In the circle determination system

Abstract

To more reliably determine whether a mobile station is in a service area.SOLUTION: A presence-in-zone determination system 1 includes: a setting unit 11 that, when UE that is registered as being in a 5GC network registers its position in an LTE network, sets an effect that the state of being in the 5GC network is invalid for the UE; and a determination unit 12 that determines that the UE set by the setting unit 11 is not in the 5GC network. The determination unit 12 may determine that the UE set by the setting unit 11 and for which an in-zone mobile communication network cannot be determined is not in the 5GC network. The UE for which an in-zone mobile communication network cannot be determined may be UE associated with relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks as a relay destination of communication to the UE.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a presence determination system for determining the presence of a mobile device.

Background Art

[0002] In Non-Patent Document 1 below, the processing of a 5G (5th Generation) system, which is a mobile communication network system, is defined.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Section 4.11.1.3.2 of Non-Patent Document 1 above, the signal processing in the presence movement of a mobile device from a 5GC (5G Core) network (5G core network) to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) network (4G (4th Generation) core network) is defined. However, the processing in the case where some signals are not reachable is not defined. In that case, for example, there is a problem that it is impossible to determine whether the mobile device is present in the 5GC network or the LTE network.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to more reliably determine the presence of a mobile device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A location determination system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a setting unit that sets, for a mobile device, that the location state in the first mobile communication network is invalid when the mobile device registered as being located in the first mobile communication network registers its location in the second mobile communication network, and a determination unit that determines that the mobile device is not located in the first mobile communication network when the setting by the setting unit is made.

[0007] In such an aspect, for a mobile device in which a setting that the location state in the first mobile communication network is invalid is made, a determination is made that the mobile device is not located in the first mobile communication network. That is, it is possible to more reliably determine the location of the mobile device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to more reliably determine the location of a mobile device.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments in the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted. Also, the embodiments in the present disclosure in the following description are specific examples of the present invention, and are not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified to limit the present invention.

[0011] First, the prior art and its problems will be described. In this embodiment, devices, systems, logical nodes, signals, data, information, etc. defined in the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) standard are omitted from the description. For details, refer to each technical specification of the 3GPP standard.

[0012] In the 3GPP standard, there are the following two regulations for delivering a release signal when a UE moves in area from a 5GC network to an LTE network.

[0013] The first is a release request from HSS+UDM, which is a (physical or logical) combination of a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) and a Unified Data Management (UDM), to an Access and Mobility management Function (AMF), as defined in Section 4.11.1.3.2, "5GS to EPS Idle mode mobility using N26 interface" of Non-Patent Document 1. Figure 1 shows Figure 4.11.1.3.2-1, "5GS to EPS Idle mode mobility using N26 interface" of this section. Figure 1 is a sequence diagram showing an example of signal processing during the in-circuit movement of a UE from a 5GC network to an LTE network. Step 15, "Nudm_UECM_DeregistrationNotification" in Figure 1 is the release request from HSS+UDM to AMF.

[0014] The second is a release request from the AMF to the Short Message Service Function (SMSF), as defined in Section 4.13.3.2, "Deregistration procedures for SMS over NAS" of Non-Patent Document 1 (there is no figure in this section).

[0015] Figure 2 shows an overall picture combining the above two release signal delivery regulations. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an overall picture (summary image) of the processing during the in-circuit movement of a UE from a 5GC network to an LTE network. The left side of Figure 2 is a general sequence diagram. The right side of Figure 2 is a table showing the chronological changes of the profiles stored in HSS+UDM in accordance with the chronology of the sequence diagram on the left side of Figure 2. Note that the entire profile stored in HSS+UDM is appropriately referred to as the profile state. In this embodiment, the HSS (alias F-SCP), UDM (alias vUDM), and HSS / UDR (User Data Repository) (alias vDSCP) in the sequence diagram of Figure 2, and the profile state in the table of Figure 2 are collectively referred to as "HSS+UDM" (alias SCP) as appropriate.

[0016] The content of FIG. 2 will be briefly described along the time series. First, in the initial stage, since the UE is located in the 5GC network, in the profile stored in the HSS+UDM, the MME (Mobility Management Entity) profile, which is a logical node of the LTE network, is set to "none", the AMF profile, which is a logical node of the 5GC network, is set to "yes (old)", the SMF (Session Management Function) profile, which is a logical node of the 5GC network, is set to "yes (old)", and the SMSF profile, which is a logical node of the 5GC network, is set to "yes (old)". Note that, for convenience of explanation in this embodiment, "(old)" indicates that it is set in the initial state, "(new)" indicates that it is set after the initial state, and "(deleted)" indicates that it is deleted. However, as a profile, for example, "yes (old)" and "yes (new)" may simply be set to "yes", and "none (deleted)" may simply be set to "none". Each value of the profile can also be said to be a value indicating which logical node the signal can be sent to. Also, the profile exists for each UE. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the profile state for one UE is shown, but actually the profile state exists for each UE. In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation, basically the processing for one UE is described, but it is not limited thereto.

