HK1154150A - Method and apparatus to deliver public warning messages - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for delivering common alert messages

Technical Field

The present application relates to wireless communications.

Background

The third generation partnership project (3GPP) has initiated the Long Term Evolution (LTE) project to introduce new technologies, new network architectures, new configurations and new applications and services to wireless networks to provide improved spectral efficiency and faster user experience.

There are a variety of artificial and natural emergencies that cause considerable damage over a wide area. Such as hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, floods, chemical spills, and explosions, can cause significant loss of life and property. Some governments and commercial agencies currently provide alerts through sirens, radio and/or television, while public alert systems incorporating wireless transmit/receive units (WTRUs) in LTE networks may increase the likelihood that many people will be alerted of these dangers in advance.

Fig. 1 shows an LTE control plane protocol stack 100 according to the prior art. The protocol stack 100 may be located in a WTRU 102 and an enodeb (enb) 120. The stack includes Radio Resource Control (RRC)104, 124, Packet Data Control Protocol (PDCP)106, 126, Radio Link Control (RLC)108, 128, Medium Access Control (MAC)110, 130, and physical layer (PHY)112, 132. Non-access stratum (NAS)114, 144 may also exist in the WTRU 102 and the Mobility Management Entity (MME) 140.

Fig. 2 shows an LTE user plane protocol stack 200 according to the prior art. The user plane protocol stack 200 may exist in the WTRU 202 and the eNB 222. The user plane protocol stack 200 may include PDCP204, 224, RLC 206, 226, MAC 208, 218, and physical layer 210, 230.

In an LTE communication system, the WTRU and the eNB may share operating parameters to communicate correctly. One way for the eNB to inform the WTRU of the operating parameters is for the eNB to send system information to the WTRU. The system information is common information about how the WTRU communicates with the user, such as transmission bandwidth, channel configuration, cell load, and power control parameters.

There may be a relatively large amount of system information transmitted by the eNB in the cell. Thus, to organize system information transmissions, information may be divided into a number of System Information Blocks (SIBs). The type of system information carried in a particular SIB is fixed, but the value of the information carried in each SIB may vary.

Some SIBs may have the same scheduling requirements, such as periodicity. It is possible that more than one System Information (SI) message is sent in the same period. Each SIB may include a set of relevant SI parameters. Some SIBs have been defined in the current art, including, for example, a Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB may include a limited number of frequently transmitted parameters. Another SIB defined is SIB type 1. SIB type 1 may include scheduling information as well as an indication of when the SIB message was sent. The main system message (SI-M) and system message 1(SI-1) are specific versions of the SI message, carrying only a single SIB, MIB and SIB type 1, respectively. The SI-M message is carried on a Broadcast Channel (BCH) and all other SI messages are carried on a downlink synchronization channel (DL-SCH). The system information uploaded on the BCH is contained in the MIB. All other system information is carried on the DL-SCH.

The paging message may be used to inform a WTRU in an RRC _ IDLE (RRC _ IDLE) state about a change in system information. A WTRU in an RRC _ CONNECTED (RRC _ CONNECTED) state may monitor a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) on a periodic basis and at times specifically defined for this purpose. If the WTRU detects an RNTI (radio network temporary identifier) for the system information change on the PDCCH, the WTRU may determine that the system information change will occur on the next modification period boundary.

The SI-1 message includes a value tag that may indicate whether a change has occurred in the system information in addition to SI-M and SI-1. The WTRU may use the value tag returned based on out-of-coverage to verify whether the previously obtained system information is still valid. The WTRU may consider the system information valid for up to 6 hours from the time the system information is received.

