A business flow processing method, apparatus and system

Abstract

This application discloses a service flow processing method, apparatus, and system to provide a method for user plane network elements to flexibly process service flows based on the service flow splitting status of terminal devices. The method includes: a terminal device receiving first policy information from a session management network element, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flows; if the terminal device meets a first condition, determining a second processing method for either uplink or downlink service flows; and sending first notification information to a user plane network element, the first notification information notifying the user plane network element to determine a third processing method for the downlink service flows. In this method, after meeting the first condition, the terminal device sends the first notification information to the user plane network element to assist the user plane network element in deciding whether to update the splitting mode of the corresponding service flow, effectively avoiding the user plane network element blindly determining the downlink splitting strategy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a service flow processing method, apparatus and system. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology, terminal devices often use Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions to migrate or concurrently run service flows between different access technologies or different access network devices. In scenarios where service flows move or concurrently between multiple access technologies, it is often necessary to select routes or adjust the splitting ratio based on the link status. Therefore, user plane network elements, such as UPF, need to monitor the link status in real time and adjust the splitting mode in a timely manner.

[0003] However, in the scenario of user equipment (terminal device) assistance traffic offloading mode (i.e., the terminal device performs autonomous traffic offloading based on the current state, without adopting the traffic offloading mode allocated by the network side), the existing technology does not reveal how to handle the service flow. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a service flow processing method, apparatus, and system in a terminal device-assisted traffic splitting mode scenario.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a business flow processing method, the method comprising:

[0006] The terminal device receives first policy information from a session management network element, the first policy information including a first processing method for an uplink service flow; if the terminal device meets a first condition, the terminal device determines a second processing method for the uplink service flow; the terminal device sends first notification information to a user plane network element, the first notification information being used to notify the user plane network element to determine the processing method for the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow.

[0007] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment, after the terminal device meets the first condition and enters the auxiliary traffic splitting mode (i.e., after processing the corresponding service flow using the second processing method), the terminal device assists the user plane network element in deciding whether to update the traffic splitting mode of the corresponding downlink service flow by sending the first notification information to the user plane network element, and determines the downlink traffic splitting strategy based on the terminal device's request (i.e., according to the content of the first notification information). This effectively avoids the user plane network element blindly determining the downlink traffic splitting strategy when there is insufficient information, resulting in better coordination and stronger adaptability between the terminal device and the user plane network element when processing service flows.

[0008] As one possible implementation, the first strategy information further includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0009] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, when the first strategy information also includes the first indication information, it can be understood that the terminal device can perform an auxiliary traffic diversion mode.

[0010] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: reason information for the terminal device to determine that the second processing method is used to process the uplink service flow; and / or, first duration information for the terminal device to determine that the second processing method is effective.

[0011] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, when the first notification information includes the reason why the terminal device uses the second processing method to process the uplink service flow, the user plane network element receiving the first notification information can know the reason why the terminal device uses the second processing method to process the uplink service flow, thereby better determining the content of its own execution of the third processing method, and even the time and / or duration of service flow processing according to the third processing method. And / or, when the first notification information includes the first duration information of the terminal device using the second processing method, the user plane network element receiving the first notification information can know the time information of the terminal device using the second processing method to process the uplink service flow, thereby better determining the time and / or duration of its own execution of the third processing method.

[0012] As one possible implementation, the first notification information further includes information about the second processing method. Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, when the first notification information includes information about the second processing method, the user plane network element receiving the first notification information can know the content of the second processing method, and thus better determine the content of its own execution of the third processing method.

[0013] As one possible implementation, the information in the second processing method includes: description information and splitting information of the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow; or, flow description information and splitting information of the downlink service flow.

[0014] The downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow refers to the service flow formed after the source and destination IPs are swapped. For example, the downlink service flow formed after the source and destination IPs are swapped is the downlink service flow corresponding to the source and destination IP uplink flow; or, the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow refers to the uplink and downlink service flows that belong to the same QoS flow.

[0015] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second notification information from the user plane network element, the second notification information including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate whether the user plane network element changes the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine whether the user plane network element cooperates in changing the method of processing service flow based on the second notification information from the user plane network element. For example, it can determine whether the user plane network element agrees to enter the auxiliary diversion mode, which makes it more adaptable.

[0017] As one possible implementation, if the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message may also include: second duration information of not changing the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0018] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: during the time specified by the second duration information, the terminal device no longer sends the first notification information to the user plane network element.

[0019] Based on the above solution, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device receives the duration information in the second notification information indicating not to send the first notification information to the user plane network element, it can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device keeps sending the first notification information to the user plane network element after the user plane network element refuses to cooperate with the terminal device to adopt the same traffic splitting mode, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0020] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the terminal device meets the second condition, the terminal device determines to process the uplink service flow using the first processing method.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the second condition, it determines to use the first processing method to process the uplink service flow, that is, after the terminal device meets the second condition, it can restore the main split mode.

[0022] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device sending a third notification message to the user plane network element to notify the terminal device to process the uplink service flow using the first processing method.

[0023] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the second condition and can restore the main traffic splitting mode, it sends the third notification information to the user plane network element. This enables the user plane network element to resume the first processing method to process the uplink service flow after receiving the third notification information. This provides a scheme that supports the user plane network element and the terminal device to restore the main mode together to split the downlink service flow, which is more adaptable.

[0024] Secondly, this application provides a business flow processing method, the method comprising:

[0025] The user plane network element receives second policy information from the session management network element, the second policy information including a fourth processing method for the downlink service flow of the terminal device; the user plane network element processes the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method; the user plane network element receives first notification information from the terminal device, the first notification information being used to notify the user plane network element to determine the processing method for the downlink service flow; the user plane network element determines, based on the first notification information, to use a third processing method to process the downlink service flow.

[0026] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment, the user plane network element can use the first notification information sent from the terminal device to assist in deciding whether to update the corresponding downlink service flow splitting mode, and determine the downlink splitting strategy based on the terminal device's request (i.e., according to the content of the first notification information). This effectively avoids the user plane network element blindly determining the downlink splitting strategy when there is insufficient information, making the coordination and adaptability between the terminal device and the user plane network element stronger when processing service flows.

[0027] As one possible implementation, the second strategy information also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the user plane can modify the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0028] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, when the second policy information also includes the second indication information, it can be understood that the network device can perform auxiliary traffic splitting mode.

[0029] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: reason information for the terminal device determining to use the second processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0030] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, when the first notification information includes the reason why the terminal device uses the second processing method to process the uplink service flow, the user plane network element that receives the first notification information can know the reason why the terminal device uses the second processing method to process the uplink service flow, thereby better determining the content of its own execution of the third processing method, or even the time and / or duration of processing the service flow according to the third processing method.

[0031] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element determines the third processing method based on the cause information and the second indication information.

[0032] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element determines the third processing method based on the cause information and the user plane network element local policy.

[0033] As one possible implementation method, the user plane network element determines the processing method of the downlink service flow based on the cause information, the second indication information, and the user plane network element local policy.

[0034] As one possible implementation method, the first notification information may also include: description information and diversion information of the uplink business flow corresponding to the downlink business flow; or, flow description information and diversion information of the downlink business flow.

[0035] The downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow refers to the service flow formed after the source and destination IPs are swapped. For example, the downlink service flow formed after the source and destination IPs are swapped is the downlink service flow corresponding to the source and destination IP uplink flow; or, the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow refers to the uplink and downlink service flows that belong to the same QoS flow.

[0036] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, when the first notification information includes the description information and diversion information of the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow; or when the flow description information and diversion information of the downlink service flow are included, the user plane network element receiving the first notification information can know the content of the second processing method and better determine the content of its own execution of the third processing method.

[0037] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element determines the processing method for the downlink service flow based on the description information and diversion information of the uplink service flow, or the flow description information and diversion information of the downlink service flow.

[0038] As one possible implementation method, the user plane network element determines the third processing method based on the description information and diversion information of the uplink or downlink service flow.

[0039] As one possible implementation, when the description information contained in the first notification information is the downlink service flow, the user plane network element directly determines the downlink service flow based on the description information.

[0040] As one possible implementation, when the description information contained in the first notification information is the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow, the user plane network element maps the description information of the uplink service flow to the description information of the downlink service flow, and determines the downlink service flow based on the description information of the downlink service flow.

[0041] As one possible implementation, the third processing method has a higher priority than the fourth processing method.

[0042] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining second duration information for employing the third processing method.

[0043] As one possible implementation, the first notification information further includes: first duration information indicating that the terminal device determines the validity of the second processing method. When the first notification information includes the first duration information of the terminal device using the second processing method, the user plane network element receiving the first notification information can know the time information of the terminal device using the second processing method to process the uplink service flow, thereby better determining the time and / or duration of its own execution of the third processing method.

[0044] As one possible implementation method, the second duration information is confirmed based on the first duration information.

[0045] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element sends a second notification message to the user plane network element. The second notification message includes a second indication message, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element changes the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0046] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can determine whether the user plane network element cooperates in changing the method of processing service flow based on the second notification information from the user plane network element. For example, it can determine whether the user plane network element agrees to enter the auxiliary diversion mode, which makes it more adaptable.

[0047] As one possible implementation, if the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message may also include: second duration information of not changing the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0048] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: during the time specified by the second duration information, the user plane network element does not receive the first notification information sent from the terminal device.

[0049] Based on the above solution, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device receives the duration information in the second notification information indicating not to send the first notification information to the user plane network element, it can effectively avoid the problem that the terminal device keeps sending the first notification information to the user plane network element after the user plane network element refuses to cooperate with the terminal device to adopt the same traffic splitting mode, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0050] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: the user plane network element receiving third notification information from the terminal device, the third notification information being used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using a first processing method.

[0051] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the second condition and can restore the main traffic splitting mode, it sends the third notification information to the user plane network element. This enables the user plane network element to resume the first processing method to process the uplink service flow after receiving the third notification information. This provides a scheme that supports the user plane network element and the terminal device to restore the main mode together to split the downlink service flow, which is more adaptable.

