Policy network element determination method, device, equipment, system, medium and product

Abstract

The invention relates to a policy network element determination method, device, equipment, system, medium and product. The method comprises the following steps: in response to a registration request sent by UE, sending a query request for querying whether the UE has a bound first PCF to a BSF, and then determining a target PCF according to the first PCF under the condition that a query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first terminal policy control network element PCF. Wherein the first PCF represents a network element for user terminal policy control. By adopting the method, the UE can be prevented from receiving different terminal policies at the same time, so that the terminal policies received by the UE are prevented from conflicting.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method, device, equipment, system, medium and product for determining a strategic network element. Background Art

[0002] With the development of mobile communication technology, user terminals (User Equipment, UE) often need to switch networks. For example, UE needs to switch from the 4th generation mobile communication technology Network (4G) to the 5th generation mobile communication technology Network (5G).

[0003] In order to keep the terminal policy consistent when the UE switches between 4G and 5G, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) added in the R18 standard that the UE can receive the terminal policy dynamically adjusted by the policy control function (PCF) for user terminal policy control through the policy control fusion network element of the evolved packet core (EPC) and the fifth generation mobile communication core (5GC) under 4G access.

[0004] However, when switching from 4G to 5G, there may be PCF conflict issues. Summary of the invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a policy network element determination method, device, equipment, system, medium and product.

[0006] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy network element determination method, which is applied to AMF, and the method includes:

[0007] In response to the registration request sent by the UE, a query request is sent to the BSF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control;

[0008] In the case that the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF, the target PCF is determined according to the first PCF.

[0009] In one embodiment, determining a target PCF according to a first PCF includes:

[0010] If the first PCF meets the preset condition, the first PCF is determined as the target PCF.

[0011] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0012] A first instruction is sent to the first PCF; the first instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0013] In one embodiment, determining a target PCF according to a first PCF includes:

[0014] If the first PCF does not meet the preset condition, the second PCF is determined as the target PCF; the second PCF is a PCF that meets the preset condition.

[0015] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0016] A second instruction is sent to the second PCF; the second instruction is used to instruct the second PCF to establish second user policy association information of the UE.

[0017] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0018] Receive a response message sent by the second PCF; the response message is used to indicate that the second PCF has established the second user policy association information of the UE.

[0019] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0020] A third instruction is sent to the first PCF; the third instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0021] In one embodiment, satisfying the preset condition includes:

[0022] The load capacity of PCF meets the load requirements;

[0023] There is routing between PCF and AMF;

[0024] The configuration information of AMF includes the information of PCF.

[0025] In one of the embodiments, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0027] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy network element determination method, which is applied to a BSF, and the method includes:

[0028] Receive a query request sent by AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control;

[0029] A first query response is sent to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0030] In one of the embodiments, sending a query response to the AMF according to the query request includes:

[0031] A second query response is sent to the AMF according to the query request; the second query response indicates that the UE does not have a bound first PCF.

[0032] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0033] receiving a save instruction sent by the first PCF; the save instruction including first user policy association information of the UE;

[0034] The first user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0035] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0036] A save response is sent to the first PCF; the save response indicates that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0037] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0038] receiving a binding instruction sent by a second PCF; the binding instruction including second user policy association information of the UE;

[0039] Determine whether there is first user policy association information of the UE according to the binding instruction;

[0040] If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0041] In one of the embodiments, if the first user policy association information of the UE exists, deleting the first user policy association information of the UE and saving the second user policy association information of the UE includes:

[0042] If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, starting a preset timer;

[0043] If a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received before the preset timer expires, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0044] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0045] If no deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received when the preset timer is reached, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0046] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0047] A binding response is sent to the second PCF; the binding response is used to indicate that the binding is complete.

[0048] In one of the embodiments, the query request is triggered by the AMF based on a registration request sent by the UE.

[0049] In one of the embodiments, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0050] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0051] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a policy network element determination device, the device comprising:

[0052] A request response module, configured to send a query request to the BSF in response to a registration request sent by the UE; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF;

[0053] The network element determination module is used to determine the target PCF according to the first PCF when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first terminal policy control network element PCF.

[0054] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a policy network element determination device, the device comprising:

[0055] A request receiving module, used to receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF;

[0056] The response sending module is used to send a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0057] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, including a transceiver, a processor, and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program,

[0058] A transceiver, configured to send a query request to the BSF in response to a registration request sent by the UE; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF;

[0059] The processor executes a computer program to determine a target PCF according to the first PCF when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first terminal policy control network element PCF.

[0060] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device, including a transceiver, a processor, and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program.

[0061] A receiver, used to receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF;

[0062] The processor executes a computer program to send a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0063] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides a policy network element determination system, the system comprising an AMF and a BSF;

[0064] AMF, used to perform the steps of the method in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect above;

[0065] BSF is used to execute the steps of the method in any one of the embodiments of the second aspect above.

[0066] In an eighth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer-readable storage medium, wherein a computer program is stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented.

[0067] In a ninth aspect, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program product, which includes a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method in any one of the embodiments of the first aspect or the second aspect are implemented.

[0068] The policy network element determination method, apparatus, device, system, medium and product provided in the embodiments of the present application respond to the registration request sent by the UE, send a query request to the BSF for querying whether the UE has a bound first PCF, and then determine the target PCF according to the first PCF when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF. The first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control. This is equivalent to, in the process of determining the target PCF of the UE, first considering whether the UE has a bound PCF before accessing the current network, and then determining the corresponding target PCF for the UE according to the query response in different situations, so that after the network is switched, there is only the target PCF to provide the UE with terminal policy. In this way, in the case where the UE does not associate policies with multiple PCFs at the same time, the UE will not receive terminal policies provided by multiple PCFs, thereby avoiding conflicts in terminal policies received by the UE. ， Maintain consistency in endpoint policies. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] Figure 1 An application environment diagram of a method for determining a policy network element in an embodiment;

[0070] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a process of determining a policy network element in an embodiment;

[0071] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method for determining a policy network element in another embodiment;

[0072] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of an interaction process of a method for determining a policy network element in an embodiment;

[0073] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of an interaction process of a method for determining a policy network element in another embodiment;

[0074] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method for determining a policy network element in another embodiment;

[0075] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method for determining a policy network element in another embodiment;

[0076] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a flow chart of a method for determining a policy network element in another embodiment;

[0077] Fig. 9 A flowchart of a method for deleting user policy associated information in one embodiment;

[0078] Fig.10 It is a structural block diagram of a device for determining a policy network element in an embodiment;

[0079] Fig.11 It is a structural block diagram of a device for determining a policy network element in another embodiment;

[0080] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device in one embodiment;

[0081] Fig.13 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the present application more clearly understood, the present application is further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0083] The policy network element determination method, device, equipment, system, medium and product provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to the application scenario of selecting the terminal policy (User Equipment Policy, UE Policy) during the network switching process of the user terminal (User Equipment, UE). For example, in the process of the UE switching from the fourth generation mobile communication network (the 4th generation mobile communication technology Network, 4G) to the fifth generation mobile communication network (the 5th generation mobile communication technology Network, 5G), the access mobility management network element (Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF) selects the PCF for the UE to be responsible for the user terminal policy control according to the query response sent by the binding support network element (Binding Support Function, BSF).

