Communication control system

The communication control system ensures Voice Centric UEs can continue data communication on LTE networks by processing LTE data requests and simulating 3G voice registration, addressing communication disruptions post-3G shutdown.

JP7839756B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-02NTT DOCOMO INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-02-16
Publication Date
2026-04-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Mobile communication terminals prioritizing voice communication over data communication, such as Voice Centric UEs, face communication disruptions when 3G networks are shut down, as they cannot register location on LTE networks provided by the same carrier, leading to incomplete communication capabilities.

Method used

A communication control system with a location registration unit and a notification unit that processes LTE data communication requests while simulating successful 3G voice communication registration, allowing the terminal to remain on the LTE network by sending appropriate notification signals.

Benefits of technology

Enables Voice Centric UEs to maintain data communication on LTE networks even after 3G network termination, reducing maintenance costs and facilitating a seamless transition without requiring 3G infrastructure.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To appropriately cause mobile communication terminals to communicate.SOLUTION: An MME 10 includes a location registration unit 11 that accepts a request for location registration pertaining to data communication of a first method from a mobile communication terminal 100 and processes the location registration pertaining to data communication of the first method, and a notification unit 12 that, in response to the acceptance of the request for location registration by the location registration unit 11, notifies the mobile communication terminal 100 of a signal to the effect that location registration pertaining to voice communication of a second method has been performed without processing the location registration pertaining to voice communication of the second method.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control system.

Background Art

[0002] In the standard specifications shown in Non-Patent Document 1, there is a mobile communication terminal having a standard specification constraint for transitioning to another RAT (Radio Access Technology) or PLMN (Public Land Mobile Network) when location registration related to voice communication (voice bearer (CS (circuit switching), SGs)) cannot be performed. A mobile communication terminal corresponding to this specification is called a "Voice Centric UE (User Equipment)". A smartphone capable of performing voice communication is basically a Voice Centric UE.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication control system that can appropriately cause a mobile communication terminal to perform communication even when one mobile communication system is removed in an environment where a plurality of mobile communication systems coexist.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] Note: In the translation of the non-patent document number in line 25, the year "2022" in the original was changed to "20XX" as it seems to be a placeholder for a general year format in the context. If there is a specific requirement for this number, it can be adjusted accordingly.To achieve the above objectives, the communication control system according to the present invention includes a location registration unit that receives a request for location registration related to a first type of data communication from a mobile communication terminal and processes location registration related to the first type of data communication, and a notification unit that, in response to receiving a request for location registration by the location registration unit, does not perform location registration processing related to a second type of voice communication and notifies the mobile communication terminal of a signal indicating that location registration related to a second type of voice communication has been performed.

[0006] According to the communication control system of the present invention, even when one mobile communication system is removed in an environment where multiple mobile communication systems coexist, it is possible to ensure that mobile communication terminals can communicate appropriately. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to properly enable a mobile communication terminal to perform communication. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an MME, which is a communication control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This flowchart shows the processes executed by the MME, which is a communication control system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows the hardware configuration of a notification system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the communication control system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0010] A Voice Centric UE that is capable of data communication via LTE (Long Term Evolution) but does not support VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and prioritizes voice communication typically registers its location on the 3G mobile network for voice communication and on the LTE mobile network for data communication. In this case, the 3G and LTE mobile networks used for location registration are provided by the same telecommunications carrier.

[0011] Globally, there is a movement to shut down the older generation of mobile communication networks, 3G. When 3G mobile communication networks are shut down (for example, when 3G radio waves are discontinued and the MSCs (Mobile Switching Centers) that make up the 3G mobile communication network are removed), the aforementioned mobile communication terminals will no longer be able to register their location on the 3G network, and as a result, they will no longer be able to be located on the LTE mobile communication network provided by the same telecommunications carrier. Consequently, even though these mobile communication terminals have the capability to perform data communication via LTE, they will be unable to perform any communication, including data communication as well as voice communication.