[0052] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: the user plane network element processing the service flow using the fourth processing method.

[0053] Thirdly, this application provides a business flow processing method, the method comprising:

[0054] The terminal device receives first policy information from a session management network element, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flows; after satisfying a first condition, the terminal device determines a second processing method for the uplink service flow or downlink service flow, and processes the uplink service flow using the second processing method; the terminal device determines that a second condition is satisfied, and resumes processing the uplink service flow using the first processing method; the terminal device sends first notification information to a user plane network element, the first notification information being used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using the first processing method.

[0055] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the second condition and can restore the main traffic splitting mode, it sends the third notification information to the user plane network element. This enables the user plane network element to resume the first processing method to process the uplink service flow after receiving the third notification information. This provides a scheme that supports the user plane network element and the terminal device to restore the main mode together to split the downlink service flow, which is more adaptable.

[0056] As one possible implementation, the first strategy information further includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0057] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: reason information for the terminal device resuming the first processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0058] As one possible implementation, the first notification information may also include information about the first processing method.

[0059] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: the terminal device receiving second notification information from the user plane network element, the second notification information including third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the user plane network element changes the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0060] Fourthly, this application provides a business flow processing method, the method comprising:

[0061] The user plane network element receives second policy information from the session management network element, the second policy information including a third processing method for the downlink service flow of the terminal device; the user plane network element processes the downlink service flow using a fourth processing method; the user plane network element receives first notification information from the terminal device, the first notification information being used to notify the terminal device to resume processing the service flow using the first processing method; the user plane network element resumes processing the downlink service flow using the third processing method according to the first notification information.

[0062] Based on the above scheme, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the second condition and can restore the main traffic splitting mode, it sends the third notification information to the user plane network element. This enables the user plane network element to resume the first processing method to process the uplink service flow after receiving the third notification information. This provides a scheme that supports the user plane network element and the terminal device to restore the main mode together to split the downlink service flow, which is more adaptable.

[0063] As one possible implementation, the second strategy information also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the user plane can determine the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0064] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: information on the reason why the terminal device resumes processing the uplink service flow using the first processing method.

[0065] As one possible implementation, before the user plane network element processes the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method, the user plane network element receives third notification information from the terminal device. The third notification information is used to notify the user plane network element to determine the fourth processing method for the downlink service flow; the user plane network element determines the fourth processing method based on the third notification information.

[0066] As one possible implementation, the third notification information includes: information on why the terminal device determines the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink service flow.

[0067] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element determines the fourth processing method based on the reason information and the second indication information for determining the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink service flow by the terminal device.

[0068] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element determines the fourth processing method based on the reason information for the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink service flow determined by the terminal device and the local policy of the user plane network element.

[0069] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element determines the fourth processing method based on the reason information for the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink service flow determined by the terminal device, the second indication information, and the local policy of the user plane network element.

[0070] As one possible implementation, the first notification information and / or the third notification information further include: description information and diversion information of the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow.

[0071] As one possible implementation, the first notification information and / or the third notification information may further include: description information and diversion information of the downlink service flow.

[0072] As one possible implementation, the fourth processing method has a higher priority than the third processing method.

[0073] As one possible implementation, the third notification information further includes: first duration information for which the terminal device determines the second processing method is effective.

[0074] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: determining second duration information for employing the fourth processing method.

[0075] As one possible implementation method, the second duration information is confirmed based on the first duration information.

[0076] As one possible implementation, the user plane network element sends a second notification message to the terminal device. The second notification message includes a third indication message, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0077] As one possible implementation, if the third indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message also includes: second duration information of not changing the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0078] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: during the time specified by the second duration information, the user plane network element does not receive the third notification information sent from the terminal device.

[0079] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a business flow processing apparatus, which may be a terminal device or a chip for a terminal device. The apparatus has a method for implementing the first aspect described above or performing any possible implementation of the first aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0080] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a service flow processing apparatus, which may be a user plane network element or a chip used in a user plane network element. The apparatus has a method for implementing the second aspect described above or performing any possible implementation of the second aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0081] Seventhly, embodiments of this application provide a business flow processing apparatus, which may be a terminal device or a chip for a terminal device. The apparatus has a method for implementing the third aspect described above or performing any possible implementation of the third aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0082] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a service flow processing apparatus, which may be a user plane network element or a chip for a user plane network element. The apparatus has a method for implementing the fourth aspect above or performing any possible implementation of the fourth aspect. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0083] Ninthly, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause a processor to perform any one of the first to fourth aspects described above; or to perform any method of any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0084] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a computer program product, the computer product including a computer program, which, when the computer program is run, causes a processor to execute any one of the first to fourth aspects described above; or to execute any method in any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0085] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program; the processor is used to call and run the computer program from the memory, causing a device equipped with the chip system to perform any one of the first to fourth aspects described above; or to perform any method of any possible implementation of the first to fourth aspects described above.

[0086] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application also provide a service flow processing system, including a session management network element and a user plane network element, etc.

[0087] A session management network element is used to send policy information to the user plane network element, the policy information including the processing method of downlink service flow of the terminal device;

[0088] The user plane network element is configured to receive the policy information from the session management network element; process the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method; receive first notification information from the terminal device, wherein the first notification information is used to notify the user plane network element to determine the processing method for the downlink service flow; and determine, based on the first notification information, to process the downlink service flow using a third processing method. Attached Figure Description

[0089] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating the transmission scenario of existing service flows between different access technologies or different access network devices;

[0090] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the first type of business flow processing system provided in this application;

[0091] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the second type of business flow processing system provided in this application;

[0092] Figure 4 A flowchart illustrating the first business flow processing method provided in this application;

[0093] Figure 5A flowchart illustrating the first business flow processing scenario provided in this application;

[0094] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating the second business flow processing method provided in this application;

[0095] Figure 7 This application provides a flowchart illustrating the second business flow processing scenario.

[0096] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a business flow processing device provided in this application;

[0097] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of another business flow processing device provided in this application. Detailed Implementation

[0098] To provide a clearer and more complete description of the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0099] With the development of communication technology, terminal devices often use Protocol Data Unit (PDU) sessions to migrate or concurrently run service flows between different access technologies or different access network devices.

[0100] For example, such as Figure 1 As shown, PDU Session A can first be transmitted using a first technology, and then subsequently transmitted using a second technology; alternatively, PDU Session A can use both the first and second technologies simultaneously to expand bandwidth. In this embodiment, the first and / or second technologies include, but are not limited to, 3GPP access technologies, non-3GPP access technologies, LTE access technologies, 5G RAN access technologies, trusted non-3GPP access technologies, untrusted non-3GPP access technologies, WLAN access technologies, fixed-line access technologies, etc. For example, the first access technology may be a 3GPP access technology, and the second access technology may be a non-3GPP access technology; or, the first access technology may be a 5G / NR access technology, and the second access technology may be a WLAN access technology.

[0101] In scenarios where service flows move or run concurrently between multiple access technologies, it is often necessary to select routes or adjust the traffic splitting ratio based on the link status. Therefore, user plane network element functions need to monitor the link status in real time and adjust the traffic splitting mode in a timely manner.

[0102] In scenarios where service flows move or run concurrently across multiple access technologies, terminal devices often autonomously offload traffic based on their current state, without relying on network-side allocation. This is known as terminal-assistance offloading mode. For example, when a terminal device is low on power, it may choose to move all service flows to one access technology side for transmission and then turn off the signal on the other access technology side to save power.

[0103] However, the current situation regarding the auxiliary traffic offloading mode of terminal devices does not reveal the specific behavior of user plane network elements after the terminal device enters the auxiliary mode. Furthermore, since the adjustment of the traffic offloading mode by the terminal device is an autonomous behavior, the user plane network elements cannot cooperate with the terminal device's request to make corresponding traffic offloading adjustments to the downlink service flow.

[0104] To address this issue, embodiments of this application provide a service flow offloading method. The technical solution of these embodiments can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) systems, 5th Generation (5G) systems, or new radio (NR) systems, or to future communication systems or other similar communication systems, such as 6G systems.

[0105] Taking the 5G system (also known as the New Radio system) as an example, specifically, this application provides a corresponding service diversion solution to address the problem that user plane network elements cannot cooperate with the terminal device's request to adjust the downlink service flow in the existing service flow diversion process, effectively improving the service flow diversion mechanism.

[0106] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, let's first take... Figure 2 The communication system illustrated herein is used as an example to illustrate the communication system to which the embodiments of this application are applicable. Figure 2 As shown, the communication system includes terminal equipment 200, session management network element 210, and user plane network element 220. Multiple terminal equipment 200 may be included.

[0107] Terminal equipment 200 is a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users. It can also be referred to as user equipment, access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device. In the embodiments of this application, the terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal, augmented reality (AR) terminal, wireless terminal in industrial control, wireless terminal in self-driving, wireless terminal in remote medical care, wireless terminal in smart grid, wireless terminal in transportation safety, wireless terminal in smart city, wireless terminal in smart home, etc.

[0108] The session management network element 210 is mainly responsible for establishing a corresponding session connection on the network side when a user initiates a service, and providing specific services to the user.

[0109] In this embodiment, the session management network element 210 can be an SMF or other network element that has the functions of the session management network element described in this embodiment, and is not limited here.

[0110] For example, based on the interface between SMF and user plane network elements, packet forwarding policies and QoS policies are issued to user plane network elements.

[0111] User plane network element 220 is mainly responsible for packet forwarding, QoS control, and billing information statistics.

[0112] In this application embodiment, the user plane network element can be a UPF or other network element that has the functions of the user plane network element described in this application embodiment, and is not limited here.

[0113] In this embodiment of the application, the terminal device can switch from a 4G communication system to a 5G communication system, or it can switch from a 5G communication system to a 4G communication system; there is no specific limitation.