[0084] Among them, PCF refers to the terminal policy control network element that provides terminal policies for UE. AMF is the only access network element for the 5G core network to establish a connection with the UE. AMF is responsible for UE identity authentication, authorization, registration, mobility management and connection management. BSF is used to store or delete user policy association information between UE and PCF.

[0085] When the UE accesses the 5G network, the AMF queries the BSF whether there is a PCF bound to the UE, and then selects the PCF for the UE based on the query response sent by the BSF to establish user policy association information between the UE and the PCF.

[0086] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1A schematic diagram of an application scenario of a policy network element determination method provided in an embodiment of the present application. The application scenario may include UE10, AMF20, at least one PCF30 and BSF40, Figure 1 As shown in the figure, a PCF 30 is used. UE 10 is connected to PCF 30 via AMF 20, and BSF 40 is connected to PCF 30 and AMF 20 respectively.

[0087] With the development of mobile communication technology, UE networks are coexisting with 4G / 5G, and UE often needs to switch networks.

[0088] Take the case of UE switching from 4G to 5G. When the UE is accessed from 4G, the Mobility Management Entity (MME) selects PCF and establishes user policy association information. When the UE switches from 4G to 5G access, the access control network element changes from MME to AMF. If AMF selects a new PCF and establishes new user policy association information, the UE may be served by two PCFs at the same time.

[0089] When the UE maintains terminal policy association information with two PCFs at the same time, not only will the Unified Data Repository (UDR) not know to which PCF to send the subscription information update, but the two PCFs may also send inconsistent terminal policies to the UE based on their own information, resulting in a terminal policy conflict.

[0090] Taking the user route selection policy (UE Route Selection Policy, URSP) obtained by the UE under 4G / 5G access as an example, the URSP policy can select a specific data network for the UE's application. Under 4G access, the PCF selected by the MME provides the URSP to the terminal, which is generated according to the policy preset in the UE. Under 5G access, the PCF selected by the AMF provides the URSP to the terminal, which can be generated based on the big data analysis results of the Network Data Analytics Function (NWDAF). Obviously, compared with the URSP under 4G, the URSP policy under 5G access is more flexible. In addition, since the terminal policies are determined differently by the 4G network and the 5G network, even with the same policy parameters, there may be inconsistencies or even conflicts in the terminal policies, which not only increases the difficulty of network maintenance, but also may cause network accidents.

[0091] Considering that when the UE switches from 4G to 5G, terminal policy conflicts need to be avoided, and the current standard lacks the definition of relevant switching processes. Based on this, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy network element determination method, which sends a query request to the BSF in response to a registration request sent by the UE, and determines the target PCF according to the query response sent by the BSF, taking into account the situation where the UE has a bound first PCF and the situation where the UE does not have a bound first PCF, and according to different situations, the PCF is selected and optimized on the network side to maintain the consistency of the terminal policy received by the UE. Among them, the first PCF represents the network element that performs user terminal policy control.

[0092] It should be noted that the beneficial effects brought about by the embodiments of the present application or the technical problems solved are not limited to this one, but may also include other implicit or related problems. For details, please refer to the description of the following embodiments.

[0093] The technical solution of the present application and how the technical solution of the present application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. The following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be repeated in some embodiments. The embodiments of the present application will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0094] In one embodiment, Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for determining a strategic network element is shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0095] S201, in response to a registration request sent by a UE, a query request is sent to a BSF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control.

[0096] The present application embodiment is applied to Figure 1 The AMF in the example is used to illustrate that the AMF executes the policy network element determination method provided in the embodiment of the present application. Among them, AMF is the only access point for UE to access the 5G core network.

[0097] In an embodiment of the present application, the registration request indicates that when the UE accesses a 5G network, it is used to request the AMF to select a PCF for the UE and establish user policy association information for the UE under the 5G network.

[0098] Among them, the above-mentioned registration request can be automatically triggered by the UE when the network environment in which the UE is located meets the network switching conditions. Then the AMF responds to the registration request sent by the UE, which means that the UE sends the registration request to the AMF after automatically triggering the registration request.

[0099] Optionally, the network switching condition may be that the first network switches to the second network, then the registration request is triggered by the UE switching from the first network to the second network. Taking the first network as the fourth generation mobile communication network (the 4th generation mobile communication technology Network, 4G) and the second network as the fifth generation mobile communication technology Network (the 5th generation mobile communication technology Network, 5G) as an example, when the UE switches from 4G to 5G, the UE automatically triggers a registration request.

[0100] Optionally, in actual applications, when the network environment in which the UE is located is different, the corresponding network switching conditions may also be different, and then under different network switching conditions, the triggering method of the registration request may also be different.

[0101] For example, when the network switching condition is that the signal strength of the second network in the network environment where the UE is located is greater than the signal strength of the first network, the triggering mode of the registration request is automatically triggered by the UE. For example, the first network is a 4G network and the second network is a 5G network. When the network switching condition is that the signal strength of the 5G network in the network environment is greater than the signal strength of the 4G network, the UE will automatically trigger the registration request. In this way, by automatically triggering the registration request by the UE, the UE can quickly access the core network of the 5G network.

[0102] In actual applications, the registration request sent by the UE carries the identification information of the UE, which is used for unique identification to distinguish the UE from other UEs. The identification information of the UE may include but is not limited to a user permanent identifier (SUPI), a device number of the UE, etc.

[0103] The AMF obtains the identification information of the UE from the registration request based on the registration request sent by the UE, triggers a query request, and sends the query request to the BSF to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0104] The first PCF in the embodiment of the present application refers to the PCF with which the user policy association information has been established before the UE accesses the 5G core network when it accesses the 4G core network, and is responsible for user terminal policy control.

[0105] The user policy association information between the UE and the first PCF includes information such as the SUPI of the UE, the identity document (ID) of the first PCF, the address of the first PCF, and the association ID between the UE and the first PCF.

[0106] In actual applications, the user policy association information between the UE and the bound first PCF can be stored in the BSF or in other third-party storage network elements. However, no matter where the user policy association information is stored, the AMF sends a query request to the BSF to instruct the BSF to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0107] For example, if the user policy association information between the UE and the bound first PCF is stored in the BSF, then the BSF can respond to the query request instruction and directly query from the BSF whether the UE has the bound first PCF based on the UE identification information carried in the query request, and obtain the query result.

