Method, user equipment, system, or telecommunications network, program, and computer program product for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating user equipment connected to a telecommunications network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network comprising a core network with a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function being configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment, the method comprising a first step of the user equipment transmitting a user equipment routing policy update request message to the telecommunications network in order to request and / or transmit the user equipment routing policy information when a connection condition and / or an operating status of the user equipment changes and is detected or determined by the user equipment, and a second step of receiving by the user equipment the user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message.

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network comprising a core network with a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function being configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for requesting and / or receiving user equipment routing policy information when operating in connection with a telecommunications network, the user equipment being configured to receive the user equipment routing policy information from a policy and charging function of the telecommunications network.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system or telecommunications network for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating the system or telecommunications network with connected user equipment, the telecommunications network comprising a core network comprising a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment.

[0004] Additionally, the present invention relates to a program and computer readable medium for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information in accordance with the methods of the present invention.

[0005] In conventionally known telecommunication networks, when uplink traffic needs to be steered, a 5G mobile communication network or 5G system also defines a User Equipment Routing Selection Policy (or UE Route Assignment Policy, URSP) defined in TS 24.526, which enables the network to instruct a user equipment on how to route data packets, i.e., based on a set of rules. Such rules instruct or command the user equipment to steer specific traffic to a given PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session.

[0006] However, in the event of changes in connection conditions, changes at higher layers such as the application layer, and / or changes in the operating status of user equipment such as switching between operating modes, previously provided sets of network instruction rules regarding how to route data packets or how to steer specific traffic for a given PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session may be inappropriate, inappropriate, and / or not suited to the respective situation. Summary of the Invention

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a technically simple, effective and cost-effective solution for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network comprising a core network with a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment. The user equipment routing policy information or updates may be requested and / or transmitted when connection conditions and / or operating situations of the user equipment change and are detected or determined by the user equipment. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a corresponding user equipment, system or telecommunications network, as well as corresponding programs and computer-readable media.

[0008] The object of the present invention is achieved by a method for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network, the telecommunications network comprising a core network with a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function being configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment. In order to request and / or transmit the user equipment routing policy information when connection conditions and / or operating conditions of the user equipment change and are detected or determined by the user equipment, the method comprises: a first step in which the user equipment sends a user equipment routing policy update request message to the telecommunications network; A second step includes receiving, by the user equipment, user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message.

[0009] Thereby, advantageously according to the invention, the user equipment may trigger a corresponding telecommunications network, in particular a corresponding core network (in particular a core network of a home public land mobile network), to notify that, for example, a network change has occurred, which (as a result) triggers the corresponding telecommunications network (corresponding core network), in particular the home network (in particular the home public land mobile network) to set corresponding user equipment routing policy information, in particular a set of user equipment routing policy rules that correspond or are appropriate or adapted to the current situation of the user equipment.

[0010] Thus, according to the present invention, it is particularly advantageously possible for the user equipment to trigger and apply updates of user equipment routing policy rules, in particular when the connection conditions and / or operating conditions of the user equipment (particularly detected or determined by the user equipment) change. Thus, potential conflict or inefficiency situations between user equipment routing policy information (i.e., user equipment routing policy rules) stored by or (previously) received by the user equipment and the current connection conditions and / or current operating conditions of the user equipment can be avoided or at least reduced, in particular with regard to the time or duration for which such conflict or inefficiency exists between user equipment routing policy rules dictated by the respective telecommunications network and the current connection conditions and / or operating conditions.

[0011] One example of such a potential conflict may relate to standalone non-public networks. As of 3GPP Rel '16, the introduction of 5G-based networks, private standalone non-public networks (SNPNs), has introduced a standalone non-public network access mode in addition to the normal access mode. Standalone non-public network-capable user equipment typically supports the standalone non-public network access mode. When the user equipment is configured to operate in the SNPN access mode, the user equipment can, for example, exclusively select and register with a standalone non-public network. This may result in such user equipment being able to switch between two operating modes: one corresponding to the standalone non-public network access mode, and the other corresponding to the normal access mode (in which the user equipment is typically permitted to access only public land mobile networks). Depending on the specific circumstances of the user equipment, conflicts may arise, for example, between user equipment routing policy rules provided by its home public land mobile network and the user equipment connected to the standalone non-public network, or vice versa. Thus, currently known telecommunications networks (i.e., according to currently defined standards or standards documents for such networks) allow public land mobile network certificates (PLMN certificates) to be used to access standalone non-public networks, where there may be potential inconsistencies between such user equipment routing policy rules (or user equipment routing policy information) established by the public land mobile network and their application in a standalone non-public network setting (i.e., a situation in which that same user equipment is connected to a standalone non-public network), and / or vice versa.Such potential conflicts may arise, for example, from non-specific application of user equipment routing policy information (e.g., user equipment routing policy information provided by a standalone non-public network takes precedence over user equipment routing policy information provided by a public land mobile network, or vice versa).

[0012] According to the present invention, by the user equipment sending a user equipment routing policy update request message to the telecommunications network, and by the user equipment receiving in response thereto user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (from the telecommunications network, typically from a corresponding core network, either the core network of the telecommunications network to which the user equipment is (directly) connected, or the core network of another telecommunications network, in particular a home network, in particular a home public land mobile network), it is advantageously possible to avoid such mentioned conflict situations altogether, or at least to limit such conflict situations in time relatively easily and efficiently. In particular, this allows for a more flexible application of URSPs and user equipment routing policy information in various telecommunications networks, in particular including standalone non-public networks, and / or in particular when PLMN certificates are used to access standalone non-public networks.