[0114] Furthermore, the communication system in this embodiment may also include other devices, specifically not limited to the following:

[0115] For example, the communication system may also include, Figure 3 The network elements shown include radio access network ((R)AN) element 230, policy control function (PCF) element 240, network exposure function (NEF) / application function (AF) element 250, access and mobility management function (AMF) element 260, and unified data management (UDM) element 270.

[0116] Among them, the RAN network element 230 is used to provide network access functionality for authorized terminal equipment in a specific area, and can use transmission tunnels of different quality according to the level of the terminal equipment, service requirements, etc.

[0117] RAN network elements manage radio resources, provide access services for terminal devices, and thus forward control signals and terminal device data between the terminal devices and the core network. The RAN equipment in this application is a device that provides wireless communication functions for terminal devices; RAN equipment is also called access network equipment. The RAN equipment in this application includes, but is not limited to: next-generation base stations (g node B, gNB), evolved node B (eNB), radio network controllers (RNC), node Bs (NB), base station controllers (BSC), base transceiver stations (BTS), home base stations (e.g., home evolved node B, or home node B, HNB), baseband units (BBU), transmitting and receiving points (TRP), transmitting points (TP), mobile switching centers, etc.

[0118] The PCF network element 240 is mainly used to generate control policies based on AF request information, operator policies, user subscription information, etc., to control network behavior; and to send control policies to control plane network elements for policy execution.

[0119] The NEF / AF element 250 is mainly used to initiate network reservation requests, carrying service description information (such as IP 5-tuple, application IP, etc.) and the requested network resources (which can be identifiers agreed upon in advance by the AF and the operator, such as Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI)).

[0120] The AMF network element 260 is mainly used for mobility management in mobile networks, such as user location updates, user registration with the network, and user handover.

[0121] The UDM network element 270 is mainly responsible for managing the subscription information of terminal devices.

[0122] Among them, Figure 3 In the system architecture shown, the interface names and functions between the various network elements are as follows:

[0123] (1) N7 refers to the interface between PCF and SMF, which is used for PDU sessions and the issuance of business data flow control policies.

[0124] (2) N15 refers to the interface between PCF and AMF, which is used for the distribution of terminal device mobility and network selection control policies.

[0125] (3) N5 refers to the interface between AF and PCF, which is used to send application service requests (carrying the service's requirements for bandwidth, resource preemption priority, and other quality of service QoS requirements) and report network events (such as user wireless access network type, 3G, 4G, etc.).

[0126] (4) N4 refers to the interface between SMF and user plane network elements, which is used to transmit information between the control plane and the user plane, including the distribution of forwarding rules, QoS control rules, traffic statistics rules, etc. of the control plane to the user plane, as well as the reporting of information of the user plane (such as application information detected by the user plane, usage monitoring information, etc.).

[0127] (5) N11 refers to the interface between SMF and AMF, which is used to transmit user plane tunnel information between RAN and user plane network elements, transmit control messages sent to terminal equipment, and transmit radio resource control information sent to RAN.

[0128] (6) N2 refers to the interface between AMF and RAN, which is used to transmit radio bearer control information from the core network side to RAN.

[0129] (7) N1 refers to the interface between AMF and terminal equipment. It is unrelated to access and is used to transmit QoS control rules to terminal equipment.

[0130] The network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art will understand that, with the evolution of network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems. It should be understood that... Figure 2 and Figure 3 This is a simplified illustration for ease of understanding only. The communication system may also include other network devices or other terminals. Figure 2 and Figure 3 It was not drawn in the middle.

[0131] It should be noted that the term "network element" in the embodiments of this application can also be referred to as an entity, device, apparatus, or module, etc., and this application does not specifically limit it. Furthermore, in this application, for ease of understanding and explanation, the description of "network element" is omitted in some descriptions. For example, a UPF network element is abbreviated as UPF. In this case, the "UPF network element" should be understood as a UPF network element or a UPF entity. The following omits descriptions of the same or similar cases. It is understood that the aforementioned network element or function can be a network component in a hardware device, a software function running on dedicated hardware, or a virtualized function instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0132] In one optional implementation of this application, the aforementioned network element or function can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or it can be a functional module within a single device. This application does not impose specific limitations on this. Network elements with the same or similar functions can be configured jointly.

[0133] The following explanations will further clarify some of the terms used in the embodiments of this application to facilitate understanding.

[0134] 1) Terminal device-assisted traffic splitting mode: In this embodiment of the application, the assisted traffic splitting mode is used to indicate that the terminal device performs autonomous traffic splitting based on its internal state, that is, the terminal device selects one or more transmission links for the uplink service flow.

[0135] 2) The downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow refers to the service flow formed after the source and destination IPs are swapped. For example, the downlink service flow formed after the source and destination IPs are swapped is the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow of the source and destination IPs; or, the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow refers to the uplink and downlink service flows that belong to the same QoS flow.

[0136] In addition, in an optional implementation of this application, when the terminal device executes the auxiliary traffic splitting mode, the terminal device notifies the user plane network element to keep the downlink traffic splitting method consistent with the uplink traffic splitting method.

[0137] In addition, the terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0138] Unless otherwise stated, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects and are not used to limit the order, sequence, priority, or importance of multiple objects. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having" in the embodiments, claims, and drawings of this application are not exclusive. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or modules is not limited to the listed steps or modules and may also include steps or modules not listed.

[0139] Specifically, such as Figure 4 As shown in the embodiments of this application, the steps of a business flow processing method are as follows:

[0140] S400: The terminal device receives first policy information from the session management network element, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flow.

[0141] In one optional embodiment of this application, the first processing method can be understood as the session management network element instructing the terminal device to perform a main-to-side traffic processing mode for service flow.

[0142] For example, suppose the traffic splitting modes include Active-Standby, Smallest Delay, Load-Balancing, and Priority-based modes.

[0143] The first processing method is active-standby mode, which means that the session management network element instructs the terminal device to use active-standby mode as the primary traffic distribution mode for service flow distribution.

[0144] Furthermore, the first strategy information also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate to the terminal device that it can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0145] S401, The terminal device determines that the first condition is met.

[0146] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, which can be understood as the terminal device determining that it meets the condition to enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0147] It should be noted that the first condition in this application embodiment is not limited to entering the auxiliary diversion mode or satisfying the auxiliary diversion mode, etc. Any diversion mode applicable to this application embodiment is within the protection scope of this application embodiment.

[0148] In one optional embodiment of this application, the first condition can be an internal condition of the terminal device.

[0149] For example, the terminal device can determine whether the first condition is met based on its current state, that is, whether to trigger the terminal device to enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0150] Furthermore, the terminal device can determine which of its own service flows will enter the auxiliary diversion mode based on its current status, that is, determine the target service flows that will enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0151] For example, when the battery level of the terminal device is lower than the battery threshold, service flows 1-3 are triggered to enter the auxiliary traffic diversion mode. Here, we assume the battery threshold is 10%, and the current battery level of the terminal device is 9%. The terminal device determines that its battery level is lower than the 9% threshold; therefore, the terminal device triggers service flows 1-3 to enter the auxiliary traffic diversion mode.

[0152] S402, The terminal device determines a second processing method for the uplink or downlink service flow.

[0153] In one optional embodiment of this application, the second processing method for determining the uplink or downlink service flow by the terminal device can be understood as a diversion scheme in which the terminal device determines that the uplink or downlink service flow enters the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0154] When the uplink or downlink traffic in the terminal device enters the auxiliary traffic splitting mode, the terminal device no longer uses the main traffic splitting mode to split the uplink traffic, but instead decides the splitting method itself.

[0155] For example, the terminal device may select one access technology to transmit the uplink traffic, or transmit the uplink traffic using two access technologies according to the splitting ratio determined by the terminal device.

[0156] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, when the terminal device determines the second processing method of the uplink or downlink service flow, it needs to determine, based on the first indication information in the first strategy information, that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink or downlink service flow.

[0157] S403. The terminal device sends a first notification message to the user plane network element, the first notification message being used to notify the user plane network element to determine the third processing method for the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow.

[0158] Understandably, the purpose of the terminal device sending the first notification information to the user plane network element is to assist the user plane network element in deciding whether to update the traffic splitting mode of the corresponding service flow.

[0159] In one optional implementation of this application, the terminal device sends a first notification message to the user plane network element, the purpose of which is to request the user plane network element to adopt the same traffic splitting method as the terminal device for the downlink service flow.

[0160] The first notification information may be a new message proposed during the service flow decoupling method of this application; or, the first notification information may be an improvement to the request sent by the terminal device to the user plane network element. For example, the first notification information may be a PMF request message.

[0161] The third processing method may be the same as the traffic splitting method requested by the terminal device, or it may be another traffic splitting method determined by the user plane network element based on the actual situation.

[0162] S404. The user plane network element receives second policy information from the session management network element, the second policy information including a fourth processing method for the downlink service flow of the terminal device.

[0163] In one optional embodiment of this application, the user plane network element searches for the corresponding downlink service flow second policy information based on the uplink or downlink service flow description. If the second policy information does not contain a second indication, the user plane network element processes the service flow based on a fourth processing method. Otherwise, the user plane network element determines whether to process the service flow based on a third or fourth processing method based on at least one of the reason value sent by the terminal device and a local policy. For example, when the second policy contains a second indication, the user plane network element determines the third processing method based on the flow description and diversion information in the first notification message, and processes the downlink service flow based on the third processing method. Furthermore, the user plane network element sets an expiration date for the third processing scheme; after the expiration date, the user plane network element processes the downlink service flow based on the fourth processing method.

[0164] In one optional embodiment of this application, the fourth processing method can be understood as the session management network element instructing the user plane network element to perform a main-to-side traffic processing mode.

[0165] S405. The user plane network element uses the fourth processing method to process the downlink service flow.

[0166] S406. The user plane network element receives the first notification information from the terminal device.

[0167] S407. The user plane network element determines the third processing method based on the first notification information. In one optional embodiment of this application, the user plane network element determines the third processing method by combining the first notification information with its current state.