[0017] Note that in the table of FIG. 2, an empty cell in a certain column indicates that the value set above the cell in the column is continuously set. For example, the MME profile is initially set to "none" as described above, remains set to "none" at the stages of the processes in steps A1 and A2, is set to "yes (new)" after the process in step A2, and indicates that it remains set to "yes (new)" until the process in step A12.

[0018] Starting from the initial stage, at step A1, "Dia_ULR" is sent from the MME to the HSS. Next, at step A2, MME rewriting is performed between the HSS and the HSS / UDR. As a result of the processing in step A2, the MME profile among the profiles is set to "Yes (new)". Next, at step A3, "Dia_ULA" is sent from the HSS to the MME. Next, at step A4, a location deletion instruction (5GC) is sent from the HSS to the UDM. Next, at step A5, AMF rewriting is performed between the UDM and the HSS / UDR. As a result of the processing in step A5, the AMF profile among the profiles is set to "No (deleted)". Next, at step A6, "Nudm_UECM_DeregistrationNotification Request" is sent from the UDM to the AMF. Next, at step A7, "Nudm_UECM_DeregistrationNotification Response" is sent from the AMF to the UDM. Next, at step A8, "(For SMF) 'Nsmf_PDUSession_Update / Release-SMContext Request' or (For SMSF) 'Nsmsf_SMService_Deactivate Request'" is sent from the AMF to the SMF / SMSF. Note that step A7 and step A8 are parallel controls, and for convenience, the SMF / SMSF is collectively represented. Also, in this embodiment, mainly the SMSF is described, and the description of the SMF is omitted as appropriate, but the SMF is the same as the SMSF.

[0019] Next, in step A9, a "Nudm_UECM_Deregistration Request" is sent from SMS / SMSF to UDM. Next, in step A10, SMF / SMSF rewriting is performed between UDM and HSS / UDR. As a result of the processing in step A10, the SMF profile and the SMSF profile among the profiles are set to "none (erased)". Next, in step A11, a "Nudm_UECM_Deregistration Response" is sent from UDM to SMF / SMSF. Next, in step A12, a "Nsmf_PDUSession_Update / Release-SMContext Response" or a "Nsmsf_SMService_Deactivate Response" is sent from SMF / SMSF to AMF.

[0020] However, in the 3GPP standard, there are no provisions for failures (such as signal transmission and reception in some steps). In case of failure, it is left to system implementations such as HSS+UDM.

[0021] Subsequently, regarding SMS (Short Message Service) delivery, it is defined in Section 4.13.3.6, "MT SMS over NAS in CM-IDLE state via 3GPP access" of Non-Patent Document 1 in the 3GPP standard. Figure 4.13.3.6-1, "MT SMS over NAS in CM_IDLE state via 3GPP access" in the same section is shown as part of Figure 3 (the left sequence diagram). Figure 3 is a diagram showing the overall picture of the processing during SMS delivery to the UE. The left side of Figure 3 is the sequence diagram in the above-mentioned 3GPP standard. The right side of Figure 3 is a table showing the profile status stored in HSS+UDM. In this embodiment, the UDM in the sequence diagram of Figure 3 and the profile status in the table of Figure 3 are collectively referred to as "HSS+UDM" as appropriate.

[0022] In step 2 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 3 (inquiry about which in-area to send to), the HSS+UDM returns (responds with) the SMS relay destination address (MME address or SMSF address) that it stores (holds). Note that the SMS relay destination address is the address (information regarding the relay destination) of the destination (relay destination of the communication) for SMS delivery (communication). After step 2, SMS relay destination determination is performed by the SMS-GMSC (Gateway Mobile Service Switching Center). In the SMS relay destination determination, when the SMSF address is received (returned), a delivery request is sent to the SMSF (5GC network), and when the MME address is received, a delivery request is sent to the MME (LTE network). Here, in step 3 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 3, there is no 3GPP standard for stipulating the retransmission procedure between the 5GC network and the LTE network in the SMS-GMSC. When delivery fails, it transitions to SMS accumulation. Note that after step 3 in FIG. 3 (as well as FIGS. 6 and 9 described later), the relay destination is the SMSF (5GC network).

[0023] Subsequently, the problems of the prior art will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0024] In the location registration to the LTE in-area (step A1) in the sequence diagram of FIG. 2, the HSS+UDM receives and stores the MME address of the newly in-area station. That is, the MME profile stored (held) by the HSS+UDM transitions from "existing (new)" to "yes". Subsequently, the HSS+UDM that has detected the in-area movement of the UE from the 5GC network to the LTE network activates the release operation of the 5GC network in step A4 and requests release to the AMF in step A6. If the release is completed normally, step A9 is executed and the (SMF profile and) SMSF profile stored by the HSS+UDM transitions from "existing (new)" to "none (deleted)". Therefore, it becomes a profile state in which only the MME address is stored.

