Wireless communication systems and methods

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide methods, devices and computer programs arranged to facilitate access to device-to-device (D2D) communication services in a communication network. One embodiment includes an apparatus for use in controlling access to a D2D communication service in a communication network, the apparatus including a processing system arranged to cause the apparatus to: receive a D2D discovery signal including data indicative of said D2D communication service; determine a verification state for the D2D communication service as one of a first verification state and a second, different, verification state, on the basis of said received D2D discovery signal, the first verification state being one in which said D2D communication service can be verified by the apparatus; and in the event that said D2D communication service is determined to be in the second verification state, transmit data indicative of said D2D communication service for verification by the communication network.

1 . An electronic device comprising:
 circuitry configured to
 receive a device-to-device (D2D) discovery signal corresponding to a D2D communication service from another electronic device; 
 determine whether the D2D communication service can be verified; and 
 transmit data corresponding to the D2D communication service over a communication network for verification in a case that it is determined that the D2D communication service cannot be verified by the electronic device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to determine a verification state for the D2D communication service as one of a first verification state and a second verification state based on the D2D discovery signal.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein
 the first verification state corresponds to a state in which the D2D communication service can be verified by the electronic device, and the second verification state corresponds to a state in which the D2D communication service cannot be verified by the electronic device.   
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to transmit data corresponding to the D2D communication service over the communication network for verification in a case that it is determined that the D2D communication service is determined to be in the second verification state.   
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 3 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to not transmit data corresponding to the D2D communication service over the communication network for verification in a case that it is determined that the D2D communication service is determined to be in the first verification state.   
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to transmit the data corresponding to the D2D communication service in a control plane message.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to transmit the data corresponding to the D2D communication service in a Non Access Stratum (NAS) message.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to transmit the data corresponding to the D2D communication service in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling message.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to control the electronic device to transition from an RRC idle mode to an RRC operative mode other than the RRC idle operative mode based on the transmission of the RRC signaling message.   
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein
 the RRC signalling message includes an RRCConnectionRequest or an RRCConnectionSetupComplete message.   
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to transmit the data corresponding to the D2D communication service in a non-3GPP dedicated information message.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to receive an indication that the D2D communication service is verified via the communication network.   
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to transmit a request to access the D2D communication service.   
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 maintain a list of verified D2D communication services; and   determine whether the D2D communication service can be verified based on the list.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to add data indicative of the D2D communication service to the list in response to receiving an indication that the D2D communication service is verified via the communication network.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein
 the D2D discovery signal comprises data corresponding to a service credential, and   the circuitry is configured to determine whether the D2D communication service can be verified based on the service credential.   
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to:
 receive a service credential corresponding to the D2D communication service via the communication network; and   determine whether the D2D communication service can be verified based on the service credential.   
     
     
         18 . A method performed by an electronic device, the method comprising:
 receiving a device-to-device (D2D) discovery signal corresponding to a D2D communication service from another electronic device;   determining whether the D2D communication service can be verified; and   transmitting data corresponding to the D2D communication service over a communication network for verification in a case that it is determined that the D2D communication service cannot be verified by the electronic device  19 .   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for facilitating access to a device-to-device (D2D) communication service provided to a D2D device in a communication network, the apparatus comprising:
 circuitry configured to
 receive a first message comprising a first indication whether the D2D device is authorized for the communication network; 
 receive a second message comprising a second indication whether the D2D communication service is authorized for the communication network; and 
 transmit a third message for reception by the D2D device, the third message comprising a combination of the indication of the first and second indications. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein
 the circuitry is configured to identify the second message based on an identifier included in the first message.