[0012] In mobile communication terminals, the priority given to voice communication or data communication is usually determined by pre-embedded specifications. Therefore, it is difficult to solve the above problem through technical intervention on existing mobile communication terminals. Furthermore, while the above problem would not occur if a system equivalent to MSC were left in place, this would conflict with the termination of the 3G mobile communication network, i.e., the removal of equipment related to the 3G mobile communication network. Therefore, a new problem arises in that the MSC cannot be removed, and a complete termination of the 3G mobile communication network is not possible. In addition, the MSC system would have to continue to be used in future generations of mobile communication networks, which could become an obstacle in the consideration of future 3GPP architecture concepts.

[0013] This embodiment has been made in view of the above, and aims to provide a communication control system that can appropriately enable a mobile communication terminal to communicate even in the circumstances described above.

[0014] Figure 1 shows the Mobility Management Entity (MME) 10, which is a communication control system according to this embodiment. The MME 10 is a node (device, system) that constitutes a mobile communication network, that is, a node included in the mobile communication network. The mobile communication network is a system (communication network) that provides mobile communication functions to the UE 100, which is a mobile communication terminal. In this embodiment, the mobile communication network including the MME 10 is a mobile communication network that provides data communication functions using LTE, which is the first method.

[0015] UE100 is a device that has the function of performing mobile communications via a mobile communication network. UE100 is, for example, a conventional mobile phone or smartphone. For example, by inserting a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) provided by a mobile communication network carrier into UE100, UE100 becomes capable of performing mobile communications via the mobile communication network. UE100 may also have the function of performing voice and data communications over the mobile communication network. Voice communication here refers to, for example, communication performed by a voice bearer in a CS (Customer Service Center). Furthermore, voice and data communications may be performed using either the first method, LTE, or the second method, 3G. If UE100 has both voice and data communication functions, it may be configured to prioritize one of them over the other.

[0016] In this embodiment, the main target is a UE100 that is capable of data communication via LTE and voice communication via 3G, is not VoLTE compatible, and prioritizes voice communication. In other words, the main target is a UE100 that is a Voice Centric UE. However, the UE100 may include UE100s other than Voice Centric UEs.

[0017] In order for the UE100 to perform mobile communications, it registers its location with the mobile communication network. Location registration is performed separately for LTE and 3G, and separately for voice communication and data communication. That is, when performing data communication via LTE, location registration is performed for LTE data communication. When performing voice communication via 3G, location registration is performed for 3G voice communication.

[0018] The mobile network providing data communication functionality over LTE includes, in addition to the MME10, an HSS20 and an eNB30 as nodes for providing mobile communication functionality to the UE100. The MME10 is a switch that accommodates the eNB30 and performs mobility control and bearer control, etc. The MME10 also has a function to control the location registration of the UE100 according to this embodiment, as will be described later. The HSS20 is a logical node that manages subscriber information and performs call control and connection control, etc. The eNB30 is a device installed in the area covered by the mobile network service and transmits and receives radio signals related to the mobile network to and from the UE100. Each of the above nodes has functions similar to conventional nodes in addition to the functions of this embodiment shown below. The mobile network also includes nodes similar to conventional mobile networks other than those described above.

[0019] In this embodiment, we assume a scenario where a telecommunications carrier was providing LTE and 3G mobile communication networks, but has terminated the provision of the 3G mobile communication network. The UE100 cannot use nodes such as the MSC40 and base station 50 that constitute the 3G mobile communication network, and therefore cannot perform 3G mobile communication. The MSC40 is a switch that performs voice control in the 3G mobile communication network.

[0020] In the above case, conventionally, a UE which is a Voice Centric UE performs location registration related to data communication via LTE. Thereafter, the UE attempts location registration related to voice communication via 3G. However, since the MSC 40, the base station 50, etc. are not functioning, the location registration fails. The UE for which the location registration has failed does not stay in the LTE mobile communication network provided by the same communication carrier as the 3G mobile communication network, and tries to search for a mobile communication network of another communication carrier. Therefore, the UE cannot camp on the LTE mobile communication network either, and data communication via LTE cannot be performed.

