Apparatus and method for controlling protocol data unit session

Abstract

There is provided an apparatus comprising means for: determining, at a roaming intermediary, that a data quota for a user equipment has been depleted; and causing, by the roaming intermediary, a session management function managing the at least one protocol data unit session for the user equipment to terminate the at least one protocol data unit session based on the determination, where the user equipment is a subscriber of the second network and roams in the first network including the session management function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate to methods, apparatus, systems, and computer programs, and specifically, but not exclusively, to implementing (or otherwise facilitating) roaming intermediaries to control PDU sessions of user equipment. Background Technology

[0002] A communication network can be viewed as a facility that enables communication between two or more communication devices or provides communication devices with access to a data network. Mobile or wireless communication networks are an example of communication networks. Communication devices may be served by application servers.

[0003] Such communication networks operate according to standards provided by organizations such as 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). An example of such a standard is the so-called 5G (fifth generation) standard provided by 3GPP. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the various embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to limit its scope. Other features, aspects, and elements will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of this disclosure.

[0005] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising: determining at a roaming intermediary that a data quota for a user equipment has been exhausted; and based on the determination, causing a session management function managing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate at least one PDU session by the roaming intermediary, wherein the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network including the session management function.

[0006] Determining that data quotas have been exhausted can include: monitoring messages sent between the roaming intermediary's session management function in the first network and the billing function included in the second network.

[0007] Monitoring may include determining information about data usage by a user equipment for at least one protocol data unit session or at least one service data stream, through roaming intermediaries and based on messages sent between session management and billing functions.

[0008] The component can also be used to: receive at least one request from the session management function at the roaming intermediary to establish at least one protocol data unit session; based on the at least one request, store information associated with the session management function by the roaming intermediary, and send at least one request to the unified data management function included in the second network by the roaming intermediary.

[0009] The termination of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session by the Session Management Function may include: sending a message from the roaming intermediary to the Unified Data Management Function via a Network Open Function included in the second network to update the user equipment’s subscription data, thereby disallowing at least one PDU session or disallowing roaming for the user equipment.

[0010] The message may include information indicating that at least one data network name associated with at least one protocol data unit session is not allowed.

[0011] The termination of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session by the Session Management Function may include sending a message to the Session Management Function via a roaming intermediary to terminate at least one PDU session through a network open function included in the first network.

[0012] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0013] This message may include the Internet Protocol address associated with the user's device.

[0014] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus including components for providing network openness functionality, the components being configured to: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for updating subscription data of a user equipment (UE) to disallow at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session or to disallow roaming for the UE; based on the message, determine a unified data management function that manages the UE's subscription data; and send to the determined unified data management function a message including information indicating that roaming for the UE is not permitted or at least one data network name associated with at least one PDU session is not permitted for the UE.

[0015] Messages used to update a user device's subscription data may include information indicating that the data quota for the user device or for at least one Protocol Data Unit session has expired.

[0016] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus including components for providing network open functionality, the components being configured to: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment (UE); based on the message, determine a session management function for managing at least one PDU session of the UE; and send a message including information indicating that at least one PDU session of the UE is to be terminated to the determined session management function or to a policy control function.

[0017] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0018] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include the Internet Protocol (IP) address of the user equipment (UE), and wherein a component is configured to provide network openness functions, and the component is also configured to: determine session management functions and / or policy control functions based on the UE's IP address.

[0019] A message that includes information indicating that at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment is to be terminated may also include information indicating that the termination of at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0020] According to one aspect, an apparatus is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: determine that a data quota for a user equipment has been exhausted; and based on the determination, cause a session management function managing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate the at least one PDU session, wherein the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network including the session management function.

[0021] The at least one processor can be configured such that the device monitors messages sent between a session management function in a first network and a billing function included in a second network via a roaming intermediary.

[0022] The at least one processor can be configured to cause the device to: determine, based on messages sent between the session management function and the billing function, information about data usage by the user equipment for at least one protocol data unit session or at least one service data stream.

[0023] The at least one processor can be configured such that the device: receives at least one request from the session management function to establish at least one protocol data unit session; stores information associated with the session management function based on the at least one request; and sends at least one request to a unified data management function included in the second network.

[0024] The at least one processor can be configured such that the device sends a message to the unified data management function via a network open function included in the second network to update the user equipment's subscription data, thereby disallowing at least one protocol data unit session or disallowing roaming for the user equipment.

[0025] The message may include information indicating that at least one data network name associated with at least one protocol data unit session is not allowed.

[0026] The at least one processor can be configured to cause the device to send a message to the session management function via a network open function included in the first network to terminate at least one protocol data unit session.

[0027] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0028] This message may include the Internet Protocol address associated with the user's device.

