CN103533618A

CN103533618A - Terminal control method, terminal control device and terminal control system

Info

Publication number: CN103533618A
Application number: CN201210231633.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴昊; 谢芳
Original assignee: ZTE Corp
Current assignee: ZTE Corp
Priority date: 2012-07-05
Filing date: 2012-07-05
Publication date: 2014-01-22

Abstract

The invention discloses a terminal control method, a terminal control device and a terminal control system. The method comprises the following steps: a mobility management unit receives a first control signaling of a terminal; and the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode. With the terminal control method, the terminal control device and the terminal control system, problems caused by dormancy of a mobile terminal in related technologies is solved, the energy consumption of mobile terminals is reduced, and normal execution of mobile terminal services is ensured.

Description

Method, device and system for controlling terminal

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, and a system for controlling a terminal.

Background

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cellular wireless communication system according to the related art, and as shown in fig. 1, the cellular wireless communication system mainly includes a core network (core network, abbreviated as CN), an access network (radio access network, abbreviated as RAN), and a terminal. The core network is responsible for non-access stratum transactions such as terminal location updates, etc., and is the anchor point for the user plane. The access network includes base stations, or base stations and base station control, the access network is responsible for access layer transactions (e.g. management of radio resources), there may be physical or logical connections between base stations according to actual situations, such as the connections between base station 1 and base station 2, or between base station 1 and base station 3 in fig. 1, and each base station may be connected to one or more core network nodes. A terminal, i.e. a User Equipment (UE), refers to various devices that can communicate with a cellular wireless communication network, such as a mobile phone or a laptop computer.

A Mobility Management unit (Mobility Management Entity (MME) of an LTE network or Mobility Management Entity (Serving GPRS Support Node, SGSN) of a 3G network) is a unit in a core network responsible for managing access control, location information update, and handover of a terminal, and is responsible for non-access stratum signaling control from the core network to the terminal and functions of registering the terminal to the network.

A Home Subscriber Server (HSS) or a Home Location Register (HLR) is an entity in a core network that is responsible for storing subscription data, identity information, authentication information, authorization information, and the like of a terminal device. According to different situations, the HSS or HLR may be configured to store the identity information of the user and the binding information between the user and the terminal device, or only store the identity information of the user (the binding information between the user and the terminal device may be stored by the gateway), or directly store the identity information of the terminal device. The HSS or HLR is also responsible for the subscription database of the subscriber, and performs authentication and authorization of the subscriber, etc. The service platform may query subscriber or terminal information from the HSS or HLR.

After the terminal registers in the network, the network sends periodic tracking area updating duration to the terminal, the terminal locally starts a periodic tracking area updating timer in an idle state, and the timer value is set as the periodic tracking area updating duration sent by the network. When the periodical tracking area updating timer is up, the terminal sends a tracking area updating request to the mobility management unit.

Some mobile terminals do not need to communicate with the network at any time, for example, a location reporting terminal on an express delivery vehicle, only report the current location of the vehicle when arriving at a certain specified location or according to a specified period, but because the mobile terminal cannot receive paging from the network side in the sleeping process, and the network side cannot know the accurate time when the mobile terminal is in the sleeping state and the active state, if the mobile terminal sleeps, the mobile terminal cannot receive the paging message sent by the network side in the sleeping process; and if the mobile terminal does not sleep, the energy consumption of the mobile terminal is wasted.

Aiming at the problems existing in the dormancy of the mobile terminal in the related technology, no effective solution is provided at present.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a method, a device and a system for controlling a terminal, aiming at the problems of dormancy of a mobile terminal in the related art, and at least solving the problems.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a terminal, including: a mobile management unit receives a first control signaling of a terminal; and the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

Preferably, the receiving, by the mobility management unit, the first control signaling of the terminal includes: the first control signaling carries power saving parameters, wherein the power saving parameters include at least one of the following parameters: an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, wherein the power saving mode cycle time is greater than the activation time; or an activation time and a sleep time.

Preferably, the setting, by the mobility management unit, the first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling includes: and the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the activation time.

Preferably, the setting, by the mobility management unit, the first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the activation time includes: in a case where the activation time is not 0, the mobility management unit sets the first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode.

Preferably, in the case that the activation time is not 0, the method further includes: the mobility management unit starts a network side activation time timer and a network side power saving mode cycle timer in case that the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time; when the network side activation time timer is up, the mobility management unit removes the paging identifier; or, the mobility management unit starts a network side activation time timer when the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time; and when the network side activation time timer is up, the mobility management unit clears the paging identifier.

Preferably, the method further comprises: when the power saving parameters include activation time and power saving mode cycle time and the network side power saving mode cycle timer expires, the mobility management unit restarts the network side power saving mode cycle timer and the network side activation time timer.

Preferably, the method further comprises: under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and dormancy time, the mobility management unit starts a network side dormancy time timer when the network side activation time timer expires; and starting the network side activation time timer when the network side dormancy time timer is up.

Preferably, the setting, by the mobility management unit, the first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the activation time includes: in the case where the activation time is 0, the mobility management unit sets the first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

Preferably, in the case that the activation time is 0, the method further includes: under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer is started; if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer; or, under the condition that the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time, the mobility management unit determines whether a network side activation time timer or a network side sleep time timer is in a start; and if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer or the network side dormancy time timer.

Preferably, after the mobility management unit receives the first control signaling of the terminal, the method further includes: and the mobility management unit sends a second control signaling to the terminal, wherein the second control signaling carries power saving mode confirmation information, and the power saving mode confirmation information is used for the mobility management unit to indicate whether the terminal can enter the power saving mode.

Preferably, the method further comprises: when the state of the terminal is changed from an idle state to a connection state and the power saving parameter comprises activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer is in starting; if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer; or, when the state of the terminal is changed from an idle state to a connected state and the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time, the mobility management unit determines whether a network side activation time timer or a network side sleep time timer is in a start; and if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer or the network side dormancy time timer.

Preferably, the method further comprises: and when the terminal is converted from a connection state to an idle state and the first power saving mode identifier indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, the mobility management unit starts the network side activation time timer.

Preferably, the state of the terminal is changed from the idle state to the connected state, and the state includes at least one of the following: when receiving a calling service or a called service initiated by the terminal, the mobility management unit converts the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connection state; and when receiving a tracking area updating request or a routing area updating request initiated by the terminal, the mobility management unit converts the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connection state.

Preferably, when receiving a calling service or a called service initiated by the terminal, after the mobility management unit changes the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connected state, the method further includes: when the terminal finishes the calling service or the called service, the mobility management unit converts the state of the terminal from a connection state to an idle state.

Preferably, the first control signaling comprises at least one of: attach request signaling, tracking area update request signaling, routing area update request signaling, and power saving mode request signaling; and/or the second control signaling comprises at least one of: an attachment receiving signaling, a tracking area updating receiving signaling, a routing area updating receiving signaling and a power saving mode receiving signaling.

