Resource release method and deviceTechnical Field
The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for releasing resources in path switching from a direct communication path to a communication path via a core network.
Background
Third generation partnership project (The 3)rdGeneration Partnership, 3 GPP), the data path of which is shown in fig. 1, UE1 (User Equipment, UE; user equipment, also known as a terminal) sends Data to the eNB serving it, and the eNB will pass the Data to a core Network equipment Serving Gateway (SGW) and a Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW; PGW) will route data to PGW and SGW serving UE1 according to the routing indication of UE1, and SGW serving UE2 will deliver data to eNB of UE2, and then to UE2 through eNB. The example shown in fig. 1 is a scenario where the SGWs and PGWs of UE1 and UE2 are the same, omitting the process of routing data for the PGW serving UE1 to the PGW serving UE 2.
As can be seen from the communication process shown in fig. 1, even if the two terminals are located very close to each other, the communication data of the two terminals need to reach the opposite terminal via the serving eNB and the core network device, the communication delay is very long, and the resources of the network are also occupied. Therefore, 3GPP is now studying communication technology between neighboring devices, i.e. when the two communicating parties are in close proximity, direct communication between two UEs can be realized or fast communication between two UEs can be realized only by means of eNB communication.
Fig. 2A illustrates a data transmission path between terminals after proximity communication is implemented, in which a UE1 and a UE2 can directly perform data transmission without passing through any network equipment; fig. 2B illustrates another data transmission path between terminals after proximity communication is implemented, in which UE1 and UE2 are connected to the same eNB through which UE1 and UE2 can forward data without routing the data to a core network for forwarding. The above two data transmission modes of the direct communication path (also referred to as the adjacent communication path) can reduce the delay of data transmission and save the network resources, especially the network resources of the core network.
According to the current protocol requirements, the network supports the UE to have both a communication path transmission mode via the core network and a direct communication path transmission mode not via the core network. When two UEs are in proximity, the network may switch a certain user service session from a communication path via the core network to a direct communication path; when the direct communication path can not be maintained, the traffic data flow path on the direct communication path can also be switched to the communication path via the core network. In addition, the path switching process of the traffic flow between the direct communication path and the communication path via the core network should not affect other activated traffic data flows.
An operator can control and allocate resources for a direct communication path to a UE, and in order to avoid resource waste, the current protocol requires that, after a path switching process from the direct communication path to a communication path via a core network occurs to the UE, a network side and a UE side need to release stored resources and context information for the direct communication path, but no specific solution exists at present.
To sum up, at present, when a communication path between two UEs is switched from a direct communication path to a communication path via a core network, there is no specific solution for releasing resources and context information stored on a network side and a UE side for the direct communication path.
Disclosure of Invention
The embodiment of the invention provides a resource release method and a device in path switching from a direct communication path to a communication path via a core network.
The embodiment of the invention provides a resource release method, which comprises the following steps:
the first terminal determines that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated;
and the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal, and requests the first base station where the first terminal is located to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As an implementation manner, the first terminal first releases the resources related to the direct communication path that are stored by the first terminal, and then requests the first base station to perform a release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As another implementation manner, the first terminal first requests the first base station to perform a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and after receiving a response message returned by the first base station, releases the resource related to the direct communication path that is stored by the first terminal, where the response message is sent by the first base station after the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path is completed.
Based on the two different implementation manners, the releasing, by the first terminal, the resource related to the direct communication path, which is stored by the first terminal, specifically includes:
the first terminal directly releases the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first terminal; or,
the first terminal sends a resource release request to the second terminal, and releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal after receiving a resource release response returned by the second terminal, wherein the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal; or,
and the first terminal starts a configured timer and releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal when the timer is overtime.
Based on the two different implementation manners, the releasing, by the first terminal, the resource related to the direct communication path, which is stored by the first terminal, specifically includes:
the first terminal starts a configured timer;
the first terminal sends a resource release request to the second terminal;
if a resource release response returned by the second terminal is received before the timer is overtime, the first terminal releases the resources which are stored by the first terminal and are related to the direct communication path, and the timer is closed; otherwise, the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal when the timer is overtime;
the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after the second terminal completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the second terminal.
In implementation, the sending, by the first terminal, the resource release request to the second terminal specifically includes:
and the first terminal sends the resource release request to the second terminal through a direct communication interface between the first terminal and the second terminal.
In implementations, the method further comprises:
and the first terminal receives a response message returned by the first base station, wherein the response message is used for informing the first terminal that the first base station finishes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
Another resource release method provided in the embodiments of the present invention includes:
a first base station where a first terminal is located receives request information sent by the first terminal, wherein the request information is used for requesting the first base station to execute a release process of resources related to a direct communication path between the first terminal and a second terminal;
the first base station performs a release procedure of resources related to the direct communication path.
In an implementation, after the first base station completes the release procedure of the resources related to the direct communication path, the method further includes:
and the first base station sends a response message to the first terminal, wherein the response message is used for informing the first terminal that the first base station completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As a specific application scenario, if the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are the same base station, the first base station performs a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, which specifically includes:
when receiving request information sent by the first terminal and receiving request information sent by the second terminal and used for requesting the first base station to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station; or,
and when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first base station.
