Apparatus and method to efficiently send device trigger messages

A Machine Type Communication Interworking Function (MTC-IWF) comprising:

• processing circuitry to
• receive a device trigger request, from a Services Capability Server (SCS), that includes an Application Port ID, wherein a trigger payload corresponding to the device trigger request includes a priority value to indicate priority of the trigger request;
• and
• forward a standardized identifier to the UE to allow the UE to distinguish machine-type messages carrying device triggering information, wherein the MTC-IWF is further arranged to,
• when the priority of the device trigger request is low,
• send the device trigger message when the UE is in a connected state;
• and
• buffer the device trigger message when the UE is in an idle state.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed on a machine, cause the machine to:

• receive a message including a device trigger request that includes an Application Port wherein a trigger payload corresponding to the device trigger request includes a priority value to indicate priority of the trigger request;
• and
• forward a standardized identifier to the UE to allow the UE to distinguish machine-type messages carrying device triggering information, wherein the instructions further cause the machine to, when the priority of the device trigger request is low,
• send the device trigger message when the UE is in a connected state;
• and
• buffer the device trigger message when the UE is in an idle state.