1. A location information management system comprising: a mobile station that is located in a mobile communication network; and 5 a service management server that receives a movement sensing request to sense a movement of the mobile station from a service providing server provided in an external communication network, the service management server thereafter notifying the service providing server that the movement of the mobile station has been sensed upon a11 occurrence of the movement of the mobile station, wherein 10 the mobile station receives, from a base station forming an area in which the mobile station is located, first area information included in information that is periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of second area information different from the first area information, and the mobile 15 station notifying the service management server that the movement of the mobile station itself has been sensed.

2. The location information management system according to Claim 1, wherein 20 the service management server notifies the mobile station of a monitoring time for monitoring sensing of a nlovement of the mobile station, and the mobile station notifies the service management server that the movement of the mobile station has been sensed when the mobile station senses that the mobile station has moved witl~in the monitoring time, and the mobile 25 station does not notify the service management server of the movement sensing result when the monitoring time has elapsed.

3. The location inforination nlanagement system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the service management server notifies the mobile station of the intervals 30 between the times of monitoring the area information included in the information periodically transmitted from the base station.

4. The location information management system according to Claim 2, wherein the service mallagement server notifies the mobile station of an end of the 24 monitoring time when the monitoring time has elapsed. 5 . The location information management system according to Claim 2, wherein the mobile station itself manages whether or not the monitoring time has 5 elapsed.

6. The location information management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 , wherein the mobile station connects to a base station in an area of which the mobile 10 station is currently located, when the mobile station senses that the mobile station itself has moved, and the service management server receives information relating to the base station to which the mobile station is connected.

7. The location information management system according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 , further colnprising a movement management apparatus that manages location information of the mobile station, the movement management apparatus connecting a base station in an area of which the mobile station is currently located and the mobile station to each other, when it is sensed that the mobile station has 20 moved.

8. The location information management system according to any one of Clailns 1 to 7, wherein the service management server transmits the movement sensing request to the mobile station using application data. 25

9. 'The location information management system according to any one of Clainls 1 to 7. wl~ercin the service inanagement server transmits the movement sensing request to the mobile station using a control signal defined anlong colnmunication nodes arranged in the mobile communication network. 30

10. A mobile station comprising: area information monitoring means for receiving, from a base station forming a communication area, first area information included in information that is periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the communication area, the area information monitoring means thereafter sensing that the mobile station has moved upon receipt of second area information different from the first area information; and cominunication means for transmitting a notification that the movement of 5 the mobile station has been sensed to a service management server that communicates with a service providing server arranged in an external communication network.

11. The mobile station according to Claim 10, wherein the communication means receives, from the service management server, information relating to a monitoring time for monitoring sensing of a movement, and the area information monitoring means notifies the service management server that the movement of the mobile station has been sensed when the mobile 15 station senses that the mobile station has moved within the monitoring time, and the area information monitoring means does not notify the service management server of the movement sensing result when the monitoring time has elapsed.

12. A service management server comprising: 20 first communication means for receiving, from a base station forming an area in which a mobile station is located, first area information included in information that is periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the area, the first communicatiol~m eans thereafter receiving a movement sensed notification from the mobile station that senses that the mobile station itself has 25 lnoved upon receipt of second area information different from the first area infor~nation;a nd second communication means for transmitting the movement sensed notification to a service providing server arranged in an external communication network. 30

13. The service management server according to Claim 12, wherein the first communication means notifies the mobile station of a monitoring time for monitoring sensing of a movement of the lnobile station, and receives the movement sensed ~lotificationf rom the mobile station that has sensed that the mobile station has moved within the monitorillg time.

14. The service management server according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein the first communication means notifies the mobile station of the intervals between 5 the times of monitoring the area information included in the information periodically transmitted from the base station.

15. The service management server according to Claim 13, wherein the first communication means notifies the mobile station of an end of the monitoring time 10 when the monitoring time has elapsed.

16. A movement sensing method comprising: receiving, from a base station forming a communication area, first area information included in information periodically transmitted to each mobile 15 station located in the communication area, and thereafter sensing that a mobile station has moved upon receipt of second area informatioil different from the first area information; and notifying a service management server that communicates with a service providing server arranged in an external co~nmunicatioiln etwork that the 20 movement of the mobile station has been sensed.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program for causing a computer to execute the steps of: receiving, from a base station forming a communication area, first area 25 information included in information periodically trans~nitted to each mobile station located in the comn~unicationa rea, and thereafter sensing that a mobile station has moved upon receipt of second area information different from the first area information; and notifying a service managernel~t server that colnlnunicates with a service 30 providi~lgs erver arranged i l l an external communication letw work that the lnoveinent of the lnobilc station has been sensed.

18. A movement sensing method comprising: receiving a movement sensed notification from a mobile station that receives, from a base station forming an area in which the nob bile station is located, first area information included in information periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of second area information from 5 the base station different from the first area information; and transmitting the movement sensed notification to a service providing server arranged ill an external communication network.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program for 10 causing a computer to execute the steps of: receiving a movement sensed notification from a mobile station that receives, from a base station forming an area in which the nob bile station is located, first area information included in information periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that 15 the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of second area inforn~ationf rom the base station different from the first area information; and transmitting the movement sensed notification to a service providing server arranged in an external communication network.