As another specific application scenario, if the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are different base stations and an interface connection exists between the first base station and the second base station, the first base station performs a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, which specifically includes:
when request information sent by the first terminal is received, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first base station; or,
when receiving request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and the first base station requests the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through the interface; wherein the second base station transmits a response message to the first base station after completing the release procedure of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As another specific application scenario, if the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are different base stations and there is no interface connection between the first base station and the second base station, the first base station performs a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, which specifically includes:
when request information sent by the first terminal is received, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first base station; or,
when request information sent by the first terminal is received, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path, wherein the resources are stored by the first base station, and the first base station requests the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through a first Mobility Management Entity (MME) where the first terminal is located and a second MME where the second terminal is located; wherein the second base station sends a response message to the first base station through the second MME and the first MME after completing a release process of resources related to the direct communication path.
The embodiment of the invention provides a terminal, which comprises:
the first processing module is used for determining that a direct communication path between the first processing module and the second terminal is not used;
and the second processing module is used for releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second processing module and requesting the first base station where the second processing module is located to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As an implementation manner, the second processing module is specifically configured to: and releasing the resources related to the direct communication path, which are stored by the first base station, and then requesting the first base station to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As another implementation manner, the second processing module is specifically configured to: requesting a first base station to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, and releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station after receiving a response message returned by the first base station, wherein the response message is sent after the first base station completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
Based on the two different implementation manners, the releasing, by the second processing module, the resource related to the direct communication path, which is stored by the second processing module, specifically includes:
directly releasing self-stored resources related to the direct communication path; or,
sending a resource release request to the second terminal, and after receiving a resource release response returned by the second terminal, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal, wherein the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal; or,
starting a configured timer, and releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the self when the timer is overtime.
Based on the two different implementation manners, the releasing, by the second processing module, the resource related to the direct communication path, which is stored by the second processing module, specifically includes:
starting a configured timer;
sending a resource release request to the second terminal;
if a resource release response returned by the second terminal is received before the timer is overtime, releasing the resources which are stored by the second terminal and are related to the direct communication path, and closing the timer; otherwise, when the timer is overtime, releasing the resources which are stored by the timer and are related to the direct communication path;
the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after the second terminal completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the second terminal.
In an implementation, the second processing module is specifically configured to:
and sending the resource release request to the second terminal through a direct communication interface between the second terminal and the second terminal.
In an implementation, the second processing module is further configured to:
and receiving a response message returned by the first base station, wherein the response message is used for informing the first base station that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed.
An embodiment of the present invention provides a base station, where the base station includes:
a receiving module, configured to receive request information sent by the first terminal, where the request information is used to request to execute a release process of a resource related to a direct communication path between the first terminal and a second terminal;
a processing module for performing a release procedure of resources associated with the direct communication path.
In implementations, the processing module is further to:
after the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed, sending a response message to the first terminal, wherein the response message is used for informing that the first terminal completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
As a specific application scenario, if the second base station where the second terminal is located is the same base station, the processing module executes a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, specifically:
when the receiving module receives the request information sent by the first terminal, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module; or,
and when the receiving module receives the request information sent by the first terminal and receives the request information which is sent by the second terminal and used for requesting to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the receiving module.
As another specific application scenario, if the second base station where the second terminal is located is a different base station and there is an interface connection with the second base station, the processing module executes a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, specifically:
when the receiving module receives the request information sent by the first terminal, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module; or,
when the receiving module receives the request information sent by the first terminal, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module, and requesting the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through the interface; wherein the second base station transmits a response message after completing a release procedure of resources related to the direct communication path.
As another specific application scenario, if the second base station where the second terminal is located is a different base station and there is no interface connection with the second base station, the processing module executes a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, specifically:
when the receiving module receives the request information sent by the first terminal, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module; or,
when the receiving module receives request information sent by the first terminal, resources related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module are released, and the second base station is requested to release the resources related to the direct communication path through a first MME where the first terminal is located and a second MME where the second terminal is located; wherein the second base station transmits a response message after completing a release procedure of resources related to the direct communication path.
In the embodiment of the invention, the first terminal determines that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated; the first terminal releases the information related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal, and the first terminal requests the first base station where the first terminal is located to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path. Therefore, when the direct communication path between two UEs is terminated, the embodiment of the invention provides a specific solution for how the UE side releases and saves the resources related to the direct communication path.
In the embodiment of the invention, a first base station where a first terminal is located receives request information sent by the first terminal, wherein the request information is used for requesting the first base station to execute a release process of resources related to a direct communication path between the first terminal and a second terminal; the first base station performs a release procedure of resources related to the direct communication path. Therefore, when the direct communication path between two UEs is terminated, the embodiment of the present invention provides a specific solution for how the network side releases and saves the resources related to the direct communication path.
Drawings
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication path between two pieces of user equipment via a core network in the prior art;
fig. 2A is a schematic diagram of a direct communication path between two ues defined in the existing protocol;
fig. 2B is a schematic diagram of a direct communication path between two ues defined in the existing protocol only via eNB;
fig. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a resource release method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction between a first terminal and a second terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
fig. 5 is a schematic flowchart of another resource release method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic flow chart illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8A is a schematic flow chart of a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8B is another schematic flow chart diagram according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a schematic flow chart of a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a schematic flow chart of a fifth embodiment of the present invention;
fig. 11 is a schematic diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;
fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description
The embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail with reference to the drawings attached hereto.
Referring to fig. 3, a resource releasing method provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes the following steps:
step 31, the first terminal determines that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is used;
specifically, assuming that the first terminal and the second terminal use the direct communication path to transmit the data stream, if the direct communication between the first terminal and the second terminal is finished or the set direct communication condition is not satisfied between the first terminal and the second terminal, the first terminal determines that the direct communication path is terminated.
For example, the set direct communication condition may be that the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal satisfies a set condition, for example, the distance between the first terminal and the second terminal is not greater than a set threshold; for another example, the link quality of the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is higher than the set threshold; and so on.
