already obtained the UE identifier of the target UE and needs to locate a specific target UE individually, it carries the UE identifier of the target UE (such as IMEI, IMSI, or other UE identifier).

[0065] Furthermore, the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries positioning capability information;

[0066] When the positioning capability information indicates that the emergency positioning process is performed on the data plane and the target user equipment is currently in a 5G network, after the target user equipment and the network side complete the emergency registration process, the target user equipment also establishes an emergency PDU session with the network side.

[0067] The positioning capability information indicates whether the emergency positioning process is performed on the control plane or the data plane. The emergency positioning process can be performed on either the data plane or the control plane. The control plane only needs to perform the emergency positioning process through NAS signaling after emergency registration. The data plane needs to perform the emergency positioning process through IP data, so an emergency PDU session must also be established.

[0068] Furthermore, the target user equipment still maintains the emergency registration state after the emergency positioning process is completed.

[0069] Furthermore, the target user equipment periodically reports location information to the network side.

[0070] Specifically, user equipment (UE) can be a mobile device, user terminal, terminal, cellular phone, cordless phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handheld device, computing device, vehicle-mounted device, wearable device, etc.

[0071] The present invention can realize that when the user terminal is in a card-free or limited service state, even if the user does not actively initiate an emergency call, the network side can actively initiate emergency positioning of the user equipment through the 3GPP cellular network.

[0072] When requesting emergency positioning of a target user equipment, the network side of the present invention may carry the user equipment identification of the target user equipment to perform emergency positioning on the determined target, or may carry the emergency positioning area list to perform emergency positioning on all user equipment in a certain area.

[0073] After the emergency positioning process is completed, the target user equipment of the present invention can optionally remain in the emergency registration state so that the network can perform the emergency positioning process again or the target user equipment can continue to report its position periodically.

[0074] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not limit the implementation mode and protection scope of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, it should be aware that all solutions obtained by equivalent substitutions and obvious changes made using the description and illustrations of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network, characterized in that: include: Step A1: The network sends a broadcast message to the target user equipment, where the broadcast message carries an emergency location indication. Step A2: The target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies the network-side emergency positioning request from the broadcast information, and initiates an emergency registration request; Step A3: the target user equipment and the network side perform an emergency registration process; Step A4: After completing the emergency registration process, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process for the target user equipment.

2. The method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 1, wherein: In the step A1, when the network side has acquired the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment, the broadcast information also carries the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment.

3. The method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 1, wherein: In step A1, when the network side wants to locate all user devices in a predetermined area, all user devices in the predetermined area are used as target user devices, and the broadcast information also carries the area identifier of the predetermined area, which indicates the location of all user devices in the predetermined area.

4. The method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 1, wherein: In the step A1, the broadcast information also carries positioning capability information; When the positioning capability information indicates that the emergency positioning process is performed on the data plane and the target user equipment is currently in a 5G network, in step A3, after the target user equipment and the network side complete the emergency registration process, the target user equipment also establishes an emergency PDU session with the network side.

5. The method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 1, wherein: After step A4, the following steps are further included: Step A5: After the emergency positioning process is completed, the target user equipment remains in the emergency registration state.

6. The method for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 5, wherein: After step A5, the following steps are further included: Step A6: The target user equipment periodically reports location information to the network side.

7. A 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning system, characterized in that: A method for performing a 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning method as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a network side and a target user equipment; The network side sends a broadcast message to the target user equipment, where the broadcast message carries an emergency location indication; The target user equipment receives the broadcast information, identifies the emergency positioning request from the network side from the broadcast information, and then initiates an emergency registration request and performs an emergency registration process with the network side; After completing the emergency registration process, the network side initiates an emergency positioning process for the target user equipment.

8. The system for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 7, wherein: When the network side has acquired the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment, the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries the user equipment identifier of the target user equipment.

9. The system for emergency positioning in a 3GPP cellular network according to claim 7, wherein: When the network side intends to locate all user equipment in a predetermined area, all user equipment in the predetermined area are used as the target user equipment, and the broadcast information sent by the network side also carries the area identifier of the predetermined area, and the area identifier of the predetermined area indicates the location of all user equipment in the predetermined area.

10. The 3GPP cellular network emergency positioning system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The broadcast information sent by the network side also carries positioning capability information; When the positioning capability information indicates that the emergency positioning process is performed on the data plane and the target user equipment is currently in a 5G network, after the target user equipment and the network side complete the emergency registration process, the target user equipment also establishes an emergency PDU session with the network side.

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