Apparatus, method and computer program for a communication system

Abstract

An apparatus, method and computer program for a communication network are provided for causing the apparatus to perform mapping an energy behavior category to a user equipment, where the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category of a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifies the energy efficiency represented by the device; and providing an indication of the mapped energy behavior category to the requesting network function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Examples described herein generally relate to apparatus, methods and computer programs, and more particularly (but not exclusively) to apparatus, methods and computer programs for use in communication systems. Background Art

[0002] A communication system may be viewed as a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities (such as communication devices, base stations, and / or other nodes) by providing carrier waves between the entities involved in the communication path.

[0003] The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems include public land mobile networks (PLMNs) operating based on radio standards such as those provided by 3GPP, satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks such as wireless local area networks (WLANs). Wireless systems can typically be divided into cells and are therefore often referred to as cellular systems.

[0004] Communication systems and associated equipment typically operate in accordance with given standards or specifications that specify what the various entities associated with the system are allowed to do and how it should be achieved. Communication protocols and / or parameters for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standard is the so-called 5G standard. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first aspect, a device is provided, comprising components for performing the following items: mapping an energy behavior class to a user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and providing an indication of the mapped energy behavior class to a requesting network function.

[0006] The apparatus may also include a component for performing the following items: receiving at least one of the following items: an identifier of a user device, or an identifier of a user device group including the user device, the apparatus also includes a component for performing the following items: receiving a request from a requesting network function, the request including at least one of the following items: an indication of a time period associated with an energy behavior category; an indication of an analysis accuracy level to be met when determining the energy behavior category; or an indication of an analysis granularity level to be met when determining the energy behavior category; and using the received indication to perform an analysis to determine the mapped energy behavior category.

[0007] The apparatus may also include means for adjusting at least one charging policy associated with the session of the user equipment using the mapped energy behavior class.

[0008] An apparatus for adjusting at least one charging policy using mapped energy behavior may include components for performing the following: using the mapped energy behavior categories to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior categories; and adjusting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0009] The apparatus may further include components for determining at least one action that can be performed by a user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs with an energy behavior class that is more energy efficient than the determined energy behavior class; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be signaled to a requesting network function.

[0010] The device may be included in a network data analysis function and / or a charging function.

[0011] The requesting network function may include at least one of: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.

[0012] According to a second aspect, a device is provided, comprising components for performing the following items: determining whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and providing at least one policy for the user device determined based on the determined energy behavior category to a network function.

[0013] The network function may be an access and mobility function, and / or a session management function, and / or a charging function.

[0014] A component for determining whether to generate a policy based on an energy behavior class may include a component for performing the following items: retrieving at least one of the following items: an indication of an energy behavior class associated with a user device, or an indication of a network slice; and using the retrieved indication to perform the determination.

[0015] When the network function comprises a session management function, the at least one policy provided to the session management function may comprise an indication that the at least one policy for the user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment.

[0016] The apparatus may further include means for receiving an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from the analysis function and / or from the charging function.

[0017] The apparatus may also include means for providing the received energy behavior category associated with the subscriber to a session management function.

[0018] The device may be included in a policy control function.

[0019] According to a third aspect, a device is provided, comprising a component for performing the following items: receiving an indication from a network function regarding the following: a policy for a user device is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user device or a group of user devices including the user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and for a session associated with the user device, enforcing at least one policy that complies with the energy behavior class associated with a subscriber.

[0020] The apparatus may also include means for receiving, from a policy and control function, an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0021] The apparatus may further include means for receiving an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment from the charging function and / or the analysis function.

[0022] The apparatus may also include means for selecting a user plane functionality for the user equipment using the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0023] The apparatus may also include means for modifying a session management policy based on an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment.

[0024] The apparatus may further include means for inserting an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into at least one charging data request; and signaling the at least one charging data request to a charging function.

[0025] The device may be included in a session management function.

[0026] The network function may be at least one of: a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect, a device is provided, comprising components for performing the following items: obtaining an indication of an energy behavior category associated with a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and using the energy behavior category associated with the user device to determine a charging policy for the user device.

[0028] The means for obtaining may include means for receiving the energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from a session management function, and / or from an analysis function, and / or from a policy control function.

[0029] The component for determining at least one charging policy using the mapped energy behavior may include a component for performing the following items: using the energy behavior category to find at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and setting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0030] The apparatus may further include components for determining at least one action that can be performed by a user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs with an energy behavior category that is more energy efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent to the user device using a signal.

[0031] The device may be included in the charging function.

[0032] According to a fifth aspect, a device is provided, comprising components for performing the following items: receiving an indication from a network function that a first set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior category, and an indication that a second set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifying the energy efficiency exhibited by the device, and wherein the second energy behavior category is more energy-efficient than the first energy behavior category; and causing the first set of user devices to change its operating configuration so that the first set of user devices operates more energy-efficiently.

[0033] The apparatus may also include means for determining that operation of the first set of user equipment has changed to an extent that the first set of user equipment is associated with a second energy behavior category.

[0034] The device may be included in a network opening function and / or an application function.

[0035] According to a sixth aspect, a device is provided, comprising a component for performing the following items: receiving an indication from a network function regarding the following: the device operates according to a first energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and causing an operating configuration of the device to change in response to the reception.

[0036] The components that cause the change may include components for: displaying an output to a user of the device, the output indicating at least one of: a first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which operation of the device can be performed more energy efficiently; subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; and providing an indication of the change in behavior to a network.

[0037] The means for causing the change may include means for: receiving an indication of a change of at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; and causing the change of the at least one operating characteristic to be performed.

[0038] According to a seventh aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: mapping an energy behavior category to a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and providing an indication of the mapped energy behavior category to a requesting network function.

[0039] The device can also be caused to execute: receiving at least one of the following items: an identifier of a user device, or an identifier of a user device group including the user device; the device can also be caused to execute: receiving an indication of at least one of the following items in a request from a requesting network function: an indication of a time period associated with an energy behavior category; an indication of an analysis accuracy level that is met when determining the energy behavior category; or an indication of an analysis granularity level that is met when determining the energy behavior category; and using the received indication to perform an analysis to determine the mapped energy behavior category.

[0040] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: adjusting at least one charging policy associated with the session of the user equipment using the mapped energy behavior class.

[0041] Adjusting at least one charging policy using the mapped energy behavior may include performing: using the mapped energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and adjusting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0042] The device can also be caused to perform: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs with an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of at least one action to be sent by a signal to a requesting network function.

[0043] The device may be included in a network data analysis function and / or a charging function.

[0044] The requesting network function may include at least one of: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.

[0045] According to an eighth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: determining whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and providing to a network function at least one policy for the user device determined based on the determined energy behavior category.

[0046] The network function may be an access and mobility function, and / or a session management function, and / or a charging function.

[0047] Determining whether to generate a policy based on an energy behavior class may include performing: retrieving at least one of the following: an indication of an energy behavior class associated with a user device, or an indication of a network slice; and performing the determination using the retrieved indication.

[0048] When the network function comprises a session management function, the at least one policy provided to the session management function may comprise an indication that the at least one policy for the user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment.

[0049] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: receiving an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from the analysis function and / or the charging function.

[0050] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: providing the received energy behavior category associated with the subscriber to a session management function.

[0051] The device may be included in a policy control function.

[0052] According to a ninth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: receiving an indication from a network function regarding: a policy for a user device is based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device or a group of user devices including the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and for a session associated with the user device, enforcing at least one policy that complies with the energy behavior category associated with the subscriber.

[0053] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: receiving, from a policy and control function, an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0054] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: receiving an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment from a charging function and / or an analysis function.

[0055] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: selecting a user plane function for the user equipment using the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0056] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: modifying a session management policy based on an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment.

[0057] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: inserting an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into at least one charging data request; and signaling the at least one charging data request to a charging function.

[0058] The device may be included in a session management function.

[0059] The network function may be at least one of: a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

[0060] According to the tenth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: obtaining an indication of an energy behavior category associated with a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and using the energy behavior category associated with the user device to determine a charging policy for the user device.

[0061] The obtaining may include receiving an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from a session management function and / or from an analysis function and / or from a policy control function.

[0062] Using the mapped energy behavior to determine at least one charging policy may include performing: using the energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and setting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0063] The device can also be caused to perform: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or the user of the user device so that the user device is performed with an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent to the user device using a signal.

[0064] The device may be included in the charging function.

[0065] According to an eleventh aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: receiving from a network function an indication that a first set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior category, and an indication that a second set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device, and wherein the second energy behavior category is more energy-efficient than the first energy behavior category; and causing the first set of user devices to change its operating configuration so that the first set of user devices operates more energy-efficiently.

[0066] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: determining that operation of the first set of user equipment has changed to an extent that the first set of user equipment is associated with a second energy behavior category.

[0067] The device may be included in a network opening function and / or an application function.

[0068] According to the twelfth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory, the memory comprising code, which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the device to perform: receiving an instruction from a network function regarding the following: the device operates according to a first energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and causing the operating configuration of the device to change in response to the reception.

[0069] Causing the change may include: displaying an output to a user of the device, the output indicating at least one of: a first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which operation of the device can be performed more energy efficiently; subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; and providing an indication of the change in behavior to a network.

[0070] Causing the change may include: receiving an indication of a change of at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; and causing the change of the at least one operating characteristic to be performed.

[0071] According to a thirteenth aspect, a method for a device is provided, the method comprising: mapping an energy behavior category to a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and providing an indication of the mapped energy behavior category to a requesting network function.

[0072] The method may also include: receiving at least one of the following items: an identifier of a user device, or an identifier of a user device group including the user device, the method also includes: receiving an indication of at least one of the following items in a request from a requesting network function: an indication of a time period associated with the energy behavior category; an indication of an analysis accuracy level that is met when determining the energy behavior category; or an indication of an analysis granularity level that is met when determining the energy behavior category; and using the received indication to perform analysis to determine the mapped energy behavior category

[0073] The method may also include adjusting at least one charging policy associated with the session of the user device using the mapped energy behavior class.

[0074] Adjusting at least one charging policy using the mapped energy behavior may include performing: using the mapped energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and adjusting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0075] The method may also include: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs with an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent by signal to a requesting network function.

[0076] The device may be included in a network data analysis function and / or a charging function.

[0077] The requesting network function may include at least one of: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.

[0078] According to a fourteenth aspect, a method for a device is provided, the method comprising: determining whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and providing to a network function at least one policy for the user device determined based on the determined energy behavior category.

[0079] The network function may be an access and mobility function, and / or a session management function, and / or a charging function.

[0080] Determining whether to generate a policy based on an energy behavior class may include performing: retrieving at least one of the following: an indication of an energy behavior class associated with a user device, or an indication of a network slice; and performing the determination using the retrieved indication.

[0081] When the network function comprises a session management function, the at least one policy provided to the session management function may comprise an indication that the at least one policy for the user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment.

[0082] The method may further include receiving an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from the analysis function and / or from the billing function.

[0083] The method may further include providing the received energy behavior category associated with the subscriber to a session management function.

[0084] The device may be included in a policy control function.

[0085] According to a fifteenth aspect, a method for a device is provided, the method comprising: receiving an indication from a network function regarding: a policy for a user device is based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device or a group of user devices including the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifying energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and for a session associated with the user device, enforcing at least one policy that complies with the energy behavior category associated with the subscriber.

[0086] The method may also include receiving, from a policy and control function, an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0087] The method may further include receiving an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment from the charging function and / or the analysis function.

