des brevets
`
`Europaisches
`Patentamt
`European
`Patent Office
`Office européen
`
`Bescheinigung
`
`Certificate
`
`Attestation
`
`Die angehefteten
`Unterlagen stimmen mit der
`als ursprunglich eingereicht
`geltenden Fassung der auf
`dem nachsten Blatt
`bezeichneten europaischen
`Patentanmeldung Uberein.
`
`The attached documents are
`exact copies of the text in
`which the European patent
`application described on the
`following page is deemed to
`have been filed.
`
`Les documentsjoints a la
`présente attestation sont
`conformes autexte,
`considéré comme
`initialement déposé, de la
`demandede brevet
`européen qui est spécifiée a
`la page suivante.
`
`PatentanmeldungNr.
`
`Patent application No.
`
`Demande de brevet n°
`
`13176452.4 / EP131 76452
`
`The organization code and number of your priority application, to be usedfor filing abroad under the Paris
`Convention, is EP13176452.
`
`Der Prasident des Europaischen Patentamts;
`Im Auftrag
`
`For the President of the European Patent Office
`
`Le President de l'Office européen des brevets
`p.o.
`
`fantg
`
`U. Ingmann
`
`Leena
`
`KPN Ex. 2011, Page 1
`IPR2022-00068
`
`EPA/EPO/OEB Form 1014
`
`05.12
`
`KPN Ex. 2011, Page 1
`IPR2022-00068
`
`

`

`
`
`Anmeldetag:
`Dateoffiling:
`Date de dépét:
`
`15.07.13
`
`Anmeldung Nr:
`Application no.:
`Demandeno :
`
`13176452 .4
`
`Anmelder / Applicant(s) / Demandeur(s):
`
`Koninklijke KPN N.V.
`Maanplein 55
`2516 CK The Hague/NL
`
`Nederlandse Organisatie voor Toegepast
`-Natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO
`Schoemakerstraat 97
`2628 VK Delft/NL
`
`Bezeichnung der Erfindung / Title of the invention / Titre de l'invention:
`(Falls die Bezeichnung der Erfindung nicht angegeben ist, oderfalls die Anmeldung in einer Nicht-Amtssprache des EPA eingereicht
`wurde, siehe Beschreibung beztiglich urspriinglicher Bezeichnung.
`If no title is shown, orif the application has beenfiled in a non-EPO language, please refer to the description for the originaltitle.
`Si aucun titre n'est indiqué, ou si la demande a été déposée dans une langue autre qu'une langueofficielle de l'OEB, se référer a la
`description pour le titre original.)
`
`Method and telecommunications node for controlling an attach state of a user equipment
`
`In Anspruch genommenePrioritat(en) / Priority(Priorities) claimed / Priorité(s) revendiquée(s)
`Staat/Tag/Aktenzeichen / State/Date/File no. / Pays/Date/Numéro de dépét:
`
`Am Anmeldetag benannte Vertragstaaten / Contracting States designated at date offiling / Etats contractants désignées lors
`du dépét:
`
`AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL
`PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
`
`EPA/EPO/OEB Form 1014
`
`05.12
`
`KE i EX. 20 t G F age 2
`IPR2022-00068
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`2
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`KPN Ex. 2011, Page 2
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`Method and telecommunications node for controlling an attach state of a user equipment
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The disclosure relates to a method and a telecommunications node for transferring sub-
`
`scription data in a telecommunications system. More specifically, the disclosure relates to controlling the
`
`exchange subscription data in a system comprising a subscriber database and an attach control node to
`
`which user equipment may connect.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Telecommunications networksthat provide wireless access (e.g. GSM, UMTS, WiMax,
`
`LTE) have developed tremendously over the past years.
`
`In such networks, voice and data services can
`
`10
`
`be provided to user equipment having a high mobility, i.e. the communication devices are not bound to a
`
`particular location and are freely movable through the area covered by the network. A gateway node of
`
`the telecommunications network enables connection to a further network, for example a network based
`
`on IP such as the internet.