Figure 3 shows a functional model for a WTRU 300 in accordance with the prior art. The interface between the WTRU 300 and the network is a radio interface. The WTRU 300 may be divided into multiple domains (domains) separated by reference points. Some of the defined domains are a global subscriber identity module (USIM) domain 302 and a Mobile Equipment (ME) domain 304. The ME domain 304 may also be divided into components that indicate connectivity between multifunctional groups. These groups may be implemented in one or more hardware devices. An example of such connectivity is the interface of Terminal Equipment (TE)306 to Mobile Terminal (MT) 308.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of physical components 400 mapped onto the functional diagram 300 of fig. 3. A Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC)402 may be a physical implementation of the USIM 302 of fig. 3. The other parts of the WTRU 404 may physically represent the MT 308 of fig. 3, and the personal computer 406 may physically embody the TE 306 of fig. 3.

The "attention" (AT) command can be used to control MT functions as well as GSM/Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network services from the Terminal Equipment (TE) through the Terminal Adapter (TA). The use of AT commands assumes an abstract structure. Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an abstraction architecture 500 that can incorporate AT commands. Architecture 500 includes TE 502, MT 506, and TA 504, which serves as an interface between TE 502 and MT 506. For example, the TE 502 may be a computer. The MT 506 can send MT status information 508 into the TA 504 and receive MT control messages 510 from the TA 504. The TE 502 may send AT commands 512 into the TA 504 and receive responses 514 from the TA 504. As shown in fig. 5, TA 504, MT 506 and TE 502 are separate entities. However, the TA 504 may be integrated under the MT 506 while the TE 502 is implemented as a separate entity (not shown configured). Likewise, the TA 504 may be integrated under the TE 502, while the MT 506 is implemented as a separate entity (not shown configured). Finally, both the TA 504 and the MT 506 can be integrated as a single entity (not shown configured) under the TE 502.

Disclosure of Invention

A method and apparatus for a WTRU to receive an emergency situation notification is disclosed. The method and apparatus may include the WTRU receiving a paging message with an emergency situation notification and the WTRU receiving scheduling information in a system information block. The WTRU may also receive emergency condition information in another system information block.

Drawings

The present application will be understood in more detail from the following description, given by way of example and understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows an LTE control plane protocol stack in accordance with the prior art;

figure 2 shows an LTE user plane protocol stack in accordance with the prior art;

figure 3 shows a functional model for a WTRU in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of physical components mapped onto the functional diagram of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an abstraction architecture incorporating AT commands in accordance with the prior art;

FIG. 6 illustrates a wireless communication system in accordance with one embodiment;

figure 7 is a functional block diagram of a WTRU and an eNB in the wireless communication system of figure 6;

figure 8 is a block diagram of a WTRU emergency procedure in accordance with one embodiment; and

figure 9 is a block diagram of a WTRU emergency procedure in accordance with one embodiment.

Detailed Description

When referred to hereafter, the terminology "wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU)" includes but is not limited to a User Equipment (UE), a mobile station, a fixed or mobile subscriber unit, a pager, a cellular telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a computer, or any other type of user equipment capable of operating in a wireless environment. When referred to hereafter, the terminology "base station" includes but is not limited to a node-B, a site controller, an Access Point (AP), or any other type of interfacing device capable of operating in a wireless environment.

Figure 6 shows a wireless communication system 600 including a plurality of WTRUs 610 and an eNB 620. As shown in fig. 6, the WTRU610 communicates with the eNB 620. Although fig. 6 shows three WTRUs 610 and one eNB 620, it should be noted that any combination of wireless and wired devices may be included in the wireless communication system 600.

Figure 7 is a functional block diagram 700 of a WTRU610 and an eNB 620 in the wireless communication system 600 of figure 6. As shown in fig. 6, the WTRU610 communicates with the eNB 620. The WTRU610 is configured to receive system information and a system information change notification from the eNB 620. The WTRU610 is also configured to send and receive RRC messages and information elements. The eNB 620 may be configured to transmit and the WTRU610 may be configured to receive and monitor signals on a Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH). The WTRU610 may be configured to receive paging messages and other downlink signaling.