LOCATION INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, MOBILE STATION,
SERVICE MANAGEMENT SERVER, MOVEMENT SENSING METHOD, AND
NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM
Technical Field
[OOO 1 ]
The present invention relates to a location information management system,
a mobile station, a service management server, a movement sensing method, and a
10 program.
Background Art
[0002]
In recent years, there has been a rapid proliferation of mobile phones. In
some cases, a single person owns a plurality of mobile phones. Further, mobile
15 phones are not only carried by persons. It has also been considered to attach a
chip having a communication function to a pet, or to install a communication
function in a machine apparatus or the like, to carry out communication with the
pet or the machine apparatus. In this manner, when it becomes possible to
manage anything including persons, pets, apparatuses and the like via a mobile
20 communication network, for example, it also becomes also possible to monitor the
location of persons, pets, apparatuses and the like.
[0003]
Here, various methods for moilitoring the location of mobile phones and the
like have been considered. For example, a GI's apparatus is installed in a mobile
25 phone or the like to manage the location of the mobile phone or the like by using
GPS information. For example, Non Patent Literature 1 discloses a positioning
system by which latitude, longitude, and altitude information is obtained by
performing triangulation on the ground using radio waves from a satellite.
Further, a mobile phone or the like is connected to a ncarby base station w11e11
30 using a mobile communication network. Base stations are generally arranged at
intervals of from several hul~dred meters to several kilometers. Accordingly, by
specifying a base station with which a mobile phonc communicates, i.e., a base
station to which a mobile phone is connected, the rough location of the lnobilc
phone can be specified. For example, Non Patent Literature 2 discloses
measuring the direction of a mobile phone at a plurality of base stations, and
deriving the location of the mobile phone from the measured directions.
Citation List
Non Patent Literature
5 [0004]
Non Patent Literature 1: Akio Yasuda, "Prospect of GPS technique", The
Transactions of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication
Engineers B, Communications, J84-B (1 2), 2082-209 1, (December 1, 200 l ) , The
Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers
10 Non Patent Literature 2: RADDCOMM Wireless Consulting Services,
"Location Methods for E-911 Phase 11"
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
15 [0005]
However, management of location information of a mobile phone or the
like using a GPS apparatus involves a problem, i.e., an increase in cost of the
mobile phone or the like incurred by installation of the GPS function. Another
problem is difficulty in installing the GPS function in an embedded communication
20 module because of an increase in the circuit scale and the like.
[00061
Further, in order to manage the location of a mobile phone by specifying a
base station to whicl~th e mobile phone is connected, the mobile phone must be
constantly connected to any base station. That is, when a mobile phone is not
25 connected to a base station, a base station that manages the cell where the lnobile
phone is located cannot be specified. Thus, there is a problem that the location of
the mobile phone cannot be estimated. In general, a mobile phone is connected to
a base station when performing communication via a lnobile con~munication
network. That is, in the case where a mobile phone is in a standby state or the
30 like and not performing communication, the lnobile phone is not conllected to any
base station.
[0007]
'I'he present invention has been made to solve at lcast one of the above
problems, and an object thereof is to provide a location infornlation management
system, a mobile station, a service management server, a movenlent sensing
method, and a program by which the location of a mobile phone terminal can be
managed without using a GPS apparatus and in a state where the mobile phone
terminal is not connected to any base station.
5
Solution to Problem
[OOOSJ
A location information management system in accordance with a first
aspect of the present invention includes: a mobile station that is located in a
10 mobile communication network; and a service management server that receives a
movement sensing request to sense a movement of the mobile station from a
service providing server provided in an external communication network, the
service management server thereafter notifying the service providing server that
the movement of the mobile station has been sensed upon an occurrence of the
15 movement of the mobile station, wherein the mobile station receives, from a base
station forming an area in which the mobile station is located, first area
information included in information that is periodically transmitted to each mobile
station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that the mobile
station itself has moved upon receipt of second area infornlatioll different from the
20 first area information, and the mobile station notifying the service management
server that the movement of the mobile station itself has been scnsed.
[0009]
A mobile station in accordance with a second aspect of the present
invention includes: area information nlonitoring means for receiving, froln a base
25 station forming a communication area, first area information included in
information that is periodically transnlitted to each mobile station located in the
communication area, the area information n~onitoringm eans thereafter sensing that
the mobile station has moved upon receipt of second area information different
from the first area inforn~ation;a nd communication means for transmitting a
30 notif'ication that the movelnent of the nlobile station has been sensed to a service
management server that communicates with a service providing server arranged in
an external communication network.
[OO 1 01
A service management server in accordance with a third aspect of the
present invention includes: first comlnunication means for receiving, from a base
station forming an area in which a mobile station is located, first area information
included in information that is periodically transmitted to each mobile station
located in the area, the first communication means thereafter receiving a movement
5 sensed notification from the mobile station that senses that the mobile station itself
has moved upon receipt of second area information different from the first area
information; and second communication means for transmitting the movement
sensed notification to a service providing server arranged in an external
communication network.
10 [OOll]
A movement sensing method in accordance with a fourth aspect of the
present invention includes: receiving, from a base station forming a
communication area, first area ii~formation included in information periodically
transmitted to each mobile station located in the communication area, and