[0029] According to one aspect, an apparatus for network openness is provided, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for updating subscription data of a user equipment, disallowing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, or disallowing roaming for the user equipment; based on the message, determine a unified data management function that manages the subscription data of the user equipment; and send to the determined unified data management function a message including information indicating that roaming for the user equipment is not permitted or that at least one data network name associated with at least one PDU session is not permitted for the user equipment.

[0030] Messages used to update a user device's subscription data may include information indicating that the data quota for the user device or for at least one Protocol Data Unit session has expired.

[0031] According to one aspect, an apparatus for network open functions is provided, the apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment (UE); determine, based on the message, a session management function for managing the at least one PDU session of the UE; and send to the determined session management function or to a policy control function a message including information indicating that the at least one PDU session of the UE is to be terminated.

[0032] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0033] The message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment, and at least one processor may be configured to enable the means to: determine session management functions and / or policy control functions based on the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment.

[0034] A message that includes information indicating that at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment is to be terminated may also include information indicating that the termination of at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0035] According to one aspect, a method performed by a roaming intermediary is provided, the method comprising: determining at the roaming intermediary that a data quota for a user equipment has been exhausted; and based on the determination, causing a session management function managing at least one protocol data unit session for the user equipment to terminate at least one protocol data unit session by the roaming intermediary, wherein the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network including the session management function.

[0036] Determining that data quotas have been exhausted can include: monitoring messages sent between the roaming intermediary's session management function in the first network and the billing function included in the second network.

[0037] Monitoring may include: determining information about data usage by a user equipment for at least one protocol data unit session or at least one service data stream, through a roaming intermediary and based on messages sent between the session management function and the billing function.

[0038] The method may further include: receiving at least one request from a session management function at a roaming intermediary to establish at least one protocol data unit session; storing information associated with the session management function by the roaming intermediary based on the at least one request; and sending at least one request by the roaming intermediary to a unified data management function included in a second network.

[0039] The termination of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session by the Session Management Function may include: sending a message from the roaming intermediary to the Unified Data Management Function via a Network Open Function included in the second network to update the user equipment’s subscription data, thereby disallowing at least one PDU session or disallowing roaming for the user equipment.

[0040] The message may include information indicating that at least one data network name associated with at least one protocol data unit session is not allowed.

[0041] The termination of a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session by the Session Management Function may include sending a message to the Session Management Function via a roaming intermediary to terminate at least one PDU session through a network open function included in the first network.

[0042] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0043] This message may include the Internet Protocol address associated with the user's device.

[0044] According to one aspect, a method performed by a network open function is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a roaming intermediary a message for updating subscription data of a user equipment, disallowing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session or disallowing roaming for the user equipment; determining, based on the message, a unified data management function that manages the subscription data of the user equipment; and sending to the determined unified data management function a message including information indicating that roaming for the user equipment is not permitted or at least one data network name associated with at least one PDU session is not permitted for the user equipment.

[0045] Messages used to update a user device's subscription data may include information indicating that the data quota for the user device or for at least one Protocol Data Unit session has expired.

[0046] According to one aspect, a method performed by a network open function is provided, the method comprising: receiving from a roaming intermediary a message for terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment (UE); determining, based on the message, a session management function that manages the at least one PDU session of the UE; and sending to the determined session management function or to a policy control function a message including information indicating that the at least one PDU session of the UE is to be terminated.

[0047] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0048] The message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment, and the method may further include: determining session management functions and / or policy control functions based on the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment.

[0049] A message that includes information indicating that at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment is to be terminated may also include information indicating that the termination of at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0050] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium including instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: determine that a data quota for a user equipment has been exhausted; and based on the determination, cause a session management function that manages at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate at least one PDU session, wherein the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network including the session management function.

[0051] Determining that data quotas have been exhausted can include monitoring messages sent between session management functions in a first network and billing functions included in a second network via a roaming intermediary.

[0052] Monitoring may include determining information about data usage by a user equipment for at least one protocol data unit session or at least one service data stream, based on messages sent between the session management function and the billing function.

[0053] When executed by the device, the instruction may cause the device to also perform: receiving at least one request from the session management function to establish at least one protocol data unit session; storing information associated with the session management function based on the at least one request; and sending at least one request to the unified data management function included in the second network.

[0054] Terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the session management function may include sending a message from the roaming intermediary to the unified data management function via a network open function included in the second network to update the user equipment’s subscription data, thereby disallowing at least one PDU session or disallowing roaming for the user equipment.

[0055] The message may include information indicating that at least one data network name associated with at least one protocol data unit session is not allowed.

[0056] Terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session via the session management function may include sending a message to the session management function via a network open function included in the first network to terminate at least one PDU session.

[0057] A message used to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of a session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0058] This message may include the Internet Protocol address associated with the user's device.