[0013] According to the present invention, i.e., according to all embodiments of the present invention, the user equipment does not request a user equipment routing policy rule or user equipment routing policy information, in particular by specifically referring to a "specific" (in the sense of already generated) user equipment routing policy rule or user equipment routing policy information (in particular, none of the user equipment routing policies are currently referenceable towards the network by an identifier, due to the fact that the user equipment or the applications deployed on the user equipment do not actually know which specific user equipment routing policy rule or user equipment routing policy information to refer to). However, the user equipment rather indicates that a change will occur (to the telecommunications network or the respective policy and charging function), i.e., by specifying a "set of parameters that the network will use to generate a fitting URSP" (or simply by requesting a "user equipment routing policy update"), and the telecommunications network or the respective policy and charging function then deploys (in particular pre-generates) a set of user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information or user equipment routing policy as needed.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a telecommunications network typically comprises an access network and a core network. However, the present invention also relates to situations in which a telecommunications network does not, strictly speaking, comprise both an access network and a core network, but is associated with or assigned only to an access network (and in particular comprises a core network), or is associated with or assigned only to a core network (and in particular comprises an access network), or is associated with or assigned only to both an access network and a core network. According to the present invention, the core network in particular provides user equipment with data connectivity to a data network.

[0015] In conventional telecommunications networks, user equipment (UEs) can typically connect to a data network via a core network. UEs typically communicate with an access network (or radio access network) via an interface, typically a radio interface or air interface. This is used to carry both signaling information and data traffic, although there is typically a logical separation (logical channels) of the transport of both types of traffic. Similarly, signaling information and user data are typically separated between an access network (particularly a radio access network, particularly a gNB base station entity) and a core network. To establish a data connection that allows UEs to communicate with the data network, a protocol data unit (PDU) session is required. A PDU session is a logical data transport channel that terminates in the core network, which provides connectivity to the data network. The termination point of a given PDU session (e.g., a user plane function according to the 5G standard) is called a PDU session anchor (PSA). While a UE is mobile (handover procedures are performed between the UE and different gNB or base station entities), the PDU session anchor is typically and typically expected to remain constant. A PDU session may have one or more associated qualities of service for the underlying transported data (e.g., one or more QoS flows within the PDU session).

[0016] In currently known telecommunications networks, as well as in accordance with the present invention, user equipment routing policy information or user equipment routing policy rules are used by the telecommunications network to mandate a user equipment to use a set of rules to apply to or steer uplink traffic (i.e., how to route data packets). In particular, such user equipment routing policy rules instruct or command the user equipment to steer specific traffic for a given or predetermined PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session. In particular, such user equipment routing policy rules or such user equipment routing policy information are configured or defined by the core network of the telecommunications network. That is, the telecommunications network (its core network) configures the user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information by sending corresponding messages to the user equipment as part of a control data flow exchange between the telecommunications network and the user equipment via the air interface between the user equipment and a corresponding access network element, typically a base station entity, e.g., a gNodeB entity. As a result of the user equipment receiving such user equipment routing policy rule(s) or user equipment routing policy information, the user equipment applies such rule information, i.e., to traffic, particularly application traffic (in the uplink direction towards the telecommunications network), to which the user equipment has routed the corresponding user equipment routing policy rule(s) or user equipment routing policy information, as dictated or prescribed by the user equipment routing policy rule(s). In currently known telecommunications networks, the user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information themselves, i.e., in particular its structure, is defined in 3GPP TS 23.503 and is a set of one or more URSP rules. Here, a URSP rule generally consists of three parts:The URSP rule consists of a priority value as a first part, a traffic descriptor as a second part, and one or more routing descriptors as a third part. The priority value of a URSP rule (as the first part of the user equipment routing policy rule) identifies the priority of the URSP rule to be considered among all existing URSP rules (either already present in the user equipment or transmitted as part of the user equipment routing policy information). The traffic descriptor (as the second part of the user equipment routing policy rule) includes either all matching traffic descriptors or at least one of the following components: one or more application identifiers, one or more IP3-tuples (i.e., destination IP address, destination port number, and protocol used over IP) defined in 3GPP TS 23.503, one or more non-IP descriptors (i.e., destination information for non-IP traffic), one or more DNNs (Data Network Names), one or more connectivity capabilities, and one or more domain descriptors, i.e., destination FQDNs (Fully Qualified Domain Names). Each path selection descriptor (as the third part of the user equipment path selection policy rules) consists of a path selection descriptor priority value, includes either a non-seamless non-3GPP offload indication or one PDU session type, and optionally includes one or more of the following: SSC mode (Session and Service Continuity Mode), one or more S-NSSAIs (Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information), one or more DNNs, a preferred access type, a multi-access preference, a time window, and a location criterion. In this context, the time window indication and the location criterion are part of the path selection descriptor (or the third part of the user equipment path selection policy rules), even though they do not actually describe the traffic path assignment but rather correspond to the path selection validation criteria. A given or considered path selection descriptor is not considered valid unless all of the provided validation criteria are met, which controls the validity of said elements. The component describing the actual path assignment corresponds to the path selection component.For each newly detected application (i.e., requesting an uplink data stream to be transmitted by the user equipment) for the application of user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information (specified in TS 23.503, 6.6.2.3), the user equipment evaluates the available (i.e., stored or received) URSP rules in rule priority order to determine whether the application matches the traffic descriptor of any URSP rule. If a URSP rule is determined to be applicable to a given application (Section 6.6.2.1), the user equipment selects a routing descriptor within this URSP rule in the order of routing descriptor priority. If the user equipment determines that there are multiple matches and existing PDU sessions (e.g., the selected routing descriptor only specifies a network slice selection, but there are multiple existing PDU sessions that match the network slice selection with different DNNs), it is up to the user equipment implementation to select and use one.

