System for controlling access to device-to-device communication services in wireless network
View Patent ↗Embodiments of the invention provide methods, devices and computer programs arranged to facilitate access to device-to-device (D2D) communication services in a communication network. One embodiment includes an apparatus for use in controlling access to a D2D communication service in a communication network, the apparatus including a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to: receive a D2D discovery signal including data indicative of said D2D communication service; determine a verification state for the D2D communication service as one of a first verification state and a second, different, verification state, on the basis of said received D2D discovery signal, the first verification state being one in which said D2D communication service can be verified by the apparatus; and in the event that said D2D communication service is determined to be in the second verification state, transmit data indicative of said D2D communication service for verification by the communication network.
1. Apparatus for use in controlling access to a device-to-device (D2D) communication service in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:
receive a D2D discovery signal comprising data indicative of said D2D communication service;
determine a verification state for the D2D communication service as one of a first verification state and a second, different, verification state, on the basis of said received D2D discovery signal, the first verification state being one in which said D2D communication service can be verified by the apparatus; and
in the event that said D2D communication service is determined to be in the second verification state, transmit data indicative of said D2D communication service for verification by the communication network.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to transmit data indicative of said D2D communication service in a Non Access Stratum (NAS) message.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein, while in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle operative mode, the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to transmit said NAS message in a RRC signalling message, so as to cause the apparatus to transition into an RRC operative mode other than said RRC idle operative mode.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said RRC signalling message comprises a RRCConnectionRequest or a RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to transmit data indicative of said D2D communication service in a non-3GPP dedicated information message.
6. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein responsive to receipt of an indication that said D2D communication service is verified by the communication network, the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to request access to said D2D communication service.
7. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to:
maintain a list of D2D communication services determined to be in the first verification state; and
use said list in performing said determination of the verification state.
8. Apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein, responsive to receipt of an indication that said D2D communication service is verified by the communication network, the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to add data indicative of said D2D communication service to said list.
9. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the D2D discovery signal comprises data indicative of a credential of a first type, said credential of the first type being suitable for use in verification of said D2D communication service, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to perform said determination of verification state on the basis of said credential of the first type.
10. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to:
receive a credential of a second type; and
use the credential of the second type to determine said verification state.
11. Apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a modem.
12. A method of controlling access to a device-to-device (D2D) communication service in a communication network, the method comprising:
receiving a D2D discovery signal comprising data indicative of said D2D communication service;
determining a verification state for the D2D communication service as one of a first verification state and a second, different, verification state, on the basis of said received D2D discovery signal, the first verification state being one in which said D2D communication service can be verified; and
in the event that said D2D communication service is determined to be in the second verification state, transmitting data indicative of said D2D communication service for verification by the communication network.
13. Apparatus for use in controlling access to a device-to-device (D2D) communication service provided to a D2D device in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
receive a first message comprising data indicative of said D2D communication service;
verify whether said D2D communication service is authorised for said communication network; and
transmit a second message comprising data indicative of the result of said verification for reception by said D2D device.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to perform said verification on the basis of a credential having been assigned to the D2D communication service by the apparatus.
15. Apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the first message comprises an identifier corresponding to the D2D device.
16. Apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is further configured to determine whether said D2D device is authorised to access said D2D communication service on the basis of said identifier.
17. A service gateway comprising the apparatus according to claim 13 .
18. Apparatus for use in facilitating access to a device-to-device (D2D) communication service provided to a D2D device in a communication network, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform:
receive a first message comprising a first indication whether said D2D device is authorised for said communication network;
receive a second message comprising a second indication whether said D2D communication service is authorised for said communication network; and
transmit a third message for reception by the D2D device, the third message comprising a combination of the indication of the first and second indications.
19. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the first message specifies a time period within which said second message is to be received, wherein, subsequent to expiry of said time period, the at least one memory and the computer program code is selectively configured to transmit an indication that an authorisation check for said D2D communication service has failed.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein, responsive to receipt of said second message subsequent to expiry of said time period, the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to discard said second message.
21. Apparatus according to claim 18 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code is configured to identify a given said second message corresponding to a given said first message on the basis of an identifier comprised therein.
22. A base station comprising the apparatus according to claim 18 .