[0059] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium including instructions, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving from a roaming intermediary a message for updating subscription data of a user equipment, disallowing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session, or disallowing roaming for the user equipment; based on the message, determining a unified data management function that manages the subscription data of the user equipment; and sending to the determined unified data management function a message including information indicating that roaming for the user equipment is not permitted or at least one data network name associated with at least one PDU session is not permitted for the user equipment.

[0060] Messages used to update a user device's subscription data may include information indicating that the data quota for the user device or for at least one Protocol Data Unit session has expired.

[0061] According to one aspect, a computer-readable medium including instructions is provided, which, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the following: receiving from a roaming intermediary a message for terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment; determining, based on the message, a session management function for managing at least one PDU session of the user equipment; and sending to the determined session management function or to a policy control function a message including information indicating that at least one PDU session of the user equipment is to be terminated.

[0062] The message used to terminate a Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session may include information indicating at least one of the following: an identifier of the session management function; an identifier of at least one PDU session; or the reason for terminating at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0063] A message used to terminate at least one protocol data unit session may include the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment, and when executed by the device, the instruction may enable the device to further perform: determining session management functions and / or policy control functions based on the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment.

[0064] A message that includes information indicating that at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment is to be terminated may also include information indicating that the termination of at least one PDU session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

[0065] According to one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium including program instructions that, when executed by a device, cause the device to perform at least the method according to any of the foregoing aspects.

[0066] Many different aspects have been described above. It should be understood that additional aspects can be provided through any combination of two or more of the aspects described above. Attached Figure Description

[0067] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A diagram of a fifth-generation communication system is shown; Figure 2 The illustration shows a method for using some example embodiments. Figure 1 A diagram of a communication system device; Figure 3 A diagram of an apparatus according to some example embodiments is shown; Figure 4 Methods according to some example embodiments are shown; and Figure 5 Signaling exchanges according to some example embodiments are shown. Detailed Implementation

[0068] In the following explanation, various exemplary embodiments are described with reference to communication devices capable of communicating with a communication system. Before explaining in detail the various exemplary embodiments of the methods and apparatus described herein, please refer to… Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 Briefly explain the fifth-generation communication system (5GS), the access network and its core network (5GC), and communication equipment.

[0069] References to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," "some example embodiments," "certain example embodiments," "various example embodiments," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment or example embodiment described herein does not necessarily include that specific feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or the same example embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment or example embodiment, it is believed that incorporating any other embodiment or example embodiment described herein to affect the combination of such a feature, structure, or characteristic is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art (whether or not such a combination is explicitly described).

[0070] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a 5G communication system (5GS) is shown. 5GS may include user equipment (UE), such as a 5G radio access network (5G-RAN) or a next-generation radio access network (NG-RAN), a 5G core network (5GC), and one or more application functions. Application functions may be deployed as trusted application functions within the 5GS, or they may be deployed or hosted on one or more application servers in the data network. Such application functions are untrusted application functions. 5GS connects the UE to the data network, access network, and 5GC (e.g., the 5GC's UPF).

[0071] 5G-RAN may include one or more radio access nodes, such as gNodeB (GNB). gNB may include one or more gNodeB (GNB) distributed units connected to one or more gNodeB (GNB) centralized units.

[0072] 5GC can include the following network functions: Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF); Network Open Function; Network Repository Function (NRF); Policy Control Function (PCF); Unified Data Management (UDM); Application Function (AF); Authentication Server Function (AUSF); Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF); Session Management Function (SMF); and User Plane Function (UPF). Figure 1 Various interfaces (N1, N2, etc.) that can be implemented between various components of the system are also shown.

[0073] Figure 2 It shows the control Figure 1 The access network shown (e.g., Figure 1 This is an example of a control device 200 for the functions of 5G-RAN or NG-RAN. The control device 200 may include at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a, at least one read-only memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, 213, and a network interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to RAM 211a and ROM 211b. At least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute appropriate software code 215. Execution of the software code 215 may, for example, cause the device to perform operations for controlling functions of the access network. The software code 215 may be stored in ROM 211b. The control device 200 may interconnect with another control device 200 for controlling another function of the 5G-RAN or NG-RAN. In some example embodiments, each function of the 5G-RAN or NG-RAN is deployed or hosted on the control device 200. In alternative example embodiments, two or more functions of the 5G-RAN or NG-RAN may share the control device.

[0074] Figure 3 A communication device 300 (such as) is shown. Figure 1Examples of UEs shown are provided. Communication device 300 can be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting and illustrative examples of communication device 300 include user equipment, mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or a device called a 'smartphone', a computer equipped with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., a USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or tablet computer providing wireless communication capabilities, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, Internet of Things (IoT) type communication devices, or any combination thereof. Communication device 300 may include a transceiver for transmitting and / or receiving, for example, wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) carrying communication. Communication can be one or more of voice, email, text messages, multimedia data, machine data, etc.