In addition to the components that may be found in a typical WTRU, the WTRU610 includes a processor 715, a receiver 716, a transmitter 717, and an antenna 718. The WTRU610 may also include a user interface 721 which may include, but is not limited to, an LCD or LED screen, a touch screen, a keyboard, a stylus, and other types of input/output devices. The WTRU610 may also include volatile and non-volatile memory 719, and interfaces 720 to other devices, such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial port, etc. The receiver 716 and transmitter 717 are in communication with the processor 715. The antenna 718 is in communication with both the receiver 716 and the transmitter 717 to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

In addition to components that may be found in a typical eNB, eNB 620 includes a processor 725, a receiver 726, a transmitter 727, and an antenna 728. Both the receiver 726 and the transmitter 727 are in communication with the processor 725. The antenna 728 is in communication with both the receiver 726 and the transmitter 727 to facilitate the transmission and reception of wireless data.

The RRC system information may be utilized to notify the WTRU of emergency situations. This alarm may be distributed to all enbs in the network. The RRC layer may place alarms in one or more SIBs or MIB. The SIB or MIB may include:

a. an emergency notification;

b. a code or value that maps to a particular condition;

c. text messages describing emergency situations and recommended actions to take;

d. a callback telephone number for more information;

e. a network address for more information;

location information of the WTRU or the user;

g. information about the nearest emergency service provider, such as a hospital, police station, etc.;

h. time; and

i. an available indicator of system information upgrades containing emergency information or changes to emergency information.

The information may be contained in more than one SIB. For example, information that an emergency exists may be carried in a frequently repeating Scheduling Unit (SU), such as SU-1. The detailed information may be carried in other SUs.

Alternatively, rapidly changing or frequently repeating SIBs may be used to carry all the information required for all emergency purposes. The WTRU may monitor a downlink channel such as a Broadcast Channel (BCH) or a downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) at predetermined intervals so that the WTRU may act on emergency information when a fast changing SIB is received. Additionally, the WTRU may monitor the MIB and/or scheduling information to discover when SIBs for emergency conditions will be sent. The RRC in the WTRU may request system information related to the emergency condition. The RRC may then communicate with the NAS and pass the information contained in the emergency SIB to the NAS for processing.

Upon occurrence of an emergency condition, the WTRU receives a page (page) indicating that system information has changed and that emergency information is as follows. The WTRU reads the updated system information to find out which information is new or changed.

In another embodiment, a "paging cause" may be added to the paging message/record to indicate a change in system information due to an emergency condition. The WTRU may analyze the paging cause. If the WTRU finds that the system information has changed, the WTRU reads the SIB containing emergency situation information and notifies the relevant layers and applications.

Alternatively, the WTRU may receive a page indicating that an emergency situation already exists. The reason for paging may include an indication that an emergency exists. For example, the WTRU may read the appropriate SIBs when such a page is received. WTRUs camping on a cell for emergency-only access are able to sense the paging channel for common emergency notification.

Alternatively, the WTRU may receive a value, such as an N value contained in the MIB. When the System Frame Number (SFN), modulo N, is 0 (or every nth frame), the WTRU reads the DL-SCH for any information about the alarm being sent. The location of the alarm SIB may be static when the alarm is sent. Alternatively, the location of the warning SIB may be predefined so that the WTRU can correctly define its reception window. Periodic reads of SIBs may also be performed sometimes when a high risk condition is perceived.

System information resources may be scarce or insufficient to carry a large number of text messages that fully describe the details of an emergency situation. However, the amount of information carried over the air during an emergency situation may be reduced.

The WTRU may be pre-loaded or pre-configured with text messages corresponding to particular emergency conditions. Examples of text messages are shown in table 1.

Emergency code	Description of emergency
		1	Tsunami
2	Earthquake
		3	Chemical leakage
……	……

TABLE 1

As shown in table 1, each emergency code can correspond to a particular emergency description. The urgent code "1" may correspond to a tsunami warning, the code "2" may correspond to an earthquake warning, and the code "3" corresponds to a chemical leakage warning.

Additionally, other forms of pre-load or pre-configure messages, such as multimedia messages, may be employed. For example, the provisioning message may be present on the WTRU's USIM/Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) or other non-volatile memory. The WTRU may receive or process a pre-configuration message such as Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) information. Alternatively, RRC or NAS messages may be used to provision WTRUs with an emergency code and corresponding textual description.

