Communication control system, communication control device, and communication control method

Abstract

In order to make it possible to suitably change a service area even when an area in which a first terminal device is present has changed, this communication control system comprises: a terminal location area identification unit (11) that identifies a first presence area where the first terminal device is located; a service area identification unit (12) that identifies a service area providing network service in accordance with the identified first presence area; and a control unit (13) that controls connection between a second terminal device and the network service in accordance with the identified service area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control system, a communication control device, and a communication control method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a wireless communication system, technologies have been developed for providing a network service with a limited service-providing range to a terminal. For example, as a technology for establishing a protocol data unit (PDU) session for a local area data network (LADN) service, there is an invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. Also, as a technology for controlling the establishment of connections of other terminals by a master terminal, there is an invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 below.

[0003] Patent Document 1 relates to a method for a user equipment (UE) to use LADN. For each data network name (DNN) of each LADN set in an access and mobility function (AMF), the corresponding LADN service area information includes a set of tracking areas (TAs) belonging to a registration area assigned by the AMF to the UE. The AMF can provide the UE with an intersection area between the LADN service area and the current registration area as LADN information regarding the LADN that the UE can use.

[0004] Patent Document 2 relates to group procedures for machine-type communication devices. A special UE or master UE can perform actions on behalf of one or more members of the group. Group mobility procedures can be optimized by having the procedures controlled by a special UE or master UE. Patent Document 2 discloses that group mobility procedures can be controlled by a master UE and the establishment of connections for one or more other UEs can be controlled.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the AMF can provide the UE with the overlapping area between the LADN service area and the current registration area as LADN information regarding the LADN that the UE can use. However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, when the UE moves and the area where the UE is located changes, it may occur that the UE cannot receive the LADN service it was using.

[0007] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 2, a special UE or master UE can control the establishment of connections for one or more other UEs. Patent Document 2 is a technology in which the master UE represents other UEs regarding cell reselection and handover. Therefore, in a network service with a limited service-providing range, when the master UE moves and the area where the master UE is located changes, it may occur that one or more other UEs cannot receive the network service they were using.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a technique capable of suitably changing a service area even when the area where a terminal device is located changes.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] A communication control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a terminal position area specifying means for specifying a first presence area where a first terminal device is located; a service area specifying means for specifying a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first presence area; and a control means for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area.

[0010] A communication control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes: a terminal position area specifying means for specifying a first presence area where a first terminal device is located; a service area specifying means for specifying a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first presence area; and a control means for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area.

[0011] A communication control method according to one aspect of the present invention includes specifying a first presence area where a first terminal device is located, specifying a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first presence area, and controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area.

Effects of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, even when the area where the first terminal device is located changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] 〔Exemplary Embodiment 1〕 A first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. This exemplary embodiment is a basic form of the exemplary embodiments described later.

[0015] <Overview of Communication Control System 100> Generally speaking, the communication control system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment specifies the service area of the network service according to the first presence area where the first terminal device is present. Then, according to the specified service area, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is controlled. As a result, even when the first presence area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0016] <Configuration of Communication Control System 100> The configuration of the communication control system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the communication control system 100.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control system 100 includes a terminal position area specifying unit 11, a service area specifying unit 12, and a control unit 13. The terminal position area specifying unit 11 is a configuration that realizes terminal position area specifying means in this exemplary embodiment. The service area specifying unit 12 is a configuration that realizes service area specifying means in this exemplary embodiment. The control unit 13 is a configuration that realizes control means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0018] The terminal location area specifying unit 11 specifies a first presence area where the first terminal device is located. The first terminal device is a representative terminal device that plays a special role in managing a service area where it can connect to network services. The first presence area is an area where the first terminal device is present, and may be expressed as an area indicated by TA information in a 5G (5th generation mobile communication system) core network (hereinafter referred to as 5GC) defined by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project for Mobile Communication Systems), or a 4G (4th generation mobile communication system) core network (hereinafter referred to as 4GC). Note that in the above description, the first presence area is assumed to be an area indicated by TA information in 5GC or 4GC, but the network is not limited to these 5GC and 4GC. Also, the information for specifying the first presence area is not limited to TA information, and may be, for example, location information indicating the current position of the first terminal device.

[0019] Also, the second terminal device may be a terminal device registered in the control unit 13 as being in the same group as the first terminal device, or may be any terminal device. For example, the second terminal device may be a terminal device that uses the same network service as the first terminal device, or may be a terminal device registered as participating in the same event.

[0020] The service area specifying unit 12 specifies a service area that provides network services according to the specified first presence area. The network service is, for example, a network service such as LADN.

[0021] LADN is a data network that can be connected only by terminal devices present in a specific service area. Since the service area specifying unit 12 specifies the first presence area where the first terminal device is present as the service area of LADN, when the second terminal device is located in the first presence area, the second terminal device can also enjoy the service of LADN.

[0022] The control unit 13 controls the connection between the second terminal device and the network service according to the specified service area. For example, when the second terminal device is located in the first in-range area, the control unit 13 connects the second terminal device to the LADN. Also, when the second terminal device is not located in the first in-range area, the control unit 13 disconnects the communication between the second terminal device and the LADN.