[0017] According to the present invention, a user equipment connected to a telecommunications network is considered, the telecommunications network comprising a core network equipped with a policy and charging function. The policy and charging function is configured to transmit user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment. Specifically, according to the present invention, the user equipment is capable of requesting user equipment routing policy information from the telecommunications network (particularly from its core network, more particularly from its policy and charging function), and such a request results in receiving the user equipment routing policy information by the user equipment (and upon transmission by the telecommunications network or its core network or its policy and charging function). The user equipment request is transmitted to the telecommunications network in particular when connection conditions change and / or when an operating status of the user equipment (particularly detected or determined by the user equipment) changes. In a first step, the user equipment transmits a user equipment routing policy update request message to the telecommunications network, and in a second step, user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (typically transmitted by the telecommunications network or its core network or its policy and charging function) is received by the user equipment. In particular, according to the present invention, the changed operating status of the user equipment corresponds to, for example, the user equipment being requested to transmit data (in particular user plane data), the data being related to or relating to a different application (in particular a soft client application of the user equipment), or the application being executed by the user equipment.

[0018] According to the present invention, the user equipment preferably includes access mode configuration information for a given access technology (i.e., in particular for each access technology for which a standalone non-public network may be accessible). The access mode configuration information relates to or indicates a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use. In this respect, in particular the concept of a user equipment that is also allowed to access standalone non-public networks is relevant. These standalone non-public networks have the particularity that an additional network identifier is used. While in the case of public land mobile networks, the PLMN ID (public land mobile network identifier, i.e., the combination of the Mobile Country Code (MCC) and the Mobile Network Code (MNC)) is assumed to be unique, standalone non-public networks are designed assuming that the PLMN IDs they use are not (necessarily) unique (e.g., a PLMN ID of "999 99" is or can be operatively used) but introduce an additional identifier, the Network Identifier (NID). As defined in 3GPP TS 23.501, the combination of a PLMN ID and a network identifier (NID) identifies a standalone non-public network, and a PLMN ID reserved for use by private networks can be used for non-public networks (e.g., based on the ITU-assigned Mobile Country Code (MCC) "999"). However, alternatively, a PLMN operator may use its PLMN ID for an SNPN along with an NID, but registration in a PLMN and mobility between a PLMN and an SNPN are not supported using an SNPN subscription, particularly because an SNPN typically does not rely on network functionality provided by the PLMN. Thus, if an SNPN-capable user equipment supports the SNPN access mode, the user equipment only selects and registers with an SNPN (see Uu in Section 5.30.2.4) when such user equipment is configured to operate in the SNPN access mode.This results in such a user equipment (i.e., supporting SNPN) being able to switch between two operation modes, i.e., a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode, which the user equipment can alternatively use, e.g., between an SNPN access mode and a normal (or PLMN) access mode (two or more of such different access modes are possible according to the present invention and are not excluded). Therefore, in such a scenario, this network selection mode (i.e., the access mode configuration information, or rather its content) can be switched depending on the type of network the user equipment wishes to access. According to the present invention, the user equipment routing policy information preferably includes an access mode-related validity element related to the content of the access mode configuration information. Therefore, when user equipment routing policy information is present (i.e., stored) in the user equipment (i.e., the user equipment includes such user equipment routing policy information) or is received by the considered user equipment, the user equipment routing policy information is potentially applied or not applied by the user equipment depending on whether the access mode-related validity element (of the user equipment routing policy information) corresponds to the access mode configuration information, i.e., whether it matches the content of the access mode configuration information. Thus, by user equipment routing policy information including access mode-related validity elements (related to the content of the access mode configuration information), and by user equipment applying the user equipment routing policy information in response to the access mode-related validity elements, it is possible to advantageously avoid potential conflict situations between user equipment routing policy information (without such access mode-related validity elements), on the one hand, and the user equipment's current situation or context, on the other. However, the user equipment must first receive the appropriate user equipment routing policy information (e.g., including the access mode-related validity elements) before it can properly implement or comply.According to the present invention, it is advantageously possible for a user equipment to actively request the provision of a new or updated user equipment routing policy rule or rules, e.g., user equipment routing policy information.

[0019] According to the present invention, advantageously, the user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message corresponds to setting and / or deleting a user equipment routing policy for the user equipment, and when setting such a user equipment routing policy for the user equipment, the corresponding user equipment routing policy information is generated by a user equipment routing policy generation function as part of or accessible by the telecommunications network, in particular by a user equipment routing policy generation function as part of or accessible by its policy and charging function, wherein in particular the corresponding user equipment routing policy information is generated by the user equipment routing policy generation function in response to changes in connectivity conditions and / or operating status of the user equipment and / or such that the user equipment routing policy information is adapted to the current operating status of the user equipment.

[0020] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the present invention can be realized and implemented in a relatively simple and efficient manner.