[0088] The method may further include selecting a user plane functionality for the user equipment using the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0089] The method may also include modifying the session management policy based on the energy behavior category associated with the user device.

[0090] The method may further comprise: inserting an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into the at least one charging data request; and signalling the at least one charging data request to a charging function.

[0091] The means may be included in a session management function.

[0092] The network function may be at least one of a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

[0093] According to a sixteenth aspect, a method for an apparatus is provided, the method comprising: obtaining an indication of an energy behavior category associated with a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifying energy efficiency performed by the apparatus; and using the energy behavior category associated with the user device to determine a charging policy for the user device.

[0094] The method may further comprise receiving an energy behavior class associated with the subscriber from the session management function and / or from the analysis function, and / or from the policy control function.

[0095] Using the mapped energy behavior to determine at least one charging policy may include performing: using the energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and setting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0096] The method may also include: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs in an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent to the user device using a signal.

[0097] The device may be included in the charging function.

[0098] According to the seventeenth aspect, a method for an apparatus is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a network function an indication that a first set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior category, and an indication that a second set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the apparatus, and wherein the second energy behavior category is more energy-efficient than the first energy behavior category; and causing the first set of user devices to change its operating configuration so that the first set of user devices operates more energy-efficiently.

[0099] The method may also include determining that operation of the first set of user devices has changed to an extent that the first set of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category.

[0100] The device may be included in a network opening function and / or an application function.

[0101] According to an eighteenth aspect, a method for a device is provided, the method comprising: receiving an indication from a network function that the device operates according to a first energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifying the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and causing an operating configuration at the device to change in response to the reception.

[0102] Causing the change may include: displaying an output to a user of the device, the output indicating at least one of: a first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which operation of the device can be performed more energy efficiently; subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; and providing an indication of the change in behavior to a network.

[0103] Causing the change may include: receiving an indication of a change of at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; and causing the change of the at least one operating characteristic to be performed.

[0104] According to the nineteenth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a mapping circuit system for mapping an energy behavior category to a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and a circuit system for providing an indication of the mapped energy behavior category to a requesting network function.

[0105] The device may also include: a receiving circuit system for receiving at least one of the following items: an identifier of a user device, or an identifier of a user device group including the user device, and the device also includes: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication of at least one of the following items in a request from a requesting network function: an indication of a time period associated with an energy behavior category; an indication of an analysis accuracy level to be met when determining the energy behavior category; or an indication of an analysis granularity level to be met when determining the energy behavior category; and a using circuit system for using the received indication to perform an analysis to determine the mapped energy behavior category.

[0106] The apparatus may also include employing circuitry for adjusting at least one charging policy associated with a session of the user device using the mapped energy behavior class.

[0107] A use circuit system for adjusting at least one charging policy using mapped energy behavior may include: a use circuit system for using the mapped energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and an adjustment circuit system for adjusting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0108] The apparatus may further include: a determining circuit system for determining at least one action that can be performed by a user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs with an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than a determined energy behavior category; and a circuit for causing an indication of at least one action to be sent by a signal to a requesting network function.

[0109] The device may be included in a network data analysis function and / or a charging function.

[0110] The requesting network function may include at least one of: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.

[0111] According to the twentieth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a determining circuit system for determining whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and providing a circuit system for providing a network function with at least one policy for the user device determined based on the determined energy behavior category.

[0112] The network function may be an access and mobility function, and / or a session management function, and / or a charging function.

[0113] A determination circuit system for determining whether to generate a policy based on an energy behavior category may include: a retrieval circuit system for retrieving at least one of the following items: an indication of an energy behavior category associated with a user device, or an indication of a network slice; and a use circuit system for performing a determination using the retrieved indication.

[0114] When the network function comprises a session management function, the at least one policy provided to the session management function may comprise an indication that the at least one policy for the user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment.

[0115] The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry for receiving an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from the analysis function and / or the billing function.

[0116] The apparatus may also include providing circuitry for providing the received energy behavior classification associated with the subscriber to a session management function.

[0117] The device may be included in a policy control function.

[0118] According to a twenty-first aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication from a network function regarding: a policy for a user device is based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device or a group of user devices including the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and an execution circuit system for enforcing, for a session associated with the user device, at least one policy that complies with the energy behavior category associated with a subscriber.

[0119] The apparatus may also include receiving circuitry for receiving, from a policy and control function, an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0120] The apparatus may further include receiving circuitry for receiving an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment from the charging function and / or the analysis function.

[0121] The apparatus may further include selection circuitry for selecting a user plane function for the user equipment using an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0122] The apparatus may also include modification circuitry for modifying a session management policy based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device.

[0123] The apparatus may further include inserting circuitry for inserting an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into the at least one charging data request and signaling circuitry for signaling the at least one charging data request to a charging function.

[0124] The device may be included in a session management function.

[0125] The network function is at least one of: a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

[0126] According to the twenty-second aspect, there is provided a device comprising: an acquisition circuit system for obtaining an indication of an energy behavior category associated with a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and a use circuit system for determining a charging policy for the user device using the energy behavior category associated with the user device.

[0127] The obtaining circuitry for obtaining may include receiving circuitry for receiving an energy behavior class associated with the subscriber from a session management function and / or from an analysis function, and / or from a policy control function.

[0128] Using a circuit system to determine at least one charging policy using mapped energy behavior may include: using a circuit system to use energy behavior categories to find at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior categories; and setting a circuit system to set at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0129] The apparatus may further include: a determining circuit system for determining at least one action that can be performed by a user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs in an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and a circuit system for causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent to the user device using a signal.

[0130] The device may be included in the charging function.

[0131] According to the twenty-third aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication from a network function that a first set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior category, and an indication that a second set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device, and wherein the second energy behavior category is more energy-efficient than the first energy behavior category; and a causing circuit system for causing the first set of user devices to change its operating configuration so that the first set of user devices operates more energy-efficiently.

[0132] The apparatus may also include determining circuitry for determining that operation of the first set of user devices has changed to an extent that the first set of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category.

[0133] The device may be included in a network opening function and / or an application function.

[0134] According to the twenty-fourth aspect, a device is provided, comprising: a receiving circuit system for receiving an indication from a network function that the device operates in accordance with a first energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and a circuit system for causing an operating configuration of the device to change in response to the reception.

[0135] An enabling circuit system for causing a change may include: an enabling circuit system for displaying an output to a user of the device, the output indicating at least one of: a first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which the operation of the device can be performed more energy efficiently; a determining circuit system for subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; and a providing circuit system for providing an indication of the behavior change to a network.

[0136] The causing circuitry for causing a change may include: receiving circuitry for receiving an indication of a change in at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; and causing the change in the at least one operating characteristic to be performed.

[0137] According to the twenty-fifth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to execute: mapping an energy behavior category to a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and providing an indication of the mapped energy behavior category to a requesting network function.

[0138] The device can also be caused to execute: receiving at least one of the following items: an identifier of a user device, or an identifier of a user device group including the user device, and can also be caused to execute: receiving an indication of at least one of the following items in a request from a requesting network function: an indication of a time period associated with an energy behavior category; an indication of an analysis accuracy level to be met when determining the energy behavior category; or an indication of an analysis granularity level to be met when determining the energy behavior category; and using the received indication to perform an analysis to determine the mapped energy behavior category.

[0139] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: adjusting at least one charging policy associated with the session of the user equipment using the mapped energy behavior class.

[0140] Adjusting at least one charging policy using the mapped energy behavior may include performing: using the mapped energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and adjusting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0141] The device can also be caused to perform: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device is performed with an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent to a requesting network function using a signal.

[0142] The device may be included in a network data analysis function and / or a charging function.

[0143] The requesting network function may include at least one of: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.

[0144] According to the twenty-sixth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the following items: determining whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among multiple energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency performed by the device; and providing to a network function at least one policy for the user device determined based on the determined energy behavior category.

[0145] The network function may be an access and mobility function, and / or a session management function, and / or a charging function.

[0146] Determining whether to generate a policy based on an energy behavior class may include performing: retrieving at least one of the following: an indication of an energy behavior class associated with a user device, or an indication of a network slice; and performing the determination using the retrieved indication.

[0147] When the network function comprises a session management function, the at least one policy provided to the session management function may comprise an indication that the at least one policy for the user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment.

[0148] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: receiving an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from the analysis function and / or from the charging function.

[0149] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: providing the received energy behavior category associated with the subscriber to a session management function.

[0150] The apparatus may be comprised in a policy control function.

[0151] According to a twenty-seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the following items: receiving an indication from a network function indicating that a policy for a user device is based on an energy behavior category associated with the user device or a group of user devices including the user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category from a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifying energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and for a session associated with the user device, executing at least one policy that complies with the energy behavior category associated with the subscriber.

[0152] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: receiving, from a policy and control function, an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0153] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: receiving an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment from a charging function and / or an analysis function.

[0154] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: selecting a user plane function for the user equipment using the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment.

[0155] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: modifying a session management policy based on an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment.

[0156] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: inserting an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into at least one charging data request; and signaling the at least one charging data request to a charging function.

[0157] The device may be included in a session management function.

[0158] The network function may be at least one of: a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

[0159] According to the twenty-eighth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the following items: obtaining an indication of an energy behavior category associated with a user device, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifying the energy efficiency performed by the apparatus; and determining a charging policy for the user device using the energy behavior category associated with the user device.

[0160] The obtaining may include receiving an energy behavior class associated with the subscriber from a session management function and / or from an analysis function, and / or from a policy control function.

[0161] Using the mapped energy behavior to determine at least one charging policy may include performing: using the energy behavior category, looking up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and setting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0162] The device can also be caused to perform: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or the user of the user device so that the user device is performed with an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than the determined energy behavior category; and causing an indication of the at least one action to be sent to the user device using a signal.

[0163] The device may be included in the charging function.

[0164] According to the twenty-ninth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the following items: receiving an indication from a network function that a first set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior category, and an indication that a second set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the apparatus, and wherein the second energy behavior category is more energy-efficient than the first energy behavior category; and causing the first set of user devices to change its operating configuration so that the first set of user devices operates more energy-efficiently.

[0165] The apparatus may also be caused to perform: determining that operation of the first set of user equipment has changed to an extent that the first set of user equipment is associated with a second energy behavior category.

[0166] The device may be included in a network opening function and / or an application function.

[0167] According to a thirtieth aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform the following items: receiving an indication from a network function regarding: the device operating according to a first energy behavior category, wherein the energy behavior category is an energy behavior category among a plurality of energy behavior categories defined by a network operator, and the network operator classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and in response to receiving, causing the operating configuration of the device to change.

[0168] Causing the change may include: displaying an output to a user of the device, the output indicating at least one of: a first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which operation of the device can be performed more energy efficiently; subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; and providing an indication of the change in behavior to a network.

[0169] Causing the change may include: receiving an indication of a change to at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; and causing the change of the at least one operating characteristic to be performed.

[0170] According to a thirty-first aspect, there is provided a computer program product stored on a medium, which may cause an apparatus to perform any method as described herein.

[0171] According to a thirty-second aspect, an electronic device is provided, which may include the apparatus as described herein.

[0172] According to a thirty-third aspect, a chip set is provided, which may include the apparatus as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0173] Some examples will now be described, by way of illustration only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0174] Figures 1A to 1C A schematic diagram of a 5G system is shown;

[0175] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a network device is shown;

[0176] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a user equipment is shown;

[0177] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Example signaling is shown; and

[0178] Figures 6 to 11 Example operations that may be performed by the apparatus are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0179] In the following example descriptions, certain aspects will be explained with reference to devices that are generally capable of communicating via wireless cellular systems and mobile communication systems that provide services for such mobile communication devices. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these aspects will be described below with reference to 5G wireless communication systems. However, it should be understood that these aspects are not limited to 5G wireless communication systems and can, for example, be applied to other wireless communication systems (e.g., current 6G proposals, IEEE 802.11, etc.).

