Method, apparatus and computer program

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means for retrieving information related to an application from a first data channel server, where the information related to the application comprises information about a data channel server associated with the application. The apparatus further comprises means for providing, to the application server, a proposal for establishing the application data channel, the proposal comprising information relating to the application.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a method, apparatus, and computer program for a wireless communication system. Background Technology

[0002] A communication system can be a facility that enables a communication session between two or more entities, such as user terminals, base stations / access points, and / or other nodes, by providing carrier waves between various entities involved in the communication path. For example, a communication system can be provided via a communication network and one or more compatible communication devices. A communication session can include, for example, data communication for carrying communications such as voice, email, text messages, multimedia, and / or content data. Non-limiting examples of the services provided include two-way or multi-way calling, data communication, or multimedia services, and data network systems for accessing the Internet. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: components for retrieving application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes information about the data channel server associated with the application; and components for providing an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including the application-related information.

[0004] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0005] In one example, application-related information is included in the application's configuration file.

[0006] In one example, the configuration file is app.json.

[0007] In one example, the components used for retrieval include: a component for receiving the application's configuration file; and a component for parsing the application's configuration file to identify application-related information.

[0008] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for formatting application-related information into media-level attributes for a proposed session description protocol.

[0009] In one example, the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

[0010] In one example, the application-related information includes information about the version of the application, and the apparatus includes a component for comparing: i) information about the version of the application, and ii) second information about a second version of a second application stored at a user device.

[0011] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for retaining a stored second application at a user device in response to determining that the version and the second version are the same.

[0012] In one example, the apparatus includes: components for deleting a stored second application in response to determining that the version and the second version are different; and components for downloading the application from a first data channel server.

[0013] In one example, application-related information includes information about the application's validity period, and this information includes a validity timer.

[0014] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for starting a validity timer when the application is downloaded.

[0015] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for triggering a re-download of the application in response to the expiration of a validity timer.

[0016] In one example, the apparatus includes components for establishing a bootstrap data channel with a first data channel server, wherein application-related information is retrieved via the bootstrap data channel.

[0017] In one example, application-related information is received from a first data channel server via an application server, wherein the application-related information is received when the user equipment establishes a boot data channel.

[0018] In one example, application-related information received via the application server is received in the Session Description Protocol (STP) response message.

[0019] In one example, one of the following is true: the device is a user equipment, the device is included in the user equipment, and the device is used in the user equipment.

[0020] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: components for receiving a request associated with an application; and components for providing application-related information to a user equipment, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application.

[0021] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0022] In one example, application-related information is included in the application's configuration file.

[0023] In one example, the configuration file is app.json.

[0024] In one example, the receiving component includes a component for receiving a request from a user equipment via a boot data channel.

[0025] In one example, application-related information includes information about the application's validity, and this information includes a validity timer.

[0026] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for providing an application to a user equipment in response to the expiration of a validity timer.

[0027] In one example, the apparatus includes components for establishing a boot data channel with a user equipment, wherein application-related information is provided via the boot data channel.

[0028] In the example, application-related information is provided to the user device via the application server, where the application-related information is received when the boot data channel is established.

[0029] In one example, the apparatus includes: providing application-related identification information to a network function for registration with the network function, such that a first data channel server is registered at the network function as capable of serving the application.

[0030] In one example, the identification information associated with the application includes: the application's identity, the application's name, and unique information associated with the application.

[0031] In one example, the network function is the network repository function.

[0032] In one example, one of the following is true: the apparatus is a first data channel server, the apparatus is included in the first data channel server, and the apparatus is used for the first data channel server.

[0033] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: means for receiving from a user equipment a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and means for determining, based on the received application-related information, to invoke the data channel server for the application.

[0034] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0035] In one example, the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

[0036] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for providing application-related information from the first data channel server to the user equipment when the user equipment establishes a bootstrap data channel with the first data channel server.

[0037] In one example, application-related information is provided in the Session Description Protocol (STP) response message.

[0038] In one example, the apparatus includes: components for providing an application-related query to a network function to establish an application data channel; and components for receiving a response from the network function, the response including at least one address of a data channel server capable of serving the application.

[0039] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for providing a notification message to a first data channel server based on a determination, the notification message including application-related information.

[0040] In one example, the apparatus includes components for forwarding a proposal to a first Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IPS) core for establishing an application data channel, wherein the proposal message includes application-related information.

[0041] In one example, one of the following is true: the device is an application server, the device is included in the application server, and the device is used for the application server.

[0042] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: retrieve application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and provide an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information.

[0043] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0044] In one example, application-related information is included in the application's configuration file.

[0045] In one example, the configuration file is app.json.

[0046] In one example, the device is made to perform: receiving the application's configuration file; and parsing the application's configuration file to identify information related to the application.

[0047] In one example, the device is made to perform: format application-related information into a proposed session description protocol media-level attribute.

[0048] In one example, the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

[0049] In one example, the application-related information includes information about the version of the application, and the device is made to perform the following: comparing i) information about the version of the application, and ii) second information about a second version of a second application stored on the user device.

[0050] In one example, the device is made to perform: in response to determining that the version and the second version are the same, retain the stored second application on the user device.

[0051] In one example, the device is made to perform: in response to determining that the version and the second version are different, delete the stored second application; and download the application from the first data channel server.

[0052] In one example, application-related information includes information about the application's validity period, and this information includes a validity timer.

[0053] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for starting a validity timer when the application is downloaded.

[0054] In one example, the device is made to perform: triggering a re-download of the application in response to the expiration of a validity timer.

[0055] In one example, the device is made to perform: establish a boot data channel with a first data channel server, wherein application-related information is retrieved via the boot data channel.

[0056] In one example, application-related information is received from a first data channel server via an application server, wherein the application-related information is received when the user equipment establishes a boot data channel.

[0057] In one example, application-related information received via the application server is received in the Session Description Protocol (STP) response message.

[0058] In one example, one of the following is true: the device is a user equipment, the device is included in the user equipment, and the device is used for the user equipment.

[0059] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the apparatus to perform: receiving a request associated with an application; and providing application-related information to a user equipment, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application.

[0060] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0061] In one example, application-related information is included in the application's configuration file.

[0062] In one example, the configuration file is app.json.

[0063] In one example, receiving includes receiving a request from a user equipment via a boot data channel.

[0064] In one example, application-related information includes information about the application's validity, and this information includes a validity timer.

[0065] In one example, the device is made to perform: in response to the expiration of a validity timer, to provide the application to the user device.

[0066] In one example, the device is instructed to perform: establishing a boot data channel with the user equipment, wherein application-related information is provided via the boot data channel.

