WO2007025477A1

WO2007025477A1 - Method for providing broadcast/multicast service to user

Info

Publication number: WO2007025477A1
Application number: PCT/CN2006/002233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hai Zhang; Peng Zhang
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2005-08-31
Filing date: 2006-08-30
Publication date: 2007-03-08
Also published as: CN1925631A; CN100401800C

Abstract

A method for providing the broadcast/multicast service to a user includes sending a request from the user to the first home broadcast/multicast service center for the broadcast/multicast service; redirecting the request for the broadcast/multicast service of the user to the second broadcast/multicast service center by said first broadcast/multicast service center; after receiving the request for providing the broadcast/multicast service of the user by said second broadcast/multicast service center, providing the broadcast/multicast to the user. The invention removes the limitation of providing the broadcast/multicast service only by the home BM-SC of the user home network, and meet the need of actual broadcast/multicast of the user.

Description

Method of providing broadcast/multicast services to users

Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method for providing broadcast/multicast services to users.

Background technique

With the development of third generation mobile communication technologies, third generation mobile communication can provide higher data rate services than second generation mobile communication, thereby supporting multiple service forms. For example, video services such as video calls, picture downloads, and high-speed browsing of the Internet. One of the characteristics of the service is that it can simultaneously send information to users who subscribe to the service in the wireless network. For example, send weather forecasts, news clips, sports highlights, and more. Taking advantage of the simultaneous transmission of these services, the third-generation mobile communication system introduced the concept of multicast/broadcast from Rd-6 (sixth edition), which can more effectively utilize air interface resources and provide higher system capacity.

In a broadcast/multicast service, for an intermediate node, the upstream node always sends a data to the intermediate node regardless of how many nodes it expects to receive data downstream; the intermediate node receives the data according to its The number of nodes that are expected to receive data downstream copies the data, and distributes the data to the nodes that are expected to receive the data downstream. Thus, each branch of the multicast/broadcast service data transmission tree has only one data for transmission, occupying one. The transmission resource, as well as the data transmission of the root node and its downstream nodes. The difference between the multicast service and the broadcast service is only as follows: The multicast service only sends corresponding information to users who subscribe to certain information, and the broadcast service sends information to all users in the wireless network. As can be seen from the above description, the multicast/broadcast service provides the same information to a large number of users at the same time, which can greatly save network resources.

As shown in Figure 1, in the existing 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the wireless network structure supporting broadcast/multicast services includes the Broadcast/Multicast Service Center (BM-SC, Broadcast/Multicast - Service Centre), BM. - The SC is connected to the Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) via the Gmb interface or the Gi interface. One BM-SC can be connected to multiple GGSNs. The GGSN can communicate with the GPRS support node via the Gn/Gp interface (SGSN, Serving GPRS). A GGSN can be connected to multiple SGSNs; the SGSN can be connected to the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) through the Iu interface, and then the UTRAN is connected to the user terminal (UE) through the Uu interface. SGSN can also pass Iu/Gb The interface is connected to the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) Enhanced Radio Access Network (GERAN), which then connects to the UE via the Um interface. Among them, the GGSN and the SGSN belong to nodes in the core network (CN) in the wireless network.

Taking the MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service) as an example, the BM-SC provides multimedia broadcast/multicast services for MBMS users. It can be used as a PLMN (Public Land Mobile Netwotlc). An access point for MBMS content transmission, authorization, and initiation of MBMS bearer services in the Public Land Mobile Telecommunications Network, and can be used to schedule and transmit MBMS transmissions.

As a functional entity, BM-SC must exist for MBMS user services, including membership function module, session and transmission function module, proxy and transmission function module, service announcement function module and security function module, as shown in Figure 2.

In the existing MBMS framework, the BM-SC that stores the user subscription information, authorizes the user to access the MBMS service, and the BM-SC that provides the MBMS service to the user must be the same, that is, provide the MBMS service to the user. The BM-SC must have the subscription information of the user, and the BM-SC that generally has the user subscription information is located in the user's home network. Therefore, in a case where the user obtains the MBMS service only in the BM-SC to which it belongs, in some special cases, the MBMS service provided by only the BM-SC of one user home network cannot satisfy the actual service of the user. Requirements, for example, in the case of roaming, the user needs to access the MBMS service, which means that the BM-SC needs to return to the home network for service activation (authorization), and receives the MBMS data provided by the BM-SC from the home network, such as Figure 3 shows.