Preferably, the mobility management unit comprises at least one of: MME and SGSN.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling a terminal, including: the terminal receives a second control signaling from the mobility management unit; and the terminal sets a second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling, wherein the second power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

Preferably, the second control signaling contains power saving mode confirmation information, where the power saving mode confirmation information is used by the mobility management unit to indicate whether the terminal can enter the power saving mode.

Preferably, in a case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal can enter the power saving mode, the setting, by the terminal, of the second power saving mode flag according to the second control signaling includes: and the terminal sets the second power saving mode identifier to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode.

Preferably, the second control signaling further comprises a power saving parameter, the power saving parameter comprising at least one of: an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, wherein the power saving mode cycle time is greater than the activation time; or an activation time and a sleep time.

Preferably, in a case where the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal can enter the power saving mode, the method further includes: under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the terminal starts a terminal activation time timer and a terminal power saving mode cycle timer; when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state; or, the terminal starts a terminal activation time timer under the condition that the power saving parameters include activation time and sleep time; and when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state.

Preferably, the method further comprises: and when the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time and the terminal power saving mode cycle timer expires, the terminal restarts the terminal power saving mode cycle timer and the terminal activation time timer.

Preferably, the method further comprises: under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and sleep time, when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal starts a terminal sleep time timer; and starting the terminal activation time timer when the terminal dormancy time timer is up.

Preferably, after the terminal activation time timer is started, the method further includes: and under the condition of entering a new tracking area or routing area, the terminal sends a tracking area updating request signaling or a routing area updating request signaling to the mobility management unit.

Preferably, in a case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal leaves or cannot enter the power saving mode, the setting, by the terminal, of the second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling includes: the terminal sets the second power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

Preferably, in a case where the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal cannot enter or leave the power saving mode, the method further includes: under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the terminal judges whether a terminal activation time timer is started; if the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal to activate the time timer; or, under the condition that the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the sleep time, the terminal judges whether the terminal activation time timer or the terminal sleep time timer is in the starting state; and under the condition that the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal activation time timer or the terminal dormancy time timer.

Preferably, the method further comprises: when the terminal is switched from an idle state to a connection state and the power saving parameter comprises activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the terminal judges whether a terminal activation time timer is started or not; if the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal to activate the time timer; or, when the terminal is switched from an idle state to a connected state and the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time, the terminal determines whether the terminal activation time timer or the terminal sleep time timer is in a start state; and under the condition that the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal activation time timer or the terminal dormancy time timer.

Preferably, the method further comprises: and when the terminal is converted from the connection state to the idle state and the second power saving mode identifier indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, the terminal starts the terminal activation time timer.

Preferably, the terminal is switched from the idle state to the connected state and includes at least one of the following: when the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, the terminal is converted from an idle state to a connection state; and when the terminal initiates a tracking area updating request or a routing area updating request, the terminal is converted into a connection state from an idle state.

Preferably, after the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service and the terminal changes from an idle state to a connected state, the method further includes: and when the terminal finishes the calling service or the called service, the terminal is converted into an idle state from a connection state.

Preferably, the second control signaling comprises at least one of: an attachment receiving signaling, a tracking area updating receiving signaling, a routing area updating receiving signaling and a power saving mode receiving signaling.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided an apparatus for controlling a terminal, located in a mobility management unit, including: a first receiving module, configured to receive a first control signaling of a terminal; and the first setting module is used for setting a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for controlling a terminal, located in the terminal, including: a second receiving module, configured to receive a second control signaling from the mobility management unit; and the second setting module is used for setting a second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling, wherein the second power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for controlling a terminal, including the above apparatus for controlling a terminal located in a mobility management unit, and further including the above apparatus for controlling a terminal located in a terminal.

According to the invention, a mobility management unit is adopted to receive a first control signaling of a terminal; the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode, so that the problem of dormancy of the mobile terminal in the related art is solved, the energy consumption of the mobile terminal is reduced, and the normal execution of the mobile terminal service is ensured.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the invention without limiting the invention. In the drawings:

fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cellular wireless communication system according to the related art;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method of controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a block diagram of a structure of an apparatus for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 4 is a flowchart of another method of controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a block diagram of another structure of an apparatus for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 6 is a block diagram of a system for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The invention will be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in conjunction with embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present application may be combined with each other without conflict.

The present embodiment provides a method for controlling a terminal, and fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 2, the method includes the following steps:

step S202, a mobility management unit receives a first control signaling of a terminal;

step S204, the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

Through the above steps, after receiving the first control signaling of the terminal, the mobility management unit indicates whether the terminal is in the power saving mode or not through setting the first power saving mode identifier, thereby ensuring that the terminal and the mobility management unit obtain the same knowledge about whether the terminal is in the power saving mode or not, enabling the network side to accurately know the accurate time when the mobile terminal is in the dormant state and the activated state, solving the problem existing in the related art when the mobile terminal is in the dormant state, and further achieving the purpose of reducing the energy consumption of the mobile terminal and ensuring the normal execution of the mobile terminal service.

Preferably, the mobility Management unit may be a Mobility Management Entity (MME) or a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN).

As a preferred embodiment, the first control signaling may be at least one of an attach request signaling, a tracking area update request signaling, a routing area update request signaling, and a power saving mode request signaling, but is not limited thereto. Preferably, the first control signaling of the terminal received by the mobility management unit may further carry a power saving parameter, where the power saving parameter is used to indicate time of the terminal in a dormant state and an active state. Wherein, the power saving parameter can be expressed in the following way: an active time and a power saving mode cycle time, wherein the power saving mode cycle time is greater than the active time, in which case the active time represents a time period in which the terminal is in an active state, the power saving mode cycle time represents a total time of the entire cycle, and a difference between the power saving mode cycle time and the active time is a time period in which the terminal is in a sleep state; alternatively, the active time and the sleep time may be directly expressed, and in this case, the sum of the active time and the sleep time is the above-mentioned power saving mode cycle time.

As a preferred embodiment, the terminal may inform the mobility management unit of whether the terminal needs to enter the power saving mode through the power saving parameter in the first control signaling, for example, the terminal may inform the mobility management unit through the value of the activation time. In this case, the mobility management unit may set the first power saving mode flag for the terminal according to the activation time.

For example, in a case where the activation time is not 0, the mobility management unit may set the above-described first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode; and in case the activation time is 0, the mobility management unit may set the above-mentioned first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

Preferably, in the case that the activation time is not 0, indicating that the terminal needs to enter the power saving mode, the mobility management unit may further set a timer according to the power saving parameter carried in the first control signaling after setting the first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode, so as to precisely synchronize with the activation and sleep periods of the terminal in a timer manner.

In practice, the above-mentioned power saving mode flag may be used when the terminal determines whether to enter the power saving mode (including the start and stop of the timer) when returning from the connected state to the idle state, and the initial timer is not controlled by the flag, for example, at the initial time, the flag and the start of the timer may be determined by the value of the activation time.