[0023] For example, consider a case where in a customer participation event (such as a mystery game, bus tour, etc.) held at a specific location, the customer's terminal device connects to a network service and participates in the game while uploading and / or downloading event information to / from the network service. In this case, assuming that the first in-range area where the first terminal device is located changes as the event venue changes, the control unit 13 specifies the changed first in-range area as the service area of the network service. Therefore, as the first terminal device moves, the second terminal device also moves to the same area, so that the second terminal device can continue to be connected to the network service.

[0024] Here, the first terminal device is a representative terminal device and may be owned by the event organizer. Also, the second terminal device is a terminal device registered with the control unit 13 as a group that uses the same network service as the first terminal device.

[0025] Note that the functions of each part of the communication control system 100 may be implemented on the cloud. Also, for example, the terminal position area specifying unit 11 and the service area specifying unit 12 may be one device, and the control unit 13 may be one device. These may be implemented in one device or in separate devices. For example, when implemented in separate devices, information of each part is transmitted and received via a communication network and the processing proceeds.

[0026] <Effect of the communication control system 100> As described above, according to the communication control system 100 according to this exemplary embodiment, the service area specifying unit 12 specifies a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first in-area. Therefore, even when the area where the first terminal device is located changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0027] Further, the control unit 13 controls the connection between the second terminal device and the network service according to the specified service area. Therefore, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is suitably controlled according to the changed service area.

[0028] <Flow of the communication control method by the communication control system 100> The flow of the communication control method executed by the communication control system 100 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of the communication control method of the communication control system 100 according to Exemplary Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the communication control method includes steps S1 to S3.

[0029] First, the communication control system 100 specifies the first in-area where the first terminal device is located (S1), and specifies a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first in-area (S2). Finally, the communication control system 100 controls the connection between the second terminal device and the network service according to the specified service area (S3).

[0030] <Effect of the communication control method> As described above, according to the communication control method according to this exemplary embodiment, in step S2, a service area that provides a network service is specified according to the specified first in-area. Therefore, even when the area where the first terminal device is located changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0031] Also, in step S3, according to the specified service area, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is controlled. Therefore, according to the changed service area, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is suitably controlled.

[0032] 〔Exemplary Embodiment 2〕 A second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in Exemplary Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0033] <Configuration of Communication Control Device 1> The configuration of the communication control device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a communication control system 100' including the communication control device 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The communication control system 100' includes a communication control device 1, a first terminal device 2-1, and a second terminal device 2-2.

[0034] The connection between the communication control device 1, the first terminal device 2-1, and the second terminal device 2-2 is made via a radio base station 3. Note that the radio base station 3 corresponds to a gNB (next generation NodeB) in the architecture of 5GC described later.

[0035] Also, the communication control device 1 is connected to a network service 4. The network service 4 is, for example, LADN or the like in 5GC.

[0036] The terminal position area specifying unit 11 specifies a first in-service area where the first terminal device 2-1 is located. The first in-service area is TA information or the like in a 5G core network or a 4G core network defined by 3GPP.

[0037] The service area specifying unit 12 specifies a service area that provides the network service 4 according to the specified first in-area area. The network service 4 is, for example, a network service such as LADN.

[0038] The control unit 13 controls the connection between the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4 according to the specified service area. For example, when the second terminal device 2-2 is located in the first in-area area, the control unit 13 connects the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4. Also, when the second terminal device 2-2 is not located in the first in-area area, the control unit 13 disconnects the communication between the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4.

[0039] Note that the functions of each part of the communication control device 1 may be implemented on the cloud. Also, for example, the terminal position area specifying unit 11 and the service area specifying unit 12 may be one device, and the control unit 13 may be one device. These may be implemented in one device or in separate devices. For example, when implemented in separate devices, information of each part is transmitted and received via a communication network and the processing proceeds.

[0040] <Flow of the communication control method by the communication control device 1> The flow of the communication control method executed by the communication control device 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the communication control method of the communication control device 1 according to the exemplary embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control method includes steps S1 to S6.

[0041] First, the terminal position area specifying unit 11 specifies the first in-area area where the first terminal device 2-1 is located (S1). Then, the service area specifying unit 12 specifies a service area that provides the network service 4 according to the specified first in-area area (S2).

[0042] Next, the terminal position area specifying unit 11 specifies the second presence area where the second terminal device 2-2 is located. Then, the control unit 13 determines whether or not the specified second presence area is located in the specified service area (S4).

[0043] When the specified second presence area is located in the specified service area (S4, Yes), the control unit 13 connects the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4 (S5).

[0044] Also, when the specified second presence area and the specified service area are different (S4, No), the control unit 13 disconnects the communication between the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4 (S6).

[0045] <Effect of the communication control device 1> As described above, according to the communication control device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment, the service area specifying unit 12 specifies the service area that provides the network service 4 according to the specified first presence area. Therefore, even when the area where the first terminal device 2-1 is present changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0046] Also, the control unit 13 controls the connection between the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4 according to the specified service area. Therefore, the connection between the second terminal device 2-2 and the network service 4 is suitably controlled according to the changed service area.

