A conversation processing method and device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and discloses a session processing method and apparatus for resolving the problem that a PDU session is established after a terminal device disables the ability to access a 4G network, and after enabling the ability to access a 4G network, a foreign system moves to the 4G network. Due to the lack of an associated EPS bearer context, the EPS bearer associated with the PDU session cannot be mapped, resulting in the release of the PDU session and service interruption. The method comprises: after enabling the ability to access a 4G network, the terminal device sends a first message to a session management network element, the first message including first indication information for allocating an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session, the PDU session being established by the terminal device after the ability to access a 4G network is disabled; and the terminal device receives a second message from the session management network element, the second message including the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a session processing method and device. Background Art

[0002] In 5G, session management is related to protocol data unit (PDU) sessions, while in 4G, session management is related to evolved packet system (EPS) bearers. To ensure service continuity when a terminal device moves between 4G and 5G networks, when a terminal device establishes an EPS bearer on a 4G network, the network not only allocates the EPS bearer context of the 4G network to the terminal device, but also allocates the associated PDU session parameters of the 5G network. When a terminal device establishes a PDU session on a 5G network, the network not only allocates the PDU session parameters of the 5G network to the terminal device, but also allocates the associated EPS bearer context of the 4G network. Therefore, when a terminal device moves between a 4G and 5G network, the EPS bearer of the 4G network and the PDU session of the 5G network can be seamlessly switched, ensuring service continuity to the greatest extent possible. A prerequisite for the 5G network to be able to do this is that the terminal device supports the ability to access the 4G network.

[0003] However, the 3GPP TS 24.301 protocol stipulates that when certain scenarios occur in the terminal device under the 4G network, such as the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) registration failure, the terminal device needs to disable the ability to access the 4G network. When the terminal device with the ability to access the 4G network disabled establishes a PDU session in the 5G network, the network will not allocate an EPS bearer context associated with it to the terminal device. This results in the terminal device not having a PDU session associated with the EPS bearer context after enabling the ability to access the 4G network. After the terminal device moves from the 5G network system to the 4G network, the EPS bearer associated with the PDU session cannot be mapped, resulting in the release of the PDU session, causing service interruption and affecting user experience. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a session processing method and apparatus to solve the problem in the prior art that, after a terminal device disables the ability to access a 4G network, a PDU session is established. After the terminal device enables the ability to access the 4G network, a different system moves to the 4G network. Due to the lack of an associated EPS bearer context, the EPS bearer associated with the PDU session cannot be mapped, resulting in the release of the PDU session, causing service interruption and affecting user experience.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a session processing method, the method comprising: after enabling the ability to access a 4G network, a terminal device sends a first message to a session management network element, the first message including first indication information of allocating an associated EPS bearer context for a PDU session, the PDU session being established by the terminal device after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled; the terminal device receives a second message from the session management network element, the second message including the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session. Optionally, the EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session based on the first indication information.

[0006] Using the above method, if the terminal device establishes a PDU session of the 5G network after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device can initiate a session modification process to the session management network element after starting the ability to access the 4G network, and send the first indication information of allocating an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session to the session management network element, so that the session management network element allocates an EPS bearer context for the PDU session, so that after the terminal device moves from an inter-system to a 4G network, the PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of terminal device services and improving user experience.

[0007] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

[0008] The above design is conducive to the terminal device obtaining the parameter information of the EPS bearer, ensuring seamless switching of the PDU session of the 5G network to the EPS bearer of the 4G network after the terminal device moves from a different system to the 4G network.

[0009] In one possible design, the first message is a PDU session modification request message.

[0010] In one possible design, the second message is a PDU session modification command message.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present application provides a session processing method, the method comprising: a session management network element receiving a first message from a terminal device, the first message including first indication information of allocating an associated EPS bearer context for a PDU session, wherein the PDU session is established after the terminal device's ability to access a 4G network is disabled; the session management network element sending a second message to the terminal device, the second message including the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session. Optionally, the EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session based on the first indication information.

[0012] Using the above method, if the terminal device establishes a PDU session of the 5G network after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device can initiate a session modification process to the session management network element after starting the ability to access the 4G network, and send the first indication information of allocating an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session to the session management network element, so that the session management network element allocates an EPS bearer context for the PDU session, so that after the terminal device moves from an inter-system to a 4G network, the PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of terminal device services and improving user experience.

[0013] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

[0014] The above design is conducive to the terminal device obtaining the parameter information of the EPS bearer, ensuring seamless switching of the PDU session of the 5G network to the EPS bearer of the 4G network after the terminal device moves from a different system to the 4G network.

[0015] In one possible design, the first message is a PDU session modification request message.

[0016] In one possible design, the second message is a PDU session modification command message.

[0017] In a third aspect, the present application provides a session processing method, the method comprising: after a terminal device enables the ability to access a 4G network, releasing a PDU session, the PDU session being established after the terminal device's ability to access the 4G network is disabled; the terminal device sending a PDU session establishment request message to a session management network element; the terminal device receiving a PDU session establishment accept message from the session management network element, the PDU session establishment accept message including an EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session. Optionally, the EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element for the PDU session.

[0018] By adopting the above method, if the terminal device establishes a PDU session of the 5G network after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device can release the PDU session after starting the ability to access the 4G network, and re-initiate a PDU session establishment request to the session management network element, so that the session management network element re-establishes the PDU session for the terminal device and allocates an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session. As a result, after the terminal device moves from an inter-system to a 4G network, the PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of the terminal device service and improving the user experience.

[0019] In one possible design, after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device releases the PDU session, including: the terminal device receives a PDU session release command message from the session management network element; the terminal device releases the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message. Optionally, the PDU session release command message includes second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session; the terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element, including: the terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element according to the second indication information.

[0020] In the above design, the terminal device can release the PDU session according to the instructions of the session management network element, and send a PDU session establishment request message, which is conducive to avoiding interference with the existing services of the terminal device.

[0021] In one possible design, the terminal device releases the PDU session after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, including: the terminal device sends a PDU session release request message to the session management network element; the terminal device receives a PDU session release command message from the session management network element; the terminal device releases the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

[0022] In the above design, the terminal device can actively initiate the release of the PDU session. For example, if the terminal device actively initiates the release of the PDU session when there is no data transmission, it can effectively avoid interference with the existing services of the terminal device. At the same time, it can also effectively ensure the acquisition of the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session, and avoid business interruption caused by moving from a different system to the 4G network.