[0180] Before describing the examples in detail, refer to Figures 1A to 1C Briefly explain some general principles of 5G wireless communication systems.

[0181] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a 5G system (5GS) 100 of a communication network is shown. The 5GS 100 may include a user equipment (UE) 102 (which may also be referred to as a communication device or terminal), an access network (AN) (which may be a 5G radio access network (RAN) or any other type of AN, such as a non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF) / trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) for non-trusted / trusted non-3GPP access, or a wired access gateway function (W-AGF) for wired access) 104, a 5G core (5GC) 106, one or more application functions (AF) 108, and one or more data networks (DN) 110.

[0182] A 5G RAN may include one or more gNodeB (gNB) distributed unit functions, which are connected to one or more gNodeB (gNB) unit functions. A RAN may include one or more access nodes.

[0183] 5GC 106 may include one or more access and mobility management functions (AMF) 112, one or more session management functions (SMF) 114, one or more authentication server functions (AUSF) 116, one or more unified data management (UDM) functions 118, one or more user plane functions (UPF) 120, one or more unified data repository (UDR) functions 122, one or more network repository functions (NRF) 128, and / or one or more network open functions (NEF) 124. The role of NEF is to provide a secure opening of network services (e.g., voice, data connections, charging, subscriber data, etc.) to third parties. Although NRF 128 is not shown with its interface, it is understood that this is for clarity and that NRF 128 may have multiple interfaces with other network functions.

[0184] 5GC 106 also includes a network data analysis function (NWDAF) 126. NWDAF is responsible for providing network analysis information based on requests from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Network functions can also subscribe to NWDAF 126 to receive information from it. Therefore, NWDAF 126 is also configured to receive and store network information from one or more network functions or devices within the network. Data collection by NWDAF 126 can be performed based on at least one subscription to an event provided by at least one network function.

[0185] The network may also include a management data analysis service (MDAS) producer or an MDAS management service (MnS) producer. The MDAS MnS producer may provide data analysis in the management plane, wherein the parameters considered include, for example, load level and / or resource utilization. For example, an MDAS MnS producer for a network function (NF) may collect load-related performance data of the NF, such as the resource usage status of the NF. Analysis of the collected data may provide a prediction of resource usage information in a predefined future time window. The analysis may also recommend appropriate actions, such as resource expansion, admission control, service load balancing, etc.

[0186] The communication system of the mobile network has charging and billing domains provided by the charging infrastructure. These charging and billing domains can charge and bill users of the communication system operated by the mobile network operator or subscribers of the mobile network operator using charging data records (CDRs). The charging infrastructure supports one or more online and offline charging.

[0187] Figure 1B An example of a charging infrastructure is shown. This may be in the context of a 5G system (5GS). Figure 1BAs shown, the charging domain 521 is connected to a charging function (CHF) 523 via a Bx interface. The CHF may be part of a converged charging system (CCS) 525, which is a charging system associated with online and offline charging. The CHF 523 is connected to a charging enabling function (CEF) 527 via an Nchf interface.

[0188] A management data analysis (MDA) 541 may be provided. The MDA 541 may include a management data analysis service (MDAS) producer 535 and one or more MDAS consumers, such as an MDAS consumer 537 and a management service (MnS) consumer 539.

[0189] MDA 541 may be connected to CEF 527 via MDAS interface 542 .

[0190] The MDA 541 may be connected to the MnS producer 529, the network data analysis function (NWDAF 533), and another MDAS producer 543 via the Nnwdaf interface.

[0191] Management data analytics (MDA) can provide insights that aid in decision-making for a function or service. MDA can provide one or more of the following:

[0192] (i) Numerical results related to statistics or prediction, such as mean, cumulative distribution function (CDF), etc.;

[0193] (ii) recommending options, such as the best target cell; and / or

[0194] (iii) Root cause consequences.

[0195] MDA results may be provided for a specific time range and specific target object, such as: managed object - distinguished name (DN); area of ​​interest (eg, geographic area); user equipment (UE); set of UEs; etc.

[0196] Several MDA use cases use user and / or service related analytics from the Network Data Analysis Function (NWDAF). This may introduce a form of indirect charging, as the generation of analytical activities by the MDA and NWDAF are related.

[0197] The analysis may be provided by at least one of: MDA; NWDAF; a combination of MDA and NWDAF.

[0198] The terms Management Data Analysis Service (MDAS) and MDA MnS are generally equivalent and can be used interchangeably. Management Data Analysis Service (MDAS) may include services exposed by MDA. MDAS may be used by various consumers, such as but not limited to: Management Function MnF (i.e., MnS producer / consumer for network and service management), Network Function NF (e.g., NWDAF), SON (Self-Organizing Network) functions, Network and Service Optimization Tools / Functions, SLS (Service Level Specification) Assurance Functions, Human Operators, Application Functions (Af), etc.

[0199] Another example of a charging infrastructure is described in 3GPP TS 32.240 clause 4.3.3, which combines Figure 1C The figure shows a converged charging system including CHF interacting with the Account and Balance Management Function (ABMF), the Charging Gateway Function (CGF) and the Rating Function (RF).

[0200] As people's attention to energy consumption and carbon footprint continues to increase, mobile network operators are seeking to optimize their communication systems and find energy-saving methods (e.g., reduce the energy consumed by their communication systems). For example, the workload of the communication system can be shifted to run on more energy-efficient time and / or more energy-efficient computing systems. Individuals, organizations and / or regulators may need to understand the carbon emissions associated with the use of the mobile network operator's communication system. This may be intended to improve the low-carbon oriented indicators or energy usage of the mobile network operator's communication system.

[0201] 5G communication systems and the upcoming 6G communication systems are increasingly being designed to save energy (e.g., reduce their energy consumption) and improve their energy efficiency. Figure 1B and 1C One problem with the charging infrastructure shown in is that energy information is not considered as a criterion to be measured, reported and / or used to enforce policies (e.g., policy rules managed by a policy control function). Furthermore, it would be useful for operators of communication systems to be able to perform differentiated charging taking into account the energy status of the communication system.

[0202] To address this issue, proposals have been made previously to enable mobile network operators to support differentiated charging based on consideration of energy-related information, such as the energy status of the communication system, energy-related credits, and the like.

[0203] Energy-related credits may be a credit amount associated with a subscriber and may be used for credit control in a 5G system.

[0204] In some examples, the energy-related credit may depend on the energy-related context. As discussed in more detail below, the energy-related context may be an energy state.

[0205] In some examples, there may be a relationship between energy credits and carbon emissions. Carbon emissions may be kg of carbon dioxide equivalent (kg CO2e) emitted.

[0206] In some examples, there may be a relationship between energy credits and carbon intensity. Carbon intensity may be the amount of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions per unit of final energy consumed over the operational lifetime.

[0207] Energy related information may be energy states of one or more entities (e.g., RAN (Radio Access Network), UPF (User Plane Function)) of a communication system (of a mobile network operator) that participate in processing user plane traffic for a user's data session. Energy states associated with two or more participating entities may be provided individually or aggregated together and provided as an aggregate energy state.

[0208] In some examples, when a communication system operated by a mobile network operator operates in a power saving state, where the communication system is reducing its capabilities to save power, users may be charged different rates than in a normal energy state where the communication system provides its full capabilities.

[0209] The energy state may be a state of a cell, a network element, and / or a network function in terms of energy. For example, the energy state may be an energy-saving state or an energy-normal state. The energy-normal state is a state in which a cell, a network element, and / or a network function does not save energy (e.g., operates normally in terms of energy).

[0210] In some examples, there may be a single energy saving state. In other examples, there may be multiple different energy saving states associated with different energy usage values. In some examples, each respective energy saving state in the multiple energy saving states may be associated with an energy usage value, and each energy state value may be a different value.

[0211] In some examples, when a user (e.g., subscriber)'s communication device (e.g., UE) causes a communication system (e.g., an entity of a communication system) to change its energy state based on energy usage, the user (e.g., subscriber) may be charged different fees. For example, a user (e.g., subscriber)'s communication device (e.g., UE) may cause the RAN of the communication system to initiate a cell wake-up procedure. In this example, the user (e.g., subscriber) may be charged a fee for waking up the cell, which is greater than the fee for using an activated cell.

[0212] In some examples, users (e.g., subscribers) may be charged differently or rewarded for tolerating lower quality of service (e.g., low data rates or high latency). Such tolerance for lower quality of service may, for example, allow the communication system to maintain an energy-saving state while the communication device (e.g., UE) of the user (e.g., subscriber) is using (e.g., communicating with) the communication system.

[0213] In some examples, a subscriber may have a subscription with a maximum limit for a defined period of time. The defined period of time may be, for example, one month. The maximum limit may be associated with a measure of the carbon footprint of the communication system that the subscriber is allowed to use (commonly referred to as a carbon footprint measure) or a value related to energy calculations when the subscriber uses the communication system (commonly a value related to energy consumption). The maximum limit may be a maximum value defined in terms of an energy quota. The maximum value may be defined in terms of an energy-related credit quota.

[0214] In some examples, a user (e.g., a subscriber) may be informed of their personal energy consumption. For example, a user (e.g., a subscriber) may be provided with information about their personal energy consumption. The information may be provided offline, such as in a monthly bill. The information may be provided as online information. For example, a user (e.g., a subscriber) may be notified via a push message or upon request. The information may be provided as an SMS (Short Message Service) message or any other suitable message.

[0215] At certain times of the day, operators may endeavor to switch off the “higher layers” of the RAN in some areas (e.g. switching off cells associated with higher frequencies that bring capacity but no coverage). Any user plane traffic that requires the RAN to switch on cells within the “higher layers” of the radio network again will incur a huge energy cost.

[0216] In some examples, the energy state of one or more entities involved in processing UP (user plane) services for a data session (e.g., a packet data unit (PDU) session) is provided as part of the charging data associated with the UP service. The energy state of the entities involved in processing the UP service may be, for example, a normal energy state, a power saving state, a sleep state, an exit from a sleep state caused by a specific data session of the UE (e.g., a PDU session), etc. The energy state information may be information indicating the current energy state of the entity and / or information indicating a change in the energy state of the entity caused by processing the user plane service of the UE of the subscriber. It should be understood that in some examples, the entities involved in processing the UP service may have multiple different energy states. Different states in these power saving states may represent different energy saving levels of the entity.

[0217] For example, the energy status of one or more entities of a 5GAN (access network) that provides services to a communication device of a user (e.g., a subscriber) and / or the energy status of a UPF that provides services to a data session (e.g., a PDU session) may be provided.

[0218] In some examples, the energy states of two or more entities may be combined or aggregated to form a combined or aggregated energy state. The combined or aggregated energy state may be provided as a value representing the combined or aggregated energy state. For example, a lower energy state may have a value x, and a higher energy state may have a value y. x and y are different. For example, y may be higher than x. The energy states of two or more entities may be combined or aggregated in any suitable manner to form a combined or aggregated value.

[0219] In some examples, the UPF can combine a 5G AN energy state value (e.g., a value of the energy state of the 5G AN) with its own energy state value (e.g., a value of its own energy state).

[0220] In some examples, if applicable, energy state values ​​of one or more entities of a secondary AN having a different RAT (Radio Access Technology) than the primary RAN used by the subscriber may be provided alternatively or additionally. Thus, different entities may combine or aggregate energy state values ​​of entities of RANs having different RATs, and then the UPF.