15 thereafter sensing that a mobile station has moved upon receipt of second area
information different from the first area information; and notifying a service
management server that communicates with a service providing server arranged in
\ an external communication letw work that the movement of the mobile station has
been sensed.
20 [0012l
A program in accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention
includes: receiving a movement sensed notification from a mobile station that
receives, from a base station forming ail area in which the mobile station is
located, first area informatioil included in information periodically transmitted to
25 each mobile station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that
the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of second area information from
the base station different froill the first area information; and transnlitting the
movement sensed notification to a service providing server arranged in an external
communication network.
30
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[00 131
?'he present invention can provide a location information manageme~lt
system, a mobile station, a service il~anagement server, a inovernent sensing
method, and a program by which the location of a mobile phone terminal can be
managed without using a GPS apparatus and in a state where the mobile phone
terminal is not connected to any base station.
5 Brief Description of Drawings
[00 141
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a location information management
system according to a first embodiment;
Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of a 3GPP network according to the first
10 embodiment;
Fig. 3 is a configuration diagram of an SCS according to the first
embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a configuration diagram of a UE according to the first
embodiment;
15 Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of a movement sensing process
according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the flow of a movement sensing process in the
UE according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the flow of a movement sensing process
20 according to a second embodiment; and
Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the flow of a location information acquiring
process of a UE accordillg to a third embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
25 [0015]
(First En~bodiment)
In thc following, a description will be given of embodiments of the present
invention with reference to the drawings. With reference to Fig. 1, a description
will be given of an exemplary conriguratiol~o f a location information management
30 system according to a first embodil~~enotf the present invention. The location
il~formationm anagement system includes apparatuses arranged in a mobile
communication network 100 and an apparatus arranged in an external
comn~u~licatinoe~tlw ork 200. The nlobile comlllunication network 100 includes a
base station 10, a base station 11, and a service nlanagelnellt server 40. Further, a
mobile station 30 is located in the mobile communication network 100. The
external colnmunication network 200 includes a service providing server 50.
[00 161
The external communication network 200 is a network different from the
5 mobile communication network 100. For example, the external communication
network 200 may be a fixed communication network or a network managed by an
internet provider.
[0017]
The service providing server 50 is a server apparatus that provides a
10 service using information or the like retained by each of the apparatuses in the
mobile communication network 100, or using analytical information or the like
obtained by analyzing a plurality of information pieces. For example, the service
management server 40 provides a service of sensing the movement of the mobile
station 30 located in the mobile communication network 100, and providing
15 analytical information based on the movement sensing result of the mobile station
30. In the present drawing, though the service providing server 50 is shown as a
single server apparatus, a service providing server group may be formed using a
plurality of server apparatuses.
[00 1 81
20 The mobile station 30 is a communication apparatus that can establish
con~munication via radio. For example, the mobile station 30 may be a mobile
phone terminal, a smartphone terminal, a tablet terminal, a personal computer or
thc like. Alternatively, the mobile station 30 may be a vehicle, a vending
machine, an item collected by a forwarding agent or the like, in each of which a
25 co~~lrnunicatiomno dule is installed. Alternatively, the mobile station 30 may be
an animal to which a communication module is attached. That is, the type of the
nlobile station 30 is not limited so long as a colnmunication module that allows the
nlobile station 30 to conlnlunicate with the base station 10 or the basc station 11 is
installed in or attached to the mobile station 30.
30 [0019]
The service management server 40 receives, from the service providing
server 50, a movement sensing request to sense the movement of the n~obiles tation
30. Further, when it is sensed that the mobile station 30 has moved fro111 its
current location, the service management server 40 transmits the sense result to the
service providing server 50.
[0020]
Next, a description will be given of a method for sensing the movement of
the mobile station 30.
5 [0021]
When the mobile station 30 is located in a cell 20 formed by the base
station 10, the mobile station 30 receives information that is periodically
transmitted from the base station 10. The information periodically transmitted
from the base station 10 includes area information that is associated with the base
10 station 10. For example, the area information may be a cell ID that identifies the
cell 20 formed by the base station 10. Alternatively, the area information may be
a TA ID that identifies a tracking area (TA), which is an area to which a paging
signal is transmitted for paging the mobile station 30 when there is an incoming
call for the mobile station 30.
15 [0022]
Here, when the mobile station 30 has moved into a cell 21 formed by the
base station 11, the mobile station 30 receives information that is periodically
transmitted from the base station 11. Similar to the base station 10, the base
station 11 periodically transmits information including the area information.
20 Here, when the area information is the cell ID, the mobile station 30 receives a cell
ID representing the cell 21 from the base station 11, because the mobile station 30
has moved into the cell 21. From then on, the mobile station 30 receives the arca
information that is different from the one before the movement of the mobile
station 30 into the cell 21. In this manl~er, when the mobile station 30 receives
25 the area information different from the previous area information, the mobile
station 30 senses that the mobile station 30 itself has moved. Further, when the
area information is the TA ID and the base station 10 and the base station 11