Step 32, the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself, and the first terminal requests the first base station where itself is located to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
In embodiments of the present invention, the information related to the direct communication includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
the resources allocated to the direct communication path, and context information corresponding to the direct communication path.
In this implementation, preferably, after the first terminal determines that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, the method further includes:
the first terminal switches the data flow on the direct communication path to a communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal through a core network.
It should be noted that, if the method further includes a path switching process, step 32 may be executed before the path switching process, or may be executed after the path switching process is completed.
In practice, further, after step 32, the method further comprises:
and the first terminal receives a response message returned by the first base station, wherein the response message is used for informing the first terminal that the first base station completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
Specifically, after receiving the request information of the first terminal, the first base station executes a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and after completing the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, sends a response message to the first terminal to notify that the first terminal itself has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path.
In this embodiment of the present invention, the first terminal may be an initiating device for direct communication, and may also be an opposite device for direct communication, specifically:
if the first terminal is the initiating terminal device of the direct communication, the second terminal is the opposite terminal device of the direct communication; and if the first terminal is the opposite terminal equipment of the direct communication, the second terminal is the initiating terminal equipment of the direct communication.
As a preferred implementation, the first terminal is an initiating device of the direct communication.
In practice, step 32 further includes the following two specific implementations:
in a first implementation manner, after determining that a direct communication path between a first base station and a second base station is terminated, a first base station requests a first base station to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, wherein the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path and is stored by the first base station;
in this implementation, the first terminal may release the resources related to the direct communication path, which are stored by the first terminal, according to any one of the following methods:
the method comprises the steps that a first terminal directly releases resources which are stored by the first terminal and are related to a direct communication path;
specifically, after determining that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, the first terminal directly releases the resources related to the direct communication path, which are stored by the first terminal.
The second method releases the direct communication path through the explicit signaling, specifically:
the first terminal sends a resource release request to the second terminal, and releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal after receiving a resource release response returned by the second terminal, wherein the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal;
specifically, after determining that a direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, the first terminal sends a resource release request to the second terminal; the second terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path after receiving the resource release request, and returns a resource release response to the first terminal after completing the release process; and after receiving the resource release response, the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first terminal.
Preferably, the first terminal sends the resource release request to the second terminal through a direct communication interface with the second terminal.
Correspondingly, after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal, the second terminal returns a resource release response to the first terminal through the sent direct communication interface.
The third method releases the direct communication path by configuring a timer, and specifically comprises the following steps:
the first terminal starts a configured timer, and releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal when the timer is overtime;
specifically, the first terminal starts a configured timer when determining that a direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, or when a path switching process from the direct communication path to a communication path via a core network is completed, and releases resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal when the timer is overtime.
Correspondingly, the second terminal also adopts the method to release the resources which are stored by the second terminal and are related to the direct communication path;
specifically, the second terminal starts a configured timer when determining that the direct communication path between the second terminal and the first terminal is terminated, or when a path switching process from the direct communication path to the communication path via the core network is completed, and releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal when the timer is overtime.
The fourth method, combining the explicit signaling and the configuration timer, releases the direct communication path, specifically including the following two cases:
in case one, a first terminal starts a configured timer, sends a resource release request to a second terminal, and if a resource release response returned by the second terminal is received before the timer times out, releases resources stored by the first terminal and related to the direct communication path, and closes the timer;
specifically, the first terminal starts a configured timer when determining that a direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated to use or when a path switching process from the direct communication path to a communication path via a core network is completed; during this period, a resource release request may be sent to the second terminal, and if a resource release response returned by the second terminal is received before the timer expires, the resource stored in the second terminal and associated with the direct communication path may be released, and the timer may be closed.
Accordingly, the processing at the second terminal side includes the following two types:
firstly, the second terminal also starts a configured timer when determining that the direct communication path between the second terminal and the first terminal is terminated to use or finishing the path switching process from the direct communication path to the communication path via the core network; during the period, if a resource release request sent by the first terminal is received, releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal, closing the timer, and returning a resource release response to the first terminal; otherwise, when the timer is overtime, releasing the resources which are stored by the timer and are related to the direct communication path;
and secondly, the second terminal does not execute any operation before, releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal when receiving the resource release request sent by the first terminal, and returns a resource release response to the first terminal.
Preferably, the first terminal sends the resource release request to the second terminal through a direct communication interface with the second terminal.
Correspondingly, after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal, the second terminal returns a resource release response to the first terminal through the sent direct communication interface.
And in the second situation, the first terminal starts a configured timer, sends a resource release request to the second terminal, does not receive a resource release response returned by the second terminal before the timer is overtime, and releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal when the timer is overtime.
Specifically, the first terminal starts a configured timer when determining that a direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated to use or when a path switching process from the direct communication path to a communication path via a core network is completed; during this period, a resource release request may be sent to the second terminal, and if a resource release response returned by the second terminal is not received before the timer expires, the resource stored in the second terminal and related to the direct communication path may be released when the timer expires.
Preferably, the first terminal sends the resource release request to the second terminal through a direct communication interface with the second terminal.
Correspondingly, after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal, the second terminal returns a resource release response to the first terminal through the sent direct communication interface.
In the first and third methods, the first terminal only releases the resources related to the direct communication path that are stored by the first terminal, and does not request the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path; in the second and fourth methods, the first terminal not only releases the resources related to the direct communication path that are stored by itself, but also requests the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path.