However, in the case of roaming, the MBMS service provided by the BM-SC in the home network does not meet the needs of the user. For example, if the user subscribes to the weather forecast service, the most desirable situation for the user is that no matter where, the received Both are local weather forecasts, not always weather forecasts for their attribution. However, the current MBMS framework does not support roaming in this case very well, because the user always needs to access the BM-SC in the home network, and is located in the network that the user is currently roaming (hereinafter referred to as the access network). There is no subscription information for roaming users in the BM-SC, and the BM-SC located in the visited network cannot authorize the user; therefore, regardless of roaming anywhere, the weather forecast of the home location is received. Therefore, in the case of roaming, the prior art cannot provide local provision of the MBMS service. Similarly, roaming users are required Other MBMS services that are authorized by the home domain network also have problems in that the MBMS service cannot be directly provided by the access network.

In summary, the existing implementation method for providing the MBMS service to the user is limited to providing the MBMS service to the user by the BM-SC in the home network of the user, and the effectiveness provided to the user service is limited to the home network, in a specific case (for example) In the case of user roaming), the actual MBMS service requirements of the user cannot be met.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user, which overcomes the limitation of providing broadcast/multicast service only by the BM-SC of the home network of the user, and satisfies the actual broadcast/multicast service of the user. demand.

To solve the above problem, the method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to the present invention includes: a user initiates a broadcast/multicast service request to a first home broadcast/multicast service center; the first broadcast/multicast service The center redirects the user's service request to the second broadcast/multicast service center;

The second broadcast/multicast service center provides the broadcast/multicast service to the user after accepting the service request of the user.

among them,

The user sends a broadcast/multicast service request to the first broadcast/multicast service center through the first gateway GPRS support node that belongs to the same network as the first broadcast/multicast service center.

Optionally, the step of the first broadcast/multicast service center redirecting the user's service request to the second broadcast/multicast service center includes:

The first broadcast/multicast service center returns an indication of redirecting to the second broadcast/multicast service center to the first gateway GPRS support node;

The first gateway GPRS support node sends a broadcast multicast 4 variable rights request to the second broadcast/multicast service center according to the indication.

The first broadcast/multicast service center returns an indication of redirecting to the second broadcast/multicast service center to the user; The user sends a broadcast multicast authorization request to the second broadcast/multicast service center through the second gateway GPRS support node that belongs to the same network as the second broadcast/multicast service center according to the indication.

among them,

The first gateway GPRS support node returns an indication to the user to redirect to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

among them,

The user sends a broadcast/multicast service join request to the second gateway GPRS support node; the second gateway GPRS support node sends a broadcast multicast grant request to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

Optionally, the first broadcast/multicast service center and the second broadcast/multicast service center have an interface for interacting with authorization information, and

The first broadcast/multicast service center redirects the user's offer broadcast/multicast service request to the second broadcast/multicast service center through the interface.

among them,

The second broadcast/multicast service center determines whether to provide the broadcast/multicast service to the user according to the user authorization information, and if yes, the second broadcast/multicast service center returns an authorization response to the corresponding gateway GPRS support node, The user provides broadcast/multicast services. Otherwise, the broadcast/multicast service is not provided to the user.

The authorization information is obtained according to the authorization information stored in the second broadcast/multicast service center or is obtained by the first broadcast/multicast service center redirection indication carrying the authorization information forwarded to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

Optionally, the broadcast/multicast service is provided to the user according to the transmission path of the second broadcast/multicast service center to the first gateway GPRS support node and the first gateway GPRS support node to the user; or, according to the second broadcast/multicast The service center provides the broadcast/multicast service to the user to the second gateway GPRS support node and the second gateway GPRS support node to the user's transmission path; or

According to the second broadcast/multicast service center to the first broadcast/multicast service center, the first broadcast/group Broadcasting/multicast services are provided to users by the transmission path from the service center to the user.