[0023] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

[0024] The above design is conducive to the terminal device obtaining the parameter information of the EPS bearer, ensuring seamless switching of the PDU session of the 5G network to the EPS bearer of the 4G network after the terminal device moves from a different system to the 4G network.

[0025] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a session processing method, which includes: a session management network element determines that a terminal device with an established PDU session enables the ability to access a 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled; the session management network element sends a PDU session release command message to the terminal device, and the PDU session release command message includes second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session.

[0026] In the above design, after the session management network element learns that the terminal device that established a PDU session on the 5G network after disabling the ability to access the 4G network has enabled the ability to access the 4G network, it can instruct the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session, so that when the terminal device re-initiates the PDU session establishment request, the associated EPS bearer context is allocated to the PDU session of the terminal device, so that after the terminal device moves from an inter-system to a 4G network, the PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of terminal device services and improving user experience.

[0027] In one possible design, the session management network element determines whether the terminal device with the PDU session established has the ability to access the 4G network, including: the session management network element receives a PDU session update session management context request message from the mobile management network element, and the PDU session update session management context request message includes information that the terminal device with the PDU session established supports the ability to access the 4G network.

[0028] In the above design, the session management network element can obtain information about the terminal device's ability to access the 4G network based on the PDU session update session management context request message from the mobility management network element, thereby determining that the terminal device has enabled the ability to access the 4G network, which is conducive to the session management network element's accurate knowledge of the terminal device's capabilities.

[0029] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a session processing method, which includes: a session management network element determines that a terminal device with an established PDU session enables the ability to access a 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled; the session management network element sends a PDU session modification command message to the terminal device, and the PDU session modification command message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0030] In the above design, after the session management network element learns that the terminal device that established a PDU session on the 5G network after disabling the ability to access the 4G network has enabled the ability to access the 4G network, it can actively allocate an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session and send the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session to the terminal device, so that after the terminal device moves from a different system to the 4G network, the PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, avoiding interruption of terminal device services and improving user experience.

[0031] In one possible design, the session management network element determines whether the terminal device with the PDU session established has the ability to access the 4G network, including: the session management network element receives a PDU session update session management context request message from the mobile management network element, and the PDU session update session management context request message includes information that the terminal device with the PDU session established supports the ability to access the 4G network.

[0032] In the above design, the session management network element can obtain information about the terminal device's ability to access the 4G network based on the PDU session update session management context request message from the mobility management network element, thereby determining that the terminal device has enabled the ability to access the 4G network, which is conducive to the session management network element's accurate knowledge of the terminal device's capabilities.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session processing device having the function of implementing the first aspect or any possible design method of the first aspect, or implementing the function of implementing the third aspect or any possible design method of the third aspect, wherein the function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units (modules) corresponding to the above functions, such as a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0034] In one possible design, the device may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0035] In one possible design, the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor coupled to the transceiver for implementing the functionality of the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or implementing the functionality of the method described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect. The apparatus may further include a memory storing a program executable by the processor for implementing the functionality of the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or implementing the functionality of the method described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect.

[0036] In one possible design, the apparatus may be a terminal device.

[0037] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session processing device, which has the function of implementing the second aspect or any possible design method of the second aspect, or the function of implementing the fourth aspect or any possible design method of the fourth aspect, or the function of implementing the fifth aspect or any possible design method of the fifth aspect, and the functions can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units (modules) corresponding to the above functions, such as a transceiver unit and a processing unit.

[0038] In one possible design, the device may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0039] In one possible design, the apparatus includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor being coupled to the transceiver and configured to implement the functionality of the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or the functionality of the method in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or the functionality of the method in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect. The apparatus may further include a memory storing a program executable by the processor for implementing the functionality of the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or the functionality of the method in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or the functionality of the method in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0040] In one possible design, the device may be a session management network element.

[0041] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a session processing system, which may include a terminal device and a session management network element, wherein the terminal device can execute the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and the session management network element can execute the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect; or, the terminal device can execute the method described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, and the session management network element can execute the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect.

[0042] In the ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which has a computer program or instruction for executing the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or executing the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or executing the method described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or executing the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or executing the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0043] In the tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions. When the computer program or instructions are executed, it can implement the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or implement the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or implement the method described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or implement the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or implement the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0044] In the eleventh aspect, the present application also provides a chip, which, when running, implements the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or implements the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, or implements the method described in the third aspect or any possible design of the third aspect, or implements the method described in the fourth aspect or any possible design of the fourth aspect, or implements the method described in the fifth aspect or any possible design of the fifth aspect.

[0045] The technical effects that can be achieved in the sixth to eleventh aspects mentioned above can be referred to the technical effects that can be achieved in the first to third aspects mentioned above, and no further details will be given here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the 5G network architecture provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0047] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the 4G-5G interoperability network architecture provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the process of a terminal device residing on an NR network provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] Figure 4 This is one of the diagrams of the session processing process provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0050] Figure 5 The second diagram of the session processing process provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0051] Figure 6 One of the schematic diagrams of the process of releasing a PDU session provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] Figure 7 The second schematic diagram of the process of releasing a PDU session provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] Figure 8 The third schematic diagram of the process of releasing a PDU session provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a session processing device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] Figure 10 The second schematic diagram of the session processing device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] Figure 11 The third diagram of the session processing device provided in the embodiment of the present application;

[0057] Figure 12 This is the fourth schematic diagram of the session processing device provided in an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] The technical solution provided in this application can be applied to 5G network architecture, 4G-5G interoperable network architecture, and future communication network architecture. The following describes some of the network architectures to which this application applies. In the following description, the terminal device is user equipment (UE) as an example.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown in the figure, it is a schematic diagram of a possible 5G network architecture applicable to the present application. The 5G network architecture includes UE, radio access network (RAN) equipment, user plane function (UPF) network element, access and mobility management function (AMF) network element, session management function (SMF) network element, policy control function (PCF) network element, application function (AF) network element, network slice selection function (NSSF) network element, authentication server function (AUSF) network element, user data management (UDM) network element, network slice-specific authentication and authorization function (NSSAAF) network element and data network (DN), etc.

[0060] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG, another possible 4G-5G interoperability network architecture diagram applicable to this application is shown in FIG. Figure 2As shown in the figure, different from the 5G network architecture, the network architecture 4G-5G interoperability network architecture can also include the home subscriber server (HSS), packet data network gateway (PDN gateway, PGW), serving gateway (SGW), mobility management entity (MME), evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (E-TURAN) and the like in the 4G network architecture.