`
`The availability of such a telecommunications network connected to the further network
`
`15
`
`has resulted in demands forfurther services, including services that relate to so-called machine-to-
`
`machine (M2M) communications, also referred to as machine-type communications (MTC). The service
`
`requirements for MTC are currently being standardized in 3GPP (see e.g. TS 22.368). MTC applications
`
`typically involve hundreds, thousands or millions of user equipment (MTC devices) which each act as a
`
`user equipmentto the telecommunication network. Such MTC devices may bestationary or non-
`
`20
`
`stationary. An example involves the electronic reading of e.g. ‘smart’ electricity meters at the homes of a
`
`large customer base over the telecommunications network from a server connected to a further network.
`
`Other examples include sensors, meters, vending or coffee machines, car meters for route pricing appli-
`
`cations, navigation equipmentetc. that can be equipped with communication modulesthat allow
`
`exchanginginformation with other equipment, such as a data processing centre over the telecommunica-
`
`25
`
`tions network.
`
`An important dimensioning parameter for control plane nodesin the wireless telecommu-
`
`nications networks is the number of simultaneously attached/registered user equipment.
`
`Since MTC typically involves a very large number of MTC devices that send/receive only
`
`a low amountof userplane data, the use of control plane resources needed for these MTC devicesis
`
`30
`
`high comparedto the user plane data that is normally the basis for pricing. The absorbed capacity and
`
`costs associated with large numbers of MTC devices are therefore high compared to the actual use and
`
`turnover. Solutions to mitigate the burden of keeping high amounts of MTC devices registered in the
`
`network would be beneficial.
`
`The issue of registering large numbers of MTC devicesin the telecommunications net-
`
`35
`
`work has been recognized and discussed in various 3GPP working groups. Ina potential solution
`
`described in 3GPP TR 23.888, an MTC device would not be registered in the telecommunications net-
`
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`work whenit does not communicate. The MTC devicewill attach and connect to the network whentrig-
`
`gered from the network. The trigger involves enabling the MTC deviceto listen to a broadcast channel
`
`(e.g. a cell broadcast channel) while not being attached to the network. Triggers to the MTC device to
`
`establish communication are broadcasted over the broadcast channel. The MTC device(s) for which the
`
`broadcasted message/triggeris intended is (are) configured to recognize the message.
`
`In this way, net-
`
`work resources associated with registering a large number of MTC devicesin the network are saved.
`
`However, non-registration of the MTC devicesin the telecommunications network may be
`
`disadvantageous in certain cases. For example, the transmission of a cell broadcast signal may beineffi-
`
`cientif only a limited number of MTC devicesare distributed over a large number ofcells of the network
`
`10
`
`and broadcast resources are wasted in view of the limited number of MTC devicesto betriggered.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`In view of the above, it is desirable to provide an improved method and telecommunica-
`
`tions node for transferring subscription data over a networkthat takes accountof the issues identified
`
`15
`
`above.
`
`To that end, a methodfor controlling an attach state of a user equipmentin an attach
`
`control node of a telecommunications system further comprising a subscriber database containing sub-
`
`scription data of the user equipmentis disclosed. If an authentication step is required, the attach control
`
`node receives authentication data.
`
`If authentication is performed, the authentication data is normally
`
`20
`
`received from an authentication centre AuC or an AAA server. Such an authentication centre or server
`
`maybe integrated with the subscriber database.
`
`In a first transfer stage step following the authentication step, if any, a first set of subscrip-
`
`tion data is received in the attach control node from the subscriber database. Thefirst set of subscription
`
`data is stored in the attach control node. However,thefirst set of subscription data is insufficient for ena-
`
`25
`
`bling establishing a communication session between the user equipment and the telecommunications
`
`system. Thefirst transfer stage step may betriggered by receiving an attach request from the user
`
`equipmentat the attach control node.
`
`Since the first set of subscription is insufficient for enabling establishing a communication
`
`session between the user equipment and the telecommunications network, if establishing a communica-
`
`30
`
`tion session is required, at least one secondset of subscription data is received from the subscriber
`
`databasein the attach control node during a second transfer stage step. The second transfer stage step
`
`is performedafterthefirst transfer stage step. The second set of subscription data is stored in the attach
`
`control node. The combination ofthe first set of subscription data and the second set of subscription data
`
`is sufficient for enabling establishing a communication session between the user equipmentandthetele-
`
`35
`
`communications network.
