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 on a PC5 interface using a key based on the security information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile communication system comprising:
 a first User Equipment (UE);   a second UE;   a first network node;   a second network node; and   a third network node for managing key information, wherein:   the first network node is configured to register the first UE, and send the key information obtained from the third network node to the first UE,   the second network node is configured to register the second UE, and send the key information obtained from the third network node to the second UE,   the first UE is configured to generate a security key from the key information,   the second UE is configured to generate the security key from the key information, and   the first UE is configured to perform secure direct communication with the second UE using the security key.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile communication system of  claim 1 , wherein the first UE and the second UE use a public key. 
     
     
         3 . A communication method of a mobile communication system, the communication method comprising:
 registering, by a first network node, a first UE, and sending key information obtained from a third network node to the first UE;   registering, by a second network node, a second UE, and sending the key information obtained from the third network node to the second UE;   generating, by the first UE, a security key from the key information;   generating, by the second UE, the security key from the key information; and   performing, by the first UE, secure direct communication with the second UE using the security key.   
     
     
         4 . The communication method of  claim 3 , wherein the first UE and the second UE use a public key. 
     
     
         5 . A User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system, the UE comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that when executed by the at least processor cause the at least one processor to:   receive registration from a first network node,   receive key information from the first network node, the first network node receiving the key information from a third network node,   generate a security key from the key information, and   perform secure direct communication with another UE using the security key, the another UE receiving the registration from a second network node, receiving the key information from the first network node, and generating the security key from the key information.   
     
     
         6 . The UE of  claim 5 , wherein the first UE and the second UE use a public key. 
     
     
         7 . A communication method of a User Equipment (UE) in a mobile communication system, the communication method comprising:
 receiving registration from a first network node;   receiving key information from the first network node, the first network node receiving the key information from a third network node;   generating a security key from the key information; and   performing secure direct communication with another UE using the security key, the another UE receiving the registration from a second network node, receiving the key information from the first network node, and generating the security key from the key information.   
     
     
         8 . The communication method of  claim 7 , wherein the first UE and the second UE use a public key.