[0061] To better enable 4G-5G interoperability and enhance service continuity, a 4G-5G converged gateway is selected in the 4G-5G interoperability network architecture. This means that the 4G PGW-C (PGW gateway control plane) and the 5G SMF network elements are converged (SMF+PGW-C), and the 4G PGW-U (PGW gateway user plane) and the 5G UPF network elements are converged (UPF+PGW-U). This allows a terminal device to establish an EPS bearer on 4G access and, if the terminal device has enabled 5G network access, the converged gateway can allocate not only the EPS bearer context of the 4G network but also the associated PDU session parameters of the 5G network. Similarly, when a terminal device establishes a PDU session on 5G access, the converged gateway can allocate not only the PDU session parameters of the 5G network but also the associated EPS bearer context of the 4G network. This allows for smooth conversion between EPS bearers and PDU sessions during 4G-5G interoperability, eliminating the need for re-establishment and maintaining service continuity.

[0062] As above Figure 1 and Figure 2 The network architectures shown can all be used as network architectures applicable to this application. Of course, the above network architectures are just examples, and this application is not limited to the above network architectures.

[0063] Before introducing the embodiments of the present application, some terms in the present application are first explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0064] 1) Terminal equipment, including equipment that provides voice and / or data connectivity to users, for example, may include a handheld device with wireless connection function, or a processing device connected to a wireless modem. The terminal device can communicate with the core network via the radio access network (RAN) and exchange voice and / or data with the RAN. The terminal device may include UE, wireless terminal device, mobile terminal device, device-to-device communication (D2D) terminal device, V2X terminal device, machine-to-machine / machine-type communication (M2M / MTC) terminal device, Internet of Things (IoT) terminal device, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, remote station, access point (AP), remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal, user agent, or user equipment, etc. For example, it may include mobile phones (or "cellular" phones), computers with mobile terminal devices, portable, pocket-sized, handheld, or computer-built mobile devices, etc. For example, personal communication service (PCS) phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other devices. It also includes limited devices, such as devices with low power consumption, limited storage capacity, or limited computing power. For example, it includes information sensing devices such as barcodes, radio frequency identification (RFID), sensors, global positioning systems (GPS), laser scanners, etc.

[0065] As an example and not a limitation, in the embodiments of the present application, the terminal device may also be a wearable device. Wearable devices may also be referred to as wearable smart devices or smart wearable devices, etc., which are a general term for wearable devices that are intelligently designed and developed using wearable technology for daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. A wearable device is a portable device that is worn directly on the body or integrated into the user's clothes or accessories. Wearable devices are not only hardware devices, but also achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly speaking, wearable smart devices include those that are fully functional, large in size, and can achieve complete or partial functions without relying on smartphones, such as smart watches or smart glasses, etc., as well as those that only focus on a certain type of application function and need to be used in conjunction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets, smart helmets, and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0066] The various terminal devices introduced above, if located on a vehicle (eg, placed in or installed in a vehicle), can be considered as vehicle-mounted terminal devices, which are also called on-board units (OBUs).

[0067] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device may further include a relay. Alternatively, it can be understood that anything that can communicate data with a base station can be considered a terminal device.

[0068] 2) N1 capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to support access to a 5G network through the 5G non-access stratum (NAS) protocol, also known as the ability to access a 5G network, or N1 mode capability.

[0069] 3) S1 capability refers to the ability of a terminal device to support access to a 4G network through the 4G NAS protocol. It is also called the ability to access a 4G network. It can also be called S1 mode capability or Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access capability (E-UTRA capability).

[0070] 4) 3GPP protocol. The 3GPP TS 24.301 protocol stipulates that when certain scenarios occur in the terminal device under 4G (such as IMS registration failure, etc.), the terminal device needs to disable the S1 capability, that is, the terminal device does not support the S1 capability. According to Section 4.5 of the 3GPP TS 24.301 protocol, after the terminal device disables the S1 capability, it will try to search for the 5G new radio (NR) network. If the search is successful, it will reside in the NR network and initiate the initial registration process or the mobility update registration process to inform the network to turn off the S1 capability. After the terminal device disables the S1 capability, it no longer supports 4G and 5G interoperability. For the PDU session established under 5G, the network will not allocate the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session, including not setting the associated EPS bearer ID for the quality of service (QoS) flow of the PDU session.

[0071] In addition, the 3GPP TS 24.301 protocol also stipulates that in scenarios such as when the voice center is changed to a data center or the S1 mode re-enable timer times out, the terminal device re-enables the S1 capability. These PDU sessions corresponding to the terminal device, which are not associated with the EPS bearer context, cannot be mapped to the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session after the terminal device moves from a 5G network system to a 4G network. The PDU session is released, causing service interruption and affecting the user experience. With the commercialization of 5G standalone (SA) networking, the above-mentioned scenarios will become more and more common.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, it is a schematic diagram of the process of residing in the NR network after the terminal device disables the ability to access the 4G network.

[0073] S301: After disabling the S1 capability (i.e., disabling the ability to access the 4G network, for example, refer to the scenario mentioned in the 3GPP TS 24.301 protocol), the terminal device will attempt to search for the NR network. If the search is successful, the terminal device resides on the NR network.

[0074] S302: After the terminal device successfully resides on the NR network, the terminal device initiates the initial registration process or the mobility update registration process. For example, the terminal device sends a registration request message to the network. The 5G mobility management (MM) capability information element in the registration request message is set to S1 mode not supported (S1 mode not supported), and does not carry the S1 terminal device (such as UE) network capability information element, indicating that the network terminal device does not support S1 capability, that is, does not support the ability to access the 4G network.

[0075] S303: When one or more applications on the terminal device are started, the terminal device is triggered to request to establish a new PDU session.

[0076] S304: The terminal device initiates a PDU session establishment request to the network.

[0077] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the network may refer to one or more network elements on the network side. For example, the network may refer to a mobility management network element (such as AMF) located on the network side, a session management network element (such as SMF or SMF+PGW-C), etc.

[0078] Specifically, the terminal device sends an uplink NAS transport message to the mobile management network element, and carries a PDU session establishment request (PDUsession establishment request) message sent by the terminal device to the session management network element in the uplink NAS transport message (as shown in S304a in the figure). After receiving the uplink NAS transport message sent by the terminal device, the mobile management network element creates a session management (session management, SM) context request (Nsmf_PDU session_create SM context request) message through the PDU session, and sends (or forwards) the PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element (as shown in S304b in the figure), that is, the PDU session establishment request message is transparently transmitted to the session management network element, wherein the PDU session creation session management context request message carries the PDU session establishment request message.