[0108] If the user policy association information between the UE and the bound first PCF is stored in other third-party storage network elements, the query request instruction may also carry the third-party storage network element identifier. At this time, after receiving the query request, the BSF first establishes a connection with the third-party storage network element based on the third-party storage network element identifier in the query request, and then queries the third-party storage network element whether the UE has the bound first PCF based on the UE identification information carried in the query request, and finally obtains the query result.

[0109] S202: When the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first terminal policy control network element PCF, determine a target PCF according to the first PCF.

[0110] After the BSF obtains the query result, it can send a query response to the AMF according to the query result, instructing the AMF to determine the target PCF for the UE based on the query response.

[0111] The query response generated by the BSF according to the query result may include a first query response and a second query response. The first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF. The second query response indicates that the UE does not have a bound first PCF.

[0112] For these two query responses, the AMF determines the target PCF in the following ways:

[0113] (1) The first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0114] The UE has a bound first PCF, which means that before the UE accesses 5G, there is already a PCF providing terminal policy services for the UE. Then, the AMF can choose the first PCF as the target PCF, or select a new PCF as the target PCF, and delete the terminal policy association information between the first PCF and the UE.

[0115] It is precisely because the original old PCF of the UE (i.e., the first PCF) is deleted after the new PCF is selected as the target PCF of the UE, that it is ensured that after the network is switched, the number of PCFs connected to the UE is always one (target PCF), and the terminal policy received by the UE can only be provided by the target PCF. This method of determining the target PCF prevents multiple PCFs from being connected to the UE at the same time, avoids the UE from receiving terminal policies provided by multiple PCFs, and further prevents the phenomenon that the multiple terminal policies received by the UE are inconsistent or even conflicting.

[0116] Moreover, the terminal policy association information between the first PCF and the UE is established before the UE accesses the 5G network, and the new PCF is selected after the UE accesses the 5G network. This means that when the original PCF (i.e., the first PCF) and the new PCF have user policy association information with the UE at the same time, the embodiment of the present application deletes the user policy association information established by the original PCF, which is equivalent to deleting the user policy association information with a long establishment time in chronological order, and retaining the user policy association information with a short establishment time. This deletion method is more in line with the time logic of network switching, and can retain valid PCFs and establish valid user policy association information.

[0117] (2) The second query response indicates that the UE does not have the bound first PCF.

[0118] The UE does not have a bound first PCF, which means that before the UE accesses 5G, there is no PCF to provide terminal policy services for the UE. Then, the AMF needs to select a PCF under 5G access for the UE according to the preset conditions, that is, the target PCF.

[0119] In some other scenarios, after obtaining the query result, BSF may not return the query result to AMF, but BSF determines the target PCF for UE according to the query result, and sends the target PCF to AMF as a query response. At this time, AMF can directly determine the target PCF according to the query response sent by BSF. The process of BSF determining the target PCF for UE according to the query result can be the same as the process of AMF determining the target PCF, and the details will not be repeated.

[0120] In an embodiment of the present application, in response to a registration request sent by the UE, a query request is sent to the BSF to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF, and then the target PCF is determined according to the query response sent by the BSF. When the query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF, the target PCF is determined according to the first PCF. This is equivalent to, in the process of determining the target PCF of the UE, first considering whether the UE has a bound PCF before accessing the current network, and then determining the corresponding target PCF for the UE according to the query response in different situations, so that before and after the network switching, the UE has and only has the target PCF to provide the terminal policy for the UE. In this way, when the UE does not associate policies with multiple PCFs at the same time, the UE will not receive terminal policies provided by multiple PCFs, thereby avoiding conflicts in the terminal policies received by the UE and maintaining the consistency of the terminal policies.

[0121] In the process of determining the policy network element, the first PCF is the network element associated with the UE policy before the network switching, and the target PCF is the network element associated with the UE policy after the network switching. Considering that the access control network element of the UE is different before and after the network switching, the route established between the UE and the PCF may also change. It is necessary to evaluate the first PCF after the network switching to determine whether the first PCF can continue to provide terminal policy services for the UE. Based on this, the evaluation steps of the first PCF are described below through an embodiment.

[0122] In one embodiment, determining a target PCF according to a first PCF includes:

[0123] If the first PCF meets the preset condition, the first PCF is determined as the target PCF.

[0124] Among them, the preset condition is to evaluate whether the first PCF can establish user policy association information with the UE when the UE accesses 5G.

[0125] The preset conditions in the embodiment of the present application are: the load capacity of the first PCF meets the load requirements, there is a route between the first PCF and the AMF, and the configuration information of the AMF includes information of the first PCF.

[0126] The above preset conditions correspond to the requirements of the first PCF in three dimensions: load capacity, reachability, and configuration conditions under 5G. If the first PCF does not meet any of the above preset conditions, it means that the first PCF is at risk of being unable to provide terminal policy services for the UE under 5G, or the terminal policy provided by the first PCF is not the optimal terminal policy for the UE, resulting in the UE receiving two different or even conflicting terminal policies.

[0127] The first PCF is evaluated according to the preset conditions. If the first PCF meets all the above preset conditions, indicating that the first PCF can continue to establish a terminal policy association relationship with the UE after the network switching, the first PCF is determined as the target PCF, and the first PCF continues to provide terminal policy services for the UE.

[0128] In the embodiment of the present application, the first PCF is evaluated based on the preset conditions, and the first PCF that meets the preset conditions is determined as the target PCF. This is equivalent to evaluating the user policy association information between the UE and the first PCF after the UE switches the network, when the first PCF is bound to the UE, and the preset conditions include factors affecting the first PCF in multiple dimensions, so that the target PCF determined in this way can provide a stable terminal policy for the UE.

[0129] When the first PCF is determined as the target PCF, considering that the access control network element of the UE is different before and after the network switching, even if it is the same PCF, the policy association information established between the PCF and the UE needs to be modified. Based on this, the following describes a method for confirming a policy network element through an embodiment.

[0130] In one embodiment, the method further comprises:

[0131] A first instruction is sent to the first PCF; the first instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0132] The first user policy association information of the UE is established when the UE accesses the first network. The first network in the embodiment of the present application is a 4G network.

[0133] When the first PCF is the target PCF, under 4G network access, the first user policy association information is determined by the MME according to the UE, through the serving gateway (Serving GateWay, SGW), session management control (Session ManagementFunction, SMF) + gateway control plane (Pdn Gate Way Control plane function, PGW-C) fusion gateway, and session management policy control function (Session Management Policy Control Function, SM-PCF) gateway.

[0134] It should be known that the user policy association information of the UE under 5G access is the user policy association information between the UE and the first PCF directly determined by the AMF based on the UE.

[0135] That is to say, even if the 4G network access is switched to the 5G network access, and the PCF that establishes a policy association with the UE remains unchanged, the policy association information between the UE and the PCF needs to be modified.