For example, in the case where the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit may start a network-side activation time timer and a network-side power saving mode cycle timer; when the network side activation time timer expires, the mobility management unit may clear the paging flag. For another example, in the case that the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time, the mobility management unit may start a network-side activation time timer; when the network side activation time timer expires, the mobility management unit may clear the paging flag. By the method, the mobile management unit can clear the paging identifier under the condition that the terminal is in the dormant state, so that the terminal is not paged, and other equipment on the network side can be informed not to page the terminal, thereby saving resources and unnecessary energy consumption on the network side.

Preferably, if the terminal is always in the power saving mode without any other description, indicating that the terminal periodically switches between the active state and the dormant state according to the power saving parameter, the mobility management unit may periodically restart the timer according to the power saving parameter. For example, when the power saving parameters include an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, and the network side power saving mode cycle timer expires, the mobility management unit may restart the network side power saving mode cycle timer and the network side activation time timer. For another example, in the case that the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time, the mobility management unit may start the network side sleep time timer when the network side activation time timer expires; and when the network side dormancy time timer is up, starting the network side activation time timer.

Preferably, in case the activation time is 0, then it means that the terminal does not need to enter or leave the power saving mode at present, in which case the mobility management unit may also turn off the previously set timer after setting the first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode. For example, in the case that the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit determines whether a network side activation time timer is in the start; if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer; or, under the condition that the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the sleep time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer or a network side sleep time timer is in the starting state; and if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer or the network side dormancy time timer.

As a preferred embodiment, after the mobility management unit receives the first control signaling of the terminal, the mobility management unit may further return a second control signaling to the terminal, where the second control signaling may carry power saving mode acknowledgement information or carry power saving mode acknowledgement information and power saving parameters, where the power saving mode acknowledgement information may be used for the mobility management unit to indicate whether the terminal can enter the power saving mode. In this way, after receiving the first control signaling of the terminal, the mobility management unit may determine whether to allow the terminal to be in the power saving mode according to other factors such as the network side condition, and notify the determination result to the terminal through the power saving mode confirmation information in the second control signaling. Preferably, the power saving parameter carried in the second control signaling may be the same as that carried in the first control signaling, or may be different from that carried in the first control signaling, and in case of being different from that, the power saving parameter carried in the second control signaling is taken as the reference; and if the second control signaling does not carry the power saving parameter, the power saving parameter carried in the first control signaling is taken as the standard.

Preferably, the second control signaling may be at least one of an attach accept signaling, a tracking area update accept signaling, a routing area update accept signaling, and a power saving mode accept signaling, but is not limited thereto.

As a preferred embodiment, in the case that the terminal is in the power saving mode, since the calling or called service is generated, and in other cases, it is necessary to exit from the power saving mode, at this time, the mobility management unit also needs to turn off the previously set timer regarding the power saving mode. In this case, if the state of the terminal is changed from the idle state to the connected state, and the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit may determine whether the network side activation time timer is in the start; if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer; or, if the state of the terminal is changed from the idle state to the connected state and the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the dormancy time, the mobility management unit judges whether the network side activation time timer or the network side dormancy time timer is in the start; and if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer or the network side dormancy time timer.

Preferably, after the terminal exits from the power saving mode due to the temporary task, when the temporary task is completed or ended, the terminal needs to be restored to the power saving mode, in this case, if the state of the terminal changes from the connected state to the idle state and the first power saving mode flag indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, the mobility management unit starts a network side activation time timer.

For example, the case that the state of the terminal is changed from the idle state to the connected state may be: when a calling service or a called service initiated by a terminal is received, a mobile management unit converts the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connection state; alternatively, when receiving a tracking area update request or a routing area update request initiated by a terminal, the mobility management unit may change the state of the terminal from the idle state to the connected state.

Preferably, if the state of the terminal is changed from the idle state to the connected state is that the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, when the calling service or the called service is ended, the mobility management unit may change the state of the terminal from the connected state to the idle state.

Corresponding to the method for controlling a terminal that can be used in a mobility management unit, in this embodiment, a device for controlling a terminal is provided, which is located in a mobility management unit and is used to implement the foregoing embodiment and preferred embodiments, and details are not described again after the description is made. As used below, the term "module" may be a combination of software and/or hardware that implements a predetermined function. Although the means described in the embodiments below are preferably implemented in software, an implementation in hardware, or a combination of software and hardware is also possible and contemplated.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a structure of an apparatus 30 for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 3, the apparatus 30 includes: a first receiving module 32, configured to receive a first control signaling of a terminal; and a first setting module 34, connected to the first receiving module 32, configured to set a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling received by the first receiving module 32, where the first power saving mode identifier is used to indicate whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

In this embodiment, a method for controlling a terminal is further provided, and fig. 4 is a flowchart of another method for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in fig. 4, the method includes the following steps:

step S402, the terminal receives a second control signaling from the mobility management unit;

step S404, the terminal sets a second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling, wherein the second power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in the power saving mode.

Through the above steps, after receiving the second control signaling of the mobility management unit, the terminal indicates whether the terminal is in the power saving mode or not through setting the second power saving mode identifier, thereby ensuring that the terminal and the mobility management unit obtain the same knowledge about whether the terminal is in the power saving mode or not, enabling the network side to accurately know the accurate time when the mobile terminal is in the dormant state and the activated state, solving the problem existing in the related art when the mobile terminal is in the dormant state, and further achieving the purpose of reducing the energy consumption of the mobile terminal and ensuring the normal execution of the mobile terminal service.

As a preferred embodiment, the second control signaling may carry power saving mode acknowledgement information, or carry power saving mode acknowledgement information and power saving parameters, where the power saving mode acknowledgement information may be used by the mobility management unit to indicate whether the terminal can enter the power saving mode. In this way, after receiving the first control signaling of the terminal, the mobility management unit may determine whether to allow the terminal to be in the power saving mode according to other factors such as the network side condition, and notify the determination result to the terminal through the power saving mode confirmation information in the second control signaling. Preferably, the second control signaling may further include a power saving parameter, where the power saving parameter may be given as follows: an active time and a power saving mode cycle time, wherein the power saving mode cycle time is greater than the active time, in which case the active time represents a time period in which the terminal is in an active state, the power saving mode cycle time represents a total time of the entire cycle, and a difference between the power saving mode cycle time and the active time is a time period in which the terminal is in a sleep state; alternatively, the active time and the sleep time may be directly expressed, and in this case, the sum of the active time and the sleep time is the above-mentioned power saving mode cycle time.

Preferably, if the terminal sends the first control signaling to the mobility management unit before receiving the second control signaling, and the first control signaling carries the power saving parameter, in this case, the power saving parameter carried in the second control signaling may be the same as or different from that carried in the first control signaling, and in the case of being different, the power saving parameter carried in the second control signaling is taken as the standard; and if the second control signaling does not carry the power saving parameter, the power saving parameter carried in the first control signaling is taken as the standard.