[0067] In one example, application-related information is provided to the user device via an application server, where application-related information is received during the establishment of a boot data channel.

[0068] In one example, the apparatus is made to perform: providing application-related identification information to the network function in order to register with the network function, such that the first data channel server is registered with the network function as being able to serve the application.

[0069] In one example, the identification information associated with the application includes: the application's identity, the application's name, and unique information associated with the application.

[0070] In one example, the network function is the network repository function.

[0071] In one example, one of the following is true: the apparatus is a first data channel server, the apparatus is included in the first data channel server, and the apparatus is used for the first data channel server.

[0072] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the apparatus to: receive from a user equipment a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and, based on the received application-related information, determine to invoke a data channel server for the application.

[0073] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0074] In one example, the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

[0075] In one example, the device is configured to perform: when the user equipment establishes a boot data channel with the first data channel server, provide the user equipment with application-related information from the first data channel server.

[0076] In one example, application-related information is provided in the Session Description Protocol (STP) response message.

[0077] In one example, the apparatus is made to: provide a query associated with an application to a network function to establish an application data channel; and receive a response from the network function, the response including at least one address of a data channel server capable of serving the application.

[0078] In one example, the device is instructed to perform: based on a determination, provide a notification message to a first data channel server, the notification message including application-related information.

[0079] In one example, the device is instructed to perform: forward a proposal to the core of a first Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem for establishing an application data channel, wherein the proposal message includes application-related information.

[0080] In one example, one of the following is true: the device is an application server, the device is included in the application server, and the device is used for the application server.

[0081] According to one aspect, a method is provided, comprising: retrieving application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and providing an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information.

[0082] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0083] In one example, application-related information is included in the application's configuration file.

[0084] In one example, the configuration file is app.json.

[0085] In one example, the method includes: receiving the application's configuration file; and parsing the application's configuration file to identify information related to the application.

[0086] In one example, the method includes formatting application-related information into a proposed session description protocol media-level attribute.

[0087] In one example, the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

[0088] In one example, the application-related information includes information about the version of the application, and the method includes comparing the following two items: i) information about the version of the application, and ii) second information about a second version of a second application stored on a user device.

[0089] In one example, the method includes: in response to determining that the version and the second version are the same, retaining the stored second application on the user device.

[0090] In one example, the method includes: deleting the stored second application in response to determining that the version and the second version are different; and downloading the application from the first data channel server.

[0091] In one example, application-related information includes information about the application's validity period, and this information includes validity timers.

[0092] In one example, the apparatus includes a component for starting a validity timer when the application is downloaded.

[0093] In one example, the method includes triggering a re-download of the application in response to the expiration of a validity timer.

[0094] In one example, the method includes establishing a boot data channel with a first data channel server, wherein application-related information is retrieved via the boot data channel.

[0095] In one example, application-related information is received from a first data channel server via an application server, wherein the application-related information is received when the user equipment establishes a boot data channel.

[0096] In one example, application-related information received via the application server is received in the Session Description Protocol (STP) response message.

[0097] In one example, the method is executed by the user device.

[0098] According to one aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving a request associated with an application; and providing an application-related information to a user device, wherein the application-related information includes information about a data channel server associated with the application.

[0099] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0100] In one example, application-related information is included in the application's configuration file.

[0101] In one example, the configuration file is app.json.

[0102] In one example, receiving includes receiving a request from a user equipment via a boot data channel.

[0103] In one example, application-related information includes information about the application's validity, and this information includes a validity timer.

[0104] In one example, the method includes: serving the application to the user device in response to the expiration of a validity timer.

[0105] In one example, the method includes: establishing a boot data channel with a user device, wherein application-related information is provided via the boot data channel.

[0106] In one example, application-related information is provided to the user device via an application server, where the application-related information is received when the boot data channel is established.

[0107] In one example, the method includes:

[0108] Provide the network function with application-related identification information so that it can register with the network function, thereby enabling the first data channel server to be registered with the network function as a service provider for the application.

[0109] In one example, the identification information associated with the application includes: the application's identity, the application's name, and unique information associated with the application.

[0110] In one example, the network function is the network repository function.

[0111] In one example, the method is executed by the first data channel server.

[0112] According to one aspect, a method is provided, comprising: receiving from a user equipment a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and determining, based on the received application-related information, to invoke a data channel server for the application.

[0113] In one example, application-related information includes at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, information about the application name, and information about the application's validity period.

[0114] In one example, the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

[0115] In one example, the method includes: when a user device establishes a bootstrap data channel with a first data channel server, providing the user device with application-related information from the first data channel server.

[0116] In one example, application-related information is provided in the Session Description Protocol (STP) response message.

[0117] In one example, the method includes: providing a query associated with an application to a network function to establish an application data channel; and receiving a response from the network function, the response including at least one address of a data channel server capable of serving the application.

[0118] In one example, the method includes: based on a determination, providing a notification message to a first data channel server, the notification message including application-related information.

[0119] In one example, the method includes: forwarding a proposal for establishing an application data channel to the core of a first Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, wherein the proposal message includes application-related information.

[0120] In one example, the method is executed by the application server.

[0121] According to one aspect, a computer program including instructions is provided that, when executed by a device, causes the device to perform at least the following: retrieving application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes: information about the data channel server associated with the application; and providing an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information.

[0122] According to one aspect, a computer program including instructions is provided that, when executed by a device, causes the device to perform at least the following: receiving a request associated with an application; and providing application-related information to a user equipment, wherein the application-related information includes information about a data channel server associated with the application.

[0123] According to one aspect, a computer program including instructions is provided that, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following: receiving from a user equipment a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and determining, based on the received application-related information, to invoke a data channel server for the application.

[0124] According to one aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: retrieving application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes: information about the data channel server associated with the application; and providing an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information.

[0125] According to one aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving a request associated with an application; and providing application-related information to a user device, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application.

[0126] According to one aspect, a computer program is provided, including instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: receiving from a user equipment a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and determining, based on the received application-related information, to invoke a data channel server for the application.

[0127] Computer products stored on media can enable devices to perform methods as described herein.

[0128] A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform the methods described herein.

[0129] Electronic devices may include devices as described herein.

[0130] The various aspects have been described above. It should be understood that additional aspects can be provided through any combination of two or more of the aforementioned aspects.

[0131] Various other aspects and additional embodiments are described in the following detailed description and the appended claims.

[0132] The subject matter of the independent claims is provided according to several aspects. Several other aspects are defined in the dependent claims. Embodiments not falling within the scope of the claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding this disclosure.