[0047] 〔Exemplary Embodiment 3〕 The third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same functions as those described in the first and second exemplary embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0048] <Configuration of the communication control system 100A> The configuration of the communication control system 100A according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the communication control system 100A including the communication control device 1A according to Exemplary Embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication control system 100A includes a communication control device 1A, a first terminal device 2-1, and a second terminal device 2-2.

[0049] The connection between the communication control device 1A, the first terminal device 2-1, and the second terminal device 2-2 is made via the radio base station 3. Note that the radio base station 3 corresponds to a gNB or the like in the 5GC described later.

[0050] In addition, the communication control device 1A is connected to the network service 4. The network service 4 is, for example, a network service such as LADN in the 5GC.

[0051] The communication control device 1A includes a terminal location area specifying unit 11, a service area specifying unit 12, a control unit 13, a communication unit 14, and a management unit 15. The management unit 15 is a configuration that realizes management means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0052] The terminal location area specifying unit 11, the service area specifying unit 12, the communication unit 14, and the management unit 15 correspond to the AMF in the 5GC described later. Also, the control unit 13 corresponds to the SMF (Session Management Function) in the 5GC described later.

[0053] The communication unit 14 communicates with the first terminal device 2-1 and the second terminal device 2-2 via the radio base station 3. Also, the communication unit 14 receives from the radio base station 3 the first in-area area where the first terminal device 2-1 is located and the second in-area area where the second terminal device 2-2 is located.

[0054] The terminal position area specifying unit 11 receives, via the communication unit 14, the first presence area where the first terminal device 2-1 is located and the second presence area where the second terminal device 2-2 is located, and specifies the first presence area and the second presence area.

[0055] The service area specifying unit 12 specifies a service area that provides the network service 4 according to the first presence area specified by the terminal position area specifying unit 11. For example, the service area specifying unit 12 specifies the first presence area where the first terminal device 2-1 is located as the service area. Note that the service area specifying unit 12 specifying the service area means, as an example, the service area specifying unit 12 specifying the identifier of the area. For this reason, it may be expressed as "the area identifier is, for example, the identifier of the tracking area". For example, the service area is TA information in 5GC and 4GC.

[0056] In addition, when the first presence area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device 2-1, the service area specifying unit 12 changes the service area.

[0057] The management unit 15 manages, in association with the first terminal device 2-1 and the second terminal device 2-2, network service information indicating the network service being received, area information indicating the area where the device is present, and information indicating whether the device is a representative terminal device.

[0058] Here, the network service information is information for identifying the network service that the first terminal device 2-1 and the second terminal device 2-2 are receiving. For example, when the first terminal device 2-1 and the second terminal device 2-2 can receive network services from a plurality of LADNs, the management unit 15 manages the network service information as information indicating which LADN service the first terminal device 2-1 and the second terminal device 2-2 are receiving, respectively.

[0059] The area information where the device is located refers to information such as the area information where the first terminal device 2-1 is located (the first in-area), the area information where the second terminal device 2-2 is located (the second in-area), etc.

[0060] The representative terminal device is a terminal device that plays a special role in managing the service area that can be connected to the network service. For example, the first terminal device 2-1 plays the role of this representative terminal device. The details of the representative terminal device will be described later.

[0061] The service area specifying unit 12 specifies the service area that provides the network service 4 by referring to the information (hereinafter referred to as management information) managed by the management unit 15. The method of specifying the service area that provides the network service 4 by referring to the management information will be described later using the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 8.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the reference architecture of 5GC according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the 5GC according to this exemplary embodiment includes a plurality of nodes. More specifically, the 5GC shown in FIG. 6 includes, as a plurality of nodes, a representative UE 2-1, a gNB 20, an AMF 30, an SMF 40, and a UPF 50. These plurality of nodes may be collectively referred to as an NF (Network Function).

[0063] The representative UE 2-1 corresponds to the first terminal device 2-1 shown in FIG. 5. The UE 2-2 corresponds to the second terminal device 2-1 shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6, a UE 2-3 is added as the third terminal device.

[0064] The gNB 20 controls the communication between the representative UE 2-1, UE 2-2, and UE 2-3 and the AMF 30 and the UPF (User Plane Function) 50. In addition, the gNB 20 acquires the TA information where the representative UE 2-1, UE 2-2, and UE 2-3 are located and notifies the AMF 30. As shown in FIG. 6, the gNB 20 is composed of a plurality of tracking areas TA21 to TA27.

[0065] AMF30 is an NF that provides authentication, authorization, mobility management, etc. for representative UEs UE2-1, UE2-2, and UE2-3, and controls SMF40. Also, SMF40 is an NF responsible for session management of representative UEs UE2-1, UE2-2, and UE2-3, allocation of IP addresses, selection and control of UPF50 for data transfer, etc. Note that AMF30 shown in FIG. 6 has the same functions as AMF30 shown in FIG. 5.