[0168] In one optional embodiment of this application, the user plane network element determines the third processing method by combining the first notification information, the second policy information, and its own current state.

[0169] If the user plane network element adopts the same traffic splitting method for the downlink service flow as the terminal device based on the first notification information, then the third processing method can be the second processing method; if the user plane network element determines, based on the first notification information, that it does not adopt the same traffic splitting method for the downlink service flow as the terminal device, then the third processing method can be the fourth processing method, or it can be other processing methods determined according to the actual situation. This application embodiment does not limit the specific processing method.

[0170] Through the above method, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the first condition and enters the auxiliary traffic splitting mode (i.e., after processing the corresponding service flow using the second processing method), the terminal device sends the first notification information to the user plane network element to assist the user plane network element in deciding whether to update the traffic splitting mode of the corresponding downlink service flow, and determines the downlink traffic splitting strategy based on the terminal device's request (i.e., according to the content of the first notification information). This effectively avoids the user plane network element blindly determining the downlink traffic splitting strategy when there is insufficient information, resulting in better coordination and stronger adaptability between the terminal device and the user plane network element when processing service flows. It should be noted that the above... Figure 4 The steps of this business flow splitting method do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. For example, there is no distinction in the order of S404-S405 and S400-S403; S404-S405 can be executed before any of the steps S400-S403. Furthermore, in the process of executing this business flow splitting method, the above steps can be adaptively adjusted and modified according to the actual situation.

[0171] Furthermore, in one optional embodiment of this application, the first notification information may include some or all of the following:

[0172] Content 1: Information on why the terminal device uses the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink traffic.

[0173] The reason information can be used to indicate the internal state of the terminal device, or to indicate the reason why the terminal device enters the auxiliary traffic splitting mode, or to indicate the link status, or the access technology status, or user preferences, etc.

[0174] For example, the reason information may include low battery indication, low power consumption indication, resource optimization indication, link congestion indication, weak access signal indication, or user preference indication, etc.

[0175] Content 2: The first duration information of the terminal device using the second processing method.

[0176] The first duration information can be a specific effective duration, such as the effective duration of the current state, the effective duration of the auxiliary diversion mode, or the effective duration of the diversion information sent by the terminal device.

[0177] In one optional implementation of this application, the effective duration can be monitored by setting a timer. For example, if the effective duration is 5 minutes, the timer's duration is set to 5 minutes. When the timer is running normally, it indicates that the current state continues or the auxiliary diversion mode continues. When the timer expires, the current state is terminated or the auxiliary diversion mode is terminated.

[0178] The first duration information can also be a specific time point (e.g., 3:00 PM) or a time period (e.g., 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM).

[0179] Content 3: Information about the second processing method.

[0180] The information in the second processing method can be the business flow description information, diversion information, etc.

[0181] In one optional embodiment of this application, the service flow description information may be the flow description information of an upstream service flow or / and a downstream service flow.

[0182] The traffic offloading information includes the offloading scheme requested by the terminal device for downlink traffic, or the offloading scheme used by the terminal device for uplink traffic, specifically including access technology indication, or access technology and offloading ratio information.

[0183] Specifically, when the service flow description information is the downlink service flow, the user plane network element can directly determine the downlink service flow based on the description information.

[0184] When the service flow description information is the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow, the user plane network element maps the uplink service flow description information to the downlink service flow description information, and determines the downlink service flow based on the downlink service flow description information.

[0185] In one embodiment of this application, when the first notification information contains first duration information indicating that the terminal device is effectively using the second processing method, the user plane network element may, after determining the third processing method, also determine second duration information indicating that the third processing method is used to process the service flow.

[0186] Specifically, the second duration information is confirmed by the user plane network element based on the first duration information, and the second duration information may be less than or equal to the first duration information.

[0187] In one optional implementation of this application, the third processing method has a higher priority than the fourth processing method within the effective time period. It is understood that in this application embodiment, when the user plane network element processes service flows, it uses the fourth processing method, but only prioritizes the third processing method for processing the service flow within a specified duration or specific time period.

[0188] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first notification information, the user plane network element can also send a second notification information to the terminal device. The second notification information includes a second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0189] The second notification information can be understood as a response from the user plane network element to the terminal device after receiving the first notification information. This informs the terminal device whether the user plane network element should use the same processing method as the terminal device for the service flow.

[0190] In one optional embodiment of this application, the second notification information may include some or all of the following:

[0191] Content 1: Information on why the user plane network element uses the third processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0192] The reason information can be used to indicate the internal state of the user plane network element, or to indicate the policy information of the user plane network element, etc.

[0193] For example, the reason information may include that the user plane network element does not support the auxiliary traffic offloading mode of the terminal device.

[0194] Content 2: The second duration information of the user plane network element does not change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0195] Specifically, when the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message may include second duration information indicating that the processing method of the downlink service flow has not been changed.

[0196] The second duration information is used to instruct the terminal device not to send the first notification information to the user plane network element within the time specified by the second duration information.

[0197] Furthermore, in one optional embodiment of this application, after the terminal device meets the second condition and resumes processing the uplink service flow using the first processing method, it can also send a third notification message to the user plane network element. The third notification message is used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using the first processing method.

[0198] Therefore, when the user plane network element receives the third notification information, it resumes the fourth processing method to process the service flow. That is, after receiving the message that the terminal device has exited the auxiliary traffic offloading mode, the user plane network element resumes the main traffic offloading mode indicated by the session management network element.

[0199] It should be noted that the first processing method for the terminal device to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the main traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the main traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples. The second processing method for the terminal device to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the auxiliary traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the auxiliary traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples. The fourth processing method for the user plane network element to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the main traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the main traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples. The third processing method for the user plane network element to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the auxiliary traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the auxiliary traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples.

[0200] In order to better understand the above Figure 4 The content shown will be introduced through the following... Figure 5 Examples will be provided to illustrate this.

[0201] Specifically, such as Figure 5 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the steps of a service flow splitting method are as follows:

[0202] S500, terminal equipment initiates PDU session establishment process to SMF.

[0203] In one optional implementation of this application, the terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request (PDUsession establishment req terminal device st) message to the SMF, which includes a PDU session identifier and an MA PDU request indication to indicate the establishment of an MA PDU session.

[0204] S501, The SMF sends a policy request to the PCF.

[0205] In one optional implementation of this application, the policy request includes an MA PDU session indication to indicate that the PDU session is an MA PDU session.

[0206] S502. The PCF issues PCC rules to the SMF. These PCC rules contain policy information. Specifically, the PCC rules contain service flow description information, traffic splitting mode, and terminal device auxiliary traffic splitting mode indication.

[0207] The service flow description information may include one or more IP 5-tuple information (IP 5-tuple information includes at least one of source and destination IP addresses, source and destination port numbers, and protocol identifiers), one or more MAC address information or VLAN identifier information, at least one application identifier, SDF, or at least one QFI, etc.

[0208] The terminal device auxiliary traffic offloading mode indicator is used to indicate the supported terminal device auxiliary traffic offloading modes. These auxiliary traffic offloading modes include, but are not limited to, active-standby mode, minimum delay mode, load-balanced mode, and priority-based mode.

[0209] Among them, the traffic distribution mode allocated by the network side for service flows is called the main mode.

[0210] S503, The SMF determines the first policy information and the second policy information based on the PCC rule.

[0211] The first strategy information includes the main and off-flow modes for the terminal device to process service flows; the second strategy information includes the main and off-flow modes for the user plane network element to process service flows.

[0212] Furthermore, when the first policy information allows the terminal device to perform auxiliary traffic diversion mode, the first policy information may also include first indication information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow, that is, at least the terminal device can perform auxiliary traffic diversion mode.

[0213] When the second policy information allows the user plane network element to cooperate with the terminal device in auxiliary traffic offloading mode, the second policy information may also include second indication information, which is used to indicate that the user plane network element can determine the processing method of the downlink service flow. In one optional implementation of this application embodiment, the first policy information and / or the second policy information may be an ATSSS rule or a MAR (Multi-access rule).

[0214] S504, the SMF sends the first policy information to the terminal device.

[0215] The first strategy information may also include corresponding business flow description information, etc.

[0216] S505, the SMF sends the second policy information to the user plane network element.

[0217] The second strategy information may also include corresponding business flow description information, etc.

[0218] S506, The terminal device receives the first policy information.

[0219] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device may also store the first strategy information.

[0220] Furthermore, the terminal device processes the corresponding service flow using a main-to-side traffic mode based on the first strategy information.

[0221] S507, The user plane network element receives the second policy information.

[0222] In one optional embodiment of this application, the user plane network element may also store the second policy information.

[0223] Furthermore, the user plane network element processes the corresponding service flow using a main-to-side traffic mode based on the second strategy information.

[0224] S508. After the first condition is met, the terminal device determines to enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0225] S509. The terminal device generates a first notification message, which is used to indicate the time for the terminal device to execute the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0226] In one optional implementation of this application embodiment, before generating the first notification information, the terminal device may first determine the traffic splitting scheme for entering the auxiliary traffic splitting mode; then, the first notification information is generated based on the traffic splitting scheme for entering the auxiliary traffic splitting mode.

[0227] The auxiliary information in the first notification message can indicate the time for the terminal device to execute the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0228] The auxiliary information may include at least one of the following: the first duration information of the terminal device adopting the auxiliary diversion mode and the reason information of the terminal device adopting the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0229] The first duration information can be a specific effective duration, such as the effective duration of the current state, the effective duration of the auxiliary diversion mode, or the effective duration of the diversion information sent by the terminal device; or a specific time point (e.g., 3:00 PM) or time period (e.g., 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM).

[0230] In one optional implementation of this application, the effective duration can be monitored by setting a timer. When the timer is running normally, it indicates that the current state continues or the auxiliary diversion mode continues. When the timer expires, the current state is terminated or the auxiliary diversion mode is terminated.