[0025] On the one hand, when the release is due to signal failure (abnormal termination), step A9 is not executed, and the (SMF profile and) SMSF profile stored in the HSS + UDM remains "valid (old)". Therefore, the profile state stores both the MME address and the (SMF profile and) SMSF address. Also, when the HSS and UDM, which are logical nodes defined by the 3GPP standard, are physically separate devices, if signal failure (abnormal termination) occurs in step A4, the same issue of storing both addresses as in step A6 will arise. Examples of the causes of signal failure include line failures between the UDM and the AMF, and system failures in the AMF. When SMS delivery is executed in this (signal failure) state, two problems occur.

[0026] The first problem is that although the UE is always registered on one of the networks (5GC network or LTE network), in the current processing, the HSS + UDM cannot determine which network the UE is registered on (see the table in Figure 3). The second problem is that if, due to the first problem, the HSS + UDM returns both addresses (the SMSF address of the 5GC network and the MME address of the LTE network) in step 2 of the sequence diagram in Figure 3, the SMS - GMSC needs to consider the priority of the relay destination (however, the SMS - GMSC does not know the correct priority), and there is a possibility that one of the addresses will be a null operation in the SMS - GMSC (currently, there is no re - transmission procedure defined in the 3GPP standard, so SMS delivery becomes impossible when such an event occurs). Also, even if a re - transmission procedure is considered, the null operation is a wasteful operation.

[0027] The above is the description of the prior art and its problems.

[0028] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the location determination system 1 (location determination system) according to the embodiments (the first embodiment and the second embodiment). As shown in Figure 4, the location determination system 1 includes a storage unit 10, a setting unit 11 (setting unit), and a determination unit 12 (determination unit).

[0029] The location determination system 1 is composed of one or more devices. That is, the location determination system 1 may be composed of a single device or a plurality of devices. In an embodiment, the location determination system 1 assumes an HSS + UDM, but is not limited thereto. For example, the location determination system 1 may include one or more other logical nodes in addition to the HSS + UDM.

[0030] Each functional block of the location determination system 1 is assumed to function within the location determination system 1, but is not limited thereto. For example, a part of the functional block of the location determination system 1 may be a computer device different from the location determination system 1, and may function while appropriately transmitting and receiving information with the location determination system 1 in a computer device network-connected to the location determination system 1. Also, some functional blocks of the location determination system 1 may be omitted, a plurality of functional blocks may be integrated into one functional block, or one functional block may be decomposed into a plurality of functional blocks.

[0031] Subsequently, each function of the location determination system 1 shown in FIG. 4 will be described. Hereinafter, the functional blocks and processes of the location determination system 1 will be described separately for the first embodiment and the second embodiment. The first embodiment focuses on the case where a UE (mobile device) moves within the coverage from a 5GC network (the "first mobile communication network" in the first embodiment) to an LTE network (the "second mobile communication network" in the first embodiment). The second embodiment focuses on the case where a UE moves within the coverage from an LTE network (the "first mobile communication network" in the second embodiment) to a 5GC network (the "second mobile communication network" in the second embodiment). The location determination system 1 may have both functions shown in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, or may have only one of them. In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the reference numerals of the location determination system 1, the storage unit 10, the setting unit 11, and the determination unit 12 will be described without distinction (for example, the first embodiment is not distinguished as the location determination system 1A, and the second embodiment is not distinguished as the location determination system 1B, etc.).

[0032] <First Embodiment>

[0033] The storage unit 10 stores information stored in a general HSS, UDM, and UDR. For example, as described above, the storage unit 10 stores the profiles of logical nodes included in the 5GC network and the LTE network. More specifically, the storage unit 10 stores profiles such as an MME profile, an AMF profile, an SMF profile, and an SMSF profile. Further, the storage unit 10 may store the LTE presence profile and the 5GC presence profile described later, which are set by the setting unit 11. In addition, the storage unit 10 may store any information used in calculations in the presence determination system 1 and the results of calculations in the presence determination system 1. The information stored by the storage unit 10 may be appropriately referred to by each function of the presence determination system 1.

[0034] When a UE registered as being present in the 5GC network performs location registration to the LTE network, the setting unit 11 sets that the presence state of the UE in the 5GC network is invalid. When the registration indicating that the UE is present in the 5GC network is deleted when the UE performs location registration to the LTE network, the setting unit 11 may set that the presence state of the UE in the 5GC network is valid.

[0035] This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an overall view of the processing at the time of presence movement from the 5GC network to the LTE network by the presence determination system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is the same as FIG. 2, and the differences from FIG. 2 are shown in bold in FIG. 5. Explanation of the same content as FIG. 2 will be omitted. Note that steps A1 to A12 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 2 basically correspond to steps B1 to B12 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 5 (excluding the differences described later).

[0036] Regarding FIG. 5, the differences from FIG. 2 will be described. First, the storage unit 10 of the in-circuit determination system 1 (HSS + UDM) stores two new profiles in addition to the MME profile, AMF profile, SMF profile, and SMSF profile. The first is an LTE in-circuit profile indicating whether the in-circuit state of the UE in the LTE network is valid or invalid. The LTE in-circuit profile takes a binary value of valid or invalid, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be a percentage value indicating the degree of validity. The second is a 5GC in-circuit profile indicating whether the in-circuit state of the UE in the 5GC network is valid or invalid. The 5GC in-circuit profile takes a binary value of valid or invalid, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be a percentage value indicating the degree of validity. In the initial state, both the LTE in-circuit profile and the 5GC in-circuit profile are set to be valid.