[0021] This embodiment enables the UE 100 to camp on the LTE mobile communication network and perform data communication via LTE even in the above case where the provision of the 3G mobile communication network has ended. Since the provision of the 3G mobile communication network has ended, the UE 100 cannot perform voice communication. However, for SMS (Short Message Service), it may be made available by the conventional method via LTE (for example, SMSinMME registration).

[0022] Subsequently, the functions of the MME 10 which is a communication control system according to this embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the MME 10 is configured to include a location registration unit 11 and a notification unit 12.

[0023] The location registration unit 11 is a functional unit that performs the process of location registration related to data communication of the first method. This location registration process may be performed in response to receiving a request (for example, a location registration request related to data communication of the first method) (request signal) from the UE 100.

[0024] The location registration unit 11 performs location registration processing as follows, for example: When the UE 100 makes a location registration request related to data communication to the LTE mobile communication network (attach), the location registration unit 11 receives (accepts) the request via the eNB 30. The location registration request by the UE 100 can be made in the same way as before. When the location registration unit 11 receives the request, it performs location registration processing related to LTE data communication. The location registration processing can be done in the same way as before. Specifically, the location registration unit 11 sends a location registration request to the HSS 20. The HSS 20 accepts the location registration request from the MME 10, registers the location of the UE 100 user, and sends a location registration response to the MME 10. The location registration unit 11 receives the location registration response sent from the HSS 20. The location registration unit 11 outputs the received location registration response to the notification unit 12.

[0025] Furthermore, the location registration unit 11 establishes a bearer for the UE 100 that requested location registration to perform LTE data communication. The process of establishing the bearer can also be carried out in the same way as before between the S-GW (Serving Gateway), P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway), and PCRF (Policy and Charging Rule Function), etc., in the mobile communication network. After location registration, LTE data communication by the UE 100 is performed using the established bearer.

[0026] The notification unit 12 is a functional unit that, in response to receiving a location registration request from the location registration unit 11, notifies the UE 100 about location registration using the second method without performing location registration processing for the second method of voice communication, for example, by notifying a signal that location registration using the second method of voice communication has been performed. The notification unit 12 may decide whether or not to send a notification depending on the UE 100 that made the location registration request.

[0027] For example, the notification unit 12 notifies that EPS (Evolved Packet System) Combined / IMSI Attach (hereinafter referred to as Combined Attach) was successful, as a notification that location registration related to 3G voice communication has been performed. Combined Attach is a location registration defined in TS 23.221 shown in Non-Patent Literature 1. Combined Attach performs two location registrations in response to a location registration request from UE100 related to LTE data communication: location registration related to LTE data communication and location registration related to 3G voice communication.

[0028] As stated above, the provision of 3G mobile communication networks has been terminated, so it is not possible to register a location related to 3G voice communication. Therefore, the notification unit 12 does not process the location registration related to 3G voice communication, but instead notifies the UE 100 that the Combined Attach was successful. Specifically, the notification unit 12 notifies the UE 100 of the parameters of the location registration response (EMM Attach Accept) that it sends to the UE 100 in response to the location registration request, indicating that the Combined Attach was successful. Specifically, these parameters are set to "EPS Attach Result=combined EPS / IMSI attach, Additional Result Type=none".

[0029] The notification unit 12 provides notification as follows, for example: The notification unit 12 receives a location registration response from the location registration unit 11. The notification unit 12 determines from the received location registration response whether Combined Attach is possible for the UE 100. This determination is an example of determining whether or not to provide notification depending on the UE 100 that requested location registration. That is, the notification unit 12 determines whether it is possible to perform two location registrations for the UE 100: location registration related to LTE data communication and location registration related to 3G voice communication (for example, whether the UE 100 is the above-mentioned Voice Centric UE). Whether or not this is possible is predetermined according to the function of the UE 100. The notification unit 12 can make this determination using an existing method. For example, the determination can be made based on information that identifies the UE 100 included in the location registration response, or on the subscriber (user) related to the SIM inserted in the UE 100.