[0221] In some examples, the energy state of an entity may include information related to the reason or justification for this energy state and / or information about the last change in energy state. For example, a change in the energy state of the RAN may be due to the RAN turning off a cell, the RAN turning on a cell due to receiving a wake-up signal from a communication device (e.g., UE), etc. For example, if a subscriber of a communication device (e.g., UE) is considered responsible for the last energy state change of an entity (e.g., an entity of a 5G AN or UPF) serving a user data session from a power saving state to an energy normal state, this may be used to charge the subscriber more.

[0222] In some examples, an entity participating in the UP service handling a data session may include its energy status value as part of the charging data it reports to the CHF.

[0223] The energy status value may be used to determine an energy related value. The energy related value may be an energy related credit consumption value.

[0224] In some examples, energy-related credit consumption information may be passed from the SMF (Session Management Function) and / or UPF to the CHF.

[0225] An energy-related credit may be an amount of credit associated with a user (e.g., a subscriber) that may be used for credit control of a charging infrastructure. This may be controlled by a communication system (e.g., a 5G system). A user (e.g., a subscriber) may be provided with one or more energy-related credit quotas. There may be one energy-related credit quota per energy state per entity so that a user (e.g., a subscriber) may consume different independent energy-related credit quotas depending on the energy state of entities involved in processing user plane traffic for a data session of the user (e.g., a UE of the subscriber).

[0226] In some examples, the energy-related value may provide a charging unit related to energy. For example, the energy-related value may correspond to a carbon emission unit, an energy consumption unit, etc.

[0227] Such energy-related values ​​may be determined by one or a combination of two or more measurable KPIs (Key Performance Indicators). These measurable KPIs may include one or more of the following:

[0228] 1) One or more KPIs related to a user (e.g., a subscriber) provided by a mobile network operator. For example, the one or more KPIs may include one or more of the following: data volume, QoS (quality of service), service identifier, access type, consumption pattern (e.g., based on the location of the user's (e.g., subscriber's) communication device), etc. For example, this may be a large amount of data for subscriber X in a given entity that processes the data of subscriber X. The entity may be, for example, a RAN or UPF entity.

[0229] 2) One or more KPIs that are independent of the user (e.g., subscriber) and provided by the communication system operated by the mobile network operator. For example, the one or more KPIs may include one or more of energy status, energy source, energy cost, etc. When two or more different energy sources are used, the KPI may be an indication of the ratio of the different energy sources or the amount of each different energy source. For example, this may be the energy status of an entity. The entity may be, for example, a RAN or UPF entity.

[0230] 3) One or more KPIs that are not related to the communication system operated by the mobile network operator. For example, the one or more KPIs may include one or more of time, date, season, weather, etc. For example, this may be the time when the entity is used. The entity may be, for example, a RAN or UPF entity.

[0231] The KPI may be related to the entity and the usage of the entity in processing the subscriber's business. The CHF may run the energy credit conversion algorithm or require the SMF and / or UPF to run the energy credit conversion algorithm using one or more required KPIs.

[0232] Energy-related information may affect energy-related credit consumption. For example, energy-related credits may be consumed at different rates depending on the energy state of entities involved in processing user plane traffic for a data session of a user (e.g., a user device of a user (e.g., a subscriber)). In some examples, when the energy state is a normal energy state, the consumption of energy-related credits may be independent of the consumption of energy-related credits when the network is in an energy-saving state.

[0233] In some examples, the CHF may allocate energy related credits. The CHF may provide a quota to a downstream NF. The quota may be associated with an identifier of a quota consumption rule (generally referred to herein as a quota consumption rule ID). The CHF may request to be notified when the quota is consumed. The downstream NF may be an SMF or a UPF (in which case the SMF may forward the quota and the quota consumption rule ID to the UPF).

[0234] In some examples, the CHF may provide two or more quotas. Different quotas may be provided for different energy states of one or more entities participating in the process.

[0235] The energy-related credit conversion algorithm (i.e., calculation or determination method) used to calculate or determine the energy-related credit may also depend on additional information. For example, the determination may depend on one or more of a service identifier, a slice type, an identifier, etc.

[0236] In some examples, the energy-related credit conversion algorithm can be based on an energy charge rate. The energy charge rate can be a rate at which energy-related credits are consumed based on any of the energy information described above. In some examples, there may be a linear relationship with an amount such as data usage in the energy charge rate. For example, the energy charge rate may be equal to 10 energy-related credits consumed per GB (gigabyte).

[0237] The energy-dependent credit conversion algorithm may be provided in any entity or entities involved in handling user plane (UP) traffic for a data session of a user, such as a UE of a user (eg, a subscriber).

[0238] In such a system providing differentiated charging based on energy considerations, information about the energy status and / or energy-related credits of a particular user may be provided to the CHF from another network function (e.g., a session management function (SMF) and / or an access and mobility management function (AMF)), and provided from the CHF to other network functions (e.g., a policy control function).

[0239] For example, such energy status and / or energy-related credit information may be provided from the AMF to the CHF for registration charging (e.g., charging for user equipment (UE) registration) in a charging data message sent to the CHF. For example, there may be admission control related to the energy-related credit level. For example, if all energy-related credits are consumed, the UE registration may be denied.

[0240] As another example, such energy state and / or energy-related credit information may be provided from the SMF to the CHF as part of the charging information provided to the CHF for generating charges for sessions associated with the UE. In more detail, the SMF may instruct the user plane function (UPF) to report the energy-related credit usage of the UE. The SMF may instruct the UPF to report the energy-related credit conversion algorithm supported by the UPF. The CHF 523 may be configured to receive energy-related information from the SMF. The energy information may be received in a response to a charging data request. The CHF 523 may be configured to create or generate a CDR based on the received energy information. The CDR will distinguish between data usage and / or policy counters during the normal state and the energy-saving state. The CDR may be used for billing by charging different fees to subscribers for the energy-saving state compared to the normal state, etc.

[0241] As described above, the CHF may provide energy-related credit quotas, etc. to other network entities. For example, the CHF 523 may provide energy-related credit quotas and usage in a charging data response sent to other NFs. The charging data response sent to other NFs may alternatively or additionally report the energy-related credit conversion algorithm to be used.

[0242] For example, the policy control function (PCF) may be configured to obtain information from the CHF 523 about when a subscriber of the UE (or a group to which the subscriber of the UE belongs) consumes its energy-related credit quota or when a new or updated quota is granted. The PCF may take this information into account to change the QoS authorized for a data session (e.g., a PDU session) of the subscriber's UE.

[0243] The above-described systems for differentiating UEs based on the energy efficiency exhibited by the UEs may be relatively complex. This is particularly true when there are a large number of parameters that directly and indirectly affect the energy efficiency performance of the UEs, as it is difficult for the algorithms to accurately and consistently evaluate the behavior of the UEs. In addition, energy credits and / or energy usage associated with a UE may be incorrectly calculated due to network function failures (e.g., user plane function failures) and / or due to the network function not being able to access all available information about the operation of the UE.

[0244] The following is intended to address at least one of the issues above.

[0245] Specifically, a network analysis function is proposed below for evaluating the behavior of a UE and classifying the UE into one of a discrete number of existing energy behavior categories defined by a network operator. The number of energy behavior categories can be two (e.g., "green" or "non-green"), or more than two (e.g., "category A", "category B", "category C", etc.). Each of these energy behavior categories can be associated with a corresponding set of policies for the communication network, which can be applied to the UE's use of the communication network. For example, an energy behavior category associated with a higher energy efficiency behavior of the UE may be associated with better quality of service, cheaper charges, etc., relative to an energy behavior category associated with a lower energy efficiency behavior of the UE.

[0246] An indication of which energy behavior class has been assigned to a particular UE may be provided to various other network functions, for example, for applying differentiated charging and / or adjusting policies for that UE based on the assigned energy behavior class.

[0247] The network analysis may be arranged to continuously monitor the behavior of the UE to determine whether the UE should be assigned to (or otherwise mapped to) another energy behavior category. The network analysis may be arranged to periodically and / or irregularly monitor the behavior of the UE to determine whether the UE should be assigned to (or otherwise mapped to) another energy behavior category.

[0248] When the network analysis function determines that the UE should be assigned to an energy behavior class that is different from the energy behavior class currently assigned to the UE (e.g., because the network analysis function determines that the UE's behavior has changed to an extent that the UE should be placed in a different energy behavior class), the network analysis function may provide an indication of the new / different energy behavior class to at least one other network function (e.g., a charging function, a session management function, and / or a policy control function) so that the at least one other network function determines whether the policy associated with the UE should be changed based on the change in energy behavior class.

[0249] For example, the billing function may apply different billing mechanisms (eg, different energy credit plans, as described above) based on changes in energy behavior categories.

[0250] As another example, the policy control function may apply different qualities of service to the UE's communications based on changes in energy behavior categories (eg, an increase in quality of service may be associated with the UE behaving in a more energy efficient manner).

[0251] As another example, when the user energy behavior category of the UE indicates that the UE has recently had very "green" friendly behavior, the PCF may adjust at least one policy associated with the UE to reward / provide the UE with a higher aggregate maximum bit rate and / or prioritize access to frequency layers allowing higher data throughput.

[0252] In more detail, the network analysis function may assign the UE to an energy class defined by at least one network operator (also referred to herein as a "user energy behavior class"). Each of these energy behavior classes may be associated with a corresponding policy set. Each policy set may include multiple policies. For example, each policy set may include at least one charging policy, at least one quality of service (QoS) policy, etc. Each policy may be associated with at least one element of the user equipment behavior, such as the most frequent time used by the UE, the most frequent frequency used by the UE, etc.

[0253] The allocation network analysis function may provide an indication of a user energy behavior class that has been assigned to a specific UE to at least one other network function and / or the specific UE. The at least one other network function may associate the user energy behavior class with at least one policy in a set of policies associated with the user energy behavior class and apply the at least one policy.

[0254] For example, when the other network function is a PCF, the PCF may receive an indication of a user energy behavior category assigned to the UE and change an attribute (e.g., quality of service) of a UE communication session according to a set of policies associated with the assigned user energy behavior category. In this way, when it is determined that the UE is operating in a relatively energy-efficient manner, a better quality of service may be provided to the UE communication than the quality of service received when it is determined that the UE is operating in a less energy-efficient manner.

[0255] As another example, when the other network function is CHF, CHF may apply a differentiated charging strategy according to which user energy behavior category a particular UE is assigned to. In other words, CHF may apply the above energy credit behavior based on the provided user energy behavior category.

[0256] As described above, the UE may also be provided with information about the user energy behavior category that has been assigned to the UE. The UE may provide this information to the user of the UE. The user of the UE may change their use of the UE based on this information. For example, after providing the energy behavior category to the user, the input mode received from the user at the UE may be changed to the input mode received from the user at the UE before providing the energy behavior category to the user.

[0257] In other words, it is also recognized below that when information about how the UE is used is provided, the user may be motivated to change behavior associated with energy usage associated with how the UE is used. A mechanism for saving network energy is proposed below, namely encouraging users to change their behavior to use the UE in a more energy-efficient manner. This may result in the network being able to operate more energy-efficiently (e.g., by shutting down unused resources). In response to providing the user with information about the energy efficiency of using the UE, the user may change his or her use of the UE, such that the UE receives user input based on a different usage pattern than before the information was provided to the user.