[0037] In step B2 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 5, flag writing is performed together with MME rewriting between the HSS and the HSS / UDR. As a result of the processing in step B2, the MME profile among the profiles is set to "Yes (new)", and the 5GC in-circuit profile is set to "Invalid" by the setting unit 11 (flag writing). That is, when a UE that is registered as being in the 5GC network (the profiles of the AMF, SMF, and SMSF, which are logical nodes of the 5GC network, are valid) performs location registration to the LTE network (step B1), the setting unit 11 sets that the in-circuit state of the UE in the 5GC network is invalid (sets the 5GC in-circuit profile to "Invalid"). It can also be said that the setting unit 11 stores a flag for invalidating the 5GC in-circuit state in the profile at the time of location registration (Dia_ULR) to the LTE network. When the in-circuit determination system 1 receives step B1, if the LTE in-circuit profile is "Invalid", as a result of the processing in step B2, the LTE in-circuit profile may be further set to "Valid" by the setting unit 11 (flag rewriting).

[0038] In step B5 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 5, AMF rewriting is performed between the UDM and the HSS / UDR. At this time, the setting unit 11 does not change the setting of the 5GC in-area profile because the SMF / SMSF is still in the in-area state. In step B10 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 5, together with the SMF / SMSF rewriting between the UDM and the HSS / UDR (if all 5GC in-areas are deleted), the flag is reset. As a result of the process in step B10, the SMF profile and the SMSF profile in the profile are set to "none (deleted)", and the 5GC in-area profile is set to "valid" by the setting unit 11 (flag reset). That is, when the UE registers its location to the LTE network (step B1), if the registration indicating that the UE is in the 5GC network is deleted (step B10), the setting unit 11 sets the in-area state of the UE in the 5GC network to be valid (sets the 5GC in-area profile to "valid"). It can also be said that the setting unit 11 restores the invalid flag to valid when all the in-area information of the 5GC network is deleted in step B9 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 5 (invalidates the 5GC in-area state) so as not to affect the normal state. Above, the differences between FIG. 5 and FIG. 2 have been described.

[0039] The determination unit 12 determines that a UE for which the setting (the setting that the presence state in the 5GC network is invalid for the UE) is made by the setting unit 11 is not present in the 5GC network. The determination unit 12 may determine that a UE for which the mobile communication network in which the UE is present cannot be determined and for which the setting is made by the setting unit 11 is not present in the 5GC network. The UE for which the mobile communication network in which the UE is present cannot be determined may be a UE in which relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks are associated as relay destinations for communication to the UE. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, the determination unit 12 does not have to respond with information regarding the relay destination of the 5GC network if the determination (by the determination unit 12) is made for the UE. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding a relay destination other than the 5GC network if the determination is made for the UE. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding the relay destination of the LTE network if the determination is made for the UE. The above determination may be a determination that the UE is present outside the 5GC network or a determination that the UE is present in the LTE network.

[0040] This will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an overall view of the processing at the time of SMS delivery to a UE by the presence determination system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is the same as FIG. 3, and the differences from FIG. 3 are shown in bold in FIG. 6. Description of the same content as in FIG. 3 is omitted.

[0041] Regarding FIG. 6, the differences from FIG. 3 will be described. As described in FIG. 5, the storage unit 10 of the in-circuit determination system 1 (HSS + UDM) stores the 5GC in-circuit profile. When the 5GC in-circuit state profile (flag) is set to "invalid" by the setting unit 11, the determination unit 12 determines that the SMSF profile is "none". That is, at a certain point in time, when the MME profile stored by the storage unit 10 is "yes", the SMSF profile is "yes", and the 5GC in-circuit state profile is "invalid", the determination unit 12 determines that the MME profile is "yes" and the SMSF profile is "none". Further, the determination unit 12 may perform another determination and process based on the determination that the MME profile is "yes" and the SMSF profile is "none".

[0042] For example, when the storage unit 10 of the in-circuit determination system 1 stores both addresses (MME address and SMSF address) in step 2 of FIG. 6, if it is "invalid" with reference to the 5GC in-circuit profile, it may not be necessary to return the SMSF address. For example, the determination unit 12 determines that the UE set by the setting unit 11 (the 5GC in-circuit profile is set to invalid by the setting unit 11) is not in the 5GC network. For example, the determination unit 12 may determine that a UE for which the mobile communication network in which it is located cannot be determined and that is set by the setting unit 11 is not in the 5GC network. A UE for which the mobile communication network in which it is located cannot be determined may be a UE in which relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks (such as a 5GC network and an LTE network) are associated as relay destinations for communication with the UE (such as both the MME profile and the SMSF profile being "present"). When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE (step 2 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 6) and a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may not respond with information regarding the relay destination in the 5GC network (such as the SMSF address). When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE and a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding a relay destination other than the 5GC network (such as the MME address). When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE and a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding the relay destination in the LTE network (such as the MME address). The above determination may be a determination that the UE is in a network other than the 5GC network or a determination that the UE is in the LTE network. The above is the explanation of the difference between FIG. 6 and FIG. 3.