[0075] Communication device 300 can receive wireless signals (e.g., radio signals) via air or radio interface 307 through suitable means for receiving, and can transmit wireless signals via suitable means for transmitting. Figure 3 In this diagram, the transceiver is schematically designated by block 306. Transceiver 306 may include, for example, a radio section and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be located inside or outside the mobile device and may include one or more antenna elements. The antenna arrangement may be a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna.

[0076] The communication device 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b, and other possible components 303 for use in the software and hardware-assisted execution of the tasks it is designed to perform, including access to the network (e.g., Figure 1 Access to and connection with access networks (e.g., 5G-RAN or NG-RAN as shown) and other communication devices. Figure 1 The control of communication with 5G-RAN (or NG-RAN) and other communication devices shown is provided. At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302b and ROM 302a. At least one processor 301 can be configured to execute appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 can, for example, allow the execution of one or more operations of the communication device. The software code 308 can be stored in ROM 302a.

[0077] Processors, ROM and RAM, transceivers, and other circuitry (e.g., modems) of the communication device may be located on a circuit board, in a chipset, or on a system-on-a-chip. Circuit boards, chipsets, or on-a-chip systems are indicated by reference numeral 304. The communication device 300 may optionally have a user interface, such as a keyboard 305, a touchscreen or touchpad, or combinations thereof. Optionally, depending on the type of communication device, one or more of a display, speakers, and microphone may be provided.

[0078] A roaming intermediary can refer to a commercial entity that can be contracted by a network operator to enable optimized (e.g., fast and / or efficient) access to a wide range of roaming protocols. An example of a roaming intermediary is a roaming hub (RHUB). In some examples, a roaming intermediary can be as described in 3GPP TS 33.501 and / or GSMA specifications.

[0079] Roaming intermediaries can have multiple roaming protocols and interconnections that have been fully negotiated and operated with other network operators. Contracting network operators can then “purchase” these protocols (e.g., some or all of them). Because negotiating roaming protocols with network operators worldwide can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, some contracting network operators use roaming intermediaries for quick access to extensive roaming coverage areas.

[0080] Roaming intermediaries can act on behalf of contracting operators from a commercial and technical perspective and have financial responsibility for the roaming agreements implemented through them. When roaming intermediaries are used, the commercial agreement may not be directly between network operators, but rather between the roaming intermediary and the home and visited network operators. In some examples, roaming intermediaries can manage data quotas for roaming subscribers (e.g., UEs). For instance, a roaming intermediary can sell and / or manage roaming data quotas on behalf of a network operator.

[0081] Many network operators may own or have partners in one or more countries, thus forming a network operator group. For reasons of cost, efficiency, and security, these network operator groups may have a common, centralized roaming aggregation point. This roaming aggregation point can act as a roaming intermediary for the network operator group and can establish centralized roaming services (e.g., commercial and technical services) between all network operator group members and all or some of the group's roaming partners (e.g., each roaming partner of the network operator group roaming intermediary can reach every network operator group member, and vice versa).

[0082] The GSMA defines the concept of a managed Security Edge Protection Proxies (SEPPs), which are outsourced by network operators to providers outside the network (e.g., Internet Protocol Switching (IPX) providers or roaming intermediary operators). In some cases, the Protocol for N32 Interconnect Security (PRINS) can prevent roaming intermediaries from functioning correctly. While some enhanced PRINS frameworks can generate error messages at the roaming intermediary, other issues remain to be addressed.

[0083] One issue is how control over the user plane of a roaming subscriber can be implemented by an intermediary such as a roaming intermediary to prevent data consumption from exceeding the limits agreed upon in the roaming contract. For example, a use case is that a roaming intermediary operator wants to control the quotas (e.g., internet data packets) allocated to users during roaming, and when a data packet expires, the roaming intermediary can send an error to the SEPP of the visited network.

[0084] In some examples, due to PRINS, roaming intermediaries can see messages via N32-f, and when quotas are exhausted, they can then send an error via N32 messages, allowing the PDU session to be terminated. However, reasoning about error messages for the same N32 PRINS protocol can complicate PRINS.

[0085] Some examples of this disclosure provide an alternative mechanism in which a roaming intermediary can control a PDU session without altering the PRINS protocol. In particular, some examples provide a mechanism in which a roaming intermediary (which can act as a roaming intermediary but also as an external application function) can control a user device's PDU session.

[0086] refer to Figure 4 ,Should Figure 4 The method is shown based on some examples.

[0087] At 400, one approach involves determining, at the roaming intermediary, that the data quota for the user device has been exhausted.

[0088] At 402, the method includes: based on determination, causing a session management function that manages at least one protocol data unit session for a user equipment to terminate at least one protocol data unit session by a roaming intermediary.

[0089] At 404, one method includes receiving a message from a roaming intermediary to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment.

[0090] At 406, the method includes a session management function that, based on a message, determines at least one protocol data unit session for managing a user equipment.