[0231] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the first notification information may also include other information, specifically not limited to business flow description information, traffic splitting information, etc.

[0232] The service flow description information refers to the flow description information of the uplink service flow and / or downlink service flow. The traffic splitting information includes the traffic splitting scheme requested by the terminal device for the downlink service flow, or the traffic splitting scheme used by the terminal device for the uplink service flow, specifically including access technology indication, or access technology and traffic splitting ratio information.

[0233] In one optional implementation of this application, the first notification information is a PMF request.

[0234] S510, The terminal device sends the first notification information to the user plane network element.

[0235] S511, The user plane network element receives the first notification information.

[0236] S512. After the user plane network element confirms that it has received the first notification information, it determines the second time information of the corresponding service flow to be processed by the auxiliary diversion mode based on the first notification information.

[0237] In other words, the user plane network element determines whether the auxiliary traffic splitting mode can be performed based on the first notification information, and after determining that the auxiliary traffic splitting mode can be performed, the user plane network element determines the second duration information of the corresponding service flow to be processed by the auxiliary traffic splitting mode.

[0238] The second duration information can be less than or equal to the auxiliary traffic diversion mode execution time indicated by the first notification information. In one optional implementation of this application, the user plane network element receives the first notification information and its local status to determine whether to accept the first request; or the user plane network element receives the first notification information and the second policy information to determine whether to accept the first request; or the user plane network element receives the first notification information, its local status, and the second policy information to determine whether to accept the first request.

[0239] For example, the user plane network element searches for the corresponding downlink service flow based on the service flow description information carried in the first notification information.

[0240] Specifically, when the service flow description represents a downlink service flow, the user plane network element directly determines the downlink service flow based on the downlink service flow description information. When the service flow description represents an uplink service flow, the user plane network element maps it to downlink service flow description information (e.g., at least one of source and destination IP addresses, source and destination port numbers, and protocol identifiers), and determines the downlink service flow based on the downlink service flow description information.

[0241] Then, the user plane network element determines the second policy information corresponding to the downlink service flow. When the second policy information does not contain an auxiliary offloading mode indication, the user plane network element still uses the primary mode to offload the downlink service. Otherwise, when the second policy information contains an auxiliary offloading mode indication, the user plane network element uses the auxiliary offloading mode to process the downlink service flow.

[0242] S513. The user plane network element executes the auxiliary traffic splitting mode according to the second duration information.

[0243] One optional execution method of this application embodiment is as follows:

[0244] After the user plane network element confirms acceptance of the first notification information, it generates third strategy information based on the service flow information, traffic splitting information, etc. contained in the first notification information. The third strategy information includes the auxiliary traffic splitting mode for the user plane network element to process service flows.

[0245] The user plane network element stores the third policy information and sets the priority of the third policy information to be higher than the priority of the second policy information. That is, the priority of the traffic splitting scheme in the auxiliary traffic splitting mode is set to be higher than the traffic splitting scheme in the main mode.

[0246] Furthermore, the user plane network element can set a timer for the third policy information to take effect based on the second duration information. When the timer has not expired, the third policy information takes effect. Because the third policy information has a higher priority than the second policy information, the user plane network element uses the auxiliary traffic splitting mode to process the corresponding service flow. When the timer expires, the third policy information becomes invalid, and the user plane network element uses the main mode to process the corresponding service flow.

[0247] Furthermore, after receiving the first notification information, or after determining the second duration information, the user plane network element can also send a response message to the terminal device, which is used to indicate whether the first notification information is accepted.

[0248] In one optional embodiment of this application, the response message includes a success or rejection indication to indicate whether the user plane network element has modified the downlink traffic diversion rules based on the first notification information sent by the terminal device.

[0249] Specifically, if the response message contains a success indication or an acceptance indication, it indicates that the user plane network element has modified the downlink service flow diversion rules based on the first notification information of the terminal device.

[0250] If the response message contains a rejection or failure indication, it indicates that the user plane network element refuses to modify the downlink service flow diversion rules based on the first notification information of the terminal device, and continues to use the main mode to divert the downlink service flow.

[0251] In another optional embodiment of this application, success or failure is indicated by the message name of the response message.

[0252] Specifically, when the user plane network element receives the first notification information sent by the terminal device, the user plane network element sends back a success message for the first notification information or a success message for the terminal device's auxiliary traffic offloading mode. When the user plane network element rejects the first notification information sent by the terminal device, the user plane network element sends back a failure message for the first notification information or a failure message for the terminal device's auxiliary mode.

[0253] Furthermore, the response message in this embodiment may also contain other information, including but not limited to the following:

[0254] Information 1: When the response message indicates that the user plane network element has received the first notification information from the terminal device, the response message may include the time information set by the user plane network element for executing the auxiliary traffic offloading mode of the terminal device.

[0255] For example, the response message may contain timer information set by the user plane network element.

[0256] The timer indicates that the terminal device does not need to initiate the first notification message for the same service flow before the timer expires. It can also instruct the terminal device to initiate the first notification message again after the timer expires, provided the service flow in the terminal device is still in auxiliary traffic splitting mode, as in step S510.

[0257] Information 2: When the response message indicates that the user plane network element rejects the first notification information from the terminal device, the response message may include the second duration information to instruct the terminal device that, within the time specified by the second duration information, the user plane network element will not receive the first notification information sent by the terminal device.

[0258] Information 3: This response message may also include business flow description information or traffic splitting information, etc.

[0259] The business flow description information or diversion information is used to identify specific business flows or specific diversion information, and to indicate whether the business flow or diversion information is accepted or rejected.

[0260] Information 4: When the response message indicates that the user plane network element rejects the first notification information of the terminal device, the response message may also contain the reason for the rejection by the user plane network element.

[0261] For example:

[0262] The ATSSS rule received by the terminal device contains the flow description information of the uplink service flow 1, the main flow distribution mode is load balancing mode, and the auxiliary flow distribution mode indication.

[0263] When the terminal device's battery level drops below 5%, the terminal device enters auxiliary traffic offloading mode. In this mode, the terminal device transmits all data packets of uplink traffic flow 1 through the 3GPP side, instead of using the load balancing mode of the main mode to transmit traffic flow 1 data packets simultaneously through 3GPP and non-3GPP.

[0264] Furthermore, after the terminal device determines that it has entered the auxiliary traffic offloading mode, it sends a first request to the user plane network element. The first request carries the flow description information of service flow 1, the traffic offloading information is a 3GPP access technology indication, the validity period is 5 minutes, and the reason value is "low battery".

[0265] The user plane network element receives a first request from the terminal device, which includes flow description information for uplink service flow 1, a 3GPP access technology instruction for the offloading information, a validity period of 5 minutes, and a reason value of "low battery".

[0266] The user plane network element searches for the downlink service flow corresponding to service flow 1 and obtains the first diversion rule of the downlink service flow.

[0267] Case 1: If the primary traffic splitting mode included in the first traffic splitting rule is the minimum delay traffic splitting mode (SmallestDelay), and the auxiliary traffic splitting mode is indicated.

[0268] User plane network elements modify the downlink offloading mode based on the auxiliary offloading mode indication and low battery cause value. That is, the user plane network element no longer uses the minimum latency mode in the first offloading rule for downlink offloading, but instead generates a second offloading rule based on the offloading information sent by the terminal device. This second offloading rule offloads all downlink traffic flow 1 to the 3GPP access side.

[0269] Furthermore, the user plane network element sets the validity period of the second traffic offloading rule to 5 minutes based on the validity period sent by the terminal device or a local policy. When the user plane network element receives the downlink data packet of service flow 1, it finds the first traffic offloading rule containing the minimum latency offloading mode and the second traffic offloading rule that offloads all traffic to the 3GPP side. When the second traffic offloading rule is valid, its priority is higher than that of the first traffic offloading rule. Therefore, the user plane network element uses the second traffic offloading rule to offload downlink service flow 1, that is, all downlink traffic of service flow 1 is transmitted through the 3GPP access side tunnel.

[0270] Scenario 2: If the primary traffic splitting mode included in the first traffic splitting rule is the minimum latency traffic splitting mode, but does not include an auxiliary traffic splitting mode indication.

[0271] Then the user plane network element will still use the minimum latency mode to distribute the downlink data packets of service flow 1.

[0272] Specifically, such as Figure 6 As shown in the embodiments of this application, another service flow splitting method has the following steps:

[0273] S600, the terminal device receives first policy information from the session management network element, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flow.

[0274] In one optional embodiment of this application, the first processing method can be understood as the session management network element instructing the terminal device to perform a main-to-side traffic processing mode for service flow.

[0275] For example, suppose the traffic splitting modes include Active-Standby, Smallest Delay, Load-Balancing, and Priority-based modes.

[0276] The first processing method is active-standby mode, which means that the session management network element instructs the terminal device to use active-standby mode as the primary traffic distribution mode for service flow distribution.

[0277] Furthermore, the first strategy information also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate to the terminal device that it can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0278] S601, The terminal device determines that the first condition is met.

[0279] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device determines that the first condition is met, which can be understood as the terminal device determining that it meets the condition to enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0280] It should be noted that the first condition in this application embodiment is not limited to entering the auxiliary diversion mode or satisfying the auxiliary diversion mode, etc. Any diversion mode applicable to this application embodiment is within the protection scope of this application embodiment.

[0281] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device can determine whether a first condition is met based on its current state, that is, whether to trigger the terminal device to enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0282] Furthermore, the terminal device can determine which of its own service flows will enter the auxiliary diversion mode based on its current status, that is, determine the target service flows that will enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0283] For example, when the battery level of the terminal device is lower than the battery threshold, service flows 1-3 are triggered to enter the auxiliary traffic diversion mode. Here, we assume the battery threshold is 10%, and the current battery level of the terminal device is 9%. The terminal device determines that its battery level is lower than the 9% threshold; therefore, the terminal device triggers service flows 1-3 to enter the auxiliary traffic diversion mode.