`
`Moreover, a computer program product implemented on a computer-readable non-
`
`transitory storage medium is disclosed, the computer program product being configured for, when run on
`
`a computer, executing the method steps disclosed herein.
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`Still further, a telecommunications node configured for use in a telecommunications sys-
`
`tem comprising a subscriber database containing subscription data of a user equipmentis disclosed. The
`
`telecommunications node is configured for receiving authentication data, if an authentication step is re-
`
`quired, in the attach control node. The telecommunications node is also configured for, following the
`
`authentication step, if any, a first set of subscription data from the subscriber databasein a first transfer
`
`stage step andstoring thefirst set of subscription data. Thefirst set of subscription data is insufficient for
`
`enabling establishing a communication session between the user equipment and the telecommunications
`
`system. The attach control node may be configuredto initiate the first transfer stage step in response to
`
`receiving an attach request from the user equipmentat the attach control node.
`
`10
`
`If establishing a communication session is required between the user equipment and the
`
`telecommunications network, the telecommunications node is configured for receiving in a second trans-
`
`fer stage, following the first transfer stage, at least one second set of subscription data from the
`
`subscriber database and storing the second set of subscription data in the attach control node. The com-
`
`bination of the first set of subscription data and the second set of subscription data is sufficient for
`
`15
`
`enabling establishing a communication session between the user equipment and the telecommunications
`
`network.
`
`Finally, a user equipmentis disclosed that is configured for use with the telecommunica-
`
`tions node as described in the previous paragraph. The user equipmentis configured for receiving and
`
`processing at least one of a partial subscription data transfer indication indicative of storing only thefirst
`
`20
`
`set of subscription data in the telecommunications node and, if the user equipment is an LTE type user
`
`equipment, a non-bearer establishmentindication indicative of omitting establishment of a default bearer
`
`on a radio path between the LTE type user equipment and the telecommunications node prior toinitiation
`
`of the second stage being insufficient for enabling establishment.
`
`It is noted that thefirst transfer stage and the second transfer stage for the subscription
`
`25
`
`data maybedistinguished by different transaction identifiers.
`
`Byonly storing in the attach control node the first set of subscription data and omitting
`
`storing at least part of the set of subscription data required for establishing a communication session, a
`
`partial attach state is obtained for the user equipmentin the telecommunications network. Thepartial
`
`attach state is defined by the contentof the first set of subscription data. The storage ofthe first set of
`
`30
`
`subscriber data in the attach node provides information about the cells where the user devices are posi-
`
`tioned, viz. those cells for which the particular attach node is responsible. However,since thefirst set of
`
`subscriber data is not the complete set of subscriber data required for enabling the full attach of the user
`
`equipmentto the telecommunications system, resources are saved in the attach control node. This dis-
`
`closed solution provides for a good balance betweena better awarenessin the networkof the cell
`
`35
`
`location of the user equipment and the saving of resourcesin the attach node.
`
`By defining the contentof the first set of subscriber data, (other) benefits associated with
`
`having the defined contentof the first set of subscriber data available in the attach control node are ob-
`
`tained. For example, the contentof the first set of subscriber data may comprise a parameter known as
`
`the network access mode. The NAMis e.g. defined in 3GPP TS 23.008. The NAM definesif the sub-
`
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`scriberis registered to get access to the CS (non-GPRS/EPSnetwork), to the PS (GPRS/EPS) network
`
`or to both networks. The NAMis permanent subscriber data stored in the HSS/HLR. By storing the NAM
`
`in the attach control node in responseto the attach request,
`
`the attach control node is informed to which
`
`network the MTC device gets accessto.
`
`Examples of subscription data fields of the second setinclude at least one of the fields
`
`APN-OI Replacement, ODB for PS parameters, VPLMN LIPA Allowed Subscribed UE-AMBRand the
`
`APN configurationslisted in 3GPP TS 23.060, V. 11.3.0 in table 5 of Clause 13.1. 3GPP TS 23.060is for
`
`2G/3G Packet Switched, the equivalent for LTE (HSS) is 3GPP TS 23.401, V.12.0.0 table 5.7.1-1.