[0021] According to the invention, it is further advantageously possible and preferred that the user equipment routing policy update request message corresponds to a control plane message, in particular a non-access stratum message, by means of which the user equipment notifies the telecommunications network, in particular its policy and charging function, that a change in connection conditions and / or operating circumstances has occurred. In particular, the user equipment routing policy update request message comprises: - a reason or at least one reason for a User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message; a parameter or at least one parameter for the user equipment routing policy update request message, in particular a filtering parameter that constrains the scope of the requested corresponding user equipment routing policy information; - a change in the telecommunications network to which the user equipment is connected; - a change in access mode configuration information of a user equipment, the access mode configuration information relating to a configuration or operation mode of the user equipment that is authorized to access either a set of predetermined first telecommunication networks or a set of predetermined second telecommunication networks; - Includes instructions or information relating to at least one change in the use or functionality of a software client application executed by the user equipment, particularly in response to an application-triggered user equipment routing policy update request message.

[0022] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the present invention can be realized and implemented in a relatively simple and efficient manner.

[0023] According to the invention, it is further advantageously possible and preferred to carry out in a third step after the first step and before the second step: The telecommunications network, and in particular its policy and charging functions, require the user equipment to provide currently used user equipment routing policy information. The user equipment provides the currently used user equipment routing policy information.

[0024] With the telecommunications network, in particular its policy and charging function, requesting the user equipment to provide currently used user equipment routing policy information, and the user equipment providing the currently used user equipment routing policy information, the present invention advantageously enables the telecommunications network, in particular its policy and charging function, to provide user equipment routing policy information (corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message) efficiently, in particular tailored to the specific situation of the user equipment, in particular with regard to those parts of the user equipment routing policy information (or such sets of rules) that the user equipment is missing.

[0025] Furthermore, according to the invention, advantageously, in the case of an application-triggered user equipment routing policy update request message, the application-triggered user equipment routing policy update request message comprises at least one application-related parameter, in particular at least one application identifier information, and can and preferably comprises in a fourth step after the first step and before the third step: The telecommunications network, in particular its policy and charging function, requests the application server entity to provide at least one further application-related parameter. The application server entity provides at least one further application-related parameter. In particular, in a fifth step after the third step and before the second step, the telecommunications network, in particular its policy and charging function, generates user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message triggered by the application.

[0026] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the present invention can be realized and implemented relatively simply and efficiently, even in the case of application-triggered user equipment routing policy update request messages.

[0027] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is advantageously possible and preferred that the user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message includes a corresponding access mode-related validity element, where in particular the corresponding user equipment routing policy information includes a corresponding access mode-related validity element in addition to a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and at least one routing descriptor, and / or in particular the corresponding user equipment routing policy information includes a corresponding access mode-related validity element as part of at least one routing descriptor.

[0028] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the present invention can be realized and implemented in a relatively simple and efficient manner.

[0029] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message includes at least one user equipment routing policy rule, and the corresponding access mode related validity elements are part of the user equipment routing policy rule, in particular as part of at least one routing descriptor, and / or further as a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and part of the at least one routing descriptor.

[0030] Thereby, advantageously, the method of the present invention can be realized and implemented in a relatively simple and efficient manner.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a user equipment for requesting and / or receiving user equipment routing policy information when connected to and operating in a telecommunications network, the user equipment being configured to receive the user equipment routing policy information from a policy and charging function of the telecommunications network. To request and / or receive user equipment routing policy information when connection conditions and / or operating conditions of the user equipment change and are detected or determined by the user equipment, the user equipment is configured to: The user equipment sends a user equipment routing policy update request message to the telecommunications network. User equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message is received by the user equipment.

[0032] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a system or telecommunications network for requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating the system or telecommunications network with connected user equipment, the telecommunications network comprising a core network with a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment. For receiving requests for user equipment routing policy information and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when connection conditions and / or operating conditions of the user equipment change and are detected or determined by the user equipment, the system or telecommunications network is configured to: The telecommunications network, in particular the Policy and Charging Function, receives a User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message from the User Equipment. The user equipment routing policy information corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message is sent by the telecommunications network, in particular the policy and charging function.

[0033] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a program comprising a computer readable medium comprising computer readable program code and / or instructions which, when executed on a computer and / or user equipment and / or a network node of a telecommunications network, or partly on a user equipment and / or partly on a network node of a telecommunications network, cause the computer and / or user equipment and / or network node of a telecommunications network to carry out the method of the present invention.

[0034] These and other characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. The description is given for purposes of example only, without limiting the scope of the invention. The reference figures quoted below refer to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0035] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates schematically a telecommunications network comprising an access network, a core network and user equipment, the telecommunications network comprising a core network comprising a policy and charging function, the policy and charging function configured to send user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of transmitting user equipment routing policy information to a user equipment. [Figure 3] 2 illustrates an embodiment of a user equipment requesting transmission of user equipment routing policy information via a user equipment routing policy update request message to a telecommunications network; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically another embodiment of a user equipment requesting transmission of user equipment routing policy information via a user equipment routing policy update request message to a telecommunications network. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one embodiment of a structure of user equipment routing policy information according to the present invention; [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a structure of user equipment routing policy information according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are purely schematic and non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated and not drawn to scale for illustrative purposes.

[0037] Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g. "a", "an" or "the", this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

[0038] Furthermore, terms such as first, second, third, etc. in the specification and claims are used to distinguish between similar elements and not necessarily to describe a sequential or chronological order. The terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances, and it is understood that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operating in sequences other than those described or illustrated herein.