[0133] List of abbreviations

[0134] A2P: Application to Individuals

[0135] AF: Application Functions

[0136] AMF: Access and Mobility Management Functions

[0137] AN: Access Network

[0138] AS: Application Server

[0139] BS: Base Station

[0140] CN: Core Network

[0141] DC: Data Channel

[0142] DCAR: Data Channel Application Repository

[0143] DCS: Data Channel Server

[0144] DCSF: Data Channel Signaling Function

[0145] DCMF: Data Channel Media Function

[0146] DL: Downlink

[0147] eNB: eNodeB

[0148] gNB: gNodeB

[0149] HTML: Hypertext Markup Language

[0150] HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol

[0151] IIoT: Industrial Internet of Things

[0152] IP: Internet Protocol

[0153] IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem

[0154] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0155] NEF: Network Exposure Function

[0156] NG-RAN: Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0157] NF: Network Functions

[0158] NR: New Radio

[0159] NRF: Network Repository Functionality

[0160] NW: Network

[0161] MMTel: Multimedia Telephone Service

[0162] MS: Mobile Station

[0163] PCF: Policy Control Function

[0164] PLMN: Public Land Mobile Network

[0165] P2P: Person-to-Person

[0166] P2A: From Individual to Application

[0167] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0168] RF: Radio Frequency

[0169] SDP: Session Description Protocol

[0170] SIP: Session Initiation Protocol

[0171] SMF: Session Management Function

[0172] UE: User Equipment

[0173] UDR: Unified Data Repository

[0174] UDM: Unified Data Management

[0175] UL: Uplink

[0176] UPF: User Plane Functionality

[0177] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0178] 5G: Fifth Generation

[0179] 5GC: 5G Core Network

[0180] 5G-RAN: 5G Radio Access Network

[0181] 5GS: 5G system Attached Figure Description

[0182] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0183] Figure 1 This shows a schematic representation of a 5G system;

[0184] Figure 2 A schematic representation of the control device is shown;

[0185] Figure 3 A schematic representation of the terminal is shown;

[0186] Figure 4 An example signaling diagram between user equipment and network entities is shown;

[0187] Figure 5 A flowchart of an example method executed by the device is shown;

[0188] Figure 6 A flowchart of another example method performed by the device is shown;

[0189] Figure 7 A flowchart of another example method executed by the device is shown; and

[0190] Figure 8 This diagram illustrates a non-volatile storage medium for storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, allow the processor to perform... Figures 5 to 7 One or more steps of the method. Detailed Implementation

[0191] Before explaining some examples of this disclosure in detail, refer to Figures 1 to 3 Briefly explain some general principles of wireless communication systems and mobile communication devices to aid in understanding the technologies upon which the examples are based.

[0192] In the wireless communication system 100, such as Figure 1 As shown, the mobile communication device / terminal or user equipment, and / or user equipment (UE), and / or machine-type communication device 102 is provided with wireless access via at least one base station (not shown) or similar wireless transmitting and / or receiving node or point. The communication device is equipped with suitable signal receiving and transmitting means to enable communication, for example, enabling access to a communication network or direct communication with other devices. The communication device can access a carrier provided by the station or access point and transmit and / or receive communication on the carrier.

[0193] The following explanation will use reference to mobile communication devices capable of communicating via wireless cellular systems and mobile communication systems serving such mobile communication devices to illustrate certain examples. Before explaining the examples of this disclosure in detail, reference will be made to… Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 A brief explanation of some general principles of wireless communication systems, their access systems, and mobile communication devices is provided to help understand the technology behind the examples.

[0194] Figure 1 A schematic representation of a wireless communication system 100 is shown. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more devices 102, such as user equipment (UE) or terminals. As shown, the wireless communication system 100 may also include a 5G system (5GS). The 5GS includes a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) 106, a 5G core network (5GC) 104 including one or more network functions (NFs), one or more application functions (AFs) 108, and one or more data networks (DNs) 110.

[0195] 5G-RAN 106 may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit (DU) functions connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) centralized unit (CU) functions.

[0196] 5GC 104 may include Access Management Function (AMF) 112, Session Management Function (SMF) 114, Authentication Server Function (AUSF) 116, User Data Management (UDM) 118, User Plane Function (UPF) 120, Network Exposure Function (NEF) 122, and / or other NFs. Some examples shown below may apply to the 3GPP 5G standard. However, some examples may also apply to Advanced 5G, 4G, 3G, and other 3GPP standards.

[0197] In such Figure 1 In the wireless communication system 100 shown, mobile communication devices / terminals, or user equipment, and / or user equipment (UE), and / or machine-type communication devices are provided with wireless access via at least one base station, or similar wireless transmitting and / or receiving node or point. The terminal is provided with suitable signal receiving and transmitting means for enabling communication, such as enabling access to a communication network or direct communication with other devices. The communication device can access a carrier provided by the base station or access point, and transmit and / or receive communication on the carrier.

[0198] Figure 2 The diagram is used to control, such as Figure 1An example of a control device 200 for a function of 5G-RAN or 5GC is illustrated. The control device may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, processor 213, and an input / output interface 214. At least one processor 212 and processor 213 may be coupled to RAM 211a and ROM 211b. At least one processor 212 and processor 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215. Software code 215 may, for example, allow the execution of one or more steps to perform one or more aspects of this aspect. Software code 215 may be stored in ROM 211b. Control device 200 may be interconnected with another control device 200 that controls another function of 5G-AN or 5GC. In some examples, each function of 5G-AN or 5GC includes control device 200. In alternative examples, two or more functions of 5G-AN or 5GC may share a control device.

[0199] Figure 3 Examples of terminal 300 shown in the diagram, such as Figure 1 The illustrated terminal 300 can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include: user equipment, mobile station (MS) or mobile device (such as a mobile phone or so-called "smartphone"), computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., a USB dongle), personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet computer equipped with wireless communication capabilities, machine-type communication (MTC) device, cellular Internet of Things (CIoT) device, or any combination thereof. Terminal 300 can provide, for example, data communication for carrying communication. Communication can be one or more of voice, email, text messages, multimedia, data, machine data, etc.

[0200] Terminal 300 can receive signals via air or radio interface 307 through appropriate means for receiving, and can transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the diagram, the transceiver device is schematically represented by block 306. The transceiver device 306 can be provided, for example, via a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement can be located inside or outside the mobile device.

[0201] Terminal 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b, and other possible components 303 for software and hardware assistance in performing tasks designed to be performed, including controlling access to access systems and other communication devices, and communication with access systems and other communication devices. At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302b and ROM 302a. At least one processor 301 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 308. Software code 308 may, for example, allow execution of one or more aspects of this aspect. Software code 308 may be stored in ROM 302a.