In a second implementation manner, when determining that a direct communication path between the first base station and the second terminal is terminated, the first terminal first requests the first base station to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, and after receiving a response message returned by the first base station, releases resources related to the direct communication path that are stored by the first base station, where the response message is sent by the first base station after the first base station completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
In this implementation, after receiving the response message returned by the first base station, the first terminal may release the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself according to any one of the first to fourth methods; for details of the first to fourth methods, reference is made to the above detailed description, which is not repeated herein.
In implementation, the process of explicit signaling interaction between the first terminal and the second terminal, as shown in fig. 4, includes the following steps:
step 41, the first terminal sends a resource release request to the second terminal to request the second terminal to release the resource related to the direct communication path;
and step 42, the second terminal receives the resource release request, releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second terminal, and returns a resource release response to the first terminal.
Based on the foregoing embodiment, an embodiment of the present invention further provides another resource release method, which is shown in fig. 5 and includes the following steps:
step 51, the first base station where the first terminal is located receives request information sent by the first terminal, where the request information is used to request the first base station to execute a release process of resources related to a direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal;
step 52 the first base station performs a release procedure of the resources associated with the direct communication path.
Further, after step 52, the method further comprises:
and after the first base station completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path, sending a response message to the first terminal, wherein the response message is used for informing that the first terminal completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
In embodiments of the present invention, the information related to the direct communication includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
the resources allocated to the direct communication path, and context information corresponding to the direct communication path.
In implementation, the embodiment of the present invention includes the following three specific application scenarios:
the first application scenario, the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are the same base station.
In this application scenario, the first base station performs a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path in step 52, specifically including the following two processing manners:
in the mode A, when receiving request information sent by a first terminal and receiving request information sent by a second terminal and used for requesting the first base station to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path, wherein the resources are stored by the first base station;
in this manner, the first terminal and the second terminal respectively send request information to the first base station to request the first base station to execute a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and the first base station releases the resource related to the direct communication path that is stored by the first base station only when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal and the second terminal respectively.
The following describes in detail the interaction process between the terminal side and the network side in this manner with reference to the preferred embodiments.
In the first embodiment and the present embodiment, both the UE1 and the UE2 reside in an eNB, and after determining that the direct communication path between the UE1 (or the UE 2) and the UE2 (or the UE 1) is terminated, the UE1 (or the UE 2) switches the data flow on the direct communication path to the communication path between the UE2 (or the UE 1) and the core network. Referring to fig. 6, the resource release process includes the following steps:
step 61a, UE1 sends a path switching notification to eNB, notifies eNB that the path switching process is completed, and requests eNB to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path;
step 61b, UE2 sends a path switching notification to eNB, notifies eNB that the path switching process is completed, and requests eNB to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path;
in this embodiment, the execution order of step 61a and step 61b is not limited.
Step 62, the eNB locally releases the resources of the direct communication path, that is, the eNB releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself;
specifically, the eNB releases the air interface resources allocated to the direct communication path between the UE1 and the UE2 and deletes the context information about the direct communication path stored by the eNB.
Step 63a, after completing the resource release process, the eNB returns a response message to the UE1 to notify the UE1 that the resource release is completed;
step 63b, after completing the resource release process, the eNB returns a response message to the UE2 to notify the UE2 that the resource release is completed;
in this embodiment, the execution sequence of the steps 63a and 63b is not limited.
In the mode B, when the first base station receives the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources which are stored by the first base station and are related to the direct communication path;
in the method, a first base station controls the process of releasing a direct communication path on a network side;
specifically, the method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that when a first terminal determines that a direct communication path between the first terminal and a second terminal is terminated to be used, request information is sent to a first base station; when receiving the request message sent by the first terminal, the first base station directly executes the process of releasing the direct communication path at the network side, namely releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station.
The following describes in detail the interaction process between the terminal side and the network side in this manner with reference to the preferred embodiments.
In the second embodiment and this embodiment, both the UE1 and the UE2 reside in an eNB, and after determining that the direct communication path between the UE1 (or the UE 2) and the UE2 (or the UE 1) is terminated, the UE1 (or the UE 2) switches the data flow on the direct communication path to the communication path between the UE2 (or the UE 1) and the core network. Referring to fig. 7, the resource release process is as follows:
step 71, UE1 sends a path switching notification to eNB, notifies eNB that the path switching process is completed, and requests eNB to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path;
step 72, the eNB locally releases the resources of the direct communication path, that is, the eNB releases the resources related to the direct communication path;
specifically, the eNB releases the air interface resources allocated to the direct communication path between the UE1 and the UE2 and deletes the context information about the direct communication path stored by the eNB.
Step 73, after completing the resource release process, the eNB returns a response message to the UE1 to notify the UE1 that the resource release is completed.
In the above application scenario, which way the first base station specifically uses to execute the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path may be specified in the protocol, or may be determined by negotiation between the terminal and the base station, as long as it is ensured that the understanding of the terminal (the first terminal and the second terminal) and the understanding of the base station (the first base station and the second base station) are consistent.
In the second application scenario, the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are different base stations, and an interface connection exists between the first base station and the second base station.
In this application scenario, the first base station performs a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path in step 52, specifically including the following two processing manners:
in the first mode, after receiving the request message sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station.
In this manner, the first terminal sends request information to the first base station to request the first base station to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path; similarly, the second terminal sends request information to the second base station to request the second base station to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path; when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station; similarly, the second base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself when receiving the request message sent by the second terminal.
The following describes in detail the interaction process between the terminal side and the network side in this manner with reference to the preferred embodiments.