[0136] Therefore, when the first PCF is the target PCF, it is necessary to send a first instruction to the first PCF to instruct the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information to the user policy association information under the core network access after the handover.

[0137] In an embodiment of the present application, when the first PCF is the target PCF, the AMF sends a first instruction to the first PCF, instructing the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information of the UE to the user policy association information under the network core network access after switching, which can not only maintain the policy association information between the UE and the first PCF, but also avoid the waste of resources caused by the AMF reselecting a new PCF.

[0138] The above embodiment describes the steps of determining the target PCF when the first PCF meets the preset conditions. Naturally, there may be a situation where the first PCF does not meet the preset conditions. Based on this, the following describes the steps of determining the target PCF when the first PCF does not meet the preset conditions through an embodiment.

[0139] In one embodiment, determining a target PCF according to a first PCF includes:

[0140] If the first PCF does not meet the preset condition, the second PCF is determined as the target PCF; the second PCF is a PCF that meets the preset condition.

[0141] Among them, the second PCF has the same function as the first PCF, that is, the second PCF represents the network element that performs user terminal policy control. The difference between the two is that the first PCF in the embodiment of the present application refers to the network element responsible for user terminal policy control under 4G network access; and the second PCF refers to the network element responsible for user terminal policy control under 5G network access.

[0142] The preset conditions in the embodiment of the present application are the same as the preset conditions in the aforementioned embodiment: the load capacity of the first PCF meets the load requirements; there is a route between the first PCF and the AMF; and the configuration information of the AMF includes information of the first PCF.

[0143] The first PCF is evaluated according to the preset conditions. If the first PCF does not meet any of the above preset conditions, it means that the first PCF cannot continue to provide terminal policy services for the UE under 5G network access.

[0144] In one embodiment, the second PCF is a PCF that satisfies the preset condition when the first PCF does not satisfy the preset condition. Optionally, the AMF selects the second PCF from a preset PCF set according to the preset condition.

[0145] That is, when the first PCF does not meet the preset condition, it is necessary to continue to select a PCF that meets the preset condition from the PCF set as the second PCF.

[0146] For example, a PCF whose load capacity meets the load requirements, has a route with the AMF, and whose configuration information of the AMF includes information of the PCF can be selected from the PCF set as the second PCF.

[0147] In addition, in the process of selecting a PCF that meets the preset condition from the PCF set, the PCFs may be screened one by one. In this case, any screened PCF that meets the preset condition may be used as the target PCF.

[0148] In the embodiment of the present application, when the first PCF does not meet the preset conditions, a new second PCF is selected as the target PCF according to the preset conditions. Since the preset conditions include considerations of the second PCF under multiple dimensions, the PCF that meets the UE can be determined comprehensively and accurately, so that the target PCF finally determined can provide a stable and effective terminal strategy for the UE.

[0149] When the AMF selects to determine the second PCF as the target PCF, it is necessary to establish terminal policy association information between the second PCF and the UE. Below, the step of establishing user policy association information between the second PCF and the UE in the policy network element determination method is described through an embodiment.

[0150] In one embodiment, Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the interaction process of the AMF and the second PCF signal transmission in the strategy network element determination method, such as Figure 3 As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0151] S301, sending a second instruction to the second PCF; the second instruction is used to instruct the second PCF to establish second user policy association information of the UE.

[0152] Since one of the preset conditions satisfied by the second PCF is that there is a route between the second PCF and the AMF, then, when the AMF selects the second PCF as the target PCF, a second instruction can be directly sent to the second AMF to instruct the PCF to establish the second user policy association information of the UE.

[0153] Corresponding to the first user policy association information, the second user policy association relationship information is established when the UE accesses the second network. The second network in the embodiment of the present application is 5G.

[0154] S302, receiving a response message sent by the second PCF; the response message is used to indicate that the second PCF has established second user policy association information of the UE.

[0155] The second PCF establishes second user policy association information of the UE in response to the second instruction, and sends a response message to the AMF if the user policy association information of the UE has been established.

[0156] It should be noted that, when the second user policy association information of the UE has been established, the second PCF may also send a binding instruction to the BSF, which is used to instruct the BSF to bind and save the UE's SUPI, the ID of the second PCF, the address of the second PCF, and the association ID of the UE and the second PCF.

[0157] In an embodiment of the present application, the AMF sends a second instruction to the second PCF through the communication channel between the AMF and the second PCF, thereby improving the speed at which the second PCF establishes the second user policy association information of the UE, and correspondingly, also improving the speed at which the AMF receives the response message that the second PCF has established the second user policy association information of the UE.

[0158] When AMF receives the response message sent by the second PCF, it means that the second PCF has established the second user policy association information of the UE, and the second user policy association information is established by the second PCF when the first PCF is bound to the UE and the second PCF does not meet the preset conditions. Obviously, before the second PCF establishes the second user policy association information, the first PCF has already established the first user policy association information. Based on this, considering that the first PCF and the second PCF serve the UE at the same time, there will be a policy conflict problem, and the first user policy association information of the first PCF needs to be deleted. Based on this, the policy network element determination method also needs to include the step of deleting the first user policy association information. The policy network element determination method is described below through an embodiment.

[0159] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned policy network element determination method further includes:

[0160] A third instruction is sent to the first PCF; the third instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0161] When the AMF receives the response message sent by the second PCF, the AMF sends a third instruction to the response message sent by the first PCF to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0162] Optionally, if there is a route between the first PCF and the AMF, the AMF directly sends a third instruction to the first PCF to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0163] Optionally, if there is no route between the first PCF and AMF, AMF sends a third instruction to SMF+PGW-C, SMF+PGW-C sends a third instruction to SM-PCF, and then SM-PCF sends a third instruction to the first PCF to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0164] In the embodiment of the present application, the AMF deletes the first user policy association information of the UE and retains the second user policy association information by sending a third instruction to the first PCF. This is equivalent to deleting one of the user policy association information to avoid policy conflicts when it is detected that the UE has two user policy association information. And the establishment time of the second user policy association information is obviously later than the establishment time of the first user policy association information. That is to say, the basis for deleting the user policy association information in the embodiment of the present application is to delete the first user policy association information created before the network switching according to the network switching order of the UE. This deletion method can ensure that the retained second user policy association information is more in line with the actual UE network switching process.

[0165] In one embodiment, when the AMF selects the first PCF to establish a terminal policy, the flow diagram of the policy network element confirmation method can be found in Figure 4 ,like Figure 4 As shown, the method also includes:

[0166] S401, UE accesses EPC through 4G, and establishes first user policy association information with the first PCF and SM-PCF. The first PCF represents the network element responsible for user terminal policy control when the UE accesses the 4G network; SM-PCF is the policy control network element for user terminal session management.