[0091] At 408, the method includes sending a message to the determined session management function or to the policy control function, including information indicating that at least one Protocol Data Unit session of the user equipment is to be terminated.

[0092] At 410, a method includes receiving from a roaming intermediary a message to update subscription data for a user device, to disallow at least one protocol data unit session, or to disallow roaming for the user device.

[0093] At 412, the method includes a unified data management function that determines, based on messages, the subscription data of user devices.

[0094] At 414, the method includes sending a message to the determined unified data management function that includes information indicating that roaming is not permitted for the user equipment or that at least one data network name associated with at least one protocol data unit session is not permitted for the user equipment.

[0095] In some examples, the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network that includes session management functionality. In some examples, steps 404 through 408 may be performed at or by a NEF, which may be a NEF included in the first network. In some examples, steps 410 through 414 may be performed at or by a NEF, which may be a NEF included in the second network.

[0096] In some examples, the roaming intermediary can control PDU sessions for user devices. For instance, the roaming intermediary can control data usage in roaming local access scenarios. The roaming intermediary can monitor messages (e.g., in the N10 and N47 interfaces) and control PDU sessions based on these messages.

[0097] In some examples, the roaming intermediary can control the PDU session by delivering corresponding messages (e.g., enforcing policies) to the V-SMF via the V-NEF, or by updating the UE subscription data in the UDM. For example, the roaming intermediary can update the UE subscription data, which can trigger the UDM to notify the SMF of the update in the subscription data, which in turn can trigger the SMF to terminate the PDU session. Alternatively, updating the UE subscription data can trigger the UDM to notify the AMF to initiate UE deregistration, thereby releasing the PDU session.

[0098] refer to Figure 5 ,Should Figure 5 The signaling exchange is shown based on some examples.

[0099] In particular, Figure 5 The example depicted illustrates a localized roaming scenario. It is assumed that the operators of the first and second networks have agreements with the roaming intermediaries to which the networks are connected. Although in Figure 5 Only one roaming intermediary (RI) is depicted, but in some examples, there may be two different roaming intermediaries, one roaming intermediary (e.g., roaming hub 1 RH1) providing a connection to a first network (e.g., PLMN1), and the other roaming intermediary (e.g., roaming hub 2 RH2) providing a connection to a second network (e.g., PLMN2), and the two roaming intermediaries are connected.

[0100] At point 500, a UE that is a subscriber to a second network (e.g., PLMN2) and roams in a first network (e.g., PLMN1) initiates a PDU session via the SMF (i.e., V-SMF) of the first network. For example, the UE may send a request for a PDU session to the V-SMF.

[0101] At position 502, the V-SMF creates a registration in the home network's UDM (i.e., the second network's UDM) based on a request. For example, a registration can be created based on a request sent from the V-SMF to the UDM via a roaming intermediary. This request can be sent via the N10 interface.

[0102] Because the request is transmitted via a roaming intermediary, the roaming intermediary can identify and store information associated with the SMF used in the PDU session. The information associated with the SMF can, for example, indicate the network where the SMF resides (in...). Figure 5 In the example, it is the first network. Although Figure 5 The examples shown include the SEPP in each network through which messages can enter and leave the network; however, it should be understood that in some examples, the SEPP may not exist.

[0103] At point 504, the V-SMF sends information about data usage to the billing function (CHF) in the second network (H-CHF) via a roaming intermediary. The V-SMF can communicate, for example, via the N47 interface.

[0104] Similarly, since the information is sent via a roaming intermediary, the roaming intermediary can monitor messages related to information about the use of the data.

[0105] At point 506, the data quota for the UE (e.g., data quota for the UE or for a UE-based PDU session) or the service data stream (e.g., a data stream for the UE that may be identified by one or more filters (e.g., IP tuples, FQDNs, etc.)) is exhausted / expired. The roaming intermediary can determine that the data quota has been exhausted / expired based on monitoring messages sent between the H-CHF and V-SMF (e.g., via the N47 interface).

[0106] If it has been determined that the data quota has been exhausted / expired, the roaming intermediary can cause the V-SMF to terminate the PDU session. The following describes two different example mechanisms for causing the V-SMF to terminate the PDU session, with reference to steps 508 to 514 and steps 516 to 522.

[0107] At point 508, the roaming intermediary can (e.g., via the Nnef_PDUSessionUpdate message) send a message to V-NEF to terminate the PDU session. This message may include information indicating at least one of the following: SMF ID; PDU session ID; or a reason for termination. For example, the message may include information indicating that the termination is due to data quota expiration.

[0108] At 510, based on the message received at 508, NEF determines the V-SMF (e.g., based on the PDU session ID and SMFID).

[0109] At position 512, the NEF sends a message (e.g., Nsmf_PDUSessionUpdate) to the identified V-SMF to terminate the PDU session. The message sent to the V-SMF may include information indicating that the PDU session should be terminated due to data quota expiration. Alternatively, the NEF may send a message to the PCF, which can then instruct the V-SMF to terminate the PDU session.

