Performance Enhancement on PS Data-Off

Abstract

A method of modifying PS_Data_Off status via a PDN connection modification procedure and interpreting network PS_Data_Off support feature is proposed. A UE modifies the PS data off status by using a bearer resource modification procedure. The UE receives a response to the modification request and monitors whether the response includes the 3GPP PS_Data_Off Support indication. In one embodiment, if the network does not provide the 3GPP PS_Data_Off Support Indication, the UE thinks that the network does not support PS data off feature regardless whether the network accept or reject the modification request. In another embodiment, if the network does not provide the 3GPP PS_Data_Off Support Indication, then UE thinks that the network supports PS data off feature if it accepts the modification request, and does not support PS data off feature if it rejects the modification request.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 establishing a packet data network (PDN) connection by a user equipment (UE) in a mobile communication network, wherein the UE receives a first packet-switched data-off (PS_Data_Off) support indication from the network;   transmitting a Bearer Resource Modification Request to the network and receiving a response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request from the network;   monitoring a second PS_Data_Off support indication in the response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request; and   determining whether PS_Data_Off is supported by the network upon detecting whether the response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request carries any PS_Data_Off support indication.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the UE triggers the PDU session modification request by modifying a PS_Data_Off status of the UE. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the UE determines that PS_Data_Off is not supported by the network when the response does not carry any PS_Data_Off support indication. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the Bearer Resource Modification Request is accepted via a Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the Bearer Resource Modification Request is rejected via a Modify EPS Bearer Context Reject message. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the Modify EPS Bearer Context Reject message comprises a proper cause sent to the UE. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the UE receives the second PS_Data_Off support indication in the response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the PS_Data_Off support indication comprises a field indicating whether PS_Data_Off is supported or not. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the UE determines whether to inform a subsequent PS_Data_Off status change to the network based on whether PS_Data_Off is supported by the network. 
     
     
         10 . A User Equipment (UE), comprising:
 a connection handling circuit that establishes a packet data network (PDN) connection in a mobile communication network, wherein the UE receives a first packet-switched data-off (PS_Data_Off) support indication from the network;   a transmitter that transmits a Bearer Resource Modification Request to the network, wherein the UE receives a response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request from the network;   a monitoring circuit that monitors a second PS_Data_Off support indication in the response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request; and   a PS data handling circuit that determines whether PS_Data_Off is supported by the network upon detecting whether the response to the carries any PS_Data_Off support indication.   
     
     
         11 . The UE of  claim 10 , wherein the UE triggers the PDU session modification request by modifying a PS_Data_Off status of the UE. 
     
     
         12 . The UE of  claim 10 , wherein the UE determines that PS_Data_Off is not supported by the network when the response does not carry any PS_Data_Off support indication. 
     
     
         13 . The UE of  claim 12 , wherein the Bearer Resource Modification Request is accepted via a Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message. 
     
     
         14 . The UE of  claim 12 , wherein the Bearer Resource Modification Request is rejected via a Modify EPS Bearer Context Reject message. 
     
     
         15 . The UE of  claim 14 , wherein the Modify EPS Bearer Context Reject message comprises a proper cause sent to the UE. 
     
     
         16 . The UE of  claim 10 , wherein the UE receives the second PS_Data_Off support indication in the response to the Bearer Resource Modification Request. 
     
     
         17 . The UE of  claim 16 , wherein the PS_Data_Off support indication comprises a field indicating whether PS_Data_Off is supported or not. 
     
     
         18 . The UE of  claim 10 , wherein the UE determines whether to inform a subsequent PS_Data_Off status change to the network based on whether PS_Data_Off is supported by the network. 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 establishing a packet data network (PDN) connection by a user equipment (UE) in a mobile communication network;   receiving a Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message from the network;   monitoring a packet-switched data-off (PS_Data_Off) support indication in the Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message; and   determining whether PS_Data_Off is supported by the network upon detecting whether the Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message carries any PS_Data_Off support indication.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the PDN connection does not support PS_Data_Off before the Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message is transmitted from the network. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the Modify EPS Bearer Context Request message carries the PS_Data_Off support indication indicating PS_Data_Off is supported by the network. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the UE determines whether to inform a subsequent PS_Data_Off status change to the network based on whether PS_Data_Off is supported by the network.