Preferably, in a case where the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal can enter the power saving mode, the terminal may set the second power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode. If the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal leaves or cannot enter the power saving mode, that is, the mobility management unit does not agree that the terminal enters the power saving mode or needs the terminal to leave the power saving mode, in this case, the terminal may set the second power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

As a preferred embodiment, in case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal can enter the power saving mode, the terminal may set a timer according to the power saving parameter carried in the second control signaling, so as to perform accurate synchronization of the operation of paging identification with the clearing of the mobility management unit by means of the timer.

For example, in the case where the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, the terminal may start a terminal activation time timer and a terminal power saving mode cycle timer; when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state; for another example, in the case where the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time, the terminal may start a terminal activation time timer; and when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state. By the method, the terminal enters the dormant state under the condition that the mobile management unit clears the paging identification, so that the terminal is ensured not to be paged in the dormant process, the power consumption of the terminal is saved, the normal operation of the terminal service is ensured, and in addition, the resource and the meaningless energy consumption of a network side are also saved.

Preferably, if the terminal is always in the power saving mode, the timer may be periodically restarted according to the power saving parameter. For example, when the power saving parameters include an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, and the terminal power saving mode cycle timer expires, the terminal restarts the terminal power saving mode cycle timer and the terminal activation time timer. For another example, when the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the sleep time, the terminal starts the terminal sleep time timer when the terminal activation time timer expires; and when the terminal dormancy time timer is up, starting the terminal activation time timer.

Preferably, after the activation time timer of the terminal is started, it indicates that the terminal is currently in an activated state, and in this case, if the terminal enters a new tracking area or routing area, the terminal may send a tracking area update request signaling or a routing area update request signaling to the mobility management unit. By the method, the mobility management unit can acquire the latest position information of the terminal in the power saving mode as soon as possible.

Preferably, if the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal cannot enter or leave the power saving mode, the terminal may further turn off a previously set timer after setting the second power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode. For example, in the case where the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, the terminal determines whether a terminal activation time timer is in the process of starting; if the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal to activate the time timer; for another example, in the case that the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the sleep time, the terminal determines whether the terminal activation time timer or the terminal sleep time timer is in the start; and if so, stopping the terminal activation time timer or the terminal dormancy time timer by the terminal.

As a preferred embodiment, in the case that the terminal is in the power saving mode, since the calling or called service is generated, and in other cases, it is necessary to exit from the power saving mode, at this time, the terminal also needs to turn off the timer set previously with respect to the power saving mode. Under the condition, if the terminal is switched from the idle state to the connection state and the power saving parameter comprises the activation time and the power saving mode cycle time, the terminal can judge whether the terminal activation time timer is started or not; if the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal to activate the time timer; or, if the terminal is switched from the idle state to the connection state and the power saving parameter includes the activation time and the sleep time, the terminal can determine whether the terminal activation time timer or the terminal sleep time timer is in the start; and if so, stopping the terminal activation time timer or the terminal dormancy time timer by the terminal.

Preferably, after the terminal exits from the power saving mode due to the temporary task, when the temporary task is completed or ended, the terminal needs to be restored to the power saving mode, in this case, if the terminal is turned from the connected state to the idle state and the second power saving mode flag indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, the terminal starts the terminal activation time timer.

For example, the case where the terminal is changed from the idle state to the connected state may be: when a terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, the terminal is converted from an idle state to a connection state; or when the terminal initiates a tracking area update request or a routing area update request, the terminal is switched from the idle state to the connected state.

Preferably, if the terminal is switched from the idle state to the connected state, when the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, and when the calling service or the called service is ended, the terminal is switched from the connected state to the idle state.

Corresponding to the above another method for controlling a terminal that can be used in a terminal, in this embodiment, another apparatus for controlling a terminal is also provided, and is located in the terminal, and the apparatus is used to implement the above embodiment and the preferred embodiment, and is not described again after having been described. As used below, the term "module" may be a combination of software and/or hardware that implements a predetermined function. Although the means described in the embodiments below are preferably implemented in software, an implementation in hardware, or a combination of software and hardware is also possible and contemplated.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of another apparatus 50 for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 5, the apparatus 50 includes: a second receiving module 52, configured to receive a second control signaling from the mobility management unit; and a second setting module 54, connected to the second receiving module 52, configured to set a second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling received by the second receiving module 52, where the second power saving mode identifier is used to indicate whether the terminal is in the power saving mode.

In this embodiment, a system for controlling a terminal is further provided, and fig. 6 is a block diagram of a structure of a system for controlling a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 6, the system includes the apparatus 30 for controlling a terminal located in a mobility management unit as shown in fig. 3, and further includes the apparatus 50 for controlling a terminal located in a terminal as shown in fig. 5.

In the following preferred embodiment, a method for controlling terminal behavior through a timer is provided, which is described by taking the management of Machine Type Communication (MTC) terminals as an example, and a power saving mode may be used for such terminals, in which a period is determined, and data is transmitted and received only at an activation time in each period.

In the following preferred embodiment, according to the characteristics of the terminal service, the method of controlling by the timer can realize the management of the terminal node, and the network and the terminal are kept consistent by the synchronization of the timer, and the service of the terminal is not influenced while saving electricity.

The method mainly comprises the following steps:

the method comprises the following steps: the terminal sends control signaling (an attachment request message or a tracking area or routing area update request) to the mobility management unit, wherein the control signaling contains power saving parameters;

step two: the mobility management unit sends control signaling (attach accept message or tracking area or routing area update accept) to the terminal, wherein the terminal is instructed to be accepted to enter a power saving mode; meanwhile, the mobile management unit sets a power saving mode indication for the terminal; meanwhile, the mobility management unit starts a power saving mode timer;

step three: after receiving a control signaling (an attachment acceptance message or a tracking area or routing area update acceptance) from a mobility management unit, the terminal sets a power-saving mode identifier; a power saving mode timer is started.

Here, the power saving mode timer may be set according to the power saving mode parameter. When the power saving mode parameters are 'activation time' and 'power saving mode period', two timers are started: activating a time timer and a power saving mode cycle timer; and starting an activation time timer when the power saving mode parameters are 'activation time' and 'sleep time'. Here, the power saving mode period timer may be a timer dedicated to counting the power saving mode period, or may be an existing timer, but may also be a timer for counting the cycle start activation time interval, such as a periodic tracking area update timer or a periodic routing area update timer. It may also be a combination of existing timers, such as an reachable timer plus an implicit detach timer.

The following description is given in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, which combine the above embodiments and their preferred embodiments.

Embodiment one (enter power save mode with attach request):

1. when the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. After the terminal is started, sending an attachment request signaling to a mobility management unit MME; the attach request signaling contains information as shown in table 1:

TABLE 1

2. After receiving the attach request signaling of the terminal, the MME locally stores the power saving mode parameters in the attach request signaling.