[0258] In addition to the general tendency of users to change their usage patterns, various incentives may be provided to users to change their behavior. For example, if a user uses his device in a more energy-efficient manner, he may be charged less. This can be achieved, for example, by adopting appropriate dynamic charging strategies, applying different rating groups (see below) and quota management (where quota management is performed per rating group (RG) per PDU session). When determining what incentives to provide, historical charging data for a subscriber or UE may be taken into account. In this way, incentives may be provided to users to support the network operator's energy-saving efforts.

[0259] Information about UE energy efficiency classes may be usefully deployed in factory type settings (and / or in certain settings where multiple UEs provide machine-to-machine communications to a centralized controller, such as in smart meter deployments).

[0260] For example, in a factory deployment, an application may receive and use an indication from the network layer about the energy efficiency class of the UEs registered to the application function to detect if one of the UEs (e.g., a robot) is misconfigured because it exhibits less energy-efficient behavior relative to other UEs performing similar functions as the UE. For example, it may be determined that the robot consumes too many network resources at night while the network is in an energy-saving mode and the robot should be idle. In this case, the application function may cause the robot to be reconfigured to perform in a more energy-efficient manner.

[0261] The following examples further illustrate these concepts.

[0262] As a prelude to the following examples, we first discuss examples of user energy behavior categories defined by network operators and how they are mapped by analytical functions.

[0263] As described above, at least one UE may be assigned (e.g., mapped) to an energy behavior class in a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator. The analysis function may map the UE to the energy behavior class based on the energy usage behavior of the UE (e.g., utilized energy credit units). It is understood that there may be situations where no energy behavior class is assigned to any UE.

[0264] In this example, Category A may be considered the "optimal" service usage behavior from an energy perspective and corresponds to operation most consistent with the operator's energy conservation strategy (eg, UE usage patterns where the user consumes fewer energy credits relative to other UE usage patterns).

[0265] Some examples of how the UE usage pattern may change include: the UE changing (e.g., using) the times at which the UE consumes energy-consuming services from the network (also referred to herein as "appropriate times") (e.g., performing large downloads at times when the network is expected to have relatively low load (e.g., at night, etc.), the UE changing (e.g., limiting) its background data by enabling a data protection mode, the UE changing (e.g., using) a 5G QoS identifier (5QI) (or a similar 6G QoS identifier value), thereby allowing more energy-efficient network operation.

[0266] Furthermore, in this example, the behavior of UEs assigned to category B is worse from an energy perspective than the behavior of UEs assigned to category A, but better from an energy perspective than the behavior of UEs assigned to category C, etc. Finally, UEs assigned to category F are considered to have the worst behavior from an energy perspective. It can be assumed that the behavior of UEs assigned to category F does not provide any potential (or any significant potential) for energy savings to the operator.

[0267] Some examples of user energy behavior categories are provided below, and example deployments are shown.

[0268] User energy behavior categories can be labeled using two or more categories as described above (e.g., Category A, Category B, ... Category F, etc.), or labeled using "green" or "non-green", where "green" indicates a more energy-efficient behavior than "non-green".

[0269] User energy behavior categories can be derived from clustering techniques that may not have clear labels that are easily comparable because they may be identified from multiple parameters. However, these categories can still be compared to each other and provide some indication as to why the UE is considered part of that cluster / category. For example, a network analysis function may evaluate the operation of multiple UEs and map each of the multiple UEs into an energy behavior category based on their behavior relative to each other. This can be further refined by the network analysis function by grouping multiple UEs into different types based on at least one characteristic of the UE (e.g., operating system) and performing corresponding comparisons between the UEs within each group.

[0270] In addition, operators can define different user energy behavior categories for different user groups. For example, operators can use category A, category B, ... category F to classify users in enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) UEs, while binary "green" and "non-green" classifications can be used by operators for UEs in specific campus networks and / or Internet of Things (IoT) networks.

[0271] The classification of each of the multiple user behavior energy categories can be performed by a network operator, and the allocation of the UE's energy behavior to the user behavior energy category can be performed by a specific network function (e.g., a network data analysis function (NWDAF) and / or a charging function CHF). The operation of such a network function will be considered in more detail below. For clarity and conciseness, this example considers that the allocation / mapping of energy behavior categories is performed by the NWDAF. However, it will be understood that other network functions can perform the features mentioned below.

[0272] In this example, the NWDAF receives a request from at least one source 5GC NF to perform determination of a user energy behavior category of the UE. The NWDAF may determine the user energy behavior category as a new type of UE-related analysis based on information contained in this received request and / or other input obtained by the NWDAF. The user energy behavior category may be one of a plurality of different user energy behavior categories defined by the network operator.

[0273] The request may specify at least one parameter for the analysis request.

[0274] For example, the request may identify the UE whose behavior is to be identified. For example, the request may include an identifier of the UE that is the subject of the request (or identifiers of multiple UEs that are the subject of the request).

[0275] The request may specify time-related parameters. For example, the request may include an indication of a duration for which the analysis is to be performed, and / or include an indication of a future time period for which the user's energy behavior is to be applied.

[0276] The request may provide parameters indicating how the analysis is to be performed. For example, the request may provide an indication of the granularity of the analysis being performed.

[0277] The request may indicate the form in which the analysis results are returned to the requester. For example, the request may include an indication of whether context is to be provided with the results (e.g., an indication of how the UE can improve its user energy behavior category).

[0278] The request may include an identifier (eg, an analysis identifier) ​​for identifying the analysis request and associating it with the returned analysis results.

[0279] To illustrate the above, for example, an analysis request provided to NWDAF may include at least one of the following:

[0280] -Analysis ID = "User Energy Behavior".

[0281] - Target of analysis report: single UE (e.g. SUPI) or UE group (e.g. internal group ID).

[0282] -Analyze filter information such as:

[0283] Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (NSSAI);

[0284] Data Network Name (DNN); and / or

[0285] The application identifier;

[0286] -Analysis target period, indicating the time period for which statistics or forecasts are requested.

[0287] - The required granularity of analysis, such as energy behavior categories per hour, per day, or over the entire analysis target period.

[0288] - The preferred level of accuracy of the analysis.

[0289] - the preferred level of accuracy for each analytical subset;

[0290] -

[0291] - spatial granularity (e.g. if a region of interest is provided); and

[0292] - When the request is associated with a subscription, a notification correlation ID, and a notification target address.

[0293] In order for the NWDAF to generate an analysis related to the above request, the NWDAF may obtain information from at least one other source (e.g., by sending a signal of a request for input information to at least one other source). For example, 3GPP TS 23.288 V18.2.0 (2023-06) indicates at least one function that generates (e.g., another NWDAF instance) and / or stores (e.g., an analysis data repository function (ADRF)) at least one of the above input values. The input information obtained may, for example, include at least one of UE communication analysis, UE mobility analysis, etc.

[0294] In addition to the information obtained above, NWDAF can also obtain 5GS energy saving planning and consume charging data records (CDRs) from the charging function (CHF), which contains energy related information such as energy credit consumption of UE / user in each network energy state. This may be related to energy credit consumption as mentioned above. The detailed information that NWDAF can collect includes the parameters mentioned in Table 1 below.

[0295]

[0296] Table 1 Service data related to user energy behavior provided by 5GC

[0297] As described in TS 29517 V18.2.0 (2023-06), the AF provider may provide service or application related information to the NF service consumer. Information related to UE energy consumption from the service and / or application related information may be provided as input by the NWDAF to assist the NWDAF in mapping the UE to an energy behavior category. Example information that the NWDAF may use is shown in Table 2 below.

[0298]

[0299]

[0300] Table 2 Service data related to AF and user energy behavior

[0301] Depending on the required level of accuracy, data collection may also be performed on data samples associated with the UEs being analyzed in order to collect information to be used as part of the analysis request (e.g., a spatial subset of UEs or UE groups, a temporal subset of information).

[0302] After receiving at least one of the above inputs, the NWDAF may perform data analysis on the current and past energy consumption of the UE to identify any energy consumption patterns. The NWDAF may provide analysis results indicating statistics and / or predictions of user energy consumption behavior categories to other NFs and / or AFs in the 5GC.

[0303] The user energy behavior classification algorithm used by NWDAF to assign a UE to one of a predetermined group (e.g., multiple) of user energy behavior categories may be applied to all UEs of a single administrative domain (e.g., a single public land mobile network (PLMN)).

[0304] The user energy behavior classification algorithm used by the NWDAF to determine the user energy behavior category can distinguish based on, for example, slices and / or non-public networks (NPNs). For example, a UE operating within a specific NPN within an industrial park may have its energy behavior mapped according to a different mapping algorithm than a consumer served by a PLMN of the same operator. In other words, a first type of UE (e.g., a UE served by a first non-public network) may be mapped to a different energy behavior category relative to a second type of UE (e.g., a UE served by a public network), even if the behaviors of these UEs are otherwise identical.

[0305] Some classification algorithms may allow comparison of user energy behavior categories between different operators.

[0306] This may be useful when considering how third-party application functions use the information. For example, such an application function needs to be able to compare the category assigned to a first UE by a first network operator with the category assigned to a second UE by a second network operator. In addition, different network operators may agree on a common set of categories to coordinate behavior. For similar reasons, "energy usage labels" may be introduced to make user classifications comparable between different network operators.

[0307] Tables 3 and 4 below show two simple classification algorithms to illustrate how to classify user devices.

[0308]

[0309] Table 3 First example user energy behavior categories

[0310]

[0311] Table 4 Second example user energy behavior category

[0312] A second example assumes that TAI 1 is a location powered primarily by a solar power plant, while TAI 2 is a location powered primarily by a geothermal power plant, and TAI 3 is a location powered primarily via an energy grid associated with a "non-green" contract.

[0313] The analysis results provided by NWDAF may include user energy behavior predictions. These may be shown in Table 5 below.

[0314]

[0315]

[0316] Table 5 User energy behavior prediction

[0317] In response to the request, the NWDAF provides the requester with analysis results that may include user energy behavior statistics. These results may include the information shown below in relation to Table 6.

[0318]

[0319] Table 6 Statistics of user energy behavior

[0320] In addition to providing user energy behavior, the output of the NWDAF may optionally include a recommendation for the same or another user energy behavior category, which the 5GS will use as a target for making recommendations to the UE. The output for any user energy behavior category may be provided in the form of a set of values ​​for multiple parameters of UE behavior and / or in the form of a single identifier for a category associated with a set of values ​​for multiple parameters of UE behavior.

[0321] The output may optionally include some indication based on the collected input data as to why the UE was classified into the returned user energy behavior category. This may help indicate major areas of operation that the user and / or UE may modify to comply with more energy efficient operation.

[0322] The output may optionally include some indications based on the collected input data, including information regarding how the UE and / or user can change the UE's transmission and / or reception behavior to comply with a recommended user energy behavior class and / or to comply with a more energy-efficient user energy behavior class currently associated with the user.

[0323] Once determined for at least one UE, the user energy behavior category can be used by at least one 5GC NF to apply differentiated strategies based on the determined user energy behavior

[0324] For example, user energy behavior categories may be used to determine a "rate group" that affects UE service charges. This will be discussed further below.

[0325] As another example, the user energy behavior class of the UE may be used to determine at least one quality of service (QoS) policy for traffic exchanged by the UE.

[0326] As another example, the user energy behavior class of the UE may be used to prioritize the UE in selecting a very local User Plane Function (UPF), which may be a scarce resource.

[0327] The user energy behavior category can be used by PCF, and / or SMF, and / or CHF. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Further description of at least some of these categories, Figure 4 and Figure 5 They involve PCF-based methods and SMF-based methods respectively.

[0328] The PCF and SMF based approach may include the PCF / SMF contacting the NWDAF to obtain user energy behavior categories and then using this information as input to its local policy.