[0079] S305: The network sends a PDU session establishment accept message to the terminal device. Since the terminal device does not support S1 capability, the PDU session establishment accept message does not carry the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0080] Specifically, the session management network element sends a PDU session creation session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_create SM context response) message to the mobility management network element (as shown in S305a in the figure), and carries a PDU session establishment acceptance message sent to the terminal device in the PDU session creation session management context response message. After receiving the PDU session creation session management context response message sent by the session management network element, the mobility management network element sends a downlink NAS transport message to the terminal device, and carries the PDU session establishment acceptance message in the downlink NAS transport message. The PDU session establishment acceptance message does not carry the EPS bearer context (as shown in S305b in the figure).

[0081] S306: The terminal device re-enables the S1 capability (ie, enables the capability of accessing the 4G network).

[0082] For example, in certain scenarios specified in the 3GPP TS 24.301 protocol (such as the voice center is changed to a data center, the S1 mode re-enable timer times out, etc.), the terminal device re-enables the S1 capability (i.e., enables the ability to access the 4G network).

[0083] S307: The terminal device initiates a mobility update registration process due to a change in wireless capabilities and the process is successfully executed. The terminal device 5G MM capability information element in the registration request message is set to S1 mode supported (S1 mode supported) and can carry the S1 terminal device (such as UE) network capability information element, indicating that the network terminal device supports S1 capabilities.

[0084] However, after the terminal device's wireless capabilities include enabling the S1 capability (i.e., enabling the ability to access the 4G network), after the terminal device moves from a 5G network system to a 4G network, the EPS bearer associated with the PDU session cannot be mapped according to the existing technology solution, resulting in the release of the PDU session, causing service interruption and affecting user experience.

[0085] This application aims to solve the problem in the prior art that, after a terminal device disables the ability to access a 4G network, a PDU session is established. After the terminal device starts the ability to access a 4G network, the foreign system moves to the 4G network. Since there is no associated EPS bearer context, the EPS bearer associated with the PDU session cannot be mapped, resulting in the release of the PDU session, causing service interruption and affecting user experience.

[0086] In addition, the solution of this application is not limited to the switching scenario between 5G and 4G networks. This application is also applicable to the following scenario: when a terminal device establishes a data channel on a second network after disabling the ability to access the first network, and after the terminal device enables the ability to access the first network, the foreign system moves to the first network.

[0087] Additionally, it should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "at least one" can also be described as one or more, and "multiple" can be two, three, four, or more, without limitation. In the embodiments of this application, " / " can indicate an "or" relationship between the associated objects. For example, "A / B" can indicate A or B. "And / or" can be used to describe three relationships between the associated objects. For example, "A and / or B" can indicate the presence of A alone, the presence of both A and B, or the presence of B alone. A and B can be singular or plural. To facilitate the description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the words "first" and "second" may be used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish between technical features with the same or similar functions. The words "first" and "second" do not limit the number or order of execution, and the words "first" and "second" do not necessarily indicate differences. In the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or explanations. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" should not be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. The use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner to facilitate understanding.

[0088] The embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0089] Figure 4 A diagram of a session processing process provided in an embodiment of the present application, the process includes:

[0090] S401: After enabling the capability of accessing the 4G network, the terminal device sends a first message to the session management network element. The session management network element receives the first message, which includes first indication information of allocating an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session.

[0091] The PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled;

[0092] In an embodiment of the present application, the terminal device is first disabled from accessing the 4G network, and then a PDU session of the 5G network is established. After that, after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, a session modification process is initiated to the session management network element to obtain the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session, so that after the terminal device moves from an inter-system to a 4G network, the PDU session of the 5G network can be seamlessly transferred or mapped to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context.

[0093] In one possible implementation, if the terminal device establishes a PDU session (i.e., a PDU session without an associated EPS bearer context) after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device can actively initiate a session modification process after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, and send a first message to the session management network element, where the first message includes first indication information for allocating an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session.

[0094] For example, the terminal device can send an uplink NAS transmission message to the mobility management network element, and carry a first message sent to the session management network element in the uplink NAS transmission message, wherein the first message includes first indication information for allocating an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session (such as S401a in the figure). After the mobility management network element receives the uplink NAS transmission message sent by the terminal device, it forwards (or transparently transmits) the first message to the session management network element (such as S401b in the figure) through a PDU session update session management context request (Nsmf_PDUsession_update SM context request) message carrying the first message.

[0095] As an example, the first message may be a PDU session modification request message.

[0096] In addition, it should be understood that the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to the 5G network architecture and the 4G-5G converged network architecture. The mobile management network element can be the AMF network element in the 5G network architecture or the AMF network element in the 4G-5G converged network architecture. The session management network element can be the SMF network element in the 5G network architecture or the converged gateway in the 4G-5G converged network architecture (such as SMF+PGW-C, etc.).

[0097] S402: The session management network element sends a second message to the terminal device, and the terminal device receives the second message, where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0098] After the session management network element receives the first message including the first indication information for allocating the associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session, it allocates the associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session corresponding to the terminal device according to the first indication information, and sends it to the terminal device through the second message. It should be noted that the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session may also be referred to as the EPS bearer context mapped by the PDU session (mapped EPS bearer context), and the EPS bearer context includes the EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the QoS flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include one or more of the mapped EPS QoS parameters, traffic flow template, access point name-aggregate maximum bit rate (APN-AMBR), EPS bearer identity, etc., for example, including a QoS flow list specifying the EPS bearer identity corresponding to each QoS flow of the PDU session, etc.

[0099] Example: The session management network element can send a PDU session update session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context response) message to the mobility management network element, and carry a second message sent to the terminal device in the PDU session update session management context response message (as shown in S402a in the figure), wherein the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session. After receiving the PDU session update session management context response message, the mobility management network element forwards (or transparently transmits) the second message it carries to the terminal device through a downlink NAS transmission message (as shown in S402b in the figure).

[0100] As an example, the second message may be a PDU session modification command message.