[0167] Under 4G core network access, the UE establishes the first user policy association information with the SM-PCF, SMF+PGW-C and the first PCF responsible for the user terminal policy through the MME.

[0168] S402: The first PCF sends a save instruction to the BSF. The save instruction is used to instruct the BSF to save the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0169] S403, the BSF sends a save response to the first PCF. The registration response is used to indicate that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0170] S404, the UE switches from the 4G network to the 5G network, and the UE sends a registration command to the AMF.

[0171] S405, AMF sends a query request to BSF. The query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0172] S406, BSF sends a first query response to AMF. The first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0173] S407, AMF sends a first instruction to the first PCF, used to instruct the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0174] When the AMF determines that the first PCF meets the preset conditions, a policy association information modification instruction is sent to the first PCF to instruct the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0175] In the embodiment of the present application, when the first PCF meets the preset conditions, the AMF chooses to continue to maintain user policy association management with the first PCF, that is, whether the UE is accessing 4G or 5G, the terminal policy is provided to the terminal through the first PCF. Since the embodiment of the present application does not introduce a new PCF, it can ensure that the first PCF provides a consistent terminal policy for the terminal.

[0176] In one embodiment, when the AMF selects the second PCF to establish the terminal policy, the flow diagram of the policy network element confirmation method can be found in Figure 5 ,like Figure 5 As shown, the method also includes:

[0177] S501, UE accesses EPC via 4G, and establishes first user policy association information with the first PCF and SM-PCF. The first PCF represents the network element responsible for user terminal policy control when the UE accesses the 4G network.

[0178] Under 4G core network access, the UE establishes the first user policy association information with the SM-PCF, SMF+PGW-C and the first PCF through the MME.

[0179] S502: The first PCF sends a save instruction to the BSF. The save instruction is used to instruct the BSF to save the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0180] S503: The BSF sends a save response to the first PCF, where the save response indicates that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0181] S504, the UE switches from the 4G network to the 5G network, and the UE sends a registration command to the AMF.

[0182] S505, AMF sends a query request to BSF. The query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0183] S506, BSF sends a first query response to AMF. The first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0184] S507, AMF sends a third instruction to the first PCF through SMF+PGW-C and SM-PCF, to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0185] The AMF sends the third instruction to SMF+PGW-C, and then the SMF+PGW-C sends the third instruction of the UE to the SM-PCF, and the SM-PCF sends the third instruction to the first PCF.

[0186] S508: The first PCF sends a first user policy association information deletion response of the UE to the BSF.

[0187] S509, AMF sends a second instruction to the second PCF. The second instruction is used to instruct the second PCF to establish the second user policy association information of the UE. The second PCF represents the network element responsible for user terminal policy control under 5G access of the UE.

[0188] S510: The second PCF sends a binding instruction to the BSF, wherein the binding instruction is used to instruct the BSF to save the second user policy association information.

[0189] S511, new binding is completed. BSF sends a binding response to AMF, and the binding response indicates that the binding of the second user policy association information is completed.

[0190] In an embodiment of the present application, when the first PCF does not meet the preset conditions, the AMF selects a new second PCF that meets the preset conditions and establishes second policy association information. And considering that the first PCF and the second PCF serve the UE at the same time, there will be a policy conflict problem, and the first user policy association information of the first PCF is deleted. Although the embodiment of the present application introduces a new second PCF, the second user policy association information established by the second PCF is established after the first user policy association information is deleted. In other words, in an embodiment of the present application, the user policy association information established by the two PCFs is selected and optimized to ensure that there is only one PCF that provides terminal policy for the UE, thereby maintaining the consistency of the terminal policy received by the UE.

[0191] The above is an explanation of the relevant embodiments with AMF as the execution subject. On this basis, the embodiments of the present application also provide an embodiment corresponding to the above process with BSF as the execution subject. Since all the implementation principles and detailed processes of the following embodiments with BSF as the execution subject, as well as the technical effects that can be achieved are the same as those of the above embodiments with AMF as the execution subject, for the sake of brevity and clarity, the following embodiments will not be described one by one, and the implementation process and implementation effects of each embodiment can be referred to the description of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0192] If Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present application provides a policy network element determination method, which is applied to BSF, and the method includes:

[0193] S601, receiving a query request sent by AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control.

[0194] In an embodiment of the present application, the BSF responds to the query request sent by the AMF to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0195] Taking the case where the UE is bound to the first PCF when accessing the 4G core network as an example, the BSF will save the first user policy association information established between the UE and the bound first PCF according to the save instruction sent by the first PCF. The first user policy association information is established when the UE accesses the 4G network, and the save instruction includes the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0196] S602, sending a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0197] Optionally, after obtaining the query result of whether the UE is bound to the first PCF, the query result is used as the first query response and sent to the AMF, so that the AMF determines the target PCF based on the first query response.

[0198] Optionally, after obtaining the query result of whether the UE is bound to the first PCF, the BSF determines the target PCF based on the query result, and sends the target PCF as the first query response to the AMF. In this way, the AMF can directly determine the first query response as the target PCF.

[0199] In an embodiment of the present application, in response to a query request sent by the AMF, it is queried whether the UE has a bound first PCF, and a first query response corresponding to the query request is sent to the AMF, so that the AMF can determine the target PCF. The first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control. This is equivalent to first querying whether the UE has a bound first PCF before accessing the current network in the process of determining the target PCF of the UE, and sending the first query response corresponding to the first PCF bound to the UE to the AMF, so that the AMF can determine the target PCF corresponding to the UE based on the first query response, thereby avoiding terminal policy conflicts caused by the simultaneous association of the UE with multiple PCFs and maintaining the consistency of the terminal policy.

[0200] In one embodiment, sending a query response to the AMF according to the query request includes:

[0201] A second query response is sent to the AMF according to the query request; the second query response indicates that the UE does not have a bound first PCF.

[0202] During the confirmation process of the policy network element, BSF not only interacts with AMF to receive query instructions sent by AMF or send query responses to AMF, but BSF also interacts with the first PCF to save or delete the first user policy association information of the UE established by the first PCF.

[0203] In one embodiment, Figure 7 As shown, the above-mentioned strategy network element determination method also includes:

[0204] S701, receiving a save instruction sent by a first PCF; the save instruction includes first user policy association information of the UE.

[0205] S702: Save first user policy association information of the UE.

[0206] S703, sending a save response to the first PCF; the save response indicates that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0207] If the first PCF has established the first user policy association information of the UE, a save instruction is sent to the BSF, where the save instruction includes the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0208] The BSF saves the first user policy association information in response to the save instruction sent by the first PCF. Then, if the BSF has saved the first user policy association information, it sends a save response to the first PCF, indicating that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0209] In the embodiment of the present application, through the interaction between the BSF and the first PCF, the first PCF sends a save instruction, and the BSF saves the first user policy association information, which is equivalent to backing up the user policy association information of the UE through the BSF so that the AMF can query through the BSF.