[0066] Note that the terminal location area identification unit 11 and the service area identification unit 12 shown in FIG. 5 correspond to the mobility management function, etc. of AMF30. The communication unit 14 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to, for example, the communication function between AMF30 and gNB20, the interface between AMF30 and SMF40, etc. The management unit 15 shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to the access authentication function, access authorization function, etc. of AMF30.

[0067] For example, when representative UE2-1 establishes a plurality of sessions, since SMF40 manages each session independently and uses different functions for each session, AMF30 can assign different SMF40s to each session. In 5GC, for example, the management related to representative UE2-1 is performed by one AMF30, and the traffic is handled by SMF40 for each individual network slice.

[0068] In 5GC, an architecture is adopted that separates and processes the C-Plane (Control Plane) for control signal communication such as establishment of communication and the U-Plane (User Plane) for user data communication. The C-Plane includes AMF30, SMF40, etc. Also, the U-Plane includes UPF50.

[0069] UPF50 is an NF that functions as an external PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session point for interconnection to a DN (Data Network) and performs packet routing, forwarding, etc.

[0070] LADN60 is a data network to which only UEs located within a specific service area can connect, and it is connected to UPF50. The MEC (Mobile Edge Computing) server 70 is provided within LADN60.

[0071] UPF50 identifies the IP (Internet Protocol) address of a packet and sends only packets having a specific IP address to the MEC server 60. Also, UPF50 sends packets other than those having a specific IP address to an external network (DN) not shown in the figure. Thereby, the MEC server 70 can achieve communication with lower latency compared to communication with the external network (DN).

[0072] The representative UE2-1 is a terminal device that plays a special role in managing a service area to which it can connect to LADN60. As shown in FIG. 6, when the representative UE2-1 is located within the tracking area TA21, TA21 becomes the service area of LADN60. Since UE2-2 is located within TA21, it can enjoy the service of LADN60.

[0073] When the representative UE2-1 moves to the tracking area TA24, TA24 becomes the service area of LADN60. The TA21 where the representative UE2-1 was previously located is removed from the service area of LADN60. Therefore, UE2-2 can no longer enjoy the service of LADN60. On the other hand, UE2-3 located within TA24 can start enjoying the service of LADN60 due to the movement of the representative UE2-1.

[0074] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of management information managed by the management unit 15. The management unit 15 stores, as management information, the LADN information, location information, UE identifier, and representative information received from the gNB20. The LADN information is information indicating which network service (LAND) the UE is receiving, and it corresponds to the above-described network service information.

[0075] The in-area information is information indicating the tracking area where the UE is located, and corresponds to the above-mentioned in-area information. The UE identifier is information for identifying the UE. The representative information is information indicating whether the UE has representative authority, and corresponds to the above-mentioned information regarding the representative terminal device.

[0076] For example, it is shown that UE2-1 (UE identifier = UE11) is a representative UE, is receiving the service of LADN60, and is located in the tracking area TA21. Also, it is shown that UE2-2 (UE identifier = UE12) is not a representative UE, is receiving the service of LADN60, and is located in the tracking area TA21. Also, it is shown that UE2-3 (UE identifier = UE13) is not a representative UE, is receiving the service of LADN60, and is located in the tracking area TA24.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a sequence when the representative UE2-1 registers the service area of LADN60. First, the management unit 15 of the AMF30 holds representative information indicating that UE2-1 is a representative UE (S11). It is assumed that the management unit 15 of the AMF30 has registered the UE identifier and the representative information as pre-registered information. As shown in FIG. 8, it is stored that UE2-1 (UE identifier = UE11) is a representative UE. Note that it is described that the representative authority is not transferred to other UEs.

[0078] Next, the representative UE2-1 sends a Registration Request specifying LADN60 via the gNB20 (S12).

[0079] When the communication unit 14 of the AMF 30 receives a Registration Request from the gNB 20, the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 refers to the management information, recognizes that the UE 2-1 is the representative UE, and stores the LADN information included in the Registration Request as management information (S13). As shown in FIG. 8, the LADN information (LADN 60) is stored corresponding to the representative UE 2-1 (UE identifier = UE11).

[0080] Next, the communication unit 14 of the AMF 30 designates all the tracking areas included in the TA list as the area group where the LADN 60 can provide services, and transmits a Registration Accept to the representative UE 2-1 (S14).

[0081] The TA list is a list of tracking areas that the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 issues to the UE at the time of registration, and includes all the tracking areas where the LADN 60 can provide services. When the UE recognizes that it has moved to an area other than the tracking areas included in the TA list, it transmits a Registration Update Request to the AMF 30 and obtains a new TA list from the AMF 30. Each time the communication unit 14 of the AMF 30 issues a new TA list to the representative UE 2-1, it notifies the representative UE 2-1 that all the tracking areas included in the TA list are the areas where the LADN 60 can provide services.

[0082] When the representative UE 2-1 receives a Registration Accept from the AMF 30, it refers to the TA list included in the Registration Accept and recognizes that the area where the LADN 60 can provide services is all the tracking areas included in the TA list (S15).