belong to different TAs, the mobile station 30 receives different pieces of area
information from the base station 10 and the base station 11, respectively. When
30 the mobile station 30 senses that the mobile station 30 itself has moved, it notifies
the service mallagement server 40 that the nlovement has been sensed.
[0023]
The information periodically transmitted from the base station 10 is
informatioll that is transmitted to every mobile station located in the cell 20, and
the destination is not particularly specified. Further, since the information
periodically transmitted from the base station 10 is information that is unilaterally
distributed from the base station 10 to every mobile station in the cell 20, the
mobile station 30 can receive the information even in a state where the mobile
5 station 30 is not connected to the base station 10. A state where the mobile
station 30 is connected to the base station 10 is the state where a communication
resource for the mobile station 30 is allocated in the base station 10 for the base
station 10 to transmit data destined to the mobile station 30. That is, the mobile
station 30 can receive the area information that is unilaterally distributed from the
10 base station 10, even in the state where the mobile station 30 is not connected to
the base station 10.
[0024]
Similarly, the base station 11 unilaterally distributes information including
the area informatioi~t o every mobile station located in the cell 21. Thus, the
15 mobile station 30 can recognize in which area the mobile station 30 is located by
checking the area information transmitted from the base station 10 and the base
station 11. Accordingly, the mobile station 30 can also sense that the mobile
station 30 has nloved into a different area.
[0025]
20 For example, the service providing server 50 can provide the following
service by using the movement information of the mobile station 30.
[0026]
In the case where the mobile station 30 is an item or the like to be collected
by a forwarding agent, the forwarding agent manages the item by keeping the item
25 at one place for a prescribed time until the item is delivered next inorning.
Further, the forwarding agent manages the item by attaching a conln~uilicatioi~
module to the item. In such a case, when the item - the mobile station 30- has
moved to another location within a prescribed time, the service providing server 50
can estimate that item has been stolen. Accordingly, when the service
30 providing server 50 senses that the item has moved to the other location, the
service providing server 50 can llotiry the forwarding agent that the item inight
have been stolen. Such service is merely one example, and the moveinci~t
information of the mobile station 30 may be applied to another service.
[0027]
As described above, the mobile station 30 in Fig. 1 can sense the movement
of itself without using a GPS apparatus. Accordingly, as compared to an
apparatus in which a GPS function is installed, the costs of the mobile station 30
can be reduced and, additionally, a reduction in size of the apparatus can be
5 achieved.
COO281
Further, by monitoring the area information transmitted from base stations,
the mobile station 30 can sense the movement of itself even in the state where it is
not connected to any base station, e.g., the state where it is awaiting
10 communication. Accordingly, battery consumption can be suppressed as
compared to that of a terminal apparatus that must be constantly connected to the
base station for managing the location information, because the number of times of
establishing communication with any base station can be reduced.
[0029]
15 Next, with reference to Fig. 2, a description will be given of a network
configuration for realizing the location inforination management system of the
present invention. The network shown in Fig. 2 includes a UE (User Equipment)
35, an eNB (evolved NodeB) 15, an MME 60, an MTC-IWF 65, an SCS 45, and an
AS (Application Server) 55. The eNB 15, the MME 60, the MTC-IWF 65, and the
20 SCS 45 are apparatuses that structure the network defined in the 3GPP. The
technical specification of the 3GPP defines the functions of the eNB 15, the MME
60, the MTC-IWF 65, and the SCS 45. The MME 60, the MTC-IWF 65, and the
SCS 45 structure the core network. Further, the UE 35 is the apparatus name used
for representing the mobile station 30 in the 3GPP. The AS 55 is an application
25 server that is managed by a busincss entity different from the mobile network
operator, and corresponds to the service providing server 50.
[0030]
The eNB 15 is a base station that operates according to a radio scheme
using the LTE (Long Term Evolution). The SCS 45 comn~unicatesw ith the AS
30 55. The SCS 45 corresponds to the service management server 40. The MME 60
chiefly performs movement management of'the UE 35. The M'IC-IWF 65 is used
for relaying communication between the eNI3 15 as well as the apparatuses
structuring the core network, and the SCS 45.
[003 11
Next, with reference to Fig. 3, a description will be given of an exemplary
configuration of the SCS 45 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. The SCS 45 includes an AS communication unit 141, a control unit
142, an MTC-IWF colnmunication unit 143, and a terminal ID database (terminal
5 ID DB) 144.
[0032]
The AS communication unit 141 communicates with the AS 55. The AS
communication unit 141 receives a message relating to a movement sensing request
from the AS 55. In the movement sensing request, the IJE 35 whose movement
10 sensing is desired is specified. When the AS communication unit 141 senses the
movement of the UE 35 specified in the movement sensing request, the AS
communication unit 141 notifies the AS 55 of the sense result.
[0033]
The terminal ID DB 144 manages the UE 35 specified by the AS 55 and the
15 identifier of the UE 35 used in the mobile coln~llunicatioll network 100 in
association with each other. For example, the AS 55 may specify the UE 35 using
the telephone number, and the apparatuses in the mobile communication network
100 may identify the UE 35 using the machine number. Alternatively, the
apparatuses in the mobile communicatio~n~et work 100 may use IMSI (International
20 Mobile Subscriber Identity) or the like in place of the machine number, and
identify the UE 35 using an identifier uniquely determined in the mobile
colnmullicatioll network 100. In the foregoing example, the terminal ID DB 144
carries out management by associating a plurality of telephone numbers and
machine numbers or IMSIs or the like with each otl~er.
25 [0034]
The control unit 142 receives a movement sensing request via the AS
colnmunication unit 141. The control unit 142 specifies the identifier of the UE
35, whicl~i s used in the nob bile co~nmunicationn etwork 100, specified in the
movement sensing request. The control unit 142 extracts, from the terminal ID
30 DB 144, the identifier of the UE 35 which is used in the lnobile comn~unication
network 100 and which is managed so as to be associated with the identifier of the
UE 35 included in the movement sensing request. The control unit 142 transmits,