During an emergency condition, the WTRU may be informed of the emergency condition code via RRC system information. The WTRU may then perform a lookup using pre-stored information to identify a text message corresponding to the emergency condition. The WTRU then displays the text message to the user. After the lookup, the WTRU then displays the multimedia message. This may be configurable by a user or operator. This reduces the size of the text message that needs to be sent over the air.

The WTRU is capable of receiving messages based on the WTRU-specific location. For example, a tsunami alarm may have different messages for WTRUs near the coast, WTRUs 1 km away from the coast, and WTRUs 5 km away from the coast or on higher ground. The differentiated message behavior for the same alarm may be controlled by a network entity that will manage the different messages sent to the eNB based on the eNB location.

The RRC message may be enhanced by using information elements to notify the WTRU of emergency conditions and to convey common alarm information. The WTRU may receive an emergency notification from an eNB that provides service in an area that may be affected by the emergency. The RRC layer of the eNB will include the notification of the emergency condition in an RRC message, wherein the RRC message includes an Information Element (IE). The IE may include the emergency information set forth above.

Additional RRC messages may be used, where the RRC messages include deterministic asn.1 definitions that may allow the WTRU to resolve faster through RRC messages. The IE containing the emergency information may be set by RRC to a high priority and override the priority of other RRC messages.

The NAS message may be enhanced by using information elements to notify the WTRU of emergency conditions and to convey common alarm information. The WTRU may receive an emergency notification from an eNB that provides service in an area that may be affected by the emergency. The NAS layer of the eNB will include the notification of the emergency condition in a NAS message, where the NAS message includes an Information Element (IE). This IE may include the emergency information set forth above. When the RRC layer receives the NAS emergency message, it can be known that this message has an urgent property and trigger the RRC to treat the message with the highest priority.

The emergency message may also be a NAS SMS message or a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message. For example, the MMS service may be provided with a pre-recorded message, wherein this message includes commands on what the user has to do. MMS or SMS may be sent on a repeated basis, such as through multimedia broadcast/multimedia service (MBMS), to ensure that the user is reached.

A paging mechanism may be used to notify the WTRU of the emergency condition. Paging may be used to notify the WTRU of aborted, high priority signaling using messages with RRC or NAS and/or IE's conveying common alarm information. Alternatively, paging may be used to notify the WTRU of emergency notification signaling at regular priority using a data radio bearer with common alert information conveyed. The paging message itself conveys emergency information.

Once the WTRU reads and analyzes the paging cause, the subsequent actions depend on the RRC state and whether the WTRU receives a page on the appropriate cell. A WTRU in RRC _ IDLE state may first establish an RRC connection through a random access procedure on a Random Access Channel (RACH). However, if the WTRU is in RRC _ CONNECTED, it may not be necessary to perform a random access procedure on the RACH. After the random access procedure is completed, the WTRU monitors the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) for downlink resource allocation.

In the downlink, the WTRU may receive an emergency notification on a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) as a NAS message or an RRC message. The WTRU may also receive an emergency notification on the data radio bearer as a user data application.

If the emergency notification is received as an RRC message, it may be uploaded on an SRB designed for high priority messages, such as SRB 2. Other SRBs may also be used. SRBs designed to carry NAS information, such as SRB1, may be used if emergency notifications are sent as NAS messages. The use of other SRBs such as SRB2 or SRB0 is also possible.

If an emergency notification is transmitted as data on a DRB, the highest priority DRB can be used so that the highest priority DRB can be scheduled before all other DRBs without bit rate restrictions. The WTRU is capable of receiving a downlink transmission on the allocated resources and forwarding an emergency notification message to an associated upper layer.

There are sometimes situations where the WTRU may not be allowed to register in a particular system. However, for emergency situations, the system may only receive a registration for emergency notification. This may occur during an "emergency period". During the emergency period, the WTRU may remain registered so that the WTRU can be paged. This may require the use of a Mobility Management Entity (MME). Registration or attachment to the network may be performed if the WTRU is not allowed to register under normal conditions, wherein the registration/attachment message indicates that the reason is the ability to receive an emergency notification message.