[0083] In the 3GPP recommendation, it is defined that the UE cannot send a PDU Session Establishment Request outside the service area of the LADN 60. In this exemplary embodiment, since the representative UE 2-1 recognizes all the tracking areas included in the TA list as the areas where the LADN 60 can provide services, the PDU Session Establishment Request for the LADN 60 can be sent only within the range of the tracking areas included in the TA list.

[0084] When the representative UE 2-1 moves to an area outside the tracking areas included in the TA list, the representative UE 11 can send a Registration Update Request and obtain a new TA list from the management unit 15 of the AMF 30, thereby obtaining a new area where the LADN 60 can provide services.

[0085] Next, the representative UE 2-1 designates the LADN 60 and sends a PDU Session Establishment Request to the AMF 30 (S16). When the communication unit 14 of the AMF 30 receives the PDU Session Establishment Request from the representative UE 2-1, the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 stores the location information (TA21) of the representative UE 2-1 included in the PDU Session Establishment Request as management information (S17). This location information (TA21) of the representative UE 2-1 is specified as the service area of the LADN 60.

[0086] The service area identification unit 12 of the AMF 30 determines that the representative UE 2-1 is located within the range of the area where the LAND 60 can provide services, and the communication unit 14 of the AMF 30 includes a parameter (presenceInLadn = IN_AREA) indicating that it is within the service providing area of the LADN 60 and sends a Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request to the SMF 40 (S18).

[0087] Based on the parameter (presenceInLadn = IN_AREA) included in the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request received from AMF30, SMF40 recognizes that the representative UE2-1 is located within the serviceable area of LADN60 and establishes a session (S19). After that, a session is established between the representative UE2-1 and LADN60, enabling communication between the representative UE2-1 and LADN60 (S20).

[0088] The service area identification unit 12 of AMF30 identifies the service area that provides the network service according to the group of areas where the network service is available and the identified first presence area. Specifically, the service area identification unit 12 of AMF30 regards all the tracking areas included in the TA list as the group of areas where the network service (LADN60) is available, and identifies the service area of LADN60 according to this group of areas and the first presence area.

[0089] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the second terminal device 2-2. As shown in FIG. 9, the second terminal device 2-2 includes a communication unit 21 and a control unit 22. The communication unit 21 is configured to implement the communication means in this exemplary embodiment. The control unit 22 is configured to implement the control means in this exemplary embodiment.

[0090] The communication unit 21 transmits a registration request to LADN60 and receives a response to the registration request.

[0091] When the area information where its own terminal device is located is included in the service area of LADN60 included in the response received by the control unit 22 through the communication unit 21, the control unit 22 causes the communication unit 21 to transmit a session establishment request to LADN60.

[0092] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a sequence when a non-representative UE2-2 connects to LADN60. As described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 8, by establishing a session between the representative UE2-1 and LADN60, the management unit 15 of AMF30 holds information on the service area of LADN60 (tracking area TA21 where the representative UE2-1 is located) (S21).

[0093] Next, the communication unit 21 of UE2-2 transmits a Registration Request specifying LADN60 via gNB20 (S22). When the communication unit 14 of AMF30 receives the Registration Request from gNB20, the management unit 15 of AMF30 refers to the management information, recognizes that UE2-2 is a non-representative UE, and designates the location information (TA21) of the representative UE2-1 held as the service area corresponding to LADN60, and transmits a Registration Accept to UE2-2 (S23).

[0094] The communication unit 21 of UE2-2 receives the Registration Accept and recognizes that the service area corresponding to LADN60 is TA21 (S24). Then, the control unit 22 of UE2-2 recognizes that it is located in TA21 which is the service area of LADN60, and transmits a PDU Session Establishment Request to AMF30 designating LADN60 (S25).

[0095] When the communication unit 14 of AMF30 receives the PDU Session Establishment Request from UE2-2, the management unit 15 of AMF30 stores the location information (TA21) of UE2-2 included in the PDU Session Establishment Request as management information (S26).

[0096] The management unit 15 of the AMF30 determines that the UE2-2 is within the area where the LAND60 can provide services, and the communication unit 14 of the AMF30 sends an Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request to the SMF40, including a parameter (presenceInLadn = IN_AREA) indicating that it is within the service-providing area of the LADN60 (S27).

[0097] The SMF40 refers to the parameter (presenceInLadn = IN_AREA) included in the Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request received from the AMF30, recognizes that the UE2-2 is within the service-providing area of the LADN60, and establishes a session (S28). After that, a session between the UE2-2 and the LADN60 is established, enabling communication between the UE2-2 and the LADN60 (S29).

[0098] Figure 11 is a diagram showing the sequence when the representative UE2-1 moves within the tracking area and the service area of the LADN60 is changed. As described using the sequence diagram shown in Figure 10, the management unit 15 of the AMF30 holds the management information of the representative UE2-1 and UE2-2 (S30).

[0099] When the representative UE2-1 moves from the tracking area TA21 to TA24 (S31), the gNB20 detects that the representative UE2-1 has moved and the tracking area has changed from TA21 to TA24, and sends a Location Report to the AMF30, including the presence information (TA24) of the representative UE2-1 (S32).