[0039] 1 schematically illustrates a telecommunications network 100 comprising an access network 110 and a core network 120. The telecommunications network 100, and in particular the core network 120, comprises a policy and charging function 130, which is configured to transmit user equipment routing policy information to a user equipment 20. The access network 110 includes multiple radio cells 11, 12. In the exemplary situation or scenario illustrated in FIG. 1, a first base station entity 111 generates, is associated with, or spans the first radio cell 11, and a second base station entity 112 generates, is associated with, or spans the second radio cell 12. The user equipment 20 includes user equipment routing policy information 400. The user equipment 20 is typically, but not necessarily, mobile, i.e., movable with respect to the (typically, but not necessarily, static) radio cells 11, 12 or corresponding base station entities 111, 112 of the access network 110. In the exemplary depicted diagram of Figure 1, the core network 120 comprises or is connected to a data network 131. The core network 120 provides data connectivity to the data network 131 for the user equipment 20. Furthermore, the application server 150 is accessible via at least the telecommunications network 100, and in particular is part of the telecommunications network 100 or its core network 120.

[0040] In accordance with the present invention, user equipment 20 preferably includes access mode configuration information 22 relating to or indicating a first network selection mode and at least a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use for a given access technology. However, such access mode configuration information 22 is not required in user equipment 20. Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, user equipment routing policy information 400 preferably includes an access mode-related validity element.

[0041] 2, the transmission of user equipment routing policy information 400 to user equipment 20 is illustrated schematically by a communication diagram between user equipment 20, access network 110, and core network 120. In accordance with the present invention, user equipment routing policy information 400 (or user equipment routing policy rules 400) is used by telecommunications network 100 to obligate user equipment 20 to use a set of rules for applying or steering uplink traffic (i.e., how to route data packets routed towards core network 120 and / or data network 131). In particular, such user equipment routing policy information or rules 400 instruct or command user equipment 20 to steer specific traffic for a given or predetermined PDU (protocol data unit) session. In particular, such user equipment routing policy rules or information 400 are configured or defined by the core network 120 of the telecommunications network 100, i.e., the telecommunications network 100 (or its core network 120) configures the user equipment routing policy rules or information 400 by sending corresponding messages to the user equipment 20 (during or using a first processing step 201), in particular as part of a control data flow exchange between the telecommunications network 100 and the user equipment 20 over the air interface between the user equipment 20 and a corresponding access network element, typically a base station entity 111, 112, such as a gNodeB entity. As a result of the user equipment 20 receiving the user equipment routing policy rule(s) 400 or user equipment routing policy information 400, the user equipment 20 applies such rule information (during a second processing step 202), i.e., traffic.In particular, application traffic (in the uplink direction towards telecommunications network 100) that matches a corresponding user equipment routing policy rule or information 400 is routed by user equipment 20 (in or during third processing step 203) as dictated or prescribed by the user equipment routing policy rule or information 400. However, as already mentioned, when connection conditions and / or operating circumstances of user equipment 20 change, a previously provided set of network instruction rules regarding how to route data packets or how to steer particular traffic for a given PDU (protocol data unit) session may become inappropriate, inappropriate, and / or at least not suitable for the respective circumstances of user equipment 20.

[0042] Therefore, according to the present invention, it is proposed to provide a method, a user equipment, a system and / or a telecommunications network, such that a user equipment 20 can request this user equipment routing policy information or can be triggered to be provided with such (updated and / or appropriate and / or more suitable) user equipment routing policy information. Thus, the present invention relates to requesting and / or transmitting user equipment routing policy information when operating a user equipment 20 connected to a telecommunications network 100. Typically, the telecommunications network 100 comprises a core network 120 and a policy and charging function 130, which is configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information to the user equipment 20, as shown in Figure 2. However, according to the present invention, in order for the user equipment 20 to request (and / or transmit to the telecommunications network 100) such user equipment routing policy information (particularly detected or determined by the user equipment 20 in the event of changes in the connection conditions and / or operating status of the user equipment 20), it is proposed that in a first step (of the method of the present invention) the user equipment 20 transmits a user equipment routing policy update request message 450 to the telecommunications network 100, and in a second step (of the method of the present invention) the user equipment routing policy information 401, i.e. corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message 450, is received by the user equipment 20 (because such user equipment routing policy information 401 (i.e. corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message 450) has been transmitted by the telecommunications network 100, in particular by the policy and charging function 130 of its core network 120).

[0043] According to the present invention, particularly preferably (but not necessarily), user equipment routing policy information 401 (i.e., corresponding to user equipment routing policy update request message 450) itself, i.e., in particular its structure, is defined in a manner different from its currently known definition in the current version of 3GPP TS 23.503 and, according to the present invention, comprises access mode-related validity element 441. Figures 5 and 6 schematically illustrate different embodiments of the structure of user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 according to the present invention. The exemplary representations in Figures 5 and 6 show user equipment routing policy information 400 as comprising a plurality of user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490, and for simplicity, the structure of only one of these rules (i.e., user equipment routing policy rule 460) is schematically illustrated. However, it will be understood that the other user equipment routing policy rules 470, 480, 490 may be similarly structured. According to one preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 , access mode-related validity element 441 of user equipment routing policy rule 460 is part of user equipment routing policy rule 460, along with priority value 461, traffic descriptor 462, and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463. That is, user equipment routing policy rule 460 includes particular access mode-related validity element 441 in addition to priority value 461, traffic descriptor 462, and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463. Routing descriptor (list) 463 further includes routing component 464 and routing validation criteria 465. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 , access mode-related validity element 441 of user equipment routing policy rule 460 is part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463. That is, the user equipment routing policy rules 460 include specific access mode-related validity elements 441 as part of at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, and in addition to or as part of the routing component 464 and routing validation criteria 465.In accordance with the present invention, user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 may include either one user equipment routing policy rule 460 or multiple user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In either case, in accordance with the present invention, access mode-related validity element 441 (if applicable) is preferably part of one (i.e., only one) user equipment routing policy rule 460 (user equipment routing policy information 400, 401), or, if multiple user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490 are present (in user equipment routing policy information 400, 401), access mode-related validity element 441 (if applicable) is part of one of these multiple user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. Alternatively, access mode-related validity element 441 (if applicable) is part of one or more of these multiple user equipment routing policy rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In both cases where a user equipment routing policy rule is present as part of user equipment routing policy element 400, 401, or where one or more user equipment routing policy rules are present as part of user equipment routing policy element 400, 401, access mode-related validity element 441 (if present) is part of, among other things, at least one routing descriptor (list) 463, and / or is further part of the priority value 461, traffic descriptor 462, and at least one routing descriptor (list) 463 of that user equipment routing policy rule or rules 460, 470, 480, 490. In addition to the access mode related validity element 441 (if applicable), the structure of the user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 preferably corresponds to the definition as in the current version of 3GPP® TS 23.503, i.e. it is or corresponds to a set of one or more URSP rules 460, 470, 480, 490, the or each URSP rule 460, 470, 480, 490 generally comprising three parts: a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and one or more routing descriptors.