[0284] S602. The terminal device determines a second processing method for the uplink service flow and processes the uplink service flow using the second processing method.

[0285] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device determines the second processing method of the uplink service flow, which can be understood as the terminal device determining a diversion scheme for the uplink service flow to enter the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0286] In this case, after the uplink traffic in the terminal device enters the auxiliary traffic splitting mode, the terminal device no longer uses the main traffic splitting mode to split the uplink traffic, but instead decides the splitting method itself.

[0287] For example, the terminal device may select one access technology to transmit the uplink traffic, or transmit the uplink traffic using two access technologies according to the splitting ratio determined by the terminal device.

[0288] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, when the terminal device determines the second processing method of the uplink service flow, it needs to determine, based on the first indication information in the first strategy information, that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0289] S603, The terminal device determines that the second condition is met.

[0290] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device determines that the second condition is met, which can be understood as the terminal device determining to restore the main traffic splitting mode.

[0291] It should be noted that the second condition in this application embodiment is not limited to entering the main traffic splitting mode or satisfying the main traffic splitting mode, etc. Any traffic splitting mode applicable to this application embodiment is within the protection scope of this application embodiment.

[0292] In one optional embodiment of this application, the terminal device can determine whether the second condition is met based on its current state, that is, whether to trigger the terminal device to resume the main traffic splitting mode.

[0293] Furthermore, the terminal device can determine which of its own service flows should be restored to the main-to-side mode based on its current status, that is, determine the target service flows to be restored to the main-to-side mode.

[0294] For example, when the battery level of the terminal device exceeds a battery threshold, service flows 1-3 are triggered to resume the main traffic distribution mode. Assume the battery threshold is 10%, and the current battery level of the terminal device is 50%. The terminal device determines that its battery level is 9% higher than the battery threshold; therefore, the terminal device triggers service flows 1-3 to resume the main traffic distribution mode.

[0295] S604, The terminal device resumes the first processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0296] S605. The terminal device sends a first notification message to the user plane network element, the first notification message being used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using a first processing method.

[0297] Understandably, the purpose of the terminal device sending the first notification information to the user plane network element is to inform the user plane network element that the terminal device has resumed the main traffic offloading mode. This first notification information can be a new message proposed during the traffic offloading method of this application; or, the first notification information can be an improvement to the request sent by the terminal device to the user plane network element. For example, the first notification information can be a PMF request.

[0298] S606. The user plane network element receives second policy information from the session management network element, the second policy information including a fourth processing method for downlink service flows of the terminal device.

[0299] In one optional embodiment of this application, the fourth processing method can be understood as the session management network element instructing the user plane network element to perform a main-to-side traffic processing mode.

[0300] S607. The user plane network element uses the fourth processing method to process the downlink service flow.

[0301] In one optional embodiment of this application, after the terminal device enters the auxiliary traffic splitting mode, the user plane network element also adopts the auxiliary traffic splitting mode to process the service flow.

[0302] In this embodiment, the fourth processing method can be an auxiliary diversion mode.

[0303] S608, The user plane network element receives the first notification information from the terminal device.

[0304] S609. The user plane network element resumes processing the downlink service flow using the third processing method based on the first notification information.

[0305] Using the above method, in this embodiment of the application, after the terminal device meets the second condition and can resume the main traffic splitting mode, it sends the third notification information to the user plane network element. This enables the user plane network element to resume the first processing method to process the uplink service flow after receiving the third notification information. This provides a solution that supports the user plane network element and the terminal device to work together to resume the main mode for downlink service flow splitting, and is more adaptable.

[0306] It should be noted that the above Figure 6 The steps of traffic diversion described herein do not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application. For example, there is no distinction in the order of S606 and S600; S606 can be executed before S600. Furthermore, in the process of executing the traffic diversion method, the embodiments of this application can make adaptive adjustments and modifications to the above steps according to the actual situation.

[0307] Furthermore, in an optional embodiment of this application, the first notification information, in addition to instructing the terminal device to resume processing the service flow using the first processing method, may also include some or all of the following:

[0308] Content 1: Information on why the terminal device resumed processing the uplink business flow using the first processing method.

[0309] The reason information can be used to indicate the internal state of the terminal device, or to indicate the reason why the terminal device resumes the main traffic splitting mode, or to indicate the link status, or the access technology status, or user preferences, etc.

[0310] For example, the reason information may include low battery indication, low power consumption indication, resource optimization indication, link congestion indication, weak access signal indication, or user preference indication, etc.

[0311] Content 2: The terminal device is expected to resume processing the first duration information of the uplink business flow using the first processing method.

[0312] The first duration information can be a specific effective duration, such as the effective duration of the current state or the effective duration of the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0313] The first duration information can also be a specific time point (e.g., 3:00 PM) or a time period (e.g., 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM).

[0314] For example, if the first duration information included in the first notification information is 3:00 PM, it means that the terminal device will resume the first processing method to process the service flow at 3:00 PM. Therefore, the user plane device can also resume the third processing method to process the service flow at 3:00 PM.

[0315] Content 3: Information about the first processing method.

[0316] The information in the first processing method can be business flow description information, traffic splitting information, etc.

[0317] In one optional embodiment of this application, the service flow description information may be the flow description information of an upstream service flow or / and a downstream service flow.

[0318] The traffic offloading information includes the offloading scheme requested by the terminal device for downlink traffic, or the offloading scheme used by the terminal device for uplink traffic, specifically including access technology indication, or access technology and offloading ratio information.

[0319] Specifically, when the service flow description information is the downlink service flow, the user plane network element can directly determine the downlink service flow based on the description information.

[0320] When the service flow description information is the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow, the user plane network element maps the uplink service flow description information to the downlink service flow description information, and determines the downlink service flow based on the downlink service flow description information.

[0321] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first notification information, the user plane network element can also send a second notification information to the terminal device. The second notification information includes a second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0322] The second notification information can be understood as a response from the user plane network element to the terminal device after receiving the first notification information. This informs the terminal device whether the user plane network element should use the same processing method as the terminal device for the service flow.

[0323] In one optional embodiment of this application, the second notification information may include some or all of the following:

[0324] Content 1: Information on why the user's network element refused to restore the third processing method for the uplink service flow.

[0325] The reason information can be used to indicate the internal state of the user plane network element, or to indicate the policy information of the user plane network element, etc.

[0326] Content 2: The second duration information of the user plane network element does not change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0327] Specifically, when the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message may include second duration information indicating that the processing method of the downlink service flow has not been changed.

[0328] The second duration information is used to instruct the terminal device not to send the first notification information to the user plane network element within the time specified by the second duration information.

[0329] It should be noted that the first processing method for the terminal device to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the main traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the main traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples. The second processing method for the terminal device to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the auxiliary traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the auxiliary traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples. The fourth processing method for the user plane network element to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the main traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the main traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples. The third processing method for the user plane network element to process the service flow in this embodiment can be either the auxiliary traffic splitting mode or other traffic splitting modes. For ease of explanation, the auxiliary traffic splitting mode will be used in subsequent examples.

[0330] In order to better understand the above Figure 6 The content shown is introduced below, and the following embodiment two is provided for detailed description. It should be noted that the following embodiment is only used for illustration and does not constitute a limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0331] Example 2: The first notification message is a request to terminate the auxiliary diversion mode.

[0332] Specifically, such as Figure 7 As shown in the embodiment of this application, the steps of a service flow splitting method are as follows:

[0333] S700: The terminal device exits the auxiliary diversion mode based on the current state.

[0334] In one optional implementation of this application, when the terminal device has sufficient power (e.g., more than 20%) and / or the link is not congested, the terminal device exits the auxiliary traffic splitting mode, that is, the terminal device resumes using the main mode to split the uplink service flow.

[0335] S701. The terminal device sends a first notification message to the user plane network element, the first notification message being a request to terminate the auxiliary traffic offloading mode.

[0336] The first notification information includes an auxiliary mode termination indication or a main mode restoration indication, which indicates that the auxiliary diversion mode has been terminated, or that the terminal device is using the main mode to divert the uplink traffic, or that the terminal device requests the downlink traffic to be diverted based on the main mode.

[0337] In one optional implementation of this application, the first notification information may be a PMF request.

[0338] In one optional implementation of this application, the first notification information may further include service flow description information to indicate that the auxiliary diversion mode is terminated for the above-mentioned service flow, or that the main mode is restored for the above-mentioned service flow.

[0339] S702, The user plane network element receives the first notification information.

[0340] S703, The user plane network element determines to restore the main traffic distribution mode based on the first notification information.

[0341] In one optional implementation of this application, after receiving the first notification information, the user plane network element updates the downlink service flow diversion mode based on the above information, that is, restores the main diversion mode.

[0342] Among them, the Figure 7 The diversion method shown can be used with this Figure 5 The traffic offloading methods shown can be combined in several ways. For example, after receiving an instruction to terminate the auxiliary traffic offloading mode, the user plane network element sets the third policy information to invalid, thereby resuming downlink traffic offloading based on the primary traffic offloading mode contained in the second policy information. That is, if the user plane network element is in the auxiliary traffic offloading mode and the execution duration of the auxiliary traffic offloading mode is still within the valid duration, but the user plane network element receives an instruction to terminate the auxiliary traffic offloading mode, then the user plane network element directly resumes the primary traffic offloading mode.

[0343] In this embodiment of the application, before S700, the steps S500 to S507 described above can also be performed. For the sake of brevity, please refer to the content in the above scenario one, which will not be repeated here.

[0344] Furthermore, after receiving the first notification information, the user plane network element can also send a response message to the terminal device, which is used to indicate whether the first notification information has been received.

[0345] In one optional embodiment of this application, the response message includes a success or rejection indication to indicate whether the user plane network element has modified the downlink traffic diversion rules based on the first notification information sent by the terminal device.

[0346] Specifically, if the response message contains a success indication or an acceptance indication, it indicates that the user plane network element has modified the downlink service flow diversion rules based on the first notification information of the terminal device.