[0043] The determination unit 12 may output the determination result. For example, the determination unit 12 may transmit the determination result to another device via the communication device 1004 described later, or may display it on a display or the like of the in-circuit determination system 1 via the output device 1006 described later.

[0044] Next, with reference to FIG. 7, an example of the process executed by the in-area determination system 1 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the process (in-area determination method) executed by the in-area determination system 1 according to the first embodiment. First, when a UE registered as being in the 5GC network attempts to register its location in the LTE network, the setting unit 11 sets that the in-area state of the UE in the 5GC network is invalid (step S1). Next, the determination unit 12 determines that the UE for which the setting in S1 has been made is not in the 5GC network (step S2).

[0045] <Second Embodiment> Basically, in the second embodiment, the 5GC network of the first embodiment is replaced with the LTE network, and the LTE network of the first embodiment is replaced with the 5GC network. Regarding the second embodiment, the main differences other than the above replacement with the first embodiment will be described.

[0046] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an overall view of the process during the in-area movement from the LTE network to the 5GC network by the in-area determination system 1 according to the second embodiment. The content of FIG. 8 will be briefly described in chronological order. First, at the initial stage, since the UE is in the LTE network, in the profile stored in the in-area determination system 1, the MME profile is set to "Yes (old)", the AMF profile is set to "No", the SMF profile is set to "No", and the SMSF profile is set to "No". Also, similar to FIG. 5, both the LTE in-area profile and the 5GC in-area profile are set to be valid.

[0047] Starting from the initial stage, at step C1, a "Nudm_UECM_Registration Request" is sent from the AMF to the UDM. Next, at step C2, flag rewriting is performed between the UDM and the HSS / UDR along with AMF rewriting. As a result of the processing in step C2, the AMF profile among the profiles is set to "Yes (new)", and the LTE presence profile is set to "Invalid" by the setting unit 11 (flag rewriting). That is, it can be said that the setting unit 11 stores a flag for invalidating the LTE presence state in the profile at the time of location registration (UECM_Reg) to the 5GC network. When the presence determination system 1 receives step C1, if the 5GC presence profile is "Invalid", as a result of the processing in step C2, the 5GC presence profile may be further set to "Valid" by the setting unit 11 (flag rewriting). Next, at step C3, a "Nudm_UECM_Registration Response" is sent from the UDM to the AMF. Next, at step C4, a presence deletion instruction (LTE) is sent from the UDM to the HSS. Next, at step C5, flag restoration is performed between the HSS and the HSS / UDR along with MME rewriting. As a result of the processing in step C5, the MME profile among the profiles is set to "No (deleted)", and the LTE presence profile is set to "Valid" by the setting unit 11 (flag restoration).

[0048] Next, in step C6, "Dia_CLR" is sent from the HSS to the MME. Next, in step C7, "Dia_CLA" is sent from the MME to the HSS. Next, in step C8, "(Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Request for SMF) or (Nsmsf_SMService_Activate Request for SMSF)" is sent from the AMF to the SMF / SMSF. Next, in step C9, "Nudm_UECM_Registration Request" is sent from the SMS / SMSF to the UDM. Next, in step C10, SMF / SMSF rewriting is performed between the UDM and the HSS / UDR. As a result of the process in step C10, the SMF profile and the SMSF profile in the profile are set to "Existing (new)". Next, in step C11, "Nudm_UECM_Registration Response" is sent from the UDM to the SMF / SMSF. Next, in step C12, "Nsmf_PDUSession_CreateSMContext Response" or "Nsmsf_SMService_Activate Response" is sent from the SMF / SMSF to the AMF.

[0049] In FIG. 8, when the HSS and the UDM, which are logical nodes defined by the 3GPP standard, are physically separate devices, if a signal failure (abnormal termination) occurs in step C4, there is a problem that the MME profile stored in the storage unit 10 of the presence determination system 1 remains "Existing (old)". Also, since the SMSF address registration in step C9 is in parallel control with step C4 (and the AMF cannot grasp the completion of LTE presence elimination), there is a problem that when an abnormality is encountered in step C4, the profile state stores both the MME address and the SMSF address finally.

[0050] FIG. 9 is the same as FIG. 6, and the differences from FIG. 6 will be described. The storage unit 10 of the in-circuit determination system 1 (HSS + UDM) stores the LTE in-circuit profile. When the LTE in-circuit state profile (flag) is set to "invalid" by the setting unit 11, the determination unit 12 determines that the MME profile is "none". That is, at a certain point in time, when the MME profile stored by the storage unit 10 is "present", the SMSF profile is "present", and the LTE in-circuit state profile is "invalid", the determination unit 12 determines that the MME profile is "none" and the SMSF profile is "present". Further, the determination unit 12 may perform another determination and process based on the determination that the MME profile is "none" and the SMSF profile is "present".