[0202] Processors, memory, and other related control devices may be provided on a suitable circuit board and / or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The device may optionally have a user interface, such as a keyboard 305, a touch-sensitive screen or touchpad, or a combination thereof. Depending on the type of device, one or more of a display, speakers, and microphone may optionally be provided.

[0203] Real-time communication can include the transmission of voice, video, and text between parties. These communication services are used to write letters, talk to others, and see others in real time. With the introduction of 5G, the communications industry can take the next step and further develop this infrastructure and services in the 5G world, adding functionality built on the Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Leveraging 5G, the resulting bandwidth and low latency could mean additional capabilities such as touch and mobile on the network, extending real-time communication with real-time interaction.

[0204] IMS provides global "discovery and connectivity" services with features such as phone number, authentication, quality of service, mobility, security, and robustness. The low latency of 5G enables new types of use cases, allowing for real-time communication and interaction over long distances. This is achieved by adding a data channel (DC) to IMS in addition to voice, video, and text channels. This real-time interaction can be used in areas such as peer-to-peer communication, remote health, remote drone control, distance education, remote security, remote machine control, augmented reality, and consumer-business interaction.

[0205] IMS is widely deployed to provide voice communication services. To enable IMS to handle interactive calls, in addition to voice communication, 3GPP TS26.114 and GSMA define a Data Channel Server (DC) for IMS. The IMS DC uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and / or Session Description Protocol (SDP) to perform IMSDC-related SDP negotiation between the UE and the Data Channel Server (DCS). The DCS may include a DC Signaling Function (DCSF) and a DC Media Function (DCMF). Within SIP, SDP provides a mechanism through which two or more entities intending to establish a multimedia session can use a proposal and response SDP model to reach a common view of the multimedia session. This common view of the multimedia session includes the use of common codecs.

[0206] Based on the SDP negotiation results, the UE can establish a bootstrap data channel with the DCS and use an appropriate protocol (e.g., Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Flow Control Transfer Protocol (SCTP), Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS), User Datagram Protocol (UDP)) to retrieve an application list and one or more applications from the DCS. In this context, an application can be, for example, a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) page with embedded JavaScript. The application may also include other objects, such as stylesheets or images.

[0207] The bootstrap DC is used to transmit the data channel application list and data channel applications from the network to the UE. The bootstrap data channel is based on protocols such as HTTP, SCTP, DTLS, and UDP.

[0208] After the application list has been retrieved, the user can select any application from the list and download it to the UE. When the user wants to launch an application, the application data channel is established after SDP negotiation for the application data channel has been completed. The UE should exchange application data within the application data channel. The application DC is used to transmit DC application data between UEs or between the UE and the network.

[0209] IMSDC enables the delivery of data for applications beyond voice, video, and text. Using the IMS data channel, a wide range of data applications can be created and delivered to users without requiring pre-installation of applications at the UE.

[0210] When a UE downloads several applications within a Multimedia Telephony Service (MMTel) session, the DCS's DCSF / DCMF cannot uniquely identify the application data channel used by the applications. This can be problematic because different applications typically have different requirements for the DC to be used. In some scenarios, the DC is established directly between two peers (P2P communication). In other scenarios, the DC is established from two peers, or from one peer to a server (e.g., media functions).

[0211] As defined in 3GPP TS26.114, when a UE wants to launch an application from the application list (retrieved from the DCMF via the bootstrap data channel), the stream ID value of the JavaScript from the application can be used in the SDP.

[0212] Table 1 below shows examples of SDP proposals for the Application Data Channel. The Application Data Channel is defined in 3GPP TS 26.114.

[0213]

[0214] Table 1: SDP Proposals for Application Data Channels

[0215] As shown in the example SDP proposal in Table 1, the only information relevant to the application is the flow identity (ID). The flow ID is the "dcmap value" of the "dcmap" attribute. In the example in Table 1, this flow ID is 7216.

[0216] When an application is configured within a domain, the flow ID is assigned to the application. However, the flow ID does not uniquely identify applications across different domains.

[0217] A "new" application ID for the DC (Data Center) is proposed in 3GPP TR 23.700-87 V1.0.0. This proposed application ID may already be part of an HTML page downloaded by the UE, and will be provided by the UE in the SDP proposal when the application DC is established. However, how the UE will know the application ID is not specified in this TR 23.700-87 proposal is not addressed. Furthermore, this proposal identifies several other issues, as follows.

[0218] First, it's impossible to identify which DCS is serving the application being used (for both DCSF and DCMF). Both the initiating and terminating DCSs can provide IMSDC services within the network. Applications can be downloaded from either the initiating or terminating DCS. The IMS Application Server (AS) can then send messages to the DCS based on subscription data. However, subscriptions are not based on the application itself. Therefore, the IMS AS doesn't know which DCS is serving the application and cannot "skip" other DCSs that don't serve it. When the IMS AS calls the "wrong" DCS (i.e., the DCS that doesn't serve the application), the DCS might incorrectly process the application DC request if the flow ID and DC application ID are duplicated. It's possible for the flow ID and DC application ID to be duplicated on both the initiating and terminating networks. This is because there's no mechanism for synchronized allocation between network operators.

[0219] Furthermore, the application type (e.g., Person-to-Person (P2P), Person-to-Application (P2A), Application-to-Person (A2P)) cannot be identified. The DCS application logic for handling each application can differ depending on its type. For example, for a P2P application, the DCS does not need to reserve DC media resources for that application. In other examples, for a P2A application, the DCS will establish an application DC between the UE and the DCS / network application server.

[0220] Furthermore, the application version is not identifiable. Applications can be downloaded from the DCS upon request. Multiple versions of an application can exist within the DCS to support application upgrades without service interruption. In this way, the DCS cannot assume that the application on the UE is always the same version.

[0221] Furthermore, application lifecycle management on the UE may be inefficient. This is because the UE downloads applications from the DCS, which causes latency and consumes bandwidth.

[0222] Furthermore, it is not clarified which entity assigns the application ID to the application, or how it can ensure that the application ID is unique across different domains. Nor is it specified how the UE retrieves the application ID.

[0223] The following examples are designed to address one or more of the issues identified above.

[0224] In this example, a user equipment is provided that retrieves application-related information from a first DCS. The application-related information includes information about the DCS associated with the application. The user equipment then provides an application server with a proposal to establish an application data channel, which includes the application-related information.

[0225] In the example, a new Session Description Protocol (SDP) media-level attribute is created. This attribute can be used to carry information about the DCS and application-related information in the application data channel. This information can include DCSF and DCMF identities. These identities can include one or more Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs), and other suitable identities. The information in the attribute can also include at least one of the following: application type, version, and validity period.