`
`Another advantageouseffect of the disclosed method and telecommunications node is
`
`10
`
`that the network operatoris in control whetheror not to allow a communication session with the user
`
`equipment. Only whentheat least one second set of subscriber data is available at the attach control
`
`node, a request by the user equipment for a communication session can be allowed. By informing the
`
`user equipmentof the partial attach state, the user equipment may evenbeinstructed not to send such a
`
`request during the partial attach state.
`
`15
`
`It should be appreciated that the first and the at least one second set of subscription data
`
`may be predefined in advance or be selected upon transferring the subscription data to the attach control
`
`node or storing the subscription data in the attach control node, e.g. depending on a condition.
`
`The term subscriber data is used to designate all information associated with a subscrip-
`
`tion which is required for service provisions, identification, routing, communication session handling,
`
`20
`
`GPRS mode transmission, charging, subscriber tracing, operation and maintenance purposes. Some
`
`subscriber data are referred to as permanent subscriber data, i.e. they can only be changed by admin-
`
`istration means. Other data are temporary subscriber data which may change as a result of normal
`
`operation of the system.
`
`It is not necessary or required that all subscriber data are transferred to the at-
`
`tach control node.
`
`25
`
`It should be appreciated that the communication session maybeeither a data session or
`
`a session involving establishment of a voice channel.
`
`It should also be appreciated that some subscription data, such as the IMSI of the user
`
`equipment, that play a role in the attach control state, is also used during authentication. As disclosed, if
`
`an authentication step is performed, subscription data present for authentication purposesin the attach
`
`30
`
`control node are not considered to be partof thefirst set of subscription data.
`
`It should be appreciated that during the first transfer stage, all subscriber data may be
`
`transmitted in that step from the subscription database to the attach control node. The attach control
`
`node only storesthefirst set of subscriber data from the received subscriber data.
`
`It should be appreciated that the second transfer stage not necessarily follows thefirst
`
`35
`
`transfer stage, i.e. the second set of subscriber data is not stored in the attach control node. The user
`
`equipment maye.g. transmit a restricted set of data by other means, e.g. by using a short message ser-
`
`vice or transmit a restricted set of data via the control plane.
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`The establishment of a communication session between the user equipment and thetel-
`
`ecommunications session may comprise establishing a user data plane communication session, e.g. a
`
`PDP context or an EPS bearer.
`
`Finally, it should be appreciated that the term user equipmentin the present disclosure
`
`mayinclude devices with or without SIM/UICC.
`
`In an embodiment of the method and telecommunications node, alternatives for storing
`
`the first set of subscription data in the attach control node are disclosed.
`
`In one alternative, a requestis transmitted from the attach control node to the subscriber
`
`database, optionally in responseto receiving an attach request from the user equipmentat the attach
`
`10
`
`control node, and receiving only thefirst set of subscription data on the basis of a partial transfer indica-
`
`tion associated with the user equipmentin the subscription database. In this embodiment, the control of
`
`transmitting onlyfirst set of subscription data lies with the system containing the subscription database,
`
`dependentonthe setting of the partial transfer indication.
`
`In anotheralternative, a requestis transmitted from the attach control node to the sub-
`
`15
`
`scriber database, the request containing a partial transfer indication. The partial transfer indication may
`
`originate from the attach control node, i.e. control of only transmitting the first set of subscriber data lies
`
`with the attach control node. For example, if the attach control node determinesthatit only has limited
`
`resources available, it may decide to transmit the partial transfer indication to the subscriber database
`
`system. In a variant, the attach control node receives an attach request from the user equipment, wherein
`
`20
`
`the attach request from the user equipment already contains a partial transfer indication. The attach con-
`
`trol node mayeither forward the partial transfer indication originating from the user equipment or provide
`
`for an alternative partial transfer indication in responseto the partial transfer indication received from the
`
`user equipment.
`
`In this variant, the user equipment controls the transmission of only the first set of the
`
`subscriber data as may e.g. be advantageousfor a user equipment not requiring a communication ses-
`
`25
`
`sion any time soon. The attach control node may be configured to overrule the transfer indication of the
`
`user equipment.