to the MTC-IWF 65 via the MTC-IWE' communication unit 143, the identifier of
the UE 35 used in the mobile communication net\x/ork 100.
COO351
The MTC-IWF communication unit 143 communicates with the MTC-IWF
65. The MTC-IWF communication unit 143 transmits the identifier of the UE 35
extracted by the control unit 142 to the MTC-IWF 65. Further, the MTC-IWF
5 communication unit 143 receives a movement sensed notification of the UE 35
transmitted from the MTC-IWF 65, and outputs the movement sensed notification
to the control unit 142. The control unit 142 transmits the movement sensed
notification to the AS 55 via the AS communication unit 141.
[0036]
10 Next, with reference to Fig. 4, a description will be given of an exemplary
configuration of the UE 35 according to the first embodiment of the present
invention. The UE 35 includes a radio communication unit 13 1, an area
inforn~ationm onitoring unit 132, and a monitor timing control unit 133. The
radio con~municationu nit 13 1 communicates with the eNB 15 via a radio line.
15 The radio communication unit 13 1 receives, for example, system information as
the information periodically transmitted from the eNB 15. The system
information is inforlnation that is transmitted from the eNB 15 to every UE 35
located in a cell formed by the eNB 15. Further, the system information includes
information that is required for a communication terminal such as the UE 35 to
20 initiate commu~lication.
1003 71
The system information includes a plurality of SIBs (System Inforlnation
Blocks). Further, in an SIB 1 out of the plurality of SIBs, the Cell ID (cell 111)
and the TA ID of the eNB 15 are set as the area information. The Cell ID is an ID
25 that differs anlong the cells formed by eNBs. Accordingly, the Cell IDS
transmitted from different eNBs are each unique. The 'FA ID is an ID that
represents the location registration area of the UE 35. In general, a TA is formed
by a plurality of cells. Accordingly, different eNBs may transmit an identical TA
ID. The UE 35 executes a location registration process when the UE 35 has
30 moved to a different 'I'A. Further, when there is an incoming call to a UE 35, UEs
arc paged on a TA ID-by-'1'A ID basis. That is, the MME 60 transmits a paging
signal to every UE located in an ide~lticalT A via a plurality of eNBs.
[0038]
Further, the radio com~l?unicationu nit 13 1 receives a rnovelnent seilsillg
request transmitted from the SCS 45 via the eNB 15.
[0039]
The area information monitoring unit 132 monitors the area information set
in the SIB 1. After receiving the movement sensing request, the area information
5 monitoring unit 132 monitors the area information. Here, when the area
information monitoring unit 132 is continuously receiving identical area
information, the area information monitoring unit 132 determines that the UE 35
has not moved. When the previously received area information and the newly
received area information are different from each other, the area information
10 monitoring unit 132 senses that the UE 35 has moved. That is, the area
information monitoring unit 132 senses that the UE 35 has moved when there is a
change in the received Cell ID or TA ID. When there is a change in the received
area information, the area information monitoring unit 132 transmits a message
representing a movement sensed notification to the eNR via the radio
15 communication unit 13 1. The movement sensed notification is transmitted to the
SCS 45, and is further transmitted from the SCS 45 to the AS 55.
[0040]
Thc monitor timing control unit 133 controls the timing at which the area
information monitoring unit 132 monitors the area information. That is, the
20 monitor timing control unit 133 controls the intervals between the timcs that the
area information monitoring unit 132 monitors the area information.
LO04 11
Further, the UE 35 enters an activated state only at the timing of receiving
the system information, and remains in a deactivated state at another timing. The
25 activated state is, for example, the state where the function units structuring the
IIE 35 are activated. That is, the monitor timing control nit 133 may control the
timing at whicl~th e radio communication unit 13 1 receives the system information
by controlling the timing of activating the radio comrllunication unit 13 1 and the
area information monitoring unit 132, and receive the area information at a
30 prescribed timing.
[0042]
I'he timing of monitoring the area information may be included in the
movement sensing request transmitted from the SCS 45. In this case, the monitor
timing control unit 133 may receive the movement sensing request via the radio
communication unit 13 1, and extract information relating to timing of monitoring
the area information. The monitor timing control unit 133 may activate the area
information monitoring unit 132 only at the timing of monitoring the area
information, and may stop the area information monitoring unit 132 at another
5 timing.
[0043]
Next, with reference to Fig. 5, a description will be given of a movement
sensing process according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Firstly, the AS 55 transmits a movement sensing request to the SCS 45 (S11). The
10 movement sensing request transmitted from the AS 55 to the SCS 45 includes
information relating to the UE whose movement sensing is desired, and a sense
policy. The sense policy is, for example, information representing the intervals
between the times of monitoring the UE, or a time or a period for monitoring the
UE.
15 [0044]
Next, the SCS 45 transmits a movement sensing request to the UE 35 (S12).
For example, the SCS 45 transmits the movement sensing request as application
data such as OMA-DM. In the case where application data such as OMA-DM is
used in transmitting the movement sensing request, the movement sensing request
20 is not terminated at a relay apparatus between the SCS 45 and the UE 35. That is,
in the case where application data such as OMA-DM is used in transmitting the
movement sensing request, the AS 55 transmits the movement sensing request to
the UE 35 so that it passes through the relay apparatus between the SCS 45 and the
IJE 35. The movement sensing request includes the sense policy.
25 [0045]
Next, when the UE 35 receives the movement sellsillg request from the SCS
45, the UE 35 executes the movement sensing process (S13). The flow of the
movelne~lts ensing process will be detailed later. In the case where the UE 35
senses ~novementw ithin the monitoring time specified by the SCS 45, the UE 35
30 trans~nitsa nlovement sensed notification to the SCS 45 (S14). For example, the
UE 35 transmits the move~ncnt sensed notification as application data such as
OMA-DM, similarly to transmit the InovcInent sensing request. The Inovenlellt
sensed notification includes information relating to the current location after the
movement.
[0046]
Next, the SCS 45 transmits a move~nents ensed notification to the AS 55
(S15). The movement sensed notification transmitted from the SCS 45 to the AS
55 includes information of the UE whose movement has been sensed and