WTRUs that are normally barred from registration may be allowed to show up on network system information. The WTRU may receive an indicator, for example, as little as one bit, to inform the WTRU whether registration is allowed to receive emergency notification. The WTRU may register based on an indicator in the system information. Thus, for example, a WTRU that is not performing registration/attachment may perform one or more related registration/configuration procedures based on system information read by the WTRU that indicates that emergency notification can be delivered.

Upon notification of the common alert message to the WTRU, the WTRU prepares for emergency dialing and prompts the user. This enhanced functionality may help the user avoid panic. Figure 8 is a block diagram of a WTRU emergency procedure 800 in accordance with one embodiment. The emergency message 802 is received at the WTRU 804. The WTRU MT 806 receives the emergency notification message. The message may include a telephone number or network address to contact. The WTRU MT 806 communicates the message 802 to the WTRU TE808 through primitives or AT commands, such as "MT status" and "response" primitives or AT commands. The primitive or AT command may indicate that an emergency has occurred and that an alert is needed. The primitives or AT commands may also provide details about the emergency situation along with the phone number or network connection address used to contact for more information.

Upon receiving the primitive or AT command, a first application (APP 1)810 will run on the TE808 and alert the user by playing a particular sound, alerting the user that a ring or beep of an urgent message has been received. The warning sound may be of very high volume.

A second application (APP 2)812 running on TE808 would look up an appropriate emergency telephone number to be dialed, such as a received number with alert information or a pre-configured telephone number such as 911. The second application 812 prompts the user to dial a number. For example, the application may be able to list information on the WTRU display screen that prompts the user to dial 911. If the user confirms the dial request, the second application 812 will direct the WTRU MT 806 to dial 911 using AT commands.

Further, upon receiving the emergency notification 802, the WTRU runs a third application (APP 3)814 to prepare a message including WTRU location information. The message may be composed (populated) using GPS, cell/tracking area information, or other positioning applications. Once the WTRU MT 806 passes the emergency message 802 to the WTRU TE808, a third application 814, which may run on the TE808, will create a message that includes WTRU location information such as coordinates. The location information may be obtained from a GPS device, cell/tracking area information, or any other positioning application. The third application 814 may prompt the user to provide guidance. The third application 814 may use the AT command to direct the WTRU MT 806 to send a message including the WTRU's location information. The message may be sent through SRB, e.g., as RRC or NAS message, or through DRB. The WTRU may also use control plane or Secure User Plane (SUPL) based assisted GPS.

Once the WTRU receives the emergency notification, the WTRU may generate a Tracking Area Update (TAU) message and send the message to the eNB. This operation may be performed in the WTRU MT 806. The TAU message may include, as a "cause," an indication that the WTRU sent the TAU in response to the emergency situation message. The network may use the TAU to determine which cell or area the WTRU is located in and to determine the location of the WTRU. The network may then send more specific messages or subsequent messages in addition to the original warning message, targeted to a particular WTRU in a particular cell.

For example, the WTRU may utilize a higher access priority such as a higher RACH priority or a higher Access Category (AC) when performing access procedures in any condition associated with receiving an emergency notification, including, for example, preparing a number to be dialed, sending location information, sending a TAU, or other action with respect to receiving the emergency notification. This will allow the WTRU to prioritize these actions.

Figure 9 is a block diagram of a WTRU emergency procedure 900 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. After receiving the emergency situation notification, the WTRU may reselect to a different cell or a different Radio Access Technology (RAT) 902. The WTRU may automatically reselect to a cell that provides Circuit Switched (CS) services. The WTRU may also suspend the procedure 904. The WTRU may suspend all procedures or may suspend a subset of all procedures. The WTRU may then prioritize the next access class (class) or any new RRC connection request 906 initiated by the user. The user may be given the option to prioritize as an emergency call. This may allow the user to communicate with destinations other than emergency destinations. This option is available to the user only when the terminal is aware of an ongoing emergency and may limit the user to a certain number of non-emergency connections.