[0110] At 514, V-SMF can terminate a PDU session based on instructions from NEF and / or PCF.

[0111] In some examples, the roaming intermediary can communicate using the UE's IP address. The IP address can be used to identify the PDU session and the SMF serving the PDU session. For example, at 508, the RH can send a message targeting the IP address to the V-NEF. From the IP address queried using the BSF, the V-NEF can determine the serving PCF at 510, and can provide a policy to the serving PCF at 512. The serving PCF can then update the V-SMF, and at 514, the V-SMF can terminate the PDU session accordingly.

[0112] Alternatively, for steps 508 to 514, at 516, the RH may send a message to the UDM via the NEF of the second network (e.g., via the Nnef_ParameterProvision service) to update the UE's subscription data.

[0113] This message could be updating the user equipment's subscription data (stored at the UDM) to disallow Protocol Data Unit sessions (or the DNN associated with a PDU session), or disallowing roaming for the user equipment. In some examples, the message could include information indicating that the data quota for the UE or PDU session has been exhausted.

[0114] Therefore, in some examples, the NEF of the second network can receive a message used to update the UE's subscription data. The NEF can then determine the UDM that manages the UE's subscription data based on this message. The NEF can then send a message to the determined UDM, which includes information indicating that roaming is not allowed for the UE or that at least one DNN associated with the PDU session is not allowed for the UE.

[0115] When a message is received at 518 or 516, the UDM can update the session management subscription data to disallow roaming for user equipment or disallow DNN for UE-specific PDU sessions.

[0116] At position 520, the UDM can send a message to the V-SMF indicating that PDU sessions for the UE are not permitted or roaming for the UE is not permitted. This message could, for example, indicate that the DNN associated with the PDU session is not permitted. This message can be sent via, for example, via... Figure 5 The SEPP / roaming intermediary shown is used to send data, for example, as N32 traffic.

[0117] At 522, based on the message received at 520, V-SMF can terminate the PDU session.

[0118] In some examples ( Figure 5 (Not shown in the image), steps 516 to 522 can be modified, wherein the roaming intermediary can send a message to the UDM via the HPLMN's NEF (e.g., via the Nnef_ParameterProvision service) to update the UE's subscription data. This message may include information for updating the UE's subscription data to disallow roaming for the UE. Upon subscription data update, the UDM can trigger a network-initiated deregistration process and notify the AMF to deregister the UE. The AMF can then trigger the V-SMF to perform a PDU session release, and the AMF deregisters the UE.

[0119] Although the above reference PDU session description Figure 5However, it should be understood that in some examples, there may be more than one PDU session for a UE managed by the V-SMF. In other words, the roaming intermediary can determine that the data quota has expired and cause the V-SMF to terminate at least one PDU session, for example by sending a message to the V-SMF via the NEF to terminate at least one PDU session, or by sending a message to the UDM via the NEF to update the UE's subscription data to disallow at least one PDU session or disallow roaming for the UE.

[0120] Therefore, in some examples, a roaming intermediary can monitor messages associated with a UE registered in a second network (e.g., PLMN2) and roaming in a first network (e.g., PLMN1). Based on these messages, the roaming intermediary can determine that the data quota associated with the UE (or PDU session) has been exhausted. The roaming intermediary can then cause the SMF (V-SMF) of the first network to terminate the PDU session for the UE. For example, the roaming intermediary can send a message to the V-NEF to terminate the PDU session, and the PDU session is then forwarded to the SMF accordingly. Alternatively, the roaming intermediary can send a message to the UDM in the second network to update the UE's subscription data stored at the UDM to disallow PDU sessions for the UE, and the UDM can then notify the SMF of the first network accordingly. Thus, a mechanism is provided in which the roaming intermediary can control the PDU session without altering the PRINS protocol.

[0121] In some examples, an apparatus is provided that includes components for: determining at a roaming intermediary that a data quota for a user equipment has been exhausted; and based on the determination, causing a session management function managing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate at least one PDU session by the roaming intermediary, wherein the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network including the session management function.

[0122] In some examples, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: determine that a data quota for a user equipment has been exhausted; and based on the determination, cause a session management function that manages at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate the at least one PDU session, wherein the user equipment is a subscriber to a second network and roams in a first network that includes the session management function.

[0123] In some examples, an apparatus is provided that includes components for providing network openness functionality, the components being configured to: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment (UE); determine, based on the message, a session management function for managing at least one PDU session of the UE; and send to the determined session management function or to a policy control function a message including information indicating that at least one PDU session of the UE is to be terminated.

[0124] In some examples, an apparatus for network open functions is provided, the apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for terminating at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session of a user equipment; determine, based on the message, a session management function for managing at least one PDU session of the user equipment; and send to the determined session management function or to a policy control function a message including information indicating that at least one PDU session of the user equipment is to be terminated.

