Apparatus, system and method for secure direct communication in proximity based services

Abstract

A mobile communication system includes a central processing unit coupled to a memory storing instructions for executing a User Equipment (UE) implemented by a transceiver and a controller that supports Proximity Services (ProSe), and a ProSe Function that supports the ProSe and communicates with the UE via a PC3 interface. The UE sends a message for a discovery to the ProSe Function via the PC3. The ProSe Function directly sends security information to the UE via the PC3. The UE directly sends a protected message to another UE an a PC5 interface using a key based on the security information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile communication system, comprising:
 a central processing unit coupled to a memory storing instructions for executing:
 a User Equipment (UE) implemented by a transceiver and a controller that supports Proximity Services (ProSe); and 
 a ProSe Function that supports the ProSe and communicates with the UE via a PC3 interface, 
   wherein the UE sends a message for a discovery to the ProSe Function via the PC3,   wherein the ProSe Function directly sends security information to the UE via the PC3, and   wherein the UE directly sends a protected message to another UE on a PC5 interface using a key based on the security information.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile communication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the ProSe Function communicates with a ProSe Application Server via a PC2 interface based on the message for discovery from the UE. 
     
     
         3 . A Proximity Services (ProSe) Function in a mobile communication system that includes a central processing unit coupled to a memory storing instructions for executing a User Equipment (UE), implemented by a transceiver and a controller, which supports ProSe and a ProSe Application Server, the ProSe Function comprising:
 the controller configured to support the ProSe and to communicate with the UE via a PC3 interface; and   the transceiver configured to directly send security information to the UE via the PC3,   wherein the UE directly sends a protected message to another UE on a PC5 interface using a key based on the security information.   
     
     
         4 . The ProSe Function according to  claim 3 , wherein the ProSe Function communicates with a ProSe Application Server via a PC2 interface based on the message for discovery from the UE. 
     
     
         5 . A User Equipment (UE) implemented by a transceiver and a controller in a mobile communication system that includes a central processing unit coupled to a memory storing instructions for executing a Proximity Services (ProSe) Function that supports the ProSe and communicates with the UE via a PC3 interface, the UE comprising:
 the controller configured to directly communicate with the ProSe Function via PC3 interface, and to support the ProSe; and   the transceiver configured to send a message for a discovery to the ProSe Function, to directly receive security information from the ProSe Function, and to directly send a protected message to another UE on a PC5 interface using a key based on the information.   
     
     
         6 . The UE according to  claim 5 , wherein the ProSe Function communicates with a ProSe Application Server via a PC2 interface based on the message for discovery from the UE. 
     
     
         7 . A method of a mobile communication system including a User Equipment (UE) that supports Proximity Services (ProSe), and a ProSe Function that supports the ProSe and communicates with the UE via a PC3 interface, the method comprising:
 sending, by the UE, a message for a discovery to the ProSe Function via the PC3;   sending directly, by the ProSe Function, security information to the UE via the PC3; and   sending directly, by the UE, a protected message to another UE on a PC5 interface using a key based on the security information.   
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7 , wherein the ProSe Function communicates with a ProSe Application Server via a PC2 interface based on the message for discovery from the UE. 
     
     
         9 . A method of a Proximity Services (ProSe) Function in a mobile communication system that includes a User Equipment (UE) which supports ProSe, and a ProSe Application Server, the method comprising:
 supporting the ProSe;   communicating with the UE via a PC3 interface; and   sending directly security information to the UE via the PC3,   wherein the UE directly sends a protected message to another UE on a PC5 interface using a key based on the security information.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the ProSe Function communicates with a ProSe Application Server via a PC2 interface based on the message for discovery from the UE. 
     
     
         11 . A method of at User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system that includes a Proximity Services (ProSe) Function that supports the ProSe and communicates with the UE via a PC3 interface, and a ProSe application server that communicates with the ProSe function via a PC2 interface, the method comprising:
 communicating directly with the ProSe Function via PC3 interface;   supporting the ProSe;   sending a message for a discovery to the ProSe Function;   receiving directly security information from the ProSe Function; and   sending directly a protected message to another UE on a PC5 interface using a key based on the information.