[0051] For example, when the storage unit 10 of the in-circuit determination system 1 stores both addresses (MME address and SMSF address) in step 2 of FIG. 9, if it is "invalid" when referring to the LTE in-circuit profile, it may not be necessary to return the MME address. For example, the determination unit 12 determines that a UE whose setting is made by the setting unit 11 (the LTE in-circuit profile is set to invalid by the setting unit 11) is not in the LTE network. For example, the determination unit 12 may determine that a UE for which the mobile communication network in which it is located cannot be determined and whose setting is made by the setting unit 11 is not in the LTE network. A UE for which the mobile communication network in which it is located cannot be determined may be a UE to which relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks (such as a 5GC network and an LTE network) are associated as relay destinations for communication to the UE (such as both the MME profile and the SMSF profile being "yes"). When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE (step 2 of the sequence diagram in FIG. 8), if a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may not respond with information regarding the relay destination of the LTE network (such as the MME address). When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, if a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding a relay destination other than the LTE network (such as the SMSF address). When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, if a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding the relay destination of the 5GC network (such as the SMSF address). The above determination may be a determination that the UE is in a network other than the LTE network or a determination that the UE is in the 5GC network. The difference between FIG. 9 and FIG. 6 has been described above.

[0052] When a UE registered as being in the LTE network performs location registration to the 5GC network, the setting unit 11 sets that the in-circuit state of the UE in the LTE network is invalid. When the UE performs location registration to the 5GC network, if the registration indicating that the UE is in the LTE network is deleted, the setting unit 11 may set that the in-circuit state of the UE in the LTE network is valid.

[0053] The determination unit 12 determines that a UE for which the setting unit 11 has made a setting (a setting indicating that the presence state in the LTE network is invalid for the UE) is not present in the LTE network. The determination unit 12 may determine that a UE for which the mobile communication network in which it is present cannot be determined and for which the setting unit 11 has made a setting is not present in the LTE network. A UE for which the mobile communication network in which it is present cannot be determined may be a UE to which relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks are associated as relay destinations for communication with the UE. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication with the UE and a determination (by the determination unit 12) is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may not respond with information regarding the relay destination in the LTE network. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication with the UE and a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding a relay destination other than the LTE network. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication with the UE and a determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding the relay destination in the 5GC network. The above determination may be a determination that the UE is present outside the LTE network or a determination that the UE is present in the 5GC network.

[0054] Next, an example of the process executed by the presence determination system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the process (presence determination method) executed by the presence determination system 1 according to the first embodiment. First, when a UE registered as being present in the LTE network performs location registration to the 5GC network, the setting unit 11 makes a setting (step S3) indicating that the presence state in the LTE network is invalid for the UE. Next, the determination unit 12 determines (step S4) that the UE for which the setting in S3 has been made is not present in the LTE network.

[0055] Next, the operation and effects of the presence determination system 1 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be described.

[0056] According to the presence determination system 1, when a UE registered as being present in the first mobile communication network (5GC network in the first embodiment, LTE network in the second embodiment) performs location registration to the second mobile communication network (LTE network in the first embodiment, 5GC network in the second embodiment), the setting unit 11 sets that the presence state of the UE in the first mobile communication network is invalid, and the determination unit 12 determines that the UE for which the above setting has been made by the setting unit 11 is not present in the first mobile communication network. With this configuration, for a UE for which the setting that the presence state in the first mobile communication network is invalid has been made, it is determined that the UE is not present in the first mobile communication network. That is, the presence of the UE can be determined more reliably.

[0057] Also, according to the presence determination system 1, the determination unit 12 may determine that a UE for which the above setting has been made by the setting unit 11 and for which the mobile communication network in which the UE is present cannot be determined is not present in the first mobile communication network. With this configuration, for a UE for which the mobile communication network in which the UE is present cannot be determined, it can be determined that the UE is not present in the first mobile communication network. That is, the presence of the UE can be determined more reliably.

[0058] Here, a UE for which the mobile communication network in which the UE is present cannot be determined may be a UE in which relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks are associated as relay destinations for SMS delivery to the UE. With this configuration, for a UE in which relay destinations of a plurality of mobile communication networks are associated as relay destinations for SMS delivery to the UE, it can be determined that the UE is not present in the first mobile communication network. That is, the presence of the UE can be determined more reliably.

[0059] Further, according to the in - area determination system 1, when there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, if the above - mentioned determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may not respond with information regarding the relay destination of the first mobile communication network. With this configuration, when there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, since information regarding the relay destination of the first mobile communication network determined not to be in the area where the UE is located is not responded, a more accurate response becomes possible.

[0060] Further, according to the in - area determination system 1, when there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, if the above - mentioned determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding relay destinations other than the first mobile communication network. With this configuration, when there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, since information regarding relay destinations other than the first mobile communication network determined not to be in the area where the UE is located is responded, a more accurate and reliable response becomes possible.

[0061] Further, according to the in - area determination system 1, when there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, if the above - mentioned determination is made for the UE, the determination unit 12 may respond with information regarding the relay destination of the second mobile communication network. With this configuration, when there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication to the UE, since information regarding the relay destination of the second mobile communication network in which the UE is registered for location is responded, a more accurate and reliable response becomes possible. Also, for example, in the in - area determination system 1, one network - side address when the UE is in the area can be responded (to an SMS - GMSC, etc.). Also, for example, in SMS delivery, only one address when in the area can be reliably notified.