[0100] When the communication unit 14 of the AMF 30 receives a Location Report from the representative UE 2-1, the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 refers to the location information (TA 24) of the representative UE 2-1 included in the Location Report and updates the location information of the representative UE 2-1 in the management information held from TA 21 to TA 24 (S33). As a result, the service area corresponding to the LADN 60 is changed from TA 21 to TA 24. Even when a non-representative UE, for example, UE 2-2 moves and the tracking area is changed, the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 refers to the location information included in the Location Report transmitted from the gNB 20 and updates the location information of UE 2-2 held as management information.

[0101] Next, along with the change in the tracking area of the representative UE 2-1, the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 transmits a Namf_EventExposure Notify Request to the SMF 40 including a parameter (presenceInLadn = IN_AREA) indicating that the representative UE 2-1 is within the area where the LADN 60 can provide services (S34).

[0102] Referring to the parameter (presenceInLadn = IN_AREA) included in the Namf_EventExposure Notify Request received from the AMF 30, the SMF 40 recognizes that the representative UE 2-1 is located within the service-providing area of the LADN 60 and continues the session. As a result, the communication between the representative UE 2-1 and the LADN 60 is continued (S36).

[0103] Since the service area corresponding to the LADN 60 is changed from TA 21 to TA 24 along with the movement of the tracking area of the representative UE 2-1, the management unit 15 of the AMF 30 recognizes that UE 2-2 located in the tracking area TA 21 is outside the range of the service area of the LADN 60 (S37).

[0104] When a non-representative UE, e.g., UE2-2, moves out of the service area of LADN60 due to the movement of the representative UE2-1, its own movement, or the deletion of the area where LADN60 can provide services, the AMF30 will perform either continuing the communication of the corresponding UE or disconnecting the communication of the corresponding UE according to the preset operation.

[0105] When continuing the communication of the corresponding UE, the AMF30 does nothing. Thereby, the communication between the corresponding UE and LADN60 is continued. When the communication of the corresponding UE is disconnected at another opportunity and the session establishment is performed again, the AMF30 will not perform the session establishment considering that the corresponding UE is outside the service area of LADN60.

[0106] When the AMF30 forcibly disconnects the communication of UE2-2, UE2-2 sends a Namf_EventExposure Notify Request to the SMF40 including a parameter (AmfEventArea = OUT) indicating that it is outside the area where LADN60 can provide services (S38).

[0107] The SMF40 receives the Namf_EventExposure Notify Request from the AMF30, recognizes that UE2-2 is located outside the service area of LADN60 by referring to the parameter (AmfEventArea = OUT) included in the Namf_EventExposure Notify Request (S39), and disconnects the session between UE2-2 and LADN60 (S40).

[0108] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the sequence when deleting the service area of LADN60 with the disconnection of the communication of the representative UE2-1. As described using the sequence diagram shown in FIG. 11, the management unit 15 of the AMF30 holds the management information of the representative UE2-1 and UE2-2 (S41).

[0109] When the representative UE2-1 disconnects communication due to power-off or the like, it transmits a Deregistration Request to the AMF30 via the gNB20 (S42).

[0110] When the communication unit 14 of the AMF30 receives the Deregistration Request from the gNB20, the management unit 15 of the AMF30 deletes the LADN information and the in-circuit information of the representative UE2-1 included in the management information (S43). As a result, the service area of the LADN60 is deleted.

[0111] Thereafter, the AMF30 disconnects the communication between the representative UE2-1 and the LADN60 (S44) and transmits a Deregistration Accept to the representative UE2-1 (S45). Due to the deletion of the service area of the LADN60, similar to the processes shown in steps S38 to S40 in FIG. 10, the communication of a non-representative UE, for example, UE2-2, is forcibly disconnected or the communication is continued.

[0112] In this exemplary embodiment, the LADN information of the representative UE2-1 included in the management information is deleted on the occasion of the Deregistration Request transmitted from the representative UE2-1. However, the LADN information included in the management information may be deleted on the occasion of the Deregistration Request transmitted from the AMF30. For example, on the occasion of the information of the representative UE2-1 being deleted from the AMF30 by the operation of a maintenance person, the LADN information of the representative UE2-1 included in the management information may be deleted. Also, on the occasion of the monitoring timer set in the AMF30 expiring and the information regarding the representative UE2-1 being deleted, the LADN information of the representative UE2-1 included in the management information may be deleted.

[0113] As described above, according to the communication control device 1A according to the present exemplary embodiment, when the service area specifying unit 12 changes the service area when the first in-area changes in response to the movement of the first terminal device 2-1. Therefore, even when the area where the first terminal device 2-1 is located changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0114] In addition, the management unit 15 manages, in association with the first terminal device 2-1 and the second terminal device 2-2, network service information for receiving a service, area information where the device is located, and information indicating whether it is a representative terminal device or not. Therefore, the service area specifying unit 12 can easily specify the service area that provides the network service.

[0115] 〔Example of realization by software〕 Some or all of the functions of the communication control devices 1 and 1A may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (IC chip), or may be realized by software.