[0044] With respect to the user equipment 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2, according to the present invention it is preferred (but not essential) that a standalone non-public network (SNPN) is accessible, for example according to 5G radio access technology. The user equipment 20 comprises access mode configuration information 22 relating to (or indicating) either a first network selection mode or a second network selection mode that the user equipment can alternatively use, for a given access technology for which a standalone non-public network is possible. In addition to the first and second network selection modes, further network selection modes are preferably (but not necessarily) possible, for example a third network selection mode resulting from a combination of networks available in the first and second network selection modes. Typically, the user equipment 20 comprises a universal integrated circuit card or USIM (containing a user or subscriber certificate) and (if applicable) access mode configuration information 22, the contents of which define or indicate whether the user equipment 20, for the time and network selection considered, is in either SNPN mode (thus exclusively or preferably accessing a standalone non-public network) or rather PLMN mode (normal mode) (thus exclusively or preferably accessing a public land mobile network). In particular, according to the present invention, the user equipment routing policy information 400, 401 includes an access mode related validity element 441 which is related to the contents of the access mode configuration information 22 and which either matches the access mode configuration information 22 or not.

[0045] According to the present invention, the user equipment 20 requests user equipment routing policy information by means of a first step in which the user equipment 20 sends (to the telecommunications network 100) a user equipment routing policy update request message 450, and a second step in which user equipment routing policy information 401 (corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message 450) is received by the user equipment 20. According to all embodiments of the present invention, the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 preferably corresponds to a control plane message, in particular a non-access stratum message. Likewise, according to all embodiments of the present invention, it is further preferred that the user equipment notifies the telecommunications network (in particular its policy and charging functions) by means of the routing policy update request message 450 that a change in connection conditions and / or operating status has occurred.

[0046] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the user equipment 20 preferably sends the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 as a general update request (i.e., without specific parameters for a particular reason or reasons), meaning that the user equipment 20 requests the network (or policy and charging function 130) to re-evaluate the user equipment routing policy (i.e., the user equipment routing policy rules or user equipment routing policy information) assigned to the user equipment 20. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the user equipment 20 sends this user equipment routing policy update request message 450 as a parameterized update request (equivalent to a request including filtering parameters that constrain / specify the scope of the requested URSP update). Thus, according to the present invention, the user equipment routing policy update request message 450: the reason or at least one reason for the User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message 450; a parameter or at least one parameter for the user equipment routing policy update request message 450, in particular a filtering parameter that constrains the scope of the requested corresponding user equipment routing policy information 401; - a change in the telecommunications network to which the user equipment 100 is connected, - a change in access mode configuration information of the user equipment 20, the access mode configuration information relating to the configuration or operation mode of the user equipment 20 that is allowed to access either a predetermined set of first telecommunication networks or a predetermined set of second telecommunication networks; changes in the use or functionality of software client applications executed by user equipment 20, particularly in response to an application-triggered user equipment routing policy update request message 450 (which thus corresponds to an application-triggered URSP update request); Preferably, the information includes instructions or information relating to at least one of:

[0047] In conventional telecommunication networks, there is no known way for the (home) network to trigger a user equipment (UE) to notify the network that a network change has occurred, which would trigger the establishment of multiple (modified or updated) user equipment routing policies. Therefore, it cannot be assumed that all network-related changes performed by the UE are signaled to the network. For example, changes such as an operation mode change (SNPN mode switch on / off) may not be signaled and may not result in an update of the URSP rules. As a result, the user equipment may need to deploy different URSPs to function properly (i.e., application traffic is routed via appropriate paths) depending on its network location. There is no way for the UE to query the network for a URSP based on selection criteria. Furthermore, in conventional telecommunication networks, user equipment routing policies are not reusable objects. Although such user equipment routing policies may be generated (by respective core network elements) and sent to the user equipment, they are not reusable because they are not identifiable. Furthermore, in conventionally known telecommunications networks, currently only the H-PCF (ie, the home network's policy and charging function) sets user equipment routing policies when the user equipment is in a roaming situation.