Optionally, before the first broadcast/multicast service center initiates redirection to the second broadcast/multicast service center, determining whether the user can be redirected to the second broadcast/multicast service center, And after the determination is yes, the redirection is initiated to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

The user's choice, the location of the user, the service attribute, or the operator's policy determine whether the user can be redirected to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

The first broadcast/multicast service center is a broadcast/multicast service center of the home network of the roaming user, and the second broadcast/multicast service center is the roaming user. Access to the network's broadcast/multicast service center.

The broadcast/multicast service is a multimedia broadcast/multicast service.

Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

In the present invention, after the user initiates the provision of the broadcast/multicast service request to the first BM-SC, the first BM-SC may redirect the user to provide the broadcast/multicast service request to the second BM-SC. The second BM-SC accepts the user's request for providing a broadcast/multicast service, and the second BM-SC can provide the broadcast/multicast service to the user. The present invention is not limited to a single BM-SC to provide broadcast/multicast services, and can extend the application range of the broadcast/multicast service, for example, in the case of roaming, localization of roaming user broadcast/multicast services, and improvement of services The effectiveness provided can further meet the actual needs of users.

DRAWINGS

1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a wireless network supporting broadcast/multicast services in the prior art; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a functional structure of a BM-SC in the prior art; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a roaming user receiving a BM from a home network in the prior art. - Schematic diagram of the MBMS service data provided by the SC; Figure 4 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the method of the present invention for providing broadcast/multicast services to users; Figure 5a is an embodiment of the method of the present invention applied in a roaming situation The first type of service activation and post-activation data flow diagram; Figure 5b is an embodiment of the method of the present invention for providing broadcast/multicast services to roaming users Flow chart

6a is a schematic diagram of a second type of service activation and post-activation data flow in an application in which the embodiment of the method of the present invention is applied;

FIG. 6b is a flowchart of another embodiment of the method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a roaming user according to the method of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an authorization information interaction interface between BM-SCs according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention;

FIG. 7b is a schematic diagram of another BM-SC authorization information interaction interface according to an embodiment of the method of the present invention; FIG.

FIG. 7c is a schematic diagram of a third service activation and post-activation data flow in an embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

FIG. 7d is a flowchart of providing a broadcast/multicast service to a roaming user through an authorization information interaction interface between BM-SCs according to an embodiment of the method.

detailed description

In this embodiment, a multimedia broadcast/multicast service (MBMS) in a broadcast/multicast service is taken as an example for description.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a flow chart of a method for providing broadcast/multicast services to users in accordance with the present invention. The present invention can be used to provide broadcast/multicast services to users in multiple BM-SC networks. The multiple BM-SCs can belong to the same network or belong to different networks, and one BM-SC serves as a user. The initially accessed BM-SC, the BM-SC initially accessed by the user can redirect the user-provided broadcast/multicast service request to other BM-SCs. In this embodiment, the BM-SC initially accessed by the user is the first BM-SC, and the BM-SC redirected by the BM-SC initially accessed by the user is the second BM-SC, specifically by the second The BM-SC provides broadcast/multicast services to users, which are implemented by the following steps:

Step 11: The user initiates a broadcast/multicast service request to the first BM-SC.

Step 12: The first BM-SC redirects the user to provide a broadcast/multicast service request to the second BM-SC.

Step 13: After the second BM-SC accepts the user's request for providing a broadcast/multicast service, Users provide broadcast/multicast services.

The following is an example of an application in the case of user roaming.

FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram of the flow of data after the first service activation and activation in the case of roaming in the embodiment of the method of the present invention. As shown by the dotted line in the figure, in this embodiment, the service request initiated by the roaming user passes through the home network. The GGSN is sent to the BM-SC of the home network, and the BM-SC of the home network redirects the service request of the roaming user to the BM-SC of the roaming user access network through the GGSN of the home network, and the visited BM of the visited network The SC provides the broadcast/group 4 service to the roaming user. After the service activation is completed, the MBMS service data delivery path is as shown by the solid line in the figure, specifically: accessing the BM-SC in the network to the GGSN in the home network, The GGSN goes to the UE again.

The specific business process is shown in Figure 5b, which mainly includes the following steps:

1. The user equipment (UE) initiates a broadcast/multicast service join request to the GGSN;

2. According to the pre-configuration, or local policy, the GGSN selects BM-SC #1 and sends an MBMS authorization request to it;

3. Optionally, BM-SC #1 obtains authorization information.

The authorization information may be stored in BM-SC #1 itself (if BM-SC #1 is located in the user's home network, the BM-SC storing the user subscription information), or may be from the BM- where the user subscription information is stored. SC acquisition. Here, the purpose of obtaining the authorization information is to determine whether the user can be directed to other BM-SCs according to the authorization information of the user and the policy of the operator.

