MBMS Bearer Activation via SCEF for Group Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, efficiently transmitting group messages to multiple user equipment (UEs) using broadcasting resources is challenging, particularly in 5G systems, as UEs need to acquire MBMS-related information and activate MBMS bearers for effective message delivery.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable UEs to acquire MBMS-related information and activate MBMS bearers by utilizing a Service Capability Exposure Function (SCEF) and external servers, allowing for efficient resource use and group message transmission through multimedia broadcast multicast services (MBMS).

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If group messages are transmitted using MBMS service, then resource usage efficiency is improved, but UE complexity increases due to need to acquire MBMS information and activate MBMS bearers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource usage efficiencyVSAvoidUE complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring MBMS bearers and pre-sharing MBMS-related information with UEs before group message transmission. This allows UEs to receive group messages without needing to dynamically acquire MBMS information or activate bearers at the moment of reception, thereby reducing UE complexity while maintaining resource efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network side (eNodeB/core network) acts as a mediator that handles MBMS information management and bearer activation on behalf of UEs. This intermediary approach allows efficient resource usage through MBMS while shielding UEs from the complexity of MBMS information acquisition and bearer management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If MBMS bearers are activated for group message transmission, then message delivery reliability is improved, but network complexity increases due to bearer management overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes MBMS bearers multi-functional by designing them to serve both unicast and group communication purposes. The same pre-configured MBMS bearers can be reused for different group messages and different UEs, reducing the need for separate bearer management for each group communication instance, thereby reducing network complexity while ensuring reliable message delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the management of MBMS bearers with existing unicast bearer management procedures. By combining these functions, the network reduces overhead and complexity while ensuring that group messages are delivered reliably through the shared MBMS infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Speed

If MBMS-related information is pre-shared with UEs, then group message transmission speed is improved, but information security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegroup message transmission speedVSAvoidinformation security risks
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of MBMS information to different UEs based on their authorization status and group membership. Instead of universally pre-sharing all MBMS information, the system selectively provides only the necessary information to authorized UEs, thereby maintaining fast transmission speed while reducing security risks through differentiated information distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3216305B1Methods and apparatus for transmitting group message to user equipment
Publication Date: 2022.01.12 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3216305B1 patent drawingFigure 73
  • EP3216305B1 patent drawingFigure 74
  • EP3216305B1 patent drawingFigure 75a

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method and apparatus of a wireless network are disclosed. The method includes transmitting a first request message to request allocation of a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS) group identifier from a service capability server/application server (SCS/AS) to a service capability exposure function (SCEF), the first request message including an external group identifier and an SCS/AS identifier, and receiving a first response message including the MBMS group identifier from the SCEF to the SCS/AS.