[0329] The rate group (also called charging key) may be determined by the PCF, which provides the charging key to the SMF as part of the Policy and Charging Control (PCC) rules for the session. These are currently defined in 3GPP TS 23.503, Table 6.3.1-1.

[0330] The PCF may obtain the user energy behavior category from the NWDAF as described above (e.g., by sending a request for this information to the NWDAF) and / or from a charging function (e.g., using a dedicated charging counter status of the interface between the SMF and the PCF). For example, the CHF may store the policy counter information and compare it to the subscriber's charging plan and notify the PCF if the subscriber's charging counter status violates a policy threshold.

[0331] After receiving the user energy behavior category for a particular user, the PCF may change at least one policy for the user. For example, a local policy in the PCF for controlling the determination of a charging key sent to the SMF may be determined based on the user energy behavior category. As another example, as described above, the PCF may change the average bit rate of the UE, change the type of resources available to the UE, etc.

[0332] The RG may be dynamically updated when the PCF has received new values ​​for the user's energy behavior category (either from the NWDAF and / or from the CHF).

[0333] In one example, there may be a 1-to-1 mapping between rate groups (RGs) and user energy behavior categories. In other words, different RG and charging rate combinations are associated with corresponding user energy behavior categories. Other examples consider user energy behavior categories as one of the parameters defining rate groups.

[0334] Each charging strategy is associated with each RG. For example, a first rate group RG1 associated with energy behavior category A may be provided, with a charging rate of x / hour or x / Gb, and a second rate group RG2 associated with energy behavior category B may be provided, with a charging rate of y / hour or y / Gb. In this example, a worse energy behavior category will have a higher charging rate (e.g., charging rate for category C > charging rate for category B > charging rate for category A).

[0335] Each RG may include UEs with similar energy behavior. For example, one RG may correspond to UEs that use the network only on weekends (or mainly on weekends).

[0336] As described above, the PCF may obtain the user energy behavior category associated with the UE from the CHF (e.g., via the N28 and / or Nchf interface) or from the NWDAF. The PCF may use this information to determine the policy for the PDU session of this UE. The same applies to the PCF of the AMF when, for example, determining the RFSP.

[0337] Figure 4 Example signaling that may be performed between UE 401, access network node 402, AMF 403, UPF 404, SMF 405, PCF 406, NWDAF 407, and CHF 408 is shown.

[0338] 4001 to 4006 relate to signaling associated with declaring a packet data unit (PDU) session, such as with respect to 3GPP TS32.255. Figure 5 .2.2.2.1 and about 3GPP TS 23.502 Figure 4 .3.2.2.1-1 as described above.

[0339] During 4001, UE 401 signals AMF 43 with a PDU session establishment request.

[0340] During 4002, AMF 403 signals SMF 405 with a session management request with a PDU session establishment request.

[0341] During 4003, the SMF obtains subscription data of UE 401 from the UDM (not shown).

[0342] During 4004, SMF 405 signals a session management request signal with a PDU session establishment response to AMF 403. In this example, the signaling indicates that a session has been established according to the request of 4002.

[0343] During 4005, PDU session authentication and / or authorization is performed.

[0344] During 4006, the SMF performs PCF selection to determine policy information related to the session being established. In this example, PCF 406 is selected during 4006.

[0345] During 4007, SMF 405 sends a signal to PCF 406. The signal may be used to establish a policy association with the PCF for the session being established. The signal may include a Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create request signal operation.

[0346] During 4008, PCF 406 may determine whether the user energy behavior class may be used for UE 401. This may include, for example, subscriber class (e.g., whether the UE is associated with a subscription that allows application of user energy behavior class distinction), target DNN, and / or slice information.

[0347] During 4009, after determining in 4008 that the user energy behavior class can be used, the PCF 406 sends a signal to the NWDAF 407. The signaling may include a request for the user energy behavior class of the UE 401.

[0348] During 4010, NWDAF 407 sends a signal to PCF 406. The signaling may include at least one user energy behavior category associated with UE 401.

[0349] As described above, it is understood that instead of sending the NWDAF signal for the UE energy category information in 4009 and 4010, the PCF 406 may obtain the information from the charging function instead. This is explained for 4011 and 4012.

[0350] During 4011, after determining in 4008 that the user energy behavior category can be used, the PCF 406 sends a signal to the CHF 408. The signal may include a request for the user energy behavior category of the UE 401.

[0351] During 4012, CHF 408 sends a signal to PCF 406. The signaling may include at least one user energy behavior category associated with UE 401.

[0352] During 4013 , the PCF 406 uses the user energy behavior category received from the NWDAF 407 and / or the CHF 408 to determine at least one policy for the UE 401 (eg, for an established PDU session).

[0353] During 4014, PCF 406 sends a signal to SMF 405. The signaling may include at least one policy determined during 4013, the policy being based at least in part on the user energy behavior category. The signaling may include an indication of the user energy behavior category received from NWDAF 407 and / or PCF 408.

[0354] During 4015, SMF 405 uses the user energy behavior category received during 4014 to select a UPF (e.g., UPF 404) for UE 401.

[0355] During 4016, SMF 405 uses the user energy behavior category received during 4014 to perform session management policy modifications.

[0356] During 4017, SMF 405 sends a signal to CHF 408. The signaling may include a request for charging data. The signal may include an indication of the user's energy behavior category received during 4014.

[0357] When the signaling of 4017 does not include an indication of the user energy behavior category, CHF 408 may retrieve the user energy behavior category of UE 401 from NWDAF as shown in 4018 and 4019. During 4018, the user energy behavior category of UE 401 is requested and provided to CHF during 4019.

[0358] During 4020, CHF 408 opens a charging record (CDR). The charging record may determine the rate group for UE 401 using the user energy behavior category.

[0359] During 4021, CHF 408 sends a signal to SMF 405. The signal may include a charging data response. The signaling may include the RG determined during 4020.

[0360] Then session establishment (and subsequent signaling) can be performed. This is illustrated by signaling 4022 (where SMF 405 and UPF 404 exchange session establishment and / or modification signaling) and 4023 (where SMF 405 and AMF406 interact).

[0361] When the user energy behavior category changes, the PCF may update the SMF with the new user energy behavior category value. The SMF may then update the CHF with the new user energy behavior category value. The PCF may obtain information about the changed user energy behavior category value by polling the NWDAF (or CHF) or subscribing to receive indications of changes to the value.

[0362] Figure 5 Further example signaling is shown. Figure 5 The example differs in that in Figure 5 In this case, the PCF does not consider user energy behavior in its policy decisions, and the PCF can request the SMF to retrieve user energy behavior categories from the NWDAF.

[0363] Figure 5 Example signaling that may be performed between UE 501, access network node 502, AMF 503, UPF 504, SMF 505, PCF 506, NWDAF 507, and CHF 508 is shown.

[0364] 5001 to 5006 relate to signaling associated with declaring a PDU session, such as 3GPP TS 32.255. Figure 5 .2.2.2.1 and about 3GPP TS 23.502 Figure 5 .3.2.2.1-1 as described above.

[0365] During 5001, UE 501 sends a PDU session establishment request signal to AMF 53.

[0366] During 5002, AMF 503 sends a session management request signal with a PDU session establishment request to SMF 505.

[0367] During 5003, the SMF obtains the subscription data of UE 501 from the UDM (not shown).

[0368] During 5004, SMF 505 sends a session management request signal with a PDU session establishment response to AMF 503. In this example, the signaling indicates that a session has been established according to the request of 5002.

[0369] During 5005, PDU session authentication and / or authorization is performed.

[0370] During 5006, the SMF performs PCF selection to determine policy information related to the session being established. In this example, PCF 506 is selected during 5006.

[0371] During 5007, SMF 505 sends a signal to PCF 506. The signaling may be used to establish a policy association with the PCF for the session being established. The signaling may include a Npcf_SMPolicyControl_Create request signal operation.

[0372] During 5008, PCF 506 may determine whether a user energy behavior class is available for a subscriber associated with UE 501. This may include, for example, subscriber class, target DNN, and / or slice information.

[0373] During 5009, PCF 506 sends a signal to SMF 505. The signaling may include a request indicating that SMF 505 is to retrieve at least one user energy behavior category associated with UE 501. The signaling may include at least one policy of the UE. The signaling may include an Npcf-SMPolicyControl_Create response message.

[0374] During 5010, the SMF 505 sends a signal to the NWDAF 507. The signaling may include a request for at least one user energy behavior category of a subscriber of the UE 501.

[0375] During 5011, the NWDAF 507 sends a signal to the SMF 505. The signaling may include at least one user energy behavior category requested during 5010.

[0376] During 5012, SMF 505 selects a UPF (e.g., UPF 504) for UE 501 using the user energy behavior category received during 5011.

[0377] During 5013, SMF 505 performs session management policy modifications using the user energy behavior category received during 5011.

[0378] During 5014, SMF 505 sends a signal to CHF 508. The signaling may include a request for charging data. The signaling may include an indication of the user's energy behavior category received during 5011.

[0379] When the signaling of 5014 does not include an indication of the user energy behavior category, CHF 508 may retrieve the user energy behavior category of UE 501 from NWDAF as shown in 5015 and 5016. The user energy behavior category of UE 501 is requested during 5015 and provided to CHF during 5016.

[0380] During 5017, CHF 508 opens a charging record (CDR). The charging record may use the user energy behavior category to determine the rate group for UE 501.

[0381] During 5018, CHF 508 sends a signal to SMF 505. The signaling may include a charging data response. The signaling may include the RG determined during 5017.

[0382] Session establishment (and subsequent signaling) can then be performed. This is illustrated by signaling 5019 (where SMF 505 and UPF 504 exchange session establishment and / or modification signaling) and 5020 (where SMF 505 and AMF 506 interact).

[0383] exist Figure 5 In this example, it is proposed to add a new information element in the PCC rule sent by the PCF to the SMF during 5009. This new information may be a supplement to the signal information sent between the PCF and the SMF regarding the SM policy creation request (as shown in 3GPPTS 23.503, Table 6.3.1). This new information is described below in conjunction with Table 7.

[0384]

[0385]

[0386] Table 7 Additional PCF signaling sent to SMF

[0387] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In each of the examples of , the UE energy class information signaled from the SMF to the CHF may be signaled using the additional information elements in the charging data request message currently described in TS 32.254, Table 6.2a.1.2.1.1.

[0388] exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 In each example, the charging data response returned by the CHF to the SMF may include an RG to be applied to the PDU session, which is based on the provided user energy behavior category. The CHF may use any mechanism to determine the RG, including the mechanism described above (e.g., based on a mapping between RG and user energy behavior category (e.g., 1 to 1 mapping)).

[0389] The SMF provides the CHF with the user energy behavior category of the UE, avoiding the CHF from having to request and / or subscribe to each user energy behavior category in the system, which is useful for scalability.

[0390] The charging method may be defined by PCC rules, in accordance with 3GPP TS 23.503. The charging method may include converged charging, i.e. charging that may include online and offline charging. Converged charging may be based on the amount of data sent or received by the UE (which may be identified per subscriber and PDU session).

[0391] The SMF can also act as a Charging Transfer Function (CTF). The CTF generates charging events to the Charging Function (CHF), which is responsible for generating Charging Data Records (CDRs) to determine how to charge the UE for providing various services. The SMF assigns a unique identifier to each PDU session for billing. The charging identifier associates the charging information between the SMF and the CHF during the PDU session. When establishing a PDU session, the SMF generates and assigns a charging identifier. The charging identifier is unique to the PDU session and is used for all messages exchanged in the PDU session.