In the specific implementation, the basis for the BM-SC to perform the redirection decision includes:

• The user's wishes, for example, the user indicates in the join request in step 1 that the service is required to be provided nearby (locally provided). Or, indicate in the contract information that the user's MBMS service request is provided nearby (locally provided);

• The location of the user. The BM-SC selects the appropriate BM-SC for redirection according to the user's location. The location information includes: a location area, a routing area, a transit time, and the like;

• Business attributes. The nature of the business, the way the service is provided, the provider of the service, etc.; The strategy of the operator. Does the operator support BM-SC redirection?

4. BM-SC #1 redirects to BM-SC #2 via the GGSN in the MBMS Authorization Response returned to the GGSN. 5. The GGSN initiates an MBMS authorization request to the BM-SC #2 according to the identifier of the BM-SC #2 returned in step 4;

6. BM-SC #2 obtains the authorization information of the user and completes the authorization for the user;

It should be noted that the authorization information in this embodiment may also be stored in the BM-SC #2 itself (if the BM-SC #2 is located in the access network of the user, the BM-SC storing the user subscription information), or may be stored from the storage. BM-SC#1 with user subscription information, or other BM-SC acquisition (eg, from BM-SC #1 redirect indication carrying authorization information obtained for forwarding to BM-SC #1 or other BM-SC from shared authorization information) Obtain). Here, the purpose of obtaining the authorization information is to authorize the access service according to the authorization information of the user.

7. BM-SC #2 returns an MBMS Authorization Response to the GGSN;

8. Complete the follow-up process as specified in the 3GPP TS 23.246 [2] protocol.

Referring to FIG. 6a, the figure is a schematic diagram of a second service activation and activating data flow direction in the case of roaming in the embodiment of the method according to the present invention. As shown by the dotted line in the figure, the roaming user initiates the service in this embodiment. The request is sent to the BM-SC of the home network through the GGSN in the home network, and the BM-SC of the home network returns a redirection indication to the roaming user, and redirects the service request of the roaming user to the BM-accessing network through the GGSN accessing the network. The broadcast/multicast service is provided to the roaming user by the BM-SC of the access network. After the service activation is completed, the MBMS data delivery path is as shown by the solid line in the figure, specifically: accessing the BM-SC in the network to the access network GGSN, from the GGSN to -> UE.

The specific process refers to Figure 6b, which mainly includes the following steps:

1. The UE initiates a broadcast/multicast service join request to GGSN #1;

Here GGSN #1 may be the default GGSN, or a GGSN that has been previously selected, most likely the GGSN located in the home network.

2. According to the pre-configuration, or local policy, GGSN #1 selects BM-SC #1 and sends an MBMS authorization request to it;

3. Optionally, BM-SC# 1 obtains authorization information.

In this embodiment, the authorization information may be stored in the BM-SC #1 itself (if the BM-SC #1 is located in the home network of the user, the BM-SC storing the user subscription information), or may be stored from the user. The BM-SC of the contract information is obtained. Here, the purpose of obtaining authorization information is to Based on the user's authorization information, combined with the operator's policy, it is determined whether the user can be directed to other BM-SCs.

Similarly, in the specific implementation, the basis for the BM-SC to perform the redirection decision includes:

• The user's wishes, for example, the user indicates in the join request in step 1 that the service is required to be provided nearby (provided locally). Or, in the contract information, the user's MBMS service request is provided nearby (locally provided);

• The location of the user, the BM-SC selects the appropriate BM-SC for redirection according to the location of the user. The location information includes: location area, routing area, latitude and longitude, etc.

• Service attributes, such as the nature of the service, the way the service is provided, the provider of the service, etc. • The operator's policy, such as whether the operator supports BM-SC redirection.