5 information relating to the current location of the UE. In this manner, the AS 55
can sense whether or not the UE specified in the movement sensing request has
moved within a prescribed time.
COO471
Subsequently, with reference to Fig. 6, a description will be given of the
10 flow of the movement sensing process in the UE 35 according to the first
embodiment of the present invention. Firstly, the area information monitoring
unit 132 receives a nlovement sensing request from the SCS 45 (S21). Next, the
area information monitoring unit 132 receives area information included in system
information from a nearby eNB (S22). When the monitor timing is specified in
15 the movement sensing request, the area information monitoring unit 132 may
receive the area information at the specified monitor timing. Here, the area
informati011 monitoring unit 132 determines whether or not previously received
area information is retained (S23). When the area information monitoring unit
132 determines that the previously received area information is not retained, the
20 area information monitoring unit 132 repeats the process of Step S22. When the
area information monitoring unit 132 determines that the previously received area
information is retained, the area illformation monitoring unit 132 determines
whether or not the currently received area information and the previously received
area information agree with each other (S24).
25 [0048]
When the area informati011 monitoring unit 132 determines that the
currently received area information and the previously reccived area information
agree with each other, the area information monitoring unit 132 determi~lesth at the
UE 35 has not moved, and repeats the process of Step S22. When the area
30 information monitorii~gu nit 132 determines that the currently received area
informatiol~a nd the previously received area inforinatioll do not agree with each
other, the area informati011 monitori~lgu nit 132 determines that the UE 35 has
moved, and transmits a movement sensed llotificatioll to the SCS 45 (S25).
1004 91
Here, in the case where the monitori~~tigm e of the UE is set in the
movemei~t sensing request received in Step S21, the following process may be
executed. In Step S24, when the area information monitoring unit 132 determines
that the currently received area information and the previously received area
5 information agree with each other, the area information monitoring unit 132 may
further determine whether or not the monitoring time set in the movement sensing
request has elapsed. When the area information ~nonitoringu nit 132 determines
that the monitoring time set in the movement sensing request has elapsed, the area
information monitoring unit 132 may end the process without repeating the process
10 of Step S22. When the area information monitoring unit 132 determines that the
monitoring time set in the movement sensing request has not elapsed, the area
information monitoring unit 132 may repeat the process of Step S22.
[0050]
Further, when the monitoring time of the IJE is not set in the movement
15 sensing request, the SCS 45 may transmit, to the UE 35, a message representing
that the movement sensing is stopped at the timing at which the movement sensing
is to be stopped. When the UE 35 has received a message representing the
~novements ensing stop, the UE 35 stops execution of the movement sensing
process shown in Fig. 6.
20 [OOSl]
As described above, use of the location information management system
according to the first embodiment of the present invention allows the UE to sense
the lnovelnent of itself without using the GPS and, moreover, without constantly
connecting to any eNB. Further, by setting a sense policy fsorn the SCS 45 to the
25 UE 35, the time for continuing the inove~nerlts ensing of the UE, or the intervals
between the times that the UE executes the movement sensing process can be
changed.
[0052]
For exan~ple,w hen a long interval between the ti~ncsth at the UE executes
30 the ~noven~esnetn sillg process is set, it becomes possible to reduce the nun~bero f
times that the UE executes the process of detern~iniilg whether or not the area
inforlnatioil included in the system in~ormationa grees with the previously received
area infor~nation. 'Thus, the power consu~nption of the UE can be reduced.
[0053]
(Second Embodiment)
Subsequently, with reference to Fig. 7, a description will be given of the
flow of a movement sensing process according to a second embodiment of the
present invention. Firstly, the AS 55 transmits a movement sensing request to the
5 SCS 45 (S31). The movement sensing request transmitted from the AS 55 to the
SCS 45 includes information relating to the UE whose movement sensing is
desired, and a sense policy. The sense policy is, for example, information
representing the intervals between the times of monitoring the UE, or the time of
monitoring the UE.
10 [0054]
Next, the SCS 45 transmits a ~novement sensing request to the MTC-IWF
65 (S32). For example, the SCS 45 transmits the movement sensing request using
the interface defined between the SCS 45 and the MTC-IWF 65. The interface
between the SCS 45 and the MTC-IWF 65 may be, for example, Tsp interface
15 defined in the 3GPP. The SCS 45 transmits the movement sensing request as
control data. In the following description also, the MTC-IWF 65, the MME 60
and the like use each movement sensing request as control data. The movement
sensing request transmitted from the SCS 45 to the MTC-IWF 65 includes an
identifier of the UE and the sense policy. The identifier of the UE i s an identifier
20 associated with the UE specified by the AS 55 and used in the mobile
communication network 100.
[0055]
Next, the MTC-IWF 65 specifies the MME 60 to be the recipient of a
~novcments ensing request, and transmits the movement sensing request to the
25 specified MME 60 (S33). The MTC-IWF 65 specifies, as the MME 60 to be the
recipient, the MME 60 that manages the IJE specified in the movement sensing
request transmitted from the SCS 45. The MTC-IWF 65 transmits the movement
sensing request using an interface specified between the MTC-IWF 65 and the
MME 60. The interface between the M'fC-IWF 65 and the MME 60 may be, for
30 example, T5 intcrface defined in the 3GPP. The movement sensing request
transmitted froin the MTC-IWF 65 to the MME 60 includes an identifier of the UE
used in the mobile con~inunication network 100 and the sense policy.
(00561
Next, the MME 60 transmits a moven~ent sensing request to the specified
UE 35 (S34). The MME 60 transmits the movement sensing request using the
interface defined between the MME 60 and the UE 35. For example, the MME 60
transmits the movement sensing request using the NAS (Non-Access Stratum)
protocol defined in the 3GPP. The movement sensing request includes the sense
5 policy.
[0057]
Next, when the UE 35 receives the movement sensing request, the UE 35
executes the movement sensing process based on the sense policy (S35). For
example, the area information monitoring unit 132 may execute the movement
10 sensing process at each monitor timing set in the sense policy. When the UE 35
senses movement in the movement sensing process, the UE 35 transmits a