[0392] The SMF collects the following charge information for combined online and offline billing charges (e.g., charges that may contain a mix of online and offline charges):

[0393] • Access and core network resource usage: describes the amount of data transferred to and forwarded from the UE.

[0394] · Duration of use: the time interval from the establishment of a PDU session to the release of the PDU session. · User: the UE information used by the user for the PDU session.

[0395] Data network: The data network address determined by the DNN.

[0396] Start time: PDU session start time.

[0397] • User location: reporting area of ​​the home network (eg, Home PLMN) and visited network (eg, VPLMN).

[0398] At least some of this information may be provided to the charging function as part of a charging event. Meeting criteria associated with at least one charging event (e.g., a "trigger condition") may cause the SMF to send a charging event signal to the CHF. Some example trigger conditions are detailed in Table 5.2.4.1 of 3GPP TS 32.255 and involve at least two different types of charging requests: Charging Data Request [Initial]; and Charging Data Request [Update].

[0399] According to the presently described system, the SMF may additionally trigger a session-related charging event based on at least one charging event trigger associated with the presently described energy behavior category.

[0400] These are described in Table 8 below.

[0401]

[0402]

[0403] Table 8 - Default trigger conditions in SMF

[0404] Once a charging event is triggered, the SMF may perform at least one operation. These operations are shown in Table 9 below, where the conditions and actions currently proposed to be related to the user energy behavior category are shown in bold.

[0405]

[0406]

[0407] Table 9 - Chargeable events and their associated actions in SMF

[0408] As described above, the AF may obtain information about user energy behavior categories of at least one UE and / or at least one UE group (assuming that the privacy and permission policies of the UE and / or AF allow this). For subscribers that allow the AF to retrieve data (e.g., from the NWDAF), the AF may also subscribe to changes in such user energy behavior categories.

[0409] To achieve this, a set of application program interfaces (APIs) may be exposed to the AFs so that they can access information about the current list of energy behavior categories supported by at least one network operator, and detailed information about specific energy behavior categories (e.g., the number of UEs in each category, detailed information about category metrics, such as associated behaviors, associated energy consumption ranges, etc.). Access to the category list allows the AF to map a specific category retrieved for a UE with behaviors of other UEs. This can be used to stimulate at least one energy-based behavior change, whether based on a UE-based action or an AF-based action.

[0410] The AF may also leverage the energy behavior category in existing NEF API requests as “Internal / External Group ID” or “External Subscriber Category” when targeting UE groups. For example, during a green marketing campaign, the AF may provide some data connections only to category “A” UEs.

[0411] Based on the user energy behavior category (or notification of a change in the user energy behavior category), the NF and / or AF may send a signal to the user of the UE to communicate the energy behavior category of the UE. This may be performed using, for example, a Short Message Service (SMS) message. The signaling may include an explanation of the category and / or provide further information on how to change the UE and / or user behavior to move towards a more energy-efficient category. In another example, the user energy behavior category (with or without explanation and / or further information) may be signaled to the UE when a PDU session is established (e.g., using non-access stratum, NAS, signaling). The explanation and / or recommendation may be predefined static information or may contain dynamic but personalized information (e.g., primarily influencing characteristics such as time, speed, location, etc.).

[0412] For example, based on calculations of the provided statistics, the AF may send a message to the UE stating that the UE is in the top 23% of subscribers in terms of energy-friendly behavior and / or offer some discount to the user of the UE if the UE moves to a more energy-efficient category at the end of a specified time period. The user of the UE may change his behavior after seeing this information. Such a change may cause the UE to behave in a more energy-efficient manner. The UE may additionally or alternatively autonomously perform an action that causes the UE to perform in a more energy-efficient manner in response to receiving an indication of the user's energy behavior category.

[0413] Figures 6 to 11 The features of the above embodiment are shown from the perspective of the device. Therefore, it can be understood that the features in the following figure can find a corresponding relationship with the features mentioned in the above embodiment. It can also be understood that the above embodiment can show the features below.

[0414] Figure 6 Operations that can be performed by the device are shown. The device can be included in an analysis function. For example, the device can be included in a network data analysis function. The device can be included in a charging function.

[0415] During 601, the apparatus maps an energy behavior class to a user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies the energy efficiency exhibited by the apparatus. The mapping may be performed in response to receiving a request to map the user device to the energy behavior class. The mapping may be performed autonomously by the apparatus (e.g., without receiving a specific request to perform the mapping). The mapping may be performed periodically and / or irregularly by the apparatus.

[0416] During 602, the apparatus provides an indication of a mapped energy behavior class to a requesting network function. The indication may be provided with an identifier identifying a user equipment. The providing may be performed in response to receiving a request for an indication from the requesting network function.

[0417] The requested network function may include at least one of: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.The apparatus may receive a request for a mapped energy behavior class for a user equipment.

[0418] The apparatus may receive at least one of: an identifier of the user equipment, or an identifier of a user equipment group including the user equipment. The identifier may be received in a request for a mapped energy behavior class received from a requesting network function.

[0419] The apparatus may also receive, in the request from the requesting network function, an indication of at least one of: an indication of a time period to which the energy behavior class is associated; an indication of a level of analysis accuracy to be met when determining the energy behavior class; or an indication of a level of analysis granularity to be met when determining the energy behavior class. The apparatus may use the received indication to perform analysis to determine the mapped energy behavior class.

[0420] The apparatus may use the mapped energy behavior class to adjust at least one charging policy associated with the session of the user equipment.

[0421] Using the mapped energy behavior to adjust at least one charging policy may include: using the mapped energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and adjusting the at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0422] The apparatus may determine at least one action that can be performed by a user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device performs with an energy behavior class that is more energy efficient than a determined energy behavior class; and cause an indication of the at least one action to be signaled to a requesting network function.

[0423] Figure 7 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus are shown. The apparatus may be included in a network function. The apparatus may be included in a PCF.

[0424] During 701, the device determines whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior class associated with the user device or a group of user devices that includes the user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device.

[0425] During 702, the apparatus provides at least one policy for a user equipment determined according to the determined energy behavior category to a network function. The network function may request a policy for at least one service provided to the user equipment. The network function may include an AMF. The network function may include an SMF. The network function may include a CHF.

[0426] Determining whether to generate a policy based on an energy behavior class may include: retrieving at least one of: an indication of an energy behavior class associated with a user device, or an indication of a network slice; and performing the determination using the retrieved indication. The retrieved indication may be retrieved from the unified data management.

[0427] When the network function comprises a session management function, the at least one policy provided to the session management function may comprise an indication that the at least one policy for the user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment.

[0428] The device may receive an energy behavior category associated with the subscriber from the analysis function and / or the billing function. The analysis function and / or the billing function may include the energy behavior category associated with the subscriber as described above. Figure 6 The apparatus may receive the energy behavior category in response to the apparatus sending a request to the analysis function and / or the charging function to receive an indication of the energy behavior category of the user equipment. The apparatus may receive the energy behavior category from the analysis function and / or the charging function autonomously (e.g., not in response to the apparatus sending a signal requesting the indication).

[0429] The apparatus may provide the received energy behavior category associated with the subscriber to the session management function.This providing operation may be performed when the apparatus provides at least one policy to the session management function.

[0430] Figure 8 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus are shown. The apparatus may be included in a network function. The apparatus may be included in an SMF.

[0431] During 801, the device receives an indication from a network function that a policy for a user device is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user device or a group of user devices including the user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device.

[0432] During 802, the apparatus enforces, for a session associated with a user device, at least one policy that complies with an energy behavior class associated with a subscriber.

[0433] The apparatus may receive an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment from a policy and control function. An energy behavior class having at least one policy associated with a session of the user equipment is received from a PCF.

[0434] The apparatus may receive an energy behavior category associated with a user device from a charging function and / or an analysis function. Figure 6 and / or Figure 7 described.

[0435] The apparatus may use the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment to select a user plane function for the user equipment.The selected UPF may be used to route user plane and / or data communications of the user equipment to or from the user equipment.

[0436] The apparatus may modify the session management policy based on the energy behavior category associated with the user device. In other words, the session management policy of the user device may change as the energy behavior category associated with the user device changes.

[0437] The apparatus may insert an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into at least one charging data request and signal the at least one charging data request to a charging function.

[0438] The network function may be at least one of a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

[0439] Fig. 9 Operations that may be performed by the device are shown. The device may be included in a network function. The device may be included in a charging function.

[0440] During 901, the apparatus obtains an indication of an energy behavior class associated with a user equipment, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the apparatus. The obtaining may be performed by means of performing at least one data analysis function. The obtaining may be performed by receiving the energy behavior class from an SMF. The obtaining may be performed by receiving the energy behavior class from a PCF. The obtaining may be performed by receiving the energy behavior class from a network analysis function.

[0441] During 902, the apparatus determines a charging policy for the user equipment using an energy behavior category associated with the user equipment.

[0442] The obtaining may include receiving an energy behavior class associated with the subscriber from a session management function and / or from an analysis function, and / or from a policy control function.

[0443] Using the mapped energy behavior to determine at least one charging policy may include using the energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; and setting at least one charging policy to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

[0444] The apparatus may determine at least one action that can be performed by a user device and / or a user of the user device so that the user device is performed in an energy behavior category that is more energy-efficient than a determined energy behavior category; and cause an indication of the at least one action to be sent to the user device using a signal.

[0445] Fig.10Operations that can be performed by the device are shown. The device can be included in a network function. The device can be included in a network open function. These operations can be performed by an application operating on the device. These operations can be included in an application function.

[0446] During 1001, the apparatus receives from a network function an indication that a first set of user devices in a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior class, and an indication that a second set of user devices in a plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior class, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class in a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the apparatus, and wherein the second energy behavior class is more energy efficient than the first energy behavior class. The receiving may be performed in response to the apparatus sending a request for the first energy behavior class. The receiving may be performed autonomously (e.g., not in response to the apparatus sending a request for the first energy behavior class).

[0447] During 1002, the apparatus causes a first set of user equipment to change its operating configuration to cause the first set of user equipment to operate more energy-efficiently.

[0448] The first set may include one or more user equipments. The first set may include multiple user equipments. The second set may include one or more user equipments. The second set may include multiple user equipments.

[0449] The apparatus may determine that the operation of the first set of user equipment has changed to an extent that the first set of user equipment is associated with the second energy behavior category. The determination may be performed after the apparatus causes the first set of user equipment to change its operational configuration.

[0450] Fig.11 Operations that may be performed by an apparatus are shown. The apparatus may be included in a user device. The user device may be included in Fig.10 in the first user equipment set.

[0451] During 1101, the device receives an indication from a network function that the device is operating according to a first energy behavior class, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class of a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device.

[0452] During 1102, the device causes a change in an operational configuration at the device in response to receiving the network function. Fig.10 The entity that operates the device.

[0453] Causing the change may include: displaying an output to a user of the device that indicates at least one of: a first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which operation of the device can be performed more energy efficiently; subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; and providing an indication of the change in behavior to a network.

[0454] Causing the change may include: receiving an indication of a change of at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; and causing performance of the change of the at least one operating characteristic.

[0455] In the above, different examples are described using radio access architectures based on advanced long term evolution (LTE-Advanced, LTE-A) or new radio (NR, 5G) as examples of access architectures to which technologies can be applied, however, these examples are not limited to such architectures. By appropriately adjusting parameters and procedures, these examples can also be applied to other types of communication networks with suitable means. Some examples of other suitable system options include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN or Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Personal Communications Service (PCS), , Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs), and Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or any combination thereof.