4. BM-SC #1 sends a redirection indication in the MBMS Authorization Response returned to GGSN #1.

5. GGSN #1 returns a redirection indication to the UE, requesting the user to redirect to GGSN #2 and BM-SC #2;

6. The UE initiates a service establishment request to GGSN #2 according to the redirection indication returned in step 5;

7. GGSN #2 sends an MBMS authorization request to BM-SC #2;

8. BM-SC #2 obtains the authorization information of the user and completes the authorization of the user;

It should be noted that the authorization information in this embodiment may be stored in the BM-SC #2 itself (if the BM-SC #2 is located in the access network of the user, the BM-SC storing the user subscription information), or Obtained from other BM-SCs that store user subscription information (refer to the foregoing description) will not be described here. The purpose of obtaining the authorization information here is to authorize the access service according to the authorization information of the user.

9. BM-SC #2 returns the MBMS authorization response to GGSN #2;

10. Complete the follow-up process as specified in 3GPP TS 23.246 [2].

In the present invention, user authorization information can be shared by communication between two BM-SCs. In the prior art, there is no interface between the BM-SC located in the access network and the BM-SC in the user home network. The BM-SC in the network cannot obtain the user's authorization information from the BM-SC in the home network of the user, and thus cannot provide the local MBMS service to the roaming user who has subscribed to the MBMS service. In addition, in the present invention, a bearer can also be established between two BM-SCs (for example, BM-SC #1 and BM-SC #2) to transmit corresponding services. Such an interface may be completed by the Gt interface between the proxy and the transport function modules in the two BM-SCs. Since it belongs to the existing interface, it will not be described here.

The present invention can add an interface between BM-SCs in each network. Therefore, in the case of roaming, there is an interface between the BM-SC located in the access network and the BM-SC in which the user subscription information is stored in the user home network. The UE accesses the BM-SC located in the visited network to provide broadcast/multicast services. The BM-SC located in the access network is responsible for the MBMS service-related control and the MBMS data transmission; the BM-SC located in the home network completes the authorization of the user, and provides the authorization information to the BM in the access network through the interface. SC.

After the interface is established between the BM-SCs in each network, the user can access the home network in the roaming situation, and the broadcast/multicast service is provided by the BM-SC in the home network, for example, receiving the BM-SC in the home network. Promotional information provided; users can also accept access to local services provided by the BM-SC in the network, for example, receiving weather information for access to the network. The choice of this access can be as follows:

A, user-based selection

Providing access local (ie, roaming) and access attribution to the user on the terminal device, when the multicast join request is initiated, the terminal device initiates a broadcast/multicast service to the corresponding BM-SC according to the access network selected by the user. Provide a request.

B. Based on operator strategy

In the case of operator policy decisions, the operator can be on a network entity in the network, such as

On the DNS, the configuration policy is based on the attributes of the service selected by the user to determine whether the user is the home network BM-SC provides broadcast/multicast services, or the local access network access BM-SC provides broadcast/multicast services.

The BM-SC includes a membership function module, a session and transmission function module, a proxy and transmission function module, a service announcement function module, and a security function module. The membership function module provides a user request to activate the MBMS service authorization, and may have an MBMS service user. The registration information may also generate charging information of the MBMS service user; the membership function module is a function of the MBMS bearer service layer, but may provide functions of the user service layer, for example: membership function management, key management, etc. In this case, there is a Gi interface; session and send function The module can schedule MBMS session transmission; the proxy and transport function module is a proxy server for Gmb interface point signaling transmission between the GGSN and other BM-SC sub-function entities, for example: BM-SC membership function and BM-SC Session and send features. In addition, when the BM-SC serves multiple physical network elements, the proxy and transport functions can also handle and route different information interactions, which are transparent to the GGSN; the service announcement function module can provide services for multicast and broadcast MBMS user services. The security function module is responsible for user authentication and key distribution; the session and transmission function module is responsible for scheduling MBMS sessions, providing MBMS session related parameters (such as QoS, MBMS service areas, etc.) to the GGSN, initiating and terminating MBMS sessions, and sending MBMS. data.

From the perspective of BM-SC to BM-SC, the added interface can be defined as a Gt interface, which can be used to support the local provision of broadcast/multicast services when the user roams. After implementing the specific function modules of the BM-SC, refer to the figure. 7a and the Gt interface structure shown in Figure 7b.