[0210] The BSF can also interact with the first PCF and the second PCF at the same time to save or delete the first user policy association information of the UE established by the first PCF, and save or delete the second user policy association information of the UE established by the second PCF. However, in an embodiment of the present application, there is at most one user policy association relationship of the UE in the BSF. If there is user policy association information of two UEs, the user policy association relationship will be deleted until there is only one user policy association information in the BSF. Below, through an embodiment, the deletion step of the BSF is explained when the first user policy association information and the second user policy association information exist in the BSF.

[0211] In one embodiment, Figure 8 As shown, the above-mentioned strategy network element determination method also includes:

[0212] S801, receiving a binding instruction sent by a second PCF; the binding instruction includes second user policy association information of the UE.

[0213] The second PCF is a PCF that satisfies the preset condition when the first PCF does not satisfy the preset condition. In the embodiment of the present application, both the first PCF and the second PCF are network elements that perform user terminal policy control.

[0214] For the first PCF, failure to meet the preset condition means that the first PCF does not meet any of the following conditions, for example, the load capacity of the first PCF does not meet the load requirements, or there is no route between the first PCF and the AMF, or the configuration information of the AMF does not include information about the second PCF.

[0215] For the second PCF, satisfying the preset conditions includes: the load capacity of the second PCF meets the load requirements; there is a route between the second PCF and AMF; the configuration information of AMF includes information of the second PCF.

[0216] If the BSF receives the binding instruction sent by the second PCF, the BSF responds to the binding instruction, extracts the second user policy association information of the UE from the binding instruction, and saves the second policy association information of the UE.

[0217] S802: Determine whether there is first user policy association information of the UE according to the binding instruction.

[0218] The BSF will also respond to the binding instruction and query whether the first user policy association information of the UE exists in the BSF.

[0219] S803: If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, delete the first user policy association information of the UE and save the second user policy association information of the UE.

[0220] If the first user policy association information of the UE exists in the BSF, the first user policy association information of the UE will be deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE will be saved.

[0221] Optionally, the BSF receives a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF, and deletes the first user policy association information of the UE. The deletion instruction may be triggered after the first PCF deletes the first user policy association relationship of the UE in response to the third instruction.

[0222] Optionally, the BSF obtains a time difference between a storage time of the first user policy association information of the UE and a storage time of the second user policy association information of the UE, and automatically deletes the first user policy association information of the UE when the time difference exceeds a preset time threshold.

[0223] In an embodiment of the present application, when there is user policy association information of two UEs, one of the user policy associations is deleted through the BSF, so that the UE only establishes a user policy association with one PCF in any network environment, and only the PCF provides terminal policy services for the UE, thereby maintaining the consistency of the terminal policy received by the UE.

[0224] Next, a possible implementation manner of the BSF deleting the first user policy association information of the UE is described.

[0225] In one embodiment, Fig. 9 As shown, if the first user policy association information of the UE exists, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved, including:

[0226] S901: If there is first user policy association information of the UE, start a preset timer.

[0227] In response to the binding instruction, the BSF queries whether the first user policy association relationship of the UE exists in the BSF. If the first user policy association relationship of the UE exists, a preset timer is started to delete the first user policy association information of the UE within the time specified by the preset timer.

[0228] S902: If a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received before the preset timer expires, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0229] The deletion instruction is triggered by the first PCF deleting the first user policy association relationship of the UE in response to the third instruction.

[0230] Before the preset timer expires, if the BSF receives a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF of the UE, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0231] S903: If no deletion instruction is received from the first PCF when the preset timer is reached, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0232] When the preset timer is reached, if the BSF does not receive the deletion instruction sent by the first PCF, the first user policy association information of the UE is assumed to be abnormal information, and the deletion instruction of the first user policy association information of the UE is automatically triggered, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0233] In the embodiment of the present application, by setting a timer, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, which is equivalent to setting a deletion time for the first user policy association information of the UE. Within this deletion time range, if a deletion instruction is received, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted. If no deletion instruction is received, the first user policy association information of the UE is automatically deleted. This deletion method takes into account that when the AMF sends the third instruction to the first PCF, multiple gateways are involved, which may cause the first PCF to have completed the deletion of the first user policy association information, but there is no time to return the deletion instruction to the BSF, resulting in a time delay, thereby shortening the time to delete the first user policy association information of the UE and improving the binding efficiency of the policy gateway.

[0234] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned policy network element determination method further includes:

[0235] A binding response is sent to the second PCF; the binding response is used to indicate that the binding is complete.

[0236] In one embodiment, the query request is triggered by the AMF based on the registration request sent by the UE.

[0237] In one embodiment, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0238] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0239] Since all the implementation principles and detailed processes of the above-mentioned embodiment with AMF as the execution subject and the embodiment with BSF as the execution subject are the same as each other, and the technical effects that can be achieved are the same, therefore, for the sake of brevity and clarity, they are not described one by one here, and the implementation process and effects of each embodiment can refer to the description of the embodiment with AMF as the execution subject in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0240] It should be understood that, although the steps in the flowcharts involved in the above embodiments are displayed in sequence according to the indication of the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence according to the order indicated by the arrows. Unless there is a clear explanation in this article, the execution of these steps is not strictly limited in order, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least a part of the steps in the flowcharts involved in the above embodiments may include multiple steps or multiple stages, and these steps or stages are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily carried out in sequence, but can be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least a part of the steps or stages in other steps.

[0241] Based on the same inventive concept, the embodiment of the present application also provides a device for implementing the above-mentioned policy network element determination. The implementation scheme for solving the problem provided by the device is similar to the implementation scheme recorded in the above-mentioned method, so the specific limitations in one or more embodiments of the policy network element determination device provided below can refer to the limitations of the policy network element determination method above, and will not be repeated here.

[0242] In one embodiment, Fig.10 As shown, a policy network element determination device is provided, including: a request response module 1001 and a network element determination module 1002, wherein:

[0243] The request response module 1001 is used to send a query request to the BSF in response to the registration request sent by the UE; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control;

[0244] The network element determining module 1002 is configured to determine a target PCF according to the first PCF when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0245] In one embodiment, the network element determination module 1002 includes a first target determination unit, configured to determine the first PCF as a target PCF if the first PCF meets a preset condition.

[0246] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes a first sending module, configured to send a first instruction to the first PCF; the first instruction is configured to instruct the first PCF to modify first user policy association information of the UE.

[0247] In one embodiment, the network element determination module 1002 further includes a second target determination unit, configured to determine the second PCF as the target PCF if the first PCF does not meet the preset condition; the second PCF is a PCF that meets the preset condition.

[0248] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes a second sending module, which is used to send a second instruction to the second PCF; the second instruction is used to instruct the second PCF to establish second user policy association information of the UE.

