Proximity Service Function Entity Mediator for UE Discovery

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile networks, monitoring user equipment (UE) cannot discover monitored UE if the monitored UE does not enable the discovery function, leading to communication barriers in scenarios where direct UE-to-UE communication is required without active broadcasting.

Innovation Solution

A method where the monitoring UE sends a request for monitoring authorization to the proximity service function entity, which then applies for monitoring authorization on behalf of the monitored UE, allocating a broadcast code word if agreed upon, allowing the monitoring UE to discover the monitored UE even without active broadcasting from the monitored UE.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If monitored UE does not enable the discovery function, then power consumption and device complexity are reduced, but monitoring UE cannot discover monitored UE

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery reliabilityVSAvoidoperation convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity service function entity acts as an intermediary between monitoring UE and monitored UE. It receives monitoring requests from monitoring UE, obtains consent from monitored UE, and facilitates the discovery process without requiring monitored UE to actively broadcast, thus resolving the contradiction between discovery reliability and operation convenience

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by having monitoring UE send a monitoring request to the proximity service function entity in advance. The proximity service function entity then obtains consent from monitored UE before enabling discovery, allowing the system to prepare all necessary conditions before actual discovery occurs, ensuring both reliability and user control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If monitored UE actively enables discovery function, then monitoring UE can discover monitored UE, but power consumption and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediscovery reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The proximity service function entity serves as a mediator that enables discovery without requiring monitored UE to continuously broadcast. The monitored UE only needs to respond to specific monitoring requests, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining discovery reliability through the coordinated interaction facilitated by the proximity service function entity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuous broadcasting, the system uses periodic or event-triggered interaction where monitored UE responds to monitoring requests from the proximity service function entity. This periodic action pattern reduces power consumption compared to continuous active broadcasting while maintaining the ability to be discovered when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10306701B2User discovery method, user equipment, and proximity service function entity

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a user discovery method, user equipment, and a proximity service function entity, and pertains to the field of mobile communications technologies. The method includes: receiving a first message sent by monitoring UE; sending a second message to monitored UE; receiving a third message sent by the monitored UE; allocating a broadcast code word to the monitored UE; and sending a fourth message to the monitoring UE.