Third embodiment, in this embodiment, the UE1 resides in the eNB1, the UE2 resides in the eNB2, and the UE1 (or the UE 2) switches the data flow on the direct communication path to the communication path via the core network with the UE2 (or the UE 1) after determining that the direct communication path with the UE2 (or the UE 1) is terminated. Referring to fig. 8A, the interaction between the UE1 and the eNB1 in the resource release process is as follows:
step 81a, the UE1 sends a path switch notification to the eNB1, notifies the eNB1 that the path switch process is completed, and requests the eNB1 to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path;
step 82a, the eNB1 locally releases the resources of the direct communication path, namely the eNB1 releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself;
specifically, the eNB1 releases the air interface resources allocated to the direct communication path and deletes the context information about the direct communication path stored by itself.
Step 83a, after completing the resource release procedure, the eNB1 returns a response message to the UE 1.
In this embodiment, referring to fig. 8B, the interaction between the UE2 and the eNB2 in the resource release process is as follows:
step 81b, the UE2 sends a path switch notification to the eNB2, notifies the eNB2 that the path switch process is completed, and requests the eNB2 to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path;
step 82b, eNB2 releases the resources of the direct communication path locally, that is, eNB2 releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself;
specifically, the eNB2 releases the air interface resources allocated to the direct communication path and deletes the context information about the direct communication path stored by itself.
Step 83b, after completing the resource release procedure, the eNB2 returns a response message to the UE 2.
And in the second mode, after receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path, which are stored by the first base station, and the first base station requests the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through an interface between the first base station and the second base station.
In this method, the first base station controls the process of releasing the direct communication path on the network side.
In this embodiment, the execution order of the two processes is not limited, and specifically:
first, the first base station may release the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself, and then request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path of the second terminal through the interface;
specifically, the method comprises the following steps: a first terminal sends request information to a first base station; when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and then sends a first request message to the second base station through an interface between the first base station and the second base station to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path.
Further, the second base station sends a response message to the first base station after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path, so as to inform the first base station that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed.
Further, after receiving the response message, the first base station determines that the second base station has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and then the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify the first terminal that the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path has been completed by itself.
The first base station may request the second base station to release the resource related to the direct communication path through the interface, and release the resource related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station when receiving a response message returned by the second base station, where the response message is sent by the second base station after the release process of the direct communication path is completed.
Specifically, the method comprises the following steps: a first terminal sends request information to a first base station; when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station sends a first request message to the second base station to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; when receiving the first request message, the second base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second base station, and returns a response message to the first base station through an interface between the second base station and the first base station to inform the first terminal that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed by the first terminal; and when receiving the response message, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station.
Further, after releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify the first terminal that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed by the first base station.
The following describes in detail the interaction process between the terminal side and the network side in this manner with reference to the preferred embodiments.
In a fourth embodiment, in the present embodiment, the UE1 resides in the eNB1, the UE2 resides in the eNB2, an interface connection exists between the eNB1 and the eNB2, and the UE1 (or the UE 2) switches the data stream on the direct communication path to the communication path via the core network with the UE2 (or the UE 1) after determining that the direct communication path with the UE2 (or the UE 1) is terminated. . Referring to fig. 9, the resource release process is as follows:
step 91, the UE1 sends a path switch notification to the eNB1, notifies the eNB1 that the path switch process is completed, and requests the eNB1 to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path;
step 92, the eNB1 deletes the context information of the UE1 on the direct communication path and the air interface resource allocated to the direct communication path, which are stored by the eNB1, and the eNB1 sends a message of releasing the resources of the direct communication path to the eNB2 to request the eNB2 to delete the context information of the direct communication path and the air interface resource allocated to the direct communication path, which are stored by the eNB 2.
Step 93, after completing the resource release, the eNB2 returns a response message indicating the completion of the resource release to the eNB 1;
step 94, the eNB1 returns a response message to the UE1 indicating that the resource release is complete.
In the above application scenario, which way the first base station specifically uses to execute the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path may be specified in the protocol, or may be determined by negotiation between the terminal and the base station, as long as it is ensured that the understanding of the terminal (the first terminal and the second terminal) and the understanding of the base station (the first base station and the second base station) are consistent.
In the third application scenario, the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are different base stations, and no interface connection exists between the first base station and the second base station.
In this application scenario, the first base station performs a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path in step 52, specifically including the following two processing manners:
in the method 1, when receiving the request message sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the first base station.
In this manner, the first terminal sends request information to the first base station to request the first base station to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path; similarly, the second terminal sends request information to the second base station to request the second base station to perform a release process of resources related to the direct communication path; when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station; similarly, the second base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself when receiving the request message sent by the second terminal.
Since the method is the same as the first method in the second application scenario, please refer to the description of the first method, which is not repeated herein.
In the method 2, when receiving the request information sent by the first terminal, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and the first base station requests the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through the first MME where the first terminal is located and the second MME where the second terminal is located.
In this method, the first base station controls the process of releasing the direct communication path on the network side.
In this embodiment, the execution order of the two processes is not limited, and specifically:
first, the first base station may release the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and then request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through the first MME and the second MME;
the method specifically comprises the following steps: if the first MME and the second MME are the same MME, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in the same MME, then: a first terminal sends request information to a first base station; when receiving request information sent by a first terminal, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and then sends first request information to MME (mobility management entity) where the first terminal and a second terminal reside so as to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the first request message, the MME sends a second request message to a second base station to request the second base station to release resources related to the direct communication path;
if the first MME and the second MME are different MMEs, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in different MMEs, then: a first terminal sends request information to a first base station; when receiving request information sent by a first terminal, the first base station releases resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and then sends first request information to a first MME to request a second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the first request message, the first MME sends a second request message to the second MME to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the second request message, the second MME sends a third request message to the second base station to request the second base station to release the resource related to the direct communication path.