[0226] In some examples, application-specific information can be defined in the application's configuration file. For instance, the information can be stored in the application's app.json file. The configuration file can be stored in the DCSF or Data Channel Application Repository (DCAR).

[0227] In the example, the UE receives an application list from the DCS. The application list can be provided via a bootstrapping data channel. After retrieving the application list on the bootstrapping data channel, the UE can parse the application's app.json configuration file. Then, when application DC SDP negotiation is triggered, the UE can include the parsed information from the configuration file in the SDP proposal. SDP media-level attributes (e.g., "a=dcapp:...") include application information such as, for example, DCS identity, application type, application version, application name, and validity period. In some examples, the DCS identity can also specify the DCSF identity.

[0228] The DCSF can register with the Network Repository Function (NRF) using the application's identity (e.g., application ID(s)) and / or other application-specific information. When the IMS AS receives an SDP proposal with SDP media-level attributes as described above, the IMS AS can contact the DCSF based on the received DCSF identity. Alternatively, the IMS AS can query the NRF to select a DCSF based on the application ID and / or other application-specific information. The DCSF knows the DC application information, including the application type and application version. When multiple versions are supported, the DCSF also knows the application version. In some examples, the AS can provide the NRF with a query associated with the application to establish the application DC. The NRF can then respond to the AS using the addresses of any(s) DCS(s) capable of serving that application.

[0229] In other examples, application-related information (e.g., DCS identity, application type, version, name, validity period) can be provided from the DCSF to the IMS AS. In response, this information is then provided to the UE from the IMSAS in an SDP response message during DC setup. The DC is used to download / transfer applications or application lists to the UE. In this way, there is no need to change the format / configuration of the app.json file. This is because the information is provided to the UE in the SDP. Therefore, there is no need to provide the information in the HTML.

[0230] In the example, the UE can store downloaded applications in a local cache. Downloaded applications can be stored for a given period. The application's configuration specifies a version. When the UE retrieves application-related information from the application list, it can compare the cached application's version information with the corresponding application in the application list. If the cached application version matches the version in the application list, the UE does not need to download the application from the network again. If the versions differ, the UE should remove the cached application and download the application (different version) from the network again. This method is more efficient because it avoids unnecessary downloads. This saves radio resources.

[0231] These features will be described in more detail below.

[0232] For each data channel application, assign information about the DCS associated with that application. This information may include the identity of the DCS serving the application. In addition to the associated DCS information, assign at least one of the following to each data channel application: application type, version, and application name.

[0233] A DCS identity can be referred to as a "dcs-id". The "dcs-id" indicates the DCS that serves the application.

[0234] Application type can be referred to as "app-type". "App-type" indicates the type of application. For example, Person-to-Person (P2P), Person-to-Application (P2A), and Application-to-Person (A2P).

[0235] An application version can be referred to as a "version". A "version" indicates the current version of the application.

[0236] Application validity, or validity period, can be referred to as "validity." "Validity" indicates the time period during which a downloaded application can be used. In other words, "validity" refers to a validity timer. The expiration of a validity timer can mean that the downloaded application can no longer be used by the UE. In this way, in some examples, the expiration of a validity timer can trigger the re-downloading of the application. The UE can initiate and monitor the validity timer.

[0237] In some examples, the DCS providing the validity timer can also maintain instances of the validity timer. For instance, when the DCS provides an application for download to the UE, the DCS starts the validity timer. When the validity timer at the DCS expires, the DCS provides the application to the UE again (i.e., for re-downloading).

[0238] Information for DC applications can be added to the application's app.json configuration file. The application's configuration file can be located in the Data Channel Signalling Function (DCSF) / Data Channel Application Repository (DCAR) or stored separately.

[0239] In the example, the UE can retrieve application information from the DCMF via the bootstrap data channel. When the UE wants to launch the application, it retrieves the application information from the JSON file and includes it in an SDP proposal with the attribute "a=dcapp:". It should be understood that in other examples, the "a=dcapp:" attribute is given a different, more appropriate name / text string.

[0240] In another example, application information can be provided to the IMS AS by the DCSF. Then, the application information is provided to the UE from the IMS AS in the SDP response. When the UE establishes the bootstrap data channel, the application information can be provided by the IMS AS.

[0241] For example, “a=dcapp:” is a media-level attribute with the following definition, as shown in Table 2 below.

[0242] Name: dcapp

[0243] value dcapp-value

[0244] Use graded media

[0245] Character set related?

[0246] Table 2: Example of "a = dcapp:" attribute

[0247] The formal syntax for this attribute might be as follows:

[0248] dcapp-value = stream-id

[0249] [SP dcapp-opt*(";"dcapp-opt)]

[0250] stream-id = 1 * 5DIGIT

[0251] dcapp-opt=app-type-opt / version-opt / dcs-id-opt / validity-opt

[0252] app-type-opt="app-type="quoted-string

[0253] version-opt="version="quoted-string

[0254] dcs-id-opt="dcs-id="quoted-string

[0255] validity-opt="validity="validity-value

[0256] validity-value = "0" / integer

[0257] milliseconds,

[0258] less than 2^32

[0259] Examples of SDP proposals that include media-level attributes are shown in Table 3 below.

[0260]

[0261] Table 3: Example SDF proposals with "New" media-level attributes, "a = dcapp:"

[0262] In the example, the UE provides a new SDP proposal with the attribute "a=dcapp:". The IMS AS retrieves the "dcs-id" from the attribute and routes the request to the indicated DCS. In this way, the IMS AS (only) invokes the DCS with the same "dcs-id". When the DCS is invoked, the IMS AS should include the application type, version, and the dcs-id information for the DCS (DCSF and DCMF).

[0263] Using this information, the DCS can determine the application type and perform resource allocation based on it. The DCS can also determine the application version for the request. In cases where multiple application versions exist, the DCS can process service logic based on the application version. Service logic is application-related logic. For example, at least one of the following: reserving media resources for a data channel to authorize a user to download and use the application, selecting DCMF, and determining which version of the application to download. The DCS can also determine the identity of the serving DCS. Using this information, the DCS can ignore any requests for applications that are not related to it.

[0264] Figure 4 An example signaling diagram between user equipment and network entities is shown.

[0265] At S400a, the first UE (UE A) and the first DCS (DCS A) establish a boot data channel.

[0266] At S400b, the second UE (UE B) establishes a pilot channel with the first DCS.

[0267] At S401, the first UE provides a message requesting an application to the first DCS. This message can be an HTTP GET message. In other examples, other suitable message types are used. In some examples, the first UE can request multiple applications. In some examples, the first UE can request a list of available applications at the first DCS.