[0101] In a possible implementation, after the terminal device receives the second message, it can also reply to the mobility management network element with an uplink NAS transmission message, and carry a PDU session modification complete (PDU session modification complete) message sent to the session management network element in the uplink NAS transmission message. After receiving the uplink NAS transmission message sent by the terminal device, the mobility management network element can also send a PDU session update session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context request) message carrying the PDU session modification completion message to the session management network element, forward the PDU session modification completion message to the session management network element, inform the session management network element that the PDU session of the 5G network is successfully modified, and the session management network element replies to the mobility management network element with a PDU session update session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context response) message, and the PDU session modification is completed.

[0102] The terminal device saves the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session included in the second message. When the terminal device moves from another system to the 4G network, the QoS flow (QoS flow) of the 5G network PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of the terminal device service.

[0103] In one possible implementation, if the terminal device establishes a PDU session (i.e., a PDU session without an associated EPS bearer context) after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, the session management network element determines that the terminal device has enabled the ability to access the 4G network. The session management network element may also actively send a second message including the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session to the terminal device. The terminal device saves the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session included in the second message. When the terminal device moves from an inter-system to a 4G network, the QoS flow of the 5G network PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network based on the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of the terminal device service.

[0104] Among them, the second message can be a PDU session modification command message, etc. The implementation of the session management network element sending the second message to the terminal device can refer to the implementation of the above S402, and the repeated parts will not be repeated.

[0105] As an example, for a terminal device that has established a PDU session and has enabled the ability to access a 4G network, the session management network element may determine that the terminal device has enabled the ability to access a 4G network by receiving a PDU session update session management context request message sent by a mobility management network element, wherein the PDU session update session management context request message includes information about the ability of the terminal device that has established the PDU session to support access to a 4G network. For example, for a terminal device that has established a PDU session with a 5G network after the ability to access a 4G network is disabled, the mobility management network element may determine that the terminal device has enabled the ability to access a 4G network by receiving a PDU session update session management context request message sent by a mobility management network element. Figure 3 After learning in the mobility update registration process of S307 that the terminal device supports the ability to access the 4G network, that is, supports the S1 capability, a PDU session update session management context request message including information that the terminal device with which the PDU session is established supports the ability to access the 4G network can be sent to the session management network element to inform the session management network element that the terminal device has enabled the ability to access the 4G network.

[0106] In the above Figure 4 In the solution, after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, a terminal device that has established a 5G network PDU session can, after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, initiate a session modification by the terminal device or the session management network element to enable the terminal device to obtain the EPS bearer context. In other possible implementations, the terminal device can also release the PDU session after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, and re-establish the PDU session to obtain the EPS bearer context. Figure 5 Provide explanation.

[0107] Figure 5 A diagram of a session processing process provided in an embodiment of the present application, the process includes:

[0108] S501: After enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device releases the PDU session.

[0109] The PDU session is established after the terminal device's ability to access the 4G network is disabled.

[0110] In an embodiment of the present application, after disabling the ability to access the 4G network, a terminal device that has established a 5G network PDU session can release the PDU session and re-initiate a PDU session establishment request to the session management network element after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, so as to obtain the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session, thereby achieving that after the terminal device moves from a different system to the 4G network, the QoS flow of the PDU session of the 5G network can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context. It can be applicable to the 5G network architecture and the 4G-5G converged network architecture. The mobile management network element involved can be the AMF network element in the 5G network architecture or the AMF network element in the 4G-5G converged network architecture. The session management network element involved can be the SMF network element in the 5G network architecture or the converged gateway (such as SMF+PGW-C, etc.) in the 4G-5G converged network architecture.

[0111] In a possible implementation, the release of the PDU session may be actively initiated by the terminal device after enabling the capability of accessing the 4G network.

[0112] Example: Figure 6As shown, after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device can send an uplink NAS transmission message to the mobility management network element, and the uplink NAS transmission message carries a PDU session release request message sent to the session management network element. After receiving the uplink NAS transmission message carrying the PDU session release request message sent by the terminal device, the mobility management network element sends a PDU session update session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context request) message carrying the PDU session release request message to the session management network element, forwarding (or transparently transmitting) the PDU session release request message to the session management network element, requesting the session management network element to release the PDU session. The session management network element replies to the mobility management network element with a PDU session update session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context response) message carrying a PDU session release command message. After receiving the PDU session update session management context response message, the mobility management network element forwards (or transparently transmits) the PDU session release command message to the terminal device via a downlink NAS transmission message. The terminal device releases the PDU session and can send an uplink NAS transmission message carrying a PDU session release complete message to the mobility management network element. After the mobility management network element receives the uplink NAS transmission message carrying the PDU session release complete message, it can also forward or transparently transmit the PDU session release complete message to the session management network element through a PDU session update session management context request message to complete the PDU session release.

[0113] In addition, to prevent the release of the PDU session from affecting the service transmission of the terminal device, the terminal device can have no uplink and downlink signaling and data packet transmission for a period of time. The network device actively releases the link to allow the terminal device to enter the idle state (IDLE) and then releases the PDU session. Among them, if the terminal device enters the idle state, the terminal device needs to initiate the NR MM process service (service) to establish a link with the network (such as the session management network element) before sending the NR SM message.

[0114] In another possible implementation, the terminal device may release the PDU session by means of a network instruction.

[0115] Method 1: After the terminal device starts accessing the 4G network, the mobility management network element identifies the PDU session corresponding to the terminal device that is not associated with the EPS bearer context, and requests the session management network element to release the PDU session. The session management network element sends a PDU session release command and generates a second indication message for re-establishing the PDU session.

[0116] Example: Figure 7 As shown, for a terminal device that establishes a PDU session with a 5G network after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled, the mobility management network element can Figure 3 In the mobility update registration process shown in S307, after learning that the terminal device supports the ability to access the 4G network, that is, supports the S1 capability, a PDU session release session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_release SM context request) message is sent to the session management network element, requesting the session management network element to release the PDU session; the session management network element replies to the mobility management network element with a PDU session release session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_release SM context response) message, and the PDU session release session management context response message carries a PDU session release command (PDU session release command) message sent to the terminal device, including second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session. After receiving the PDU session release session management context response message, the mobility management network element can forward (or transparently transmit) the PDU session release command message to the terminal device by sending a downlink NAS transmission message carrying the PDU session release command message to the terminal device.

[0117] The terminal device releases the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message, and can reply to the uplink NAS message to the mobility management network element, and carry the PDU session release complete message (PDUsession release complete) sent to the session management network element in the uplink NAS message. After receiving the uplink NAS message, the mobility management network element can forward (or transparently transmit) the PDU session release complete message to the session management network element through the PDU session update session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context request) message to complete the release of the PDU session.