[0249] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes a message receiving module, which is used to receive a response message sent by the second PCF; the response message is used to indicate that the second PCF has established second user policy association information of the UE.

[0250] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes a third sending module, which is used to send a third instruction to the first PCF; the third instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0251] In one embodiment, satisfying the preset condition includes:

[0252] The load capacity of PCF meets the load requirements;

[0253] There is routing between PCF and AMF;

[0254] The configuration information of AMF includes the information of PCF.

[0255] In one of the embodiments, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0256] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0257] In one embodiment, Fig.11 As shown, a policy network element determination device is provided, including: a request receiving module 1101 and a response sending module 1102, wherein:

[0258] The request receiving module 1101 is used to receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control;

[0259] The first response sending module 1102 is used to send a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0260] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device also includes: a second response sending module, used to send a second query response to the AMF according to the query request; the second query response indicates that the UE does not have a bound first PCF.

[0261] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes: an instruction receiving module and an information storage module, wherein:

[0262] An instruction receiving module, configured to receive a save instruction sent by a first PCF; the save instruction includes first user policy association information of the UE;

[0263] The information storage module is used to store the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0264] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes: a save response sending module, configured to send a save response to the first PCF; the save response indicates that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0265] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes: a binding receiving module, an information confirmation module and an information deletion module, wherein:

[0266] A binding receiving module, used to receive a binding instruction sent by a second PCF; the binding instruction includes second user policy association information of the UE;

[0267] An information confirmation module, used to determine whether there is first user policy association information of the UE according to the binding instruction;

[0268] The information deleting module is used to delete the first user policy associated information of the UE if there is any, and save the second user policy associated information of the UE.

[0269] In one embodiment, the information deletion module includes a timer starting unit and an associated information deletion unit, wherein:

[0270] A timer starting unit, configured to start a preset timer if the first user policy association information of the UE exists;

[0271] The association information deleting unit is used to delete the first user policy association information of the UE and save the second user policy association information of the UE if a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received before the preset timer expires.

[0272] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes an automatic deletion module for deleting the first user policy association information of the UE and saving the second user policy association information of the UE if no deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received when a preset timer is reached.

[0273] In one embodiment, the policy network element determination device further includes a binding response module, which is used to send a binding response to the second PCF; the binding response is used to indicate that the binding is completed.

[0274] In one of the embodiments, the query request is triggered by the AMF based on a registration request sent by the UE.

[0275] In one of the embodiments, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0276] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0277] For the specific limitations of the policy network element determination device, please refer to the limitations of the policy network element determination method above, which will not be repeated here. Each module in the above-mentioned policy network element determination device can be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware and a combination thereof. The above-mentioned modules can be embedded in or independent of the processor in the computer device in the form of hardware, or can be stored in the memory of the computer device in the form of software, so that the processor can call and execute the operations corresponding to the above modules.

[0278] Fig.12 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.12 The communication device 1200 shown includes: at least one processor 1201, a memory 1202, and at least one network interface 1204. The various components in the communication device 1200 are coupled together via a bus system 1205. It is understood that the bus system 1205 is used to achieve connection and communication between these components. In addition to the data bus, the bus system 1205 also includes a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for the sake of clarity, the bus system 1205 is not described in detail. Figure 2 Various buses are labeled as bus system 1205. In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, a transceiver 1203 is also included. The transceiver can be multiple components, that is, including a transmitter and a receiver, providing a unit for communicating with various other devices on a transmission medium.

[0279] It can be understood that the memory 1202 in the embodiment of the present application can be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or can include both volatile and non-volatile memories. Among them, the non-volatile memory can 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 can be a random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example but 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 (DDRSDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM) and direct RAM bus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 702 of the system and method described in the embodiments of the present invention is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0280] In some implementations, the memory 1202 stores the following elements, executable modules or data structures, or their subsets, or their extensions: operating system 1202a. The operating system 1202a includes various system programs, such as a framework layer, a core library layer, a driver layer, etc., which are used to implement various basic services and process hardware-based tasks.

[0281] In an embodiment of the present invention, by calling the program or instruction stored in the memory 1202, the transceiver 1203 sends a query request to the BSF in response to the registration request sent by the UE; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control; when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF, the processor 1201 determines the target PCF based on the first PCF.

[0282] Part or all of the methods disclosed in the above embodiments of the present invention may also be applied to the processor 1201, or implemented by the processor 1201, or implemented by the processor 1201 in cooperation with other components (such as a transceiver). The processor 1201 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 1201 or by instructions in the form of software. The above processor 1201 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DigitalSignalProcessor, DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ApplicationSpecific IntegratedCircuit, ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FieldProgrammableGateArray, FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components. The methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented or executed. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor, etc. The steps of the method disclosed in conjunction with the embodiments of the present invention may be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or may be executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software module may be located in a storage medium mature in the art, such as a random access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, etc. The storage medium is located in the memory 1202, and the processor 1201 reads the information in the memory 1202 and completes the steps of the above method in combination with its hardware.

[0283] It is to be understood that the embodiments described in the embodiments of the present invention may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode or a combination thereof. For hardware implementation, the processing unit may be implemented in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSP devices, DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), general purpose processors, controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, other electronic units for performing the functions described in the present application or a combination thereof.

[0284] For software implementation, the technology described in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a module (such as a process, function, etc.) that performs the functions described in the embodiments of the present invention. The software code can be stored in a memory and executed by the processor 1201. The memory can be implemented in the processor 1201 or outside the processor 1201.

[0285] In one embodiment, the processor 1201 is further configured to determine the first PCF as a target PCF if the first PCF meets a preset condition.

[0286] In one embodiment, the processor 1201 is further configured to send a first instruction to the first PCF; the first instruction is configured to instruct the first PCF to modify first user policy association information of the UE.

[0287] In one embodiment, determining a target PCF according to a first PCF includes:

[0288] If the first PCF does not meet the preset condition, the second PCF is determined as the target PCF; the second PCF is a PCF that meets the preset condition.

[0289] In one embodiment, the processor 1201 is further configured to send a second instruction to the second PCF; the second instruction is configured to instruct the second PCF to establish second user policy association information of the UE.

[0290] In one embodiment, the processor 1201 is further configured to receive a response message sent by the second PCF; the response message is used to indicate that the second PCF has established second user policy association information of the UE.

[0291] In one embodiment, the processor 1201 is further configured to send a third instruction to the first PCF; the third instruction is configured to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0292] In one embodiment, the above-mentioned preset conditions are met, including:

[0293] The load capacity of PCF meets the load requirements;

[0294] There is routing between PCF and AMF;

[0295] The configuration information of AMF includes the information of PCF.