During public emergencies, the network may wish to conserve radio resources by reserving bandwidth for emergency calls, internet access, and the like. To achieve this, the network may interrupt ongoing connections deemed to be of low priority, such as high speed video downloads. The network can interrupt the ongoing service by sending NAS/RRC messages dedicated to service interruption in emergency situations. Optionally, the network may send the IE in a NAS/RRC message. The message may indicate that the reason for breaking the dropped connection is an ongoing emergency. The message may provide further information regarding the emergency situation. This procedure can be utilized by the network to reject new RRC connection requests/NAS service requests requesting QoS for services that are not compatible with those required for emergency calls or some other basic service such as network access. The network may also interrupt ongoing service due to emergency conditions by suspending, seizing or releasing radio bearers that are deemed to be of low priority.

In the event of an ongoing emergency, it is desirable to limit the number of connection requests to only those other service classes that are used for emergency services or that satisfy access restrictions. When the user requests service for a non-emergency call, the TE can alert the user that a public emergency is in progress, with assistance from the service from the MT. The TE may notify the user that the call may not be established and/or may decline. This may be done using an application. MT primitives and AT commands may accomplish this. The TE may request the user to confirm his/her intention to continue to perform the connection request. The TE may choose not to perform the connection request.

Examples

1. A method for a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification, the method comprising: the WTRU receiving a paging message with an emergency situation notification; and the WTRU receiving scheduling information in a system information block.

2. The method of embodiment 1 further comprising the WTRU processing a system information block including a plurality of emergency situation information in a high priority manner.

3. The method of embodiment 1 or 2 further comprising the WTRU receiving an emergency code corresponding to an emergency condition.

4. The method as in embodiment 3 further comprising the WTRU notifying a user of the emergency situation notification.

5. The method of any preceding embodiment, further comprising the WTRU receiving the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

6. The method of any preceding embodiment, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

7. The method of any preceding embodiment wherein the WTRU receives a first system information block comprising scheduling information and a second system information block comprising emergency detail information.

8. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, further comprising the WTRU performing an access procedure with a higher access category after receiving the emergency situation notification.

9. A method for a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification, the method comprising: the WTRU receiving a paging message with an emergency situation notification; the WTRU receiving scheduling information in a system information block, wherein the system information block comprises a plurality of emergency situation information; the WTRU setting a priority of the system information block to high; the WTRU processing a system information block including the plurality of emergency situation information based on the priority; the WTRU receiving an emergency code corresponding to an emergency condition; and the WTRU notifying a user of the emergency condition notification.

10. The method of embodiment 9 further comprising the WTRU receiving the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

11. The method of embodiment 9 or 10, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

12. The method as in any one of embodiments 9-11 wherein the WTRU receives a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

13. A Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) configured to receive an emergency situation notification, the WTRU comprising: a receiver configured to receive a paging message with an emergency notification and scheduling information in a system information block; and a processor configured to set a priority of the system information block to high, and process a system information block including a plurality of emergency situation information based on the priority.

14. The WTRU as in embodiment 13 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive an emergency code corresponding to an emergency condition.

15. The WTRU of embodiment 13 or 14, wherein the WTRU further comprises a user interface configured to notify a user of an emergency situation notification.

16. The WTRU as in any one of embodiments 13-15 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

17. The WTRU as in any one of embodiments 13-16 wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

18. The WTRU as in any one of embodiments 13-17 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

19. A Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) configured to receive an emergency situation notification, the WTRU comprising: a receiver configured to receive a paging message with the emergency notification, scheduling information in a system information block, and an emergency code corresponding to an emergency, and wherein the system information block includes a plurality of emergency information; a processor configured to set a priority of the system information block to high and process a system information block including a plurality of emergency condition information based on the priority of the system information block; and a user interface configured to notify the user of the emergency notification.