[0118] Method 2: After the terminal device starts accessing the 4G network, the session management network element identifies the PDU session corresponding to the mobile terminal that is not associated with the EPS bearer context, releases the PDU session, and sends a PDU session release command and generates a second indication message for re-establishing the PDU session.

[0119] Example: Figure 8 As shown, for a terminal device that establishes a PDU session with a 5G network after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled, the mobility management network element can Figure 3 In the mobility update registration process of S307 shown, it is learned that the terminal device supports the ability to access the 4G network, that is, it supports the S1 capability. Then, a PDU session update session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context request) message including information that the terminal device with the PDU session established supports the ability to access the 4G network is sent to the session management network element. The session management network element can also reply to the mobility management network element with a PDU session update session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_update SMcontext response) message. After the session management network element learns that the terminal device supports the ability to access the 4G network, it can send a communication message transmission (Namf_communication_N1N2 message transfer) message to the mobility management network element, and carry a PDU session release command (PDU session release command) message sent to the terminal device in the communication message transmission message, wherein the PDU session release command message includes a second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session. The mobility management network element forwards (or transparently transmits) the PDU session release command message to the terminal device by sending a downlink NAS message carrying the PDU session release command message to the terminal device.

[0120] After receiving the PDU session release command message, the terminal device releases the PDU session and can send an uplink NAS message carrying a PDU session release complete message (PDU session release complete) to the mobility management network element. After receiving the uplink NAS message, the mobility management network element can forward (or transparently transmit) the PDU session release complete message to the session management network element through the PDU session update session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context request) message to complete the release of the PDU session.

[0121] In addition, the 3GPP TS 24.501 protocol stipulates that the terminal device (such as UE) is triggered to release the PDU session locally by the cause value "39" and to initiate the PDU session establishment request again. The 3GPP TS 24.501 protocol describes the processing of the cause value 39 as "If the PDU SESSION RELEASE COMMAND message includes 5GSM cause#39"reactivation requested", then after completion of the network-requested PDUsession release procedure, the UE should re-initiate the UE-requested PDUsession establishment procedure as specified in subclause 6.4.1". Therefore, in this application Figure 7 or Figure 8 The second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session can be indicated by the cause value "39".

[0122] Back to Figure 5 , S502: The terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element, and the session management network element receives the PDU session establishment request message.

[0123] As an example, the terminal device can send an uplink NAS transmission message to the mobility management network element, and carry a PDU session establishment request (PDU session establishment request) message sent to the session management network element in the uplink NAS transmission message (as shown in S502a in the figure). After the mobility management network element receives the uplink NAS message sent by the terminal device, it forwards (or transparently transmits) the PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element (as shown in S502b in the figure) by sending a PDU session creation session management context request (Nsmf_PDU session_create SM context request) message carrying the PDU session establishment request message.

[0124] After the terminal device releases the PDU session, it sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element. Since the terminal device already supports the ability to access the 4G network (i.e., S1 capability), the session management network element will not only re-establish the PDU session for the terminal device after receiving the PDU session establishment request message sent by the terminal device, but also allocate an associated EPS bearer context for the PDU session, and send it to the terminal device through a PDU session establishment accept message. It should be noted that the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session can also be referred to as the EPS bearer context mapped by the PDU session. The EPS bearer context includes the EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the QoS flow of the PDU session. The EPS bearer parameters include one or more of the mapped EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, EPS bearer identifier, etc. For example, the QoS flow list specifies the EPS bearer identifier corresponding to each QoS flow of the PDU session.

[0125] S503: The session management network element sends a PDU session establishment accept message to the terminal device. The terminal device receives the PDU session establishment accept message, where the PDU session establishment accept message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0126] As an example, the session management network element may send a PDU session create session management context response (Nsmf_PDU session_create SM context response) message to the mobility management network element, and carry a PDU session establishment accept (PDU session establishment accept) message sent to the terminal device in the PDU session create session management context response message (as shown in S503a in the figure), wherein the PDU session establishment accept message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session. After receiving the PDU session create session management context response message, the mobility management network element may forward (or transparently transmit) the PDU session establishment accept message to the terminal device via a downlink NAS message (as shown in S503b in the figure).

[0127] After the terminal device obtains the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session, when the terminal device moves to the 4G network from another system, the QoS flow of the 5G network PDU session can be seamlessly converted (or mapped) to the EPS bearer of the 4G network according to the EPS bearer context, thereby avoiding interruption of the terminal device service.

[0128] In addition, it should be understood that the initial registration or mobility update registration process involved in this application and the processes related to PDU session establishment and modification (including registration request, PDU session establishment request, PDU session establishment accept, PDU session modification request, PDU session modification command, PDU session modification complete, PDU session release request, PDU session release command, PDU session release complete, etc.) are all standard processes specified in the 3GPP TS 24.501 protocol. For specific information, please refer to the 3GPP TS 24.501 protocol.

[0129] The Nsmf_PDU session_create SM context request, Nsmf_PDU session_create SM context response, Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context request, Nsmf_PDU session_update SM context response, Nsmf_PDU session_release SM context request, Nsmf_PDU session_release SM context Response, and Namf_communication_N1N2 message transfer involved in this application are all messages between mobile management network elements (such as AMF network elements) and session management network elements (such as SMF network elements). They are standard procedures specified in the 3GPP TS 23.502 protocol. For specific information, please refer to the 3GPP TS 23.502 protocol.

[0130] In addition, it should be understood that the names of the messages exchanged between the above-mentioned network elements (such as terminal devices, mobile management network elements, session management network elements, etc.) are only examples. In the embodiments of the present application, the names of the messages exchanged between the above-mentioned network elements (such as terminal devices, mobile management network elements, session management network elements, etc.) are not limited.

[0131] The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the present application from the perspective of the interaction between the terminal device and the session management network element. It can be understood that in order to implement the above functions, each network element includes a hardware structure and / or software module (or unit) corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should easily realize that, in combination with the units and algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or in a computer software-driven hardware manner depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered to be beyond the scope of this application.

[0132] In the case of using integrated units (modules), Figure 9 A possible exemplary block diagram of a session processing device involved in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The session processing device 900 may exist in the form of software. The device 900 may include: a processing unit 902 and a transceiver unit 903.