movement sensed notification to the MME 60 using the NAS protocol (S36).
[0058]
Next, the MME 60 transmits a movement sensed notification to the
15 MTC-IWF 65 using a route similar to that in Step S33 (S37). Next, the MTC-IWF
65 transmits a movement sensed notification to the SCS 45 using a route similar to
that in Step S32 (S38). Next, the SCS 45 transmits a movement sensed
notification to the AS 55 using a route similar to that in Step S31 (S39).
[0059]
20 As described above, by receiving a movement sensing request using thc
flow of the movement sensing process according to the second embodiment of the
present i n v e n t i o ~t~h,c UE can sense the movement of itself without using the GPS
and, moreover, witl~outc onstantly connecting to any eNB. Further, the UE can
notify the AS 55 of a movement sensed notification.
25 [0060]
Here, the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the
first embodimc~~int regard to the protocol that is used for transmitting each
~novernent sensing request and each movement sensed notification. That is, in the
first embodiment, each movement sensing request and each movement sensed
30 notification are transmitted as application data or user data between the AS 55 and
the UE 35, whereas in the second embodiment, the SCS 45, the MTC-IWF 65, the
MME 60, and the UE 35 transn~it and receive each movement sensing recluest and
each movement sensed notification via the protocol that is used for transmitting
control signals among such apparatuses. In this manner, an effect similar to that
of the first embodiment can be achieved.
[006 11
(Third Embodiment)
Next, with reference to Fig. 8, a description will be given of the flow of a
5 UE location information acquiring process according to a third embodiment of the
present invention.
[0062]
Firstly, the SCS 45 senses or recognizes that the specified UE has moved
(S41). For example, as described with reference to Fig. 5 or Fig. 7, the SCS 45
10 senses that the specified UE has moved by receiving a movement sensed
notification from the UE 35 or the MTC-IWF 65.
(00631
Subsequently, the SCS 45 transmits a location i~lformationa cquiring
request to the MTC-IWF 65 (S42). The SCS 45 may transmit, to the MTC-IWF
15 65, the location information acquiring request in which the identification
information of the UE whose movement has been sensed, intervals between the
times at which location information is acquired and the like are set.
[0064]
When the MTC-IWF 65 receives the location inforniatioll acquiring
20 request, the MTC-IWF 65 detects the location information of the specified UE 35.
For example, the UE 35 may autonomously connect to the eNB 15 when the UE 35
senses the ~novement of itself in the movement sensing process described with
reference to Fig. 6. Alternatively, as described with reference to Fig. 5 or Fig. 7,
the MME 60 may be controlled to connect the eNB 15 and the UE 35 upon receipt
25 of a movement sensed notification from the UE 35. In this manner, when the UE
35 is connected to the eNB 15, the MTC-IWF 65 provides the SCS 45 with a
location iliforl~~atioanc quired response in which information relating to the eNB
15 to which the UE 35 is connected is set (S43). When the intervals between the
times at which location information is acquired is set in the location infornlation
30 acquiring request, the MTC-IWF 65 may transmit the location information
acquircd response at each specified interval to the SCS 45. 'The SCS 45 can grasp
the rough location of the UE 35 by recogllizing the eNB 15 to which the UE 35 is
connected.
[0065]
Further, in the case where the location information of the UE is acquired
after the movement of the UE has been sensed, a specific billing rate may be set to
the AS 55 desiring to acquire the location information. The SCS 45 may notify,
for example, a billing information processing server of the billing rate that is set to
5 the AS 55 desiring to acquire the location information. In this case, the billing
rate may be varied depending on the intervals between the times at which location
information is acquired, the number of UEs whose location information is to be
acquired and the like.
[0066]
As described above, use of the flow of the UE location inforination
acquiring process according to the third embodiment of the present invention
makes it possible to track the location of the UE 35 which has started to move.
Thus, for example when the UE 35 is stolen, the AS 55 can track the location of the
UE 35.
15 [0067]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments, and that they can be appropriately changed without departing from
the spirit of the invention.
Reference Signs List
20 [0068]
Although the present invention has been explained as a hardware
configuration in the above-mentioned embodiments, it is not limited to this. The
present invention can achieve processing of fig. 6 by making a CPU (Central
Processing Unit) execute a computer program.
25 In the above-mentioned example, the program can be stored using various types of
non-transitory computer readable media, and call be supplied to a computer. The
non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage
media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable medium include: a
magnetic recording mediuin (for example, a flexiblc disk, a magnetic tape, a hard
30 disk drive); a magnetic optical recording medium (for example, a magnetic optical
disk); a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory); a CD-R; a CI>-K/W; and a semiconductor
lnelnory (for example, a nlaslc KOM, a PROM (Programmable ROM), an EPROM
(Erasable PROM), a flash ROM, an RAM (Random Access Melnory)). In
addition, the program may be supplied to the computer by various types of
transitory computer readable media. Examples of the transitory computer
readable media include an electrical signal, an optical signal, and an
electromagnetic wave. The transitory computer readable medium can supply the
program to the computer through a wired commuilication channel, such as an
5 electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication channel.
the spirit of the invention.
[0069]
Hereinbefore, although the invention in the present application has been
explained with reference to the embodiments, the invention in the present
10 application is not limited by the above. Various changes that those skilled in the
art can understand within the scope of the invention can be made to a configuration
and a detail of the invention in the present application.
[0070]
This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No.
15 2012-260720 filed on November 29, 2012, and the entire disclosure thereof is
incorporated herein.
[007 11
10 base station
11 base station
15 eNB
20 cell
2 1 cell
30 mobile station
35 IJ E
40 service management server
45 SCS
50 service providing server
55 AS
60 MME
65 MTC-IWF
100 mobile cominuilication network
13 1 radio communication unit
132 area inforination monitoring unit
133 monitor timing control unit
141 AS communication unit
142 control unit
143 MTC-IWF communication unit
144 terminal ID DB
200 external communication network