[0116] In the latter case, the communication control devices 1 and 1A are realized by, for example, a computer that executes instructions of a program that is software for realizing each function. An example of such a computer (hereinafter referred to as computer C) is shown in FIG. 13. The computer C includes at least one processor C1 and at least one memory C2. A program P for operating the computer C as the communication control devices 1 and 1A is recorded in the memory C2. In the computer C, the processor C1 reads and executes the program P from the memory C2, whereby each function of the communication control devices 1 and 1A is realized.

[0117] As the processor C1, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), MPU (Micro Processing Unit), FPU (Floating point number Processing Unit), PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a combination thereof can be used. As the memory C2, for example, a flash memory, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or a combination thereof can be used.

[0118] Note that the computer C may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program P during execution and temporarily storing various data. Also, the computer C may further include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. Further, the computer C may further include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, mouse, display, and printer.

[0119] Also, the program P can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium M readable by the computer C. As such a recording medium M, for example, a tape, disk, card, semiconductor memory, or programmable logic circuit can be used. The computer C can acquire the program P via such a recording medium M. Also, the program P can be transmitted via a transmission medium. As such a transmission medium, for example, a communication network or broadcast wave can be used. The computer C can also acquire the program P via such a transmission medium.

[0120] 〔Supplementary Note 1〕 The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. For example, embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0121] [Supplementary Item 2] Some or all of the above-described embodiments may also be described as follows. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below.

[0122] (Supplementary Note 1) Terminal position area specifying means for specifying a first presence area where the first terminal device is located, Service area specifying means for specifying a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first presence area, Control means for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area, A communication control system comprising:

[0123] According to the above configuration, even when the area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be appropriately changed. Further, according to the changed service area, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is appropriately controlled.

[0124] (Supplementary Note 2) The service area specifying means changes the service area when the first presence area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device, in the communication control system according to Supplementary Note 1.

[0125] According to the above configuration, even when the area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be appropriately changed.

[0126] (Supplementary Note 3) The terminal position area specifying means specifies a second presence area where the second terminal device is located, The control means connects the second terminal device and the network service when the specified second in-area area is located in the specified service area, according to the communication control system described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0127] According to the above configuration, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is preferably controlled.

[0128] (Appendix 4) The terminal position area specifying means specifies the second in-area area where the second terminal device is located. The control means disconnects the communication between the second terminal device and the network service when the specified second in-area area is different from the specified service area, according to the communication control system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 3.

[0129] According to the above configuration, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is preferably controlled.

[0130] (Appendix 5) A management means is provided for managing network service information for receiving a service, in-area area information, and information indicating whether it is a representative terminal device, in association with the first terminal device and the second terminal device. The service area specifying means specifies the service area for providing the network service by referring to the information managed by the management means, according to the communication control system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0131] According to the above configuration, the service area for providing the network service can be easily specified.

[0132] (Appendix 6) The service area specifying means specifies the service area for providing the network service according to the group of areas where the network service can provide a service and the specified first in-area area, according to the communication control system described in any one of Appendices 1 to 5.

[0133] According to the above configuration, it is possible to suitably identify a service area that provides a network service.

[0134] (Appendix 7) Terminal position area specifying means for specifying a first presence area where the first terminal device is located, Service area specifying means for specifying a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first presence area, Control means for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area, A communication control device comprising:

[0135] According to the above configuration, even when the area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be suitably changed. Further, according to the changed service area, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is suitably controlled.

[0136] (Appendix 8) The service area specifying means changes the service area when the first presence area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device, in the communication control device according to Appendix 7.

[0137] According to the above configuration, even when the area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0138] (Appendix 9) The terminal position area specifying means specifies a second presence area where the second terminal device is located, The control means connects the second terminal device and the network service when the specified second presence area is located in the specified service area, in the communication control device according to Appendix 7 or 8.

[0139] According to the above configuration, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is preferably controlled.

[0140] (Appendix 10) The terminal position area specifying means specifies the second in-area area where the second terminal device is located. The control means disconnects the communication between the second terminal device and the network service when the specified second in-area area and the specified service area are different. The communication control device according to any one of Appendices 7 to 9.

[0141] According to the above configuration, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is preferably controlled.

[0142] (Appendix 11) Corresponding to the first terminal device and the second terminal device, there is provided management means for managing network service information for receiving a service, area information where the device is present, and information indicating whether it is a representative terminal device. The service area specifying means specifies the service area for providing the network service by referring to the information managed by the management means. The communication control device according to any one of Appendices 7 to 10.

[0143] According to the above configuration, the service area for providing the network service can be easily specified.

[0144] (Appendix 12) The service area specifying means specifies the service area for providing the network service according to the area group in which the network service can provide the service and the specified first in-area area. The communication control device according to any one of Appendices 7 to 11.

[0145] According to the above configuration, the service area for providing the network service can be preferably specified.

[0146] (Appendix 13) Identify the first presence area where the first terminal device is located, Identify a service area that provides network services according to the identified first presence area, A communication control method for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the identified service area.

[0147] According to the above configuration, even when the area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be suitably changed. Also, according to the changed service area, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is suitably controlled.