`
`In one variant, a partial transfer indication may be received from the user equipment, but
`
`the attach control node maydecide thata full attach with all subscription data is desired or required.
`
`In
`
`anothervariant, the attach control node may receive a conventional attach request from the user equip-
`
`mentbut decide to only allow a partial attach (for example becauseoflimited available resources) and
`
`30
`
`thus transmit a request with a partial transfer indication to the subscriber database.
`
`Yet another alternative comprises receiving a complete set of subscriber data from the
`
`subscriber database and storing only a first set of subscriber data from the received subscriber data in
`
`responseto a partial attach state indication in the attach control node.
`
`In this alternative, the decision to
`
`store only thefirst set of subscriber data lies with the attach control node as well.
`
`35
`
`In another embodiment, the transfer of the at least one second set of subscription data is
`
`stored in the attach control node as a result of fulfilment of a precondition.
`
`In one alternative,
`
`the second set of subscription data is stored in responseto a data
`
`availability indication in the telecommunications system indicating the availability of data for the user
`
`equipment.
`
`In this alternative, the at least one second set of subscription data is transmitted when data is
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`to be sent to the user equipment, so that the communication session relevant subscription data need to
`
`be with the attach control node.
`
`In anotheralternative, the second set of subscription data may be desired with the attach
`
`control node in response to a resource availability indication received from the attach control node at the
`
`subscription databaseindicating the availability of resources for containing the second set of subscription
`
`data in the attach control node.
`
`In this case, a communication session may be established more quickly.
`
`In yet anotheralternative, the second set of subscription data may be stored with the at-
`
`tach control node at a predefined time or within a predefined time interval. This case is advantageousif
`
`information is available within the telecommunications system when a user equipmentdesires to establish
`
`10
`
`a connection with the telecommunications system. Such information may e.g. be available from a con-
`
`tract between the operator of the telecommunications system and the operator of the user equipment. As
`
`an example, such a contract may determine the time at which orthe time interval during which the user
`
`equipmentwill or is allowed to transmit data.
`
`In an embodiment of the method and telecommunications node, the at least one second
`
`15
`
`set of subscription data from the combination ofthe first and second set of subscription data is deleted
`
`after a precondition has beenfulfilled. The first set of subscription data may remain in the attach control
`
`node. The precondition mayrelate to the expiry of a timer,
`
`the detection of the end of the communication
`
`sessionfor the user equipment and/or to the detection of limited availability of (free) resourcesin the at-
`
`tach control node.
`
`20
`
`Resources may also be saved onthe radio path between the user equipmentandthetel-
`
`ecommunications system, particularly for LTE telecommunications system. Prior to theinitiation of the
`
`secondtransfer stage, establishment of a default bearer is omitted. The default bearer may be estab-
`
`lished afterinitiation of the second transfer stage since the transfer of the second set of subscription data
`
`maybeinitiated in order to transfer data to or from the user equipment, requiring the presenceof the de-
`
`25
`
`fault bearer. The user equipment maybe informed of the non-establishment of the default bearer (either
`
`explicit or implicit) and should be configured not to process the lack of a default bearer as an unsuccess-
`
`ful attach.