[0268] At S402, the first DCS provides a response message to the first UE. The response message can be an HTTP 200 OK message. In other examples, other suitable message types are used.

[0269] The response message includes application-related information. This information includes details about the data channel server associated with the application. For example, the application may be associated with a first DCS (DCS A). In this case, when the application is associated with the first DCS, it will be downloaded via the first DCS A. The application can be downloaded from the DCAR, which may be part of the first DCS or it may be independent.

[0270] Application-related information may also include at least one of the following: information about the application version, information about the application type, and information about the application's validity period.

[0271] exist Figure 4In the example, the application type is p2p, the version is "z", the validity is "y", and the application is associated with DCS A. The validity time "y" can be, for example, a duration of milliseconds. In this way, the information provided by the first DCS includes "stream id: x, app-type: p2p, version: z, dcs-id: DCSA, validity: y".

[0272] In some examples, application-related information can be included in the application's configuration file. For instance, information can be stored in the application's "app.json" file. The first user experience (UX) can parse the application's configuration file to identify the application-related information.

[0273] At S403, the second UE provides the first DCS with a message requesting an application. This message can be an HTTP GET message. In other examples, other suitable message types are used. This step is similar to S401, but is performed by the second UE.

[0274] At step S404, the first DCS provides a response message to the second UE. The response message can be an HTTP 200 OK message. In other examples, other suitable message types are used. This step is similar to S402, but the response message is provided to the second UE.

[0275] exist Figure 4 In the example, the application type is p2p, the version is "z", and the application is associated with the first DCS. In this way, the information provided by the second DCS includes "flow id: x, app type: p2p, version: z, dcs-id: DCSA, validity: y".

[0276] At step S405, the first UE determines that an application needs to be launched. The received application information can be used for SDP proposals.

[0277] At S406, the first UE provides a proposal to the first application server (MMTelAS A) for establishing an application data channel. The proposal includes application-related information. In this way, the first UE identifies which application it wishes to launch.

[0278] The proposal used for establishment can be included in the re-INVITE message. In other examples, other suitable message types are used. In some examples, the proposal is an SDP proposal.

[0279] In this example, the application is referred to as application "x". In this way, the following data is provided: "a-dcapp:x,app-type:P2P,version:z,dcs-id:DCSA,validity:y". "dcapp" is the data channel application.

[0280] At S407, the first application server determines which DCS to invoke based on application-related information received from the first UE. In this example, the application is associated with the first DCS.

[0281] At S408, in response to determining which DCS to invoke, the first application server provides a data channel event notification to the first DCS. In some examples, the event notification may include at least some of the application-related information. In other examples, the event notification does not include application-related information.

[0282] At S409, the first DCS receives a notification from the first application server. The application (“x”) is owned / supported by the first DCS. In this way, the first DCS knows the application type and the application version.

[0283] At S410, the first DCS provides a data channel control request to the first application server. The DC control request triggers a proposal request with application-related information to be sent via IMS core A to IMS core B, and ultimately to the second UE. It can also trigger the reservation of media resources for data channel establishment.

[0284] At S411, the first application server forwards the proposal message to the first IMS core (IMS core A). The proposal message includes application-related information.

[0285] At S412, the first IMS core forwards the received message to the second application server (MMTel AS B). The second application server is associated with the second UE. The first UE attempts to communicate with the second UE.

[0286] The second application server receives information about the application, including information about the data channel server associated with the application. In this example, the application (“x”) is associated with DCS A. Therefore, the second application server does not invoke the second DCS. This is because the second DCS does not serve the application.

[0287] At S413, the second application server forwards the received message to the second UE.

[0288] After these steps, the first UE and the second UE are able to communicate with each other. The first UE and the second UE can communicate with each other using an application via a data channel.

[0289] It should be understood that in some examples, one or more of steps S401 to S413 may not be performed, or may be performed in a different order.

[0290] In some examples, the DCSF registers with the NRF using one or more application IDs. The application ID can be a string, number, etc., that uniquely identifies the application. When the IMS AS wants to contact the DCSF for an application, it queries the NRF to retrieve the correct DCSF for that application. In this way, the IMS AS contacts the correct DCSF serving the application.

[0291] In some examples, when the UE downloads a DC application via the bootstrap data channel, the UE stores the downloaded application in a cache, allowing it to be served as part of an HTML page. For example, as part of a JSON file embedded in HTML. The UE can delete the DC application after its validity period / timer expires. Alternatively, the DC application can be manually deleted at any time.

[0292] In some examples, the application's configuration information includes its version information. When the UE retrieves application information from an application list linked to another IMS session, it can use the cached application information if the cached version matches the version in the application list. If the versions are the same, the UE does not need to download the application from the network again. If the versions are different, the UE removes the cached application and (again) downloads it from the network.

[0293] The advantages of one or more examples discussed above are that applications provided via data channels are delivered more efficiently. The first benefit is that the DCS is not invoked if the corresponding application is not served by the DCS. This reduces latency and saves resources. The second benefit is that the UE stores the downloaded version of the application and can perform determinations to ensure that the application is not re-downloaded if the stored version is available. This also saves radio resources. The third benefit is that the DCS can use application-type related information to perform resource allocation for the application in the most appropriate way. Different application types have different requirements. Therefore, by utilizing this application type information, resources can be saved through optimal resource allocation.

[0294] Figure 5 An example method flow executed by a device is shown. The device can be included in a user equipment. The device can be used with a user equipment. The device can be a user equipment.

[0295] In S501, the method includes retrieving application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes information about the data channel server associated with the application.

[0296] In S503, the method includes providing an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information.

[0297] Figure 6 An example method flow executed by the apparatus is shown. The apparatus can be included in a data channel server. The apparatus can be used in a data channel server. The apparatus can be a data channel server.

[0298] In S601, the method includes receiving a request associated with the application.

[0299] In S603, the method includes providing the user equipment with application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes information about the data channel server associated with the application.

[0300] Figure 7 An example method flow executed by the device is shown. The device can be included in an application server. The device can be used in an application server. The device can be an application server.

[0301] In S701, the method includes receiving a proposal from a user equipment for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes information about a data channel server associated with the application.

[0302] In S703, the method includes determining to invoke a data channel server for the application based on received application-related information.

[0303] Figure 8 A schematic representation of a non-volatile storage medium 800a (e.g., a computer disk (CD) or digital multifunction disk (DVD)) and a non-volatile storage medium 800b (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory stick) is shown, illustrating the storage instructions and / or parameters 802. When executed by the processor, the instructions and / or parameters 802 allow the processor to perform... Figure 6 , Figure 7 ,or Figure 8 One or more steps in the method.