[0148] (Appendix 14) In the process of identifying the service area, When the first presence area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device, change the service area, the communication control method according to Appendix 13.

[0149] According to the above configuration, even when the area where the first terminal device is present changes, the service area can be suitably changed.

[0150] (Appendix 15) In the process of identifying the first presence area, Identify the second presence area where the second terminal device is located, In the process of controlling the connection with the network service, When the identified second presence area is located in the identified service area, connect the second terminal device and the network service, the communication control method according to Appendix 13 or 14.

[0151] According to the above configuration, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is suitably controlled.

[0152] (Appendix 16) In the process of identifying the first presence area, Identify the second in-range area where the second terminal device is located, In the process of controlling the connection with the network service, When the identified second in-range area is different from the identified service area, disconnect the communication between the second terminal device and the network service. The communication control method according to any one of Appendices 13 to 15.

[0153] According to the above configuration, the connection between the second terminal device and the network service is preferably controlled.

[0154] (Appendix 17) Manage, in association with the first terminal device and the second terminal device, network service information receiving a service, in-range area information, and information indicating whether it is a representative terminal device. In the process of identifying the service area, Referring to the managed information, identify the service area that provides the network service. The communication control method according to any one of Appendices 13 to 16.

[0155] According to the above configuration, the service area that provides the network service can be easily identified.

[0156] (Appendix 18) In the process of identifying the service area, Identify the service area that provides the network service according to the area group where the network service can provide a service and the identified first in-range area. The communication control method according to any one of Appendices 13 to 17.

[0157] According to the above configuration, the service area that provides the network service can be preferably identified.

[0158] (Appendix 19) The communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the control means registers the first terminal device and the second terminal device as terminal devices that use the network service, respectively.

[0159] (Appendix 20) The communication control device according to claim 7, wherein the control means registers the first terminal device and the second terminal device as terminal devices that use the network service, respectively.

[0160] (Appendix 21) In the process of controlling the connection to the network service, The communication control method according to claim 13, wherein the first terminal device and the second terminal device are registered as terminal devices that use the network service, respectively.

[0161] (Appendix 22) The communication control method according to any one of Appendices 15 to 20, wherein the service area is an identifier of the area.

[0162] (Appendix 23) A communication control system including at least one processor, the processor performing a process of specifying a first presence area where a first terminal device is located, a process of specifying a service area that provides a network service according to the specified first presence area, and a process of controlling the connection between a second terminal device and the network service according to the specified service area.

[0163] Note that this communication control system may further include a memory, and a program for causing the processor to execute the process of specifying the first presence area, the process of specifying the service area, and the process of controlling may be stored in this memory. Further, this program may be recorded on a non-transitory tangible computer-readable recording medium.

[0164] (Appendix 24) Communication means for transmitting a registration request to a local area data network and receiving a response to the registration request, Control means for causing the communication means to transmit a session establishment request to the local area data network when area information in which its own terminal device is located is included in the service area of the local area data network included in the response received by the communication means. A terminal device comprising:

Explanation of symbols

[0165] 1,1A Communication control device 2-1 First terminal device (representative UE) 2-2 Second terminal device (UE) 3 Radio base station 4 Network service 11 Terminal position area specifying unit 12 Service area specifying unit 13 Control unit 14 Communication unit 15 Management unit 20 gNB 30 AMF 40 SMF 50 UPF 60 LADN 70 MEC server 100,100’,100A Communication control system

Claims

1. Terminal position area specifying means for specifying a first presence area where a first terminal device is located; Service area specifying means for specifying the specified first presence area as a service area that provides a network service; Control means for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area; A communication control system comprising:

2. The service area specifying means changes the service area when the first presence area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device. The communication control system according to claim 1.

3. The terminal position area specifying means specifies a second presence area where the second terminal device is located, The control means connects the second terminal device and the network service when the specified second presence area is located in the specified service area. The communication control system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The terminal position area specifying means specifies a second presence area where the second terminal device is located, The control means disconnects the communication between the second terminal device and the network service when the specified second presence area is different from the specified service area. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Management means for managing network service information for receiving a service, presence area information, and information indicating whether it is a representative terminal device, in association with the first terminal device and the second terminal device, The service area specifying means specifies the service area that provides the network service with reference to the information managed by the management means. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The service area specifying means specifies a service area that provides a network service according to a group of areas where the network service can provide a service and the specified first presence area. The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Terminal position area specifying means for specifying a first presence area where a first terminal device is located; Service area specifying means for specifying the specified first presence area as a service area that provides a network service; Control means for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area; A communication control device comprising the same. **Claim 8** The communication control device according to claim 7, wherein the service area specifying means changes the service area when the first in-range area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device. **Claim 9** Specify the first in-range area where the first terminal device is located; Specify the specified first in-range area as a service area that provides a network service; A communication control method for controlling the connection between a second terminal device that uses the network service and the network service according to the specified service area. **Claim 10** In the process of specifying the service area, The communication control method according to claim 9, wherein when the first in-range area changes according to the movement of the first terminal device, the service area is changed.

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