20. The WTRU as in embodiment 19 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

21. The WTRU of embodiment 19 or 20, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

22. The WTRU as in embodiments 19-21 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

23. A method for a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification, the method comprising: the WTRU receiving an emergency situation notification; and the WTRU automatically prioritizing an access category of a user-initiated Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request.

Although the features and elements of the present invention are described above in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention. The methods or flow charts provided in the present invention may be implemented in a computer program, software, or firmware tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium, examples of which include Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), registers, buffer memory, semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), for execution by a general purpose computer or a processor.

For example, suitable processors include: a general-purpose processor, a special-purpose processor, a conventional processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in association with a DSP core, a controller, a microcontroller, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) circuit, any other type of Integrated Circuit (IC), and/or a state machine.

A processor in association with software may be used to implement a radio frequency transceiver for use in a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU), User Equipment (UE), terminal, base station, Radio Network Controller (RNC), or any host computer. The WTRU may be used in conjunction with modules, implemented in hardware and/or software, such as a camera, a video camera module, a videophone, a speakerphone, a vibration device, a speaker, a microphone, a television transceiver, a hands free headset, a keyboard, bluetoothA module, a Frequency Modulation (FM) radio unit, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) display unit, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display unit, a digital music player, a media player, a video game player module, an internet browser, and/or any of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) module or a wireless Ultra Wide Band (UWB) module.

Claims (23)

1. A method for a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification, the method comprising:

the WTRU receiving a paging message with an emergency situation notification; and

the WTRU receives scheduling information in a system information block.

2. The method as in claim 1 further comprising the WTRU processing a system information block comprising a plurality of emergency situation information in a high priority manner.

3. The method as in claim 1 further comprising the WTRU receiving an emergency code corresponding to an emergency condition.

4. The method as in claim 3 further comprising the WTRU notifying a user of an emergency situation notification.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the WTRU receiving the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the WTRU receives a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the WTRU performing an access procedure with a higher access category after receiving an emergency situation notification.

9. A method for a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification, the method comprising:

the WTRU receiving a paging message with an emergency situation notification;

the WTRU receiving scheduling information in a system information block, wherein the system information block comprises a plurality of emergency situation information;

the WTRU setting a priority of the system information block to high;

the WTRU processing a system information block including the plurality of emergency situation information based on the priority;

the WTRU receiving an emergency code corresponding to an emergency condition; and

the WTRU notifies a user of the emergency condition notification.

10. The method as in claim 9 further comprising the WTRU receiving the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the WTRU receives a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

13. A Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) configured to receive an emergency situation notification, the WTRU comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a paging message with an emergency notification and scheduling information in a system information block; and

a processor configured to set a priority of the system information block to high, and process a system information block including a plurality of emergency situation information based on the priority.

14. The WTRU of claim 13, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive an emergency code corresponding to an emergency condition.

15. The WTRU of claim 13, further comprising a user interface configured to notify a user of an emergency situation notification.

16. The WTRU of claim 13, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

17. The WTRU of claim 13, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

18. The WTRU of claim 13 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

19. A Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) configured to receive an emergency situation notification, the WTRU comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a paging message with the emergency notification, scheduling information in a system information block, and an emergency code corresponding to an emergency; and wherein the system information block comprises a plurality of emergency information;

a processor configured to set a priority of the system information block to high and process a system information block including a plurality of emergency condition information based on the priority of the system information block; and

a user interface configured to notify a user of the emergency notification.

20. The WTRU of claim 19, wherein the receiver is further configured to receive the emergency situation notification based on a geographic location of the WTRU.

21. The WTRU of claim 19, wherein the paging message is unique to the WTRU.

22. The WTRU of claim 19 wherein the receiver is further configured to receive a first system information block including scheduling information and a second system information block including emergency detail information.

23. A method for a Wireless Transmit Receive Unit (WTRU) to receive an emergency situation notification, the method comprising:

the WTRU receiving an emergency situation notification; and

the WTRU automatically prioritizes access categories of Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection requests initiated by a user.