[0304] It should be noted that although exemplary embodiments have been described above, several changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed solutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0305] Therefore, examples may vary within the scope of the appended claims. Generally, some embodiments may be implemented using hardware, or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. While embodiments are not limited thereto, for example, some aspects may be implemented using hardware, while others may be implemented using firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or combinations thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0306] The example can be implemented by computer software stored in memory, and can be executed by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, it should be noted that any process can represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks, and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks, and functions. Software can be stored on physical media, such as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as, for example, DVDs and their data variants, CDs.

[0307] The term “non-transient” as used in this article refers to a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not signaled), rather than a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0308] As used herein, “at least one of the following: a list of two or more elements” and “at least one of the following: a list of two or more elements” and similar wording (where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) means at least any one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0309] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As a non-limiting example, the data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0310] Alternatively or additionally, some examples may be implemented using a circuit system. The circuit system may be configured to perform one or more of the foregoing functional and / or methodological steps. This circuit system may be provided in a base station and / or communication equipment.

[0311] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0312] (a) Pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation using only analog and / or digital circuit systems),

[0313] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as:

[0314] (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry and software / firmware, and

[0315] (ii) Any portion of one or more hardware processors having software (including one or more digital signal processors), software, and one or more memories, which work together to enable the apparatus (such as a communication device or base station) to perform the aforementioned functions; and

[0316] (c) (one or more) hardware circuits and / or (one or more) processors, such as (one or more) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when operation is not required.

[0317] This definition of "circuit system" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit system" also covers only the implementation of hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion thereof, and its accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit" also covers, for example, integrated devices.

[0318] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of some embodiments through exemplary and non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations will become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims, given the foregoing description. Nevertheless, all such and similar teaching modifications will still fall within the scope defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: Components for retrieving application-related information from a first data channel server, wherein the application-related information includes: information about the data channel server associated with the application; and A component for providing an application server with a proposal for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including the information related to the application.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein information related to the application is included in the configuration file of the application.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the component for retrieval comprises: A component for receiving the configuration file of the application; as well as Components used to parse the application's configuration file to identify the information associated with the application.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for formatting the information associated with the application into media-level attributes for the proposed session description protocol.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the information related to the application includes information about the version of the application, and wherein the apparatus comprises: Components for comparing the following two items: i) the information about the version of the application, and ii) the second information about the second version of the second application, which is stored on the user device.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for retaining the stored second application on the user equipment in response to determining that the version and the second version are the same.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apparatus comprises: Components for deleting the stored second application in response to determining that the version is different from the second version; as well as Components for downloading the application from the first data channel server.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the information relating to the application includes information about the validity period of the application, and wherein the information about the validity period of the application includes a validity timer.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for triggering a re-download of the application in response to the expiration of the validity timer.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the apparatus comprises: Components for establishing a bootstrap data channel with the first data channel server, wherein the information related to the application is retrieved via the bootstrap data channel.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the information relating to the application is received from the first data channel server via the application server, wherein the information relating to the application is received when the user equipment establishes the bootstrap data channel.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the apparatus is the user equipment, the apparatus is included in the user equipment, and the apparatus is used in the user equipment.

15. An apparatus comprising: A component used to receive requests associated with an application; Components for providing user equipment with application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes information about a data channel server associated with the application.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 or claim 16, wherein the information relating to the application is included in the configuration file of the application.

18. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the component for receiving comprises: A component for receiving the request from the user equipment via a boot data channel.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein the information relating to the application includes information about the validity of the application, and wherein the information about the validity of the application includes a validity timer.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for providing the application to the user equipment in response to the expiration of the validity timer.

21. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the apparatus comprises: Components for establishing a boot data channel with the user equipment, wherein the information related to the application is provided via the boot data channel.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the information relating to the application is provided to the user equipment via an application server, wherein the information relating to the application is received when the boot data channel is established.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 22, wherein the apparatus comprises: Provide the network function with identification information related to the application so as to register with the network function, so that the first data channel server is registered with the network function to be able to serve the application.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein the apparatus is a first data channel server, the apparatus is included in the first data channel server, and the apparatus is used in the first data channel server.

25. An apparatus comprising: Components for receiving a proposal from a user equipment for establishing an application data channel, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and A component for determining, based on the received information related to the application, to invoke a data channel server for the application.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

27. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

28. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 27, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for providing the application-related information from the first data channel server to the user equipment when the user equipment establishes a bootstrap data channel with the first data channel server.

29. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component used to provide network functions with queries associated with the application in order to establish application data channels; as well as A component for receiving a response from the network function, the response including at least one address of a data channel server capable of serving the application.

30. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 29, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for providing a notification message to the first data channel server based on the determination, the notification message including the information related to the application.

31. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the apparatus comprises: A component for forwarding the proposal for establishing an application data channel to the core of the first Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, wherein the proposal message includes the information related to the application.

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 25 to 31, wherein the apparatus is an application server, the apparatus is included in the application server, and the apparatus is used in the application server.

33. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the device to perform: Information related to the application is retrieved from the first data channel server, wherein the information related to the application includes: information about the data channel server associated with the application; and A proposal for establishing an application data channel is provided to the application server, the proposal including the information related to the application.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

35. The apparatus of claim 33 or claim 34, wherein the information relating to the application is included in the configuration file of the application.

36. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: Receive the configuration file of the application; and The application's configuration file is parsed to identify the information related to the application.

37. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: The information related to the application is formatted as a session description protocol media-level attribute for the proposed application.

38. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

39. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein the information related to the application includes information about the version of the application, and wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: Compare the following two items: i) the information regarding the version of the application, and ii) the second information regarding the second version of the second application, which is stored on the user device.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: In response to determining that the version is the same as the second version, the stored second application is retained on the user device.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: In response to determining that the version is different from the second version, the stored second application is deleted; and Download the application from the first data channel server.

42. The apparatus of any one of claims 33 to 41, wherein the information relating to the application includes information about the validity period of the application, and wherein the information about the validity period of the application includes a validity timer.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: In response to the expiration of the validity timer, the application is re-downloaded.

44. The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 43, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: A bootstrap data channel is established with the first data channel server, wherein the information related to the application is retrieved via the bootstrap data channel.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the information relating to the application is received from the first data channel server via the application server, wherein the information relating to the application is received when the user equipment establishes the bootstrap data channel.

46. ​​The apparatus according to any one of claims 33 to 45, wherein the apparatus is the user equipment, the apparatus is included in the user equipment, and the apparatus is used in the user equipment.

47. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the device to perform: Receive requests associated with the application; as well as Provide the user equipment with information related to the application, wherein the information related to the application includes information about the data channel server associated with the application.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

49. The apparatus of claim 47 or claim 48, wherein the information relating to the application is included in the configuration file of the application.