3. The MME reads the "activation time" in the power saving mode parameter, and when the value is not 0, sets the "power saving mode indication" to "TRUE" or "1", indicating that the terminal enters the power saving mode.

The "power saving mode indication" is a context information element of the terminal stored in the MME to indicate whether the current terminal is in the power saving mode. The value of "power saving mode indication" may be boolean, and in this case, when set to "TRUE" indicates that the terminal is in power saving mode, and when set to "FALSE" indicates that the terminal is not in power saving mode. The value of "power saving mode indication" may be an integer, and in this case, when "1" is set, it indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, and when "0" is set, it indicates that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

4. The MME sends an attach accept signaling to the terminal, where the attach accept signaling includes information shown in table 2:

TABLE 2

5. Meanwhile, the MME starts a network side activation time timer and a network side power saving mode period timer.

The network side activation time timer is set according to the 'activation time' in the power saving mode parameters, and the network side power saving mode period timer is set according to the 'power saving mode period' in the power saving mode parameters. The network side active time timer and the network side power saving mode period timer may be set to be equal to the "active time" and the "power saving mode period", respectively, or to be slightly larger than the "active time" and the "power saving mode period", respectively, wherein the slightly larger value may be set according to actual conditions, for example, may be set according to a transmission delay between the network side and the terminal, or a processing speed of an intermediate process, and the like. For example, set to "activation time" +4 minutes, and "power saving mode period" +4 minutes, respectively.

Upon expiration of the network side activation time timer, the MME clears the paging in flag ("PPF").

The "PPF" is a flag for indicating whether the terminal can be paged. After the "PPF" flag is cleared, the MME cannot page the terminal, and after receiving the downlink data notification message sent by the serving gateway, should send a downlink data notification reject message to the serving gateway indicating that the terminal cannot page.

And when the network side power saving mode period timer is up, restarting the network side power saving mode period timer and the network side activation time timer.

6. After receiving the attach accept signaling sent by the MME, the terminal sets a local power saving mode indication "to" TRUE "or" 1 "if the information element" power saving mode acknowledgement "in the attach accept signaling is set to" TRUE ", indicating that the terminal enters the power saving mode.

If the value contained in the information element "power saving mode parameter" is not consistent with the value of the locally stored "power saving mode parameter", the terminal uses the "power saving mode parameter" contained in the attach accept message to replace the locally stored "power saving mode parameter" to be locally stored.

7. The terminal starts a terminal activation time timer and a terminal power saving mode period timer.

Wherein the value of the terminal activation time timer is set to "activation time" in the power saving mode parameter, and the value of the terminal power saving mode period timer is set to "power saving mode period" in the power saving mode parameter.

And when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state.

The terminal entering the dormant state means that the terminal turns off the wireless transceiver, but still stores the network information and cannot execute the called service.

And when the terminal power-saving mode period timer is up, restarting the terminal power-saving mode period timer and the terminal activation time timer, and enabling the terminal to enter an activation state.

The terminal enters into the activation state, which means that the terminal starts the wireless transceiver, searches and connects to the network, and can receive the paging message of the network at the moment to perform the called service.

8. And if the terminal detects that a new tracking area is entered, sending a tracking area updating request signaling to the MME.

After the terminal judges whether to enter a new tracking area by reading the tracking area identification in the network system message, if the tracking area identification is not in the tracking area identification list registered in the network by the terminal, the terminal judges that the terminal enters a new tracking area and needs to send a tracking area updating request signaling.

9. When the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, the terminal enters a connection state from an idle state, the terminal stops the terminal power-saving mode periodic timer, and if the terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped, and a service request is sent to the MME.

The calling service refers to a service actively initiated by the terminal, such as a voice call initiated by the terminal.

The called service is a service which is only initiated by the terminal passively, such as answering a voice call. Usually the called service is that the terminal is first paged and then initiates a service request.

10. After the MME receives a service request sent by the terminal, the MME enters a connection state from an idle state, stops the power saving mode period timer of the network side, and stops the activation time timer of the network side if the activation time timer of the network side is running.

11. After the service is finished, the MME enters an idle state from a connection state, and when the MME checks the power saving mode indication and the value of the power saving mode indication is 'TRUE' or '1', the MME starts a network side power saving mode period timer and starts a network side activation time timer.

12. After the service is finished, the terminal enters an idle state from a connection state, the terminal checks a power saving mode indication, and starts a terminal power saving mode periodic timer and a terminal activation time timer when the value of the power saving mode indication is TRUE or 1.

13. When the periodic tracking area updating timer of the terminal is up, the terminal enters a connection state from an idle state, the terminal stops the periodic timer of the power saving mode of the terminal, and if the periodic tracking area updating timer of the terminal is running, the terminal stops the periodic tracking area updating timer. And the terminal sends a tracking area updating request signaling to the MME.

14. After receiving a tracking area update request signaling sent by a terminal, the MME enters a connection state from an idle state, stops a network side power saving mode period timer, and stops the network side active time timer if the network side active time timer is running.

15. After the updating of the tracking area is completed, the MME sends a tracking area updating receiving signaling to the terminal;

16. after a tracking area update receiving signal is sent to a terminal, an MME enters an idle state from a connection state, the MME checks a power saving mode indication, and starts a network side power saving mode period timer and a network side activation time timer when the value of the power saving mode indication is TRUE or 1.

17. After receiving a tracking area update receiving signaling sent by an MME, a terminal enters an idle state from a connection state, checks a power saving mode indication, starts a terminal power saving mode period timer and starts a terminal activation time timer when the value of the power saving mode indication is TRUE or 1.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a tracking area update request signaling to the MME, where the tracking area update request signaling includes information shown in table 3:

TABLE 3

19. After receiving a tracking area update request signaling sent by a terminal, if the "activation time" in the "power saving mode parameter" is 0, the MME sets the "power saving mode indication" to "FALSE" or "0", stops the network side power saving mode cycle timer, and if the network side activation time timer is running, stops the network side activation time timer.

20. The MME sends a tracking area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the tracking area update accept signaling includes information shown in table 4:

TABLE 4

21. After receiving a tracking area update acceptance signaling sent by an MME (mobility management entity), if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' is 'FALSE', a 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', a terminal power saving mode period timer is stopped, and if a terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped.

Embodiment two (enter power saving mode by tracking area update request)

1. When the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. The terminal can request to enter a power saving mode by sending a tracking area updating request signaling to a mobility management unit (MME); the tracking area update request signaling contains information as shown in table 5:

TABLE 5

2. And after receiving the tracking area updating request signaling of the terminal, the MME locally stores the power saving mode parameters in the tracking area updating request signaling.

4. The MME sends a tracking area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the tracking area update accept signaling includes information shown in table 6:

TABLE 6

6. After receiving a tracking area update acceptance signaling sent by an MME, a terminal sets a local power saving mode indication to be 'TRUE' or '1' if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' in the signaling is set to be 'TRUE', and the terminal enters the power saving mode.