In the structure shown in Fig. 7a, the Gt interface is between the proxy and the transport function modules in the two BM-SCs, wherein the proxy and transport function modules of one BM-SC receive the authorization of another BM-SC from the Gt interface. After the request, the user's subscription information is obtained from the membership function module to authorize the user, and the authorization result is sent to the corresponding BM-SC through the Gt interface.

In the structure shown in FIG. 7b, between the membership function module in the BM-SC of the home network and the membership function module in the BM-SC accessing the network, and the proxy and transmission function modules in each BM-SC There is a Gt interface between them, and the proxy and transmission function modules send authorization requests to other BM-SCs through the Gt interface, and the member function modules send authorization results to the BM-SC requesting authorization through the Gt interface.

The interface between the BM-SCs can use the Diameter protocol, the SIP protocol or the MAP protocol. According to the definition in 3GPP TS 23.246, the MBMS authorization request sent by the GGSN to the BM-SC carries the user's International Mobile Subscriber Identifier (IMSI), thereby identifying the user for the BM-SC to find the subscriber's subscription information. In the present invention, the user may carry the identifier of the BM-SC routing authorization request for accessing the network in the request, and route the authorization request to the BM-SC of the user accessing the network according to the identifier; or, the BM-SC of the home network is based on The user's IMSI or MSISDN translates the identity of the available routing authorization request and routes the authorization request to the BM-SC where the user accesses the network.

If the Gt interface uses the SIP protocol, there are two ways: The user terminal constructs a SIP URI, Bring to the BM-SC in the join request; or the BM-SC constructs a tel URI based on the user's MSISDN. If the Gt interface uses the MAP protocol, the BM-SC analyzes the E.164 number of the BM-SC of its home network according to the MSISDN of the user.

If the Gt interface uses the Diameter protocol, the routing of the MBMS authorization request on the Gt interface is based on the domain name (realm). The BM-SC in the home network can obtain the access network domain name by the following method:

A. When the user terminal sends a broadcast/multicast service join request to the home network GGSN, it carries the network access identifier (NAI) of the user. The NAI consists of two parts: username@realm, and the BM-SC in the home network routes the MBMS authorization request to the BM-SC in the user's access network according to the second half of the NAI (the realm part of the @).

B. The BM-SC in the home network performs a conversion according to the user's IMSI, and derives the realm of the user accessing the network from the user's IMSI. The specific conversion process can refer to 3GPP TS 23.003.

Referring to FIG. 7c, the figure is a schematic diagram of data flow after a third service activation and activation in a roaming situation based on an interface between BM-SCs according to an embodiment of the method according to the present invention, as shown by a broken line in the embodiment. The service request initiated by the roaming user is sent to the BM-SC of the home network through the GGSN in the home network, and the BM-SC of the home network is redirected to the access BM-SC of the access network to initiate service establishment to the access BM-SC of the access network. After the BM-SC is established with the home BM-SC service, the BM-SC provides the broadcast/multicast service to the roaming user. After the service activation is completed, the MBMS data delivery path is as shown by the solid line in the figure, specifically: accessing the network. The BM-SC in the BM-SC in the home network, from the BM-SC to the GGSN in the home network, and finally from the GGSN to the UE.

The specific process refers to Figure 7d, which mainly includes the following steps:

1. The UE initiates a broadcast/multicast service force to the GGSN. Incoming request

This GGSN may be the default GGSN, or a GGSN that has been previously selected, most likely the GGSN located in the home network.

3. Optionally, BM-SC#1 obtains authorization information. PT/CN2006/002233

- 13 - The authorization information may be stored in BM-SC #1 itself (if BM-SC #1 is located in the user's home network, the BM-SC storing user subscription information), and may also store user subscription information. The BM-SC is acquired. Here, the purpose of obtaining the authorization information is to determine whether the user can be directed to other BM-SCs according to the authorization information of the user and the policy of the operator.

Similarly, in the specific implementation, the basis for the BM-SC to perform the redirection decision is:

• The user's wishes, for example, the user indicates in the join request in step 1 that the service is required to be provided nearby (locally provided). Or, in the contract information, the user's MBMS service request is provided nearby (locally provided);

• The location of the user. The BM-SC selects the appropriate BM-SC for redirection according to the user's location. The location information includes: a location area, a routing area, a latitude and longitude, and the like;

• Business attributes. The nature of the business, the way the business is provided, the provider of the business, etc.;

• The operator's strategy. Does the operator support BM-SC redirection?