50. The apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 49, wherein receiving comprises: The request is received from the user equipment via a boot data channel.

51. The apparatus of any one of claims 47 to 50, wherein the information relating to the application includes information about the validity of the application, and wherein the information about the validity of the application includes a validity timer.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: In response to the expiration of the validity timer, the application is provided to the user equipment.

53. The apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 52, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: A boot data channel is established with the user equipment, wherein the information related to the application is provided via the boot data channel.

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein the information relating to the application is provided to the user equipment via an application server, wherein the information relating to the application is received when the boot data channel is established.

55. The apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 54, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: Provide the network function with identification information related to the application so as to register with the network function, so that the first data channel server is registered with the network function to be able to serve the application.

56. The apparatus according to any one of claims 47 to 55, wherein the apparatus is a first data channel server, the apparatus is included in the first data channel server, and the apparatus is used in the first data channel server.

57. An apparatus comprising: At least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the device to perform: A proposal for establishing an application data channel is received from a user equipment, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and Based on the received information related to the application, it is determined to invoke the data channel server for the application.

58. The apparatus of claim 57, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

59. The apparatus according to any one of claims 57 to 58, wherein the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

60. The apparatus according to any one of claims 57 to 59, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: When the user equipment establishes a bootstrap data channel with the first data channel server, the information related to the application is provided to the user equipment from the first data channel server.

61. The apparatus according to any one of claims 57 to 60, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: Provide network functions with queries associated with the application to establish an application data channel; and Receive a response from the network function, the response including: At least one address of a data channel server capable of serving the application.

62. The apparatus according to any one of claims 57 to 61, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: Based on the determination, a notification message is provided to the first data channel server, the notification message including the information related to the application.

63. The apparatus according to any one of claims 57 to 62, wherein the apparatus is caused to perform: The proposal for establishing an application data channel is forwarded to the core of the first Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, wherein the proposal message includes the information related to the application.

64. The apparatus according to any one of claims 57 to 63, wherein the apparatus is an application server, the apparatus is included in the application server, and the apparatus is used in the application server.

65. A method comprising: Information related to the application is retrieved from the first data channel server, wherein the information related to the application includes: information about the data channel server associated with the application; and A proposal for establishing an application data channel is provided to the application server, the proposal including the information related to the application.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

67. The method of claim 65 or claim 66, wherein the information relating to the application is included in the application's configuration file.

68. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 67, wherein the method comprises: Receive the configuration file of the application; as well as The application's configuration file is parsed to identify the information related to the application.

69. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 68, wherein the method comprises: The information related to the application is formatted as a session description protocol media-level attribute for the proposed application.

70. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 69, wherein the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

71. The method of any one of claims 65 to 70, wherein the information related to the application includes information about the version of the application, and wherein the method comprises: Compare the following two items: i) the information regarding the version of the application, and ii) the second information regarding the second version of the second application, which is stored on the user device.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the method comprises: In response to determining that the version is the same as the second version, the stored second application is retained on the user device.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the method comprises: In response to determining that the version is different from the second version, the stored second application is deleted; as well as Download the application from the first data channel server.

74. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 73, wherein the information related to the application includes: Information regarding the validity period of the application, and wherein the information regarding the validity period of the application includes a validity timer.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the method comprises: In response to the expiration of the validity timer, the application is re-downloaded.

76. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 75, wherein the method comprises: A bootstrap data channel is established with the first data channel server, wherein the information related to the application is retrieved via the bootstrap data channel.

77. The method of claim 76, wherein the information related to the application is received from the first data channel server via the application server, wherein the information related to the application is received when the user equipment establishes the bootstrap data channel.

78. The method according to any one of claims 65 to 77, wherein the method is performed by the user equipment.

79. A method comprising: Receive requests associated with the application; as well as Provide the user equipment with information related to the application, wherein the information related to the application includes information about the data channel server associated with the application.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

81. The method of claim 79 or claim 80, wherein the information related to the application is included in the application's configuration file.

82. The method according to any one of claims 79 to 81, wherein receiving comprises: The request is received from the user equipment via a boot data channel.

83. The method according to any one of claims 79 to 82, wherein the information related to the application includes: Information regarding the validity of the application, wherein the information regarding the validity of the application includes a validity timer.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein the method comprises: In response to the expiration of the validity timer, the application is provided to the user equipment.

85. The method according to any one of claims 79 to 84, wherein the method comprises: A boot data channel is established with the user equipment, wherein the information related to the application is provided via the boot data channel.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the information related to the application is provided to the user equipment via an application server, wherein the information related to the application is received when the boot data channel is established.

87. The method according to any one of claims 79 to 86, wherein the method comprises: Provide the network function with identification information related to the application so as to register with the network function, so that the first data channel server is registered with the network function to be able to serve the application.

88. The method according to any one of claims 79 to 87, wherein the method is performed by the first data channel server.

89. A method comprising: A proposal for establishing an application data channel is received from a user equipment, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: information about a data channel server associated with the application; and Based on the received information related to the application, it is determined to invoke the data channel server for the application.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein the information relating to the application includes at least one of the following: information about the version of the application, information about the type of the application, information about the name of the application, and information about the validity period of the application.

91. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 90, wherein the proposal is a session description protocol proposal.

92. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 91, wherein the method comprises: When the user equipment establishes a bootstrap data channel with the first data channel server, the information related to the application is provided to the user equipment from the first data channel server.

93. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 92, wherein the method comprises: Provide network functions with queries associated with the application to establish application data channels; as well as Receive a response from the network function, the response including at least one address of a data channel server capable of serving the application.

94. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 93, wherein the method comprises: Based on the determination, a notification message is provided to the first data channel server, the notification message including information related to the application.

95. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 94, wherein the method comprises: The proposal for establishing an application data channel is forwarded to the core of the first Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, wherein the proposal message includes the information related to the application.

96. The method according to any one of claims 89 to 95, wherein the method is performed by an application server.

97. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: Information related to the application is retrieved from the first data channel server, wherein the information related to the application includes: Information regarding the data channel server associated with the application; as well as A proposal for establishing an application data channel is provided to the application server, the proposal including the information related to the application.

98. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: Receive requests associated with the application; and Provide the user device with information related to the application, wherein the information related to the application includes: Information about the data channel server associated with the application.

99. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: A proposal for establishing an application data channel is received from a user equipment, the proposal including application-related information, wherein the application-related information includes: Information regarding the data channel server associated with the application; as well as Based on the received information related to the application, it is determined to invoke the data channel server for the application.

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