[0347] If the response message contains a rejection or failure indication, it indicates that the user plane network element refuses to modify the downlink service flow diversion rules based on the first notification information of the terminal device, and continues to use the auxiliary diversion mode to divert the downlink service flow.

[0348] In another optional embodiment of this application, success or failure is indicated by the message name of the response message.

[0349] Specifically, when the user plane network element receives the first notification information sent by the terminal device, the user plane network element sends back a success message for the first notification information or a success message for the terminal device to resume main traffic offloading mode. When the user plane network element rejects the first notification information sent by the terminal device, the user plane network element sends back a failure message for the first notification information or a failure message for resuming main traffic offloading mode.

[0350] Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the response message may also include the reason for the user plane network element's rejection.

[0351] From the above description of the present application, it can be understood that the devices described above, in order to achieve the above functions, include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, the present invention can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the present invention.

[0352] Based on the above embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown in the figure, this application embodiment also provides a service flow processing device, which includes a processor 800, a memory 801 and a communication interface 802.

[0353] The processor 800 is responsible for managing the bus architecture and general processing, while the memory 801 stores the data used by the processor 800 during operation. The transceiver communication interface 802 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processor 800 and communicate with the memory 801.

[0354] The processor 800 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor 800 may further include a hardware chip. This hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. The memory 801 may include various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0355] The processor 800, the memory 801, and the communication interface 802 are interconnected. In one optional embodiment of this application, the processor 800, the memory 801, and the communication interface 802 can be interconnected via a bus 803; the bus 803 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, etc. For ease of representation, Figure 8 Only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0356] When the service flow processing device is a terminal device, the processor 800 is used to read the program in the memory 801 and execute it as follows: Figure 4 The method flow executed by the terminal device in S400~S404 shown; or the method flow executed as shown in the figure. Figure 5 The method flow executed by the terminal device in S500~S511 shown; executing as follows Figure 6 The method flow executed by the terminal device in S600~S603 shown; executing as follows Figure 7 The method flow executed by the terminal device in S700~S706 shown.

[0357] When the service flow processing device is a user plane network element, the processor 800 is used to read the program in the memory 801 and execute it as follows: Figure 4 The method flow for user plane network elements as shown in S400~S404; or the execution of... Figure 5 The method flow for the user plane network element execution described in S500~S511 is shown; execution is as follows: Figure 6 The method flow for the user plane network element execution described in S600~S603 is shown; execution is as follows: Figure 7 The method flow for user plane network elements to be executed in S700~S706 is shown.

[0358] like Figure 9 As shown, the present invention provides a business flow processing apparatus, which includes at least one processing unit 900, at least one storage unit 901, and at least one communication unit 902, wherein the communication unit 902 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processing unit 900, and the storage unit 901 stores program code.

[0359] In one optional embodiment of this application, the service flow processing device is a terminal device, and when the program code is executed by the processing unit 900, the processing unit 900 performs the following process:

[0360] The device is configured to receive first policy information from a session management network element via a communication unit 902, the first policy information including a first processing method for an uplink service flow; if the terminal device meets a first condition, determine a second processing method for the uplink service flow or a downlink service flow; and send first notification information to a user plane network element via the communication unit 902, the first notification information being used to notify the user plane network element to determine a third processing method for the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow.

[0361] As one possible implementation, the first strategy information further includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0362] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: the terminal device determining the reason information for the second processing method to process the uplink service flow; and / or, the terminal device determining the first duration information of the validity of the second processing method.

[0363] As one possible implementation, the first notification information may also include information about the second processing method.

[0364] As one possible implementation, the information in the second processing method includes: description information and splitting information of the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow; or, flow description information and splitting information of the downlink service flow.

[0365] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0366] The system receives a second notification from the user plane network element. The second notification includes a second indication, which indicates whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0367] As one possible implementation, if the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message may also include: second duration information of not changing the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0368] As one possible implementation, the method further includes: during the time specified by the second duration information, the terminal device does not send the first notification information to the user plane network element.

[0369] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0370] If the terminal device meets the second condition, it is determined that the first processing method will be used to process the uplink service flow.

[0371] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0372] A third notification message is sent to the user plane network element to notify the terminal device to process the uplink service flow using the first processing method.

[0373] In one optional embodiment of this application, the service flow processing device is a user plane network element. When the program code is executed by the processing unit 900, the processing unit 900 performs the following process:

[0374] The system is configured to: receive second policy information from a session management network element via a communication unit 902, the second policy information including a fourth processing method for downlink service flows of a terminal device; process the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method; receive first notification information from the terminal device via the communication unit 902, the first notification information being used to notify a user plane network element to determine a third processing method for the downlink service flow; and determine the third processing method based on the first notification information.

[0375] As one possible implementation, the second strategy information also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the user plane can determine the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0376] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: the reason why the terminal device determines the second processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0377] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0378] The third processing method is determined based on the cause information and the second indication information. As one possible implementation, the first notification information further includes:

[0379] The description and routing information of the upstream business flow corresponding to the downstream business flow; or, the flow description and routing information of the downstream business flow.

[0380] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0381] The user plane network element determines the third processing method based on the description information and diversion information of the uplink or downlink service flow.

[0382] As one possible implementation, the third processing method has a higher priority than the fourth processing method.

[0383] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0384] Determine the second duration information for using the third processing method.

[0385] As one possible implementation, the first notification information further includes: first duration information for which the terminal device determines that the second processing method is effective.

[0386] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0387] The second duration information is confirmed based on the first duration information.

[0388] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0389] A second notification message is sent to the user plane network element. The second notification message includes a second indication message, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0390] As one possible implementation, if the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message may also include: second duration information of not changing the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0391] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0392] During the time specified in the second duration information, the first notification information sent from the terminal device will not be received.

[0393] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0394] The terminal device receives a third notification message, which is used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using a first processing method.

[0395] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0396] The fourth processing method is then resumed to process the business flow.

[0397] like Figure 9 As shown, the present invention provides a business flow processing apparatus, which includes at least one processing unit 900, at least one storage unit 901, and at least one communication unit 902, wherein the communication unit 902 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processing unit 900, and the storage unit 901 stores program code.

[0398] In one optional embodiment of this application, the service flow processing device is a terminal device, and when the program code is executed by the processing unit 900, the processing unit 900 performs the following process:

[0399] The device is configured to receive first policy information from a session management network element via a communication unit 902, the first policy information including a first processing method for an uplink service flow; after a first condition is met, determine a second processing method for the uplink service flow or a downlink service flow, and process the uplink service flow using the second processing method; determine that a second condition is met, and resume processing the uplink service flow using the first processing method; and send a first notification message to a user plane network element via the communication unit 902, the first notification message being used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using the first processing method.

[0400] As one possible implementation, the first strategy information further includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

[0401] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: reason information for the terminal device resuming the first processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0402] As one possible implementation, the first notification information may also include information about the first processing method.

[0403] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0404] The system receives a second notification from the user plane network element, the second notification including a third indication, the third indication being used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0405] like Figure 9 As shown, the present invention provides a business flow processing apparatus, which includes at least one processing unit 900, at least one storage unit 901, and at least one communication unit 902, wherein the communication unit 902 is used to receive and send data under the control of the processing unit 900, and the storage unit 901 stores program code.

[0406] In one optional embodiment of this application, the service flow processing device is a user plane network element. When the program code is executed by the processing unit 900, the processing unit 900 performs the following process:

[0407] The device is configured to receive second policy information from a session management network element via a communication unit 902, the second policy information including a third processing method for downlink service flows of a terminal device; process the downlink service flows using a fourth processing method; receive first notification information from the terminal device via the communication unit 902, the first notification information being used to notify the terminal device to resume processing the service flows using the first processing method; and resume processing the downlink service flows using the third processing method according to the first notification information.

[0408] As one possible implementation, the second strategy information also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate that the user plane can determine the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0409] As one possible implementation, the first notification information includes: information on the reason why the terminal device resumes processing the uplink service flow using the first processing method.

[0410] As one possible implementation, before the user plane network element processes the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method, the method communication unit 902 is further configured to:

[0411] Receive a third notification message from the terminal device; the third notification message is used to notify the user plane network element to determine the fourth processing method for the downlink service flow;

[0412] The method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0413] The fourth processing method is determined based on the third notification information.

[0414] As one possible implementation, the third notification information includes: information on why the terminal device determines the second processing method to process the uplink service flow.

[0415] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0416] The fourth processing method is determined based on the reason information and the second indication information for the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink business flow determined by the terminal device.

[0417] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0418] The fourth processing method is determined based on the reason information for the second processing method to process the uplink or downlink service flow determined by the terminal device and the local policy of the user plane network element.

[0419] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0420] The fourth processing method is determined based on the reason information for processing the uplink or downlink service flow by the terminal device, the second indication information, and the local policy of the user plane network element.

[0421] As one possible implementation, the first notification information and / or the third notification information further include: description information and diversion information of the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow.

[0422] As one possible implementation, the first notification information and / or the third notification information may further include: description information and diversion information of the downlink service flow.

[0423] As one possible implementation, the fourth processing method has a higher priority than the third processing method.

[0424] As one possible implementation, the third notification information further includes: first duration information for which the terminal device determines the second processing method is effective.

[0425] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0426] Determine the second duration information for using the fourth processing method.

[0427] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is specifically used for:

[0428] The second duration information is confirmed based on the first duration information.

[0429] As one possible implementation, the method communication unit 902 is further configured to:

[0430] A second notification message is sent to the terminal device. The second notification message includes a third indication message, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0431] As one possible implementation, if the third indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification message also includes: second duration information of not changing the processing method of the downlink service flow.

[0432] As one possible implementation, the method processing unit 900 is further configured to:

[0433] During the time specified in the second duration information, the third notification information sent from the terminal device will not be received.

[0434] The above Figure 9 The functions of the communication unit 902 and the processing unit 900 shown can be executed by the processor 800 running the program in the memory 801, or by the processor 800 alone.