[0296] In one embodiment, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0297] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0298] Fig.13A schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1300 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 may include a receiver 1301, a memory 1302, a processor 1303, at least one communication bus 1304 and a transmitter 1305. The communication bus 1304 is used to realize the communication connection between the components. The memory 1302 may include a high-speed RAM memory, and may also include a non-volatile storage NVM, such as at least one disk memory. Various programs may be stored in the memory 1302 to complete various processing functions and implement the method steps of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the transmitter 1305 may be a radio frequency processing module or a baseband processing module in an access network device, and the receiver 1301 may also be a radio frequency processing module or a baseband processing module in an access network device. The transmitter 1305 and the receiver 1301 can be integrated together to realize a transceiver, and the transmitter 1305 and the receiver 1301 can be coupled to the processor 1303, which can realize the action of receiving or sending under the instruction or control of the processor 1303.

[0299] In an embodiment of the present application, the receiver 1301 is used to receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control; the processor 1303 is used to send a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

[0300] In one embodiment, the processor 1303 is further used to send a second query response to the AMF according to the query request; the second query response indicates that the UE does not have a bound first PCF.

[0301] In one embodiment, the processor 1303 is further configured to receive a save instruction sent by the first PCF; the save instruction includes the first user policy association information of the UE; and save the first user policy association information of the UE.

[0302] In one embodiment, the processor 1303 is further configured to send a save response to the first PCF; the save response indicates that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

[0303] In one embodiment, the receiver 1301 is further configured to receive a binding instruction sent by the second PCF; the binding instruction includes the second user policy association information of the UE;

[0304] Determine whether there is first user policy association information of the UE according to the binding instruction;

[0305] If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0306] In one embodiment, the processor 1303 is further configured to, if the first user policy association information of the UE exists, delete the first user policy association information of the UE, and save the second user policy association information of the UE, including:

[0307] If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, starting a preset timer;

[0308] If a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received before the preset timer expires, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

[0309] In one embodiment, the processor 1303 is further configured to delete the first user policy association information of the UE and save the second user policy association information of the UE if no deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received when the preset timer expires.

[0310] In one embodiment, the processor 1303 is further configured to send a binding response to the second PCF; the binding response is used to indicate that the binding is completed.

[0311] In one embodiment, the query request is triggered by the AMF based on the registration request sent by the UE.

[0312] In one embodiment, the registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

[0313] In one embodiment, the first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

[0314] In one embodiment, the present application also provides a policy network element determination system, which network system includes AMF and BSF; AMF is used to implement any method step in each embodiment of the policy network element determination method with AMF as the execution subject side in the previous embodiment; BSF is used for any method step in each embodiment of the policy network element determination method with BSF as the execution subject side in the previous embodiment.

[0315] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, any method step in each embodiment of the policy network element determination method in the above embodiments is implemented.

[0316] In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program. When the computer program is executed by a processor, any method step in each embodiment of the policy network element determination method in the above embodiments is implemented.

[0317] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiment methods can be completed by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program, and the computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Among them, any reference to memory, storage, database or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory or optical memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory. As an illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM).

[0318] The technical features of the above embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0319] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present application, and the descriptions thereof are relatively specific and detailed, but they cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be pointed out that, for a person of ordinary skill in the art, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present application, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present application shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A method for determining a policy network element, characterized in that: Applied to accessing a mobility management network element AMF, the method comprises: In response to a registration request sent by a user terminal UE, a query request is sent to a binding support network element BSF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first policy control network element PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control; In a case where the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF, the target PCF is determined according to the first PCF.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determining the target PCF according to the first PCF includes: If the first PCF meets a preset condition, the first PCF is determined as the target PCF.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The method further comprises: A first instruction is sent to the first PCF; the first instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to modify the first user policy association information of the UE.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The determining the target PCF according to the first PCF includes: If the first PCF does not meet the preset condition, the second PCF is determined as the target PCF; the second PCF is a PCF that meets the preset condition.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a second instruction to the second PCF; the second instruction is used to instruct the second PCF to establish second user policy association information of the UE.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive a response message sent by the second PCF; the response message is used to indicate that the second PCF has established second user policy association information for the UE.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send a third instruction to the first PCF; the third instruction is used to instruct the first PCF to delete the first user policy association information of the UE.

8. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: The preset conditions are met as follows: The load capacity of PCF meets the load requirements; There is a route between the PCF and the AMF; The configuration information of the AMF includes information of the PCF.

9. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

11. A method for determining a policy network element, characterized in that: Applied to BSF, the method comprises: Receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; the first PCF represents a network element that performs user terminal policy control; A first query response is sent to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: A second query response is sent to the AMF according to the query request; the second query response indicates that the UE does not have a bound first PCF.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a save instruction sent by a first PCF; the save instruction including first user policy association information of the UE; The first user policy association information of the UE is saved.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The method further comprises: A save response is sent to the first PCF; the save response indicates that the first user policy association information of the UE has been saved.

15. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving a binding instruction sent by a second PCF; the binding instruction including second user policy association information of the UE; Determine whether there is first user policy association information of the UE according to the binding instruction; If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, deleting the first user policy association information of the UE and saving the second user policy association information of the UE includes: If the first user policy association information of the UE exists, starting a preset timer; If a deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received before the preset timer expires, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that The method further comprises: If no deletion instruction sent by the first PCF is received when the preset timer is reached, the first user policy association information of the UE is deleted, and the second user policy association information of the UE is saved.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that: The method further comprises: A binding response is sent to the second PCF; the binding response is used to indicate that the binding is completed.

19. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that The query request is triggered by the AMF based on the registration request sent by the UE.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that The registration request is triggered when the UE switches from the first network to the second network.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first network is a fourth generation mobile communication network, and the second network is a fifth generation mobile communication network.

22. A device for determining a policy network element, characterized in that: The device comprises: A request response module, configured to send a query request to the BSF in response to a registration request sent by the UE; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; The network element determination module is used to determine the target PCF according to the first PCF when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

23. A device for determining a policy network element, characterized in that: The device comprises: A request receiving module, used to receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; A response sending module is used to send a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

24. A communication device comprising a transceiver, a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, characterized in that: The transceiver is used to send a query request to the BSF in response to a registration request sent by the UE; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; The processor executes the computer program to determine the target PCF according to the first PCF when the query response sent by the BSF indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

25. A communication device, characterized in that: The device comprises a transceiver, a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and is characterized in that: The transceiver is used to receive a query request sent by the AMF; the query request is used to query whether the UE has a bound first PCF; The processor executes the computer program to send a first query response to the AMF according to the query request; the first query response indicates that the UE has a bound first PCF.

26. A policy network element determination system, characterized in that: The system includes AMF and BSF; The AMF is used to perform the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10; The BSF is used to perform the steps of any one of the methods of claims 11 to 21.

27. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 are implemented.

28. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that When the computer program is executed by a processor, the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 21 are implemented.

Images