[0048] In contrast, according to the present invention, whenever network connectivity occurs (e.g., changing operators while roaming), the user equipment 20 can notify the home network (e.g., home public land mobile network) (telecommunications network 100) and trigger the home network to set up URSP rules tailored to the current connectivity (e.g., some operators may have contracts to use special slices, while with other operators the traffic can be routed normally). This allows for more flexible interaction between the core network 120 (of telecommunications network 100) and the user equipment 20, and thus the user equipment can even actively query and deploy routing policies, for example, when so requested by the internal logic and / or one or more applications of the user equipment 20 (i.e., a software client application in or executed by the user equipment 20). Thus, in accordance with the present invention, user equipment triggered / assisted URSP deployment is provided by a user equipment notification trigger (i.e., user equipment routing policy update request message 450) containing trigger information that is processed by the core network 120, particularly its URSP generation function, which then sets / deletes user equipment routing policies as necessary. From an implementation standpoint, the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 therefore corresponds to a NAS-level message that notifies, among other things, the PCF 130 (typically of the home network) that one or more URSPs should be updated, and optionally includes one or more reasons and / or other parameters that the PCF should take into account when deploying the URSPs, such as, for example, that the user equipment 20 is attached to a different network and / or that the operation mode of the user equipment 20 has changed, e.g., that the user equipment 20 has switched between PLMN mode and SNPN mode, and / or that subscription data has changed.Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, it is preferred that the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 is not necessarily addressed to or sent to the core network or policy and charging function of the home network of the user equipment 20. In a roaming situation of the user equipment 20 (i.e., while the user equipment 20 is connected to the home network via a visited network), the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 may also be addressed to and / or sent to the core network or policy and charging function of the visited network, and / or (at least) the requested corresponding user equipment routing policy information 401 may be received (at least in part) not only from the core network 120 or policy and charging function 130 of the home network 100, but also from the visited core network or policy and charging function. Thus, changes triggered by the visited network (or V-PLMN) can trigger notifications towards the Home Policy and Charging Function (H-PCF), and vice versa.

[0049] 3, the communication diagram between user equipment 20 and policy and charging function 130 of telecommunications network 100 depicts an alternative embodiment of user equipment 20 requesting transmission of user equipment routing policy information 401 to the telecommunications network via a user equipment routing policy update request message 450. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, in a fifth processing step 205, user equipment 20 requests a user equipment routing policy update (via a user equipment routing policy update request message 450 sent to policy and charging function 130), including information relating to, among other things, reason and / or parameter information. In a sixth processing step 206, user equipment 20 receives a request (from policy and charging function 130, and the policy and charging function sends this request) to list the current user equipment routing policy rules (i.e., the rules currently being applied by user equipment 20). In a seventh processing step 207, the user equipment 20 sends to the policy and charging function 130 (i.e., the policy and charging function receives) the requested user equipment routing policy rules (or, more generally, user equipment routing policy information) requested by the policy and charging function 130. In an eighth processing step 208, the user equipment 20 receives (from the policy and charging function 130) (the policy and charging function sends) the user equipment routing policy information 401 (i.e., corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 sent in the fifth processing step 205).

[0050] 4, a communication diagram between user equipment 20, policy and charging function 130 of telecommunications network 100, and application server 150 further illustrates a further alternative embodiment of user equipment 20 requesting the transmission of user equipment routing policy information 401 to the telecommunications network by means of a user equipment routing policy update request message 450, particularly relating to an application-triggered user equipment routing policy update request or application-based user equipment routing policy configuration. According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in a tenth processing step 210, user equipment 20 requests a user equipment routing policy update (by means of a user equipment routing policy update request message 450 sent to policy and charging function 130) including information related to the respective application (in terms of which application-based user equipment routing policy configuration should be performed), particularly including an application identifier (application ID, for example, corresponds to the value of "X") and / or further parameter information. Thus, the user equipment routing policy update request message 450 (or URSP update request) includes, among other things, application-specific parameters (e.g., application certificates, application identifiers, access tokens, etc.), and the policy and charging function 130 generates a URSP (user equipment routing policy) that matches the specified parameters in the URSP update request (see fifteenth processing step 215 below). In an eleventh processing step 211, the policy and charging function 130 queries each application parameter from each application server 150, and in a twelfth processing step 212, the application server 150 sends each application parameter to the policy and charging function 130.In a thirteenth processing step 213, the policy and charging function queries the user equipment routing policies of the user equipment 20, i.e., the user equipment 20 receives (from the policy and charging function 130) a request (which the policy and charging function sends) to list, among other things, the current user equipment routing policy rules (i.e., the rules currently being applied by the user equipment 20). In a fourteenth processing step 214, the user equipment 20 sends to the policy and charging function 130 the requested user equipment routing policy rules (or, more generally, user equipment routing policy information) requested by the policy and charging function 130 (i.e., the policy and charging function receives these user equipment routing policy rules / information). In a fifteenth processing step 215, the policy and charging function 130 (or a user equipment routing policy generation function that is part of or accessible by the policy and charging function 130) generates a respective user equipment routing policy rule set that includes, among other things, application parameters and, if applicable, existing user equipment routing policies supporting the respective application (e.g., having an application identifier, application ID, corresponding to the value of “X”). These application parameters (sent by the user equipment 20 in the tenth processing step 210) can be used by the URSP generator (or, particularly in 5G, a user equipment routing policy generation function that is part of or accessible by the policy and charging function 130) to retrieve, for example, quality of service parameters and / or information about the corresponding DNN (Data Network Name) and / or information about the corresponding network slice used for the given application (e.g., from an SLA agreement (Service Level Agreement) between the application provider and the network operator).In this regard, the parameters may be application-common and / or the application may include user-specific parameters (application subscriptions are, for example, independent of device subscriptions) that result in different DNN / network slices based on the application subscription. Application-based subscriptions may be unknown to the network operator, i.e., rather under the control of the application owner or application provider. In a sixteenth processing step 216, the user equipment 20 receives (from the policy and charging function 130) (the policy and charging function sends this user equipment routing policy information 401), i.e., corresponding to the (application-based) user equipment routing policy update request message 450 sent in the tenth processing step 210.