[0435] Figure 9 The service flow processing device shown can be the terminal device in the above embodiments, or the chip in the terminal device; or it can be the user plane network element in the above embodiments, or the chip in the user plane network element.

[0436] As mentioned above Figure 2 As shown, the service flow processing system provided by the present invention includes a terminal device 200, a session management network element 210, and a user plane network element 220. In specific execution, an optional execution method is as follows:

[0437] The session management network element 210 is configured to send first policy information to the terminal device, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flow; and is also configured to send second policy information to the user plane network element, the second policy information including a fourth processing method for downlink service flow of the terminal device.

[0438] The terminal device 200 is configured to receive first policy information from a session management network element; if the terminal device meets a first condition, determine a second processing method for the uplink or downlink service flow; and send first notification information to a user plane network element, wherein the first notification information is used to notify the user plane network element to determine a third processing method for the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow.

[0439] The user plane network element 220 is configured to receive second policy information from the session management network element; process the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method; receive first notification information from the terminal device, wherein the first notification information is used to notify the user plane network element to determine a third processing method for the downlink service flow; and determine the third processing method based on the first notification information.

[0440] The present invention provides a service flow processing system including a terminal device 200, a session management network element 210, and a user plane network element 220. In specific execution, another optional execution method is as follows: the session management network element 210 is used to send first policy information to the terminal device, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flows; and is also used to send second policy information to the user plane network element, the second policy information including a third processing method for downlink service flows of the terminal device.

[0441] The terminal device 200 is configured to receive first policy information from a session management network element; after satisfying a first condition, determine a second processing method for the uplink or downlink service flow, and process the uplink service flow using the second processing method; if the second condition is satisfied, resume processing the uplink service flow using the first processing method; and send a first notification message to a user plane network element, wherein the first notification message is used to notify the terminal device to process the service flow using the first processing method.

[0442] The user plane network element 220 is configured to receive second policy information from the session management network element; process the downlink service flow using a fourth processing method; receive first notification information from the terminal device, wherein the first notification information is used to notify the terminal device to resume processing the service flow using the first processing method; and resume processing the downlink service flow using the third processing method according to the first notification information.

[0443] In some possible implementations, various aspects of the traffic diversion method provided in the embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented in the form of a program product, which includes program code that, when run on a computer device, causes the computer device to perform the steps in the traffic diversion method according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention as described in this specification.

[0444] The program product may employ any combination of one or more readable media. A readable medium may be a readable signal medium or a readable storage medium. A readable storage medium may be, for example—but not limited to—an electrical, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any combination thereof. More specific examples of readable storage media (a non-exhaustive list) include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable disk, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0445] According to embodiments of the present invention, a program product for performing traffic routing can be a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and include program code, and can run on a server device. However, the program product of the present invention is not limited thereto. In this document, the readable storage medium can be any tangible medium containing or storing a program that can be used by or in conjunction with information transmission, apparatus, or device.

[0446] A readable signal medium may include data signals propagated in baseband or as part of a cell, carrying readable program code. Such propagated data signals may take various forms, including—but not limited to—electromagnetic signals, optical signals, or any suitable combination thereof. A readable signal medium may also be any readable medium other than a readable storage medium, capable of sending, propagating, or transmitting programs for use by or in conjunction with a periodic network operating system, apparatus, or device.

[0447] The program code contained on the readable medium may be transmitted using any suitable medium, including—but not limited to—wireless, wired, optical fiber, RF, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0448] Program code for performing the operations of this invention can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Java and C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as C or similar languages. The program code can execute entirely on the user's computing device, partially on the user's computing device, as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computing device and partially on a remote computing device, or entirely on a remote computing device or server. In cases involving remote computing devices, the remote computing device can be connected to the user's computing device via any type of network—including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN)—or it can be connected to an external computing device.

[0449] This application embodiment also provides a computing device-readable storage medium for the service flow splitting method implemented on terminal devices, meaning that the content is not lost after power failure. This storage medium stores software programs, including program code. When the program code runs on the computing device, the software program, when read and executed by one or more processors, can implement any of the service flow splitting schemes described in this application embodiment.

[0450] This application embodiment also provides a computing device-readable storage medium for the network device's service flow offloading method, meaning that the content is not lost after power failure. This storage medium stores software programs, including program code. When the program code runs on the computing device, the software program, when read and executed by one or more processors, can implement any of the service flow offloading schemes described in this application embodiment.

[0451] The present application has been described above with reference to block diagrams and / or flowcharts illustrating methods, apparatus (systems), and / or computer program products according to embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that a block of a block diagram and / or flowchart, as well as combinations of blocks of block diagrams and / or flowcharts, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, and / or other programmable data processing means to produce a machine such that the instructions, executable via the computer processor and / or other programmable data processing means, create methods for implementing the functions / actions specified in the blocks of the block diagrams and / or flowcharts.

[0452] Accordingly, this application can also be implemented using hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.). Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium, having computer-usable or computer-readable program code implemented in the medium for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system. In the context of this application, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, transmit, or deliver a program for use by or in conjunction with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0453] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is obvious that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are merely illustrative descriptions of the application as defined by the appended claims, and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from its scope. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A business flow processing method, characterized in that, include: The terminal device receives first policy information from the session management network element, the first policy information including a first processing method for uplink service flow; If the terminal device meets the first condition, the terminal device determines the second processing method for the uplink service flow, and the priority of the second processing method is higher than that of the first processing method; The terminal device sends a first notification message to the user plane network element, the first notification message being used to notify the user plane network element to determine the processing method of the downlink service flow corresponding to the uplink service flow; The method further includes: If the terminal device meets the second condition, and the terminal device determines to use the first processing method to process the uplink service flow, then the priority of the first processing method is higher than that of the second processing method. The terminal device sends a third notification message to the user plane network element to notify the terminal device to process the uplink service flow using the first processing method.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first strategy information also includes first indication information, which is used to indicate that the terminal device can determine the processing method of the uplink service flow.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first notification information includes: The terminal device determines the reason information for using the second processing method to process the uplink service flow; and / or, The terminal device determines the first duration information of the validity of the second processing method.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first notification information also includes information about the second processing method.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The information of the second processing method includes: The description information and routing information of the upstream service flow.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The terminal device receives a second notification message from the user plane network element. The second notification message includes a second indication message, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, If the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification information further includes: The second duration information does not change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: During the time specified by the second duration information, the terminal device will no longer send the first notification information to the user plane network element.

9. A business flow processing method, characterized in that, include: The user plane network element receives second policy information from the session management network element, the second policy information including a fourth processing method for downlink service flows of the terminal device; The user plane network element processes the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method described above; The user plane network element receives a first notification message from the terminal device, the first notification message being used to notify the user plane network element to determine the processing method for the downlink service flow; The first notification information is sent by the terminal device when it determines to use the second processing method to process the uplink service flow; If a user plane network element determines to use a third processing method to process the downlink service flow based on the first notification information, then the priority of the third processing method is higher than that of the fourth processing method. The method further includes: The user plane network element receives a third notification information from the terminal device, the third notification information being used to notify the terminal device to process the uplink service flow using a first processing method; If the user plane network element determines to use the fourth processing method to process the downlink service flow based on the third notification information, then the priority of the fourth processing method is higher than that of the third processing method.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second strategy information also includes second instruction information, which is used to instruct the user plane network element to modify the processing method of the downlink service flow.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first notification information includes: The terminal device determines the reason for using the second processing method to process the uplink service flow.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The user plane network element determines the processing method for the downlink service flow based on the first notification information, including: The user plane network element determines the processing method for the downlink service flow based on the cause information and the second indication information.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that, The first notification information also includes: The description information and diversion information of the uplink service flow corresponding to the downlink service flow; or, the flow description information and diversion information of the downlink service flow.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The user plane network element determines the processing method for the downlink service flow based on the first notification information, including: The user plane network element determines the processing method of the downlink service flow based on the description information and diversion information of the uplink service flow, or the flow description information and diversion information of the downlink service flow.

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 or 14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The user plane network element determines the second duration information using the third processing method.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12 or 14, characterized in that, The first notification information also includes: The terminal device determines the first duration information of the validity of the second processing method.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, Determining the second duration information using the third processing method includes: The user plane network element determines the second duration information based on the first duration information.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, 14 or 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: The user plane network element sends a second notification message to the terminal device. The second notification message includes a second indication message, which is used to indicate whether the user plane network element should change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, If the second indication information indicates that the user plane network element has not changed the processing method of the downlink service flow, the second notification information further includes: The second duration information does not change the processing method of the downlink service flow.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: During the time specified by the second duration information, the user plane network element does not receive the first notification information sent from the terminal device.

21. A business flow processing apparatus, characterized in that, include: One or more processors; memory; transceiver; The processor is configured to read a program from a memory and execute the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; or execute the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 20.

22. A communication system, characterized in that, include: A session management network element is used to send policy information to user plane network elements. The policy information includes a method for processing downlink service flows of terminal devices, and the method for processing downlink service flows includes a fourth processing method. The user plane network element is used to receive the policy information from the session management network element and process the downlink service flow using the fourth processing method. The terminal device receives a first notification message, which is used to notify the user plane network element to determine the processing method of the downlink service flow. The first notification message is sent when the terminal device determines to use a second processing method to process the uplink service flow. If the terminal device determines to use a third processing method to process the downlink service flow based on the first notification message, the third processing method has a higher priority than the fourth processing method. The user plane network element is further configured to receive third notification information from the terminal device, the third notification information being used to notify the terminal device to process the uplink service flow using the first processing method; If the third notification information determines that the fourth processing method will be used to process the downlink service flow, then the fourth processing method has a higher priority than the third processing method.

23. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, Includes computer instructions that, when executed on a traffic flow processing device, cause the traffic flow processing device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 8; or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9 to 20.

24. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions that, when executed by a traffic flow processing device, cause the traffic flow processing device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-8; or to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-20.

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