4. BM-SC #1 sends a service establishment request to BM-SC #2;

5. BM-SC #2 obtains the authorization information of the user and completes the authorization for the user;

It should also be noted that the authorization information in this embodiment may be stored in the BM-SC #2 itself (if the BM-SC #2 is located in the home network of the user, the BM-SC storing the user subscription information), or may be from Other BM-SCs that store user subscription information are acquired. The purpose of obtaining the authorization information here is also to authorize the access service according to the authorization information of the user.

6. BM-SC #2 returns a service establishment response to BM-SC #1;

7. BM-SC #1 returns an MBMS authorization response to the GGSN;

8. Complete the follow-up process as specified in 3GPP TS 23.246 [2].

In summary, for the broadcast/multicast service, the nature and content of the service determine that it has a strong regionality. The present invention can realize the roaming situation by redirecting the user's service request to other BM-SCs. The local provision of services improves the effectiveness of service provision, which is conducive to the comprehensiveness of service deployment and user satisfaction.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it should be noted that those skilled in the art can also make several improvements and retouchings without departing from the principles of the present invention. It is considered as the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

Rights request

A method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user, the method comprising: the user initiating a broadcast/multicast service request to the first broadcast/multicast service center; the first broadcast/multicast service center Redirecting the user's service request to the second broadcast/multicast service center;

2. The method of claim 1 wherein

The user sends the broadcast/multicast service request to the first broadcast/multicast service center by using a first gateway GPRS support node that belongs to the same network as the first broadcast/multicast service center;

The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of redirecting, by the first broadcast/multicast service center, the service request of the user to the second broadcast/multicast service center comprises:

The first gateway GPRS support node sends a broadcast/multicast authorization request to the second broadcast/multicast service center according to the indication.

The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of redirecting, by the first broadcast/multicast service center, the service request of the user to the second broadcast/multicast service center comprises: the first broadcast/ The multicast service center returns an indication to the user to redirect to the second broadcast/multicast service center;

The user sends a broadcast multicast authorization request to the second broadcast/multicast service center through the second gateway GPRS support node that belongs to the same network as the second broadcast/multicast service center according to the indication.

5. A method of providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 4, wherein:

The first broadcast/multicast service center returns an indication of redirecting to the second broadcast/multicast service center to the first gateway GPRS support node; The first gateway GPRS support node returns an indication to the user to redirect to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

6. The method of providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 4, wherein:

The user sends a broadcast/multicast service join request to the second gateway GPRS support node; the second gateway GPRS support node sends a broadcast/multicast grant request to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

The method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 1, wherein the first broadcast/multicast service center and the second broadcast/multicast service center have a Interface for interactive authorization information, and,

A method of providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that

The method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 8, wherein the authorization information is obtained according to the authorization information stored in the second broadcast/multicast service center or passes the first broadcast/multicast. The authorization information carried in the service center redirection indication is forwarded to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

10. The method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 8, wherein the second broadcast/multicast service center is connected to the first gateway GPRS support node and the first gateway GPRS support node to the user. The transmission path provides broadcast/multicast services to users; or

Providing a broadcast/multicast service to the user according to the transmission path of the second broadcast/multicast service center to the second gateway GPRS support node and the second gateway GPRS support node to the user; or

According to the second broadcast/multicast service center to the first broadcast/multicast service center and the first broadcast/ The multicast service center to the user's transmission path provides broadcast/multicast services to users.

The method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 1, wherein the first broadcast/multicast service center initiates a redirection to the second broadcast/multicast service center, and determines the location Whether the user can be redirected to the second broadcast/multicast service center, and after the determination is yes, initiate a redirect to the second broadcast/multicast service center.

12. The method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 11, wherein the user is determined to be redirected to the user according to the user's selection, the location of the user, the service attribute, or the policy of the operator. The second broadcast/multicast service center.

The method for providing a broadcast/multicast service to a user according to claim 1, wherein the user is a roaming user, and the first broadcast/multicast service center is a home network of the roaming user. The broadcast/multicast service center, the second broadcast/multicast service center is a broadcast/multicast service center of the roaming user's access network.