WE CLAIM:
1. A location information management system comprising:
a mobile station that is located in a mobile communication network; and
5 a service management server that receives a movement sensing request to
sense a movement of the mobile station from a service providing server provided
in an external communication network, the service management server thereafter
notifying the service providing server that the movement of the mobile station has
been sensed upon a11 occurrence of the movement of the mobile station, wherein
10 the mobile station receives, from a base station forming an area in which
the mobile station is located, first area information included in information that is
periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the area, the mobile
station thereafter sensing that the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of
second area information different from the first area information, and the mobile
15 station notifying the service management server that the movement of the mobile
station itself has been sensed.
2. The location information management system according to Claim 1,
wherein
20 the service management server notifies the mobile station of a monitoring
time for monitoring sensing of a nlovement of the mobile station, and
the mobile station notifies the service management server that the
movement of the mobile station has been sensed when the mobile station senses
that the mobile station has moved witl~in the monitoring time, and the mobile
25 station does not notify the service management server of the movement sensing
result when the monitoring time has elapsed.
3. The location inforination nlanagement system according to Claim 1 or 2,
wherein the service management server notifies the mobile station of the intervals
30 between the times of monitoring the area information included in the information
periodically transmitted from the base station.
4. The location information management system according to Claim 2,
wherein the service mallagement server notifies the mobile station of an end of the
24
monitoring time when the monitoring time has elapsed.
5 . The location information management system according to Claim 2,
wherein the mobile station itself manages whether or not the monitoring time has
5 elapsed.
6. The location information management system according to any one of
Claims 1 to 5 , wherein
the mobile station connects to a base station in an area of which the mobile
10 station is currently located, when the mobile station senses that the mobile station
itself has moved, and
the service management server receives information relating to the base
station to which the mobile station is connected.
7. The location information management system according to any one of
Claims 1 to 5 , further colnprising a movement management apparatus that manages
location information of the mobile station, the movement management apparatus
connecting a base station in an area of which the mobile station is currently located
and the mobile station to each other, when it is sensed that the mobile station has
20 moved.
8. The location information management system according to any one of
Clailns 1 to 7, wherein the service management server transmits the movement
sensing request to the mobile station using application data.
25
9. 'The location information management system according to any one of
Clainls 1 to 7. wl~ercin the service inanagement server transmits the movement
sensing request to the mobile station using a control signal defined anlong
colnmunication nodes arranged in the mobile communication network.
30
10. A mobile station comprising:
area information monitoring means for receiving, from a base station
forming a communication area, first area information included in information that
is periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the communication
area, the area information monitoring means thereafter sensing that the mobile
station has moved upon receipt of second area information different from the first
area information; and
cominunication means for transmitting a notification that the movement of
5 the mobile station has been sensed to a service management server that
communicates with a service providing server arranged in an external
communication network.
11. The mobile station according to Claim 10, wherein
the communication means receives, from the service management server,
information relating to a monitoring time for monitoring sensing of a movement,
and
the area information monitoring means notifies the service management
server that the movement of the mobile station has been sensed when the mobile
15 station senses that the mobile station has moved within the monitoring time, and
the area information monitoring means does not notify the service management
server of the movement sensing result when the monitoring time has elapsed.
12. A service management server comprising:
20 first communication means for receiving, from a base station forming an
area in which a mobile station is located, first area information included in
information that is periodically transmitted to each mobile station located in the
area, the first communicatiol~m eans thereafter receiving a movement sensed
notification from the mobile station that senses that the mobile station itself has
25 lnoved upon receipt of second area information different from the first area
infor~nation;a nd
second communication means for transmitting the movement sensed
notification to a service providing server arranged in an external communication
network.
30
13. The service management server according to Claim 12, wherein
the first communication means notifies the mobile station of a monitoring
time for monitoring sensing of a movement of the lnobile station, and receives the
movement sensed ~lotificationf rom the mobile station that has sensed that the
mobile station has moved within the monitorillg time.
14. The service management server according to Claim 12 or 13, wherein
the first communication means notifies the mobile station of the intervals between
5 the times of monitoring the area information included in the information
periodically transmitted from the base station.
15. The service management server according to Claim 13, wherein the first
communication means notifies the mobile station of an end of the monitoring time
10 when the monitoring time has elapsed.
16. A movement sensing method comprising:
receiving, from a base station forming a communication area, first area
information included in information periodically transmitted to each mobile
15 station located in the communication area, and thereafter sensing that a mobile
station has moved upon receipt of second area informatioil different from the first
area information; and
notifying a service management server that communicates with a service
providing server arranged in an external co~nmunicatioiln etwork that the
20 movement of the mobile station has been sensed.
17. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program for
causing a computer to execute the steps of:
receiving, from a base station forming a communication area, first area
25 information included in information periodically trans~nitted to each mobile
station located in the comn~unicationa rea, and thereafter sensing that a mobile
station has moved upon receipt of second area information different from the first
area information; and
notifying a service managernel~t server that colnlnunicates with a service
30 providi~lgs erver arranged i l l an external communication letw work that the
lnoveinent of the lnobilc station has been sensed.
18. A movement sensing method comprising:
receiving a movement sensed notification from a mobile station that
receives, from a base station forming an area in which the nob bile station is
located, first area information included in information periodically transmitted to
each mobile station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that
the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of second area information from
5 the base station different from the first area information; and
transmitting the movement sensed notification to a service providing server
arranged ill an external communication network.
19. A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a program for
10 causing a computer to execute the steps of:
receiving a movement sensed notification from a mobile station that
receives, from a base station forming an area in which the nob bile station is
located, first area information included in information periodically transmitted to
each mobile station located in the area, the mobile station thereafter sensing that
15 the mobile station itself has moved upon receipt of second area inforn~ationf rom
the base station different from the first area information; and
transmitting the movement sensed notification to a service providing server
arranged in an external communication network.