Steps 8-17 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and are not repeated herein.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a tracking area update request signaling to the MME, where the tracking area update request signaling includes information shown in table 7:

TABLE 7

20. The MME sends a tracking area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the tracking area update accept signaling includes information shown in table 8:

TABLE 8

Embodiment three (enter power saving mode via routing area update request)

1. When the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. The terminal can request to enter a power saving mode by sending a routing area update request signaling to a mobility management unit (SGSN); the routing area update request signaling contains information as shown in table 9:

TABLE 9

2. After receiving the routing area updating request signaling of the terminal, the SGSN locally stores the power saving mode parameters in the routing area updating request signaling.

3. The SGSN reads the "activation time" in the power saving mode parameter, and when the value is not 0, sets the "power saving mode indication" to "TRUE" or "1", indicating that the terminal enters the power saving mode.

The "power saving mode indication" is a context information element of the terminal stored at the SGSN to indicate whether the current terminal is in the power saving mode. The value of "power saving mode indication" may be boolean, and in this case, when set to "TRUE" indicates that the terminal is in power saving mode, and when set to "FALSE" indicates that the terminal is not in power saving mode. The value of "power saving mode indication" may be an integer, and in this case, when "1" is set, it indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, and when "0" is set, it indicates that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

4. The SGSN sends a routing area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the routing area update accept signaling contains information as shown in table 10:

watch 10

5. Meanwhile, SGSN starts the network side activation time timer and the network side power saving mode period timer.

Upon expiration of the network-side activation time timer, the SGSN clears the proceed paging flag ("PPF").

The "PPF" is a flag for indicating whether the terminal can be paged. After the "PPF" flag is cleared, the SGSN cannot page the terminal, and after receiving the downlink data notification message sent by the serving gateway, it should send a downlink data notification reject message to the serving gateway indicating that the terminal cannot page.

6. After receiving a routing area update acceptance signaling sent by an SGSN, a terminal sets a local power saving mode indication to be 'TRUE' or '1' if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' in the signaling is set to be 'TRUE', and the terminal enters the power saving mode.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a routing area update request signaling to the SGSN, where the routing area update request signaling contains information as shown in table 11:

TABLE 11

19. After SGSN receives the routing area update request signaling sent by the terminal, if the 'activation time' in the 'power saving mode parameter' is 0, the 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', the network side power saving mode cycle timer is stopped, if the network side activation time timer is running, the network side activation time timer is stopped.

20. The SGSN sends a routing area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the routing area update accept signaling contains information as shown in table 12:

TABLE 12

21. After the terminal receives the routing area update acceptance signaling sent by the SGSN, if the information element 'power saving mode confirmation' is 'FALSE', the 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', the terminal power saving mode period timer is stopped, and if the terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped.

Embodiment four (entry into power saving mode by power saving mode request)

1. When the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. The terminal can request to enter the power saving mode by sending a power saving mode request signaling to a mobility management unit (MME); the power saving mode request signaling contains information as shown in table 13:

watch 13

2. And after receiving the power saving mode request signaling of the terminal, the MME locally stores the power saving mode parameters in the power saving mode request signaling.

4. The MME sends a power saving mode accept signaling to the terminal, where the power saving mode accept signaling contains information shown in table 14:

TABLE 14

6. After receiving the power saving mode acceptance signaling sent by the MME, the terminal sets a local power saving mode indication to be 'TRUE' or '1' if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' in the signaling is set to be 'TRUE', and the terminal enters the power saving mode.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a power saving mode request signaling to the MME, where the power saving mode request signaling contains information shown in table 15:

watch 15

19. After receiving a power saving mode request signaling sent by a terminal, the MME sets a power saving mode indication to 'FALSE' or '0' if the 'activation time' in the 'power saving mode parameter' is 0, stops a network side power saving mode cycle timer, and stops the network side activation time timer if the network side activation time timer is running.

20. MME sends power saving mode accept signaling to the terminal, where the power saving mode accept signaling contains information as shown in table 16:

TABLE 16

21. After receiving a power saving mode receiving signaling sent by an MME (mobility management entity), if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' is 'FALSE', a 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', a terminal power saving mode period timer is stopped, and if a terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped.

Example five (activation time and sleep time timers, different, other corresponding examples one)

1. When the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. After the terminal is started, sending an attachment request signaling to a mobility management unit MME; the attach request signaling contains information as shown in table 17:

TABLE 17

4. The MME sends an attach accept signaling to the terminal, where the attach accept signaling includes information as shown in table 18:

watch 18

5. Meanwhile, the MME starts a network side activation time timer.

Wherein the network side activation time timer is set according to the 'activation time' in the power saving mode parameter. The network side activation time timer may be set equal to "activation time", or slightly greater than "activation time", e.g., set to "activation time" +4 minutes.

And when the network side activation time timer expires, the MME starts a network side dormancy time timer.

When the network side dormancy time timer is started, the MME can not page the terminal, and after receiving a downlink data notification message sent by a serving gateway, the MME should send a downlink data notification rejection message to the serving gateway to indicate that the terminal can not page.

And when the network side dormancy time timer is up, the MME restarts the network side activation time timer.

Wherein the network side sleep time timer is set according to the 'sleep time' in the power saving mode parameter. The network side sleep time timer may be set to be equal to the "sleep time" or to be slightly larger than the "sleep time", wherein the slightly larger value may be set according to actual conditions, for example, may be set according to the transmission delay between the network side and the terminal, or the processing speed of the intermediate process, etc. For example, set to "sleep time" +4 minutes.

Thus, the network side active time and the network side sleep time cycle are started.

7. The terminal starts a terminal activation time timer.

Wherein the value of the terminal activation time timer is set to "activation time" in the power saving mode parameter.

And when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal starts a terminal dormancy time timer.

The terminal enters a sleep state when the terminal sleep time timer is started. The terminal entering the dormant state means that the terminal turns off the wireless transceiver, but still stores the network information and cannot execute the called service.

And when the terminal dormancy timer arrives, the terminal restarts the terminal activation time timer.

And the terminal enters an activation state when the terminal activation time timer is started. The terminal enters into the activation state, which means that the terminal starts the wireless transceiver, searches and connects to the network, and can receive the paging message of the network at the moment to perform the called service.

9. When a terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, the terminal enters a connection state from an idle state, if the terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped, and if the terminal dormancy time timer is running, the terminal dormancy time timer is stopped, and a service request is sent to an MME.

The called service refers to a service which is passively initiated by the terminal, such as the terminal receiving a voice call.

10. After receiving a service request sent by a terminal, the MME enters a connection state from an idle state, stops the network side activation time timer if the network side activation time timer is running, and stops the network side dormancy time timer if the network side dormancy time timer is running.

11. After the service is finished, the MME enters an idle state from a connection state, and when the MME checks the power saving mode indication and the value of the power saving mode indication is 'TRUE' or '1', the MME starts a network side activation time timer.