[0456] As described herein, various aspects are described in the detailed description of the examples and in the claims. In general, some examples may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software code, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software code, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the examples are not limited thereto. Although various examples may be shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using other graphical representations, it is fully understood that the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software code, firmware code, dedicated circuits or logic, general hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or combinations thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0457] These examples may be implemented by computer software code stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entity involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software code and hardware.

[0458] The memory referred to herein may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory.

[0459] As non-limiting examples, the (data) processor referred to herein may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment, and may include one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an FPGA, a gate level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0460] In this regard, it should also be noted that any procedure, e.g. Figure 6 , and / or Figure 7 , and / or Figure 8 , and / or Fig. 9 , and / or Fig.10 , and / or Fig.11 , and / or any of the previously described procedures, may represent the operation of a computer program deployed by at least one processor included in the device (where the computer program includes instructions for causing the device to perform at least one action, the instructions being represented as software code stored on at least one memory), or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of the operation of a computer program deployed by at least one processor included in the device, and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software code may be stored on a memory, such as a physical medium, such as a memory chip, or a memory block implemented within a processor, a magnetic medium (such as a hard disk or floppy disk), and an optical medium (such as a DVD and its data variants, a CD, etc.).

[0461] The memory may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. As non-limiting examples, the data processor may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a gate-level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0462] Additionally or alternatively, some examples may be implemented using circuits. The circuits may be configured to perform one or more functions and / or method steps described previously. The circuits may be arranged in a base station and / or a communication device and / or a core network entity.

[0463] The term "circuitry" or "component" as used in this application may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0464] (a) Pure hardware circuit implementation (e.g., only analog and / or digital circuit systems are used);

[0465] (b) A combination of hardware circuits and software circuits, such as:

[0466] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware code, and

[0467] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software code (including digital signal processor(s)), software code and memory(s) that act together to enable an apparatus (e.g., a communication device or base station) to perform the various functions described above; and

[0468] (c) Hardware circuits and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portions of microprocessor(s), require software code (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software code may not be present when the software code is not required for operation.

[0469] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuitry or processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware code. The term circuitry also covers, for example, an integrated device.

[0470] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Examples of how different devices can be implemented for 5GS are shown.

[0471] Figure 2An example of a control device of a communication system is shown, for example, the control device is coupled to and / or used to control a station of an access system, such as a RAN node, such as a base station, a gNB, a central unit of a cloud architecture or a node of a core network, such as an MME or S-GW, a scheduling entity, such as a spectrum management entity, or a server or host, such as a device hosting an NRF, NWDAF, AMF, SMF, UDM / UDR, etc. The control device may be integrated with a node or module of the core network or RAN or located outside it. In some examples, the base station includes a separate control device unit or module. In other examples, the control device may be another network element, such as a radio network controller or a spectrum controller. The control device 200 may be arranged to provide control of communications in a service area of ​​the system. The device 200 includes at least one memory 201, at least one data processing unit 202, 203 and an input / output interface 204. The control device may be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter of the device via an interface. The receiver and / or the transmitter may be implemented as a radio front end or a remote radio head. For example, the control device 200 or the processor 201 may be configured to execute appropriate software code to provide control functions. References herein to "code" should be understood to refer to software code, and vice versa.

[0472] Now refer to Figure 3 describing in more detail possible wireless communication devices, Figure 3 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a communication device 300 is shown. Such a communication device is generally referred to as a user equipment (UE) or terminal. Any device capable of sending and receiving radio signals can provide a suitable mobile communication device. Non-limiting examples include a mobile station (MS) or mobile device, such as a mobile phone or a so-called "smart phone", a computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facilities (such as a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet computer equipped with a wireless communication function, or any combination of these or similar devices. The mobile communication device can provide data communications such as for carrying voice, e-mail (email), text messages, multimedia, etc. Therefore, a variety of services can be provided to users through the communication device of the essential oil user. Non-limiting examples of these services include two-way or multi-way calls, data communications or multimedia services or simply access to a data communication network system, such as the Internet. Broadcast or multicast data can also be provided to users. Non-limiting examples of content include downloads, television and radio programs, videos, advertisements, various alarms and other information.

[0473] A wireless communication device may be, for example, a mobile device, i.e., a device that is not fixed to a particular location, or a fixed device. A wireless device may or may not require human interaction to communicate. As used herein, the term UE or "user" is used to refer to any type of wireless communication device.

[0474] The wireless device 300 may receive signals via an appropriate receiving means over the air or radio interface 307 and may transmit signals via an appropriate means of transmitting radio signals. Figure 3 In the embodiment of the present invention, the transceiver arrangement is schematically designated by block 306. The transceiver arrangement 306 may be provided, for example, by a radio component and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the wireless device.

[0475] The wireless device is typically equipped with at least one data processing entity 301, at least one memory 302 and other possible components 303 for software code and hardware assistance to perform the tasks it is designed to perform, including controlling access to and communication with access systems and other communication devices. The data processing, storage and other related control devices can be arranged in an appropriate circuit board and / or chip set. This feature is represented by reference 304. The user can control the operation of the wireless device through an appropriate user interface (such as a keyboard 305, voice commands, a touch screen or touchpad, a combination thereof, etc.). A display 308, a speaker and a microphone may also be provided. In addition, the wireless communication device may include appropriate connectors (wired or wireless) to connect to other devices and / or for connecting external accessories (such as a hands-free device) thereto.

[0476] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert logic-level designs into semiconductor circuit designs that can be etched and formed on semiconductor substrates.

[0477] As used herein, “at least one of: ” and “at least one of ” and similar expressions, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one element, or at least any two or more elements, or at least all elements.

[0478] The term "non-transitory" as used herein refers to the limitations of the medium itself (ie, tangible, not a signal), not the limitations of data storage persistence (eg, RAM vs. ROM).

[0479] The protection scope of each example of the present disclosure is determined by the independent claims. Examples and features described in this specification that do not belong to the scope of the independent claims (if any) should be interpreted as examples that help understand the present disclosure.

[0480] The above description has provided a complete and informative description of example implementations of the present disclosure by way of non-limiting examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant art when the above description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications taught by the present disclosure will still fall within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Indeed, there is another implementation including a combination of one or more implementations with any other implementation previously discussed.

Claims

1. A device for a communication network, the device comprising: The network data analysis function or the charging function of the communication network, wherein the network data analysis function or the charging function is configured to perform: mapping an energy behavior class to a user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class from a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device; as well as An indication of the mapped energy behavior class is provided to a requesting network function.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network data analysis function or the charging function is further configured to perform: receiving at least one of the following: an identifier of the user equipment, or an identifier of a user equipment group including the user equipment; A request is received from the requesting network function, the request comprising at least one of: an indication of a time period associated with said energy behavior category; an indication of the level of analytical accuracy with which the energy behaviour category is determined; or an indication of the level of granularity of analysis met in determining said energy behavior category; as well as An analysis is performed using the indication to determine an energy behavior category of the mapping.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network data analysis function or the charging function is further configured to perform: The mapped energy behavior class is used to adjust at least one charging policy associated with a session of the user equipment.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein using the mapped energy behavior to adjust the at least one charging policy comprises: using the mapped energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; as well as At least one charging policy is adjusted to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the network data analysis function or the charging function is further configured to perform: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or a user of the user device to cause the user device to perform in an energy behavior class that is more energy efficient than the determined energy behavior class; and An indication of the at least one action is caused to be signaled to the requesting network function.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the requested network function comprises at least one of the following: a policy control function, a charging function, a session management function, or an access and mobility management function.

7. A device for a communication network, the device comprising: A policy control function, the policy control function being configured to perform: determining whether to generate a policy for a user device based on an energy behavior class associated with the user device, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class of a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by a device; as well as At least one policy for the user equipment determined according to the determined energy behavior class is provided to a network function.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the network function is an access and mobility function, a session management function, or a charging function.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein determining whether to generate a policy based on the energy behavior category comprises: retrieving at least one of: an indication of an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment, or an indication of a network slice; as well as The determination is performed using the retrieved indication.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the network function comprises a session management function, and wherein: The at least one policy provided to a session management function includes an indication that at least one policy for the user equipment is based on the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or group of user equipment.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the policy control function is further configured to perform: The energy behavior category associated with a subscriber is received from an analysis function and / or a billing function.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the policy control function is further configured to perform: The received energy behavior category associated with the subscriber is provided to a session management function.

13. An apparatus for a communication network, the apparatus comprising: A session management function, the session management function being configured to perform: receiving an indication from a network function that a policy for a user equipment is based on an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment or a group of user equipment including the user equipment, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class of a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device; as well as At least one policy consistent with the energy behavior class associated with a subscriber is enforced for a session associated with the user equipment.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the session management function is further configured to perform: The energy behavior class associated with the user equipment is received from a policy and control function.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the session management function is further configured to perform: The energy behavior class associated with the user equipment is received from a charging function and / or an analysis function.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the session management function is further configured to perform: The energy behavior class associated with the user equipment is used to select a user plane function for the user equipment.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the session management function is further configured to perform: A session management policy is modified based on the energy behavior category associated with the user device.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the session management function is further configured to perform: inserting the energy behavior class associated with the user equipment into at least one charging data request; and The at least one charging data request is signaled to a charging function.

19. The apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the network function is at least one of: a policy and control function, a charging function, and a network analysis function.

20. An apparatus for a communication network, the apparatus comprising: A charging function, the charging function being configured to perform: obtaining an indication of an energy behavior class associated with the user equipment, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class of a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and The energy behavior category associated with the user equipment is used to determine a charging policy for the user equipment.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the acquiring comprises: The energy behavior class associated with the subscriber is received from a session management function and / or from an analysis function, and / or from a policy control function.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein using the mapped energy behavior to determine the at least one charging strategy comprises: using the energy behavior category to look up at least one energy credit charging policy associated with the mapped energy behavior category; as well as At least one charging policy is set to comply with the at least one energy credit charging policy.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the charging function is further configured to perform: determining at least one action that can be performed by the user device and / or a user of the user device to cause the user device to perform in an energy behavior class that is more energy efficient than the determined energy behavior class; and An indication of the at least one action is caused to be signaled to the user equipment.

24. An apparatus for a communication network, the apparatus comprising: The network opening function or application function of the communication network, wherein the network opening function or the application function is configured to execute: Receiving from a network function an indication that a first set of user devices among a plurality of user devices is associated with a first energy behavior class, and an indication that a second set of user devices among the plurality of user devices is associated with a second energy behavior class, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class among a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by devices, and wherein the second energy behavior class is more energy efficient than the first energy behavior class; and The first set of user equipment is caused to change its operating configuration so that the first set of user equipment operates more energy-efficiently.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein: The network opening function or the application function is further configured to execute: It is determined that operation of the first set of user devices has changed to an extent that the first set of user devices is associated with the second energy behavior category.

26. An apparatus for a communication network, the apparatus comprising: means for receiving an indication from a network function that the device is operating according to a first energy behavior class, wherein the energy behavior class is an energy behavior class of a plurality of energy behavior classes defined by a network operator that classifies energy efficiency exhibited by the device; and Means for causing a change in an operational configuration at the device in response to said receiving.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for causing the change comprises: means for displaying an output to a user of the apparatus, the output indicating at least one of: the first energy behavior category, or at least one mechanism by which the operation of the apparatus can be performed more energy efficiently; means for subsequently determining that the user's behavior has changed; as well as Means for providing an indication of said change in behavior to a network.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the means for causing the change comprises: means for receiving an indication of a change in at least one operating characteristic of the apparatus; as well as Means for causing said changing of said at least one operating characteristic to be performed.

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