[0133] In one possible design, processing unit 902 is configured to implement corresponding processing functions. Transceiver unit 903 is configured to support communication between apparatus 900 and other network entities. Optionally, transceiver unit 903 may include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, configured to perform receiving and sending operations, respectively. Optionally, apparatus 900 may further include a storage unit 901 for storing program code and / or data of apparatus 900.

[0134] The apparatus 900 may be a terminal device in any of the aforementioned embodiments, or may be a component such as a chip disposed within the terminal device. The processing unit 902 may support the apparatus 900 in executing the terminal device actions in the various method examples described above. Alternatively, the processing unit 902 may primarily execute the terminal device internal actions in the method examples, and the transceiver unit 903 may support communication between the apparatus 900 and, for example, a session management network element.

[0135] Specifically, in one embodiment, the processing unit 902 is configured to, after enabling the capability of accessing the 4G network, send a first message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903, where the first message includes first indication information of allocating an associated evolved packet system EPS bearer context for a protocol data unit PDU session, where the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the capability of accessing the 4G network is disabled;

[0136] The processing unit 902 is further configured to receive a second message from the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903 , where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0137] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session based on the first indication information.

[0138] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

[0139] In one possible design, the first message is a PDU session modification request message.

[0140] In one possible design, the second message is a PDU session modification command message.

[0141] In another embodiment, the processing unit 902 is configured to release a protocol data unit PDU session through the transceiver unit 903 after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established after the ability of the terminal device to access the 4G network is disabled; the processing unit 902 is further configured to send a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903;

[0142] The processing unit 902 is further configured to receive a PDU session establishment accept message from the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903 , where the PDU session establishment accept message includes an evolved packet system EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0143] In one possible design, after the processing unit 902 enables the ability to access the 4G network, when releasing the PDU session through the transceiver unit 903, it is specifically used to receive a PDU session release command message from the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903; and release the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

[0144] In one possible design, the PDU session release command message includes second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session;

[0145] When the processing unit 902 sends the PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903, it is specifically configured to send the PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element according to the second indication information.

[0146] In one possible design, after the processing unit 902 enables the ability to access the 4G network, when releasing the PDU session through the transceiver unit 903, it is specifically used to send a PDU session release request message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit 903; receive a PDU session release command message from the session management network element; and release the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

[0147] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element for the PDU session.

[0148] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

[0149] like Figure 10 As shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a session processing device 1000, which includes a processor 1010 and a transceiver 1030, and may also include a memory 1020. In one possible design, the memory 1020 stores instructions, programs, or data, and the memory 1020 can be used to implement the functions of the storage unit 901 in the above-mentioned embodiment. The processor 1010 is used to read the instructions, programs, or data stored in the memory 1020. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1020 are executed, the processor 1010 is used to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 902 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the transceiver 1030 is used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 903 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0150] In the case of using integrated units (modules), Figure 11 A possible exemplary block diagram of another session processing device involved in an embodiment of the present application is shown. The session processing device 1100 can exist in the form of software. The device 1100 may include: a processing unit 1102 and a transceiver unit 1103. In one possible design, the processing unit 1102 is used to implement the corresponding processing function. The transceiver unit 1103 is used to support communication between the device 1100 and other network entities. Optionally, the transceiver unit 1103 may include a receiving unit and / or a sending unit, which are used to perform receiving and sending operations, respectively. Optionally, the device 1100 may also include a storage unit 1101 for storing program code and / or data of the device 1100.

[0151] The apparatus 1100 may be the session management network element in any of the aforementioned embodiments, or may be a component such as a chip disposed within the session management network element. The processing unit 1102 may support the apparatus 1100 in executing the actions of the session management network element in the various method examples described above. Alternatively, the processing unit 1102 may primarily execute the actions within the session management network element in the method examples, and the transceiver unit 1103 may support communication between the apparatus 1100 and a terminal device, etc.

[0152] Specifically, in one embodiment, the processing unit 1102 is configured to receive a first message from a terminal device through the transceiver unit 1103, where the first message includes first indication information of allocating an associated evolved packet system EPS bearer context for a protocol data unit PDU session, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access a 4G network is disabled;

[0153] The processing unit 1102 is further configured to send a second message to the terminal device through the transceiver unit 1103 , where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0154] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session based on the first indication information.

[0155] In one possible design, the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

[0156] In one possible design, the first message is a PDU session modification request message.

[0157] In one possible design, the second message is a PDU session modification command message.

[0158] In another embodiment, the processing unit 1102 is configured to determine whether a terminal device having established a PDU session enables a capability of accessing a 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the capability of accessing the 4G network is disabled;

[0159] The processing unit 1102 is further used to send a PDU session release command message to the terminal device through the transceiver unit 1103, and the PDU session release command message includes second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session.

[0160] In one possible design, when the processing unit 1102 determines that the terminal device with which the protocol data unit PDU session is established has the capability of accessing the 4G network enabled, it is specifically used to receive a PDU session update session management context request message from the mobile management network element through the transceiver unit 1103, and the PDU session update session management context request message includes information that the terminal device with which the PDU session is established supports the capability of accessing the 4G network.

[0161] In another embodiment, the processing unit 1102 is used to determine whether a terminal device that has established a protocol data unit PDU session enables the ability to access a 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled; the processing unit 1102 is also used to send a PDU session modification command message to the terminal device through the transceiver unit 1103, and the PDU session modification command message includes the evolved packet system EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

[0162] In one possible design, when the processing unit 1102 determines that the terminal device with which the protocol data unit PDU session is established has the capability of accessing the 4G network enabled, it is specifically used to receive a PDU session update session management context request message from the mobile management network element through the transceiver unit 1103, and the PDU session update session management context request message includes information that the terminal device with which the PDU session is established supports the capability of accessing the 4G network.

[0163] like Figure 12 As shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a session processing device 1200, which includes a processor 1210 and a transceiver 1230, and may also include a memory 1220. In one possible design, the memory 1220 stores instructions, programs, or data, and the memory 1220 can be used to implement the functions of the storage unit 1101 in the above-mentioned embodiment. The processor 1210 is used to read the instructions, programs, or data stored in the memory 1220. When the instructions or programs stored in the memory 1220 are executed, the processor 1210 is used to perform the operations performed by the processing unit 1102 in the above-mentioned embodiment, and the transceiver 1230 is used to perform the operations performed by the transceiver unit 1103 in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0164] The above-mentioned processor may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor may further include a hardware chip or other general-purpose processor. The above-mentioned hardware chip may be an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The above-mentioned PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), and other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc.