`
`It is noted that the invention relates to all possible combinations of features recited in the
`
`claims. Thus, all features and advantagesofthefirst aspect likewise apply to the second and third
`
`30
`
`aspects, respectively.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`Aspects of the invention will be explained in greater detail by reference to exemplary em-
`
`bodiments shownin the drawings, in which:
`
`35
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a telecommunications system;
`
`FIGS. 2A-2C are prior art sequence diagrams illustrating steps in establishing a commu-
`
`nication session for a user equipmentin the telecommunications system of FIG. 1;
`
`FIG. 3 is a schematic system block diagram illustrating a user equipment, an attach con-
`
`trol node and a subscriber data system according to an embodimentof the invention;
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`FIG. 4 is a sequence diagramillustrating steps according to the disclosed method;
`
`FIGS. 5A-5D are sequence diagrams for a 2G/3G telecommunications systemillustrating
`
`various embodiments of establishing a partial attach state for a UE;
`
`FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram for a 2G/3G telecommunications system illustrating the ef-
`
`fect of the partial attach state of the attach control node on a PDP context request from the UE;
`
`FIGS. 7A-7C are sequence diagrams for a 2G/3G telecommunications systemillustrating
`
`network-initiated data transmission according to the prior art (FIG. 7A) and according to embodiments of
`
`the invention (FIGS. 7B and 7C);
`
`Fig. 8 is a schematicillustration of an attach control node containing a storage with a non-
`
`10
`
`overwritable part A and an overwritable part B;
`
`FIGS. 9A and 9B are sequence diagrams for a 2G/3G telecommunications systemillus-
`
`trating return to a partial detach state;
`
`FIGS. 10A-10C are sequence diagrams for an LTE/EPS telecommunications systemil-
`
`lustrating various embodiments of establishing a partial attach state for a UE;
`
`FIGS. 11A and 11B are sequencediagrams for an LTE/EPS telecommunications system
`
`illustrating embodimentsfor a transition from a partial attach to a complete attach state for a UE; and
`
`FIGS. 12A and 12B are sequencediagrams for an LTE/EPS telecommunications system
`
`illustrating embodiments for a transition from a complete attach state back to a partial attach state for a
`
`UE.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a schematicillustration of a telecommunications system 1. The telecom-
`
`munications system 1 enables communication sessions between an application server 2 and a user
`
`equipment 3 over a data network 4, wherein access of the user equipment3 to the telecommunications
`
`25
`
`system 1 is wireless.
`
`In the telecommunications system of FIG. 1, three generations of telecommunications
`
`networks are schematically depicted together for purposesof brevity. A more detailed description of the
`
`architecture and overview can be found in 3GPP TS 23.002 and 3GPP TS 23.060, 3GPP TS 23.401 and
`
`3GPP TS 23.402, which are included in the present application by referencein its entirety.
`
`30
`
`The lowerbranch of FIG. 1 represents a GPRS or UMTStelecommunications system
`
`comprising a Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN), a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and a Ra-
`
`dio Access Network (GERAN or UTRAN). For a GSM/EDGE radio access network (GERAN), the
`
`wireless access network comprises a Base Station Controller (BSC) connected to a plurality of Base Sta-
`
`tion Transceivers (BTSs), both not shown. For a UMTSradio access network (UTRAN), the wireless
`
`35
`
`access network comprises a Radio Network Controller (RNC) connected to a plurality of NodeBs, also not
`
`shown. The SGSN is conventionally connected to a Home Location Register (HLR) that contains sub-
`
`scription data of the user equipment3.
`
`The upper branchin FIG. 1 represents a next generation telecommunications system,
`
`commonly indicated as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved Packet System (EPS). Such a system
`
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`comprises a PDN Gateway (P-GW) and a Serving Gateway (S-GW). The E-UTRANof the EPS compris-
`
`es evolved NodeBs (eNodeBsor eNBs) providing wireless access for a user equipment3 that is connect-
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`connected to the S-GW via a packet network. The S-GW is connected to a Mobility Management Entity
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`MME forsignalling purposes whichis in turn connected to a Home Subscriber Server HSS. The HSS
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`includes a subscription profile repository containing subscription data for the user equipment3.
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`The user equipment 3 comprises an MTC device and the application server 2 may be an
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`MTC serverserving a large number of MTC devices 3.
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`FIG. 2A is a prior art sequence diagram illustrating initial steps in establishing a commu-
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`nication session for a user equipment3 in the lower branch of the telecommunications system 1 of FIG. 1
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`10
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`(the attach phase).
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`In particular, FIG. 2Aillustrates known steps of a packet-switched attach procedurein
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`a 2G/3G network.
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`In a first step (i), the UE 3 transmits an Attach request to the telecommunications system
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`1, which Attach request is processed by the SGSN.
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`In a subsequentstep(ii), authentication of the UE 3
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`is performedinvolving the HLR.