Further, the second base station transmits a response message after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path to indicate that it has completed the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
The method specifically comprises the following steps: if the first MME and the second MME are the same MME, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in the same MME, then: the second base station sends a first response message to the MME where the first terminal and the second terminal reside after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path so as to inform the MME that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed; after receiving the first response message, the MME sends a second response message to the first base station to inform the first base station that the second base station has finished the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path;
if the first MME and the second MME are different MMEs, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in different MMEs, then: the second base station sends a first response message to the second MME after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path so as to inform the second MME that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed; after receiving the first response message, the second MME sends a second response message to the first MME so as to inform the first MME that the second base station has finished the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path; and after receiving the second response message, the first MME sends a third response message to the first base station to notify the first base station that the second base station has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path.
Further, after receiving the response message, the first base station determines that the second base station has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and then the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify the first terminal that the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path has been completed by itself.
The first base station may first request the second base station to release the resource related to the direct communication path through the first MME and the second MME, and release the resource related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station when receiving the response message returned by the second base station. Wherein the response message is sent by the second base station after the release process of the direct communication path is completed.
The method specifically comprises the following steps: if the first MME and the second MME are the same MME, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in the same MME, then: a first terminal sends request information to a first base station; when receiving request information sent by a first terminal, the first base station sends first request information to MME (mobility management entity) where the first terminal and a second terminal reside so as to request the second base station to release resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the first request message, the MME sends a third request message to the second base station to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; when receiving the third request message, the second base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second base station, and sends a first response message to the MME to inform the MME that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed by the second base station; after receiving the first response message, the MME sends a second response message to the first base station to inform the first base station that the second base station has finished the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path; when the first base station receives the second response message, releasing the resources which are stored by the first base station and are related to the direct communication path;
if the first MME and the second MME are different MMEs, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in different MMEs, then: a first terminal sends request information to a first base station; when receiving request information sent by a first terminal, the first base station sends first request information to a first MME to request a second base station to release resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the first request message, the first MME sends a second request message to the second MME to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the second request message, the second MME sends a third request message to the second base station to request the second base station to release the resource related to the direct communication path; when receiving the third request message, the second base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the second base station, and sends a first response message to the second MME so as to inform the second MME that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed by the second MME; after receiving the first response message, the second MME sends a second response message to the first MME so as to inform the first MME that the second base station has finished the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path; after receiving the second response message, the first MME sends a third response message to the first base station to notify the first base station that the second base station has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path; and the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station when receiving the third response message.
Further, after releasing the resources related to the direct communication path of the first terminal stored by the first base station, the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify that the first terminal has completed the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
It should be noted that, if the first MME and the second MME are the same MME, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in the same MME, there is no interaction between MMEs; if the first MME and the second MME are different MMEs, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in different MMEs, the first MME and the second MME need to interact with each other to complete the above process.
The following describes in detail the interaction process between the terminal side and the network side in this manner with reference to the preferred embodiments.
In the fifth embodiment, the UE1 resides in the eNB1 and the MME1, the UE2 resides in the eNB2 and the MME2, the eNB1 and the eNB2 are different base stations and there is no interface connection therebetween, the MME1 and the MME2 are different MMEs, and the UE1 (or the UE 2) switches the data stream on the direct communication path to the communication path with the UE2 (or the UE 1) via the core network after determining that the direct communication path between the UE2 (or the UE 1) is terminated. Referring to fig. 10, the resource release process is as follows:
step 101, the UE1 sends a path switch notification to the eNB1, notifies the eNB1 that the path switch process is completed, and requests the eNB1 to execute a release process of resources related to the direct communication path;
102, the eNB1 sends a message for releasing resources of the direct communication path to the eNB2 through an interface between the MME1 and the MME2, so as to request the eNB2 to delete context information of the UE2 on the direct communication path and air interface resources allocated to the direct communication path;
step 103, MME1 sends the received message to MME2 to release direct communication path resources;
step 104, the MME2 sends the received message to release the direct communication path resource to the eNB 2;
step 105, after the eNB2 completes the resource release, returning a response message indicating that the resource release is complete to the eNB1 through the interface between the MME2 and the MME 1;
step 106, the MME2 sends the received response message to the MME 1;
step 107, the MME1 transmits the received response message to the eNB 1;
in step 108, after receiving the response message returned by the eNB2, the eNB1 deletes the context information of the UE1 on the direct communication path and the air interface resource allocated to the direct communication path, which are stored by itself, and returns a response message indicating that the resource release is completed to the UE 1.
In step 52, for the first implementation and the second implementation, the first terminal may release the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first terminal by using any one of the first to fourth methods, and the first base station may perform the release of the resources related to the direct communication path by using any one of the methods for different application scenarios, that is, any one of the first to fourth methods may be implemented in combination with any one of the methods for the first base station to perform the release of the resources related to the direct communication path.
In the embodiment of the present invention, in step 52, the first terminal releases the resource related to the direct communication path that is stored by the first terminal, and the first terminal requests the first base station to perform the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, which is not limited to the above preferred method and method, and other processing methods may also be used.
For example, if the first base station and the second base station are the same base station, then:
when determining that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first terminal, and sends request information to the first base station, wherein the execution sequence of two processes in the step is not limited;
and the first base station releases the stored resources related to the direct communication path after receiving the request message, and requests the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, wherein the sequence of the two processes in the step is not limited.
Further, the second terminal sends a feedback message to the first base station after completing the release process of the direct communication path.
