Improvements in and relating to methods to toggling IoT device states

Abstract

An application function (AF) triggers a change in a UE’s mode of operation via a service exposure, wherein the UE is an ambient internet of things (AIoT) device. The AIoT device may be operable in a validated mode comprising a plurality of sub-modes comprising REPORT-ONLY, RECEIVE-ONLY, REPORT-and-RECEIVE, and RECEIVE-and-EVENT-REPORT. The VALIDATE mode may be entered following a security or validation procedure. The UE may enter an INVALIDATED mode after unsuccessful completion of an ambient IoT procedure. The AIoT device may enter a VOID state if instructed by the network to stop operations. The AIoT device may only be permitted to transition to a particular state a predefined number of times, to toggle state a predefined number of times, or to remain in a particular state for a given duration, before entering a different defined mode of operation, which may be a VOID or SUSPEND mode. The passive IoT device may indicate to the network its supported modes of operation.

Claims

1. A method of operating a User Equipment, UE, in operative connection to a telecommunication network, wherein the UE is an Ambient Internet of Things, AloT, device, wherein an Application Function, AF, in the telecommunication network is operable to trigger a change in the UE mode of operation via a service exposure that enables the AF to trigger the change in mode of operation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the UE is operable in a VALIDATED mode comprising a plurality of sub-modes comprising REPORT-ONLY, RECEIVE-ONLY, REPORT-and-RECEIVE and RECEIVE-and-EVENT-REPORT.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the VALIDATE mode is entered following a security or validation procedure.

4. The method of any preceding claim wherein the UE enters an INVALIDATED mode after completing an AloT procedure.

5. The method of any preceding claim wherein the UE enters a VOID state if instructed by the telecommunication network to stop operations.

6. The method of any preceding claim wherein the UE is only permitted to enter a particular mode of operation a predefined number of times, to change mode of operation a predefined number of times or to remain in a particular mode of operation for a predetermined duration, before entering a different defined mode of operation.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the different defined mode of operation is a VOID or SUSPEND mode.

8. The method of any preceding claim wherein the UE indicates to the network its supported modes of operation.

9. Apparatus arranged to perform the method of any preceding claim.

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