[0125] In some examples, an apparatus is provided that includes components for providing network openness functionality, the components being configured to: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for updating subscription data of a user equipment (UE) to disallow at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session or to disallow roaming for the UE; based on the message, determine a unified data management function that manages the UE's subscription data; and send to the determined unified data management function a message including information indicating that roaming is not permitted for the UE or that at least one data network name associated with at least one PDU session is not permitted for the UE.

[0126] In some examples, an apparatus for network openness is provided, the apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive from a roaming intermediary a message for updating subscription data of a user equipment, disallowing at least one Protocol Data Unit session or disallowing roaming for the user equipment; based on the message, determine a unified data management function that manages the subscription data of the user equipment; and send to the determined unified data management function a message including information indicating that roaming is not permitted for the user equipment or that at least one data network name associated with at least one Protocol Data Unit session is not permitted for the user equipment.

[0127] It should be understood that, referring to various network functions (e.g., AMF, SMF, TNF, etc.), the device can be configured to operate as a specific network function. For example, the device can be configured to perform at least some of the functions associated with a specific network function. As a non-limiting and illustrative example, a device configured to operate as a specific network function can be configured as a virtual network function instance that implements that specific network function.

[0128] It should be understood that the device may include or be coupled to other units or modules used in or for transmitting and / or receiving, such as a radio section or a radio head. Although the device has been described as a single entity, different modules and memories may be implemented in one or more physical or logical entities.

[0129] Note that while some example embodiments have been described with respect to 5G networks, similar principles can be applied to other networks and communication systems. Therefore, although some example embodiments have been described above by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples of certain example architectures of wireless networks, technologies, and standards, these example embodiments can be applied to any other suitable form of communication system compared to those shown and described herein.

[0130] It should also be noted that although exemplary embodiments have been described above, several changes and modifications can be made to the disclosed solutions without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0131] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements. As used herein, the expression “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0132] Generally, various example embodiments can be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects of this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software executable by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that these blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware, or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof, as non-limiting and illustrative examples.

[0133] As used herein, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more, or all of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation only in analog and / or digital circuit systems), and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor with software (including digital signal processors, software, and memory that work together to enable devices (such as mobile phones or servers) to perform various functions), and Hardware circuitry and / or processors (such as microprocessors or parts thereof) require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not exist when it is not needed.

[0134] This definition of circuit system applies to all uses of the term herein, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term circuit system also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or processors in general) or a portion thereof and their accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, the term circuit system also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for use in mobile devices or servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or networking devices.

[0135] Various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by computer software executable by a data processor of a mobile device (such as in a processor entity) or by hardware or a combination of software and hardware. Computer software or programs (also referred to as program products, including software routines, applets, and / or macros) can be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components that, when the program runs, are configured to perform one or more exemplary embodiments of the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one piece of software code or a portion thereof.

[0136] Furthermore, it should be noted that any box in the logical flow diagram may represent a program step, or interconnected logic circuits, boxes and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, boxes and functions. Software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips or memory blocks implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard disks or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs. The physical media is non-transitory.

[0137] As used herein, the term “non-transient” refers to the limitations of the medium itself (e.g., tangible rather than signaling), rather than limitations on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0138] The memory can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can 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. The data processor can be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include one or more of general-purpose computers, special-purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), FPGAs, gate-level circuits, and processors based on multi-core processor architectures, as non-limiting and illustrative examples.

[0139] The various example embodiments of this disclosure can be practiced in a variety of components, such as integrated circuit modules. Integrated circuit design is a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools can be used to transform logic-level designs into semiconductor circuit designs ready to be etched and formed on a semiconductor substrate.

[0140] The scope of protection sought by the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is set forth in the independent claims. Exemplary embodiments and features (if any) described in this disclosure that are not within the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the various exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0141] The foregoing description has provided a complete and informative description of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure by way of non-limiting and illustrative examples. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims, given the foregoing description. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications to the present teachings will still fall within the various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims. As a non-limiting and illustrative example, there are other exemplary embodiments that include combinations of one or more exemplary embodiments with any other exemplary embodiments discussed above.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising components for: The roaming intermediary confirmed that the data quota for the user's device had been exhausted; and Based on the determination, the roaming intermediary causes the session management function managing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate the at least one PDU session. The user equipment is a subscriber to the second network and roams in the first network, which includes the session management functionality.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein determining that the data quota has been exhausted comprises: The roaming intermediary monitors messages sent between the session management function in the first network and the billing function included in the second network via the roaming intermediary.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the monitoring includes: Information regarding data usage by the user equipment for the at least one protocol data unit session or at least one service data stream is determined by the roaming intermediary and based on the messages sent between the session management function and the billing function.