Further, after receiving the feedback message, the first base station determines that the second terminal has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and then the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify the first terminal that the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path has been completed by itself.
If the first base station and the second base station are different base stations and there is an interface connection between the first base station and the second base station, then:
when determining that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first terminal, and sends request information to the first base station, wherein the execution sequence of two processes in the step is not limited;
after receiving the request message, the first base station releases the stored resources related to the direct communication path, and the first base station requests the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through the interface, wherein the sequence of the two processes in the step is not limited;
and after receiving the request information sent by the first base station, the second base station releases the stored resources related to the direct communication path, and requests the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, wherein the sequence of the two processes in the step is not limited.
Further, the second terminal sends a feedback message to the second base station after completing the release process of the direct communication path.
Further, after receiving the feedback message, the second base station determines that the second terminal has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and then the second base station returns a response message to the first base station through the interface to notify that the first base station has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path and that the second terminal has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path.
Further, after receiving the response message, the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify the first terminal that the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path is completed.
For another example, if the first base station and the second base station where the second terminal is located are different base stations and there is no interface connection between the first base station and the second base station, then:
when determining that the direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated, the first terminal releases the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first terminal, and sends request information to the first base station, wherein the execution sequence of two processes in the step is not limited;
after receiving the request message, the first base station releases the resources related to the direct communication path, which are stored by the first base station, and the first base station requests the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path through a first MME where the first terminal is located and a second MME where the second terminal is located, wherein the sequence of the two processes in the step is not limited;
and after receiving the request information sent by the first base station, the second base station releases the stored resources related to the direct communication path, and requests the second terminal to release the resources related to the direct communication path, wherein the sequence of the two processes in the step is not limited.
Further, the second terminal sends a feedback message to the second base station after completing the release process of the direct communication path.
Further, after receiving the feedback message, the second base station determines that the second terminal has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and then the second base station returns a response message to the first base station through the second MME and the first MME to notify that the first base station has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, and that the second terminal has completed the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path.
Further, after receiving the response message, the first base station returns a response message to the first terminal to notify the first terminal that the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path is completed.
It should be noted that, if the first MME and the second MME are the same MME, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in the same MME, there is no interaction between MMEs; if the first MME and the second MME are different MMEs, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in different MMEs, the first MME and the second MME need to interact with each other to complete the above process.
The above method process flow may be implemented by a software program, which may be stored in a storage medium, and when the stored software program is called, the above method steps are performed.
Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a terminal, and since the principle of the terminal for solving the problem is similar to the resource release method shown in fig. 3, the implementation of the terminal may refer to the implementation of the method shown in fig. 3, and repeated details are not repeated.
Referring to fig. 11, a terminal (the terminal corresponds to the first terminal mentioned in the foregoing method) provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes:
a first processing module 111 for determining that a direct communication path between the first terminal and the second terminal is terminated;
the second processing module 112 is configured to release the resources related to the direct communication path that are stored by itself, and request the first base station where itself is located to perform a release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
In embodiments of the present invention, the information related to the direct communication includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
the resources allocated to the direct communication path, and context information corresponding to the direct communication path.
In implementation, the second processing module 112 is specifically configured to:
firstly releasing the resources related to the direct communication path stored by the first base station, and then requesting the first base station to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path; or,
the first base station is requested to execute the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path, after a response message returned by the first base station is received, the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the first base station are released, and the response message is sent after the first base station completes the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
In implementation, the releasing of the resources related to the direct communication path by the second processing module 112 includes:
directly releasing the resources related to the direct communication path, which are stored by the direct communication path; or,
sending a resource release request to a second terminal, and after receiving a resource release response returned by the second terminal, releasing the resources which are stored by the second terminal and are related to the direct communication path, wherein the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resources which are stored by the second terminal and are related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after the release process of the resources which are stored by the second terminal and are related to the direct communication path is completed; or,
and starting a configured timer, and releasing the self-stored resources related to the direct communication path when the timer is overtime.
Further, the second processing module 112 releases the resources related to the direct communication path, which are saved by itself, and further includes:
starting a configured timer;
sending a resource release request to a second terminal;
if a resource release response returned by the second terminal is received before the timer is overtime, releasing the resources which are stored by the second terminal and are related to the direct communication path, and closing the timer; otherwise, when the timer is overtime, releasing the resources which are stored by the timer and are related to the direct communication path;
the resource release request is used for requesting the second terminal to release the resource related to the direct communication path, and the resource release response is sent by the second terminal after the second terminal completes the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path and stored by the second terminal.
In implementation, the second processing module 112 is specifically configured to:
and sending a resource release request to the second terminal through a direct communication interface between the second terminal and the second terminal.
In implementation, the second processing module 112 is further configured to:
and receiving a response message returned by the first base station, wherein the response message is used for informing that the first base station finishes the releasing process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the terminal shown in fig. 11 may be an initiator device of the direct communication, and may also be an opposite device of the direct communication.
Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present invention further provides a base station, and since the principle of the base station for solving the problem is similar to the resource release method shown in fig. 5, the implementation of the base station may refer to the implementation of the method shown in fig. 5, and repeated details are not repeated.
Referring to fig. 12, a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention is a base station where a first terminal resides, and the base station includes:
a receiving module 121, configured to receive request information sent by a first terminal, where the request information is used to request to perform a release process of resources related to a direct communication path between the first terminal and a second terminal;
a processing module 122, configured to perform a release procedure of resources associated with the direct communication path.
In embodiments of the present invention, the information related to the direct communication includes, but is not limited to, one or more of the following:
the resources allocated to the direct communication path, and context information corresponding to the direct communication path.