[0030] If the notification unit 12 determines that Combined Attach is possible, it notifies the UE100 via the eNB30 of a location registration response (result response "EPS Combined") that simulates successful Combined Attachment, as described above. The determination that Combined Attach is possible is an example of the determination that it is possible to notify the UE100 that location registration related to the second method of voice communication has been performed. The location registration response (result response "EPS Combined") that simulates successful Combined Attachment is an example of notification that location registration related to the second method of voice communication has been performed. If the notification unit 12 determines that Combined Attach is not possible, that is, if only location registration related to LTE data communication is possible for the UE100 (for example, if the UE100 only has data communication functionality and no voice communication functionality), it notifies the UE100 via the eNB30 of a location registration response (result response "EPS only (LTE only)") that only location registration related to LTE data communication has been successful.

[0031] When UE100 receives a location registration response from the notification unit 12 that simulates a successful Combined Attach, it recognizes that two location registrations have been performed: one for LTE data communication and another for 3G voice communication. Therefore, UE100 does not perform location registration for 3G voice communication. As a result, location registration for 3G voice communication does not fail, and UE100 can remain within the LTE mobile communication network and perform LTE data communication.

[0032] Notification by the notification unit 12 may be performed by methods other than those described above. The above describes the functions of the MME 10 according to this embodiment.

[0033] Next, the processes performed by the MME10, which is a communication control system according to this embodiment (the operation methods performed by the MME10) will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 2. When the UE100 makes a request for location registration related to data communication to the LTE mobile communication network, the location registration unit 11 receives the request (S01). Subsequently, the location registration unit 11 performs the location registration process related to LTE data communication in response to the receipt of the request (S02).

[0034] Next, the notification unit 12 determines whether Combined Attach is possible for the UE100 (S03). If it is determined that Combined Attach is possible (YES in S03), the notification unit 12 sends a result response to the UE100 with "EPS Combined" (S04). In this case, the UE100 can be located in the LTE mobile communication network and perform data communication using LTE.

[0035] If it is determined that Combined Attach is not possible (NO in S03), the notification unit 12 sends a result response to the UE100 stating "EPS only (LTE only available)" (S05). In this case as well, the UE100 can be located in the LTE mobile communication network and perform data communication using LTE. The above describes the processing performed by the MME10, which is the communication control system according to this embodiment.

[0036] According to this embodiment, when UE100 requests location registration for LTE data communication, it can be made to recognize that it has performed location registration for 3G voice communication. Therefore, even if UE100 is a Voice Centric UE, it can maintain its presence in the LTE mobile communication network. This allows UE100 to perform data communication via LTE. Thus, according to this embodiment, even when the 3G mobile communication network has been terminated, UE100 can be made to communicate appropriately.

[0037] Furthermore, since this embodiment does not require the use of equipment related to the 3G mobile communication network, it can be applied even after the 3G service is shut down and the MSC is removed. Therefore, at the end of 3G service, complete removal of the MSC becomes an option, reducing the maintenance costs of the MSC and enabling a 3GPP architecture configuration that does not depend on the 3G system.

[0038] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the first method may be LTE and the second method may be 3G. However, within a similar framework, the first and second methods may be methods other than LTE and 3G.

[0039] Furthermore, as in this embodiment, the notification unit 12 may decide whether or not to send a notification in response to the UE 100 that requested location registration. With this configuration, notifications that location registration related to 3G voice communication has been performed can be sent only to the necessary UE 100, for example, only to the Voice Centric UE. However, the above decision by the notification unit 12 is not necessarily required.