Claims

1. 1. A method for requesting and transmitting user equipment routing policy information (400) by a telecommunications network (100) when operating a user equipment (20) connected to the telecommunications network (100), the telecommunications network (100) comprising a core network (120) including a policy and charging function (130), the policy and charging function (130) being configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information (400) to the user equipment (20); a change in an operating state of the user equipment (20) is detected or determined by the user equipment (20), the change in the operating state corresponding to a request by the user equipment (20) to transmit data associated with or relating to a software client application executed by the user equipment (20), the software client application being associated with an application server entity (150); The method comprises: the user equipment (20) sending a user equipment routing policy update request message (450) to the policy and charging function (130), the message being triggered by the software client application executed by the user equipment (20) and including at least one application-associated parameter, the application-associated parameter being application identifier information associated with the software client application; - after receiving the user equipment routing policy update request message (450), the policy and charging function (130) requests the application server entity (150) to provide parameters associated with at least one further application, and the application server entity (150) provides the parameters associated with the at least one further application; - after receiving the user equipment routing policy update request message (450), the policy and charging function (130) requests the user equipment (20) to provide currently used user equipment routing policy information (400), and the user equipment (20) provides the currently used user equipment routing policy information (400); - after receiving the parameters associated with the at least one further application and the currently used user equipment routing policy information (400), the policy and charging function (130) generates the user equipment routing policy information (401) corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) based on the parameters associated with the at least one further application and the currently used user equipment routing policy information (400), and sends the user equipment routing policy information (401) to the user equipment (20) to be deployed by the user equipment (20); A method comprising:

2. the user equipment routing policy information (401) corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) corresponds to setting and deleting a user equipment routing policy for the user equipment, and in the case of setting such a user equipment routing policy for the user equipment (20), the corresponding user equipment routing policy information (401) is generated by a user equipment routing policy generation function as part of or accessible by the telecommunications network (100); the corresponding user equipment routing policy information (401) is generated by the user equipment routing policy generation function in response to the change in the operating status of the user equipment (20) and / or such that the user equipment routing policy information (401) is adapted to the current operating status of the user equipment (20).

2. The method of claim 1 .

3. the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) corresponds to a control plane message; By said User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message (450), said User Equipment (20) notifies said telecommunications network (100) that said change in said operating conditions has occurred; The User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message (450) comprises: the reason or at least one reason for said User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message (450), - the parameter or at least one parameter of said User Equipment Routing Policy Update Request message (450), - changing the telecommunications network to which the user equipment (20) is connected; - changing the access mode configuration information of said user equipment (20), wherein the access mode configuration information relating to the configuration or mode of operation of said user equipment (20) is authorized to access either a set of predetermined first telecommunication networks or a set of predetermined second telecommunication networks; and - includes information about at least one of the following: a software client application executed by said user equipment (20) or a change in the use or functionality of a software client application of said user equipment (20); 2. The method of claim 1 .

4. the user equipment routing policy information (401) corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) includes a corresponding access mode-related validity element (441); The corresponding user equipment routing policy information (401) includes a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and at least one routing descriptor, as well as a corresponding access mode-related validity element (441); and / or the corresponding user equipment routing policy information (401) includes, as part of at least one routing descriptor, the corresponding access mode-related validity element (441); 2. The method of claim 1 .

5. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user equipment routing policy information (401) corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) includes at least one user equipment routing policy rule, and the corresponding access mode-related validity element (441) is part of the user equipment routing policy rule and is further included together with a priority value, a traffic descriptor, and at least one routing descriptor.

6. 1. A system for requesting and transmitting user equipment routing policy information (400) when operating the system with a connected user equipment (20), the system comprising: a telecommunications network (100) and the user equipment (20), the telecommunications network (100) comprising a core network (120) including a policy and charging function (130), the policy and charging function (130) configured to transmit the user equipment routing policy information (400) to the user equipment (20); the user equipment (20) is configured to detect or determine a change in an operating condition of the user equipment (20), the change in the operating condition corresponding to a request to transmit data associated with or relating to a software client application executed by the user equipment (20), the software client application being associated with an application server entity (150); The system comprises: the policy and charging function (130) receiving from the user equipment (20) a user equipment routing policy update request message (450), the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) being triggered by the software client application executed by the user equipment (20) and including at least one application-associated parameter, the application-associated parameter being application identifier information associated with the software client application; - after receiving the user equipment routing policy update request message (450), the policy and charging function (130) requests the application server entity (150) to provide parameters associated with at least one further application, and the application server entity (150) provides the parameters associated with the at least one further application; - after receiving the user equipment routing policy update request message (450), the policy and charging function (130) requests the user equipment (20) to provide currently used user equipment routing policy information (400), and the user equipment (20) provides the currently used user equipment routing policy information (400); - after receiving the parameters associated with the at least one further application and the currently used user equipment routing policy information (400), the policy and charging function (130) generates the user equipment routing policy information (401) corresponding to the user equipment routing policy update request message (450) based on the at least one further parameter and the currently used user equipment routing policy information (400) and sends the user equipment routing policy information (401) to the user equipment (20) to be deployed by the user equipment (20); A system comprising:

7. A user device configured to be used as the user device (20) in the system described in claim 6.

8. A program comprising computer-readable program code for executing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

9. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for carrying out the method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

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