Further, the processing module 122 is further configured to:
after the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path is completed, a response message for notifying the first terminal that the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path has been completed by itself is transmitted to the first terminal.
In implementation, if the second base station where the second terminal is located is the same base station, the processing module 122 executes a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, specifically:
when the receiving module 121 receives the request information sent by the first terminal, the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself are released; or,
when the receiving module 121 receives the request information sent by the first terminal and receives the request information sent by the second terminal for requesting to execute the release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, the resource related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module is released.
In implementation, if the second base station where the second terminal is located is a different base station and there is an interface connection with the second base station, the processing module 122 executes a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, specifically:
when the receiving module 121 receives the request information sent by the first terminal, the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself are released; or,
when the receiving module 121 receives the request information sent by the first terminal, the resource related to the direct communication path stored by itself is released, and the second base station is requested to release the resource related to the direct communication path through the interface between the second base station and the second base station; wherein the second base station sends a response message after completing the release process of the resources associated with the direct communication path.
In implementation, if the second base station where the second terminal is located is a different base station and there is no interface connection with the second base station, the processing module 122 executes a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path, specifically:
when the receiving module 121 receives the request information sent by the first terminal, the resources related to the direct communication path stored by itself are released; or,
when the receiving module 121 receives the request information sent by the first terminal, the resource related to the direct communication path stored by the receiving module is released, and the second base station is requested to release the resource related to the direct communication path through the first MME where the first terminal is located and the second MME where the second terminal is located; wherein the second base station sends a response message after completing the release process of the resources associated with the direct communication path.
It should be noted that, if the first MME and the second MME are the same MME, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in the same MME, there is no interaction between MMEs; if the first MME and the second MME are different MMEs, that is, the first terminal and the second terminal reside in different MMEs, the first MME and the second MME need to interact with each other to complete the above process.
The following describes the structure and processing method of the terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention with reference to a specific hardware structure.
The terminal at least comprises: a memory, a processor, and an antenna; wherein:
the memory stores at least information related to a direct communication path between the second terminal and the second terminal, and the information related to the direct communication path at least includes resources allocated for the direct communication and context information corresponding to the direct communication.
The processor deletes the resource related to the direct communication path stored in the memory when determining that the direct communication path between the processor and the second terminal is terminated, and transmits request information to the first base station through the antenna to request the first base station to perform a release process of the resource related to the direct communication path.
When the processor executes the above process, it may delete the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory, and then send a request message to the first base station through the antenna; or the request message may be sent to the first base station through the antenna, and after the antenna receives the response message returned by the first base station, the resource related to the direct communication path stored in the memory may be deleted.
When the processor executes the deletion of the resource related to the direct communication path stored in the memory, the following specific steps are included:
directly deleting resources related to the direct communication path stored in a memory; or,
sending a resource release request to the second terminal through the antenna, and deleting the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory after the antenna receives a resource release response returned by the second terminal; or,
the configured timer is started first, and when the timer times out, the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory are deleted.
Of course, the processor may also delete the resource related to the direct communication path stored in the memory by combining the explicit signaling with the timer, which is specifically referred to the description of the foregoing method and is not described herein again.
The following describes a structure and a processing method of a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention with reference to a specific hardware structure.
The base station at least comprises: a memory, a processor, and an antenna; wherein:
the memory stores at least information on a direct communication path of each terminal of the service and information on a communication path of each terminal of the service via the core network, the information on the direct communication path including at least a resource allocated for the direct communication and context information corresponding to the direct communication.
The processor performs a release process of resources related to the direct communication path according to request information received by the antenna from the terminal, and transmits a response message to the terminal served by itself through the antenna after completing the release process of the resources related to the direct communication path.
The processor executes a release process of resources related to the direct communication path, specifically including:
if the first base station and a second base station where the second terminal is located are the same base station, the processor executes:
deleting the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory when the request information sent by the first terminal is received through the antenna; or,
when request information transmitted by the first terminal and the second terminal is received through the antenna, the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory are deleted.
If the second base station where the second terminal is located is a different base station and the second base station is connected with an interface, the processor executes:
deleting the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory when the request information sent by the first terminal is received through the antenna; or,
when request information sent by a first terminal is received through an antenna, deleting resources related to the direct communication path and stored in a memory, and instructing the antenna to send a request to a second base station through the interface so as to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path; wherein the second base station sends a response message after completing the release process of the resources associated with the direct communication path.
If the second base station where the second terminal is located is a different base station and there is no interface connection with the second base station, the processor executes:
deleting the resources related to the direct communication path stored in the memory when the request information sent by the first terminal is received through the antenna; or,
when request information sent by a first terminal is received through an antenna, deleting resources related to the direct communication path and stored in a memory, and indicating the antenna to send a request to a second base station through a first MME where the first terminal is located and a second MME where the second terminal is located so as to request the second base station to release the resources related to the direct communication path and stored by the second base station; wherein the second base station sends a response message after completing the release process of the resources associated with the direct communication path.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a method, system, or computer program product. Accordingly, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, and the like) having computer-usable program code embodied therein.
The present invention is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each flow and/or block of the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, and combinations of flows and/or blocks in the flow diagrams and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart flow or flows and/or block diagram block or blocks.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, additional variations and modifications in those embodiments may occur to those skilled in the art once they learn of the basic inventive concepts. Therefore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as including preferred embodiments and all such alterations and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, if such modifications and variations of the present invention fall within the scope of the claims of the present invention and their equivalents, the present invention is also intended to include such modifications and variations.