[0040] In this embodiment, the communication control system is identified as MME10, but the communication control system does not necessarily have to be MME10; any node included in the mobile communication network and capable of the location registration control described above will suffice.

[0041] The block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may also be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0042] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, judgment, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0043] For example, the MME10 in one embodiment of this disclosure may function as a computer that processes the method of this disclosure. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MME10 according to one embodiment of this disclosure. The MME10 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc. The hardware configurations of the HSS20, eNB30 and UE100 according to this embodiment may also be those described herein.

[0044] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be replaced with "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of MME10 may include one or more of the devices shown in the diagram, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices.

[0045] Each function in the MME10 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0046] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running the operating system. The processor 1001 may be composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control units, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, each of the functions in the MME 10 described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0047] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc., from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, each function in the MME 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated on the processor 1001. Although the above processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0048] Memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. Memory 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for carrying out a method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: 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 multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be called an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium provided by MME 10 may be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0050] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transceiver / receiver device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, each of the functions in the MME 10 described above may be implemented by the communication device 1004.

[0051] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0052] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0053] Furthermore, the MME10 may be composed of hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0054] Information notification is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, information notification may be carried out 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, broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or combinations thereof. RRC signaling may also be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0055] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of the following systems: 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), and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based thereon. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0056] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0057] The specific operations described in this disclosure as being performed by a base station may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal can be performed by the base station and at least one other network node (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node besides the base station, it may also be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0058] Information can be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). Input and output may also occur via multiple network nodes.

[0059] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0060] The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0061] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0062] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0063] Software should be broadly interpreted 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, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0064] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0065] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that 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.

[0066] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0067] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0068] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0069] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0070] In this disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)", "wireless base station", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0071] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into several smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0072] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0073] A mobile station may also be referred to 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 several other appropriate terms.

[0074] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operation. 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.

[0075] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple user terminals (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may also be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0076] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0077] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0078] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0079] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0080] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0081] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0082] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0083] The communication control system of this disclosure has the following configuration. [1] A location registration unit that receives a request for location registration related to data communication of the first type from a mobile communication terminal and processes location registration related to data communication of the first type, In response to receiving a location registration request from the location registration unit, a notification unit notifies the mobile communication terminal of a signal indicating that location registration for the second type of voice communication has been performed, without performing location registration processing for the second type of voice communication. A communication control system equipped with the following features. [2] The communication control system described in [1], wherein the first method is LTE and the second method is 3G. [3] The communication control system according to [1] or [2], wherein the notification unit determines whether or not to make a notification in response to a mobile communication terminal that has made a location registration request. [4] The communication control system according to [3], wherein the notification unit determines whether Combined Attach is possible to the mobile communication terminal that made the location registration request, and if it determines that Combined Attach is possible, it provides a notification. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 10...MME, 11...Location registration unit, 12...Notification unit, 20...HSS, 30...eNB, 40...MSC, 50...Base station, 100...UE, 1001...Processor, 1002...Memory, 1003...Storage, 1004...Communication device, 1005...Input device, 1006...Output device, 1007...Bus.

Claims

1. A location registration unit receives a request for location registration related to data communication of the first type from a mobile communication terminal and processes location registration related to data communication of the first type, In response to receiving a location registration request from the location registration unit, a notification unit notifies the mobile communication terminal of a signal indicating that location registration for the second type of voice communication has been performed, without performing location registration processing for the second type of voice communication. A communication control system equipped with the following features.

2. The communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the first method is LTE and the second method is 3G.

3. The communication control system according to claim 1, wherein the notification unit determines whether or not to send a notification in response to a mobile communication terminal that has requested location registration.

4. The communication control system according to claim 3, wherein the notification unit determines whether Combined Attach is possible for the mobile communication terminal that made the location registration request, and provides a notification if it determines that Combined Attach is possible.

Citation Information

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