4. The apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the component is further configured to: At the roaming intermediary, at least one request is received from the session management function to establish at least one protocol data unit session; Based on the at least one request, the roaming intermediary stores information associated with the session management function, and the roaming intermediary sends the at least one request to the unified data management function included in the second network.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein causing the session management function to terminate the protocol data unit session comprises: A message is sent from the roaming intermediary to the unified data management function via a network open function included in the second network to update the subscription data of the user equipment, so as to disallow the at least one protocol data unit session or disallow roaming for the user equipment.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the message includes information indicating that at least one data network name associated with the at least one protocol data unit session is not allowed.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein causing the session management function to terminate the protocol data unit session comprises: A message is sent from the roaming intermediary to the session management function via a network open function included in the first network to terminate the at least one protocol data unit session.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the message for terminating the at least one protocol data unit session includes information indicating at least one of the following: The identifier of the session management function; The identifier of the at least one protocol data unit session; or The termination of the at least one protocol data unit session is due to the expiration of the data quota.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 or 8, wherein the message includes an Internet Protocol address associated with the user equipment.

10. An apparatus comprising components for providing network openness functionality, said components being configured to: Receive a message from the roaming intermediary to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit session of the user equipment; Based on the message, determine the session management function for managing the at least one protocol data unit session of the user equipment; as well as Send a message to the determined session management function or to the policy control function, including information indicating that the at least one protocol data unit session of the user equipment is to be terminated.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the message for terminating the at least one protocol data unit session includes information indicating at least one of the following: The identifier of the session management function; The identifier of the at least one protocol data unit session; or The termination of the at least one protocol data unit session is due to the expiration of the data quota.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 or 11, wherein the message for terminating the at least one Protocol Data Unit session includes the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment, and wherein the component is configured to provide network open functionality, the component being further configured to: The session management function and / or the policy control function are determined based on the Internet Protocol address of the user equipment.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the message including information indicating that the at least one Protocol Data Unit session of the user equipment is to be terminated further comprises: The information indicates that the termination of the at least one protocol data unit session is due to the expiration of data quotas.

14. An apparatus comprising a component for providing network openness functionality, the component being configured to: Receive messages from the roaming intermediary to update the user device’s subscription data, to disallow at least one Protocol Data Unit session, or to disallow roaming for the user device; Based on the message, a unified data management function for managing the subscription data of the user device is determined; as well as Send a message to the determined unified data management function including information indicating that roaming is not permitted for the user equipment or that at least one data network name associated with the at least one protocol data unit session is not permitted for the user equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the message for updating the subscription data of the user equipment includes information indicating that the data quota for the user equipment or for the at least one protocol data unit session has expired.

16. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by said at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: It has been determined that the data quota for the user device has been exhausted; and Based on the determination, the session management function managing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment terminates the at least one PDU session. The user equipment is a subscriber to the second network and roams in the first network, which includes the session management functionality.

17. An apparatus for network open functionality, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: Receive a message from the roaming intermediary to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit session of the user equipment; Based on the message, determine the session management function for managing the at least one protocol data unit session of the user equipment; as well as Send a message to the determined session management function or to the policy control function, including information indicating that the at least one protocol data unit session of the user equipment is to be terminated.

18. An apparatus for network open functionality, the apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, causing the apparatus to at least: Receive messages from the roaming intermediary to update the user device’s subscription data, to disallow at least one Protocol Data Unit session, or to disallow roaming for the user device; Based on the message, a unified data management function for managing the subscription data of the user device is determined; as well as Send a message to the determined unified data management function including information indicating that roaming is not permitted for the user equipment or that at least one data network name associated with the at least one protocol data unit session is not permitted for the user equipment.

19. A method performed by a roaming intermediary, the method comprising: The roaming intermediary confirmed that the data quota for the user's device had been exhausted. as well as Based on the determination, the roaming intermediary causes the session management function managing at least one Protocol Data Unit (PDU) session for the user equipment to terminate the at least one PDU session. The user equipment is a subscriber to the second network and roams in the first network, which includes the session management functionality.

20. A method performed by a network open function, the method comprising: Receive a message from the roaming intermediary to terminate at least one Protocol Data Unit session of the user equipment; Based on the message, determine the session management function for managing the at least one protocol data unit session of the user equipment; as well as Send a message to the determined session management function or to the policy control function, including information indicating that the at least one protocol data unit session of the user equipment is to be terminated.

21. A method performed by a network open function, the method comprising: Receive messages from the roaming intermediary to update the user device’s subscription data, or to disallow at least one Protocol Data Unit session or to disallow roaming for the user device. Based on the message, a unified data management function for managing the subscription data of the user device is determined; as well as Send a message to the determined unified data management function including information indicating that roaming is not permitted for the user equipment or that at least one data network name associated with the at least one protocol data unit session is not permitted for the user equipment.

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