[0062] Here, the above - mentioned determination may be a determination that the UE is in an area other than the first mobile communication network or a determination that the UE is in the second mobile communication network. With this configuration, since a determination can be made that the UE is in an area other than the first mobile communication network determined not to be in the area or a determination can be made that the UE is in the second mobile communication network in which the UE is registered for location, a more accurate and reliable determination can be made.

[0063] Further, according to the in-area determination system 1, when the UE registers its location with the second mobile communication network, if the registration indicating that the UE is in the first mobile communication network is deleted, the setting unit 11 may set that the in-area state of the UE in the first mobile communication network is valid. With this configuration, the accuracy of the in-area state of the UE in the first mobile communication network is more ensured.

[0064] In the present embodiment, two mobile communication networks, i.e., the 5GC network and the LTE network, are taken as examples of the mobile communication network. However, the present invention is not limited to two mobile communication networks and is also applicable to three or more mobile communication networks. For example, the above-mentioned "information on relay destinations other than the first mobile communication network" may be information on relay destinations of a third mobile communication network different from the 5GC network and the LTE network. Also, for example, the above-mentioned "determination that the UE is in an area other than the first mobile communication network" may be a determination that the UE is in a third mobile communication network different from the 5GC network and the LTE network.

[0065] Note that the block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiment show blocks in terms of functions. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Also, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by using one physically or logically combined device, or may be realized by directly or indirectly (e.g., using wired, wireless, etc.) connecting two or more physically or logically separated devices and using these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the above one device or the above multiple devices.

[0066] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision-making, determination, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, solution, selection, selection determination, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, presumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), assigning, etc. For example, a functional block (component) that enables transmission is referred to as a transmitting unit or a transmitter. As described above, the implementation method is not particularly limited.

[0067] For example, the presence determination system 1 in an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs the processing of the presence determination method of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the presence determination system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-described presence determination system 1 may physically be configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like. As described above, the presence determination system 1 may be composed of a plurality of devices. In that case, each of the plurality of devices (for example, each of the HSS and UDM) has a hardware configuration as shown in FIG. 11 above.

[0068] In the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the presence determination system 1 may be configured to include one or more of each of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured without including some of the devices.

[0069] Each function in the circle determination system 1 is realized by causing a processor 1001 to load a predetermined software (program) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, so that the processor 1001 performs operations, controls communication by the communication device 1004, or controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0070] The processor 1001, for example, operates an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be constituted by a central processing unit (CPU: Central Processing Unit) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, and the like. For example, the above-described setting unit 11 and determination unit 12 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0071] Further, the processor 1001 reads a program (program code), a software module, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program for causing a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above-described embodiments is used. For example, the setting unit 11 and the determination unit 12 may be stored in the memory 1002 and realized by a control program operating in the processor 1001, and other functional blocks may be realized in the same manner. Although it has been described that the above-described various processes are executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be mounted by one or more chips. Note that the program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

[0072] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 1002 may be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, etc. executable for implementing the wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The storage 1003 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-described recording medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0074] The communication device 1004 is hardware (a transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may include, for example, a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-described storage unit 10 and setting unit 11, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004.

[0075] The input device 1005 is an input device that receives an external input (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that performs an output to the outside (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.). Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

[0076] Also, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses for each device.

[0077] Also, the in-circuit determination system 1 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and some or all of each functional block may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware.

[0078] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and other methods may be used. For example, the notification of information may be implemented by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, notification information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC connection setup (RRC Connection Setup) message, an RRC connection reconfiguration (RRC Connection Reconfiguration) message, etc.

[0079] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to at least one of systems using LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other suitable systems, and next-generation systems extended based on these. Further, a plurality of systems may be combined (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A and 5G, etc.) and applied.

[0080] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be reordered as long as there is no contradiction. For example, regarding the methods described in the present disclosure, elements of various steps are presented using an exemplary order, and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0081] Specific operations assumed to be performed by a base station in the present disclosure may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, various operations performed for communication with a terminal can clearly be performed by at least one of the base station and other network nodes other than the base station (for example, but not limited to, an MME or an S-GW). Although the case where there is one other network node other than the base station has been exemplified above, a combination of a plurality of other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be possible.

[0082] Information and the like can be output from an upper layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or an upper layer). It may be input and output via a plurality of network nodes.

[0083] The input and output information and the like may be stored in a specific location (for example, a memory), or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information and the like can be overwritten, updated, or appended. The output information and the like may be deleted. The input information and the like may be transmitted to other devices.

[0084] The determination may be made based on a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), may be made based on a Boolean value (true or false), or may be made based on a numerical comparison (for example, comparison with a predetermined value).

[0085] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be used alone, may be used in combination, or may be switched and used during execution. Further, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "being X") is not limited to being explicitly performed, and may be performed implicitly (for example, by not performing the notification of the predetermined information).