[0165] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct RAM bus random access memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0166] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the present application can adopt the form of a complete hardware embodiment, a complete software embodiment, or an embodiment in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the present application can adopt the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0167] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, 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, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the steps in the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0168] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0169] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operational steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing the instructions executed on the computer or other programmable device for implementing the process. Figure 1 a process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A step that specifies a function in one or more boxes.

[0170] Although the preferred embodiments of the present application have been described, those skilled in the art may make additional changes and modifications to these embodiments once they have learned the basic creative concept. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments and all changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present application.

[0171] Obviously, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present application without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the present application. Thus, if these modifications and variations of the embodiments of the present application fall within the scope of the claims of the present application and their equivalents, the present application also intends to include such modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A session processing method, characterized in that: include: After enabling the capability of accessing the 4G network, the terminal device sends a first message to the session management network element, where the first message includes first indication information of allocating an associated evolved packet system EPS bearer context for a protocol data unit PDU session, where the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the capability of accessing the 4G network is disabled; The terminal device receives a second message from the session management network element, where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session; The EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session according to the first indication information.

2. A session processing method, characterized in that: include: The session management network element receives a first message from a terminal device, the first message including first indication information of allocating an associated evolved packet system EPS bearer context for a protocol data unit PDU session, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access a 4G network is disabled; The session management network element sends a second message to the terminal device, where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session; The EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session according to the first indication information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (QoS) flow of the PDU session. The EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name, maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first message is a PDU session modification request message.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The second message is a PDU session modification command message.

6. A session processing method, characterized in that: include: After the terminal device enables the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device releases the protocol data unit PDU session, where the PDU session is established after the terminal device's ability to access the 4G network is disabled; The terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element; The terminal device receives a PDU session establishment accept message from a session management network element, where the PDU session establishment accept message includes an evolved packet system EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein After enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device releases the PDU session, including: The terminal device receives a PDU session release command message from the session management network element; The terminal device releases the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein The PDU session release command message includes second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session; The terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element, including: The terminal device sends a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element according to the second indication information.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein After enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the terminal device releases the PDU session, including: The terminal device sends a PDU session release request message to the session management network element; The terminal device receives a PDU session release command message from the session management network element; The terminal device releases the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

10. The method according to claim 6, wherein The EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session.

11. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein: The EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (QoS) flow of the PDU session. The EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name, maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

12. A session processing method, characterized in that: include: The session management network element determines that a terminal device having established a protocol data unit (PDU) session enables a capability of accessing a 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the capability of accessing the 4G network is disabled; The session management network element sends a PDU session modification command message to the terminal device, where the PDU session modification command message includes an evolved packet system EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The session management network element determines the capability of the terminal device with the established PDU session to enable access to the 4G network, including: The session management network element receives a PDU session update session management context request message from the mobility management network element, where the PDU session update session management context request message includes information about the ability of the terminal device with which the PDU session is established to support access to the 4G network.

14. A conversation processing device, characterized in that: include: processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is configured to, after enabling the capability of accessing the 4G network, send a first message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit, wherein the first message includes first indication information of allocating an associated evolved packet system EPS bearer context for a protocol data unit PDU session, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the capability of accessing the 4G network is disabled; The processing unit is further configured to receive, through the transceiver unit, a second message from the session management network element, where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session; The EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session according to the first indication information.

15. A conversation processing device, characterized in that: include: processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is configured to receive a first message from a terminal device through the transceiver unit, the first message including first indication information of allocating an associated evolved packet system EPS bearer context for a protocol data unit PDU session, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the ability to access a 4G network is disabled; The processing unit is further configured to send a second message to the terminal device through the transceiver unit, where the second message includes the EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session; The EPS bearer context is allocated to the PDU session according to the first indication information.

16. The device according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

17. A conversation processing device, characterized in that: include: processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is configured to release, through the transceiver unit, a protocol data unit (PDU) session after enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the PDU session being established by the terminal device after the ability to access the 4G network is disabled; The processing unit is further configured to send a PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit; The processing unit is further configured to receive a PDU session establishment accept message from a session management network element through the transceiver unit, where the PDU session establishment accept message includes an evolved packet system EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein After enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the processing unit is specifically used to receive a PDU session release command message from the session management network element through the transceiver unit when releasing the PDU session through the transceiver unit; and release the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein The PDU session release command message includes second indication information for instructing the terminal device to re-establish the PDU session; When the processing unit sends the PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit, the processing unit is specifically configured to send the PDU session establishment request message to the session management network element according to the second indication information.

20. The device according to claim 17, wherein After enabling the ability to access the 4G network, the processing unit is specifically used to send a PDU session release request message to the session management network element through the transceiver unit when releasing the PDU session through the transceiver unit; receive a PDU session release command message from the session management network element; and release the PDU session according to the PDU session release command message.

21. The device according to claim 17, wherein The EPS bearer context is allocated by the session management network element to the PDU session.

22. The device according to any one of claims 17 to 21, characterized in that The EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session includes EPS bearer parameters corresponding to the quality of service (Qos) flow of the PDU session, and the EPS bearer parameters include at least one of the following: EPS QoS parameters, service flow template, access point name maximum bit rate aggregation, and EPS bearer identifier.

23. A conversation processing device, characterized in that: include: processing unit and transceiver unit; The processing unit is configured to determine whether a terminal device having established a protocol data unit (PDU) session enables a capability of accessing a 4G network, wherein the PDU session is established by the terminal device after the capability of accessing the 4G network is disabled; The processing unit is further used to send a PDU session modification command message to the terminal device through the transceiver unit, where the PDU session modification command message includes the evolved packet system EPS bearer context associated with the PDU session.

24. The device according to claim 23, wherein When the processing unit determines that the terminal device with which the protocol data unit PDU session is established has enabled the ability to access the 4G network, it is specifically used to receive a PDU session update session management context request message from the mobile management network element through the transceiver unit, and the PDU session update session management context request message includes information about the ability of the terminal device with which the PDU session is established to support access to the 4G network.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction. When the computer program or instruction is executed by the session processing device, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 11, or the method according to any one of claims 12 to 13.

26. A chip, characterized in that: The chip includes a processor and a memory, the memory is used to store a program, and when the program is executed by the processor, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, or the method according to any one of claims 6 to 11, or the method according to any one of claims 12 to 13.

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