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`15
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`Then, in step (iii), the SGSN transmits an Update location message to the HLR which
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`causesthe HLRin step(iv) to transmit the full batch subscriber data associated with the UE 3 user
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`equipment 3 having sent the Attach requestin step (i). The specification of the “Insert Subscriber Data”
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`message is e.g. defined in TS 29.002 clause 8.8.1 en TS 29.272 clause 5.2.2.1.
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`After step (iv), the SGSN storesall the information necessary for completing the attach
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`20
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`procedure such that a communication session can be established subsequently by establishing a PDP
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`context for the UE 3.
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`In steps (v) and (vi), the receipt of the subscriber data is acknowledged.
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`It should be noted that, as a result of the data size of the subscriber data (the data unit
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`size of the underlying layer may beinsufficient to carry all the subscriber data in one data unit), steps (iv)
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`25
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`and (v) may be repeated a number of times, to transfer all the data to the SGSN. However,this transfer
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`is performed under the same transaction identifier, i.e. there is only one transfer stage.
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`Finally, in step (vii), the UE 3 is informed that the Attach request from step (i) has been
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`accepted via an Attach accept message.
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`After having received the Attach accept message, the UE 3 is able to request activation
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`30
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`of a PDP context procedure in a manner knownin the art and asillustrated in steps (viii) — (xi) in FIG. 2B.
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`FIG. 2C is a prior art sequence diagram illustrating initial steps in establishing a commu-
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`nication session for a user equipment 3 in the upper branch of the telecommunications system 1 of FIG.
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`1.
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`In particular, FIG. 2C illustrates known steps of a packet-switched attach procedure in a 4G LTE/EPS
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`network.
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`35
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`In this telecommunications system 1, similar steps are performed for the UE 3 to getat-
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`tached to the telecommunications system 1 now using the MME and HSS. However,in orderto provide
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`for an always on type of service experience, a default bearer is established during the attach procedure
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`as shown in FIG. 2C between the UE and the S-GW and P-GW.
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`KPN Ex. 2011, Page 10
`IPR2022-00068
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`KPN Ex. 2011, Page 10
`IPR2022-00068
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`FIG. 3 is a schematic system block diagram illustrating a user equipment UE 3, an attach
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`control node 10 and a subscriber data system 11 (a subscriber database) according to an embodimentof
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`the invention.
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`In the block diagrams, some components for performing the disclosed method are sche-
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`matically illustrated.
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`It should be noted that these components may be implemented in hardware,
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`softwareorin a hybrid fashion.
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`The UE 3, the attach control node 10 and the subscriber data system 11 each contain at
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`least a processor uP for executing actions, a controller CTRL for controlling actions by the processor uP
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`and oneor more forms of storage (not shown) for storing computer programs and (intermediate) pro-
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`cessing results. The attach control node 10 contains a storage 12 for storing content, such as
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`10
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`subscription data, received from the subscriber data system 11. Obviously, each of the UE 3, the attach
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`control node 10 and the subscriber data system 11 comprises one or more communication interfaces
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`(Tx/Rx) as knownin the art for communicating with other devices in the telecommunications system or
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`with the UE 3.
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`The UE 3 may be an MTC device. An example of such an MTC deviceinvolves a ‘smart’
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`15
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`electricity meter at the home of a customer of a large customer base. The smartelectricity meter may
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`e.g. have data to report to the application server 2 or may need a software update. Other examples of
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`MTC devices include sensors, meters, vending or coffee machines, car meters for route pricing applica-
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`tions, navigation equipment etc. that can be equipped with communication modules that allow exchanging
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`20
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`25
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`information with other equipment, such as the application server2.
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`The attach control node 10 is configured for controlling attachmentof the UE 3 to thetel-
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`ecommunications system 1. Examples of such attach control nodes 10 comprise an SGSN (asbriefly
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`described with reference to FIG. 2A), an MME (asbriefly described with reference to FIG. 2C) and an
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`MSCserver(not depicted, comparable to FIG. 2A since the MSC server is comparable to SGSN in this
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`case).
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`The subscriber data system 11 stores the subscription data for all UE’s 3 that have a con-
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`tract with the network provider. Examples of such subscriber data systems include an HLR (asbriefly
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`described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2A) and an HSS(asbriefly described with reference to FIGS. 1
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`and 2C).
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`FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the basic steps of the