12. After the service is finished, the terminal enters an idle state from a connection state, the terminal checks a power saving mode indication, and starts a terminal activation time timer when the value of the power saving mode indication is TRUE or 1.

13. When the periodic tracking area updating timer of the terminal is up, the terminal enters a connection state from an idle state, if the terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped, and if the terminal dormancy time timer is running, the terminal dormancy time timer is stopped. And the terminal sends a tracking area updating request signaling to the MME.

14. After receiving a tracking area update request signaling sent by a terminal, an MME enters a connection state from an idle state, stops a network side active time timer if the network side active time timer is running, and stops the network side dormant time timer if the network side dormant time timer is running.

16. after a tracking area update receiving signal is sent to a terminal, an MME enters an idle state from a connection state, and when the MME checks a power saving mode indication and the value of the power saving mode indication is 'TRUE' or '1', a network side activation time timer is started.

17. After receiving a tracking area update receiving signaling sent by an MME, a terminal enters an idle state from a connection state, the terminal checks a power saving mode indication, and starts a terminal activation time timer when the value of the power saving mode indication is TRUE or 1.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a tracking area update request signaling to the MME, where the tracking area update request signaling includes information shown in table 19:

watch 19

19. After receiving a tracking area update request signaling sent by a terminal, an MME sets a power saving mode indication to 'FALSE' or '0' if the 'activation time' in the 'power saving mode parameter' is 0, stops a network side activation time timer if the network side activation time timer is running, and stops the network side sleep time timer if the network side sleep time timer is running.

20. MME sends tracking area update accept signaling to terminal, the tracking area update accept signaling contains information as shown in table 20:

watch 20

21. After receiving a tracking area update acceptance signaling sent by an MME, if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' is 'FALSE', a 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', if a terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped, and if the terminal dormancy time timer is running, the terminal dormancy time timer is stopped.

Example six (different timer, corresponding to example two):

1. when the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. The terminal sends a tracking area updating request signaling to a mobility management unit MME; the tracking area update request signaling contains information as shown in table 21:

TABLE 21

4. The MME sends a tracking area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the tracking area update accept signaling includes information shown in table 22:

TABLE 22

5. Meanwhile, the MME starts a network side activation time timer.

7. The terminal starts a terminal activation time timer.

Steps 8-17 are the same as example V and will not be described herein.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a tracking area update request signaling to the MME, where the tracking area update request signaling includes information shown in table 23:

TABLE 23

20. The MME sends a tracking area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the tracking area update accept signaling includes information shown in table 24:

watch 24

Example seven (different timer, corresponding to example three):

1. when the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. The terminal sends a routing area updating request signaling to a mobility management unit (SGSN); the routing area update request signaling contains information as shown in table 25:

TABLE 25

4. The MME sends a routing area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the routing area update accept signaling includes information shown in table 26:

watch 26

5. Meanwhile, the MME starts a network side activation time timer.

7. The terminal starts a terminal activation time timer.

And the terminal enters an activation state when the terminal activation time timer is started. The terminal entering into the activated state means that the terminal starts the wireless transceiver, searches and connects to the network, and can receive the paging message of the network at the moment to perform the called service

Steps 8-17 are the same as example V and will not be described herein.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a routing area update request signaling to the SGSN, where the routing area update request signaling contains information as shown in table 27:

watch 27

19. After receiving a routing area update request signaling sent by a terminal, the SGSN sets a power saving mode indication to "FALSE" or "0" if the "activation time" in the "power saving mode parameter" is 0, stops the network side activation time timer if the network side activation time timer is running, and stops the network side dormancy time timer if the network side dormancy time timer is running.

20. The SGSN sends a routing area update accept signaling to the terminal, where the routing area update accept signaling contains information as shown in table 28:

watch 28

21. After the terminal receives the routing area update acceptance signaling sent by the SGSN, if the information element 'power saving mode confirmation' is 'FALSE', the 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', if the terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped, and if the terminal dormancy time timer is running, the terminal dormancy time timer is stopped.

Example eight (different timer, corresponding to example four):

1. when the traffic of the terminal only requires the terminal to transmit data once in a fixed time period, the terminal may request the network to enter a power saving mode. The terminal sends a power saving mode request signaling to a mobility management unit MME; the power saving mode request signaling contains information as shown in table 29:

watch 29

4. MME sends power saving mode accept signaling to the terminal, where the power saving mode accept signaling contains information as shown in table 30:

watch 30

5. Meanwhile, the MME starts a network side activation time timer.

7. The terminal starts a terminal activation time timer.

Steps 8-17 are the same as example V and will not be described herein.

18. When the terminal traffic changes, such as requiring the terminal to continuously transmit and receive data, the terminal may request the network to leave the power saving mode. The terminal sends a power saving mode request signaling to the MME, where the power saving mode update request signaling contains information shown in table 31:

watch 31

19. After receiving a power saving mode update request signaling sent by a terminal, an MME sets a power saving mode indication to 'FALSE' or '0' if the 'activation time' in the 'power saving mode parameter' is 0, stops a network side activation time timer if the network side activation time timer is running, and stops the network side sleep time timer if the network side sleep time timer is running.

20. The MME sends a power saving mode accept signaling to the terminal, where the power saving mode accept signaling includes information shown in table 32:

watch 32

21. After receiving a power saving mode receiving signaling sent by an MME, if an information element 'power saving mode confirmation' is 'FALSE', a 'power saving mode indication' is set to 'FALSE' or '0', if a terminal activation time timer is running, the terminal activation time timer is stopped, and if the terminal dormancy time timer is running, the terminal dormancy time timer is stopped.

In another embodiment, a software is provided, which is used to execute the technical solutions described in the above embodiments and the preferred embodiments.

In another embodiment, a storage medium is provided, wherein the software is stored in the storage medium, and the storage medium includes, but is not limited to, an optical disc, a floppy disc, a hard disc, a rewritable memory, and the like.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the modules or steps of the present invention described above may be implemented by a general purpose computing device, they may be centralized on a single computing device or distributed across a network of multiple computing devices, and alternatively, they may be implemented by program code executable by a computing device, such that they may be stored in a storage device and executed by a computing device, and in some cases, the steps shown or described may be performed in an order different than that described herein, or they may be separately fabricated into individual integrated circuit modules, or multiple ones of them may be fabricated into a single integrated circuit module. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention, and various modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art. Any modification, equivalent replacement, or improvement made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a terminal, comprising:

a mobile management unit receives a first control signaling of a terminal;

and the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving the first control signaling of the terminal by the mobility management unit comprises:

the first control signaling carries power saving parameters, wherein the power saving parameters include at least one of the following parameters: an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, wherein the power saving mode cycle time is greater than the activation time; alternatively, the activation time and the sleep time.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the setting, by the mobility management unit, the first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling comprises:

and the mobility management unit sets a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the activation time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the setting, by the mobility management unit, the first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the activation time comprises:

in a case where the activation time is not 0, the mobility management unit sets the first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein if the activation time is not 0, further comprising:

the mobility management unit starts a network side activation time timer and a network side power saving mode cycle timer in case that the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time;

when the network side activation time timer is up, the mobility management unit removes the paging identifier;

or,

the mobility management unit starts a network side activation time timer when the power saving parameter includes an activation time and a sleep time;

and when the network side activation time timer is up, the mobility management unit clears the paging identifier.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

when the power saving parameters include activation time and power saving mode cycle time and the network side power saving mode cycle timer expires, the mobility management unit restarts the network side power saving mode cycle timer and the network side activation time timer.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and dormancy time, the mobility management unit starts a network side dormancy time timer when the network side activation time timer expires; and starting the network side activation time timer when the network side dormancy time timer is up.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the setting, by the mobility management unit, the first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the activation time comprises:

in the case where the activation time is 0, the mobility management unit sets the first power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein in the case that the activation time is 0, further comprising:

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer is started;

if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer;

or,

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and dormancy time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer or a network side dormancy time timer is started;

and if the judgment result is yes, the mobility management unit stops the network side activation time timer or the network side dormancy time timer.

10. The method according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein after the mobility management unit receives the first control signaling of the terminal, the method further comprises:

and the mobility management unit sends a second control signaling to the terminal, wherein the second control signaling carries power saving mode confirmation information, and the power saving mode confirmation information is used for the mobility management unit to indicate whether the terminal can enter the power saving mode.

11. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising:

when the state of the terminal is changed from an idle state to a connection state and the power saving parameter comprises activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer is in starting;

or,

when the state of the terminal is changed from an idle state to a connection state and the power saving parameter comprises activation time and dormancy time, the mobility management unit judges whether a network side activation time timer or a network side dormancy time timer is started or not;

12. The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, further comprising:

and when the terminal is converted from a connection state to an idle state and the first power saving mode identifier indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, the mobility management unit starts the network side activation time timer.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the state transition of the terminal from the idle state to the connected state comprises at least one of:

when receiving a calling service or a called service initiated by the terminal, the mobility management unit converts the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connection state;

and when receiving a tracking area updating request or a routing area updating request initiated by the terminal, the mobility management unit converts the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connection state.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein after the mobility management unit changes the state of the terminal from an idle state to a connected state when receiving a calling service or a called service initiated by the terminal, the method further comprises:

when the terminal finishes the calling service or the called service, the mobility management unit converts the state of the terminal from a connection state to an idle state.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14,

the first control signaling comprises at least one of: attach request signaling, tracking area update request signaling, routing area update request signaling, and power saving mode request signaling; and/or the presence of a gas in the gas,

the second control signaling comprises at least one of: an attachment receiving signaling, a tracking area updating receiving signaling, a routing area updating receiving signaling and a power saving mode receiving signaling.

16. The method according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the mobility management unit comprises at least one of: a mobile management entity MME and a serving general packet radio service support node SGSN.

17. A method of controlling a terminal, comprising:

the terminal receives a second control signaling from the mobility management unit;

and the terminal sets a second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling, wherein the second power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the second control signaling contains power saving mode acknowledgement information, wherein the power saving mode acknowledgement information is used by the mobility management unit to indicate whether the terminal can enter the power saving mode.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein in case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal can enter the power saving mode, the terminal sets a second power saving mode flag according to the second control signaling comprises:

and the terminal sets the second power saving mode identifier to indicate that the terminal is in the power saving mode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the second control signaling further comprises a power saving parameter, wherein the power saving parameter comprises at least one of: an activation time and a power saving mode cycle time, wherein the power saving mode cycle time is greater than the activation time; alternatively, the activation time and the sleep time.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein in case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal can enter the power saving mode, the method further comprises:

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the terminal starts a terminal activation time timer and a terminal power saving mode cycle timer; when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state;

or,

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and sleep time, the terminal starts a terminal activation time timer; and when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal enters a dormant state.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

and when the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time and the terminal power saving mode cycle timer expires, the terminal restarts the terminal power saving mode cycle timer and the terminal activation time timer.

23. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and sleep time, when the terminal activation time timer is up, the terminal starts a terminal sleep time timer; and starting the terminal activation time timer when the terminal dormancy time timer is up.

24. The method according to claim 21, further comprising, after the terminal activation time timer is started:

and under the condition of entering a new tracking area or routing area, the terminal sends a tracking area updating request signaling or a routing area updating request signaling to the mobility management unit.

25. The method according to claim 18, wherein in case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal leaves or cannot enter the power saving mode, the terminal sets a second power saving mode flag according to the second control signaling comprises:

the terminal sets the second power saving mode flag to indicate that the terminal is not in the power saving mode.

26. The method according to claim 25, wherein in case that the power saving mode confirmation information indicates that the mobility management unit confirms that the terminal cannot enter or leave the power saving mode, further comprising:

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the terminal judges whether a terminal activation time timer is started;

if the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal to activate the time timer;

or,

under the condition that the power saving parameters comprise activation time and sleep time, the terminal judges whether a terminal activation time timer or a terminal sleep time timer is started or not;

and under the condition that the judgment result is yes, the terminal stops the terminal activation time timer or the terminal dormancy time timer.

27. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising:

when the terminal is switched from an idle state to a connection state and the power saving parameter comprises activation time and power saving mode cycle time, the terminal judges whether a terminal activation time timer is started or not;

or,

when the terminal is switched from an idle state to a connection state and the power saving parameter comprises activation time and sleep time, the terminal judges whether a terminal activation time timer or a terminal sleep time timer is started or not;

28. The method of any one of claims 21 to 24, further comprising:

and when the terminal is converted from the connection state to the idle state and the second power saving mode identifier indicates that the terminal is in the power saving mode, the terminal starts the terminal activation time timer.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the transition of the terminal from the idle state to the connected state comprises at least one of:

when the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service, the terminal is converted from an idle state to a connection state;

and when the terminal initiates a tracking area updating request or a routing area updating request, the terminal is converted into a connection state from an idle state.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein after the terminal initiates a calling service or a called service and the terminal changes from an idle state to a connected state, the method further comprises:

and when the terminal finishes the calling service or the called service, the terminal is converted into an idle state from a connection state.

31. The method of any one of claims 17 to 30,

32. An apparatus for controlling a terminal in a mobility management unit, comprising:

a first receiving module, configured to receive a first control signaling of a terminal;

and the first setting module is used for setting a first power saving mode identifier for the terminal according to the first control signaling, wherein the first power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

33. An apparatus for controlling a terminal, located in the terminal, comprising:

a second receiving module, configured to receive a second control signaling from the mobility management unit;

and the second setting module is used for setting a second power saving mode identifier according to the second control signaling, wherein the second power saving mode identifier is used for indicating whether the terminal is in a power saving mode.

34. A system for controlling terminals, characterized in that it comprises means for controlling terminals in a mobility management unit according to claim 32, and further comprises means for controlling terminals in terminals according to claim 33.