[0086] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented as modified and changed aspects without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning for the present disclosure.

[0087] Software should be broadly construed to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether called by the name of software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other names.

[0088] Also, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, when software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technologies (such as coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pairs, digital subscriber lines (DSLs), etc.) and wireless technologies (such as infrared rays, microwaves, etc.), at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included within the definition of the transmission medium.

[0089] The information, signals, etc. described in the present disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0090] In addition, with respect to the terms described in the present disclosure and the terms necessary for understanding the present disclosure, they may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

[0091] The terms "system" and "network" used in the present disclosure are used interchangeably.

[0092] Also, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be represented using absolute values, relative values from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information. For example, radio resources may be indicated by an index.

[0093] The names used for the above-described parameters are not limiting names in any way. Furthermore, mathematical formulas, etc. using these parameters may be different from those explicitly disclosed in the present disclosure. Since various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable names, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not limiting names in any way.

[0094] In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS: Base Station)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier", etc. may be used interchangeably. The base station may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, picocell, etc.

[0095] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When the base station accommodates a plurality of cells, the entire coverage area of the base station can be divided into a plurality of smaller areas, and each of the smaller areas can also provide communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The term "cell" or "sector" refers to a part or the whole of the coverage area of at least one of a base station and a base station subsystem that provides communication services in this coverage.

[0096] In the present disclosure, terms such as "mobile station (MS)", "user terminal", "user equipment (UE)", and "terminal" can be used interchangeably.

[0097] A mobile station may also be called by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terms.

[0098] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be called a transmission device, a reception device, a communication device, etc. Note that at least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be a device mounted on a moving body, the moving body itself, etc. The moving body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), a moving body that moves without a driver (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (humanoid or non-humanoid). Note that at least one of the base station and the mobile station also includes a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0099] In addition, the base station in the present disclosure may be replaced by a user terminal. For example, for a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced by communication between a plurality of user terminals (which may be referred to as, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.), each aspect / embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be replaced by terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, an uplink channel, a downlink channel, etc. may be replaced by a side channel.

[0100] Similarly, the user terminal in the present disclosure may be replaced by a base station.

[0101] As used herein, the terms "determining" and "deciding" may encompass a wide variety of operations. "Determining" and "deciding" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., searching a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and considering something as having been "determined" or "decided". "Determining" and "deciding" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., transmitting information), inputting, outputting, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and considering something as having been "determined" or "decided". "Determining" and "deciding" may further include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, and the like, and considering something as having been "determined" or "decided". That is, "determining" and "deciding" may include considering something as having been "determined" or "decided" by performing some operation. Additionally, "determining (deciding)" may be read as "assuming", "expecting", "considering", etc.

[0102] The terms "connected" and "coupled" and any variations thereof mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and can include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "accessed". As used in this disclosure, two elements can be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and also using, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and optical (both visible and invisible) region.

[0103] As used in this disclosure, the recitation "based on" does not mean "based only on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the recitation "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least in part on".

[0104] Any reference to an element using designations such as "first", "second", etc. used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations can be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, references to a first and second element do not mean that only two elements can be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0105] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "section", "circuit", "device", etc.

[0106] In the present disclosure, when terms such as "include", "including" and their variants are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising". Further, the term "or" used in the present disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive disjunction.

[0107] In the present disclosure, for example, when articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the present disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0108] In the present disclosure, the term "A is different from B" may mean that "A and B are different from each other". Note that the term may also mean that "A and B are each different from C". Terms such as "separate", "coupled", etc. may also be interpreted in the same way as "different".

Description of Reference Numerals

[0109] 1... In-circle determination system, 10... Storage unit, 11... Setting unit, 12... Determination unit, 1001... Processor, 1002... Memory, 1003... Storage, 1004... Communication device, 1005... Input device, 1006... Output device, 1007... Bus.

Claims

1. When a mobile device registered as being within the first mobile communication network registers its location with the second mobile communication network, a setting unit that sets that the in-circle state of the mobile device in the first mobile communication network is invalid; A determination unit that determines that the mobile device, for which the in-circle state of the mobile communication network cannot be determined and for which the setting has been made by the setting unit, is not within the first mobile communication network; An in-circle determination system comprising the above.

2. The mobile device for which the in-circle state of the mobile communication network cannot be determined is a mobile device in which a plurality of relay destinations of the mobile communication network are associated as relay destinations for communication with the mobile device. The in-circle determination system according to Claim 1.

3. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication with the mobile device, if the determination has been made for the mobile device, the determination unit does not respond with information regarding the relay destination of the first mobile communication network. The in-circle determination system according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication with the mobile device, if the determination has been made for the mobile device, the determination unit responds with information regarding relay destinations other than the first mobile communication network. The in-circle determination system according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. When there is an inquiry regarding the relay destination of communication with the mobile device, if the determination has been made for the mobile device, the determination unit responds with information regarding the relay destination of the second mobile communication network. The in-circle determination system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The determination is a determination that the device is in a network other than the first mobile communication network or a determination that the device is in the second mobile communication network. The in-circle determination system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5.

Images